Racing industry professionals from across the US, and 70 countries, will gather in Indianapolis this December for the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show (PRI 2015). It will pack the Indiana Convention Center with exhibits of new racing products, motorsports engineering solutions, machining equipment and more.
Approximately 1200 racing companies will exhibit in PRI 2015, which takes place December 10–12, 2015. The Show provides racing retailers, race engine builders, professional race teams, WDs, motorsports engineers and more the opportunity to preview virtually all the new racing technology becoming available for the next racing season. Racing entrepreneurs can meet face to face with suppliers, make purchase decisions, and have the new products in stock for the start of racing in 2016.
“If I didn’t go, I’d be missing out on getting the jumpstart on knowing what’s coming out for 2016. I get to see firsthand the new equipment and new stuff that may not be released yet but is coming in the near future,” explained Jimmy Wills from Jimmy Wills Racing, Felton, Delaware, who specializes in the fabrication of 3/4 scale modifieds and mod lites, and sells racing parts, accessories and safety equipment.
“We get to see the new stuff and meet up with our manufacturers face to face. That’s the best part of it, the face-to-face conversations,” added Henry Lanier from Lanier’s Speed Shop, Colorado Springs, Colorado, an engine building business that specializes in hardcore racing internal engine parts—pistons, camshafts, lifters, bearings, crankshafts, rods and accompanying ancillary parts.
“I have about 10 primary and 50 secondary manufacturers and people who I go to see, so I have to prioritize it,” Lanier continued. “I take one person from my shop and myself. We spend almost all of our time of the three days in the Trade Show.”
Willis added that his attendance is mandatory because “basically everyone from the racing industry is there. It’s a good opportunity to meet everybody in one place. I have several accounts with a lot of companies there, and it’s just a great place to go and see them all in one place.”
Allen Besselievre Jr., of Bonrheman Motorsports, San Diego, California, operates a race team as well as sells racing products. “I like to speak to the manufacturers directly and ask some technical questions,” he explained of why he attends the PRI Trade Show. “Every time I go I find out new things. Even if you’ve been in racing a long time, you still get new insights into everything.
“I try to get the latest information on certain items that I’m interested in,” he continued. “They come out with new products there, and I’m always interested in upgrading our race team’s products.”
John Kilroy, producer of PRI 2015, advised racing industry buyers, "Be prepared to spend all three Show days working the exhibit aisles. There's a lot to take in. And it's the exhibits that surprise you, or were unexpected, that may result in your most valuable experience of the entire event. You don't want to miss a thing."
He noted that one of the great aspects of the host city of Indianapolis is that the PRI Trade Show crowd flows out into the lively downtown at the end of exhibit hours, and business continues long into the night. "Racers take over downtown Indy during the PRI Trade Show. It's great fun, and it can be very productive in concluding business transactions that started on the Show floor," said Kilroy. "Indianapolis is the perfect host city for the world's premier racing show. They speak 'racing' in this city!"
New For PRI 2015
New for 2015, the legacy of great racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be on display at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show. Courtesy of the facility’s Hall of Fame Museum, located on the grounds of the Speedway, PRI will host an exhibit of six cars that were raced in the Indy 500 over past decades, providing a dramatic perspective on the evolution of the Indy car in design and engineering.
The museum will also display historic Indy car motors, and the Borg-Warner Trophy will make a one-day appearance on the first day of PRI 2015.
Ellen Bireley, director of the Hall of Fame Museum, said, “PRI 2015, as always, will be the ultimate showcase for automotive engineering and innovation, and the IMS Hall of Fame Museum is proud to be able to share some of the most amazing and technologically advanced cars to race in the Indianapolis 500 over the last 100 years as part of the PRI Trade Show.
“With 2016 being the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, PRI 2015 is a great way for racing and automobile enthusiasts to be able to kick off and share the timeline of racing machines that shaped the Memorial Day weekend classic through the decades,” continued Bireley. “We are extremely proud of our collection and are happy that attendees from all over the United States and the world will be able to see our cars, take photos, and share their experiences with friends and family. We’re very honored to be included in PRI 2015.”
In addition, participants in PRI 2015 can purchase tickets for our exclusive Day At The Speedway, which takes place on Wednesday, December 9, and includes a bus tour of the IMS grounds, admission to the museum, and lunch at the Brickyard Crossing.
The UK-based Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) will host an all-new International Business Sales and Trade Workshop, scheduled for Wednesday, December 9. The workshop is designed to introduce business professionals who wish to learn more about international commerce to one another, using case studies and real-world examples to support the knowledge that is required to succeed overseas. Attendees will hear firsthand from major industry representatives about the opportunities and challenges of international trade.
This event is free to attend for those who are interested in expanding their current customer base into overseas markets. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 211of the ICC. Among its featured speakers will be Chris Aylett, CEO of the MIA.
For more information or to register, contact Carly Latcham at +44 (0)2476 692600, or by email: carly.latcham@the-mia.com.
Traditional Favorites
Each year, the PRI Trade Show coincides with several mainstay events and conferences that remain popular among race industry professionals, including the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) for race engine builders, the International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) Annual Congress for race safety experts and the Race Track Business Conference (RTBC) for race track owners, managers and sanctioning bodies. They make a trip to Indianapolis more than a visit to a trade show, which is why it's become known as Race Industry Week.
The great heritage of the Grand Opening Breakfast at the PRI Show continues in 2015, as NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Brad Keselowski joins MAVTV’s Dave Despain on stage to share his colorful racing stories.
Taking place Thursday morning, December 10, the Breakfast serves as the exciting kickoff event for the main attraction—the PRI Trade Show. Keselowski, the 2012 Cup Champion and 2010 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion, follows in a long line of great racers who have made special appearances at the GOB, including Richard Petty, Tony Stewart, John Force, Don ‘Snake’ Prudhomme, Tom ‘Mongoose’ McEwen, and many more.
On stage, Despain is featured in a talk show setting called “Good Morning, PRI.” He’ll interview Keselowski before an industry audience of approximately 3000 racing professionals.
The Grand Opening Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., with doors set to open at 7 a.m., and includes a complimentary breakfast served in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center.
At the end of the first day of exhibits at the PRI Show, on Thursday, December 10, PRI hosts its annual Happy Hour in the Lucas Oil Stadium concourse. Attendees and exhibitors with PRI credentials are invited to attend this complimentary event and enjoy the racing camaraderie along with cold beverages and hot appetizers.
Racing Business Seminars
Each year, Performance Racing Industry hosts an array of business management seminars—three on Friday morning and three on Saturday morning, December 11 & 12, each from 8–9 a.m. before the Trade Show doors open.
Headlining Friday’s program will be “Powering Performance: Pat Musi Racing Engines” presented by Pat and Lizzy Musi and moderated by PRI Editor Dan Schechner. This sit-down interview-style presentation will showcase one of the best-known drag race engine builders of the last half-century, Pat Musi, and his daughter Lizzy, a record-breaking drag racer and president of Musi Enterprises in Mooresville, North Carolina. Attendees will hear these industry VIPs discuss the business, how it has evolved over the years, how it’s been so successful, how it has addressed different challenges, how it is positioned for the future, and much more.
Also on the agenda for Friday is a pair of seminars covering two of the hottest topics in small business management today. “Social Media in Record Time” will feature Erin Bemis of Constant Contact delivering time-saving tips for managing social media; simple ways to find usable, relevant content for posts; how to integrate social media into sales promotions and events; best practices, business builders and more.
Leading columnist, author and small business owner Gene Marks (also a frequent contributor to Fox News, Fox Business and CNBC) will touch on some of the most important employee-related issues in today’s companies, and explain how your organization can find the best people and keep them happy for the long term. His seminar, titled “The Next Two Years: Your People,” promises to be both enlightening and entertaining.
Leading Saturday’s lineup will be a special presentation by world-class racer, broadcaster, entrepreneur, speaker and author Derek Daly, who provides invaluable information for drivers and parents on how to position themselves for success in motorsports, from stock cars to midgets, sports cars to formula cars. Daly literally wrote the book for young drivers when he penned “Race To Win: How To Become a Complete Champion,” which Mario Andretti called “The Bible” for young drivers and parents. “Derek Daly Academy: The Complete Champion Seminar… What If It’s You?” will be ideal for parents of young, up-and-coming racers looking to learn the ins and outs of the industry.
Also listed among Saturday’s seminars is “Opportunities in Land Speed Racing,” a panel discussion featuring four of the sport’s true insiders on the state of land speed racing, business opportunities for racing professionals, how to get involved in the sport, and much more. Expert panelists include Dennis Sullivan of the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth of Land Speed Productions, Steve Watt of Maxwell Industries and the Speed Demon, and Stuart Gosswein of Save the Salt and SEMA.
Finally, in “EricTheCarGuy’s YouTube Experience And How It Can Benefit Performance Automotive Businesses,” ASE certified master technician Eric Cook (aka EricTheCarGuy) will explain how he became a YouTube phenomenon, his successful strategies and techniques, and how racing entrepreneurs can effectively use video to work for their businesses.