SEMA News—June 2012

Framed by those tall velocity stacks is Bruce Crower, photographed late in 1966 for a Car Craft magazine article about his then-new fuel-injection systems for big-block Chevy engines. The air/horsepower equation in our title was the story’s title as well, referring to Crower’s “deep breathing” injectors. Unlike other injection systems on the market at the time, Crower’s injection manifold featured gaping intake ports that were nearly 3 inches wide. Those injector stacks could be mammoth, too—as tall as 14 inches, depending on the application.

Crower got into the fuel-injection business on a tip from “certain automotive engineers” who felt that current systems were too restricted at the ports and around the butterflies, said the story. “Since Bruce is primarily in the cam grinding business, it follows that he felt he had just cause to widen his endeavors and go into the injector game as well.”

Actually, Crower’s endeavors had already been pretty wide. He had been a hot rodder since he was a teenager and had long experimented with making cars go faster. Even in high school, his self-made speed parts were in enough demand that he would make several—one for himself and a few to sell. Following a stint in the Air National Guard during the Korean War, Crower went to work at Schiefer Clutches and honed his engine-building expertise, first on Ford flatheads and later on Chrysler’s early Hemis. He raced at Bonneville, is credited with being the first to mount a GMC blower on top of an engine, and started Crower Equipment Company in 1955 to produce intake manifolds. Crower also had a hand in building several Indianapolis 500-winning engines for Jim Rathmann, Graham Hill and A.J. Foyt.

Really, the air-gulping injection systems weren’t that much of a stretch for the innovative Crower, who continued to push the performance envelope into the 21st century. As recently as 2007, he won an Invention Award from Popular Science magazine for his six-stroke internal combustion engine, which uses the heat generated by combustion and an injection of water to create a second, steam-driven power stroke.

SEMA News—June 2012

Framed by those tall velocity stacks is Bruce Crower, photographed late in 1966 for a Car Craft magazine article about his then-new fuel-injection systems for big-block Chevy engines. The air/horsepower equation in our title was the story’s title as well, referring to Crower’s “deep breathing” injectors. Unlike other injection systems on the market at the time, Crower’s injection manifold featured gaping intake ports that were nearly 3 inches wide. Those injector stacks could be mammoth, too—as tall as 14 inches, depending on the application.

Crower got into the fuel-injection business on a tip from “certain automotive engineers” who felt that current systems were too restricted at the ports and around the butterflies, said the story. “Since Bruce is primarily in the cam grinding business, it follows that he felt he had just cause to widen his endeavors and go into the injector game as well.”

Actually, Crower’s endeavors had already been pretty wide. He had been a hot rodder since he was a teenager and had long experimented with making cars go faster. Even in high school, his self-made speed parts were in enough demand that he would make several—one for himself and a few to sell. Following a stint in the Air National Guard during the Korean War, Crower went to work at Schiefer Clutches and honed his engine-building expertise, first on Ford flatheads and later on Chrysler’s early Hemis. He raced at Bonneville, is credited with being the first to mount a GMC blower on top of an engine, and started Crower Equipment Company in 1955 to produce intake manifolds. Crower also had a hand in building several Indianapolis 500-winning engines for Jim Rathmann, Graham Hill and A.J. Foyt.

Really, the air-gulping injection systems weren’t that much of a stretch for the innovative Crower, who continued to push the performance envelope into the 21st century. As recently as 2007, he won an Invention Award from Popular Science magazine for his six-stroke internal combustion engine, which uses the heat generated by combustion and an injection of water to create a second, steam-driven power stroke.

SEMA News—June 2012

Framed by those tall velocity stacks is Bruce Crower, photographed late in 1966 for a Car Craft magazine article about his then-new fuel-injection systems for big-block Chevy engines. The air/horsepower equation in our title was the story’s title as well, referring to Crower’s “deep breathing” injectors. Unlike other injection systems on the market at the time, Crower’s injection manifold featured gaping intake ports that were nearly 3 inches wide. Those injector stacks could be mammoth, too—as tall as 14 inches, depending on the application.

Crower got into the fuel-injection business on a tip from “certain automotive engineers” who felt that current systems were too restricted at the ports and around the butterflies, said the story. “Since Bruce is primarily in the cam grinding business, it follows that he felt he had just cause to widen his endeavors and go into the injector game as well.”

Actually, Crower’s endeavors had already been pretty wide. He had been a hot rodder since he was a teenager and had long experimented with making cars go faster. Even in high school, his self-made speed parts were in enough demand that he would make several—one for himself and a few to sell. Following a stint in the Air National Guard during the Korean War, Crower went to work at Schiefer Clutches and honed his engine-building expertise, first on Ford flatheads and later on Chrysler’s early Hemis. He raced at Bonneville, is credited with being the first to mount a GMC blower on top of an engine, and started Crower Equipment Company in 1955 to produce intake manifolds. Crower also had a hand in building several Indianapolis 500-winning engines for Jim Rathmann, Graham Hill and A.J. Foyt.

Really, the air-gulping injection systems weren’t that much of a stretch for the innovative Crower, who continued to push the performance envelope into the 21st century. As recently as 2007, he won an Invention Award from Popular Science magazine for his six-stroke internal combustion engine, which uses the heat generated by combustion and an injection of water to create a second, steam-driven power stroke.

SEMA News—June 2012

Framed by those tall velocity stacks is Bruce Crower, photographed late in 1966 for a Car Craft magazine article about his then-new fuel-injection systems for big-block Chevy engines. The air/horsepower equation in our title was the story’s title as well, referring to Crower’s “deep breathing” injectors. Unlike other injection systems on the market at the time, Crower’s injection manifold featured gaping intake ports that were nearly 3 inches wide. Those injector stacks could be mammoth, too—as tall as 14 inches, depending on the application.

Crower got into the fuel-injection business on a tip from “certain automotive engineers” who felt that current systems were too restricted at the ports and around the butterflies, said the story. “Since Bruce is primarily in the cam grinding business, it follows that he felt he had just cause to widen his endeavors and go into the injector game as well.”

Actually, Crower’s endeavors had already been pretty wide. He had been a hot rodder since he was a teenager and had long experimented with making cars go faster. Even in high school, his self-made speed parts were in enough demand that he would make several—one for himself and a few to sell. Following a stint in the Air National Guard during the Korean War, Crower went to work at Schiefer Clutches and honed his engine-building expertise, first on Ford flatheads and later on Chrysler’s early Hemis. He raced at Bonneville, is credited with being the first to mount a GMC blower on top of an engine, and started Crower Equipment Company in 1955 to produce intake manifolds. Crower also had a hand in building several Indianapolis 500-winning engines for Jim Rathmann, Graham Hill and A.J. Foyt.

Really, the air-gulping injection systems weren’t that much of a stretch for the innovative Crower, who continued to push the performance envelope into the 21st century. As recently as 2007, he won an Invention Award from Popular Science magazine for his six-stroke internal combustion engine, which uses the heat generated by combustion and an injection of water to create a second, steam-driven power stroke.

	The SEMA Show's Hot Rod Alley spotlights the craftsmanship and creations of a market that many consider the cornerstone of the specialty-equipment industry.

With more than 1,800 exhibitors currently participating in the Priority Space Selection process, the number of companies exhibiting in the Hot Rod Alley section of the 2012 SEMA Show has experienced encouraging growth. The percentage of exhibitors in the section has increased by 16% when compared to the total number of exhibitors on display in that section at the 2011 Show. 

"Hot Rod Alley has seen a considerable amount of activity as of late," said SEMA's Show Director Tom Gattuso. "Companies that sat out last year returning for 2012, first-time exhibitors and companies completely new to the SEMA Show are all factors contributing to the section's increased activity."

One of the SEMA Show's oldest sections, Hot Rod Alley spotlights the craftsmanship and creations of a market that many consider the cornerstone of the specialty-equipment industry. Hot Rod Alley is not the largest section of the Show, however, the history and value of the segment is key, and its styling influences and performance enhancements are evident in many of the Show's custom display vehicles, regardless of market.   

"Hot rod is one of the markets that represents the specialty-equipment industry's history of increasing vehicle performance through specially crafted parts," said SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray. "What helped give birth to an industry in the ’40s is still going strong today, and Hot Rod Alley will showcase generations of performance and craftsmanship from leading companies.

Other floor sections at the SEMA Show are Business Services; Collision Repair & Refinish; Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; and Wheels & Accessories.

Companies that would like to exhibit at the 2012 SEMA Show can still secure booth space through the "Buy A Booth" link located at www.SEMAShow.com. Companies signing up now will be able to select space on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability.

The Priority Space Selection process runs now through June 22. Details about the 2012 SEMA Show, including information on how to attend and exhibit, are available at www.SEMAShow.com.

	The SEMA Show's Hot Rod Alley spotlights the craftsmanship and creations of a market that many consider the cornerstone of the specialty-equipment industry.

With more than 1,800 exhibitors currently participating in the Priority Space Selection process, the number of companies exhibiting in the Hot Rod Alley section of the 2012 SEMA Show has experienced encouraging growth. The percentage of exhibitors in the section has increased by 16% when compared to the total number of exhibitors on display in that section at the 2011 Show. 

"Hot Rod Alley has seen a considerable amount of activity as of late," said SEMA's Show Director Tom Gattuso. "Companies that sat out last year returning for 2012, first-time exhibitors and companies completely new to the SEMA Show are all factors contributing to the section's increased activity."

One of the SEMA Show's oldest sections, Hot Rod Alley spotlights the craftsmanship and creations of a market that many consider the cornerstone of the specialty-equipment industry. Hot Rod Alley is not the largest section of the Show, however, the history and value of the segment is key, and its styling influences and performance enhancements are evident in many of the Show's custom display vehicles, regardless of market.   

"Hot rod is one of the markets that represents the specialty-equipment industry's history of increasing vehicle performance through specially crafted parts," said SEMA Vice President of Communications and Events Peter MacGillivray. "What helped give birth to an industry in the ’40s is still going strong today, and Hot Rod Alley will showcase generations of performance and craftsmanship from leading companies.

Other floor sections at the SEMA Show are Business Services; Collision Repair & Refinish; Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; and Wheels & Accessories.

Companies that would like to exhibit at the 2012 SEMA Show can still secure booth space through the "Buy A Booth" link located at www.SEMAShow.com. Companies signing up now will be able to select space on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability.

The Priority Space Selection process runs now through June 22. Details about the 2012 SEMA Show, including information on how to attend and exhibit, are available at www.SEMAShow.com.

The 2012 SEMA Annual Market Report—which includes sales for specialty-equipment segments and niches, consumer purchase patterns, vehicle sales trends and more—is available free of charge to SEMA members.

The 2012 Annual Market Report, outlining the overall specialty-equipment market, is now available on the research page of SEMA’s website.

For the second straight year, the specialty-equipment market showed improvement. Overall 2011 sales grew 5% from 2010 to put the industry back into the $30 billion range.

The report includes:

• The overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment segments and niches
• Consumer purchase patterns
• Industry and economic trends
• Vehicle sales trends

The Annual Market Report has long been one of SEMA’s most popular and useful reports. Whether you are new to the industry and working on a business plan, or a veteran interested in the latest data, this report is a great resource.

Download the 2012 SEMA Annual Market Report online. It is available free of charge for SEMA members, while non-SEMA members can purchase a copy for $250.

For questions regarding the report, contact research@sema.org.

The 2012 SEMA Annual Market Report—which includes sales for specialty-equipment segments and niches, consumer purchase patterns, vehicle sales trends and more—is available free of charge to SEMA members.

The 2012 Annual Market Report, outlining the overall specialty-equipment market, is now available on the research page of SEMA’s website.

For the second straight year, the specialty-equipment market showed improvement. Overall 2011 sales grew 5% from 2010 to put the industry back into the $30 billion range.

The report includes:

• The overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment segments and niches
• Consumer purchase patterns
• Industry and economic trends
• Vehicle sales trends

The Annual Market Report has long been one of SEMA’s most popular and useful reports. Whether you are new to the industry and working on a business plan, or a veteran interested in the latest data, this report is a great resource.

Download the 2012 SEMA Annual Market Report online. It is available free of charge for SEMA members, while non-SEMA members can purchase a copy for $250.

For questions regarding the report, contact research@sema.org.

	Tanner Foust finishes second in the Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta at the opening round of the 2012 Global Rallycross Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Photo: Jakub Nitka/ERC24.com

Tanner Foust Scores Podium at Charlotte Motor Speedway
At the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust scored his first U.S. podium finish of the 2012 Global Rallycross Championship.

Foust, in his 550-plus-hp Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta, battled teammate Marcus Grönholm for the lead in a 10-car final race. He crossed the line just behind the two-time World Rally Champion.

The defending Global Rallycross Champion, Foust kept the pressure on throughout the contest, while managing overheating brakes on a track considered one of the fastest in rallycross history. He qualified in the second position and won his heat races to line up beside Grönholm in the final. Drivers competed on a course laid out on the front stretch and pit lane of the 1.5-mile oval. It featured narrow passing zones, chicanes, water hazards and a 3-ft.-tall jump.

The Charlotte event marked the first stop in a five-week stretch of European and American rallycross competition for Foust, which culminates with X Games in downtown Los Angeles, July 1.

His next stop is the Hungarian Round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship this weekend (June 2–3). Foust is favored for a top finish. He is the 2011 European Rallycross Championship runner-up, and won the first European race of the season in April.

National Speed Sport News, "RaceDay" on Fox Sports Radio Team Up
National Speed Sport News, which relaunched in March with an all-new monthly magazine, has partnered with "RaceDay" on FOX Sports Radio, hosted by industry veteran Rob D'Amico.

Beginning last Sunday, the program will be rebranded "SPEED SPORT on FOX Sports Radio," and air every Sunday from 7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. (EDT) on more than 250 FOX Sports Radio affiliates, XM Satellite Channel 169 and the American Forces Network.

The program will also stream live online at www.iheartradio.com, www.foxsports.com and via the iHeart Radio mobile app. Archives will be available at www.speedsportonfox.com and www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/radio.

In addition to collaborating on content and programming, National Speed Sport News will handle sales and marketing of the show.

	Frank Arciero (right).

Motorsports Icon Frank Arciero Passes Away
Frank Arciero passed away last Wednesday night. He began his motorsports career in 1943. His involvement included CART and the Champ Car World series. In the 1986 Indianapolis 500, one of his drivers, Randy Lanier won the Rookie of the Year and in 1987 another one of his drivers, Fabrizio Barbazza, also won the award.

Arciero's drivers included Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Jim Clark, Bobby Unser, Roger Penske, Phil Hill, Geoff Brabham, Michael Andretti, Scott Pruett, Max Papis and Dan Wheldon.

Arciero was also a successful businessman who, in 1986, opened his own winery, now called EOS Estate Winery, in Paso Robles, California.

Arciero is survived by sons Frank Jr. and Albert; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Angie.

Services were held May 30, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach, California.

	Heidi Steele will make her season debut at the 44th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, June 1–3, 2012.

Yokohama Tire Corp.-Sponsored Heidi Steele Returns to Action at SCORE Baja 500
Heidi Steele, the Yokohama Tire Corp.-sponsored off-road driver and defending Class 6 Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts (SCORE) champion, will make her season debut at the 44th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, June 1–3, 2012, in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico. As before, Steele and co-driver/Desert Assassins teammate Rene Brugger will tackle the tough Baja terrain in a Ford Ranger with off-the-shelf Geolandar M/T+ tires.

Steele, wife of Trophy-Truck veteran Cameron Steele (also competing in Baja), missed the first part of the off-road season to give birth to her first child, Cameron Kay Steele. Now she’s ready to race.

Cameron has two 800hp Geiser Brothers Trophy-Trucks entered in the Baja 500, both running on newly developed 40-in. Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S R tires specially engineered for extreme off-road conditions.

The #14 Desert Assassins Trophy-Truck will start farther back in the field. Trophy-Trucks have 26 in. of front-wheel travel and 36 in. of rear-wheel travel and can hit a top speed of 135 mph.

An injury will keep driver John Gaydosh temporarily sidelined from NHRA competition.

NHRA Pro Stock Competitor Gaydosh Temporarily Sidelined Following Surgery
Pro Stock driver John Gaydosh wants nothing more than to race at the upcoming Toyota NHRA Supernationals at the racetrack that he considers home, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey.

The Pontiac GXP pilot suffered a major setback just prior to the recent NHRA event in Atlanta—the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals—when he tore a tendon in his right forearm. It was determined shortly thereafter that the painful injury would require immediate repair through surgery, and so Gaydosh went under the knife the very week he returned from racing at Atlanta Dragway.

As he continues to heal through rest and physical therapy, Gaydosh will miss the race in Englishtown and the soon-after event, the Ford Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, but he plans to rejoin NHRA competition at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago in late June and race the following weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

As the second half of the Full Throttle Drag Racing season kicks into high gear, Gaydosh intends to pick up speed and attend as many events as possible as he continues to live out his dream of driving in one of the most competitive categories in the series.

	Hexis Racing claimed double victories at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain with new 12C GT3.

Hexis Racing Claims Double Victories With 12C GT3 in FIA GT1 World Championship Race in Spain
McLaren GT customer team Hexis Racing claimed first victories for the MP4-12C GT3 last weekend with back-to-back wins at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain. A dominant performance by reigning FIA GT1 World champions Hexis in qualifying and the championship race places the French team in second position in the series after three rounds.

The weekend’s qualifying session saw a strong start from the No. 1 12C GT3, driven by Fred Makowiecki (France) and Stef Dusseldorp (Netherlands). The duo dominated the race throughout and crossed the line more than 20 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. This result secured an all-McLaren 12C GT3 front-row lock out, and another performance from both driver pairings again saw Makowiecki and Dusseldorp lead from lights to flag, while the No. 2 12C GT3 driven by McLaren GT driver Alvaro Parente (Portugal) and Grégoire Demoustier (France) claimed fourth place.

Fellow McLaren GT customer team Lapidus Racing also showed strong performance with the debut of the 12C GT3 in the International GT Open at the Nürburgring in Germany. The orange and white-liveried 12C GT3, driven by team owner Klaas Hummel and McLaren GT development driver Adam Christodoulou, showed consistent pace throughout the weekend’s two races, and the team claimed a double fourth-place finish.

	Greg Alexander returned to action in the annual Salute to Indy featuring the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway.

Greg Alexander Returns After Fire
After an expensive fire last month, Gardena, California's Greg Alexander returned to action in the annual Salute to Indy featuring the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway.

While running second late in the B main April 28, the "carbeque" happened at the Riverside County clay oval. The blaze started around the engine, but quickly spread to the cockpit. Feeling the intense heat from the flames, the 23-year-old racer quickly slid the car to a stop on the inside of turn four. He jumped out of the cockpit and began rolling on the ground. Even though the fire crew was on him and the car within seconds, the damage was extensive.

All of the car's wiring, hoses and gauges were burned and had to be replaced. Alexander's helmet and firesuit were hurt in the blaze and had to be replaced as well. Needless to say, he was done for the night even though he had earned a ticket to race in the A main.

Although Alexander emerged from the inferno uninjured, repairs and replacements took time and he was forced to sit out the race at King's Speedway in Hanford.

Chris Lock won round two of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California.

Chris Lock Wins the Thunderhill Round of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship
Chris Lock, driving the Roger Kraus Racing Honda Prelude, won round two of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California. This was Lock’s first USTCC win, and he won the race as a rookie. Finishing in second position was the K-PAX/Auto Parts Warehouse Volvo C30 of Robert Thorne. Hyundai managed to score a first-ever podium finish with the help of Ali Arsham who was driving the GoGoGear.com/DelCity.net/UTI Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

	United Autosports No. 23 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in action at Monza during the opening round.

Busy Schedule Ahead of Home Race for United Autosports at Silverstone
United Autosports heads back to home soil as it prepares for the second round of the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series at Silverstone this weekend.

In the Pro Cup Class, David Brabham will be joined by Matt Bell and Alvaro Parente in the No. 22 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 sportscar, while team owner and driver Zak Brown will be in the No. 23 sister car with Mark Blundell and Mark Patterson contesting the Pro/AM class.

In the build-up to the event, the team has conducted a full day of testing at Snetterton in Norfolk with drivers Brabham, Blundell and Bell behind the wheel. The team was able to get significant track time around the Norfolk circuit and managed to test the various development parts on offer from McLaren.

It was a mixed weekend for the team during the season opener in Monza, and they will be looking for a solid performance at Silverstone—home of British Motorsport and a current Formula 1TM Grand Prix Circuit. The 3.660-mile new configuration makes it one of the quickest on the calendar. More than 60 cars are expected to take to the grid.

	Tanner Foust finishes second in the Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta at the opening round of the 2012 Global Rallycross Championship at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Photo: Jakub Nitka/ERC24.com

Tanner Foust Scores Podium at Charlotte Motor Speedway
At the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust scored his first U.S. podium finish of the 2012 Global Rallycross Championship.

Foust, in his 550-plus-hp Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta, battled teammate Marcus Grönholm for the lead in a 10-car final race. He crossed the line just behind the two-time World Rally Champion.

The defending Global Rallycross Champion, Foust kept the pressure on throughout the contest, while managing overheating brakes on a track considered one of the fastest in rallycross history. He qualified in the second position and won his heat races to line up beside Grönholm in the final. Drivers competed on a course laid out on the front stretch and pit lane of the 1.5-mile oval. It featured narrow passing zones, chicanes, water hazards and a 3-ft.-tall jump.

The Charlotte event marked the first stop in a five-week stretch of European and American rallycross competition for Foust, which culminates with X Games in downtown Los Angeles, July 1.

His next stop is the Hungarian Round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship this weekend (June 2–3). Foust is favored for a top finish. He is the 2011 European Rallycross Championship runner-up, and won the first European race of the season in April.

National Speed Sport News, "RaceDay" on Fox Sports Radio Team Up
National Speed Sport News, which relaunched in March with an all-new monthly magazine, has partnered with "RaceDay" on FOX Sports Radio, hosted by industry veteran Rob D'Amico.

Beginning last Sunday, the program will be rebranded "SPEED SPORT on FOX Sports Radio," and air every Sunday from 7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. (EDT) on more than 250 FOX Sports Radio affiliates, XM Satellite Channel 169 and the American Forces Network.

The program will also stream live online at www.iheartradio.com, www.foxsports.com and via the iHeart Radio mobile app. Archives will be available at www.speedsportonfox.com and www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/radio.

In addition to collaborating on content and programming, National Speed Sport News will handle sales and marketing of the show.

	Frank Arciero (right).

Motorsports Icon Frank Arciero Passes Away
Frank Arciero passed away last Wednesday night. He began his motorsports career in 1943. His involvement included CART and the Champ Car World series. In the 1986 Indianapolis 500, one of his drivers, Randy Lanier won the Rookie of the Year and in 1987 another one of his drivers, Fabrizio Barbazza, also won the award.

Arciero's drivers included Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Jim Clark, Bobby Unser, Roger Penske, Phil Hill, Geoff Brabham, Michael Andretti, Scott Pruett, Max Papis and Dan Wheldon.

Arciero was also a successful businessman who, in 1986, opened his own winery, now called EOS Estate Winery, in Paso Robles, California.

Arciero is survived by sons Frank Jr. and Albert; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Angie.

Services were held May 30, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach, California.

	Heidi Steele will make her season debut at the 44th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, June 1–3, 2012.

Yokohama Tire Corp.-Sponsored Heidi Steele Returns to Action at SCORE Baja 500
Heidi Steele, the Yokohama Tire Corp.-sponsored off-road driver and defending Class 6 Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts (SCORE) champion, will make her season debut at the 44th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, June 1–3, 2012, in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico. As before, Steele and co-driver/Desert Assassins teammate Rene Brugger will tackle the tough Baja terrain in a Ford Ranger with off-the-shelf Geolandar M/T+ tires.

Steele, wife of Trophy-Truck veteran Cameron Steele (also competing in Baja), missed the first part of the off-road season to give birth to her first child, Cameron Kay Steele. Now she’s ready to race.

Cameron has two 800hp Geiser Brothers Trophy-Trucks entered in the Baja 500, both running on newly developed 40-in. Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S R tires specially engineered for extreme off-road conditions.

The #14 Desert Assassins Trophy-Truck will start farther back in the field. Trophy-Trucks have 26 in. of front-wheel travel and 36 in. of rear-wheel travel and can hit a top speed of 135 mph.

An injury will keep driver John Gaydosh temporarily sidelined from NHRA competition.

NHRA Pro Stock Competitor Gaydosh Temporarily Sidelined Following Surgery
Pro Stock driver John Gaydosh wants nothing more than to race at the upcoming Toyota NHRA Supernationals at the racetrack that he considers home, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey.

The Pontiac GXP pilot suffered a major setback just prior to the recent NHRA event in Atlanta—the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals—when he tore a tendon in his right forearm. It was determined shortly thereafter that the painful injury would require immediate repair through surgery, and so Gaydosh went under the knife the very week he returned from racing at Atlanta Dragway.

As he continues to heal through rest and physical therapy, Gaydosh will miss the race in Englishtown and the soon-after event, the Ford Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, but he plans to rejoin NHRA competition at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago in late June and race the following weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

As the second half of the Full Throttle Drag Racing season kicks into high gear, Gaydosh intends to pick up speed and attend as many events as possible as he continues to live out his dream of driving in one of the most competitive categories in the series.

	Hexis Racing claimed double victories at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain with new 12C GT3.

Hexis Racing Claims Double Victories With 12C GT3 in FIA GT1 World Championship Race in Spain
McLaren GT customer team Hexis Racing claimed first victories for the MP4-12C GT3 last weekend with back-to-back wins at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain. A dominant performance by reigning FIA GT1 World champions Hexis in qualifying and the championship race places the French team in second position in the series after three rounds.

The weekend’s qualifying session saw a strong start from the No. 1 12C GT3, driven by Fred Makowiecki (France) and Stef Dusseldorp (Netherlands). The duo dominated the race throughout and crossed the line more than 20 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. This result secured an all-McLaren 12C GT3 front-row lock out, and another performance from both driver pairings again saw Makowiecki and Dusseldorp lead from lights to flag, while the No. 2 12C GT3 driven by McLaren GT driver Alvaro Parente (Portugal) and Grégoire Demoustier (France) claimed fourth place.

Fellow McLaren GT customer team Lapidus Racing also showed strong performance with the debut of the 12C GT3 in the International GT Open at the Nürburgring in Germany. The orange and white-liveried 12C GT3, driven by team owner Klaas Hummel and McLaren GT development driver Adam Christodoulou, showed consistent pace throughout the weekend’s two races, and the team claimed a double fourth-place finish.

	Greg Alexander returned to action in the annual Salute to Indy featuring the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway.

Greg Alexander Returns After Fire
After an expensive fire last month, Gardena, California's Greg Alexander returned to action in the annual Salute to Indy featuring the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway.

While running second late in the B main April 28, the "carbeque" happened at the Riverside County clay oval. The blaze started around the engine, but quickly spread to the cockpit. Feeling the intense heat from the flames, the 23-year-old racer quickly slid the car to a stop on the inside of turn four. He jumped out of the cockpit and began rolling on the ground. Even though the fire crew was on him and the car within seconds, the damage was extensive.

All of the car's wiring, hoses and gauges were burned and had to be replaced. Alexander's helmet and firesuit were hurt in the blaze and had to be replaced as well. Needless to say, he was done for the night even though he had earned a ticket to race in the A main.

Although Alexander emerged from the inferno uninjured, repairs and replacements took time and he was forced to sit out the race at King's Speedway in Hanford.

Chris Lock won round two of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California.

Chris Lock Wins the Thunderhill Round of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship
Chris Lock, driving the Roger Kraus Racing Honda Prelude, won round two of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California. This was Lock’s first USTCC win, and he won the race as a rookie. Finishing in second position was the K-PAX/Auto Parts Warehouse Volvo C30 of Robert Thorne. Hyundai managed to score a first-ever podium finish with the help of Ali Arsham who was driving the GoGoGear.com/DelCity.net/UTI Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

	United Autosports No. 23 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in action at Monza during the opening round.

Busy Schedule Ahead of Home Race for United Autosports at Silverstone
United Autosports heads back to home soil as it prepares for the second round of the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series at Silverstone this weekend.

In the Pro Cup Class, David Brabham will be joined by Matt Bell and Alvaro Parente in the No. 22 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 sportscar, while team owner and driver Zak Brown will be in the No. 23 sister car with Mark Blundell and Mark Patterson contesting the Pro/AM class.

In the build-up to the event, the team has conducted a full day of testing at Snetterton in Norfolk with drivers Brabham, Blundell and Bell behind the wheel. The team was able to get significant track time around the Norfolk circuit and managed to test the various development parts on offer from McLaren.

It was a mixed weekend for the team during the season opener in Monza, and they will be looking for a solid performance at Silverstone—home of British Motorsport and a current Formula 1TM Grand Prix Circuit. The 3.660-mile new configuration makes it one of the quickest on the calendar. More than 60 cars are expected to take to the grid.