by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance
Performance Racing Industry (PRI) announced last Tuesday that John Force will be joining PRI to kick off their 25th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando this Fall.
Motorheads Performance
Performance Racing Industry (PRI) announced last Tuesday that John Force will be joining PRI to kick off their 25th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando this Fall.
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| John Force (buddytv.com) |
John Force is a living legend in racing. He is 15-Time NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car Champion, Driver of the Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang, and he is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories His daughters Courtney and Ashley Force, have both established themselves as credible competitors in the mainly male-dominated sport of drag racing, and have raced with him as part of the John Force Racing team.
The PRI Trade Show brings together the worldwide racing industry in Orlando, Florida November 29 - December 1, 2012, for the world’s largest racing trade show. Here, the latest advances in racing products and race engineering takes center stage.
According to PRI, "Engine parts, suspension components, data acquisition, safety gear, new metal alloys and coatings, machining equipment, race electronics...it’s all part of the world’s largest racing trade show.
"Arriving from 70+ countries, 38,000 buyers will scour the displays to source the new technology that will be winning races next year. It’s all hardcore racing. No fuzzy dice. No neon windshield wipers. The PRI Trade Show is so big, they can’t afford to miss a single day.
"Attendees are pre-qualified. Admission is complimentary, but they must all prove they own, manage or are employed by a racing business. Buyers for tens of thousands of racing retail stores, warehouse distribution centers, professional race engine builders, race car production companies, are making 2013 inventory decisions in each exhibit. They represent the all-important distribution pipeline for racing products."
Guy Algar states, "PRI has supplied us with the best information in racing, from cutting edge technologies to applications for shops and racing teams. As a mechanical engineer who has designed tools and parts helpful to the racing community, I like to stay on top of what is happening in our industry. And, because I've also created AutoCAD patent drawings for inventors through my design company, it helps to stay on top of the latest metal alloys, coatings, machining, components and technologies. The information I receive from our PRI Magazine is great, but trade shows allow you to meet and talk with your peers who deal with the same issues you do. It's invigorating."
Guy Algar states, "PRI has supplied us with the best information in racing, from cutting edge technologies to applications for shops and racing teams. As a mechanical engineer who has designed tools and parts helpful to the racing community, I like to stay on top of what is happening in our industry. And, because I've also created AutoCAD patent drawings for inventors through my design company, it helps to stay on top of the latest metal alloys, coatings, machining, components and technologies. The information I receive from our PRI Magazine is great, but trade shows allow you to meet and talk with your peers who deal with the same issues you do. It's invigorating."
The history of the PRI is actually very fascinating. According to PRI, "It was the mid-1980s, and the big SEMA Show out West 'Speed' was removed from the organization's title (Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association) and replaced with 'Specialty' (now the Specialty Equipment Market Association), as the organization embraced the opportunities in the broader automotive performance aftermarket.
"The prime movers of the national racing industry felt there needed to be an annual event for all the people in the business of racing, with new hardcore racing equipment on display. No fans. No weekend racers. No mere enthusiasts. Just manufacturers of racing equipment as exhibitors, while the attendee make-up would include retailers of racing parts, race engine builders, race car fabricators, WD's and manufacturers reps active in racing, and professional race teams. Even in the beginning, it could be a small group of people, but it would be the right group of business people representing the 'hardcore' racing market."
In 1988 PRI filled this need by first creating a magazine called PRI Magazine, and nine months later launching their first trade show which was held in Louisville, Kentucky. So, in a Grand Opening Breakfast event for the 2012 Trade Show, John Force will join Dave Despain for a live version of Wind Tunnel Speed TV program on Thursday, November 29, 2012!
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| John Force Racing Funny Car Photo Credit: DansPitStopRacing.com |
“The Grand Opening Breakfast is a great racing industry tradition, and we’re excited to bring Dave back again. He’s an outstanding motorsports journalist, and always brings out the best stories from the special guests. Add John Force to the mix, and we’re really going to have some fun” said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “John Force is one of the most dominant racers in our lifetime, as well as one of the biggest personalities in the sport. He rewrote the history of NHRA racing in more ways than just his championships. He’s amazing, and we’re already looking forward to Thursday morning at the Show,” continued Kilroy.
The PRI Trade Show takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 29-December 1, 2012, in Orlando, Florida.
REFERENCES:
Performance Racing Industry
PRI Magazine
John Force Racing
Wind Tunnel Speed TV
Dave Despain on Facebook
NHRA Racing - National Hot Rod Association
SEMA - Specialty Equipment Market Assocation
Guy L. Algar - Motorheads Performance
Author's Note: I will be attending this year's show and look forward to bringing you news you may benefit from when I return! - Andrea
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.