Racing's pioneers turned out for PROJECT 1320, including Joe Amato, Jack “Doc” Watson (aka the Hurst “Shifty Doctor”), George Barris and Linda Vaughn.

The 2010 SEMA Show provided an opportunity for PROJECT 1320—a documentary film series produced by the Quarter Mile Foundation—to feature interviews from specialty-parts industry and racing pioneers. They included Bob Airheart, Ed Iskenderian, Louis Senter, Carroll Shelby, “Speedy Bill” Smith, Don Smith, Linda Vaughn, Jack “Doc” Watson and Alex Xydias.

PROJECT 1320 uses first-person narratives to describe the birth and growth of drag racing from the late '40s to the end of the 1980s. It also defines how the specialty-parts industry grew out of the drag-racing market. As time passes, the legends and heroes of the sport and the founding fathers of the specialty-parts industry are being lost as well as their intimate stories.

To learn more about this industry program and how to support the Quarter Mile Foundation and PROJECT 1320, visit www.project1320.com. Financial support programs are available for companies large and small as well as for the “Friends of PROJECT 1320” for individuals.

Racing's pioneers turned out for PROJECT 1320, including Joe Amato, Jack “Doc” Watson (aka the Hurst “Shifty Doctor”), George Barris and Linda Vaughn.

The 2010 SEMA Show provided an opportunity for PROJECT 1320—a documentary film series produced by the Quarter Mile Foundation—to feature interviews from specialty-parts industry and racing pioneers. They included Bob Airheart, Ed Iskenderian, Louis Senter, Carroll Shelby, “Speedy Bill” Smith, Don Smith, Linda Vaughn, Jack “Doc” Watson and Alex Xydias.

PROJECT 1320 uses first-person narratives to describe the birth and growth of drag racing from the late '40s to the end of the 1980s. It also defines how the specialty-parts industry grew out of the drag-racing market. As time passes, the legends and heroes of the sport and the founding fathers of the specialty-parts industry are being lost as well as their intimate stories.

To learn more about this industry program and how to support the Quarter Mile Foundation and PROJECT 1320, visit www.project1320.com. Financial support programs are available for companies large and small as well as for the “Friends of PROJECT 1320” for individuals.

Mike Spagnola (left), founder and president of Street Scene Equipment received the 2010 Person of the Year Award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Congratulating Spagnola is 2009 SEMA Person of the Year Doug Evans.

By Jason Catullo

SEMA presented Mike Spagnola, founder and president of Street Scene Equipment and long-time SEMA member, with the 2010 Person of the Year Award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

"I've long considered myself lucky to work in an industry I love and serve as an advocate for issues that have such a tremendous impact on the future of the automotive aftermarket," said Mike Spagnola. “Being recognized by my peers, many of whom I respect and feel fortunate to have worked with, is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive.”

Spagnola has been involved in the specialty-equipment industry for more than 30 years, having worked in both manufacturing and distribution. He is known for his understanding of the importance of collaboration within the specialty-equipment industry based on his willingness to assist magazines and others in the industry build project cars.

Spagnola is currently serving his second term on the SEMA Board of Directors. He also served as the chairman of the SEMA Scholarship Committee for several years and is passionate about ensuring that the association gives back to the community by helping to bring the next generation of students successfully into the industry. In addition to volunteering his time to numerous SEMA events, Spagnola is credited with creating SEMA’s Annual Pinewood Drag Race and Show 'N Shine Car Show for charity, which coincide with SEMA’s annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. These events have helped raise more than $500,000 for two children’s charities.

Created in 1969, the Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals for their distinguished service to the trade association and the specialty-equipment industry. One of SEMA's most prestigious honors, the Person of the Year Award is presented in front of thousands of industry leaders and professionals during the annual Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show.

Mike Spagnola (left), founder and president of Street Scene Equipment received the 2010 Person of the Year Award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Congratulating Spagnola is 2009 SEMA Person of the Year Doug Evans.

By Jason Catullo

SEMA presented Mike Spagnola, founder and president of Street Scene Equipment and long-time SEMA member, with the 2010 Person of the Year Award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

"I've long considered myself lucky to work in an industry I love and serve as an advocate for issues that have such a tremendous impact on the future of the automotive aftermarket," said Mike Spagnola. “Being recognized by my peers, many of whom I respect and feel fortunate to have worked with, is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive.”

Spagnola has been involved in the specialty-equipment industry for more than 30 years, having worked in both manufacturing and distribution. He is known for his understanding of the importance of collaboration within the specialty-equipment industry based on his willingness to assist magazines and others in the industry build project cars.

Spagnola is currently serving his second term on the SEMA Board of Directors. He also served as the chairman of the SEMA Scholarship Committee for several years and is passionate about ensuring that the association gives back to the community by helping to bring the next generation of students successfully into the industry. In addition to volunteering his time to numerous SEMA events, Spagnola is credited with creating SEMA’s Annual Pinewood Drag Race and Show 'N Shine Car Show for charity, which coincide with SEMA’s annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. These events have helped raise more than $500,000 for two children’s charities.

Created in 1969, the Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals for their distinguished service to the trade association and the specialty-equipment industry. One of SEMA's most prestigious honors, the Person of the Year Award is presented in front of thousands of industry leaders and professionals during the annual Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show.

Bob Moore (left), founder and president of J&B Service, received the Chairman's Service Award from SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins during the 2010 SEMA Show.

In recognition of his outstanding and selfless contributions to the industry and specifically a SEMA project known as the SEMA Data Pool Initiative, Bob Moore, founder and president of J&B Service, was honored with the 2010 Chairman’s Award at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

“Bob is a one-man operation when it comes to running his business, yet he’s always made time to volunteer for important SEMA projects, such as the Data Pool initiative,” said Rick Rollins, SEMA’s chairman of the Board. “Bob is very respected in the industry and when he believes in something, he really gets behind it. We are fortunate to have someone with his leadership and determination driving some of our industry’s most critical initiatives.”

With more than 30 years in the specialty-equipment industry, Moore has been exposed to virtually every segment of the automotive aftermarket. The consulting company he formed in 1996, now called J&B Service, took him “inside” the operations of dozens of manufacturers, distributors and retailers, which has given him a unique perspective from both sides of the business. He writes a monthly column called “Ahead of the Curve” for Aftermarket Business, which focuses on business issues affecting all facets of the industry.

As the chairman of the SEMA Business Technology Committee and the SEMA Board member on point for the SEMA Data Pool initiative, Moore’s drive has resulted in substantial progress with data pool introduced earlier this year. His dedication and leadership on this program has resulted in major strides toward establishing a uniform, industry data pool that will make high-quality catalog and product data more accessible to more businesses and with substantial savings.

He is a SEMA Ambassador, and a member of the SEMA Executive Committee, SEMA PAC President’s Club and Performance Warehouse Association. He also served as Chairman of the SEMA Person of the Year Task Force, is a regular contributor to SEMA News and is a speaker at SEMA educational forums. Moore is also an instructor for the University of the Aftermarket - Northwood University and recipient of Northwood University’s Aftermarket Education Award.

The Chairman’s Award recognizes individuals for their distinguished service to the trade association and the specialty-equipment industry. One of SEMA's most prestigious honors, the Chairman’s Award is presented in front of thousands of industry leaders and professionals during the annual Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show.

Bob Moore (left), founder and president of J&B Service, received the Chairman's Service Award from SEMA Chairman Rick Rollins during the 2010 SEMA Show.

In recognition of his outstanding and selfless contributions to the industry and specifically a SEMA project known as the SEMA Data Pool Initiative, Bob Moore, founder and president of J&B Service, was honored with the 2010 Chairman’s Award at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

“Bob is a one-man operation when it comes to running his business, yet he’s always made time to volunteer for important SEMA projects, such as the Data Pool initiative,” said Rick Rollins, SEMA’s chairman of the Board. “Bob is very respected in the industry and when he believes in something, he really gets behind it. We are fortunate to have someone with his leadership and determination driving some of our industry’s most critical initiatives.”

With more than 30 years in the specialty-equipment industry, Moore has been exposed to virtually every segment of the automotive aftermarket. The consulting company he formed in 1996, now called J&B Service, took him “inside” the operations of dozens of manufacturers, distributors and retailers, which has given him a unique perspective from both sides of the business. He writes a monthly column called “Ahead of the Curve” for Aftermarket Business, which focuses on business issues affecting all facets of the industry.

As the chairman of the SEMA Business Technology Committee and the SEMA Board member on point for the SEMA Data Pool initiative, Moore’s drive has resulted in substantial progress with data pool introduced earlier this year. His dedication and leadership on this program has resulted in major strides toward establishing a uniform, industry data pool that will make high-quality catalog and product data more accessible to more businesses and with substantial savings.

He is a SEMA Ambassador, and a member of the SEMA Executive Committee, SEMA PAC President’s Club and Performance Warehouse Association. He also served as Chairman of the SEMA Person of the Year Task Force, is a regular contributor to SEMA News and is a speaker at SEMA educational forums. Moore is also an instructor for the University of the Aftermarket - Northwood University and recipient of Northwood University’s Aftermarket Education Award.

The Chairman’s Award recognizes individuals for their distinguished service to the trade association and the specialty-equipment industry. One of SEMA's most prestigious honors, the Chairman’s Award is presented in front of thousands of industry leaders and professionals during the annual Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show.