People Places & Racing News

Movers & Shakers: Karen Evans St. John of Kee Auto Top; Roy Brizio's Collection at Goodguys; Hurst Limited Series Viper and More

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Karen Evans St. John was named president of Kee Auto Top Manufacturing Co. in Charlotte, North Carolina. Evans St. John has worked for Kee Auto Top for 25 years in several capacities, including manufacturing, research, sales and marketing and human resources.


Karen Evans St. John

SPAL USA promoted former inside sales representative Ryan Siedel to regional sales assistant for the company's automotive aftermarket high-performance fan, blower and electronic accessory products.

Siedel will assist the sales team in the growth and development of SPAL USA's product line and is responsible for account maintenance, logistics of product procurement and delivery, and helping support the company's sales and marketing initiatives. Siedel can be reached at rsiedel@spalusa.com.


Ryan Siedel

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced that for the first time in history, builder Roy Brizio will round up the hot rods and customs he’s built over the past 32 years and display them together as a group at this year’s Goodguys 23rd Eagle One West Coast Nationals, August 21–23, at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds in California. For more information, visit www.good-guys.com.


Roy Brizio will gather his collection of creations to display at the Goodguys 23rd Eagle One West Coast Nationals.  

Beck/Arnley hired Tony Reeves as a catalog specialist. He will assist with all catalog and database responsibilities and help manage the image database and customer files. Reeves has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket and previously spent 20 years with Beck/Arnley working in catalog research.


Tony Reeves

General Tire signed a three-year deal with BJ Baldwin Motorsports for all SCORE races, Mint 400 and a short course schedule. Baldwin began the season last weekend at the SCORE Laughlin Leap and Desert Challenge in Laughlin, Nevada. 


BJ Baldwin
 
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels announced that it will not participate as a major sponsor of the NHRA in 2009. Ken Warner, vice president of sales and marketing for Mickey Thompson stated, “The tough decision to suspend our relationship with NHRA after more than 26 years is due to several concerns, including a recent mandate by the NHRA that Pro Stock racers will be required to compete exclusively on Goodyear tires.”

“The decision to compete solely on one manufacturer's tires may ultimately diminish the level of competition in the Pro Stock series," Warner added. "The spirit of open competition drives this sport and by limiting the racers' choice of tires, that spirit is severely diminished. We hope the sanctioning body revisits this ruling and opens up the competition to manufacturers like Mickey Thompson who are willing to put years of technology and experience into making tires that help win races."

For more information, visit www.mickeythompsontires.com.

The matte gold-colored Hurst 50th Anniversary Dodge Viper was sold for the high bid of $275,000 during the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Viper was number one of 50 Limited Series coupes and convertibles decked out with Hurst gear, including a Hurst Hard-Drive gold anodized shifter, Hurst black-chrome forged aluminum wheels and a Hurst charcoal leather interior with logo. Woodhouse Dodge announced it would donate profits from the sale to Victory Junction Gang Camp, a charity for chronically ill children.


Hurst's number one of 50 Limited Series Dodge Vipers sold for $275,000 during the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction.

Speedway Motors Inc. acquired the street rod-related assets of Total Performance Inc. Speedway Motors is one of the largest manufacturers and retailers of specialty street rod and racing products. Total Performance manufactures high-quality fiberglass T-bucket bodies, frames and kits, as well as a wide variety of related street rod components.

All Total Performance operations will be consolidated into Speedway Motors’ facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska. “Speedy” Bill Smith, founder and President of Speedway Motors, said that the transaction closed earlier this month and that a smooth, seamless transition is expected. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

KICKER recently honored 16 of its U.S. retailers with Retailer-of-the-Year Awards at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show. Authorized KICKER Dealers-of-the-Year are: Enable Holdings (Chicago); ZTech Audio Plus (Terre Haute, Indiana); Creative Car Audio (Joplin, Springfield, and Sedalia, Missouri); Jack’s Stereo (Waco, Texas); TAS Electronics (Holland, Ohio); Car Tunes Stereo Center (Allen Park, Michigan); Sound FX (Lewes, Delaware); Installations Unlimited (North Syracuse, New York); Interstate Electronics (Hazlet, New Jersey); T.M. Electronics (Savannah, Georgia); and Cruisin’ Concepts (DeLand, Florida); Car Tunz (Williston, North Dakota); Foss Car Audio (Kent, Washington); Coronado Electronics (San Diego, San Ysidro, and Chula Vista, California); Elite Car Stereo (Pearl City and Honolulu, Hawaii); and Pacific Audio Tinting and Accessories (El Paso, Texas).

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