By SEMA News Editors
PRI Announces Programming for Motorsports Engineering Symposium at 2026 PRI Show
PRI has announced the session schedule for the inaugural PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium, taking place Thursday, December 10, during the 2026 PRI Show at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
To register and learn more about the PRI Show, visit PRI2026.com/Attend.
The PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium will bring race engineers, motorsports professionals, manufacturers, educators and emerging engineering talent together for technical discussions focused on the challenges shaping modern motorsports. Sessions will examine the engineering challenges that impact on-track performance, from simulation and powertrain development to materials, manufacturing and workforce development.
The technical sessions will feature perspectives from leaders across motorsports and engineering, including experts from INDYCAR, Purdue University and Motor State Distribution.
2026 PRI MOTORSPORTS ENGINEERING SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE (all times Eastern)
10:00 a.m. — Opening Statements
10:15 a.m. — From Simulation to Track: Closing the Performance Gap
11:15 a.m. — Powertrain & Thermal Limits: Where Performance Breaks
12:15 p.m. — Purdue Networking Lunch: Engineering Exchange
1:30 p.m. — Building the Next Race Engineer: Closing the Talent Gap
2:30 p.m. — Materials & Manufacturing: Speed to Track
3:30 p.m. — The Future of Motorsports Engineering
4:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks
"The PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium is designed to bring different areas of motorsports engineering into the same conversation," said PRI Managing Director Doug Bresnahan. "From simulation and powertrain development to materials, manufacturing and developing the next generation of engineers, these are issues that affect the future of the industry. Bringing the right people together to share knowledge and experience is an important part of PRI's commitment to technical education and industry advancement."
"The technical demands of motorsports continue to evolve, and the companies supporting the industry have to evolve with them," said Motor State Distribution Vice President of Marketing Daryl Sampson. "This program creates an opportunity to share knowledge, explore new technologies and connect with the engineers and professionals who are solving these challenges every day."
"Developing the next generation of motorsports engineers requires more than classroom learning," said Purdue University Director of Motorsports Engineering Chris Finch. "It requires opportunities to connect students and emerging engineers with the people, technologies and challenges shaping the industry. The program provides a valuable forum for that exchange."
"Engineering decisions are ultimately about finding performance, and that requires bringing together data, technology and experience," said INDYCAR Vice President of Competition and Engineering Mike O'Gara. "Creating a forum where engineers and industry professionals can discuss those challenges and share what they are learning is valuable for the entire motorsports community."
The PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium is open to all registered PRI Show attendees. A valid PRI Show badge is required for entry. There are no additional registration requirements or fees to attend.
For questions about Symposium registration, contact PRI at mail@performanceracing.com or 812-592-7219.
Register for the 2026 PRI Show
The 2026 PRI Show takes place December 10-12 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, bringing together motorsports professionals from across the globe.
Register today to connect with more than 1,000 exhibiting companies across more than 370,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space, explore new products and technologies, attend education sessions, network with industry professionals and experience everything the PRI Show has to offer.
To register and learn more, visit PRI2026.com/Attend. PRI membership is no longer required to attend.
Autobahn Country Club Unveils Expanded North Track
Autobahn Country Club, the Joliet, Illinois, private motorsports club, has unveiled its newly expanded North Track, part of the facility's "Drive to 2035" long-term development plan.
The $3-million expansion of Autobahn's North Track marks one of the track's most significant investments since opening in 2004, according to track officials.
"When we created Autobahn, the idea was simple but radical: car enthusiasts deserved a community of their own," said Mark Basso, co-founder of Autobahn Country Club. "More than two decades later, this expansion shows that the idea is still evolving. We are enhancing the experience on a track they already know and love while preserving the character of the original circuit and staying true to what makes this community so special."
The expansion adds approximately half a mile of new track, featuring a 21-ft. elevation change, an 11% grade and a technical series of esses. The longest North Track configuration will now measure 1.5 miles with 12 turns, compared with the original nine-turn circuit. New connection points also allow the North Track to be driven in five distinct configurations, bringing Autobahn's total road-course configurations to 11.
The new track was designed by Tilke Engineers and Architects, the international firm behind Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, and the Bahrain International Circuit.
The North Track expansion is the first major project within Drive to 2035, Autobahn's broader vision to evolve its 330-acre campus and enhance the member and guest experience for years to come, track officials said, building on more than two decades of operational experience that has transformed Autobahn from a private road-course concept into a comprehensive automotive destination.
Autobahn is home to more than 560 members and a Member Racing Series that hosts 51 car races annually across open wheel, prototype and GT classes. Beyond its North and South road courses, the campus includes Kart Circuit Autobahn, the Autobahn Driver Academy powered by Toyota, Teen Driver Academy powered by Toyota, the Toyota TRD Pro Off-Road Experience Center, autocross, a 3-acre skid pad, corporate and group programs as well as hospitality experiences.
The new North Track will be unveiled at a special event on October 7 and will officially open during Autobahn's OktoberFast weekend, October 16–18.
For more information, visit autobahncc.com.
Image courtesy of Autobahn Country Club.
