People Places & Racing News

Movers & Shakers: Marla Moore Joins Coker Tire as Marketing Director; Racepak Names Sarah Burgess Product Manager

 
Marla Moore, 2012 SEMA Person of the Year, was named director of marketing for the Coker Group. 
   

Marla Moore Named Marketing Director for Coker Tire
The Coker Group selected Marla Moore as its new director of marketing. Moore will oversee all marketing-communication efforts for the company’s brands involved in the collector car industry. She will report directly to Executive Vice President Wade Kawasaki on matters concerning advertising, public relations and sponsorships.

Moore’s role has her as the marketing head for more than 10 individual brands under The Coker Group umbrella, including The Coker Tire Co., Honest Charley Speed Shop, The Great Race, Coker Cycle Co., Phoenix Race Tires, M and H Racemaster, Pro-Trac Tire Co., Specialty Wheel, Roadster Wire Wheels and Wheel Vintiques.

Moore was named the 2012 SEMA Person of the Year. She also chairs the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) and led the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Prior to that honor, she held seats on the Select Committees of the SBN and SEMA's Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC). Before joining The Coker Group, Moore served as the advertising director at Hypertech.

Racepak Names Sarah Burgess Product Manager
Racepak has named Sarah Burgess—driver and co-owner of BMI Racing—as product manager. Burgess will lead the management and marketing of the Racepak brand, while also spearheading the effort to expand Racepak's global marketing focus.

"The expansion of our marketing focus strengthens our ability to continue setting the bar in meeting the needs of our core customers," noted Manny Grijalva, vice president of marketing and sales at MSD/Racepak. "Sarah's comprehensive understanding of our market, our products and the racers we have serviced over the years will greatly benefit Racepak and our difference-making products."

Before joining Racepak, Burgess served as a marketing consultant for SEMA, and she co-owned BuzzEngines and Billet Machine Industries. Burgess has been the driver of her drift car for three years and will continue to stay active in her role as driver and co-owner of BMI Racing.

  Mickey Thompson
The late Mickey Thompson was recognized with the Shav Glick Award at Fontana Motor Speedway prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 on March 24.
   

Mickey Thompson Selected for Shav Glick Award
The late Mickey Thompson was recognized with the Shav Glick Award at Fontana Motor Speedway prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 on March 24. Named for the longtime Los Angeles Times motorsports Hall of Fame journalist Shav Glick who passed away in 2007, the award recognizes an industry personality who has made valuable or distinguished contributions in the state of California.

“We are very proud that Mickey Thompson has been selected to receive this very special award in recognition of his substantial contributions to the industry here in the state of California,” stated Ken Warner, vice president of sales and marketing, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “It is especially meaningful to us and to the Thompson family as we celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary this year.”

The 2013 nominees included George Follower, Tom McEwen, Chris Pook and Mickey Thompson. Ed Justice Jr., president and CEO of Justice Brothers, made the presentation during pre-race ceremonies. Thompson's family and the company he founded remain dedicated to his legacy.  

Royal Purple Launches 2013 High Performance Experience Contest
Royal Purple will again host a contest that sends one winner to participate in and drive on the Hot Rod Power Tour. The 2013 Royal Purple High Performance Experience will be hosted on the brand’s Facebook fan page, beginning April 15.

To be eligible for consideration, entrants must submit photos of their American musclecar or performance vehicle between April 15–23 to the contest tab of the Royal Purple Facebook fan page. The winner will be announced April 30 and will receive tour registration fees, VIP parking, Royal Purple apparel and decals and a Royal Purple Visa gift card to use toward expenses.  

Last year’s winner of the Royal Purple High Performance Experience, Scott Shanks, will serve as one of six judges for this year’s contest. Including Shanks, this year’s panel of judges are Jeff Dahlin, publisher of Hot Rod and Hot Rod Deluxe; Greg Gill, vice president of marketing and communications for Pirelli World Challenge; Jim McIlvaine, eCare manager for Optima Batteries Inc. and Jeff Lacina, owner of Track Guys Performance Driving Events.

For a complete list of rules and further details about the contest, visit the Royal Purple Inc. Facebook fan page.

Motorz Announces Winner of AMP Research Great American Giveaway
The winner of the first AMP Research Great American Giveaway is Bobbi Jo Wnuk of Bonduel, Wisconsin. Bonduel will receive the AMP Research PowerStep system and the BedXtender HD. Motorz teamed up with AMP Research earlier in 2013 to launch the giveaway, through which entrants were asked to provide information about an exemplary American who owns a pickup and goes the extra mile to serve family, friends, community and/or country.

Wnuk, entered by her nephew Jason Heinz, drives an ’09 Ford F-150 and does a great deal to help the Special Education Department at the Wisconsin Bonduel School District. She also helps with homecare for the elderly and the disabled in the community, heads up a benefit for a neighbor fighting cancer and serves as a volunteer with Bridge The Gap for Autism and the Autism Society of Northeast Wisconsin (both non-profits). Along the way, she puts her F-150 through some rough Wisconsin driving conditions.

“This contest was developed to improve the lives of truck owners that help others,” stated Chris Duke, host and executive producer of 'Motorz.' “We want to thank the people who make a difference, to recognize them and support the good work they are doing.”

  Ron Cizek Checkered Past
This Cranberry-hued ’40 Ford—nicknamed Checkered Past and owned by Ron Cizek—won the Goodguys 2013 March Performance Street Rod d’Elegance Award at the 13th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals in Del Mar, California.
   

Ron Cizek’s “Checkered Past” ’40 Ford Wins Del Mar Street Rod d’Elegance Crown
Ron Cizek’s “Checkered Past” ’40 Ford from Bennington, Nebraska, won the Goodguys 2013 March Performance Street Rod d’Elegance Award at last weekend’s 13th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals in Del Mar, California. The Cranberry-hued ’40 Ford was first introduced to the hot-rodding world back in March when it won the prestigious Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama. Although Cizek himself originally started the build three years ago as a “weekend project,” it was finished and coach-built by his partner Andy Leach and the talented team at Cal Automotive Creations in Omaha, Nebraska. Leach apprenticed for six years under the watchful eye of Troy Trepanier prior to joining forces with Cizek.

Checkered Past is the shop’s first completed concept-to-finished-show-car project, stamping them as major players to keep an eye on going forward. Winning the Ridler then the Street Rod d’Elegance crown has been pulled off by only a select few over the years.

Cizek will receive a custom toolbox from Snap-on as well as travel accommodations to the Goodguys 16th Southwest Nationals, November 15–17, in Scottsdale, Arizona, to join the “Champion’s Arena” display featuring Goodguys’ Top 12 Cars of the Year.

National Performance Warehouse Opens New Facility in San Jose, California
National Performance Warehouse Companies
announced that it has opened its larger facility at 615 N. King Road, San Jose, California, a week earlier than predicted. “The crew worked hard over the weekend to have the new building ready for business by 8:00 a.m. on Monday," stated Larry Pacey, company president and CEO. “We also had assistance from many suppliers and reps who pitched in to help beat our deadline.” The company also announced that customers will contact the company and process orders in the traditional manner, and that the move only changes the location where a customer would “will call” parts.   

  Susan Rounds
Wells Fargo Wealth Management Senior Vice President Susan Rounds will present "Strategic Positioning of the Family Business and Wealth" at the 2013 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.
   

GAAS Announces Business Survival Session
Susan Rounds
, a senior vice president with Wells Fargo Wealth Management, will present "Strategic Positioning of the Family Business and Wealth" at the 2013 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scheduled for May 21–22, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare near Chicago. Rounds' session is one of four breakout sessions that will be featured for the first time at GAAS.

“The key is to develop an integrated strategic plan that will maximize value and minimize taxes whether the business will be sold to a third party, or transferred to the next generation,” explained Rounds. “Every business owner should plan to attend my session. The information I will present is critical to the survival of any privately held business entity.”

GAAS 2013, with a theme of “Driving Change,” brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the worldwide automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. To register for GAAS 2013, visit www.globalsymposium.org.

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