It’s not too late to apply for a 2020 SEMA Show booth. The online Exhibitor Services Manual contains all of the resources pertinent to a successful exhibit at the SEMA Show. To help you navigate efficiently, each section is broken down to the basics. Simply click the buttons to the left to see the products and services available. 

By Ashley Reyes

Joel Ayres

This week’s SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) Volunteer Spotlight Member is Joel Ayres of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF).

As TORA's most recent Hall of Fame award winner, Ayres is recognized for his many leadership roles within the industry and active volunteerism within the community, where he dedicates much of his time to multiple education outlets and youth outreach programs. His prior leadership roles include serving on the SEMA Board of Directors, past chairman of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Committee, and founder and first chairman of SEMA Cares.

It’s members like Ayres who keep the industry strong. Get to know more about Ayres in his Q&A with the SEMA Truck and Off-road Alliance.  

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

Joel Ayres: I grew up in a car enthusiast family. An older brother who was a race car driver, another older brother who collected and restored classic cars, a family who attended races each Sunday night and finally a father who started one of the first fiberglass truck cap companies in the United States. I worked for the company during high school and college summers before joining the family business full-time.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

JA: I served on the first SEMA Truck Cap Industry Association (TCIA) board and encouraged truck cap members to make us stronger by embracing the accessory manufacturers. TCIA later became the Truck Cap and Accessory Alliance (TCAA), and while on the SEMA Board, I encouraged the name change to the SEMA Light Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA) to recognize our entire segment at that time. Regardless of the group’s name, which recently changed to TORA to acknowledge off-road members, the council has impacted my professional career, friendships and my desire to make a difference through charitable efforts.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

JA: Get involved in associations and events. Whether it's TORA, the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) or any other council or network, raise your hand and volunteer, it’s one of the best things you can do for your career. You will meet peers, mentors and others who can help you as you grow professionally and as a person. Remember to give back and pay it forward. It is important to help others along the way in life.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would you take that vehicle on any weekend?

JA: I have driven every model, including El Camino, Ranchero, LUV, Scout Terra, Subaru Brat, Dodge Rampage, Suzuki and VW Rabbit (yes, Volkswagen made a truck). The ’73 Chevy 427 was fun for speed. But my favorites were Tacoma four-wheels. I had three. I like the outdoors, especially the golf course. When I was with LEER, I drove a Tacoma we did with Callaway Golf, complete with the Callaway plaid interior and golf bag carrier on a BEDSLIDE.

By Ashley Reyes

Joel Ayres

This week’s SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) Volunteer Spotlight Member is Joel Ayres of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF).

As TORA's most recent Hall of Fame award winner, Ayres is recognized for his many leadership roles within the industry and active volunteerism within the community, where he dedicates much of his time to multiple education outlets and youth outreach programs. His prior leadership roles include serving on the SEMA Board of Directors, past chairman of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Committee, and founder and first chairman of SEMA Cares.

It’s members like Ayres who keep the industry strong. Get to know more about Ayres in his Q&A with the SEMA Truck and Off-road Alliance.  

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

Joel Ayres: I grew up in a car enthusiast family. An older brother who was a race car driver, another older brother who collected and restored classic cars, a family who attended races each Sunday night and finally a father who started one of the first fiberglass truck cap companies in the United States. I worked for the company during high school and college summers before joining the family business full-time.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

JA: I served on the first SEMA Truck Cap Industry Association (TCIA) board and encouraged truck cap members to make us stronger by embracing the accessory manufacturers. TCIA later became the Truck Cap and Accessory Alliance (TCAA), and while on the SEMA Board, I encouraged the name change to the SEMA Light Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA) to recognize our entire segment at that time. Regardless of the group’s name, which recently changed to TORA to acknowledge off-road members, the council has impacted my professional career, friendships and my desire to make a difference through charitable efforts.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

JA: Get involved in associations and events. Whether it's TORA, the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) or any other council or network, raise your hand and volunteer, it’s one of the best things you can do for your career. You will meet peers, mentors and others who can help you as you grow professionally and as a person. Remember to give back and pay it forward. It is important to help others along the way in life.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would you take that vehicle on any weekend?

JA: I have driven every model, including El Camino, Ranchero, LUV, Scout Terra, Subaru Brat, Dodge Rampage, Suzuki and VW Rabbit (yes, Volkswagen made a truck). The ’73 Chevy 427 was fun for speed. But my favorites were Tacoma four-wheels. I had three. I like the outdoors, especially the golf course. When I was with LEER, I drove a Tacoma we did with Callaway Golf, complete with the Callaway plaid interior and golf bag carrier on a BEDSLIDE.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

The Porsche Cayman GT4 is about to be usurped as the range-topping Cayman. Stuttgart is developing an even hotter RS model of its mid-engined sports car, and here are the latest pictures.

Andreas Preuninger, who heads up the GT department at Porsche, admitted there was potential above the GT4 for an even more focused road car. “There’s always room, if you create the room,” he said. “There are lots of ideas that we have at the moment, and the good point is we have a lot more ideas than we can really carry out and realize. But I would say, yes, sure. Stay tuned on this channel.”

The pictures show he’s making good on his promise. YNACA ducts at the front of the mid-engined GT4 RS snatch air for brake cooling, and Porsche engineers are also funneling extra air into the upgraded flat-six with louvers in the side rear windows. It’s a mean-looking thing, and the effect is only multiplied by that huge testing-spec wing on the back.

Porsche’s engine guru Markus Baumann said that pilfering the GT3’s parts bin would liberate tech to take the GT4’s flat six even further. Adding a dry sump, new valvegear and titanium internals would “enable this engine for more power and more revs”, he added. Chassis mods would be likely to include new tires, race-spec suspension components and new aero fixtures to create extra grip in corners.

Preuninger warned that this confection of high-tech parts would considerably raise the price of a potential GT4 RS over the regular car. “To give this engine more RPMs, you give it more components that become really costly,” he said. This alone poses a marketing and ethical conundrum for Porsche. It wouldn't want to push the Cayman too deeply into 911 territory.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Porsche Cayman GT4 is about to be usurped as the range-topping Cayman. Stuttgart is developing an even hotter RS model of its mid-engined sports car, and here are the latest pictures.

Andreas Preuninger, who heads up the GT department at Porsche, admitted there was potential above the GT4 for an even more focused road car. “There’s always room, if you create the room,” he said. “There are lots of ideas that we have at the moment, and the good point is we have a lot more ideas than we can really carry out and realize. But I would say, yes, sure. Stay tuned on this channel.”

The pictures show he’s making good on his promise. YNACA ducts at the front of the mid-engined GT4 RS snatch air for brake cooling, and Porsche engineers are also funneling extra air into the upgraded flat-six with louvers in the side rear windows. It’s a mean-looking thing, and the effect is only multiplied by that huge testing-spec wing on the back.

Porsche’s engine guru Markus Baumann said that pilfering the GT3’s parts bin would liberate tech to take the GT4’s flat six even further. Adding a dry sump, new valvegear and titanium internals would “enable this engine for more power and more revs”, he added. Chassis mods would be likely to include new tires, race-spec suspension components and new aero fixtures to create extra grip in corners.

Preuninger warned that this confection of high-tech parts would considerably raise the price of a potential GT4 RS over the regular car. “To give this engine more RPMs, you give it more components that become really costly,” he said. This alone poses a marketing and ethical conundrum for Porsche. It wouldn't want to push the Cayman too deeply into 911 territory.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Porsche Cayman GT4 is about to be usurped as the range-topping Cayman. Stuttgart is developing an even hotter RS model of its mid-engined sports car, and here are the latest pictures.

Andreas Preuninger, who heads up the GT department at Porsche, admitted there was potential above the GT4 for an even more focused road car. “There’s always room, if you create the room,” he said. “There are lots of ideas that we have at the moment, and the good point is we have a lot more ideas than we can really carry out and realize. But I would say, yes, sure. Stay tuned on this channel.”

The pictures show he’s making good on his promise. YNACA ducts at the front of the mid-engined GT4 RS snatch air for brake cooling, and Porsche engineers are also funneling extra air into the upgraded flat-six with louvers in the side rear windows. It’s a mean-looking thing, and the effect is only multiplied by that huge testing-spec wing on the back.

Porsche’s engine guru Markus Baumann said that pilfering the GT3’s parts bin would liberate tech to take the GT4’s flat six even further. Adding a dry sump, new valvegear and titanium internals would “enable this engine for more power and more revs”, he added. Chassis mods would be likely to include new tires, race-spec suspension components and new aero fixtures to create extra grip in corners.

Preuninger warned that this confection of high-tech parts would considerably raise the price of a potential GT4 RS over the regular car. “To give this engine more RPMs, you give it more components that become really costly,” he said. This alone poses a marketing and ethical conundrum for Porsche. It wouldn't want to push the Cayman too deeply into 911 territory.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Porsche Cayman GT4 is about to be usurped as the range-topping Cayman. Stuttgart is developing an even hotter RS model of its mid-engined sports car, and here are the latest pictures.

Andreas Preuninger, who heads up the GT department at Porsche, admitted there was potential above the GT4 for an even more focused road car. “There’s always room, if you create the room,” he said. “There are lots of ideas that we have at the moment, and the good point is we have a lot more ideas than we can really carry out and realize. But I would say, yes, sure. Stay tuned on this channel.”

The pictures show he’s making good on his promise. YNACA ducts at the front of the mid-engined GT4 RS snatch air for brake cooling, and Porsche engineers are also funneling extra air into the upgraded flat-six with louvers in the side rear windows. It’s a mean-looking thing, and the effect is only multiplied by that huge testing-spec wing on the back.

Porsche’s engine guru Markus Baumann said that pilfering the GT3’s parts bin would liberate tech to take the GT4’s flat six even further. Adding a dry sump, new valvegear and titanium internals would “enable this engine for more power and more revs”, he added. Chassis mods would be likely to include new tires, race-spec suspension components and new aero fixtures to create extra grip in corners.

Preuninger warned that this confection of high-tech parts would considerably raise the price of a potential GT4 RS over the regular car. “To give this engine more RPMs, you give it more components that become really costly,” he said. This alone poses a marketing and ethical conundrum for Porsche. It wouldn't want to push the Cayman too deeply into 911 territory.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Porsche Cayman GT4 is about to be usurped as the range-topping Cayman. Stuttgart is developing an even hotter RS model of its mid-engined sports car, and here are the latest pictures.

Andreas Preuninger, who heads up the GT department at Porsche, admitted there was potential above the GT4 for an even more focused road car. “There’s always room, if you create the room,” he said. “There are lots of ideas that we have at the moment, and the good point is we have a lot more ideas than we can really carry out and realize. But I would say, yes, sure. Stay tuned on this channel.”

The pictures show he’s making good on his promise. YNACA ducts at the front of the mid-engined GT4 RS snatch air for brake cooling, and Porsche engineers are also funneling extra air into the upgraded flat-six with louvers in the side rear windows. It’s a mean-looking thing, and the effect is only multiplied by that huge testing-spec wing on the back.

Porsche’s engine guru Markus Baumann said that pilfering the GT3’s parts bin would liberate tech to take the GT4’s flat six even further. Adding a dry sump, new valvegear and titanium internals would “enable this engine for more power and more revs”, he added. Chassis mods would be likely to include new tires, race-spec suspension components and new aero fixtures to create extra grip in corners.

Preuninger warned that this confection of high-tech parts would considerably raise the price of a potential GT4 RS over the regular car. “To give this engine more RPMs, you give it more components that become really costly,” he said. This alone poses a marketing and ethical conundrum for Porsche. It wouldn't want to push the Cayman too deeply into 911 territory.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Fredy Ramirez

Carl Olson’s colorful career spans the full spectrum of experiences in the performance and racing industry. He has driven a fuel dragster, served on the staff of SEMA as technical and legislative director and on the Board of Directors, has promoted the sport of drag racing internationally, working as a consultant to race facilities and serving as a vice president at the NHRA. Olson’s many accomplishments include a Winternationals title, membership in Cragar’s Five-Second Club for Top Fuelers and a place in history as the winner of the last drag race held at Southern California’s Lions Drag Strip.

To learn more about the SEMA Hall of Fame, visit www.semahof.com.