By Jenny Galvan

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) invites members who are in town for the Media Trade Conference or the Grand National Roadster Show to its open meeting, to be held Friday, January 26, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, California, from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the council’s latest initiatives and find out how to get more involved with the council and the hot-rod industry at large. HRIA select committee members, along with SEMA staff, will be on hand to answer questions for those interested in joining HRIA. A continental breakfast will be provided.  

For more information, contact SEMA Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690, or via email at jimsk@sema.org.

Register now!

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip Remain Open Under New Management Team

The Irwindale Event Center—home of Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip—will remain open and in full operation under a new multi-year agreement with a group of motorsports enthusiasts led by Tim Huddleston and Justice Brothers and the property owners. In July 2017, Team 211 Entertainment, operators of the 63-acre motorsports and entertainment facility, were informed that their lease would not be renewed, and that January 31, 2018, would be 211’s last day of operation at Irwindale. Three months after the announcement was made public, a change in the owner’s plans for the property led them to contact 211’s President/CEO Jim Cohan to indicate that a contract extension would be offered. However, by that time, a number of new business plans were already in place at 211. 

“Being presented with the right of first refusal, we quickly reached out to Huddleston’s group helping to negotiate a deal that would assure both a smooth transition and the continued operation of the track. It was just the right thing to do,” Cohan explained.

Cohan’s company is credited with putting the Irwindale facility back into business when the first operators of the track closed it under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing in February 2012.

“These are the right people to operate this facility; they have the background, the acumen and the energy,” Cohan continued. “They know racing and they know marketing. This is really a win for everyone, especially the fans.”

Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Landon Simon to Field Two Cars at 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals

Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Team owner and Sprint Car driver Landon Simon will pilot the Mt. Baker Vapor, Dave and Busters-sponsored, Toyota-powered XXX chassis at the Chili Bowl, along with Hall of Fame Sprint Car driver Danny Smith in the second team car. Smith, although a Hall of Fame race-car driver who has been in competition for more than 40 years, is a Chili Bowl rookie, making his first-ever appearance at the event.

Champion Named Official Oil at BAPS Motor Speedway

Champion Oil has recently been named the official racing oil of the BAPS Motor Speedway (BMS), formerly Susquehanna Raceway Park. Founded in 1954 and located in York Haven, Pennsylvania, BMS runs more than 50 races per year supporting numerous racing series, such as 410 Sprints, 360 Sprints, Late Models, Super Sportsman, Street Stocks, Legends, Modifieds, Midgets, Micros and Road Warriors.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip Remain Open Under New Management Team

The Irwindale Event Center—home of Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip—will remain open and in full operation under a new multi-year agreement with a group of motorsports enthusiasts led by Tim Huddleston and Justice Brothers and the property owners. In July 2017, Team 211 Entertainment, operators of the 63-acre motorsports and entertainment facility, were informed that their lease would not be renewed, and that January 31, 2018, would be 211’s last day of operation at Irwindale. Three months after the announcement was made public, a change in the owner’s plans for the property led them to contact 211’s President/CEO Jim Cohan to indicate that a contract extension would be offered. However, by that time, a number of new business plans were already in place at 211. 

“Being presented with the right of first refusal, we quickly reached out to Huddleston’s group helping to negotiate a deal that would assure both a smooth transition and the continued operation of the track. It was just the right thing to do,” Cohan explained.

Cohan’s company is credited with putting the Irwindale facility back into business when the first operators of the track closed it under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing in February 2012.

“These are the right people to operate this facility; they have the background, the acumen and the energy,” Cohan continued. “They know racing and they know marketing. This is really a win for everyone, especially the fans.”

Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Landon Simon to Field Two Cars at 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals

Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Team owner and Sprint Car driver Landon Simon will pilot the Mt. Baker Vapor, Dave and Busters-sponsored, Toyota-powered XXX chassis at the Chili Bowl, along with Hall of Fame Sprint Car driver Danny Smith in the second team car. Smith, although a Hall of Fame race-car driver who has been in competition for more than 40 years, is a Chili Bowl rookie, making his first-ever appearance at the event.

Champion Named Official Oil at BAPS Motor Speedway

Champion Oil has recently been named the official racing oil of the BAPS Motor Speedway (BMS), formerly Susquehanna Raceway Park. Founded in 1954 and located in York Haven, Pennsylvania, BMS runs more than 50 races per year supporting numerous racing series, such as 410 Sprints, 360 Sprints, Late Models, Super Sportsman, Street Stocks, Legends, Modifieds, Midgets, Micros and Road Warriors.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2018 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Students preparing for careers in the auto or auto-parts industries can apply at www.sema.org/scholarships.  

New this year, high-school and part-time students can apply for a scholarship. The change is part of an effort by SEMA’s Scholarship Committee to start students down the automotive path and support their efforts at an earlier stage.

“SEMA is dedicated to activating the next-generation automotive workforce by providing financial support and career resources to students enrolled in various high schools, universities, colleges and/or vocational schools in the United States,” said SEMA Chairman-Elect Tim Martin.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Students can apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships. The deadline for the program is March 1, 2018.

Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, such as accounting, sales and marketing, and engineering. Dozens of awards ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 will be given out, with a $5,000 award going to the top student.

The program also includes a loan-forgiveness aspect that offers financial awards to employees of SEMA-member companies who are paying off a loan for a completed program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2018 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Students preparing for careers in the auto or auto-parts industries can apply at www.sema.org/scholarships.  

New this year, high-school and part-time students can apply for a scholarship. The change is part of an effort by SEMA’s Scholarship Committee to start students down the automotive path and support their efforts at an earlier stage.

“SEMA is dedicated to activating the next-generation automotive workforce by providing financial support and career resources to students enrolled in various high schools, universities, colleges and/or vocational schools in the United States,” said SEMA Chairman-Elect Tim Martin.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Students can apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships. The deadline for the program is March 1, 2018.

Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, such as accounting, sales and marketing, and engineering. Dozens of awards ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 will be given out, with a $5,000 award going to the top student.

The program also includes a loan-forgiveness aspect that offers financial awards to employees of SEMA-member companies who are paying off a loan for a completed program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media and vehicle customization are encouraged to submit an application to host a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show.

SEMA Show Education is now accepting applications for industry professionals interested in hosting a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show. Of particular interest to the industry are speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media, and vehicle customization.

To learn more, access the application and read the criteria.

The educational seminars make up an essential component of the SEMA Show. In addition to connecting automotive manufacturers with professional buyers from all over the world, the four-day SEMA Show is the leading venue for industry experts to network in person and learn new business strategies.

The 2017 SEMA Show education program featured more than 60 sessions. While topics address basic business practices, such as customer service, marketing and social media, the 2018 program will emphasize issues that are of greatest concern to businesses in the automotive aftermarket.

All speakers should be able to focus on industry issues and not a specific company position or agenda.

Applications for speaker submissions are available until Monday, February 12, 2018. Speaker entries will be answered no later than April 20, 2018. For more details, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org, 909-978-6743.

By SEMA Editors

Speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media and vehicle customization are encouraged to submit an application to host a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show.

SEMA Show Education is now accepting applications for industry professionals interested in hosting a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show. Of particular interest to the industry are speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media, and vehicle customization.

To learn more, access the application and read the criteria.

The educational seminars make up an essential component of the SEMA Show. In addition to connecting automotive manufacturers with professional buyers from all over the world, the four-day SEMA Show is the leading venue for industry experts to network in person and learn new business strategies.

The 2017 SEMA Show education program featured more than 60 sessions. While topics address basic business practices, such as customer service, marketing and social media, the 2018 program will emphasize issues that are of greatest concern to businesses in the automotive aftermarket.

All speakers should be able to focus on industry issues and not a specific company position or agenda.

Applications for speaker submissions are available until Monday, February 12, 2018. Speaker entries will be answered no later than April 20, 2018. For more details, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org, 909-978-6743.

By SEMA Editors

Speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media and vehicle customization are encouraged to submit an application to host a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show.

SEMA Show Education is now accepting applications for industry professionals interested in hosting a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show. Of particular interest to the industry are speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media, and vehicle customization.

To learn more, access the application and read the criteria.

The educational seminars make up an essential component of the SEMA Show. In addition to connecting automotive manufacturers with professional buyers from all over the world, the four-day SEMA Show is the leading venue for industry experts to network in person and learn new business strategies.

The 2017 SEMA Show education program featured more than 60 sessions. While topics address basic business practices, such as customer service, marketing and social media, the 2018 program will emphasize issues that are of greatest concern to businesses in the automotive aftermarket.

All speakers should be able to focus on industry issues and not a specific company position or agenda.

Applications for speaker submissions are available until Monday, February 12, 2018. Speaker entries will be answered no later than April 20, 2018. For more details, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org, 909-978-6743.

In partnership with KIA, the SEMA Garage has announced it will host the ’18 KIA Stinger measuring session. Ushering in a new dynamic era for KIA Motors, the all-new ’18 Stinger is a five-passenger sportback poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers. The Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history, and is backed by KIA’s industry-leading warranty. The Stinger is offered in five trim levels (Stinger, Premium, GT, GT1, GT2) and luxurious accommodations.

In partnership with KIA, the SEMA Garage has announced it will host the ’18 KIA Stinger measuring session. Ushering in a new dynamic era for KIA Motors, the all-new ’18 Stinger is a five-passenger sportback poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers. The Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history, and is backed by KIA’s industry-leading warranty. The Stinger is offered in five trim levels (Stinger, Premium, GT, GT1, GT2) and luxurious accommodations.