The 2022 SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit will be held Tuesday–Thursday, July 26–28, in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

SEMA Vice President, Events Tom Gattuso will provide Exhibitor Summit attendees helpful tips on how to be successful at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

At the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, exhibitors will receive helpful tips from Show management and have the opportunity to meet with their SEMA Show sales director. During educational sessions, exhibitors will learn how to:

• Use proven strategies to attract buyers to their booths.
• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize ROI.
• Properly plan and budget to add value to their Show experience.
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships.
• Participate in the New Products Showcase.
• Utilize the Exhibitor Services Manual.

There is no cost to attend. Exhibitors pay for their flight and SEMA takes care of the rest, which includes hotel, shuttle service from hotel to LVCC, breakfast and lunch, a cocktail Hour on July 26 and an excursion on July 27 (tbd).

For more information, contact semashow@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

Register now!

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Awards Gala (formerly the SEMA Installation Gala) is a long-established tradition where individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry are honored and celebrated.

Join SEMA leadership, volunteers and industry icons at the SEMA Awards Gala, Friday, July 29, in Anaheim, California, to honor 2022's SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees. The gala will take place at the Westin Anaheim Resort.

Since its inception in 1976, the SEMA Installation Gala (now the SEMA Awards Gala) has served as the formal gathering where new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees are introduced, the incoming Board of Directors are recognized, and outgoing Directors are thanked. SEMA council, network and industry leaders are also highlighted during the event.

Connect with friends and family who share a common passion and love for the industry. Join others in helping celebrate Hall of Fame inductees’ lifetime achievements.

The evening will feature cocktails, networking and dinner. Seating is limited. A full table can be purchased by selecting 10 tickets.

Registration for the 2022 SEMA Awards Gala opens Friday, April 29.

Motul Announces Technical Partnership With Mountune USA

Motul has announced a technical partnership with Mountune USA, the renowned engine builder and performance parts manufacturer. The partnership will help both companies get the most performance for their respective customers through collaboration and testing initiatives to enhance and develop future products.

The partnership brings a century of collective racing and engineering experience to the forefront of product innovation.

The technical partnership between Motul and Mountune USA encourages further commitment to rigorous performance testing—whether dynamometric or physicochemical. As part of the partnership, Motul’s engineers will analyze oil samples taken from vehicles after testing on Mountune USA’s in-house engine dyno to test, develop, re-test and refine high-performance lubricants at the heart of engine performance. The Motul and Moutune partnership results can be expected to improve engine performance and durability from the highest level of professional motorsport to inside the garages of enthusiasts.

Beyond the technical aspects of the partnership, Motul will provide collective marketing support for several events and activations catered to the automotive community. In addition, Mountune USA will offer Motul products and begin the development of a Motul oil change kit for future release.

Race Winning Brands Shifts Into Transmission Performance

Race Winning Brands has acquired RevMax, TransGo and Transmission Specialties Inc. (TSI).

Race Winning Brands Inc. (RWB), a portfolio company of MiddleGround Capital, has announced the next evolution of its performance product offerings with the acquisition of RevMax, TransGo and Transmission Specialties Inc. (TSI). This trio of acquisitions represent the 10th, 11th, and 12th add-ons for Race Winning Brands. The transactions are effective immediately. The businesses will continue to operate and service customers from their respective locations.

DENSO Products and Services Americas Announces Promotions

DENSO Products and Services Americas Inc., an affiliate of DENSO Corp., has promoted Reggie Cruz to director of corporate planning and Manny Rodriguez to senior manager of product development. Cruz has been with DENSO for more than 16 years and was senior manager of product development. In the newly created position, Cruz is responsible for overseeing business and corporate planning, financial services, and new business strategy development. He is also tasked with establishing the long-term direction of the organization.

Rodriguez has been with DENSO more than 22 years and served as manager of independent aftermarket product and business development prior to his promotion. Rodriguez is responsible for collaborating with DENSO’s engineering, procurement and supply chain teams on product development; creating and developing marketing strategies for new and existing products; and tracking key performance indicators.

AAM Group Promotes John DeBalso and David Ayers

The AAM Group has announced the promotion of two senior employees: John DeBalso to executive vice president of supplier relations, and David Ayers to vice president of operations.

The promotion of DeBalso, a lifelong industry veteran who has been with AAM for 16 years, formalizes his position as a member of the executive team. The former CAN board of directors member will continue to lead AAM’s purchasing, compliance and supplier-relations efforts, including managing a team dedicated to exploring growth opportunities for the organization’s distribution members and supplier partners.

Ayers, previously AAM’s director of marketing and current SEMA TORA select committee member, will shift focus to concentrate on strategic marketing and technology projects and other operational priorities. Andy Stacy, who was recently promoted to marketing manager, will assume oversight of AAM’s day-to-day marketing activities.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

Join SEMA on the first SEMA Nordic trip, August 24–28, in Stockholm, Sweden. Participants will learn the potential for their products in this performance and classic-car paradise. Meet with top trade buyers enabling the half-century-old craze in Sweden and the surrounding countries of Norway, Finland and Denmark to restore and upgrade American classic cars. Trade buyers are expected from throughout Europe.

The Nordic region hosts the headquarters of the European drag-racing championship. Join SEMA this summer for the inaugural SEMA Nordic trip. Photo courtesy: Lena Peres – Speedgroup.

Performance is among the top upgrades sought for a range of vehicles. After all, the region hosts the headquarters of the European drag-racing championship. Rally racing and drifting also have their passionate fans and skilled competitors. A robust sportsman program allows enthusiasts to use their more modestly upgraded rides in numerous competitions. High disposable income, a love of American vehicles and products, coupled with a passion for personalization makes this an attractive region.

The SEMA Nordic trip is the fifth region for the popular SEMA Business Development Programs. These overseas low-cost, turnkey events bring together SEMA-member manufacturers and buyers from key global markets. The price of the upcoming trip includes hotel accommodations, a table-top display, meals and networking events. Prices start at $3,860 per company, not including flights to/from the United States (for qualified companies taking the instant $1,200 U.S. government grant).

Register now; slots are limited. More information is available at www.sema.org/nordic or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org to schedule a call.

The SEMA Board of Directors elections are just around the corner, so now is the time to ensure you vote and be informed about your candidates.

Each member company is able to cast one ballot. Your company’s primary contact should have received an email from SEMA requesting them to fill out a brief form to confirm we have the appropriate person to complete the ballot for your company. It’s important that those forms are completed and returned as soon as possible.

The SEMA Board of Directors Candidates webpage is available to learn more about your candidates. The page includes their photos, bios, questionnaires and social-media links so you can learn more about them and their platforms.  

Ballots will be sent on May 10 from the SEMA election coordinator <mailto:noreply@directvote.net>, so ensure you receive your ballot by adding the email to your contacts list.

  By SEMA Editors

Companies that missed the deadline to submit a booth space application for the 2022 SEMA Show can still reserve space now for November. To secure your space, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Companies that submitted an Exhibit Space Rental application and deposit for the 2022 SEMA Show prior to the April 4 deadline will choose the best locations for their Show displays during the Priority Space Selection process, which starts May 2.

Companies that submitted an Exhibit Space Rental application and deposit for the 2022 SEMA Show prior to the April 4 deadline will choose the best locations for their Show displays during the Priority Space Selection process, which starts May 2.

The selection process is based on exhibitor seniority, and each company will be contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email will be sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact.

About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2022 Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see as the Show begins to take shape and monitor their desired section to gain a general idea of where they want to display.

Prior to April 26, SEMA Show management will email each exhibiting company’s Show contact advising of the date and time assigned for their 2022 SEMA Show booth selection. Companies that have not received a correspondence by April 26 should contact sales@sema.org or call 909-396-0289.

During the exhibitor’s time to pick, a SEMA Show account representative will call the primary SEMA Show contact and help locate and assign the exhibit space that best suits the company’s needs. If the exhibitor wishes to change the primary contact for booth selection, a proxy form must be submitted 24 hours prior to the booth selection appointment.

For more information about exhibiting, refer to the Exhibitor Service Manual, where you will find information about deadlines, booth and feature vehicle applications, Show guidelines, booth services, target times for freight and more.

The 2022 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas.

The September 2022 issue of SEMA News magazine will again highlight rising stars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger.

If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2022—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you by May 1. In addition, for the first time ever, self-nominations are also allowed this year. (Those nominating themselves must provide an industry reference.)

Many SEMA members are currently working with creative young entrepreneurs and professionals who are already industry trailblazers. They may have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.

They could also be budding talents at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.

SEMA News looks for candidates drawn from diverse industry segments who are already making a significant impact through their leadership within their organizations or businesses. Entrepreneurship, commitment, insight, innovation, integrity, responsibility, demonstrated skill, involvement and success within the marketplace weigh heavily in the decision-making process.

We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2022 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 1.

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

Enders, B. Force, Hagan and Johnson Win at Houston’s Final NHRA SpringNationals

Erica Enders knocked off rookie and No. 1 qualifier Camrie Caruso in the championship round, getting her third win this season and 36th in her career with a pass of 6.568 seconds at 210.24 mph in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.

In the first all-female final round in NHRA Pro Stock history, Houston native Erica Enders closed out Houston Raceway Park in style, picking up the win in front of a sold-out crowd at her home track on Sunday at the 35th and final NHRA SpringNationals. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the fifth of 22 races during the 2022 season as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series enjoyed consecutive days of sellout crowds to close out racing at Houston Raceway Park.

Enders, a four-time Pro Stock world champion, knocked off rookie and No. 1 qualifier Camrie Caruso in the championship round, getting her third win this season and 36th in her career with a pass of 6.568 seconds at 210.24 mph in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.

In Top Fuel, Brittany Force rolled to a second straight victory with a blast of 3.767 at 321.42 in her 11,000-hp Monster Energy dragster. In what was the final NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series pass at Houston, Force beat Justin Ashley on a holeshot, posting a .041 reaction to hold off Ashley’s run of 3.763.

At the site of his first career Funny Car victory, Hagan closed out Houston Raceway Park with the last win at the facility in the class, denying Bobby Bode the chance for his first win with a winning run of 3.982 at 326.63 in his 11,000-hp Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car.

Johnson picked up his first Pro Stock Motorcycle win of the season, going 6.720 at 199.91 on his Slick 50 Suzuki to beat longtime rival and defending world champ Matt Smith in the finals. Johnson made the quickest run in Houston history in the opening round and then setting both ends of the track record a round later with a pass of 6.711 at 201.55.

The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action next weekend with the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

2022 Scoggin Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals Race Wrap

Joel Greathouse’s turbocharged ’93 Ford Mustang managed by KBX Performance with Bennett Racing Engines power under the hood proved to be unbeatable as its 4.619 at 155.90 mph trip put Becki Cram’s Mustang on the trailer.

The 14th Annual Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals Presented by MAHLE Motorsport returned to its original home state of North Carolina for the 2022 Holley NMRA Ford Nationals. Hosted at historic Rockingham Dragway over the weekend of April 22–24, three days of competition culminated in new memories and new milestones.

Mickey Thompson Tires X275: Justin Palmer in his ProCharger equipped ’93 Ford Mustang met Ron Rhodes and his ’68 Camaro met in the finals, where Palmer’s 4.352 at 167.93 mph blast just barely edged out Rhodes’s 4.356 at 169.08 mph effort.

NMRA VP Racing Madditives Renegade/NMCA Edelbrock Xtreme Street: Joel Greathouse worked his way into the final round of eliminations where he took on Becki Cram. Greathouse’s entry, a turbocharged ’93 Ford Mustang managed by KBX Performance with Bennett Racing Engines power under the hood, proved to be unbeatable as its 4.619 at 155.90 mph trip put Cram’s Mustang on the trailer.

JDM Engineering Limited Street: Vector Motorsports’ Samantha Moore in her ProCharged ’14 Mustang California Special met Del Holbrook in the finals, where Moore won 8.182 at 168.41 mph pass as Holbrook spun at the hit and tried to recover but wasn’t able to do so in time.

SunCoast Performance 8.60 Street Race: William Lujan in his Vortech supercharged ’90 Mustang faced Terry “Beefcake” Reeves in his twin turbocharged and Gen 3 Coyote-equipped ’18 Mustang in the finals. Both men left the line strong but troubles plagued Reeves’s S550 in the left lane and he struggled to run the number while Lujan’s Fox body motored through the traps to pick up the win and the Victor award for the weekend.

G-Force Racing Transmissions Coyote Stock: Charlie Booze Jr. and his ’90 Ford Mustang easily dispatched Shane Stymiest in the final round with a 9.764 at 137.27 mph run over Stymiest’s 9.821 at 137.32 mph hit.

Richmond Gear Factory Stock: Mike Bowen in his Gen 1 Coyote-powered ’71 Ford Maverick met Chris Niebauer in his ’85 Ford Mustang in the finals, where Niebauer rolled through the beams at the start and turned on the red light, but the win was gifted to Bowen who made it official with a 10.123 at 132.66 mph pass.

Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle: Shane Williams staged his ’99 Ford Mustang and Dean Snow did the same with his ’04 model, but Snow tripped the red light at the start and made Williams, who continued on to run 11.705 at 111.35 mph on his 11.70 dial in, the undeniable winner.

SCT Ford Muscle: Danny Towe and David Mormann contested the finals with their pair of ’70 Ford Mustangs and 393 ci engines. A double break-out scenario, though, ultimately enabled the reigning champion, Towe of South Carolina, to capture the win with his 11.733 at 112.38 mph pass on an 11.75 dial-in over Mormann’s 10.480 at 122.90 mph run on his 10.50 goal.

HP Tuners Super Stang: Chris Rusch staged his ’18 Ford Mustang up against the young gun Logan Day and his ’21 Mustang. Day dialed in quicker at 11.03 to Rusch’s 11.90, but Day left the line a touch too early and Rusch was able to run to the stripe with the win light already illuminated in his lane.

ARP Open Comp: Terry Haynal in his ’95 Ford Mustang and Gordan Harlow in his ’89 Mustang met in the finals. Running on an 11.19 dial in, Haynal held the advantage from start to stripe and captured a 11.211 at 120.24 mph winning time slip to Harlow’s 10.008 at 129.13 mph pass on his 9.99 dial-in.

Detroit Locker Truck & Lightning: Johnny “Lightning” Wiker improved his number-five qualifying position to a first-place finish overall with an 8.520 at 163.06 mph pass from his ’99 Ford Lightning while Bob Dill did the same as he moved from sixth in qualifying to the runner up with an 8.769 at 155.06 mph on his 8.69 dial-in his ’01 Lightning during the finals.

TorqStorm Superchargers True Street: Overall, it was Florida’s William Lujan who captured the win when he averaged 8.673 seconds across three runs in his ’90 Ford Mustang. Scott Oshinski averaged 9.207 seconds in his TorqStorm supercharged ’72 Oldsmobile to take home the runner up honors. Capturing the win for the 10-second group was Gilbert Correa driving his ’86 Mustang, while Keith Lankheet took top honors in the 11-second category. Additional winners included Dale Aldridge (12-second), Rodney Ward (13-second), Jonathon Baker (14-second), and Timmy Thornburg (15-second).

Next, the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals tour joins forces with the Red Line Oil NMCA Drag Racing Series for the 17th Annual NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing Presented by FuelLab at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis, Missouri, May 13–15.

Finnish Championship Leader Defeats Ott Tänak on the Final Stage of Croatia Rally

Kalle Rovanperä snatched a Croatia Rally victory last Sunday afternoon in his Toyota GR Yaris.

Kalle Rovanperä snatched a Croatia Rally victory last Sunday afternoon. The Finn led from the start of the three-day rally in the hills around Zagreb in his Toyota GR Yaris, only for a storm in the penultimate speed test to wipe out his advantage.

A resurgent Ott Tänak, whose gamble on softer Pirelli tires gave his Hyundai i20 N a performance edge on the streaming asphalt, grabbed a 1.4-second lead. The pendulum swung back towards Rovanperä as drier roads in the closing Wolf Power Stage offered hope, but the odds remained firmly in Tänak's favor as mud and dirt littered the final 14.09 km.

Rovanperä overturned the deficit to claim back-to-back FIA World Rally Championship wins by 4.3 seconds. Victory extended his points lead to 29 after three rounds of the 13-event season. Tänak finished 2 minutes, 16.7 seconds clear of teammate Thierry Neuville. The Belgian overhauled Craig Breen on the final morning to claim a podium. Breen survived an overshoot and a spin to take fourth in a Ford Puma.

The series switches to gravel for the first time in 2022 at Vodafone Rally de Portugal. The fourth round is based at Matosinhos, May 19–22.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Marketing Coordinator
Injen Technology is hiring a marketing coordinator responsible for managing the creation and implementation of product promotions and branding campaigns to engage and influence current and prospective customers. Candidates must be extremely proficient in Excel and fully capable of graphic design utilizing the entire Adobe Suite.

Operations Supervisor
Ron Francis Wiring is hiring an operations supervisor to guarantee that manufacturing and order fulfillment remains a smooth and efficient process by monitoring employees and organizing workflows. In a fast-paced environment, the supervisor is an integral part of the operations and manufacturing processes. You must be able to multi-task, comprehend complex operations and optimize day-to-day activities while minimizing costs. The goal is to ensure that production processes deliver products of maximum quality in a profitable manner.

Digital Marketing Analyst
QA1 is hiring a digital marketing analyst responsible for all web, SEO/SEM, database marketing, email, social media and display advertising campaigns. The role will champion digital marketing tactics to support and deliver on the overall marketing strategy that will drive buyer engagement and result in leads and profitable growth. Candidates must have proven experience as marketing specialist or similar role and solid computer skills.