During Race Industry Week by EPARTRADE, Jonathan Applegate, Senior Manager of Mazda Motorsports, breaks down the continued growth, competitiveness, and future direction of the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Whelan—one of the most respected driver development championships in global motorsport.Fresh off the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout, Applegate explains how Mazda evaluates and invests in young talent, why the series has become a destination championship, and how the MX-5 Cup ladder connects grassroots racing to professional careers in IMSA, sports cars, and beyond.A major focus of the discussion is Mazda’s decision to move the 2025 Shootout to Circuit Florida, a brand-new track unavailable on simulators—ensuring a truly level playing field where adaptability, feedback, and learning speed mattered more than prior knowledge.🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Interview:• Inside the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout• Why Mazda chose a no-simulator venue for talent evaluation• MX-5 Cup and Spec MX-5 scholarship selection process• How drivers are evaluated beyond lap times• Media, professionalism, and business skills in driver development• Meet the scholarship winners: Max Stallone, Ethan Lampe & Charlotte Traynor• Mazda’s Women’s Initiative and diversity in motorsports• The growing youth movement in MX-5 Cup• Why MX-5 Cup thrives inside the IMSA paddock• The NASCAR connection and Martinsville showcase• Earl Bamber’s MX-5 Cup appearance and what it says about the series• Jeremy Fletcher’s championship journey and return for 2026• What to expect from the 2026 season, including Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayApplegate also explains how Mazda Motorsports has refined its development ladder, from grassroots club racing and Spec MX-5 all the way to MX-5 Cup and professional sports car opportunities—while keeping the program accessible, competitive, and relevant for a new generation of drivers.Whether you’re an aspiring racer, team owner, sponsor, engineer, or motorsports fan, this interview offers a rare inside look at how OEM-backed driver development really works—and why MX-5 Cup remains one of the most competitive proving grounds in racing.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#MazdaMotorsports #MX5Cup #MX5Racing#IMSA #SpecMX5 #DriverDevelopment#GrassrootsRacing #RoadRacing#Motorsports #RaceIndustryWeek#EPARTRADE #FutureOfRacing#WomenInMotorsport #RacingScholarship#MazdaMX5

During EPARTRADE’s 5th Annual Race Industry Week, Chris Stewart, Founder of Gridlife, shares how the series has grown into one of the most influential grassroots motorsports platforms in North America—blending wheel-to-wheel racing, track days, time attack, car culture, and live music into a single, immersive experience.After a 30% increase in entries during the 2024 season, Gridlife continues to expand regionally while staying true to its grassroots roots. In this candid conversation, Stewart explains how the series balances rapid growth with accessibility, affordability, and authenticity—key factors behind its strong appeal to the 18–34 demographic, which now makes up nearly 75% of attendees.🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Interview:• How Gridlife achieved record growth and expansion• The role of grassroots racing in modern motorsports• Why experience matters more than just track time• Blending motorsports and live music to grow car culture• Reaching and engaging a younger, diverse audience• The Rush Spec Series and new racing opportunities• Expansion into California and new regional markets• Staying authentic while scaling a motorsports business• Festival-style events vs. club racing weekends• What to expect from the 2025 Gridlife scheduleStewart also discusses the importance of community-driven growth, the strategic addition of leadership to support expansion, and how Gridlife is redefining what a motorsports event can be—creating a space where hardcore racers and first-time fans feel equally welcome.Whether you’re a grassroots racer, track-day driver, car-culture enthusiast, promoter, or brand looking to understand where the next generation of motorsports fans is coming from, this episode offers valuable insight into the future of racing culture.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#Gridlife #GrassrootsMotorsports #CarCulture#MotorsportMeetsMusic #TimeAttack#TrackDays #GrassrootsRacing#MotorsportsCommunity #RaceIndustryWeek#EPARTRADE #FutureOfRacing#Motorsports #RacingLifestyle

During EPARTRADE’s 6th Annual Race Industry Week, Kevin Miller, President & CEO of USAC (United States Auto Club), delivers a deep dive into how one of America’s most historic sanctioning bodies has evolved into a modern, multi-discipline motorsports organization touching nearly every corner of racing.Once known primarily for sprint cars, midgets, and Silver Crown, USAC now oversees competition across off-road racing, rally, road racing, endurance racing, snowmobiles, and youth development, supporting more than 20,000 participants annually.In this wide-ranging interview, Miller explains how USAC modernized its business model, embraced technology, and expanded into new disciplines—while staying true to its core mission of fair competition, safety, and sustainable growth.🔑 Key Topics in This Interview:• How USAC expanded beyond traditional short-track racing• Sprint cars, midgets & Silver Crown in today’s USAC ecosystem• Growth of off-road racing, rally & snowmobile championships• The success of Porsche Sprint Challenge & Porsche Endurance Challenge• Why USAC entered road racing—and why it worked• The Alchemel North America partnership and remote race control• Timing, scoring & data as the backbone of modern motorsport• Streaming strategy with FLOSPORTS and Porsche YouTube• Why streaming grows crowds instead of hurting attendance• Building affordable, pro-level broadcasts• Youth racing and the NASCAR Youth Series pipeline• How USAC develops drivers, officials and future professionalsMiller also outlines how USAC’s technology investments—including centralized timing, remote race control, and advanced tracking—are designed to lower costs while raising professional standards, making elite motorsport infrastructure accessible to more series and competitors.From grassroots quarter midgets to international endurance racing, this conversation reveals how USAC is positioning itself as one of the most versatile and future-ready sanctioning bodies in motorsport.This episode is must-watch for racers, teams, promoters, track owners, manufacturers, engineers, and fans interested in where motorsports is headed next.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#USAC #SprintCarRacing #MidgetRacing#Motorsports #RaceIndustryWeek#RoadRacing #OffRoadRacing #RallyRacing#PorscheSprintChallenge #EnduranceRacing#MotorsportsTechnology #RaceStreaming#GrassrootsRacing #YouthRacing#MotorsportsBusiness #EPARTRADE

During Race Industry Week by EPARTRADE, Michael Cobb, President & CEO of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), delivers a comprehensive update on the health, growth, and future of grassroots motorsports in the United States.With more than 1,800 events across 115 regions and over 100,000 annual participations, SCCA is closing out 2025 at record levels—reinforcing its position as the primary entry point into motorsport for drivers, volunteers, and officials nationwide.In this in-depth conversation, Cobb explains how SCCA continues to grow participation across a wide range of disciplines including autocross, club racing, rally, hill climb, time trials, time attack, track days, and endurance racing, all supported by a membership base of more than 70,000 racers and enthusiasts.🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Interview:• Record participation across SCCA programs in 2025• Why grassroots racing remains the foundation of U.S. motorsports• The success of Track Night in America as a gateway for new drivers• How drivers progress from track days to competition licenses• The massive scale and culture of SCCA Solo Nationals• Adjustments to formula classes and member-driven governance• Growth of spec racing platforms like Spec MX-5 and Spec Mustang• The rise of Time Attack Nationals as a new championship pathway• SCCA’s role in training officials for IMSA, IndyCar and Formula 1• Why virtual conventions are expanding engagement nationwide• SCCA’s long-term mission to increase access, affordability and experienceCobb also highlights how SCCA functions as a complete motorsports ecosystem—serving not only drivers, but also corner workers, stewards, race control officials, and volunteers who ultimately support the highest levels of professional racing.As motorsports continues to evolve, SCCA remains focused on lowering barriers to entry, preserving safe competition, and creating meaningful experiences for everyone—from first-time autocrossers to national champions.This interview is essential viewing for grassroots racers, track-day drivers, motorsports volunteers, series operators, sponsors, and anyone interested in how the next generation of racing talent is developed in the U.S.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#SCCA #GrassrootsMotorsports #AmateurRacing#TrackDay #Autocross #ClubRacing#MotorsportsDevelopment #RacingCommunity#TimeAttack #SoloNationals#SpecRacing #MX5 #SpecMustang#RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE#Motorsports #RacingLife #FutureOfRacing

During Race Industry Week by EPARTRADE, Rodi Basso, Founder & CEO of the E1 Series, shares the inside story behind the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing championship and explains how E1 is shaping the future of sustainable water mobility.Born during the COVID pandemic and developed in collaboration with Alejandro Agag (Formula E, Extreme E), E1 was conceived not just as a racing series, but as a global technology laboratory for electric propulsion on water. Backed by Basso’s extensive experience at Formula One, McLaren, and Magneti Marelli, the championship secured a landmark 25-year exclusivity agreement with the UIM, officially launching the World Electric Powerboat Championship in Monaco.At the heart of E1 is the revolutionary RaceBird — a purpose-built electric raceboat that uses hydrofoils to lift the hull above the water, dramatically reducing drag. Despite water being nearly 800 times denser than air, the RaceBird achieves exceptional efficiency, with the battery accounting for less than 20% of total weight and top speeds approaching 52 knots.🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Interview:• How and why the E1 Series was created• Lessons learned from Formula E and Extreme E• The engineering philosophy behind the RaceBird electric hydrofoil boat• Why efficiency and acceleration matter more than top speed• Future generations of RaceBird: propulsion, batteries & foil design• The unique celebrity & investor team ownership model• Mixed-gender driver lineups and a truly global driver grid• Adapting motorsport drivers to electric boats via the E1 Driver Academy• Season-ending drama in Miami and early commercial success• Expansion plans for the U.S., Asia, Africa & the global blue economyWith races staged in iconic coastal cities like Venice, Miami, Dubrovnik, Jeddah, Doha, and Lagos, E1 blends elite sport, sustainability, entertainment, and urban relevance — positioning itself as a catalyst for innovation far beyond racing.As electric propulsion accelerates across the marine industry, E1 stands at the forefront of clean technology, competitive sport, and future water mobility.This episode is essential viewing for motorsport fans, EV engineers, marine industry leaders, sustainability innovators, investors, and anyone interested in the future of mobility on water.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#RodiBasso #E1Series #ElectricPowerboat #ElectricRacing#WaterMobility #FutureOfMobility #SustainableRacing#ElectricBoats #MarineTechnology #Hydrofoil#EVInnovation #CleanTech #BlueEconomy#Motorsports #ElectricMotorsport#RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE#Sustainability #GreenTechnology #MarineRacing

Race Industry Week Day One closed with a powerhouse guest: Danny Sullivan — 1985 Indianapolis 500 winner, 1988 CART Champion, former Formula 1 driver steward, broadcaster, and one of motorsport’s greatest storytellers.In this candid, wide-ranging conversation hosted by Brad Gillie, Sullivan shares a lifetime of experience from behind the wheel, inside F1 race control, across IndyCar and CART legends, and through decades of mentoring young talent.🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Interview:• What really happens inside Formula 1’s stewarding room• Danny Sullivan’s view on Abu Dhabi 2021 and what belonged to race control• How F1 decisions are made using data, telemetry, cameras & driver interviews• Indy 500 reflections — the 1985 Spin & Win and the heartbreak of the 1988 race• The Red Bull Driver Search, Patrick Long’s breakout, and Scott Speed’s meteoric rise• Why today’s drivers must be F1-ready by 18–21 — and how Sullivan’s late start would be impossible now• Simulators vs. real seat time — why Kyle Larson is the model for modern race craft• Driving Niki Lauda’s Ferrari F1 car, modern GT machinery, and the evolution of safety• How strategy decisions in motorsport mirror stewarding: 10–15 seconds to decide under pressure• Sullivan’s work today: broadcasting, mentoring, connecting generations & supporting the sport he lovesWith unmatched honesty and humor, Sullivan explains how motorsport has evolved on track, behind the scenes, and in the hearts of fans — from Formula 1 to IndyCar to sports cars and beyond.This is essential viewing for racing fans, F1 followers, IndyCar loyalists, young drivers, strategists, engineers, and motorsport historians.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#DannySullivan #Indy500 #Formula1 #F1Steward #RaceControl#Motorsports #IndyCar #CART #FIA #AbuDhabi2021#RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE #MotorsportLegends#SimRacing #RacingStrategy #DrivingTalent#RedBullDriverSearch #PatrickLong #ScottSpeed#RacingStories #MotorsportHistory #RaceWeek

Two-time Le Mans winner and former Porsche factory driver Patrick Long joins Race Industry Week to uncover the story behind Luftgekühlt — the globally celebrated, art-driven gathering of air-cooled Porsches that has redefined what a car event can be.Fresh off the success of Luftgekühlt 11 in Durham, North Carolina, Long explains how Luft became a worldwide cultural movement by blending design, photography, architecture, storytelling, and motorsport DNA. From lumber yards and film studios to historic factories and now Tokyo in 2026, every edition is a curated, once-in-a-lifetime experience.Long also reflects on why car culture is more alive than ever — driven by creators, streaming platforms, social media access, and a new generation of fans who experience cars through content as much as through ownership.🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Interview:• The evolution of Luftgekühlt — from a small idea to a global Porsche phenomenon• Why Luft 11 in Durham was one of Long’s favorite editions• How venues become “character actors” in Luft’s visual storytelling• Reinventing the car show for the next generation• Why only 10% of attendees bring cars — and why that’s by design• The rise of car culture in pop culture: creators, F1, YouTube, and film• Porsche’s unique cultural ecosystem — heritage + motorsport + authenticity• Patrick Long’s life after factory racing: coaching, creative content, global events• Upcoming projects: Air | Water’s return, a secret desert shoot, and Luft Tokyo 2026Long provides rare insight into why Porsche fandom is so powerful, how Luftgekühlt reshaped the event scene, and why today’s young enthusiasts are more engaged than ever — just in different ways.This episode is essential viewing for Porsche fans, car enthusiasts, creators, designers, photographers, and motorsport lovers worldwide.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#PatrickLong #Luftgekühlt #Porsche #AirCooledPorsche #PorscheCulture#CarCulture #Motorsport #RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE#Luft11 #LuftTokyo #AirWater #Porsche911#CarPhotography #DesignCulture #AutomotiveCommunity#LeMansWinner #PorscheMotorsport #CarEvents

New Trans Am President Andy Lally joins EPARTRADE’s Race Industry Week to deliver one of the most candid and forward-looking discussions ever shared about the future of the Trans Am Series — just as it heads into its landmark 60th anniversary season in 2026.A five-time Rolex 24 winner and long-time Trans Am competitor, Lally pulls no punches as he explains his mission to protect Trans Am’s raw, analog identity, elevate TA2 as America’s only full-time stock car road racing championship, and guide the series into a new era of competitiveness, storytelling, and professionalism.🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Interview:• Why Lally insists TA must stay raw, analog, 900+ horsepower, no ABS, no traction control• His commitment to high-skill, high-bravery driving — not electronic driver aids• TA2’s identity as America’s only full-time stock car road racing championship• TA2’s role as NASCAR’s #1 road-racing development platform• Success stories: Brent Cruz, Connor Zilisch, Tristan McKee• Balancing pros, teens, veterans & gentleman drivers in a single paddock• Lally’s approach to decision-making: “20 teams, 12 different opinions”• 2026 schedule: quality over quantity, more track time, stronger events• Ambitions for TA2: 15–20 cars capable of winning, grids pushing toward 50• Rebuilding TA as the ultimate American big-horsepower road racing class• How vintage stars, modern icons & young guns will shape Trans Am’s 60th anniversary• Lally’s own memories — including his legendary Watkins Glen comeback winLally also shares plans to sharpen Trans Am’s promotional identity, expand media visibility, and strengthen ties between past legends and current rising stars as the series writes its next chapter.With its blend of brutal power, analog race craft, sidewall tires, H-pattern shifting, and blue-collar paddock culture, Trans Am remains one of America’s most authentic and important road racing championships — and under Lally’s leadership, its future looks fiercely competitive and unmistakably bold.This episode is essential viewing for Trans Am fans, TA2 teams, NASCAR development drivers, road racing enthusiasts, team owners, and motorsport professionals.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#TransAm #AndyLally #TA2 #TransAmSeries #AmericanRoadRacing#TAClass #900Horsepower #StockCarRoadRacing#Motorsports #RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE#RoadRacing #NASCARDevelopment #AnalogRacing#TA2Racing #TransAm60 #MotorsportFuture#SportsCarRacing #RacingTalent #AmericanMotorsport

During Race Industry Week, IMSA President John Doonan delivers a powerful, in-depth breakdown of why the International Motor Sports Association is entering “another golden era” as the countdown begins toward the 2026 season and the Rolex 24 At Daytona.Fresh off an electrifying 2025, Doonan explains how IMSA’s unprecedented momentum across manufacturers, teams, fans, and partners is reshaping the global sports car racing landscape—from the explosive growth of the GTP prototype class to record OEM engagement across all categories.🔑 Key Topics in This Interview:• Why 2026 represents a new golden era for IMSA• The stacked GTP manufacturer lineup: Porsche, BMW, Acura, Cadillac & Aston Martin• The future arrival of Ford, Genesis & McLaren in top-tier prototypes• LMH–LMDh convergence and the potential for Ferrari, Toyota & Peugeot• Record 18 active manufacturers across IMSA championships• GTD & GTD PRO expansion, including McLaren & Lamborghini GT3 debuts• LMP2 transformation into a global championship-level battleground• The return of endurance racing as IMSA’s competitive DNA• The 2026 calendar strategy and Michelin Endurance Cup expansion• IMSA’s full driver & team development ladder from MX-5 Cup to GTP• Stability, broadcast partnerships & long-term event planningDoonan also details how IMSA has become a global automotive marketing and technology platform, with OEM activations, ride-and-drives, and road-to-race relevance now central to the championship’s identity.With GTP grids full, GT racing surging, and endurance formats thriving, IMSA is positioned as the global benchmark for North American sports car racing heading into 2026.This episode is essential viewing for IMSA fans, endurance racing teams, OEM executives, engineers, sponsors, and motorsport professionals worldwide.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#IMSA #JohnDoonan #IMSA2026 #Rolex24 #Daytona24#GTP #EnduranceRacing #SportsCarRacing#Motorsports #IMSAWeatherTech #GTD #GTDPro#PrototypeRacing #MichelinEnduranceCup#LMDh #Hypercar #RoadRacing#RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE#MotorsportBusiness #OEMRacing

Tickets are officially on sale for the 104th Running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and in this exclusive Race Industry Week interview, Melissa Eickhoff, CEO of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, takes viewers deep inside one of the most legendary and demanding motorsports events on the planet — the iconic Race to the Clouds.Held at 14,115 feet above sea level, Pikes Peak is unlike any other race in the world. Eickhoff explains how the event continues to evolve its fan experience, expand its global reach, and serve as a proving ground for combustion, electric, and hydrogen vehicle technologies.🔑 Topics Covered in This Interview:• Pikes Peak 2026 tickets & new spectator zone access system• What first-time fans should expect on race weekend• How Pikes Peak became a truly global motorsport event• The Hill Climb as a technology test lab for EVs, hydrogen & performance vehicles• Why Pikes Peak is one of the most inclusive races in the world (women competitors at the highest level)• The economic and environmental impact on Colorado Springs & America’s Mountain• The famous Fan Fest and downtown transformation• Advice on best viewing areas & race-day survival strategy• Why drivers keep coming back year after yearFrom Unlimited Class monsters, GT4 cars, Time Attack builds, vintage racers, and experimental machines, Pikes Peak remains one of the most diverse and technically fascinating events in motorsports history. With nearly 50% of livestream viewership now international, the race continues to grow as a global showcase for speed, engineering, and human determination.Whether you’re a lifelong fan or planning your first trip to Pikes Peak in 2026, this episode delivers everything you need to know about the mountain, the race, and the future of this iconic event.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#PikesPeak #PPIHC #RaceToTheClouds #HillClimb #PikesPeak2026#MelissaEickhoff #Motorsports #HillClimbRacing#ElectricMotorsports #HydrogenRacing #RaceInnovation#ColoradoSprings #FanFest #TimeAttack#UnlimitedClass #GT4 #MotorsportTechnology#RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE #MotorsportEvents