Compiled by SEMA Editors

Jeep and Mopar will showcase a range of extremes at this year’s annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Now in its 47th year and taking place March 23–31, the Easter Jeep Safari will be attended by thousands of off-road enthusiasts looking to enjoy a week of wheeling on some of the country’s most famous and challenging trails.

“Off-road enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised by the range of Jeep models we’re bringing to this year’s Easter Jeep Safari,” said Mike Manley, president and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We go to this extremely popular event in Moab each year to showcase the latest production vehicles from Jeep, as well as a host of new customization and personalization ideas. In doing so, we connect with and receive a tremendous amount of feedback from our most loyal customers.”

Jeep and Mopar mixed production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts on this year’s collection of concept vehicles. Jeep Performance Parts are specifically designed, built and quality-tested to meet Jeep specifications, 4x4 capability, craftsmanship and versatility to help transform stock rides into even more capable trail performers.

Since 2002, Jeep and Mopar have teamed to create nearly 40 concept vehicles for enthusiasts who attend the Easter Jeep Safari.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept

	Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept

With the introduction of the ’14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept, Jeep designers have created the most extreme Grand Cherokee yet. Powered by the new clean EcoDiesel V6 engine, this Grand Cherokee has enough low-end torque to power over any obstacle.

The ’14 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept—the third Grand Cherokee created for Easter Jeep since 2011—features 35-in. Mickey Thompson off-road tires on Wrangler Rubicon 17-in. aluminum wheels, enlarged wheel openings with custom fender flares, custom front and rear skid plates, dual rear tow hooks and modified Mopar rock rails.

Custom design cues include a Grand Cherokee SRT hood, SRT front and rear fascias that have been modified for extra ground clearance, a black front grille, a matte black roof and one-off custom roof rails. The body is finished in a non-metallic blood-orange hue. Mopar slush mats and rear cargo liner enhance the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept’s interior.

Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon

	Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon

The Jeep Wrangler is a multiple SEMA Award winner and one of the most customized vehicles on the planet. Jeep has introduced several new Wranglers for this year's Safari. Among them is the Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon, which features a gray exterior and a little extra firepower with a 6.4L HEMI V8 crate engine from Mopar. The 470hp engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and Dana 60 front and rear axles with 4.10 gearing. The axles are suspended by a 4.5-in. prototype long-arm lift kit and roll on Jeep Performance Parts prototype forged eight-lug beadlock wheels with 39-in. off-road tires.

The Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon includes a number of Mopar applications externally, including front and rear half-door and window kits, front and rear off-road modified “Stinger” bumpers, a Warn winch, high-clearance flat fenders, rock rails, a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary hood, prototype LED headlamps, a canvas soft top, a swing-away rear tire carrier and body-color rear corner guards, taillamp guards, a locking fuel door and a Jeep Performance Parts badge.

The interior of the Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon includes Mopar slush mats, black door-sill guards, a locking below-floor storage box, side sun visors, grab handles, trailside winch kit and a custom seat made from Navy blankets and Navy camouflage material.

Jeep Wrangler Stitch

	Jeep Wrangler Stitch

For this year’s Safari, Jeep has also created the new Jeep Wrangler Stitch. Based on the ’13 Wrangler Rubicon, the Stitch has been lightened to a 3,000-lb. curb weight, giving it a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.

Jeep designers shaved weight wherever possible: the frame, axles, body and interior. The audio system and all heating and air conditioning components have been removed. The front seats are taken from the new ’13 SRT Viper and the rear seats have been removed. Sections of the body have been cut out, the doors have been removed and the hood is a custom carbon fiber version of the one found on the Jeep Wrangler 10th Anniversary Rubicon. The standard roll cage has been replaced with a chrome moly unit, and the Full-Traction lower control arms, floor pan and GenRight fuel tank are made of aluminum. Even the frame and axles were modified to remove weight.

Off-road hardware consists of a Mopar cold-air intake and Mopar exhaust kit, Mickey Thompson 35-in. off-road tires on lightweight 17-in. aluminum wheels, custom DynaTrac Pro Rock 44 axles with 4.88 gears and ARB front and rear lockers, King shocks with pneumatic bump stops and Tom Woods drive shafts.

Design details include a windshield that has been chopped 2 in., a clear yellow vinyl soft top, black leather SRT Viper seats and center console with a yellow instrument panel and seat backs, Truck-Lite LED headlamps and the previously mentioned carbon-fiber hood. The black body panels are wrapped in a see-through silver architectural fabric that hides the cut panels at some angles and makes them visible at others.

Jeep Wrangler Sand Trooper II from Mopar

	Jeep Wrangler Sand Trooper II

After the Sand Trooper made its debut at the 2012 SEMA Show, Mopar upped the ante with the Sand Trooper II to get it ready to take on Moab. The Sand Trooper II features a 5.7L HEMI V8 to give it 375 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission sends the HEMI power to Mopar eight-lug front and rear Portal axles for added ground clearance. Jeep Performance Parts prototype forged beadlock wheels carry 40-in. off-road tires.

Mopar exterior enhancements include a satin black grille, a hood lock, front and rear half-door and window kits, front and rear off-road “Shorty” modified bumpers, a Warn winch, Mopar flat fenders, rock rails, a vented hood, LED off-road lights and headlamps, a Rubicon 10th Anniversary swing-away rear tire carrier, a trailer-tow hitch receiver, black taillamp guards and locking fuel door and a Jeep Performance Parts badge.

The interior features a rear back-up camera display, Mopar slush mats, black door-sill guards, under-seat and center-console locking storage, a locking below-floor storage box, a trunk storage box, side sun visors, grab handles, a Trailside winch kit and leather seats.

Jeep Wrangler Flattop

	Jeep Wrangler Flattop

Jeep designers took special care to give the Wrangler Flattop an upscale appearance inside and out, but bolted some of the most hard-core off-road gear available to Flattop’s chassis.

Featuring a custom one-piece, windowless hard top, the body is finished in a metallic sandstone with copper and brown accents. The top and windshield were chopped 2 in., and the b-pillar was removed, creating a massive opening from front to rear. The door and hood hinges, tow hooks, grille slats and headlamp surrounds are finished in a copper tone, and the bumpers, side rails, side mirrors and hood decal are dark brown. The bumpers are customized versions from the Wrangle Rubicon 10th Anniversary model, as is the hood. Custom high-line fender flares, Truck-Lite LED headlamps, LED rear taillamps and side markers, a Warn Zeon winch and TeraFlex spare tire carrier round off the exterior enhancements.

The interior features dark saddle Katzkin Leather seating, copper accents on the steering wheel spokes, vent rings and passenger grab handle and Mopar slush mats.

Under Flattop’s exterior is some serious off-road gear, such as a Mopar cold-air intake, Mopar exhaust kit, aluminum five-spoke wheels that carry 37-in. Mickey Thompson off-road tires, the DynaTrac Pro Rock 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles feature ARB air lockers and TeraFlex sway bars, and Full-Traction control arms. All of this hardware is bolted to King shocks with pneumatic bump stops.

Jeep Wrangler Slim

	Jeep Wrangler Slim

The Jeep Wrangler Slim offers maximum performance that is significantly lighter in weight. The Rock Lobster color exterior of the two-door Jeep Wrangler Slim features full doors and a hard top. Powered by a 3.6L V6, the Jeep Wrangler Slim has a 3:73 anti-spin axle. Rolling on prototype 17-in. Jeep Performance Parts forged beadlock wheels with Rock Lobster beauty rings, the Jeep Wrangler Slim features a special 10th Anniversary Rubicon front bumper, which complements the rear bumper, and is the lightest-weight rear bumper that Mopar offers. The Jeep Wrangler Slim also sports lightweight rock rails, a black grille, a black hood decal, LED headlights, a locking gas cap and Rubicon tires.

The black interior features leather seat covers and a CB radio, as well as Mopar all-weather slush mats and a hard-top headliner.

Jeep Performance Parts on the Jeep Wrangler Slim include a prototype Mopar 2-in. lift kit. A Mopar cold-air intake is also featured on the Jeep Wrangler Slim.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Board of Directors

The following slate of eight candidates are vying for four open seats on SEMA's Board of Directors.

Chairman-Elect Category

• Doug Evans – Source Interlink Media
• Tim Martin – K&N Engineering

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Al Azadi – Omix-ADA Inc./Rugged Ridge
• Kyle Fickler – Weld Racing
• Steve Matusek – Aeromotive Inc.
• Tim Watts – Superlift Suspension Systems

Manufacturer’s Representative Category (one open seat)

• Jeff Bates – Bob Cook Sales
• Greg Bernheisel – Considine Sales & Marketing

This year the voting will take place online between May 15–June 11. Voting is open to current SEMA members, and votes must be cast by the designated primary contact of each voting SEMA-member company.

Winners will be announced in June and will be formally introduced as the newest members of SEMA's Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation Banquet in July. All industry professionals are invited to join the celebration and welcome the new Board members by attending the gala on July 26.

For more information about the 2013–2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, e-mail Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or call 909-978-6678.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Board of Directors

The following slate of eight candidates are vying for four open seats on SEMA's Board of Directors.

Chairman-Elect Category

• Doug Evans – Source Interlink Media
• Tim Martin – K&N Engineering

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Al Azadi – Omix-ADA Inc./Rugged Ridge
• Kyle Fickler – Weld Racing
• Steve Matusek – Aeromotive Inc.
• Tim Watts – Superlift Suspension Systems

Manufacturer’s Representative Category (one open seat)

• Jeff Bates – Bob Cook Sales
• Greg Bernheisel – Considine Sales & Marketing

This year the voting will take place online between May 15–June 11. Voting is open to current SEMA members, and votes must be cast by the designated primary contact of each voting SEMA-member company.

Winners will be announced in June and will be formally introduced as the newest members of SEMA's Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation Banquet in July. All industry professionals are invited to join the celebration and welcome the new Board members by attending the gala on July 26.

For more information about the 2013–2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, e-mail Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or call 909-978-6678.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Board of Directors

The following slate of eight candidates are vying for four open seats on SEMA's Board of Directors.

Chairman-Elect Category

• Doug Evans – Source Interlink Media
• Tim Martin – K&N Engineering

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Al Azadi – Omix-ADA Inc./Rugged Ridge
• Kyle Fickler – Weld Racing
• Steve Matusek – Aeromotive Inc.
• Tim Watts – Superlift Suspension Systems

Manufacturer’s Representative Category (one open seat)

• Jeff Bates – Bob Cook Sales
• Greg Bernheisel – Considine Sales & Marketing

This year the voting will take place online between May 15–June 11. Voting is open to current SEMA members, and votes must be cast by the designated primary contact of each voting SEMA-member company.

Winners will be announced in June and will be formally introduced as the newest members of SEMA's Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation Banquet in July. All industry professionals are invited to join the celebration and welcome the new Board members by attending the gala on July 26.

For more information about the 2013–2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, e-mail Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or call 909-978-6678.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Board of Directors

The following slate of eight candidates are vying for four open seats on SEMA's Board of Directors.

Chairman-Elect Category

• Doug Evans – Source Interlink Media
• Tim Martin – K&N Engineering

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Al Azadi – Omix-ADA Inc./Rugged Ridge
• Kyle Fickler – Weld Racing
• Steve Matusek – Aeromotive Inc.
• Tim Watts – Superlift Suspension Systems

Manufacturer’s Representative Category (one open seat)

• Jeff Bates – Bob Cook Sales
• Greg Bernheisel – Considine Sales & Marketing

This year the voting will take place online between May 15–June 11. Voting is open to current SEMA members, and votes must be cast by the designated primary contact of each voting SEMA-member company.

Winners will be announced in June and will be formally introduced as the newest members of SEMA's Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation Banquet in July. All industry professionals are invited to join the celebration and welcome the new Board members by attending the gala on July 26.

For more information about the 2013–2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, e-mail Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or call 909-978-6678.

By Linda Spencer

	Participating SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.

Get in on the ground level at what is likely to be one of the largest consumer specialty-product markets. The SEMA China Business Development Tour—from September 11–14, 2013—allows participants to gain insight into the growing specialty market for the 1.3 billion Chinese consumers. Participants will learn what products sell, what products are in demand and for which applications through networking opportunities with retailers and wholesalers.

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A first-hand look at the developing specialty-equipment market. The delegation will visit off-road and street-performance shops.
• Meetings with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• Qualified exhibitors will receive a U.S. grant of $1,000 to defray the costs of participation.
• Program costs include hotel, meals, interpreters and access to buyers from throughout China.

Here's what past participants have said about the Chinese specialty-equipment market and SEMA overseas one-on-one programs:

“In the near future, I believe the poten­tial for the Chinese specialty-equipment market could easily be 10 times the size of the U.S. market.”

–Jeff Victer, Pro­long Super Lubricants

SCT President Rick Trudo estimated that his company’s sales in China and other markets outside the United States will surpass its U.S. sales by 2015.

“China’s growing middle class and Western influences have created tremendous demand for quality U.S.-made products. In the one-child-only Chinese society, personalization is everything, and everyone wants to be different.”

–George Hsieh, K&N

“China is a very important destination for our products.”

–Nathan Calabrese, OMIX-ADA

Register now for the 2013 SEMA China Business Development Tour. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit sema.org/china.

By Linda Spencer

	Participating SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.

Get in on the ground level at what is likely to be one of the largest consumer specialty-product markets. The SEMA China Business Development Tour—from September 11–14, 2013—allows participants to gain insight into the growing specialty market for the 1.3 billion Chinese consumers. Participants will learn what products sell, what products are in demand and for which applications through networking opportunities with retailers and wholesalers.

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A first-hand look at the developing specialty-equipment market. The delegation will visit off-road and street-performance shops.
• Meetings with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• Qualified exhibitors will receive a U.S. grant of $1,000 to defray the costs of participation.
• Program costs include hotel, meals, interpreters and access to buyers from throughout China.

Here's what past participants have said about the Chinese specialty-equipment market and SEMA overseas one-on-one programs:

“In the near future, I believe the poten­tial for the Chinese specialty-equipment market could easily be 10 times the size of the U.S. market.”

–Jeff Victer, Pro­long Super Lubricants

SCT President Rick Trudo estimated that his company’s sales in China and other markets outside the United States will surpass its U.S. sales by 2015.

“China’s growing middle class and Western influences have created tremendous demand for quality U.S.-made products. In the one-child-only Chinese society, personalization is everything, and everyone wants to be different.”

–George Hsieh, K&N

“China is a very important destination for our products.”

–Nathan Calabrese, OMIX-ADA

Register now for the 2013 SEMA China Business Development Tour. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit sema.org/china.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars with 100% of the proceeds going to help the SEMA Cares children's charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Nothing says "Americana" like a good-old-fashioned pinewood drag race, where the thrill of the build is matched only by the adrenaline rush of the race. SEMA Cares has announced the 2013 Pinewood Drags, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to help SEMA Cares.

Once again, held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will return Friday, July 26, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. The finals will take place during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. In addition to the Stock & Unlimited classes, a special Menzler Class has been created for last year's Pinewood Drags honorary starter John Menzler. As an added bonus this year, SEMA Cares will auction 12 Pinewood Drag cars at $500 each with the total proceeds going toward bone marrow donation programs.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Stock, Unlimited and Modified. Council members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It for Me (BIFM) Stock Class or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds and many of the past top builders have included some of the most recognized names in SEMA. The Modified Class is for the racer who wants to put a little more time into "tuning" the SEMA-supplied stock kit.  

Special features of SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member the greater their chances of winning. If you're the hands-on type of council member, SEMA invites you to attend one of several to-be-announced build days where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble the pinewood cars. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating in one of the build days are invited to contact derby@sema.org or visit the Pinewood Drag Races and SEMA Cares Facebook pages.

 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars with 100% of the proceeds going to help the SEMA Cares children's charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Nothing says "Americana" like a good-old-fashioned pinewood drag race, where the thrill of the build is matched only by the adrenaline rush of the race. SEMA Cares has announced the 2013 Pinewood Drags, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to help SEMA Cares.

Once again, held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will return Friday, July 26, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. The finals will take place during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. In addition to the Stock & Unlimited classes, a special Menzler Class has been created for last year's Pinewood Drags honorary starter John Menzler. As an added bonus this year, SEMA Cares will auction 12 Pinewood Drag cars at $500 each with the total proceeds going toward bone marrow donation programs.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Stock, Unlimited and Modified. Council members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It for Me (BIFM) Stock Class or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds and many of the past top builders have included some of the most recognized names in SEMA. The Modified Class is for the racer who wants to put a little more time into "tuning" the SEMA-supplied stock kit.  

Special features of SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member the greater their chances of winning. If you're the hands-on type of council member, SEMA invites you to attend one of several to-be-announced build days where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble the pinewood cars. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating in one of the build days are invited to contact derby@sema.org or visit the Pinewood Drag Races and SEMA Cares Facebook pages.

 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars with 100% of the proceeds going to help the SEMA Cares children's charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Nothing says "Americana" like a good-old-fashioned pinewood drag race, where the thrill of the build is matched only by the adrenaline rush of the race. SEMA Cares has announced the 2013 Pinewood Drags, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to help SEMA Cares.

Once again, held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will return Friday, July 26, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. The finals will take place during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. In addition to the Stock & Unlimited classes, a special Menzler Class has been created for last year's Pinewood Drags honorary starter John Menzler. As an added bonus this year, SEMA Cares will auction 12 Pinewood Drag cars at $500 each with the total proceeds going toward bone marrow donation programs.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Stock, Unlimited and Modified. Council members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It for Me (BIFM) Stock Class or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds and many of the past top builders have included some of the most recognized names in SEMA. The Modified Class is for the racer who wants to put a little more time into "tuning" the SEMA-supplied stock kit.  

Special features of SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member the greater their chances of winning. If you're the hands-on type of council member, SEMA invites you to attend one of several to-be-announced build days where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble the pinewood cars. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating in one of the build days are invited to contact derby@sema.org or visit the Pinewood Drag Races and SEMA Cares Facebook pages.