Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Barrett-Jackson and Prestone are teaming up this summer for a one-of-a-kind restoration build named “Project Prestone,” featuring an ’87 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe. |
Barrett-Jackson, Prestone Team Up for “Project Prestone” Restoration Build
Barrett-Jackson and Prestone are teaming up this summer for a one-of-a-kind restoration build named “Project Prestone.” The project car, an ’87 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe, was unveiled at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, along with the restoration plan that will see the completed vehicle auctioned at Barrett-Jackson’s 2018 Scottsdale Auction in January. At the completion of Barrett-Jackson’s 2017 Northeast Auction, the vehicle will be transported to Scottsdale, Arizona, and set up within the Barrett-Jackson Collection Showroom, where a majority of the restoration build will take place. Over the summer months, the showroom division manager and team will complete a variety of work on the restoration build that includes replacing and upgrading the stock suspension, brakes and exhaust. The ’87 Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe will also have a rebuilt transmission, new sound system and graphics package. The restoration build will be completed at the Las Vegas Auction, October 19–21, 2017, and will be on display during the show. The vehicle will also be included at the Prestone trailer display at the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, October 31–November 3, 2017, along with various events in Arizona that Barrett-Jackson will attend. Contributing partners include Chevrolet Performance Parts, Detroit Speed Inc., MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust, Summit Racing, Stanley Black & Decker, Mac Tools, Direct-Lift, BFGoodrich, Adam’s Polishes, The Eastwood Company, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and Wilwood Engineering.
 Yokohama Tire Corp. has announced a new partnership with Horsepower Adventures. |
Yokohama Tire Corp. Forms New Off-Road Partnership With Horsepower Adventures; Names Rick Alonzo Senior Director of Supply Chain and Logistics
Yokohama Tire Corp. announced a new partnership with Horsepower Adventures (HPA), a specialized off-road driving experience company operating on Mexico’s Baja peninsula. Yokohama is now the Official Tire of HPA, and its GEOLANDAR tires will be featured on all of HPA’s high-performance, purpose-built tour vehicles and support vehicles as they traverse Baja’s landscape. Yokohama’s HPA sponsorship also includes branding at the iconic, 50-room Horsepower Ranch Resort, located in the mountains above Ensenada, Mexico. Yokohama also has announced that Rick Alonzo has joined the company as senior director of supply chain and logistics. He will report to Yokohama COO Jeff Barna. Alonzo joins Yokohama from Roche Diagnostics, where he was a director of global supply chain management.
Rancho Extends Promotion on Lift Kits, Shocks Purchases Through Summer
The Rancho “Summer of Savings” mail-in rebate promotion—an extension of the successful spring promotion—will offer truck and Jeep owners Visa Prepaid cards worth up to $300 until August 31. The products featured in the promotion include qualifying Rancho quickLIFT Loaded assemblies; RS9000XL, RS7000MT, RS5000X and RS5000 series shocks and struts; RS7000MT and RS5000 series steering stabilizers; and qualifying Rancho lift kits. To learn more about specific product purchase combinations, visit www.gorancho.com. Submissions must be postmarked by September 30, 2017, to qualify.
 Gerot Ritzdorf | |
Avery Dennison Appoints Gernot Ritzdorf to Vice President of Sales, Label and Packaging Materials, North America
Avery Dennison has announced it has appointed Gernot Ritzdorf to vice president, sales, label and packaging materials (LPM), North America. In this role, Ritzdorf will lead the business’ field sales, technical sales, customer service and technical support teams for LPM. Gernot brings 12 years of experience in the company, with various roles, including leading both regional and global sales organizations. Previously, he held the role of vice president, sales, for LGM Europe. Most recently, he served as vice president, global accounts.
 The Quaker State “Best in Class Challenge” vehicle was restored by the students at Jordan Vocational High School in Columbus, Georgia. |
Quaker State’s “Best in Class Challenge” Vehicle Sells for $65,000
The Quaker State “Best in Class Challenge” vehicle, a ’96 Ford Mustang, sold for $65,000 last weekend at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction at Mohegan Sun. The six-week automotive education competition featured high-school auto-shop classes across the United States charged with the task of tuning, restoring and customizing a pre-owned car into a pristine, creative representation of their school. The Mustang, restored by the students at Jordan Vocational High School in Columbus, Georgia, is no stranger to the auction block. Back in April, the students proudly auctioned the revamped vehicle at Barrett-Jackson’s West Palm Beach event, which sold for $50,000 before being donated back for auction at Mohegan Sun.
DENSO Awards Battle Creek Student Scholarships
DENSO has renewed its commitment to support and provide educational opportunities for the communities it serves in West Michigan. DENSO Manufacturing Michigan (DMMI) in Battle Creek has awarded scholarships to four outstanding students through partnerships with the Battle Creek Community Foundation (BCCF) and the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center (BCAMSC). Scholarship resources come from the DMMI Scholarship Fund, which DENSO established in 1997 to assist children of employees with the rising cost of higher education. The 2017 BCCF scholarship recipients are Jayson Butler and Calder Lachance of Lakeview High School, and Ian Mullis of Saint Philip Catholic Central High School. Butler plans to attend Michigan State University and major in chemistry this fall. Lachance will study political science at the University of Michigan and Mullis will begin engineering studies at Kellogg Community College. A selection committee from the BCCF chooses winners based on student activities and work experience. The BCAMSC scholarship promotes math and science education and excellence, recognizing outstanding graduates with financial assistance for college expenses. Staff at the BCAMSC selects two outstanding students for the scholarship each year. Lachance and Ana Singh, also of Lakeview High School, received this year’s scholarships. Singh will attend Calvin College to study biology and Spanish.
 Jason Reiss |
Power Automedia Expands Editorial Department, Hires Jason Reiss as Executive Editor, Technical Content
Power Automedia has announced the return of Jason Reiss, who joins the editorial department as executive editor, technical content. His responsibilities will include managing and leading technical content across the Power Automedia publications, as well as editor of EngineLabs.com. Reiss returns to Power Automedia with roughly 15 years of experience in automotive journalism. His previous experience with Power Automedia includes time as editor of EngineLabs, along with contributions to the company’s other magazines. Reiss’ work has also been featured in other titles, including Hot Rod, Super Chevy, Race Pages, Fastest Street Car, Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords and 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords.
Evans Cooling Partners With Automatic Distributors
Evans Waterless Coolant will now be sold through Automatic Distributors—a wholesale distributor of more than 75,000 powersports parts and accessories headquartered in Bangor, Maine. Automatic Distributors will make Evans’ coolant technology available to ATV, UTV, Motocross, PWC/marine, snowmobile, street bike and utility trailer owners.
 John Simmons |
NPW Expands Staff in Miami With Addition of Vice President of Purchasing
National Performance Warehouse’s (NPW) President and CEO Larry Pacey has tapped industry veteran John Simmons to enhance the NPW Purchasing Group. Simmons brings with him a wide range of experience in the traditional, performance and truck accessories categories. He formally held positions as the corporate merchandise manager for Whitlock/WSR Corp, president of VSI and, until recently, VSI/Meyers operations manager with Meyer Distributing’s acquisition of VSI. Simmons has been involved in various industry associations and groups and was awarded the Auto Merchandising News (AMN) “Man of the Year Award” in 1988.
KAMM Industries Acquires SpeedStrap
KAMM Industries—parent company of PRP Seats—has announced the acquisition of SpeedStrap, maker of the SpeedStrap recovery strap and premium tie-downs and accessories for off-road vehicles. KAMM plans to keep the SpeedStrap name and suite of products to sell alongside the PRP brand at shows and events as well as on www.speedstrap.com.
Sentury Tire North America Announces Partnership With King’s Tire Wholesale
Sentury Tire’s GroundSpeed tire line will now be available in California through King’s Tire Wholesale (KTW), which has multiple distribution centers in California that will provide tires to their many retail partners. The GroundSpeed line manufactured in Thailand, will move production to the new USA plant and R&D Center in LaGrange, Georgia. The factory groundbreaking is scheduled for 2017.
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