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.
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| 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.”
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| "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.