Jim Liaw – President/Co-Founder, Formula Drift Holdings
Voting will take place online between May 11–25, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning April 30. Winners will be announced by May 28.
The September 2021 issue of SEMA News will highlight rising stars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2021—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.
Many SEMA members are currently working with creative young professionals who are already industry trailblazers. They may have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.
They could be budding talents at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.
SEMA News looks for candidates drawn from diverse industry segments who are already making a significant impact through their leadership within their organizations or businesses. Entrepreneurship, commitment, insight, innovation, integrity, responsibility, demonstrated skill, involvement and success within the marketplace weigh heavily in the decision-making process. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.
Submit your company’s application and deposit by May 7 to be eligible to participate in the 2021 SEMA Show Space Selection process. Taking place June 7–23, companies will select the best locations for their SEMA Show display needs based on exhibitor seniority.
The 2021 SEMA Show will mark nearly two years since members of the automotive specialty-equipment market have seen one another, together. Reunite with your customers and colleagues at the Show, and shine the spotlight on your company in front of tens of thousands of qualified buyers looking for the best that the market has to offer.
In addition to buyers, the Show also attracts thousands of traditional media and social-media influencers ready to let the rest of the world know about your products and applications, opening up even more sales opportunities well after the Show concludes.
Access SEMA's worldwide network and create more opportunities to sell. Be there to reconnect at the 2021 SEMA Show, Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, Las Vegas.
To participate in the Priority Space Selection process, reserve your spot for 2021 at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.
Below are key dates that SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to mark on their calendars.
The Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) will be live in May. The ESM contains all of the forms and applications required to prepare for the Show: feature vehicles, new products, booth vehicles, celebrity appearances, etc.
The Exhibit Space Rental Application and deposit are due May 7.
Dates for the SEMA Show Space Selection: June 7–23
The ’22 Nissan Frontier Measuring Session will allow SEMA members
to test-fit prototypes, 3-D scan, measure and have a close-up
experience with the newly designed Frontier ahead of the vehicle’s
public release.
In partnership with Nissan, the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, will host a Measuring Session for the all-new ’22 Nissan Frontier, May 17–21.
The event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3-D scan, measure and have a close-up experience with the newly designed Frontier ahead of the vehicle’s public release.
Two different trim levels will be featured: SV and PRO-4X, equipped with the following:
A standard 310hp 3.8L direct-injection V6 engine.
A 4WD, nine-speed automatic transmission.
Nissan Safety Shield 360 ADAS features.
This will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. 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. All attendees will be required to sign an NDA upon arrival. No photography will be allowed during this event.
*All registered attendees will be required to an initial temperature check, wear face coverings and gloves, as well as practice social distancing during their appointment.
Hundreds of members joined the SEMA Virtual Town Hall Meeting earlier this week, which provided updated information from SEMA leadership on top industry programs.
During the 30-minute meeting, SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso shared positive news about the status of the 2021 SEMA Show taking place in November, while PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer gave viewers updated information about several exciting initiatives, including the PRI Trade Show, a new PRI Membership Program and the PRI Road Tour.
SEMA Director of Emissions Compliance addressed resources available to help manufacturers meet CARB and EPA compliance, while SEMA Vice President of OEM and Product Development Mike Spagnola reported a new purchase of a 45,000-square-foot building in Michigan which will be used as a second SEMA Garage.
Members are invited to view a recording of the meeting, which also included SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting and SEMA Chairman of the Board Tim Martin answering questions from viewers.
SEMA, the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) and 17 other organizations representing live recreation and amusement venues sent a letter asking the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to expand the Shuttered Venues Operator Grant (SVOG) program to include motorsports, horse racing, recreation events and mobile amusement. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated attendance restrictions have posed significant challenges for racetracks and other live entertainment operators, as many states have placed restrictions on the sizes of gatherings that continue to impact the operations of entertainment businesses. SEMA and PRI are focused on helping racetracks, as they play an important role in providing entertainment and a sense of community across the United States.
Congress created the $16.25 billion SVOG program to assist live entertainment and performing arts venues that have experienced significant revenue declines as a result of COVID-19 attendance restrictions. However, the SBA did not include racetracks and many other forms of live entertainment in the list of groups that are eligible to apply for grants.
The Coalition is asking the SBA Administrator to reconsider its eligibility guidance for the SVOG program. SEMA and PRI are also working with Congress to amend the SVOG through legislation to include recreation, sports and amusement live venues. It is important that members of Congress hear from SEMA members about providing financial support to racetracks. To send a letter to your lawmakers in Washington, D.C., please click here.
For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
The Biden Administration finalized a new rule to withdraw the independent contractor regulation issued in the closing days of the Trump Administration. While the issue may be revisited in the future, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is currently reverting to previous guidance on distinguishing whether an individual should be classified as an independent contractor or employee. Specifically, the DOL is deferring to the seven-factor “economic realities” guidance test issued in 2008 and based on court cases. Factors to be considered include:
The extent to which the services rendered are an integral part of the principal's business.
The permanency of the relationship.
The amount of the alleged contractor's investment in facilities and equipment.
The nature and degree of control by the principal.
The alleged contractor's opportunities for profit and loss.
The amount of initiative, judgment or foresight in open market competition with others required for the success of the claimed independent contractor.
The degree of independent business organization and operation.
The increase in independent contractors in recent years who perform on-demand services, such as drivers and other gig workers, has placed a focus on the definition. Company employees have protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), such as minimum wage and overtime compensation that do not apply to independent contractors.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
The SDC Data Excellence recognizes the companies that have worked with SDC to recreate and relaunch industry-leading product data sets. Here are products from current SDC members that have achieved data excellence.
Fuelab
H/E Series Twin Screw Brushless Pumps
Fuelab upgrades its H/E Series 474xx, 617xx and 939xx twin screw brushless pumps to offer 600-lph options capable of supporting 1,500 hp on gas and 1,000 hp on E85 in a single pump configuration.
H/E pumps provide extremely low current draw, superior priming capabilities and greater resistance to cavitation.
The M-Series retractable truck bed cover provides you the security of a hard cover, smooth appearance of a soft cover, and convenience of a retractable cover. Its durable vinyl-over-aluminum hybrid design is dedicated to four season protection and optimal bed security.
It tackles durability while remaining exceptionally easy to operate with its unique frictionless construction and insulated grip lever. Simply use its key to unlock and begin to open towards the cab as it retracts into its compact canister.
The M-Series locks in multiple open positions along the truck bed and can open, lock and close without even opening the truck’s tailgate. Roll-N-Lock’s M-Series retractable truck bed cover has a quick and easy install, are made in the USA, and backed by a three-year warranty.
The American Roll Cover manufactured by Truck Covers USA is considered the toughest, most durable, and best-looking, retractable aluminum cover available on the market. Built on customer feedback and experience, it has superior style, is easy to operate, and versatile. Add our unique toolbox-cover combo, the American Work Cover, or our one-of-a-kind Work Cover Junior with a toolbox that takes up no more bed space than that of a canister.
With the addition of the American Rack System, the most sophisticated rack system available, your truck cover becomes next level! When work is done, bike those mountains, ski those slopes, camp, and more without compromising the functionality of your American Roll Cover.
SEMA eNews highlights new products from industry companies each week. To have your product considered for upcoming issues, send product press releases to editors@sema.org.
E3 Spark Plugs
Lithium Powersports Batteries
E3 Spark Plugs, the makers of the patented DiamondFIRE Technology spark plug, announces the introduction of a new line of lithium phosphate powersports batteries. Born from cutting edge nano-scale materials, E3 Lithium promises to redefine power delivery in the powersports world.
Initially the product line features eight offerings, ranging in power output from 140 to 760 Cold Cranking Amps and covering a wide range of applications, including motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and more.
Some of the performance benefits of the E3 Lithium line of powersports batteries include:
80% lighter than traditional batteries.
3x longer life than traditional batteries.
Charges much faster than traditional batteries.
Delivers much quicker starts than traditional batteries.
IP 66 Environmental Rating (pressure washer friendly).
Mounts in any position.
Environmentally friendly.
E3 Lithium Batteries feature an integrated Battery Management System (BMS) that maintains constant cell balancing to ensure that the output of the individual lithium packs inside the battery maintain equal output and charge levels at all times. In addition, the BMS offers the following model specific attributes to ensure years of trouble-free power delivery from your E3 Lithium Battery.
Overcharge Protection.
Over-Discharge Protection.
Short Circuit Protection.
Excessive Cranking Protection.
Built-In Cell Balancing Technology.
LED Battery Fault Light Indicator (select models only).
General Tire has entered the all-weather tire market with its newly released AltiMAX365 AW, a versatile all-weather touring tire for passenger cars and crossovers. At launch, this new passenger tire is available in 52 sizes, ranging from 15-in. to 20-in. rim diameter, all with Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for severe winter service.
The AltiMAX365 AW is targeted toward drivers who want a versatile tire providing best-in-class all-around performance. and optimal traction in deep snow compared to typical all-season tires. With balanced performance on dry and wet roads, this new offering allows drivers the freedom to drive on one set of tires year-round, saving them the cost and inconvenience of tire changes twice a year.
General Tire’s Visual Alignment Indicators in both sides of the tread wear off evenly, ensuring the driver of proper alignment, or wear off unevenly, alerting the driver to check the wheel alignment. Additionally, a symmetric tread pattern allows for the tire to be rotated, promoting long, even tread life. It also features a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty and is backed by the 45-day customer satisfaction trial.
REKUDO
Lower Control Arms for ’72–’93 Dodge D100/D150 3-in. Drop
Improve the appearance and stance of your 1/2-ton 2WD Dodge D100, D150, Ramcharger or Plymouth Trail Duster by lowering the front 3 in., while maintaining the factory ride quality.
Each control arm includes new bushings, ball joint with castle nut and retaining clip. The black E-coated finish looks great and prevents corrosion. Sold in pairs.
KBS Coatings
Exhaust Coatings Available in 10 Colors
KBS Coatings offers XTC Silicone Zinc Primer and XTC Xtreme Temperature Coating to provide great looking, durable, and long-lasting finishes on exhaust manifolds, headers, and exhaust systems. Both are available in aerosol spray can form, and quart, gallon and 5-gallon containers for brushing, rolling, or spray equipment.
XTC Silicone Zinc Primer can withstand temperatures over 1,200° F and provides incredible rust protection even in high humidity, high condensation, and salty air conditions. The primer functions much like galvanization and locks itself to bare metal surfaces leaving a matte gray finish that can be used as the finish paint, or as a perfect primed surface for top coating with XTC.
XTC is a high-temperature and heat-resistant coating that protects metal surfaces operating at 500° F to 1,200° F. With proper preparation, XTC provides outstanding adhesion, film integrity, weathering, thermal shock-resistance and is guaranteed not to burn off. XTC will not peel, flake or chalk and is resistant to scratching or marring.
XTC is available in 10 unique and great colors, and XTC Clear is available as final coating for any XTC matte color when a gloss finish is desired. If rust protection is not needed, XTC can be applied directly to metal without need for XTC Primer.
Metra Electronics
Amber LED Side Marker Lights for Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator
Metra Electronics has added even more aftermarket products to their growing line of Jeep accessories. These new products provide stylish yet functional upgrades for the latest Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator models.
Amber LED Side Marker Lights for Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator (JP-SML2) replace factory side-marker lights with an easy-to-install solution that is plug-and-play with all of the ’18-up Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT trim levels. It includes an integrated anti-flicker feature with a smoked crystalline lens for a stylish upgrade. The amber LEDs provide better visibility with 13.5 watts and an internal reflector for an even brighter output than the factory marker lights.
Motul
Classic Line Oils for Collector Cars From '50-'99
Motul has introduced a new Classic Line of lubricants that are specifically formulated to meet the needs of both established and emerging collector car markets. With vintage vehicles in mind, Motul’s Classic Line combines oils, detergents, and additives engineered to enhance the performance of older powertrains while offering improved protection.
All Motul Classic Line lubricants feature an additive package with high-zinc (ZDDP) and molybdenum (moly) for reduced friction and increased power. The synthetic base oils and adapted detergent levels of each Classic Line formula are further suited to the metals and gasket materials common to each era of vehicle manufacturing; advanced additives ensure that all Motul Classic Line lubricants meet or exceed API standards. The high-adhesion properties unique to the Classic Line also provide for excellent cold flow properties to prevent engine wear during start-ups and to coat and protect engine internals and running gear during the periods of prolonged storage that collector vehicles often experience.
Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy Talk Racing in 2021
By Carr Winn
Vaughn Gittin Jr. and co-driver Jesse Amyx pull into
Hammertown in fifth place at the 2021 King of The Hammers,
powered by Optima Batteries. It was a career best for Gittin Jr.
When SEMA News caught up with Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy via video conference, it was their first chance to catch a breath in weeks. Both drivers were dusting off from King of The Hammers and couldn’t wait to start sharing comments about the race, the new Bronco and the SEMAification of electrics.
The dynamic duo also now represents a new brand, Fun-Haver Off-Road, and it’s their rally cry in 2021. In fact, they were set to have more fun off-road just after our interview, packing up their families and heading to Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Below are a few excerpts from our seat time with two of off-road racing’s fiercest pilots.
SEMA News: Let’s talk King of The Hammers. What was the experience like this year?
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: King of The Hammers was incredible this year. Loren and I both have new race trucks in the hopper right now, but we weren’t able to get through durability testing to debut them, so we raced our trucks with new Bronco bodies. My co-driver got injured, and so—fortunately for me—Lauren’s co-driver Jesse Amyx was not racing 4400 and hopped in with me. We had an incredible race, very clean. We were on pace, and Loren and I went back and forth a few times. I’m not going to lie. He was certainly faster than me, but he kept destroying drive shafts. It was really cool to be there with not only my teammate but also someone who has been helping me excel in this world so much. It was a lot of fun talking smack on the radio with each other. We ended up finishing fifth, my best finish yet. Already thinking about next year.
Loren Healy testing his Bronco body on the course at the 2021
King of The Hammers, powered by Optima Batteries.
Loren Healy: It was definitely a fun week. One of the highlights was Ford having Broncos out on the lakebed for everybody to go for some rides. The excitement of people as they got out of the Bronco was really neat to watch, and I had a little bit of the same experience. That was my first time actually to drive the Sport in the off-road community, and the Sport continues to wow me.
Also, this was the first year for the electric vehicle class. There was only one vehicle running in it, and they’re kind of catering to it a little bit, making the course doable with battery life. It was only about 75 mi., but the truck finished the race, which to me is really, really neat. Hopefully, that will drive some of the OEMs to get involved with it as well, and we’ll see a handful of electric vehicles out there racing King of The Hammers in the years to come. I know it’s piqued our interest, and with Vaughn’s experience with the Mustang Mach-E, we would love to be involved with that.
SN: What are fans most excited about for the 2021 season? And what’s got you excited to go to work as drivers?
LH: I think the fans are just excited to be back out and part of it, especially the off-road community that thrives on being outdoors. We’ve really seen that at the events that we’ve been getting to go back to—like almost twice the attendance of the spectators—because they can’t go to the movies, and they haven’t been able to go out to dinner and do that type of stuff. They need something right now. They’ve been just so excited and so passionate, even more so than they were. Maybe they took that stuff for granted, and now it seems like the excitement is really high, being able to get out and be a part of it.
VGJ: At the end of the day, what we’re doing is entertainment. We’re entertaining, creating a show for people. We’re behind the wheel racing and working our butts off trying to make magic. They’re enjoying the entertainment, the show that’s a result of that. The time behind the wheel is what we earn through the effort of the business and all the things that are required to make it happen. I can honestly say that any day behind the wheel is very fulfilling to me personally, and it makes the travel away from the family and the other normal life compromises that you make all worth it when you get behind the wheel and just kind of get to let loose.
I can’t say that it’s the same for everybody, but I think I can say for Loren and myself, this is what we are meant for. This is our purpose and what we do and we enjoy it. I think that comes through in our driving and in our content.
Vaughn Gittin Jr. admitted that there was plenty of chatter as
he and Loren Healy traded positions during the race.
LH: Definitely lucky to be able to turn our passion of what we love into our jobs and wrap our whole lives around it, and there are days that you’re like, man, this is brutal. Working 20-hour days, getting ready to go to the races, no days off for months at a time—it’s not all roses all the time, but we’re so lucky.
SN: Any special moments this season that really keep you focused when it’s one of those “brutal” days?
VGJ: I’m a professional fun-haver, right? But part of that is sharing fun and bringing joy to other people. It’s a huge fulfillment to me personally. It really, really fills my cup and my heart. All last year, the nonstop DMs and comments and when we would see people in person [we’d hear], “I love what you’re doing, keep it up. You don’t realize how big of an impact and how much of an inspiration you are.” I don’t do it for that, but that stuff feels good. It’s just crazy. It’s humbling that you can do something that you love so much and make such an impact on other people, so there’s not one thing that stands out. It’s just a constant, and I’m grateful to have those reminders of people reaching out and sharing their feelings on that.
LH: We had an event about October, the Off-Road Expo, where they typically get 5,000 or 10,000 people through the gate during the weekend. When we got there Saturday morning, there were 20,000 people lined around the gate who had just been missing this and needing it so bad. Unfortunately, the show actually ended up getting shut down because they just didn’t feel comfortable, but to me, that was really eye-opening and made me really miss it as well.
It’s one of those huge things with those 20-hour days, to get that fan who DMs you and just tells you how grateful he is for the things that you do and that they’re living their life vicariously through you, dreaming of getting to do that someday. It fuels our fire for sure.
SN: If you were trying to convince someone to give an electric vehicle a chance, what would you say?
Loren Healy stated that it was absolutely an incredible week
at this year’s King of The Hammers, despite all the
challenges the course can create for drivers.
VGJ: I would just tell them to go drive it. Like the Mustang Mach-E, for instance. A lot of the Mustang community is mad that the car has a pony badge on it. If anyone, I should be mad. I’m a Mustang guy to my core, but the acceleration is unbelievable. Because of the low center of gravity, the handling is something like you’ve never felt in an internal-combustion car except for super cars. The battery is in between the axles, inches from the ground, and the car just turns. It feels unbelievable.
I was that guy. I was that guy like—whatever—let me go here to my 1,200hp V8, that makes awesome sounds and bad-ass acceleration. I’ve been shifted. I’ve been swayed, and my increased love and passion for electric and these technologies is just a result of that. I got a taste of it, and now I’m like, “Oh, what can we do next?” It’s just like getting in a stock car.
We’re SEMA, right? This is a SEMA conversation, and what we do is take what these manufacturers do and make them more fun and exciting and personalize them. For me, I’m just as excited about doing that with electric vehicles as I am with the internal-combustion vehicles I’ve been playing with for the last 20 years.
LH: That definitely got me excited and thinking, “How can I tune it? What can I do to try to make that vehicle more fun on the streets? Or how I take it off-road?” You have to kind of convince people that sometimes new technology isn’t exactly the way they see things, but once we can start making it cool and show them that they can do fun stuff in their vehicles, they’re going to want to do it. The way technology is changing is for a reason, because it’s better. As people are educated and learn that, they’ll get more excited about it for sure.
The September 2021 issue of SEMA News will highlight rising stars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2021—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.
I was that guy. I was that guy like—whatever—let me go here to my 1,200hp V8, that makes awesome sounds and bad-ass acceleration. I’ve been shifted. I’ve been swayed, and my increased love and passion for electric and these technologies is just a result of that. I got a taste of it, and now I’m like, “Oh, what can we do next?” It’s just like getting in a stock car.
LH: That definitely got me excited and thinking, “How can I tune it? What can I do to try to make that vehicle more fun on the streets? Or how I take it off-road?” You have to kind of convince people that sometimes new technology isn’t exactly the way they see things, but once we can start making it cool and show them that they can do fun stuff in their vehicles, they’re going to want to do it. The way technology is changing is for a reason, because it’s better. As people are educated and learn that, they’ll get more excited about it for sure.
For more information on Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy, visit