People, Places & Racing News

Tim Dietz, account manager and technical sales, Standards Testing Laboratories Inc. (STL), has been named chairman-elect to SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC). Dietz has been employed at STL for 18 years and holds a degree in Applied Science from Kent State University.

NEWS NUGGETS

NEWS NUGGETS

TESTING, TESTING, TESTING: The drivers of the POWERade Series will get their chances to officially test their cars at the three sessions available beginning in January. The first session will be January 18–20, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway followed by a session in Phoenix at Firebird International Raceway, January 25–27. The testing sessions will wrap-up in Las Vegas for the Last Chance Test Session and the Pontiac Pro Stock Showdown February 1–3.

Dealer Services International (DSI), a division of Transamerican Auto Parts LLC, announced that Anne Johnson joined the company as the sales representative for a Northern California territory. Johnson, former co-owner of California Truck Works Inc., will be responsible for the placement of accessorized vehicles at local car dealerships for customer purchase.

TOYOTA TIME: Toyota is scheduled to debut its new 360 c.i. sprint-car engine Thanksgiving night at Irwindale Speedway. Bobby Santos III will pilot a Western Speed Racing entry equipped with the Toyota powerplant during the sprint-car portion of the Turkey Night Grand Prix.

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Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

For the latest council news, read the ARMO column in SEMA Member News by clicking here.

ARMO presented six council awards during the ARMO Industry Awards Reception at the 2007 SEMA Show. The awards and winners are:

For the first time in its history, Hot Wheels has invited outside artists to design and create an original Hot Wheels vehicle. The company says that its inaugural “Hot Wheels Designer’s Challenge” is a way for the brand to honor its automotive partners and get them to participate in its 40th anniversary celebration in 2008. Selected designs will form the basis of a new 40th anniversary Designer's Challenge product line to hit store shelves in spring 2008.

NEW RIDES: Three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. officially declared his intentions to race in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for Penske Racing next season. He moves over from the team’s Indy car program where he will be replaced by Australian driver Ryan Briscoe.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

For the latest council news, read the ARMO column in SEMA Member News by clicking here.

ARMO presented six council awards during the ARMO Industry Awards Reception at the 2007 SEMA Show. The awards and winners are: