Compiled by SEMA Editors
“Motorclub” invites viewers behind the scenes to share in the lives of professional racers both on and off the racetrack. |
New NBCSN Show Offers Viewers Insider Access to Professional Motorsports
A new documentary series launching this fall offers viewers unprecedented access to the high-stakes world of professional auto racing. “Motorclub” focuses on the personal stories and experiences of leading action motorsport stars, including multi-series champion and stunt driver Tanner Foust, action sport superstar and Nitro Circus founder Travis Pastrana, motocross innovator and truck racer Brian Deegan, U.S. Formula One star turned rallycross champ Scott Speed, skateboarding and rallycross pro Bucky Lasek, FMX rider Jackson Strong and legendary drifter Ken Gushi.
“Motorclub” invites viewers behind the scenes to share in the lives of these compelling personalities both on and off the racetrack. The show joins the NBC Sports Network's schedule this fall, premiering alongside “Nitro Circus,” one of its most popular action sports programs. The first episode of “Motorclub” airs October 20 at 11:00 p.m. (EDT).
VP Racing Fuels Contingency Awards at Stake in PDRA Finals
The Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) will stage its final event of the season this weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park, and among the awards at stake is $5,700 in fuel credits posted by VP Racing Fuels—the Official Fuel of PDRA. The awards include $1,000 to the champion in each of the Pro automotive classes, $500 to Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster champions and $100 each to the Junior Dragster and Top Junior Dragster champion. In addition to gift certificates in these amounts to be awarded at the end-of-year banquet, each class champion also will receive a VP Racing Fuels Championship jacket.
 Bestop Team Wild and Free members Holly Freeman and Coralee Lack. |
Bestop Sponsors Two Race Teams in First All-Female Rebelle Rally
Bestop sponsored Team HD members Shelby Hall and Amy Lerner as well as Team Wild and Free members Holly Freeman and Coralee Lack in the inaugural Rebelle Rally—a seven-day off-road navigation and driving competition across the American Southwest, which took place October 15–21, 2016. The rally covered 1,200 miles of rugged terrain from Lake Tahoe to San Diego, and required competitors to find their way to 8–10 checkpoints each day using only a road book, map and compass. Hall and Lerner competed in the first women’s off-road navigation rally race in the United States in a ’15 Jeep Wrangler.
 The Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series features vehicles equipped with Chevrolet LS and modern LT powerplants. |
Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series 2017 Schedule
ProMedia Events, home of the NMCA Muscle Car Drag Racing Series presented by E3 Spark Plugs, has announced the 2017 schedule for the Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series. Developed from the LSX Shootout, the Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series features vehicles equipped with Chevrolet LS and modern LT powerplants. The series has six classes for all participant levels. The Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series will run at four select events:
May 18–21, 2017
16th Annual NMCA Bluegrass Nationals
Beech Bend Raceway Park – Bowling Green, Kentucky
August 24–27, 2017
16th Annual NMCA All-American Nationals
Summit Motorsports Park – Norwalk, Ohio
September 8–10, 2017
9th Annual Holley LS Fest
Beech Bend Raceway Park – Bowling Green, Kentucky
September 21–24, 2017
16th Annual NMCA World Street Finals featuring the LSX Shootout
Lucas Oil Raceway – Indianapolis
 Volkswagen driver Sébastien Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia won the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) for the fourth time with a victory at the Rally Spain. |
Volkswagen driver Sébastien Ogier Wins Fourth World Rally Championship
Volkswagen driver Sébastien Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia won the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) for the fourth time with a victory at the Rally Spain. Round 11 of the season saw the French duo wrap up the title with two races still to come to be crowned world rally champions in the Volkswagen Polo R WRC for the fourth year in a row, having previously won in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Rally Spain also represented a milestone for the Polo R WRC—the car’s 50th start in the World Rally Championship ended with win number 41 for the 318hp, four-wheel drive powerhouse. No other car in the history of the World Rally Championship has racked up as many victories in such a short time as the Polo. The Manufacturers’ Championship will be decided in one of the two rallies still to come with Volkswagen leading with 62 points from Hyundai.
 Ken Block’s new film series entitled Climbkhana—to be released in summer 2017—features his ’65 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2. |
Toyo Tires and Ken Block Announce All-New Video Series “Climbkhana”
Toyo Tire U.S.A. has teamed up with World RallyX driver Ken Block to present a new film series entitled “Climbkhana,” featuring Block’s ’65 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2, which was upgraded for the film and now features a twin-turbo, methanol-powered, 1,400-hp V8 engine, along with Toyo Proxes R888R tires. Coinciding with the launch of the film, the Proxes R888R is now available in the United States for the first time ever. Block’s Hoonigan Media Machine began filming the project this fall at Historic Pikes Peak. Joining Gymkhana creative veteran and Hoonigan’s own Brian Scotto for director duties is Jeff Zwart. The commercial director, known best for his work with Porsche through RadicalMedia, also holds three records and eight class wins over the 15 times he has raced up the Colorado mountain. The film will be released in summer 2017.
 Bob Vandergriff Sr. |
Quarter Mile Foundation and Hedman Husler Hedders to Roast Bob Vandergriff Sr.
The Quarter Mile Foundation has announced “Hustling a Husler”—A Roast and Toast of Bob Vandergriff Sr., presented by Hedman Husler Hedders and the Quarter Mile Foundation, and sponsored by the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, Thursday evening, December 8, 2016. The event will take place following the close of the first day of the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, in the ballroom of the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown. The event promises to draw many celebrities from the motorsports and performance aftermarket communities. The roasters will be a mystery panel of industry legends with long-time connections to NHRA drag racing and the automotive aftermarket. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a beef and salmon duet dinner at 7:00 p.m., with the roast and live auction starting at 8:00 p.m. in the hotel’s ballroom on the second floor. Sponsorship of VIP tables will be available at $2,500 each, reserved tables will be available at $1,200 and individual tickets will be $120 per person. The deadline to order tickets is December 2.
Mickey Thompson Sponsors 21st Annual Million Dollar Race
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels returns to The Million Dollar Race this year as a $25,000 contingency sponsor of The Triple. Racers are preparing for the 21st annual Million Dollar Race scheduled October 20–23, hosted by Montgomery Motorsports Park. The event offers the largest payday in drag-racing history, with an additional $50,000 in racer appreciation giveaways. The Million Dollar Race showcases the best of 1/8-mile bracket racing.