General News & Notes

Tammy Auman  Pottstown, PA -

Second Week of Charlotte Motor Speedway's Autumn Full of Action

(CONCORD, NC – SEPT 20, 2013) With the Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals now in our rear view mirrors, Charlotte Motor Speedway is prepared for a busy weekend of the AutoFair car show, Global Rallycross competition on the Dirt Track Sunday and Doug Herbert's B.R.A.K.E.S. proactive teen safe driving school all taking place around the property.

(From Speedway Press Release:CONCORD, N.C. - Sept. 17, 2013) – For years, the hovercraft has represented the ultimate in all-terrain vehicles, a futuristic mode of transport capable of traveling with ease over almost any type of surface. The prototype for just such a machine was unveiled Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where it will be on display as part of this weekend’s Charlotte AutoFair.

(KANNAPOLIS, NC - MAY 30, 2013) At one of their home games, a special kind of “doubleheader” will take place at CMC-NorthEast Stadium in Kannapolis, NC, thanks to the combined efforts of the Kannapolis Intimidators, the Class “A” Minor League affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, and B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe).  With the purchase of a $6.00 regular admission ticket, the Intimidators will donate 50% of the ticket price to B.R.A.K.E.S., the non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization based in Charlotte, NC which offers their free, Teen Pro-Active Driving Course to young drivers between the ages of 15 and 19.

(FEB 19, 2013 - CONCORD, NC) Every year at this time, the high-performance engines of NASCAR, NHRA, and Indy Car snap back to life as a fresh new season of speed and power unfolds at racetracks across the country.

Friend, role model and good guy Chris Economaki passed away early Friday morning, joining the myriad racing stars in the firmament. Chris was a friend to all racers, whether just starting out or superstar and always cared deeply about the sport and people in it.

From Ultimate Garage Productions, For Immediate Release - On Thursday, September 13, professional stars of the National Hot Rod Association, many of their fans, honored guests, television personalities, and a very special keynote speaker from Hollywood’s “silver screen” converged in Concord, NC to take part in a unique “double feature” to help raise further awareness and essential donations for B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe).

Hundreds of fans descended on Charlotte Motor Speedway Friday for the second annual Laps for Life event, paying tribute to those lost on 9/11 and supporting the American Red Cross with blood donations. Those who donated were given NASCAR Racing Experience ride alongs and tickets to Bojangles' Pole Night. 

FISHER NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF

THE WALLY PARKS NHRA MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM

GLENDORA, Calif. (Aug. 20, 2012) – Larry Fisher has been named executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at the Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., it was announced today by the museum’s board of directors. 

Fisher is a longtime automotive enthusiast, holding membership in the Society of Automotive Historians and himself a collector of vintage autocycles, motorcycles and microcars.  Most recently, Fisher was an interpretive, planning and experience design consultant providing expertise to cultural heritage institutions, parks and attractions.  He served as CEO and executive director of the Herreshoff Marine Museum/America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Providence, R.I.  Fisher also was a consultant to the president on the creation of the Experience Design Department for The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mich.

In his new position, Fisher will be responsible for administrative operations and fundraising efforts for the museum, which is located on the grounds of the LA County Fairplex complex, also home to historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.  He will also be responsible for the overall management of the museum’s two biggest fundraising events: the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky., and the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.

In The Pits-racing radio Expands to Two Hours Moves to ESPN

“Voice of Motorsports” To Air Over

Worldwide Leader in Sports Beginning This Saturday, August 18

WASHINGTON, D.C. – IN THE PITS-racing radio©, the popular weekly radio program broadcast from the Nation’s Capital and known nationally throughout the motorsports industry, is proud to announce its upcoming expansion to two hours and its move on the dial to SportsTalk 570, powered by ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

“This is the natural next step in the evolution of our programming,” says Executive Producer and Host Larry O’Donohue.  “As our show increases in popularity and scope, it only makes sense that we expand our delivery mechanism.  ESPN and Sports Talk 570 enables us to do just that.”  

National Speed Sport News LAUNCHES SPEED SPORT MAGAZINE ON ITUNES NEWSSTAND POWERED BY PIXELMAGS

MOORESVILLE, N.C.  — National Speed Sport News continues to expand its growing portfolio of motorsports media products with the launch of a “Digital Edition” of its popular SPEED SPORT Magazine on the iTunes Newsstand.

“Publishing to mobile devices, particularly tablets, is a trend that is sweeping the industry, and is crucial to the success of National Speed Sport News,” says C.O.O. Joe Tripp. “Just two years since the launch of the iPad, tablet use in the United States has exploded, and is expected to reach nearly 100 million users in the next two years.  So, just as we felt a print version was important for our traditional subscriber base, a digital option is just as important to allow us to reach a broader audience, and to stay connected to all our subscribers and they adopt new technologies.”

NSSN partnered with Southern-California based PixelMags to power its new app.  PixelMags provides digital publishing solutions for hundreds of major magazines including Esquire, Men’s Health, Dirt Rider, Elle, Cosmopolitan and many more.

Lancaster, CA - I just enjoyed another “Thunder on the Lot” at the Lancaster Fairgrounds in Lancaster, CA. It was their 18th annual event (which is driven by Ron and Yvette Emard of Robertson’s Palmdale Honda and Antelope Valley Harley Davidson) to benefit thousands of children through scores of charities which have shared over $3 million to date.  

(CONCORD, NC – June 7, 2012) For the fifth consecutive year, B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) will be inviting many of the brightest stars from the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, the fans who follow them, and supporters of this life-saving 501c3 non-profit organization to gather together for the B.R.A.K.E.S. Benefit Dinner to be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Concord, NC on Thursday evening, September 13th.

B.R.A.K.E.S  Will “Go Rounds” With NHRA Stars At Benefit Golf Tourney

Drag racers spend most of their time “going rounds” as they compete on the NHRA’s Full Throttle national event schedule. But on Thursday, September 13th, prior to the running of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, NC, those same NHRA stars will be going rounds of a different kind as they join their fans on the beautiful Rocky River Golf Course adjacent to zMax for the B.R.A.K.E.S. Benefit Golf Tournament.

DEARBORN, Mich., May 11, 2012– Carroll Shelby was a member of the Ford family for the better part of 60 years, producing stunning performance vehicles from concepts to production models.

(CONCORD, NC - APRIL 18, 2012 - RIS) It doesn't matter if you like drag racing, road racing, circle track, off-road, or just cruising, if you don't find something you'll like at Charlotte Motor Speedway's sprawling complex this weekend, you're just not into cars.

OHIO TECHNICAL COLLEGE OPENS

THE EDELBROCK PERFORMANCE ACADEMY

School Partners with Edelbrock to Train Students on Building Performance Vehicles

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ohio Technical College (OTC) and Edelbrock, LLC announce the opening of The Edelbrock Performance Academy, a program designed to give students a solid foundation in the building and tuning of high performance products.

            The Edelbrock Performance Academy at OTC provides students with the skills necessary to efficiently produce a vehicle through planning, installation and modification of the engine, suspension system, braking system and drivetrain.

“SNAKE” AND “MONGOOSE” NEWEST MEMBERS OF B.R.A.K.E.S. TEAM

No first-timer just climbs into a Sprint Cup, Indy car, FI car or any kind of race car and just goes racing. Driving a race car is a learning experience. You start in the lower classes. If you do well you graduate up to the level you are most comfortable with.

Today, many younger racers, be they from the U.S. or anywhere around the world, start in go-karts. Pre-teen racers learn in go-karts how to develop their competitive edge, with hopes of reaching racing’s “big leagues.”

Debuting this week on public broadcasting stations (PBS) throughout the U.S., “Racing Dreams,” a Point of View documentary, produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Marshall Curry, spends a season with three young drivers competing on the World Karting Association’s five-race, paved oval circuit.

NATIONAL SPEED SPORT NEWS, INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS INDUSTRY SHOW TEAM UP

Partnership kicks off new era for NSSN, will provide year-round industry-insider content bolstered by the nation’s fastest-growing hardcore racing tradeshow.  
 
MOORESVILLE, N.C.  — Turn 3 Media, LLC, a North Carolina company founded by publishing veteran Curt Moon, former SPEED executive Joe Tripp, and motorsports television personality Ralph Sheheen, announced the re-launch of the venerable National Speed Sport News brand earlier this month and has entered into a partnership with the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS), which caters to the hardcore racing industry.
 
NSSN’s new monthly SPEED SPORT Magazine premieres in March with the season preview issue. In May, the magazine will introduce the first of a new monthly “IMIS Industry News” section that will be targeted to racing professionals — be it drivers, team owners, jobbers, promoters or manufacturers. The November “Tradeshow” issue will focus attention on IMIS exhibitors and events surrounding the show.
  
“We are extremely excited about partnering with IMIS,” said Turn 3 Managing Partner and COO Joe Tripp. “IMIS is growing quickly and naturally aligns with our audience and vision for NSSN. Through this partnership, we?ll be able to provide the inside industry voice of the hardcore motorsports exhibitors and attendees, but moreover IMIS will help us get National Speed Sport News back on top as the trusted source for motorsports news and information.”

Fifth-annual Racing & Performance Expo blasts off Feb. 25-26

The 5th annual Racing & Performance Expo comes off the line Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pheasant Run Convention Center, 4051 E. Main St. (IL Rte. 64), St. Charles, IL.

ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season Opens at Daytona inSaturday's Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - As ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season opens Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, as many as 60 drivers will set their sights on winning the historic season's most grand race, and maybe - just maybe - becoming the 30th person to win an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship.

First, though, those drivers will have to stop the man whose performances on the 2.5-mile superspeedway oval since 1999 have made him the dean of Daytona: defending Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 winner Bobby Gerhart.

Gerhart pitted on Lap 5 in last year's 80-lap contest, took the lead on Lap 20, and held the point without returning to pit road over the race's final three quarters to edge eventual Rookie of the Year Chris Buescher and Matt Merrell for his seventh Daytona victory. Gerhart, driving a familiar Lucas Oil Slick Mist-branded Chevrolet, also won the Daytona opener in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2010.

"Daytona is so special to me personally," Gerhart said recently. "I grew up coming with my parents to Daytona. I was very vocal at a very young age that I would one day race here. In the back of my head, I kept telling myself I would win here too. It is such a privilege to race here, and I've never lost sight of that fact.

National Speed Sport News To Return

Turn 3 Media, LLC Announces a New Era for National Speed Sport News, Launch of SPEED SPORT Magazine


MOORESVILLE, N.C. — With an all-new monthly print publication launching in March and an aggressive plan for the future, Turn 3 Media, LLC, is bringing back the National Speed Sport News brand, identified for its namesake weekly newspaper that was widely recognized as the “Bible” of American auto racing news.

Turn 3 Media, LLC, a North Carolina company founded by publishing veteran Curt Moon, former SPEED executive Joe Tripp, and motorsports television personality Ralph Sheheen, has acquired the exclusive rights to National Speed Sports News from The Kay Publishing Company.

Founded in 1934 and edited by “The Dean of American Motorsports Journalism” Chris Economaki beginning in 1950, National Speed Sport News ceased publication of its venerable weekly newspaper following the March 23, 2011 issue.

While the realities of the publishing world, which contributed to the demise of the newspaper, haven’t changed, the Turn 3 Media partners are confident the new National Speed Sport News will succeed.

“We’re starting with a clean slate,” said Tripp, “building upon all that was great about the former publication by expanding the content and delivering it through a broad variety of platforms relevant to the times. Specifically, we will provide race fans with credible and timely coverage of all forms of professional motorsports – two wheels and four – on everything from mobile (SPEED SPORT Mobile), tablet (SPEED SPORT Digital Edition) and web (www.nationalspeedsportnews.com ) – plus a new magazine that will be available in print and digital editions.”

“We listened to our fans – and while most are getting race results and breaking news online these days, they still really wanted a print edition.” explained Moon.  “The new monthly SPEED SPORT Magazine will include exclusive stories and interviews, thought-provoking editorial, and a comprehensive view of all motorsports not found in other publications.”

For many years, former National Speed Sport News Editor Chris Economaki was a fixture on national television. With his iconic voice and unique style, Economaki was unparalleled in the business. Most of today’s motorsports journalists and personalities credit Economaki with forging a path for their own careers.

"The first nationally televised race broadcast I was a part of more than 20 years ago, Chris Economaki was my colleague on pit road,” explained Sheheen. “Chris set the standard for motorsports journalism on TV and with National Speed Sport News. We have assembled some of the best writers and reporters in motorsports to continue that tradition. We'll be giving our readers insightful and thought provoking commentary and features on every form of motorsports involving cars, motorcycles and anything else that belches flames, slings mud or singes the asphalt."

As Publisher, Sheheen will manage the editorial direction of the new SPEED SPORT Magazine and will help drive reach and brand awareness through his extensive television exposure. He will also lead efforts to expand the brand into video and television media.

Readers will benefit from the continuity of an editorial staff led by Editor in Chief Mike Kerchner, who has served NSSN continuously since 1991.

“I think our readers will enjoy seeing the familiar faces, names and opinions with which they have become accustomed through the years,” said Kerchner. “SPEED SPORT Magazine will deliver racing information to its readers in an updated manner and style, but we’re confident it will have the same warm, fuzzy feeling that readers have enjoyed when finding National Speed Sport News in their mailbox for nearly 80 years.”

SPEED SPORT Magazine will debut with a March Season Preview issue, exactly one year after the original National Speed Sport News ceased publication.

Subscriptions to SPEED SPORT Magazine are available for $24.95 per year for 12 issues.  A digital edition of the magazine will be available for $12.95 per year. Access to www.nationalspeedsportnews.com will remain free.

Turn 3 Media is planning to announce more details of its plans during Florida Speed Weeks later this month.  


********************

Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) has set a new lap record for an electric vehicle (EV) at the legendary 20.8km Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.

What was your first car? Was it something mundane or something cool? Your grandmother's old car or a sports car? What great or not so great memories do you have of that car? Matt Stone's new book, My First Car, answers that question for readers' enjoyment and education, asking stars of racing, automotive industry and show business about their first cars - neat, drab and every shade in between.

HILLIARD, Ohio (Sept. 19, 2011) - The Road Racing Drivers Club announces the launch of www.SAFEisFAST.com – a ground-breaking Web site devoted to the education of racing drivers. The world’s top champion drivers offer a collection of inside secrets not found anywhere else.

Access to the SAFE is FAST Video Symposium is FREE (upon registration).

Supported by the FIA Motor Sport Safety Development Fund, this comprehensive site is an invaluable tool for up-and-coming racing drivers, as well as established ones, to hone their skills and learn from the best in the world.
 
Hosted by RRDC President Bobby Rahal, SAFE is FAST features more than 30 RRDC members and other industry experts in some 90 minutes of high-quality videos covering subjects from physical and mental preparation to driving techniques, driver safety to car setup and sponsorship. Here’s a sampling:
 

Put On the B.R.A.K.E.S. Inc. Graduates 3,000th Student this Month

NASCAR Young Guns and NHRA Veterans Launch Speedway’s Fall Season of Speed with Parade of Power, Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Noon
FREE Fan Event to Include Race Car Parade, Driver Autographs, Fan Forum and Monster Truck Rides for Children

Day 1 of the e-miglia 2011: Munich – Mittersill the hero of the day is titleholder Ruhoff

• Rally for electric vehicles, from August 1st - 5th, 2011
• Blue skies and a beautiful route  
• First stage finish: Mittersill on August 2nd at around 5 pm at the Stadtplatz
• Biggest challenge: Grossglockner High Alpine Road on August 3rd starting at 8:30 am
• The 31 e-protagonists: C-Zero, Electric RaceAbout, eMini, E-M3, eRuf, i-Miev, iON, Jetcar, Mega Van, Nissan Leaf, Raleigh Dover, Smart, Stromos, Tesla, Think, Tazzari, Twike
• Constancy rally through four alpine countries: D-AUT-I-CH
• Equal-zero emission: 800 km from Munich, over the Grossglockner and Bolzano to St. Moritz

Kurt Busch Named Honorary Chairman of 2011 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony, August 24, in Detroit

DETROIT (August 3, 2011) – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion driver Kurt Busch has agreed to serve as the Honorary Chairman of the 23rd Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony, Wednesday, August 24, at the Fillmore Theater in downtown Detroit.

Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, currently drives the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge for Penske Racing in NASCAR’s top series.  He has 23 career NASCAR Cup race wins, more than 150 top-10 finishes and 14 poles, including his most recent in June at Michigan International Speedway where Busch captured a series-leading and third consecutive 2011 pole.  The following weekend Busch won his first race of the year at Infineon Raceway, his first career NASCAR Cup road course race victory. The Infineon win extended Busch’s NASCAR winning streak to 10 consecutive seasons.

NEW ADDITION TO EXHIBIT UNVEILED AT THE INDIANA STATE MUSEUM

"WOMEN IN BUSINESS OF MOTORSPORTS"

    INDIANAPOLIS... Twelve prominent women in the business of motorsport will be featured in a new addition to the traveling Women in the Winner's Circle exhibit to be unveiled at 3 pm Thursday, July 28 at the Indiana State Museum in downtown Indianapolis.

The traveling exhibit was created by Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation founder Lyn St. James in collaboration with The Henry Ford Museum of Dearborn, Mich.  The women featured are:

WEST COAST STOCK CAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTS 2011 CLASS

AZUSA, Calif. – Eleven racing figures from historic and modern eras were enshrined in the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame before an audience of more than 300 in ceremonies held July 1 at the Azusa Greens Country Club in Southern California.

            The induction brings the eight-year-old hall of fame’s membership to 105.

            Cary Agajanian, Beverly Hills, Calif.; Owen A. Kearns, Arroyo Grande, Calif.; Chuck Parko, Whittier, Calif. and Joe Ruttman, Upland, Calif. were present for the induction ceremonies. An additional living enshrine, Al Schmidhamer, Portland, Ore., was unable to attend due to his wife’s illness.

             Deceased inductees are Marvin Burke, Pittsburg, Calif.; Louis “Lou” Mangini, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Roger McCluskey, Tucson, Ariz.; George Seeger, Whittier; Chuck Stevenson, Sydney, Mont. and Garden Grove, Calif. and Chuck Williamson, Seaside, Calif.

Calif. Academy of Math & Science PLTW Students Win Super Bowl of Engineering Design

The finals of the PLTW and Chevron sponsored challenge took place in San Diego in May

San Diego, CA -- Twelve teams of students from California high competed for prizes in the second annual Chevron-sponsored PLTW California State Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) Challenge on Saturday, May 22, in San Diego, CA. The challenge was sponsored by one of Project Lead The Way’s biggest supporters – Chevron, the third largest corporation in the U.S. Chevron is committed to helping fund the expansion of PLTW science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in schools up and down the State of California.

Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous 2011 Cruisin’ Hall of FameÒ Inductees Announced

Inductees: John D’Agostino of Kustom Kars of California; Revell, Inc.; Popular Mechanics; PEP BOYS and Lifetime Achievement Dave McClelland

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – The Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous® proudly announces its 2011 Cruisin’ Hall of Fame Inductees:  john D’Agostino – Kustom Kars of California in the Builder/Designer Category; Revell, Inc. in the Manufacturer/Vehicle Category; Popular Mechanics in the Media/Entertainment Category; and PEP BOYS in the Historical/Misc. Category. The Lifetime Achievement Award honoree is Dave McClelland, known as the Voice of the NHRA (National Hot Rods Association).