News

Looking for pictures of custom Toyotas? Check out these Toyota display vehicles from the 2011 SEMA Show. The pictures are part of a larger photo collection located online at www.semaphotos.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

ROOKIES PREPARED FOR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS AND START OF 2012 NHRA FULL THROTTLE SEASON: Just one week remains before the beginning of the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries, February 9–12, at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. For three drivers, the season-opening race will mark their first full-season debuts as competitors in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Mopar recently revealed four custom vehicles that will be on display at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show, February 10–19. The customized models that will carry what Mopar refers to as its best-in-class parts and accessories include the Mopar '12 300, ’13 Dodge Dart 'GTS 210 Tribute,' the ’12 Fiat 500 'Stinger' and the ’12 Mopar Jeep Compass 'True North.'

The 15th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference was held January 24–26, 2012, at the Embassy Suites LAX South in El Segundo, California. By all accounts, it was a milestone in the event’s long history.

The ’12 Honda CR-V Measuring Session drew 27 specialty-parts suppliers, all of whom were provided hands-on access to the new CR-V in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories.

Hawk Performance Hires Andrew Hisley as Director of Marketing
Hawk Performance Products Group, a division of Carlisle Brake and Friction, hired Andrew Hisley as director of marketing. Hisley will coordinate global activities in the performance market segment for aftermarket and OE customers. His responsibilities include coordinating prices, analysis, product rationalization, short- and long-term planning and strategic brand management.

The recently introduced RDX Concept is nearing completion and, according to the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co., looking pretty close to the actual production model.

As significant numbers of businesses migrate to outside-the-enterprise services, such as cloud computing and social media, legal experts say they should consult with their attorneys to ensure that far-flung data is protected, trackable and accessible.

Melanie Rushforth started her business—Rushforth Wheels—approximately five years ago in Tacoma, Washington, and, like many others within the automotive aftermarket industry, she enjoys the people she meets at shows and other venues. With the help of the Internet, she has also built many relationships through Rushforth Wheels’ online forums.

Brian Deegan Named 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Driver of the Year
Brian "The General" Deegan dominated the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Season (LOORRS) Championship Awards Banquet January 21, much in the same way that he dominated the 2011 LOORS season, taking home a total of four awards for the night.