The intersection of digital precision and high-octane reality takes center stage as the 2025 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show returns to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.
Running from Dec. 11-13, the trade show highlights a rapidly expanding sector of the motorsports world: sim racing and esports.
This year’s event features a robust lineup of activations designed to bridge the gap between virtual competition and professional track racing. Leading organizations, including Dallara-AK ESports, Podium 1, SIMCraft, SRO America and Team America/Init Esports, will showcase professional-grade simulators and host competitive events throughout the week.
“SIM racing has grown into an exciting part of the motorsports world, and the 2025 PRI Show brings multiple activations together in one place,” PRI President Michael Good said. “Attendees have the chance to see top competitors, test advanced simulators, and experience the energy of esports racing firsthand. This lineup highlights the innovation, talent, and collaboration that make the PRI Show a must-attend event for the motorsports community.”
SRO America returns to the show with an expanded SIM Racing Arena, emphasizing the technological leaps in the industry. The arena hosts daily invitational races where top esports competitors utilize rigs that mirror the equipment used by professional drivers. These setups feature Fanatec Clubsport GT cockpits and high-performance MSI gaming PCs, ensuring the highest level of realism.
All competitions in the arena will be streamed live on SRO Motorsports’ Twitch and GTWorld YouTube channels.
Podium 1 brings a celebrity element to the floor, joining forces with the McLaren Arrow team and racing legend Tony Kanaan. Attendees can meet Kanaan during scheduled autograph sessions on Dec. 11-12.
Furthermore, fans can attempt to beat Kanaan’s lap times on Podium 1’s industry-leading motion systems for a chance to win official team merchandise.
The Podium 1 activation also serves as a launchpad for new hardware, including the unveiling of the Simucube SC3 Pro and VPG Porsche Wheel.
The intensity ramps up with Team America, powered by Init Esports. The organization is bringing the top 12 athletes from the 2025 Team America Talent Scouts Competition to Indianapolis for a live showdown. These finalists earned their spots through a nationwide inquiry and will compete on Dec. 13 in the Time Trial Challenge.
Nevertheless, the grid is not yet set in stone. In a unique engagement opportunity, PRI attendees can try to set hot laps at the Team America booth on Dec. 11-12. The fastest attendees could earn one of the final spots on the Saturday grid, racing alongside the nation’s best.
“Team America is all about taking our incredible online community and putting it side-by-side in real life, and there’s no better place to do that than at PRI,” founder of Init Esports Stefy Bau said.
The focus on sim racing comes as the PRI Show continues to demonstrate significant growth. This year’s show features over 1,000 exhibitors, including more than 100 first-time participants. The event remains a critical economic driver; according to PRI’s Motorsports Economic Impact Study, the motorsports industry contributes $69.2 billion to the U.S. economy and supports over 318,000 jobs.
Dallara-AK ESports, a joint venture launched earlier this year to establish Indianapolis as a global hub for sim racing, will also be present. They will allow attendees to race GT cars on historic tracks via Assetto Corsa Competizione simulators.
“From interactive demos to live competitions, the SIM racing activations at PRI 2025 show how technology and motorsports continue to evolve together,” PRI show director Karin Davidson said. “We’re proud to offer attendees opportunities to engage, learn, and compete in a hands-on environment while connecting with the top organizations and emerging talent shaping the future of the sport.”
Registration for the 2025 PRI Show is now open to qualified attendees, including race teams, media and retailers. For more information, visit pri2025.com/attend.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Parham is the owner of Horsemen Sports Media. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver. He is also the owner and founder of Horsemen Sports Media.
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