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Valvoline and Hendrick Motorsports extend relationship through 2027

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Official Release
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AGREEMENT CONTINUES PRIMARY SPONSORSHIP OF BYRON, LARSON

CONCORD, N.C. (June 21, 2022) – Hendrick Motorsports has extended its partnership with Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a global leader in vehicle care and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, through 2027.

The new five-year agreement maintains Valvoline’s status as the Official Lubricants Partner of Hendrick Motorsports and as a major associate sponsor of the team’s full stable of Chevrolet race cars. America’s first motor oil brand will also continue as a primary sponsor of 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson (three races) and teammate William Byron (two races).

In addition, Valvoline will remain the presenting sponsor of the annual Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown, a competition that brings together Hendrick Motorsports engine builders and Hendrick Automotive Group master technicians.

“We are tremendously proud of our partnership with Valvoline,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “Because of Valvoline’s commitment to quality and innovation, we’ve enjoyed great success together both at the track and in our dealerships. Extending the relationship will allow us to continue putting the very best products in our race cars and in the vehicles of our customers across the country.”

Since 2014, Hendrick Motorsports has earned a NASCAR-best three Cup Series championships (2016, 2020 and 2021) with Valvoline products in its Chevrolet racing engines. Off the track, Valvoline is the preferred lubricant of Hendrick Automotive Group, which operates 94 car dealerships across the United States. It is the largest privately held dealership group in the nation.

“The Valvoline team is thrilled to continue our partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Group,” said Heidi Matheys, senior vice president and chief marketing and transformation officer at Valvoline Inc. “Our decade-long relationship has driven success both on and off the track.  We look forward to driving more wins with the amazing Hendrick organization in the future.”

Last year, Valvoline expanded its Hendrick Motorsports program to add primary sponsorship of Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Byron’s No. 24 team. The five annual primary races represented an increase of three over the three previous seasons (2018-2020). For 2022, the company has also added a sixth primary race and will be featured on the No. 24 Chevrolet for this weekend’s Cup Series event at Nashville Superspeedway.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (285) and laps led (more than 76,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 38 different seasons, including an active streak of 37 in a row (1986-2022). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 100 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP:
Representing 131 franchises and 25 manufacturer nameplates from the Carolinas to California, Hendrick Automotive Group is the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company employs more than 10,000 people in its 94 dealership locations, 21 collision centers and four accessories distributor installers in 13 states. For more information, please visit HendrickCars.com.

ABOUT VALVOLINETM:
Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a global leader in vehicle care powering the future of mobility through innovative services and products for vehicles with electric, hybrid and internal combustion powertrains. Established in 1866, the Company introduced the world’s first branded motor oil and developed strong brand recognition and customer satisfaction ratings over the years across multiple service and product channels. The Company operates and franchises approximately 1,600 service center locations and is the No. 2 and No. 3 largest chain in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, by number of stores. With sales in more than 140 countries and territories, Valvoline’s solutions are available for every engine and drivetrain, including high-mileage and heavy-duty vehicles, and are offered at more than 80,000 locations worldwide. Creating the next generation of advanced automotive solutions, Valvoline has established itself as the world’s leading supplier of battery fluids to electric vehicle manufacturers, offering tailored products to help extend vehicle range and efficiency. To learn more, or to find a Valvoline service center near you, visit valvoline.com.

McDowell and Love’s Travel Stops Ready to Strike a Beat in the Music City

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Official Release
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McDowell Optimistic About Nashville Return

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 21, 2022) – Michael McDowell and the Love’s Travel Stops team have a base to build from after their first visit to the Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway last season. The team finished 16th in NASCAR’s return to Nashville and now are looking to build from that result at the 1.3-mile concrete oval.

McDowell comes into Nashville with momentum. The team has finished in the top-10 in five of their last eight races. They are coming off their first top-five finish, third, two weeks ago in Sonoma. The team is 20th in the driver standings and know that the remainder of June and the months of July and August will be important in their bid for a playoff position.

“Our Love’s Travel Stops Ford team had our best performance a couple weeks ago and we need to keep it going,” said McDowell. “We need to gain more, and maybe we need a win to make the playoffs, but we are capable of that.

“Our program has improved greatly since the start of the season, and our results have shown that in the last handful of races. I believe we can finish inside the top-10 at any track. Nashville poses its own set of tricks and twists, but we have done an excellent job recently of adapting to the challenges. We’ll be ready.”

McDowell and his Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang will race at Nashville this Sunday, at 5:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Busch Light Apple Racing: Kevin Harvick Nashville Advance

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Official Release
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KEVIN HARVICK
Nashville Advance
No. 4 Busch Light Apple #BuschBingo Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Ally 400 (Round 17 of 36)
● Time/Date: 5 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 26
● Location: Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway
● Layout: 1.333-mile, concrete oval
● Laps/Miles: 300 laps/399.9 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stages 1: 90 laps / Stage 2: 95 laps / Final Stage: 115 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● If Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway were a bingo card, expect Kevin Harvick to yell “Bingo” more than anyone. The driver of the No. 4 Busch Light Apple #BuschBingo Ford Mustang has logged the most laps of any of his counterparts at the 1.333-mile concrete oval, despite the venue having hosted only one NASCAR Cup Series race – last year’s inaugural Ally 400. Harvick finished fifth in that race, but long before then he ran four NASCAR Xfinity Series races and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the track. And when he wasn’t racing at Nashville, he was testing there, logging thousands of miles back when NASCAR permitted unlimited testing. So, it’s appropriate that Busch Light Apple is integrating Bingo into Sunday’s 300-lap race. Fans will have the chance to win a custom Busch Light Apple Pitboss Grill and other Busch Light Apple prizes by playing its version of Bingo on Twitter. All fans have to do is follow @BuschBeer, turn on their notifications, and play along. Whenever anything listed on the Busch Light Apple Bingo board happens, fans have the opportunity to win Busch Light Apple prizes. If three spaces connect during the stage, they have a chance to win the Pitboss Grill. Just tweet #BuschBingo #Sweepstakes when anything on the board happens and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. Bingo blocks include a “Harvick Pass”, “Caution Flag”, a “Harvick Pit Stop”, “announcer saying ‘Busch Light Apple’” and more. FYI: The first stage is 90 laps, the second stage is 95 laps, and the final stage is 115 laps. The Ally 400 starts at 5 p.m. EDT and can be seen live on NBC and, of course, those 21 and older can best enjoy it with a Busch Light Apple, a crisp, refreshing, apple-flavored lager with a touch of sweet on the front end and a clear, beer finish on the back end. It is available for a limited time only NATIONWIDE for its LAST YEAR EVER in 12-, 24- and 30-packs at a store near you.

● Prior to last year’s inaugural Ally 400, it had been 10 years since NASCAR last competed at Nashville Superspeedway, and it was an Xfinity Series race on July 23, 2011 that was won by Carl Edwards. The NASCAR Cup Series had never competed on the 1.333-mile oval, but Cup teams tested there extensively back in the day when it was fashionable to race on Sunday, test somewhere on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then fly to the next Cup race on Thursday. Harvick, now in his 22nd year of Cup Series competition, has logged more laps in a Cup car at Nashville Superspeedway than any of his Cup Series brethren despite the track never hosting a Cup race until last year.

● In addition to testing at Nashville Superspeedway, Harvick has also raced extensively at the track, and he has performed incredibly well. In four career Xfinity Series starts, Harvick has two wins – April 15, 2006 and April 3, 2010. He finished third on June 10, 2006 and recorded his worst finish, seventh, in his first Xfinity Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on April 14, 2001. It all gave Harvick an average finish of third. He also had a lap completion rate of 100 percent, running all 900 laps available to him, and he led 123 of those laps.

● Harvick’s lone Truck Series start at Nashville Superspeedway came on April 2, 2010 when he finished second to Kyle Busch.

● In all of Havick’s starts at Nashville Superspeedway – a total of six – he has never finished outside the top-10. In fact, all but one of those finishes have been in the top-five. He finished seventh in his first Xfinity Series start at the track on April 14, 2001. To break it down even further, Harvick has three top-twos, four top-threes and five top-fives, the most recent of which came in last year’s inaugural Ally 400 when he finished fifth.

Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 Busch Light Apple #BuschBingo Ford Mustang

Prior to last year’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville, you last competed there in 2010 during a NASCAR Xfinity Series race. What were your expectations when you rolled back into the track after an 11-year absence?

“I didn’t ever go to Nashville without the expectation of winning. It was one of our best racetracks throughout the years and we’ve always had good success there and always enjoyed the racetrack itself. I’m glad we’re back there in Cup. That facility was built to have a Cup date. I’m excited to be there because we have just a ton of fans. There’s just a lot of good things that are happening when we go back to Nashville.”

In addition to Xfinity Series racing at Nashville, that venue was the go-to track back when you had unlimited testing. Outside of the Xfinity Series, how many testing miles do you think you have at Nashville?

“Not many in the last little bit, but there was a period of time that we spent a lot of time at Nashville. We developed a lot of the coil binding in the front and rear springs there and at Milwaukee. When Nashville was built, I actually was part of the very first tire test – the first time that anybody was on the racetrack. Obviously, I’ve had a little bit of a layoff there, but from the very first moment I’ve been a part of that racetrack.”

Talk about those days of unlimited testing, where after a three-day race weekend you’d go test for two or three days somewhere, oftentimes at Nashville.

“Really, we can go back to 2000. I did all the testing for Dale Earnhardt as we went through the year. So, we would go race and then we would go to a racetrack, whatever racetrack that would be, and I also did my own testing. We probably did four or five tests – I think at that point they could only do seven tests in the Cup Series – and then I had all my tests that you could do in the Xfinity Series. But you could also go to any racetrack that wasn’t on the schedule, and at that particular point, Kentucky wasn’t on the schedule, so we spent a lot of time at Kentucky developing stuff for Dale and the Cup program. But for the most part, we did, midweek, probably 20-25 tests a year as we went through the season, and most of them would be two-day tests. And that’s what you did. You were never home. You tested all the time. When you had a problem, you just went somewhere and tested. Whether it be Greenville-Pickens or Caraway or VIR, Milwaukee, it didn’t matter, you could go to any racetrack if it wasn’t on the schedule. Through the years they just changed that because we would spend so much time at the racetrack. We would test on different brands of tires and different series of cars, and we would do whatever it took. But, for the most part, you probably spent 20-25 two-day tests away from what you did on those three-day weekends.”

When you returned to Nashville last year, was the track still the same as you remembered it, or had it changed some?

“The track really hadn’t changed. I think a couple of the bumps were a little bit worse than probably what they were before, but nothing drastic. I think the stuff they sprayed on the racetrack added a little bit of grip to the higher lanes in practice, and then for the race it was really back down to the bottom and more traditional like it had been before.”

You were one of the handful of drivers who had prior experience at Nashville. Did that help when you returned there last year, or had the march of time and technology made it an even playing field for everyone?

“I’d spent a fair amount of time there, so just having that general picture in your mind of how it raced and the things that you did and how it went was definitely good to have, and it kind of took away some of the questions you might have at a place you hadn’t been to ever before.”

While Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway is only a 1-mile oval, it’s still concrete and has high banking, like Nashville. Will your experience earlier this year at Dover provide any benefits when you return to Nashville?

“They’re just drastically different. I think Nashville is going to have a lot of the same characteristics that we have at a lot of the racetracks that we go to. We’ve kind of had the same common problems at every track, it seems, and I think we’ll fight a lot of those same things at Nashville.”

No. 4 Busch Light Apple #BuschBingo Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Kevin Harvick
Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith
Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer
Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Stephen Doran
Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania

Spotter: Tim Fedewa
Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala
Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith
Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jeremy Howard
Hometown: Delhart, Texas

Jack Man: Stan Doolittle
Hometown: Ninety Six, South Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Richie Bean
Hometown: Bradford, Vermont

Mechanic: Nick DeFazio
Hometown: Orange, California

Tire Specialist: Jamie Turski
Hometown: Trumbull, Connecticut

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Hodges
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell
Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 Aiming to Retake Championship Lead at Watkins Glen

By
Official Release
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Brownsburg, Ind. (June 21, 2022) — As the reigning Michelin Endurance Cup Champions, Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque and the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 team are ready to compete for a top result at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen.

Hosting the third endurance race on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar, Watkins Glen International’s 3.4-mile, 11-turn purpose-built road course is a fan-favorite and one of the most historic racing venues in the United States.

“After a tough weekend in Detroit, we are excited to get back to traditional road courses,” said Ricky Taylor, two-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Champion. “Watkins Glen has always been a strong racetrack for us and for Acura. We need to get our mojo back that helped us win in Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio. The 6-hour is such an iconic event and as we enter the second half of the year, we need to take control of the points.”

A Watkins Glen winner in 2016 and 2017 and a two-time podium finisher with the blue and black Konica Minolta crew in 2021, Albuquerque is eager to return to the top step.

“Watkins Glen is normally a great track for our car,” said Filipe Albuquerque. “We’ll have to see how the balance of performance affects us. This championship has been very competitive. It’s about who makes the fewest mistakes and we are coming off a race weekend (in Detroit) that wasn’t great for us. A few mistakes cost us a lot. So, we enter this weekend with the feeling of needing to do a perfect job at Watkins Glen to get the third win of the year. After a first corner incident for my car at Le Mans, I’m even more focused on getting a good result. Let’s go for the win!”

With a podium this year, Wayne Taylor’s team will have podiumed in half of its previous 22 entries at Watkins Glen. He and the team are focused on achieving that result again.

“The title is still very open,” said team owner Wayne Taylor. “The Cadillacs still have the edge in terms of power and BoP. However, that’s out of our hands. We’re very much looking forward to going to Watkins Glen. It’s a race we haven’t won in a while. We had a successful test there recently. Everyone is excited. We love this track. The points race will continue. There’s so little gained or lost because there’s only six cars in the field—it’s pretty tough. We’re only ten points out of the lead, and the leading car is an Acura, which is good. I’m looking forward to going back to Watkins Glen.”

Practice for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen begins this Friday, June 24th at 4:30 p.m. ET. Qualifying is set for Saturday at 1:20 p.m. ET. Green flag for the main event will wave at 10:40 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 25th with full coverage streaming on Peacock and television coverage on the USA Network beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET.

ABOUT KONICA MINOLTA

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is reshaping and revolutionizing the Workplace of the Future. The company guides and supports its clients’ digital transformation through its expansive office technology portfolio, including IT Services (All Covered), intelligent information management, managed print services and industrial and commercial print solutions. Konica Minolta has been included on CRN’s MSP 500 list nine times and The World Technology Awards recently named the company a finalist in the IT Software category. Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for fourteen consecutive years, and received Keypoint Intelligence’s BLI 2021 A3 Line of The Year Award and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Award for its bizhub i-Series. Konica Minolta, Inc. has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for nine consecutive years and has spent four years on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list. Konica Minolta partners with its clients to give shape to ideas and works to bring value to our society. For more information, please visit us online and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter. The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 effort and Wayne Taylor Racing is supported by an outstanding lineup of partners including Harrison Contracting, Acura Motorsports, Hammer Nutrition and CIT.

Performance Expert Greg Steadman Returns to Petty’s Garage

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Official Release
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Takes Chief Operating Officer Role with Plans of Aftermarket Part Growth

LEVEL CROSS, N.C. (June 21, 2022) – Petty’s Garage today announced the return of Greg Steadman to its business. Steadman will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer and his duties will begin immediately.

Steadman comes back to the historic Level Cross facility where he was a former crew chief for Petty Enterprises and a key inspiration for the formation of Petty’s Garage with “The King” Richard Petty. Steadman’s homecoming comes with plans for a return to the shops focus on high performance aftermarket parts production, installation, and e-commerce sales.

“The Petty brand is defined by speed, durability, and winning,” said Steadman. “We are ready to focus our attention to the needs of the performance aftermarket enthusiasts and grassroots racers focusing on quality parts and service to meet their individual needs. Petty’s Garage already has a solid base in the industry, but it is time to take the business to the next level.”

Petty’s Garage will lean on Steadman’s history and experience that he has in Level Cross buildings, but also his insights in the automotive industry.

“There is not a better fit for us than Greg to come back to Petty’s Garage and help us continue to grow,” said Founder and Owner, Petty. “He had one of the original ideas for the company and he knows the car industry, our facilities, and people. He is a part of the Petty DNA, and it is a perfect fit. His dedication and drive to make us better will take us to the next level.”

While Steadman will concentrate on customer performance aftermarket parts, they will also not lose focus on the custom builds and other special projects that Petty’s Garage also specializes in.

“The facilities here in Level Cross have been producing performance vehicles since 1949. The people who work here are among the most talented in the industry,” Steadman continued. “Our mission at Petty’s Garage is to continue the same high standards and tradition building “Petty” quality parts and vehicles today and into the future.

“The Petty’s Garage website, as we continue to grow it, will contain all our in-house manufactured parts and our “Petty” trusted brands to provide customers with a one-stop solution to building and maintaining the high-performance vehicle brands they love. Most importantly, Petty’s Garage will enable us to continue to evolve and tell the Petty story for future generations.”

For more information about Petty’s Garage, and to learn more about performance parts at Petty’s Garage, please visit www.pettysgarage.com or call 336-498-3745. You can also follow Petty’s Garage on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Petty’s Garage

Founded in 2008, Petty’s Garage is a high-performance speed shop owned by “The King” Richard Petty. Headquartered in Level Cross, North Carolina, Petty’s Garage occupies the legendary Petty facility that produced winning stock cars for more than 50 years. Petty’s Garage specializes in performance upgrades, parts, restorations, custom builds, supercharged engines, paint and body, exhaust upgrades, brake systems, custom interiors, tires and wheels, custom fabricated projects, and corporate builds. If you can dream it, Petty’s Garage can build it. For more information on Petty’s Garage, please call 336-495-6651 or visit www.pettysgarage.com.

Mazda 787B to Drive Demo Laps in Le Mans Classic 2022

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Official Release
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1991 Le Mans winner, Mazda 787B, at Le Mans drivers' parade on June 10, 2011

HIROSHIMA, Japan, June 21, 2022 – (JCN Newswire) – Mazda Motor Corporation announced that the Mazda 787B, symbol of Mazda’s “never stop challenging” spirit, will do demonstration laps(1) at Le Mans Classic 2022 to be held from June 30 to July 3.

Equipped with a four-rotor rotary engine, the Mazda 787B became the first Japanese automobile to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 1991. For the first time in almost a decade, spectators will be able to witness the thrilling and distinctive sound of the Mazda 787B’s rotary engine at Le Mans Classic 2022. The last two opportunities to see the legendary vehicle being at the 90th anniversary of the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2013 and the 20th anniversary of Mazda’s victory at Le Mans in 2011.

The Mazda 787B was due to run at Le Mans Classic last year to mark the 30th anniversary of its victory, unfortunately the event itself was postponed to this year due to Covid-19.

Thanks to support from model car company, Spark, 29-time competitor in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Yojiro Terada dubbed as “Mr. Le Mans” in Japan, will drive the Mazda 787B during demonstration laps on July 1 and 2 when Group C racing will be held.

Le Mans Classic is a very popular event in which numerous famed racing cars that have previously competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans(2) gather and make an appearance every two years on the Circuit de la Sarthe. In Group C, entry vehicles are divided by historical period and compete in 60-minute races. This year’s entries will include cars that have cemented their names in history such as the Toyota Tom’s 85C, the Porche 962, the Jaguar XJR and the Peugeot 905.

For Mazda 787B, visit the special website commemorating the 30th anniversary of Mazda’s victory at Le Mans, www.mazda.com/en/innovation/lemans30th/.

(1) In case of rain or other poor weather conditions, the demonstration laps by Mazda 787B may be cancelled.
(2) 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans marked 99 years since the event first ran in 1923.

NITRO RALLYCROSS’ GLOBAL DEBUT COMES TO A THRILLING CONCLUSION AT UK’S LYDDEN HILL RACE CIRCUIT

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Official Release
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Nitro Rally X Lydden Hill. 19th June2022

­­­ROBIN LARSSON WINS FIRST GROUP E FINAL; TEAMMMATE ANDREAS BAKKERUD FINISHES SECOND

FRASER McCONNELL TOPS SUPERCAR PODIUM; SIMON OLOFSSON TAKES FIRST PLACE IN NRX NEXT; SEBASTIAN ENHOLM WINS

NEW CROSSCAR SUPPORT CLASS

Nitro RX World Tour Continues in Sweden July 30-31

(Kent – 21 June, 2022) The first stop of Nitro Rallycross’ 2022/23 global series culminated with four wide open podium battles, headlined by the first trophy in Nitro RX’s Group E top class. The new disruptive force in motorsports went back to the future last weekend, pitting a world-class lineup of elite racers, including Travis Pastrana (USA), Kris Meeke (GBR) and Oliver Eriksson (SWE), against a reconfigured take on Lydden Hill’s legendary track, now featuring a 90-ft table top as well as a banked “Talladega” turn.

In Group E, Robin Larsson (SWE) swept the weekend, following up his Top Qualifier win on day one with first place in the final. Fellow RX Cartel teammate Andreas Bakkerud (NOR) shared the podium, coming in second, with Niclas Grönholm (FIN) finishing third.

Larsson said afterwards: “We had a really struggling year last year. To be able to do Nitro Rallycross again is so much fun. It’s such tight racing.” He added on Group E’s new FC1-X – the most powerful vehicle in rallycross – “It’s so spectacular to look at and to drive. It was great here [at Lydden Hill] but I know there’s going to be a lot more action as the series goes on.”

Bakkerud added: “This feels damn good. We have been working very much as a team and came into this weekend with a goal to finish top five. So, to come in first and second is very, very good and gives us a lot of self-confidence going into the next races. Robin did such an awesome job. At the same time though, it’s always a bit of a bummer looking at the other guy having the big trophy when I want that, too. So hopefully next time in Sweden I can change that around.”

Group E Final (Round 1):

FinishCar #NameNationTeam
14Robin LarssonSWERX Cartel
213Andreas BakkerudNORRX Cartel
368Niclas GrönholmFINOlsbergs MSE
435Fraser McConnellJAMDRR JC
552Ole Christian VeibyNORDRR JC
616Oliver ErikssonSWEOlsbergs MSE
7199Travis PastranaUSAVermont SportsCar
862Kris MeekeGBRXITE Energy Racing

In the NRX NEXT developmental class,Simon Olofsson (SWE) rebounded from a rough first day when his vehicle sustained significant damage to top the podium in round two. Up-and-comer Tommi Hallman (FIN) took second while Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky (SWE) earned third in just her second Nitro RX NRX NEXT contest.

NRX Next Final (Round 2):

FinishCar #NameNationTeam
152Simon OlofssonSWESimon Olofsson
287Tommi HallmanFINSET Promotion
319Mikaela Ahlin-KottulinskySWEJC
45Kyle SchwartzUSAKyle Schwartz
555Lane VacalaUSADRR JC
636Casper JanssonSWEOlsbergs MSE
79George MegennisUSA#YELLOWSQUAD
888Ole Henry SteinsholtNOROlsbergs MSE

Fraser McConnell (JAM) also overcame adversity, brushing off technical challenges and the disappointment of finishing just off the Group E podium to take the checkered flag in the Supercar final. Not to be discouraged, McConnell battled Yury Belevskiy (CHE), who had secured Top Qualifier position on day one. In a tight rematch, it was McConnell who came out on top. Patrick O’Donovan (IRL) finished third.

Supercar Final (Round 1):

FinishCar #NameNationTeam
135Fraser McConnellJAMFraser McConnell
295Yury BelevskiyCHEVolland Racing
313Patrick O’DonovanIRLPatrick O’Donovan
472Tristian O’VendenGBRTristian Ovenden Mr
547Dom FlitneyGBRVolvo

The second of two Crosscar finals this weekend stirred up sibling rivalries with Sebastian Enholm (SWE) besting his sister Frida Enholm (SWE). Jimmie Osterberg (SWE) came in third.

CrossCar Final (Round 2):

FinishCar #NameNation
1124Sebastian EnholmSWE
212Frida EnholmSWE
311Jimmie OsterbergSWE
4110Thomas Eek MurstadNOR
56Pasi PenttinenFIN
667Isac EgonssonSWE
7199Alexander GustafssonSWE
82Riku HuuhkaFIN

In addition to the racing excitement, fans could also get an up-close look at Nitro RX and check out their favorite cars and drivers by visiting its open paddocks. They also could stop by the Myenergi E Village, which featured a solar panel-covered shelter where patrons can relax and eat in between races, play on a renewable energy-inspired mini golf course, plus – for young racing enthusiasts – ride on a kids’ electric ride-on race track, and more.

The next stop on the road to Nitro RX series hardware is Sweden’s Strängnäs on July 30-31. For tickets and event information go here.

Fans can also watch live on Peacock in the U.S. as well as on YouTube worldwide.

2022–23 NITRO RALLYCROSS WORLD TOUR*

June 18-19, 2022 // England (Lydden Hill Race Circuit)

July 30-31, 2022 // Sweden (Strängnäs)

August 27-28, 2022 // Finland

October 1-2, 2022 // Minneapolis, USA

October 29-30, 2022 // Los Angeles, USA

November 12-13, 2022 // Phoenix, USA

December 10-11, 2022 // Saudi Arabia

January 21-22, 2023 // Quebec, Canada

February 4-5, 2023 // Alberta, Canada

March TBA, 2023 // Nitro RX 2022-23 Series Finale // TBA, USA

(*Subject to change)

Nashville Businesses Partner with Jesse Little at Nashville Superspeedway

By
Official Release
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Mooresville, NC (June 20, 2022) – We are excited to announce that several Middle Tennessee business owners have come together to support racing in the Nashville community by sponsoring Jesse Little and his Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet for the upcoming NASCAR Camping World Truck race at Nashville Superspeedway.

The goal of the sponsorship is to help create awareness and support the efforts being made to bring the sport back to Music City for years to come, while also raising funds for one of its most important organizations, Motor Racing Outreach.

Check out all the details at NASHVILLERACE.COM

Racing has always been about family and building relationships. We don’t know if it was by chance or fate, but this whole idea started around a campfire in February at Daytona.

This is where Travis Wright, partner at CS&A Insurance based in Nashville, Tenn, and owners of Young’s Motorsports, Randy and Tyler Young found themselves as neighbors in the infield.

After coming off a sixth-place finish, Little and the rest of the race team were celebrating their strong showing by hanging out in the motor coach neighborhood with Travis, Tyler, and Randy.

As the evening turned to night, the group found themselves talking about Nashville and all the excitement about NASCAR being back for two years in a row.

On a whim, Travis posed the idea of collaborating with local Nashville businesses to sponsor Jesse for the race at the Nashville Superspeedway. “How neat would it be if we can bring folks together and create more awareness for the sport in the Nashville community?”, Travis said.

Randy, Tyler, and Jesse all looked at each other and said, “Well then, let’s make it happen!” and the rest is history!

The other sponsorship component was how can we also “give back” through this partnership? Travis has worked locally in Nashville with Motor Racing Outreach for several years and the Waltrip Brothers Charity Championship (WBCC).

This is the annual golf tournament and concert hosted by Darrell and Michael Waltrip to raise funds for MRO every year. MRO has been an instrumental organization for drivers, crews, and their families for close to three decades.

Little grew up as one of the MRO kids as he spent most of his childhood at the racetrack when his dad, Chad Little, raced in the 1990s. The plan would be to donate any funds raised over what is needed for the sponsorship to MRO.

Over $20K has been donated to MRO because of this sponsorship

Jesse Little will be honoring his dad Chad Little with a throwback paint scheme and retro driver suit that resembles the suit Chad wore in the 90s.

The primary sponsor is Nashville-based business Catchin’ Deers. Business owner and former Nashville Predator Mike Fisher is excited about this partnership. “We are really looking forward to the race and the opportunity to partner with such a great group of people”.

The other local business sponsors include CS&A Insurance, Nashville K-9, Pella Windows & Doors of Nashville, Gary Ashton RE/MAX Advantage, Granite Garage Floors, Southern Shine, Southern Events, Puckett’s Restaurant, Outdoor LED Rentals, Velocity Motorcars CRC and Cool Hand Speedco.

Two Efficient Ways to Join Metal Parts (Riveting And Welding)

By
SM
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Weld joint vs Rivet Joint

Riveting and welding have been around since the beginning of metalworking. They both require the use of heat to fuse two metal parts together and are considered permanent, strong joints. However, they are very different processes with different costs, strengths, and weaknesses. 

There are many ways to join metal parts, but which is the best? Riveting and welding — are both great ways to achieve a secure connection, but the processes are quite different. Here’s a closer look at each of the two joining methods.

Today, we’ll be comparing riveting and welding to help you better understand when to use each of them in your next project. 

What is Riveting? 

Riveting is a common sheet metal fabrication process where two metal parts are joined together using heat and pressure. A small hole is drilled into each of the parts to be joined, and then a rivet (a metal rod with a head on one end) is placed into the holes. The ends of the rivet are then hammered down, which fuses the two pieces of metal together. Riveting is a very strong joint that can withstand a lot of force and vibration.

One advantage of riveting is that it does not require any special skills or equipment – just a drill, some rivets, and a hammer. Riveting is also faster than welding, which can be important when tight times. However, riveted joints are not as strong as welded joints, and they are more difficult to repair if they break. Riveting is also limited to joining smaller pieces of metal; larger projects, such as those in military metal fabrication, will need to be welded instead.

What is Welding?

Welding joins two pieces of metal together by melting them and fusing them together. This process requires specialized equipment and skills but results in a stronger joint than either riveting or bolting. Welding can be done with many different metals, including steel, aluminum, brass, and even some plastics.

There are several different types of welding: MIG welding (inert metal gas), TIG welding (inert tungsten gas), Plasma Arc Welding (PAW), and Oxy-Acetylene Welding (OAW). Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages; for example, MIG welding is fast but produces less precise joints than TIG welding. OAW requires expensive equipment but can weld metals that other methods cannot weld effectively. 

Differences Between Welding and Riveting

1. Welding is a fusion of metals that are heated together to create a solid bond between them. In welding, two pieces of metal are brought together and melted at their interface. When they cool down, the molten material forms a strong joint.

2. Riveting is a joining technique where two pieces of metal are joined using a mechanical fastener, which you can easily source from Fasteners Brisbane suppliers.. A rivet is used to join two pieces of metal together. The head of the rivet is placed into the first piece of metal and then the second piece is pushed over the top of the head. Once both pieces have been put together, the rivet is hammered down until it makes contact with the bottom surface of the first piece.

Weld joint vs Rivet Joint

3. Both welding and riveting require heat to fuse the metals together. However, welding requires much higher temperatures than riveting. This means that welding can only be done with certain types of metals. On the other hand, rivets can be used to join any type of metal.

4. Welding uses filler metal to fill in gaps between the parts being welded. Filler metal is added to the area where the weld is going to take place. Because welding creates a large amount of heat, the filler metal melts and flows into the gap.

5. Riveting does not use filler metal. Instead, it relies on the pressure from the hammer to push the rivet through the two pieces of metal.

6. Welding is usually performed manually, while riveting is automated. Manual welding takes longer than automatic riveting.

Comparison Between Welding and Riveting 

Advantages of Welding 

  • Welding produces a stronger joint than riveting.
  • Welding is faster than riveting
  • Welding is less expensive than riveting.

Disadvantages of Riveting 

  • Riveting is slower than welding.
  • Riveting is more difficult to perform than welding.
  • Riveting is harder to automate than welding.
  • Riveting is limited by the size of the hole in the part.

Advantages of Riveting 

  • Riveting has lower costs than welding.
  • Riveting is easier to automate than welding.

Disadvantages of Riveting 

  • Riving is limited by the size and shape of the hole in the parts.

Conclusion 

The two main types of joining techniques used in manufacturing are riveting and welding. In this video, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each method and show you how to perform both processes.

Welding is a very versatile technique that can be used to join many different materials. Rivets are typically used to join metals together but can also be used to join other materials such as wood and plastic.

We hope this article will help you to choose the best method for your project. 

Reasons to Buy a Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet

By
SM
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Photo by Jusdevoyage on Unsplash

Motorcycle riding acquires wearing the right gear and safe connectivity to keep in touch on the road. With the advanced functions of Bluetooth motorcycle helmets allowed riders a distraction-free ride. If you stick your phone inside the helmet, chances are that you will be at a greater risk of suffering a road crash. A Bluetooth motorcycle helmet is the most advanced form of connectivity where you can connect wirelessly for a safe ride. 

To ensure safe connectivity on the go, I am going to give you some valid reasons to buy a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet. These reasons will allow you to find a built-in Bluetooth helmet to enhance protection and comfort for greater safety. 

Seven Reasons to Buy a Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet 

Road accidents are the worst circumstances when acquiring the right protective gear and the correct head size of a motorcycle helmet. When it comes to built-in Bluetooth helmets, you would probably wonder why Bluetooth helmets are more distracting than normal headgears. But because Bluetooth helmets have become so advanced that you would not need to worry about facing any distractions anywhere you go. 

To know the reasons mentions below:

Communication 

Communicating with other riders through the phone is very risky and having a normal conversation is impossible to interact with on the road. The built-in Bluetooth motorcycle helmet helps to keep in touch without worrying about cutting the connection line. This is important when you want to have a group riding conversation. If you plan for a group riding conversation, you need to consider the number of riders you want to interact with. 

Having stable communication is one of the most valid reasons to buy a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet as you can interact and hear each other without any distractions coming your way. Most Bluetooth headgears have a communication distance from 33 feet to 2000 feet where you can enjoy interaction with fellow riders without any obstacles cutting off the communication line. Other Bluetooth helmets have rider-to-passenger communication where you can interact with your passenger. This saves time and energy on using sign language and hand gestures. 

Music 

Do you often get bored on the road and wish to listen to your favorite songs? If your answer is yes, then a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet will keep you entertained without worrying about missing a turn or a crossover. Most built-in Bluetooth helmets have a music streaming function where you can stream music from your phone to enjoy your favorite tunes. To ensure a distraction-free ride, a Bluetooth helmet will keep you entertained for your safety. This covers up any obstructing noises such as honking steering wheels and other noises on the street. 

GPS Navigation 

Most Bluetooth motorcycle helmets have GPS navigation apps or instructions to allow you to reach your destinations safely. Do you often get lost on the way and have to ask for directions from the locals? If this is the case with you, wearing a Bluetooth helmet solves the problem! This saves time and fuel on ending up in the wrong directions. If you are one of those riders who struggle to find the way or get lost often, you need to find Bluetooth motorcycle helmet reviews with GPS navigation. 

Comfort 

Buying the right Bluetooth helmet requires the right head size to fit onto your head safely. There is no point in wearing a built-in Bluetooth headgear if the communication system hurts your ears or has a weak inner cushion. To enjoy the ride requires a comfortable Bluetooth headgear that allows you to utilize connectivity safely and that fits your head well. This is one of the most important reasons to buy a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet as it gives you comfort and safety. Wearing the appropriate gear and the right-sized Bluetooth helmet will enhance further comfort and allows safer protection on the road. 

Protection 

Human error is the most cause of motorcycle accidents and wearing a helmet is necessary to survive the crash. Since safety is the most important priority in motorcycle riding, a durable Bluetooth helmet helps to withstand different elements in all riding conditions. The great versatility is necessary to have for every rider’s gear collection. If protection and keeping in touch is your main concern, wearing a Bluetooth helmet offers you safe protection and lets you utilize Bluetooth functions safely. 

Voice commands 

The majority of Bluetooth motorcycle helmets have voice commands that have made it riders easier to say a few words without pressing buttons on the go. The hands-free function makes one of the most valid reasons to look for a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet. The best part about voice commands that are you can customize your set language and change settings for your preferences. 

The voice command helps to carry out multitasking without facing distractions and so saves time on pressing one button per feature. If you are one of those riders, who do multitask often, a Bluetooth helmet with voice commands does the job for you. 

Radio 

Bluetooth helmets have built-in FM radio that sends FM radio signals to keep you entertained. If you are one of those riders who listen to the radio, a Bluetooth helmet with a built-in FM radio helps to keep you entertained on the road. You do not need to rely on using an app to connect to the radio! This makes a great reason to purchase a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet as a built-in FM radio lets you listen to talk shows and obtain the latest updates around the world. 

Wrap Up 

Here are the seven reasons to buy a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet where reason provides you to ensure a distraction-free ride. Since safety is the most important part of motorcycle riding, purchasing the right Bluetooth helmet will provide you with safe connectivity and enhances further protection from a crash. To buy a suitable Bluetooth helmet is to read the reasons above before you buy the right gear. Seriously, you will realize a Bluetooth headgear is necessary for riders in their protective gear collection. 

So buy the Bluetooth helmet and enjoy the ride! You can read our how-to guides at Sporty Journal!

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