Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Rich Barsamian | |
Advanced Clutch Technology Announces the Return of Rich Barsamian as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) has announced that Rich Barsamian has returned to ACT as vice president of sales and marketing. In this position, Barsamian will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to grow ACT's product business through sales and marketing. He was formally ACT's national sales manager. Barsamian, an industry veteran with many years in the automotive and performance aftermarket, brings a wealth of experience and relationships at every level, from warehouse distributor to chain retailers and mail order/Internet companies. He resigned his position as vice president, sales and marketing at GT Performance, and also worked as national sales manager for Edelbrock. Barsamian is also active in the SEMA community and serves as chairman of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Select Committee.
 RacingJunk.com has partnered with WELD Racing to give away a ’14 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab and a trip to the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas to one lucky winner. | |
WELD Racing Teams Up With RacingJunk.com to Give Away a Customized 2014 Chevrolet Silverado at the SEMA Show
WELD Racing has teamed up with RacingJunk.com to create a year-long promotion and contest to mark the website’s 15-year anniversary. At the 2013 PRI Show in Indianapolis, RacingJunk.com announced a partnership with WELD Racing to give away a ’14 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab and a trip to the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas to one lucky winner. The truck has been modified with aftermarket components and has spent the past year traveling around the country, appearing at shows and events, such as the Charlotte Auto Fair, Hot Rod Power Tour, NASCAR Coke 600, NHRA 4-Wide Nationals and the Knoxville Nationals. The truck will make its final stop at the 2014 SEMA Show, where it will appear in the WELD Racing booth #24957 for the duration of the Show.
Modifications and upgrades to the truck include WELD Racing wheels, Mickey Thompson tires, a Magnaflow exhaust system, a Magnuson supercharger installed by JHR Performance, A.R.E. tonneau cover, Dupli-Color bed armor system, a lift kit from Rough Country Suspension Systems and additional support from AED Performance. In late September, a winner was chosen from the tens of thousands of entries and arrangements were made to fly that person to Las Vegas. Wednesday, November 5, RacingJunk.com staff will hand over the keys to the winner, who will officially be announced at a ceremony at the WELD Racing booth held from 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
 Kyle Fickler | |
Aeromotive Welcomes Back Kyle Ficker
Aeromotive Inc. has appointed Kyle Fickler as director of business development. Fickler will oversee all sales reps, product training and OE business. Fickler was employed at Aeromotive Inc. for eight years prior to leaving to serve as vice president of sales at WELD Racing—a position he held for six years. Fickler currently sits on the SEMA Board of Directors after serving as SEMA’s Motorsports Parts Manufacturer Council (MPMC) chairman. Fickler also serves on the NHRA Performance Aftermarket Advisory Council (PAAC).
Fickler’s first active role as Aeromotive director of business development will be at the 2014 SEMA Show, where he will have the opportunity to sit down with Aeromotive reps, distributors and enthusiasts.
Royal Purple Relaunches Corporate Homepage
Royal Purple has relaunched its corporate homepage, RoyalPurple.com, with a new format and fresh look. The new landing page was designed to be more reflective of the events and initiatives supported by Royal Purple. Information on sponsored series, teams and racers, events, such as The Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl, and Royal Purple Truck and Trailer program can all be accessed in a one-page scrolling format. The site acts as a central feed for the latest posts to the brand’s Twitter and Instagram pages.
 Jen Martin | |
The Hybrid Shop (THS) Appoints Jen Martin as New Marketing Director
The Hybrid Shop (THS) has announced that it has selected Jen Martin as marketing director. Martin brings more than 10 years of marketing and business-development experience to her new position. In her new role, Martin will oversee all of the organization's day-to-day marketing activities and planning and implementing strategic marketing projects and campaigns to support and expand the company's ongoing growth.
One of her first official duties in her new role at THS is accompanying the team to the upcoming 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. THS will host an invitation-only Hybrid Training Day event for shop owners, November 3, at Ted Weins Auto Service in Las Vegas, and will attend the event, November 4–7 in booth #10218, Tools & Equipment, North Hall. THS will also host a Hybrid Celebration Party at the Boombox at Marquee Nightclub, Wednesday, November 5.
| |  Mitch Kelly from Kelly and Sons of Bellflower, California, will reveal a ’70 Chevrolet Camaro in the Ron Francis Wiring booth (#25075) at the 2014 SEMA Show. |
Kelly and Sons Custom to Be Revealed at the Ron Francis Wiring Booth at 2014 SEMA Show
Mitch Kelly from Kelly and Sons of Bellflower, California, will reveal a ’70 Chevrolet Camaro, Tuesday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the Ron Francis Wiring booth (#25075) at the 2014 SEMA Show. The ’70 Camaro pro-touring resto rod has undergone a complete transformation. Nearly every surface has received custom treatment with only a few small parts remaining unmodified. Some of the main features include a Lingenfelter supercharged 700hp LSA motor. This is attached to a 6L90 transmission with paddle shift. Detroit Speed provides the running gear, with Ron Francis Wiring complete electrical.
RealTruck Announces 2014 SEMA Vendor Awards Winners
After judges scored more than 50 nominations received for the 2014 SEMA Vendor Awards, five winners were selected, with one winner per category. Created in 2013, the RealTruck Vendor Awards honors companies that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the areas of communication, problem solving and support, while producing superior products and delivering more to RealTruck and its customers. The awards series highlights companies that stood out during the September 2013 to August 2014 period.
Most Valuable Partner: ACCESS
Rookie of the Year: Willmore Manufacturing Inc.
Customer Service Master: TruXedo
Data Geek of the Year: Husky Liners
Vendor of the Year: Lund International
 Dominick Wycoff | |
Dominick Wyckoff Joins Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels as Vice President of Business Development
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has announced the selection of Dominick Wycoff as vice president of business development reporting to company President Chris Barbara. Wycoff has more than 17 years of experience in the automotive industry as a former senior executive with Terry’s Tire Town of Ohio.
EnerSys Offers 20 Percent Discount at the SEMA Show for ODYSSEY Battery Orders
EnerSys (booth #24875) has announced that it will offer a 20-percent discount on ODYSSEY battery orders placed during the 2014 SEMA Show. SEMA Show attendees who visit the booth will receive a promo code to use at online checkout. The offer is only valid to attendees who obtain the code.
In addition to the 20-percent discount offer, booth features will include special guest appearances by: Spencer Massey (Don Schumacher Racing Top Fuel driver), Tuesday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; “Horny” Mike (co-host on History Channel’s “Counting Cars”), Tuesday, November 4, from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.; Rutledge Wood (co-host on History Channel’s “Top Gear”), Tuesday, November 4, from 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.; Tanner Foust (a three-time U.S. rallycross champion, four-time X Games gold medalist and two-time Formula Drift champion), Wednesday, November 5, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Richard Petty (NASCAR Hall of Famer) and Wood, Wednesday, November 5, from 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.; Brad Keselowski (NASCAR champion in the Cup and Nationwide series for Team Penske), Thursday, November 6, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; and Brian Deegan (Motocross Legend, 2013 LOORRS Pro Light Champion and 2013 DirtSport’s Driver of the Year), Thursday, November 6, from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Additionally, featured booth vehicles include Wood’s ’53 Plymouth Suburban Wagon, ULTRA4 Racing and 2014 King of the Hammers No. 4706 Spec Class car and two motorcycles that were built by the crew at Count’s Kustoms—the one-of-a-kind hot-rod and chopper customization/restoration shop, known from the television show “Counting Cars.”
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.