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Performance Racing Industry Trade Show Extends Dates in Orlando to 2016
LAGUNA BEACH, CA – The world’s largest racing trade show, the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, will remain in Orlando through 2016.
Attended by more than 45,000 racing industry entrepreneurs from over 50 countries, and featuring exhibits of the latest advances in motorsports technology by 1,450 companies (2007 numbers), the PRI Trade Show’s first event in Orlando was in 2005. This year, the 21st Annual PRI Trade Show will once again be held in the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 11–13, 2008.
Previously, the PRI Trade Show had contracted to hold the event in Orlando through 2010.
“After holding the PRI Trade Show in Orlando for three very successful years, it is now viewed by exhibitors and attendees as the place to be for the future,” said Steve Lewis, show producer. “Exhibitors appreciate the strong annual domestic and international buyer attendance in Orlando. Buyers appreciate shopping the 1,000,000-square-foot exhibit hall featuring displays of all the latest product lines in motorsports.”
In Orlando, the entire PRI Trade Show is located in one hall, on one floor. “Orlando provides the PRI Trade Show with all the attributes of a great host city, including a spectacular convention center, and this has been proven by the enormous volume of business transactions concluded every year at the Show,” continued Lewis.
“Orlando becomes the center of the racing universe for three days each December,” said Bob Davis, global communications manager for Sunnen Products Company, St. Louis, Missouri, “and we look forward to it every year. We could not be any happier with the Convention Center, the number of attendees or all that Orlando has to offer in the way of hotels, restaurants and entertainment.”
“Certainly, the serious business is the main reason and the justification, or even the excuse, which always ‘drove’ us to all the PRI Trade Shows,” said Wilfried Eibach, chairman and CEO of Eibach Springs, an international manufacturer of racing springs with offices in Corona, California. Eibach added that he also very much enjoys the social aspects of the PRI Trade Show. “The facilities and the climate in Orlando are just so pleasant and inviting, for the whole family. The decision [to stay] in Orlando will cement even more PRI’s role of being the biggest and most important motor show around the world.”
In addition to the excellent roster of hotels currently meeting the needs of exhibitors and attendees, the added convenience of hotel rooms adjacent to the Convention Center will improve dramatically in the next few years with the completion of two major brand name hotels. The Hilton Orlando opens in 2009 offering PRI guests 1,200 rooms, and a new Hyatt Regency, located along Universal Boulevard next to the Convention Center, will add 1,000 more rooms in 2012. Plus, several other hotel chains popular for their affordability, will be opening facilities adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center during this period, adding up to 4,000 more hotel rooms in the coming years. This will greatly increase the opportunity to stay within walking distance of the Convention Center.
“The Orange County Convention Center is honored to be chosen as a long-term partner for the prestigious PRI Trade Show,” said Jessie Allen, general manager of the Convention Center. “We have enjoyed an outstanding relationship with PRI and are excited to continue to provide their Show's exhibitors and attendees with all of the amenities that our Convention Center and community have to offer.”
“We are thrilled to enter into this long-term partnership with the PRI Trade Show management team and are honored by the confidence they have placed in Orlando,” said Gary Sain, president and CEO of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Orlando’s dynamic growth in accommodations, amenities and attractions combined with our unparalleled service will ensure a uniquely compelling and successful show for PRI and its trade show attendees for many, many years to come.”
The PRI Trade Show is timed to provide racing retailers, warehouse distributors, race engine builders, professional race teams, motorsports engineers and race car fabricators the opportunity to preview the latest racing product lines, make purchase decisions and have new parts in stock for the start of next year’s racing season. It includes components for all forms of auto racing, including stock car, drag, open wheel, off-road, rally, karting, sport compact drag and all facets of road racing.
“The PRI Trade Show is the number one place in the world to find the products and gather the information that lead to victories. Our engineering and purchasing staff take full advantage of the three days of contact with our current and possible new suppliers. The growing international aspect is also proving beneficial,” said Spenny Clendenen, business manager, Richard Childress Racing Engine Department.
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Ryan Kissinger Carving His Niche as a Sprint Car Driver
By Dino Oberto ….. “Keeping Track”
Sprint cars are perhaps one of the most demanding classes in racing. Take a look at some of big name stars over the years and their backgrounds all stem from the sprints. Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt, Jeff Gordon, Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne to name a few.
Although there are some outstanding sprint car drivers across the country, here in eastern Pennsylvania boast some of the best in the business.
Ryan Kissinger may not be one of those just yet but the 18-year old from Bloomsburg is aspiring to head in that direction.
Kissinger, who is a senior at Central Columbia High School, is now in his second season of sprint car competition. He races weekly at Selinsgrove Speedway in the highly touted 358 sprint class.
Last year he split the year between Clinton County Raceway, where he finished tenth in points and Selinsgrove.
“When we bought our car we got it with everything complete. The engine that was in it we couldn’t run at Selinsgrove so we ran Clinton County for the first half of last season,” said Kissinger.
“After we picked up a newer motor midway through the year is when we switched to racing at Selinsgrove. Personally I’d rather race at Selinsgrove. It’s a lot faster and there’s more room to race. I feel I could learn more there too because there’s a lot of good drivers.”
Through his cousin, Johnny Roberts, Kissinger got started in go-kart racing when he was in sixth grade. He did the karts for four years and then bumped up to a 270cc micro sprint where he logged two seasons. Kissinger was on the verge of getting a 600cc micro but a better deal came along for a sprint car and thus his career is now continuing down that road.
His transition from the micro to a full sprint car was quite smooth too as his very first feature race he netted a respectable fifth.
“Racing the micro’s definitely helped when it came time for me to run the sprinter. With a micro the tracks we ran on weren’t that big and Clinton County was that way,” he said.
“I actually felt I could relax more in the car because you can concentrate more on driving then you can with anything else.”
Although Clinton County is where he got his first laps with the sprinter, Kissinger’s focus had always been to race Selinsgrove.
“I really like Selinsgrove. It was really neat to go down the straight-away and see all those people in the grandstands. It’s a fast track too and the feeling of speed was really cool.
“We have a new car for this year and I can tell that each week I’m getting braver. I’m learning more about the car and I’m getting faster each week. Every week you try to learn something new and try to get better and better.”
Better indeed. He recently scored his very first checkered flag, that coming in a heat race.
“That was a good feeling. It made the bad runs we’ve had not even matter. Things like that help boost your confidence as well,” said Kissinger.
His grandfather, Wally Wynn, is the car owner. Wynn drove stock cars years ago at Selinsgrove. He’d always had a desire to race in a sprinter but it never materialized. He’s now enjoying his role as an owner and watching his grandson fulfill part of that aspiration he had.
“Even though he’s my grandpa it’s still amazing that he would spend this much money and help me out as much as he could. I’m very appreciative of that.”
His father, Raynard Kissinger, helps out on the team as well.
Kissinger also noted that popular father and son racing dual, Randy and Duane Mausteller of Bloomsburg, have been extremely helpful.
“I’ve talked with them (Mausteller’s) a lot and they’ve helped me out a lot. Randy had always sponsored me when I was racing the micro and I would also go to the races with them when I was younger.
“I always said how I’d love to race against them and this year it’s actually happening. They’ve been mentors to me.”
Selinsgrove ace Mike Walter is another who has lent his expertise to the upstart.
It’s a long road to stardom but Kissinger is willing to put in his time. Each week he races he knows that his experience level will heighten as he gathers more understanding for sprint cars.
“I just want to be consistent and qualify for each race. I’d like to win a race but at this point my main goal is just to qualify and then finish races and learn as much as I can,” he said.
“I think if we learn more about the car and get it working right then there’s even a possibility we could maybe pull off a win.”
He also has an optimistic outlook of where the sport can take him.
“Winning races somewhere. I’d love to eventually be running with the (World of) Outlaws or maybe USAC.
“To be able to win a race at Selinsgrove would be awesome. If I could win one race there I’d feel as though I accomplished something in racing.”
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Modified Tour live audio webcast from Tri-City Speedway
5th Annual Dick Rankin Memorial and 16th Annual Kodiak Memorial to be broadcast live
For Immediate Release
May 5, 2008
SELINSGROVE, PA—The Dirt Track Channel, http://www.thedirttrackchannel.com is pleased to announce the addition of two live audio webcast dates for 2008.
The broadcast will originate on Sunday, May 25 with the 5th annual Dick Rankin Memorial is the season opener for the Modified Tour. The second date at Tri-City Speedway is Sunday, July 13, for the 16th annual Kodiak Memorial.
This will bring the total to three live audio webcast for the Modified Tour in 2008.
The tour stop at Tyler County Speedway in West Virginia on July 26 will also be heard live and will include flag-to-flag coverage of IRS Late Models.
“I’m very excited to be able to bring these two races to our world wide listening audience from a new venue as well as adding additional broadcast date to our calendar for the Northeast-style Modifieds,” Shawn Wood, President of The Dirt Track Channel said.
The live audio webcast, which is free of charge and registration, begins with the pre-race show at 7:45 p.m. for both nights from Tri-City Speedway. The broadcast includes interviews, heat races, consolation event (s) and the feature.
Website links
Modified Tour: http://www.modifiedtourinc.com/
Tri-City Speedway: http://www.tricityspeedway.com/
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Sharon Speedway Racing Action Cancelled for May 3rd
Hartford, OH May 2, 2008 "Fantastic Five" Racing action for Saturday, May 3rd has been cancelled.
Join us next Saturday, May 10th, as "Fantastic Five" racing action will kick off!!
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NHRA Drivers Swap Straight Lines for Ovals this Week at Tri-City Speedway
For Immediate Release
Val Perkins
PONTOON BEACH, Ill. -- Names like Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps immediately conjure up images of the lightning-quick, tire smoking, high-octane world of NHRA Drag Racing.
That thought is about to make a few successive left-hand, dirt-slinging turns.
This Thursday, May 1, at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, Scelzi (who drives the Mopar/Oakley Dodge in NHRA) and Capps (driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge in NHRA), along with several other NHRA drivers will be trading their straight track mentality for a more circular style of thinking when they strap themselves in for some Crate Late Model action. For the first time ever, at least eight drag strip veterans will tackle the third-mile clay at Tri-City in the inaugural NHRA on Dirt event. Scheduled to join Scelzi and Capps will be Cruz Pedregon, Allen Johnson, Doug Kalitta, Dave Grubnic, Antron Brown and Allen Bradshaw.
These drivers, who have varying degrees of previous dirt track experience, will find a whole new meaning to the word elimination when they face off for a chance at bragging rights and a hefty trophy.
Along with the NHRA on Dirt event will be UMP Late Models and UMP Modifieds.
Gates for this event open at 4pm, pits at 5pm, with a driver autograph session from 5:30 to 6:00. Hot laps are slated for 6:30 with racing at 7pm. The NHRA on Dirt feature will start at 8:30.
All tickets are $18, with kids 12 and under free with a paid adult. Pit passes are $25. All tickets are general admission and will be sold at the track only.
The first annual Tri-City Speedway NHRA on Dirt event will kick off this weekend's NHRA racing in St. Louis. The O'Reilly NHRA Nationals are Friday through Sunday, May 2-4, just across town at Gateway International Raceway.
For more information, call Tri-City Speedway at: 618-931-7836 or log on to www.tricityspeedway.net
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