The 15th annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show was held December 4th through the 7th in Indianapolis, Indiana's Convention Center & RCA Dome.

Steve Lewis, Show producer and publisher of Performance Racing Industry, said, "Auto racing continues to grow at an amazing pace throughout the world. This trade show provides the perfect opportunity for racing entrepreneurs to learn about the new product lines available. These are the new products racers will want to put on their race cars for next season. And there will be plenty of opportunities to meet new suppliers."

Over the years, this particular trade show has been very successful, outgrowing every venue. For 2002, organizers claim it became the largest array of "hardcore" racing products ever assembled in one place. Over 35,000 attendees and 1,150 exhibitors jammed every nook and cranny, overwhelming the Indianapolis venue.

Unfortunately, the Indianapolis site is woefully inadequate, in every possible way, for a show this size. Every usable square inch of the facilities -- including small meeting rooms and hallways -- became booth and display locations. This left attendees tired and frustrated, trying to navigate a confusing, asymmetrical maze of hallways, meeting rooms, large and small display areas, air locks, entrances and exits. The incomprehensible aisle designations only made matters worse -- booth 3997 next to 8081; 751 next to 3001; aisle 9100 in a faraway different building than aisle 9200. Of the twelve senior buyers interviewed by eBearing, every one admitted to becoming disoriented, "giving up" or "skipping over" entire sections of the show. We only hope a new location is coming for next year -- the buyers we spoke with all suggested either Chicago or Detroit.

That said, this year's PRI show attracted more bearing manufacturers and distributors than ever before. Here are all the companies we managed to locate (unfortunately, only two pictures came out ... apologies to everyone who suddenly became "camera shy").