Compiled by SEMA Editors

Mexico’s Vildosola Jr. Leads SCORE Overall, SCORE Trophy Truck Season Points in 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship

After his third consecutive season-opening victory at the recent Bud Light SCORE San Felipe 250, Mexico’s Gus Vildosola Jr. finds himself not only leading the SCORE Trophy Truck season point standings, but also the SCORE overall season point standings after Round 1 of the five-race 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship. Winning the 29th Bud Light SCORE San Felipe 250 has given Vildosola Jr. the early SCORE Overall season point lead and the top spot for the third consecutive year in the featured SCORE Trophy Truck division for high-tech, 850-hp, unlimited production trucks.

Including Vildosola Jr., who has 80 season points, four SCORE Trophy drivers are among the top 12 in points as a total of just 13 points separate the top 12 in the SCORE Overall point standings after the season-opening event. Tied for second in SCORE Overall points and second in SCORE Trophy Truck is B.J. Baldwin who has 74 points in the No. 97 Monster Energy Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado, while seventh in SCORE Overall points and third in SCORE Trophy Truck is Clyde Stacy, who has 70 points in the No. 5 RPM Racing Chevy Rally Truck. Tied for ninth in SCORE Overall points and fourth in SCORE Trophy Truck after one race is Justin Davis, with 67 points in the No. 85 Green Army Motorsports Chevy Silverado.

For more information and complete standings, visit the SCORE website.

	The Matrix Jet Dragster is a 27-ft.-long, chromoly steel-framed dragster weighing in at 1,145 lbs. fully fueled.

Matrix, Larsen Motorsports Team Again on Drag-Racing Circuit

Quest Automotive Products, owner of the Matrix brand of automotive paints and finishes, has again signed on to sponsor the “fastest girls in town” in 2015—the drivers for Larsen Motorsports (LMS), a Florida-based racing company that operates four woman-driven, jet-powered dragsters. Last year, Matrix increased its commitment and sponsored one of the company’s four jet dragster racing teams.

The Matrix Jet Dragster is a 27-ft.-long, chromoly steel-framed dragster weighing in at 1,145 lbs. fully fueled. It is notable for its patriotic stars-and-stripes paint scheme. Kat Moller, a 20-year old mechanical engineering student, pilots the Matrix dragster. As a rookie in 2014, she drove the car to victory in Cordova, Illinois. The dragster is powered by a General Electric J-85 jet engine and custom afterburner that generate 5,000 hp. It accelerates to 60 mph in less than one second and tops 300 mph in a quarter-mile race.

Larsen Motorsports’ 2015 race schedule includes 12 races in nine states and Canada. The schedule and information about LMS and its drivers is available at www.elainelarsen.com.

ACCEL’s Jenny Long is crossing the country in search of the next car to receive an ACCEL recipe for performance. Photo Credit: ACCEL Performance Group

ACCEL Performance Group Launches New Web-Based Video Series “ACCEL IT”

ACCEL Performance Group has announced that it has launched a new web-based automotive video series called “ACCEL IT.” Each 10-minute episode features ACCEL’s host Jenny Long traveling the country surprising folks who have submitted their vehicle to receive a free on-site performance upgrade from ACCEL Performance Group’s family of brands, including ACCEL, Mr. Gasket, Hays, Lakewood and QuickTime. Episodes of ACCEL IT can be found on ACCEL's Facebook page (ACCEL Performance Group), by logging onto the ACCEL YouTube page or by visiting ACCEL’s website. Future episodes of the series will include trips to Austin, San Antonio and Cleveland. The “ACCEL IT” video series will not only showcase the performance upgrades on the featured vehicles, but will also be accompanied by complete installation and product feature videos.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The 9th annual “King of the Hammers” was held last week in California’s Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreational Area. More than 430 teams in four vehicle classes competed during a week-long event witnessed by at least 55,000 spectators and more than 750,000 online viewers. The event culminated in the one-day “Ultra4” race in which vehicles constructed for their speed and rock-climbing abilities raced across a 215-mile course of open desert and steep ravines.

Johnson Valley is a unique setting north of Palm Springs, California, that combines open desert, dry lake beds and extreme rock-crawling trails. It offers riding opportunities for every skill level. The area was originally set aside in 1980 for OHV recreation by the State of California on land managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

However, until recently, the future of Johnson Valley was in doubt. For nearly six years, access to the land had been debated in California and in congressional offices in Washington, D.C. At issue was a need for additional lands to train Marines at the Twentynine Palms combat center. In a compromise supported by the OHV community, Congress passed legislation to provide permanent federal protection to 96,000 acres of land for OHV activities while transferring 79,000 acres to the U.S. Marine Corps facility. The net effect was a win for both sides.

During the congressional debates, SEMA joined with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and a coalition of other land-use advocacy organizations to propose solutions for protecting military training needs and off-roading. All of the interested parties are now working together to implement the 2013 agreement.

There is still one important goal to be achieved—including the word “National” within the Johnson Valley title. Although the area is already the only federally recognized OHV area, the new designation would acknowledge the land’s national significance. U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA), a former Marine Corps colonel himself, represents the area in Congress and played a critical role in reaching the 2013 accord with the U.S. Marines. He will lead the charge in 2015 on behalf of this special recognition. SEMA will climb over boulders in Washington in support.

Ultra4 racer navigating a rock formation at “Chocolate Thunder.”		Spectators take in the race at the “Jackhammer” viewing area.
Roadblock as racers try to climb Jackhammer.		Aerial view of the spectator parking lot at Jackhammer.
An Ultra4 racer descending the “Backdoor” course.		Charging across a dry lake at Johnson Valley.
Randy Slawson crossing the finish line to win King of the Hammers 2015. Only 17 teams in the Ultra4 division completed the grueling 215-mile course with open desert and steep ravines.		Patriotic spectator leaving Chocolate Thunder.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The 9th annual “King of the Hammers” was held last week in California’s Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreational Area. More than 430 teams in four vehicle classes competed during a week-long event witnessed by at least 55,000 spectators and more than 750,000 online viewers. The event culminated in the one-day “Ultra4” race in which vehicles constructed for their speed and rock-climbing abilities raced across a 215-mile course of open desert and steep ravines.

Johnson Valley is a unique setting north of Palm Springs, California, that combines open desert, dry lake beds and extreme rock-crawling trails. It offers riding opportunities for every skill level. The area was originally set aside in 1980 for OHV recreation by the State of California on land managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

However, until recently, the future of Johnson Valley was in doubt. For nearly six years, access to the land had been debated in California and in congressional offices in Washington, D.C. At issue was a need for additional lands to train Marines at the Twentynine Palms combat center. In a compromise supported by the OHV community, Congress passed legislation to provide permanent federal protection to 96,000 acres of land for OHV activities while transferring 79,000 acres to the U.S. Marine Corps facility. The net effect was a win for both sides.

During the congressional debates, SEMA joined with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and a coalition of other land-use advocacy organizations to propose solutions for protecting military training needs and off-roading. All of the interested parties are now working together to implement the 2013 agreement.

There is still one important goal to be achieved—including the word “National” within the Johnson Valley title. Although the area is already the only federally recognized OHV area, the new designation would acknowledge the land’s national significance. U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA), a former Marine Corps colonel himself, represents the area in Congress and played a critical role in reaching the 2013 accord with the U.S. Marines. He will lead the charge in 2015 on behalf of this special recognition. SEMA will climb over boulders in Washington in support.

Ultra4 racer navigating a rock formation at “Chocolate Thunder.”		Spectators take in the race at the “Jackhammer” viewing area.
Roadblock as racers try to climb Jackhammer.		Aerial view of the spectator parking lot at Jackhammer.
An Ultra4 racer descending the “Backdoor” course.		Charging across a dry lake at Johnson Valley.
Randy Slawson crossing the finish line to win King of the Hammers 2015. Only 17 teams in the Ultra4 division completed the grueling 215-mile course with open desert and steep ravines.		Patriotic spectator leaving Chocolate Thunder.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The 9th annual “King of the Hammers” was held last week in California’s Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreational Area. More than 430 teams in four vehicle classes competed during a week-long event witnessed by at least 55,000 spectators and more than 750,000 online viewers. The event culminated in the one-day “Ultra4” race in which vehicles constructed for their speed and rock-climbing abilities raced across a 215-mile course of open desert and steep ravines.

Johnson Valley is a unique setting north of Palm Springs, California, that combines open desert, dry lake beds and extreme rock-crawling trails. It offers riding opportunities for every skill level. The area was originally set aside in 1980 for OHV recreation by the State of California on land managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

However, until recently, the future of Johnson Valley was in doubt. For nearly six years, access to the land had been debated in California and in congressional offices in Washington, D.C. At issue was a need for additional lands to train Marines at the Twentynine Palms combat center. In a compromise supported by the OHV community, Congress passed legislation to provide permanent federal protection to 96,000 acres of land for OHV activities while transferring 79,000 acres to the U.S. Marine Corps facility. The net effect was a win for both sides.

During the congressional debates, SEMA joined with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and a coalition of other land-use advocacy organizations to propose solutions for protecting military training needs and off-roading. All of the interested parties are now working together to implement the 2013 agreement.

There is still one important goal to be achieved—including the word “National” within the Johnson Valley title. Although the area is already the only federally recognized OHV area, the new designation would acknowledge the land’s national significance. U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA), a former Marine Corps colonel himself, represents the area in Congress and played a critical role in reaching the 2013 accord with the U.S. Marines. He will lead the charge in 2015 on behalf of this special recognition. SEMA will climb over boulders in Washington in support.

Ultra4 racer navigating a rock formation at “Chocolate Thunder.”		Spectators take in the race at the “Jackhammer” viewing area.
Roadblock as racers try to climb Jackhammer.		Aerial view of the spectator parking lot at Jackhammer.
An Ultra4 racer descending the “Backdoor” course.		Charging across a dry lake at Johnson Valley.
Randy Slawson crossing the finish line to win King of the Hammers 2015. Only 17 teams in the Ultra4 division completed the grueling 215-mile course with open desert and steep ravines.		Patriotic spectator leaving Chocolate Thunder.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The 9th annual “King of the Hammers” was held last week in California’s Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreational Area. More than 430 teams in four vehicle classes competed during a week-long event witnessed by at least 55,000 spectators and more than 750,000 online viewers. The event culminated in the one-day “Ultra4” race in which vehicles constructed for their speed and rock-climbing abilities raced across a 215-mile course of open desert and steep ravines.

Johnson Valley is a unique setting north of Palm Springs, California, that combines open desert, dry lake beds and extreme rock-crawling trails. It offers riding opportunities for every skill level. The area was originally set aside in 1980 for OHV recreation by the State of California on land managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

However, until recently, the future of Johnson Valley was in doubt. For nearly six years, access to the land had been debated in California and in congressional offices in Washington, D.C. At issue was a need for additional lands to train Marines at the Twentynine Palms combat center. In a compromise supported by the OHV community, Congress passed legislation to provide permanent federal protection to 96,000 acres of land for OHV activities while transferring 79,000 acres to the U.S. Marine Corps facility. The net effect was a win for both sides.

During the congressional debates, SEMA joined with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and a coalition of other land-use advocacy organizations to propose solutions for protecting military training needs and off-roading. All of the interested parties are now working together to implement the 2013 agreement.

There is still one important goal to be achieved—including the word “National” within the Johnson Valley title. Although the area is already the only federally recognized OHV area, the new designation would acknowledge the land’s national significance. U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA), a former Marine Corps colonel himself, represents the area in Congress and played a critical role in reaching the 2013 accord with the U.S. Marines. He will lead the charge in 2015 on behalf of this special recognition. SEMA will climb over boulders in Washington in support.

Ultra4 racer navigating a rock formation at “Chocolate Thunder.”		Spectators take in the race at the “Jackhammer” viewing area.
Roadblock as racers try to climb Jackhammer.		Aerial view of the spectator parking lot at Jackhammer.
An Ultra4 racer descending the “Backdoor” course.		Charging across a dry lake at Johnson Valley.
Randy Slawson crossing the finish line to win King of the Hammers 2015. Only 17 teams in the Ultra4 division completed the grueling 215-mile course with open desert and steep ravines.		Patriotic spectator leaving Chocolate Thunder.

Several SEMA-member companies made the trip to last week’s Griffin King of the Hammers in the Johnson Valley, California, OHV area.

The ninth-annual Griffin King of the Hammers Presented by Nitto Tires wrapped up Saturday, February 7, in the Johnson Valley, California, OHV area. The Hammers, as it is affectionately known, brings together off-road enthusiasts from across the country, and around the world, to share in eight days of adrenaline-fueled camaraderie and passion for off-road action.

Billed as "the toughest one-day off-road race in the world," Randy Slawson took home the hardware this year with a total time of 8:52:23.

SEMA Show Housing services provided by the Travel Planners offers lowest-rate guarantees for all hotel contracts, ensuring that Showgoers always get the best deal on hotel rooms.

By Jason Catullo

Secure your hotel accommodations for the 2015 SEMA Show and save money through the official housing provider for the SEMA Show—The Travel Planners. Exhibitors are encouraged to visit Travel and Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com and scroll through the current rates offered by approximately 20 Las Vegas hotels.

Travel Planners provides lowest-rate guarantees for every hotel contract, ensuring that you always get the best deal. Even if reservations have been made, Travel Planners will lower your rate automatically and confirm your savings by email. If you find a lower rate, simply contact Travel Planners. As long as the rate is for all of the dates of your stay, you’ll receive a price that’s as good or better.

In addition, most Las Vegas hotels charge nightly resort fees that can range from $5 up to $25. Booking through the Show's official housing provider, in many cases, resort fees are waived altogether or are drastically reduced and already added to the rate displayed. With Travel Planners, the rate you see is the rate you pay.

More information on the 2015 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

SEMA Show Housing services provided by the Travel Planners offers lowest-rate guarantees for all hotel contracts, ensuring that Showgoers always get the best deal on hotel rooms.

By Jason Catullo

Secure your hotel accommodations for the 2015 SEMA Show and save money through the official housing provider for the SEMA Show—The Travel Planners. Exhibitors are encouraged to visit Travel and Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com and scroll through the current rates offered by approximately 20 Las Vegas hotels.

Travel Planners provides lowest-rate guarantees for every hotel contract, ensuring that you always get the best deal. Even if reservations have been made, Travel Planners will lower your rate automatically and confirm your savings by email. If you find a lower rate, simply contact Travel Planners. As long as the rate is for all of the dates of your stay, you’ll receive a price that’s as good or better.

In addition, most Las Vegas hotels charge nightly resort fees that can range from $5 up to $25. Booking through the Show's official housing provider, in many cases, resort fees are waived altogether or are drastically reduced and already added to the rate displayed. With Travel Planners, the rate you see is the rate you pay.

More information on the 2015 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

	The goal of the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is to connect exhibitors with Show programs and services to boost ROI and increase company outreach.

Registration for the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, Monday–Wednesday, June 8–10, is available online.

The focus of the summit is to connect exhibitors with Show programs and services to boost ROI and increase company outreach. The summit will feature sessions conducted by trade show experts, as well as panel discussions and breakout sessions with knowledgable Show veterans and staff, all designed to stretch your Show dollar, boost company awareness and drive buyers to your booth.  

SEMA Show Summit Benefits for Exhibitors

• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs
• Properly plan and budget to add value to your Show experience
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships
• Use proven strategies to get buyers to your booth
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to reduce your expenses and maximize your ROI

The Summit will show exhibitors the proven tactics of how to reach and engage more buyers, take advantage of money-saving programs throughout Show planning, benefit from early-bird deadlines, highlight special events that connect companies with buyers in specific markets, and get familiarized with the layouts of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and Las Vegas Convention Center.

Exhibitors that participate in the Summit will receive two complimentary hotel rooms per company. Whether you are a SEMA Show veteran or a first-time exhibitor, this education-packed event has what your company needs to deliver the best ROI from your SEMA Show experience.

More information about the 2015 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com. To get started and apply for your booth, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By Jason Catullo

	The goal of the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is to connect exhibitors with Show programs and services to boost ROI and increase company outreach.

Registration for the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, Monday–Wednesday, June 8–10, is available online.

The focus of the summit is to connect exhibitors with Show programs and services to boost ROI and increase company outreach. The summit will feature sessions conducted by trade show experts, as well as panel discussions and breakout sessions with knowledgable Show veterans and staff, all designed to stretch your Show dollar, boost company awareness and drive buyers to your booth.  

SEMA Show Summit Benefits for Exhibitors

• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs
• Properly plan and budget to add value to your Show experience
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships
• Use proven strategies to get buyers to your booth
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to reduce your expenses and maximize your ROI

The Summit will show exhibitors the proven tactics of how to reach and engage more buyers, take advantage of money-saving programs throughout Show planning, benefit from early-bird deadlines, highlight special events that connect companies with buyers in specific markets, and get familiarized with the layouts of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and Las Vegas Convention Center.

Exhibitors that participate in the Summit will receive two complimentary hotel rooms per company. Whether you are a SEMA Show veteran or a first-time exhibitor, this education-packed event has what your company needs to deliver the best ROI from your SEMA Show experience.

More information about the 2015 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com. To get started and apply for your booth, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.