By SEMA Editors
 A ’67 Chevrolet Nova built by Chris Holstrom and owned by Phil Mitchell of Puyallup, Washington, took Best in Show at the 2013 Gran Turismo Awards. | |
On the evening of Wednesday, November 6, the Gran Turismo Awards put on its 11th annual award ceremony at the Haze Nightclub inside the Aria in Las Vegas. Held during the SEMA Show, the 2013 GT Awards sought to find the best cars from five different categories (Best Truck or SUV, Hot Rod, Domestic Automobile, Asian Import and European Import) by calling on experts from the automotive media and industry professionals.
In addition to the five categories, a People’s Choice award was introduced for the first time this year where fans had the opportunity to vote on their favorite car by liking posts on Gran Turismo’s Facebook page.
Host C.J. Wilson—the all-star pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and owner of a Mazda race team and dealership—revealed all six category winners, as well as the overall Best in Show.
For Best Truck or SUV, Matt Farah from the "Drive" channel on YouTube and "Smoking Tire" selected the ’65 Ford Econoline back-up pickup owned by Dave Shuten. It’s called a back-up pickup because it’s a truck with its driveline turned around. It will do a wheelie going backwards.
Alexander Stoklosa and Michael Simari from Car and Driver teamed up as judges for Best Domestic Automobile and picked the Factory Five 818R. The 818R is a track-purpose kit car that uses a turbocharged Subaru motor.
For Best Asian Import, Jonathan Wong from Super Street magazine picked a ’14 Scion FR-S with a 2JZ engine swapped in from a Supra turbo. Built by the aftermarket company Greddy, the small Scion now makes 750 wheel hp.
Alex Bernstein from European Car was on deck for Best European Import. He chose an ’01 VW GTI-RS from 034 Motorsport that has been converted to rear-wheel drive and makes 900 wheel hp.
Ryan Friedlinghaus from the car customization shop West Coast Customs picked a ’67 Chevrolet Nova built by Chris Holstrom and owned by Phil Mitchell of Puyallup, Washington, for Best Hot Rod. The Nova is equipped with a supercharged LS9 engine out of a ’12 Corvette ZR1 that makes 700 hp. The overall clean execution of modern engine in a classic chassis helped the Nova take the Best in Show honors as well. Look for it as a playable vehicle in an upcoming version of Gran Turismo.
As for the People’s Choice, the fans picked a ’14 Chevy Corvette Stingray owned by Octavio Villafana. The C7 Vette features a custom widebody painted in a brilliant blue.
Visit www.gran-turismo.com/us for more information.
By SEMA Editors
| A ’67 Chevrolet Nova built by Chris Holstrom and owned by Phil Mitchell of Puyallup, Washington, took Best in Show at the 2013 Gran Turismo Awards. | |
On the evening of Wednesday, November 6, the Gran Turismo Awards put on its 11th annual award ceremony at the Haze Nightclub inside the Aria in Las Vegas. Held during the SEMA Show, the 2013 GT Awards sought to find the best cars from five different categories (Best Truck or SUV, Hot Rod, Domestic Automobile, Asian Import and European Import) by calling on experts from the automotive media and industry professionals.
In addition to the five categories, a People’s Choice award was introduced for the first time this year where fans had the opportunity to vote on their favorite car by liking posts on Gran Turismo’s Facebook page.
Host C.J. Wilson—the all-star pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and owner of a Mazda race team and dealership—revealed all six category winners, as well as the overall Best in Show.
For Best Truck or SUV, Matt Farah from the "Drive" channel on YouTube and "Smoking Tire" selected the ’65 Ford Econoline back-up pickup owned by Dave Shuten. It’s called a back-up pickup because it’s a truck with its driveline turned around. It will do a wheelie going backwards.
Alexander Stoklosa and Michael Simari from Car and Driver teamed up as judges for Best Domestic Automobile and picked the Factory Five 818R. The 818R is a track-purpose kit car that uses a turbocharged Subaru motor.
For Best Asian Import, Jonathan Wong from Super Street magazine picked a ’14 Scion FR-S with a 2JZ engine swapped in from a Supra turbo. Built by the aftermarket company Greddy, the small Scion now makes 750 wheel hp.
Alex Bernstein from European Car was on deck for Best European Import. He chose an ’01 VW GTI-RS from 034 Motorsport that has been converted to rear-wheel drive and makes 900 wheel hp.
Ryan Friedlinghaus from the car customization shop West Coast Customs picked a ’67 Chevrolet Nova built by Chris Holstrom and owned by Phil Mitchell of Puyallup, Washington, for Best Hot Rod. The Nova is equipped with a supercharged LS9 engine out of a ’12 Corvette ZR1 that makes 700 hp. The overall clean execution of modern engine in a classic chassis helped the Nova take the Best in Show honors as well. Look for it as a playable vehicle in an upcoming version of Gran Turismo.
As for the People’s Choice, the fans picked a ’14 Chevy Corvette Stingray owned by Octavio Villafana. The C7 Vette features a custom widebody painted in a brilliant blue.
Visit www.gran-turismo.com/us for more information.
By SEMA Editors
| A ’67 Chevrolet Nova built by Chris Holstrom and owned by Phil Mitchell of Puyallup, Washington, took Best in Show at the 2013 Gran Turismo Awards. | |
On the evening of Wednesday, November 6, the Gran Turismo Awards put on its 11th annual award ceremony at the Haze Nightclub inside the Aria in Las Vegas. Held during the SEMA Show, the 2013 GT Awards sought to find the best cars from five different categories (Best Truck or SUV, Hot Rod, Domestic Automobile, Asian Import and European Import) by calling on experts from the automotive media and industry professionals.
In addition to the five categories, a People’s Choice award was introduced for the first time this year where fans had the opportunity to vote on their favorite car by liking posts on Gran Turismo’s Facebook page.
Host C.J. Wilson—the all-star pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and owner of a Mazda race team and dealership—revealed all six category winners, as well as the overall Best in Show.
For Best Truck or SUV, Matt Farah from the "Drive" channel on YouTube and "Smoking Tire" selected the ’65 Ford Econoline back-up pickup owned by Dave Shuten. It’s called a back-up pickup because it’s a truck with its driveline turned around. It will do a wheelie going backwards.
Alexander Stoklosa and Michael Simari from Car and Driver teamed up as judges for Best Domestic Automobile and picked the Factory Five 818R. The 818R is a track-purpose kit car that uses a turbocharged Subaru motor.
For Best Asian Import, Jonathan Wong from Super Street magazine picked a ’14 Scion FR-S with a 2JZ engine swapped in from a Supra turbo. Built by the aftermarket company Greddy, the small Scion now makes 750 wheel hp.
Alex Bernstein from European Car was on deck for Best European Import. He chose an ’01 VW GTI-RS from 034 Motorsport that has been converted to rear-wheel drive and makes 900 wheel hp.
Ryan Friedlinghaus from the car customization shop West Coast Customs picked a ’67 Chevrolet Nova built by Chris Holstrom and owned by Phil Mitchell of Puyallup, Washington, for Best Hot Rod. The Nova is equipped with a supercharged LS9 engine out of a ’12 Corvette ZR1 that makes 700 hp. The overall clean execution of modern engine in a classic chassis helped the Nova take the Best in Show honors as well. Look for it as a playable vehicle in an upcoming version of Gran Turismo.
As for the People’s Choice, the fans picked a ’14 Chevy Corvette Stingray owned by Octavio Villafana. The C7 Vette features a custom widebody painted in a brilliant blue.
Visit www.gran-turismo.com/us for more information.
By SEMA Editors
 PRI Show attendees will be able to have face-to-face interaction with MPMC manufacturers at the inaugural MPMC Education Day at the 2013 PRI Show in Indianapolis, Wednesday, December 11, 2013. | |
SEMA's Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) and PRI will present “MPMC Education Day” at the 2013 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show, Wednesday, December 11, 2013. The event takes place at the Indiana Convention Center the day before the PRI Trade Show floor opens.
Patterned after the already successful Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Day, 15 MPMC-member companies will present one-hour product training presentations to PRI Trade Show attendees. Three seminars will each run concurrently over five, one-hour time slots beginning at 9:00 a.m.
“The HRIA Education Day is wildly successful,” said MPMC Chairman Vic Wood of Aeromotive. “The PRI Show seemed a perfect venue to try the same template for MPMC companies. We originally were planning to implement it in 2014, but after presenting the idea to John Kilroy and his PRI team, the decision was made to go for it this year. We’ll start with just the 15 companies this year, and see how it goes. But I see no reason why this shouldn’t expand to 30 or 40 companies one day, as soon as attendees realize the opportunity it presents.”
To emphasize the popularity of this program, the 15 registrations were received within one hour of registration opening, and a total 27 registrations were received within two hours. Congratulations to the following MPMC companies who were selected via a first-come, first-served online registration April 30:
- COMP Cams
- Flaming River
- Flowmaster
- Hedman Hedders
- Jiffy-Tite
- Joe Gibbs Driven
- Lunati
- MAHLE
- MSD Performance
- Painless Performance Products
- Phoenix Race Tire
- Quarter Master
- Ron Francis Wiring
- Trend Performance/Diamond Racing
- Turbosmart USA
View session topics and register today. For more information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.
By SEMA Editors
| PRI Show attendees will be able to have face-to-face interaction with MPMC manufacturers at the inaugural MPMC Education Day at the 2013 PRI Show in Indianapolis, Wednesday, December 11, 2013. | |
SEMA's Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) and PRI will present “MPMC Education Day” at the 2013 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show, Wednesday, December 11, 2013. The event takes place at the Indiana Convention Center the day before the PRI Trade Show floor opens.
Patterned after the already successful Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Day, 15 MPMC-member companies will present one-hour product training presentations to PRI Trade Show attendees. Three seminars will each run concurrently over five, one-hour time slots beginning at 9:00 a.m.
“The HRIA Education Day is wildly successful,” said MPMC Chairman Vic Wood of Aeromotive. “The PRI Show seemed a perfect venue to try the same template for MPMC companies. We originally were planning to implement it in 2014, but after presenting the idea to John Kilroy and his PRI team, the decision was made to go for it this year. We’ll start with just the 15 companies this year, and see how it goes. But I see no reason why this shouldn’t expand to 30 or 40 companies one day, as soon as attendees realize the opportunity it presents.”
To emphasize the popularity of this program, the 15 registrations were received within one hour of registration opening, and a total 27 registrations were received within two hours. Congratulations to the following MPMC companies who were selected via a first-come, first-served online registration April 30:
- COMP Cams
- Flaming River
- Flowmaster
- Hedman Hedders
- Jiffy-Tite
- Joe Gibbs Driven
- Lunati
- MAHLE
- MSD Performance
- Painless Performance Products
- Phoenix Race Tire
- Quarter Master
- Ron Francis Wiring
- Trend Performance/Diamond Racing
- Turbosmart USA
View session topics and register today. For more information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.
By SEMA Editors
| PRI Show attendees will be able to have face-to-face interaction with MPMC manufacturers at the inaugural MPMC Education Day at the 2013 PRI Show in Indianapolis, Wednesday, December 11, 2013. | |
SEMA's Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) and PRI will present “MPMC Education Day” at the 2013 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show, Wednesday, December 11, 2013. The event takes place at the Indiana Convention Center the day before the PRI Trade Show floor opens.
Patterned after the already successful Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Day, 15 MPMC-member companies will present one-hour product training presentations to PRI Trade Show attendees. Three seminars will each run concurrently over five, one-hour time slots beginning at 9:00 a.m.
“The HRIA Education Day is wildly successful,” said MPMC Chairman Vic Wood of Aeromotive. “The PRI Show seemed a perfect venue to try the same template for MPMC companies. We originally were planning to implement it in 2014, but after presenting the idea to John Kilroy and his PRI team, the decision was made to go for it this year. We’ll start with just the 15 companies this year, and see how it goes. But I see no reason why this shouldn’t expand to 30 or 40 companies one day, as soon as attendees realize the opportunity it presents.”
To emphasize the popularity of this program, the 15 registrations were received within one hour of registration opening, and a total 27 registrations were received within two hours. Congratulations to the following MPMC companies who were selected via a first-come, first-served online registration April 30:
- COMP Cams
- Flaming River
- Flowmaster
- Hedman Hedders
- Jiffy-Tite
- Joe Gibbs Driven
- Lunati
- MAHLE
- MSD Performance
- Painless Performance Products
- Phoenix Race Tire
- Quarter Master
- Ron Francis Wiring
- Trend Performance/Diamond Racing
- Turbosmart USA
View session topics and register today. For more information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.
By SEMA Editors
With its sustained growth throughout the United States, late-model racing will play a prominent role at this year’s 26th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, December 12–14, 2013. Beginning Monday, December 9, and continuing through the show days, a number of events featuring some of the sport’s biggest names and latest technological advances will focus on late models.
“Whether it’s engine development, chassis setup, or finding the latest technology on the show floor, the PRI Trade Show is going to be a must for late-model racers and businesses,” said John Kilroy, publisher and general manager, PRI.
Among the featured events is Speedway Illustrated magazine’s seminar, "Winning Setup Strategies for Dirt Late Models," which takes place Thursday, December 12. Karl Fredrickson, publisher of Speedway Illustrated, will moderate the event featuring Hall of Famer Scott Bloomquist, 2011 World of Outlaws champion Rick Eckert and Rocket Chassis’ Mark Richards.
On Friday morning, the Penske Racing Shocks Short Track/Late Model Technology seminar will feature speakers Aaron Lambert, Bloomquist, Dave Reedy, James Stevens and Kelly Falls discussing current Late Model short-track technologies, trends in shock absorbers and more. Hyperco Coils will present a Short Track/Late Model Suspension Setup seminar on Friday as well.
PRI's Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) provides engine builders, racers, manufacturers, design engineers, business owners and more the opportunity to learn from the best and most creative minds in the performance business in a three-day conference running December 9–11.
On Friday morning, PRI’s Ask The Experts Engine Builders Panel features noted engine builders Vic Hill (Vic Hill Race Engines LLC), Ron Shaver (Shaver Racing Engines), Keith Dorton (Automotive Specialists) and Jon Kaase, (Jon Kaase Racing Engines), who will discuss how to run a successful race engine business and take questions from PRI Trade Show attendees.
The biggest draw at PRI is the trade show floor, which is full of racing technology, bodies, engines and parts.
“PRI’s a really good show,” said Scott MacDonald of Bilstein Shocks, whose company introduced its XVS series large gas chamber stock for the IMCA market at last year’s show. “The people who are there are really serious about doing business and looking for new products.”
Exhibitors, buyers and even sanctioning bodies all will be in attendance.
“Each year the PRI show has grown, and it’s become imperative that we’re here—not only to represent our series, but also to work with our partners because they’re all here as well,” said Chris Dolack from “World Of Outlaws.” “It’s where you come to connect with people face to face. From our standpoint, all of our partners are here. From the dirt standpoint, we know they’re all here. And the show moving to Indy will be really good for us, as a strong majority of our competitors are within an easy day’s drive of Indianapolis.”
This year’s PRI Trade Show is expected to play host to exhibits from more than 1,200 racing companies occupying some 3,400 booths, and attract more than 40,000 racing professionals from across the United States and 72 countries. The show returns to Indianapolis for the first time since 2004, after the show’s owner, SEMA, acquired the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) in late 2012, consolidating it with the PRI Trade Show under the PRI brand for 2013 and beyond.
By SEMA Editors
With its sustained growth throughout the United States, late-model racing will play a prominent role at this year’s 26th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, December 12–14, 2013. Beginning Monday, December 9, and continuing through the show days, a number of events featuring some of the sport’s biggest names and latest technological advances will focus on late models.
“Whether it’s engine development, chassis setup, or finding the latest technology on the show floor, the PRI Trade Show is going to be a must for late-model racers and businesses,” said John Kilroy, publisher and general manager, PRI.
Among the featured events is Speedway Illustrated magazine’s seminar, "Winning Setup Strategies for Dirt Late Models," which takes place Thursday, December 12. Karl Fredrickson, publisher of Speedway Illustrated, will moderate the event featuring Hall of Famer Scott Bloomquist, 2011 World of Outlaws champion Rick Eckert and Rocket Chassis’ Mark Richards.
On Friday morning, the Penske Racing Shocks Short Track/Late Model Technology seminar will feature speakers Aaron Lambert, Bloomquist, Dave Reedy, James Stevens and Kelly Falls discussing current Late Model short-track technologies, trends in shock absorbers and more. Hyperco Coils will present a Short Track/Late Model Suspension Setup seminar on Friday as well.
PRI's Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) provides engine builders, racers, manufacturers, design engineers, business owners and more the opportunity to learn from the best and most creative minds in the performance business in a three-day conference running December 9–11.
On Friday morning, PRI’s Ask The Experts Engine Builders Panel features noted engine builders Vic Hill (Vic Hill Race Engines LLC), Ron Shaver (Shaver Racing Engines), Keith Dorton (Automotive Specialists) and Jon Kaase, (Jon Kaase Racing Engines), who will discuss how to run a successful race engine business and take questions from PRI Trade Show attendees.
The biggest draw at PRI is the trade show floor, which is full of racing technology, bodies, engines and parts.
“PRI’s a really good show,” said Scott MacDonald of Bilstein Shocks, whose company introduced its XVS series large gas chamber stock for the IMCA market at last year’s show. “The people who are there are really serious about doing business and looking for new products.”
Exhibitors, buyers and even sanctioning bodies all will be in attendance.
“Each year the PRI show has grown, and it’s become imperative that we’re here—not only to represent our series, but also to work with our partners because they’re all here as well,” said Chris Dolack from “World Of Outlaws.” “It’s where you come to connect with people face to face. From our standpoint, all of our partners are here. From the dirt standpoint, we know they’re all here. And the show moving to Indy will be really good for us, as a strong majority of our competitors are within an easy day’s drive of Indianapolis.”
This year’s PRI Trade Show is expected to play host to exhibits from more than 1,200 racing companies occupying some 3,400 booths, and attract more than 40,000 racing professionals from across the United States and 72 countries. The show returns to Indianapolis for the first time since 2004, after the show’s owner, SEMA, acquired the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) in late 2012, consolidating it with the PRI Trade Show under the PRI brand for 2013 and beyond.