By SEMA Editors

Emissions experts will assist with all aspects of compliance, including the preparation of  the CARB EO applications, lab testing, and interaction with CARB/EPA on behalf of SEMA members.

The SEMA Garage emissions lab is open and ready to help companies ensure that their products meet the criteria for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (EO) process.

Emissions experts will assist with all aspects of compliance, including the preparation of  the CARB EO applications, lab testing, and interaction with CARB/EPA on behalf of SEMA members. The testing capabilities include those required (excluding evaporative emissions tests) by CARB for the purposes of obtaining an EO for both gasoline and diesel vehicles.

The SEMA Garage is located adjacent to the SEMA headquarters in in Diamond Bar, California. For more information about the SEMA Garage emissions lab, visit www.semagarage.com/services/emissionslab.

In addition to emissions compliance, the SEMA Garage is available to assist auto parts manufacturers start to finish. To learn about all of the services available to members through the SEMA Garage, visit www.semagarage.com.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA and more than 200 trade associations and businesses have called on Congress to quickly enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability relief legislation. A diverse coalition of businesses across the country recognize the need for protections from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic. There is a growing effort in Congress to include SEMA-supported tort reform provisions in the next round of economic relief legislation currently being discussed on Capitol Hill and likely to be considered in June.  

Read the joint letter from dozens of trade associations.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA and more than 200 trade associations and businesses have called on Congress to quickly enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability relief legislation. A diverse coalition of businesses across the country recognize the need for protections from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic. There is a growing effort in Congress to include SEMA-supported tort reform provisions in the next round of economic relief legislation currently being discussed on Capitol Hill and likely to be considered in June.  

Read the joint letter from dozens of trade associations.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA and more than 200 trade associations and businesses have called on Congress to quickly enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability relief legislation. A diverse coalition of businesses across the country recognize the need for protections from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic. There is a growing effort in Congress to include SEMA-supported tort reform provisions in the next round of economic relief legislation currently being discussed on Capitol Hill and likely to be considered in June.  

Read the joint letter from dozens of trade associations.

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

SEMA Chairman Tim Martin and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting talk about the impact of Covid-19 on businesses, SEMA's new resources and the 2020 SEMA Show and PRI Show.

https://youtu.be/DtzVBebj1bc

SEMA Chairman Tim Martin and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting talk about the impact of Covid-19 on businesses, SEMA's new resources and the 2020 SEMA Show and PRI Show.

https://youtu.be/DtzVBebj1bc

By Linda Spencer

Join SEMA for a one-hour webinar about the new Saber-Saleem program, entitled “Selling to Saudi Arabian Buyers: New Testing Requirements.” Saudi customs officials are requiring that all imported products have the correct documentation. Certain specialty parts must be tested, and for other products, a supplier-provided, self-certification is acceptable.

The webinar, to be held June 4, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), will teach participants the requirements for their products, which categories they fall under, and the process and costs to obtain the necessary documentation. Joel Molina, an international market consultant at SGS—a third-party testing agency with a strong presence in the Middle East—will walk us through the new regulations.

Register now.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

Join SEMA for a one-hour webinar about the new Saber-Saleem program, entitled “Selling to Saudi Arabian Buyers: New Testing Requirements.” Saudi customs officials are requiring that all imported products have the correct documentation. Certain specialty parts must be tested, and for other products, a supplier-provided, self-certification is acceptable.

The webinar, to be held June 4, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), will teach participants the requirements for their products, which categories they fall under, and the process and costs to obtain the necessary documentation. Joel Molina, an international market consultant at SGS—a third-party testing agency with a strong presence in the Middle East—will walk us through the new regulations.

Register now.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Knoxville Raceway announced plans to host its season opener on June 6.

Iowa Race Tracks Allowed to Reopen Next Month

Iowa race tracks can return to racing beginning June 1. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced that motorsports facilities in the state will be allowed to resume operations with capacity limited to 50%. One major race track in the state, Knoxville Raceway, announced plans to host its season opener on June 6, with hot laps beginning at 6:45 p.m. local time, and open practice sessions set for June 4–5. Knoxville officials have installed additional hand sanitizer and washing stations, and masks are highly recommended for all visitors. Additional precautions, including plexi glass dividers and more frequent cleaning schedules, were also announced. For more information, visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com.

Holley LS Fest West Cancelled

Holley's LS Fest West event, most recently scheduled for June 12–14, in Las Vegas has been canceled. The state of Nevada is taking a phased approach to reopening, and at this time, there is still no indication as to when large crowds will be permitted to gather. Pre-registered participants and spectators that pre-purchased tickets will be fully refunded as soon as possible. Holley will randomly select 10 LS Fest West pre-registrants to receive a free entry into this fall's LS Fest East event, along with some travel money to help get them there.

Texas Governor Abbott Expands Capabilities for Motorsports Venues

This afternoon Texas Governor Greg Abbott by virtue of executive order expanded the enumerated list of covered services in Executive Order GA-23. The order allows outdoor motorsports events to operate at up to 25% of the normal operating limits as determined by the venue owner and under guidelines that facilitate appropriate social distancing.

Rick Humphrey

Road Atlanta Welcomes New Track President Rick Humphrey

Rick Humphrey has been named president and general manager of Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Since 2014, Humphrey has served as vice president of IMSA Properties, and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta has served as his base of operation. In that role, he oversaw management of Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway and Seven Sebring Hotel. In his new position, Humphrey will concentrate his efforts on the day-to-day operation and promotion of Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and will report to David Pettit, IMSA senior vice president of marketing and business operations. Longtime motorsports executive and former Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta president and general manager Geoff Lee announced his retirement from the company. The first major public event that Humphrey will oversee as track president is Drift Atlanta, July 3–4. The 23rd Annual Motul Petit Le Mans, October 14–17, rounds out the remainder of the 2020 spectator calendar.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to provide companies more flexibility on the use of funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The U.S. Senate will likely take up the measure during the first week of June. Highlights of the “Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act” include:

• Extend from 8 weeks to 24 weeks the period of time for PPP expenses to be forgiven and extend the rehiring deadline to December 31.
• Increase from 25% to 40% the amount of nonpayroll expenses (such as rent, utility payments and mortgage interest) eligible for loan forgiveness.
• Extend the expiration date of the program from June 30 to December 31.
• Extend the amount of time before loans payments begin from 6 months to 1 year.
• Extend loan terms from two to five years.

The SBA is still accepting PPP application for loans. As of Friday, May 23, the SBA had processed 4.4 million loans for a total of $511 billion of $660 billion of total program funding currently available. Under the current program, the two-year SBA loans offer a 1% annual interest rate are issued through banks and local lenders. The SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used to cover payroll, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities for eight weeks if a small business retains its employees and payroll levels. Visit SBA PPP Loans for more information.

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