For one week each year, the SEMA Show gathers the largest collection of outfitted, upgraded dirt shredders, people haulers and street machines that exist with the specialty-equipment industry. With the intent of turning heads, sparking ideas and igniting the imagination, these vehicles serve as mobile canvases for technicians and product engineers to realize their creative visions and provide a visual representation of what the industry and its companies are all about.

A new photo collection of the vehicles that helped make the 2012 SEMA Show a visual extravaganza are included each week in SEMA eNews. This week's collection features different Camaro models and styles.

By SEMA Staff

	William J. Long

Robert (Bob) Hirsch, president of the Aftermarket Foundation, has announced the appointment of William J. (Bill) Long, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) to its board.

“On behalf of the entire board, I am very pleased to welcome Bill to the board of the foundation,” said Hirsch. “Bill’s rich industry background and credentials will further strengthen our board and broaden its reach within our industry sector, and we thank him for his willingness to serve for the common good of the less fortunate in our industry.”

Having joined the association as executive vice president in May 2012, Long assumed the role of president and chief operating officer of the AASA in late 2012, from his previous role as president of Long Strategies LLC and managing partner of BC Partners LLC. Long’s previous experience spans several decades in the aftermarket, formerly as executive vice president of North American operations at Proliance International, and a 25-year career with Echlin/Dana in several executive leadership roles directing the company’s BWD Automotive, Borg-Warner, Napa Echlin, Ristance, Auto-Tune, Hurst Shifter, Mr. Gasket and Beck/Arnley WorldParts businesses. Long’s career also includes senior leadership roles in the motorsports industry having served as vice president of marketing for the IndyCar Series headquartered at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and vice president and corporate officer of NASCAR’s Weekly Racing and Touring Series

Long has been recognized for his industry contributions with a number of awards, including the MEMA Triangle award (1999); Northwood University’s Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award (2000), recognizing both his work with federal lawmakers and technical experts on issues concerning the Clean Air Act and onboard auto diagnostics; and the Jack Arute Sr. Excellence in Motorsports Award in 2001 for his contribution and dedication to the motorsports industry. Long also served in 2002 as the chairman of the National Car Care Council.

Hirsch pointed out that the motto of the foundation is “We take care of our own,” adding, “Bill has demonstrated tremendous capability and achievement in his career to date, and we know that the foundation will benefit from his skill and commitment, as we continue ‘taking care of our own.’”

Since 1959, the Aftermarket Foundation has assisted individuals and families of the automotive aftermarket industry who have fallen on hard times due to an unexpected death, catastrophic injury, serious illness or financial hardship. Board members are called upon to assist in the fundraising efforts of the foundation and also identifying those in need.

In addition to his general board duties, Long will also work on the foundation’s Recipient Review Committee and Marketing & Communications Committee. Marketing Committee Chair Terence O’Reilly stated, “Bill’s extensive background and expertise in marketing and communications is a welcome addition to our committee and will help us refine our Awareness Program and further extend the reach of the Aftermarket Foundation to those in need. We are very fortunate indeed to have someone of Bill’s caliber join in active duty on the committee and look forward to the benefits his contributions will make.”

By SEMA Staff

	William J. Long

Robert (Bob) Hirsch, president of the Aftermarket Foundation, has announced the appointment of William J. (Bill) Long, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) to its board.

“On behalf of the entire board, I am very pleased to welcome Bill to the board of the foundation,” said Hirsch. “Bill’s rich industry background and credentials will further strengthen our board and broaden its reach within our industry sector, and we thank him for his willingness to serve for the common good of the less fortunate in our industry.”

Having joined the association as executive vice president in May 2012, Long assumed the role of president and chief operating officer of the AASA in late 2012, from his previous role as president of Long Strategies LLC and managing partner of BC Partners LLC. Long’s previous experience spans several decades in the aftermarket, formerly as executive vice president of North American operations at Proliance International, and a 25-year career with Echlin/Dana in several executive leadership roles directing the company’s BWD Automotive, Borg-Warner, Napa Echlin, Ristance, Auto-Tune, Hurst Shifter, Mr. Gasket and Beck/Arnley WorldParts businesses. Long’s career also includes senior leadership roles in the motorsports industry having served as vice president of marketing for the IndyCar Series headquartered at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and vice president and corporate officer of NASCAR’s Weekly Racing and Touring Series

Long has been recognized for his industry contributions with a number of awards, including the MEMA Triangle award (1999); Northwood University’s Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award (2000), recognizing both his work with federal lawmakers and technical experts on issues concerning the Clean Air Act and onboard auto diagnostics; and the Jack Arute Sr. Excellence in Motorsports Award in 2001 for his contribution and dedication to the motorsports industry. Long also served in 2002 as the chairman of the National Car Care Council.

Hirsch pointed out that the motto of the foundation is “We take care of our own,” adding, “Bill has demonstrated tremendous capability and achievement in his career to date, and we know that the foundation will benefit from his skill and commitment, as we continue ‘taking care of our own.’”

Since 1959, the Aftermarket Foundation has assisted individuals and families of the automotive aftermarket industry who have fallen on hard times due to an unexpected death, catastrophic injury, serious illness or financial hardship. Board members are called upon to assist in the fundraising efforts of the foundation and also identifying those in need.

In addition to his general board duties, Long will also work on the foundation’s Recipient Review Committee and Marketing & Communications Committee. Marketing Committee Chair Terence O’Reilly stated, “Bill’s extensive background and expertise in marketing and communications is a welcome addition to our committee and will help us refine our Awareness Program and further extend the reach of the Aftermarket Foundation to those in need. We are very fortunate indeed to have someone of Bill’s caliber join in active duty on the committee and look forward to the benefits his contributions will make.”

By SEMA Staff

	Carlos Ghosn, Nissan CEO, takes an interest in a Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 car.

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. has announced that Nismo—its global performance road car and motorsport arm—is developing a new, higher-powered road version of the Nissan GT-R.

The GT-R Nismo will be the third Nismo-badged model to emerge from Nissan’s performance-orientated brand as part of a strategy to add a range of performance models across the Nissan range.

Nismo, whose new global headquarters near Yokohama, Japan, was officially opened this week, already has experience in developing and preparing the Nissan GT-R for the racetrack. That expertise will go into creating GT-R Nismo.

“It would be unthinkable for us to develop a range of Nismo road cars without including the GT-R,” said Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn. “The standard road car is a global supercar and the GT-R’s performance on track reflects the passion and talents of the Nismo team.”

Millions of gamers around the world are already familiar with the GT-R, thanks to Sony’s Gran Turismo driving simulation series and to motorsport fans with the Skyline enjoying success on track since 1969.

The Nismo team’s intimate knowledge comes from their involvement in racing the GT-R and is a good precursor to the development of the new Nismo road car, which will be based on the ’13 GT-R.

“We know that enthusiasts around the world will be itching to know more about the forthcoming GT-R Nismo,” said Shoichi Miyatani, president of Nismo. “It’s too preliminary to share any details yet, but fans can be certain we’ll be applying all of our motorsport expertise to creating a GT-R Nismo worthy of the name.”

The standard ’13 Nissan GT-R has just received evolutionary design and engineering enhancements based around feedback from competing in last year’s 24-Hours Nürburgring and its success in Super GT and Global GT series.

As a result, the vehicle's overall performance has been dramatically increased, high-speed stability improved and ride quality vastly more refined.

In development now, the new GT-R Nismo will sit at the top of the new Nissan Nismo range of performance vehicles and be available alongside the standard model in Nissan’s specialized GT-R dealerships next year.

Technical specifications and performance figures will be released closer to launch.

So far this year, thousands of new legislative initiatives have been introduced across the United States and Canada, hundreds of which are being closely tracked and analyzed by SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN). We’ve already had several early successes with plenty more on the horizon. As a result of its dedicated following, the SAN remains the premier hobbyist network of its kind.

Now that we are two months into the new legislative season, we have compiled an updated list of new bills that may be of interest to vehicle enthusiasts and the industry. The most pressing of these bills will continue to be the subject of Action Alerts that are e-mailed to SEMA/SAN members and highlighted in our newsletter, Driving Force. The compilation is available on the SAN website. Along the top menu bar of the website you will find "Legislation." Select "State" and then choose the state of interest to view a complete list of pending legislation.

Some of the bills listed on the site will not advance past introduction; others will go on to become the laws of tomorrow. As bills progress through the legislature, the SAN aims to inform our contacts and continue to encourage their participation in the legislative process through e-mails and phone calls to state representatives. Such correspondence has a proven and direct impact on the decisions of legislators.

We encourage you to visit www.semasan.com. The information on this site will provide you with the tools you need to help affect real change, protect the industry and hobby from detrimental state laws and proactively support favorable ones. If you are not yet a member of the SEMA Action Network, we encourage you to join and remain active with our efforts. Joining the SAN is a simple process. Most importantly, it’s free and carries no obligations.

Please contact Bryan Harrison at bryanph@sema.org if you have any questions. He would be happy to provide you with any bill’s full text, current status and committee information.

So far this year, thousands of new legislative initiatives have been introduced across the United States and Canada, hundreds of which are being closely tracked and analyzed by SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN). We’ve already had several early successes with plenty more on the horizon. As a result of its dedicated following, the SAN remains the premier hobbyist network of its kind.

Now that we are two months into the new legislative season, we have compiled an updated list of new bills that may be of interest to vehicle enthusiasts and the industry. The most pressing of these bills will continue to be the subject of Action Alerts that are e-mailed to SEMA/SAN members and highlighted in our newsletter, Driving Force. The compilation is available on the SAN website. Along the top menu bar of the website you will find "Legislation." Select "State" and then choose the state of interest to view a complete list of pending legislation.

Some of the bills listed on the site will not advance past introduction; others will go on to become the laws of tomorrow. As bills progress through the legislature, the SAN aims to inform our contacts and continue to encourage their participation in the legislative process through e-mails and phone calls to state representatives. Such correspondence has a proven and direct impact on the decisions of legislators.

We encourage you to visit www.semasan.com. The information on this site will provide you with the tools you need to help affect real change, protect the industry and hobby from detrimental state laws and proactively support favorable ones. If you are not yet a member of the SEMA Action Network, we encourage you to join and remain active with our efforts. Joining the SAN is a simple process. Most importantly, it’s free and carries no obligations.

Please contact Bryan Harrison at bryanph@sema.org if you have any questions. He would be happy to provide you with any bill’s full text, current status and committee information.

So far this year, thousands of new legislative initiatives have been introduced across the United States and Canada, hundreds of which are being closely tracked and analyzed by SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN). We’ve already had several early successes with plenty more on the horizon. As a result of its dedicated following, the SAN remains the premier hobbyist network of its kind.

Now that we are two months into the new legislative season, we have compiled an updated list of new bills that may be of interest to vehicle enthusiasts and the industry. The most pressing of these bills will continue to be the subject of Action Alerts that are e-mailed to SEMA/SAN members and highlighted in our newsletter, Driving Force. The compilation is available on the SAN website. Along the top menu bar of the website you will find "Legislation." Select "State" and then choose the state of interest to view a complete list of pending legislation.

Some of the bills listed on the site will not advance past introduction; others will go on to become the laws of tomorrow. As bills progress through the legislature, the SAN aims to inform our contacts and continue to encourage their participation in the legislative process through e-mails and phone calls to state representatives. Such correspondence has a proven and direct impact on the decisions of legislators.

We encourage you to visit www.semasan.com. The information on this site will provide you with the tools you need to help affect real change, protect the industry and hobby from detrimental state laws and proactively support favorable ones. If you are not yet a member of the SEMA Action Network, we encourage you to join and remain active with our efforts. Joining the SAN is a simple process. Most importantly, it’s free and carries no obligations.

Please contact Bryan Harrison at bryanph@sema.org if you have any questions. He would be happy to provide you with any bill’s full text, current status and committee information.

Edited and Compiled By SEMA Staff

	Loan Mart will back Austin Kimbrell in the No. 88 truck in the Pro 2 Unlimited Class.

Loan Mart Partners With Team Lucas for Second Straight Season
Loan Mart—a provider of speciality lending services—will be a partner with Team Lucas for the second straight season in 2013 with a sponsorship package that includes the Lucas Oil Modifed Series presented by Loan Mart, with Shelby Stroebel in the No. 24 car carrying the Loan Mart banner, plus a substantial presence in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.

Loan Mart, based in Encino, California, will be the presenting sponsor in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, September 19–21, and in the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series at Lake Irvine, California, May 3–5. In the Lucas Oil Off Road racing Series, Loan Mart will back Austin Kimbrell in the No. 88 truck in the Pro 2 Unlimited Class, and Oscar Rodriguez, Loan Mart's CEO, in the No. 17 Pro Lite.

Loan Mart will also have a high-profile on-site presence at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil
 Modified Series and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

	Fifteen racers representing a variety of engine-driven competitions have been selected as finalists in the 2013 “Search for a Champion” racing sponsorship contest.

15 Finalists Named in $125,000 "Search for a Champion" Contest
Fifteen grassroots racers representing several different forms of engine-driven competition have been selected as finalists in the 2013 “Search for a Champion” racing sponsorship contest, which will award $125,000 in sponsorship cash from Federal-Mogul’s Champion brand of spark plugs, wiper blades and chemical additives. Each finalist will receive a $5,000 Champion sponsorship and a chance to earn the contest’s $50,000 grand prize. Voting for the grand prize sponsorship begins Friday, February 22, at www.AlwaysaChampion.com.

The finalists─announced last weekend at Daytona International Speedway by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and Champion spokesperson Kevin Harvick─were selected from more than 160 racers and teams who submitted two-minute video entries to the website. More than 81,000 votes were cast by racers, fans and members of the Champion community, and final judging was led by Harvick.

Voting is open through March 24. Harvick will announce the $50,000 “Champion’s champion” April 2, at 9:00 a.m. (EDT).

The 2013 “Search for a Champion” finalists are:

Name		City/State		Vehicle Class/Type
Kolby Araki		Clovis, California		USAC Sprint Car
Cody Correia		Lake Elsinore, California		Motorcycle/Motocross
Jason Feger		Bloomington, Illinois		Dirt Late Model
Molly Helmuth		Seattle		Super Late Model
Ted Hodgdon		Danbury, Connecticut		Junior Outlaw Kart
Jolly Rogers Racing		Des Moines, Washington		Jet Sprint Boat
Andy Lieders		Colby, Wisconsin		Snowmobile/Snocross
Tristan Nunez		Boca Raton, Florida		Prototype Lite
D.J. Osborne		Lehi, Utah		Super Late Model
Bobby Pierce		Oakwood, Illinois		Dirt Late Model
Carl Rydquist		Redondo Beach, California		Time Attack & Drifting
Donnie Steward		West Burlington, Iowa		Dirt Winged Sprint Car
Tyler Tanner		Auburn, Washington		Straight Rail Late Model
Taylor Toftemark		Castle Rock, Washington		Top Alcohol Jr. Dragster
Wes White		Pacoima, California		Vintage Motorcycle

	Falken Tire has entered a two-year marketing partnership with K1 Speed.

Falken Tire Announces Promotional Venture With K1 Speed Electric Indoor Kart Racing
Falken Tire has announced a two-year marketing partnership with K1 Speed—an indoor kart racing experience.
 
Through the new cross-promotional effort, both Falken and K1 Speed will be featured at specific events and through mutual social media outlets.
 
In addition, Team Falken drivers from both American Le Mans Series and Formula Drift will make special appearances at K1 Speed locations around the country.

Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure to Offer Exotics Racing Adventures
Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure Inc.—a "Full Throttle" lifetime experience company, has announced that the company will soon offer consumers and corporate event planners the opportunity to navigate some of the country's most popular road courses choosing from Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and a variety of other exotic sports cars.

Currently, the company is in the process of acquiring its fleet of exotic sports cars, and negotiations have begun to secure the initial road-racing venues. The company will launch the new racing adventure in the Southeast beginning this summer.

	The Bandoleros (driven by youngsters ages 8 to 16) will contest a series of eight races at Irwindale in 2013 with four "dual-night" appearances at the Irwindale Speedway.

Irwindale Adds Three New Divisions to 2013 Oval Track Schedule
The Irwindale Speedway (California) has expanded its 2013 lineup of racing events to include three, highly competitive 'spec' classes, according to Irwindale Event Center General Manager Bob Klein. He also announced that 15 more individual race events had been added to the track's 2013 NASCAR calendar, even before the racing season started. They include:

The Bandoleros (driven by youngsters ages 8 to 16) will contest a series of eight races at Irwindale in 2013 with four "dual-night" appearances at the Speedway on the following Friday and Saturday nights: April 26–27, June 14–15, October 4–5 and October 18–19. "Bandos" are full-bodied, steel-tube-framed, mini-race cars and are powered by a 570cc, 30hp Briggs and Stratton "Vanguard" engine that employs a centrifugal clutch to transmit power to the rear wheels.

The S2 division is set up as the step between Karts or Legends Cars and full-size stock cars. These cars feature a full tube frame, fiberglass bodies and factory-sealed 350hp V8 engines. The S2s are a touring division and fans will see them at Irwindale twice this season: April 27 and again July 20.

The Southwest Tour Trucks (SWTT) will compete in five events at Irwindale this season: May 4, August 31, September 21, September 28 and October 19. The Southwest trucks combine a much-modified GM "metric" chassis with a tube frame upper section. The frame is covered with a replica pickup body rendered in fiberglass, and powered by a closely controlled V8 engine.

	The 2013 Motor Sport magazine Hall of Fame at the Royal Opera House in London.

"Famous Five" inducted Into the 2013 Motor Sport Magazine Hall of Fame
For the first time in the history of the event, Motor Sport magazine held its annual Hall of Fame evening at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, February 25, and honored five racing greats.

The Paul Hamlyn Hall was filled with some of the biggest names to have worked and raced in F1. Hosted by Sky Sports F1 HD presenters Natalie Pinkham and Simon Lazenby, this year’s award winners included Niki Lauda, Damon Hill OBE, Graham Hill OBE, Colin Chapman CBE and eight-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.

In attendance were motor racing professionals, including Sir Stirling Moss OBE, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Jody Scheckter, John Watson MBE, Jackie Oliver, Martin Brundle, Stefano Domenicali, David Richards CBE, Allan McNish and Steve Parrish. BBC Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker and TV presenter Nick Knowles were also present, along with Ted Kravitz and David Croft from the Sky Sports F1 channel, and British actor Danny John-Jules.

Federated will sponsor Kenny Schrader's race teams during the 2013 season in a variety of series, including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Federated Sponsors Kenny Schrader Racing Teams in 2013
Continuing its longtime partnership with NASCAR's Kenny Schrader, Federated will sponsor his race teams during the 2013 season in a variety of series, including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Federated will be the primary sponsor of Schrader and the FAS Lane Racing team in eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, including the Federated Auto Parts 400, September 7, at the Richmond International Raceway. In addition, Federated will sponsor Schrader in two NASCAR Truck series races, four ARCA races and more than 50 dirt-track events coast-to-coast. Schrader, who serves as an official spokesperson for Federated Car Care, will also participate in hospitality events hosted by Federated members at select tracks.

In August, Schrader will host the “Get Dirty with Kenny” Federated Car Care promotion at the Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri, but with a new wrinkle this year. Kevin Byrd and Willie B., hosts of the Federated-sponsored SPEED show, “Two Guys Garage,” will join Schrader and the winning Federated Car Care Center members for a day of racing. Schrader and the Two Guys will also tape a special episode of “Two Guys Garage” during the annual dirt-track racing extravaganza.

McLaren GT Adds Adam Carroll for 2013 Season 
McLaren GT continues preparations ahead of the 2013 season with the announcement that Northern Irish racing driver Adam Carroll has joined the team as a factory driver for the 2013 season.

Carroll, 30, made the move to GT racing last season, contesting select rounds of the Blancpain Endurance Series. This followed on from a successful career in single-seat racing, where he contested the GP2 championship, and was also crowned 2009 A1GP World Champion.

Carroll joins Britons Rob Bell and Alexander Sims, along with Portuguese driver Álvaro Parente as a factory driver for 2013. His race plans for the season will be confirmed shortly. 

Edited and Compiled By SEMA Staff

	Loan Mart will back Austin Kimbrell in the No. 88 truck in the Pro 2 Unlimited Class.

Loan Mart Partners With Team Lucas for Second Straight Season
Loan Mart—a provider of speciality lending services—will be a partner with Team Lucas for the second straight season in 2013 with a sponsorship package that includes the Lucas Oil Modifed Series presented by Loan Mart, with Shelby Stroebel in the No. 24 car carrying the Loan Mart banner, plus a substantial presence in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.

Loan Mart, based in Encino, California, will be the presenting sponsor in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, September 19–21, and in the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series at Lake Irvine, California, May 3–5. In the Lucas Oil Off Road racing Series, Loan Mart will back Austin Kimbrell in the No. 88 truck in the Pro 2 Unlimited Class, and Oscar Rodriguez, Loan Mart's CEO, in the No. 17 Pro Lite.

Loan Mart will also have a high-profile on-site presence at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil
 Modified Series and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

	Fifteen racers representing a variety of engine-driven competitions have been selected as finalists in the 2013 “Search for a Champion” racing sponsorship contest.

15 Finalists Named in $125,000 "Search for a Champion" Contest
Fifteen grassroots racers representing several different forms of engine-driven competition have been selected as finalists in the 2013 “Search for a Champion” racing sponsorship contest, which will award $125,000 in sponsorship cash from Federal-Mogul’s Champion brand of spark plugs, wiper blades and chemical additives. Each finalist will receive a $5,000 Champion sponsorship and a chance to earn the contest’s $50,000 grand prize. Voting for the grand prize sponsorship begins Friday, February 22, at www.AlwaysaChampion.com.

The finalists─announced last weekend at Daytona International Speedway by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and Champion spokesperson Kevin Harvick─were selected from more than 160 racers and teams who submitted two-minute video entries to the website. More than 81,000 votes were cast by racers, fans and members of the Champion community, and final judging was led by Harvick.

Voting is open through March 24. Harvick will announce the $50,000 “Champion’s champion” April 2, at 9:00 a.m. (EDT).

The 2013 “Search for a Champion” finalists are:

Name		City/State		Vehicle Class/Type
Kolby Araki		Clovis, California		USAC Sprint Car
Cody Correia		Lake Elsinore, California		Motorcycle/Motocross
Jason Feger		Bloomington, Illinois		Dirt Late Model
Molly Helmuth		Seattle		Super Late Model
Ted Hodgdon		Danbury, Connecticut		Junior Outlaw Kart
Jolly Rogers Racing		Des Moines, Washington		Jet Sprint Boat
Andy Lieders		Colby, Wisconsin		Snowmobile/Snocross
Tristan Nunez		Boca Raton, Florida		Prototype Lite
D.J. Osborne		Lehi, Utah		Super Late Model
Bobby Pierce		Oakwood, Illinois		Dirt Late Model
Carl Rydquist		Redondo Beach, California		Time Attack & Drifting
Donnie Steward		West Burlington, Iowa		Dirt Winged Sprint Car
Tyler Tanner		Auburn, Washington		Straight Rail Late Model
Taylor Toftemark		Castle Rock, Washington		Top Alcohol Jr. Dragster
Wes White		Pacoima, California		Vintage Motorcycle

	Falken Tire has entered a two-year marketing partnership with K1 Speed.

Falken Tire Announces Promotional Venture With K1 Speed Electric Indoor Kart Racing
Falken Tire has announced a two-year marketing partnership with K1 Speed—an indoor kart racing experience.
 
Through the new cross-promotional effort, both Falken and K1 Speed will be featured at specific events and through mutual social media outlets.
 
In addition, Team Falken drivers from both American Le Mans Series and Formula Drift will make special appearances at K1 Speed locations around the country.

Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure to Offer Exotics Racing Adventures
Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure Inc.—a "Full Throttle" lifetime experience company, has announced that the company will soon offer consumers and corporate event planners the opportunity to navigate some of the country's most popular road courses choosing from Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and a variety of other exotic sports cars.

Currently, the company is in the process of acquiring its fleet of exotic sports cars, and negotiations have begun to secure the initial road-racing venues. The company will launch the new racing adventure in the Southeast beginning this summer.

	The Bandoleros (driven by youngsters ages 8 to 16) will contest a series of eight races at Irwindale in 2013 with four "dual-night" appearances at the Irwindale Speedway.

Irwindale Adds Three New Divisions to 2013 Oval Track Schedule
The Irwindale Speedway (California) has expanded its 2013 lineup of racing events to include three, highly competitive 'spec' classes, according to Irwindale Event Center General Manager Bob Klein. He also announced that 15 more individual race events had been added to the track's 2013 NASCAR calendar, even before the racing season started. They include:

The Bandoleros (driven by youngsters ages 8 to 16) will contest a series of eight races at Irwindale in 2013 with four "dual-night" appearances at the Speedway on the following Friday and Saturday nights: April 26–27, June 14–15, October 4–5 and October 18–19. "Bandos" are full-bodied, steel-tube-framed, mini-race cars and are powered by a 570cc, 30hp Briggs and Stratton "Vanguard" engine that employs a centrifugal clutch to transmit power to the rear wheels.

The S2 division is set up as the step between Karts or Legends Cars and full-size stock cars. These cars feature a full tube frame, fiberglass bodies and factory-sealed 350hp V8 engines. The S2s are a touring division and fans will see them at Irwindale twice this season: April 27 and again July 20.

The Southwest Tour Trucks (SWTT) will compete in five events at Irwindale this season: May 4, August 31, September 21, September 28 and October 19. The Southwest trucks combine a much-modified GM "metric" chassis with a tube frame upper section. The frame is covered with a replica pickup body rendered in fiberglass, and powered by a closely controlled V8 engine.

	The 2013 Motor Sport magazine Hall of Fame at the Royal Opera House in London.

"Famous Five" inducted Into the 2013 Motor Sport Magazine Hall of Fame
For the first time in the history of the event, Motor Sport magazine held its annual Hall of Fame evening at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, February 25, and honored five racing greats.

The Paul Hamlyn Hall was filled with some of the biggest names to have worked and raced in F1. Hosted by Sky Sports F1 HD presenters Natalie Pinkham and Simon Lazenby, this year’s award winners included Niki Lauda, Damon Hill OBE, Graham Hill OBE, Colin Chapman CBE and eight-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.

In attendance were motor racing professionals, including Sir Stirling Moss OBE, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Jody Scheckter, John Watson MBE, Jackie Oliver, Martin Brundle, Stefano Domenicali, David Richards CBE, Allan McNish and Steve Parrish. BBC Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker and TV presenter Nick Knowles were also present, along with Ted Kravitz and David Croft from the Sky Sports F1 channel, and British actor Danny John-Jules.

Federated will sponsor Kenny Schrader's race teams during the 2013 season in a variety of series, including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Federated Sponsors Kenny Schrader Racing Teams in 2013
Continuing its longtime partnership with NASCAR's Kenny Schrader, Federated will sponsor his race teams during the 2013 season in a variety of series, including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Federated will be the primary sponsor of Schrader and the FAS Lane Racing team in eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, including the Federated Auto Parts 400, September 7, at the Richmond International Raceway. In addition, Federated will sponsor Schrader in two NASCAR Truck series races, four ARCA races and more than 50 dirt-track events coast-to-coast. Schrader, who serves as an official spokesperson for Federated Car Care, will also participate in hospitality events hosted by Federated members at select tracks.

In August, Schrader will host the “Get Dirty with Kenny” Federated Car Care promotion at the Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri, but with a new wrinkle this year. Kevin Byrd and Willie B., hosts of the Federated-sponsored SPEED show, “Two Guys Garage,” will join Schrader and the winning Federated Car Care Center members for a day of racing. Schrader and the Two Guys will also tape a special episode of “Two Guys Garage” during the annual dirt-track racing extravaganza.

McLaren GT Adds Adam Carroll for 2013 Season 
McLaren GT continues preparations ahead of the 2013 season with the announcement that Northern Irish racing driver Adam Carroll has joined the team as a factory driver for the 2013 season.

Carroll, 30, made the move to GT racing last season, contesting select rounds of the Blancpain Endurance Series. This followed on from a successful career in single-seat racing, where he contested the GP2 championship, and was also crowned 2009 A1GP World Champion.

Carroll joins Britons Rob Bell and Alexander Sims, along with Portuguese driver Álvaro Parente as a factory driver for 2013. His race plans for the season will be confirmed shortly. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the scientific, technical and consumer impact of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). The hearing focused on the potential negative impact of E15 on engines, components and fuel-delivery systems. Ethanol absorbs water, which can then corrode metals, plastics and rubber. The EPA allows use of E15 in ’01 and newer vehicles, but agreed to make it “illegal to fuel pre-’01 vehicles” with E15.  

Hearing witnesses included representatives from the American Automobile Association (AAA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), which recently issued a report documenting the detrimental effects of E15 on fuel system components. AAA voiced concern over the likelihood of misfueling due to lack of consumer education on the availability and hazards of E15. The Congressional panel identified the potential for warranty denials, motorist liability and lack of proper labeling as three critical issues making the introduction of E15 to the marketplace premature before further testing and education is completed.

The House Science Committee will soon consider a bill (HR 875) introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner directing the National Academies to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15–20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The National Academies would have 18 months to conduct its analysis, during which time sales of E15 gas would be halted. The Committee passed a similar bill last year but no further action took place. 

The U.S. Senate is currently considering another SEMA-supported bill (S. 344) to ban sales of E15.

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.