Performance Racing Industry (PRI) recently amplified its advocacy efforts as title sponsor of the Magic 8 Shootout, part of the legendary No Mercy 12 weekend put on by Duck X Productions at South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) in Valdosta, Georgia, over the weekend. 

“The participants and fans are everything PRI. They are PRI,” PRI Track Ambassador Tom Deery said. “Clearly their passion is racing, and the intensity of the competition demonstrated how important racing is to them.”  

With 12,000 fans in the grandstands and 200 cars in the pits, the PRI team pressed the importance of protecting motorsports, including support for the vital RPM Act. The pro-motorsports, pro-business bill is designed to ensure racers can continue to modify street vehicles into race cars used exclusively in competition, and that businesses can continue to produce, market, and install racing equipment. The RPM Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in May and the U.S. Senate in September. 

“This event proved that it will take an ‘all-in’ grassroots effort. Politics is local and No Mercy was in the sweet spot,” Deery said. 

As a direct result of PRI’s efforts last weekend, nearly 2,000 letters were sent urging lawmakers to support the RPM Act. 

“Every single car competing this weekend would be affected if the RPM Act does not pass,” PRI Executive Assistant Emily Boden said. “Everyone was so thankful for what PRI is doing to protect their sport. PRI is lucky to be the entity that represents ALL racing.” 

While there, the on-track action did not disappoint. The event saw the top eight qualifiers in each Radials vs. the World, Limited Drag Radial, Pro 275, and X275 classes duel for a winner-take-all after four qualifying rounds. Following the intense competition, Bryan Markiewicz won in RvW, Ken Quartuccio took the P275, Paul Gargus secured the LDR class, and Frank Mewshaw won the X275 final.

“No Mercy was our mission, SGMP was our church, and the community was our choir. This weekend’s racers, exhibitors, and enthusiasts spoke up, asked questions, shared their concerns, and pledged their support for the RPM Act,” said PRI’s Michelle Gallegos. “Donald ’Duck’ Long and his team were dedicated and supportive, unlike anything I have ever witnessed trackside before.”

Keep an eye out for PRI’s social media channels and eNewsletter for a comprehensive post-race wrap-up, including race results, video coverage, and a full photo gallery, as part of the 2021 PRI Road Tour.