In 2020, our friends at Ford Authority reported that Ford will launch a King Ranch Explorer for the ’21 model year. Here’s a first look at the upcoming King Ranch model.
Though the vehicle has its badges covered, the King Ranch badge can be clearly seen from underneath the masking tape. Outside of that, there's a new grille that appears to be borrowed from the Explorer Limited. The wheels also appear to be similar in design to the ones used on the Limited. But what is different is a set of four-tipped exhaust outlets that are present out back, suggesting the use of the EcoBoost 3.0L V6 engine borrowed from either the Platinum or ST (365hp or 400hp).
The King Ranch Explorer will likely differentiate itself by having more standard features and creature comforts, particularly inside the cabin, where we can expect leather, and then more leather. Expect a reveal in Q1, with a likely on sale date this fall.
Phoenix Raceway will host a limited number of fans throughout
the annual spring event weekend.
Phoenix to Host Limited Fans for 2021 NASCAR Spring Weekend
As NASCAR returns to the Valley of the Sun for Phoenix Raceway’s annual spring event weekend (March 12-14), Phoenix Raceway will host a limited number of fans throughout the three-day event. The reduced capacity follows enhanced safety protocols and procedures to provide a safe environment for fans, competitors, employees and industry personnel. All guests will be screened before entering the facility at staggered entry times and must wear face coverings. Multiple handwashing and hand-sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the operating areas and entrances, and a “clean team” of staff will disinfect common areas. As a result of the limitations, many guests will have their grandstand seats relocated to ensure social distancing. Also, due to the limited capacity, Phoenix Raceway will no longer accommodate some guests who have already purchased tickets for the spring event weekend. Season ticket holders will receive priority as part of this process. For more information, visit www.phoenixraceway.com.
Red Line Synthetic Oil to Support H.E.P. Motorsports Twisted Tea Suzuki Team Throughout 2021 Motocross and Supercross Seasons
Red Line Synthetic Oil has announced that its partnership with the H.E.P. Motorsports team, factory team of Suzuki Motor of America Inc. (SMAI), will continue through 2021. In addition to the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross series, Red Line will also provide products and technical support to the team as they compete in the 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. For the new year, the official worldwide Suzuki Supercross team has been renamed to Twisted Tea Suzuki, as Twisted Tea hard seltzer has signed on as the new title partner. Working in tandem with the passionate team at H.E.P., the company will apply its motorsports knowledge to provide riders with application-specific high-performance products, including Red Line’s new items, Chain Lube with Shockproof and SuperCool Performance, as well as the brand’s Assembly Lube, Liquid Assembly Lube, CV-2 Grease and RL-600 Brake Fluid. The 2021 H.E.P team will return with mainstays, such as Max Anstie and Adam Enticknap, and round out the roster with the addition of multi-time podium finisher Brandon Hartranft.
United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) will hold
36 races in 2021.
36 Races for USMTS in 2021
Officials from the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) have announced the richest and boldest schedule of events in the history of the premier dirt modified series for the 2021 campaign. With 36 nights of racing on the calendar, the main event winners are set to take home $310,032, with more than $1 million earmarked for payouts. Twenty-six of the 36 race nights will pay at least $10,000 to win. The other 10 events carry a $5,000 top prize. More than $230,000 will be awarded to the 10 finishers in the points standings, with a record-breaking $70,000 reserved for the 2021 USMTS National Champion. The 2021 campaign begins with the 11th annual USMTS Texas Spring Nationals, February 26-27, at the RPM Speedway in Crandall, Texas, and Big O Speedway in Ennis, Texas. The season ends on Halloween weekend with the second annual Modster Mash tripleheader, which features a trio of $10,000-to-win events. For the complete 2021 schedule, visit www.usmts.com/schedule.
McLaren Racing Secures Option to Join Formula E
McLaren Racing and Formula E have announced an agreement granting McLaren Racing the option to enter the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship when Formula E’s Gen3 kicks off in Season 9. The agreement allows McLaren Racing to enter the Championship as one of a maximum of 12 entries for the ’22–’23 season. Gen3 will take to the track from the ’22–’23 season, bringing performance and efficiency advances, including more powerful, lighter cars, faster-charging abilities, and more. McLaren Racing enjoys a history of success in Formula 1 as well as IndyCar and Le Mans.
Yamaha Announces 2021 Side-by-Side and ATV bLU cRU Race Support
Yamaha Factory-Supported Racers
Yamaha Motor Corp. USA pledges more than $130,000 in Side-by-Side (SxS) and ATV bLU cRU championship racing bonuses for the 2021 season. Yamaha’s bLU cRU program offers championship contingencies ranging from $500 ShopYamaha.com gift cards to receiving a new YFZ450R and increased payouts of up to $15,000 for qualified and eligible racers competing in select series with a 2019 or newer YXZ1000R, YXZ1000R SS (Sport Shift) or YFZ450R. To kick off the 2021 race season, Yamaha is offering $10,000 in potential bonuses at the King of the Hammers (KOH) UTV race on February 4, in Johnson Valley, California. The top-finishing YXZ in the UTV class will earn $5,000, plus an additional $5,000 with a first-place overall win. Yamaha’s factory-supported race team competing alongside other YXZ bLU cRU challengers at this year’s KOH is Greaves Motorsports, comprised of the championship-winning drivers Johnny Greaves and CJ Greaves, along with BH Motorsports’ Brock Heger. For more information on the bLU cRU program, including all guidelines and requirements for ATV and SxS racing, visit www.YamahabLUcRU.com.
IndyCar Announces 2021 NTT IndyCar Series Schedule
Officials from IndyCar have announced the NTT IndyCar Series schedule for 2021. The 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, California, has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 26, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Long Beach is one of the foundational and longest-running events on the schedule. Additionally, a three-race, three-weekend west coast swing will complete the championship. Beginning at Portland International Raceway on Sunday, September 12, the homestretch continues at, what would be the finale under normal conditions, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, September 19, before finishing on the streets of Long Beach.
The XT-R Challenge, now in its third year, features
an off-road course with varying natural terrains and
man-made obstacles specifically designed to put
participants and their off-road Yamaha Wolverine
vehicles to the test.
Yamaha XT-Reme Terrain Challenge Returns October 2021
Yamaha Motor Corp. USA has announced dates for the 2021 XT-Reme Terrain Challenge (XT-R Challenge) scheduled October 1-3, at the Loretta Lynn Off-Road Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Yamaha is inviting owners of its off-road side-by-sides and ATVs to bring friends and family out for a three-day weekend celebration. Registration opens in March at www.XTRemeTerrainChallenge.com.
Henry Repeating Arms Renews Sponsorship of Road America NASCAR Xfinity Race
Road America officials recently announced that Henry Repeating Arms has renewed its title sponsorship for 2021, serving as sponsor for the NASCAR Xfinity Series 180 race. This year's Henry 180 will run Saturday, July 3. The event will air on NBC at 1:30 p.m. (CDT). The official race hashtag will be #HENRY180. Additional event details, ticket pricing and camping information can be found at www.roadamerica.com.
In partnership with Chevrolet, the SEMA Garage has announced a Measuring Session for the ’20 Chevrolet Corvette C8.
This event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3D scan, measure and have a close-up experience with two different trim-level vehicles:
’20 Corvette Stingray Convertible and Coupe:
6.2L V8
Eight-Speed Transmission
Z51 Performance
Please note, 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 take place over two separate weeks with scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, appointments will be time limited.
Week 1: January 19–22
Week 2: January 25–29
All registered attendees will be required to take an initial temperature check, wear face coverings and gloves, as well as practice social distancing during their appointment. The vehicle will be sanitized between each appointment.
Iconic engine builder Sonny Leonard of Sonny's World Class Racing passed away January 10, at the age of 77, leaving behind an amazing legacy of innovation and success.
“Sonny Leonard’s passing is a huge loss for the racing industry. He will be missed not only for his engine-building skills and knowledge but also for his good nature and charisma,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and the entire motorsports community.”
Leonard gained notoriety in the racing world thanks to his engine-building skills, which powered many racers to victories and championships in various drag racing categories, including Pro Nitrous and Pro Modified. His name also became synonymous with big-inch mountain motors due to his success in racing categories such as Mountain Motor Pro Stock and Top Sportsman.
In addition to using his ingenuity to power racers to success on the track, he used his engine building prowess for charitable purposes, including the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes held every year during the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis. Leonard’s donated engines in 2018-19 helped raise more than $220,000 for Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility in Randleman, North Carolina, for children ages six to 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.
“It was such an honor to have the opportunity to work with Sonny Leonard and his team as they generously volunteered their time to build an engine each year for the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes,” said PRI Trade Show Director Karin Davidson. “PRI’s condolences are with his family and team at Sonny’s Racing Engines.”
A service celebrating Leonard's life will be held on Thursday, January 14, at 1:00 p.m., at Thomas Road Baptist Church located at 1 Mountain View Road in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Wheel and tire industry members: Join the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) for an informational seminar on “Tire Knowledge 201: Standards for Determining Rim Width and Load Capacity,” January 20, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).
As the third installment of the council’s webinar series, “Wheel and Tire Industry Insights, powered by WTC,” the online seminar will feature two of the industry’s leading tire technical experts as they address the specifics and differences between load index and load ranges, when and where they are applied on the vehicle and how to calculate the correct air pressure for certain applications.
Get your questions answered by participating in this live webinar.
Asking for a raise or promotion is not always easy. While you may feel that your work is deserving, knowing how to effectively communicate your accomplishments and added value to the company is essential to landing that next promotion.
In the first session of the SEMA Virtual Education “Sharpen Your Soft Skills Series, powered by SBN,” owner of HR Culture Geek Elizabeth Jacobs will help attendees understand the best methods to connect with management to successfully attain salaries, raises and promotions and answer questions live on January 26, at 11:00 a.m. (PST).
The one-hour session “Navigating Career Advancement Conversations” will address how to avoid what can potentially be an uncomfortable conversation, and teach attendees how to be more confident, and focus the discussion on their work and not the finances.
May 25 – Securing Education and Skills Training for Current and Future Positions
July 27 – Effectively Managing Conflict
September 28 - Network Your Way to Beneficial Connections
The series is designed to help attendees learn about the interpersonal attributes needed to succeed in the workplace, and provide the opportunity meet and network with new peers in the industry through virtual breakout sessions.
Prepare for what to expect in 2021 as SEMA Market Research explores the industry’s path in the wake of disruption during an online webinar taking place January 27.
Participants will be able to ask questions and get live answers during the webinar, as presenters Gavin Knapp, SEMA director of Market Research, and Kyle Cheng, SEMA Market Research manager, use detailed data and stats to explore the pandemic and its path moving forward. They will touch on the overall economy (growth, unemployment), with a focus on what the automotive aftermarket industry can realistically anticipate in the new year. Find out what changes are expected to vehicle segment sales and market size.
By attending the seminar and downloading the latest free reports from SEMA Market Research, including “State of the Industry – Fall 2020” and “State of the American Consumer – Fall 2020,” attendees will gain knowledge to help them make better business decisions.
Representing the innovation and ingenuity of the automotive aftermarket industry, the annual “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special is back and will premiere on A+E Networks’ History Channel, Sunday, February 7, at 9:00 a.m. (EST).
Adrienne “AJ” Janic and Tanner Foust return to their hosting duties as a new group of builders compete against one another for a chance at being named the best of the best and receiving the Top Builder Trophy. Hear from the builders in exclusive interviews, see their builds up close and watch the Top 12 judging.
“With no physical SEMA Show taking place in 2020, the Battle of the Builders competition took place during SEMA360, the automotive industry’s exclusive online trade-only event,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We made some tough decisions in 2020, but we were determined to go forward with a safe and exciting competition—not only for our builders, but also for our industry.”
The judges, industry experts RJ DeVera (Meguiar’s), Cam Miller (HS Customs), Jeremiah Proffitt (Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers) and 2019 Battle of the Builders Champions Mike and Jim Ring (Ringbrothers), were tasked with narrowing down the field of more than 300 vehicles to the Top 10 in each of the four categories—Hot Rod, Sport Compact, Truck/Off-Road and Young Guns—before choosing the Top 12 builds.
The Top 12 competitors judged each other in the final round to determine the top build in each category and then the top build overall. These builders knew what to look for when it came to superior automotive craftsmanship, and they judged their peers accordingly. Experience all the action and cheer on your favorite builds on A+E Networks’ History Channel, Sunday, February 7. Check your local listings for times in your area.
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.
Diablosport Sprint Auto Stop/Start
Diablosport announces the release of its Sprint Auto/Stop Start disabler on late-model Ford F150 trucks. The 3.5L Ecoboost, the 5.0L V8 and the 3.0L Diesel are supported. Plug in the disabler into the OBD-II port and it should stop the Auto Start/Stop feature indefinitely as long as it remains plugged into the vehicle. To revert to stock, simply unplug the disabler.
Flowmaster introduces its FlowFX cat-back exhaust system for the ‘07–‘14 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The system is manufactured using 409 stainless-steel throughout and features 2.50-in. mandrel bent pipes for better exhaust gas flow, and a FlowFX "straight-through" muffler designed for better sound and maximum performance. The system is finished off with a 3.50-in.-diameter black ceramic-coated 304S stainless-steel tip. The system uses all the existing factory hanger locations and includes installation instructions and all necessary hardware for an easy installation.
Aluminum Swivel Water Necks For Mopar Gen III Hemi Engines
Holley launches its swivel water necks for Mopar Gen III Hemi engines. Since the swivel allows adjustment to accommodate custom radiator hoses, the necks are designed to be ideal for use in engine swaps. The billet aluminum with a black anodized finish is manufactured to prevent corrosion. Choose from outlets with a 45-degree or 90-degree angle (both swivel 360 degrees before bolts are tightened up).
Curt Manufacturing introduces its QuickPin trailer coupler. The coupler is engineered to answer the problem of complicated hinging components on a traditional latch-style coupler. The coupler uses a single hitch pin designed to secure the coupler onto the ball. The simple pin design is constructed to provide a secure vehicle-trailer connection.
Oracle Lighting announces the launch of the new GT-R ColorSHIFT “Lightning Bolt” RGB+W headlight DRL upgrade for the ‘15–’21 Nissan GT-R. The boards feature a “True White LED” which is designed to create pure white tones, giving the user a crisp white DRL and the ability to instantly switch over for 100%-legal road driving. The kit includes: ColorSHIFT RGB+W DRL PCBs for driver- and passenger-side headlights, constant current LED driver hubs with DRL trigger wires and heavy-duty IP67 wiring adapters.
Iconic engine builder Sonny Leonard of Sonny's World Class Racing passed away January 10, at the age of 77, leaving behind an amazing legacy of innovation and success.
Wheel and tire industry members: Join the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) for an informational seminar on “Tire Knowledge 201: Standards for Determining Rim Width and Load Capacity,” January 20, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).
Asking for a raise or promotion is not always easy. While you may feel that your work is deserving, knowing how to effectively communicate your accomplishments and added value to the company is essential to landing that next promotion.
Representing the innovation and ingenuity of the automotive aftermarket industry, the annual “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special is back and will premiere on A+E Networks’ History Channel, Sunday, February 7, at 9:00 a.m. (EST).
