By Kristopher Porter
 Rich Barsamian |  Mike Thermos |
The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Performance Industry Reception—to be held December 13, at the Indiana Convention Center in rooms 208–209, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.—serves as an opportunity to close out day two of the PRI Trade Show with an evening of networking with industry friends and colleagues. Open to all manufacturers and media, a highlight of this year’s event is the induction of the three latest members into the MPMC Hall of Fame. Enjoy hot hors d’oeuvres and drinks while mingling with the MPMC Select Committee, fellow manufacturers and this year’s MPMC Hall of Fame inductees.
The MPMC Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the motorsports industry through their life’s work. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees include Rich Barsamian and Mike Thermos.
Barsamian has spent his entire career in the automotive aftermarket working with companies, including Grant, Edelbrock, GT Performance Products and Advanced Clutch Technology, where he works today as vice president, sales and marketing. Always grateful for the opportunity to work in the specialty automotive aftermarket, Barsamian started volunteering early in his career. He has served on select committees for the Young Executives Network (YEN), Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), three terms on the MPMC Select Committee and ultimately serving as chair. During his 13 years with the MPMC, he was instrumental in the creation of the Business Guidelines Manual, various education initiatives and the founding of the MPMC Hall of Fame in 2010. Still committed to volunteering, he then served on the SEMA Scholarship Committee. Along the way, he has earned several industry awards, including the YEN Executive of the Year, YEN Vanguard Award, 2011 PWA Person of the Year and the 2014 SEMA Person of the Year. For his unending dedication and commitment to the industry, to SEMA and especially to the MPMC, the council will induct Barsamian into the 2019 MPMC Hall of Fame.
When Thermos founded Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS) in 1978 he wasn’t looking to start an entirely new market segment in the performance world. But that’s exactly what he did. “We were just having fun making cars go fast,” said Thermos about how it all began. His innovations went far beyond simply “plumbing in some nitrous.” He and his company designed A-to-Z kits for safely and efficiently using nitrous oxide as a new way to boost an engine without a supercharger or turbocharger. Along the way, other companies sprang up to either make their own kits or supply various support hardware or software. He sold NOS in 1999, and it is still an industry leader under the Holley banner. Not one to really retire, he returned to the industry with another company, Nitrous Supply. Thermos has always been a strong supporter of SEMA and the MPMC. His companies have participated in more than a dozen Media Trade Conferences and he is often seen at MPMC meetings. As an industry leader who is credited with founding the Nitrous Oxide market segment, MPMC will induct Thermos into the 2019 MPMC Hall of Fame.