{{short description|US motorsports magazine}} {{Use mdy dates|date = July 2019}} {{Use American English|date = July 2019}} {{Infobox magazine | title = | logo = Racer Magazine logo.svg | logo_size = 80px | image_file = RACER Magazine issue 330 cover.webp | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = Cover of issue #330 (September–October 2024), featuring March 881 | editor = Laurence Foster | editor_title = Editor-in-Chief | previous_editor = John Zimmerman | staff_writer = | photographer = | category = Motor sport | frequency = 8 time per year | format = | circulation = | publisher = | paid_circulation = | unpaid_circulation = | circulation_year = | total_circulation = | founder = Paul F. Pfanner | founded = 1992 | firstdate = {{Start date and age|1992|05}} | finaldate = | finalnumber = | company = Racer Media & Marketing Inc. | country = US | based = Irvine, California | language = English | website = {{URL|http://www.racer.com/}} | issn = 1066-6060 | oclc = }} '''''Racer''''' (stylized '''''RACER''''') is an American motorsports magazine based in Irvine, California. Owned by Racer Media & Marketing, it is published six times a year. It has a news and commentary website Racer.com along with The RACER Channel on YouTube and the Racer Network (formerly MAVTV) on television.
==Overview== The magazine has feature articles relating to most of the world's major auto racing series, including NASCAR, Formula One, the IndyCar Series, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, NHRA Drag Racing, and the World Rally Championship, as well as local racing categories and feeder series.<ref name="pr">{{Cite web |author= |year=2007 |title=Racer Communications Launches New Magazine, Champs Car in May |url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=37220 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207164424/http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=37220 |archive-date=2012-02-07 |access-date=October 22, 2007 |work=PR Newswire}}</ref> The magazine includes extensive photography of race vehicles.<ref name="Proffit">{{cite web|url=http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1074447_publication-changes-in-the-motorsports-realm|title=Publication Changes In The Motorsports Realm|website=Motor Authority|publisher=MH Sub I, LLC|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181210081308/https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1074447_publication-changes-in-the-motorsports-realm|archive-date=2018-12-10|access-date=2018-12-10}}</ref> In addition to the magazine, Racer also has a custom publishing division, that has produced ''SportsCar'' magazine for the Sports Car Club of America.<ref name="Norman">{{cite web |last=Norman |first=Jan |date=April 9, 2012 |title=O.C. racing magazine is sold |url=http://www.ocregister.com/jannorman/strong-413458-http-racer.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181210073523/https://www.ocregister.com/2012/04/09/oc-racing-magazine-is-sold/ |archive-date=2018-12-10 |access-date=2018-12-10 |website=The Orange Country Register}}</ref>
In June 2019, Racer Media & Marketing acquired ''Vintage Motorsport'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://racer.com/2019/06/27/racer-media-marketing-inc-acquires-vintage-motorsport/|title=Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. acquires Vintage Motorsport|date=2019-06-27|website=RACER|language=en|access-date=2019-06-29}}</ref>
==History== The magazine debuted with the May 1992, issue with the cover story about the "engine war" in the CART, and the cover photo was a head-on shot of Emerson Fittipaldi’s Penske-Chevrolet Indycar by Michael C. Brown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.racer.com/what-we-do/|title=About Racer|work=Racer|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181210074544/https://info.racer.com/what-we-do|archive-date=2018-12-10|access-date=January 27, 2016}}</ref> The magazine was launched by Paul F. Pfanner, and originally published by Racer Communications, Inc. which was a sister company of Pfanner Communications, Inc. that published ''SportsCar'' magazine for the Sports Car Club of America and ''Champ Car'' magazine. Racer's founding Publisher was Bill Sparks and the founding Editor was John Zimmermann.<ref>{{cite journal|date=14 April 2012|title= Publication Founders Re-acquire RACER Magazine and Racer.com on Eve of 20th Anniversary |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-286369914.html|journal=Journal of Transportation|publisher=NewsRX|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911004400/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-286369914.html|archive-date= 2016-09-11| via= highbeam.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gordonkirby.com/categories/columns/theway/2012/the_way_it_is_no332.html|title= Auto Racing - The Way It Is|last=Kirby|first= Gordon| website = gordonkirby.com |date=2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181210074730/http://www.gordonkirby.com/categories/columns/theway/2012/the_way_it_is_no332.html| archive-date= 2018-12-10|access-date= 2018-12-10}}</ref> Jeff Zwart was also a co-founder.<ref name= Norman /> It was listed as one of the "12 best magazines in America" by ''M.I.N. Magazine'' in 1999.<ref>{{cite press release |last= |first= |publisher=PR Newswire |date=1999-02-25 |title=min magazine Names Industry's Best; Commemorative Publication Becomes Quarterly Magazine-about-Magazines |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/min-magazine-names-industrys-best-commemorative-publication-becomes-quarterly-magazine-about-magazines-75063522.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819130215/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/min-magazine-names-industrys-best-commemorative-publication-becomes-quarterly-magazine-about-magazines-75063522.html |archive-date=2016-08-19 |access-date= 2018-12-10}}</ref> The company and the title was later purchased by London-based Haymarket Publishing (now Haymarket Media Group) in early 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epub.performanceracing.com/article/Industry_Insights:_Paul_Pfanner/1324483/147599/article.html|title=Industry Insights: Paul Pfanner|website= performanceracing.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825220654/http://epub.performanceracing.com/article/Industry_Insights:_Paul_Pfanner/1324483/147599/article.html|archive-date=2016-08-25|access-date= 2018-12-10}}</ref> The magazine was sold back to its founders in 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foliomag.com/2012/haymarket-sells-majority-stake-racer-magazine|title=Haymarket Sells Majority Stake in Racer Magazine |date=27 March 2012|website=Folio|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181210075901/https://www.foliomag.com/haymarket-sells-majority-stake-racer-magazine/|archive-date=2018-12-10|access-date=2018-12-10}}</ref> and is now run by Racer Media & Marketing Inc. Laurence Foster remained editor-in-chief.<ref name= Norman /> Sparks serves as the Publisher and company COO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaldealer.com/car-guy-nation-signs-racer-magazine-as-marketing-partner/|title=Car Guy Nation Signs Racer Magazine As Marketing Partner - Digital Dealer|work=Digital Dealer |date=13 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210072656/https://www.digitaldealer.com/car-guy-nation-signs-racer-magazine-as-marketing-partner/|archive-date=2018-12-10|access-date=2018-12-10}}</ref> The main investors of the magazine also returned to the publication, including Chris Dyson and Rob Dyson.<ref name= Proffit />
==Publishers== * 1992: Racer Communications, Inc.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://racer.com/2017/03/10/racer-25-issue-no-0-jan-1992-the-prototype/|title=RACER@25: Issue No. 0, Jan. 1992 – The prototype|date=2017-03-10|work=RACER|access-date=2018-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204173403/https://racer.com/2017/03/10/racer-25-issue-no-0-jan-1992-the-prototype/|archive-date=2018-12-04|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://racer.com/2017/03/13/racer-25-issue-no-1-may-1992/|title=RACER@25: Issue No. 1, May 1992|date=2017-03-13|work=RACER|access-date=2018-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204173232/https://racer.com/2017/03/13/racer-25-issue-no-1-may-1992/|archive-date=2018-12-04|language=en-US}}</ref> * 2001: Haymarket<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://racer.com/2017/04/07/racer-25-issue-no-109-may-2001-a-new-era-begins/|title=RACER@25: Issue No. 109, May 2001 - A new era begins|date=2017-04-07|work=RACER|access-date=2018-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210072122/https://racer.com/2017/04/07/racer-25-issue-no-109-may-2001-a-new-era-begins/|archive-date=2018-12-10|language=en-US}}</ref> * 2012: Racer Media & Marketing Inc.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://racer.com/2017/04/28/racer-25-issue-no-241-may-2012-game-changer-the-racer-3-0-era-begins/|title=RACER@25: Issue No. 241, May 2012 - Game Changer - the RACER 3.0 era begins|date=2017-04-28|work=RACER|access-date=2018-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210072428/https://racer.com/2017/04/28/racer-25-issue-no-241-may-2012-game-changer-the-racer-3-0-era-begins/|archive-date=2018-12-10|language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.racer.com/ Racer Magazine site]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Racer (Magazine)}} Category:1992 establishments in California Category:Auto racing magazines Category:Automobile magazines published in the United States Category:Sports magazines published in the United States Category:Magazines established in 1992 Category:Magazines published in California Category:Motorcycle magazines published in the United States Category:Motorsport mass media in the United States