Three days doesn’t seem like enough time to view the thousands of motorsports products on display, experience the highly anticipated events, connect with long-time friends, discover new product lines, and so much more during the PRI Show. We present this photographic coverage to recap some highlights and maybe some things you missed while in Indianapolis for the 35th Performance Racing Industry Show last December.

 

So much to see, so little time. Aisles upon aisles featured new racing components and technology at the 35th PRI (Performance Racing Industry) Show in December 2023. While the products are what draws racing industry members to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, it’s the ancillary events that keep Show attendees preoccupied, such as the Grand Opening Breakfast, which kicked off the Show with Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan, a slate of more than 20 thoughtfully curated PRI Education seminars, special guest appearances, and the return of real race action during the PRI Happy Hour.

“The PRI Show is where the motorsports industry comes together to build the relationships that create the foundation for success in the coming year,” said Jim Liaw, PRI General Manager. “Those relationships, combined with the first look at innovative new products and the opportunity to gain professional expertise, will position our members to gain an advantage on the track and in the marketplace.”

And gain an advantage they will with more than 1,000 exhibitors filling just under 3,600 booths. Everywhere one turned to at the Show they witnessed the latest state-of-the-art equipment and products, with exhibitors ready to take their orders for delivery in time for the 2024 race season.

“Our Show programming is a dynamic combination of the latest industry trends, annual traditions, and several satellite events designed to create networking opportunities and deliver tremendous value to the time attendees spend in Indianapolis,” said Karin Davidson, PRI Trade Show Director. She referred to the 2023 Show as having “it all for motorsports professionals looking for the products and expertise to take their efforts to the next level.”

This photographic display shows just some of the highlights from last year’s Show, to tide you over until it’s time to make plans for PRI 2024!

FEATURES

From the drop of the flag to begin the PRI Show to the conclusion on Saturday, there were no shortage of events and activities to compensate time in between conducting business on the Show floor. Grand Opening Breakfast headliner Tony Kanaan started the buzz on Thursday morning while the new PRI EKarting Classic presented by Top Kart USA concluded the day’s events at the PRI Happy Hour. Throughout the Show, highlights included the Featured Products Showcase in its new location, not far from the new PRI Paddock & Podcast Studio, the return of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow national championship, the Women in Motorsports panel, and more.

LUCAS OIL STADIUM

Racing action of the real and virtual varieties was under the spotlight in Lucas Oil Stadium. Three full days of electric kart action took place on a specially designed race track, not far from the Esports Arena presented by SRO America, which featured daily invitational Esports races broadcast direct to SRO and PRI livestream platforms. Completing the space were trailers and tow vehicles ready to be ordered along with the EV & Alt Racing section that incorporated cutting-edge technology related to alternative forms of racing propulsion and renewable fuels.

MACHINERY

CNC machines, parts cleaning equipment, welders, seat and guide machines, fabricating equipment, hand tools, all this and more were on display in the highly trafficked Machinery Row section of the Show floor. Builders of all sorts surrounded the equipment to witness live demonstrations as they determined which new piece should be ordered to improve the bottom line.

VEHICLES

Racers are drawn to the parts, but the completed cars featuring those parts also makes Show-goers stop in their tracks. PRI’s Featured Vehicles didn’t disappoint as the latest array revealed historic to modern-day vehicles that compete on dirt, asphalt, and even water.  Plus, the ever-popular hanging car display returned to greet industry members as they entered the Indiana Convention Center at the Capitol Cube entrance.

VIPs

Recognizable faces and record-setters were everywhere at the PRI Show. Erica Enders was onsite after recently being crowned as the “winningest woman in motorsports,” along with fellow drag racing competitors Antron Brown, Leah Pruett and Tony Stewart, who were joined by the First Lady of Motorsports Linda Vaughn, Clay Millican, former drag racer and now TV analyst Tony Pedregon, plus NASCAR and sprint car standout Kyle Larson. IndyCar veterans Pippa Mann, Conor Daly, and Tony Kanaan made appearances, as did IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge champion Robert Wickens, and Formula Drift’s Amanda Sorensen. Everywhere one looked, Street Outlaws was represented, including an appearance by Murder Nova.