Compiled by SEMA Editors
Indy 500 Scores Victory for Racing Industry
The motorsports industry scored a major victory on April 21 with the announcement that Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) will host up to 135,000 fans during this year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The 105th running of the iconic event will take place May 30, and comes on the heels of the city of Indianapolis successfully hosting the NCAA Tournament, March 18–April 5. Indianapolis will also welcome the world’s premier event for motorsports professionals—the PRI Trade Show—on December 9–11 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.
True Street category will compete at its upcoming Ohio event.
NMRA Announces All-Female True Street Set for Ohio
The Holley NMRA Ford Nationals has announced an All-Female True Street category will compete at its upcoming Ohio event. Presented by Baer Brake Systems, All-Female True Street will take place during the NMRA Ford Performance Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, June 10-13. The new class will follow the same format as the QA1 True Street category with its 30-mile drive and three consecutive runs down the quarter-mile. NMRA officials will rank competitors based on ET, rewarding the overall winner, overall runner-up, and the quickest average times in the nine-second, 10-second, 11-second, 12-second, 13-second, 14-second and 15-second zones. The All-Female True Street category is open to any Mustang or Ford, car or truck, whether the competitor owns it or not. All True Street rules require DOT tires, and all vehicles must be registered and insured.
Formula DRIFT Partners to Help at-Risk Youth
Formula DRIFT has announced a partnership with Acceler8—a California-based automotive education and workforce development program—as part of ongoing community outreach. The Acceler8 program pairs volunteer automotive professionals and law-enforcement officers with eligible youth to help provide support and stable adult role models. The program aims to help youth complete school, acquire skills and prepare them for jobs in the wide automotive sector. As part of the new partnership, Formula DRIFT will help Acceler8 reach more communities around the nation, thanks in part to the popularity of the drifting series with a younger automotive enthusiast audience. As the education partner for Formula DRIFT, Acceler8 will invite youth from local communities throughout the 2021 national tour. The students will receive an up-close look at professional drift teams and the automotive industry while speaking to crews, drivers and FD personnel. They will also have the opportunity to watch their favorite drivers perform during the FD weekend. Acceler8 will also be on-hand at events to demonstrate its automotive educational programs to all attendees, along with highlighting the importance of high-school auto-shop classes. The 2021 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship kicks off on May 7–8, at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.