Drag racing plays a prominent role with the PRI Trade Show, as the search for maximum horsepower matches up so well with all the displays of all the latest new horsepower parts..  That role has grown with the show’s return to Indianapolis, the heart of the drag racing world, last year.  This year’s 27th annual PRI Trade Show will take place at the Indiana Convention Center from December 11–13.
 
“The industry has evolved so much from those grass-roots days,” said John Kilroy, PRI Trade Show producer.  “The latest in innovation and technology draws drag racers from all over the world to the show, but everyone from the local racing parts retailer to the biggest Top Fuel teams still come looking for the same thing – to find the means to go faster.”

Drag racing plays a prominent role with the PRI Trade Show, as the search for maximum horsepower matches up so well with all the displays of all the latest new horsepower parts..  That role has grown with the show’s return to Indianapolis, the heart of the drag racing world, last year.  This year’s 27th annual PRI Trade Show will take place at the Indiana Convention Center from December 11–13.
 
“The industry has evolved so much from those grass-roots days,” said John Kilroy, PRI Trade Show producer.  “The latest in innovation and technology draws drag racers from all over the world to the show, but everyone from the local racing parts retailer to the biggest Top Fuel teams still come looking for the same thing – to find the means to go faster.”
 
That desire to go faster was evident in 2013 – as was the show’s presence in Indianapolis both from exhibitors and attendees.
 
“The (2013) show went very well for us,” said Jim Geese, of R2B2 Race Cars.  “There were definitely more attendees.  Indianapolis is the heart of drag racing. At times, we were two-deep at our exhibit all-the-way around, so I couldn’t have been happier.  You have to be at the PRI Show for the industry and to keep growing the business.”
 
The relocation to Indianapolis also has proven to be invaluable for the teams looking for an edge, while conserving both time and money.
 
“PRI is very impressive,” said two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon.   “It’s bigger and better than ever – and logistically it just makes sense to be here in Indianapolis.  I was able to spend two days shopping for components and still get back to the race shop at night.”
 
Similar thoughts were found throughout the industry.
 
“I loved going to Orlando when PRI was down there,” said driver/owner Tim Wilkerson, who campaigns the Levi, Ray & Shoup NHRA Nitro Funny Car.  “But the reality is that we’re there to get business done, not take a vacation.   I’m going to attend the show wherever it’s held, but we just don’t have a very long off-season in NHRA and in terms of getting more done, Indianapolis is the ideal location.”
 
It wasn’t just teams that are able to take advantage of the latest innovations found at the PRI Show.    
 
"The benefit of going to the PRI trade show is that you're able to see the latest and greatest R&D, technology and products that people have come up with,” said Patrick Topolinski, Pro Stock engine builder and Technical Producer for the “Engine Power” show on PowerNationTV.  “The side benefit is the interaction and networking with other engine builders and anybody in the racing industry across the country. That's one of the best things about PRI – the people you are able to share ideas with. I've met people through casual conversation sitting at the next table at dinner at PRI and made a connection, and later been able to implement something on a racecar based on that connection. It's a very unique trade show that brings technology and people and ideas together. As an engine builder, it's really a huge benefit to attend."
 
Accompanying the show will be the annual Race Industry Week consisting of more than 35 conferences, seminars and other special events that will provide discussion and share insight on the latest technologies and how to apply them throughout the racing world.
 
“Indianapolis has proven to be an ideal location for our exhibitors to reach the drag racing world – from Top Fuel to sportsman to junior dragsters,” said Kilroy. “It's going to be an incredible showcase of the latest advances in racing technology, not only for drag racers, but throughout the industry."
 
For additional information on the 2014 PRI Trade Show, or hotel and travel information, visit www.pri2014.com. Also, check the web page periodically for program updates, as well as times and locations for all Race Industry Week events.