Filler for eNews

The deadline to register for the 2008 Honda Accord measuring session is this Friday, August 31. SEMA manufacturing members are invited to get hands-on with the new, redesigned-for-2008 Honda Accord coupe and sedan during the session, Friday, Sept. 7, in Torrance, California. To participate, e-mail responses with name(s), company name, address, phone number and e-mail address to: measuringsession@sema.org.

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

From Brenda Priddy & Co.:

"A late day of shooting means a late night filing stories, but the views of this Jeep pickup are worth the wait!

 
"We tend to keep an open mind and are always on the lookout for prototypes and test mules, but this Jeep nearly caught us off-guard.
 
"We’ve had 'Scrambler' spy photos years ago, and we’ve even seen it at various auto shows, but nothing ever came of that prototype. Now, undergoing serious hot-weather testing is a modified Unlimited—only this Unlimited appears to have two doors, a pickup bed and leaf-springs. It's also right-hand-drive.

 
"All this leads to a lot of speculation, but sources guess that one way or another—consumer, military—this multi-use Jeep will make it to production."

It has come to SEMA's attention that some SEMA members have received a one-page notice offering a "free" listing in The FAIR Guide operated by Construct Data Verlag (also known as Construct Data AG) based in Austria. However, the small print at the bottom of the page notes that by signing and returning the document, you have entered into a three-year, non-retractable contract to pay as much as $981 a year for the listing. 

Example of Fair Guide solicitation:

Some companies may be using misleading advertising to convince you to sign a contract for a listing in a catalog or online directory. Here is how it works: a group collects your company's name and mailing address from the yellow pages or other publication. That group then sends you a one-page form asking you to provide supplemental information (phone, fax, e-mail, etc.) for your "FREE" listing in their guide. (However, in the fine print at the bottom of the page, it states that by signing and returning the form you have agreed to pay for the listing.) They argue that you have signed a legally binding contract and will send you a collection letter several weeks later. If you don't pay, they continue to send dunning notices and threaten litigation.

SEMA recommends that you not complete these types of listing forms. While SEMA cannot provide advice on how to respond to collection tactics, we note the following:

With respect to The Fair Guide/Construct Data AG, many companies are disputing the validity of the contracts. The Austrian Advertising Council has found The Fair Guide mailings to be misleading and hence a breach of the Austrian Advertising Code. The Austrian government has therefore recommended that all affected companies withdraw from the contract with Fairguide.com due to error. For this purpose, they have provided a specimen letter, based specifically on Austrian civil law, according to which, based on the agreement that Austria shall be the place where this can be applied.

To file a complaint in the United States, you may wish to contact:
 
Federal Trade Commission
Office of Business Fraud
600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
Tel: 202/326-2800
Fax: 202/326-2034
E-mail: OIG@ftc.gov
 
You can also file a mail fraud complaint with the United States Postal Service:
https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm

The Austrian Government has also requested that any information or complaints also be forwarded to: 

Dr. Martin Bartenstein
Minister of Economy and Work
Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Arbeit (BMWA)
Stubenring 1
A-1010 Wien
Austria
E-Mail: minister@bmwa.gv.at

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Carl Sheffer, Vice President – OEM Relations for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced his resignation from the association effective August 31, 2007.  Sheffer will continue with the organization in a consultancy role.  John Waraniak Vice President of Vehicle Technology and Bill Wolf, Sr. Manager of OEM Relations will assume his duties on an interim basis.

“I am extremely proud of the significant contributions I’ve made to both the SEMA organization and its member companies,” said Sheffer.  “It’s been an honor to help raise SEMA’s profile throughout the industry, especially within the OEM community.”

Chris Kersting, President and CEO of SEMA stated, “We appreciate Carl’s contribution to the SEMA organization and to our member companies.  He is held in high regard by his peers and we look forward to working with him in a consultancy role in the future.”

With over 35 years in the automotive and specialty equipment industry, Sheffer’s passion for the automobile is well known.  During his tenure at SEMA, he broadened and increased the participation of OEMs at the SEMA Show and further strengthened the relationship between the OEMs and SEMA member companies. Sheffer played a key role in growing the Tech Transfer program, a key SEMA service that provides direct access to CAD data from several OEMs to hundreds of SEMA member companies, thus reducing time and cost associated with bringing new accessories to market.

NEWS NUGGETS

PLAYOFF FIELD READY TO BATTLE IN COUNTDOWN TO FOUR: The world’s fastest drivers are headed to Indianapolis, where the biggest stage in NHRA POWERade Series drag racing waits for them—the 53rd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Drivers remaining in playoff contention include (the number in parenthesis, wins at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis):

Top Fuel: Rod Fuller; Tony Schumacher (5); Larry Dixon (3); Brandon Bernstein; J.R. Todd; Bob Vandergriff Jr.; Whit Bazemore (2, FC); Doug Herbert.

Funny Car: Ron Capps; Robert Hight (1); John Force (4); Tony Pedregon; Jack Beckman; Mike Ashley; Gary Scelzi (1, TF); Jim Head (1, TF; 1, FC).

Pro Stock: Greg Anderson (5); Dave Connolly; Jeg Coughlin (2); Allen Johnson; Jason Line; Kurt Johnson (2); Warren Johnson (6); Larry Morgan (1).

Pro Stock Motorcycle: Matt Smith (1); Angelle Sampey (2); Andrew Hines; Karen Stoffer; Chip Ellis; Eddie Krawiec; Peggy Llewellyn; Craig Treble.

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS: A full schedule of racing and team announcements awaits those who will attend the most prestigious drag race of the year. Here are the not-to-be-missed highlights from NHRA:

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS, INDIANAPOLIS, AUGUST 29–SEPTEMBER 3: The world’s most prestigious, richest and longest-running drag race is a Labor Day weekend tradition at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Every driver wants to win the Super Bowl of drag racing. Professional qualifying rounds are scheduled for: Friday, 6:15 p.m; Saturday, 1 and 6:05 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Professional eliminations begin Monday, 11 a.m. Monday.

RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE, SEPTEMBER 1: Eliminations for this bonus event for the top riders in Pro Stock Motorcycle are scheduled for Saturday, 2:15 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. First-round match-ups feature Angelle Sampey vs. Steve Johnson; Andrew Hines vs. Antron Brown; Matt Smith vs. Karen Stoffer and Chip Ellis vs. Craig Treble. The winner’s payout is $25,000.

SKOAL SHOWDOWN, SEPTEMBER 2: Funny Car’s finest battle for $100,000 in elimination rounds scheduled for Sunday, 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. First-round pairings include: Robert Hight vs. Jack Beckman; Ron Capps vs. Gary Scelzi; Tony Pedregon vs. Mike Ashley, Tommy Johnson Jr. vs. John Force.

RACER Magazine FEATURES POWERade’s HOTTEST DRIVERS. America’s leading motorsports monthly will once again put the stars of the POWERade Series in the spotlight with its second-annual RACER Nitro special that features four special covers and insider takes on the world’s fastest motorsport.

McEWEN RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER HEART ATTACK: Avid drag-racing fans remember Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen for his legendary rivalry with Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, among many other lauded contributions to the sport. McEwen remains actively involved in the sport he loves and gave the NHRA community a scare when he was admitted into a Southern California hospital last week after a mild heart attack. He was released a short time later with orders to rest. For more information, check out www.nhra.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS—COUNTDOWN TO FOUR

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK, AUGUST 29–SEPTEMBER 3: Long known as the most prestigious race on the POWERade Series, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals takes on an even more significant role in 2007 with the inception of the Countdown to the Championship. The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is the first race in the four-race Countdown playoff that will halve the field of eligible championship teams from eight to four. The annual Skoal Showdown (Funny Car) and the Ringers Gloves (Pro Stock Motorcycle) races-within-a-race will also be contested during the popular Labor Day weekend event.

NHRA SPORT COMPACT NATIONALS, SEPTEMBER 1–3: The drivers of the Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series will be bringing their high-powered four- and six-cylinder Pro Rear Wheel Drive and Pro Front Wheel Drive cars to O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

O’REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS, MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK, SEPTEMBER 14–16: Doug Kalitta, John Force, Kurt Johnson and Andrew Hines look to defend their 2006 titles at this second event in the Countdown to Four.

O’REILLY NHRA FALL NATIONALS, TEXAS MOTORPLEX, SEPTEMBER 20–23: The third of four races in the Countdown to Four, defending event winners include Brandon Bernstein, Robert Hight and Richie Stevens Jr. Also, for the first time since 2000, the Pro Stock Motorcycles will return to compete at Texas Motorplex.

TORCO RACING FUELS NHRA NATIONALS, VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK, OCTOBER 5–7: The Countdown to Four fields will be set when the POWERade Series returns to the East Coast, where Cory McClenathan, Eric Medlen, and Jason Line won in 2006.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

9: Former Pro Stock driver Bob Glidden remains King of Indy with nine career wins to his credit there. Warren Johnson is the closest to unseating him among active drivers with six wins at the “Big Go.”

DRIVERS TELL ALL

GREG ANDERSON, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT PONTIAC GTO: Like most of his pro career behind the wheel, Anderson has dominated the Pro Stock field in Indianapolis since 2001, winning every year except for 2002—and leaving fellow drivers frustrated and amazed. Here’s what he had to say about the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals: “Obviously, winning four in a row at Indy has been pretty cool for me. I think there are only two other Pro Stock guys that have done that—Bob Glidden and WJ (Warren Johnson). I don’t believe that anyone has ever won five (in a row), so if I could do it that would put me alone in the record book.”

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

DANCING: IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves will be among the celebrities competing in this year’s edition of "Dancing with the Stars," which airs on ABC.

USAC AT BRISTOL: A pair of new-generation USAC Silver Crown cars tested at Bristol Motor Speedway last week with eyes on the series competing at the unique .533-mile oval next season. Drivers Brian Tyler and Cameron Dodson and series officials were happy with the 10-lap exhibition.

TRUCKING: 1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villenueve tested a Craftsman Truck at Chicagoland Speedway earlier this week and will make his competition debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in late September. Villeneuve, who will drive for Bill Davis Racing, also won the Indianapolis 500 and the CART championship in 1995.

REINSTATED: After a controversial crash during practice in Belgium, which saw him suspended for Sunday’s Champ Car World Series race there, Dan Clarke has been reinstated by the sanctioning body and will compete this weekend in the Netherlands.

EXTENDED: The ARCA RE/MAX Series has extended its contract with Hoosier Tire Corp., making the Indiana company the sole supplier of tires for the series through the 2011 season.

THE CHAMP: Alex Lloyd clinched the IRL Indy Pro Series championship Saturday at Infineon Raceway.

TOP DOG: While many of the front-runners in National Speed Sport News Power rankings struggled this past weekend, Scott Dixon vaulted to the top spot after winning the IndyCar Series race at Infineon Raceway and claiming the point lead.

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.

American Autowire announced that it hired Lance Packard to its management team. Packard most recently served a number of roles for Painless Performance, including manager of the technical support call center and communications specialist. Packard also served as a media liaison for Painless at major industry events. He is currently the chair-elect for the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN).

 Lance Packard

Keystone Automotive Industries Inc. appointed Vice President Christopher Northup to the I-CAR Education Foundation board of trustees, and director of marketing services. In addition, Mary Kunz has been appointed to the Women’s Industry Network board (WIN), a not-for-profit organization devoted to encouraging, developing and cultivating opportunities to support women in the collision repair industry. The I-CAR Foundation promotes and enhances career and education opportunities within the industry by providing the most advanced curriculum, training and related services available.

Ford Motor Co.'s President and CEO Alan Mulally will help kick off the Los Angeles Auto Show by delivering the Motor Press Guild (MPG) keynote address on November 14. Mulally's address is open to all (credentialed) media in attendance and will include a question-and-answer session.  

Volkswagen and Sports Car Club of America announced an official partnership that named Volkswagen the Official Pace Car of SCCA and SCCA Pro Racing. As part of the agreement, Volkswagen will provide pace vehicles for the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs presented by AT&T, as well as course vehicles for The Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships. Two Volkswagen GLI Fahrenheits will serve as the official pace cars and be present at all World Challenge races remaining in 2007 and through 2009. The same vehicles will also pace all 25 races at the National Championship Runoffs at Heartland Park Topeka, October 12–14.

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced that Kevin and Karen Alstott's sleek '35 Ford roadster was named the Goodguys Texaco/Havoline America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod for 2007 at the Goodguys 21st West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton, California. This marks the fourth national award that the car has won in the past 18 months. The vehicle was built by Midwest craftsman Roger Burman and his crew at Lakeside Rods & Rides, Rockwell City, Iowa.

  1935 Ford roadster

Maximum Marketing Services Inc. is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its fulfillment center, which shipped more than one million promotional kits, premium items and point-of-sale packages from the Chicago location over the years.