By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Racing Enthusiasts and Suppliers Coalition (RESC) against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for lack of standing.

The suit, brought by a coalition of racing enthusiasts and aftermarket parts business owners, challenged the 2015 EPA interpretation of the Clean Air Act that motor vehicles designated for street use cannot be converted into dedicated race vehicles. Although the EPA abandoned efforts to make this policy a formal regulation in 2016, the agency still maintains the practice of modifying the emissions system of a motor vehicle for the purpose of converting it for racing is illegal. The Court found that EPA’s 2016 rule did not create a challengeable rule and that RESC had not shown they were injured by the EPA’s rule. The Court did not discuss in any detail nor decide the merits of the case concerning the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate dedicated race vehicles that are converted from street vehicles.

For more information, contact Daniel Ingber at danieli@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The SEMA Board of Directors appointed industry veteran Wade Kawasaki to serve as the first executive director of SEMA’s and PRI’s respective political action committees (PAC). In this new volunteer role, Kawasaki will oversee each PAC’s Board of Directors and fundraising efforts, reporting to the SEMA Board of Directors.

By law, SEMA and PRI may not use its funds to contribute to federal political candidates. However, each organization’s PAC allows its members to contribute personal funds, which are used to help elect lawmakers who support its positions and initiatives.

“The specialty automotive aftermarket and racing industries are facing an uncertain future due to unparalleled government threats,” said SEMA Board Chairman James Lawrence. “SEMA and PRI believe clean air can co-exist with the automotive performance hobby and racing. Unfortunately, government bureaucrats want to restrict grassroots racing, make it burdensome to comply with emissions laws, and ban internal-combustion engines. We need to be prepared to defend the millions of automotive enthusiasts out there, and the best way to do that is through PACs that help elect lawmakers who value our hobby and the $50+ billion industry.”

Prior to his appointment as executive director of SEMA’s and PRI’s PACs, Kawasaki served as the president and CEO of Legendary Companies, overseeing 12 brands and operating six companies, including Coker Tire. He previously served multiple terms on SEMA’s Board of Directors, including as its chairman from 2017–2019, and was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2013.

“Advocating on behalf of the aftermarket industry is at the very core of what SEMA does,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “I’ve known Wade for more than 20 years. I’m thrilled to have somebody of his caliber helping to take SEMA’s PAC to the next level.”

“A strong PRI PAC is the best way to ensure racing’s future is free from government overreach. We have to have the means to fight back,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “I look forward to working with Wade to grow PRI’s influence in Washington.”

For more information, contact Samantha Large at samanthal@sema.org.

The 2022 SEMA Show Education program will feature more than 70 seminars designed to inspire personal and professional development. Led by industry- and subject-matter experts, the program offers a customizable lineup of sessions and workshops that confront industry challenges, capitalize on emerging trends, highlight and reinforce business best practices, enhance leadership skills and much more.

One of the newest components of the 2022 Show Education program are four sessions focused on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. The first DEI session, "Diversity and Inclusion: How You Can Advance Equal Opportunity in Your Workplace," takes place Tuesday, November 1, and will presented by James Pogue, Ph.D., President and CEO of JP Enterprises.

In addition to the DEI sessions, three new tracks have been added: “Inside the Shop,” “Enthusiast” and “Keynote.” The “Inside the Shop” series will motivate aspiring builders and technicians as they hear from leading customizers sharing their experiences crafting off-road machines, hot rods, musclecars and detailed restorations.

The new “Enthusiast” track, scheduled for Friday, November 4, from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m., will feature industry personalities and celebrities providing insight on building cars, ideas for obtaining sponsorships and the importance of protecting the automotive aftermarket from overregulation. One of the five sessions, “Celebrity Insights,” moderated by African American Racers Association Cofounder Chris Harris, will give attendees a glimpse into the lives of some of their favorite celebrities, legends and luminaries.  

The “Keynote” track will feature the new “Main Stage Experience,” where some of the industry’s iconic figures and leaders will bring their unique perspectives on ways to strengthen business strategies. The Main Stage promises to be an immersive, informative and entertaining experience. The first presentation is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m., Tuesday, November 1, the opening day of the 2022 SEMA Show.

Building on the success the 2021 Show's education program, the “Leadership Essentials” track, presented by Dale Carnegie, returns to the Show offering six courses spread out over three days. The courses, which can be taken as a whole or individually, feature trainers from Dale Carnegie providing the institution’s acclaimed leadership, communications and sales program that improve both individual and business performance.

“The SEMA Show has a lot to offer, from seeing new products and vehicle builds, meeting with manufacturers, learning from experts and developing meaningful relationships that you can only get from an in-person event,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We encourage Showgoers to take advantage of all the elements of the SEMA Show so that they get the greatest ROI.”

With a wide array of seminars and workshops, the education offerings at the Show provide something for everyone. The 14 tracks available are:

• Aftermarket Updates & Future Trends
• Business Management
• Digital Marketing
• Electric Vehicles
• Enthusiast
• I-Car Collision Repair Training
• Inside the Shop
• International Roundtables
• Keynote
• Leadership Essentials (presented by Dale Carnegie)
• Legislative and Regulatory
• SCRS Repairer Driven Education
• Tire Industry Association
• Vehicle Technology

All sessions are held in meeting rooms at the Las Vegas Convention Center, making it easy and convenient for attendees to schedule seminars between meetings with exhibitors. Registrants can sign up for the education program while applying for SEMA Show credentials at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

For a review of the 2022 SEMA Show Education Program, visit www.SEMAshow.com/education.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) named GJ Motorsports as this week’s member spotlight company. GJ Motorsports is an aftermarket company that focuses on off-road parts and service.

Get to know GJ Motorsports’ story in SEMA’s interview with company owner Tom Judge below:

SEMA: Tell us the story of your company. How did it start?

Tom Judge: GJ Motorsports was born out of the love for off-roading and the Ford Raptor. We saw an opening in the market for chase lights and grew from there.

SEMA: What was your company’s breakthrough moment?

TJ: The launch of our third-brake lights; it started a journey that we would never have imagined possible.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2022 and projects that you are working on.

TJ: We are working on launching products for more vehicle fitments as well as branching out our product range into other areas of the market.

SEMA: Tell us about a product that you are proud of.

TJ: Our third-brake lights are our trademark product; they created the company that exists today.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?

TJ: Get out there and do it. The only thing in your way is yourself.

Fill out a TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA’s social media, SEMA News and future TORA member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show Student Program is now open to eligible faculty and students of automotive colleges and universities.  

The 2022 SEMA Show Student Program includes a welcome commencement, recognition of scholarship winners, student networking opportunities, return of the all-female Gear-Up Girl networking event and a networking day where students will meet with prospective employers.  

The 2022 SEMA Show Student Program prepares students to enter the automotive aftermarket workforce by connecting them with top-tier networking opportunities at the premier automotive specialty-equipment trade show in the world.

The 2022 program includes a welcome commencement, recognition of scholarship winners, student networking opportunities, return of the all-female Gear-Up Girl networking event and a networking day where students will meet with prospective employers.  

Students must be 18 years or older to attend the SEMA Show. Eligible students must complete a scholarship pre-application survey, have an active account on the SEMA Career Center, and upload a résumé.  

Faculty can sign up their student-group here.  

Students can learn more here. 

By Ashley Reyes

Technicians, installers, shop management and shop owners still have time to sign up for a one-day installer training and general membership meeting, hosted by the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO).  

At PRO’s installer training and general membership meeting, technicians and shop owners will connect directly with accessory manufacturers and get educated on industry standards and installation best practices.

Taking place at Auto Image in Plainwell, Michigan, August 18, 2022, the training is the only program of its kind where technicians and shop owners connect directly with accessory manufacturers and get educated on industry standards and installation best practices.

This year’s event will include trainings from Katzkin, Llumar, Brandmotion, Voxx and Champion Auto.

If you are a shop owner or installer, you are invited to sign up for the free event to:    

• Get facetime with accessory manufacturers in an intimate setting.
• Level up your product knowledge and invest in your team.
• Learn tricks of the trade from manufacturers to get a competitive edge.
• Network and learn in a real shop environment instead of your typical trade show.
• Explore revenue opportunities and get introduced to products you may not know.
• Meet and learn from other shop owners and sales personal throughout the area.

All attendees are also invited to attend a PRO networking event at Old Burdick’s in Kalamazoo from 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. the same evening, as well as attend a Cars and Coffee at the SEMA Garage Detroit on August 19 and stay for the Woodward Dream Cruise on August 20. Auto Image is a two-hour drive from SEMA Garage Detroit and the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Don’t wait. Save your seat by clicking here. 

By Ashley Reyes

New research from SEMA finds that the pickup truck market accounted for 31% of the $50.9 billion overall specialty-equipment market in 2021. For the aftermarket, this number presents a massive opportunity to grow their business and expand in this market.

To learn more about the aftermarket pickup truck market, including details about the vehicles, specialty parts and the people who buy and accessorize them, join data analysts and experts from the SEMA market research team during a live webinar on August 24, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT). Attendees will learn about new data and findings from the all-new “SEMA Pickup Accessorization Report,” which is scheduled to available on August 24.

As a live webinar, the SEMA Market Research team will answer questions and provide details to help businesses understand how the data applies to their businesses.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

Matty Jones, associate mechanical engineer at BuiltRight Industries, is this week’s SEMA Future Leaders Network’s (FLN) spotlight member.  

Get to know Jones in his interview with SEMA below: 

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Matty Jones: “Don't be a wheelbarrow." The idea behind not being the guy who needs a push has carried me through my time at school, at work and in life.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

MJ: I have always loved working with my hands, wrenching on things and working on trucks. I feel lucky to enjoy what I do every day!

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

MJ: You can find me out on the lake fishing (on a boat or on the ice) or hanging around the firehouse.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

MJ: I make sure I’ve done my due diligence on what we will be talking about and be early. Early is on time.  

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be and why?

MJ: I’d probably go out to lunch and hit some golf balls with the BuiltRight gang!

If you are a current FLN member, fill out an FLN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on FLN’s social media, SEMA News, and FLN member updates.

By Della Domingo

The press conference application deadline has passed, and Show organizers have begun developing the official 2022 SEMA Show schedule. Emails were sent this week to all exhibitors who submitted an application.

Those who did not receive an email this week and believe they should be included can contact pr@sema.org.

Companies will be contacted with an assigned date and time by August 26, and will need to submit a confirmation to be included on the final schedule that will be released in early September.

If you have questions regarding press conferences at the 2022 SEMA Show, contact pr@sema.org.

In partnership with Toyota, the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, will host a measuring session for the all-new ’23 GR Corolla, September 13–14.

The event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3-D scan, measure and have a close-up experience ahead of the vehicle’s public release.

Four ’23 GR Corolla models will be featured, equipped with:

• 300hp/273 lb.-ft. torque, 1.6L turbocharged G16E-GTS engine.
• Exhaust composed of a three-piece muffler.
• Six-speed manual transmission.
• GR-Four all-wheel-drive drivetrain with user-selectable torque split.
• Reinforced chassis for added stiffness and rigidity.
• Available Torsen limited slip differentials (F/R).
• Standard 8-in. touch-screen display.
• Available eight-speaker, JBL premium sound with subwoofer.
• Standard 18-in. wheels and 235/40R18 tires.
• Automatic high beams.
• Dynamic radar cruise control.
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.

Note that this will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage. In order to comply with state and local health guidelines, this event will require scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, all appointments will be time-limited. Please only register for one attendee per member company, and a follow-up email will be sent to confirm additional attendees.

Click here for event registration details.