By SEMA Editors

	The all-new Ford Focus RS features a 2.3L EcoBoost engine delivering well in excess of 315 hp, along with the most powerful Ford RS braking system ever.

The all-new Ford Focus RS debuted at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. The high-performance road car introduces advanced performance technologies, and is the first Ford RS equipped with selectable drive modes—including drift mode and launch control.

The third-generation high-performance hatch features a 2.3L EcoBoost engine delivering well in excess of 315 hp, along with the most powerful Ford RS braking system ever. Its dramatic exterior design offers optimized aerodynamics and cooling, with 9% less drag over the previous model.

The all-new Focus RS is the first model that will be produced for all markets at Ford’s Saarlouis, Germany, manufacturing plant beginning later this year, with sales in North America beginning in spring 2016.

Focus RS leverages all-wheel drive with dynamic torque vectoring to deliver traction with agility and cornering speed. The system is based on electronically controlled twin-clutch packs on each side of the rear-drive unit. The control unit continuously varies front-to-rear and side-to-side torque distribution to suit the driving situation, monitoring inputs from multiple vehicle sensors 100 times per second. A maximum of 70% of the drive torque can be diverted to the rear axle. Up to 100% of available torque can be sent to each rear wheel delivering the torque-vectoring capability that has a dramatic impact on handling and cornering stability.

In cornering situations, the rear-drive unit preemptively diverts torque to the outer rear wheel based on steering-wheel angle, lateral acceleration, yaw and speed. This torque transfer has the effect of “driving” the car into a bend—achieving improved turn-in and stability while virtually eliminating understeer.

Other exclusive chassis features include a sport suspension with stiffer spring rates and more efficient bushes and antiroll bars than those found in Focus ST, and two-mode switchable dampers, which offer a firmer setting for track use. Specially tuned electric power-assisted steering, in combination with an optimized front suspension knuckle design and shorter link arms, delivers connected and responsive steering.

The car’s exterior design supports optimization of the front splitter, rear spoiler and underbody eliminates lift forces, resulting in balanced performance with zero-lift front and rear for optimum high-speed handling and stability.

With a drag coefficient of 0.35, the shape of the new Focus RS is 6% more aerodynamic than the previous model, and with its more compact frontal area, the car generates 9% less drag, improving high-speed performance and reducing fuel consumption.

Four exterior colors include Focus RS-exclusive Nitrous Blue, Stealth Gray, Shadow Black and Frozen White.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The House Environment and Transportation Committee amended and approved legislation to require the issuance of only a single license plate for historic vehicles and street rods.

House legislation to require the issuance of only a single license plate for historic vehicles and street rods was drastically amended and approved by the House Environment and Transportation Committee. The bill now moves to the full House for a vote by all members.

Under the amendment, the single plate option would be available only to owners of historic vehicles that are 60 years old and older. The bill no longer affords this option to street rods or later-model historics. While the amended bill is a heavily diluted version of the original, it is still an improvement over current law.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The House Environment and Transportation Committee amended and approved legislation to require the issuance of only a single license plate for historic vehicles and street rods.

House legislation to require the issuance of only a single license plate for historic vehicles and street rods was drastically amended and approved by the House Environment and Transportation Committee. The bill now moves to the full House for a vote by all members.

Under the amendment, the single plate option would be available only to owners of historic vehicles that are 60 years old and older. The bill no longer affords this option to street rods or later-model historics. While the amended bill is a heavily diluted version of the original, it is still an improvement over current law.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The House Environment and Transportation Committee amended and approved legislation to require the issuance of only a single license plate for historic vehicles and street rods.

House legislation to require the issuance of only a single license plate for historic vehicles and street rods was drastically amended and approved by the House Environment and Transportation Committee. The bill now moves to the full House for a vote by all members.

Under the amendment, the single plate option would be available only to owners of historic vehicles that are 60 years old and older. The bill no longer affords this option to street rods or later-model historics. While the amended bill is a heavily diluted version of the original, it is still an improvement over current law.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The House Environment and Transportation Committee amended and approved legislation to require the issuance of only a single license plate for historic vehicles and street rods.

House legislation to require the issuance of only a single license plate for historic vehicles and street rods was drastically amended and approved by the House Environment and Transportation Committee. The bill now moves to the full House for a vote by all members.

Under the amendment, the single plate option would be available only to owners of historic vehicles that are 60 years old and older. The bill no longer affords this option to street rods or later-model historics. While the amended bill is a heavily diluted version of the original, it is still an improvement over current law.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee approved a version of SEMA-model legislation to ease the process by which replica cars are titled and registered.

A version of SEMA-model legislation to ease the process by which replica cars are titled and registered was approved by the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee and now moves to the full Senate for a vote by all members. The bill has already been approved by the full House of Representatives and defines "replica car" as a motor vehicle that is assembled from a pre-fabricated chassis and body kit purchased from a replica car manufacturer.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee approved a version of SEMA-model legislation to ease the process by which replica cars are titled and registered.

A version of SEMA-model legislation to ease the process by which replica cars are titled and registered was approved by the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee and now moves to the full Senate for a vote by all members. The bill has already been approved by the full House of Representatives and defines "replica car" as a motor vehicle that is assembled from a pre-fabricated chassis and body kit purchased from a replica car manufacturer.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee approved a version of SEMA-model legislation to ease the process by which replica cars are titled and registered.

A version of SEMA-model legislation to ease the process by which replica cars are titled and registered was approved by the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee and now moves to the full Senate for a vote by all members. The bill has already been approved by the full House of Representatives and defines "replica car" as a motor vehicle that is assembled from a pre-fabricated chassis and body kit purchased from a replica car manufacturer.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee approved a version of SEMA-model legislation to ease the process by which replica cars are titled and registered.

A version of SEMA-model legislation to ease the process by which replica cars are titled and registered was approved by the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee and now moves to the full Senate for a vote by all members. The bill has already been approved by the full House of Representatives and defines "replica car" as a motor vehicle that is assembled from a pre-fabricated chassis and body kit purchased from a replica car manufacturer.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	The 7th Annual Borla Exhaust NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals presented by Miller Welders will be held April 9–12 at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia.

NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals Goes to Atlanta Dragway

The 7th Annual Borla Exhaust NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals presented by Miller Welders will be held April 9–12 at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia. The NMRA Keystone Automotive All-Ford series attracts some of the fastest Mustangs and Fords from around the United States and Canada to the event in Commerce. From VP Racing Fuels Street Outlaws to Cobra Jets and brand-new ’15 Mustang GTs, fans are treated to the best Ford has to offer in performance cars and trucks. The NMCA Flowmaster Musclecar series brings all types of American musclecars, including early- and late-model Camaros, Challengers and more. Spectators can also look forward to several exhibition runs by Scott Holdridge in his "Fifty Cal" Jet Dragster capable of 300 mph.

Toyo Tires Teams Up With Tough Mudder

Toyo Tires is now the Official Tire of Tough Mudder—a team-oriented 10–12-mile obstacle course designed to test physical strength and mental grit. An emphasis is placed on team building and camaraderie rather than individual prowess. Each event allows participants to experience exhilarating, yet safe, world-class obstacles they won't find anywhere else. This year, Tough Mudder participants will face Toyo Tires Skidmarked—a 10-ft. wall angled toward Mudders. Teammates must work together to get on top of the wall and then navigate down the face of it past a row of Toyo Open Country A/T II tires. In addition to Tough Mudder, Toyo Tires is also the Official Tire of Mudderella and Urban Mudder. Two variations on the classic, Mudderella is a five- to seven-mile obstacle course, designed by women for women, while Urban Mudder is a five-mile city-based obstacle course. Mudderella participants will test their agility and balance on Wheels in Motion—an obstacle of tire swings built out of Toyo tires. Urban Mudders can also expect to see a Toyo Tires-branded obstacle in 2015.

	The Banning Motorsports 2488 finished the race in 6 hours and 37 minutes and came away with their first win in the 2400 class.

Banning Motorsports Wins Class 2400 at the Mint 400

More than 330 off-road racers participated in the 2015 General Tire Mint 400. The first day of festivities saw more than 100 race vehicles make their way down the Las Vegas Blvd Strip. The Banning Motorsports 2488 car quickly got out front to become the first car on the road early on in the race. Bryan Folks was behind the wheel for the first two laps of the three-lap race. After that, the 2488 car did a fast co-rider change between Chris Godfrey and Adam Warren. Going into the third and final lap they were still first in class and third on the road. A driver change before lap three placed Rick Graf behind the wheel. The 2488 car finished the race in 6 hours and 37 minutes and came away with their first win in the 2400 class.

Ford Returns as Official Partner of Formula DRIFT

Ford has expanded its involvement in professional drifting as an official partner of Formula DRIFT with the introduction of the new Formula DRIFT Media Center Powered by Ford Performance. The center will be available to all credentialed media guests and will feature amenities such as lockers, refreshments, working space and live streaming broadcast, and will debut at Round 1: Streets of Long Beach, April 10–11. Ford will have significant presence at events with displays in the vendor paddock and signage throughout the venues. Ford will continue to make an impact on the track supporting drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr.—the 2010 Formula Drift champion—and Justin Pawlak.

	The 13th Annual Ross Racing Pistons NMCA Muscle Car Nationals took place March 20-22, 2015, in Bradenton, Florida, debuting two new classes.

2015 NMCA Season Opener Race Wrap

The 13th Annual Ross Racing Pistons NMCA Muscle Car Nationals took place March 20–22, 2015, in Bradenton, Florida, debuting two new classes and the local Outlaw 632 eighth-mile points race.

VP Racing Fuels Pro Mod: Michael Biehle II and his twin turbos hauled the mail on the top end with a 6.09/252 mph winning performance to Robert Abbott's 6.17/228 in his ’69 Camaro.

Mickey Thompson Radial Wars: Keith Berry took the win with a 4.19/189 mph over Mark Woodruff's 4.28 at 179 mph.

ARP Nitrous Pro Street: Danny Shemwell in his ’69 Camaro took the win over Jeff Rudolf, 7.57 to 7.65.

Stainless Works Street Outlaw: Phil Hines got the jump off the line and posted a 6.98 for the win over Eric Gustafson.

Edelbrock Xtreme Street: Tony Alm took out Dave Hutnick with a 7.61-to-7.79 lap, and then he finished off Bill Trovato's 7.98 with a 7.60.

Chevrolet Performance Stock: The orange SS of Kevin Lumsden drove around Heath Shemwell at the top end for the 10.71 to 10.89 win.

Ross Racing Pistons NMCA Muscle Car Nationals: The bright-orange ’69 Camaro of Ken Quartuccio fended off the Chevy Nova of Robert Briscoe's 4.57 with Quartuccio's slower, but winning 4.62.

E3 Spark Plugs Top Sportsman: Matt Buck's 0.029 time and his 6.87 lap was enough to see him to the finish line before Jason Juday could get there with a 7.20.

ATI Performance Products Nostalgia Super Stock: Corky Bumpus in his ’67 ’Cuda had the better reaction time (0.013 to 0.097), and ran an 11.007 on his 11.00 dial, defeating Mike DeChicco in his ’65 Dodge Coronet, who broke out with a 9.69 break-out of his 9.75 dial in.

MagnaFuel Open Comp: Shawn Calabrese at the wheel of an ’01 Firehawk was victorious over Norman Crane and his ’93 Mustang.

Gear Vendors True Street: Tim Hafke and his ’93 Mustang averaged 8.76 seconds for the overall win.

	Bell/Fiscus Racing (BFR) scored a Pro Boost win at the first Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) race of the year.

Kevin Discus Wins Pro Boost at PDRA Season Opener at Texas Motorplex

Bell/Fiscus Racing (BFR) scored a Pro Boost win at the first Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) race of the year, the Texas Nationals event at the Texas Motorplex, March 19–22, 2015.

In the first round of Precision Turbo and Engine Pro Boost qualifying, Fiscus made run with his turbocharged ’12 Mustang which yielded a 3.910 197.39-mph result. Bell ran a 4.793 165.58-mph pass. For round two, Fiscus improved by running 3.853 at 209.49 mph. Bell also improved and clocked a final run of 4.218 at 187.94 mph. As a result of their standings on the ladder, the two Bell/Fiscus Racing drivers were paired up to face off against each other in the first round of eliminations. The two drivers crossed the finish with nearly early identical ETs: Fiscus’ 4.211-second run was the winner over Bell’s 4.282-second pass.

In round two, Fiscus scored the win with a 3.852 206.70-mph pass against Jeremy Ray. He repeated the performance in the semi-finals with a 3.867 207.43-mph run against Kevin Rivenbark, and advanced to the finals where he defeated John Strickland.

Both Bell and Fiscus will compete at the PDRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, North Carolina, April 9–12, 2015, as the Bell/Fiscus Racing team continues their 2015 season.

Falken Tire Named Official Presenter of 2015 California Festival of Speed

Falken Tire has been announced as the "Official Tire of the 2015 California Festival of Speed," held April 11–12, 2015, at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. The company will be the presenter of the special exhibit area at the event.