The winners of the New Products Showcase Awards were announced during the New Products Breakfast held at the 2011 SEMA Show. The event recognizes the most cutting-edge automotive products either on the market or about to hit the market. Nearly 2,000 new products were submitted this year for consideration.

Criteria that ranked high on the judges’ selection for the New Products Showcase Awards included superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability.

	2011 New Product Award Winners:
	Best New Collision, Repair and Refinish Product
	Winner: Eagle Abrasives Inc., Super Assilex Runner Up: Plio Grip by Valvoline, Like90 Turbo Pad for Bumpers Runner Up: Gema, OptiFlex 2
	Best Engineered New Product
	Winner: Baer Brake Systems, Full Floating Rear End Conversion Runner Up: Aeromotive Inc., Camaro Stealth Fuel System Runner Up: Fuelab, Electronic Fuel Pressure Regulator
	Best New Exterior Accessory Product
	Winner: Cargo Ease Inc., Cargo Ramp/Brake System Runner Up: Bestop Inc., TrekStep Side Mounted Step Runner Up: Rhino-Rack USA, Roof Mounted Cargo Basket
	Best New Interior Accessory Product
	Winner: Auto Meter Products, Universal 3 Gauge Mounting Solution Runner Up: LOKAR Performance Products, Billet Aluminum Tremec Shifter Levers for the TKO 500 and TKO 600 Runner Up: Bully Dog Technologies, RAM Mounting Systems for Bully Dog GTs and WatchDogs
	Best New Merchandising Display
	Winner: MacNeil Automotive Products Ltd., TechFloor Retail Display Runner Up: Flex-a-lite Consolidated, Flex-a-chill–Radiator Coolant Additive (POP) Runner Up: Access Roll-Up Covers, Access Truck Bed LED Light Display
	Best New Mobile-Electronics Product
	Winner: Escort/Beltronics Radar Detectors, ESCORT Live! Runner Up: Del City, Sealed Window Crimp Connector Runner Up: Metra Electronics Corp., ASWC
	Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product
	Winner: MSD Ignition, Atomic EFI Runner Up: Daystar Products International, Can Cam Fuel and Water System Runner Up: ProRYDE Suspension Systems, SuperBLOK 3-in-1 Leaf Spring Blocks
	Best New Packaging Design
	Winner: MacNeil Automotive Products Ltd., TechCare Runner Up: Auto Meter Products, Auto Meter Custom Shop Gauge Set Runner Up: Preval, vFan Portable Airbrush System
	Best New Performance-Racing Product
	Winner: COMP Performance Group, COMP Cams Sprint Car Front Drive Kit For LS Applications Runner Up: Auto Meter Products, Ultimate DL Playback Tach System Runner Up: Ace Fuel Systems, Adjustable Fuel Injector
	Best New Performance-Street Product
	Winner: SCT Performance, SCT iTSX for iPhone Runner Up: COMP Performance Group, Inglese EFI Throttle Body Insert Hidden Metal Screen Filters Runner Up: COMP Performance Group, FAST EZ-EFI Jeep 4.2L/6 Cylinder Kit
	Best New Powersports Product
	Winner: Auto Meter Products, Universal GPS Speedometer Interface Runner Up: Skyjacker Suspensions, ’10–’12 Polaris Ranger Crew Rear Winch Mount Kit Runner Up: Warn Industries Inc., 1700 XT Portable Winch
	Best New Street-Rod/Custom-Car Product
	Winner: Classic Instruments Inc., SkyDrive Runner Up: Billet Specialties Inc., Billet LS Valve Covers Runner Up: Eddie Motorsports, Billet aluminum Underhood kit for 1955–1957 Chevrolets
	Best New Tire and Related Product
	Winner: Continental Tire the Americas LLC, Continental Cross Contact LX20 Runner Up: Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Discoverer A/T3 Runner Up: Continental Tire the Americas LLC, General Tire G-MAX AS-03
	Best New Tools and Equipment Product
	Winner: PH2 Solutions Inc., PH2 Validator Runner Up: Las Vegas Tool LLC, EASYPULLER by Las Vegas Tool LLC Runner Up: Schley Products/SP TOOLS, Air Hammer Ball Joint R&R Tool
	Best New Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Product
	Winner: EZ Connector Inc., EZS7-02 Runner Up: Daystar Products International, Shock and Steering Stabilizer Armor Runner Up: Specialty Products Co., Leaf Spring Silencer
	Best New Wheel and Related Product
	Winner: Topline Products, Verde Custom Wheels | V39–Parallax Runner Up: iForged Performance Alloys/ Forgestar Wheels, CF10 Rotary Forged Carbon Fiber Edition Runner Up: MGP Caliper Covers, MGP Caliper Covers

	Dan R. Gresham of Coutant Capital received the prestigious Chairman's Service Award at the 2011 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet in Las Vegas.

Each year, the SEMA Chairman of the Board has the opportunity to present the Chairman’s Service award to one outstanding individual. That prerogative, however, is not necessarily acted on annually, making the award especially prestigious.

At the 2011 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet in Las Vegas, SEMA Chairman Paul "Scooter" Brothers explained the honor he felt in presenting the Chairman's Service Award to Daniel R. Gresham.

"My choice for this award is a man who’s been invaluable to me, SEMA and the industry as a whole," said Brothers. "His wisdom and guidance have helped with huge SEMA projects, such as the Data Pool, as well as some exciting future SEMA initiatives, so his outstanding service is not over yet."

Brothers went on to note that Gresham's commitment to SEMA and the industry had gotten in the way of retirement. "He thought he had retired to spend more time with his wife and take some exotic motorcycle trips to such places as Argentina and Siberia, but we stole him away and dragged him back into service," explained Brothers.

Concluding his remarks and welcoming Gresham to the stage, Brothers invoked a challenge, "My personal task for the rest of this year is to convince him, and more importantly his wife, to serve another year."

Gresham has more than 30 years of management and investing experience. He earned a BA in economics from Davidson College in 1968 and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam. He then obtained his MBA from Tulane University in 1973.

After leaving graduate school Gresham joined Allied Signal where he worked as a financial analyst for two years. From there he moved to Continental Can Co., where he served in a variety of staff and operating positions.

In 1987 Gresham and the previous chairman of Continental formed a leveraged buyout firm, New Canaan Investments, and made a series of investments both in the United States and Europe. In 1996, Gresham and his partners at NCI joined with Fremont Partners in the acquisition of Kerr Group, Inc., a publicly-traded specialty plastic closure company.

Following his work on Kerr with Fremont in 1996, Gresham and his partners purchased Dynojet Research Inc., where he assumed the role of CEO. Dynojet has a large presence in the motorcycle aftermarket parts industry as well as the automotive aftermarket as a developer of diagnostic performance testing equipment.

In 2000, Dynojet was sold and Gresham retired to his home on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. In early 2004, he failed retirement and reentered the performance world. He and his new partners purchased MSD Ignition where he currently serves as CEO. Gresham has been married to Judy for 39 years, and the couple has a son who is a Navy F-18 pilot.

Join SEMA in congratulating the recipient of the prestigious Chairman's Service Award—Dan Gresham.

	Dan R. Gresham of Coutant Capital received the prestigious Chairman's Service Award at the 2011 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet in Las Vegas.

Each year, the SEMA Chairman of the Board has the opportunity to present the Chairman’s Service award to one outstanding individual. That prerogative, however, is not necessarily acted on annually, making the award especially prestigious.

At the 2011 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet in Las Vegas, SEMA Chairman Paul "Scooter" Brothers explained the honor he felt in presenting the Chairman's Service Award to Daniel R. Gresham.

"My choice for this award is a man who’s been invaluable to me, SEMA and the industry as a whole," said Brothers. "His wisdom and guidance have helped with huge SEMA projects, such as the Data Pool, as well as some exciting future SEMA initiatives, so his outstanding service is not over yet."

Brothers went on to note that Gresham's commitment to SEMA and the industry had gotten in the way of retirement. "He thought he had retired to spend more time with his wife and take some exotic motorcycle trips to such places as Argentina and Siberia, but we stole him away and dragged him back into service," explained Brothers.

Concluding his remarks and welcoming Gresham to the stage, Brothers invoked a challenge, "My personal task for the rest of this year is to convince him, and more importantly his wife, to serve another year."

Gresham has more than 30 years of management and investing experience. He earned a BA in economics from Davidson College in 1968 and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam. He then obtained his MBA from Tulane University in 1973.

After leaving graduate school Gresham joined Allied Signal where he worked as a financial analyst for two years. From there he moved to Continental Can Co., where he served in a variety of staff and operating positions.

In 1987 Gresham and the previous chairman of Continental formed a leveraged buyout firm, New Canaan Investments, and made a series of investments both in the United States and Europe. In 1996, Gresham and his partners at NCI joined with Fremont Partners in the acquisition of Kerr Group, Inc., a publicly-traded specialty plastic closure company.

Following his work on Kerr with Fremont in 1996, Gresham and his partners purchased Dynojet Research Inc., where he assumed the role of CEO. Dynojet has a large presence in the motorcycle aftermarket parts industry as well as the automotive aftermarket as a developer of diagnostic performance testing equipment.

In 2000, Dynojet was sold and Gresham retired to his home on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. In early 2004, he failed retirement and reentered the performance world. He and his new partners purchased MSD Ignition where he currently serves as CEO. Gresham has been married to Judy for 39 years, and the couple has a son who is a Navy F-18 pilot.

Join SEMA in congratulating the recipient of the prestigious Chairman's Service Award—Dan Gresham.

	Dan R. Gresham of Coutant Capital received the prestigious Chairman's Service Award at the 2011 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet in Las Vegas.

Each year, the SEMA Chairman of the Board has the opportunity to present the Chairman’s Service award to one outstanding individual. That prerogative, however, is not necessarily acted on annually, making the award especially prestigious.

At the 2011 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet in Las Vegas, SEMA Chairman Paul "Scooter" Brothers explained the honor he felt in presenting the Chairman's Service Award to Daniel R. Gresham.

"My choice for this award is a man who’s been invaluable to me, SEMA and the industry as a whole," said Brothers. "His wisdom and guidance have helped with huge SEMA projects, such as the Data Pool, as well as some exciting future SEMA initiatives, so his outstanding service is not over yet."

Brothers went on to note that Gresham's commitment to SEMA and the industry had gotten in the way of retirement. "He thought he had retired to spend more time with his wife and take some exotic motorcycle trips to such places as Argentina and Siberia, but we stole him away and dragged him back into service," explained Brothers.

Concluding his remarks and welcoming Gresham to the stage, Brothers invoked a challenge, "My personal task for the rest of this year is to convince him, and more importantly his wife, to serve another year."

Gresham has more than 30 years of management and investing experience. He earned a BA in economics from Davidson College in 1968 and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam. He then obtained his MBA from Tulane University in 1973.

After leaving graduate school Gresham joined Allied Signal where he worked as a financial analyst for two years. From there he moved to Continental Can Co., where he served in a variety of staff and operating positions.

In 1987 Gresham and the previous chairman of Continental formed a leveraged buyout firm, New Canaan Investments, and made a series of investments both in the United States and Europe. In 1996, Gresham and his partners at NCI joined with Fremont Partners in the acquisition of Kerr Group, Inc., a publicly-traded specialty plastic closure company.

Following his work on Kerr with Fremont in 1996, Gresham and his partners purchased Dynojet Research Inc., where he assumed the role of CEO. Dynojet has a large presence in the motorcycle aftermarket parts industry as well as the automotive aftermarket as a developer of diagnostic performance testing equipment.

In 2000, Dynojet was sold and Gresham retired to his home on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. In early 2004, he failed retirement and reentered the performance world. He and his new partners purchased MSD Ignition where he currently serves as CEO. Gresham has been married to Judy for 39 years, and the couple has a son who is a Navy F-18 pilot.

Join SEMA in congratulating the recipient of the prestigious Chairman's Service Award—Dan Gresham.

The U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a preliminary finding that certain steel wheels from China are being sold at less than fair value in the United States. The subject wheels range from 18 to 24.5 in. in diameter, and include rims and discs whether imported as an assembly or separately. The wheels are typically used in commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, trailers, etc.) but passenger car wheels within that size range falls within the scope of the investigation. Last March, two U.S. auto wheel manufacturers submitted petitions claiming that at least two dozen Chinese producers and exporters were “dumping” the wheels in the U.S. market. Calculations for the preliminary dumping margins range from 110.58% to 193.54% ad valorem and countervailing duties range from 26.24% to 40.30% ad valorem. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.                

The U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a preliminary finding that certain steel wheels from China are being sold at less than fair value in the United States. The subject wheels range from 18 to 24.5 in. in diameter, and include rims and discs whether imported as an assembly or separately. The wheels are typically used in commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, trailers, etc.) but passenger car wheels within that size range falls within the scope of the investigation. Last March, two U.S. auto wheel manufacturers submitted petitions claiming that at least two dozen Chinese producers and exporters were “dumping” the wheels in the U.S. market. Calculations for the preliminary dumping margins range from 110.58% to 193.54% ad valorem and countervailing duties range from 26.24% to 40.30% ad valorem. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.                

The Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) is a national treasure and unique resource of international significance central to the history of motorsports. Since the first speed record attempts in 1914, hundreds of land speed records have been set and broken at the BSF in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes. For decades, the Salt Flats have decreased in size, strength and thickness because salt has been removed by an adjoining potash mining operation and not adequately replaced.

Preservation of the Salt Flats is under the authority of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM has issued an “Environmental Assessment” of the current mining operation that addresses future salt removal and replenishment. SEMA submitted comments to the BLM as part of the Save the Salt Coalition, a diverse group of racing enthusiast organizations. The Coalition urged the agency to adopt “Alternative B,” which requires a mandatory salt replenishment program. Salt removed from the BSF to obtain potash will be replaced in the same amount or more. The current mine owner, Intrepid Potash–Wendover LLC, supports this approach.

Alternative B would essentially restart a 1997–2002 program in which the previous mine owner pumped brine water back onto the salt flats at an annual rate of 1.5 million tons of salt. The project stabilized the salt flats, significantly improving the underground aquifer while hardening the salt crust. However, the BLM allowed the program to expire. The new program will be mandatory and verifiable. The Coalition will also be pursuing supplemental programs for replenishing the salt, beyond that mandated by the BLM. 

Click here for a pdf copy of the Coalition comments.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org or visit www.savethesalt.org. 

The Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) is a national treasure and unique resource of international significance central to the history of motorsports. Since the first speed record attempts in 1914, hundreds of land speed records have been set and broken at the BSF in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes. For decades, the Salt Flats have decreased in size, strength and thickness because salt has been removed by an adjoining potash mining operation and not adequately replaced.

Preservation of the Salt Flats is under the authority of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM has issued an “Environmental Assessment” of the current mining operation that addresses future salt removal and replenishment. SEMA submitted comments to the BLM as part of the Save the Salt Coalition, a diverse group of racing enthusiast organizations. The Coalition urged the agency to adopt “Alternative B,” which requires a mandatory salt replenishment program. Salt removed from the BSF to obtain potash will be replaced in the same amount or more. The current mine owner, Intrepid Potash–Wendover LLC, supports this approach.

Alternative B would essentially restart a 1997–2002 program in which the previous mine owner pumped brine water back onto the salt flats at an annual rate of 1.5 million tons of salt. The project stabilized the salt flats, significantly improving the underground aquifer while hardening the salt crust. However, the BLM allowed the program to expire. The new program will be mandatory and verifiable. The Coalition will also be pursuing supplemental programs for replenishing the salt, beyond that mandated by the BLM. 

Click here for a pdf copy of the Coalition comments.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org or visit www.savethesalt.org. 

Congressman John Campbell (R-CA) has introduced a bipartisan bill, supported by SEMA, to enable low-volume car manufacturers to provide a range of specialty vehicles for customers nationwide. The legislation directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a regulatory structure to facilitate the production of these cars. Rep. John Barrow (D-GA), Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) have joined as original co-sponsors of “The Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act” (H.R. 3274).

Vehicles produced by low-volume manufacturers include replica street rods, customs and sports cars. They are primarily used in exhibitions, parades and occasional transportation. Vehicles included in this new program would meet current emissions standards. The legislation would permit companies to install EPA-certified clean engines. The vehicles could also incorporate alternative energy technology, encouraging green companies to build low-emission cars.

The United States currently has just one system for regulating cars, which is designed for companies that mass-produce millions of vehicles. The “Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act of 2011” creates an alternative regulatory framework for American manufacturers producing 1,000 or fewer vehicles a year. This approach acknowledges the unique circumstances associated with limited-production custom vehicles.

“Rep. Campbell’s bill will allow U.S. companies to produce safe, clean, one-of-a-kind vehicles that are virtually impossible to build under today’s one-size-fits-all regulatory framework,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “This program will create skilled-labor jobs in the auto industry and help meet consumer demand for these niche vehicles.”

“This bill seeks a reasonable regulatory approach,” said Kersting. “We hope lawmakers will seize this opportunity to expand America’s manufacturing base. We urge members of Congress to support H.R. 3274, bipartisan legislation that promotes America’s economic recovery though domestic manufacturing.”

SEMA will be working with Congressional leaders to promote this important bill. 

For more information on H.R. 3274, please contact Stuart Gosswein or Dan Sadowski at 202-783-6007 or stuartg@sema.org, dans@sema.org.

Congressman John Campbell (R-CA) has introduced a bipartisan bill, supported by SEMA, to enable low-volume car manufacturers to provide a range of specialty vehicles for customers nationwide. The legislation directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a regulatory structure to facilitate the production of these cars. Rep. John Barrow (D-GA), Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) have joined as original co-sponsors of “The Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act” (H.R. 3274).

Vehicles produced by low-volume manufacturers include replica street rods, customs and sports cars. They are primarily used in exhibitions, parades and occasional transportation. Vehicles included in this new program would meet current emissions standards. The legislation would permit companies to install EPA-certified clean engines. The vehicles could also incorporate alternative energy technology, encouraging green companies to build low-emission cars.

The United States currently has just one system for regulating cars, which is designed for companies that mass-produce millions of vehicles. The “Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act of 2011” creates an alternative regulatory framework for American manufacturers producing 1,000 or fewer vehicles a year. This approach acknowledges the unique circumstances associated with limited-production custom vehicles.

“Rep. Campbell’s bill will allow U.S. companies to produce safe, clean, one-of-a-kind vehicles that are virtually impossible to build under today’s one-size-fits-all regulatory framework,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “This program will create skilled-labor jobs in the auto industry and help meet consumer demand for these niche vehicles.”

“This bill seeks a reasonable regulatory approach,” said Kersting. “We hope lawmakers will seize this opportunity to expand America’s manufacturing base. We urge members of Congress to support H.R. 3274, bipartisan legislation that promotes America’s economic recovery though domestic manufacturing.”

SEMA will be working with Congressional leaders to promote this important bill. 

For more information on H.R. 3274, please contact Stuart Gosswein or Dan Sadowski at 202-783-6007 or stuartg@sema.org, dans@sema.org.