Race Winning Brands, Inc. (“RWB”), a portfolio company of MiddleGround Capital, announced the acquisition of PAC Racing Springs (“PAC”), a leading manufacturer of high-performance valve springs serving the automotive and powersports performance and racing aftermarket. PAC represents the ninth add-on acquisition for Race Winning Brands.

PAC is headquartered and operates out of an industry-leading facility in Southfield, Michigan, just outside the industry-famous “Motor City,” Detroit. With roots in engineering and manufacturing dating back over a century, PAC Racing Springs has combined their manufacturing expertise with involved, high-performance racing experience to focus on developing and producing best-in-class valve springs and valvetrain components.

Engineering, manufacturing, and testing in-house in the USA using precision equipment and techniques makes PAC a veteran in the performance valve spring market, aligning well with the rest of Race Winning Brand’s high-performance portfolio. PAC’s product line further enhances RWB’s ability to serve various racing markets, from circle track to drag racing.

Dan Parker once described himself by saying, “I’m not a blind man trying to race, I’m a racer who went blind.”

Now, he’s a blind racer who’s earned a place in the Guinness World Records. Last Thursday, Parker became the fastest blind racer of all time. His two-run average of 211 mph at Spaceport America on March 31, 2022, came 10 years to the day from when he lost his sight in a Pro Mod crash. It broke the mark of 200.9 mph set in 2014 by England’s Mike Newman, who was born blind.

Parker’s record-setting blast down the runway outside Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, came two years after he fell short due to performance issues and high winds. 

Randy Meyer isn't giving up on the injected nitro Funny Car.

Though it's not a legal combination for the NHRA's Top Alcohol Funny Car division yet, the injected nitro racing icon is building a program in hopes it will be. 

Julie Nataas piloted Meyer's Funny Car at the recently completed Funny car Chaos Classic event at the Texas Motorplex. She could not get the car much further than the starting line without the car going up in smoke. 

Still, Meyer is determined to make it all work. 

There's a saying which suggests, "All good things must come to an end."

And since 1988, Houston Raceway Park, located in Baytown, Tex., has been a good thing for NHRA drag racers and its fans. 

On April 24, 2022, the last NHRA national event will play out before a packed house.

At the conclusion of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 4 points meet in Nobile, Okla., Competition Eliminator driver Jeff Taylor admired his yellow 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt as it sat in the winner’s circle. He turned to his engine builder David Nickens and said, “You know that thing looks a whole lot better parked there in front of that sign than it did parked under those tires on Thursday.” 

To say that it was an eventful week for Taylor would be an understatement of epic proportions. In Competition Eliminator, it seems there’s a story of struggle behind every success, and Taylor’s most recent win is no exception. 

When the seasoned Sportsman competitor traveled to Oklahoma from his home in Sellersburg, Ind., he had yet to see, much less sit in, the car he would be driving. Nickens was bringing it from his shop in Texas with his brother, Robert, and nephew, Buddy. 

Thanks to his family’s unwavering support, accomplished Jr. Dragster driver Jonathan McClain took the next step towards accelerating his future when he completed the NHRA/IHRA Super Comp competition licensing program at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School.

The young racer was gifted his 2002 Spitzer Junior when he was just seven years old. Although he didn’t make his first run until he turned nine, Jonathan showed tremendous natural talent as a driver and went on to earn some serious accolades.

Veteran Pro Stock and Comp racer Aaron Strong confirmed to Competition Plus he will be competing in both classes on a limited basis in 2022.

“I'm not sure what races yet,” Strong said about his Pro Stock slate in the upcoming season. “We've been talking to them (Elite Motorsports) over the winter. And we're also building a Comp car.”

Strong is excited about getting behind the wheel of his Comp car.

The chase for 2022 Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) world championships begins this weekend at the East Coast Nationals presented by FuelTech, April 7-9 at GALOT Motorsports Park. With a promising weather forecast and a huge field of racers expected to roll through the gates, it’s going to be a PDRA season opener to remember. 
 
“Racers, teams, and our own PDRA team have been working hard throughout the offseason to prepare for this weekend,” said Tyler Crossnoe, race director, PDRA. “The East Coast Nationals is always a big race for us, and this year’s edition is shaping up to be an exciting weekend. We’re going to see some new faces in multiple classes, plus the usual fan favorites. GALOT Motorsports Park is one of the nicest eighth-mile tracks in the country, so we’re all looking forward to starting the season there.”

Three-time champion Phil Read will be looking to reboot his 2022 campaign when the series travels across the country for round three of the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship at the Perth Motorplex, April 8-9.

Read, chasing his first title since 2008 scored a decisive win over reigning champion Peter Xiberras in the season opener at Sydney Dragway.

That form continued at the eighth-mile meeting at Sunset Strip, Mildura, where he overshadowed his rivals and set a new Australian record of 3.19/247 mph in qualifying.