From Engine Builder
It’s not unusual to see John Force taking center stage and he’ll be doing just that at this year’s Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show, as the 15-time NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car Champion joins Dave Despain on a live version of his popular Wind Tunnel TV program during the PRI’s Grand Opening Breakfast.
“I am really looking forward to spending the morning with Dave Despain because that is an experience,” said Force, driver of the Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang. “Part of the reason you go to PRI is to look for new sponsorship. You also look for programs there, product deals, and that is what it is all about. There are big companies and little companies there. It is also just fun to be there with the racers. It is business, but still fun.”
Force’s appearance is just a small part of drag racing’s presence at the PRI Show. From Top Fuel to sports enthusiasts and from small town America to the growing drag racing market around the world, PRI seems to have something for everyone.
Renowned Pro Stock engine builder Jon Kaase is just one of many participants who not only attends the show, but also has become a regular at the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) <http://www.aetconline.com>, one of the events that takes place during the week leading up to the show.
“I’ve learned about valve springs, spark plugs, basically, for every AETC presenter there are two or three things that stand out, “said Kaase. “It’s nice to be able to exchange ideas with not only the presenters, but other engine builders. Some of the best stuff you get is at lunch, just sitting down and networking. Nothing beats face-to-face interaction with your suppliers.”
Of course, Kaase admits, he loves to go to Machinery Row at the PRI trade show "and lust after all that stuff."
The 25th Annual PRI Trade Show will run Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to attract 38,000 racing professionals from 70 different countries.
