By Christian Robinson

California Assembly Member Timothy Grayson was introduced as the winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show.

California Assembly Member Timothy Grayson was introduced as the winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show. Representing the 14th District, Assembly Member Grayson was recognized for his efforts in the California legislature to promote policies and legislation that support the automotive hobby.

Assembly Member Grayson is proudly counted among the hundreds of pro-hobby lawmakers comprising the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus and has routinely demonstrated his commitment to the industry. The annual award is bestowed to the state lawmaker who has gone above and beyond to support the industry in their home state and was named for SEMA’s late Vice President of Government Affairs Stephen B. McDonald, who was the leading advocate behind the founding and growth of the Caucus.

“Since I was a teenager, I’ve enjoyed the challenge and satisfaction that comes with customizing my cars. I’m a proud owner of classic cars but I’m even more proud of the opportunity to support this exciting and innovative industry,” Assembly Member Grayson said.

Assembly Member Grayson was one of the driving forces behind legislation to restore law enforcement’s ability to issue fix-it tickets for vehicles suspected of violating California’s exhaust noise limits. In 2018, the state passed legislation that removed this ability, and which generated significant concern within the $3 billion exhaust-related marketplace and enthusiast community.

In response, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his colleague, Assembly Member Jim Frazier, authored legislation (AB 390) to immediately reinstitute fix-it tickets, which was quickly passed by the Assembly Transportation Committee without opposition. From there, language from the bill was included in a larger budget package (SB 112) and championed by Assembly Member Grayson, who shepherded it past the finish line. With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature in late September, fix-it tickets are once again being issued to motorists.

In addition to being a lawmaker, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his wife Tammy, is also an enthusiast. Included in the rayson’s collection are two classic Ford Mustangs, including a ’67 Fastback and a ’65 coupe that is currently being restored.

“SEMA members create thousands of jobs in California and contribute greatly to the economic vibrancy of our state. I look forward to working with SEMA for years to come and hopefully having the honor to show and participate in a future SEMA event,” said Assembly Member Grayson.

By Christian Robinson

California Assembly Member Timothy Grayson was introduced as the winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show.

California Assembly Member Timothy Grayson was introduced as the winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show. Representing the 14th District, Assembly Member Grayson was recognized for his efforts in the California legislature to promote policies and legislation that support the automotive hobby.

Assembly Member Grayson is proudly counted among the hundreds of pro-hobby lawmakers comprising the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus and has routinely demonstrated his commitment to the industry. The annual award is bestowed to the state lawmaker who has gone above and beyond to support the industry in their home state and was named for SEMA’s late Vice President of Government Affairs Stephen B. McDonald, who was the leading advocate behind the founding and growth of the Caucus.

“Since I was a teenager, I’ve enjoyed the challenge and satisfaction that comes with customizing my cars. I’m a proud owner of classic cars but I’m even more proud of the opportunity to support this exciting and innovative industry,” Assembly Member Grayson said.

Assembly Member Grayson was one of the driving forces behind legislation to restore law enforcement’s ability to issue fix-it tickets for vehicles suspected of violating California’s exhaust noise limits. In 2018, the state passed legislation that removed this ability, and which generated significant concern within the $3 billion exhaust-related marketplace and enthusiast community.

In response, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his colleague, Assembly Member Jim Frazier, authored legislation (AB 390) to immediately reinstitute fix-it tickets, which was quickly passed by the Assembly Transportation Committee without opposition. From there, language from the bill was included in a larger budget package (SB 112) and championed by Assembly Member Grayson, who shepherded it past the finish line. With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature in late September, fix-it tickets are once again being issued to motorists.

In addition to being a lawmaker, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his wife Tammy, is also an enthusiast. Included in the rayson’s collection are two classic Ford Mustangs, including a ’67 Fastback and a ’65 coupe that is currently being restored.

“SEMA members create thousands of jobs in California and contribute greatly to the economic vibrancy of our state. I look forward to working with SEMA for years to come and hopefully having the honor to show and participate in a future SEMA event,” said Assembly Member Grayson.

By Della Domingo

The 2020 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will be held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North.

Journalists who would like the best possible schedules for the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference and want to obtain their schedules in early January must register by December 20. Those who register after the deadline will receive their schedules on-site.

The 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference, held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, gives editors and reporters an opportunity to meet one-on-one with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry. By attending all three days of the conference, journalists can have up to 42 uninterrupted meetings (up to 14 each day).

Having their schedules weeks before the start of the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference enables journalists to prepare for their private meetings with company executives. Media participation is free to all editorial representatives, making it the most affordable and efficient way for reporters to get detailed information specific to their audience needs and interests and gather a year’s worth of editorial content.

Meetings are scheduled based on the companies that journalists select on their applications. Journalists should mark companies as “Need to Meet” or “OK to Meet” to request meetings with representatives from those companies. For companies outside of their editorial needs, journalists should mark “Don’t Want to Meet” to avoid having a meeting scheduled.

Register now for the three-day exclusive event.

For questions, visit the MPMC Media Trade Conference website or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org or 909-978-6722.

By Della Domingo

The 2020 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will be held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North.

Journalists who would like the best possible schedules for the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference and want to obtain their schedules in early January must register by December 20. Those who register after the deadline will receive their schedules on-site.

The 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference, held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, gives editors and reporters an opportunity to meet one-on-one with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry. By attending all three days of the conference, journalists can have up to 42 uninterrupted meetings (up to 14 each day).

Having their schedules weeks before the start of the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference enables journalists to prepare for their private meetings with company executives. Media participation is free to all editorial representatives, making it the most affordable and efficient way for reporters to get detailed information specific to their audience needs and interests and gather a year’s worth of editorial content.

Meetings are scheduled based on the companies that journalists select on their applications. Journalists should mark companies as “Need to Meet” or “OK to Meet” to request meetings with representatives from those companies. For companies outside of their editorial needs, journalists should mark “Don’t Want to Meet” to avoid having a meeting scheduled.

Register now for the three-day exclusive event.

For questions, visit the MPMC Media Trade Conference website or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org or 909-978-6722.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion for 36 products contained in List 3 Chinese imports subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities but includes:

• Ratcheting chain hoists, other than skip hoists or hoists of a kind used for raising motor vehicles, such chain hoists not powered by an electric motor (described in statistical reporting number 8425.19.0000).
• Road wheels of aluminum for motor vehicles of subheading 8703.21.01, each measuring 30 cm or more but not over 51 cm in diameter and 14 cm or more but not over 28 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 8708.70.4545).
• Drive shafts, also known as propeller shafts, that connect a transmission to a differential, allowing a vehicle to move, designed for use in the manufacture of motor vehicles primarily used for amusement, recreation, sporting and off-road transportation classified in heading 8703 (described in statistical reporting number 8708.99.6805).

More information is available online.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion for 36 products contained in List 3 Chinese imports subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities but includes:

• Ratcheting chain hoists, other than skip hoists or hoists of a kind used for raising motor vehicles, such chain hoists not powered by an electric motor (described in statistical reporting number 8425.19.0000).
• Road wheels of aluminum for motor vehicles of subheading 8703.21.01, each measuring 30 cm or more but not over 51 cm in diameter and 14 cm or more but not over 28 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 8708.70.4545).
• Drive shafts, also known as propeller shafts, that connect a transmission to a differential, allowing a vehicle to move, designed for use in the manufacture of motor vehicles primarily used for amusement, recreation, sporting and off-road transportation classified in heading 8703 (described in statistical reporting number 8708.99.6805).

More information is available online.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion for 36 products contained in List 3 Chinese imports subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities but includes:

• Ratcheting chain hoists, other than skip hoists or hoists of a kind used for raising motor vehicles, such chain hoists not powered by an electric motor (described in statistical reporting number 8425.19.0000).
• Road wheels of aluminum for motor vehicles of subheading 8703.21.01, each measuring 30 cm or more but not over 51 cm in diameter and 14 cm or more but not over 28 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 8708.70.4545).
• Drive shafts, also known as propeller shafts, that connect a transmission to a differential, allowing a vehicle to move, designed for use in the manufacture of motor vehicles primarily used for amusement, recreation, sporting and off-road transportation classified in heading 8703 (described in statistical reporting number 8708.99.6805).

More information is available online.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Team Summit Racing Equipment is one of teams that qualified for the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Finals at the Performance Racing Industry show.

In what has become a highly anticipated, must-see attraction of the SEMA Show, the first half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge 2019 Dual Championship is in the books.

After a week filled with intense, race-against-the-clock action, five teams will move on to the Elite TEN next month at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Indianapolis. 

Congratulations to teams Fluidampr, Summit Racing Equipment, Engine and Performance Warehouse, Derale Performance and JEGS Performance.

The competition will take place through the week of the PRI Show, December 12-14, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

For more information on the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge, visit www.hotroddersoftomorrow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Team Summit Racing Equipment is one of teams that qualified for the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Finals at the Performance Racing Industry show.

In what has become a highly anticipated, must-see attraction of the SEMA Show, the first half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge 2019 Dual Championship is in the books.

After a week filled with intense, race-against-the-clock action, five teams will move on to the Elite TEN next month at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Indianapolis. 

Congratulations to teams Fluidampr, Summit Racing Equipment, Engine and Performance Warehouse, Derale Performance and JEGS Performance.

The competition will take place through the week of the PRI Show, December 12-14, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

For more information on the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge, visit www.hotroddersoftomorrow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Ford will reportedly reveal its Mustang-inspired EV in less than two weeks. Here is a look  at a recently spied a model in production guise with a tight body wrap, providing an up-close look at the upcoming BEV.

The front end’s stylized fascia with thin headlamps, the side features a rapidly raking roofline, and the rear has vertical (Mustang-ish) tri-bar lights with a horizontal piece connecting them can all be seen. One of the more interesting design elements are the Mustang-like muscular front fender, which bulge out from before tucking in at the front doors. There's also rather interesting surface development on the doors and rear end, with the rear having no exhaust tips, confirming the EV nature of the vehicle. Ford has confirmed that the vehicle will be revealed November 17, ahead of the L.A. Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde