SEMA is supporting Michigan legislation requiring retail dealers that offer gasoline for sale to label those pumps dispensing ethanol-blended gasoline with a notice that indicates the grade of gasoline and the percentage of ethanol contained. Under current Michigan law, gasoline that contains 10% or less ethanol is not subject to the labeling requirement. The bill provides that a person who violates the labeling requirement is liable for a civil fine up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues.  

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.

In 2004, legislation was enacted to repeal California’s rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older and replace it with a law requiring the lifetime testing of all ’76 and newer model-year vehicles. This year, a SEMA-supported bill has been introduced in the California Senate to exempt all motor vehicles prior to the ’81 model year from the emissions inspection requirement. The bill will be considered in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee March 27, 2012. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In 2004, legislation was enacted to repeal California’s rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older and replace it with a law requiring the lifetime testing of all ’76 and newer model-year vehicles. This year, a SEMA-supported bill has been introduced in the California Senate to exempt all motor vehicles prior to the ’81 model year from the emissions inspection requirement. The bill will be considered in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee March 27, 2012. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

	SEMA will visit LaGrange, Kentucky, Friday April 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

SEMA invites industry professionals to the next stop of its 2012 Town Hall tour, where local and prospective members will gather at the Parts Unlimited Inc. facility in LaGrange, Kentucky, Friday April 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

SEMA's Town Hall Meeting initiative launched in 2011 to provide members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions provide members the chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. They also give SEMA staff valuable feedback that will help identify current benefits to enhance members' business operations and better meet their needs.

“As a new SEMA member, my experience at the Town Hall Meeting in St. Charles [Illinois] was certainly without regret,” said Christine Giovingo of Mecum Auctions. “I found the topics discussed by the panel very informative. I was able to capture industry-related subjects worth discussing within the Mecum organization. Debra [Flicker] provided me with knowledge that will allow me to make an intelligent decision as to which SEMA committee to join. Lastly, what an honor it was listening to the legendary Vic Edelbrock tell his story and how he has impacted the industry for so many years.”

So far, SEMA has visited Scottsdale, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Tacoma, Washington; and St. Charles, Illinois, hosting successful small gatherings of members in those regions.

For more information, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

	SEMA will visit LaGrange, Kentucky, Friday April 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

SEMA invites industry professionals to the next stop of its 2012 Town Hall tour, where local and prospective members will gather at the Parts Unlimited Inc. facility in LaGrange, Kentucky, Friday April 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

SEMA's Town Hall Meeting initiative launched in 2011 to provide members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions provide members the chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. They also give SEMA staff valuable feedback that will help identify current benefits to enhance members' business operations and better meet their needs.

“As a new SEMA member, my experience at the Town Hall Meeting in St. Charles [Illinois] was certainly without regret,” said Christine Giovingo of Mecum Auctions. “I found the topics discussed by the panel very informative. I was able to capture industry-related subjects worth discussing within the Mecum organization. Debra [Flicker] provided me with knowledge that will allow me to make an intelligent decision as to which SEMA committee to join. Lastly, what an honor it was listening to the legendary Vic Edelbrock tell his story and how he has impacted the industry for so many years.”

So far, SEMA has visited Scottsdale, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Tacoma, Washington; and St. Charles, Illinois, hosting successful small gatherings of members in those regions.

For more information, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

	The Ford-Cobra-Shelby Reunion is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

Elite Collection of Cobras to be Displayed in the Speed Merchants of Venice Exhibit
Guest curator Lynn “Mr. Cobra” Park has announced a short list of the extraordinary Cobras to be included in the “Speed Merchants of Venice” 50th Anniversary Cobra Exhibit as part of the Ford-Cobra-Shelby Reunion scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California.

The rare Cobras to be displayed include the following:

• The first production Cobra kindly loaned by Bruce Meyer.
• FIA 289 loaned by Park.
• Recently restored Shelby School of High-Performance Driving car loaned by David Lerian.
• 427 Comp Car loaned by Anthony Boosalis.
• 427 S/C loaned by Boosalis.
• King Cobra loaned by Bill Hartman.
• “El Cid” Dragonsnake loaned by Park.

The 50th Anniversary Cobra Exhibit will be part of the inaugural Ford-Cobra-Shelby Reunion, which is open to all Cobras, GT40s, Ford GTs, all Ford, Lincoln, Mercury (FLM) and FLM-powered vehicles, including trucks and Broncos and all Shelby vehicles.

Proceeds benefit the NHRA Motorsports Museum and the Carroll Shelby Foundation.

	Team Falken finished eighth place in the GT class at the Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Team Falken Perseveres for Strong Finish at Sebring
The 60th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, Saturday, March 17, was a long and hard run for Team Falken Tire. The American Le Mans Series GT team spent most of the 12-hour endurance race trying to regain ground lost early in the event. Despite the setbacks, the team earned an eighth-place finish in the GT class, marking the team's first finish of the historic event.
 


Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler worked his way through the field and joined the top 10 in the GT class in the first hour, running 37th overall. An hour and 30 minutes into the race, Henzler successfully earned the third GT spot. After 40 laps, veteran racer Bryan Sellers took command of the Porsche, rejoining the field at eighth in class.

The team has much work to do before the Long Beach Grand Prix April 13–14. Historically, the team has raced strong on street courses, racing the Falken Tire Azenis slicks. Walker and the team will work closely with Porsche and Falken Tire to continue to showcase strong competition against the more experienced veterans of the American Le Mans Series.

	Rob MacCachren won at the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, averaging 56.29 mph and finishing the course in four hours, 25 minutes and three seconds.

FOX Athletes Claim Victory in San Felipe SCORE Desert Series Races
FOX extended its SCORE Desert Series Baja Trophy Truck winning streak to nine with Rob MacCachren's recent win at the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. MacCachren ran the same FOX External Cooling System-equipped bypass suspension, also known as the Cactus Cooler, which helped him win on this course last September.

Averaging 56.29 mph and finishing the course in four hours, 25 minutes and three seconds, MacCachren’s win came four minutes and five seconds before his closest competitor.

Another notable victory came from third-generation racer and Class 1600 champion, Luke McMillin. McMillin made his Class 1 racing debut while sharing driving duties with multi-time short course race winner Justin Smith, who, together, took home the Class 1 win and fourth overall finish.

	The Ford-Cobra-Shelby Reunion is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

Elite Collection of Cobras to be Displayed in the Speed Merchants of Venice Exhibit
Guest curator Lynn “Mr. Cobra” Park has announced a short list of the extraordinary Cobras to be included in the “Speed Merchants of Venice” 50th Anniversary Cobra Exhibit as part of the Ford-Cobra-Shelby Reunion scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California.

The rare Cobras to be displayed include the following:

• The first production Cobra kindly loaned by Bruce Meyer.
• FIA 289 loaned by Park.
• Recently restored Shelby School of High-Performance Driving car loaned by David Lerian.
• 427 Comp Car loaned by Anthony Boosalis.
• 427 S/C loaned by Boosalis.
• King Cobra loaned by Bill Hartman.
• “El Cid” Dragonsnake loaned by Park.

The 50th Anniversary Cobra Exhibit will be part of the inaugural Ford-Cobra-Shelby Reunion, which is open to all Cobras, GT40s, Ford GTs, all Ford, Lincoln, Mercury (FLM) and FLM-powered vehicles, including trucks and Broncos and all Shelby vehicles.

Proceeds benefit the NHRA Motorsports Museum and the Carroll Shelby Foundation.

	Team Falken finished eighth place in the GT class at the Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Team Falken Perseveres for Strong Finish at Sebring
The 60th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, Saturday, March 17, was a long and hard run for Team Falken Tire. The American Le Mans Series GT team spent most of the 12-hour endurance race trying to regain ground lost early in the event. Despite the setbacks, the team earned an eighth-place finish in the GT class, marking the team's first finish of the historic event.
 


Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler worked his way through the field and joined the top 10 in the GT class in the first hour, running 37th overall. An hour and 30 minutes into the race, Henzler successfully earned the third GT spot. After 40 laps, veteran racer Bryan Sellers took command of the Porsche, rejoining the field at eighth in class.

The team has much work to do before the Long Beach Grand Prix April 13–14. Historically, the team has raced strong on street courses, racing the Falken Tire Azenis slicks. Walker and the team will work closely with Porsche and Falken Tire to continue to showcase strong competition against the more experienced veterans of the American Le Mans Series.

	Rob MacCachren won at the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, averaging 56.29 mph and finishing the course in four hours, 25 minutes and three seconds.

FOX Athletes Claim Victory in San Felipe SCORE Desert Series Races
FOX extended its SCORE Desert Series Baja Trophy Truck winning streak to nine with Rob MacCachren's recent win at the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. MacCachren ran the same FOX External Cooling System-equipped bypass suspension, also known as the Cactus Cooler, which helped him win on this course last September.

Averaging 56.29 mph and finishing the course in four hours, 25 minutes and three seconds, MacCachren’s win came four minutes and five seconds before his closest competitor.

Another notable victory came from third-generation racer and Class 1600 champion, Luke McMillin. McMillin made his Class 1 racing debut while sharing driving duties with multi-time short course race winner Justin Smith, who, together, took home the Class 1 win and fourth overall finish.