NHRA announced that Tyler Schulze, a versatile executive who has excelled in the management of multi-media content publishing enterprises, has been named vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately.

In his new role with NHRA, Schulze will direct the fiscal functions of the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body. As a member of NHRA’s leadership team, he also will oversee several administrative departments, assist with developing NHRA’s strategic vision and implement new business initiatives to help achieve financial objectives. He will report directly to NHRA President Peter Clifford.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Tyler’s impressive multi-media and digital background join our executive leadership team as we expand our efforts into these areas,” Clifford said. “Tyler is a proven business strategist who has a strong track record of developing growth opportunities and expansive partnerships. He has a hands-on style that will be a perfect fit here at NHRA.”

Schulze worked for the last 12 years at TEN: The Enthusiast Network in Los Angeles in various finance, development, and operational executive roles. Most recently as executive vice president of the TEN Enterprises division, he managed strategic development and licensing for more than 70 media brands focused on the automotive, sports and entertainment verticals. He also had oversight of all television, home video and digital video distribution, including Motor Trend Channel, the largest automotive channel on YouTube, and Motor Trend OnDemand.

Prior to joining TEN, Schulze worked as director of business development for Fox Cable Networks, where he managed financial analysis for a $3 billion rights portfolio for 13 regional sports networks that distributed games from the NBA, MLB, NHL and NCAA.

“I am looking forward to joining the NHRA team during this time of transition and growth,” Schulze said. “I am excited about the challenge and welcome the opportunity to assist NHRA with its ongoing key strategic initiatives.”

Schulze holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and management from Albion College in Michigan and an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. He resides in Orange County, Calif., with his wife and children.

The Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame will formally induct its class of 2015 on Saturday, October 24.

The organization’s eighth annual induction ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. central time, inside the Owensboro Museum of Science and History’s Speedzeum.

This marks the third year the event is held in Owensboro. Owensboro’s Earl Hayden is scheduled to receive this year’s Pioneer Award. Hayden is patriarch of the world champion Hayden brothers motorcycle racing family. His son Nicky is a former MotoGP world champion, who has garnered numerous wins in the American Motorcyclist Ass’n Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes. Eldest son Tommy is a former champion in the Supersport class and son Roger Lee has been active at all levels of racing, including MotoGP and Superbike.

Other members of the class of 2015 include:

– Marion Cooper of Vine Grove, Ky., a veteran boat racer, former American Power Boat Racing Ass’n world champion, three-time winner of the prestigious Calvert Trophy – claimed in competition on the Ohio River during the 1950s and 1960s – and the first driver of the Miss Madison unlimited hydroplane from 1961-1963.

– Dallas Jones of Beechmont, Ky., the long-time owner and promoter of Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, including Beech Bend Dragway and Raceway. The iconic track annually hosts an array of national and regional racing events, including the NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion.

– Jim Ruth off Morehead, Ky., a former Pro Stock drag racer who later owned and operated Bristol International Dragway in Tennessee and former owner of the International Hot Rod Ass’n, a drag race sanctioning organization perhaps best known for creating the popular Pro Modified division.

– Jerry Decker of Valley Station, Ky., a two-time drag racing world champion car owner and driver.

– Pat Freels, of Island, Ky., a former national champion tractor puller and drag racer.

– Dickie Ogles of Bowling Green, Ky., who has enjoyed a 50-year career in drag racing and won 75 NHRA national event class trophies.

The Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the accomplishments of Kentuckians in all forms of motorsports competition.

The ceremony will be held at 122 East 2nd St., Owensboro, Ky. Doors open at noon and there is no admission fee.

Lotus Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean will take part in this year's Race of Champions in London, becoming the fifth current grand prix racer to sign up to the event.

The Frenchman won the individual competition in Bangkok in 2012, beating Tom Kristensen in the final. He joins fellow F1 stars Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Hulkenberg and Felipe Massa on the bill for the 2015 event at the Olympic Stadium on November 20–21.

"This is a great event and there are so many reasons that we all want to return every year," said Grosjean, who will leave Lotus for the new Haas F1 team next season. "The main thing is that everyone involved just loves racing and driving different cars - so trying out such a wide range of machinery is driving heaven for all of us. Rest assured I'll do everything to win the 'Champion of Champions' crown back next month."

2015 RACE OF CHAMPIONS LINE-UP SO FAR

David Coulthard

Mick Doohan

Romain Grosjean

Nico Hulkenberg

Tom Kristensen

Jorge Lorenzo

Felipe Massa

Nelson Piquet Jr

Jason Plato

Daniel Ricciardo

Petter Solberg

Sebastian Vettel

Susie Wolff

International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) officials and IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRG) unveiled the 2016 IHRA Drag Racing Series schedule. The 2016 professional schedule currently features nine events throughout the United States and Canada. The season will kick off in March and conclude in September.
 
The IHRA Drag Racing Series remains comprised of traditional stops along with the addition of two new markets. Highlighting the 2016 schedule will be powerhouse stops in: San Antonio, Texas; Grand Bend, Ontario; Edmonton, Alberta and Martin, Michigan. Also returning to the schedule is Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Cordova, Illinois and Budds Creek, Maryland.
 
The season will get underway March 5–6 at Orlando Speed World Dragway in Orlando, Florida and conclude at Dragway 42 in West Salem, Ohio. Both of these venues are new stops on the IHRA professional tour.
 
The 2016 IHRA Drag Racing Series (formerly Nitro Jam) is a departure of the traditional format with all events featuring the same classes of competition. The IHRA strategically determined professional classes that are best suited for each facility and market. This move will make for the most exciting and competitive drag racing ever produced by the sanctioning body.
 
"The IHRA worked tirelessly at creating a series that features key classes in key markets," stated IHRA President Scott Gardner. "The 2016 series has more diversity in classes and locations than ever in the history of the IHRA. We believe the revised schedule and format will create fierce competition for the racers and great entertainment for our fans."
 
IHRA officials are currently working with several additional venues for possible new dates to the 2016 schedule. In addition, the dates and locations of the Jet Dragster class will be announced at a later time.

2016 IHRA Drag Racing Series Schedule
 
DATE, EVENT, LOCATION, POINTS CLASSES

March 5 - 6, Spring Nitro Nationals, Orlando, FL, NFC, NH, PS, PM

March 18 - 19 *, Mardi Gras Nationals, Baton Rouge, LA, NH, PS, PM  

April 1 - 2, Texas Nationals, San Antonio, TX, NFC, NH, PS, PM  

June 3 - 4 *, Summer Nationals, Cordova, IL, NFC, PS, PM  

June 17 - 18 *, President's Cup, Budds Creek, MD, NH, PS, PM

June 24 - 26, Mopar Canadian Nationals, Grand Bend, Ontario, NFC, NH, PS, PM  
July 15 - 17 *, Mopar Rocky Nationals, Edmonton, Alberta, NFC, NH  

August 12 - 13, Northern Nationals, Martin, MI, NFC, NH, PS, PM   

September 23 - 24, World Nationals, West Salem, OH, NFC, NH, PS, PM  

*Additional non-points pro cars to be included at the event

• NFC - AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive
• NH - Nitro Harley
• PS - Pro Stock
• PM - Crower Pro Mod

The IHRA Drag Racing Series points will be determined by the best seven out of eight events on the schedule. The World Series of Drag Racing at Cordova International Raceway on August 26 - 27, 2016 will count as a points race for the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive class.

The IHRA promotes professional and sportsman racing for drivers of all levels. Headquartered in Norwalk, Ohio, the IHRA sanctions more than 100 motorsport facilities in the United States and Canada and has more than 12,000 racers as members. The IHRA Drag Racing Series stars the fastest, loudest and meanest race machines on the planet with major events throughout the year. The IHRA also oversees multiple sportsman racing programs including the Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL, Summit Racing Equipment SuperSeries presented by AMSOIL, and Summit Racing Equipment Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL.

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series has set its 2016 schedule of events.

Taking a page from years past, the series will get underway with a visit to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., in mid-March. Five weeks later the series will head further west to visit Lake Elsinore (Calif.) Motorsports Park. After that, May will see the series return south of the border to Estero Beach in Ensenada, Baja California, México.

After another four-week break, the series will then make its way back to Tooele Motorsports Park, just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, before returning to Glen Helen Motorsports Park for the season’s first night race in late July. August will see the series make another trek north, this time to Wild West Motorsports Park in Sparks, Nev., with the series then making a second stop at Lake Elsinore in September for the season’s final night race event.

The season will end with an Arizona bookending, with Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park again hosting the final regular season race of the year, as well as the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup, in late October.

“We are honored to be able to release the 2016 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Schedule,” said Series Director Ritchie Lewis. “We look forward to kicking things off at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, as we tackle 15 rounds of scheduled points events, before bringing things full circle and ending up back at Wild Horse Pass again to complete the 2016 tour with the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup. We will also continue with the international fan favorite Baja International Short Course, which will move to a new, springtime date in May of 2016.

“There were many inquiries about new venues for 2016 and beyond,” Lewis added. “We are looking at some possibilities for 2017, however our focus in the upcoming off season is to begin a busy winter of work on our existing tracks.”

2016 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Schedule

Dates – Venue – Location

March 19-20 – Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park – Chandler, Ariz.

April 23-24 – Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park – Lake Elsinore, Calif.

May 21-22 – Baja Int’l Short Course – Ensenada, Mexico

June 18-19 – Tooele Motorsports Sports Park – Tooele, Utah

July 23-24 – Glen Helen Motorsports Park – San Bernardino, Calif.

Aug. 13-14 – Wild West Motorsports Park – Sparks, Nev.

Sept. 23-24 – Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park – Lake Elsinore, Calif.

Oct. 22-23 – Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park – Chandler, Ariz.

The Sportscar Vintage Racing Associaton (SVRA) has announced a 16-race weekend schedule for 2016, allowing race teams to plan well ahead for next year.

As announced earlier the SVRA will again bring its Brickyard Invitational with its popular Indy Legends Charity Pro-Am to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Now the date is confirmed for June 15-19, which includes Father’s Day weekend.

The 2016 SVRA schedule also includes some of the greatest and most historic road courses in the United States such as Watkins Glen, Road America, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Sebring International Raceway, Auto Club Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Portland International Raceway and Virginia International Raceway (VIR), among others. COTA will again play host to the SVRA’s season-ending national championships.

“I think we are unique as a growth sector in the motorsports industry,” said SVRA President and CEO Tony Parella. “We have come a long way in the short time since rebooting our organization three years ago. Each of our events has their own culture but the formula we see working is creating high activity, multi-faceted festival-style shows that give fans including the entire family so many things to enjoy and share through social media on our weekends.”

All dates are confirmed with the facilities with the exception of the March 17-20 Amelia Island Vintage Grand Prix planned to take place on a temporary 2.4-mile road course at the Fernandina Beach Airport. The SVRA has secured the Fernandina City Council and Airport’s approvals to put on the racing event. Full Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval is expected in the coming months.

2016 Sportscar Vintage Racing Association Schedule

Date – Venue – Location

Feb. 5-7 – Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch – Pahrump, Nev.

March 3-6 – Sebring Int’l Raceway – Sebring, Fla.

March 17-20 – Fernandina Beach Airport – Amelia Island, Fla.

March 19-20 – Willow Springs Int’l Motorsports Park – Rosamund, Calif.

April 23-24 – Buttonwillow Raceway Park – Buttonwillow, Calif.

April 23-24 – Auto Club Speedway – Fontana, Calif.

May 13-15 – Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wis.

June 2-5 – Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, Calif.

June 15-19 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Indianapolis, Ind.

June 23-26 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, Ohio

July 7-10 – Portland Int’l Raceway – Portland, Ore.

Sept. 8-11 – Watkins Glen Int’l – Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Sept. 16-18 – North Island Naval Air Station – San Diego, Calif.

Sept. 22-25 – Virginia Int’l Raceway – Alton, Va.

Oct. 13-16 – NOLA Motorsports Park – Avondale, La.

Nov. 2-6 – Circuit of the Americas – Austin, Texas

NMCA WEST and VP Racing Fuels announce the official schedule for the 2016 season. Home to the "West Coast's Fastest Street Cars,” each NMCA WEST event includes competitive grassroots drag racing in Southern California along with autocross, manufacturers' midway and vendor row. It's the best value in motorsports for all types of automotive enthusiasts. Competitors who are deemed champions at each race will take a trip to the Aerospace Components Winners Circle to accept their trophy.

"Our entire team is looking forward to another competitive year of drag racing and autocross on the west coast, with some exciting class changes and additions for 2016," said National Event Director, Rollie Miller. "Our racers and fans can expect another great year with NMCA WEST at Auto Club Dragway."
 
All 2016 events will be held at the Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California where track conditions have been ideal since it's re-opening last year. The location allows the NMCA WEST to host affordable, family-friendly events that include something for every race fan.
 
"It's been great working with Rollie and his staff," said Auto Club Speedway VP of Operations Ray Wilkings. "The NMCA WEST series provides some of the best drag racing and autocross action in this region and we're proud to be the host race track for another year. Looking forward to seeing all of the fans, racers and crew in 2016!"
 
Once again, each NMCA WEST event will include all-day autocross on Saturday and Sunday. The autocross competition is open to anyone with the desire to race around the cones on a course designed by the professionals at Racing Byrds.
 
April 1-3, 2016
5th Annual NMCA WEST Spring Nationals
Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA
 
June 17-19, 2016
6th Annual NMCA West Coast Shootout
Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA
 
September 16-18, 2016
5th Annual NMCA WEST Street Car Nationals
Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA
 
October 14-16, 2016
5th Annual NMCA WEST World Finals
Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA

The ARCA Racing Series has announced that General Tire will replace Hoosier Tire as the official tire of the ARCA Racing Series beginning in 2016.

The sponsorship marks General Tire’s entry into stock car racing.

“The General Tire brand celebrated 100 years of innovating tire technology this year and we are proud to continue that tradition in the ARCA Racing Series in 2016,” said Travis Roffler, director of marketing for General Tire. “ARCA produces some fantastic racing and allows us to expose the General brand to a whole new audience of motorsports fans. We’re eager to expand our portfolio and showcase our technologies to such a dedicated audience.”

“We are pleased to welcome General Tire as a corporate partner in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards,” said ARCA president, Ron Drager.

General Tire’s agreement includes the official tire and sole supplier status in the ARCA Racing Series. The program also includes a complete television package including commercials, in-car cameras and billboards, as well as at-track activation, race entitlements and track signage programs. At-track service for the teams will remain seamless and General Tire will continue to provide full, first-class support to all ARCA teams.

Plymouth (Ind.) Speedway has become the first DIRTcar-sanctioned race track to include the recently released DIRTcar Pro Sprint as a weekly division.

Ed Kennedy, owner of the 3/8-mile dirt oval, is excited with the prospects.

“The developers of this package used our track numerous times, and I have been impressed every time it hits the track,” he said. “The concept is perfect for the weekly and hobby racer. This division will be a great addition to our weekly lineup.”

Plans include nine regional divisions and a national champion who will be recognized at the World of Outlaws Sprint Series Banquet. Regions and the number of races to qualify will be released in March 2016.

“These cars are plenty fast and will race really well,” said weekly participant Garret Saunders, who has tested the sprint cars. “Fans are going to love them.”

Kemp, a veteran motorsports promoter, has developed a strict set of specifications that includes mandatory specified parts based around the Chevy Performance 602 sealed engine.

“With the rules now in publication, the fun work will begin working with tracks, like Plymouth Speedway, and the numerous potential participants,” Kemp said. “I have taken calls from nearly every state with great interest.”

Formula 1's push to make its latest-generation engines louder has stepped up a gear with the FIA approving rule changes around the cars' exhaust systems.

From next year, the exhaust has to be split into one tailpipe for the turbo's turbine and then one or two smaller tailpipes for its wastegates. A wastegate is a pressure relief valve for the exhaust system, fitted to the primary exhaust before it enters the turbo. Hydraulically operated under control from the car's ECU, it is used to prevent the exhaust gases over revving the turbo and creating too much boost for the inlet system.

As much as the ERS-H (Heat) is also used for a similar function, there are times when wastegates will open to vent exhaust pressure, with a characteristic "turbo" sound. With the exhaust tail pipes now split, the exhaust sounds will be separated and should be more distinct from each other.

So the exhaust note should be more interesting, but not necessarily a lot louder, although track tests have yet to be carried out publicly to confirm this.

The new regulations dictate the position of the second and third tail pipes, which still end in the same area as the current single exhaust.

In this position and orientation the exhausts have nearly no beneficial aerodynamic blowing function. Moreover, the separate wastegate tailpipes will blow sporadically as the battery becomes fully charged and the ERS-H cannot direct its recovered energy directly to the MGU-K. The timing of any blowing is unlikely to be matched with the car's aerodynamic demands around the track, so the wastegate tailpipes would be ineffectual for a blowing function anyway.

Teams therefore remain largely limited to blowing the exhaust under a Y100 "monkey seat" winglet, an effect miniscule in comparison the exhaust-blown diffusers of pre-2014.

Other technical tweaks include a small alteration to the width of the padding around the cockpit opening, which will have minimal visual and performance impact.

Changes are also being made around the regulation of onboard camera pods. For 2016 the camera mountings below the roll-hoop must not be wider than 15mm—preventing teams from using wider "aerodynamic" mounts.

A year later, the stalk-mounted cameras on the nose of the car will be outlawed, reducing the performance benefit teams have exploited with their current designs.