Compiled by SEMA Editors
LA Car Hires Doug Stokes as New Editor
LA Car has hired seasoned journalist, publicist and one-time race-car driver Doug Stokes is its new editor. The former International Kart Federation excutive director; MPG MilePost editor; and Mickey Thompson, LA Grand Prix, Honda, Suzuki, GM and Perris Auto Speedway publicist will take the helm of the Southern California publication on September 1, 2015. Stokes, who currently serves as a board director for the Motor Press Guild, has been writing for LA Car as its editor-at-large. He's the proprietor for stokescommunications, and serves as the vice president of communications for Team 211 Entertainment—the driving force behind Irwindale Speedway. LA Car/LACar.com syndicates automotive articles to print and Internet media sources.
 Fitted with Coker tires, the ’24 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Cabriolet won Best in Show at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. | |
Coker Tire-Equipped Classics Take Best of Show at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
More than 25 Best in Class and special trophy winners at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16 were equipped with period-correct Coker tires, including the Best in Show-winning ’24 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Cabriolet. In addition to the Best of Show Isotta, many other Best of Class-winning cars were wearing fresh, period-correct rubber from Coker Tire, including a ’57 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet Series I, a ’14 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Kellner Torpedo Phaeton and a ’56 Jaguar D-Type Roadster.
Several special trophy-winning vehicles were also sporting Cokers, including the Chairmans Trophy winner—a ’26 Renault 45MC Manessius Cabriolet de Ville; Classic Car Club of America Trophy winner, a ’31 duPont Model H Merrimac Sport Phaeton; and Lincoln Trophy winner, a ’33 Lincoln KB Dietrich.
Coker was the tire of choice for nearly every vehicle in the early-period classes with eight out of nine cars in the A-1 Antique class riding on Coker Tires and six out of nine A-2 Pope class cars. Five out of six of the B Vintage class cars and a large selection of C-1 American Classic Open class cars also chose Coker.
Combs and Contreras Launch “Real Deal”
 Combs |  Contreras | ||
Jessi Combs and Theresa Contreras have joined forces as the Real Deal—a collaboration of automotive and industrial women who aim to empower and educate others regarding the positive impact associated with design, speed and passion. Both Combs and Contreras are hands-on in their approach and leaders within the automotive industry. Combs, with a degree in custom automotive fabrication, has impacted millions with her build skills on TV shows such as “Overhaulin’” and “All Girls Garage,” and holds titles from Ultra4 National Champion to the Fastest Woman on 4 Wheels.
Contreras has combined her fine-art education from Cal Poly and her hands-on auto-body shop experience to collaborate with some of the best in the industry. Real Deal, a lifestyle brand, encourages and supports women to get their hands dirty and truly make a difference in their community through their never-give-up way of life in the automotive and industrial arts industries.
Visit www.iamtherealdeal.com for Real Deal merchandise, instructional workshops, blog posts on Real Deal women and to follow their journey of inspiring more women to work creatively in the shop and play hard out on the track.
Motovicity Announces Launch of Alpinestars
Motovicity Distribution has announced the addition of Alpinestars to its line card. Manufacturing a variety of shoes, gloves and racing suits for the automotive industry, Alpinestars products are used throughout motorsports. Alpinestars is now available for wholesale purchase through Motovicity Distribution.
“Rev’n” Adds Topeka and Kansas City Stations
Luken Communications LLC has added the latest “Rev’n” affiliates—Heartland Broadcasting’s WROB and KMJC (Topeka; DMA 136) and KCKS (Kansas City; DMA 31). “Rev’n” can now be found in the Kansas City and Topeka areas on channel 25.7, in addition to Luken’s Retro TV and Heartland on 25.9 and 25.4, respectively. “Rev’n” officially launched December 1, 2014, and currently reaches an estimated 53.8 million homes in 35 markets. “Rev’n,” a network geared toward the performance enthusiast, is dedicated to all things revving, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, events, auctions and more. Content includes “Two Guys Garage,” “Bidding Wars,” “Truck U” and “My Classic Car.”
American Force Expands Offerings, Acquires 360 Forged
American Force is expanding its product offerings to include forged monoblock and three-piece wheels for musclecars. As part of the company’s acquisition and growth strategy, American Force recently acquired 360 Forged—a Miami-based manufacturer of forged wheels. Terms of the agreement were not released. 360 Forged will be re-branded American Force Muscle and will serve as the platform from which to launch the company’s new musclecar wheels.
RTM Announces Katie Osborne as New Host of “PowerNation”
RTM Productions—a Raycom Media company and producers of the “PowerNation” and “PowerBlock” automotive television programs—has announced today that veteran racing media personality Katie Osborne has been named new host for “PowerNation,” which reaches millions of viewers per week with shows including “Detroit Muscle,” “Engine Power,” “Truck Tech,” and “Xtreme Off Road.” Prior to joining RTM Productions, Osborne covered racing as a pit and trackside reporter for TORC on Fox Sports, Global Rallycross on ESPN and Rally America on NBC Sports Network. Osborne was also a social media host for SPEED TV in addition to creating and hosting IndyCar’s “In The Passenger Seat.”
TEN: The Enthusiast Network Officially Launches Motor Trend OnDemand SVOD Service
TEN: The Enthusiast Network has officially launched its Motor Trend OnDemand subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, which provides exclusive access to more than 1,000 hours of automotive programming, including motorsport racing, original episodic series, event coverage, historical archives, films, documentaries and television series serving the entire spectrum of automotive and motorcycle enthusiasts.
Motor Trend OnDemand is the exclusive North American distributor of more than 60 live motorsport events each year, including racing from Pirelli World Challenge, MotoAmerica, Blancpain Series, DTM, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo and enthusiast events, such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Goodwood Festival of Speed. In addition, Motor Trend OnDemand will provide exclusive first-look access, bonus episodes, and behind-the-scenes footage from its slate of original programs, including “Roadkill,” “Dirt Every Day,” “Head 2 Head,” “Ignition” and “Hot Rod Garage,” along with several new original series, which will be exclusive to the service.
Tint World Earns National Mobile Electronics Recognition Award
Tint World has been recognized as one of the top retailer store chains of 12-volt upgrades by Mobile Electronics magazine. Named Retailer of the Year - Store Chain runner-up for the 2015 Mobile Electronics Industry Awards, Tint World has been identified for its commitment to the 12-volt industry two years in a row. The top 12 finalists for the 2015 awards were announced prior to the August awards ceremony held at Knowledgefest in Dallas.
RealTruck Announces Third Annual Vendor Awards
RealTruck.com has announced that the nomination period for its third annual Vendor Awards has opened. All RealTruck partners are invited to submit themselves for consideration. Vendor Awards are given to RealTruck partners who shine in their specific category. Award categories include: Rookie of the Year, Customer Service, Data Geek and Vendor of the Year. To be considered, companies are required to submit an application by September 16. Finalists will be announced September 18, and winners will be contacted October 13, 2015. Visit the SEMA Vendor Awards page for more information and to submit an application.
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