By PRI Staff

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) and its leading content creation team are embarking on a second PRI Road Tour to share stories from events and race tracks around the country.

Starting with one of the most historic racing competitions, the PRI Road Tour began June 23, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Like the inaugural PRI Road Tour coverage, which brought stories from businesses, racers and industry icons to more than 45 million individuals, the 2021 program will highlight the stories, passion, energy and excitement found only in the racing industry.

“We were very pleased with the success of last year's PRI Road Tour, which resulted in hundreds of high-quality news pieces from the nearly 100 racing and performance shops that we visited,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “The second PRI Road Tour will focus on elevating the entire racing industry with coverage that everyone will find entertaining from the world’s best photographers and videographers.”

The 2021 PRI Road Tour will make stops at iconic tracks and racing events throughout the country before culminating at the world’s premier auto racing trade show, the PRI Trade Show, December 9–11, at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. Exclusive and never-before-seen Road Tour content will be showcased to PRI Trade Show attendees.

The 2021 PRI Road Tour will include high-profile events, smaller events, iconic events and everything in between during its months-long trip around the country. Scheduled stops include:

• June 21-27: Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• July 14: Dirt Car Summer Nationals, Indianapolis
• July 16-17: Kings Royal, Rossburg, Ohio
• July 22: Rally North America, Gingerman, Michigan
• July 24-25: NMCA/NMRA Power Festival, Martin, Michigan
• August 20-22: NTPA Summer Nationals, Bowling Green, Ohio
• September 2-5: Crandon World Championships, Crandon, Wisconsin
• September 10-12: Gridlife, South Haven, Michigan
• September 13-17: Hot Rod Drag Week, various locations
• October 7-10: Super Dirt Week, Oswego, New York
• October 22-23: Indy Autonomous Challenge, Indianapolis
• October 29-31: Dodge/SRT NHRA Nationals, Las Vegas
• November 2-5: SEMA Show, Las Vegas
• December 3-5: Mint 400, Las Vegas
• December 9-11: PRI Trade Show, Indianapolis

PRI will collect content at every stop and share images, videos and more through its website, social platforms, weekly eNewsletter, and monthly magazine. Exclusive pieces will feature personal stories from racers, track owners, promoters and fans on the industry they love. Last year’s Road Tour yielded a cache of unique and never-before-seen footage, including interviews with business owners sharing their passion for the motorsports industry.

“The racing community has rallied around the PRI Road Tour to help showcase how the racing industry is a keystone segment of our country’s economy, and the importance of race tracks to local markets,” said Meyer. “Race tracks were among the hardest-hit businesses by the pandemic, so it’s important that we continue to support them and advocate for the entire industry.”

Sponsors of this year's PRI Road Tour include AST Suspension Technology, Buzze Racing, Callies Performance Products, Deatschwerks, Design Engineering Inc., Forgeline Motorsports, Hawk Performance, Hot Shot’s Secret, KW Automotive, Lucas Oil Products, Marwin Sports, Mass Traction and RE Suspension.

As a unifying force for the industry, PRI advocates on a number of issues, including petitioning the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to expand the Shuttered Venues Operator Grant (SVOG) program to include motorsports.

PRI also launched a new motorsports membership program this year that is designed to formally unite and protect racing while celebrating the sport through exclusive member benefits. To learn more about PRI Membership and how you can contribute to the fight to preserve racing’s future in the United States, visit performanceracing.com/membership.

“This PRI Road Tour is part of our commitment to the entire motorsports industry—business owners, track operators, and racers,” said Meyer. “No one else is advocating for the racing industry and sharing their stories. We’re here to represent and unite the motorsports community.”

Content generated by the PRI Road Tour is available for editorial use by journalists by contacting PRI Media Relations Manager Juan Torres, juant@performanceracing.com.

To learn more about the PRI Road Tour, visit pri2021.com/roadtour, email RoadTour@performanceracing.com, and follow Performance Racing Industry on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and Twitter.

By Ashley Reyes

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) members and those involved in the auto restoration industry are invited to join in on a virtual panel discussion on “Recruiting and Keeping Talented Employees,” a top challenge recently reported by ARMO-member companies.

Taking place in conjunction with the ARMO general membership meeting on June 25 at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), participants will discover protocols that auto restoration professionals have used or are currently using to find quality employees for their organization.

“The virtual panel discussions are a great way for ARMO members to stay updated on challenges facing this segment of the aftermarket,” said Jim Skelly, ARMO Council Director. “By keeping our members informed of important issues, we can work together to create solutions through open dialogue while advancing and promoting awareness of the restoration hobby.”

Updates on existing ARMO programs designed to help members grow their business and promote their brands to consumers will also be discussed.  

View the full meeting agenda and register.

By Ashley Reyes

Boosting productivity improves performance and can help you get more done in less time. However, having a long to-do list can feel overwhelming.   
Managers and supervisors are invited learn how to keep their productivity at a maximum, while increasing their overall effectiveness during the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) upcoming webinar.  

“How to Keep Productivity at a Maximum,” taking place July 22, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), will feature tips and habits for increasing productivity throughout the day, how to identify and avoid obstacles that impede productivity, and various goal-setting methods for effectively managing time.

Participants will engage through a virtual breakout following the webinar presentation to discuss different scenarios and share what has or hasn’t worked for boosting productivity from their own personal experience.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

The slightest modification to an ADAS-equipped vehicle—a new layer of window film, for example, or a freshly painted bumper—can potentially affect an ADAS system’s ability to function as intended by the OE manufacturer. Further complicating matters is the lack of any standardized industry protocols regarding sourcing, positioning and calibrating these systems. To the aftermarket manufacturer looking to R&D new products to integrate with ADAS sensors, or the repair shop tasked with installing and testing them, the learning curve can seem steep indeed.

To help demystify ADAS and shed light on what can seem to be an impenetrable subject, SEMA members are invited to attend a three-part SEMA Virtual Education webinar series focused on ADAS and the aftermarket. Moderated by Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM and product development programs, the series provides an overview of ADAS while offering expert service and troubleshooting tips from a panel of industry professionals.

The first episode, “ADAS Technologies: Real World Systems and Trends” streamed in mid-June and offered an overview of the technology and featured a lively Q&A session. Among the topics discussed were:

• How can you tell what ADAS systems are on a given vehicle? Does the vehicle VIN work, or is there another resource?
• What specific tools and equipment are needed?
• How does windshield protection film affect sensor or camera functions?
• Will smaller calibration targets become OE-acceptable or certified?

To learn more about these subjects and to view a recording of the presentation, visit the SEMA YouTube Channel.  

Because most ADAS products rely on sensors that are very precise, aftermarket products for vehicles equipped with ADAS must be rigorously tested. Depending on the ADAS on the vehicle and the aftermarket product involved, different tools and test methodologies may be required.  

Part Two of the series, “Making Sense of Simulation, Testing and Calibration,” takes place on Wednesday, June 30, at 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (PDT) and will feature a panel of experts who will answer attendees’ questions while sharing resources that SEMA members can utilize to develop, test and install parts successfully while maintaining the OEM functionality of the ADAS system.

Register for ADAS Technologies: Making Sense of Simulation, Testing and Calibration.  

By SEMA Editors

Showgoers booking through onPeak—the SEMA Show housing partner—receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip.

onPeak not only offers discounted nightly rates for SEMA Show participants, but also offers reduced resort fees so you can save even more on your stay.

See below for the list of hotels offering discounted nightly resort fees.

Note: Rates listed on the onPeak website do not include the resort fee.

When making your hotel reservations through the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging page, you are receiving the most affordable and convenient hotel options through our partnership with onPeak—the only official hotel provider for the 2021 SEMA Show. All negotiated rates provided by onPeak include resort fees and will allow you to change or cancel your reservation without any financial penalties.

More information about the SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, is available on www.SEMAShow.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Mopar Names DSR Performance as Distributor of Officially Licensed Engine Parts for Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Paks

Mopar has named Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Performance as the supplier of officially licensed engine components for the 2015 and 2021 Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak. The Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak is the limited-production, purpose-built musclecar for  grassroots and professional drag racers competing in events sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and National Muscle Car Association (NMCA). The new DSR Performance online catalog offers engine components for the supercharged 354-ci Gen-III HEMI V-8 engine that powers both the ’21 model year and previous-generation (’15) Drag Pak. In addition to the online shop, DSR Performance offers on-site support and tuning consulting services to Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak owners and teams at all NHRA national events.

Port City Racecars Acquires Crazy Horse Racing

Port City Racecars (PCR), based in Mooresville, North Carolina, has announced the acquisition of Crazy Horse Racecars (CHR), the asphalt short-track chassis builder and current PCR dealer based in South Paris, Maine. Once the acquisition is complete over the next month and a half, Crazy Horse Racecars will become Port City Racecars. Current CHR customers should expect increased resources and a “seamless” transition, PCR said. The additional resources include skilled fabricators, sales and marketing efforts, as well as back-end office operations that will position the company for growth.

McLaren Racing to Enter Extreme E in 2022

McLaren Racing has announced it will enter into Extreme E, the all-electric off-road series that aims to use racing to promote sustainability and diversity, in 2022. The team will compete in the five-race global championship next season, designed to highlight the impact of climate change in some of the world’s most remote environments, promote the adoption of electric vehicles for a lower carbon future, and provide a gender-equal motorsports platform. McLaren Racing will operate the team using both existing personnel from outside the Formula 1 program and additional specialist resources. All Extreme E teams are limited to four mechanics and one engineer at each event for the one-make car, plus two drivers. For more information, visit extreme-e.com.

NASCAR Announces Revised Pinty’s Series Schedule

NASCAR has announced a revised 2021 Pinty’s Series schedule slated to start Sunday, August 1, at Sunset Speedway. The season was initially set to open at Sunset on May 23. The updated schedule features 11 races at seven tracks, all taking place in August and September. The season finale has moved to Delaware Speedway but will remain known as the Pinty’s Fall Brawl. The two-month delay is due to ongoing restrictions around COVID-19. All events will be run in accordance with local, provincial and federal guidelines. Races will air on TSN and RDS in Canada and MAVTV in the United States. Start times and complete broadcast schedules will be released at a later date.

2021 NASCAR Pinty’s Series Revised Schedule (subject to change):

• Sunday, August 1: Sunset Speedway*, Innisfil, Ontario
• Sunday, August 1: Sunset Speedway*, Innisfil, Ontario
• Sunday, August 15: Circuit Trois-Rivières, Trois Rivières, Quebec
• Saturday, August 28: Circuit ICAR, Mirabel, Quebec
• Sunday, August 29: Autodrome Chaudière*, Vallée-Jonction, Quebec
• Sunday, August 29: Autodrome Chaudière*, Vallée-Jonction, Quebec
• Saturday, September 4: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario
• Sunday, September 5: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario
• Sunday, September 12: Flamboro Speedway*, Flamborough, Ontario
• Sunday, September 12: Flamboro Speedway*, Flamborough, Ontario
• Sunday, September 26: Delaware Speedway, Delaware, Ontario

*Twin features

For more information, visit nascar.ca.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

 By Maurice O‘Connell

The 2021 SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit will be held Wednesday–Friday, July 28–30, in the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

At the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, exhibitors will learn how to:

• Use proven strategies to attract buyers to their booths.
• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize ROI.
• Learn to properly plan and budget to add value to their Show experience.
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships

For more information, contact semashow@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

Register now!

  By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Installation Gala is a long-established tradition where individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry are honored and celebrated.

Join SEMA leadership, volunteers and industry icons at the SEMA Installation Gala, Friday, July 30, in Las Vegas, to honor 2021's SEMA Hall of fame Inductees—Jessi Combs, Rick Love, Bob Moore and Carl Schiefer. The gala will take place in the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the same venue where thousands of industry professionals will congregate for the 2021 SEMA Show in November.

Since its inception in 1976, the SEMA Installation Gala has served as the formal gathering where new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees are introduced, the incoming Board of Directors is sworn in, and outgoing Directors are thanked. SEMA council, network and industry leaders are also recognized during the event.

The evening will feature cocktails, networking and dinner. Seating is limited. For more information and to register, visit www.sema.org/gala.

By PRI Staff

Fueled by a massive grassroots effort and bipartisan support among lawmakers, a bill critical to the future of racing is gaining momentum following its recent reintroduction in Congress.

The SEMA-/PRI-backed Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), which was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) on May 17, protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars, as well as the motorsports parts industry’s ability to sell products that allow racers to compete. In doing so, it reverses the position of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that prohibits street-car-to-race-car conversions, along with the sale of parts that take a street vehicle out of compliance with broad-based emissions standards, even if that vehicle is track-only.

While the EPA points to the 50-year-old Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) as the basis for its position, it was only in 2015 that officials began interpreting the law to include race car conversions.

That interpretation has sent a chill through the aftermarket, and it now has manufacturers, distributors and retail businesses that sell parts for converted race cars fearing recrimination from federal regulators. Even manufacturers that market parts for dedicated, purpose-built race cars are worried that if their products make it onto an outlaw street vehicle, they could be subject to prosecution.

What’s more, just last year, the EPA specifically said it was prioritizing “stopping aftermarket defeat devices for vehicles and engines” that override required emissions controls. Based on priorities of the current administration, enforcement actions are only expected to intensify.

“This is no way to treat a sector of the American economy that employs hundreds of thousands of people, generates billions of dollars in economic activity, and serves the needs of countless enthusiasts throughout the nation,” said Daniel Ingber, SEMA/PRI vice president of government and legal affairs. “The RPM Act will provide the racing community with certainty and confidence in the face of an EPA interpretation of the Clean Air Act that threatens to devastate an American pastime and eliminate jobs in our communities. That is why Congress must pass the RPM Act—now!”

At press time, 69 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, from both sides of the aisle, had joined as cosponsors to the RPM Act (H.R.3281). Among the first to sign on was Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), a longtime racer/entrepreneur whose roots in motorsports date back to 1962, when he purchased his first stock car at age 15.

Having bought and sold race tracks across 35 states over three decades, Posey has a deep understanding and passion for motorsports. And, in an exclusive interview with PRI this summer, he expressed in no uncertain terms the very real dangers facing our industry.

“We know that our government has a tendency to over-regulate, and more particularly to over-regulate the automotive field,” he said. “And we know they tend to be dishonest about it, as evidenced by the threat the RPM Act was initiated to defeat. The bottom line there is, if you don’t get interested in politics, you’re probably going to be out of business.”

Posey went on to explain that regulations, like those cited by the EPA, are enforceable as laws, even though they’re “made by unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats. Obviously, they [the EPA] weren’t authorized by any legislation to write that rule, but they did it anyway. And had it not been for SEMA, it would have been implemented. The only thing we can do about a bad rule is pass legislation to counteract it.”

Spurred by a growing army of motorsports professionals and enthusiasts, the RPM Act in early June had already gathered 41 Republican and 17 Democratic cosponsors. It is next scheduled to be taken up in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. A Senate version of the bill is expected to follow soon after.

While this year’s version is not its first, the RPM Act of 2021 comes with unprecedented backing—some 1.25 million (and counting) letters sent to lawmakers urging its passage. The outpouring of support was made possible through coordinated efforts across the racing and performance industry to leverage all available reach and media.

SEMA/PRI will continue to keep the pressure on Congress to pass the RPM Act and encourage motorsports parts businesses and race tracks to support the effort to pass this bill into law. Individuals can help spread the word by including links on their websites, social media platforms, storefronts, and/or garages. Racing businesses can also rally their customers, employees, followers and friends to act by using the assets found in SEMA’s digital toolkit: sema.org/rpmtools. They are also encouraged to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SaveOurRacecars.

In addition to turning up the volume on this critical issue, the goal has been to help educate legislators on the importance of shielding motorsports from government overreach.

“Look, there are threats to the racing industry, political threats to the racing way of life,” explained PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer, speaking recently of the need for continued advocacy on behalf of the RPM Act. “When you talk about economic impact, of people’s lives that racing brings joy to, the American tradition of going out to the races—those simple reminders are often all it takes to get a little bit of movement in a political stance.”  

While the RPM Act awaits its next steps in Congress, there are measures suppliers can take now to better protect themselves from EPA enforcement. PRI, in partnership with the SEMA Action Network, has put together the following guidance for companies that manufacture or sell parts for competition vehicles:

• Know your customer. Document as much as you can that the vehicles you are manufacturing or selling for are race vehicles and have attributes, such as roll bars, belong to a race team, or don’t have license plates.
• Ensure the number of units manufactured or sold supports sales that are for race-use-only vehicles.
• Do not rely on “For Race Use Only” labeling alone; it will not protect you from EPA enforcement.
• If you manufacture or sell parts for purpose-built race vehicles, the EPA probably won’t target you. Still, it is possible, if highly unlikely, that if one of your parts ends up on a street vehicle, the EPA will come knocking. “Trust us” isn’t good enough from the EPA: help pass the RPM Act.
• Be cognizant of your advertisements and social media content. A viral video of a non-Clean Air Act complaint vehicle doing burnouts on the street or a truck off-roading and belching out black smoke is an evidentiary “gift” to enforcers.

In the meantime, SEMA/PRI will continue leading the fight against the EPA’s overaggressive legal interpretations and enforcement tactics in the courts, legislatures and regulatory agencies.

We are determined to pass the RPM Act to correct the EPA’s misinterpretation of the Clean Air Act and allow racers to modify street cars into racing machines. SEMA/PRI also has challenged the EPA in federal court on the assertion that a motor vehicle cannot be converted into a full-time race car. While the court did not address the issue directly, it did offer positive statements regarding the government’s burden of proof in such cases. Absent passage of the RPM Act or the EPA changing its position, this first-of-its-kind legal challenge is likely not the last.

SEMA/PRI is leading the fight against overaggressive EPA enforcement, too. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget, which oversees the regulatory process, to review and reign in the EPA’s use of unannounced site visits, government agents making over-broad or threatening statements, onerous demands for information, extortionate settlement demands, and other fear tactics employed by the EPA.

SEMA/PRI will continue to oppose EPA overreach and protect the industry. But we need your help. Click here today to learn more about how you can join the fight to save our race cars.

By SEMA Editors

The 2021 SEMA Show Space Allocation process wrapped up earlier this week, and more than more than 1,700 companies are confirmed to exhibit, and many more are expected before the event takes place in November.

The SEMA Show floorplan is live, and buyers are currently examining the event's layout to see who will be there for 2021.

Companies that would like to exhibit at this year's SEMA Show to reconnect with customers and generate new business, can get started at www.SEMAShow.com.

Exhibiting at the SEMA Show puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry, including buyers looking for your products. This year's Show offers even more opportunities for exhibitors reach new buyers. SEMA Show management recently announced that buyer registration for the Show has started at the fastest pace they have seen in the event's 54-year history.  

SEMA Show exhibitor Cometic Gaskets is ready to reunite with customers in person, and reach out to more buyers outside of the company's local region.

“We are most looking forward to face-to-face conversations and reconnecting with our customers old and new. Cometic is located in the midwest, and exhibiting at SEMA allows us to connect with our West Coast customers and industry segments, such as desert racing.”

Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor, and media—and everyone must qualify to receive a badge and attend.

Reserve your booth now!