TODD ENDS SCHUMACHER WINNING STREAK IN DRAMATIC FASHION: For the first time in NHRA history, the reigning NHRA POWERade Series world champions were a stunning 0-4 in final rounds at the same event, the O’Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex. In defeating Tony Schumacher, J.R. Todd earned the first victory for the two-car Lucas Oil team.

In Funny Car, Tim Wilkerson dealt Tony Pedregon his first loss of the year in five final rounds. In Pro Stock, Greg Stanfield earned a shocking victory over Jeg Coughlin Jr. to keep himself in contention for the 2008 world championship title. Stanfield and Coughlin were tied at the gate with twin .015 reaction times, but Stanfield ran the defending NHRA POWERade Series world champion down to reach the finish line first. Stanfield became the fourth driver in NHRA history to win event titles in five different categories.

Chris Rivas stunned Matt Smith, the defending NHRA POWERade Series Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion, in the final round to earn his second event win of the year.

TEAMS LOOKING FOR MORE POINTS IN MEMPHIS: The Powerade Series points leaders are looking to maintain their positions in the Countdown to 1, but the others in the Countdown are looking to make their move at Memphis Motorsports Park. The O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals will be getting under way this weekend and those that are not in the top points position hope to move up like Tim Wilkerson, Greg Stanfield and Chris Rivas did with their wins in Dallas. The third race of the Countdown to 1 gets under way with qualifying on Friday and Saturday, and eliminations on Sunday. 

NHRA SOFTBALL CLASSIC TICKETS ON SALE: Tickets for the NHRA Softball Classic go on sale today. They can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 213/480-3232 or going online to www.ie66ers.com or www.ticketmaster.com. The NHRA Softball Classic will be held November 12 at Arrowhead Credit Union Park in San Bernardino, California, home of the Inland Empire 66ers, the Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first attempt at the game, at the Reading Phillies’ stadium in Pennsylvania, was rained out. 

For fans who are interested in purchasing seats on the side of the field of their favorite team, Brown’s Bombers will occupy the home dugout, which is on the third base line, while Scelzi’s Superchargers will set up camp in the visitor’s dugout along the first base line. The first pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. Proceeds from the game will benefit the Drag Racing Association of Women. The game will be played prior to the final NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event of the 2008 season, the 44th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 13–16 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. 

LONGTIME NHRA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR DAN BRICKEY PASSES: Dan Brickey, longtime NHRA director of emergency medical services, passed away Monday after a lengthy illness. He was 58. During Brickey's 17-year tenure with NHRA, he was charged with ensuring the safety of competitors and fans who attended NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events. While working closely with the NHRA Safety Safari on driver rescue, Brickey coordinated all aspects of facility safety, as well as all ambulance, fire and other outside emergency services agencies for each event.

“Dan was both a friend and a dedicated professional who helped advance the emergency services program with the Safety Safari and did an outstanding job during his time at NHRA,” said Graham Light, NHRA senior vice president of racing operations. “He will be missed. On behalf of the entire NHRA community, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Brickey is survived by his daughters, Traci Bratton and Kelli Goldsmith, granddaughter Courtnee Bratton, grandsons Jakob Bratton and Matthew Goldsmith, sisters Janice Drake and Rhonda McCarver and brothers Dr. David Brickey and Eugene Brickey. A viewing will be held Friday, September 26, from 4:00 p.m–8:00 p.m. at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, Indiana, and funeral services will be held Saturday, September 27, at 10:00 a.m., at the Soller-Baker Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Dan Brickey Scholarship Fund, c/o Old National Bank, 140 S. Creasy Lane, Lafayette, Indiana 47905.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS, MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK, SEPTEMBER 26–28: The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series heads to the south for its third stop in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Melanie Troxel (Top Fuel); Gary Scelzi (Funny Car); Dave Connolly (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS, VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK, OCTOBER 10–12: Making its fourth stop in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, the NHRA POWERade Series returns to Petersburg, Virginia, before the final two races of the season. Defending event winners include Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Gary Scelzi (Funny Car) and Dave Connolly (Pro Stock).

ACDELCO LAS VEGAS NHRA NATIONALS, OCTOBER 30–NOVEMBER 2: Making its second stop of the season in Las Vegas, drivers in all four professional categories will fight it out at the fifth and next-to-last race of the Countdown to 1. Defending event winners include Rod Fuller (Top Fuel), Tony Pedregon (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

HE ENJOYED BEATING THE ‘TOUGHEST’ GUY: J.R. Todd had only five round wins total for the season before his win in Dallas.  So it is understandable why he was emotional about the win. “Tony's the toughest guy out here, and if you beat him, you've accomplished something,” Todd said. “I was pretty jacked up anyway, but racing him, you know you have to leave first because Alan Johnson makes big horsepower, and Tony doesn’t usually beat himself. When I heard the fans chanting my name, that was pretty special. I'm kind of choked up.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

63, 15, 8: Despite losing to J.R. Todd in the final round at Texas Motorplex, Tony Schumacher continued to rack up new records. In 2008, he has 63 round wins, 15 final round appearances and eight consecutive final round appearances. All three of these were new Top Fuel records established at the O’Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that 17 of the 40 drivers in the Countdown to the Championship have won at Memphis Motorsports Park. Funny Car driver John Force leads them with five career wins.

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Perris Auto Speedway announced that Sprint Car driver Rip Williams and his longtime car owner Jack Jory will be the Grand Marshals for the 13th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals, presented by Temecula Valley Pipe & Supply, on October 30–November 1. The Budweiser Oval Nationals is known as the toughest race in traditional Sprint Car racing with all drivers racing all three-nights. The race is a full-points paying race for the Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and the USAC National Sprint Cars.

Troy Thompson (right)

Mitchell One named Troy Thompson from Ramona, California, as the 2008 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student. The company presented Thompson with a check for $2,500 along with a recognition certificate during the 2008 North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) Conference held recently at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Each year, Mitchell 1 recognizes one U.S. high school senior for outstanding achievement in automotive technology scholastics. Thompson currently attends Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, California, where he is enrolled in the Ford ASSET program, pursuing an associate of science degree in automotive technology. Upon graduation, Thompson plans on becoming a drivability technician with diesel certification. He has also been interning at the Perry Ford dealership in Poway, California, for the past year to get hands-on experience.

Greg Cogley was hired to the sales team of Gulf Coast Wheels and Accessories in Slidell, Louisiana. Cogley was previously with Player Wheel Group for 13 years, most recently serving as vice president of sales for the past five years. 

Bridgestone announced that Brandweek has selected Phil Pacsi, vice president of North American consumer tire marketing, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT) as one of its Marketers of the Year in its special September issue. Pacsi accepted the prestigious honor during a ceremony hosted by Brandweek in New York City. “I really view this honor as recognition for the incredible work done this past year by our entire BFNT marketing team and our agency partners,” said Pacsi. “It’s been a total team effort as we’ve looked for new and creative ways to leverage our new sports marketing partnerships and raise awareness for our Bridgestone brand, drive customers to our dealers and ultimately sell more tires.”

"Two Guys Garage" series on SPEED will highlight Rat Rods beginning in October.

With the first airings of "Two Guys Garage" (produced by Brenton Productions) on SPEED beginning in early October, Sam Memmolo and Bryan Fuller will highlight "Rat Rods" and begin work on a '28 Ford Model A hot-rod body, with the focus on safety and road-worthiness as a priority. The "Two Guys Garage" team will take the Model A and build up from the chassis (front and rear), the suspension, engine and driveline. Episodes will show installation of steering, gauges and wiring and fabrication of exhaust system. Host’s, Memmolo and Fuller will show viewers the proper way to install and plumb a hydraulic brake system, ending up with a competent and road-worthy car. “Rat Rods can be a fun and a less expensive way to get involved in the street rod and hot rod hobby”, Sam Memmolo, host and master mechanic explains. “But building a car that is dangerous or uses components that pose a safety hazard is not acceptable. Popularity is growing on these rides, and we owe it to ourselves, the industry and the next generation, to create, not only rolling works of art, but safe cars that will foster the hobby—not set it back.”

Continental Tire announced the following management changes. Nikolai Setzer took over management of the replacement passenger and light-truck tire market for Europe and Africa on September 1. He is also responsible for worldwide marketing of the passenger and light-truck tire division. Setzer had previously been head of the worldwide original-equipment business for passenger and light-truck tires. Concurrently, Karlheinz Evertz assumed management of the worldwide original-equipment business for passenger and light-truck tires. He was previously in charge of the replacement market for passenger and light-truck tires in Europe and Africa. Dr. Hartmut Wöhler, previously the head of Continental’s European commercial business within the ContiTrade unit, assumed management of marketing and sales for the passenger and light-truck tire replacement market in Europe and Africa on August 1. Dr Wöhler will also continue his responsibility for ContiTrade.  

The Dimension 3D Printing Group, a business unit of Stratasys Inc., announced that it has given more than $400,000 to schools across the nation to underwrite the purchase of 3D printing systems for the 2008–2009 school year. More than 40 schools received the $10,000 grants. For a complete list of schools, visit www.dimensionprinting.com. Dimension 3D Printer Grants are a collaborative effort with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a not-for-profit organization that promotes pre-engineering courses and technologies for middle and high school students across the United States.

Motorator, an online community dedicated to performance automotive enthusiasts., recently launched the first phase of its website, www.motorator.com. The three sections within the first phase include a video section where visitors can show off their rides and share comments, an expert section that features advice from industry professionals and enthusiasts, and a blog that hosts news about the latest industry trends and must-have modifications. To kick off the launch of Motorator.com, the company partnered with Richard Petty Driving Experience to offer the Motorator/Richard Petty White Knuckle Driving Sweepstakes. Motorator is giving users a chance to win a day at the track with expert on-track instructors. One lucky winner (and a guest) will get a three-lap Ride-Along and an 18-lap King's Experience, where they will drive a real 600 horsepower, NASCAR-style stock car.

Wilson Manifolds added an additional 4,000 sq. ft. of workspace to its present facilities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The expansion involves the hiring of four new personnel, including two engineers, a production manager and a designer in its CAD/CAM office. Four more machining centers have already been purchased, including a new German-built DMG 5-axis machine. The additional capacity will not only allow its racing manifolds business to grow, but also its street performance parts division, producing throttle bodies, spacers and Pro Flow nitrous systems.

Click on the logo to visit PRO's website.

PRO will hold an open meeting during the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The meeting is open to all PRO Council members, and will be in meeting rooms N219–N222, located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Now more than ever, PRO needs input from all its members. So please plan to attend on Thursday morning at the Show, and bring all your ideas with you!

What: PRO Open Meeting
When: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, rooms N219–N222

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

Read PRO's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about PRO, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

ARMO Special Projects in Motion

Sponsorships are being accepted for the ARMO Industry Awards Reception. Now is the time to participate in this great opportunity to show your support of the restoration market, its community, its people and its businesses. Click here to download and print a sponsorship form.
 
For more information, contact any Select Committee member or Jan Desma, 909/396-0289, ext. 134, or e-mail jand@sema.org.

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

Read ARMO's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

 
Click on the logo to visit HRIA's website.

HRIA Special Projects in Motion

Sponsorships are being accepted for the HRIA Industry Awards Reception. Participate in this great opportunity to show your support of the hot-rod community, its people and its businesses. Click here to download and print a sponsorship form.
 
For more information contact any Select Committee member or Jan Desma, 909/396-0289 ext. 134 or e-mail jand@sema.org.

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

Read HRIA's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about HRIA, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit TORA's website.

TORA Column in SEMA Member News

Read TORA's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

Click on the logo to visit MPMC's website.

Auto Club Speedway of Southern California and SEMA’s Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council Celebrate Motorsports Awareness Month with the Take a Friend to a Race Campaign  

Auto Club Speedway has teamed up with the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC), a council of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), to celebrate Motorsports Awareness Month with the "Take a Friend to a Race" Campaign, a grassroots program aimed at increasing attendance at motorsports events by introducing new fans to the sport.  

“We are very excited to be working with SEMA and the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council to get the word out about the great racing at Auto Club Speedway,” said Speedway President Gillian Zucker.  “SEMA members’ love of cars and motorsports, combined with our great event schedule, means we are the perfect partners to promote motorsports awareness.”

SEMA PR Contact: Della Domingo, dellad@sema.org.

MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MRC's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MRC, contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org.

 
Click on the logo to visit SPC's website.

SPC Column in SEMA Member News

Read SPC's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about SPC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit WTC's website.

WTC Column in SEMA Member News

Read WTC's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about WTC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit SBN's website.

Be a part of what some have called “The Most Productive Event at the SEMA Show.”
Get your company more exposure today by sponsoring the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN.
 
Sponsorship includes many exciting benefits:

• Breakfast tickets (additional available at $10 each)
• Scholarship fund donation
• Eligibility to place items in goody bags that will be distributed to all breakfast attendees
• Logo in the event’s looping PowerPoint presentation
• Small logo on advance promotional material and on-site handouts
• Thank-you recognition at event
• Recognition in applicable SBN news vehicles—electronic and print—prior to and after the event
• Company name linked to your corporate website on breakfast webpage
• Handout of pre-registered attendees

Come join us for the breakfast, see the Woman of The Year and Athena Awards—and stay for Speed Networking—all while supporting the worthy cause of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.
 
Sponsor companies need not be SBN members. All SEMA-member companies are eligible.

Click here to download the sponsorship form.

Sponsorship deadline: Friday September 26, 2008
 
Attendee breakfast tickets can also be purchased by clicking here.

“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career.  In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the program, click here.

SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN

Check out this video of SBN members in action during the valuable SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN held annually at the SEMA Show. Check out the video by clicking here

SBN Column in SEMA Member News

Read SBN's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about SBN, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit YEN's website.

Join YEN

Did you know that the SEMA Young Executives Network has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the SEMA Young Executives Network for FREE. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

YEN Member of the Month Spotlight

Did you know that YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit www.sema.org/yen.

Discover The SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career.  In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the program, click here.

YEN Column in SEMA Member News

Read YEN's column featured in the September/October issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about YEN, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Filler for eNews

Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are:

>> SEMA Installer Certification Program, Registration deadline: September 30, 2008 Exam date: November 13, 2008
>> SEMA Webinar, "U.S. and the World Economy: Will They Shift Forward?" October 2, 2008 10:00 a.m. (PDT)
>> SEMA Webinar, "Right-On, No-Bull Guide to Marketing in a Tough Economy," October 16, 2008 10:00 a.m. (PDT)
>> SEMA WTC Open Meeting, November 3, 2008, Las Vegas
>> SEMA PAC Election Night Party, November 4, 2008, Las Vegas
>> SEMA Show 2008, November 4–7, 2008, Las Vegas 
>> SEMA Dealer Day, November 5, 2008, Las Vegas
>> SEMA PRO Open Meeting, November 6, 2008, Las Vegas
>> SEMA ARMO Shopkeeper's Roundtable, November 6, 2008, Las Vegas
>> SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast—Powered by SBN, November 6, 2008 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m. (PDT), Las Vegas
>> SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 20–22, 2009, El Segundo, California
>> SEMA Technical Skills & Training Conference, March 27–28, 2009, Orlando, Florida
>> PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July 15–17, 2009, Mexico

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949/930-9268.

Looking for Some Extra Publicity for Your Industry Event?
Publicize your events through the SEMA Online Calendar of Events located at www.sema.org/calendar. The calendar is stocked with information on events taking place throughout the year, broken down by month. Examples of events featured in the calendar include consumer shows and club events, educational and training workshops, conventions and trade shows, races and more.

To submit your event details for the calendar, e-mail company name and the date(s), location and name of the event to Shirley Presecan at shirleyp@sema.org.

While the automotive industry as a whole has suffered from a doom-and-gloom washing, the specialty-equipment industry has benefited from some insulation. Many of the pessimistic attitudes are warranted and paint a rosy picture would be misleading. Feedback from enthusiasts, however, portrays a resiliency that should not be forgotten.

SEMA has asked consumers about the relationship between fuel prices and specialty-equipment spending. Without a doubt, as fuel prices increased during the first half of 2008, there were groans of doubt regarding future purchases.

The tipping point for spending appeared when fuel prices surpassed the $4/gallon mark and 38% claimed that they would begin to curtail spending if prices continued climbing an additional $.50–$1/gallon.

Many respondents took the liberty to submit their opinions candidly and offered variations of the same theme: "Doesn't matter, I enjoy my musclecar" and "Price of gas will not deter me, ever.”

Not all responses were as optimistic, but since customizing can be a deeply passionate hobby, enthusiasts indicated that they would find a way to keep their hobby alive.  

Hot-rod, street-rod and musclecar fans are especially unwavering. When asked about future purchases, they supplied the data shown at top. Displayed are the top 20 products and services hot-rod, street-rod and musclecar consumers plan to purchase within the next year. This mix includes traditional popular items and does not signal much of a radical departure from conventional attitudes. Despite a maelstrom of economic and social burdens, some things remain the same.

For more original market research, click here.

According to CNW Research, the first 15 days of September have shown a continuing decline in the days’ supply of used trucks on franchised and independent used-car lots. Used-truck inventories on car lots reached a high of 88.64 days in July. In the first two weeks of September, that period has dropped to 75.34 days.

It may not seem like a big deal and some will think it’s only because the car dealers are just not taking trucks as trade-ins. But for dealers, it has become a difficult problem balancing between car-to-truck inventory. CNW reports that used-vehicle floor traffic is miserable, but a growing number of shoppers are heading for 4WD SUVs and F-250/F-350-equivalent pickups.

This is good news for the light-truck side of the specialty-equipment industry, as any increase in vehicle sales provides opportunities for consumers to customize that vehicle that is new to them. According to AutoTrader.com, consumers have increased their level of online searches for certain trucks. The Ford F-150 showed signs of improvement, however, with an increase of 18.45% in searches.

CNW also reported that buyers looking for new trucks for work purposes have started showing up in new-car showrooms. According to CNW, contractors, farmers and ranchers have shown increased interest in purchasing new pickups since June 2008. In August, fullsize pickups represented 13.2% of all sales, the highest level of the year.

Again, that’s good news for the light-truck specialty-equipment market. There may be light at the end of the tunnel after all.

SEMA’s annual Automotive Lifestyle Survey reveals that enthusiasts are still purchasing or planning to purchase performance products in great numbers, with air intakes topping the list of the most popular performance items.

"Despite the cost of gas across the United States and concerns over the economy, enthusiasts continue to purchase performance products for their vehicles,” said Megan McKernan, SEMA market research special projects manager.

The table above shows some of the more sought-after products purchased or planned for purchase in the next 12 months by the group of auto-related magazine subscribers that was surveyed.
   
The respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with several statements, including "I customize my vehicle to increase performance.” The responses of those who indicated that they strongly agreed with the statement were cross-tabulated with or compared with their responses to questions about whether they watch or attend racing events.

It is interesting to note that more than 50% watched the events and more than 50% attended the events in each case. (The percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents could select both the “watch” and “attend” choices for each category). More than 80% of the respondents attended performance rally, SCCA Club Racing, sports car racing and time attack events.

For more original market research, click here.