NASCAR event packages, tickets to "O" at the Bellagio, a new Cannondale Cyclocross road bike and a new 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy, donated by Harley-Davidson, Vance & Hines and COMP Performance, are among the great items up for bid at the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

In addition to its charity golf tournament, the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser supported by DUB magazine and Hot Wheels presented by Advanstar will feature a silent auction to benefit the Petty Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp children's charities. Other items up for auction include exotic resort and cruise vacations, one-of-a-kind prints and photography, performance driving-school certificates and NASCAR collectibles.

The Gala Auction begins at 6 p.m., Friday, July 27, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California.

If you would like to donate an item for the Silent Auction, please visit: http://www.sema.org/images/pdf/gala_silent_auction.pdf.

Items currently entered in the Gala Auction:

2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy motorcycle, donated by Harley-Davidson, Vance & Hines and COMP Performance

Cannondale Cyclocross special edition road bicycle, donated by Cannondale (bike shown is only an example of Cyclocross series)




Two-night stay for (2) couples at Cibolo Creek Ranch, near Big Bend National Park, Texas, donated by Cibolo Creek Ranch

Jeff Gordon-signed mini hood, donated by Joel Ayres

 

'32 75th Anniversary Roadster Pedal Car, donated by Warehouse 36

Framed watercolor print "Caravan Stop," donated by Dana Forrester Automotive Art

RR-56 Brute Race Ramps, donated by Brute Industries

The Shadow, Volumes 1–8, with original art, covers and illustrations, donated by Nostalgia Ventures

Skateboard hand-painted with SEMA logo

How to Wire Your Hot Rod, autographed and donated by author Dennis Overholser

NASCAR jacket (size XXL), donated by Dennis Overholser

Large Giclee canvas piece by Bruce Kaiser, donated by Hot Rod Heritage

Tony Stewart autographed side panel, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

Full-page ad in Restyling Magazine, donated by Restyling Magazine

Tour of the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, Kentucky donated by Carl Sheffer

Garmin Nuvi 350 Personal Travel Assistant GPS receiver, donated by Lokar Performance Products

2007 Master’s Pin Flag signed by Fuzzy Zoeller donated by Tommy Daniels

2007 Master’s Pin Flag signed by Ben Crenshaw donated by Tommy Daniels

Framed photo of the 12th hole, Master’s Tournament, Augusta, Georgia, donated by Tommy Daniels

 

Framed photo of the 13th hole, Master’s Tournament, Augusta, Georgia, donated by Tommy Daniels

2008 SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals VIP Package, including air, hotel, tickets and parking for two, donated by Summit Racing Equipment

Philip Stein ladies watch donated by Diane and Peter MacGillivray

 

Kyle Petty’s 2006 Charity Ride jacket, donated by Jeff Kelderman, Kelderman Air Ride

 

Three certificates for two-day Grand Prix Specialty Driving Course at Bob Bondurant’s School of Performance, donated by Ira Gabriel, Primedia.

“Backstage” Dinner for 10 at the 2007 SEMA Show Industry Banquet

Get Your Empties First at the 2007 SEMA Show certificate (Mobile Electronics Hall, Racing & Performance Hall, Wheel & Tire Hall)

VIP Parking at the 2007 SEMA Show certificate (2)

 

Marriott gift basket certificate, donated by Experient

$500 towards a reception in a SEMA Show booth, donated by Aramark

-Two tickets to “O” at the Bellagio, donated by the Bellagio Hotel & Casino

-Audio/visual services to be provided in a booth/meeting room at the 2007 SEMA Show, donated by AVW-Telav

-’32 Ford Deuce book signed and donated by author Tony Thacker

-Front wheel from former BAR Honda Formula 1 car donated by Tony Thacker

-Vintage-style NHRA tin sign autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-Vintage-style tin sign for Wally’s Fuel & Gas autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-Vintage-style NHRA wool jacket autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-COGApa Automotive PA Systems (2 pieces), donated by COGApa

-Deluxe Kreepstool AT (aluminum frame deluxe rolling stool), donated by 4Teck

-Philip Stein Tesler Technology Ladies Watch donated by Anne Johnson

-Signed print of Chili’s Little Deuce Coupe

-Barrett-Jackson Fundraiser and Auction tickets, donated by Childhelp

-(2) Power Wheels Ford Mustang, donated by Mattel

-NASCAR Nextel Cup package and NASCAR Family Album. Includes (2) tickets, (2) "cold" race credentials, and (2) Southwest Airlines tickets. Donated by NASCAR

-Richard Petty Shadow Box, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

-Kyle Petty-signed Hot Wheels print

-Richard and Kyle Petty-signed Victory Junction Gang Camp race helmet, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

-Bobby Labonte-signed leather jacket, donated by Victory Junction

-Tony Stewart-signed side panel, donated by Victory Junction

-Kevin Harvick-signed diecast, donated by Victory Junction

-Watch from JCK/Peter Frigeri-Expoease

-Artwork, four pictures framed, donated by Childhelp

-Limited edition Giclee print "Hurryin Back" w/ laser-etched plaque, donated by Dwayne Vance

-Limited edition Giclee print "Mission Over," donated by Dwayne Vance

-Maui Jim sunglasses (non-prescription), donated by Joel Ayres

-(3) Superchips Flashpaq tuners (Chevy, Ford, Dodge), signed by respective automakers NASCAR Nextel Cup team owners

-Byerly Legacy wakeboard and boots, donated by Byerly

-Opportunity to participate in production of Overhaulin' finale episode at the 2007 SEMA Show

-Round of golf for four at Las Posas Country Club, includes carts, donated by Las Posas Country Club

-(7) nights at a condo in Mammoth, California, donated by Tom Marx

-(2) domestic round-trip airline tickets on United Airlines (blackout dates apply), donated by Experient

-Seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise with a balcony room. Ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas (departs 9/30/07), donated by Patrick Judge, Keystone Automotive Operations

3-day/2-night deluxe accommodations at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, donated by Planet Hollywood

3-day/2-night one-bedroom suite at the Hilton Grand, Las Vegas Strip, donated by Hilton Grand Vacations Las Vegas

3-day/2-night MGM Grand and Signature package including bungalow suite accommodations, limo transfer between airport and hotel and two tickets to Cirque Du Soliel’s “KA,” donated by MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

3-day/2-night package at the Las Vegas Hilton, including deluxe room and dinner for two at Benihana Village, donated by the Las Vegas Hilton

3-day/2-night stay at Circus Circus, donated by Circus Circus

3-day/2-night stay at Excalibur Hotel and two tickets to "Tournament of Kings" show, donated by Excalibur

2-night VIP accommodations at the Westin Casuarina, donated by the Westin Casuarina

3-day/2-night stay at Hooter’s Casino, including deluxe room and dinner for two at Hooter’s restaurant, donated by Hooters Casino Hotel

-3-day/2 night Imperial Palace package, including free bottle of champagne, "Legends" concert tickets w/one cocktail, Emperor’s Buffet and admission to IP Auto Collection, donated by Imperial Palace

-3-day/2 night stay at Sahara Hotel and dinner for two at Paco’s Mexican restaurant, donated by Sahara Hotel & Casino

More exciting auction items are being added daily. Stay tuned to your weekly eNews update to view the latest additions to the auction lineup.

Upfitter Integration, on behalf of General Motors Vehicle Engineering and GM Fleet & Commercial Operations, is extending an invitation to SEMA Manufacturer members to attend a product review for the 2008 Express/Savana vans and cut chassis, August 21 and 22, at the Wentzville Assembly Center in Wentzville, Missouri.

Discussions on product changes for the 2008 model year G van and G cutaway chassis, as well as the introduction of the 2009 model year G Cutaway Commercial Chassis (14,050 GVW; gas and diesel), will anchor the session agenda.

Upfitter has a complete program scheduled, including a plant tour for those who wish and a reception/dinner at Bear Creek Country Club on August 21.

The following day registration and continental breakfast at the Wentzville Assembly Center begins at 7:30 a.m., with product presentations, walk around, and wrap-up Q&A to follow. Lunch will be provided, and the meeting is expected to conclude by 2:30 p.m.
 
"Business casual" attire is requested, and due to the size of this preview, attendance is limited to the first 200 requests per advance registration, with only (2) persons per company allowed. A confirmation letter with a complete detailed package (maps, agenda, hotel recommendations) will be e-mailed upon receipt of registration form.

All attendees are required by General Motors to sign a confidentiality statement (click here) and please be aware that cameras, video cameras, tape recorders or recording devices of any kind are prohibited inside the facility. This includes camera cell phones.

Due to the sensitive nature of this preview, all attendees are required to provide photo identification at the registration desk. Completed registration forms for each attendee should be faxed to 586/492-1085 and responses must be received no later than August 10, 2007.

Any questions, please contact:
Norma Muriel - 586/492-4982
Tom Vaclavik – 586/492-2331

Save The World Air, Inc. today announced that Charles (Chuck) Blum, former head of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), has assumed the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective today.

Mr. Blum served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SEMA from July 1980 to July 2002. During Mr. Blum's tenure, SEMA grew from 500 members to 6,500 members, and produces the largest automotive aftermarket industry trade show in the United States, attended by 130,000 trade visitors annually. Since retiring from SEMA, Mr. Blum has served as a consultant to various businesses.

Chairman of the Board Joseph Helleis commented, "Chuck was the clear-cut choice of our Board to move forward. He brings to our company a depth of knowledge of the automotive specialty parts industry that is almost unmatched, to which his more than 20 years as head of SEMA attests."

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Blum said, "I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. We must get the word out effectively about our unique technologies, sell our products, and at the same time continue to fund the company adequately in order to meet our obligations. All of this will not happen overnight, so I ask for patience from our loyal stockholders and others. I look forward to working with a dedicated team to get this company back on track."

Save the World Air, Inc. is currently engaged in the product development, initial sales and marketing of products using proprietary technologies that can be installed on motor vehicles, motorcycles and stationary engines to reduce harmful emissions caused by internal combustion engines, as well as improve fuel efficiency and/or improve performance. These products include the ECOChargR ™, MAGChargR ™ and CAT-MATE®.

For more information, visit www.stwa.com.

Filler for eNews

Truck Trend magazine is seeking information and images from manufacturers of truck caps and tonneau covers to include in a buyer’s guide. The article will focus on truck caps and tonneau covers—as well as a handful of directly related accessories, such as a rack that makes it easy to remove and store a truck cap—for late-model pickups and SUVs.

SEMA members interested in participating in the guide are invited to send a press release or short description of the product and a high-resolution image (300 dpi, at least three- or four-inches wide, in TIFF, JPEG or EPS format) by July 30 to Sue Elliott-Sink at sue@easierwaymedia.com.

Filler for eNews

The spy shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. managed to snag some advance shots of one of the most anticipated Porsche launches in recent history: the 911 GT2.



"It's easily recognizable by the missing fog-lights in the front bumper, compared with the 911 Turbo, and the huge rear wing, as well as a simpler front spoiler-lip," Priddy says. "Many people didn't expect Porsche to actually produce this version. Notice how the rear wing top on this prototype is similar to those found on previous GT2s. This could be replaced by a newer design at production time, but the lower, vented wing-base looks production-ready."

Specs leaked online from a brochure for the new GT2 indicate 530 hp, 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, and 0–100 in 7.4 seconds. Top speed is rated at 204 mph, aided by a curb weight of just 3,175 lbs.

Additional federal oversight of foreign imports may be on the horizon as a consequence of recent shipments of tainted food and defective products from China. A number of Bush Administration cabinet officials will study ways to improve safety measures both at the U.S. border and in cooperation with foreign governments and manufacturers. The panel of experts will review U.S. laws and regulations to identify weaknesses in the current domestic regulatory system and to recommend solutions. The panel is expected to submit its findings within a couple of months. The team will include the heads of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health & Human Services, Homeland Security, State, Transportation, Treasury and the EPA.

The U.S. Congress is also concerned about imports of potentially unsafe food and products. The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing in mid-July on the topic. Nicole Nason, the Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), explained how NHTSA regulations already provide an enormous amount of authority to block unsafe imports and require recalls of items in the U.S. marketplace.

She noted that, "Manufacturers have a legal duty to report to the NHTSA that a vehicle or equipment does not comply with the NHTSA's standards or when they learn that a vehicle or equipment contains a defect and determine that the defect is safety-related. The manufacturers also have the duty to conduct a recall by notifying owners of the problem and offering to remedy the defect or noncompliance by repairing or replacing the vehicle or equipment or refunding the purchase price."

Under federal law, importers of vehicles or equipment produced abroad are considered to be the "manufacturer" of that product. Manufacturers must self-certify that products covered by the NHTSA safety standards (lighting, brakes, tires, etc.) comply with agency rules. Even if the product is not covered by an NHTSA safety standard, the agency has authority to require a product recall when a safety defect has been identified. Whether that authority is broad enough is now being questioned if a company claims insufficient financial resources to conduct a recall of auto parts.

Under current law, registered importers of motor vehicles must post bond to ensure that a vehicle is appropriately modified to conform with the NHTSA safety standards. However, there is no equivalent requirement for vehicle equipment. Additionally, there is no financial "hardship exemption" in the law and none is contemplated. Rather, legislation may be proposed in Congress that would require a safety recall bond and demonstration of adequate insurance to guarantee that an importer of auto equipment can afford a recall.

Click on this link for a copy of Administrator Nason's testimony to the Senate Commerce Committee: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NHTSA%20Administration/Presentations%20&%20Speeches/Associated%20Files/2007/TiresTestimony.pdf

If you have questions, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The federal minimum wage increased from $5.15 to $5.85 on July 24, 2007. Two more $.70 increases will occur on the same date in 2008 and 2009, at which time the wage will be $7.25. While the federal wage has not been raised in a decade, at least 29 states and many local jurisdictions already have minimum-wage rates that are higher than the federal standard. For example, the current wage in California is $7.50 and will increase to $8.00 in 2008.

In exchange for the wage increase, small businesses were provided some tax relief. The tax code's annual expensing limits have been raised from $112,000 to $125,000 for 2007 and 2008.

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

SOLD: The Ginn Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team has been sold to Dale Earnhardt, Inc. As a result, Mark Martin and the U.S. Army No. 01 will become the fourth car in the DEI stable beginning this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As well, the all-important owner points from the No. 14 Ginn Racing entry will transfer to the car wheeled by DEI regular Paul Menard.

BACK AT THE BEACH: The American Le Mans Series will return to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach for the second consecutive season April of next year. The series will highlight the Saturday card at the event.

INJURED: Champ Car World Series driver Ryan Dalziel will sit out this weekend’s San Jose Grand Prix after he broke his collarbone while training on his bicycle. Meanwhile, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards will not miss a race after dislocating his left thumb in a crash while racing a dirt late model.

INDIANA ACE: Dave Darland posted two victories in eight races to win the annual Indiana Sprint Week title for non-winged sprint cars. It was the third time Darland has worn the Sprint Week crown.

NEW SHOE: Panther Racing will field a third IndyCar Series entry for Indy Pro Series regular Hideki Mutoh in the season finale at Chicagoland Speedway in September.

STILL HOT: Defending World of Outlaws champion and current point-leader Donny Schatz won three races in five events to remain atop the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings for the second-consecutive week.

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.