Popular Plates: Fall magazine, a national newsstand magazine published by Source Interlink Media, is planning to include a section on tailgate parties. The editor is planning editorial coverage of products that are appropriate for tailgating—including (but not limited to) grills, grilling tools, coolers, 12-volt accessories, hitch-mount accessories, compact portable tables and chairs, and EZ Ups/canopies, as well as relevant football team logo merchandise, such as aprons, tablecloths, plates and napkins.

If your company makes or sells these products, send a press release (or a brief description of the product) and a high-resolution image (300 dpi, at least 3 or 4 in. wide, in TIFF, JPEG or EPS format) to Sue Elliott at sue@easierwaymedia.com by close of business Friday, June 10.

Centric Parts Acquires 25,000 sq. ft. of Floor Space
Centric Parts has acquired an additional 25,000 sq. ft. of floor space adjacent to the company's existing facility in the City of Industry, California, which handles customer service, shipping and receiving of finished goods. With the new space, the company now has more than half a million sq. ft. of combined floor space at its three locations.

Meyer Distributing Opens New Dallas/Ft. Worth Hub
Meyer Distributing Inc. added a new hub warehouse in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. The company announced that the new warehouse will provide daily automotive accessories route delivery to the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and offer will-call pickup availability Monday through Friday.

	The Wounded Warriors Snap-On Funny Car, driven by two-time NHRA champion Cruz Pedregon, will race at the Chicago NHRA Nationals, July 8–10, in Joliet, Illinois.

Snap-On Funny Car Paint Scheme Supports Wounded Warriors Project
The Snap-On Funny Car will feature a special paint scheme in an effort to build awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project—an organization dedicated to helping wounded veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The Wounded Warriors Snap-On Funny Car, driven by two-time NHRA champion Cruz Pedregon, will race at the Chicago NHRA Nationals, July 8–10, in Joliet, Illinois.

Valley LINE-X Earns 2011 Excellence Award
LINE-X Protective Coatings presented Valley LINE-X with its 2011 Excellence Award. Located in North Hollywood, California, Valley LINE-X was selected for the award for demonstrating dedication to the brand, a commitment to excellence and for accomplishments within the community, according to LINE-X Protective Coatings.

Hopkins Manufacturing Corp. Partners With ONCAP
Hopkins Manufacturing Corp. has partnered with Toronto, Canada-based, private equity firm ONCAP. According to a recent release, Hopkins management and ONCAP has invested in the company by purchasing shares from an affiliate of Friend and Skoler & Co. Inc.—a private equity investor in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, who has been an investor in Hopkins since 2004. The investment by ONCAP was completed in connection with Hopkins recapitalization and new bank financing.

	Companies can join the SEMA China Business Development Conference through an all-inclusive package (hotel, meals, meetings and an interpreter) for one low price.

The deadline to register for Priority Booth Space at the SEMA China Business Development Conference is June 15. Here are some of the key benefits for exhibitors participating in the conference:

• Promote your brand in China to top Chinese buyers 
• Full contact information for all participating buyers
• One-on-one meetings with pre-vetted buyers
• Focus groups with retailers and distributors
• Meetings with local press
• Networking events

Exhibitors can join the conference through an all-inclusive package (hotel, meals, meetings and an interpreter) for one low price. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

	Companies can join the SEMA China Business Development Conference through an all-inclusive package (hotel, meals, meetings and an interpreter) for one low price.

The deadline to register for Priority Booth Space at the SEMA China Business Development Conference is June 15. Here are some of the key benefits for exhibitors participating in the conference:

• Promote your brand in China to top Chinese buyers 
• Full contact information for all participating buyers
• One-on-one meetings with pre-vetted buyers
• Focus groups with retailers and distributors
• Meetings with local press
• Networking events

Exhibitors can join the conference through an all-inclusive package (hotel, meals, meetings and an interpreter) for one low price. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

	Companies can join the SEMA China Business Development Conference through an all-inclusive package (hotel, meals, meetings and an interpreter) for one low price.

The deadline to register for Priority Booth Space at the SEMA China Business Development Conference is June 15. Here are some of the key benefits for exhibitors participating in the conference:

• Promote your brand in China to top Chinese buyers 
• Full contact information for all participating buyers
• One-on-one meetings with pre-vetted buyers
• Focus groups with retailers and distributors
• Meetings with local press
• Networking events

Exhibitors can join the conference through an all-inclusive package (hotel, meals, meetings and an interpreter) for one low price. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

	Companies can join the SEMA China Business Development Conference through an all-inclusive package (hotel, meals, meetings and an interpreter) for one low price.

The deadline to register for Priority Booth Space at the SEMA China Business Development Conference is June 15. Here are some of the key benefits for exhibitors participating in the conference:

• Promote your brand in China to top Chinese buyers 
• Full contact information for all participating buyers
• One-on-one meetings with pre-vetted buyers
• Focus groups with retailers and distributors
• Meetings with local press
• Networking events

Exhibitors can join the conference through an all-inclusive package (hotel, meals, meetings and an interpreter) for one low price. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

According to Brenda Priddy & Co., Ford is planning a high-riding, Fiesta MPV, and with these latest shots of this prototype submitted by the spy shooters, it looks like Chevy has the same plan.

This ’13 Chevy Sonic MPV will ride on the same Gamma II chassis as the Chevy Sonic sedan and hatchback, and Priddy's team says that the overall size will be larger than the Sonic sedan, but smaller than the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.

While not confirmed, a 1.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder should provide motivation for the mini-utility with a six-speed automatic. It's not yet known whether production of the MPV model will take place in South Korea or at the Orion Township, Michigan, plant that is set to build the other Sonic variants.

Watch for production to start in Q3 of 2012.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

According to Brenda Priddy & Co., Ford is planning a high-riding, Fiesta MPV, and with these latest shots of this prototype submitted by the spy shooters, it looks like Chevy has the same plan.

This ’13 Chevy Sonic MPV will ride on the same Gamma II chassis as the Chevy Sonic sedan and hatchback, and Priddy's team says that the overall size will be larger than the Sonic sedan, but smaller than the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.

While not confirmed, a 1.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder should provide motivation for the mini-utility with a six-speed automatic. It's not yet known whether production of the MPV model will take place in South Korea or at the Orion Township, Michigan, plant that is set to build the other Sonic variants.

Watch for production to start in Q3 of 2012.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

 

Colby Tipton’s ’10 Camaro with Fastlane’s ZL1 Turbo Kit and modified cam was the fastest fifth-generation Camaro at the Texas Mile competition.

Fastlane’s 2010 Turbo Camaro Records Fastest 5th-Gen Camaro Time at the Texas Mile
Colby Tipton’s ’10 Camaro with Fastlane’s ZL1 Turbo Kit and modified cam proved to be the fastest fifth-generation Camaro at the Texas Mile competition this past Memorial Day weekend. With a 169.1 mph run in a 30 mph headwind, the Fastlane-tuned Camaro was faster than most of the Z06 Corvettes and was running within a couple mph of the ZR1s. The Fastlane ’10 Camaro ZL1 Turbo Kit includes the following:

• A design for stock engines
• Quiet, reliable operation with big-block power
• A 72-mm Borg Warner extended tip turbo, front-mount air-to-air bar and plate-style intercooler
• All tubing is made from 304 stainless steel and is mandrel bent for great flow. This kit is also a direct bolt-on with no cutting or modifications to your Camaro.
• On a conservative streetable tune of 7 psi, this kit produces 585 rwhp and 580 rwtq on the LS3 (six-speed) model.
• The L99 (auto) produces 530 rwhp and 530 rwtq

Mopar MoVenture Road Rally to Take 10 Teams on a Scavenger Hunt Across America
The Mopar MoVenture road rally and scavenger hunt will pit 10 two-person teams against one another on a seven-day journey across 1,900 miles en route from Detroit to Golden, Colorado, on their way to the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. MoVenturers will compete for $5,000 worth of Mopar parts and accessories throughout a variety of challenges as they document their progress via social media outlets. MoVenture participants will head out from Detroit on July 15, driving brand-new ’11 and ’12 vehicles provided by Chrysler Group LLC. Participants will experience everything from luxury technology to off-roading to cow-roping before wrapping up the road rally at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals on July 22. Teams will earn extra points in the competition by sharing their experiences with friends and followers via their social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Teams selected for MoVenture will receive airfare, hotel, meals and fuel for their road trip. A total of 10 teams will be selected to participate in MoVenture. Applicants are asked to submit a two-minute video demonstrating their passion for the Mopar and Chrysler Group LLC brands, social networking and why they should be selected for MoVenture. Videos will be judged on creativity, uniqueness of story and Mopar enthusiasm. Registration is currently open. For complete information on Mopar MoVenture and how to register, visit www.mopar.com/moventure.

America's Best Gran Turismo 5 Driver Earns Chance to Race With the Pros
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC and Polyphony Digital Inc., in collaboration with Nissan North America, have announced Brian Heitkotter of Fresno, California, as the inaugural winner of the GT Academy competition in the United States. Heitkotter emerged from a group of more than 53,000 hopefuls during the online time trials in Gran Turismo 5 as one of the fastest 32 players in the country. At the National Finals event in Orlando, Florida, in March, he was the top qualifier as the competition was cut in half to the fastest 16. And this past week, he proved he has what it takes to go from virtual to reality at the GT Academy race camp at the Silverstone racing circuit in the United Kingdom as one of America's most promising racers. At the Silverstone racing circuit, Heitkotter beat out 15 fellow finalists in a week-long race camp from May 30–June 5. There, finalists faced a series of challenges ranging from mental and physical tests to driving tests behind the wheel of Nissan race cars to see how their gaming talent shifted into real driving skills. Participants were judged and scored by an expert panel of racing industry veterans, based on each competitor's skills, performance and overall aptitude for the requirements of a professional racer. As the official GT Academy winner for the United States, Heitkotter will train with a team of elite race-car drivers and coaches and compete in numerous training races in the coming months in preparation for an endurance race as part of a professional racing team early next year. Heitkotter's road to victory will be documented in a multi-episode reality show airing exclusively on SPEED channel and the PlayStation Network (available on the PlayStation 3) in September 2011. The series will show the journey from the GT Academy National Finals Event in Orlando to the Silverstone race camp competition.

Team Falken Sweeps Formula Drift Palm Beach With Wild Mustang-to-Mustang Finale
Team Falken successfully claimed all three podiums at the Palm Beach International Raceway round of the 2011 Formula Drift Championship as Justin Pawlak took the victory over defending Formula Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr., in a battle of Mustangs and their talented drivers at the end.
 
Coming in third was Darren McNamara. All said, it was a total Team Falken weekend as McNamara, Pawlak and Gittin qualified second, third and fourth, respectively. Tyler McQuarrie was eighth and Daijiro Yoshihara, winner of Round 2 at Road Atlanta, was 12th, rounding out the five Falken factory drivers. Pawlak, Gittin, McQuarrie and McNamara advanced past the Top 32 round and continued through the Top 16. Only McQuarrie went down in the Top 8 to Chris Forsberg—the event’s top qualifier. Gittin defeated him in the Top 4 round while Pawlak beat teammate McNamara. That set up Gittin against Pawlak in the Final.

 

Colby Tipton’s ’10 Camaro with Fastlane’s ZL1 Turbo Kit and modified cam was the fastest fifth-generation Camaro at the Texas Mile competition.

Fastlane’s 2010 Turbo Camaro Records Fastest 5th-Gen Camaro Time at the Texas Mile
Colby Tipton’s ’10 Camaro with Fastlane’s ZL1 Turbo Kit and modified cam proved to be the fastest fifth-generation Camaro at the Texas Mile competition this past Memorial Day weekend. With a 169.1 mph run in a 30 mph headwind, the Fastlane-tuned Camaro was faster than most of the Z06 Corvettes and was running within a couple mph of the ZR1s. The Fastlane ’10 Camaro ZL1 Turbo Kit includes the following:

• A design for stock engines
• Quiet, reliable operation with big-block power
• A 72-mm Borg Warner extended tip turbo, front-mount air-to-air bar and plate-style intercooler
• All tubing is made from 304 stainless steel and is mandrel bent for great flow. This kit is also a direct bolt-on with no cutting or modifications to your Camaro.
• On a conservative streetable tune of 7 psi, this kit produces 585 rwhp and 580 rwtq on the LS3 (six-speed) model.
• The L99 (auto) produces 530 rwhp and 530 rwtq

Mopar MoVenture Road Rally to Take 10 Teams on a Scavenger Hunt Across America
The Mopar MoVenture road rally and scavenger hunt will pit 10 two-person teams against one another on a seven-day journey across 1,900 miles en route from Detroit to Golden, Colorado, on their way to the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. MoVenturers will compete for $5,000 worth of Mopar parts and accessories throughout a variety of challenges as they document their progress via social media outlets. MoVenture participants will head out from Detroit on July 15, driving brand-new ’11 and ’12 vehicles provided by Chrysler Group LLC. Participants will experience everything from luxury technology to off-roading to cow-roping before wrapping up the road rally at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals on July 22. Teams will earn extra points in the competition by sharing their experiences with friends and followers via their social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Teams selected for MoVenture will receive airfare, hotel, meals and fuel for their road trip. A total of 10 teams will be selected to participate in MoVenture. Applicants are asked to submit a two-minute video demonstrating their passion for the Mopar and Chrysler Group LLC brands, social networking and why they should be selected for MoVenture. Videos will be judged on creativity, uniqueness of story and Mopar enthusiasm. Registration is currently open. For complete information on Mopar MoVenture and how to register, visit www.mopar.com/moventure.

America's Best Gran Turismo 5 Driver Earns Chance to Race With the Pros
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC and Polyphony Digital Inc., in collaboration with Nissan North America, have announced Brian Heitkotter of Fresno, California, as the inaugural winner of the GT Academy competition in the United States. Heitkotter emerged from a group of more than 53,000 hopefuls during the online time trials in Gran Turismo 5 as one of the fastest 32 players in the country. At the National Finals event in Orlando, Florida, in March, he was the top qualifier as the competition was cut in half to the fastest 16. And this past week, he proved he has what it takes to go from virtual to reality at the GT Academy race camp at the Silverstone racing circuit in the United Kingdom as one of America's most promising racers. At the Silverstone racing circuit, Heitkotter beat out 15 fellow finalists in a week-long race camp from May 30–June 5. There, finalists faced a series of challenges ranging from mental and physical tests to driving tests behind the wheel of Nissan race cars to see how their gaming talent shifted into real driving skills. Participants were judged and scored by an expert panel of racing industry veterans, based on each competitor's skills, performance and overall aptitude for the requirements of a professional racer. As the official GT Academy winner for the United States, Heitkotter will train with a team of elite race-car drivers and coaches and compete in numerous training races in the coming months in preparation for an endurance race as part of a professional racing team early next year. Heitkotter's road to victory will be documented in a multi-episode reality show airing exclusively on SPEED channel and the PlayStation Network (available on the PlayStation 3) in September 2011. The series will show the journey from the GT Academy National Finals Event in Orlando to the Silverstone race camp competition.

Team Falken Sweeps Formula Drift Palm Beach With Wild Mustang-to-Mustang Finale
Team Falken successfully claimed all three podiums at the Palm Beach International Raceway round of the 2011 Formula Drift Championship as Justin Pawlak took the victory over defending Formula Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr., in a battle of Mustangs and their talented drivers at the end.
 
Coming in third was Darren McNamara. All said, it was a total Team Falken weekend as McNamara, Pawlak and Gittin qualified second, third and fourth, respectively. Tyler McQuarrie was eighth and Daijiro Yoshihara, winner of Round 2 at Road Atlanta, was 12th, rounding out the five Falken factory drivers. Pawlak, Gittin, McQuarrie and McNamara advanced past the Top 32 round and continued through the Top 16. Only McQuarrie went down in the Top 8 to Chris Forsberg—the event’s top qualifier. Gittin defeated him in the Top 4 round while Pawlak beat teammate McNamara. That set up Gittin against Pawlak in the Final.