By SEMA Editors

	SEMA research indicates that more buyers are spending money with exhibitors while at the SEMA Show, with 45% of 2013 Show buyers placing an order—a 40% increase compared to the 2012 Show.

SEMA research indicates that more buyers are spending money with exhibitors while at the SEMA Show, with 45% of 2013 Show buyers placing an order—a 40% increase compared to the 2012 Show. In addition, while not all buyers make or commit to purchases while at the Show, the overwhelming majority indicated that they will place an order with an exhibitor within the next 12 months following the Show.

Not only do buyers plan to spend money and place orders at the Show, but they also seek to take advantage of specials and discounts offered by exhibitors, whether it’s an existing customer or a new connection made during Show week. In fact, more than 75% of buyers attending the 2013 SEMA Show reported that they took advantage of a special or discount offered on-site.

2014 Show Specials

• Autocap North America, Booth 11543 (North Hall): Offering a SEMA Show special to new and existing customers: 15% off current pricing on all Autocap Re-Usable Service protections, such as seat covers, steering wheel covers, etc., as well as our customized printed Locking Wheel Nut Key Bags. Valid only on orders placed at the Show, November 4–7. For product information, visit booth 11543 or online at www.autocap.com.mx.

• DevilsOwn, Booth 31299: Offering 15% off any regular-priced kit for orders placed during the Show. 

• FLITZ International Ltd., Booth 20071: Offering product demos for the run of the show, giving away free samples and offering special discounts on the entire FLITZ product line. The company is providing SEMA (Hot Buy) special packages which enable customers to get a free video monitor, free resalable products, displays, signage and all being shipped freight free within the continental United States.

• Hammerhead Armor, Booth 32199: A division of Hol-Mac Corp., Hammerhead Armor currently has front- and rear-bumper designs that cover more than 200 truck makes and models, including Chevy, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Toyota, Nissan and Jeep. Attendees who visit their booth and register during the Show will be eligible to win an authorized dealer package valued at more than $2,000. For more information about Hammerhead Armor’s complete line of aftermarket bumpers and accessories, visit hammerheadarmor.com or call 855-HHTOUGH. Hammerhead Armor can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @hammerheadarmor.

• Leather Therapy, Booth 12472: With the purchase of $500 of mixed-case Leather Therapy products, customers will receive free shipping in the continental United States. Visit booth 12472 to find out more about Leather Therapy.

• Silent Running, Booth 36231: The manufacturer of spray-on sound-damping products is offering discounted rates for all Silent Running CAR products, including one-gallon and two-gallon spray kits, and five-gallon pails. Stop by their booth in the Upper South Hall in the “First-Time and Featured Exhibitors” section. Display stands to showcase Silent Running’s benefits will also be placed with the company's distributors in the Central Hall. For more information, visit www.sr-car.com or call 877-436-6542 to speak with a representative.

• Snow Performance, Booth 21209: Snow Performance is offering 15% off regular pricing for original systems and 10% off regular pricing for the new Boost Cooler System (shipping February 1, 2015) to all attending dealers/distributors on orders placed at the Show.

• TUFTRUCK & West Coast Winch, Booth 33055: Offering a SEMA Show special to new and existing customers. The company is offering 10% off all TUFTRUCK heavy-duty applications and West Coast Winch and accessories. Valid on all purchases made at the Show, November 4–7. Interested distributors are encouraged to visit www.TUFTRUCK.com or www.WESTCOASTWINCH.com or visit booth 33055.

• Vision Engraving & Routing Systems, Booth 10125: Vision will demonstrate deep metal engraving and parts marking for the duration of the SEMA Show. Come by, watch and get a free engraved sample. With the ability to adjust depth, speed and other key factors, you can reproduce a clean, clear marking that won't be removed. Vision has a variety of engraving and routing systems that will allow you to work with flat, cylindrical, and odd-shaped items in a wide range of materials and applications. Vision has desktop-sized machines starting at 8x10-in. and going up to a 4x8-ft. CNC router engraver. Engrave curved, flat or round surfaces in a variety of metals, such as iron, steel, brass, aluminum, gold, copper, silver and more. Vision software features auto serialization for quicker turnaround times on high-volume jobs. For more information, visit www.visionengravers.com.

• Wavetrac Differentials, Booth 23820: Offering a SEMA Show special to new and existing customers. The company is offering an additional 10% off current pricing on all Wavetrac applications. Valid only on orders placed at the Show, November 4–7. For product information, visit booth 23820 or online at www.wavetrac.net.

Exhibitors: Reach out to more buyers prior to the Show through eNews by submitting your incentive or Show special to editors@sema.org. Be sure to include the discount or incentive being offered, as well as booth number for the 2014 Show.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

By Becca Butler

	“Velocity Live” will give fans the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the network’s most well-known talent.

Velocity network fans can take part in a one-of-a-kind experience to interact with some of their favorite television stars. Taking place Thursday, November 6, “Velocity Live” will be held in the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Showroom (formerly LVH), from 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m., giving fans the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the network’s most well-known talent.

A live Q&A session will be held with Chip Foose and Chris Jacobs (“Overhaulin’”), Wayne Carini (“Chasing Classic Cars”), Ray Evernham (“Americarna”), Mike Brewer and Edd China (“Wheeler Dealers”), Dave Kindig (“Bitchin’ Rides”) and more.

Don't miss the chance to get up close and personal with these popular celebrities and Velocity talent at the 2014 SEMA Show. More information and tickets are available online.

By Becca Butler

	“Velocity Live” will give fans the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the network’s most well-known talent.

Velocity network fans can take part in a one-of-a-kind experience to interact with some of their favorite television stars. Taking place Thursday, November 6, “Velocity Live” will be held in the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Showroom (formerly LVH), from 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m., giving fans the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the network’s most well-known talent.

A live Q&A session will be held with Chip Foose and Chris Jacobs (“Overhaulin’”), Wayne Carini (“Chasing Classic Cars”), Ray Evernham (“Americarna”), Mike Brewer and Edd China (“Wheeler Dealers”), Dave Kindig (“Bitchin’ Rides”) and more.

Don't miss the chance to get up close and personal with these popular celebrities and Velocity talent at the 2014 SEMA Show. More information and tickets are available online.

By Linda Spencer

	Roundtable discussion attendees will have the opportunity to meet key wholesalers and importers even before the 2014 SEMA Show begins.

Top specialty-equipment buyers from Russia, the Middle East and China will speak about their fast-growing markets in international roundtable discussions, Monday, November 3, from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m, in the Las Vegas Convention Center Upper North Hall, room N259.

Attendees will learn about the limited slots available for upcoming subsidized 2015 SEMA trips to these three regions, and meet key wholesalers and importers prior to the opening of the 2014 Show. No pre-registration is required.

Schedule:

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Seminar: IT1: International

• Middle East Opportunities for SEMA-Member Manufacturers

1:00 p.m.–2:00 pm.

Seminar: IT2: International

• The Developing Russian Specialty-Equipment Market

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Seminar: IT3: International

• Insider Tips: Selling Specialty-Equipment Products in China, the World’s Largest Emerging Automotive Market

For more information, read the SEMA News article about last year's event.

By Linda Spencer

	Roundtable discussion attendees will have the opportunity to meet key wholesalers and importers even before the 2014 SEMA Show begins.

Top specialty-equipment buyers from Russia, the Middle East and China will speak about their fast-growing markets in international roundtable discussions, Monday, November 3, from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m, in the Las Vegas Convention Center Upper North Hall, room N259.

Attendees will learn about the limited slots available for upcoming subsidized 2015 SEMA trips to these three regions, and meet key wholesalers and importers prior to the opening of the 2014 Show. No pre-registration is required.

Schedule:

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Seminar: IT1: International

• Middle East Opportunities for SEMA-Member Manufacturers

1:00 p.m.–2:00 pm.

Seminar: IT2: International

• The Developing Russian Specialty-Equipment Market

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Seminar: IT3: International

• Insider Tips: Selling Specialty-Equipment Products in China, the World’s Largest Emerging Automotive Market

For more information, read the SEMA News article about last year's event.

By John Waraniak

	Attendees of SEMA’s "Digital Technology in the Car" forum will learn first-hand from leading Motor City and Silicon Valley experts how to compete in today’s connected-car revolution.

In SEMA’s "Digital Technology in the Car" forum—scheduled for Thursday, November 6, from 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. in Rooms N258–N260 of the Las Vegas Convention Center—attendees will learn first-hand from leading Motor City and Silicon Valley experts how to compete in today’s connected-car revolution. They will also find out how to take advantage of the exciting growth opportunities with connected vehicles and digital technologies for automotive applications.

The race to define future vehicles is on. Competition for the auto industry's future is rapidly evolving between the Silicon Valley and Detroit. While product is king, digital technology, vehicle electronics and software rule. Embedded vehicle software is teachable; SEMA makes it accessible.

Connected cars are disrupting the traditional landscape of the automotive industry. Disruptive digital and electronics technologies have the power to make, move and reshape markets, and have led the automobile industry to one of the most exciting times in history for both consumers, endemic and new automotive and aftermarket industry players. It is creating new value in new areas, and new categories of players are becoming integral parts of the industry.

Attendance is free but registration is required.

By John Waraniak

	Attendees of SEMA’s "Digital Technology in the Car" forum will learn first-hand from leading Motor City and Silicon Valley experts how to compete in today’s connected-car revolution.

In SEMA’s "Digital Technology in the Car" forum—scheduled for Thursday, November 6, from 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. in Rooms N258–N260 of the Las Vegas Convention Center—attendees will learn first-hand from leading Motor City and Silicon Valley experts how to compete in today’s connected-car revolution. They will also find out how to take advantage of the exciting growth opportunities with connected vehicles and digital technologies for automotive applications.

The race to define future vehicles is on. Competition for the auto industry's future is rapidly evolving between the Silicon Valley and Detroit. While product is king, digital technology, vehicle electronics and software rule. Embedded vehicle software is teachable; SEMA makes it accessible.

Connected cars are disrupting the traditional landscape of the automotive industry. Disruptive digital and electronics technologies have the power to make, move and reshape markets, and have led the automobile industry to one of the most exciting times in history for both consumers, endemic and new automotive and aftermarket industry players. It is creating new value in new areas, and new categories of players are becoming integral parts of the industry.

Attendance is free but registration is required.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

SCHUMACHER, HAGAN, BROGDON, KRAWIEC COLLECT READING VICTORIES: Matt Hagan took over the Funny Car points lead by racing to victory last Sunday at the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the fourth of six playoff events during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. Hagan crossed the finish line in spectacular fashion when his Rocky Boots Dodge Charger’s engine exploded following a 4.333-second pass at 215 mph, defeating Tommy Johnson Jr. in the final round. He was appearing in his third Countdown final and picked up his second win in the playoffs. Hagan, who has three victories in the season and 13 in his career, opened up a 36-point advantage on 16-time world champ John Force with two races remaining in the season.

"The points lead is huge, but like I said, we showed up here to win a race," said Hagan, the 2011 Funny Car world champ. "Points change, but the Wallys [trophies] you put on your shelf don’t. We did what we set up to do this morning, and that was to turn the win light on four times."

TWO RACES LEFT IN 2014 NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP: There are only two races remaining in the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship and the points battles are hotly contested in each of the four professional categories. Tony Schumacher leads Top Fuel over nearest competitor Doug Kalitta by 134 points. Matt Hagan took the Funny Car point lead over John Force with his win in Reading and has a 36-point lead over Force. Jason Line continues to lead in Pro Stock by 35 over Erica Enders-Stevens. Andrew Hines is the Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader by 25 over his Vance and Hines teammate Eddie Krawiec.

COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS TO BRIGHT LIGHTS OF LAS VEGAS: The stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series roll into The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 30–November 2, for the penultimate race of the 2014 Countdown to the Championship at the 14th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals. The best in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will once again battle for the coveted victory at one of the world’s most state-of-the-art dragstrips. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2. Celebrating its 14th running, the NHRA Toyota Nationals has provided high-stakes action in a city with a reputation for thrills, glitz and glamour. The action on the Vegas strip is matched only by the fire and fury of two 10,000-hp machines launching side-by-side down The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at more than 300 mph. The event is a critical stop for the teams in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series as they have two races left to prove they have what it takes to be a Mello Yello Series world champion.

He Said, She Said

"It's always a tough break when you don't get past the first round and don't run really well. These [weather and track] conditions only come around every so often and it reminded me of 2012 when we set the national record [3.701 seconds] and won the championship, and that still stands. It was definitely a bummer to our whole Matco Tools team to take a blow like that with the championship on the line. That's what makes this sport so demanding but yet so rewarding. We will collect ourselves, get ready for Vegas and go there strong. Our goal is to go out there and try to run as hard as we can each and every round of qualifying and eliminations rounds and give it all that we've got for these last two races. We've been in this situation before, but that time we were leading and we had like a 160-point lead over the U.S. Army car going into Vegas and had to hold on to win the (2012) championship by seven points."

—Antron Brown, driver of the Matco Tools dragster on losing in the first round of Reading after winning the previous race in St. Louis. Brown is now fifth in points, 170 behind points leader and teammate Tony Schumacher.

Inside the Numbers

4: Number of times in 2014 that Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) has "doubled-up" and won both Top Fuel and Funny Car at an event. The team did it in Epping, New Hampshire, with Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel and Ron Capps in Funny Car; Antron Brown in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Chicago; Schumacher and Hagan during the Charlotte event; and Schumacher and Hagan most recently in Reading. Since the 2003 season, DSR has accomplished this feat 44 times, including the two times DSR won three categories at the same event.

Did You Know

K&N FILTERS ANNOUNCES 2015 HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE SWEEPSTAKES: NHRA fans once again have the opportunity to try their luck at winning the ultimate fan experience by entering the 2015 K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes. The 32nd annual running of the event boasts exactly what the fans want—a shootout of the top Pro Stock drivers and a grand prize to be won. Eight online sweepstakes entrants will be randomly chosen in early March 2015 to participate in the K&N Horsepower Challenge, which will once again be held at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The eight finalists will be given a trip for two to Las Vegas for a VIP race experience and a chance to win the ultimate grand prize—the 2015 K&N Horsepower Challenge Toyota Tacoma.

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

SCHUMACHER, HAGAN, BROGDON, KRAWIEC COLLECT READING VICTORIES: Matt Hagan took over the Funny Car points lead by racing to victory last Sunday at the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the fourth of six playoff events during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. Hagan crossed the finish line in spectacular fashion when his Rocky Boots Dodge Charger’s engine exploded following a 4.333-second pass at 215 mph, defeating Tommy Johnson Jr. in the final round. He was appearing in his third Countdown final and picked up his second win in the playoffs. Hagan, who has three victories in the season and 13 in his career, opened up a 36-point advantage on 16-time world champ John Force with two races remaining in the season.

"The points lead is huge, but like I said, we showed up here to win a race," said Hagan, the 2011 Funny Car world champ. "Points change, but the Wallys [trophies] you put on your shelf don’t. We did what we set up to do this morning, and that was to turn the win light on four times."

TWO RACES LEFT IN 2014 NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP: There are only two races remaining in the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship and the points battles are hotly contested in each of the four professional categories. Tony Schumacher leads Top Fuel over nearest competitor Doug Kalitta by 134 points. Matt Hagan took the Funny Car point lead over John Force with his win in Reading and has a 36-point lead over Force. Jason Line continues to lead in Pro Stock by 35 over Erica Enders-Stevens. Andrew Hines is the Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader by 25 over his Vance and Hines teammate Eddie Krawiec.

COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS TO BRIGHT LIGHTS OF LAS VEGAS: The stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series roll into The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 30–November 2, for the penultimate race of the 2014 Countdown to the Championship at the 14th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals. The best in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will once again battle for the coveted victory at one of the world’s most state-of-the-art dragstrips. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2. Celebrating its 14th running, the NHRA Toyota Nationals has provided high-stakes action in a city with a reputation for thrills, glitz and glamour. The action on the Vegas strip is matched only by the fire and fury of two 10,000-hp machines launching side-by-side down The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at more than 300 mph. The event is a critical stop for the teams in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series as they have two races left to prove they have what it takes to be a Mello Yello Series world champion.

He Said, She Said

"It's always a tough break when you don't get past the first round and don't run really well. These [weather and track] conditions only come around every so often and it reminded me of 2012 when we set the national record [3.701 seconds] and won the championship, and that still stands. It was definitely a bummer to our whole Matco Tools team to take a blow like that with the championship on the line. That's what makes this sport so demanding but yet so rewarding. We will collect ourselves, get ready for Vegas and go there strong. Our goal is to go out there and try to run as hard as we can each and every round of qualifying and eliminations rounds and give it all that we've got for these last two races. We've been in this situation before, but that time we were leading and we had like a 160-point lead over the U.S. Army car going into Vegas and had to hold on to win the (2012) championship by seven points."

—Antron Brown, driver of the Matco Tools dragster on losing in the first round of Reading after winning the previous race in St. Louis. Brown is now fifth in points, 170 behind points leader and teammate Tony Schumacher.

Inside the Numbers

4: Number of times in 2014 that Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) has "doubled-up" and won both Top Fuel and Funny Car at an event. The team did it in Epping, New Hampshire, with Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel and Ron Capps in Funny Car; Antron Brown in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Chicago; Schumacher and Hagan during the Charlotte event; and Schumacher and Hagan most recently in Reading. Since the 2003 season, DSR has accomplished this feat 44 times, including the two times DSR won three categories at the same event.

Did You Know

K&N FILTERS ANNOUNCES 2015 HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE SWEEPSTAKES: NHRA fans once again have the opportunity to try their luck at winning the ultimate fan experience by entering the 2015 K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes. The 32nd annual running of the event boasts exactly what the fans want—a shootout of the top Pro Stock drivers and a grand prize to be won. Eight online sweepstakes entrants will be randomly chosen in early March 2015 to participate in the K&N Horsepower Challenge, which will once again be held at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The eight finalists will be given a trip for two to Las Vegas for a VIP race experience and a chance to win the ultimate grand prize—the 2015 K&N Horsepower Challenge Toyota Tacoma.

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.