SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) members and those involved in the hot-rod segment of the industry are invited to join the council for its upcoming general membership meeting, May 21, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).
This event will provide HRIA members with details on new and existing programs, including those that will help members connect with other businesses and promote their brands to consumers. Specific programs to be discussed include:
The new Searchable Council Member Company Directory.
HRIA Education Days—This event takes place at the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, and provides HRIA manufacturers a chance to promote and educate enthusiasts about their products through face-to-face educational seminars with industry enthusiasts.
Updates on open HRIA meetings and mixers at major car show events through the year.
Industry awards and the HRIA SEMA Show feature vehicle program.
HRIA-member spotlight program and how to participate.
A virtual panel discussion focused on hot rodding for the younger generation will be presented following general council updates.
SEMA members are invited to take part in an upcoming Facebook Live Chat featuring Ben Schaffer, founder of Bulletproof Automotive and Unplugged Performance, Wednesday, May 12, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
Having found Bulletproof Automotive—an international distributor of high-end tuning parts and builder of custom cars—and Unplugged Performance—a world-leading company that focuses on the customization and sports performance of Tesla vehicles—Schaffer is highly experienced and knowledgeable in the world of car tuning and modifying cars in the electrical vehicle space.
Schaffer was first met with skepticism when Unplugged Performance debuted its first modified Tesla vehicle at the 2014 SEMA Show. Since then, the company has continued to improve every aspect of the Tesla driving and ownership experience, offering an exclusive range of premium upgrades to give a new sporty performance identity to the Tesla Model S, Model X and Model 3.
During the live chat presented by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN), Schaffer will share his insight on Teslas, EV tuning and the future of performance car culture. Participants will be able communicate with Schaffer live, tap into his expertise and get their questions answered in real time.
Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show, the premier gathering for
the automotive specialty-equipment industry, is now open at www.semashow.com/register.
Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show, scheduled for November 2-5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, is now open.
The premier gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry, the 2021 SEMA Show already has more than 1,500 companies confirmed to exhibit and many more expected before the event takes place in November. Exhibitors include major automakers and small businesses, as well as iconic aftermarket manufacturers who are enhancing their booths to heighten their presence at what will be the first industry-wide in-person gathering for the $46.2 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry in nearly two years.
“Given the restrictions our industry has endured the last year, pent-up demand for the SEMA Show is at an all-time high,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “More so than other years, the 2021 SEMA Show will be fundamental in helping industry professionals grow existing relationships, create new ones, and push their businesses forward.”
Attendees at the 2021 SEMA Show will witness firsthand nearly two year's worth of innovation, technology and new products from manufacturers, as they showcase products, debut vehicles, conduct demonstrations and prepare to do business throughout all four halls of the 3.2-million-sq.-ft. Las Vegas Convention Center.
“We are ready to get back to SEMA and connect with our customers this fall,” said Michael Hamrick, Wilwood Disc Brakes events and promotions manager. “Everyone at Wilwood Disc Brakes is putting their best foot forward to have a great event and catch up with our customers. We have quite a few new products to unveil, and SEMA is the place to do it.”
With the entire Convention Center in use, the SEMA Show floor will be designed to improve traffic flow and make navigating the event simple and easy. The 2021 SEMA Show floorplan will begin to take shape during the annual Priority Space Selection process, June 7–23. Companies that submit booth space applications before May 7 will participate in the weeks-long process to determine their booth location in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees will also be able to sign up for educational seminars featuring industry experts and networking events that bring market niches together.
“We’re excited to already be working with the more than 1,500 companies that have committed to exhibit at this year’s SEMA Show, and we expect hundreds more to reserve booth space before May 7,” said Gattuso. “We encourage attendees to register early so they can secure their credentials and receive updates on breaking news from what will be an amazing event.”
Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor, and media—and everyone must qualify to receive a badge and attend.
For more information about qualifying documents and the 2021 SEMA Show, log on to www.semashow.com.
The SEMA Launch Pad is a program designed to help emerging
entrepreneurs and inventors launch new automotive products into the
marketplace.
Applications for the SEMA Launch Pad—a program designed to help emerging entrepreneurs and inventors launch new automotive products into the marketplace—are now available.
Originally created to support young entrepreneurs under the age of 40, this year’s program is open to qualified individuals 18 and over. This year’s Launch Pad also includes expanded prize packages, with the grand-prize package valued up to $92,000. Fifteen semifinalists will be selected to participate in and promote their products at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and receive additional awards that may include cash prizes, complimentary SEMA membership and promotional video features that will air on SEMA’s social media networks.
Five finalists will take part in a product-pitching competition and vie for a grand prize that includes $75,000 in cash, booth space at the 2022 SEMA Show, complimentary ad space in SEMA News and more.
To qualify, applicants must be a business owner, company-leading executive (president, CEO, CFO, COO) or vice president of a company, and must offer a product or service that is a functioning prototype or concept or currently for sale.
Applications to participate in SEMA Launch Pad must be submitted online by May 30.
Securing education and skills training is imperative to ensure one’s success, relevancy and advancement in their job or future career.
During the third session of the “Sharpen Your Soft Skills” webinar series, Powered by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) on May 25, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), entry- to mid-level professionals will learn how to secure the training and education they need to earn proper wages and secure advancements. Register to learn more about:
Common obstacles to securing education and specialized skills training.
How to identify further education opportunities that best suit one’s career goals (graduate school, undergraduate, trade school, lean Six Sigma black belt, PMP, etc.).
How to fit skills training into your schedule alongside work and family life.
Methods for requesting the right training that suits one’s career needs.
Best practices for approaching a supervisor to request additional training.
National Tire Safety Week—a consumer tire safety awareness campaign by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) taking place June 28–July 4—provides members of the SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) and other tire industry businesses with an opportunity to educate motorists about proper tire care and maintenance while increasing brand awareness and generating positive PR.
To help companies prepare in advance, the WTC will host a live webinar on May 19, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT) to share details about this year’s campaign theme, “Do Your Part, Know Your Roll.” Webinar participants will learn how staff can educate customers about tire care, safety and challenges related to tires.
Topics include:
The importance of air pressure—effects on mileage, wear, gas mileage and load capability.
Tire Industry Association (TIA) highlights for tire safety—inflation pressure maintenance on tire life and performance, and the benefits of regular rotation, PMS maintenance and tire repair.
California law that requires replacement tires to be low rolling resistant.
The RIM (Read, Inspect, Mount) Safety Program
Tire registration challenges—Current voluntary registration requirements put the burden on retailers to provide customers with information. Switching to a mandatory system would put all of the burden on retailers. Without electronic ID, a mandatory tire registration and recall recovery system would be an unreasonable burden for retailers.
Effective now, Mark Lieber has joined the team at Maxxsonics USA as project and quality manager. His responsibilities will involve leading Maxxsonics USA concurrent product development teams in the design and engineering of products. Lieber will also work directly with Maxxsonics global partners to ensure its designs are manufactured to the highest standards, bringing quality products to market on time. Starting at Rockford Fosgate (RF) in 1987, Lieber grew into the industry with various positions throughout his career, the first 10 years in manufacturing and completing his time at RF as senior project and quality assurance manager in 2011. In October 2011, he started at YSI Inc. in supply chain and managed a supply base of 40 key suppliers. In March 2013, he joined the team at Scosche Industries as a program manager, overseeing eight key suppliers while implementing cost-saving measures. One year later, he rejoined YSI/Xylem as supply-chain specialist and managed the supply base of five key suppliers with total imports of $7 million. In 2017, Lieber decided to start Lieber Quality Management Inc. so he could bring his project management skills to others, with Vertical World Wide being his first customer.
Milwaukee Tool Expands Corporate Operations
Milwaukee Tool announced the expansion of its corporate operations into downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company’s current global headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin, will remain the central location for the company’s corporate operations. The company says that the new expansion will provide increased space to accommodate the company’s rapid growth. Anticipated to open in October, this building will house 1,200 employees within the next three years.
Milwaukee reports that it will invest more than $30 million to purchase and renovate a vacant 333,000-sq.-ft. building in downtown Milwaukee. This building will act as an extension of the company’s global headquarters in Brookfield. By the end of 2021, the company will have more than 3,100 employees located in Wisconsin.
Holley Appoints New CFO
Holley has announced that Dominic Bardos has been appointed CFO. A financial executive with extensive public company experience, Bardos will serve as a member of the executive leadership team and report directly to President and CEO Tom Tomlinson. Bardos recently served as vice president of finance for Tractor Supply Co. Previously, he served as CFO for Cambridge Franchise Holdings. Additionally, he held several leadership positions at ServiceMaster, including three years as the divisional CFO for Terminix, its largest division. His experience also includes leadership positions in financial planning and analysis, strategic sourcing, supply chain, and customer service operations in large organizations such as Caesars Entertainment, Hilton Hotels and Harrah’s Entertainment.
Mickey Thompson Names Director of Motorsports
Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels has named Jason Moulton as director of motorsports. With 23 years of experience in race tire development for the company, Moulton has developed several new drag-race tires, wheels and related products, such as Mickey Thompson’s big drag tire program, including the first “Bubba” ET Drag tire for Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Comp and more classes. Moulton will oversee a team of motorsports experts and will attend more than 100 race events each year, providing trackside service to racers at national, divisional and local events across the country.
NPW Miami Consolidates Anaheim DC of EPWI
NPW, the new parent company of engine and performance distributor EPWI, has announced the consolidation of the EPWI Anaheim inventory, ordering and shipping to its NPW DC in Gardena, California. The company states that the ordering, shipping and sales will remain the same. Suppliers and customers should only experience positive changes from this move. As is the practice of NPW, the same EPWI staff is being retained for no interruptions in services. The NPW Gardena facility offers a wider selection of brands over what EPWI carried and increased depth on the stock levels of common lines. The NPW Gardena DC is located at 14605 South Main St., Gardena CA 90248.
Meyer Distributing Noe Offers Mounted and Balanced Wheels and Tire Packages
Meyer Distributing announced that it has factory trained techs to mount wheel and tire packages, using the state-of-the-art Hunter’s Revolution Tire Changer and Road Force Elite Wheel Balancer. Meyer offers this service on wheels 17- to 22-in. wheels and up to a 40-in. tire.
“Our goal is to help our customer’s capture more sales, said Scott Hohler, Meyer Wheel and Tire category manager, many shops are turning away this business away because they don’t have the equipment to sell wheel and tire packages. We always look for ways to add more value for our customers and we look forward to bringing wheel and tire packages to our customers on their next Meyer delivery truck.”
Pylon Appoints New President
Pylon Manufacturing announced the appointment of Michael Fretwell to company president. Fretwell brings more than two decades of experience in sales, marketing and product development. He previously served as chief marketing officer at Pylon, where he drove the expansion of retailers and led the company's launch of several new innovative products and initiatives. As president, Fretwell will lead the strategy and execution of Pylon's business development and growth, while building on the company's tradition of more than 50 years of consistent quality.
Port City Racecars Celebrates 40 Years in Business
Port City Racecars is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a leading manufacturer of racecar chassis and specialty parts catering to the short-track asphalt community. The privately held company was founded by Harley Boeve in 1981 in a modest shop located on his family’s farm in Michigan. The company reports that during 40 years in business, it has grown into two separate buildings accounting for close to 20,000 sq. ft. and is located in Race City USA, Mooresville, North Carolina.
PCR will celebrate its 40 years with its customers by offering specials through the month of May.
All customers that shop on www.portcityracecars.com will receive a $40 credit towards all orders more than $150 using check-out code PCR40 (Limit one transaction per customer. Offer expires May 31).
For the balance of ’21, all new car orders will be photographically documented throughout the build process. Upon completion, the owner will be presented a framed oversized print of their car that will carry the signatures of all Port City Racecars employees. The print will feature the special PCR 40th Anniversary logo signifying the chassis construction during the celebratory year.
Limited edition apparel carrying the PCR 40th Anniversary logo will be available for purchase directly from www.portcityracecars.com.
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.
Brock White is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. White is a manufacturer’s representative at Bob Cook Sales—a sales, marketing and consulting company for automotive aftermarket manufacturers and resellers.
SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Brock White: Don’t be afraid to make a dollar off of your friends; You’ll rarely make a cent off of your enemies.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
BW: Variety. As (arguably) the last member of Generation X, I enjoy working with the variety of people in our industry from the young up-and-coming trend setters to the old-school business owners.
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
BW: You can find me tackling a project on one of my vehicles, spending time with my dodgeball group or washing my truck to get ready for a night out on the town.
SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
BW: I prepare by being ready to be surprised. You never know what insider information or interesting stories you may learn that can turn into keys that will open doors in the future!
SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?
BW: I would go to lunch with Bob Chandler. Pioneering the Monster Truck is a pretty incredible feat in retrospect. It’s really interesting to see how the Monster Truck has both influenced and benefited from so many aspects of our industry—from hardcore motorsport to the way enthusiasts style their pickups.
If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN member updates.
Dayco Amps Up North American Motorsports Program by Sponsoring Five Extreme Drift Teams
Dayco is diversifying its motorsports program by sponsoring five of the hottest drift race teams on the circuit today. They include Steele Brothers Racing, Scherzer Racing, WingIt Motorsports, Chad Andersen Motorsports and Messineo Motorsports. In addition to providing the race teams with financial support and high-performance belts, water pumps, tensioners, pulleys and racing balancers during the 2021 season, Dayco’s product and R&D teams are on call for any technical support the crew or drivers may require throughout the season.
Antron Brown defeated three-time reigning world champ Steve
Torrence in the final round, going 3.752 seconds at 323.81 mph in his
11,000-hp Matco Tools dragster to beat Torrence’s 3.794 at 323.81.
Brown, Tasca, Anderson and Pollacheck Earn Historic Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals Wins in Final Race at Atlanta Dragway
Antron Brown became the winningest Top Fuel driver at the historic facility with his fifth victory at the 40th and final Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals. Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Scotty Pollacheck (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won in their respective categories at the third race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season as the NHRA held the last race at the historic track.
Brown defeated three-time reigning world champ Steve Torrence in the final round, going 3.752 seconds at 323.81 mph in his 11,000-hp Matco Tools dragster to beat Torrence’s 3.794 at 323.81. Brown left Atlanta Dragway with seven overall victories, including two that came in Pro Stock Motorcycle, while Sunday’s triumph also gave him 68 carer wins.
Tasca III picked up his second straight victory in Funny Car, with Sunday’s triumph against John Force. He went 4.004 at 326.48 in his 11,000hp Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang in the final round, beating Force’s 4.015 at 321.81, claiming his eighth career victory. Tasca maintained his points lead in the class, cemented himself as a certain championship contender and won for the first time in Atlanta.
Anderson took out Vincent Nobile in the final round in his DENSO Chevrolet Camaro, going 6.568 at 209.04 against Nobile’s 6.598 at 208.78. In an all-Matt Smith Racing final round, Pollacheck claimed the victory over his teammate, as Smith went red by a mere .001, handing the victory to Pollacheck on his DENSO/Strutmaster/Matt Smith Racing EBR.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action May 14–16, with the NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
Don Prudhomme was the 2021 Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000
Evolution Stock Turbo class winner.
Don Prudhomme Wins Turbo Class at Mexican 1000
Drag-racing legend and Hall of Famer Don “Snake” Prudhomme has added another accolade to his storied career: 2021 Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 class winner. On his third attempt at the 1,000-mile race across the desert, Prudhomme and his co-pilot Rich Minga took the checkered flag in the Evolution Stock Turbo class driving the MAVTV CanAm Maverick Turbo. Their winning time of 19:49:18 gave them a margin of victory of more than three hours on their closest competitor. The MAVTV team finished 31st overall out of 90 total competitors, 26 of whom did not finish the extreme race.
Carl Casper Named Grand Marshal of 2021 National Hot Rod Reunion
The NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, has named Carl Casper, producer of his Custom Auto Show in Louisville for more than five decades, the Grand Marshal of the upcoming 18th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance, to be held Thursday–Saturday, June 17–19, at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Other honorees include the late Funny Car racer Carol “Bunny” Burkett, Indiana racer and car builder Hal Canode, Hall of Fame Pro Stock racer and racing school owner Roy Hill, Modified Eliminator standout with his six-cylinder Pocket Rocket Chevy II Cotton Perry, and Pennsylvania race car and hot-rod builder Ed Quay. A free Honorees Reception takes place at the National Corvette Museum on Friday night. The Reunion was conceived as a celebration of the “good old days” with participants in all forms of the all-American activity known as hot rodding on hand. For tickets, visit the NHRA Museum website.
The United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) kicked off
round one at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a one-day event on
April 10.
USTCC Kicks Off Round One at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) kicked off round one at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a one-day event on April 10. First place in the Super Touring class went to Viktor Czapla in the Wob-cars Audi R8. Mike Sekhon, driving the GT Autol Lunge BMW M3, finished third to Pete Bovenburg in his ARG/Summit Tech BMW M3.
In the Grand Touring class, it was Edgar Lau’s Rose Construction BMW M3 that won the race. Rob Harper, in the AP Racing/BC Forged Chevy Corvette, had the best lap time of the day, but found himself in second place. Driving the Lanza & Smith PLC Lotus Exige, Anthony Lanza took third place.
Gary Sheehan, behind the wheel of the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis, took the first-place position in the Touring class. The team of Mark McManus and Ken Kurtz grabbed second with the Netapp.com Lexus IS300. Taking the last podium position with the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis was Gordon Pun.
The team of Sean Milburn and Daniel Milburn took the top podium position of the Sportsman class driving the Bay Area Drafting Acura RSX. Brad Austin’s TNI Racing Mazda MX5 crossed the line in second place. Reza Arsham snatched the third place position in the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Honda Civic.
The Turkish Grand Prix will replace the Canadian Grand Prix for the
weekend of June 11–13.
F1 Replaces Canada With Turkish Grand Prix
Formula 1 has confirmed a change to round seven of the 2021 calendar, with the Turkish Grand Prix replacing the Canadian Grand Prix for the weekend of June 11–13. Due to the ongoing international travel restrictions in Canada, it became impossible for Formula 1 to enter the country without a mandatory 14-day quarantine, leading to the change. Turkey returns to the calendar after the first event in Istanbul in nine years last November, in which Lewis Hamilton was crowned world champion for a record-equalling seventh time.
This is a ’21 Ford F-150 with an intricate AV (NextDroid.com) setup on the roof of its cab. The configuration appears to feature a substantial amount of cameras, sensors and LIDAR equipment, making us wonder what Ford is up to.
Earlier this month, Ford officially announced BlueCruise—a hands-free highway driving solution that aims to rival Tesla AutoPilot and GM SuperCruise. Could the prototype seen here foreshadow a more advanced version of BlueCruise?
SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) members and those involved in the hot-rod segment of the industry are invited to join the council for its upcoming general membership meeting, May 21, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).
SEMA members are invited to take part in an upcoming Facebook Live Chat featuring Ben Schaffer, founder of Bulletproof Automotive and Unplugged Performance, Wednesday, May 12, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
Securing education and skills training is imperative to ensure one’s success, relevancy and advancement in their job or future career.
National Tire Safety Week—a consumer tire safety awareness campaign by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) taking place June 28–July 4—provides members of the 
Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels has named Jason Moulton as director of motorsports. With 23 years of experience in race tire development for the company, Moulton has developed several new drag-race tires, wheels and related products, such as Mickey Thompson’s big drag tire program, including the first “Bubba” ET Drag tire for Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Comp and more classes. Moulton will oversee a team of motorsports experts and will attend more than 100 race events each year, providing trackside service to racers at national, divisional and local events across the country.
Port City Racecars is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a leading manufacturer of racecar chassis and specialty parts catering to the short-track asphalt community. The privately held company was founded by Harley Boeve in 1981 in a modest shop located on his family’s farm in Michigan. The company reports that during 40 years in business, it has grown into two separate buildings accounting for close to 20,000 sq. ft. and is located in Race City USA, Mooresville, North Carolina.
Brock White is the SEMA 
