| 2001 PRI Show - Hardcore Racing Products On Display
Similar to the SEMA show, the Performance Racing Industry show is an annual get-together of automotive aftermarket companies. PRI differs from SEMA because its sights are trained specifically on hardcore racing companies. Hard parts makers and engine builders, race suspension tuners and suspension companies, wheel and tire guys; everything that goes into constructing a race machine was represented at the show. The PRI show is held in Indianapolis-the flash point of American motorsports.
The show is the last bastion of domestic V8 power; the import phenomenon has not had the impact at PRI that it has had at SEMA. Racing means NASCAR, USAC sprint cars, IRL, CART, NHRA, dirt track modifieds and Midgets. Drag racing is done with the rear wheels. We think a drag Honda would be a real eye-opener on the floor at PRI and there were import-friendly companies in attendance.
AEM was in the house, but had no car in its booth. (Steph's Civic would have caused a commotion but it was racing on the West Coast; perhaps it'll show up next year.) Sparco was on hand, but the black Subaru WRX that graced its booth at SEMA was replaced by a USAC sprint car. Turbonetics deserves props for having the only import drag racecar at the show-its twin-turbo V8-powered RWD Celica.
There were import-style parts to be found on the floor of the Indianapolis Convention Center and the adjoining RCA Dome, home of the NFL Colts. The accompanying photos highlight some of the companies with the huevos to display import performance parts.