One of the best opportunities for exhibitors to promote 2013 SEMA Show product debuts is to submit press release materials to SEMA's publication department.

To be included, submit press releases and related materials to the SEMA Show Online Media Center. Be sure to include the SEMA Show exhibit booth number, company website and phone number with the submission. The deadline to send materials for consideration is August 19. View last year's New Products Showcase Preview for an idea about format, layout and word count.

For any questions about pre-Show coverage in SEMA News, please contact Carr Winn at carrw@sema.org.

Submission Policy: All submissions will be featured in pre-Show publications based on the order in which they were received on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event that the publications department receives more submissions than it can accommodate, the unpublished items will be placed on a waiting list and then included when and if additional space becomes available.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Co-founder of Speedway Motors Joyce Smith, “Mrs. Speedway,” passed away Sunday, August 4, after a courageous 34-month battle with cancer.

Smith played an integral role in the Speedway Motors business since its inception in 1952. Fresh out of college, Joyce loaned her new husband, “Speedy” Bill, the $300 he needed to start the Lincoln, Nebraska-based speed shop. She worked alongside him for the next 61 years, initially serving as Speedway’s bookkeeper, parts runner and counter girl, and always as a financial officer, corporate secretary and treasurer.

Her six-decade involvement with Speedway Motors earned her a wonderful reputation throughout the racing world and performance industry. Her tremendous impact on the automotive community was recognized in 2005 when she was honored with the Goodguys Woman of the Year Award. As the co-founder of the Museum of American Speed, Smith was able to share her profound love of racing and rodding with future generations.

She is survived by her husband “Speedy” Bill Smith and children Carson, Craig, Clay and Jason.

Funeral services will be private. A public celebration of life is scheduled for late September. In lieu of flowers, the Smith family asks that friends share their memories of Joyce through a memorial at the Museum of American Speed:

Joyce Smith Memorial
Museum of American Speed
599 Oak Creek Dr.
Lincoln, NE 68528
ForJoyce@MuseumofAmericanSpeed.com

	The SEMA Show Daily is a great tool for companies looking to directly promote new products and achievements to Showgoers and buyers.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show Daily, the official newspaper of the SEMA Show, delivers the latest updates and news from SEMA Show floor. The newspaper is distributed to every booth, at kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at the entrance of each exhibit hall starting on opening day. Organized by the Show's 12 sections, it features dedicated editorial relevant to specific markets, quickly connecting buyers from a wide range of markets with new product debuts, industry-related announcements, SEMA Show programs, special events and more.

The newspaper is produced on-site by the SEMA Publications team and is a great tool for companies looking to directly promote new products and achievements to Showgoers and buyers. Several of the sections within the newspaper are sponsored by publishing companies exhibiting at the SEMA Show, who provide promotional and editorial content related to their markets. This year's section hosts are: BodyShop Business - Collision Repair & Refinish; 4WDrive/SunCruiser Publishing - Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; Performance Auto & Sound Magazine - Mobile Electronics & Technology; Performance Racing Industry (PRI) - Racing & Performance; and Tire Review (two sections) - Global Tire Expo Powered by the Tire Industry Association, and Wheels & Accessories. 

The first issue of the SEMA Show Daily will hit mailboxes several weeks prior to the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show, offering readers a preview what to expect for this year. The next three installments of the daily will provide an overview of press conferences, seminars, special events and other can’t-miss opportunities related to the 2013 SEMA Show.

For editorial consideration, exhibitors are encouraged to e-mail SEMA Editorial Director John Stewart (johns@sema.org) with news releases about new products, project-vehicle developments or Show-related events and any related artwork in a high-resolution file (.tif, .eps, .jpg format).

In addition to pre-Show publicity and promotion, as companies receive accolades for new product introductions, project-vehicle builds and industry awards, the SEMA Show Daily is proudly among the first publications to celebrate these accomplishments. Exhibitors are encouraged to include the SEMA Show Daily team on their distribution lists as they distribute Show announcements by adding johns@sema.org to their contact lists.

Details on SEMA Show Daily advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Brian Paik (brianp@sema.org) or Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org. Complete information on the 2013 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.        

Editorial Submission Policy: All submissions will be featured in pre-Show publications based in the order on which they were received on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event that the publications department receives more submissions that it can accommodate, the unpublished items will be placed on a waiting list and then included when and if additional space becomes available.

	The SEMA Show Daily is a great tool for companies looking to directly promote new products and achievements to Showgoers and buyers.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show Daily, the official newspaper of the SEMA Show, delivers the latest updates and news from SEMA Show floor. The newspaper is distributed to every booth, at kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at the entrance of each exhibit hall starting on opening day. Organized by the Show's 12 sections, it features dedicated editorial relevant to specific markets, quickly connecting buyers from a wide range of markets with new product debuts, industry-related announcements, SEMA Show programs, special events and more.

The newspaper is produced on-site by the SEMA Publications team and is a great tool for companies looking to directly promote new products and achievements to Showgoers and buyers. Several of the sections within the newspaper are sponsored by publishing companies exhibiting at the SEMA Show, who provide promotional and editorial content related to their markets. This year's section hosts are: BodyShop Business - Collision Repair & Refinish; 4WDrive/SunCruiser Publishing - Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; Performance Auto & Sound Magazine - Mobile Electronics & Technology; Performance Racing Industry (PRI) - Racing & Performance; and Tire Review (two sections) - Global Tire Expo Powered by the Tire Industry Association, and Wheels & Accessories. 

The first issue of the SEMA Show Daily will hit mailboxes several weeks prior to the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show, offering readers a preview what to expect for this year. The next three installments of the daily will provide an overview of press conferences, seminars, special events and other can’t-miss opportunities related to the 2013 SEMA Show.

For editorial consideration, exhibitors are encouraged to e-mail SEMA Editorial Director John Stewart (johns@sema.org) with news releases about new products, project-vehicle developments or Show-related events and any related artwork in a high-resolution file (.tif, .eps, .jpg format).

In addition to pre-Show publicity and promotion, as companies receive accolades for new product introductions, project-vehicle builds and industry awards, the SEMA Show Daily is proudly among the first publications to celebrate these accomplishments. Exhibitors are encouraged to include the SEMA Show Daily team on their distribution lists as they distribute Show announcements by adding johns@sema.org to their contact lists.

Details on SEMA Show Daily advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Brian Paik (brianp@sema.org) or Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org. Complete information on the 2013 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.        

Editorial Submission Policy: All submissions will be featured in pre-Show publications based in the order on which they were received on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event that the publications department receives more submissions that it can accommodate, the unpublished items will be placed on a waiting list and then included when and if additional space becomes available.

	The SEMA Show Daily is a great tool for companies looking to directly promote new products and achievements to Showgoers and buyers.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show Daily, the official newspaper of the SEMA Show, delivers the latest updates and news from SEMA Show floor. The newspaper is distributed to every booth, at kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at the entrance of each exhibit hall starting on opening day. Organized by the Show's 12 sections, it features dedicated editorial relevant to specific markets, quickly connecting buyers from a wide range of markets with new product debuts, industry-related announcements, SEMA Show programs, special events and more.

The newspaper is produced on-site by the SEMA Publications team and is a great tool for companies looking to directly promote new products and achievements to Showgoers and buyers. Several of the sections within the newspaper are sponsored by publishing companies exhibiting at the SEMA Show, who provide promotional and editorial content related to their markets. This year's section hosts are: BodyShop Business - Collision Repair & Refinish; 4WDrive/SunCruiser Publishing - Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; Performance Auto & Sound Magazine - Mobile Electronics & Technology; Performance Racing Industry (PRI) - Racing & Performance; and Tire Review (two sections) - Global Tire Expo Powered by the Tire Industry Association, and Wheels & Accessories. 

The first issue of the SEMA Show Daily will hit mailboxes several weeks prior to the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show, offering readers a preview what to expect for this year. The next three installments of the daily will provide an overview of press conferences, seminars, special events and other can’t-miss opportunities related to the 2013 SEMA Show.

For editorial consideration, exhibitors are encouraged to e-mail SEMA Editorial Director John Stewart (johns@sema.org) with news releases about new products, project-vehicle developments or Show-related events and any related artwork in a high-resolution file (.tif, .eps, .jpg format).

In addition to pre-Show publicity and promotion, as companies receive accolades for new product introductions, project-vehicle builds and industry awards, the SEMA Show Daily is proudly among the first publications to celebrate these accomplishments. Exhibitors are encouraged to include the SEMA Show Daily team on their distribution lists as they distribute Show announcements by adding johns@sema.org to their contact lists.

Details on SEMA Show Daily advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Brian Paik (brianp@sema.org) or Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org. Complete information on the 2013 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.        

Editorial Submission Policy: All submissions will be featured in pre-Show publications based in the order on which they were received on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event that the publications department receives more submissions that it can accommodate, the unpublished items will be placed on a waiting list and then included when and if additional space becomes available.

	The SEMA Show Daily is a great tool for companies looking to directly promote new products and achievements to Showgoers and buyers.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show Daily, the official newspaper of the SEMA Show, delivers the latest updates and news from SEMA Show floor. The newspaper is distributed to every booth, at kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at the entrance of each exhibit hall starting on opening day. Organized by the Show's 12 sections, it features dedicated editorial relevant to specific markets, quickly connecting buyers from a wide range of markets with new product debuts, industry-related announcements, SEMA Show programs, special events and more.

The newspaper is produced on-site by the SEMA Publications team and is a great tool for companies looking to directly promote new products and achievements to Showgoers and buyers. Several of the sections within the newspaper are sponsored by publishing companies exhibiting at the SEMA Show, who provide promotional and editorial content related to their markets. This year's section hosts are: BodyShop Business - Collision Repair & Refinish; 4WDrive/SunCruiser Publishing - Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; Performance Auto & Sound Magazine - Mobile Electronics & Technology; Performance Racing Industry (PRI) - Racing & Performance; and Tire Review (two sections) - Global Tire Expo Powered by the Tire Industry Association, and Wheels & Accessories. 

The first issue of the SEMA Show Daily will hit mailboxes several weeks prior to the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show, offering readers a preview what to expect for this year. The next three installments of the daily will provide an overview of press conferences, seminars, special events and other can’t-miss opportunities related to the 2013 SEMA Show.

For editorial consideration, exhibitors are encouraged to e-mail SEMA Editorial Director John Stewart (johns@sema.org) with news releases about new products, project-vehicle developments or Show-related events and any related artwork in a high-resolution file (.tif, .eps, .jpg format).

In addition to pre-Show publicity and promotion, as companies receive accolades for new product introductions, project-vehicle builds and industry awards, the SEMA Show Daily is proudly among the first publications to celebrate these accomplishments. Exhibitors are encouraged to include the SEMA Show Daily team on their distribution lists as they distribute Show announcements by adding johns@sema.org to their contact lists.

Details on SEMA Show Daily advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Brian Paik (brianp@sema.org) or Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org. Complete information on the 2013 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.        

Editorial Submission Policy: All submissions will be featured in pre-Show publications based in the order on which they were received on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event that the publications department receives more submissions that it can accommodate, the unpublished items will be placed on a waiting list and then included when and if additional space becomes available.

By Amanda Gubbins

“Now that AAIA Legacy dataset has evolved from being a flat file to AAIA Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) format, it’s allowed easier mapping and conversions of the vehicle attributes into a relational database,” she says.

The data quality from manufacturers impacts wholesale distributors and other receivers as they prepare products for sale. Dave Ziozios, chief executive officer of Motovicity Distribution is thrilled about this new trend of standardization. He understands how complicated the issue can be. “Data is a very ambiguous and expansive subject. I think that oftentimes as a concept it’s overwhelming to all members of the vertical chain of distributors, from the manufacturers down.”

Ziozios is optimistic, however, that the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) will provide a guiding light for the industry and make the standardization process easier for everyone.

Jon Wyly, CEO of the SDC, believes the resources available help members do just that. The SDC takes product data in whatever form the manufacturer provides and validates it for accuracy and compliance. On the receiver end, the SDC is a one-stop shop for collecting information from multiple manufacturers in the format and time frame they need. This eliminates the need for manufacturers to create multiple formats or for receivers to spend extra time organizing the data for their systems.

While other private operations exist to help organizations standardize their data, the SDC’s goal is to continually find ways to make the process easier, resulting in a higher rate of participation, which will ultimately benefit the entire industry. Currently, about 220 suppliers and 170 receivers are part of the Co-op, with the numbers growing each week. Membership with the SDC is $100 per month with no obligation.

“We’re all about service first and want to make it as easy and affordable as possible,” says Wyly.


Putcharkan believes there are many benefits to standardizing data for the manufacturers, all the way to the consumer. “Making data consistent through standardization allows manufacturers like us to bring our products to market faster by seamlessly exchanging product data with our distributors, wholesalers and retailers. This will improve communication and give the consumer more options as they shop,” she says.
 
Ziozios agrees that the process doesn’t need to be painful. “There are some companies out there that are really taking proactive steps to ensure that they are meeting and exceeding not just industry, but also commerce standards as a whole. I find that very encouraging. It’s really not an impossible, insurmountable task.”

By Amanda Gubbins

“Now that AAIA Legacy dataset has evolved from being a flat file to AAIA Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES) and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) format, it’s allowed easier mapping and conversions of the vehicle attributes into a relational database,” she says.

The data quality from manufacturers impacts wholesale distributors and other receivers as they prepare products for sale. Dave Ziozios, chief executive officer of Motovicity Distribution is thrilled about this new trend of standardization. He understands how complicated the issue can be. “Data is a very ambiguous and expansive subject. I think that oftentimes as a concept it’s overwhelming to all members of the vertical chain of distributors, from the manufacturers down.”

Ziozios is optimistic, however, that the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) will provide a guiding light for the industry and make the standardization process easier for everyone.

Jon Wyly, CEO of the SDC, believes the resources available help members do just that. The SDC takes product data in whatever form the manufacturer provides and validates it for accuracy and compliance. On the receiver end, the SDC is a one-stop shop for collecting information from multiple manufacturers in the format and time frame they need. This eliminates the need for manufacturers to create multiple formats or for receivers to spend extra time organizing the data for their systems.

While other private operations exist to help organizations standardize their data, the SDC’s goal is to continually find ways to make the process easier, resulting in a higher rate of participation, which will ultimately benefit the entire industry. Currently, about 220 suppliers and 170 receivers are part of the Co-op, with the numbers growing each week. Membership with the SDC is $100 per month with no obligation.

“We’re all about service first and want to make it as easy and affordable as possible,” says Wyly.


Putcharkan believes there are many benefits to standardizing data for the manufacturers, all the way to the consumer. “Making data consistent through standardization allows manufacturers like us to bring our products to market faster by seamlessly exchanging product data with our distributors, wholesalers and retailers. This will improve communication and give the consumer more options as they shop,” she says.
 
Ziozios agrees that the process doesn’t need to be painful. “There are some companies out there that are really taking proactive steps to ensure that they are meeting and exceeding not just industry, but also commerce standards as a whole. I find that very encouraging. It’s really not an impossible, insurmountable task.”

The shooters at KGP Photography caught this mysterious Ford Raptor sporting a new dual, rear-exhaust set up, and a curious collection of matte front and rear fenders and a matte black hood. The test truck has the look of a mule. But if it is a mule, a mule for what, exactly?

The current Raptor has side-exit exhaust tips that poke out behind the passenger-side rear wheel. The dual exhaust on this prototype/mule/test truck clearly exit straight out the back, with tips at each corner on the rear bumper. So what can be made of this? New exhaust often means a new engine offering, so is this some sort of Raptor special edition? Perhaps this test truck points to a "farewell" Raptor variant to be sold alongside the new, ’15 F-150. The current F-150 will reportedly be sold alongside the ’15 F-series as production of the new truck ramps-up, so a mix of old and new models already appears to be in the cards for at least six months. No enthusiast would blame Ford if they kept the Raptor around for an even longer overlap—especially one that has been even further massaged for greater off-road and performance awesomeness.

An even more compelling thought comes to mind. Is there any chance that this test truck is a mule for a next-generation Raptor built from the bones of the all-new, ’15 F-150? There are no obvious body modifications to strengthen the case for a next-gen Raptor mule just yet, but those matte black body panels are, at least, more than a little curious.

This Raptor test truck is running around with a rather sketchy exterior look, and an all-new exhaust set-up, suggesting that some changes are in the works. The blue-topped, Fox Racing shock absorbers can be seen peeking above the tires within the rear wheel wells, further confirming that Raptor-spec goods truly reside underneath. So what else is in the makeup of this test truck?

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography caught this mysterious Ford Raptor sporting a new dual, rear-exhaust set up, and a curious collection of matte front and rear fenders and a matte black hood. The test truck has the look of a mule. But if it is a mule, a mule for what, exactly?

The current Raptor has side-exit exhaust tips that poke out behind the passenger-side rear wheel. The dual exhaust on this prototype/mule/test truck clearly exit straight out the back, with tips at each corner on the rear bumper. So what can be made of this? New exhaust often means a new engine offering, so is this some sort of Raptor special edition? Perhaps this test truck points to a "farewell" Raptor variant to be sold alongside the new, ’15 F-150. The current F-150 will reportedly be sold alongside the ’15 F-series as production of the new truck ramps-up, so a mix of old and new models already appears to be in the cards for at least six months. No enthusiast would blame Ford if they kept the Raptor around for an even longer overlap—especially one that has been even further massaged for greater off-road and performance awesomeness.

An even more compelling thought comes to mind. Is there any chance that this test truck is a mule for a next-generation Raptor built from the bones of the all-new, ’15 F-150? There are no obvious body modifications to strengthen the case for a next-gen Raptor mule just yet, but those matte black body panels are, at least, more than a little curious.

This Raptor test truck is running around with a rather sketchy exterior look, and an all-new exhaust set-up, suggesting that some changes are in the works. The blue-topped, Fox Racing shock absorbers can be seen peeking above the tires within the rear wheel wells, further confirming that Raptor-spec goods truly reside underneath. So what else is in the makeup of this test truck?

Photo credit: KGP Photography