By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Internal Revenue Service has increased the standard business-mileage deduction from 58.5 cents per mile to 62.5 cents per mile for the remainder of 2022. While the rate is generally updated annually, the IRS adjusted the rate mid-year in response to a rise in gas prices. The change takes effect July 1. The mileage calculation includes the cost of fuel, along with other vehicle fixed and variable operating expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, tires, etc.

Companies and individuals who use their automobiles (including vans, pickups and panel trucks) for business have the option of using the standard rate in lieu of keeping records of their actual expenses.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ)—one of the most important and influential lawmakers in Washington, D.C., for helping to pass the RPM Act—strengthened and reaffirmed his support for the motorsports community by attending the Formula DRIFT event in Englishtown, New Jersey, last weekend.

Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman and U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), center, talks to PROSPEC Driver Alex Jagger (left) and Eric Snyder from SEMA during the Formula DRIFT event.

Rep. Pallone is the chairman for the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee (E&C), which has jurisdiction over the RPM Act. Chairman Pallone’s participation is significant to the motorsports industry and for helping to pass the bill in 2022.

Rep. Pallone met with PROSPEC drivers from New Jersey, including Ricky Hoffman, Alex Jagger and Matthew Bystrak, who talked about the importance of passing the RPM Act to protect the ability to compete in modified street vehicles. The Congressman watched PRO Series drivers compete at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in racecars that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains are not currently legal (the RPM Act would eliminate any uncertainty that street vehicles can be modified for track use).

(Left): Rep. Pallone, Jim Liaw (left) from PRI, and SEMA’s Daniel Ingber (right) and Eric Snyder (2nd from left) meet with exhibitors at Formula DRIFT event in Englishtown, New Jersey.

(Right): Rep. Pallone (left) and Jim Liaw talk to Brian Mabutas, owner of Eat Sleep Race in North Brunswick, New Jersey.

SEMA staff and Chairman Pallone also met with track owner Mike Napp, members of the U.S. Air Force and racing businesses from New Jersey, and the Congressman was honored during the opening ceremonies.

The RPM Act (H.R. 3281/S.2736), is a bill that would protect the future of racing by clarifying in federal law that it is not illegal to modify and convert a street vehicle into a dedicated race vehicle. The House and Senate must pass the RPM Act by January 3, 2023, in order for it to become law during the 117th session of Congress.

Learn more, and contact your legislators at www.saveourracecars.com.

By Ashley Reyes

As part of the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization’s (PRO) mission to build awareness of the benefits of vehicle accessorization, the council provides year-round resources to help its members succeed in the marketplace.

To keep PRO members and businesses in the restylers/accessory market up-to-date on programs and events available to their companies, the council is hosting a Virtual General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, June 22, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).

The meeting is the best time to learn about what PRO is currently working on and find out how to get involved. Participants will learn about the SEMA PRO Auto Show—an all-new program that will highlight vehicle accessorization at car shows throughout the United States, plans for an in-person general membership meeting and installer training, and get updates on the 2022 PRO Cup Challenge, the SEMA Show PRO Happy Hour and the council’s Awards Reception.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA members can get insights and detailed explanations of the new 2022 SEMA Market Report though the recorded webinar, available to members at no cost here. The one-hour recording goes in depth on the findings from the annual market study, including elaborating on the market sizing, consumer profiles, and industry and vehicle population trends found in the report at www.sema.org/research. 

In 2021, U.S. consumers for the first time spent $50.9 billion on accessorizing and modifying their vehicles, representing a 6.3% increase over 2020, and a new high for the industry.

While the report is filled with 90 pages of sales, consumer profiling, economic and industry data, the recording features SEMA research analysts as they break down the findings, what they mean, and how members can use the findings to make strategic business decisions moving forward.   

In 2021, U.S. consumers for the first time spent $50.9 billion on accessorizing and modifying their vehicles, representing a 6.3% increase over 2020, and a new high for the industry. Learn first-hand how much consumers spent on parts, how they used the vehicles they modified, how economic and industry factors are affecting the market, and more by watching the webinar here.  

By Ashley Reyes

Sergio Raphael is the SEMA Future Leaders Network’s (FLN) newest spotlight member. Raphael is the head of talent acquisition at Wheel Pros, a designer, marketer and distributor of branded aftermarket wheels. Get to know what keeps him in the industry in his interview with SEMA below.

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

Sergio Raphael: Don’t chase money or it will run away. Instead, invest in those around you and it will pay dividends. Coming up in sales, I was always taught to invest in the training and development of my teams. In my current role, it’s no different. I Invest time in my candidates, and it pays back tenfold when I make successful hires for my organization.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

SR: I’m new to working in this industry but I have always had a passion for it. I was at the dragstrip watching my dad race for as long as I can remember, and it was a dream come true to land in this world.

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

SR: I can be found running around with my wife, three kids and four dogs enjoying our beautiful state.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

SR: I prepare with a 4:00 a.m. workout and meditation.

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

SR: Christian Von Koenigsegg. His innovation and the way he has brought his ideas to life is remarkable.

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.

Mike Carpenter Named COO of Drag Illustrated

Drag Illustrated Media has announced Mike Carpenter as its new COO. In his new position, he will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company’s efforts across print and digital platforms. Carpenter will also continue his role as the design and production director for the magazine, oversee Drag Illustrated-promoted races, and co-host and produce the “Wes Buck Show” livestream and podcast. Carpenter first joined Drag Illustrated as a freelance graphic designer in 2007 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a graphic design degree. Carpenter is the son of racer Charles Carpenter, the “Godfather of Pro Mod.” 

Ammie Forrister Appointed Roadwire Inc. CEO

Roadwire Inc. announced the appointment of Ammie Forrister as chief executive officer. In perpetuating the company’s third-generation legacy, she succeeds her father, former CEO Dwight Forrister, who has resumed his position as chairman of the Roadwire board. Forrister brings decades of experience to her new role, having previously served as vice president of manufacturing. As CEO, she remains focused on the continuous growth and improvement of Roadwire and its subsidiaries.

“I am thrilled to carry on our family’s amazing heritage and to lead the company into the future,” said Forrister. “Our management team is focused and determined, and our vision is clear.”

Shopmonkey Announces Jeff Haynie as Chief Technology Officer

Shopmonkey, the cloud-based auto shop management platform, has announced Jeff Haynie as chief technology officer. He joined the company in May to lead innovation and accelerate product development before formally stepping into this role. Haynie will focus on scaling existing capabilities and adding new security features. He will also help develop Shopmonkey’s ability to leverage analytics and machine learning to improve the performance of their software development efforts. Prior to the appointment, Haynie served as CEO for Pinpoint and previously as CEO for Appcelerator. In related news, Shopmonkey recently raised $75 million in Series C funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners.

AWE Promotes Dane Pellicone to Engineering Manager

AWE has promoted Dane Pellicone to engineering manager. Pellicone has been with AWE for almost 15 years, recently serving as a senior engineer since 2014. Prior, he was an engineering associate for six years, and before that, a metal fabricator.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Modern battery pack design has come a long way in a short period of time. While many engineers are familiar with the basic principles, designing battery packs for a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV), plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) requires advanced engineering.

Knowing chemistry types and wiring, battery management systems and difference between parallel versus series cell arrangement is critical to know when designing battery packs because many cells connect together to create larger battery capacities.

Automotive engineers, programmers and product developers are invited to learn about battery pack design basics, and how to identify the basic design elements of a properly designed HEV/EV high-voltage battery pack, during the SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) webinar on June 21, at 1:00 p.m. (PDT).

Jake Hawksworth, founder and CEO at Hypercraft, will demystify high-voltage battery packs and present the types of cells and their uses, so attendees can understand the safety systems involved, and have a deeper understanding of current high voltage architecture.

Register here.

  SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2022 SEMA Show can lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rate now by booking in the SEMA Show Block.

Making hotel reservations in the Block provides you with the most affordable and convenient options for a wide range of hotels located on and off the Strip.

A number of non-casino properties, such as Vdara, are offering discounted rates for SEMA Show guests.

All of the hotels available through the SEMA Show Block come with a low-price guarantee. To help ensure that your price remains the lowest, SEMA will price-match lower advertised rates, even after your reservations are set. Whether you're looking for your favorite place to stay, or for a hotel within close proximity to the Show, you can book with confidence knowing you will get the rooms you need at the the most affordable price available.

The SEMA Show also provides shuttle service to and from the Show for the hotels listed that are not within walking distance to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There are more than 45 hotels available in the block. For more information on the hotels listed below, including rating, price per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Looking for a quiet, no-frills hotel stay? There are a number of non-casino properties that are offering discounted rates for SEMA Show guests.

Check these out and book today:

• Courtyard Las Vegas Convention Center – $290 per night
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Convention Center Las Vegas $298 – per night
• Hilton Grand Vacations Flamingo – $282 per night
• Hilton Grand Vacations on Paradise (Convention Center) – $281 per night
• Hilton Grand Vacations Club on Strip – $225 per night
• Las Vegas Marriott – $309 per night
• Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel – $314 per night
• Residence Inn Las Vegas Convention Center by Marriott – $279 per night
• Spring Hill Suites Las Vegas Convention Center – $299 per night
• Trump – $234 per night
• Vdara – $238 per night
• Westin – $223 per night

Book your hotel now!

To reserve your booth for the 2022 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

  By Juan Torres

Tickets to the 2022 SEMA Awards Gala, a prestigious celebration where industry leaders and SEMA Hall of Fame members are recognized, are now available at www.sema.org/gala.

The prestigious SEMA Awards Gala will return to Anaheim, California, on July 29, to honor industry leaders and SEMA Hall of Fame inductees.

Formerly known as the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala, the annual SEMA Awards Gala is open to the industry and will take place July 29, at the brand-new Westin Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, California, in what will be a sort of homecoming for the industry. Following the inaugural SEMA Show at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1967, the trade show was held at the Anaheim Convention Center from 1968 to 1976 before moving to Las Vegas the next year.

“The SEMA Awards Gala is a great opportunity for the industry to come together at mid-year to connect in person and have meaningful conversations in an intimate setting,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “Our roots extend to the city of Anaheim, so it will be exciting to return with friends and colleagues to honor industry leaders."

Among those honored at this year’s Gala are incoming and outgoing board members and 2022 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Walker Evans, Jack Roush and “Gene” Winfield.

The SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags, a cherished Gala tradition, will also return to offer industry participants the chance to sponsor a child-built pinewood racecar or challenge industry colleagues in head-to-head competition. The races, which are run throughout the Friday reception and into the evening, support SEMA Cares, a group that unites the automotive aftermarket’s fundraising efforts to raise money for various charities.

To secure one of the limited number of available seats and tables available for the 2022 SEMA Awards Gala, visit www.sema.org/gala. For more information about the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races or to sponsor a car, visit www.sema.org/pinewood.

 During the SEMA Show Summit, trade experts will share the importance and value of planning ahead, and pinpoint affordable ways to reach more buyers at the 2022 SEMA Show.

The 2022 SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit will be held Tuesday–Thursday, July 26–28, in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

During the Summit, exhibitors will receive helpful tips from Show management and have the opportunity to meet with their SEMA Show sales director. During educational sessions, exhibitors will learn how to:

• Use proven strategies to attract buyers to their booths.
• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize ROI.
• Properly plan and budget to add value to their Show experience.
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships.
• Participate in the New Products Showcase.
• Utilize the Exhibitor Services Manual.

There is no cost to attend. Exhibitors pay for their flight and SEMA takes care of the rest, which includes hotel, shuttle service from hotel to LVCC, breakfast and lunch, a cocktail Hour on July 26 and an excursion on July 27 (TBD).

For more information, contact the Show department at semashow@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

Register now!