PERFORMANCE & RACING
SAFETY SUMMIT SUPER SUCCESS
A number of important presentations were addressed throughout the AIMSS summit The first ever Australian Institute of Motorsport Safety (AIMSS) Motorsport Safety Summit was held in June with a number of high-profile guests tackling the biggest safety issues and showcasing the latest developments in the sport.
COOLDRIVE AND RACER INDUSTRIES JOIN FORCES CoolDrive Auto Parts is further expanding its motor racing interests
The company recently announced a new partnership with Racer Industries, Australia’s leading motorsport parts supplier. From 1 July 2021, all Racer Industries’ products will be available to CoolDrive’s trade customers online and via its branch network, with the automotive parts distributor to eventually take the business into its fold. “We are excited to welcome the Racer Industries business to CoolDrive,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Chief Executive Officer, John Blanchard, said.
Hosted by RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship host, Jessica Dane, and opened by FIA President, Jean Todt, the online event presented a mixture of cutting edge discussions, panel debates and live scenarios, promoting a two-way conversation between presenters and participants. From Formula 1 stars Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber and Romain Grosjean to Triple Eight Race Team Principal Roland Dane and FIA Stewart, Garry Connelly, there was plenty of valuable information shared across the day. A number of important presentations were addressed throughout the summit with motorsport safety developments, rescue and medical topics all covered. AIMSS Chairman Garry Connelly said the Summit was an innovative and interactive event, designed to highlight the impressive technology and work being undertaken. “The AIMSS Motorsport Safety Summit is a wonderful initiative that will help further showcase the skills, technology and ingenuity of those working tirelessly to improve safety in our sport,” Garry said. “The Summit attracted an international faculty representing the Asia Pacific region, who are all invested in progressing motorsport safety. “We were delighted to welcome some of the biggest names in motorsport to this Summit. They all have a passion for making motorsport the safest it can be, and their unique insights were highly informative.” For more information on the Australian Institute of Motorsport Safety, visit www.aimss.com.au 96
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine July 2021
“Our passion for performance and racing products is demonstrated through our CoolDrive Racing Supercar team, but with Racer joining CoolDrive, we are able to take this to a whole new level and provide a unique offer to our existing customer base and improved service to Racer’s customer base. “CoolDrive has been expanding its performance product offering in recent years, and this move allows us to significantly expand our performance product range while adding the racing specific offering to complement it.” Racer Industries will remain a stand-alone business within CoolDrive, with its Co-Founder and Managing Director Ryan McLeod continuing to oversee its operations. “After starting Racer in 2005 with Paul Morris, this new partnership with CoolDrive offers us the opportunity to leverage off CoolDrive’s resources to really grow the Racer business to new heights,” Ryan said. “Using CoolDrive’s extensive and renowned national trade and distribution network, we will be able to offer all trade customers direct access to our range of racing products. This is an industry first in Australia and is big news for our customers and suppliers. “We see huge potential for Racer in the coming years especially in the Trade industry where
CoolDrive are so well known to provide a service on a national level not many others can replicate.” Racer Industries’ Co-Founder Paul Morris echoed Ryan McLeod’s sentiments. “The Blanchard family are the people to drive Racer Industries into the future, we have parallel family and business values,” Paul said. “I’m proud of what Ryan has achieved with the business so far, his knowledge of the racing industry, combining with the CoolDrive operation is the right move for the business and our customers.” The Racer Industries’ product range covers the entire gamut of motor racing parts and components from leading brands including OMP, Sparco, Recaro, Project Mu, Racelogic, Quickcar, Longacre, Tilton, Premier, and Schroth to name a few. As part of the partnership, CoolDrive will take over distribution of Project Mu high-end braking products to further enhance its comprehensive brakes program, which currently includes other well-known brands including Bremtec, Brembo and Bosch. CoolDrive will also handle distribution of category specific items including wheels, fire systems and fuel cells for the Supercars category, where Racer Industries is the appointed supplier. CoolDrive, a family owned and operated company, has had a vested interest in Australian motorsport for decades with three generations of racers within the family and the business, and motorsport at the very foundation of the CoolDrive organisation. In 2021, CoolDrive Racing launched its own standalone team within the Supercars Championship, with the Blanchard Racing Team taking to the grid with Tim Slade at the helm. For further information, visit ishop.cooldrive.com.au
