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Honda Presents World Premiere of Honda S+ Shift, Next-generation e:HEV Technology

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Official Release
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TOKYO, Dec 19, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. held a press briefing on next-generation technologies for its original 2-motor hybrid system, e:HEV*, and presented the world premiere of Honda S+ Shift technology. Honda plans to install Honda S+ Shift in all of its future hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) models featuring the next-generation e:HEV, starting with the all-new Honda Prelude scheduled to go on sale in 2025.

The original Honda e:HEV hybrid system combines exceptional fuel economy (environmental performance), achieved by the highly efficient 2-motor hybrid system, and high-quality and exhilarating driving experience (driving performance), delivered by the high-powered traction motor. By optimally alternating between the motor and the engine as a source of driving force and applying highly efficient controls depending on the driving environment and conditions, e:HEV achieves high fuel economy without making it a conscious effort of the driver and realizes driving at the will of the driver, responding linearly to driver inputs.

The newly developed Honda S+ Shift is a new function designed to pursue the “joy of driving” that further accentuates the sense of oneness between the driver and the vehicle, while fully leveraging the characteristics of the e:HEV system. The further advancement was made to the Linear Shift Control synchronizing vehicle speed with engine sound, which has been installed in e:HEV models starting with the Fit e:HEV that launched in 2020. Without compromising high environmental performance unique to HEV models, the Honda S+ Shift precisely controls the engine RPM during acceleration and deceleration to realize direct drive response and sharp gear shifting. Moreover, the powerful engine sound synchronizes with the Active Sound Control (ASC) system, enhancing engine sound quality by offering the engine sound in sync with engine RPM through the speaker system and the highly responsive meter display. In this way the Honda S+ Shift will stimulate all of the driver’s senses and provide exhilarating driving at the will of the driver, further “synchronizing” the driver and the vehicle.

Key features of Honda S+ Shift

  • By linking two high-power motors with the ASC system, the Honda S+ Shift achieves dynamic engine RPM changes and a sharp upshift feeling, providing feedback that resonates with all of the driver’s senses, amplifying the sense of oneness between the driver and the vehicle.
  • The Honda S+ Shift further advances the Linear Shift Control applied to current e:HEV models, enabling gear shifts (upshift and downshift) according to the driving conditions and environments at all speed ranges. While turning, the Honda S+ Shift system quickly responds to driver steering input and activates shift hold, enabling the vehicle to trace the desired driving line at the will of the driver.
  • By maintaining the optimal engine RPM for the particular driving conditions, the power generated by the engine during re-acceleration will be fully utilized as driving force. This greatly improves the initial response time of the motor when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal and enables overwhelmingly high response that is directly connected to driver input.
  • Although e:HEV does not have a mechanical transmission mechanism, when the Honda S+ Shift is activated, the driver can shift gears with a paddle shifter, so that the driver can enjoy driving feel as if the vehicle features a transmission system. With quick gearshift responses achieved through the coordination of the engine and high-power motor, Honda S+ Shift function will strive to offer the joy of driving based on direct response to driver input.

The letter “S” in the technology name, Honda S+ Shift, has been used in the names of Honda models and technologies such as the S600, S2000, and Type S, representing the “sports spirit,” which Honda believes to be the source of the joy of driving. The “+” indicates that this function will add new value represented by words such as “Synchronized” “Special” and “Sensational.” The word “Shift” represents the Honda desire to make a shift that takes people and automobiles to the new world.

*e:HEV is a global communication name for the Honda high-efficiency 2-motor hybrid system with outstanding fuel economy, which is the core of Honda electrification technologies. The e: represents the Honda desire to ‘energize’ people and bring about a smile and high spirits by using ‘electricity’ as the ‘energy.’

News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/94716/

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Three Reasons to Rent a Car in Dubai as a Solo Traveler

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SM
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Photo by ViewApart at https://depositphotos.com/

Dubai is a resplendent city with manufactured landmarks, luxurious experiences, and cultural wonders. Many travelers go there alone to experience networking, content creation, and the benefits mentioned above, as well as to progress their careers and earn life-long memories. Dubai is host to a plethora of affordable, and exceptional car rental companies which can help create those experiences. While Dubai has a public transit system, this article will review three reasons for utilizing a Dubai car rental service when traveling solo.

Freedom & Flexibility

Anyone who’s owned a car back home understands the unparalleled flexibility it provides. Dubai is a busy city, and not needing to adhere to public transport schedules, booking apps, or finding a taxi saves an exceptional amount of time. You are the sole person responsible for your itinerary and deciding where to go and when.

Freedom is also a major benefit. Dubai is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, deserts, and beaches that are not accessible by public transport. You can drive to any of these destinations without any time constraints, so you can take in everything without worry.

Cost-Effectiveness

While the initial cost may seem more expensive, utilizing other methods of transportation can quickly add up in costs and fees. A Dubai car rental is an upfront cost that is cost-effective in the following ways:

  • Affordable Rates: You’ll most likely pay a flat daily rate, which can easily be cheaper than multiple taxis or privately hired transport.
  • Convenience: Less time sitting around means more time spent doing what you came to Dubai for, which means less time spent on food during travel, for example.
  • Long-Term Effectiveness: If you plan on staying in Dubai long-term, a rental company will likely offer discount rates, which are even more cost-effective than a daily taxi service.

Considering all of the above, you can quickly realize that the savings you gain over time heavily outweigh the opportunity cost and actual cost of public transportation.

Security

Using a rental car will vastly reduce the risk of losing your valuable personal items. You will be the only person with access to the car, so the opportunities for theft are dramatically lower. Additionally, you will not need to worry about accidentally leaving behind your personal items on public transport or private hire.

There is also added security because you do not need to communicate with or let strangers know where you’re going or staying. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, having the privacy of your vehicle allows you to feel more secure and less exposed to unwanted attention.

Conclusion

Renting a car in Dubai is a clear and easy choice for solo travelers. A car rental provides freedom and security and is a cost-effective strategy even for shorter trips. It allows you to explore the city at your leisure while traveling comfortably and safely, particularly from the heat and the crowds. Whether you want to visit iconic landmarks, grow your brand, or network, a rental car gives you the independence to do it all and more!

Parker Retzlaff joins Alpha Prime Racing for full Xfinity campaign in 2025

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Parker Retzlaff will be driving the No. 4 Chevrolet Camaro entry on a full-time basis for Alpha Prime Racing for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

The news comes as the 21-year-old Retzlaff from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is coming off his second consecutive campaign in the Xfinity circuit, where he drove for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport.

Throughout the 33-race schedule in 2024, Retzlaff notched his first two career poles (Richmond Raceway in March and Martinsville Speedway in November), a season-best third-place result during the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway, two top-five results, four top-10 results, 50 laps led and an average-finishing result of 23.5 before setting in 21st place in the final driver’s standings.

Throughout the 2024 season, Retzlaff also made his first two career starts in the Cup Series division. He finished 35th in his debut while driving for MBM Motorsports at Richmond in August before he notched a strong seventh-place result during his second start two races later at Daytona while driving for Beard Motorsports.

Retzlaff’s move to Alpha Prime Racing solidified his racing plans for next season more than a month after it was announced that he would not be retained by Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport for the 2025 campaign.

“I’m humbled, honestly,” Retzlaff said in a released statement. “Obviously I wouldn’t be here without the support of my partners – who I’m really excited to announce later,” he said with a smile. “[Owners] Tommy [Joe Martins] and Caesar [Bacarella] have put together an awesome team. It’s a big confidence booster for me to go into 2025 with a group that really wants me here.”

“I feel like we still have something to prove,” Retzlaff added. “We all want to win races, be consistent and prove we’re here to compete. Everyone here has told me how much they believe in me and what I can do.”

Retzlaff, a former champion in the Wisconsin Bandolero Series, made his Xfinity Series debut at Phoenix Raceway in March 2022, where he drove the No. 38 RSS Racing Ford entry to a 36th-place result. He then made eight additional starts while competing between RSS and Our Motorsports throughout the season. During the stint, he notched his first top-10 career result by finishing 10th at Richmond in April.

In 2023, Retzlaff replaced Myatt Snider to pilot the No. 31 Chevrolet entry for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport. Commencing his first full-time Xfinity campaign with a fourth-place result at Daytona, Retzlaff would rack up six additional top-10 results and a total of 23 top-20 results. Despite missing the Playoffs, Retzlaff capped off the season with an average-finishing result of 17.9 and a 16th-place result in the final standings.

Through 75 career starts in the Xfinity Series, Retzlaff has notched two poles, three top-five results, 12 top-10 results, 62 laps led and an average-finishing result of 20.4 as he continues his pursuit for both his first series victory and Playoff berth. He is set to compete alongside Brennan Poole, the latter of whom returns for a second consecutive campaign at Alpha Prime Racing after he notched two top-10 results, an average-finishing result of 20.0 and finished 16th in the driver’s standings.

“I’m just super excited to have [Retzlaff] join us,” Caesar Bacarella said. “He’s a young, really talented racecar driver and he’s going to help elevate the team. There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but [co-owner Tommy Joe Martins] and I agree it’s all about the people. It’s so hard. We’re racing against the best teams in the world. But we’ve got great people and that’s what’s made it work. And now we’ve got two ace drivers in the stable full-time.”

Alpha Prime Racing’s crew chief lineup for its driver roster along with any additional organization and partnership details remain to be determined.

The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season for Alpha Prime Racing is scheduled to commence at Daytona International Speedway on February 15 at 5 p.m. ET on the CW Network.

RFK Announces Partnership with Mohawk for Preece, No. 60 Team

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Official Release
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Mohawk Teams Up for Three Races with Ryan Preece

CONCORD, N.C. (Dec. 18, 2024) – RFK Racing has announced that Mohawk Northeast – a premier heavy-civil contractor – has joined the team as a partner for Ryan Preece and the No. 60 team.

“It’s so exciting to have Mohawk with RFK in 2025 to continue building the relationship we’ve had for the past 10-plus years,” said Preece. “They’ve been supporting me since the beginning and I’m looking forward to accomplishing our goals together with their support.”

A longtime supporter of Preece, the company has been providing high quality construction services to a wide variety of clients. Specializing in heavy highway, railroad, movable and fixed bridges and marine construction, Mohawk has completed countless projects safely, on time and within budget.

Mohawk can self-perform all phases of construction and they offer an extensive fleet of cranes, barges, offshore tugboats and many other heavy equipment pieces. Clients include the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, USACE, Generic Dynamics – Electric Boat, Connecticut DOT, Massachusetts DOT, New York DOT, Metro North Railroad, Amtrack, and various other clients.

Mohawk will appear on Preece’s No. 60 in three races in 2025, making its debut at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 3 (3:30 p.m. ET, USA Network). They will return as the primary partner a week later at Watkins Glen (2 p.m. ET, USA Network), before their final race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, now a playoff race, on Sept. 21 (2 p.m. ET, USA Network).

About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 38th season in 2025, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

Daytona International Speedway Unveils Course Design for 2025 DAYTONA Supercross

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Official Release
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Supercross legend Ricky Carmichael returns to design course for 18th year in a row 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 18, 2024) – Daytona International Speedway today unveiled the highly anticipated course layout for the 2025 DAYTONA Supercross, taking place during the 84th Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA.

Five-time DAYTONA Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael has designed yet another grueling course for the 18th consecutive year, with the 2025 layout presenting some very different challenges for riders than in years past.

“It’s an honor to have Ricky Carmichael, the GOAT of Supercross, design the course for DAYTONA Supercross once again,” said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway. “Ricky has an unmatched ability to create a track that challenges the riders while delivering an unforgettable experience for the fans. When you combine those elements, it’s guaranteed to be another can’t-miss spectacle here at Daytona International Speedway.”

2025 DAYTONA Supercross

The 2025 course layout is going to generate intense racing as riders will start by making a right-handed first corner. This leads into a left-handed 90-degree corner followed by a rhythm section that rides right along The Roost. From there, they’ll go all the way across the frontstretch giving fans an incredible view of all the racing action. There’s no doubt that this course is sure to bring entertainment and showcase some incredible talent from the riders.

“I tell you what, the split lane is always a lot of fun. We work really hard to make it even and give riders lots of options. I’m looking forward to this year’s design, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun no doubt especially with the right hand turn and a completely different track design as we’ve seen in the last several years,” said Carmichael.

Last time these riders took center stage at the World Center of Racing, Jett Lawrence made history, beating Eli Tomac, who is known as “The King” of DAYTONA Supercross after securing his seventh victory at the famed track in 2023. For Lawrence, it was only his eighth career 450SX Class start and it resulted in his first DAYTONA Supercross title.

The 55th annual DAYTONA Supercross takes place on March 1, 2025, with riders tackling Carmichael’s course under the lights at Daytona International Speedway as part of the 84th Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA.

Bike Week is a ten-day motorcycle celebration kicking off on Feb. 28, and continuing through March 9, following the intense, high-speed racing of the DAYTONA 200 running from March 6-8 along with DAYTONA Short Track taking place March 6-7.

To purchase tickets or for more information on DAYTONA Supercross or Bike Week At DAYTONA, please visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com. Fans can save up to 20% on tickets by taking advantage of the Daytona International Speedway holiday offer, good through Friday, Dec. 20.

Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway via www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.

About Daytona International Speedway:

Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. Some of the exciting racing events include January’s Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and Roar Before The Rolex 24, February’s DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, March’s Bike Week At DAYTONA Presented By Monster Energy, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, the August Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend, and much more. The Speedway grounds are also used extensively for other events that include concerts (Welcome to Rockville, Heroes Honor Festival, etc.), sporting events (DAYTONA Soccer Fest, CLASH DAYTONA, etc.) civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SMX World ChampionshipTM. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About the SMX World Championship:

The SMX World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SMX World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-round series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SMX World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Speedway Children’s Charities Grants $25,000 to ThreeAustin-Area Nonprofits

By
Official Release
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AUSTIN, Texas (Dec. 18, 2024) – Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), the official charity of Speedway Motorsports, has distributed $25,000 through three grants to Dell Children’s Foundation, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Best Buddies in Texas. The $25,000 will serve 1,325 children in need in the Austin area.

“We are thrilled to be able to help three different children’s organizations this year,” said Speedway Children’s Charities Texas Chapter Executive Director Marissa Chaney. “Race fans are incredibly generous, and we’re looking forward to raising even more money in just a couple months when NASCAR returns to Circuit of The Americas.”

DELL CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION

Funds will support Dell Children’s Mental Health Family Fund for uninsured children who have been victims of trafficking, homelessness or battling terminal illness.

“We are grateful to Speedway Children’s Charities for their continued support of Dell Children’s,” said Dell Children’s Foundation Senior Director of Pediatric Grants and Development Jenn Davis, GPC. “The most recent grant to our Mental Health Program enables our hospital to provide comprehensive, holistic and family-centered care for children and adolescents facing mental health crises. We are honored to be partners with Speedway Children’s Charities in our shared mission of serving our community’s children.”

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE

The Austin Chapter partners with local organizations, churches, businesses and community members to build, deliver and assemble fully furnished beds – frames, mattresses, sheets, pillows and blankets – to children living in poverty who do not have one or whose families have just overcome homelessness. Chapter leadership shows volunteers how to take a pile of wood and construct twin bed frame components with drills, sanders and saws.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Speedway Children’s Charities,” said Sleep in Heavenly Peace Austin Chapter President Steve Gielda. “This financial donation will enable us to put 40 kids in brand new beds, giving them a better night’s sleep that will help them to become happier, healthier young kids that grow into better students and better sons and daughters while teaching them the importance of leaning on their local community to support one another.”

BEST BUDDIES IN TEXAS

BB Friendship Programs build one-on-one friendships between students with and without intellectual or developmental disabilities, offering social interactions while improving the quality of life for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Their goals are to increase opportunities for socialization and inclusion of students with intellectual or developmental disabilities, develop critical social skills in all students and increase awareness of the abilities of all children with intellectual or developmental disabilities in schools.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this grant from Speedway Children’s Charities in support of our friendship programs here in Central Texas,” said Best Buddies International Central Texas Area Director Morgan Ilika. “Everyone deserves a friend, and with partners like Speedway Children’s Charities, we are able to offer increased opportunities to alleviate the social isolation of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies does this by creating one-to-one friendships and cultivating the leaders of tomorrow through shared experiences of inclusion.”

The grants resulted from donations received during the fourth annual NASCAR weekend at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in March 2024. Race fans who attended NASCAR at COTA took part in fundraising opportunities and events including:

  • Laps for Charity: Race fans experienced driving their own vehicle around the 3.41-mile, 20-turn permanent road course behind an official NASCAR at COTA Toyota pace car.
  • Live Auction: Race fans bid on unique experiences and autographed memorabilia during the Friday night THOR Family of Companies Camper Appreciation Party.
  • Fan Assistance Golf Carts: Donations were accepted as the golf carts escorted race fans all over COTA property.

Donations can be made any time at SpeedwayCharities.org/Donate/#COTA.

There are 11 SCC chapters around the country, and combined in 2024, SCC distributed more than $4 million in grants to hundreds of different charitable organizations across the country, bringing the total funds distributed since 1982 to more than $72.6 million, ensuring many children in need are given the tools to build a better, brighter and healthier future. The money raised comes in large part thanks to the fundraising efforts of 11 Speedway Motorsports facilities and events: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR at COTA, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.

Tickets:

Tickets for children ages 12 and under are just $10 for the March 2, 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR Cup Series race and free for the March 1, 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 and IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. For individual tickets, weekend packages and camping, fans can visit NASCARatCOTA.com.

Follow Us:

Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

About Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC)

The mission of Speedway Children’s Charities is to care for children with educational, financial, social and medical needs to help them lead productive lives. Founded by Bruton Smith in 1982, Speedway Children’s Charities is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing funding for hundreds of non-profit organizations that meet the direct needs of children. Speedway Children’s Charities has distributed more than $72.6 million in grants. The goal is to ensure that every child in need be given the tools to build a better, brighter and healthier future.

Forte Racing Announces Two New Drivers for 2025

By
Official Release
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Daytona Beach, Florida (Wednesday, December 18, 2024) – Forte Racing is pleased to announce that German driver Mario Farnbacher will join Canadian Misha Goikhberg behind the wheel of the GTD Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for the full 2025 season of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, while American driver Parker Kligerman will join the duo for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Michelin Endurance Cup driver is yet to be announced.

Goikhberg is returning for his third season with Forte Racing after consecutive fifth place finishes in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship. In 2023, Goikhberg, along with Forte Racing teammates Loris Spinelli and Patrick Liddy, won the prestigious Petit LeMans 10-hour endurance race. Over his two seasons with Forte Racing, Goikhberg has amassed eight top five finishes, including 2nd place finishes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Virginia International Raceway in addition to a 2nd place finish at Petit Le Mans in 2024.

“Very happy to work alongside Mario (Farnbacher) for the full season,” Goikhberg said. “He needs no introductions in GT racing and has won multiple championships. We were on sister cars in 2020, so we know each other very well.

“Also, I would like to welcome Parker (Kligerman) to the team,” the Canadian driver added. “He is a big stock car talent, and all-around wheelman. Not the worst guy to have matching Rolexes come the end of January.”

Farnbacher has successfully competed in multiple series including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Farnbacher won the Michelin Endurance Cup in 2017 with Riley Motorsports followed by GTD class IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar championships as a -full-time driver in 2019 and 2020 with Meyer Shank Racing.

After winning the Pro Am class in the GT World Challenge America in 2022 with Racers Edge Motorsports and the 2023 Pro category runner-up title, the Ansbach native returned to IMSA in 2024 driving for Heart of Racing’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GTDPRO Championship entry.

“It’s my first day in the new job and it was nice to get into this new environment and into the new challenges as well,” Farnbacher said yesterday. “I think the first test day today was good. Definitely a lot of things that are new that I need to learn and get my head around. I think we made some good progress and are getting to know each other as a new team. Really looking forward to the future and the ROAR and Daytona weekends. I think we have a strong package and I’m really looking forward to this season. I’d like to thank the team and Lamborghini for giving me this opportunity.”

Joining the 2025 full season drivers for the Rolex 24 at Daytona is NASCAR driver and announcer Parker Kligerman. The Connecticut-native has raced in all three of NASCAR’s premier series since starting his career in 2013 and has spent the last two seasons competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Big Machine Racing. During his NASCAR career, Kligerman has amassed 3 wins, 37 top five finishes, and 98 top ten finishes across all three series.

Kligerman has served as an analyst and pit reporter for NASCAR on NBC since 2015 and stands as one of the youngest correspondents to ever serve as a pit reporter for a NASCAR Cup race. He has also produced and developed multiple original programs for NBC Sports such as Proving Grounds and In The Wall. This will be Kligerman’s first-time racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“This race has been on my bucket list my entire career,” Kligerman said. “I’m super excited and grateful to be doing it with a race winning and top caliber organization like Forte Racing. We’re here to go for a Rolex. The team has been so welcoming to my partners Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers and have created a great atmosphere and cool vibe. This is my first endurance race. I’ve done sims and have done the broadcast the last 5 or 6 years, but to actually be driving in the race is super cool. I’m so pumped! It’s a dream come true.”

Forte Racing GTD Program Manager Michael Harvey is excited to have Goikhberg returning and is looking forward to getting to know the new additions to the team. With fifth place championship finishes in the team’s first two seasons competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GTD Championship, Harvey is hoping to start the 2025 season with a strong finish at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in his quest to win the team’s first IWSC GTD title.

“It’s a pleasure to watch this group grow,” Harvey said, “we are very committed to taking the next step as we fight for a championship. So happy to continue this journey with Misha, and super excited to add a multiple champion like Mario to the program, His experience will be invaluable. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to be able to add Parker to our Rolex charge, definitely a talent who will shine over the 24 hrs.”

Find out more about Forte Racing on our website Forteracing.com and our Instagram page and make sure to tune in and support Forte Racing’s new lineup of drivers for the Rolex 24 at Daytona January 23-26 on NBC, USA and Peacock.

*Photos Courtesy of Brayan Castiblanco

About Forte Racing (Formerly known as US RaceTronics)

Forte Racing is a Los Angeles and Charlotte based Motorsport team, supported by Lamborghini Squadra Corse, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar GTD Championship, the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series.

While the Forte Racing brand was created in 2023, the team is operated by Shane Seneviratne’s US RaceTronics which was founded in 2005 to compete in the formula car Atlantic Championship. The team finished 5th in points its first year and ultimately amassed a total of 21 podiums, 7 poles, 5 race wins and finishing 3rd in the 2009 Atlantic Championship before the Series was put on hiatus.

Seneviratne fully returned to racing in 2015 managing entries in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North American (LBSTNA) Series. The team won the Team Championship, Dealership Championship, Pro Championship and Amateur Championship that season. That success reignited Seneviratne’s passion for racing and he relaunched US RaceTronics to compete in the 2016 LBSTNA Series. The team has won multiple North American and World Championships since switching to IMSA racing.

In 2023 the team expanded to include an IMSA WeatherTech GTD entry with their Lamborghini Huracan EVO2 GT3, driven by Misha Goikhberg and Loris Spinelli. The team finished the 2023 and 2024 seasons with four top five finishes in each season and included a 2nd-place finish at Indianapolis and VIR, along with a win at the 2023 season-finale Petit Le Mans and a 2nd-place finish at Petit Le Mans in 2024. The team finished fifth in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship in its first two seasons, further solidifying their reputation as a rising force in the GTD Championship.

For more information on how to become a driver with US RaceTronics, learn more about the Series, or attend a race, visit www.forteracing.com.

About Change Racing

Founded by Lamborghini Charlotte CEO and long time real estate developer, John E. Littlefield, Change Racing is the premier championship winning team. Claiming 18 titles in various classes; Change Racing has competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series since its inception in 2013.

Most recently claiming the 2021 Amateur World Championship in Misano, Italy. Change Racing also claimed all SIX 2020 North American Championships, including the Pro, Pro-Am, Am and LB Cup class championships as well as the Team and Owner championships.

About O’Gara Motorsport

O’Gara Motorsport was founded in 2014 by owner Tom O’Gara and celebrated winning the 2015 North American Lamborghini Super Trofeo driver and team Championships. The team goal is to achieve victories in the Series as well as showcasing the brands of their sponsors both on and off the track. With a vertically integrated platform that starts at the dealership and accelerates to the top levels of professional sports car racing, everyone at O’Gara is dedicated to providing a comprehensive program for anyone, from the casually curious to the dedicated racer.

Innovative Wastewater Treatment Technologies for a Sustainable Future

By
SM
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As the number of people worldwide increases, so does our need for fresh water. Water shortage is a real problem now, and we must find smart ways to treat wastewater to manage water usage sustainably. These solutions aim to clean up this waste without harming the environment too much—that’s how we ensure better health for our planet moving forward.

Membrane Filtration Systems

New ways of treating wastewater are here, thanks to membrane filtration tech like reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration. These systems excel at filtering out solids that dissolve in water, harmful pathogens, and chemicals polluting the mix.

Industries and towns can make good use of this tidy-up method by recycling more water efficiently. This cuts down their need for fresh supplies while also trimming how much wastewater goes back into nature’s waters.

Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs)

Advanced oxidation processes represent new-age methods that use chemicals to reduce harmful organic pollutants into safe compounds. With techniques involving ozone and UV treatments or photocatalysis, they target hard-to-remove contaminants.

These procedures are growing more popular for dealing with industrial wastewater rich in toxic materials. They are setting a fresh pace for meeting stricter rules about protecting the environment.

Bioelectrochemical Systems

Bioelectrochemical systems, or BES for short, blend biology and electrochemistry to clean wastewater. On top of that, they manage to produce electricity, too! Microorganisms take care of the organic matter in these setups turning it into usable energy.

BES has two main perks—cleaning up wastewater and creating renewable power sources. This inventive method could be a big help for remote areas that need local ways to deal with their own wastewater sustainably without using up lots of energy.

Whether used by tiny neighborhoods or major industrial complexes, its scalability adds an extra layer of appeal. Continued progress promises lower costs over time, which would likely make it more accessible worldwide.

The Role of Microorganisms in Wastewater Treatment

Microorganisms are critical to today’s wastewater treatment methods. For example, activated sludge and anaerobic digestion processes rely on bacteria and other small organisms for effective organic waste breakdown.

The science of tweaking genes is now revealing new opportunities in this field. Engineered microorganisms could enhance how we filter out pollutants from water while also reducing energy use by the facilities that treat our wastewater.

Wrapping Up

Fresh approaches to treating wastewater are very important if we are going to tackle water shortage issues and harmful environmental effects. With clever solutions at our fingertips—like membrane filtration, superior oxidation processes, bioelectrochemical systems, and tactical use of microorganisms—a sustainable future is within sight for us all. 

A world where everyone has access to cleaner water is not just an aspiration anymore; it is now starting to look very achievable.

Jack Wood rejoins McAnally-Hilgemann Racing for full Truck campaign in 2025

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Jack Wood has been named a full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) for the 2025 season.

The 24-year-old Wood from Loomis, California, will pilot the No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado RST entry that will be sponsored by Adaptive One Calipers and led by crew chief Kevin Bellicourt.

The news comes as Wood is coming off a part-time Truck Series campaign at MHR, where he drove MHR’s No. 91 entry to seven top-20 results and an average-finishing result of 20.8 through 13-scheduled starts. He also competed on a full-time basis for Bill McAnally Racing in the ARCA Menards Series West division, where he notched five top-five results and seven top-10 results before he finished in fourth place in the final driver’s standings.

The 2025 season is set to mark MHR’s second consecutive season fielding four full-time entries in the Truck Series as Wood will compete alongside teammates Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Hemric and Connor Mosack. The upcoming season is also set to mark Wood’s second as a full-time competitor in the Truck Series and first since the 2022 season.

“I’m definitely thankful and excited to be back at MHR next season,” Wood said in a released statement. “We had a lot of bright spots this past season and have a great foundation to build on. I have a lot of trust in Kevin [Bellicourt], [team owner] Bill [McAnally], and everyone at MHR, so that makes me excited for what’s ahead of us next year. It’s great to have Adaptive One Calipers board with us and looking forward to activating with their customers throughout the season.”

Wood made his Truck Series debut at Circuit of the Americas in May 2021, where he drove the No. 24 GMS Racing Chevrolet entry to a 28th-place result. He proceeded to make 11 additional starts throughout the 2021 season, where he notched his first top-10 result by finishing 10th at World Wide Technology Raceway in August, before he assumed the No. 24 entry on a full-time basis in 2022. During his first full-time Truck campaign, he recorded an average-finishing result of 25.2 and settled in 24th place in the driver’s standings. Prior to joining MHR on a part-time basis in 2024, Wood piloted the No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Chevrolet entry in 13 events in 2023. During the stint, he recorded two top-10 results, a career-best ninth-place run at Texas Motor Speedway in April and an average-finishing result of 21.3.

Through 61 current starts in the Truck Series, Wood has recorded three top-10 results, five laps led and an average-finishing result of 23.6 as he strives to both achieve his first series victory and make his first Playoffs in 2025.

“We’re glad to have Jack return next season and excited to see him build on the groundwork from 2024,” Bill McAnally added. “The No. 91 team did a great job last season with multiple drivers and Jack managed the year well with splitting time between the truck program and the west series. It’s tremendous to have continued support from everyone at Adaptive One Calipers and allowing Jack to focus on the entire truck schedule next year will pay dividends for the whole team.”

With his plans for next season set, Jack Wood’s 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season is scheduled to commence at Daytona International Speedway on February 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Tim Brown: Rookie or Ringer?

By
Official Release
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Rick Ware Racing To Give Winningest Driver in Bowman Gray History

First Career NASCAR Cup Series Start in Feb. 2 NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 17, 2024) – Ever since he was a fresh-out-of-high-school 19-year-old just beginning his racing career, Tim Brown had an eye on competing in the NASCAR Cup Series. Nearly 35 years later, Brown will finally get the opportunity to race in NASCAR’s premier division.

Rick Ware Racing (RWR) has tabbed Brown to drive its No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the Feb. 2 NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray, the season-opening exhibition race for the NASCAR Cup Series.

Brown isn’t some journeyman. With 101 victories, he is the all-time winningest driver at Bowman Gray Stadium, the flat, quarter-mile asphalt oval in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, that is the country’s longest-running weekly racetrack. NASCAR runs the venerable facility and the city of Winston-Salem is listed as its owner, but Brown has made “The Madhouse” his house by augmenting his win tally with 12 track championships and 146 poles.

The 53-year-old from Yadkinville, North Carolina, competes in the track’s Tour Type Modified division, where he has set just about every record imaginable. Beyond having the most wins, the most poles and the most championships at Bowman Gray, Brown owns the fastest lap ever recorded (12.965 seconds on April 30, 2016). He won every pole during the 2003 season, and his championships span four decades, with titles in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2021 and 2022.

“I’ve worked my whole life to try to be a Cup driver,” said Brown, who toils fulltime at RWR as its suspension and drivetrain specialist. “I’m good with working on racecars for a living because it’s still a pretty cool gig, but I always wanted to drive for a living. For Rick Ware and everybody involved here at RWR to give me the chance to go run a Cup race is so humbling and so heartwarming. It’s really cool.”

Ware is a former driver who transitioned to team ownership after injuries took him out of the seat.

“As someone who understands what it’s like to try to achieve goals and move up the racing ladder, it’s just a great opportunity for Tim and it’s something we’re proud to do,” Ware said. “We’ve had the opportunity to give a lot of drivers their first Cup start, and this is one that’s very well-deserved, especially at this track.”

Brown has turned thousands of laps around Bowman Gray, and he will turn even more before the NASCAR Clash. He will race his Modified in the undercard Madhouse Clash on Feb. 1. That means in addition to the track time Brown will get in a Cup car via practice, qualifying and his heat race prior to the NASCAR Clash, he will get a practice session in his Modified before qualifying and the 125-lap race.

“That time in the Modified will be very helpful for multiple reasons,” Brown said. “NASCAR has already done some updates to the stadium with soft walls and things like that. That’s going to change the line of the racetrack because you make the track smaller. So the line that we generally run, you won’t be able to run because they run right out against the wall. If the soft walls take up 2-and-a-half or 3 feet, now that’s 3 feet that you can’t let the car drift out to the wall. Just getting some track time before we climb in the Cup car, which I’ve never driven before other than on the chassis dyno, will be very helpful.”

While Brown has not driven a Cup car, he knows it inside and out. He has been building Cup cars since he was in high school, first with Cale Yarborough Motorsports and through the many iterations of Cup technology, including the current-generation car.

“I’ve been Cup racing for almost 35 years now, and I don’t know that you’ll find a Cup driver who actually gets to build his own Cup car from the ground up, chassis dyno it, and then go race it,” Brown said. “These guys that work here at RWR, they’re my buddies and they’re all racers, and we get to do this as a group effort. I actually get to put the nuts and bolts on it, and mount a seat, put the motor in it, and go drive it on the chassis dyno before I run it in the Clash. That’s pretty cool.”

The cool factor is heightened because the opportunity is coming on NASCAR’s biggest stage.

“The guys who race these Cup cars today are elite,” Brown said. “They’re the best drivers in the world, and I’m not even going to put myself in that same category. I’m just going to do the best I can.

“I want to climb out of that thing at the end of the Clash and see my son and our family with big smiles on their faces and knowing that we did the best we could because, I promise you, I’m going to give it 110 percent. I just want to enjoy the moment, relish it and soak it all in. I’m not going to leave there and say, ‘Hey, I’m a Cup driver, now.’ I’m just going to leave there knowing this was the experience of a lifetime.”

Beyond creating an exceptional moment for Brown, Ware envisions this endeavor highlighting grassroots racing and the skills of its personalities.

“At Bowman Gray, Tim really has the same opportunity as anybody else,” Ware said. “He was with Roush for decades before he was with us. He’s a very good mechanic. He’s built all his own racecars and he understands racing. I think he’s got an inside track just because he has touched every single part of these cars. He’s a racer, and particularly at this track, he’s got a lot of experience.”

The NASCAR Clash will be broadcast live by FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Rick Ware Racing:

Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age 6 when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver’s seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX).

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