Tracking legal, legislative, and regulatory developments impacting the racing and performance industry.

PRI’s Washington, DC-based advocacy team and Race Track Ambassador Tom Deery work continuously to protect tracks, sanctioning bodies, and motorsports businesses around the nation. This month, we are tracking several initiatives, including many that came out of the 2021 PRI Trade Show: track operators and promoters uniting to benefit the industry; the Save Our Racecars Rally that raised funds to support motorsports; and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s visit to the event. Plus, an update on our campaign to increase awareness of the vital RPM Act.

Track Operators, Sanctions Unite

Drag racing track operators and event organizers across the nation have teamed up to find solutions to current issues, including how to keep gates open and grandstands full, plus how facilities can receive legal assistance for issues such as noise ordinances and curfews.  

An all-encompassing roundtable, led by Kurt Johnson of Total Venue Concepts, drew about 70 professionals representing some 30 drag racing facilities and five sanctioning bodies. 

“The session was a huge success. The beauty is the ease of collaborating between so many tracks with different sanctions, sizes, and geographical areas. Yet, all of these tracks have so many of the same problems,” Johnson said. “Many in attendance did not realize that PRI can help the tracks with legal issues. This was addressed, and contact information was shared with attendees, so that alone was a big success.” [Editor’s note: the PRI track promoter helpline can be reached at 202-794-8279 and racinghelp@performanceracing.com.] 

The drag racing meeting mirrored similar roundtables for dirt and asphalt oval tracks led by Joe Skotnicki of Racing Promotion Monthly. In these separate gatherings, topics ranged from on-track competition to marketing events, including the “hot topic” of live streaming races. Around 50 track and sanction professionals attended the dirt oval meeting, while approximately 30 participated in the asphalt installment.

“Several regions were represented, including Florida, Alabama, Alaska, and more. Some big names were also present, including Gregg McKarns, Larry Kemp, Larry Boos, Bob Sargent, Scott Gobrecht, and more,” Skotnicki said. “Anytime you can bring promoters and sanctions together, it is amazing what you will learn. It was a success, and also a building point for further discussions.”

The conversations took place in the new-for-2021 Track Operators, Promoters, and Sanctions (TOPS) Workroom and Lounge as part of PRI 2021. The space, dedicated to owners, promoters, officials, and staff of motorsports facilities and sanctioning bodies, provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with professionals with shared interests and needs. 

“One of the strongest elements of the PRI Show is the participation of the tracks and sanctioning bodies. Outside of the lineup of world-class PRI Education seminars, we’ve never given them the opportunity to meet, greet, and discuss in a formal setting. That’s what we accomplished in 2021 with the brand-new TOPS Workroom and Lounge,” Deery said. “It allowed that segment to have their own space with like-minded people; but more importantly, it helped show they are not in this alone—PRI is here to help, along with countless other tracks.

“For those who weren’t able to make it, we missed you at the Show,” he added. “But PRI’s track promoter helpline and resources are available each day to help with those everyday problems. It can be as simple as talking a problem through, getting in touch with valuable contacts, or even resources to solve an issue.”

Skotnicki invites track operators and sanctions to continue the dialogue in Florida during Racing Promotion Monthly’s 49th RPM@Daytona Workshops set for February 13–15, at the Plaza Resort in Daytona Beach. 

Indiana Governor Tours PRI Show

In a show of support for motorsports, Gov. Eric Holcomb walked the floor of the 2021 PRI Trade Show, where he saw firsthand what constitutes the world’s premier gathering of motorsports professionals.  

Nearly 100 exhibitors have headquarters or facilities in the Hoosier State, including Hoosier Racing Tire, Impact Racing, Lucas Oil Products, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), and PWR Advanced Cooling Technology North America, all businesses Gov. Holcomb was able to connect with during his tour. 

While there, the governor doubled down on his support for racing by stopping by the new PRI Headquarters booth and signing up for a Champion PRI Membership.

“Visits like Gov. Holcomb’s to PRI serve to raise awareness for the industry with key lawmakers,” said Daniel Ingber, PRI’s Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs. “The more friends we have in our corner, the more we can get done. PRI encourages its members to get engaged and host their local lawmakers to tour their businesses. PRI Government Affairs staff are available to help make all the arrangements.” 

Companies interested in hosting lawmakers at their motorsports business may contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org. 

Rally Raises Over $24K For PAC 

More than $24,000 was raised for the Performance Racing Political Action Committee (PAC) during the first-of-its-kind Save Our Racecars Rally at the 2021 PRI Trade Show. More than 300 PRI members attended the event in the Quarterback Suite of Lucas Oil Stadium.

“The goal was to raise awareness for and to stimulate engagement with PRI’s government affairs efforts, such as the passing of the RPM Act to ensure street cars can be legally converted into dedicated race cars. To that end, the event was a complete success,” said Daniel Ingber, PRI’s Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs. “One-hundred percent of the funds raised will go toward supporting the candidates and lawmakers that support racing.”  

The Performance Racing PAC was established as a direct way to influence lawmakers and protect the racing community’s interests. “Now more than ever, motorsports faces challenges that must be addressed in a united effort to protect the rights of racers, racing businesses, and the entire community,” Ingber said. 

For more information, visit performanceracing.com/rpm-act. 

Campaign Continues Support For RPM Act

PRI’s advocacy team continues its social media campaign encouraging the racing community to write their federal officials in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to ask them to support the RPM Act. 

“Many wonder if their voice can make a difference, and the answer is a resounding yes,” said Eric Snyder, PRI’s Director of Congressional Affairs. “The people who make up the racing industry—including the race teams, manufacturers, retailers, fabricators, fans, and more—are on the frontlines in the fight to pass the RPM Act.”  

The latest campaign achieved nearly 800,000 impressions on social media at press time, which has helped to increase the outreach from the racing community and grow lawmakers’ support for the RPM Act. PRI appreciates the efforts of everyone who has helped so far and is enthusiastic about the campaign’s impact as it continues to evolve.