This month's feature: PRI 2004 (& the Year) in Review

Though I was raised in the warm and sunny climes of Southern California -- not that you can say this lately -- and would normally break out my trusty North Face down parka and ski gloves as soon as the temperature drops below 60°F, I have to admit that after three years of attending and exhibiting at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis, the town has really grown on me despite the sometimes frigid weather. So it's with a reminiscent smirk and slightly misty eyes that I write my summary of this year's PRI.

One of the first things you notice at this year's show was...the crowd -- 45,650 attendees to be exact, setting yet another attendance record. The growth of the show is a reflection of the health and continuing enthusiasm of the racing and high performance industry.

Notable highlights from this year and the PRI Show include...

Digital Performance's StreetPerformance and RaceIndustry divisions had a great year, signing up notable sponsors like K&N Engineering, Holley Performance, Auto Meter, and Bell Racing just to name a few. We'd also like to thank all our continuing sponsors, helping us to keep our 92% renewal level.

Our friend Motor State Distributing celebrated its 40th Year Anniversary in grand fashion. The breakfast at PRI was well-attended -- to say the least -- and shows the warmth and support that Motor State has been able to breed with its customers, partners and vendors through integrity and impeccable service.

Team Titan, Titan Motorsports, unveiled its new Toyota Celica race car at the Fidanza booth. Titan Motorsports chose the Fidanza booth as the location for the event due to their long association. The Toyota Celica will run the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series and the NDRA Series.

"Team Titan has a track record of producing record-breaking results with our flywheels and other components and we are proud to serve as hosts for the introduction of yet another remarkable race vehicle," said Bob Scheid, VP Fidanza.

Tim Lynch and Steve Petty received Precision Turbo & Engine's first ever Achievement Award.

Lynch & Petty, known affectionately as the "Lynch Mob" by racers and friends, won this award when they became the first real 10.5 tire team to break the 6-second barrier with a 6.96 at 207.43 MPH at Englishtown.

This feat had been widely recognized as being the last great barrier to be broken in street car race history.

National Speed Sport News, the country's oldest weekly auto-racing publication, presented World of Outlaws racer Steve Kinser the 2004 Economaki Champion of Champions Award. The award was developed to honor one racer among all motorsports disciplines who has excelled with regard to overall ability, sportsmanship and command of the sport -- both on and off the track. Kinser, a 50-year-old Bloomington, IN, native earned his 19th World of Outlaws Series championship this season.

Ray Evernham, Evernham Motorsports, spoke at the Industry Breakfast, delivering refreshing motivational comments, philosophical insights and inspirational thoughts on many racing and personal topics.

And, oh yeah, the PRI Trade Show will be in Orlando, Florida, in 2005.

For me, what has made this year really great was the many people that I've met, spending time with the friends that one can't help but make in this great industry, and the indelible memories that we all share.

Wishing everyone a successful 2005 and looking forward to our next "get together".

-- Gigi Ho
VP DPI

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