King hires Ron Sledge as Company's New Performance and Technical Manager.  King Engine Bearings has hired Ron Sledge as the company's new performance and technical manager. Sledge will be responsible for the management of performance industry sales, provide technical assistance through product clinics, troubleshooting calls, technical clinics and training, conduct technical seminars and webinars, and oversee King's performance industry sponsorships and motorsports program.

"We are pleased to welcome Ron to King. He is an outstanding industry professional who's developed many long term relationships with leading crew chiefs and engine builders," said Limor N. DePetro, director of sales and marketing, King Engine Bearings. "His technical background and experience at the race track will be a tremendous asset to our company."

Sledge earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering and psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. (JK)

Under the five year contract, Champion will be listed as a preferred government-approved vendor and can provide numerous types of gasoline and diesel motor oils, brake fluids, greases, aerosols, and engine additives to all of levels of governments and military. (AL)

Champion Oil Celebrates Fifty-Five Years of Excellence in Lubrication Industry.

Champion, a leader of manufacturing and distribution of specialty lubricants since 1956, is celebrating its 55th anniversary of being in business. With its headquarters located in Missouri, Champion provides services domestically in all fifty states, as well internationally.

Champion's many successes over the past 55 years are due to loyal customers who share mutual honesty and respect. Also important to Champion are the many employees who show a dedication to value, fair prices, advancements in technology, and excellence in customer service.  (KK)

Champion Brands Adds Blow-Molding Options for Private Label Customers A globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricant blending and manufacturing for over five decades, offers greater value than most of its peers by also providing blow-molding capabilities to private label customers. This can be a critical advantage when empty bottle transportation plays into the finished product structure. It also allows the customer to differentiate itself from others in the marketplace by virtue of a unique bottle design. Champion's blow molding operation has the capability to produce HDPE and PVC bottles in sizes ranging from 4 oz. to 2.5 gallons in a wide range of colors. Champion's in-house Bekum 406D is a double station, shuttle blow- molding machine capable of blowing a daily capacity of approximately 35,000 PVC bottles or 50,000 HDPE bottles. For more information visit www.championbrands.com (AL)

In conjunction with the Champion $20 Champion Factory Rebate Oil Program, which starts on November 25^th, Champion has added a 2012 Full Product Racing Sponsorship Contest. The sponsorship contest is included as a bonus to the $20 Champion Factory Rebate Oil Program, which includes factory rebate checks for Racing and Diesel Performance Motor Oils and two complimentary Champion Racing Decals.

To register for the Champion Racing Sponsorship, participants must send to Champion a digital photo displaying the decals on the race vehicle. By emailing the photo with their name, race series, experience, and brief description of the vehicle to marketing@championbrands.com, they are automatically registered.

Submissions must be received by April 16, 2012 to be eligible for the 2012 Champion Lubricant Sponsorship. The winner, who will receive a full racing season supply of Champion Lubricants, will be announced on April 30, 2012. All contestant vehicle photos will be posted on the Champion Facebook page as validation of contest registration www.facebook.com/championbrands. (KK)

Champion Oil Announces 2012 "Winner's Circle" Racing Contingency Award Program  Offering one of the most comprehensive race contingency programs in the motorsports industry, Champion Oil released today details for the 2012 "Winners Circle" Racing Contingency Award Program, providing support for participants in almost every recognized sanctioned racing event in North America and Canada. For more information visit www.championsusechampion.com (AL)

Champion Oil to Announce 2012 MotorSports Racing Contingency Program. Offering one of the most comprehensive race contingency programs in the motorsports industry, Champion Oil will soon release details on their new 2012 Racing Contingency Award Program, providing support for participants in almost every recognized sanctioned racing event in North America and Canada.  

Mike Reddick, VP of Sales for Champion Brands, announced today,  "The Champion 2012 Racing Contingency Program is an all-encompassing marketing program designed to link our Racing Lubricants directly to regional and national racers in many sanctioned racing events in North America including the All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC), American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), World of Outlaws (WoO), United States Auto Club (USAC) and the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA)".

Super Chevy and ERL Dyno Challenge Now at LS Fest! Yet another event has been added to the 2011 Holley LS Fest. Event participants get the chance to measure their vehicles horsepower and torque in the Super Chevy Dyno Challenge presented by ERL. Participants are NOT automatically signed up for this event and must sign up at the Holley Race Trailer. Sign up is on a first come first serve basis. First, second, and third place awards will be presented to those who post the highest numbers. Holley LS Fest will be taking place this September 9-11, 2011 at Beech Bend Raceway. Log on to www.lsfest.com for more information and pre-registration for LS Fest. (GK)

King Engine Bearings has released its new application guide for the company's HP and XP high performance engine bearings. King manufactures a large selection of bearings engineered for specific applications, including: circle track, drag racing, monster trucks, off-road racing, tractor pulls, sprint cars and off-shore racing. The new application guide includes information on the company's expanded line of HP and XP main and rod bearings that are available for Chevrolet, Chrysler and Ford vehicles, as well as, several custom performance applications.

In addition, the company has introduced a new simplified performance numbering system that retains the "core number" from King’s OEM replacement bearing and changes the suffix to reflect material and features making it easier for engine builders to select the right bearing. For more information visit www.kingbearings.com. (AL)

The new cross-dock will have a direct feed from Meyer's Jasper, IN hub distribution center, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories in the industry, and will offer enhanced delivery coverage throughout the region.

"The addition of the Knoxville cross-dock enhances our ability to offer logistical services throughout the region," states Jason Braun, executive vice president of Meyer Distributing. "The new site has been integrated with our existing Memphis and Nashville warehouses and will provide high performing coverage throughout the entire state of Tennessee and beyond. The three sites together add strategically to our long-term mid-south region distribution framework and the beginning of many planned additions for 2012." (KK)

Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the assets of Ricmond Gear from Regal Beloit Corporation for an undisclosed amount.

Midwest's acquisition of Richmond Gear also includes the Powertrax and Lock-Right product lines.

"We are very excited to add the Richmond Gear, Powertrax and Lock-Right product groups to our Light Duty and Hi-Performance divisions.  The combination of Motive Gear, Motive Gear Performance, Ten Factory, Richmond Gear, Powertrax and Lock-Right creates a synergy that will be unmatched in the aftermarket", said Mark Chudacoff, president and CEO of Midwest Truck and Auto Parts. "This acquisition strengthens our position as the worldwide leader in the Racing, Hi-Performance and Off-Road aftermarkets".

For more information contact Midwest Truck and Auto Parts at (800) 934-2727. (LK)

Futuristic World Robot Boxing comes to the big screen with the release of the highly anticipated action film Real Steel, starring Hugh Jackman on Oct. 7, 2011. Royal Purple/Real Steel POS is part of an integrated campaign that will also include television, print advertisements and a Royal Purple/Real Steel weekend on PowerBlock TV the week before the film is released. Order your free Royal Purple/Real Steel posters and shelf danglers from Alliance Graphics by Aug. 15, 2011. Requests should be sent directly to Jeff Scott at  jscott@alliancegp.net (GK)