Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

 

Head of Sales and Dealer Operations
EAH

EAH is hiring a head of sales and dealer operations (retail and wholesale channels) responsible for leading a team of 30+ sales associates to serve enthusiast customers and drive sales and margin growth for ECS Tuning, Turner Motorsports and EVAnnex. This position will capitalize on sales leads (growing wholesale and installers business across new territories), retain existing customers, and drive basket size and profitability initiatives while providing customers with outstanding service.

Marketing Coordinator
Vehicle Security Innovators Inc.

Vehicle Security Innovators Inc. is hiring a marketing coordinator to create, review, update and manage marketing collateral for all VSI entities; provide website administration for all VSI entities and websites; create and issue press releases and email blasts for all VSI entities; maintain social-media marketing for all VSI entities; prepare market research requested by members of the management team; and lead projects identified by members of the management team. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business or relevant field and two year’s previous experience as a marketing associate or related experience.

Product Engineer
Edelbrock Group

Edelbrock Group is looking for a motivated and energetic individual to be a product engineer. The ideal candidate will be an experienced mechanical engineer with a demonstrated ability utilizing 3-D CAD software. Candidates must have a good understanding of automotive mechanical systems and electronics and a background in racing, hot rodding, vehicle or engine building. This position reports to the vice president of product development at the company’s Memphis, Tennessee, facility.

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.

 

  Exhibitors of the 2022 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.

The list, which will be updated in SEMA News, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2022 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2022 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2022 SEMA Show.

View the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

  Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show, the premier gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry, is now open at www.semashow.com/register.

Taking place November 1–4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2022 SEMA Show will build upon the positive momentum following last year’s event, which successfully connected the $47.8 billion industry in person in what was the largest automotive trade show in North America since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.

“The SEMA Show is where industry professionals go to grow existing relationships, create new ones and push their businesses forward,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Exhibitors are eager to showcase their products and services to the tens of thousands of qualified professionals in attendance.”

Anticipation for this year's SEMA Show ramped up in recent weeks as exhibitors selected their booth locations during Priority Space Selection, a weeks-long process that took place May 2–18.

“Enthusiasm for the 2022 Show continues to exceed last year’s, with more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibitor space already committed for the 2022 SEMA Show and confirmed spaces running 25% above last year,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales.

Attendees at the 2022 SEMA Show will learn about the latest products, trends and technology in the industry from manufacturers exhibiting throughout the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, including the surrounding parking lots. Educational seminars led by industry experts and networking events that bring market niches together will also be available during the four-day trade event.

“Our industry continues to thrive despite current challenges in the marketplace, and last year’s event proved that the value of conducting business and networking face-to-face can never be replaced,” said Gattuso. “Our mission is to help continue that momentum by providing an unparalleled experience that builds meaningful business relationships.”

Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor and media—and everyone must qualify to attend. Attendees are encouraged to register early at www.semashow.com/register so they can secure their credentials and receive updates on breaking news from the 2022 SEMA Show.

Attendees are encouraged to check the floorplan to see where the companies they need to interact with will be located at the 2022 SEMA Show.

For more information about qualifying documents and the 2022 SEMA Show, log on to www.semashow.com.

SEMA News—September 2022

BUSINESS

Connecting for Business

Six Things Successful Buyers Do at the SEMA Show (Plus a Few Bonus Tips)

By Mike Imlay

For thousands of industry buyers, the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas constitutes a prime investment in business growth. Knowing how to successfully make and leverage Show connections will maximize your return on that investment.

There’s a reason specialty automotive buyers make the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas a top priority. When it comes to business growth, there is no other single place or event that delivers so much bang for the buck. Given that buyers put so much into the Show each year, how do they maximize their return on investment? It’s all about “connecting for success,” answers Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events.

“The SEMA Show is all about the connections that take place both on and off the Show floor,” Gattuso explained. “To be really successful, you’ll want to work to identify these opportunities, be cognizant when they arise, and leverage them to your advantage. Remember that successful business connections always start with a basic conversation, and that simple conversation can evolve into multiple opportunities.”

The 2022 SEMA Show returns November 1–-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). With the event upon us, here are six proven “connection best practices” that successful buyers employ at the Show.

1. They Arrive With a Goal-Oriented Game Plan

Arriving at the SEMA Show with an itinerary and goals in hand may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how many attendees skip this basic step. First off, your plan should take into account transportation, which will save you time, hassle and stress.

There are a variety of pre-Show materials to help identify features, events and exhibitors you will want to see. They include the official SEMA Show website
(www.SEMAshow.com), the SEMA News Show Preview and the 2022 SEMA Show app. Using them, build out a thoughtful schedule for yourself and a logical route to each of your Show destinations.

“Buyers are best served when they come up with a pre-Show plan for who they want to see and where they want to go throughout the event. And this is the time to be selfish. This is where you want to invest your efforts and what you want to get out of the Show. Target what will benefit you and how it will help increase your business,” said Gattuso.

2. They’re Flexible, Open and Ready With Questions

With your game plan in hand, hit the Las Vegas Convention Center, starting with your Show priorities, but stay flexible. You don’t want to be so single-minded that you miss the opportunities that can spring up literally anywhere at the SEMA Show.

“You’re going to have conversations all throughout the Show floor, and not just in the exhibitor booths. Those conversations could be buyer to buyer, buyer to exhibitor, or even exhibitor to exhibitor because there’s so much that’s being discussed that week,” Gattuso observed.

Most of those discussions will revolve around two central themes: the industry innovations now taking place and what the future will look like. According to Gattuso, “A buyer will want to prepare himself or herself for as many of these discussions and connections as possible, because they’re going to help his or her business in the long run.”

Remember that a good way to break the ice at a busy booth is to simply introduce yourself and lead with some questions. “Don’t feel shy about approaching even a crowded space and asking or probing whether an exhibitor has a product or service that can help your business. That’s what everyone is here for. We all want to make connections,” said Gattuso.

Following up on leads after the Show is also paramount, even with people not directly related to your business. That’s because the most successful businesses build a broad network of industry contacts they can not only do business with, but learn from.

“What starts as a conversation on the Show floor needs to continue with a followup down the road,” Gattuso asserted. “The Show isn’t the end in itself. The SEMA Show is ideally the start of what hopefully will be long relationships with everyone you meet.”

3. They Network and Educate Themselves

Networking isn’t just about buying, selling and cementing deals. It’s about gaining the knowledge needed to help your business grow. That’s why attending seminars, panel discussions, Brew Talks and other educational activities are also among the hallmarks of successful buyers.

“Our Show education tracks and seminars draw people with similar interests and needs. When you go to an education session, it’s because you’re interested in the specific content that a speaker is presenting. That means you’re also literally surrounded by people that are in the same situation as you. That creates the perfect environment for conversations about the many other things you have in common. Discussing those commonalities—as well as differences—can move everyone’s business forward.

“Building a relationship with somebody who’s at a similar stage in their business or on a similar path in their career can lead to insights that will help you both down the road,” Gattuso continued. He added that the 2022 SEMA Education program has been redesigned with more immersive learning opportunities to promote attendee interaction and discussion. Ultimately, the aim is to arm participants with “actionable” knowledge.

“We have been working hard to redefine the model of what trade-show education can be,” explained Gattuso. “We’re creating learning environments where people can be comfortable asking questions, sharing information and meeting colleagues. This year there will be more opportunities than ever for group participation in all of our education events.”

4. They Share in the Industry Passion

The specialty automotive industry’s passion for performance and innovation permeates every square foot of the SEMA Show. But successful buyers don’t simply observe it; they immerse themselves in it. And that immersion includes attendance at a variety of networking events.

“We build specific programming into the Show that’s targeted to every industry segment and interest,” noted Gattuso. “Networking events are opportunities to meet like-minded business people, share best practices, discover new trends and exchange information. We believe that when the industry shares its passion and grows collectively, everyone prospers.”

Many of the Show’s events evolve around awards and special presentations (see sidebar: “Four Bonus Tips” on p. 70. But SEMA’s nine councils and networks also host numerous receptions and events throughout Show week. The gatherings are great opportunities to learn how ongoing trade-association involvement can increase your industry knowledge, expand your professional network, gain access to year-round SEMA resources and benefits, and effect real change in the industry. (Be sure to consult Show guides for SEMA council and network events and schedules.)

But networking isn’t confined to the Show halls and events. Many business collaborations are launched through after-hours “napkin conversations” inspired by Show experiences throughout the week.

As Gattuso put it, “The passion and progression of ideas never stop. They’re always top of mind for exhibitors, attendees and media alike. So don’t be surprised when you find yourself at an after-hours gathering talking with someone about an idea and seeing it evolve further.

“For a lot of Show participants, everything starts with a simple conversation and congeals the rest of the week and in the months following our event. So making use of the Show to initiate as many conversations as possible only increases your chances of growth and success.”

5. They Change Things Up

Because the SEMA Show is an established trade event with a 50-plus year history, it’s easy to take exhibits and features for granted and settle into an annual routine. But don’t.

“You never want to do the same thing that you did the year before, because we’re constantly evolving,” said Gattuso. “Every year is a big year for the Show. Each SEMA Show is like a new building block stacked on the one prior. Every year presents new opportunities, and every Show is unique. There are always new developments, new advancements, new connections and new products to see and talk about.”

The New Products Showcase is an essential stop for buyers. It offers an extensive array of products representing every industry niche. Items are scannable to your mobile device via the SEMA Show app to lead you directly to exhibitors.

To truly connect with the Show, you’ll want to stay abreast of breaking announcements through the previously mentioned Show publications, website, app and related SEMA media. Change up your routine and seek out new exhibitors, tech demonstrations, and Show features and sections. Two examples this year include a new section devoted to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) technologies and an expanded SEMA Electrified section focused on EV trends. There will also be two new New Products Showcase categories and awards reflecting those ADAS and electrification
technologies.

“The important thing is the industry is never stagnant—it’s constantly changing. And our Show’s exhibitors, attendees and media representative are the ones pushing the industry’s products and messaging forward. That’s what you want to connect with and be a part of,” said Gattuso.

6. They Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up

This can’t be stressed enough: The most successful attendees follow up on the Show discussions they’ve had and with the contacts they’ve made.

“It’s easy for attendees to return to their businesses after Show week, feel the need to ‘catch up’ and then find themselves falling back into all their usual tasks,” conceded Gattuso. “That’s why having a follow-up plan is as important as drawing up a pre-Show game plan.”

That follow-up plan should include how you will collect, organize and track leads during and after the Show. (Hint: one of the best ways is to use the free SEMA Show app, which will allow you to log and retrieve your leads as well as any vehicle, company and product information you scanned at the event.) As a focused, diligent buyer, you’ll likely return home with a host of leads to pursue right away, but don’t stop there.

“I always advise buyers to not only reconnect with their contacts as soon as possible, but at six-month, 12-month and three-year intervals as well. Make it an ongoing dialogue. You’ve invested a lot in the Show. In the end, those continued industry connections will maximize the return on that investment,” said Gattuso.

Four Bonus Tips: Show Features That Build Connections

The following are quick rundowns of several key Show features designed to help you connect and grow your business. Consult Show guides and the 2022 SEMA Show app for details, locations and times.

1. The New Products Showcase: This is often the first stop for buyers when they get to the Show. Each year the Showcase displays more than 2,000 new and featured products from manufacturers representing every industry segment. Occupying 30,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space for 2022, it’s a window into what’s trending. More importantly, each product is scannable to the SEMA Show app on your mobile device, making it easy to add the exhibitor to your itinerary.

2. Feature Vehicles: The SEMA Show is renowned for the exciting parts and accessories displayed on Show vehicles representing every industry niche, from cars and trucks to powersports. More than rolling works of art, the vehicles display real-life applications of the aftermarket’s latest and most impressive products. Located throughout the LVCC, the display vehicles are also scannable with the SEMA Show app, connecting Showgoers with the brands and products used in the builds.

3. Demonstrations and Dedicated Show Areas: The beauty of aftermarket products is their ability to unleash vehicle performance. Activation areas throughout the Show, and especially out front of the LVCC, offer thrilling demos of the industry’s products in action. In addition, the 2022 Show will again present the Overland Experience and SEMA Electrified, along with other special sections dedicated to popular trends and emerging vehicle technologies, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

4. Show Banquets, Awards and Special Events: Special events are prime opportunities for networking, trendspotting and discovering new products and exhibitors. Some favorites include the Monday Night Reveal, featuring food and entertainment and vehicle teasers, along with the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast on Tuesday morning featuring the Show’s New Products Awards.

Throughout Show week, there are multiple events for SEMA Launch Pad, which highlights industry entrepreneurs seeking to bring new innovations to market. The SEMA Battle of The Builders (BOTB) competition also runs throughout the Show to spotlight cutting-edge industry builders and the products they use.

Wednesday evening, the International Happy Hour, which honors Global Media Award recipients, is also popular with buyers scouting products with international appeal. Then Thursday night’s SEMA Industry Awards Banquet offers yet another key networking opportunity, especially at the reception beforehand.

On Friday, the annual SEMA Cruise closes out the Show, followed by SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after-party, where the BOTB winner is crowned.

Connect for Success Get the Show App

Once you’ve registered, be sure to start your pre-event planning with the 2022 SEMA Show app, available for free download at your mobile device’s native app store. The app includes a product scanner, maps, scheduling and turn-by-turn direction features, along with exhibitor and event lookups, transportation information and feeds from official SEMA Show social-media channels.

If you haven’t already registered for the 2022 SEMA Show, November 1–4, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, now is the time to start the connections. For information and registration, go to www.SEMAshow.com.

SEMA News—September 2022

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

Law and Order

By Daniel Ingber

FEDERAL UPDATE

Ocean Shipping Reform Act Signed Into Law: President Biden signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to improve ongoing supply-chain issues and backlogs at ports. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was passed unanimously by the Senate and overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives. The bill strengthens the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which oversees international ocean shipping, to enforce against exploitative business practices and investigate fees charged by shipping companies. Shipping company invoices will need to include accurate information on a container’s availability date, port of discharge, free time, rates and contact information. The FMC will also establish a webpage for complaint submissions and maintain an office for dispute resolution services.

RPM Act: With members of Congress returning to Washington in September, now is the time to demand they pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), H.R. 3281 and S. 2736, before they leave town for the mid-term election. The RPM Act clarifies that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to convert a street vehicle into a dedicated race car under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The bill would also confirm that producing, marketing and installing racing equipment on track vehicles does not violate the CAA. The RPM Act enjoys strong bipartisan support in the 2021–2022 session of Congress, including more than 150 co-sponsors, but SEMA members and the racing community must turn up the pressure on lawmakers to pass the bill this fall.

Below are things you can do right now to help to pass the RPM Act:

• Invite your members of Congress to visit your business or participate in a virtual meeting with your lawmaker and SEMA staff. Email erics@sema.org for a template and more information. Call and send a letter to your lawmakers at: www.saveourracecars.com. A letter has already been drafted. It takes less than a minute.
• Sign a letter to your lawmakers on company letterhead. Email erics@sema.org for a template and more information.
• Post about the RPM Act on your company’s social-media accounts using the digital assets toolkit at www.sema.org/rpmtools.
• Learn more about SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) at www.SEMApac.com. SEMA PAC allows SEMA members to support the lawmakers that stand up for our industry in Washington, D.C.

IRS Raises Standard Mileage Rate: The Internal Revenue Service 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 rising gas prices. The change took 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.

NHTSA Updates Standard Reference Test Tire: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule to update the standard reference test tire (SRTT) used as a baseline tire to rate treadwear, braking traction, snow traction and evaluate pavement surface friction. The rule was necessary because the only manufacturer of the previously referenced SRTT ceased production of the tire. Referencing a new SRTT ensures the availability of a test tire for testing purposes. Under the final rule, ASTM E1136, ‘‘Standard Specification for P195/75R14 Radial Standard Reference Test Tire’’ (14-in. SRTT) will be replaced with ASTM F2493, Standard Specification for P225/60R16 (16-in. SRTT). The 16-in. SRTT is considered more representative of current tires because of its larger size, new material and design features that are more typical of modern passenger car tires.

Changes to California’s Prop 65 Short-Form Warnings Abandoned for Now: California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment did not complete the regulatory process for its proposed amendments to the Proposition 65 short-form warning within the allotted time and allowed the rulemaking to lapse. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment stated it intends to start the regulatory process again with a new proposal to update the short-form warning label and will consider the comments on the previous proposal into this process. SEMA submitted comments opposing the initial proposal and the subsequent modifications, as the new regulations would have mandated that at least one chemical associated with cancer and/or one chemical known to be a carcinogen be identified on the short form. Prop 65 doesn’t stop anyone from selling their products regardless of what chemicals they contain. It simply requires consumer warning labels under certain circumstances. The current short-form warning does not identify a specific chemical(s) while the long-form warning requires identification of a specific chemical(s).

STATE UPDATE

Michigan—Historic Vehicles: The Michigan House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation to expand the usage of historic vehicles by allowing vehicles to be driven without restrictions between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. The bill declares this time period as “participation in an exhibition.” Currently, historic vehicles may only be used in participation for club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses with the month of August declared as an exhibition period. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Alaska—License Plate: The Alaska legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to allow the display of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger vehicles. Under current law, vehicles must display two license plates.

Iowa—Antique Vehicles: The Iowa legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to reduce the registration fee/tax for older antique vehicles from 5% of the purchase price to 2%.

Iowa—License Plate: The Iowa legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment two SEMA-supported bills to allow certain vehicles to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. Under one bill, eligible motor vehicles included those “registered as antiques or any vehicle that would require modifications including but not limited to adding or mounting hardware, drilling, or adding adhesives in order to secure a front registration plate.” Under the other bill, eligible motor vehicles included vintage (model year ’79 or older), reconstructed or specially-constructed vehicles built to resemble a vintage motor vehicle, and limited-production motor vehicles.

Iowa—License Plates: The Iowa legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to allow the state to issue newly-created year-of-manufacture license plates for antique vehicles. Current law allows only vintage year-of-manufacture plates in original condition with DMV approval.

Minnesota—Ethanol: The Minnesota legislature defeated two SEMA-opposed bills to increase the standard biofuel blend in gasoline to 15% ethanol (E15). One bill had an exemption for retailers who sell less than 500,000 gal. of gasoline/biofuel per year who are not equipped to store and dispense E15, while another bill had an exemption for retailers who sell less than 300,000 gal. of gasoline/biofuel per year.

Minnesota—License Plate: The Minnesota legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation for the issuance of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for special-interest vehicles.

Missouri—Historic Vehicles: The Missouri legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation that would have allowed historic vehicles to be issued license plates without an annual mileage restriction. Current law limits historic vehicle owners to 1,000 mi. of driving for personal use per year.

New Hampshire—Exhaust: Governor Chris Sununu signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to allow the use of side-mounted exhaust on antique vehicles. The new law specifies exhaust discharge points (must be to the rear edge of either door if the vehicle has two doors and to the rear edge of either rear door if the vehicle has four doors) and such system directs exhaust gas away from the vehicle.

New Jersey—License Plate: The New Jersey Senate introduced SEMA-supported legislation to allow the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue newly created classic license plates for display on all vehicles. The new plates will resemble those issued between 1979 and 1991, featuring sand-yellow text on a blue background. The legislation awaits consideration in the Senate Transportation Committee.

South Carolina—Automotive Hobby Recognition: The South Carolina legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to designate the automotive hobby as the official family-friendly pastime of the state, specifically the “restoration, exhibition, showing, and enjoyment of classic and antique motor vehicles.”

Vermont—Exhaust Noise: The Vermont legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-model legislation to create a fair testing procedure for vehicles suspected of exhaust noise violations. The proposal would have implemented the Society of Automotive Engineers’ objective testing procedures for determining if a vehicle’s installed exhaust system is more than 95 decibels.

Vermont—Inspections: The Vermont legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to require biennial safety and emissions inspection in lieu of the current annual obligation.

Vermont—License Plate: The Vermont legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to require the display of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger vehicles with a registered weight of 10,000 lbs. or less.

Vermont—Window Tint: The Vermont legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to allow window shading or tinting material on the side and vent windows to the left and right side of the driver.

  

By Ashley Reyes

Creating a culture of fun is important for the success of any team or organization, particularly because a fun culture helps to keep employees engaged and attract new talent.  

Tiffanie Hartenstein, CEO of Oracle Lighting, is no stranger to this concept and will join the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) for a Facebook and Instagram live chat to share ideas that have worked for her company on September 8, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).   

Hartenstein attributes Oracle’s positive company culture to helping the company achieve SEMA’s Manufacturer of the Year Award. SEMA members are invited to connect with Hartenstein directly and join in on an inspiring discussion on how to influence fun and positivity within one’s own organization.

Hartenstein will answer participant questions live on the SBN Facebook page and SBN Instagram live (@sbn_sema).

RSVP and reminders about the event here.

SEMA News—September 2022

PEOPLE

Remembering Dave McClelland

The voice of countless drag races and SEMA events left a rich legacy of memories and set a high bar for those who follow him behind the microphone

By Drew Hardin

Photography Courtesy NHRA and Petersen Publishing Company Archives

Dave McClelland “cared about the people in our industry, and he brought that care to all the work he did with SEMA—whether it was as a volunteer serving on various committees or standing in front of an audience for the countless award banquets he anchored as master of ceremonies,” said outgoing SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

That voice. The honeyed baritone was so distinctive, immediately recognizable whether he was addressing thousands at an NHRA drag race, hundreds at a SEMA Banquet or in one-on-one conversation. And it wasn’t just the tenor of his voice; even when he was behind the microphone, Dave McClelland sounded like he was talking to just you, car guy to car guy (or gal), fully engaged in the passion he shared with fans and friends.

Sadly, we won’t have those conversations anymore. McClelland passed away of natural causes in May at the age of 85. We are fortunate, though, that so much of his work can still be enjoyed through archival videos available online. We can relive the excitement of a final-round upset or the drama of an engine explosion, all while McClelland narrates the action with a mix of expertise and authority—and concern for a racer’s safety when the unexpected happens.

There’s no question McClelland brought a tremendous amount of talent to his role as an announcer. Training, too. He was interested in music and drama as far back as high school and took what he called an “experimental” course in radio and television broadcasting while in college in central Missouri in the mid-’50s.

But McClelland had qualities that set him apart from those with just talent and training. It’s what former SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting called his “secret sauce.”

McClelland, said Kersting, “collected a lifetime of knowledge and relationships in the performance and racing industry, and that was the foundation for his outstanding work, whether it was in media, in his career announcing racing events, or performing as master of ceremonies. He cared about people in our industry, and he really brought that care to all the work he did. What was special about Dave was that he was one of those people whose personal traits and talents came together with a career role that allowed him to really deliver in an exceptional way.”

“He would look you in the eye, he would speak to you with respect, and he was just an overwhelmingly positive influence,” said Brian Lohnes, who now fills McClelland’s role as lead announcer for the NHRA. “Whether you’re talking about interacting with a single person at the race track or with a million people on TV, Dave’s genuine nature came through. He made everyone feel important and respected.”

McClelland was affable and humble. He may have broadcast from the tower, but he was just as comfortable walking through the pits talking to racers and listening to stories from fans. His approachability was rooted in the fact that he was a true enthusiast and a drag racer himself.

Blown Away

As he told the story in various interviews over the years, McClelland’s first exposure to drag racing was in 1955, when he went to a race in his Kansas City, Missouri, hometown while a senior in high school. He remembered being “blown away” by what he saw. Not only could fans get close to the drivers and the cars in the pits, but unlike the Circle Track racing that was popular in the area, drag racing was something he could see himself doing.

McClelland held several positions during his tenure at the NHRA, from track manager to director of communications.

He did just that. He started racing while he finished college and began his career in television and radio, and he would continue to race for years. One of his cars, the “Tuna Tank” Fiat Altered, has been restored and is on display at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

McClelland was first able to mix his racing and broadcasting passions in 1959 at a small airstrip-turned-race-track in Carlisle, Arkansas. As he recalled in an interview with Hot Rod magazine, he was there with friends who were racing a modified sports car, and he found himself in the staging lanes when Eddie Hill and Art Malone (filling in for Don Garlits) lined up for a series of match races. The track announcer became suddenly mute.

“The guy either froze or fainted or whatever,” McClelland said. “Here’s the best-known drag racer in the world right in front of you on your race track, and you’re holding the mic not saying anything. How can you do this? The manager was getting more and more concerned by the moment, and I turned to him and said, ‘Do you mind if I give it a try?’ He said, ‘You couldn’t do any worse.’”

For many years McClelland juggled race announcing with his day job on the radio, even after he signed on with the NHRA in 1961 to work at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

“They were going to compensate me $25 and a hotel room,” he told Hot Rod. “That was five days of work with three announcers, for $25. Yes, the math is correct, that’s $5 a day. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”

High Demand

For the next 10 years, McClelland worked at NHRA races on a part-time basis and took other announcing gigs as he was able. In the early ’70s he spent a short time managing the Dallas International Speedway for NHRA; but when that track left the sanctioning body, he joined NHRA’s promotions and PR department. By 1973, he took the job he would hold for decades as the television host of the NHRA’s drag racing series and its on-site event announcer.

McClelland began announcing drag races in 1959 and signed on with the NHRA in 1961 at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

Even then, McClelland mixed his NHRA announcing duties with other work. He joined the staff of Popular Hot Rodding magazine as an ad salesman in the late ’70s and while there, came up with the concept of the Super Chevy Sunday shows. He did voice-over work for television and radio commercials. He began hosting the SEMA Awards Banquet in 1976 and would soon be in high demand as a master of ceremonies for a number of corporate clients, most of which, like SEMA, were automotive- and/or performance-related.

“Dave would take the time to meet around a conference room table on several occasions in advance to plan each and every SEMA Awards Banquet each year,” Kersting said. “It was during these sessions that you could really see Dave’s incredible industry experience and his interest in the people we would be honoring, and the level of care to get it right. We all learned so much over the years from him during those sessions. Dave’s standards and approach for delivering great events is going to live on at SEMA as a legacy.

“It was special, and I think everybody realized it was special, too,” Kersting added. “We all, across the course of our lives, are exposed to people who perform in a role that Dave was performing, and rarely do you run into somebody who could do it like Dave could do it.”

McClelland retired from the NHRA in 2003, having spent, by his count, some 27 years doing play-by-play on television and 40-some years as a track announcer. His love of the sport never flagged; it was the stress of the travel that finally took him off the road.

“I think that somebody who doesn’t travel for a living and have to work on the road doesn’t understand how hard it can be on you,” he told Hot Rod. When his broadcasting partner and good friend Steve Evans died of a heart attack in a Las Vegas hotel room in the late ’80s, “that solidified my thinking that I ain’t gonna drop dead on the road. Of course, I just damn near dropped dead on the road two years later, in 1991, when I needed a triple bypass. I never got discouraged about the racing. I got to the point I couldn’t take the travel anymore.”

“Dave’s standards and approach for delivering great events is going to live on at SEMA as a legacy,” said Kersting.

Among the accolades and awards McClelland earned over the course of his career was induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1994. His Hall of Fame bio noted that “Dave has been such a presence in the performance industry that he ranks as one of the few ‘behind-the-mic’ talents whose face is as recognizable as his voice.” He was also inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, earned a spot on the Car Craft magazine All-Star Drag Racing Team as well as a Car Craft Ollie Award, was given a Founder’s Award by the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, and received a Pioneer Award by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.

“His Heart and Soul Were in the Sport”

Lohnes started working with McClelland after his retirement, when he was doing the corporate emcee work and announcing at nostalgia drag races and other, smaller events.

“I think his most endearing quality, when you watched a race where he was announcing, you could tell he was engaged in the race, in what was happening, and in the people who were racing. He was not a guy who started in another motorsport and ended up in drag racing. His heart and soul were in the sport. He was a home-grown product of the sport, and that set him apart. If you look at the way he spoke about the drivers and their accomplishments, he gave them the gravitas they deserved.”

Lohnes said McClelland didn’t have a favorite event, per se, “but at the U.S. Nationals he always sounded a little different, in a good way. And when Don Garlits was in the final round, there was always a little more gas in the tank for Dave. I’m not saying he had a favorite, or he was pulling for Garlits to win, but there was something about Don Garlits and the magic of that era and what he did that definitely brought the best out in Dave.”

McClelland spent more than 40 years as an on-track announcer for the NHRA. A drag racer himself, he brought expertise and authority to his racing calls.

For Lohnes, McClelland’s most memorable race call was in 1986, when Garlits faced Darrell Gwynn in the Top Fuel final of the NHRA Chief Nationals in Dallas. Gwynn was heavily favored, having set the brand-new track’s ET and speed records (and was the first-ever Top Fueler to run under 5.20 sec. and more than 275 mph).

This race was “probably the single most excited, screamy moment that Dave has ever had,” Lohnes said. “He was never a screamer. Dave had that big baritone voice, but he used it very smartly. But in this particular race, he just loses his mind, and it’s fantastic.”

Garlits, too, has vivid memories of that race in Dallas. “I went right to the line and staged, never allowing any time for heat. I never ran a very high percentage of nitro and didn’t need a lot of heat like everyone else. Gwynn’s car stumbled, and that’s all it took. Dave must have had a bet on me with the NHRA ‘kids’ in the tower, thinking that I wasn’t going to let the ‘Kid’ beat me. When I won, all hell must have broken loose in the tower, and Dave went nuts over the PA. I never really found out how much was bet, but it probably was a good bit!

“I loved Dave, he was a real fan, followed my career for many years,” Garlits added. “I worked with Dave for many years doing TV. He was one of the nicest people to work with that I have ever met.”

“Dave was the antithesis of that saying, ‘You should never meet your heroes,’” Lohnes said. “If they’re like Dave McClelland, you should always meet your heroes.”

By Ashley Reyes

Staying in tune and ahead of trends is one of the most important things any business can do. As the hot-rod market changes and evolves through different styles, capabilities and technology, it’s critical for businesses to have in-depth, inside knowledge of what they can do to position themselves to capitalize on trends.

After an exciting year and car show season, the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is bringing together industry leaders to look back and highlight the trends that got the hot-rod market where it is today and what will be changing business, design and fabrication in the year ahead.

Taking place on September 7, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), the virtual panel discussion will be led by Amy Fitzgerald of Cool Hand Customs and feature panelists Jonathan Goolsby, Goolsby Customs; Stacey David, Rattletrap Productions; and Scott Parker, Power Automedia.

Participants will hear the panel’s insight on what trends led the way this past year, what they should expect to see at the 2022 SEMA Show, and what’s in store for the future of the hot-rod market.

Register here.

SEMA News—September 2022

FROM THE HILL

Lawmakers Love Formula Drift

Key Congressmen Take in Formula D, Which Seeks Certainty Provided by RPM Act

By Eric Snyder

(From Left): Jim Liaw from PRI; Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee; and SEMA’s Eric Snyder and Daniel Ingber pose for a picture on the track after opening ceremonies for the Formula DRIFT Pro Series race in Englishtown, New Jersey.

When the average person thinks of racing, they usually picture an oval track or a dragstrip. While it’s true that these two types of racetracks dominate the hobby, motorsports today encompasses so much more. From off-road racing to land-speed racing, rock crawling, drifting and even donk racing (big-wheel vehicles), it’s clear that motorsports today is a big tent with something for everyone.

SEMA and PRI are committed to shining a light on all the exciting things taking place on four wheels, recently hosting two key members of Congress, U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the Chairman of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee (E&C), and Darren Soto (D-FL), an E&C Committee member and RPM Act co-sponsor, at Formula Drift events in New Jersey and Florida. Both lawmakers had a chance to see firsthand the importance of racing in their districts, and their time at the track reinforced the need to pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), which would provide legal certainty to thousands of racers who compete in modified production vehicles and to the businesses that produce and sell racing products used exclusively on the track.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Visits Formula Drift Event in Englishtown, New Jersey

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

Rep. Pallone is one of the most important and influential policymakers in Washington, D.C. As chairman of the E&C Committee—which has one of the broadest jurisdictions of any congressional committee, including automotive, health care, energy, environment, commerce, food and drug safety, consumer protection, telecommunications and the internet—he is a leading voice in Congress when it comes to making public policy surrounding the vehicles we love to drive, including street vehicles and race cars. Chairman Pallone is very familiar with the RPM Act and his support is critical to our efforts to pass the bill in 2022.

Rep. Pallone’s visit to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, for the Formula Drift event reinforced his support for the motorsports community. In addition to watching PRO Series drivers compete, Chairman Pallone met with Mike Napp, Owner of Old Bridge Raceway Park, members of the U.S. Air Force, racing businesses from New Jersey, and PROSPEC Drivers from the Garden State, including Ricky Hoffman, Alex Jagger and Matthew Bystrak. Chairman Pallone was honored during the PRO Series opening ceremonies for his efforts to support motorsports.

“It was great to visit Formula Drift at Raceway Park and meet with fans, the teams, and hardworking crew who are so committed to this sport,” said Rep. Pallone. “I especially enjoyed having the chance to check out one of the cars on my own. I wish everyone the very best of luck in their competitions this year.”

As a native and lifetime resident of Long Branch, located along the northern part of New Jersey’s picturesque coastline, Chairman Pallone grew up listening to the music of the Garden State’s favorite son, Bruce Springsteen. For those of you less familiar with The Boss, his love of musclecars and speed is well documented in his music. That same passion for cars and modifying vehicles is still a vibrant part of the culture in and around Rep. Pallone’s district, which includes Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. Chairman Pallone looks back fondly on the many afternoons he spent taking in races at Wall Speedway with his children as they were growing up.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto Visits Formula Drift Event in Orlando, Florida

U.S. Representative Darren Soto (D-FL) [center], members of the U.S. Air Force, and Formula DRIFT’s president, Ryan Sage [second from left], and sponsorship director, Bryan Olfert [right], at the event in Orlando, Florida.

When the Formula Drift series came to Central Florida, Rep. Soto jumped at the chance to take in the competition at Orlando Speed World. While Rep. Soto will modestly tell you that he is not a car guy, my conversations with him would beg to differ. The Congressman has great insight on the automotive trends and vehicles he prefers. Rep. Soto also happens to be the owner of an ’11 Ford Mustang convertible that he enjoys taking out when he’s back home.

Rep. Soto has been a strong advocate for the RPM Act, using his position on the E&C Committee to advocate for the bill’s passage. He is also a sponsor of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR Act), a bipartisan bill that would ensure enthusiasts, aftermarket businesses and repair shops have access to the information and tools that are needed to maintain and modify vehicles.

In addition to watching Pro Series drivers qualify, he accompanied Ryan Sage, president of Formula Drift, on a tour of the event that included meetings with racers, exhibiting businesses from Florida and members of the U.S. Air Force. Rep. Soto met with representatives from BC Racing, Drift HQ and LZMFG along with ProSpec driver Richard Advani and the race team for ProSeries driver Dan Burkett.

“It was great to see so many local businesses working hard to make exciting drift racing events happen,” said Rep. Soto. “Events like Formula Drift not only promote safe, legal racing, but they also bring visitors from all over to Central Florida.
I am happy that our region was chosen to hold this event and hope it continues to happen every year.”

Rep. Soto has lived in Orlando for nearly 20 years, although he is a native New Jerseyan. While studying economics as an undergraduate at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he did some volunteer campaign work for his local Congressman, Rep. Frank Pallone. After graduating, he worked in the insurance industry before attending the George Washington University Law School. Rep. Soto followed his family to Orlando after graduating law school, opening a legal practice that included family law, civil litigation and real-estate law. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2007, served in the Florida Senate (2009–2016) and was elected to Congress in 2016. Rep. Soto’s congressional district includes all of Osceola and parts of Orange and Polk Counties. He is running for a fourth term in November.

Formula Drift Events:

• Grand Prix of Long Beach–Long Beach, California (2006–present)
• Road Atlanta–Braselton, Georgia (2004–present)
• Lake Erie Speedway–Erie, Pennsylvania (2021–present)
• Evergreen Speedway–Monroe, Washington (2006–present)
• Orlando Speed World–Orlando, Florida (2015–present)
• Old Bridge Township Raceway Park–Englishtown, New Jersey (2008–present)
• Irwindale Speedway–Irwindale, California (2004–present)

Formula Drift Background

While drifting’s roots are firmly planted in Japan, this form of motorsports competition has grown in popularity all over the world. Formula Drift (also known as Formula D) is the premier North American professional drifting championship series featuring eight events each year. Each event consists of an eight-round championship where competitors are judged based on their line, angle and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time.

Formula Drift features production vehicles that are either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive cars that have been converted to rear-wheel drive. The series is known for having an open engine rulebook, as drivers can also swap engines from manufacturers other than the company that made the vehicle. Formula Drift Drivers can also modify the engine, transmission, ECU, and/or final drive modifications, resulting in a huge variety of engine/chassis combinations as well as power outputs of 800 hp or more. Suspension tuning is also a vital part of any successful Formula D team.

Formula Drift blends traditional racing and extreme sports, which has made the series incredibly popular with the under-35 crowd, bringing a diverse group of young men and women into the world of motorsports and modifying cars.

Formula Drift features licensed drivers competing in the PRO and PROSPEC series. Drivers in North America can also compete in regionally sanctioned PRO/AM organizations for licensing. Winners and high finishers of these feeder series are then able to enter the Formula DRIFT PROSPEC series, a secondary national tour where they compete to move up to the main series.

RPM Act Background

Modifying vehicles is a tale as old as time. Ever since the birth of the automobile, gear heads and automotive businesses ranging from small businesses to automakers have been working to make vehicles faster and more efficient for motorsports competition. Formula Drift represents a segment of the hobby that personifies this rich tradition and its constant evolution. SEMA is inspired by the creativity of industry businesses and organizations like Formula Drift that rely on converting street vehicles for the track, which is why the association is at the forefront of the effort to pass the RPM Act and protect the right to modify.

Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) interpretation of the Clean Air Act (CAA), the modified production cars used in Formula Drift are a violation of the 1970 law even though they are trailered to and from the track in the same way that purpose-built vehicles are transported to races. The EPA maintains that purpose-built race cars are not subject to the CAA because they were never street-legal and thus can never be driven on the road. However, the agency’s position is that race cars that have been converted from previously street-legal vehicles can never have their emissions system modified from their original, EPA-certified configuration. This is where Congress comes in, as lawmakers can pass legislation to clarify that it is not a violation of the CAA to convert a street vehicle into a dedicated track vehicle, which would protect racers and businesses that produce, sell and install performance parts for motorsports competition.

SEMA is working closely with members of Congress to pass the RPM Act and override the EPA’s position on modifying street vehicles for the track. While much of our advocacy takes place on Capitol Hill, the most important thing we can do is bring lawmakers to motorsports events to see firsthand what is at stake and why the right to modify vehicles for racing must be protected in federal law.