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.

By Becca Butler

	Alex Debogorski

Star of the popular Emmy-nominated television show, “Ice Road Truckers,” Alex Debogorski will drive his way to the 2014 SEMA Show. Located in the Gold Pavilion will be the ice-road attraction, giving Showgoers a real-life demonstration of the arctic weather conditions that Debogorski endures.

The television show follows the lives of truck drivers on seasonal routes who cross frozen lakes and rivers in remote Arctic areas of Canada and Alaska. The show's thrill-seeking stars drive loaded semis across snow-ridden areas, making them some of the most well-known drivers in the industry.

Described as “John Wayne Driving a Truck,” Debogorski will be at the 2014 SEMA Show giving fans the chance to interact and take pictures with one of their favorite ice road truckers. Available all week in the Gold Pavilion, attendees can experience just a little bit of what Debogorski does on a man-made icy road that will be used for the demonstration.

The Gold Pavilion is located just across the street from Paradise Road near the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) North Hall. In addition to the ice-road attraction, a number of SEMA Show exhibitors and other events, such as a taping of Velocity Network’s “Overhaulin’,” will be located in the Gold Pavilion. Check out this new SEMA Show area; you definitely do not want to miss out!

By Becca Butler

	Alex Debogorski

Star of the popular Emmy-nominated television show, “Ice Road Truckers,” Alex Debogorski will drive his way to the 2014 SEMA Show. Located in the Gold Pavilion will be the ice-road attraction, giving Showgoers a real-life demonstration of the arctic weather conditions that Debogorski endures.

The television show follows the lives of truck drivers on seasonal routes who cross frozen lakes and rivers in remote Arctic areas of Canada and Alaska. The show's thrill-seeking stars drive loaded semis across snow-ridden areas, making them some of the most well-known drivers in the industry.

Described as “John Wayne Driving a Truck,” Debogorski will be at the 2014 SEMA Show giving fans the chance to interact and take pictures with one of their favorite ice road truckers. Available all week in the Gold Pavilion, attendees can experience just a little bit of what Debogorski does on a man-made icy road that will be used for the demonstration.

The Gold Pavilion is located just across the street from Paradise Road near the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) North Hall. In addition to the ice-road attraction, a number of SEMA Show exhibitors and other events, such as a taping of Velocity Network’s “Overhaulin’,” will be located in the Gold Pavilion. Check out this new SEMA Show area; you definitely do not want to miss out!

By Linda Spencer

International Happy Hour attendees will be able to network with key buyers from markets around the world.

More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend the 2014 SEMA International Happy Hour—Wednesday November 5, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., in the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N255—to network with key buyers from markets around the world.

Attendees will be able to speak with key media from 20 countries, find out which SEMA members will win the 2014 U.S. Government Export Achievement Award, and learn about the 2014 new products that global journalists have selected as most likely to resonate with buyers in their home markets.

Pre-registration is complimentary but required.

By Linda Spencer

International Happy Hour attendees will be able to network with key buyers from markets around the world.

More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend the 2014 SEMA International Happy Hour—Wednesday November 5, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., in the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N255—to network with key buyers from markets around the world.

Attendees will be able to speak with key media from 20 countries, find out which SEMA members will win the 2014 U.S. Government Export Achievement Award, and learn about the 2014 new products that global journalists have selected as most likely to resonate with buyers in their home markets.

Pre-registration is complimentary but required.

By Linda Spencer

International Happy Hour attendees will be able to network with key buyers from markets around the world.

More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend the 2014 SEMA International Happy Hour—Wednesday November 5, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., in the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N255—to network with key buyers from markets around the world.

Attendees will be able to speak with key media from 20 countries, find out which SEMA members will win the 2014 U.S. Government Export Achievement Award, and learn about the 2014 new products that global journalists have selected as most likely to resonate with buyers in their home markets.

Pre-registration is complimentary but required.

By Jim and Wendy Kirkpatrick, Chuck Udell

Chuck Udell
Jim Kirkpatrick	Wendy Kirkpatrick

The 2014 SEMA Show is less than one month away. If you are considering investing in training for your staff or yourself, whether at the SEMA Show or another venue, this article and another one appearing in two weeks will ensure that the training delivers the intended benefits and bottom-line results.

A Model for Ensuring Training Value

One of the most recognized methods of evaluating the value of training is the Kirkpatrick Model.

The Kirkpatrick Model

Level 4: Results

To what degree targeted outcomes occur as a result of learning event(s) and subsequent reinforcement.

Level 3: Behavior

To what degree participants apply what they learned during training when they are back on the job.

Level 2: Learning

To what degree participants acquire the intended knowledge, skills and attitude based on their participation in the learning event.

Level 1: Reaction

To what degree participants react favorably to the learning event.

Applying the Model to Training Programs

The Kirkpatrick Foundational Principles are the key beliefs underpinning Kirkpatrick training evaluation:

• The end is the beginning.
• Return on expectations (ROE) is the ultimate indicator of value.
• Business partnership is necessary to bring about positive ROE.
• Value must be created before it can be demonstrated.
• A compelling chain of evidence demonstrates your bottom-line value.

Parts Store Example

For example, suppose you own several parts stores. Your expectation is that your stores are profitable. Prior to coming to Las Vegas, you meet with your marketing and sales manager and together determine that you wish to attend a session entitled, “Customer Service & Sales: Selling to Women—Today’s Greatest Economic Engine.” The program description says that you will learn effective selling and service techniques to market more effectively to women, therefore increasing your sales to them. If attending the program could increase your sales to women and therefore contribute to an increase in your overall sales and profitability, this session could be a good choice for you.

When you return from the Show, it will be critical for you and your staff to debrief what you learned and determine exactly which sales techniques will be applied in your business. From there, a plan to implement the new techniques, and to monitor and support them, should be created. Finally, roles and responsibilities to ensure that the techniques are used, and progress tracked, should be assigned. After all, if what was learned during training does not actually get applied on the job, there is no value to your company.

Viewing all training investments through the lens of what value they will contribute to the bottom line and making a plan to ensure that what is learned gets implemented will make training a valuable contributor to your organizational success.

In two weeks, we will be back with a second article describing how to implement the remaining three Kirkpatrick Foundation Principles and create a complete plan for ensuring that training programs result in true business value.

For more information about how to maximize the value of your training investments, register for free at kirkpatrickpartners.com, or e-mail Jim and Wendy Kirkpatrick at information@kirkpatrickpartners.com or Chuck Udell chuckudell@msn.com.

By Jim and Wendy Kirkpatrick, Chuck Udell

Chuck Udell
Jim Kirkpatrick	Wendy Kirkpatrick

The 2014 SEMA Show is less than one month away. If you are considering investing in training for your staff or yourself, whether at the SEMA Show or another venue, this article and another one appearing in two weeks will ensure that the training delivers the intended benefits and bottom-line results.

A Model for Ensuring Training Value

One of the most recognized methods of evaluating the value of training is the Kirkpatrick Model.

The Kirkpatrick Model

Level 4: Results

To what degree targeted outcomes occur as a result of learning event(s) and subsequent reinforcement.

Level 3: Behavior

To what degree participants apply what they learned during training when they are back on the job.

Level 2: Learning

To what degree participants acquire the intended knowledge, skills and attitude based on their participation in the learning event.

Level 1: Reaction

To what degree participants react favorably to the learning event.

Applying the Model to Training Programs

The Kirkpatrick Foundational Principles are the key beliefs underpinning Kirkpatrick training evaluation:

• The end is the beginning.
• Return on expectations (ROE) is the ultimate indicator of value.
• Business partnership is necessary to bring about positive ROE.
• Value must be created before it can be demonstrated.
• A compelling chain of evidence demonstrates your bottom-line value.

Parts Store Example

For example, suppose you own several parts stores. Your expectation is that your stores are profitable. Prior to coming to Las Vegas, you meet with your marketing and sales manager and together determine that you wish to attend a session entitled, “Customer Service & Sales: Selling to Women—Today’s Greatest Economic Engine.” The program description says that you will learn effective selling and service techniques to market more effectively to women, therefore increasing your sales to them. If attending the program could increase your sales to women and therefore contribute to an increase in your overall sales and profitability, this session could be a good choice for you.

When you return from the Show, it will be critical for you and your staff to debrief what you learned and determine exactly which sales techniques will be applied in your business. From there, a plan to implement the new techniques, and to monitor and support them, should be created. Finally, roles and responsibilities to ensure that the techniques are used, and progress tracked, should be assigned. After all, if what was learned during training does not actually get applied on the job, there is no value to your company.

Viewing all training investments through the lens of what value they will contribute to the bottom line and making a plan to ensure that what is learned gets implemented will make training a valuable contributor to your organizational success.

In two weeks, we will be back with a second article describing how to implement the remaining three Kirkpatrick Foundation Principles and create a complete plan for ensuring that training programs result in true business value.

For more information about how to maximize the value of your training investments, register for free at kirkpatrickpartners.com, or e-mail Jim and Wendy Kirkpatrick at information@kirkpatrickpartners.com or Chuck Udell chuckudell@msn.com.

By SEMA Editors

	The Red Bull Global Rallycross season finale will be held at The Linq Promenade during the 2014 SEMA Show. Photo credit: Larry Chen

Red Bull Global Rallycross will return to Las Vegas for its season finale for the third consecutive year, hosting Red Bull Global Rallycross Las Vegas at The LINQ Promenade, November 4–5. Held in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, which is the host venue, presenting sponsor and event partner, the action will take place at The LINQ Hotel & Casino during the 2014 SEMA Show.

For the first time in series history, four drivers enter the finale with a chance at the championship: Ken Block, winner of the 2013 Las Vegas race; former Formula 1 stars Scott Speed and Nelson Piquet Jr.; and defending GRC Lites champion Joni Wiman. The four championship-eligible drivers have combined for four victories, 16 podiums and eight poles so far in 2014. All four drivers are within 30 points of one another entering the final race, meaning that the best finisher among them in Las Vegas will likely take home the season-long championship.

Other drivers planning to compete include 2012 Las Vegas winner Tanner Foust; multiple X Games gold medalists Brian Deegan and Bucky Lasek; current GRC Lites champion Mitchell DeJong; and Sverre Isachsen, winner of the series’ most recent race at DirtFish Rally School in Snoqualmie, Washington.

Purchase tickets to Red Bull Global Rallycross Las Vegas at The LINQ. The race will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday, November 16, at 1:30 p.m. (EST).

By SEMA Editors

	The Red Bull Global Rallycross season finale will be held at The Linq Promenade during the 2014 SEMA Show. Photo credit: Larry Chen

Red Bull Global Rallycross will return to Las Vegas for its season finale for the third consecutive year, hosting Red Bull Global Rallycross Las Vegas at The LINQ Promenade, November 4–5. Held in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, which is the host venue, presenting sponsor and event partner, the action will take place at The LINQ Hotel & Casino during the 2014 SEMA Show.

For the first time in series history, four drivers enter the finale with a chance at the championship: Ken Block, winner of the 2013 Las Vegas race; former Formula 1 stars Scott Speed and Nelson Piquet Jr.; and defending GRC Lites champion Joni Wiman. The four championship-eligible drivers have combined for four victories, 16 podiums and eight poles so far in 2014. All four drivers are within 30 points of one another entering the final race, meaning that the best finisher among them in Las Vegas will likely take home the season-long championship.

Other drivers planning to compete include 2012 Las Vegas winner Tanner Foust; multiple X Games gold medalists Brian Deegan and Bucky Lasek; current GRC Lites champion Mitchell DeJong; and Sverre Isachsen, winner of the series’ most recent race at DirtFish Rally School in Snoqualmie, Washington.

Purchase tickets to Red Bull Global Rallycross Las Vegas at The LINQ. The race will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday, November 16, at 1:30 p.m. (EST).