This year's PRI (Performance Racing Industry) Show moved from last year's venue in Indianapolis, Ind., to Orlando, Fla. This is the sixth time since its inception in 1988 that the PRI show has had to move to a bigger location to house the record 3,900 booth spaces and 1,300 exhibitors. With over 1,000,000-square-feet of floor space, the Orange County Convention center played host to over 45,000 spectators and buyers from over 40 countries around the world. Compared to the SEMA show, PRI focuses on parts more for the track than for the street. You will not see show cars with gullwing doors and stickers up the whazoo here.
However, you will see hardcore racing cars from Indy, Cart, F1, NASCAR and NHRA displayed prominently throughout the convention floor. The majority of attendees are engine builders and race team managers. There are aisles dedicated to engine parts, race track tools, machinery, dynamometers and trailers. All of the engine parts manufacturers were present to show off their latest and greatest parts. Crower, JE, CP, Arias, Edelbrock and Clevite all featured sport compact as well as domestic products
Surprisingly, some Japanese manufacturers also exhibited their parts. Tomei chose PRI as their American debut, featuring their full line of engine upgrade parts. Mackin Industries was also there featuring single-hub Volk wheels, ARC cooling products and Project f,, brakes. Nitto Tires featured their new line of slicks slated to be released in early '06 as well as their new R-compound tire in shaved form. In engine management, MoTeC, AEM, Bosch and Accel all showed off their stand-alone systems.
Some cool products that stood out were the new line of Alcon brakes that feature a thermo strip where caliper temperature can be read without any other equipment. NTK released their new budget-priced A/F meter. The unit is a compact design without a separate brain, priced at only $295 with the wideband 02 sensor included. A new company called Flo-Fast has developed a pump to fit on most fuel jugs. It is able to draw or pump five gallons in less than one minute thus simplifying refueling at the race track.
The PRI Show is a stop every hardcore street tuner or racer needs to be at. Each and every year we attend, we are guaranteed to find a few cool new products. If you are into performance and horsepower the PRI show is where it's at.