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Racing News: Royal Purple's "Outperformer" Series Returns for Second Season

Compiled by SEMA Editors

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Nicole Lyons is Royal Purple’s first 2013 "Outperformer," award-winning engine builder, pioneering female racer and restoration shop owner. Photo Credit: Royal Purple
   

Royal Purple's "Outperformer" Series Returns for Second Season
This year's Royal Purple "Outperformer" documentary series kicks off spotlighting award-winning engine builder, pioneering female racer and restoration shop owner Nicole Lyons.

The mini-documentary airs as Lyons continues to break down barriers, becoming the first female driver to compete in race series for both the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) together in one race season. In addition to tackling two separate race series and their respective schedules, Lyons also holds the distinction of being the first African-American woman to race in the NHRA and American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Top Sportsman classes.

An accomplished builder and restorer in her own right, Lyons also owns and operates her own restoration shop, Cole Muscle Cars, in Sylmar, California, which specializes in ’60–’70 musclecars and ’55–’59 classic cars.

Two additional mini-documentaries featuring other "Outperformers" will air later in the year and can be viewed by visiting the Royal Purple website. The videos, which average five minutes in length, will be promoted with 15-second clips on broadcast television and online.

NHRA, NMCA, NMCA WEST & Chevy High Performance Nationals Continue Aerospace Components NHRA Unleashed Series
The NHRA, Aerospace Components and ProMedia Events will once again combine forces and continue Aerospace Components NHRA Unleashed in conjunction with the NMCA and NMCA WEST event series, including the Chevy High Performance Nationals. Outlined in a multi-year agreement reached between the NHRA and ProMedia, the Aerospace Components NHRA Unleashed Series will again be contested at all NHRA-member tracks on the 2013 NMCA & NMCA WEST tour. These events include: Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California (April 5–7); Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia (April 11–14); Auto Club Raceway of Pomona in Pomona, California (May 16–19); Atlanta Dragway (May 31–June 2); Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois (July 11–14); Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky (August 2–4); Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio (August 22–25); TBD Location (September 6–8); Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana (October 10–13); and Auto Club Famoso Raceway (October 25–27).

Aerospace Components will continue to sponsor NHRA Unleashed, providing added benefits to both Flowmaster-sponsored NMCA and NMCA WEST event series and the Chevy High Performance Nationals, which include more than $3.5 million purse and cash contingencies for all 11 events.

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Tanner Foust won the Rallycross season opener at the Lydden Hill circuit in Wootton, United Kingdom.
   

Tanner Foust Wins 2013 Rallycross Opener
Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust earned the first win of an international Rallycross campaign that will see him contest two major series on three continents this year. He arrived at the Lydden Hill circuit in southeast England last weekend ready for a repeat of his 2012 performance there. In addition to the car's refreshed look, new sponsors include ENEOS Motor Oil and ODYSSEY Battery.

Early qualifying saw Foust suffer a flat tire in the first of four heats, but he recovered quickly and advanced to the final round, where he led from wire to wire.

Foust has finished the past two seasons in the top ranks of the FIA European Rallycross Championship, earned back-to-back Global Rallycross Championship titles and has scored three X Games gold medals in rally competition. He now leads the points in the nine-round European championship.

The win puts Foust in a strong position heading into the first Global Rallycross Championship round, held for the first time at X Games Brazil, April 21. Foust is expected to run a select season of events in the 2013 European Rallycross Championship, as well as the full X Games and Global Rallycross schedule.

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Royal Purple will present the Muscle Mustangs All-Female Shootout at its Norwalk, Ohio, event the weekend of June 14–16, 2013.
 
   

NMRA to Host All-Female Shootout at Norwalk, Ohio, Event
The NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals series has announced that Royal Purple will present the Muscle Mustangs All-Female Shootout at its Norwalk, Ohio, event that will take place at Summit Motorsports Park the weekend of June 14–16, 2013. The All-Female Shootout will bring together some of the fastest females in the United States to race their street-legal Mustangs and Fords.

These NMRA lady racers will first compete in their own all-female TREMEC True Street class, presented by Muscle Mustangs, on Saturday (must meet all TS rules) with their own cash prizes and awards.

On Sunday, the eight quickest racers from Saturday’s ladies-only True Street competition will race heads-up on a 4/10 pro tree in the All-Female Shootout for cash, Royal Purple product, awards and the title of All-Female Shootout champion.

For more information on the NMRA Ohio event, log on to www.NMRAdigital.com/OH.

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Toyota's official on-track fleet for IEC's opening night 2013 includes an Avalon pace car.
   

Southern California Toyota Dealers Partner With the Irwindale Event Center
Southern California Toyota Dealers have come aboard at the Irwindale Event Center (IEC) as its official vehicle providers. The 59-dealer strong association will have an on-site presence at every NASCAR and NHRA event at the IEC, which includes providing the facility's on-track safety vehicles and official pace car.

Additionally, there will be a continuing display of the latest Toyota and Scion vehicles in the fan area just inside the main spectator gates of the Speedway. Opening night 2013 is Saturday, April 6, and the Toyota official on-track fleet (three Tundra pickups and an Avalon pace car) is ready for the work ahead.