The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has established a new test procedure to demonstrate that the front passenger airbag will be suppressed during deployment when a child safety seat is present.  All vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2008, must comply with the rule.  The tests apply to child seats attached with lower anchors and tethers (“LATCH”), a system that bypasses a vehicle’s seat belts.

Click on this link for a copy of the new test procedures: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-13565.pdf.  Questions, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

THE MERGER: It is clearly the time of the merger in NASCAR racing. After last week’s reported merger between Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing, Robert Yates Racing joined forces with Newman-Haas-Lanigan Racing, bringing together one of auto racing’s best stock-car teams and one of the best open-wheel teams.

WORKING TOGETHER: On Monday, JR Motorsports, which is owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports announced they would merge their NASCAR Busch Series programs, with both the No. 5 and No. 88 coming out of the JR Motorsports shops while running with Hendrick engines and Hendrick technical support. Also, Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick Inc. have signed an agreement to work together in the Busch Series.

FIRST TIME: Although Toyota had previously won races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the company posted its first NASCAR stock car victory when Jason Leffler won the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. It is Toyota’s first season of competition in the Busch and Nextel Cup Series.

CHANGING JOBS: Mike Neff, who tunes the Funny Cars wheeled by Gary Scelzi, will leave the Don Schumacher Racing team at the end of the season, and he will join John Force Racing next season, but as a Funny Car driver, not a crew chief.

TWICE AS NICE: Jerry Coons Jr. became a two-time winner of the Belleville Nationals for midget cars, the most prestigious midget race of the summer season. As well, Tony Stewart won the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the second time.

ONE MILLION: Champ Car World Series officials claim its attendance is up 16% this year and that the series greeted its one millionth fan during Saturday’s activities at the San Jose Grand Prix.

NEAR THE END: American Formula One driver Scott Speed is nearing the end of his rope with the Toro Rosso team for which he drives. “As far as my future in Formula One is concerned, you can’t pay me enough money to race for those two people again,” Speed said of team owners Franz Tost and Gerhard Berger.

NEW LEADER: Despite having the weekend off, IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon, who has won three straight races, moved to the top of 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: www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

NEWS NUGGETS

NHRA POWERADE SERIES TELECONFERENCE TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1 P.M. EST/10 A.M. PST: The NHRA POWERade Series will be hosting the first in a series of teleconferences between now and the end of this inaugural Countdown to the Championship season on Tuesday, July 31, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST. The drivers on the call will be able to provide a variety of perspectives, from what it’s like to have clinched early to what it’s like to be sitting on the bubble.

FORCE’S FOURTH SEAT IS FILLED: Mike Neff, longtime crew chief for Gary Scelzi, has been named the driver of the fourth John Force Racing Ford Mustang. Neff will finish the 2007 season as Scelzi’s crew chief, and he will move to JFR as the driver of the Castrol Syntec Ford in 2008. John Medlen will be the crew chief.

IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD (ON THE TOP FUEL BUBBLE): The Countdown to the Championship bubble may not be any wilder than in Top Fuel where there are 70 points separating six drivers competing for what appears to be the eighth playoff berth. The driver who holds his own destiny is eighth-place Dave Grubnic (703 points), but it is a tenuous hold. When and if he slips up, it’ll be like the gold rush behind him with Melanie Troxel (-45), Doug Herbert (-53), Doug Kalitta and Hillary Will (-64) and Cory McClenathan (-70) all scrambling for that eighth-and-final playoff berth in Top Fuel.

A FITTING TRIBUTE TO ERIC MEDLEN: More than 2,000 fans attended the inaugural “Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social” at Infineon Raceway following the race on Sunday evening. There were more than 30 “scoopers” including Morgan Lucas and Eric’s mother Mimi, and the event raised $9,086—$4,543 from fans and a 100% match by Infineon Raceway—for the Eric Medlen Scholarship Fund. The money raised will be awarded to the winner of Infineon Raceway’s high school bracket drag division in Eric Medlen’s name.

SONOMA SENDS EIGHT MORE DRIVERS INTO THE COUNTDOWN PLAYOFFS: Sunday was a busy day for clinching Countdown playoff berths as eight more drivers secured spots. In all now, there are five drivers in Top Fuel (Rod Fuller, Tony Schumacher, Brandon Bernstein, Larry Dixon and J.R. Todd) and Pro Stock (Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin, Dave Connolly, Allen Johnson and Jason Line) who have clinched and two drivers in Funny Car (Ron Capps and Robert Hight) and Pro Stock Motorcycle (Matt Smith and Angelle Sampey) who have clinched. For more information on the Countdown, go to nhra.com and click on the Countdown to the Championship logo on the right-hand side of the front page.

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH: It’s difficult to separate hyperbole from fact when John Force speaks, but when he pronounced himself back after his win at Bristol a month ago, it turns out he was spot on. The NHRA icon has added a semi, a runner-up and another win (yesterday at the FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma) to move from 15th place and championship afterthought to 7th place and legitimate championship threat. Force helped his own cause immensely en route to his win at Sonoma with a quarterfinal win over then-ninth-place Cruz Pedregon (who’s now in 10th and 105 points behind Force), a semifinal win over Tommy Johnson Jr. (11th place, 108 points behind Force) and a final-round win over ninth-place Del Worsham. With the win, Force ended up in 7th place and 89 points ahead of Worsham; if he’d lost, he would have been in eighth place and just 49 points ahead of Worsham.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS, BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, AUGUST 9–12: Set in the lake surrounded area of Northern Minnesota, this event is the next-to-last race in the 17-race Countdown to the Championship regular season. Defending event winners include Brandon Bernstein, Tommy Johnson Jr., Dave Connolly and Antron Brown.

TOYO TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY, AUGUST 16–19: The final race of the Countdown to the Championship regular season, this will be the last chance for drivers to either maintain or move into position to clinch a playoff berth. Defending event winners include J.R. Todd, Phil Burkart, Greg Anderson and Karen Stoffer.

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.

.INSIDE THE NUMBERS

50: Greg Anderson, who made it a perfect 7-for-7 in final rounds in 2007 with his win Sunday at the FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Sonoma, moved into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time NHRA POWERade Series wins list with 50. The Top five are: John Force (124), Warren Johnson (96), Bob Glidden (85), Kenny Bernstein (69) and Joe Amato (52).

DRIVERS TELL ALL

ANDERSON ON HIS 50TH WIN: “It’s quite an accomplishment (to reach 50 wins). I don’t know how to explain it. It’s fitting that we had a struggle between number 49 and number 50. Fifty should be tough to get. It should be hard. We were cruising right along, but then we got slapped in the face this summer. It’s a real reminder to never get too cocky.”

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. appointed Fred Bentley to the new position of COO of Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. and president of the company's Global Wheel Group. As COO, Bentley will be responsible for all of the company's manufacturing and business unit operations. Bentley joined the company in 2001 and most recently served as COO and president of the company's Global Wheel Group. Bentley will continue to report to Curtis J. Clawson, president, CEO and chairman of the board.

Restylers' Choice LLC announced that it purchased the remaining assets of Auto Trim Express Inc., including the exclusive rights to the designs, website, phone numbers and more. Production of the Auto Trim Express line resumed on August 1, and is being produced using digital technology. Designs will maintain the same look and color combinations.

Mitchell 1, along with the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) named Bruce Amacker as Educator of the Year. Mitchell 1 recognizes one of the nation’s top teachers annually for excellence in automotive repair instruction. Amacker is the Owner of TurboTraining, where he provides instruction and training for PowerStroke/T444E/ DT466E Engines, School Bus Fleet Maintenance, ABS Braking Systems, Multiplexing, Automotive Fuel Control and other topics across the United States. Amacker was presented with a check for $500 along with a recognition certificate, courtesy of Mitchell 1.

Terry Kohl, president of Media Management Marketing, authored a new book, Lost Your Job? Now What! The book takes the situation that most people fear and demonstrates how losing a job can change someone’s life for the better. Kohl’s 116-page book is available for $9.95 online at www.LostYourJobNowWhat.com.

Forecast Products, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, hired aftermarket industry veteran Gary Allen as its vice president of sales. Prior to joining Forecast, Allen was national sales manager for Cooper Bussmann and Cadna Automotive, as well as program group sales manager for TRW/Autospecialty.

The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

• ARMO has elected Steve Moskowitz of Antique Automobile Club of America and Mark Vogt of Classic Industries to its Select Committee. “I’m looking forward to working with Steve and Mark on the ARMO Select Committee,” said ARMO Chairman Ernie Silvers. “They are joining what has proven to be one of the most enthusiastic and hard-working groups that have ever existed. With the group that we have in place, we will definitely make great progress.”
  
  Re-elected to the ARMO Select Committee are Todd Bidwell of Parts Unlimited Inc., Roger Niehaus of Auto Custom Carpets Inc., Sandy Patterson of Primedia, and Jim Vinarski of Carlisle Events. Continuing in service on the ARMO Select Committee are Jim Barber of CARS, Laura Bergan of American Collectors Insurance, Jeff Broadus of Car Collector magazine, Marshall Giorgi of Rare Parts, Kim Mitchell of Eaton Detroit Spring, Sheila Perkins of Bradley David Productions, Alex Tainsh of Trim Parts and Walter Vaughan of Steele Rubber Products.

To learn more about ARMO, visit www.sema.org/armo or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

• The HRIA welcomes the newest Select Committee members Eric Saltrick of Steele Rubber Products and Mike Kinney of Las Vegas Rod & Custom.  These gentlemen join the re-elected Select Committee members: Del Austin – Street Thunder magazine, Tommy Daniels – Yearwood Speed & Custom, Rick Love – Vintage Air and Ross Ortman – Dakota Digital Inc. 
  

To learn more about the HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)

The following are the results of the TORA Select Committee election:

Manufacturers Category

• Re-Elected (1) -  Bryan Baker – A.R.E.
• New Select Committee Members (2):  Jason Bruce, Street Scene Equipment; Eric Kwasnicka, DuPont Performance Coatings

Retailer/Dealer Category

• Re-Elected (1) - Casey Miser – All American Truck & SUV Accessory Centers
• New Select Committee Members (3):  Charlie Card, Vehicle Accessories; Russ Fletcher, Fletcher’s Truck Caps; Ronald Towry, Truck Gear SuperCenter

Manufacturers' Reps/Media/WD Category

• Re-Elected (1) - George Lathouris, Keystone Automotive

TORA Open Long-Range Planning Meeting

• TORA's Open Long-Range Planning Meetings is set for Wednesday, August 22, at the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Lakefront Hotel, Chicago, Illinois. For flight and hotel arrangements, contact Manya Petropaki at Travel Store USA, 949/930-9268 or e-mail manya.p@travelstoreUSA.com.
  
  
• Kelly Kneifl, Division Manager of Automotive Accessories at Shur-Co, has been elected by the TORA Select Committee to serve as council chair-elect. Kelly, a member of the Select Committee, will serve starting July 1 as chair-elect for two years prior to assuming the role of chairman. He will serve alongside incoming Chairman Ron DiVincenzo of Cap World. Former Chairman Todd Yeoman will remain on the Select Committee in an advisory capacity as chairman emeritus.
  
  
• The DVD “Why Paint Colors Vary?” This valuable resource is now available. TORA members now have a valuable new tool that will help educate consumers about the challenges of the paint-color-matching process. Available for dealers and installers to play in their waiting areas, the video is presented in a professional format and brings a consistent message on why paint colors vary. The TORA “Why Paint Colors Vary?” DVD is available to TORA council members free of charge (or $49.95 for non-TORA members). Other tools available from TORA are the CHMSL and altered-height CDs. For details or to place an order, contact Staci Bostock at 909/396-0289, ext. 104, or e-mail stacib@sema.org.

To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

MPMC would like to welcome and congratulate the following new and incumbent Select Committee members:

• Rich Barsamian, Grant Products International Inc. (Incumbent)
• Ed Burgy, CORSA Performance  (Incumbent)
• Billy Carroll, Wilson Manifolds
• Kyle Fickler,  Aeromotive Inc.
• Ryan Hunter, SCE Gaskets Inc. (Incumbent)
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. (Incumbent)
• Bob Ritzman, B&M Racing & Performance Products Inc. (Incumbent)
• Todd Ryden, MSD Ignition (Incumbent)
  
  
• The 11th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is set for Tuesday, January 22–Thursday, January 24, 2008, at the Embassy Suites Hotel LAX South in Los Angeles. For more information on the MPMC Media Trade Conference, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

• MRC has appointed Mike Bolio of Scafidi-Bolio & Associates, Wade Cobb of Hapco LLP, Irv Cohen of SS Sales & Marketing Group, Chris Fairless of R&R Marketing Consultants, Tony Gee of Foster-Babcock & Associates and Scott Majors of MBA Marketing Group onto its Select Committee. “We’re excited about the new faces joining the MRC Select Committee,” said MRC Chairman John Iannotte. “The MRC is an active group with a lot going on, so it is great to have such a talented and enthusiastic group joining us.”
  
  Appointed onto the MRC Select Committee for a third term are Jim Kerr of Kerr & Associates Inc., Jim Klassen of JK Sales and Bill Perry of Bill Perry & Associates. The MRC Select Committee also includes seven members who are continuing to serve. They are Joel Rosenthal of Gantt Thomas, Mark Adin of PSKB, Bob Bader of Hapco LLP, Bill Chamberlain of JS Chamberlain & Associates Inc., Evan Mecham of Evan Mecham & Associates, Zane Shaffer of Wes-Coast Marketing and Alex Walker of Bob Cook Sales.
  
• MRC members should mark their calendars for the following upcoming council activity:
  
  
  2007 MRC Rep Conference
  September 26–27, 2007
  Phoenix, Arizona

To learn more about the MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

• The votes have been tabulated, and PRO welcomes four incumbents and four newcomers to the council's Select Committee. Incumbents include Bill North, Webasto Product N.A.; Ray Ott, Auto Trim Design of Cleveland East; Karl Stearns, Auto Trim International; and Bob West, Westin Automotive Products. The newly elected members are Jeff Fink, Advantage Truck Accessories; Doug Jacobs, Restyler's Choice; Joey Johnston, Tops & Trends; and Scott Wolin, AC Wolin Group.
  

• The PRO Select Committee has chosen Karl Stearns, vice president of sales and marketing for Auto Trim International, to serve as council chair-elect. A member of the Select Committee, Stearns will serve as chair-elect for two years prior to assuming the role of chairman. He will serve alongside incoming Chairman Chuck Blum of Chuck Blum Consulting. Former Chairman B.J. Leanse will remain on board in an advisory capacity as chairman emeritus.

To learn more about PRO, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Ellen McKoy at ellenm@sema.org.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

• SCC Business of the Year, Person of the Year, Industry Image and Industry Icon Award  nomination forms have been mailed to all SCC members. The awards will be presented during the SCC Reception Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 5 p.m.–7:00 p.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 6. Your nominations and support are important to your council. If you need a nomination form or have any questions about the SCC Awards, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Nominations are due by Friday, August 24.
  
  
• SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN
  Get Connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking—a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes meet someone new in the automotive industry—you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

SCC would like to welcome and congratulate the following new and incumbent Select Committee members:

• Ed Burgy, CORSA Performance (Incumbent)
• Jim Liaw, Formula Drift
• Kirk Miller, AEM (Incumbent)
• Ahad Mirza, Auto Meter Products
• Oliver Rathlein, Eibach Springs Inc.
• Brian Reese, Competition Cams Inc.
• Malen Reger, Motovicity Distribution (Incumbent)
• Richard Schroeder, Eagle Vista Productions (Incumbent)
• Tyler Tanaka, Turbonetics Inc. (Incumbent)
• James Yim, K&N Engineering Inc.
  
  
• Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology, was elected chairman-elect of the SCC. Nuñez began her role on July 1, when Eric Breslow, Power Slot/Power Performance Group, took over as SCC chairman.

To learn more about the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

Tim Dietz of Standards Testing Laboratories Inc. is the new WTC Chairman-elect. His background includes:

• Seventeen-year veteran of the tire & wheel testing industry
• Instructor for STL’s annual Tire Technology informational seminar
• Co-developed testing procedures for NHTSA (FMVSS 139 plunger, bead unseat & impact)
• Co-developed testing procedures for OEM and Aftermarket manufacturers
• Member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
• Member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F09-03, Tire Aging Committee
• Member ASTM F09-03, Road Hazard Impact Subcommittee
• Member ASTM F09-03, Head Seat Subcommittee
• Member ASTM F09-03, Light Truck Flat to Curved Testing Surfaces Subcommittee

WTC Awards

• WTC Lifetime Achievement and Person of the Year Award nomination forms have been mailed to all WTC members. The awards will be presented during the WTC Reception set for Wednesday, November 1, 5–7 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton. Your nominations and support are important to your council. If you need a nomination form or have any questions about the WTC Awards, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Nominations are due by Friday, August 17.

WTC Reception

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the wheel and tire industries’ top companies and also have a good time? Become a sponsor of the WTC Reception during the 2007 SEMA Show. The reception is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 5-7 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton. Sponsorship agreement forms have been mailed to all WTC members. If you need a Sponsorship agreement form or have any questions about the WTC Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28.

SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN

• Get Connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking - a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes meet someone new in the automotive industry - you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

WTC would like to welcome and congratulate the following new and incumbent Select Committee members:

• Keith Alinder, Wheel Pros Inc.
• Ron Escue, Enkei International (Incumbent)
• Doug Frymer, Law Office of Douglas A. Frymer
• Fenton Liffick, Prestige Auto Tech
• Dean Pellegrino, Tru Align LLC
• Paul Spartos, WheelTech International Corp. (Incumbent)
• Michael Webster, Discount Tire Direct (Incumbent)
• Brock Weld, BMF Wheels (Incumbent)

To learn more about the WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• SBN Athena and Woman of the Year Award nomination forms have been mailed to all SBN members. The awards will be presented during the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN on Thursday, November 1, 7:15 a.m. - 9 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Your nominations and support are important to your committee. Return all nominations by Friday, August 17. If you need a nomination form or have any questions about the SBN Awards, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN Sponsorship
  Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the industries’ top companies and also meet new people? Become a sponsor of the SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN during the 2007 SEMA Show. The breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Sponsorship agreement forms have been mailed to all SBN members. If you need a Sponsorship agreement form or have any questions about the WTC Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship agreements must be received by Friday, September 28, 2007.
  
  
• Get expert advice on a business-related problem. The SEMA Mentoring program, powered by the SBN, is available to all employees of SEMA-member companies. Ask a one-time question or be matched with an established leader. Visit www.sema.org/mentoring for details.
  
  
• SBN has sponsorship opportunities available for its annual breakfast held in conjunction with the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For information, visit www.sema.org/images/pdf/2007SBNBreakfastSponsorshipAgreement.pdf.
  
  
• The SBN would like to congratulate the following newly elected SBN Select Committee members:  

Newly Elected SBN Select Committee Members

• Emily Bailey, Racemark International
• Melissa Lawrence, Power TV Media
• Nancy Loetfering, TD3 Products
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. (Incumbent)
• Kristy Neukam, Meyer Distributing
• Linn Remling-Mills, Street Thunder magazine
• Kathryn Wakeford, TEN magazine
• Trina Wilson, Direct Communications

To learn more about the SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

YEN Awards

• YEN Young Executive of the Year and Vanguard  Award nomination forms have been mailed to all YEN members. The awards will be presented during the YEN Reception scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 5–7:30 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton. Your nominations and support are important to your council. If you need a nomination form or have any questions about the YEN Awards, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Return all nominations by Friday, August 17.

YEN Reception

• Would you like to gain more exposure for your company among our industry’s rising young executives?  Would you like to enjoy a fun evening getting to know these future industry leaders?  Become a sponsor of the Young Executives Network Reception! The reception is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 5–7:30 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton. The reception will have a 50’s theme. Sponsorship agreement forms have been mailed to all YEN members. If you need a Sponsorship agreement form or have any questions about the YEN Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship agreements must be received by Friday, September 28, 2007.

SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN

• Get Connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking—a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes meet someone new in the automotive industry—you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

YEN would like to welcome and congratulate the following new and incumbent select committee members:

• Mike Bolio, Scafidi-Bolio & Associates
• Ashley Chalk, Daytona International Speedway (Incumbent)
• Casey Coker, Coker Tire Company
• S. Kellie Colf, Eaton Detroit Spring (Incumbent)
• Bob Engel, Auto Meter Products Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing (Incumbent)
• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas (Incumbent)
• Brett Kinsfather, K&N Engineering Inc. (Incumbent)
• Greg Parker, P&E Distributors Inc. (Incumbent)
• Robert Wityczak, Grant Products International Inc.
• Mandi Woodell, Weather Auto Supply (Incumbent)
  
  
• The annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by the YEN, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in 2006. If you are interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• YEN has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee. If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the YEN for free. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas, was selected for the YEN Silent Auction Task Force Chairman. Hennings will assume the position when the current chairman, Dave Williams, Rampage Products, finishes his term with the YEN Select Committee in July. The SEMA Silent Auction, that is managed by the YEN, has raised more than $100,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in the past three years. If you are interested in participating in the SEMA Silent Auction on any level, visit www.sema.org/yen for additional information.
  
  
• Did you know that YEN sponsors networking events and mixers at most of the major trade shows and conferences? If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEMA Young Executive’s Network, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• Lance Packard, Painless Performance, was elected YEN chairman-elect. Packard assumed the position when Laurel Dasher, Uni-Marketing LLC, took over as YEN chairman on July 1.
  
  
• Did you know that the YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

To learn more about the YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Filler for eNews

Mitch and Karen Rhodes’ ’48 Ford Nash Coupe and Larry Johnston’s '50 Chevy Hardtop were chosen as PPG’s Dream Cars at the 10th annual Goodguys PPG Nationals, July 13–15 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Mitch Rhodes, of Helena, Ohio, restored the rare-model Nash for his wife, enlisting Pee Wee’s Restoration of Fremont, Ohio, for the paint scheme utilizing Sunset Red over Rose Metallic and Gold Ash colors from PPG’s Vibrance collection.

Johnston of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, personally assembled his radically reshaped and restored ’50 Chevy Hardtop, entrusting Plisco Auto Body in East Pittsburgh for all the bodywork and the bright two-tone finish using New Chianti Red and Lamborghini Orange.



The annual "PPG Dream Car" awards are given to one car in the pre-'49 street-rod category and one for '49 and later custom vehicles, and are given to vehicles that best demonstrate outstanding use of color, design, gloss and execution of the paint job.

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are:

>> SEMA Webinar: SEMA Show Case Study Review—How Exhibitors Create Success, August 7, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: What the U.S. Supreme Court’s Leegin Decision Means for Minimum Resale Price Agreements, August 10, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: Boost Your Company Image, Sales and Profitability With Good Product Data, August, 16, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> MRC Rep Conference, September 26–27, Phoenix
>> SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, Las Vegas
>> MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 22–24, 2008, Los Angeles

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949/930-9268.