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One of our favorite hot rod historians is Tommy Lee Byrd, the Hot Rod Hoarder, because he’s a fount of information and really gets into his subject. He’s so good at the history behind different race cars, so it make sense that he’s also good at the history that ISN’T behind them. That sounds funny to say, but in the racing world there are often racers from other disciplines that cross over to try their hands in other series. Over the years, NASCAR, INDYCAR, NHRA, F1, and more have had racers switch series from one to the other, but most of them have rarely stayed long. When someone leaves their home series and goes to another for a short time there seems to be no lack of rumors and misconceptions, as everyone tries to figure out what is going on. This is not something new, as the same thing happened back in the day when Richard Petty was drag racing. There is so much misinformation surround those days, and Tommy has got the real story. Check it out in the video below. You’ll dig it. Video Description: Richard Petty’s drag racing career always generates lots of conversation on the internet, but there are MANY misconceptions that come up. I wanted to set the record straight on his 8 years of drag racing, including the two Barracudas that were raced from 1964 through 1966. I have spent countless hours researching this subject, verifying information and finding relevant photos, video clips and newspaper articles. While MANY articles, videos and posts talk about Richard Petty’s drag racing career, this is the only one that tells the full story. This documentary uses materials from many individuals and organizations. I want to thank ‪@amos6013‬ and ‪@moparconnection‬ for the use of video clips to tell this story. The post Richard Petty’s Drag Racing Legacy: The Hot Rod Hoarder Separates The FACTS from The MISCONCEPTIONS Right Here appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

It’s Stage 8, and after running hundreds of miles through the desert on Stage 7, there’s a few hundred more in store for all these racers as they get into Day 2 of the 2nd Week of Dakar. This is going to be good. After all, the desert is ready to rock each and every day, and Stage 8 is no different. There is still a lot of Dakar 2026 left to go, and rest day was welcome, but they all needed it after Stage 6 which was hell for many teams. We’ve been sharing every day’s coverage from the 2026 Dakar Rally and today is no different. Watch the video to see all the Stage 6 action, highlights, and more below! Bodies and vehicles are being put to the test and the carnage and emotions are real! This tough and technical stage was toughernastier than many expected. Dakar Rally 2026 is on! The worlds longest, toughest, and most infamous off-road race has started and we couldn’t be more excited! Famous racers and teams, well known for their prowess in the sand and on Dakar in general, have already been struggling which is just more proof of how gnarly this race really is. There are a lot of new cars and new teams mixed in with proven cars and older teams, but it’s the little things that matter at Dakar. If you don’t take care of your equipment, and keep your teams and people healthy, then you’ll never finish and if you don’t finish you can’t win. This race goes all over Saudi Arabia and will subject drivers and riders to all kinds of sand terrain and more. But the sand is what swallows teams. It’s the most fierce of the challenges. Will 2026 prove to be even tougher than last year? Would you run at Dakar if given the chance? Let us know in the comments section below. CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE COVERAGE FROM PREVIOUS STAGES! The post Dakar Rally 2026 Coverage: Stage 8 Racing Action! Why Not Add A Few Hundred More Miles Through The Dunes! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

IHRA has been putting out tons of announcement for the past several months, and if you have missed any of them you can use the link below to see some of the bigger ones. But if you want to see the full schedule for 2026, plus purses for all the events, and special event info as well, then check out all the info below. And don’t forget, if you want more IHRA info you can click the link below for that as well. CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED IHRA ANNOUNCEMENTS ON TRACKS AND MORE CLICK HERE TO VISIT IHRA.COM The post Here’s IHRA’s Full Schedule For 2026: Triple Crown, Specials, Purses, And So Much More Right Here! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

We shared Part 1 of the Cornfield Customs Fender building series where wood was being prepared and cut for the buck that these fenders will be shaped to fit, and now we’ve got Part 2 where those bucks are designed and finished. You are going to want to check out Part 1, so make sure you use the link below if you missed it! Shaping metal doesn’t always start with metal. In fact, it rarely does. In fact many metal shaping projects start with wood or paper, as templates, bucks, and forms are required for many metal shaping projects. In this new video series from Cornfield Customs, you’ll see what goes into building a set of custom fenders. These happen to be the fenders for a set of Indy Car transport trailer fenders, but the process is the same regardless and starts with building a buck. Watch the video below and let us know what you think. CLICK HERE TO SEE PART 1 IF YOU MISSED IT Video Description: Part Two of the series of hand making a set of AJ Watson Indy Car transport trailer fenders. This Episode covers Deigning and making the station buck. The post Making Fenders From Scratch With Cornfield Customs: Designing And Shaping The Buck – Fenders Part 2 appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

If you have never seen photos or video of one of these cab-under trucks that were out in the 1970s, you are missing out and will love this video. The idea behind them was simple, put the rig under the trailer so that you could use all the legal length to haul cargo, instead of wasting space with all that truck cab out front. It makes total sense, but there were some challenges. First off, it was hard for drivers to see well since they were so low to the ground. Safety concerns were high as well because hitting a low object meant the driver was going to be face to face with the objects. Driving them in the rain was apparently challenging as well because of water spray. But that’s not all. I love the way these things look, can imagine that they could be really good for mileage, and they would clearly turn heads. Can you imagine one of these for your race car hauler? You’d have so much room at the track. I wonder if you could haul doubles with it? One for living quarters and one for hauling cars. Hmmmm. Watch the video below and let us know what you think. Video Description: Did you know that engineers once tried to put the truck driver UNDER the trailer? In this video, we explore the crazy history of the “Cab-Under” concept. Meet the American Strick Cab-Under and the futuristic German Steinwinter Supercargo 20.40. These trucks were lower than a Ferrari and promised to revolutionize the shipping industry by carrying more cargo than ever before. But there was a catch: they were terrifying to drive. We dive into: Why the US government hated the Strick Cab-Under. How the Steinwinter looked like a spaceship but failed on the road. The scary safety flaws that killed this idea forever. The post A Big Rig That Is Lower Than a Ferrari? The Cab-Under Trucks That Drivers Feared, Were An Awesome Idea… Maybe appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

We’ve talked about the Predator Carburetor before, most recently with a video from DD Speed Shop where he was having issues, which you can use the link below to check out. But Predator Carburetors did have a place, and some folks in the drag racing community swore by them. They were on monster trucks back in the day as well, and of course some of the cool Pro Street machines of the 1980s. Check out this video below to find out how they work, how to test them, how to rebuild them, and more. Check it out. Video Description: Got my hands on a Predator 6000 series carburetor and figured it was finally time to show you the details and do a rebuild. Unfortunately I found so many big issues with this one that I had to order some repair parts to make this one work properly. There will be a part 2 that will show the assembly and hopefully run it on the GMC truck. Stay tuned! The post Carburetor Tech: Predator Carburetor Deep Dive Part 1 – How They Function and How To Rebuild Them. What About Parts? appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Weight is the enemy of any valvetrain. PBM now offers Titanium valves that will lighten your valvetrain and free up horsepower. View the full article

The cost of convenienceADAS, or Advanced Driver Assistance System, is a feature many car buyers look for when purchasing a vehicle. The system helps keep a vehicle in its lane, and can even steer the car automatically for a short period if needed. Some ADAS systems switch lanes for you, and can even drive your vehicle for long spells if you’d prefer not to have your hands on the wheel. It can even avoid crashes, engage emergency braking, and let you know when someone is in your blind spot. For many, ADAS is a must-have. In addition to the cost associated with ADAS systems when purchasing a vehicle, new data shows they can be costly to fix if you find yourself in even the slightest fender-bender accident. Moreover, by 2028, the expansion of ADAS systems is expected to increase by roughly 100%, making recalibrating them nearly unavoidable. Audi ADAS is a boom, not a bubbleThe HLDI (Highway Loss Data Institute) projects that vehicles equipped with ADAS features will essentially double by 2028. Thanks to the rise in ADAS systems on vehicles, repair and recalibration will also become more critical. Currently, about 23% of vehicles involved in collisions require recalibration, replacement, or repairs of the ADAS system and components. Some ADAS features, like rearview cameras, must be included with a vehicle by federal law since 2018. Today, rearview cameras are on roughly 55% of vehicles on the road; by 2028, about 75% of vehicles will have this feature. Other non-mandated ADAS features, such as rear parking sensors, adaptive high beams, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and front crash prevention, are in demand and expected to see rapid implementation. “Front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection,” for example, is currently on about 22% of vehicles. By 2028, IIHS predicts it will be on nearly 50% of cars. Adaptive cruise control with lane centering had a single-digit percentage in 2023; by 2028, it is expected to be on nearly one-fourth of vehicles. Costly repairs are here to stay, tooLogically, the more prevalent something is, the lower its cost becomes as parts become mass-produced and find their way to more vehicles. Things like sensors and camera systems are typically not unique to the vehicle you’re driving. That may be true, but the cost to repair and recalibrate is expected to continue rising. The average fee to recalibrate an ADAS system today is about $500. This includes things like re-focusing cameras and calibrating distance sensors. While the cameras and sensors might be widely available to automakers, the tools needed to repair them and the software systems necessary to recalibrate them are not. Many repair shops lack these tools and platforms and have to instead rely on third-party mobile diagnostic companies to complete work or send the vehicle to a dealership for recalibration and repairs. This adds an obfuscation layer to complete repairs, extending the time it takes to work on a vehicle and increasing the associated cost. This can also increase the time you spend without your vehicle. All these factors can ultimately lead to a rise in insurance premiums. Lucid Final thoughtsYou can’t “opt out” of having your ADAS system repaired and recalibrated. A simple windshield replacement for many cars with ADAS systems requires recalibrating sensors embedded in the rearview mirror hub, and the cost to replace a windshield has gone up by as much as 50% since 2017, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates. View the full article

Not just a green pushFor the longest time, electric vehicles have been marketed to buyers as the environmentally friendly alternative to our everyday gas-powered cars. Companies like Tesla transformed this pitch from a niche proposition into a mainstream movement, with Elon Musk’s brand being eternally linked with the EV revolution. Its early success helped push legacy automakers and new manufacturers to pivot and develop their own zero-emission vehicles. Actual policy only helped accelerate this push, as sweeping initiatives regarding EVs at the Federal level significantly influenced the auto industry as a whole. The EPA imposed stricter emissions standards designed to promote the sale of new electric vehicles. In addition, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act offered substantial tax credits of up to $7,500 for new EVs, which made electric vehicles more attractive to American car buyers. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically under today’s current leadership, as they have moved quickly to reverse course on electric vehicle policies. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images Lucid CEO: Buyers want space and power, not the eco-lectureIn an interview with InsideEVs on the floor of the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Marc Winterhoff, the interim CEO of Lucid Motors, said that while EVs are a "better platform," automakers haven't pivoted very far from pitching them as purely environmentally-friendly, gas-free cars. He argues that in an environment where today's mainstream car buyers are looking for value, EV companies can do more to show that their models offer more than the equivalent gas-powered cars. "I think what we need to do is better explain the superiority of that technology, versus what we have unfortunately done," he said, referring to the EV industry as a whole. Using the $94,900 Lucid Gravity Grand Touring as an example, Winterhoff argued that, spec-for-spec, his car is a more compelling choice against luxury competitors from mainstays like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, as well as more expensive examples from prestigious marques. "When you look at the specs, our actual competitors are the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 or the likes of the BMW X7 M60i. Throw in a Lamborghini Urus, if you want, and the Porsche Cayenne GTS and the Range Rover SV. And when you compare the specs, acceleration, interior space, and range, the Gravity has the highest range," he said. According to the EPA, the Gravity Grand Touring has an estimated range of 450 miles, while the gas options offer combined fuel economies of 17-19 MPG. Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images New survey shows that buyers are not keen on EVs, but on valueNew data about U.S. car buyers suggests that Winterhoff’s proposal may be beneficial to the industry, as consumer interest in EVs remains at single digits. According to Deloitte and its 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study, just 7% of U.S. car buyers told the accounting firm and management consulting specialists that they plan on buying an electric vehicle for their next car, while an overwhelming 61% said that they want cars powered by conventional gas-or diesel-powered internal combustion engines (ICE). At the same time, they found that value and “bang-for-your-buck” attributes are heavily influencing U.S. car buyers to switch from one car brand to another. Just 45% of buyers said that their vehicle was from the same brand as their last one, and 53% of U.S. buyers surveyed said that they plan on choosing a model from a different automotive brand for their next car. In addition, they found that the most important factors that drive U.S. consumers’ choice of car brand are quality (58%), vehicle performance like fuel economy or electric range (51%), and price (46%). Although his example is centered around one automaker and an expensive luxury SUV it sells, Winterhoff noted that automakers that offer electric vehicles need to switch up the way they talk about their EVs, as customers' needs have shifted. "We have said, 'EV is sustainable, and ICE is not,' but if you focus on the specs that you get, I think that's what we need to do as an EV industry to overcome the current 'winter' that we see," he said. Final thoughtsIn today's car market, it has become glaringly clear that simply discussing the environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) is not enough to win over consumers. After all, EVs command a premium over gas-powered cars, and with more buyers focused on performance, value, and overall driving experience, automakers really need to highlight cool features, tech, and other attributes apart from fitting an eco-friendly mantra. As companies like Lucid Motors begin to recognize this shift in consumer behavior, new avenues for EV adoption may emerge. Automakers have a chance to reshape the narrative around electric vehicles by meeting them where they are and addressing their needs for performance and value. In the end, owning an EV can be just as worthwhile as its traditional gas-powered counterparts if it can effectively communicate that. View the full article

Motorcycle Sales Data Honda Australia – 2025 We recently brought you a brief overview of motorcycle sales volumes by FCAI-affiliated brands in 2025, followed by specific data on Yamaha’s sales performance, and now add to that with these highlights that showcase Honda’s motorcycle sales in Australia. While Yamaha topped the overall market when four-wheelers are included in […] The post Honda claim #1 spot in Australian motorcycle market for 2025 – Insight appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Coming off a remarkable Pro Mod rookie season in the Mid-West Drag Racing Series (MWDRS), Jacob McNeal entered the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks with plenty of momentum, driving the screw-blown ’71 Cuda out of the Jon Stouffer Racing camp. But even after a year in which he narrowly missed out on a points championship, McNeal was blown away by the sheer size and scope of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service after arriving at Bradenton Motorsports Park. “The experience itself was so freaking awesome,” McNeal said. “The atmosphere, how it went, everything. With the amount of racers, every time you pull up there, it’s either do or die. You either do it or you don’t. For me, the feeling itself was just like a national event.” McNeal admittedly struggled early on during qualifying, as potential weather concerns pushed the event schedule up a full day. After four sessions, McNeal’s best elapsed time of the weekend was a 3.660 – a very respectable run almost anywhere else, but only good enough for the No. 57 position in Bradenton. “It was hectic for us. We got behind the eight ball a little bit,” said McNeal. “We were trying to get everything done and acclimated, kind of get ready for the qualifying stuff, and then we’re playing catch up the whole weekend. It just kind of bit us a little bit.” As many drivers confirmed during and after the event, getting behind by just a single pass can flip a team’s weekend upside down. With 80 of the top Pro Mod teams in the world on the property, every single qualifying session was of the utmost importance. “You can’t go anywhere else and have a Pro Mod field like that,” McNeal said. “At no other sanctioning body are you going to get that caliber of car every time you go down the track. You have to go for the top 10 or you’re done, because every car there could literally knock you out. It’s just unheard of, you know? There’s no other Pro Modified race in the world like it.” That kind of pressure doesn’t phase McNeal, however. In fact, he thrives on it. In 2025, his first ever season competing in Pro Modified, he went into the final MWDRS race of the year leading the points – and that was after missing the first race of the season. In fact, McNeal said if he’d simply bought a tech card for the first event, he would’ve had enough points to secure the championship. Ultimately, he finished second to two-time series champion Aaron Wells, but said he loves being in that position. “Everybody always kind of asks me, ‘Man, do you get nervous? Do you feel the pressure?’” said McNeal. “All the predicaments I’ve been in with racing – from Top Fuel to Funny Car to Pro Mod – I get excited. Personally, I want to be put in that position as a driver. If I have the equipment, I know I can go out there and get the job done.” A lot of that confidence comes from McNeal’s bracket-racing roots, which he put on display at the Snowbirds. McNeal entered his dragster in the Super Pro class in addition to racing Pro Mod, getting down to eight cars before going red and ultimately ending his weekend. “I was doing good…we got down to eight cars and I kind of shot myself in the foot,” McNeal said. “But bracket racing is my bread and butter. That’s what I’ve done my entire life, and I’ve been able to carry over that style of driving – from staging, letting go of the button, and being able to drive – to my Pro Mod. It’s a different driving style, yeah, but I just try to make sure that every time I go up to stage, it’s identical.” Now, with the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission on the horizon, McNeal is excited to get back to Bradenton for the second race of the DI Winter Series, and he’s coming prepared. Knowing the kind of competition they’ll be facing, McNeal and the Stouffer Racing team have spent the last month upgrading practically everything on the car. “It’s like night and day,” said McNeal, the excitement evident in his voice. “The only thing that’s the same going into this race is the chassis. We have a brand-new block, new heads, new blower…everything is brand new coming into this race. “There’s just an excitement level to knowing we can get after it with new parts,” McNeal added. “That makes me more excited as a driver because if your car does good, the driver does better. Knowing I have all this new stuff to help push this thing to the next level, it’s a big confidence booster. I’m ready to come back. I just love it to death.” This story was originally published on January 12, 2026. The post Jacob McNeal Enjoys First Winter Series Experience, Hungry For More first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

SCAG Racing is pleased to announce that Scott Okuhara has been named Co-Crew Chief on the recently added Bluebird Turf/ Will Smith Top Fuel Dragster Team, joining Glen Huszar. This role marks a new title for Okuhara, who has previously served as Car Chief for many notable teams across the NHRA pits. His experience brings a fresh and welcomed perspective to SCAG Racing’s expanding operation. “Randy and SCAG Racing have put together an amazing race team,” said Okuhara. “Working alongside the SCAG Top Fuel team is a great opportunity and hopefully by combining our resources we can become a stronger competitive race team to represent the Bluebird Turf brand.” Will Smith reinforced that enthusiasm, highlighting the value that Okuhara brings to the team. “I couldn’t be more proud to have Scott Okuhara join the SCAG Racing team on our Bluebird Turf Top Fuel car,” said Smith. “The SCAG Power Equipment, Bluebird Turf, and Metalcraft brands are built by our dealers and employees. They make the difference. Adding Scott to our team strengthens that foundation with proven experience, insight, and leadership. I can’t wait to hit the track with Glen, Scott, and our entire Bluebird Turf team.” Okuhara, Huszar, and Smith will work closely with Tommy DeLago, Jason McCulloch, and Justin Ashley from the SCAG Power Equipment fielded dragster, maximizing resources and knowledge to strengthen the organization as a whole. This story was originally published on January 12, 2026. The post Scott Okuhara Named Co-Crew Chief on Bluebird Turf Top Fuel Team first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The return of The Chase for the Championship has immediately been pitched to NASCAR fans as a return to civility. This of course doesn’t mean a loss of intensity or consequence but those who were part of the announcement on Monday at NASCAR Productions believe that points racing will result in a product that is a little more professional. And in the process, everyone involved ultimately ...Keep readingView the full article

2026 AMA Supercross Championship Round One – Angel Stadium The opening round of the AMA Supercross Championship was staged last weekend at Anaheim, launching the 2026 season amid significant off-season change. Many of the big hitters had switched brands in the off-season, including Eli Tomac to KTM, Chase Sexton to Kawasaki, Jason Anderson to Suzuki, […] The post Blow by blow recap from AMA SX season opener at Anaheim appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

CompetitionPlus.com has been a leader in online motorsports journalism for over 25 years. Through web stories, commentaries, longform videos and podcasts the media organization founded by Bobby Bennett has been the go-to resource for drag racing fans around the world. For 2026 the wildly popular Power Hour show hosted by Lee Craft and Dujunnea Bland will move to a 5:30 p.m. ET time slot starting this Tuesday, January 13, offering live commentary and guest interviews weekly throughout the season. “Power Hour is a staple for drag racing interviews and news and we wanted to move to an even better time slot,” said Bobby Bennett, CompetitionPlus.com Founder. “Lee and Dujunnea bring great perspectives and opinions for all forms of drag racing.” Craft, who operates the Monday Morning Racer media outlet, has been directly in the sport of drag racing as media since 2019. Over that time he has been involved with social media for Top Fuel teams, pit reporting for racing series, race announcing, camera operating, streaming, and marketing efforts with a variety of brands and series. Bland has 13 years of experience in sports media and he has established himself as a versatile reporter, analyst, and podcast host, covering everything from the NFL to NHRA drag racing. He currently serves as the Senior NFL/Jaguars Insider and Director of Content for SportsJourney.com, while also hosting The NotBland Show, a live YouTube program delivering expert insight and exclusive interviews. Power Hour will continue to produce new shows throughout the drag racing season. Shows will be broadcast live on the CompetitionPlus.com social media channels. For additional information visit www.competitionplus.com. This story was originally published on January 12, 2026. The post Competition Plus Announces New Time, Updated Format for ‘Power Hour’ first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

A big year for the industry2025 was home to some intriguing, world-changing stories. From new tariffs to huge new car announcements, the headlines that dominated weren't always the most popular. We've consolidated a year's worth of our most popular posts into one place. Each is loosely summarized below, but follow the link to go deeper and gain a greater understanding of what made each of these so popular among your fellow readers. Blue traffic lights aren't green for a reason ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Getty Images It turns out those little boxes above the traffic lights in some states and cities are for the boys and girls in blue. They're called "confirmation lights," and are used by law enforcement nd first responders. But be careful, their job is to help law enforcement spot red-light runners more easily and more safely. You’ll find them in parts of Florida, including Gainesville, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Collier County, as well as in states like Colorado, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Kansas. Read On: Noticed Blue Lights Above Traffic Signals? There’s a Reason China bans retractable door handles Premium automakers, especially those deep in the EV space, have developed a notable affection for retractable door handles, famously found on all Tesla models. They look clean, reduce drag, and fit the futuristic image many electric cars aim for. But while the design wins style points, safety concerns have piled up. Over in China, the government finally decided it was going to step in, banning the electric-only mechanisms that regulators say can trap occupants. Read On: China Is Banning Tesla-Style Retractable Door Handles Over Safety Concerns Honda's strange V3 engine Honda Honda's new three-cylinder engine has a clever new kind of forced induction, allowing for more power via a new electronically controlled compressor. Rather than relying on mechanical parameters to spin a turbine (as a supercharger or turbocharger does), the compressor now uses the bike's ECU to make the call. Built for use on one of the brand's latest motorcycles, the three-cylinder engine is so efficient that the 900cc unit will reportedly produce as much power as a conventional naturally aspirated 1.2-liter engine. Read On: Honda’s New V3 Engine Ditches Turbos and Superchargers for Something Smarter The Honda Prelude continues to generate buzz At the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, we saw a wide variety of automotive spectacles, from brand-new EVs to hypercar classics. But one of our favorite cars to make an appearance was a name we haven’t heard in decades: the Honda Prelude. Honda brought its new coupe to the FoS and drew quite a crowd in doing so. It was our first look at the Prelude, and the impressions made then still resonate with us now. The Prelude's specs were under wraps then, as was the hybrid sports coupe's pricing. Read On: Seeing the New Honda Prelude Up Close Reveals Its Retro Magic View the full article

Cassons Australia National Marketing Manager Marketing Manager – Motorcycle & Bicycle Eastern Creek, Sydney NSW (Hybrid) Management (Marketing & Communications) Full time: $120,000 – $160,000 per year Cassons are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Marketing Manager to lead and execute marketing initiatives across the Motorcycle and Bicycle industries. This is a senior, hands‑on role for […] The post Position Vacant – National Marketing Manager – Cassons appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

NASCAR's championship format has just undergone its latest change, but it's far from the first time the Sanctioning Body has tweaked the way it crowns a champion. At some point, stock car racing was awarding points based on prize money, race lengths, or even laps completed. In the modern age, the Chase or the playoffs have existed in some form since 2004, breaking the season up into parts and ...Keep readingView the full article

Starting in 2026, NASCAR will revert to a variation of the Chase for the Championship format it used to crown its champions from 2004-to-2013. In other words, no more win and you’re in and no more multiple elimination rounds. Most importantly, the sample size to determine the champion is no longer a single race but a 10-race points race. However, unlike NASCAR’s first version of a ...Keep readingView the full article

Orlando Speed World Dragway has ignited a new debate in the racing world by announcing a total ban on fully electric vehicles from its dragstrip – not just in competition, but also during test and tune days – effective immediately. The move, revealed in a January 8 press release from the Central Florida facility, cites safety concerns tied to battery technology and emergency response capabilities, and draws a stark line in the sand on how traditional motorsports venues are approaching the rise of electrified performance. What the Track Is Saying In its announcement, OSW outlined several risks that it says justify prohibiting fully electric cars: Battery hazards: In a collision, high-voltage battery packs may release toxic and potentially flammable gases that traditional fire crews aren’t equipped to manage safely. Responder uncertainty: First responders may struggle to be certain a vehicle’s electrical systems are fully “off,” increasing risk during rescue operations. Entrapment issues: EVs sometimes have doors that won’t unlock after a crash without power – a real concern if a driver is unconscious. Live chassis concerns: There’s a possibility, OSW said, that the chassis could remain “live” with electricity even after impact, posing electrocution risk during extraction. Towing challenges: Because electric cars don’t roll easily with the power cut, existing track equipment allegedly can’t tow disabled EVs. Specialized systems required: Handling EV battery fires often requires specific fire suppression systems – like water immersion baths – that the facility doesn’t currently have. Importantly, the ban only applies to fully electric vehicles – hybrids are still welcome on the property. A Local Move with Global Echoes Orlando’s approach isn’t an isolated quirk. Drag strips in other countries have made similar decisions. Willowbank Raceway in Queensland, Australia, banned fully electric vehicles citing nearly identical safety rationales – toxic gases, emergency response unfamiliarity, and perceived hardware limitations – even while allowing hybrids to race. That track’s statement referenced regulations from agencies such as Motorsport Australia and the National Electric Drag Racing Association as part of its risk review. What these moves reveal is that many traditional motorsport venues haven’t yet found a way to comfortably incorporate electric propulsion into their safety and operations frameworks. High-voltage batteries bring new failure modes that simply aren’t on the radar for facilities built around internal combustion engines – at least not yet. Safety Versus Innovation – Are They Mutually Exclusive? At one level, Orlando’s move is purely defensive: track management is saying they lack the resources and infrastructure to handle EV incidents in a way they feel comfortable with. From a risk management perspective, that’s understandable – especially for smaller facilities without dedicated fire trucks, specialized water suppression systems, or extensive training for high-voltage emergencies. But critics argue the ban is overly broad – even reactionary. Much of the concern centers on worst-case scenarios that have few documented precedents in real world EV racing. Yes, battery fires can be intense and lithium chemistry behaviors are different from gasoline, but first responders can and do train for them, and many modern race venues already handle them on the street and road racing side. There’s also the question of fairness. As one enthusiast forum pointed out, hybrid cars – which contain sizable battery packs of their own – are still allowed, despite sharing some of the same risks Orlando listed for EVs. To some, that inconsistency suggests the issue may be less about ability to manage safety and more about readiness to adapt tradition to new technology. What This Means for Drag Racing’s Future Here’s the rub: electric vehicles aren’t a fringe curiosity anymore. They’re already punching into performance territory that rivals – and sometimes eclipses – internal combustion – especially in showroom stock configuration. Legendary racer Don Garlits himself pushed an electric dragster north of 180 mph in the quarter mile with his Swamp Rat dragsters, showing what electric propulsion can do on the strip when it’s allowed. And in grassroots circles – such as the National Electric Drag Racing Association, which has been advocating EV drag racing since the late ’90s – electric competition is treated not as a threat but as a burgeoning category that deserves structure and rules, not exclusion. From a broader industry perspective, other forms of motorsport have already forged paths for electrified competition. Formula E, for example, is a global spec series that deals with safety, logistics, and competition entirely around electric power, proving there are established ways to race EVs safely at high levels. The divide now being drawn at places like Orlando Speed World is less about can EVs race safely and more about who bears the cost and responsibility of adapting the venue to meet that future. At a time when electrification is accelerating in road cars – and performance tuning is part of that shift – the drag racing world is being forced to ask: will it adapt, or will it simply say “no thanks”. Looking Forward Orlando Speed World’s decision has not only put its own policy under the microscope, it’s opened a larger conversation: how should drag racing – one of motorsport’s most visceral and electric forms – reconcile the rise of silent, torque-rich technology with the traditions that built it? For now, the ban is in force. The reactions are loud. And the debate is only just getting started. This story was originally published on January 12, 2026. The post Orlando Speed World Dragway Bans Fully Electric Vehicles from Competition and Testing first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Amongst fire risks, accessible chargers and hefty price tags, here’s another drawback to owning an electric vehicle: when winter hits, and you need to defrost your windshield, you’re also draining precious battery power. But traditional gas-powered cars aren’t exactly perfect either, relying on outdated HVAC systems and long engine warm-up times before you can even see the road ahead. A Canadian startup called Betterfrost Technologies is showing that there’s a smarter way forward. By using targeted electrical pulses to melt ice in just over a minute, the company may have found one of the simplest ways to clear your windshield faster – while also protecting EV range when it matters most. Things like these are why just 7% of US buyers want an EV as their next car. Smarter Way to Melt Ice Kristen Brown Ontario-based Betterfrost uses concentrated high-voltage electrical pulses that travel through a conductive layer embedded in the windshield. Instead of heating the entire glass or blasting warm air from the dashboard, the system focuses on breaking the bond between ice and glass by melting an ultra-thin layer — thinner than 0.01 mm — beneath it. Once that bond disappears, the rest of the ice slides off effortlessly. Betterfrost has been around since 2015, won the 2024 Best Technology of the Year award presented by the New Enterprise Forum (NEF), and secured a collaboration with Tier 1 supplier Denso. Why EVs Will Gain The MostCold weather is one of the biggest enemies of electric range – air conditioning, heated seats, and defrosting your windshield all eat away at your range. HVAC-based windshield clearing alone can consume the equivalent of up to 40 km of driving range. Betterfrost claims its system uses up to 20 times less energy than conventional HVAC defrosting. In a real-world demo using a Lexus RX, the difference was night and day: the standard system took more than 16 minutes to clear the windshield, while Betterfrost’s solution did the job in just over a minute. The company says this approach is up to 40% more efficient than heated glass, potentially adding as much as 38 km (23.6 miles) of extra range per day in winter and saving automakers around $600 per vehicle in battery costs. EVs still cost $11,000 more than the comparable ICE cars, so every penny saved matters. And recent surveys suggest that 61% of consumers would still choose a gas-powered vehicle for their next purchase, and most of them don't even account for defrosting-induced range anxiety. Is This The Future? Mercedes-Benz While Betterfrost’s messaging has focused heavily on electric vehicles, the appeal is far broader. Gasoline cars could benefit just as much, especially in colder regions where drivers still wait for engines to warm up before the windshield clears. Even automakers themselves like Mercedes-Benz have tried cutting down on how long you have to wait for your car to heat up, yet no one can do it as efficiently as Betterfrost. Better yet, this technology also extends beyond passenger cars. Betterfrost has tested its system in aviation, claiming it can remove up to 3 inches of ice from airplane wings in just two minutes at sub-zero temperatures. Whether it’s helping EVs preserve range, making gas cars more convenient in winter, or improving safety across multiple transport sectors, this tiny layer of melted ice could end up making a surprisingly big impact on the broader transportation industry. View the full article

There are wins – and then there are moments that change how a racer is defined. For Jason Harris, the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals didn’t just add another trophy to an already decorated career. It placed him at the center of the most unforgiving competitive environment in modern drag racing – and demanded that he prove it, five times in a row. “This was the pinnacle of my career,” Harris said. “I’ve won championships. I’ve won a lot of races. I’ve never gotten the type of press that I’ve gotten just from this one race.” That contrast tells you everything you need to know about the Drag Illustrated Winter Series. This isn’t a race you survive on reputation. It’s a race that exposes you. A Mindset Built for Pressure Harris didn’t arrive at Snowbirds believing this was his moment. In fact, quite the opposite. “I think in my mind, I wasn’t going to win it,” he said. “So I was just driving like a madman – no care in the world. Do the best you can, and it is what it is.” That freedom turned into focus. And focus turned into execution. “I kind of wrote myself off,” Harris admitted. “We tested so bad. I knew I had a car that would run, but I felt like I got lucky.” Luck doesn’t survive a Winter Series elimination day. No Safe Rounds, No Easy Paths The Winter Series removes comfort from the equation. With chip draws replacing ladders and more than 80 cars fighting for 32 spots, there is no such thing as a favorable path. “The hardest round to win is the one you’re supposed to win,” Harris said. “That’s the one that can get you.” Harris’ road to the final was relentless – and he knew it the moment the chips were drawn. That road wasn’t hypothetical. It was real names, real cars, and real consequences – Mark Micke, Jimmy Taylor, Randy Weatherford, Kevin Rivenbark, and Sidnei Frigo – all standing between Harris and the winner’s circle. There were no safe rounds, no early breaks, and no margin for error. “I knew I was going to pull the worst one in the room,” Harris said. “That’s just how it goes.” Instead of reacting, Harris prepared. “When I rode back from the chip draw to the trailer, I’d already planned out the round,” he said. “This is what the track’s going to do. This is what I need to do.” Round by round, the plan held. “It was clicking,” Harris said. “Just clicking.” Five Rounds of Truth Winning one round is difficult. Winning five – against the deepest Pro Mod field ever assembled – is something else entirely. “I tell people all the time, it’s hard to win five games of tic‑tac‑toe in a row unless you’re playing with your kid,” Harris said. “Let alone racing 3.5‑second door slammers at 210‑plus.” The pressure never relented. Neither did the competition. “When everything aligned like it did,” Harris said, “I don’t think anybody could have stopped me that day.” That alignment – car, driver, and mindset – is exactly what the Winter Series was designed to reveal. Why This Series Feels Different Part of why Harris’ win resonated so deeply is because it felt earned – not manufactured. “Twenty minutes before this, I was behind the counter at an auto repair shop,” Harris said. “That’s the story.” He’s balancing family, work, and racing the same way thousands of competitors do – and standing toe‑to‑toe with the best in the world. “My kids do without me being a dad sometimes so I can go racing,” he said. “But they understand that.” That relatability is a feature of the Winter Series, not a coincidence. Proving It – Again Harris now heads deeper into the Winter Series with something no one anticipated this early: possibility. He remains eligible for both the Elite Motorsports Million and the Jerry Bickle Race Cars Clean Sweep Challenge – stakes that have turned the remainder of the series into required viewing. “I didn’t think either one of them was feasible,” Harris said. “I didn’t think you could qualify number one and win the race – and then I did it.” That’s the danger of this series. It doesn’t just reward excellence. It forces it. This story was originally published on January 12, 2026. The post “I Didn’t Think I Was Going to Win It”: Jason Harris and the Hardest Place to Prove Yourself first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Modern motorcycles have become rolling supercomputers, draped in plastic and governed by algorithms; the classic Triumph parallel twin remains a canvas for the minimalist. It is motor that looks like a drawing of an engine, housed in a silhouette that has defined "cool" since Brando first scowled at... View the full article

A Factory-Built FlexOne of Mercedes-Benz’s rarest creations – instantly recognizable by its 6×6 layout – has surfaced on Bring a Trailer. Approximately 100 examples of the G63 AMG 6×6 were built by Magna Steyr in Austria between 2013 and 2015, but this particular truck stands out further thanks to extensive upgrades from Brabus, which added another layer of luxury and performance to an already extreme machine. Beyond its rarity, the truck’s 6×6 layout delivers improvements in off-road capability. The model traces its roots to the six-wheel-drive military G-Wagon originally developed for the Australian Army. It also happens to be the same type of vehicle briefly featured in 2015’s Jurassic World. The six-wheel-drive configuration improves both weight distribution and traction; even if two or three wheels lose grip, the remaining driven wheels can continue to propel the truck forward. That additional capability, however, comes with increased mechanical complexity and higher maintenance costs. Bring a Trailer The G700 TreatmentSetting those drawbacks aside, the buyer is getting a clean 2014 example showing just 14,000 miles on the odometer. Power comes from a 5.5-liter V8 fitted with twin turbochargers from Brabus under its G700 package. Output is rated at a claimed 700 horsepower – an increase of 164 horsepower over the stock configuration. Being a 6×6, all six wheels receive power, distributed in a 30:40:30 torque split through a 7-speed AMG automatic transmission. There are limitations, however. This vehicle is registered under the “show or display” exemption, capping on-road use in the United States to 2,500 miles per year. The truck was originally delivered to Dubai, later exported to Saudi Arabia, and has since made its way stateside. Bring a Trailer Engineered to Go Just About AnywhereThanks to the use of portal axles, the truck boasts an impressive 18 inches of ground clearance. It rides on 18-inch Hutchinson beadlock wheels and features a central tire inflation system that allows the driver to adjust air pressure to suit varying terrain and road conditions. Inside, the cabin is trimmed in Brabus red quilted leather and includes a Harman Kardon sound system, rear-seat entertainment, and a wood-lined cargo bed. At the time of writing, the listing is set to expire on Friday, with bidding currently sitting at $600,000. For those seeking modern 6×6 alternatives, options include the VelociRaptor 6×6 from Hennessey Performance – based on the Ford F-150 Raptor R - as well as the Apocalypse Warlord 6×6, which starts life as a Ram 1500 TRX. Bring a Trailer View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article View the full article

Mazda does not have a single all-electric vehicle in its U.S. lineup, and the first EV on its new in-house-developed platform won't arrive until a year later than previously anticipated. That's according to new reporting from Auto Express, after the British publication saw an official presentation that showed the EV's launch would be pushed from 2027 to 2028. The Mazda EV-scalable architecture was first announced in 2021, with plans for several new models to arrive upon it between 2025 and 2030, but the automaker later changed the date for its first car on the platform to 2027, and now it's been delayed by another year, with instability cited as one of the reasons. EV Technology Moves Quickly Mazda According to the Deputy General Manager of R&D for Mazda Europe, Christian Schultze, "EV technology is not something stable. So while you're developing, things are changing [and advancing]." He also told the publication that the "availability of resources and expertise" was another significant challenge, which makes sense given how small Mazda is relative to a powerhouse conglomerate like the Volkswagen Group, for example. But this delay may not be a bad thing. Mazda is selling more cars in the U.S. than ever, despite not offering a single EV after the disappearance of the short-lived MX-30. Moreover, Schultze highlighted that some manufacturers that have been faster to offer EVs have already seen some disadvantages, saying that some of these other manufacturers' EV platforms "have already disappeared, or have been recognized as too expensive or too heavy and so forth." Mazda is giving itself more time "to prepare the best possible solution." Mazda's First In-House EV Remains a Mystery Mazda Mazda still hasn't revealed what the first product on its own EV platform will look like, but it's safe to assume that it will be a crossover or SUV of some sort. It's also safe to say that the new EV won't be a Tesla Model Y competitor because Mazda has just launched the CX-6e, which slots into that midsize segment. Whatever the new EV is and whenever it finally arrives, it won't be long before it's joined by other siblings. Just as the BMW iX3 will share its Neue Klasse platform with several other vehicles, Mazda's new EV platform is intended to spawn a full range of all-electric vehicles, and each one will be "a true Mazda," according to Schultze. That means it should be both attractive and fun to drive. We'll find out more as the year progresses, unless, of course, the platform is further delayed. View the full article