SEMA is looking for four vehicles from the winning categories of “The Most Accessory-Friendly Vehicles” awarded at the 2007 SEMA Show. The four vehicles are:

• Car: Cadillac CTS
• Truck: Nissan Titan
• SUV: Hummer H2
• Hybrid: Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid

One vehicle in each category will be selected to appear on display at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, February 8–17. If you are a builder/owner of one of these vehicles and would be interested in having your vehicle featured in the SEMA Exhibit, send a photo and information (name, address, phone, e-mail) to Bill Wolf at billw@sema.org, or call 909/396-0289, ext. 177, by December 1.

Manufacturers’ representatives are encouraged to contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org to request the Manufacturers Seeking Rep List, which is available at no cost. Compiled using information collected from manufacturers prior to the 2007 SEMA Show, the listing contains details on manufacturers currently seeking the services of manufacturers’ representatives along with the lines available and company contact information. The list was originally available in the Manufacturers’ Representatives Council (MRC) Rep Center during the week of the Show. For information on the MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc.

The next SEMA webinar provides members with the knowledge needed to enhance customer relationships at many levels within the automotive specialty-equipment industry.

Title: "CRM for the Aftermarket: It's All About the Customer"
Presenter: Chris Horn, COO - Bullfrog Solutions Inc.
Date: Thursday, November 29, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

Description

Connect with your customers and improve customer relationships by using Customer Relationship Management (CRM), a business strategy covering the focus your business has on customers—including vendors, suppliers, business contacts and employees. Tune in on November 29 and learn how applying CRM will improve productivity, sales, marketing, customer service and make a huge impact on your business.

How to Participate

To view the presentation during the webinar, click here on the day of the webinar (November 29).

To connect to the audio (phone only) portion of the webinar, call toll-free 866/637-2754, pin 1542 (five minutes prior to the webinar start time).

For complete information on SEMA's webinar program and to view past webinar sessions available for download, click here. For additional details on the webinar program or information on SEMA's other education initiatives, contact Pat Benson at patt@sema.org.

Spy photographer Gus Serrano, part of Brenda Priddy & Co.'s network of global prototype and production car hunters, grabbed these shots of the new Corvette ZR1, alternately referred to as the Mako, Blue Devil or just plain SS. "With the Tokyo Show introductions and SEMA Show previews taking center stage," BP tells us, "it appears that these two hot laps in front of American Le Mans Series (practice) spectators—and a fair number of camera-toting media types—helped Chevrolet generate their own spy photo hype in a roundabout way, attempting to steal some attention from Nissan's GT-R and other news-making sports cars."

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

A federal appeals court in California rejected fuel-economy standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model year 2008–2011 light trucks, vans and SUVs. The court ruled that the NHTSA had made several errors in the rulemaking, such as a failure to adequately weigh the economic benefits of reduced carbon-dioxide emissions if the agency had issued stricter corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards and a failure to limit the total number of large vehicles that could be produced under the standards. The lawsuit was brought by four environmental groups and 13 states and cities. 

At issue is the NHTSA’s new size-based fuel-economy program for light trucks, vans and SUVs. Under the program, CAFE rates are based on the vehicle’s footprint as measured by wheelbase—the bigger the footprint, the lower the mileage requirement. The actual total mileage rates achieved will vary depending on the mix of trucks sold by each automaker. Manufacturers that sell smaller vehicles will have higher CAFE requirements than those that sell larger vehicles. The automakers have the choice of working within the new size-based system or continuing to meet a traditional total fleet average. The fleet numbers are 22.5 mpg for 2008, 23.1 mpg in 2009 and 23.5 mpg in 2010.

The appeals court criticized the NHTSA because the rule did not mandate a minimum fleet average “backstop,” thereby preventing manufacturers from producing large numbers of bigger vehicles. The court also said that the NHTSA had failed to revise the definitions of light trucks and automobiles to better distinguish between vehicles, such as certain SUVs that may be primarily designed to transport passengers rather than haul heavy loads or tow trailers.

The NHTSA’s 2008–2011 CAFE regulations will remain in effect while the agency reconsiders its rules, a process that may take years since the automakers must be given at least 18 months lead time before stricter standards are set. For additional information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org or 202/783-6007, ext. 30. 

The U.S. Senate approved sweeping energy legislation last June that includes a provision to dramatically increase the CAFE standards for both cars and light trucks. It would require a combined CAFE average of 35 mpg by 2020, a 40% increase from today’s standards. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of an energy bill last August, but House lawmakers put off a decision on how high to boost CAFE standards for automobiles.

SEMA has urged both the House and Senate to support the “Hill-Terry” bill (HR 2927) calling for a tough, but attainable CAFE hike, around 32–35 miles per gallon by model year 2022. SEMA has also urged lawmakers to (1) retain the distinction between passenger cars and light trucks and; (2) provide sufficient lead time for automakers to adjust to new technological demands. Since cars and light trucks have dramatically different vehicle attributes, SEMA believes they should be separately regulated. Combining the two categories may threaten consumer choice, the ability to haul supplies and tow trailers, address recreational needs and many other demands. 

LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Contact Your Senators & Representative

Congressional leaders are now attempting to negotiate a compromise on the House/Senate energy bill. SEMA urges its members to contact their Senators and Representative immediately and request that they maintain the CAFE car/light-truck distinction and provide sufficient lead time to implement any CAFE changes. SEMA is a member of the CAFE Coalition, which has set up a website to quickly send a message using this link: www.drivecongress.com.    

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org or 202/783-6007, ext. 30.

TOYOTA TIME: Toyota is scheduled to debut its new 360 c.i. sprint-car engine Thanksgiving night at Irwindale Speedway. Bobby Santos III will pilot a Western Speed Racing entry equipped with the Toyota powerplant during the sprint-car portion of the Turkey Night Grand Prix.

DENIED: McLaren’s appeal of the finish of the Brazilian Grand Prix, which concluded the Formula One season, was denied last week by the FIA’s International Court of Appeals. Kimi Raikkonen was thus confirmed as World Driving Champion.

NEW DRIVES: Brad Keselowski will drive Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s U.S. Navy Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series next season, while 18-year-old road racer Colin Braun will drive Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 6 entry in the Craftsman Truck Series.

NATIONWIDER: Dario Franchitti will share a Fastenal-sponsored Dodge in the NASCAR Nationwide (Busch) Series next season with Reed Sorenson.

NEW OUTLAW: Second-generation Pennsylvania sprint-car driver Lucas Wolfe will race full time with the World of Outlaws next season. Wolfe and the Allebach Motorsports team, with which he won 10 races this past season, will hit the road with Wolfe’s father Randy as crew chief.

ADD ONE: The American Sprint Car Series will add a Northwest Region for the 2008 season.

NUMBER ONE: After clinching the Nextel Cup championship, Jimmie Johnson remained atop the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D

NEWS NUGGETS

TESTING, TESTING, TESTING: The drivers of the POWERade Series will get their chances to officially test their cars at the three sessions available beginning in January. The first session will be January 18–20, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway followed by a session in Phoenix at Firebird International Raceway, January 25–27. The testing sessions will wrap-up in Las Vegas for the Last Chance Test Session and the Pontiac Pro Stock Showdown February 1–3.

DRAG RACING DOWN UNDER: Two NHRA racers, Cory McClenathan and Mike Dunn, are headed to The Land Down Under, Australia. The 2007 International Top Fuel Challenge at Western Sydney International Dragway December 8–9. Dunn and McClenathan will be joined by crew chief Glenn Mikres and Wes Cerny, and several American-based crewmembers. “I’m not going down there for vacation; I’m going to win,” Dunn said.

NHRA DRIVERS RETURN FROM MISSION TO GERMANY: A group of goodwill ambassadors from the NHRA have completed a three-day USO-sponsored tour of U.S. military installations in Germany, including the Kaiserslautern Military Community, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Spangdahlem Air Base and the U.S. Army Garrison at Baumholder. It was the third consecutive post-season visit for the drivers, and the brief but memorable time spent with the troops and their families provided an opportunity to make some new friends and see some familiar faces.

Six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson, two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Jim Yates, Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr. and Top Fuel drivers Cory McClenathan and Melanie Troxel represented the sport of drag racing during the 72-hour troop-morale mission to Germany. As in the two previous post-season trips, the Army Special Forces Association, Randall Shughart Chapter 64, based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, served as the vanguard for this year's visit, and the 435th Services Squadron at Ramstein Air Base hosted the group during its stay in Germany.

The drivers met race fans at five different military installations and at over 15 different locations during their stay. They also distributed over 1,500 goody bags, which included racing caps, t-shirts, racing decals and other items; signed an even greater number of autographs; and brought smiles of appreciation to the faces of everyone they met. To read more about the trip, go to www.nhra.com. 

COMING ATTRACTIONS

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS WINTERNATIONALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, FEBRUARY 7–10: Kick-off the 2008 NHRA POWERade Series Countdown to the Championship at the historic track where last year’s winners included J.R. Todd, Gary Scelzi and Greg Anderson.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

65: That is the percentage of voters who have picked Tony Schumacher in the online poll at www.nhra.com about which 2007 POWERade Series champion is the most likely to repeat as a champion in 2008. The next closest is Pro Stock driver Jeg Coughlin with 24% of the votes. To vote or to see the results, visit www.nhra.com. 

DRIVERS TELL ALL

LINE EXPLAINS SUCCESS: In the most recent issue of National Dragster, Pro Stock driver Jason Line has some advice for new racers: “Only in the dictionary does success come before work. I know that may sound simplistic, but it’s true. A lot of people want the good things in life but aren’t willing to put in the time and effort required to get them. I’ve always assumed that everybody has just about the same amount of intelligence to work with, so anyone with any dreams or goals needs to do something else to gain a competitive edge, and for me, I’ve always felt that it could be done by outworking everyone else. Greg (Anderson) and I have the same work ethic, and whatever success we’ve been able to achieve has come through our extra efforts.”

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.