By AJ Carney

The Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) invites PRI Trade Show engine builders and engineering professionals to the Engine Builder Happy Hour. Sponsored by PAC Racing Springs, the mixer will be held Wednesday, December 6, from 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., outside the Sagamore room in the Indiana Convention Center. The event will bring together attendees for a special networking event that will recognize the contributions of motorsports engine builders. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be available.

Register for free today!

Meet the honorees:

Jeremy Wagler

Jeremy Wagler: U 40 Engine Designer Award

Jeremy Wagler has always been into engines, and has a true passion for the world of diesel. After owning an automotive repair shop for 10 years, he pursued his dream of developing an aftermarket cylinder head for a well-known diesel engine.

In 2011, Wagler Competition Products was established with the development of an aftermarket cylinder head for the Duramax engine. Wagler Competition Products continues to research and develop innovative performance parts for various diesel engines.

Wagler stays true to his slogan of “pushing the limit, setting the standard” with the DX500 all-billet diesel engine, which was his response to finding the limit to the Duramax engine.

Jon Kaase

Jon Kaase: Engine Builder Honor

Jon Kaase started competing in drag racing while still in high school. He moved to Atlanta at the beginning of 1977 to work for Dyno Don Nicholson, and by year end, he celebrated the move by claiming the NHRA Pro Stock title.

In November 1979 in Norcross, Georgia, the degreed engineer formed his own company, Jon Kaase Racing Engines. Later, in 1998, he designed a purpose-built shop and moved his business to Winder, Georgia, where the company operates today.

Around 2007, the firm expanded its operations into the hot-rod market when it introduced the Kaase Boss Nine—a high-performance engine series developed from Ford’s big-block 385 series and equipped with HEMI heads. In 2010, the P-38, a new high-performance small-block series based on the Ford Windsor engine, was introduced. Both engine series continue to enjoy strong sales throughout the United States and Australian markets.

Kaase has created race engines that won a dozen Pro Stock championships, won the Engine Masters Challenge five times and presided over the company that bears his name for almost 36 years.

Paul Hoskins

Paul Hoskins: Engine Builder Honor

Paul Hoskins joined Gray Motorsports at the conclusion of the 2013 season. He grew up in the ’70s in Detroit, where automobile racing and performance products were growing in popularity. Right out of high school, Hoskins began working in a machine shop, and before long, he was doing machine work for the noted M&M Boys Racing team of Richard Maskin and Andy Mannarino. Eventually, Hoskins was working full time for Maskin’s Dart Heads. 

The 15 years of experience at Dart working on the NHRA Pro Stock engine programs paved the way for collaboration with engine builder Nick Ferri and Mike Edwards Motorsports, where Hoskins spent six years before joining Gray Motorsports. He has been an integral part of four NHRA Pro Stock world championships: in 1996 and 1997 with Jim Yates, 2000 with Jeg Coughlin and 2009 with Edwards. Hoskins’ time at Gray Motorsports includes 12 national event victories, with six of those in 2017.

By AJ Carney

The Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) invites PRI Trade Show engine builders and engineering professionals to the Engine Builder Happy Hour. Sponsored by PAC Racing Springs, the mixer will be held Wednesday, December 6, from 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., outside the Sagamore room in the Indiana Convention Center. The event will bring together attendees for a special networking event that will recognize the contributions of motorsports engine builders. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be available.

Register for free today!

Meet the honorees:

Jeremy Wagler

Jeremy Wagler: U 40 Engine Designer Award

Jeremy Wagler has always been into engines, and has a true passion for the world of diesel. After owning an automotive repair shop for 10 years, he pursued his dream of developing an aftermarket cylinder head for a well-known diesel engine.

In 2011, Wagler Competition Products was established with the development of an aftermarket cylinder head for the Duramax engine. Wagler Competition Products continues to research and develop innovative performance parts for various diesel engines.

Wagler stays true to his slogan of “pushing the limit, setting the standard” with the DX500 all-billet diesel engine, which was his response to finding the limit to the Duramax engine.

Jon Kaase

Jon Kaase: Engine Builder Honor

Jon Kaase started competing in drag racing while still in high school. He moved to Atlanta at the beginning of 1977 to work for Dyno Don Nicholson, and by year end, he celebrated the move by claiming the NHRA Pro Stock title.

In November 1979 in Norcross, Georgia, the degreed engineer formed his own company, Jon Kaase Racing Engines. Later, in 1998, he designed a purpose-built shop and moved his business to Winder, Georgia, where the company operates today.

Around 2007, the firm expanded its operations into the hot-rod market when it introduced the Kaase Boss Nine—a high-performance engine series developed from Ford’s big-block 385 series and equipped with HEMI heads. In 2010, the P-38, a new high-performance small-block series based on the Ford Windsor engine, was introduced. Both engine series continue to enjoy strong sales throughout the United States and Australian markets.

Kaase has created race engines that won a dozen Pro Stock championships, won the Engine Masters Challenge five times and presided over the company that bears his name for almost 36 years.

Paul Hoskins

Paul Hoskins: Engine Builder Honor

Paul Hoskins joined Gray Motorsports at the conclusion of the 2013 season. He grew up in the ’70s in Detroit, where automobile racing and performance products were growing in popularity. Right out of high school, Hoskins began working in a machine shop, and before long, he was doing machine work for the noted M&M Boys Racing team of Richard Maskin and Andy Mannarino. Eventually, Hoskins was working full time for Maskin’s Dart Heads. 

The 15 years of experience at Dart working on the NHRA Pro Stock engine programs paved the way for collaboration with engine builder Nick Ferri and Mike Edwards Motorsports, where Hoskins spent six years before joining Gray Motorsports. He has been an integral part of four NHRA Pro Stock world championships: in 1996 and 1997 with Jim Yates, 2000 with Jeg Coughlin and 2009 with Edwards. Hoskins’ time at Gray Motorsports includes 12 national event victories, with six of those in 2017.

Incomplete product data is an all-too-common issue, causing frustration for consumers, grief for resellers, and lost sales for manufacturers.

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2017/08/is-your-data-missing-pieces-let-us-help-you-complete-the-puzzle

Incomplete product data is an all-too-common issue, causing frustration for consumers, grief for resellers, and lost sales for manufacturers.

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2017/08/is-your-data-missing-pieces-let-us-help-you-complete-the-puzzle

By SEMA Editors

With his ’29 Ford Model A Tudor sedan, Troy Trepanier was named the winner of the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition during SEMA Ignited.

A new episode of the TV special “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” will premiere on the Velocity Channel, Tuesday, January 2, 2018. The one-hour program has aired on the network since 2015, giving viewers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the SEMA Show, up-close footage of the vehicles and exclusive interviews with builders as they share their personal stories and journey to the SEMA Show. For many of the builders, SEMA Battle of the Builders is their chance to prove that they are among the elite.

“As a trade-only event that is not open to the general public, the SEMA Show is where every car fanatic dreams of going,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party—has made it possible for consumers to participate in the excitement. The Battle of the Builders TV special also gives viewers who have never experienced the SEMA Show an opportunity to see what actually happens, while those who attended the Show get to relive the experience.”

In addition to all the customized cars and trucks entered into Battle of the Builders, this year's competition featured expanded recognition for the Young Guns category, which shines the light on young, up-and-coming builders in the automotive industry. Automotive YouTubers Michael Nguyen (Smurfinwrx) and David Patterson (Thatdudeinblue) served as Young Guns judges, joining returning judges RJ DeVera of Meguiar’s, David Freiburger from TEN: The Enthusiast Network and Fred Williams from Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off Road.

For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special airing January 2, 2018, at 10:00 p.m. (PST/EST), visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By SEMA Editors

With his ’29 Ford Model A Tudor sedan, Troy Trepanier was named the winner of the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition during SEMA Ignited.

A new episode of the TV special “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” will premiere on the Velocity Channel, Tuesday, January 2, 2018. The one-hour program has aired on the network since 2015, giving viewers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the SEMA Show, up-close footage of the vehicles and exclusive interviews with builders as they share their personal stories and journey to the SEMA Show. For many of the builders, SEMA Battle of the Builders is their chance to prove that they are among the elite.

“As a trade-only event that is not open to the general public, the SEMA Show is where every car fanatic dreams of going,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party—has made it possible for consumers to participate in the excitement. The Battle of the Builders TV special also gives viewers who have never experienced the SEMA Show an opportunity to see what actually happens, while those who attended the Show get to relive the experience.”

In addition to all the customized cars and trucks entered into Battle of the Builders, this year's competition featured expanded recognition for the Young Guns category, which shines the light on young, up-and-coming builders in the automotive industry. Automotive YouTubers Michael Nguyen (Smurfinwrx) and David Patterson (Thatdudeinblue) served as Young Guns judges, joining returning judges RJ DeVera of Meguiar’s, David Freiburger from TEN: The Enthusiast Network and Fred Williams from Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off Road.

For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special airing January 2, 2018, at 10:00 p.m. (PST/EST), visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By SEMA Editors

With his ’29 Ford Model A Tudor sedan, Troy Trepanier was named the winner of the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition during SEMA Ignited.

A new episode of the TV special “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” will premiere on the Velocity Channel, Tuesday, January 2, 2018. The one-hour program has aired on the network since 2015, giving viewers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the SEMA Show, up-close footage of the vehicles and exclusive interviews with builders as they share their personal stories and journey to the SEMA Show. For many of the builders, SEMA Battle of the Builders is their chance to prove that they are among the elite.

“As a trade-only event that is not open to the general public, the SEMA Show is where every car fanatic dreams of going,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party—has made it possible for consumers to participate in the excitement. The Battle of the Builders TV special also gives viewers who have never experienced the SEMA Show an opportunity to see what actually happens, while those who attended the Show get to relive the experience.”

In addition to all the customized cars and trucks entered into Battle of the Builders, this year's competition featured expanded recognition for the Young Guns category, which shines the light on young, up-and-coming builders in the automotive industry. Automotive YouTubers Michael Nguyen (Smurfinwrx) and David Patterson (Thatdudeinblue) served as Young Guns judges, joining returning judges RJ DeVera of Meguiar’s, David Freiburger from TEN: The Enthusiast Network and Fred Williams from Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off Road.

For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special airing January 2, 2018, at 10:00 p.m. (PST/EST), visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Jenny Galvan

The “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study” details the retrofit opportunities for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVT), which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Connected Vehicle Technologies (CVT).

The “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study” details the retrofit opportunities for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVT), which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Connected Vehicle Technologies (CVT). While these technologies are becoming common on new vehicles, SEMA researchers developed this analysis to help SEMA members understand a new path of opportunity to develop and sell these products for vehicles not originally equipped with this technology. This study can be used as a resource to guide product and service planning and entry strategies into a burgeoning market.

The developing growth potential for this market is predicted to increase from $977 million to $1.5 billion between now and 2021—a 9.1% annual compound growth rate. With the technological changes happening in the automotive market, these systems represent a significant new opportunity developing in the marketplace.

For more detailed information about these findings, download the “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study.” It is available, along with other reports, for free to SEMA members.

By Jenny Galvan

The “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study” details the retrofit opportunities for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVT), which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Connected Vehicle Technologies (CVT).

The “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study” details the retrofit opportunities for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVT), which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Connected Vehicle Technologies (CVT). While these technologies are becoming common on new vehicles, SEMA researchers developed this analysis to help SEMA members understand a new path of opportunity to develop and sell these products for vehicles not originally equipped with this technology. This study can be used as a resource to guide product and service planning and entry strategies into a burgeoning market.

The developing growth potential for this market is predicted to increase from $977 million to $1.5 billion between now and 2021—a 9.1% annual compound growth rate. With the technological changes happening in the automotive market, these systems represent a significant new opportunity developing in the marketplace.

For more detailed information about these findings, download the “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study.” It is available, along with other reports, for free to SEMA members.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act.

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The RPM Act clarifies that it is legal under federal law to manufacture, sell, distribute and install race parts that modify the emissions system of a motor vehicle that is used solely for racing.

In a separate action, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Environment Subcommittee approved a nearly identical version of the RPM Act (H.R. 350) on November 15, and sent it to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for further action.

“The RPM Act is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation that would provide much-needed certainty to the motorsports community,” Kersting said.

Congress never intended for race vehicles, which have minimal environmental impact, to be regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule in 2015 stating it is illegal to convert a motor vehicle into a racecar if the vehicle’s emissions system no longer remains in its certified configuration. The EPA also asserted that marketing race parts was illegal if such products were capable of being installed on street vehicles. Although the EPA removed the proposal from the final rulemaking, the agency still asserts it has authority under the CAA to regulate emissions modifications to converted vehicles used solely for competition.  

“The EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act would have a devastating impact on motorsports since most racecars start life as street vehicles,” Kersting said. “It would also decimate small businesses that supply the products used in motorsports, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in local revenue for communities.”

The RPM Act would simply clarify the original intent of the CAA, which was never meant to apply to race vehicles. For more information, visit www.sema.org/epa-news.