Compiled by SEMA Editors

Andy McIntosh

APC Automotive Technologies Promotes Andy McIntosh to President of Its AP Emissions Technologies Division

APC Automotive Technologies LLC has announced the promotion of Andy McIntosh to president of its AP Emissions Technologies division. McIntosh will be responsible for leading AP Emissions and all of its business units across Goldsboro, North Carolina, Hobart, Indiana, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania. The announcement was made by Mike Barto, president and COO at APC, who noted that McIntosh has been with the company since 2015 and was vice president/general manager of its CATCO Catalytic Converters and Aristo Intelligent Catalyst Technologies operations in Hobart. As general manager of CATCO and Aristo, McIntosh oversaw the development and manufacturing of coated-catalyst and catalytic converters for the CATCO, AP Emissions and Eastern Catalytic brands and a diverse range of private-label customers. McIntosh and his team also spearheaded the complete manufacturing integration of the DuraFit heavy-duty product line, including diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts, which was acquired in late 2017. Prior to APC, McIntosh served Honeywell Corp. as global vice president and CTO for Asia, Europe and the Americas, where he lead a team of more than 250 global staff members. Before Honeywell, McIntosh was the principal consultant for Global Productivity Solutions. He also served as divisional engineering manager for Eaton’s Automotive Fuel Systems division.

The new Tint World store in Missouri City, Texas.

Tint World Opens New Store in Missouri City, Texas

Tint World has announced the opening of its new store in Missouri City, Texas, under the ownership of local entrepreneurs Sam Jowkari and Dhaval Patel. Tint World of Missouri City will provide a full range of automotive styling and safety services, including automotive tint, automotive paint protection film, mobile electronics, advanced driver-assistance systems and car stereo upgrades and residential and commercial window film.

Polaris-Owned TAP Names Several New Leaders

Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP) has announced that several leaders have joined TAP or have been promoted into new leadership roles. Adam Trowbridge has been named senior director of category management, reporting to TAP President Craig Scanlon. Trowbridge has been with TAP for 15 years and most recently steered TAP’s supply-chain strategy. As the leader of the newly formed category management team, Trowbridge will be responsible for the strategic direction, expansion and performance of TAP’s product portfolio. Brian Rowland has been named senior director of marketing, reporting to Scanlon. Rowland will be responsible for the new centralized marketing organization created to drive brand awareness and customer loyalty. Joey DiGiovanni, who is the founder and former CEO of the UTVUnderground brand, joins TAP to lead the company’s strategies around social media, content marketing and partnerships. He will lead all business-to-consumer and business-to-business social media, branded video production and influencer marketing, reporting to Rowland. Victor Gonzales has been named senior director of the new national sales division, reporting to Scanlon. Evan Keller joined TAP as senior director of the newly created 4WP division, reporting to Scanlon. Keller joins the TAP team from Polaris Industries’ Off-Road Vehicles division, where he oversaw the sales and dealer promotion strategy. In his new role, Keller will be responsible for enhancing and growing the 4WP shopping experience through its brick-and-mortar stores, direct sales and online channels. Sammy Cervantes, director, 4WP Stores, will continue to lead the 4WP stores and focus on expanding its footprint and service center capabilities. Jordan Benning joined TAP as senior director of TAP business system, reporting to Scanlon. Previously with Polaris’ Integration team, Benning has spent the last two years at TAP leading integration efforts following the company’s acquisition by Polaris.

For the $10K Drag Shootout, four teams, each with five crew members, have been given $3,000 to purchase a car and $7,000 worth of Summit Racing gift cards that allow each crew to pick and choose from the distributor’s selection of parts.

Horsepower Wars $10K Drag Shootout Automotive Show Launches

Power Automedia’s “Horsepower Wars: $10K Drag Shootout” storyline is underway with the fourth of 11 episodes recently debuting at HorsepowerWars.com, Facebook, YouTube and social-media platforms. For the $10K Drag Shootout, four teams, each with five crew members, have been given $3,000 to purchase a car and $7,000 worth of Summit Racing gift cards that allow each crew to pick and choose from the distributor’s selection of parts. The teams had 10 days to build as fast as they could, and now will be given the opportunity to lay down the fastest e.t. possible, September 13–16 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

The four teams include:

• Team Boddie, ’84 Buick Regal: nitrous big-block Chevy, led by Russ Wullenwaber and Jay Boddie
• Team Bigun, ’86 Mustang GT: turbo LS, led by Lyle Barnett & Eric Yost.
• Team Stinky Pinky, third-gen Camaro: blown big-block Chevy, led by Dean Karns and Papa Disco.
• COMP Cams Dream Team, ’90 Mustang GT: Turbo LS, led by Jeff Reed.

Steve Crandell	Greg Horton
Brad Thompson

R&R Marketing Hires Three New Sales and Marketing Representatives

R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. (RRMCI) has announced the recent hire of Steve Crandell, Greg Horton and  Brad Thompson as sales and marketing representatives. Crandell joins RRMCI with almost three decades of experience in the automotive industry. He started in the industry as an inside sales/tech for Reliable Automotive and later moved to Keystone Automotive. After he chose to end his tenure at Keystone in 2008, he accepted a position with Team Allied as an outside sales representative. Crandell is a member of the RRMCI Midwest team. Horton joins RRMCI with more than a decade of experience in the automotive industry. His career began with Burnett Automotive as a technician, later climbing the ladder to service advisor and finally being promoted to store manager. Horton is also a member of the RRMCI Midwest team. Thompson joins RRMCI as an avid enthusiast of all things racing. He grew up watching his father race and eventually became a part of his pit crew, where he later was promoted to crew chief. He joins the RRMCI Southwest team.

Top management at Stertil-Koni's newest distributor GES: Owner Leon Fiacco (left) and Sales Manager Chris Holmes.

Stertil-Koni Signs New England-Based Garage Equipment Solutions to Its Dedicated Distributor Network

Stertil-Koni has announced that it has expanded its network of exclusive distributors with the addition of Garage Equipment Solutions (GES), headquartered in Rensselaer, New York. A relationship between Stertil-Koni and GES took form when founder Peter Corsi had met Ed Carr, owner of D.L. Carr, a Stertil-Koni distributor also based in New York state. GES and D.L. Carr developed a strong association by working together on several heavy-duty vehicle lift installation projects. Joining owner Leon Fiacco in top management at GES is its sales manager Chris Holmes, who brings 35 years of automotive industry knowledge, coupled with 12 years in vehicle lift sales.

Chris Fairless

Chris Fairless joins Daystar Products International

Daystar Products International has announced that industry veteran Chris Fairless has joined the Daystar team as sales manager. He will work directly with major accounts in the United States and Canada, and mentor Daystar’s regional sales management team. Fairless has more than 30 years’ experience in automotive retail, wholesale, e-commerce, manufacturer representation and manufacturing. He is an active industry volunteer, serving on several SEMA committees and task forces over the past 25 years. He currently serves on the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) select committee.

(L–R): Bruce Qvale, John Nikas and Kendel Qvale stand behind a ’18 Jaguar F-Type and a ’64 Jaguar E-Type.

British Vehicle Pioneer Kjell Qvale Inducted Into British Sports Car Hall of Fame

British Sports Car Hall of Fame Director and noted British vehicle book author John Nikas honored Kjell Qvale, founder of the Qvale Auto Group (QAG) and co-founder of The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as part of his posthumous induction into the British Sports Car Hall of Fame. Bruce Qvale, Kjell’s son and president of the Qvale Auto Group (QAG), and his daughter Kendel Qvale, vice president, QAG, accepted the award for Kjell at The Lodge at Pebble Beach on the eve of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance alongside Jaguars from then and now. They were awarded with the Moto-Lita Trophy from the British Sports Car Hall of Fame, named for the renowned wooden classic British steering wheel. Based in San Francisco since 1947, Kjell was the first importer/distributor of all British vehicles in Northern California, and shortly thereafter became the importer/distributor for the entire West Coast. Today, QAG owns 14 dealerships across the United States, and continues to offer such brands as Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Pagani, Porsche and Audi. The British Sports Car Hall of Fame, located in Petersburg Virginia, honors important contributors to the British sports car legacy in the United States.

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.

The RPM Act needs your support.

The RPM Act needs your support.

The RPM Act needs your support.

The RPM Act needs your support.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors of the 2018 SEMA Show can expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

Exhibitors of the 2018 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.

The list, which will be updated each week in SEMA eNews, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2018 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2018 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2018 SEMA Show.

View the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors of the 2018 SEMA Show can expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

Exhibitors of the 2018 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.

The list, which will be updated each week in SEMA eNews, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2018 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2018 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2018 SEMA Show.

View the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors interested in receiving a vehicle wipe-down each day of the Show must apply by Friday, September 28.

Mothers Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners will sponsor a free vehicle wipe-down program for 2018 SEMA Show exhibitors. The service is limited to the first 200 exhibitors, with applications due September 28. One booth or feature vehicle per exhibitor is eligible and will receive a wipe-down each day of the SEMA Show.

For complete guidelines and to apply, fill out the “Daily Wipe-Down” form within the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

Questions can be directed to the SEMA Show customer service team, 909-396-0289, or email wipedown@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors interested in receiving a vehicle wipe-down each day of the Show must apply by Friday, September 28.

Mothers Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners will sponsor a free vehicle wipe-down program for 2018 SEMA Show exhibitors. The service is limited to the first 200 exhibitors, with applications due September 28. One booth or feature vehicle per exhibitor is eligible and will receive a wipe-down each day of the SEMA Show.

For complete guidelines and to apply, fill out the “Daily Wipe-Down” form within the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

Questions can be directed to the SEMA Show customer service team, 909-396-0289, or email wipedown@sema.org.

Compiled By SEMA Editors

J.R. Todd powered his DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car to victory for the second time in a row last Monday at the 64th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

Todd, McMillen, Gray and Tonglet Victorious at Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals

J.R. Todd powered his DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car to victory for the second time in a row last Monday at the 64th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Terry McMillen (Top Fuel), Tanner Gray (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victorious at the 18th event of 24 on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Todd raced to a 4.062-second pass at 311.70 mph to defeat Matt Hagan’s pass of 4.141 at 300.60 in his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Hellcat SRT in the final round. With the win Todd moves to fifth in points heading into the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. McMillen powered past Doug Kalitta with a 4.037 pass at 300.66 in his AMALIE Motor Oil Xtermigator dragster to better Kalitta’s 4.067 at 303.57 in his Mac Tools dragster. McMillen secured the No. 7 spot heading into the Countdown to the Championship. In Pro Stock, Gray ran a 6.641 pass at 208.42 in his Gray Motorsports/Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro to defeat Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s 6.639 at 206.80 in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro on a holeshot. He secured the No. 1 seed leading into the Countdown to the Championship during the semifinals when veteran Greg Anderson lost in the quarterfinals. Tonglet rode to the Pro Stock Motorcycle win with his 6.864 pass at 197.10 on his Nitro Fish Racing Suzuki to defeat four-time world champion Eddie Krawiec and his Mello Yello Vance & Hines Harley Davidson’s 6.884 pass at 197.02. The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues September 13–16, at Maple Grove Raceway with the 34th annual Dodge NHRA Nationals and the kickoff to the Countdown to the Championship.

John Reed’s record-breaking late-model HEMI Challenger.

John Reed Resets The IRS Late Model HEMI Record

John Reed posted an 8.23 E.T. pass at 160.84 mph in his Vortech Supercharged Dodge Challenger at Cecil County Dragway, breaking the current world record during the license pass after letting off at 1,000 ft. He initially became the first late-model IRS Hemi Challenger to break the eight-second barrier in 2015 at the Modern Street Hemi Shootout, with an 8.85 E.T. at 158 mph.

Royal Purple presented the “Slickest Pass” awards to Patricio O’Ward, Calvin Ming and Sting Ray Robb at the September 3 Road to Indy awards banquet.

Royal Purple Awards Mazda Road to Indy Drivers Patricio O’Ward, Calvin Ming and Sting Ray Robb $5,000 Each

Royal Purple has awarded one driver in each of the three Mazda Road to Indy Series with the Royal Purple “Slickest Pass” award, which included a $5,000 check to aid each driver in reaching their goal of racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500. Royal Purple presented the awards to Patricio O’Ward, Calvin Ming and Sting Ray Robb at the September 3 Road to Indy awards banquet. Robb received the “Slickest Pass” for the Pro Mazda Series while Ming received the bonus check in the USF2000 Series. O’Ward was the winner in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires as a result of a vote held on Royal Purple’s social media channels.

Tii Tharpe

Tii Tharpe Takes Top Fuel Harley Title

Tii Tharpe is the champion of the NHRA Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series after clinching the win over the Labor Day weekend at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis—a new event for the Harley series this year. Tharpe defeated Doug Vancil after the two entered the finale separated by less than a round’s worth of points.

MAHLE Acquires Italian Thermostat Specialist

In August, the MAHLE Group acquired all the shares in the former joint venture Behr Thermot-tronik Italia S.p.A. (BTTI), which has been renamed MAHLE Behr Grugliasco S.p.A. with immediate effect. The former shareholders, MAHLE Behr Kornwestheim GmbH and Valtri S.p.A., jointly agreed to this step in order to pursue the long-term, future-oriented focus and successful ongoing development of BTTI. The employment contracts of current employees are expected to remain unchanged, and no physical relocations are planned.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) eNewsletter.