IRG Sports and Entertainment
IRG Sports + Entertainment Appoints a President and General Manager of the International Drag Bike League
Jack Korpela joins the executive team to lead the premiere motorcycle series
JUPITER, FL/NEW YORK, NY – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRGSE) announced the appointment of Jack 
Korpela as president and general manager of the Mickey Thompson International Drag Bike League (IDBL) today. Mr. Korpela will assume the position immediately in time for this weekend’s season opening Pingel Spring Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.
Mr. Korpela has dedicated his entire life to his love of motorcycle racing from the age of four when he attended his first race. The passion for the sport resulted in him working in several facets of racing from announcing IDBL races from the booth at Maryland International Raceway, to television commentary and later introducing motorcycle enthusiasts to CycleDrag.com in 2006. CycleDrag.com is the go to source for all things motorcycle racing related and Mr. Korpela is the owner and contributor to the website.
IRG Sports + Entertainment Announces Two New Executives to Join Leadership Team
Aaron Weiss to Palm Beach International Raceway President
Darren Thompson to IHRA Vice President of Administration & Logistics
JUPITER, FL – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRGSE) has announced the appointment of two new executives to its 
leadership team as part of the reorganization of the company. Aaron Weiss joins Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) as president and Darren Thompson as International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) vice president administration & logistics.
Newly appointed PBIR president Mr. Weiss is responsible for all of Palm Beach International Raceway’s business matters, including operations, ticketing, finance, communications and marketing. He brings with him an extensive background in the motorsports industry and as well as PBIR. Mr. Weiss was the former president & chief operating officer of the facility in 2006 when it was formerly named Moroso Motorsports Park. In addition, Mr. Weiss has owned multiple businesses in racing and worked at Monticello Motor Club, a premier automotive country club and private race track, as the executive vice president.
World Series of Drag Racing celebrates its 63rd year in 2016
USA’s oldest drag racing event moves to a new location with new energy and support from Sunoco and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau
MEMPHIS, TN – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRGSE), a TPG portfolio company, Sunoco, and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today that the World Series of Drag Racing is returning this summer, but to a new and larger facility in a major league sports market. The world’s longest continually running drag racing event will celebrate its 63rd year at the Mid-South’s premiere motorsports destination, Memphis International Raceway (MIR) August 26 – 27 with support from Sunoco and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The transition to MIR moves the historic event to a centralized location that can withstand the growth potential and bring in even more racers, fans, vendors, live music and much more. The new facility will serve as a fitting showcase for the world’s fastest drag racing and focus on a fan and racer friendly atmosphere. The two days of nonstop drag racing action will include professional racers from around the country as well as local sportsman racers competing to become the next Champion of the World Series of Drag Racing presented by Sunoco and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.
IRGSE names Pilson Communications, Inc. to guide future television and digital agreements
Former CBS President, Neal Pilson, partners with IRGSE and IHRA to assist with future growth
NEW YORK, NY – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRGSE), a global leader in marketing and promoting of sports and live entertainment experiences, has named Pilson Communications, Inc. (PCI) as its consulting company for future television and digital agreements. The newly aligned partnership will focus on the International Hot Rod Association™ (IHRA), the International Drag Bike League™ (IDBL) and the oldest continuously running drag racing event in the country, the World Series of Drag Racing.
IRGSE, a TPG portfolio company, recruited PCI due to their worldwide experience and credibility in sports television, media and marketing negotiations. The PCI client base includes such notables as the NFL, NBA, NCAA, NASCAR, the Rose Bowl, the International Olympic Committee and numerous others. Former two-term CBS president, Neal Pilson, is the founder and president of the consulting company.
IRGSE Announces Multiple Partnerships in Reorganization
IRGSE Momentum includes new Manufacturer’s Council; Advertising Planning for IHRA Member Tracks and new NYC based Corporate Marcom Executives
JUPITER, FL – IRG Sports + Entertainment ™ (IRGSE) and The International Hot Rod Association™ (IHRA) announced several long-term agreements with multiple individuals and their respective companies to assist with the reorganization and future growth of the IHRA and IRGSE properties. These announcements come on the heels of the appointment of Mike Dunn as the new IHRA President.
IRGSE, a TPG portfolio company, recruited highly notable and accomplished motorsports and automotive manufacturer professionals Rod Campbell and John Coletti via their Automotive Performance Partners to lead the newly developed IHRA Manufacturer’s Council. The creation of a Manufacturer’s Council marks the first time in IHRA history that a specific working group has been developed by professionals from the major automotive manufacturers with experience across many OEM’s and global engine platforms. The group just conducted their first of several major off-site meetings at new IRGSE partner; the Jupiter, Florida based PGA Resort and Spa the week of the 10th.
IRGSE Selects New IHRA President – Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for Feb 9th
The IRGSE Search Committee agreed upon a very qualified candidate for the position of IHRA President over the weekend. The Search Committee has approved the new appointment and I, as Vice Chairman of the Board of Managers and CEO, endorse the appointment decision.
I wish to thank several of our longstanding sponsors and multiple national media companies for their private input and providing honest and open dialogue as the Committee has done a very thorough review in a short period of time. We are excited about the future this appointment will shape for all.
TEN: The Enthusiast Network and IRG Sports + Entertainment Announce a Multi-Year Partnership
Duo joins forces to bring major events to automotive enthusiasts
JUPITER, FL – The world’s premier network of enthusiast brands, TEN: The Enthusiast Network (TEN) and IRG 
Sports + Entertainment™ (IRGSE) announced a multi-year partnership that will bring a number of highly sought after automotive events to IRGSE venues. TEN’s portfolio of events include: HOT ROD Power Tour, LOWRIDER Super Show, HOT ROD Drag Week, CAR CRAFT Summer Nationals, Great American Racing Series, and HOT ROD Engine Masters.
The new partnership pairs the leading marketer and promoter of sports and live entertainment experiences with the world’s premier network of enthusiast brands such as MOTOR TREND, AUTOMOBILE, HOT ROD, SURFER, TRANSWORLD, and GRINDTV. TEN’s media portfolio includes more than 50 publications, 60 websites, the world’s largest automotive VOD channel, and the world’s largest action/outdoor sports media platform.
IRG Sports + Entertainment Closes Recapitalization
JUPITER, FL – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRGSE) is pleased to announce completion of its recapitalization with TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. (TSL). TSL is the U.S. direct originations investment platform of TPG Special Situations Partners, the credit and special situations platform of TPG, a $75 billion global private investment firm. TSL will assist IRGSE, a leading marketer and promoter of sports and live entertainment across the United States and Canada, in pursuing future growth. As result of the recapitalization IRGSE has a stronger balance sheet as well as access to the substantial resources and capital of a leading investment firm.
FUN FORD SERIES & MEGA MOPAR ACTION EVENTS MOVE FROM TUCSON DRAGWAY TO MARYLAND INTL RACEWAY
MECHANICSVILLE, MD – The Fun Ford Series and Mega Mopar Action events scheduled for October 10-11, 2015 at 
Tucson Dragway will now be held at Maryland International Raceway. Tucson Dragway, formerly known as Southwestern International Raceway, is undergoing management changes and facility improvements and is not able to accommodate the events as scheduled, but plans to reopen in mid-October for regular business. Therefore, the Fun Ford Series will be incorporated into the Maryland International Raceway Ford Fever Classic on October 9-11, 2015 and the Mega Mopar Action event will become part of the Mopar Eastern Classic on October 17, 2015.
IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRG) which owns Palm Beach International Raceway, Memphis International Raceway, Cordova International Raceway, and Maryland International Raceway which host other Manufacturers Series shows will keep the events in its portfolio.
IRG Sports + Entertainment™ Announces Hiring of New CFO
Lou Partenza joins IRG from Florida Panthers
JUPITER, FL – IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRG), a leading marketer and promoter of sports and live entertainment experiences in the United States and Canada announced today that Lou Partenza has joined the company as its new Chief Financial Officer.
In his new role, Partenza will oversee the finance, accounting, budgeting and strategic planning for all of IRG’s properties as well as manage the company’s relationship with TPG Specialty Lending. Partenza joins IRG with more than 20 years of experience in financial operations, strategic revenue growth, and has a significant background in executive leadership within the sports industry.
