Roger Lyrén, Åsa Kinnemar and Michael Gullqvist represented Speedgroup at the PRI. Speedgroups uniforms are made by contingency partner VICCI (which will increase the level of involvement 2011)

During three days in december 2010  exhibitors and buyers with connection to the racing industry gathered at the  Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. With 1000+ exhibiting companies the PRI - Performance Racing Industry Trade Show is the the world’s largest racing trade show.

Speedgroup was among the exhibitors for the second time and on site to promote the European Drag Racing Championship in general and to connect with suppliers to the championship teams in particular around the concept of the contingency sponsorship program.

At a low cost the program offers a high level of exposure and customized assistance with the goal to make it easier for US suppliers to connect with and encourage business with the European teams running in the championship.

Speedgroup CEO Michael Gullqvist shares his feedback after having met with a number of US companies at the show. "In 2010 we had about 90 car and 60 bike teams that raced in the championships Pro classes.

That makes up for a quite substantial group of purchasers of racing equipment and our contingency program is directing their business towards our contingency partners.

To further improve on driving business to our partners we will have a support trailer in 2011 at the events to display and promote products. This will also make it easier for us to prove the high value of our contingency program. The companies we met at the PRI really liked our approach and saw this as a great value adder".
 
On site to meet with existing and potential business partners was also Speedgroup co-ordinator Åsa Kinnemar and sales & marketing expert Roger Lyrén who has roots in the UEM Bike Championship.

Åsa commented that beside meeting companies for contingency sponsorship, she also had interesting media meetings booked that means co-operation with US based medias will intensify during 2011. She was also pleased about the interest from the many visitors to the Speedgroup booth to sign-up for the Speedgroup newsletters.. We send a warm welcome to all of you in this first edition 2011!
 

Here are a few of the photos from Speedgroup shot on site;


Roger Lyrén (left) and Michael Gullqvist Speedgroup met with Bill O´Roake from Mickey Thompson Tires. MT Tires was presented a diploma for their involvement in the European Championship through their Swedish distributor Pro Imp.


The newest and oldest track operators involved in the European championship met at the PRI. From the left; Emelie Carlswärd and Leif Andréasson from the new swedish venue Tierp Arena with David Lloyd-Jones and Darren Prentice from Santa Pod Raceway UK.


MTC Engineering LLC was among the companies that signed up for the contingency program at PRI and will be working with the strong Pro Stock Bike class.

Ulf and Jörgen Leanders from Leanders Clutch exhibited at the PRI. They are also contingency sponsors who  stay involved in the program 2011.


Kate Robinson from Andy Robinson Race Cars with Will Hanna, DragRaceHose.com.


Pro Stock Champion Michael Malmgren (left) spent the opening day at the show before catching a flight and heading for the FIA gala in Monaco


Jeff Burnett (right) of JBR injectors/Composite Specialties welcomed the new feature on offer to display and stock products at the tracks in Speedgroup´s new support trailer via the contingency program 2011. Here in discussions with Leif Andréasson Tierp Arena (both have in common they are licensed to run in methanol funny car!)