Each year the Race and Performance Expo grows in response to the increasing demand from the industry. The 9th Annual RP Expo, held February 20–21 in Schaumburg, Illinois, is slated to be the biggest yet with over 100,000 square feet of high-performance products.

"We've increased our size 28% and sold out a month earlier. It'll be the biggest and best consumer Race & Performance Expo show in the Midwest" said Tom Stockenberg the shows director.
 
A key feature to the Expo is the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge. The Engine Challenge is entering its 9th season as well, and has also experienced tremendous growth over the last eight years. The RP Expo will set the backdrop for the Engine Challenge season kickoff in which 32 high school teams will compete against each other in performance engine rebuilds.
 
Last year’s Engine Challenge Champion, Team Weld Racing from Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center, completed four engine rebuilds in an average time of just 18 minutes and 19 seconds. Five high school students work together to tear down and rebuild a performance engine quicker than what’s required of most professionals. The teams competing at the Expo will be looking for times of 35 minutes or better, without penalties, in order to qualify for the Dual Championships held at the SEMA and PRI Shows later this year.