By SEMA News Editors
Two Championship-Style Trucks From Ram, UFC and RealTruck to Be Auctioned for Charity
A collaboration between Ram, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), RealTruck and Barrett-Jackson will send two custom Ram trucks to the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Las Vegas Auction to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation and UFC Foundation. The trucks will cross the auction block as a pair Friday, September 11, at approximately 3:30 p.m. PDT in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
With Barrett-Jackson waiving all fees and commissions, 100% of the hammer price from the sale of both vehicles will benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation, providing educational scholarships to the families of America's fallen or disabled military and first responders. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit Hispanic charities via the UFC Foundation in recognition of Mexican Independence Day weekend.
The two Ram trucks––a one-of-one '27 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee SRT and a '05 Ram 1500 SRT-10––are being auctioned on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As the nation pauses to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the partnership honors the courage and selflessness of first responders, military service members and everyday citizens who answered the call.
UFC President and CEO Dana White will be on the Barrett-Jackson auction block to help drive bids, alongside Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson. In addition to the vehicles, the winning bidder will also receive a VIP UFC Experience to the future event of their choice.
"Barrett-Jackson has a long history of uniting automotive passion with incredible charitable causes," said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "Partnering with global powerhouses like Ram, UFC and RealTruck allows us to amplify our fundraising efforts."
The unique trucks are custom builds from two generations, each pushing the limits of performance, craftsmanship and customization.
The First Retail Production and Custom One-of-One '27 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee SRT
The '27 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee lineup creates a new performance pickup segment, featuring the industry's only Quad Cab, short-bed, widebody configuration and three available HEMI V8 powertrains. The Rumble Bee SRT is powered by a supercharged 6.2L Hellcat Hemi V8 engine that delivers 777 hp and 680 lb.-ft. of torque. The truck accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, covers the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds and has a targeted top speed of 170 mph.
The Rumble Bee SRT crossing the Barrett-Jackson auction block will be the first retail-production model built and will receive additional customization to create a one-of-one collector truck. Planned details include:
- Direct Connection 3.0L supercharger upgrade capable of more than 900 horsepower.
- Direct Connection MagnaFlow stainless-steel cat-back performance exhaust.
- Hand-painted two-tone paint scheme with a Molten Red Pearl-Coat upper body and Diamond Black Crystal Pearl-Coat lower body.
- Custom bedside graphics and Diamond Black Crystal Pearl-Coat fender flares.
- Black center hood stripe.
- Flame Red "RAM" grille badge and Brembo brake calipers.
- Satin-black 22-in. wheels.
- Custom one-of-one center console badge that authenticates the build.
A Pristine Custom '05 Ram 1500 SRT-10 Pickup
The '05 Ram 1500 SRT-10, customized by RealTruck, is powered by an 8.3-liter, 500-horsepower V10 engine originally found in the Dodge Viper. The truck still holds the Guinness World Record as the "World's Fastest Production Pickup Truck."
Built by ProMotorsports in collaboration with Mark Trostle, vice president of Ram, SRT and Mopar Design, the SRT-10 includes:
- Two-tone paint scheme with a yellow upper body and black lower body.
- Black hood graphics.
- Custom wheels in matching yellow and black.
- Viper-inspired bedside graphics.
- Alea black leather seats with yellow accents.
- RealTruck PowerStep running boards.
- RealTruck Pro X15 soft roll-up tonneau cover.
- Husky Liners floor liners and bed protection.
"Every build tells a story. This one tells three. It's a '05 truck, the same year UFC's Ultimate Fighter launched under Dana White and this SRT-10 became the inspiration for the new Rumble Bee it's paired with," said RealTruck Inc. Vice President of Marketing Lee Riser. "We took RealTruck's product lineup, Ram's performance DNA and UFC's massive platform, and pointed it all at something bigger: raising real money for Folds of Honor and the UFC Foundation through Barrett-Jackson's stage."
The September 10–12 Las Vegas Auction will be broadcast live on History and FYI, Barrett-Jackson.com and Barrett-Jackson's YouTube channel. To learn more about bidding on these vehicles or attending the event, visit barrett-jackson.com/bidders.
FIA American Congress to Bring Mobility and Motorsports Leaders Together in Buenos Aires
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) will bring representatives from 32 Member Clubs across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean to Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 31-September 2 for the FIA American Congress.
Hosted by the Automóvil Club Argentino, the three-day gathering will focus on issues affecting mobility and motorsports across the Americas, including road safety, sustainable transportation, accessibility to motorsports and collaboration among FIA Member Clubs.
Argentina President Javier Milei is scheduled to officially open the Congress.
The event also will recognize FIA Member Clubs for their work in mobility and motorsports. The FIA Innovation Challenge 2026 Regional Champions for Regions III and IV will be announced during the Congress, along with the recipient of the José Abed Award. The award honors the late José Abed, former president of OMDAI and promoter of the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix, and recognizes a sporting club that has advanced motorsports participation, knowledge, regional development or the relationship between motorsports and mobility.
"The passion for motorsport and mobility in Argentina runs deep, and this provides a fitting backdrop for these discussions as we consider how to continue strengthening and growing global motorsport, and delivering safer, more affordable, and more sustainable mobility," said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Argentina provides a significant backdrop for discussions about the future of mobility. The country has more than 15 million vehicles and an extensive road network supporting communities, industries and export markets. Its domestic automotive industry, along with increasing adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles, is helping shape the country's transportation landscape.
For more information, visit the FIA website.
Image courtesy of FIA
PBS News Hour: As Tracks Close, States Push 'Right to Race' Laws
By SEMA News Editors
Across the country, local race tracks are facing pressure from noise complaints, nuisance lawsuits and development encroaching on established motorsports facilities. As tracks fight to stay open, more states are considering legislation aimed at protecting them from those challenges.
According to a SEMA report, roughly a quarter of operating motorsports facilities have closed over the past 25 years. The issue is receiving increasing attention from state lawmakers, with four states having enacted "Right to Race" laws and similar legislation advancing in others. (Learn more at sema.org/right-to-race and get involved at semahq.org/campaigns/right-to-race.)
A recent PBS News Hour report takes a closer look at the issue, visiting Shenandoah Speedway in Page County, Virginia, speaking with the track manager Chris Lilly, racers and fans about the challenges of keeping motorsports facilities open.
PBS also connected with Joshua Vadeboncouer, assistant professor at Gardner-Webb University, who shared his perspective on nuisance laws from neighboring communities. "The track didn't necessarily move close to neighborhoods; Neighborhoods gradually moved closer to the track," he said, pointing out that nuisance lawsuits can be detrimental to tracks.
Doug Bresnahan, managing director of PRI, said, "The tracks were there first; they should have the right to operate."
Watch now: See how track owners, racers and industry leaders are working to protect local motorsports facilities––and why "Right to Race" laws are gaining momentum across the country.
Valvoline to Open New Global Headquarters in Cincinnati
Valvoline, the lubricant brand currently located in Lexington, Kentucky, is planning to open a new global headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, the company announced.
The company's current base in Lexington, Kentucky, will remain its central hub for operations in the United States, Canada and Latin America, and will continue to employ more than 400 people.
The company's new global headquarters will be located in downtown Cincinnati, where it expects to invest in a complete revitalization of the 50,000 sq. ft. it will occupy. The move positions executive leadership and global functions minutes away from the company's largest production facility while also providing the space, infrastructure and connectivity necessary for the company's continued growth, Valvoline representatives said. The new space will be designed to accommodate up to 120 employees.
"Today marks an important moment for our company," said Jamal Muashsher, president and CEO of Valvoline Global Operations. "Expanding our presence in Cincinnati and creating our Americas Hub in Lexington provides the space for our teams to better collaborate, innovate and operate more effectively, which will ensure we continue providing top-tier support for our customers worldwide."
The planned renovation and transition to the new global headquarters will happen over the coming months, with the new facility expected to open in the spring of 2027.
For more information, visit valvolineglobal.com.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Sean Pavone
