Compiled by SEMA Editors

Shane Tucker

Rob Tucker Racing Joins Forces With Engine Builder Nick Ferri for 2019

The race for the 2019 Mello Yello NHRA Pro Stock world championship is expected to be wide open, and Rob Tucker Racing, anchored by driver Shane Tucker, has opted to take advantage by joining forces with veteran engine supplier and consultant Nick Ferri. The Statesville, North Carolina-based Rob Tucker Racing team will for the first time run all the NHRA national events at which Pro Stock is contested next year with an eye toward qualifying for the Countdown to the Championship. Nick Ferri Racing will supply engines and consult with Tucker and his team on the set-up. In the past, Ferri worked with Jegs, Cagnazzi Racing, Mike Edwards Motorsports and most recently Elite Performance for a combined five world championships in Pro Stock. In addition to supplying Rob Tucker Racing with power, Ferri also plans to provide engines to other teams competing in Pro Stock during the 2019 season. Rob Tucker Racing will begin testing for the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season in January. The team will be ready to make a run at their first NHRA Mello Yello championship at the 58th annual Lucas Oil Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 7–10.

(Right to left, back to front): Alex Laughlin, Steve Matusek, Richard Freeman, Justin Elks and two crew members of Elite Motorsports. Front Row: Erica Enders.

Pro Mod Standout Steve Matusek Joins Forces With Elite Motorsports Pro Mod Team

Pro Mod driver Steve Matusek has announced that he will drive a twin-turbo Ford Mustang for Elite Motorsports in 2019, joining Elite’s Pro Mod operation that will also feature Erica Enders and Alex Laughlin for the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season. The addition of Matusek is the latest move for Elite Motorsports as it continues to take a bigger leap into the NHRA Pro Mod ranks. Matusek made his NHRA Pro Mod debut in 2011, grabbing his first career win in the class in 2017 in Houston. He has four top-10 finishes in the loaded Pro Mod class. Matusek and Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman both share success in business, which was a major contributing factor in Matusek’s decision.

Veteran off-road racer Brad Lovell will compete in both SCORE and Best in the Desert in a new Spec Trophy Truck adorned in AMSOIL livery.

AMSOIL Racing Takes to the Open Desert

AMSOIL INC. is expanding its off-road racing program in 2019 to include open-desert racing. Veteran off-road racer Brad Lovell will compete in both SCORE and Best in the Desert in a new Spec Trophy Truck adorned in AMSOIL livery. Lovell joined Team AMSOIL in 2005 as a championship-winning rockcrawler and has gone on to win championships in King of the Hammers and short-course, off-road racing. Lovell and his team will kick off its desert-racing season March 4, 2019, with the Mint 400 in Las Vegas.

Preliminary 2019 AMSOIL/Lovell Racing Schedule:

• King of the Hammers, February 1–9
• BITD Mint 400, March 4–10
• SCORE San Felipe 250, April 3–7
• BITD Silver State 300, May 2–5
• Ultra 4 San Felipe, May 17–18
• SCORE Baja 500, May 29–June 2
• BITD Vegas 2 Reno, August 16
• BITD Laughlin Desert Classic, October 10–13
• Ultra 4 National Finals, October 18 

LIQUI MOLY, Stevens-Miller Racing Announce 2019 Partnership

LIQUI MOLY USA has announced sponsorship of Stevens-Miller Racing (SMR) for the 2019 TA2 season. The agreement is for LIQUI MOLY branding of one team car and one of the SMR team transporters. SMR will use LIQUI MOLY lubricants and additives exclusively in their TA2 cars in The Trans Am Presented by Pirelli 2019 season.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) eNewsletter.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for Chair-Elect, two seats in the Manufacturer category and one seat in the Manufacturers’ Representative category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chair-elect (one open seat)
• Manufacturer (two open seats)
• Manufacturers’ Representative (one open seat)

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board-member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 3, 2019. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process; our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the nominating committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for Chair-Elect, two seats in the Manufacturer category and one seat in the Manufacturers’ Representative category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chair-elect (one open seat)
• Manufacturer (two open seats)
• Manufacturers’ Representative (one open seat)

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board-member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 3, 2019. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process; our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the nominating committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• Three-Vehicle Measuring Session, January 21–22, 2019, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California
• MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 22–24, 2019, Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North, Santa Ana, California
• SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, March 26–31, 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• SEMA Australia Business Development Conference, May 9–13, 2019, Melbourne, Australia
• Collector Car Appreciation Day, July 12, 2019
• 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, 2019, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA members are invited to contact Stephanie Martinez at 909-978-6728 to schedule measuring appointments for the '19 Toyota Corolla hatchback.

The '19 Toyota Corolla hatchback is available at the SEMA Garage through January 8, 2019. SEMA members are invited to contact Stephanie Martinez at 909-978-6728 to schedule measuring appointments.

For 2019, Toyota constructed the Corolla to be lower, wider and shorter than previous models. The hatchback features a 2.0L Dynamic Force engine with direct injection, four inline cylinders and a six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT).

The Toyota Corolla hatchback was part of a recent SEMA Measuring Session that also featured the '20 Corolla sedan and ’19 Yaris.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA members are invited to contact Stephanie Martinez at 909-978-6728 to schedule measuring appointments for the '19 Toyota Corolla hatchback.

The '19 Toyota Corolla hatchback is available at the SEMA Garage through January 8, 2019. SEMA members are invited to contact Stephanie Martinez at 909-978-6728 to schedule measuring appointments.

For 2019, Toyota constructed the Corolla to be lower, wider and shorter than previous models. The hatchback features a 2.0L Dynamic Force engine with direct injection, four inline cylinders and a six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT).

The Toyota Corolla hatchback was part of a recent SEMA Measuring Session that also featured the '20 Corolla sedan and ’19 Yaris.

By SEMA Editors

	SEMA: Battle of the Builders premieres Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on the MotorTrend TV Network and MotorTrend App.

Get a rare inside look at SEMA Show 2018, the world’s leading automotive event, in the all new SEMA: Battle of the Builders premiering Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on the MotorTrend TV Network and MotorTrend App. Hosted by Tanner Foust and Adrienne “AJ” Janic, the one-hour special takes audiences behind-the-scenes of SEMA Show, provides an up-close look at some of the top vehicles on site, and delivers exclusive interviews with the automotive industry’s leading experts and builders as they share personal stories about their journey to SEMA Show 2018.

The Battle of the Builders competition celebrates the amazing craftsmanship and talents of people who create and build some of the most unique cars in the world as judged by industry authorities RJ De Vera from Meguiar’s, David Freiburger from MotorTrend’s Roadkill and Fred Williams from MotorTrend’s Dirt Every Day.

In addition to the competition, the SEMA: Battle of the Builders program includes features on SEMA’s expanded Young Guns regional program. Young Guns provided 14 up-and-coming builders (age 27 and younger) the opportunity to showcase their cars and talents at the 2018 SEMA Show. Winners from throughout the country were awarded an all-expenses paid trip to SEMA, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot, and entry into the Battle of the Builders competition.

A cast of social media influencers also contributed to SEMA: Battle of the Builders, including Sarah Raegan Greenwood (Sarah-n-Tuned); Emelia Hartford (@ms.emelia); Jack Milne (DURTYMAX, JACK); Chris Petruccio (Krispy Media); Chris Steinbacher (B is to Build); and Dustin Williams (@dustinw).

SEMA: Battle of the Builders is produced for MotorTrend by Brentwood Communications International Inc. (BCII). For BCII, Bud Brutsman is executive producer. For the MotorTrend TV Network, David Lee is executive producer and Robert S. Scanlon is president. Alex Wellen is global president and general manager of MotorTrend Group.

By SEMA Editors

Team Vibrant Performance, from Burton Center for Arts & Tech in Salem, Virginia, are the winners of the 2018 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Dual Championship.

The Final Half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge 2018 Dual Championship took place last week at the PRI Show in Indianapolis. The championship included 17 teams that  traveled coast-to-coast to battle to be one of the Top 4 teams to move on and compete in the Elite Eight playoffs.

A total of 44 teams competed at the SEMA and PRI shows just to get into the Elite Eight competition. The top-four SEMA Show seeds against the top-four PRI show seeds.

The total time difference between first and fourth place teams was only two minutes and eight seconds. In the end, Team Vibrant Performance, from Burton Center for Arts & Tech in Salem, Virginia, won with an average time of 17:26.

The top four teams that moved on to the Elite Eight from the PRI Trade Show were Team Engine & Performance Warehouse from Elkhart Area Career Center, Elkhart, Indiana, who came in fourth place with an average time of 24:13. Team RHS Racing Heads from Forsyth Central High School in Cumming, Georgia, came in third place with an average of 24:04. Team Allstar Performance also from Forsyth Central High School in Cumming, Georgia, came in second place with an average of 21:16. The first place team was Team Vibrant Performance, from Burton Center for Arts & Tech in Salem, Virginia, with the best average of 18:12.

The top four teams from the SEMA Show were Team Custom Automotive Network (CAN), from Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center out of Choctaw, Oklahoma, with an average time of 18:35. Team Canton Racing Products, Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, Michigan, came in second place with an average of 19:57. Team Mr. Gasket, C D Hylton High School from Woodbridge, Pennsylvania, took third place with an average of 22:42. The first-place team was Edelbrock; Hunter High School from West Valley City, Utah, came in fourth place with an average of 23:57.

The times are based on three important parts. First, it is the average of the three times the teams competed. Second are the penalty minutes added for mistakes made during dis-assembly and re-assembly and the third part is a 50-question written test on parts and tools identification along with general engine and rules knowledge.

Each student earned scholarship opportunities ranging from $5,000–$10,000 from Ohio Technical College, School of Automotive Machinists & Technology, and Universal Technical Institute.

More information about the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow program is available from Greg Parker at gparker@hotroddersoftomorrow.org.

By SEMA Editors

Team Vibrant Performance, from Burton Center for Arts & Tech in Salem, Virginia, are the winners of the 2018 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Dual Championship.

The Final Half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge 2018 Dual Championship took place last week at the PRI Show in Indianapolis. The championship included 17 teams that  traveled coast-to-coast to battle to be one of the Top 4 teams to move on and compete in the Elite Eight playoffs.

A total of 44 teams competed at the SEMA and PRI shows just to get into the Elite Eight competition. The top-four SEMA Show seeds against the top-four PRI show seeds.

The total time difference between first and fourth place teams was only two minutes and eight seconds. In the end, Team Vibrant Performance, from Burton Center for Arts & Tech in Salem, Virginia, won with an average time of 17:26.

The top four teams that moved on to the Elite Eight from the PRI Trade Show were Team Engine & Performance Warehouse from Elkhart Area Career Center, Elkhart, Indiana, who came in fourth place with an average time of 24:13. Team RHS Racing Heads from Forsyth Central High School in Cumming, Georgia, came in third place with an average of 24:04. Team Allstar Performance also from Forsyth Central High School in Cumming, Georgia, came in second place with an average of 21:16. The first place team was Team Vibrant Performance, from Burton Center for Arts & Tech in Salem, Virginia, with the best average of 18:12.

The top four teams from the SEMA Show were Team Custom Automotive Network (CAN), from Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center out of Choctaw, Oklahoma, with an average time of 18:35. Team Canton Racing Products, Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, Michigan, came in second place with an average of 19:57. Team Mr. Gasket, C D Hylton High School from Woodbridge, Pennsylvania, took third place with an average of 22:42. The first-place team was Edelbrock; Hunter High School from West Valley City, Utah, came in fourth place with an average of 23:57.

The times are based on three important parts. First, it is the average of the three times the teams competed. Second are the penalty minutes added for mistakes made during dis-assembly and re-assembly and the third part is a 50-question written test on parts and tools identification along with general engine and rules knowledge.

Each student earned scholarship opportunities ranging from $5,000–$10,000 from Ohio Technical College, School of Automotive Machinists & Technology, and Universal Technical Institute.

More information about the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow program is available from Greg Parker at gparker@hotroddersoftomorrow.org.

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