Scene at Performance Racing Industry (PRI)

The Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show is held annually in Indianapolis, the home of the Indy 500. Established in 1988 by brothers Jim and Steve Lewis on the back of their magazine Performance Racing Industry, PRI has grown to become the world’s largest gathering place for the motorsports industry where deals are done, sales are written, sponsorships are inked and more than 600 new products are introduced. The only problem is, it’s held in December in Indy and it’s darn cold.

Toyota powered Sprint car with Hoosier Race Tires at Performance Racing Industry (PRI) — Photo Credit: Tony Thacker

No matter, the atmosphere is warm as thousands of attendees gather from more than 70 countries to check out 3,300 booths occupied by 1,100 companies. And there’s everything from ARP’s nuts and bolts to Weld Wheels including Aeromotive Fuel Systems, AutoMeter instruments, DJ Safety, Hedman Hedders, K&N Filters, Lucas Oil, MOMO, NGK spark plugs, Pro-Charger, SCE Gaskets, TechnoCraft trailer cabinets, and VP Racing Fuel. The list goes on.

As we said, more than 600 products are showcased at PRI and they range from the inevitable wheels from Weld, intakes and ignitions from Holley/MSD and engine blocks from World Products.

Without a doubt, one of the most impressive new products was the Jesel Equal Eight from Dan Jesel who with brother Wayne operate Jesel Valvetrain Co. Machined from a solid aluminum billet, this 427-ci V8 is a work of engineering art and won the JE Pistons Masters of Motors Award.

Indeed, performance parts and pieces machined from billet aluminum were a big part of the show and I filmed one young man of just 24 machining a Keith Black aluminum block right there on the show floor. And, he started in the business when he was just 18. In fact, the racing industry appears to hold a healthy attraction for young people, which is great if we are going to perpetuate motorsports into the new autonomous, electronic age that is fast approaching. Incidentally, one of the best hands-on events of the show was the Hot Rodder’s of Tomorrow Engine Challenge competition sponsored by companies such as Allstar Performance, Edelbrock, Canton Racing Products, Mr. Gasket, Racing Head Service and Vibrant Performance.