Through the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge championship, students get an opportunity to showcase their talents and knowledge gained during classroom sessions and workshops.

On Saturday, May 29, 2010, Motor State Distributing held its second Division 8 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge championship at Lane Automotive’s 23rd Annual Car Show. Team Painless Performance – Lakeshore High School from Stevensville, Michigan, won the event with the best time of 53 minutes and 27 seconds and will represent Division 8 at the National Championship dubbed “Showdown at SEMA” at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas in November.

There, they will compete against Division 2 winner - Team ARP – East Ridge High School from Chattanooga, Tennessee; Division 3 winner – Team PRW – Fremd High School from Palatine, Illinois; Division 7 winner - Team Edelbrock - North Orange County ROP, Anaheim, California; Division 4 winner – Team MSD – Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Ctr., Choctaw, Oklahoma; and the wildcard from Division 7 Team Autometer – Loara High School from Anaheim.

As they did at the Division 7 Championship, Ohio Technological College gave $1,000 tuition scholarships to all participating contestants (not placing third or higher) at the divisional competition; $1,500 tuition scholarships to all divisional third-place winners; $2,000 tuition scholarships to all divisional runners up; and $2,500 tuition scholarships to all divisional winners—a total of $50,000.

Seven high school auto tech teams participated. Teams are made up of invited auto technology classes from local high schools, and each consists of five students and the instructor/coach. The individual schools set standards and guidelines for involvement. Grades, attendance and skill are all part of the making of a team. Through this event, students get an opportunity to showcase their talents and knowledge gained during classroom sessions and workshops. It also helps them to develop and build teamwork; demonstrate their skills, enthusiasm and ingenuity; and build their confidence and commitment to excellence.

The event itself resembles the teardown between rounds at a drag race. The engines are identically prepared small-block Chevys. Students must properly disassemble the engine using only hand tools, utilizing proper detorque and disassembly procedure. The team then returns behind their bench and waits for the judges to call them back. Teams then begin to reassemble once again with correct assembly procedures and torque specs, all while being viewed by judges and spectators. Time-added penalties for dropped components; improper disassembly and assembly; and sportsmanship are added to ensure correct assembly. The team with the fastest time, including penalty minutes, wins.

Division 8 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Results:

1st Place – Team Painless Performance - Lakeshore High School, Stevensville, Michigan: 53:27
2nd Place – Team Moroso – Elkhart Area Career Center #1, Elkhart, Indiana: 58:46
3rd Place – Team Be Cool – Elkhart Area Career Center #2, Elkhart, Indiana: 72:01
4th Place – Team Fel-Pro – Lakeshore High School #2, Stevensville, Michigan: 74:21
5th Place – Team Mr. Gasket – Coloma High School, Coloma, Michigan: 82:45
6th Place – Team Comp Cams – Dowagiac Union High School, Dowagiac, Michigan: 151:36
7th Place – Team Hedman Hedders – Niles High School, Niles, Michigan: 179:18

For further information, visit: www.hotroddersoftomorrow.com.

The United States Senate, at the request of SEMA and its councils, particularly the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), recently declared July 9, 2010, as Collector Car Appreciation Day.

Individuals, car clubs and automotive businesses are encouraged to join in the effort in raising awareness of the vital role that automotive restoration and collection plays in American society by organizing auto-related events on or around July 9, 2010.

A list of Collector Car Appreciation Day events taking place throughout the country can be found by clicking here.

Event organizers interested in having their events included on the list may contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909/978-6690. To assist with generating media coverage of their Collector Car Appreciation Day events, sample press releases, media advisories, logos and more are available by clicking here.

The United States Senate, at the request of SEMA and its councils, particularly the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), recently declared July 9, 2010, as Collector Car Appreciation Day.

Individuals, car clubs and automotive businesses are encouraged to join in the effort in raising awareness of the vital role that automotive restoration and collection plays in American society by organizing auto-related events on or around July 9, 2010.

A list of Collector Car Appreciation Day events taking place throughout the country can be found by clicking here.

Event organizers interested in having their events included on the list may contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909/978-6690. To assist with generating media coverage of their Collector Car Appreciation Day events, sample press releases, media advisories, logos and more are available by clicking here.

HORSEPOWER: The IZOD IndyCar Series has opened the door for more engine manufacturers to enter the series with its new engine formula, which will allow turbocharged engines at a maximum of six cylinders and a maximum displacement of 2.4 cu. l. The new rules are scheduled to go into effect for the 2012 season.

TRIPLE: Levi Jones won three of the four USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series events during the “Eastern Storm” tour. Chris Windom broke the streak with a victory in the tour finale at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pennsylvania, Friday.

STICKING AROUND: Formula One World Championship leader Mark Webber has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the Red Bull Racing team.

ABC BODIES WELCOME: The Sunoco ASA LMS National Tour will allow ABC-bodied cars to race alongside the division’s new Mustang and Camaro body styles for the remainder of the year.

SUSPENDED: Will Vaught has been suspended for one year by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, for his actions during the DART Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway May 29.

LONG LASTING: Interstate Batteries officials have signed a long-term extension with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) that will keep the company associated with JGR for the foreseeable future.

WELCOME TO MARYLAND: The IZOD IndyCar Series will make its first visit to Baltimore next year. The series will race on a 2.4-mile street course with several support divisions August 5–7, 2011.

BIGGER IS BETTER: NASCAR officials announced Monday that NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will use carburetor restrictor-plate openings of 1 1/32 inches for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway July 3, the largest such plates since their introduction in 1988.

IN THE HALL: Champion drivers Fred Linder and Bobbie Adamson, mechanic Don Shepherd and car owner Casey Luna led a class of 12 new members inducted to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa, June 5. Other inductees were Frank Riddle, Hal Robson, Fred Brownfield, Ben Krasner, Hank Arnold, Herman Schurch, Clyde Adams and George Bentel.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

HORSEPOWER: The IZOD IndyCar Series has opened the door for more engine manufacturers to enter the series with its new engine formula, which will allow turbocharged engines at a maximum of six cylinders and a maximum displacement of 2.4 cu. l. The new rules are scheduled to go into effect for the 2012 season.

TRIPLE: Levi Jones won three of the four USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series events during the “Eastern Storm” tour. Chris Windom broke the streak with a victory in the tour finale at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pennsylvania, Friday.

STICKING AROUND: Formula One World Championship leader Mark Webber has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the Red Bull Racing team.

ABC BODIES WELCOME: The Sunoco ASA LMS National Tour will allow ABC-bodied cars to race alongside the division’s new Mustang and Camaro body styles for the remainder of the year.

SUSPENDED: Will Vaught has been suspended for one year by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, for his actions during the DART Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway May 29.

LONG LASTING: Interstate Batteries officials have signed a long-term extension with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) that will keep the company associated with JGR for the foreseeable future.

WELCOME TO MARYLAND: The IZOD IndyCar Series will make its first visit to Baltimore next year. The series will race on a 2.4-mile street course with several support divisions August 5–7, 2011.

BIGGER IS BETTER: NASCAR officials announced Monday that NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will use carburetor restrictor-plate openings of 1 1/32 inches for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway July 3, the largest such plates since their introduction in 1988.

IN THE HALL: Champion drivers Fred Linder and Bobbie Adamson, mechanic Don Shepherd and car owner Casey Luna led a class of 12 new members inducted to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa, June 5. Other inductees were Frank Riddle, Hal Robson, Fred Brownfield, Ben Krasner, Hank Arnold, Herman Schurch, Clyde Adams and George Bentel.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

HORSEPOWER: The IZOD IndyCar Series has opened the door for more engine manufacturers to enter the series with its new engine formula, which will allow turbocharged engines at a maximum of six cylinders and a maximum displacement of 2.4 cu. l. The new rules are scheduled to go into effect for the 2012 season.

TRIPLE: Levi Jones won three of the four USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series events during the “Eastern Storm” tour. Chris Windom broke the streak with a victory in the tour finale at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pennsylvania, Friday.

STICKING AROUND: Formula One World Championship leader Mark Webber has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the Red Bull Racing team.

ABC BODIES WELCOME: The Sunoco ASA LMS National Tour will allow ABC-bodied cars to race alongside the division’s new Mustang and Camaro body styles for the remainder of the year.

SUSPENDED: Will Vaught has been suspended for one year by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, for his actions during the DART Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway May 29.

LONG LASTING: Interstate Batteries officials have signed a long-term extension with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) that will keep the company associated with JGR for the foreseeable future.

WELCOME TO MARYLAND: The IZOD IndyCar Series will make its first visit to Baltimore next year. The series will race on a 2.4-mile street course with several support divisions August 5–7, 2011.

BIGGER IS BETTER: NASCAR officials announced Monday that NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will use carburetor restrictor-plate openings of 1 1/32 inches for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway July 3, the largest such plates since their introduction in 1988.

IN THE HALL: Champion drivers Fred Linder and Bobbie Adamson, mechanic Don Shepherd and car owner Casey Luna led a class of 12 new members inducted to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa, June 5. Other inductees were Frank Riddle, Hal Robson, Fred Brownfield, Ben Krasner, Hank Arnold, Herman Schurch, Clyde Adams and George Bentel.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

HORSEPOWER: The IZOD IndyCar Series has opened the door for more engine manufacturers to enter the series with its new engine formula, which will allow turbocharged engines at a maximum of six cylinders and a maximum displacement of 2.4 cu. l. The new rules are scheduled to go into effect for the 2012 season.

TRIPLE: Levi Jones won three of the four USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series events during the “Eastern Storm” tour. Chris Windom broke the streak with a victory in the tour finale at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pennsylvania, Friday.

STICKING AROUND: Formula One World Championship leader Mark Webber has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the Red Bull Racing team.

ABC BODIES WELCOME: The Sunoco ASA LMS National Tour will allow ABC-bodied cars to race alongside the division’s new Mustang and Camaro body styles for the remainder of the year.

SUSPENDED: Will Vaught has been suspended for one year by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, for his actions during the DART Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway May 29.

LONG LASTING: Interstate Batteries officials have signed a long-term extension with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) that will keep the company associated with JGR for the foreseeable future.

WELCOME TO MARYLAND: The IZOD IndyCar Series will make its first visit to Baltimore next year. The series will race on a 2.4-mile street course with several support divisions August 5–7, 2011.

BIGGER IS BETTER: NASCAR officials announced Monday that NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will use carburetor restrictor-plate openings of 1 1/32 inches for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway July 3, the largest such plates since their introduction in 1988.

IN THE HALL: Champion drivers Fred Linder and Bobbie Adamson, mechanic Don Shepherd and car owner Casey Luna led a class of 12 new members inducted to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa, June 5. Other inductees were Frank Riddle, Hal Robson, Fred Brownfield, Ben Krasner, Hank Arnold, Herman Schurch, Clyde Adams and George Bentel.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

	The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is among the SEMA Show Gold Partner hotels.

Twenty-two Las Vegas hotels demonstrated their support and commitment to servicing SEMA Show exhibitors by participating in the first-ever SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, May 26–27, 2010. As official vendors of the 2010 SEMA Show, these hotels have earned the SEMA Show Gold Partner designation.

“Our team actively seeks the support of hotels and other service providers to ensure that SEMA Show exhibitors receive high value,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “These SEMA Show Gold Partners continue to demonstrate their commitment to us by participating in programs like the Exhibitor Summit.”

The Summit was a unique opportunity for exhibitors to spend quality, uninterrupted time with vendors and SEMA Show experts. Nearly 100 participants attended the event in Las Vegas, where they met one-on-one with organizers to discuss topics, such as cost-effectively setting up a booth, attracting quality buyers, managing databases, generating media coverage and more.

Exhibitors interested in learning more about the Summit should contact Jeff Pressman at jpressman@convexx.com.

SEMA Show Gold Partner Hotels:

Bally's
Bellagio
Caesars Palace
Circus Circus
Excalibur
Flamingo
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Harrah's
Hooters
Las Vegas Hilton
Luxor
Marriott Suites
MGM Grand
Mirage
New York, New York
Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel
Residence Inn
Rio Hotel
SpringHill Suites
Stratosphere
Tropicana Hotel
Trump Hotel

SEMA Show Gold Partner Vendors:

Aramark
Compusystems
COP
Eastridge
Expo Ease
Freeman
LVCVA
Pro-Tect
Smart City
Transportation Management Services
Triple B Outfitters

Musclecar enthusiasts are becoming less precious about their projects and using techniques once reserved for street rodders.

	Retailers are feeling pretty good about sales prospects for the upcoming summer months.

It's a small sign, but encouraging nonetheless: a SEMA-sponsored survey of nearly 500 specialty-equipment retailers finds that 53.2% reported higher year-to-date sales through April 2010 compared to last year. Less than a third (30.9%), meanwhile, reported flat sales.

The latest SEMA Financial Benchmarking Report also finds retailers in a fairly upbeat mood, with 49.6% predicting sales increases for the summer months. That’s almost a 20% jump compared to last year’s outlook. Large retailers are most optimistic, with 75% predicting up sales, versus just 38.2% of smaller retailers sharing the same sentiment.

Retailers surveyed included retail stores, repair service shops, WDs, Internet sales sites and mail order, among others. Of market segments that retailers sell to, almost half (48.3%) sell truck/SUV products, while 38% sell wheel and tires, and exterior accessories, respectively.

To learn more about how financial benchmarking can help your business, read our article in the June issue of SEMA News. 

For a comprehensive list of SEMA Financial Benchmarking reports, please follow this link.