Compiled by SEMA Editors
 The 2015 Dakar Rally will be held January 4–17, spanning three countries—Argentina, Chile and Bolivia—and nearly 5,650 miles. | |
Toyo Tires and Race-Dezert Team Up for the 2015 Dakar Rally
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. and Race-Dezert have teamed up to bring off-road fans coverage of the 2015 Dakar Rally. For the first time ever, Race-Dezert will have an independently operating team on the ground to capture photos, videos and stories from beginning to end of this legendary race.
The 2015 edition of the marathon rally will be held January 4–17, spanning three countries—Argentina, Chile and Bolivia—and nearly 5,650 miles. The 13-stage race is known for the challenging terrain, including remote deserts, soaring mountain passes and vast sand dunes.
The three-man team includes veteran off-road journalist and founder of Race-Dezert.com, Klaus Rasch, and award-winning desert-racing photographer/journalist, Art Eugenio. Adrian Puente, motorsports coordinator for Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., will also make the journey. He has the experience of four Dakar Rallies and the Toyo Tires Dakar blog under his belt. Race-Dezert will also have a team stateside tracking race results.
Rasch, Eugenio and Puente will drive a specially prepared ’14 Toyota 4Runner, which was shipped to Buenos Aires earlier this month. Modifications include a set of Toyo Open Country R/T tires, a Rigid Lights 30-in. LED light bar, KMC wheels, a Fox Shox-installed suspension and Speedstrap recovery straps.
Racing for Team Toyo in the 2015 Dakar Rally is multiple-championship-winning driver Robby Gordon with his SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires #308 Gordini, and Guerlain Chicherit of Team X-Raid driving the #323 buggy. Both drivers have won multiple Dakar stages in the past. Daily coverage begins on New Year’s Day from Buenos Aires.
 Lisa Noble, president of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), accepted the 2014 Women's Sports Foundation Project Podium Leadership Award. | |
Lyn St. James announced the 2014 winner of the Women's Sports Foundation Project Podium Leadership Award is Lisa Noble, president of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), at the Race Track Business Conference hosted by the National Speedway Directory at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis.
The leadership award was established in 2008 to honor Paul Newman whose support helped St. James launch Project Podium. Past winners of the Leadership award include NASCAR President Mike Helton, USAC founder and former Indy 500 Chief Steward Tom Binford, and former Director of Ford Racing Dan Davis.
VP Racing Fuels to Be Official Fuel of 2015 NMRA, NMCA and NMCA WEST
ProMedia Events officials have announced its newest major sponsor for the 2015 season. VP Racing Fuels will be the Official Fuel of the NMRA, NMCA and NMCA WEST, and the required spec fuel for all heads-up classes except NMCA and NMCA WEST Pro Mod. The agreement between ProMedia Events and VP Racing Fuels begins with 2015 season openers and continues through 2017. VP Racing Fuels has also stepped up in 2015 as the NMRA Street Outlaw class sponsor, NMCA Pro Mod class sponsor and NMCA WEST title sponsor.