Alan Johnson Racing and 2013 Top Fuel World Champion Shawn Langdon will withdraw temporarily from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series competition effective immediately, the team announced. When the team is successful in acquiring adequate sponsorship, it will resume competition.

Alan Johnson Racing announced January 5 that it lost its sponsorship approximately a week before leaving for pre-season testing and a month before the start of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. The team made the commitment to race the season’s first two events, won the season-opening Circle K Winternationals and made what was then the quickest run in the history of the sport during the event. Subsequent races in Gainesville, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C., were added to the schedule. Toyota Motor Sales, Alan Johnson Racing’s longest-standing sponsor having first sponsored the team in 2001, increased its support prior to the Charlotte event allowing the team to compete as it searched for sponsorship.

In the last three races, the team has a runner-up finish and two semifinal appearances; last month in Brainerd, Minnesota, the Knuckle Sandwich Toyota dragster recorded a 3.662-second elapsed time—the quickest in NHRA history. 

Following mid-season struggles, the team finished the regular season in good form and was seeded sixth in the Countdown to the Championship NHRA Playoffs, which begin a six-race run this weekend at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte.

However, despite exhaustive efforts that began in early January, sufficient sponsorship has not yet been secured. Due to the lack of funding, Alan Johnson Racing will temporarily suspend racing operations. Alan Johnson Racing won NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel World Championships in 2013, ’11, ’10, ’00, 1998 and 1997 and was poised for a run at the 2015 World Title.

“We are extremely disappointed to make this decision, but at this point, it is our best option,” team owner Alan Johnson said. “The AJR marketing staff has worked diligently throughout the year securing funding to complete the 2015 season; unfortunately we have come up a bit short. The process of securing funding is still ongoing, but our focus has shifted to the 2016 season. I want to thank our great partners and friends at Toyota Motor Sales for their support during this difficult season. Their commitment to our team over the past 15 years has been tremendous, and this year in particular has been invaluable. I also want to thank the entire AJR race team and support staff for their loyalty and commitment. This break will result in some of our crew members moving on to other opportunities, and we wish them all the best. Lastly, I want to thank our loyal fans for their encouragement and support throughout this difficult year. We have every intention of returning to NHRA Drag Racing in 2016; I’ll keep you posted.” 

Alan Johnson Racing is located in Brownsburg, Indiana. Alan Johnson has won 11 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel World Championships with five different drivers: Gary Scelzi, Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon, Del Worsham and Shawn Langdon; he is a 15-time NHRA national champion.

Hurco Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HURC) has announced the promotions of Joe Braun to Vice President of Marketing and Product Management and Scott Camloh to National Sales Manager. Hurco also announced it has hired Cory Miller as General Manager of Hurco North America.

Braun has worked at Hurco since April 2009, but has been selling Hurco CNC machines since 1990 as the co-owner of Braun Machinery in Michigan. Prior to his current position as vice president, he was the Manager of Distributor Development for Hurco North America from 2010 to 2013 and was promoted to General Manager of Hurco North America in 2013. In his role as Vice President of Marketing and Product Management, Braun will provide leadership and management of marketing and product planning activities worldwide. He will be responsible for positioning Hurco Companies’ three machine tool brands (Hurco, Milltronics and Takumi) and overseeing product marketing activities, such as market and customer research, product launch management, sales training, and competitive analyses.

Miller has been hired to serve as the General Manager of Hurco North America. Miller returns to Hurco after accumulating 10 years of leadership experience, at various machine tool builders and accessory companies, most recently as General Manager of Bucci Industries. During his previous tenure at Hurco, Miller held multiple management positions in sales, service, and applications. As General Manager of Hurco North America, Miller will be responsible for all of the division’s operations.

Camloh has been with Hurco since 2006 and served as the Regional Sales Manager for the Eastern United States. Prior to Hurco, Camloh gained 25 years of experience in CNC Project Engineering, Manufacturing Production Management, and Machine Tool Sales. As National Sales Manager, Camloh will be responsible for leading and guiding the North American sales team, supervising the regional sales managers, transaction management, and distributor training and development.

 Greenleaf Corporation, a developer of cutting tool technology and ceramic materials, has appointed Bernie McConnell to the position of Executive Vice President-Commercial. McConnell comes to Greenleaf from Kennametal Corporation where he managed that company’s WIDIA business.

At Greenleaf, McConnell is responsible for managing all of Greenleaf Corporation’s global sales and marketing operations. He will report directly to the President, Jim Greenleaf.

“Bernie is an outstanding business leader who is very well-respected througout our industry, and we are excited to have him on board,” said Greenleaf. “We are fortunate to have someone with his skills, industry knowledge and global experience leading our commercial organization as we look to profitably grow Greenleaf Corporation around the world.”

Over the course of his 18 years at Kennametal, McConnell served in key marketing, product management, sales and business leadership roles for the multi-billion dollar supplier of tooling and industrial materials, including VP WIDIA Business Unit. In this role he was responsible for the growth, profitability and brand positioning of the global WIDIA business, part of Kennametal, with operations in more than 60 countries. McConnell was instrumental in developing, launching and leading the global WIDIA strategy through execution and growth from 2010 to 2015. Prior to that, he served as VP Marketing for the Industrial Business segment.

McConnell also served as Director Global Product Management and Market Segment Management of the Metalworking Solutions and Services Group, representing the entire metalworking portfolio and market segment strategies for Kennametal.

Prior to joining Kennametal, McConnell served in the United States Navy on board the U.S.S. Coral Sea. He holds an MBA from Duquesne University and a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. McConnell, his wife and five children live in Blairsville, Pennsylvania.

McConnell will be replacing David Rydbom, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, when he retires this December.

“Dave has devoted his entire career to the success of Greenleaf Corporation and while we wish him all the best in his retirement, he will be missed,” commented Greenleaf.

On the heels of a Mission Statement issued earlier this month to outline the future direction of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, International Motor Sports Ass’n (IMSA) officials have unveiled substantial efforts to reduce operating expenses for competitors in addition to a comprehensive list of existing and new car models conditionally approved for 2016 competition.

Among cost-control initiatives for the 2016 season is the introduction of series-approved onboard air jack kits (non-mandatory) for all Continental Tire Challenge race cars.

To reduce costs further in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, IMSA will change the Sporting Regulations to reflect a maximum of three crew members over the wall during pit stops, (down from four in 2015).

IMSA will allow tires to be placed on the “cold” side of the pit wall or positioned on tire stands prior to the car coming to a stop in its pit box as the three “over the wall” crew members will be prohibited from receiving any “behind the wall assistance” once the car is stopped in the pit box. The three are the only personnel allowed to touch the tires. The maximum of two “wheel guns” will remain in effect.

The 2016 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge will continue to feature and approve Grand Sport (GS) cars built to current IMSA specifications. IMSA will closely monitor the growth and development of the GT4 category internationally. GT4 cars that meet certain IMSA criteria may be considered on an individual basis for future selection.

The popular Street Tuner (ST) category continues to see an influx of evolving road car technology while maintaining a consistent performance balance across a large spectrum of eligible makes and models.

IMSA officials also clarified and provided a comprehensive list of new car models eligible and those conditionally approved for Competition in the 2016 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

Cars Currently Approved for Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Competition

Grand Sport (GS): Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M3 E92 Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.R, Ford Mustang FR500C (5.0) 2009, Ford Mustang Boss 302R GT, Ford Shelby GT350R-C, Nissan 370Z (3.7), Porsche 997 Carrera S (3.8) Direct Injection, Subaru WRX STi.

Street Tuner (ST): Audi S3 2015, BMW 128i (3.0), BMW 328i (E90) sedan, BMW 328i (F30) sedan, Honda Civic Si coupe and sedan JDM 2011, Honda Civic Si (2.0) USDM 2011, Honda Civic Si 2.4L, Hyundai Genesis, Mazdaspeed 3, Mazda MX-5 Miata, MINI Cooper JCW 2015, Nissan Altima V6, Porsche Boxster 2.9L 987, Porsche Cayman 2.9L 987.

New Cars Conditionally Approved for Competition

Grand Sport (GS): Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi RS5, Audi TTRS, BMW M4, Chevrolet Camaro SS 2016, Cadillac ATS-V Coupe, Dodge Challenger, Lexus RC-F, Lotus Evora 400, Porsche Cayman GT4 race car.

Street Tuner (ST): Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi A4 2.0, Audi TTS, Buick Regal 2.0L, Cadillac ATS Sedan 2.0L, Ford Focus ST, Hyundai Veloster Turbo, Kia Optima SX, Kia Forte Koup Turbo, Lexus IS350, Mitsubishi Lancer Raliart, Mercedes-Benz CLA250, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen GTI 2014, Volkswagen Golf R 2015, Volkswagen Beetle R-Line, Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and Williams Grove Speedway have announced the format for the newly expanded, three-day Champion Racing Oil National Open, Thursday, October 1 to Saturday, October 3.

Already one of the biggest events on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series schedule, the $50,000-to-win National Open will get bigger this year.

“We are excited to build on the history and tradition of the National Open,” said World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Director Carlton Reimers. “Williams Grove Speedway is one of the great motorsports venues in America and we are thrilled to continue to grow this event with them.”

The first two nights of the event, Thursday and Friday, will feature a standard World of Outlaws two-flight qualifying format and subsequent show. Each night’s feature will be 25 laps with a $10,000-to-win prize. National Open Event Points will be awarded for final position in time trials, heat races, C main, Last Chance Showdown and the feature.

The new points system will reward drivers for consistency throughout the event and is ultimately used to determine the lineups on the final night of the National Open.

The time trial leader is awarded 200 points with each subsequent position receiving two fewer points than the last; Heat race winners receive 100 points with each subsequent position receiving three fewer points than the last; the C main awards 94 points to the third place finisher with the top-two transferring into the Last Chance Showdown and each subsequent position after third receiving four fewer points than the last; the third place finisher in the Last Chance Showdown receives 150 points with each subsequent position receiving four fewer points; and the A main winner receives 250 points with each subsequent car receiving four fewer points than the last.

The Heat race lineups will be straight up utilizing combined event points. Heat race finishes on the final night will be awarded points and added to the combined event points. The Dash will be made up of the Heat race winners, the four highest combined event point leaders and the top one or two in event points that did not win their Heat but did make the transfer. The overall Dash lineup will be determined by combined event points.

Each of the rest of the races will be lined up by total combined event points with the Dash field setting the first 10 positions in the feature and the Last Chance Showdown transfers tagging the back of the A main. Four maximum provisionals can be utilized on each race night (two for World of Outlaws platinum teams and two for Williams Grove Speedway regulars).

“The National Open is one of the biggest events in the country and by extending it another day, we have the opportunity to make it bigger than ever,” said Williams Grove Speedway General Manager Justin Loh. “The additional day and format change allows us to attract more teams and fans to be a part of this already great tradition.”

The World Motor Sport Council has validated the selection by the ACO, FIA and IMSA committee of Gibson Technology as the sole engine supplier for cars in the LM P2 sports car category of ACO and FIA series, and Cosworth Electronics as the sole electronics supplier for LM P2 in ACO/FIA competitions as well as the IMSA category prototypes entered for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2017, the date on which the new regulations come into force.

The ACO, FIA and IMSA are continuing their work on the introduction of new technical regulations in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LM P2) category that will come into force from 2017.



The aim of the new regulations is to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of this category by achieving cost reductions, stability in the regulations, while increasing the speed of the LM P2 cars to bring them closer to those in LM P1.



They will be applied to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Asian Le Mans Series (Asian LMS starting in 2019), the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.



In July, the four chassis constructors were selected to supply LM P2s to the ACO/FIA Series and the IMSA prototypes. The successful constructors were Dallara (Italy-United States), Onroak Automotive (France), Oreca (France) and the joint-venture Riley Tech/Multimatic (USA-Canada-United Kingdom). 



In the series governed by the ACO and the FIA, all LM P2s will be equipped with Gibson Technology engines.



The engine in question will be a normally-aspirated 4-liter V8 delivering 600bhp. In addition to the power increase it will enable entrants to reduce their engine costs, while taking advantage of all the services linked to running an engine without significant extra charges (such as technical service and presence at the circuits).



In the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the prototypes will be powered by several different engines and the chassis will include stylistic elements particular to each engine builder.


The unique engine defined by the ACO/FIA will also be eligible in the United States where all the engines will be balanced to provide identical performances.



Cosworth Electronics has been selected as the single electronics supplier by the ACO, the FIA and IMSA. The unique Cosworth electronic unit will also provide a more efficient level of service (equipment, etc.), while enabling the performance of the engines between the ACO/FIA versions and the American engines to be managed.



Gibson Technology and Cosworth Electronics have been chosen according to criteria of performance, quality, reliability, service, maintenance and price competitiveness. 



The full technical specification of the new engine will be revealed at a later date.



The final series of measures of the LM P2 regulations will follow five stages:

• 1st January 2016: validation of the safety structures/monocoque,
• 1st April 2016: validation of the bodywork and the mechanical components,
• 1st June 2016: validation of the crash test,
• 1st September 2016: presentation of the draft homologation sheet,
• From 1-15 December 2016: inspection and final validation of the car.

A solid panel of presenters, headlined by FIA Formula 1 Race Director, Charlie Whiting, is being assembled for the 4th annual Race Track Business Conference at the 2015 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.
 
Whiting, is responsible for the safety, inspection and homologation of all F1 test and race tracks, the day to day running of every F1 Grand Prix and is chairman of the F1 Technical and Sporting Working Groups.
 
The event will be held just prior and in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, the centerpiece event for Race Industry Week 2015. The PRI Show runs from Thursday, December 10 to Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Occupying 566,000 square feet, it features over 1200 companies in 3200 booths with new racing technology and draws 40,000 buyers from across the US, as well as 70 countries.
 
"The RTBC-2015 will continue the dialogue for motorsports professionals away from the track. From sustainability to track preparation to safety to concessions to sponsorship and marketing, we expect to present a wide variety of sessions," said Tim Frost, publisher of National Speedway Directory, racing's key source of information on race tracks and more.
 
Industry leaders from across racing will be among the expert presenters. They include:
 
    •    Charlie Whiting - Director of Formula 1 - FIA
    •    Dan Andersen - CEO - Andersen Promotions
    •    Scot Elkins -  COO - Motorsport Safety Foundation
    •    Sherri Heckenast - President - Top Notch Events
    •    Robin Miller - Journalist - Racer Magazine
    •    Drew Patey  - Director of Motorsports - Safety-Kleen
    •    Gary Risch - General Manager - Lernerville Speedway
    •    Jason Rittenberry - Chief Strategy Officer - COTA
    •    Dan Robinson - General Manager - Lucas Oil Speedway
    •    Brett Root - President - IMCA
    •    Dan Rossetti - Managing Partner - Ascension Sports Partners
    •    Ralph Sheheen - Founder - Turn 3 Media
    •    Ray Smith - President - Smith Fence
    •    David Vodden - President - Thunderhill Raceway Park
    •    John Waraniak - Vice President - SEMA
    •    Heyward Wegner - Vice President - SCCA
    •    Mitch Wright - General Manager - NCM Motorsports Park
   
"Tim Frost has done a great job providing a venue where race track owners and operators can get a 'big picture' view of the state of the sport," said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. "The lineup of featured speakers for the Race Track Business Conference 2015 is outstanding."
 
From his early beginnings as a chief mechanic and race engineer with Brabham Formula One, Charlie Whiting, was part of two driver's World Championships with Nelson Piquet.  For over 25 years, he has served in various capacities at the FIA. They include F1 Technical Delegate, FIA F1 Race Director, and Safety Delegate. He is responsible for the FIA F1 technical department, and is a member of the FIA Open Cockpit Research Group, FIA Safety Commission and the FIA Circuits Commission.
 
The lists of speakers and agenda items are tentative and subject to change.
 
The cost to attend RTBC-2015 is $250. This cost includes lunch and admission to the PRI Trade Show. Additional information can be found at www.racetrackbusinessconference.com or by contacting Tim Frost at (twfrost@speedwaysonline.com) or (847) 853-0294.

Jimmie Johnson knew he wasn't leaving Hendrick Motorsports, even as questions began to swirl when negotiations on an extension stretched deep into the final year of his contract.

All that speculation was for naught: Rick Hendrick has locked the six-time champion and sponsor Lowe's into a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2017 season. The deal announced Monday comes as Johnson prepares for the opening race of NASCAR's playoffs, and he seemed amused that his possible free agency "caught some buzz" throughout the industry as negotiations continued.

"In my heart, Hendrick is my home, Lowe's is my sponsor and I certainly hope it stays this way until the day I quit driving," Johnson said.

In addition to the extensions for Johnson and Lowe's, crew chief Chad Knaus had previously inked a new three-year deal through the 2018 season.

It solidifies a powerhouse team that has been together since Lowe's came aboard in 2001 when Hendrick formed the No. 48 specifically for Johnson. The company had been involved in NASCAR at various sponsorship levels for decades, but was persuaded by Hendrick to take a chance on an unproven driver in a new fourth team for the organization.

Lowe's was on the car when Johnson ran three Cup races in 2001, and the nucleus of driver, sponsor and crew chief has been together since Johnson's 2002 rookie season.

The partnership has produced six championships and 74 victories in 14 seasons. Johnson, who will make his 500th career start later this month, is seeking a record-tying seventh championship in this year's playoffs. The Chase begins Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway and Johnson is tied with two others for the top seed in the 16-driver field.

It's a payoff Lowe's never saw coming.

So unsure of Johnson's future, the company initially hedged its bets with Hendrick and signed on as an associate sponsor for Jeff Gordon in case Johnson was a bust and Lowe's needed Gordon as a brand ambassador.

"We very quickly dropped that associate sponsorship on the 24 car as unneeded. We never needed that contingency plan," Tom Lamb, chief marketing officer at Lowe's said. "I think we took a really big gamble on Jimmie Johnson when they first brought him to us, and the reality is we absolutely feel like we won the lottery."

Johnson won the pole as a rookie for his first Daytona 500, and was in victory lane in the 10th race of the season. His 2002 campaign produced three wins, a fifth-place finish in the standings and a star in the making for NASCAR. Johnson's first of five consecutive titles came in 2006, and he quickly surpassed teammate Gordon as the most dominant driver of the decade.

Along the way, he helped Lowe's establish its brand, then helped grow awareness of the Kobalt line and is currently part of Lowe's push to gain recognition for its ProServices department.

So with all parties so pleased with the arrangement, what took so long to get a deal done?
Part of the negotiations this time around included Johnson receiving a stake in Hendrick's automotive arm.

The team owner has done similar deals with Terry Labonte, Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., all coming in as partners with Hendrick on dealerships. Johnson currently has his name on one dealership, Jimmie Johnson's Kearny Mesa Chevrolet in San Diego, but will increase his portfolio as part of the new extension.

"That's income-producing for life," Hendrick said. "Jeff's involved in three or four (dealerships), and that's income. I've got Earnhardt involved, and we're going to expand Jimmie's deal. When they retire, they like cars, they can be involved if they want to, but it's a business that I know and I can run it and they can be a partner in it and continue on."

This newest contract is far shorter than previous ones signed by Johnson, who said his preference is long-term deals. He indicated the shorter terms on this extension are tied more to getting a deal that all parties could agree upon than it did his desire to reassess his future in the next two seasons.

Johnson turns 40 on Thursday, and the father of two young daughters said he's got no interest right now in walking away from racing. Gordon, his original mentor and the one who brought Johnson to Hendrick, is retiring at the end of the season.

"It's wild, I'm 40 this year, Jeff's retiring at 43 and there's a lot of guys in their 40s who are all starting to plan the next two or three years," Johnson said. "I guess it's out there someday for me, but it's not on my radar yet. I would assume after '17, I'll have to start planning at that point. But full steam ahead right now."

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews revealed on Saturday that Melbourne will remain the host of the Australian Grand Prix until at least 2023.

Andrews posted a video on his Facebook page, officially announcing that the Grand Prix was to stay in the Victorian city and not move to Sydney.

The New South Wales Premier, Mike Baird, had announced in his electoral campaign that if he were elected he would bring the Grand Prix to Sydney.

In a response to Baird, Andrews said: "I'm sorry Mike [Baird], but the Australian Formula One Grand Prix is here to stay exactly where it belongs, in the great city of Melbourne.

"The good news is that you and tens of thousands of others from New South Wales and right across Australia, and indeed right across the world, are more than welcome to come to Melbourne to be part of the great race.

"In fact I'll even shout you a ticket."

Melbourne had previously announced that it had a contract until the 2020 season.

FanVision Entertainment announced that it has acquired Racing Electronics (RE). FanVision and RE combined will reach race teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans with cutting edge communication products and services across all major North American motorsports series. Over the past 28 years, RE has built a trusted brand in race communications. With operations in NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, ARCA, and other racing series, RE will provide access to new markets for FanVision’s NASCAR-focused product line of digital audio, video, and stats devices.



"Motorsports is very important to FanVision, and RE is an integral part of that ecosystem. We love their technology, their know-how, and their approach to the business," said Andrew Daines, CEO of FanVision Entertainment. 



"We are thrilled to be joining the FanVision Entertainment family," said Bruce Silver, Founder of Racing Electronics and now President of Motorsports for FanVision. "Our combined products and expertise make this a very exciting company."

Fans should expect no changes or interruptions in service for FanVision and Racing Electronics products, websites, and trackside locations as a result of the deal.