As a result of the opposition mounted by SEMA and North Dakota vehicle hobbyists and businesses, legislation that threatened to prohibit the modification of any motor vehicle that altered the manufacturer's original suspension, steering or brake system unless the state highway patrol issued an inspection certificate has been amended to remove those restrictions. The amended bill now only provides for a study of the state’s transportation laws to be conducted between the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions. This amended bill represents a significant legislative victory for North Dakota enthusiasts and related businesses. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

As a result of the opposition mounted by SEMA and North Dakota vehicle hobbyists and businesses, legislation that threatened to prohibit the modification of any motor vehicle that altered the manufacturer's original suspension, steering or brake system unless the state highway patrol issued an inspection certificate has been amended to remove those restrictions. The amended bill now only provides for a study of the state’s transportation laws to be conducted between the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions. This amended bill represents a significant legislative victory for North Dakota enthusiasts and related businesses. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to allow vehicles 30 years old and older to be classified as “vintage vehicles” was signed into law by Utah Governor Gary Herbert. Under previous law, Utah reserved the “vintage vehicle” class only to vehicles 40 years old and older. Under the new law, “vintage vehicles” 30–40 years old would be charged a $45 annual registration fee. When the vehicle reaches 40 years old, the registrant would pay a one-time $40 fee. Vintage vehicles are exempted from annual emissions and safety inspections. Utah exempts vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 from emissions inspections. Vehicles manufactured after that date must be registered as “vintage vehicles” or “customs” to qualify for this exemption.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to allow vehicles 30 years old and older to be classified as “vintage vehicles” was signed into law by Utah Governor Gary Herbert. Under previous law, Utah reserved the “vintage vehicle” class only to vehicles 40 years old and older. Under the new law, “vintage vehicles” 30–40 years old would be charged a $45 annual registration fee. When the vehicle reaches 40 years old, the registrant would pay a one-time $40 fee. Vintage vehicles are exempted from annual emissions and safety inspections. Utah exempts vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 from emissions inspections. Vehicles manufactured after that date must be registered as “vintage vehicles” or “customs” to qualify for this exemption.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

We're not sure why Mercedes bothered with the few pieces of black tape around the lights and badges on this SLS Roadster prototype, but it's looking fantastic in "iridium silver" paint and a bright red convertible top!

Unlike the coupe’s gullwing doors, the convertible will have a more traditional entry, as well as an SLR-like powered soft-top. We expect the vert will be somewhat heavier due to the chassis reinforcement all verts need.

Watch for the official debut of the SLS AMG Convertible in the first half of 2011.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

We're not sure why Mercedes bothered with the few pieces of black tape around the lights and badges on this SLS Roadster prototype, but it's looking fantastic in "iridium silver" paint and a bright red convertible top!

Unlike the coupe’s gullwing doors, the convertible will have a more traditional entry, as well as an SLR-like powered soft-top. We expect the vert will be somewhat heavier due to the chassis reinforcement all verts need.

Watch for the official debut of the SLS AMG Convertible in the first half of 2011.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

We're not sure why Mercedes bothered with the few pieces of black tape around the lights and badges on this SLS Roadster prototype, but it's looking fantastic in "iridium silver" paint and a bright red convertible top!

Unlike the coupe’s gullwing doors, the convertible will have a more traditional entry, as well as an SLR-like powered soft-top. We expect the vert will be somewhat heavier due to the chassis reinforcement all verts need.

Watch for the official debut of the SLS AMG Convertible in the first half of 2011.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

Holley Announces Rick Anderson as Midwest Technical Sales Representative
Holley Performance has announced Rick Anderson as its Midwest technical sales representative. Anderson comes to Holley from Anderson Ford Motorsport with more than two decades of expertise in the performance industry. His experience includes design work with piggyback computers, cold-air intakes, camshafts and digital mass air meters. He has logged thousands of hours on the dyno, twisting wrenches, tuning and prototyping products. He is also a technical writer for magazines such as Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords, 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords, Modified Mustangs & Fords and Race Pages with more than 80 technical stories to his credit.

Bert Zech Named CFO at Eastern Catalytic
Eastern Catalytic has appointed Bert Zech as the company's new chief financial officer. In his new position, Zech will be responsible for all financial activities and the health of the company, including accounting, treasury, risk management and systems integration. The announcement was made by George Schafer, president of Eastern Manufacturing, who noted that Zech comes to Eastern with an excellent record of accomplishment as an upper-level financial executive. Before joining the Eastern Catalytic team, Zech enjoyed a successful, five-year career at Conair Corp. as its divisional vice president of finance. Before his work at Conair, he was the vice president of finance at Scunci International for more than 10 years.

 

Mike Copeland

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Names Mike Copeland Operations Manager
Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE), has announced that Mike Copeland has joined the company as operations manager. In his new role, Copeland will lead the Michigan-based operations of LPE and work with the existing leadership team at LPE's facility in Decatur, Indiana. With more than 25 years of experience at General Motors, Copeland brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. He has held numerous positions within GM, the latest as project manager for the GM Performance Division, where his responsibilities included the engineering and building of GM performance and show-related vehicles. These vehicles include the Hot Rod magazine Solstice, Reggie Jackson's LSX-powered ’69 Camaro and Popular Hot Rodding's ’57 Chevy Project "X." Copeland also supported the development of GMPP LSX and E-Rod programs. In addition to his technical background, Copeland is CEO of Diversified Creations, a retail performance and off-road business in Brighton, Michigan. He has also written technical articles for top automotive performance magazines, such as Super Chevy and Diesel Power.

If you're interested in becoming a session speaker or panelist at the 2011 SEMA Show, complete this online speaker form by Friday, April 8.

Planning for the 2011 SEMA Show education program is well under way. This year's schedule will once again feature several "tracks," including Business Management, Customer Service and Sales, Marketing, Industry Trends, Online Marketing and more.

Are you interested in being a session presenter or panelist? We'd love to hear from you. Please complete our online speaker form (www.SEMAShow.com/speakers) by Friday, April 8.

To increase the likelihood of having your recommendation used, please be sure to include three or four bullet points on the topic, who the target audience will be and why the subject is of importance. Also, note that all sessions will be one hour in length.

These sessions are designed for general business topics (i.e. marketing, customer service, sales, etc.) and do not include product-specific topics. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to sign up for a separate program—Exhibitor Product Training sessions—in June.

Please submit suggestions on or before Friday, April 1, using the online speaker submission form at www.SEMAShow.com/speakers or contact Jamie Eriksen at JamieE@sema.org.

If you're interested in becoming a session speaker or panelist at the 2011 SEMA Show, complete this online speaker form by Friday, April 8.

Planning for the 2011 SEMA Show education program is well under way. This year's schedule will once again feature several "tracks," including Business Management, Customer Service and Sales, Marketing, Industry Trends, Online Marketing and more.

Are you interested in being a session presenter or panelist? We'd love to hear from you. Please complete our online speaker form (www.SEMAShow.com/speakers) by Friday, April 8.

To increase the likelihood of having your recommendation used, please be sure to include three or four bullet points on the topic, who the target audience will be and why the subject is of importance. Also, note that all sessions will be one hour in length.

These sessions are designed for general business topics (i.e. marketing, customer service, sales, etc.) and do not include product-specific topics. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to sign up for a separate program—Exhibitor Product Training sessions—in June.

Please submit suggestions on or before Friday, April 1, using the online speaker submission form at www.SEMAShow.com/speakers or contact Jamie Eriksen at JamieE@sema.org.