By Richard Hail

Among the 200 builds competing in the SEMA Battle of the Builders are a project by Keith Kyker of Kyker's Rod & Kustom and another by Lonnie Gilbertson of Lonnie’s Shop. Kyker is headed to the SEMA Show for the first time with his ’69 full-size Ford Bronco and Gilbertson, a SEMA Show veteran, will bring a ’65 Chevrolet Corvair.

The Bronco began life as two separate vehicles—a ’69 Ford Ranger long bed and a ’72 Ford Econoline van. It rides low on an AccuAir suspension system with Billet Specialties Bonneville wheels on all four corners. Ford’s iconic 429 big block V8 sits under the hood with moderate performance enhancements. Interior enhancements include distressed brown leather throughout by Speedway Seatcovers while the rest of the cab remains, for the most part, period correct.

Gilbertson’s Corvair was inspired by the Yenko Stinger. The original air-cooled flat six was swapped out for an LS3 from an ’09 Corvette. This required extensive modifications to the body to account for a liquid cooled powerplant. E-T Sebring wheels add the perfect ’60’s-era circle track vibe to sporty compact. Inside, the custom red interior and dash retain their classic looks.

Check out the videos from Kyker’s and Gilbertson to see and learn more about these awesome builds. And be sure bookmark the 2021 Battle of the Builders YouTube Playlist for more videos and interviews from the SEMA Battle of the Builders applicants.

Qualified industry personnel will be able to see the competition unfold live during the SEMA Show, November 2–5. The general public is welcome to attend SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show After-party, where they will also see the winning vehicles, as well as hundreds of SEMA Show cars and trucks parading out of the Las Vegas Convention Center following the close of the SEMA Show. SEMA Ignited will also feature Formula DRIFT cars in action, vintage dragsters, food trucks, music and much more.

Register today!

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) named Dennis Lerdahl as the council’s latest volunteer spotlight member. Lerdahl is the president of Accessory.Parts, a wholesaler of automotive aftermarket accessories for car and truck enthusiasts.
Get to know Lerdahl in his interview with SEMA below.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO?

Dennis Lerdahl: I feel I can personally bring an impact to PRO. We have created a unique go-to-market strategy with Accessory.Parts, which could open up greater business opportunities for the entire group. I’m looking forward to conversations that will revolve around that as I believe it will be an ever-lasting impact for A.P and the network.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

DL: Enjoy the ride! Seriously. Enjoy it. Once you enjoy it, you can make money. If you are trying to hop in this hoping to make money and don't enjoy the industry, good luck.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle?

DL: Well, everyone will tell you that is simple—all of them. That being said, I do tend to lean towards restored American muscle. But, I would hop behind and have hopped behind the wheel of almost everything.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

DL: Tough question. Hard to name just one. I would say it has taken me many years to surround myself with the right mentors both in business and personal. I believe I have a good balance today. Now, to answer the question, the best advice I have ever received is the stuff I did NOT want to hear and someone cared for me enough to tell me anyway.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

DL: My son and my father keep me in the industry. I am blessed that they both enjoy the passion I do for cars, trucks and racing. We get to do a lot of things together because of it.

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

DL: I can be found at the racetrack or at a car/truck show usually alongside family and friends.

Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on PRO’s social media, SEMA eNews and future PRO-member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Launch Pad competitors continue their one-minute lightning round pitches in episode two of the SEMA Launch Pad video series, now available on the SEMA YouTube Channel. In the 20-minute video, viewers will learn about six innovative products from aspiring entrepreneurs, before five of the 15 semifinalists are eliminated.

Hear what the judges (Myles Kovacs, co-founder of DUB magazine and TIS Wheels; Jared Hare, founder of Addictive Desert Designs; Alex Parker, owner and CMO of Redline Detection; and Chip Foose, founder of Foose Design) have to say about the following six competitors and their products: Dustin Woolf, Natural Nitros; Kevin Robinson, Trac LLC; Michael Ruhs, TailHand; Paul Rooprai, AutoBio LLC; Tom Sawarynski, Off-Road Research; Michael Sullivan, Fox Products LCC; and Edward Tansingco, Thinskinz.

Viewers will see behind-the-scenes feedback from the judges as they deliberate and decide which five semifinalists will be sent home, and which 10 semifinalists will move on to compete during the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, or a grand prize valued at $100,000.

New episodes will be released each Tuesday on the SEMA Show YouTube channel, with the final episode in the series concluding with the top-five competitors being named.

Learn more about SEMA Launch Pad at www.sema.org/launchpad.

By Ashley Reyes

Making new connections and business relationships has been challenging during the pandemic. For aspiring young professionals in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas, will be a great opportunity to connect with the industry and network in person.

In addition to activities on the floor during the Show, November 2–5, several after-hours events and SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN)-specific activities will take place to give young professionals opportunities to connect with like-minded colleagues. YEN members and young professionals 39 and younger are invited to join YEN at the following events where they will expand their network and meet face-to-face with some of the top technology, marketing and sales, operations and executive minds in the automotive industry.

Click here to RSVP in advance.  

YEN General Membership Meeting & Mixer
When: Monday, November 1, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Location: Topgolf (Located inside MGM Grand)

Current and prospective YEN members will hear from the select committee as they share details about resources that are available to help YEN members grow and expand their network. As an in-person meeting, this is the best time to connect with YEN leadership and learn about new initiatives targeted to young professionals in the industry. Come and discover what YEN can do to help you advance in your career.
Transportation to Topgolf will be provided. Meet at 5:00 p.m. at the Diamond Lot side of the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall. Return trip from the event will not be provided.

YEN Reception
When: Tuesday, November 2 at 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Renaissance, Top of Parking Garage

Highly anticipated among young professionals, this event brings together colleagues, leaders and enthusiasts to celebrate the strides young executives are making in the automotive aftermarket. An awards ceremony will take place to recognize and announce one industry leader as the 2021 SEMA Young Executive of the Year and celebrate an individual who actively supports young people in the industry with the YEN Vanguard award. This fun event is a great way to unwind after a busy day one of the SEMA Show.

SEMA Education: Future Industry Outlook from CEOs Under 40, Powered by YEN
When: Thursday, November 4 at 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Location: LVCC, Upper North Hall

This session will bring together young industry CEOs for a discussion on their views of where the industry will be in the next decade and beyond. Add the seminar to your Show planner when registering for the SEMA Show.

Attendees can prepare for the Show by seeing who's exhibiting by visiting the updated floorplan. Advanced registration is encouraged to avoid delays on-site and can be obtained by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/attendee.

By Ashley Reyes

Nearly every vehicle at the SEMA Show is designed to be a one-of-a-kind creation. The PRO Cup Challenge defies that sentiment. The program, organized by the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), encourages customization of new-model cars and trucks for mainstream consumers by showcasing restyling packages that are easy to replicate.

Through the competition, seven restylers compete by creating a package for a popular new-model vehicle that would take less than 40 hours to execute and cost no more than $12,500. Packages are judged based on their mass appeal, ease to replicate and potential profitability for both the restyler and the dealer.

Among the vehicles in the competition are two Ford vehicles.

’20 Ford F150 XLT, customized by Auto Image, will feature:

• 3-in. Rough Country Lift
• 20-in. Fuel Wheels and 33-in. Fuel Gripper MT Tires
• Katzkin Custom Leather W Loho
• Putco LED Emblems Front and Rear
• Bak Flip Hard Tonno Cover
• Rockford Sound System, 2–8-in. subs, 750W amp
• Wavetech Line Driver
• Custom Graphics Package

’21 Ford Bronco, customized by Automotive Concepts, will feature:

• RC 2-in. Suspension Lift
• 18-in. Black Rhino Wheels with Toyo Tires
• Roof-Top Rack with Kayak Carrier and Paddles
• Spare Tire Cover/Embroidered
• Baja LED Foglight Kit
• Katzkin Leather Interior with Embroidery
• Go Rhino Black Vertex Running Boards
• Go Rhino HS20 Bumper Step
• AC Exterior Body Graphics Package
• Llumar Paint Protection Film
• Llumar Front Side Window Tint
• BuiltRight Cargo Storage System

Other vehicles competing in the PRO Cup Challenge include: DPS Automotive, ’22 Volkswagon Atlas; On the Rocks 4x4, ’21 Chevrolet Silverado; Integrity Customs, ’20 Jeep Gladiator; City Kia / Vaccar Co., ’21 Kia Sorento; and Crush Customs, ’21 Kia Telluride.

All seven competitors will be graded on marketability of the build, ease of reproduction, creativity and profitability by a panel of judges, while Show attendees will have opportunity to vote for their “Fan Favorite” at the PRO booth #51085 until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 3. The winner of the Fan Favorite and PRO Cup Challenge will be announced in the booth during the PRO Booth Happy Hour on Wednesday afternoon from 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Stay tuned to SEMA eNews in October as we highlight each of the PRO Cup Challenge competing vehicles.

By Richard Hail

Young Guns hopeful Zach Sackman is betting on a Chevy C10 to serve as his first SEMA Show build. The Fairfax, IA, resident started junior drag racing when he was nine years old and was named onto Drag Illustrated’s “30 Under 30” list in 2017. After taking welding classes in high school and attending college to learn machining, Sackman now works at Brandospeed, a local metal fabrication shop.

As a longtime fan of the C10 body style, Sackman chose the 2nd-gen body style for his entry into the Battle of the Builders competition.

Modifications include:

• Back-halving the pickup and changing it out to a ladder bar suspension with a 9-in rear-end.
• Customized frame to house a hand-crafted fuel tank which also supports the carbon-fiber floor.
• An 8.50 cert roll cage runs from the bed through the cab.
• Interior consists of a custom center console housing a Racepak IQ3S Display Dash, which replaces the stock gauges and makes for a clean look and feel.
• Under the hood, a 565-CID Chevy big-block from Rolla Competition Engines is paired to a ProCharger F1X supercharger which cranks out 1,400 hp.

FuelTech EFI management system

Watch Sackman’s video to see and learn more about the vehicle, and bookmark the 2021 Battle of the Builders YouTube Playlist for more videos and interviews from the SEMA Battle of the Builders applicants.

Qualified industry personnel will be able to see the competition unfold live during the SEMA Show, November 2-5. The general public is welcome to attend SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show After-party, where they will also see the winning vehicles, as well as hundreds of SEMA Show cars and trucks parading out of the Las Vegas Convention Center following the close of the SEMA Show. SEMA Ignited will also feature Formula Drift cars in action, vintage dragsters, food trucks, music and much more.

Register today!

By Ashley Reyes

Automotive is the single biggest retail segment in the United States, accounting for 20% (more than $1.2 trillion) of retail spending in 2020, according to the new “Retail Trends” report from SEMA Market Research.

The report highlights U.S retail spending and includes new findings on the retail side of the specialty-equipment market, including specialty-automotive shopping behavior and trends.

Retail is a huge part of the U.S. economy, representing more than $6.2 trillion in 2020. While online sales are growing, it is a small slice of the total—increasing to roughly 14% of total retail sales, up from 11% in 2019.

To help businesses understand automotive aftermarket retail trends by product and retail channel, as well as consumer and shopping behavior, the SEMA report contains additional findings, including:

• The specialty-automotive aftermarket is ahead of the curve on online sales, with just over half of the $47.89 billion spent on specialty parts in 2020 going through online retail channels. SEMA expects that the share of online retail sales will level off, then return to its historical trend of gradual growth over the next couple years.
• In the longer term, retailers should keep an eye on how the vehicle population evolves. Light trucks, including pickups, SUVs and CUVs, are expected to represent 80% of new vehicles sold through 2028.
• Alternative-fuel vehicles (e.g., hybrid and electric) are a small but growing share of new vehicles sold, expected to account for 25% of new vehicle sales by 2028 and 45% by 2035.
• In recent years, specialty-automotive consumers have most-commonly bought parts in a “mixed-mode” fashion, i.e., buying both in-person and online, with smaller portions favoring exclusively in-person or exclusively online.
• For many consumers, high-performance chemicals along with specialty wheels and tires represent the “gateway drugs” that can lead to more ambitious modifications to the vehicle’s appearance, performance, and handling.

For more data on the state of U.S retail and retail in the automotive specialty-equipment market, download the 2021 SEMA Retail Trends Report for free today at www.sema.org/research.

The SEMA Data Excellence designation recognizes the companies that have worked with SEMA Data to recreate and relaunch industry-leading product data sets. Here are products from current SEMA Data members that have achieved data excellence.

Oracle Lighting

New Flush Mount LED Tail Lights for Jeep Gladiator JT

The market leader in creating high-quality lighting products and innovative LED solutions for the automotive aftermarket, is proud to announce the launch of the new patent pending Flush Mount LED Tail Lights for Jeep Gladiator JT.

“Designed to fit flush with the truck bed of the Jeep Gladiator, our new JT Flush Tail Lights offer improved features and OEM factory styling,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “This innovative design has a sleek tail light for Jeep Gladiators that wraps tightly around the truck.”

“These lights provide improved LED lighting features including high-powered reverse lights and signature perimeter lighting,” Hartenstein continued. “In addition to standard features, the plug-and-play design features an enhanced reverse function and caters to the Jeep’s optional cross-traffic sensor. The reverse light features 12 high-powered LEDs for optimal rear illumination. The cross-traffic sensor can be swapped directly over from the factory assembly and easily installs into the Oracle Lighting tail lights for Jeep Gladiator.”

www.oraclelights.com
PN: 5882-504

AutoMeter

OBD-II Signal Splitter/Adapter

AutoMeter’s low profile OBD-II signal splitter/pass-through allows remote connections for products such as AirDrive, DashLink, DashControl, and SmartConnect Instrumentation while providing an additional easy-to-access connection point for other onboard devices requiring access to the OBD-II data stream. The OBD-II Splitter connects to the existing vehicle OBD-II port and provides remote mount connections utilizing 10-in. straight through leads with added strain relief. The 16-pin male and 16 female connectors are compatible with J1962 OBD-II standards. The signal slitter is designed to maintain OBD-II data signal integrity across two remote connection points, but does not connect for data bus termination, traffic conflicts, or compatibility of attached devices. Device and vehicle compatibility may vary.

www.autometer.com
PN: 5323

By Juan Torres

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) has signed on as title sponsor of the Magic 8 race on October 15 at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Georgia—part of the four-day No Mercy 12 drag racing event produced by Duck X Productions.

As presenter of the Friday evening program, PRI will be on-site to help promote the sport of racing and raise awareness of the threats currently facing the motorsports industry.

Recently, racetracks have come under fire for holding in-person events during the COVID-19 pandemic, local and state governments have sought to curtail tracks’ lawful operations, and officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued fines and penalties to performance suppliers and retail businesses over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.    

PRI’s Save Our Racecars initiative urges industry members, enthusiasts and fans to become involved with efforts to stop government overreach and help get the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsport (RPM) Act bill passed into law.

“Along with the worldwide motorsport industry, Duck X Production events are experiencing challenging times,” said Donald “Duck” Long, No Mercy promoter. “At the forefront of the issues is that of government overreach. While we’ve endured and survived through hurricanes and extreme temperatures, never have we had to contend with the government threats that we are experiencing today. We are proud to join PRI in supporting the RPM Act.”  

The RPM Act is a bipartisan bill that is currently being considered by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The bill looks to clarify in federal law that transforming motor vehicles into race cars used exclusively for competition does not violate the Clean Air Act. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015, when the EPA took the position that converted street vehicles that compete on the track must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are not driven on public streets or highways. The EPA also maintains that the equipment used to transform a street vehicle into a race car is prohibited.

“Passing the RPM Act into law is the only way to guarantee the future safety of the racing industry,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, PRI president. “We need everyone at the Magic 8 Race to join in the effort and ensure that drag racing events like No Mercy can continue. It’s critical that we unite to protect our racing rights.”

The RPM Act enjoys unprecedented energy in 2021, as racers and motorsports parts businesses have sent more than 1.5 million letters to federal lawmakers urging passage of the bill this year. PRI will be at the Magic 8 Race on October 15 at South Georgia Motorsports Park to urge racers and fans to continue contacting their lawmakers in support of the RPM Act.

“We must continue to push in order to get the bill passed into law,” said Meyer. “Only then will the industry have the confidence and the clarity needed to ensure that it is legal to modify a street vehicle into a dedicated race car that is used solely on a track.”

Racers and race fans will be able to join the industry’s advocacy efforts by contacting their lawmakers about the RPM Act. Supporters can easily send letters to their representatives by visiting SaveOurRaceCars.com. Supporters will also be able to join PRI Membership during the No Mercy race.

To learn more about the RPM Act and the Save Our Racecars initiative, visit SaveOurRaceCars.com. To attend the Magic 8 Race on October 15, click here.

The next-generation Range Rover has been spied multiple times, and Land Rover is also working on the replacement of the Range Rover Sport. It is the latter that our spies have caught again in the hot SVR guise—and wearing a tad less camouflage than before. The images were taken while the car was outside the German Nürburgring race circuit.

At a first glance, you may not be able to tell the differences between the ’23 Range Rover Sport SVR and regular variants of the SUV, due to the thick camo. However, there are no vinyl stickers that can hide the beefier brakes and quad exhaust pipes, and it’s these that gave it away.

Once the artificial skin comes off, probably in early 2023, considering that the regular Range Rover Sport is believed to debut late next year, it will reveal a more aggressive overall design. The bumpers should look sportier, with larger air intakes at the front and a mean styled diffuser at the rear. The roof-mounted spoiler should be beefier too.

Inside, too, will be modifications over the normal Sport variants: front seats with extra side bolstering, more exclusive upholstery options, perhaps contrasted by stitching and piping in lively colors, and enhanced infotainment system and digital gauges. The driving modes will also be refined, and in the sportiest setting, it will be very fast.

Around 600 hp is expected from the alleged twin-turbocharged V8 engine sourced from BMW, which would give it a 25 hp advantage over the current generation. All-wheel drive and a fast-shifting automatic transmission will be on deck. The 0–60 mph will take less than 4.5 seconds, which is the official time of its predecessor, whereas top speed could still be capped at 175 mph.

Like the normal ’23 Range Rover Sport, the SVR is understood to be built on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture. The platform, shared with the bigger and more luxurious next-gen Range Rover, can accommodate internal combustion engines, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and even electric powertrains.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde