Nominations for the 2011 SEMA Chairman-Elect and Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 6, 2011.

Dear SEMA Member:

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the committee that is responsible for selecting the final candidates.

This year, the SEMA elections have the additional importance in selecting our future Chairman of the Board. Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for the Chairman-Elect position, and/or for a Board member position. Please include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the qualifications of the nominees, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

Nominations for the 2011 SEMA Chairman-Elect and Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 6, 2011. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

Your Association is vitally important to the industry and your company. Your participation in helping to ensure strong leadership for the SEMA Board of Directors is essential.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President & CEO

DISSOLVED: Andretti Autosport and AFS Racing have ended their successful three-year partnership, but both teams plan to field entries in the Firestone Indy Lights Series next season.

TURKEY TROT: Bryan Clauson won the 70th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix for the USAC Mopar National Midget Series Saturday at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. He also clinched the USAC Midget and National Driver’s championships with the triumph.

BACK IN CHARGE: Andrew Murstein [Medallion Financial] and Doublas C. Bergeron [DGB Investments] have joined with Richard Petty in the reformation of Richard Petty Motorsports for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The team plans to run the full Sprint Cup schedule with drivers Marcos Ambrose and A.J. Allmendinger.

GOBBLED UP: Jimmy Blewett topped Matt Hirschman to win the 35th annual Turkey Derby for modifieds Saturday at Wall Stadium in Wall Township, New Jersey.

COST CUTTING: The Badger Midget Auto Racing Association has implemented RPM limitations next year with the goal of reducing the cost of engines and increasing time between maintenance cycles.

HOOSIER RUBBER: DIRTcar Racing will continue its relationship with Hoosier Racing Tire in the DIRTcar late-model ranks for the next three years.

NOW IN CHARGE: Steve O’Neal has been named race director at Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway for the 2011 racing season.

STILL A MUST SEE: Must See Racing will continue to sanction the Pay Less Little 500 asphalt sprint-car race, which is scheduled May 28 at Anderson (Indiana) Speedway.

SOUTHBOUND: The American-Canadian Tour for late models will travel to Florida for the first time in February to take part in the annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing February 13–14, 2011.

WELCOME BACK: Spencer Massey has been named the driver of the Fram/Prestone NHRA Top Fuel Dragster out of the Don Schumacher Racing stable for the 2011 season.

STEPPING ASIDE: Sarah Fisher has retired from driving, handing over the wheel of her No. 67 Dollar General Dallara Honda in the IZOD IndyCar Series to Ed Carpenter for at least nine races next season.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate, visit www.nationalspeedsportnews.com.

DISSOLVED: Andretti Autosport and AFS Racing have ended their successful three-year partnership, but both teams plan to field entries in the Firestone Indy Lights Series next season.

TURKEY TROT: Bryan Clauson won the 70th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix for the USAC Mopar National Midget Series Saturday at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. He also clinched the USAC Midget and National Driver’s championships with the triumph.

BACK IN CHARGE: Andrew Murstein [Medallion Financial] and Doublas C. Bergeron [DGB Investments] have joined with Richard Petty in the reformation of Richard Petty Motorsports for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The team plans to run the full Sprint Cup schedule with drivers Marcos Ambrose and A.J. Allmendinger.

GOBBLED UP: Jimmy Blewett topped Matt Hirschman to win the 35th annual Turkey Derby for modifieds Saturday at Wall Stadium in Wall Township, New Jersey.

COST CUTTING: The Badger Midget Auto Racing Association has implemented RPM limitations next year with the goal of reducing the cost of engines and increasing time between maintenance cycles.

HOOSIER RUBBER: DIRTcar Racing will continue its relationship with Hoosier Racing Tire in the DIRTcar late-model ranks for the next three years.

NOW IN CHARGE: Steve O’Neal has been named race director at Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway for the 2011 racing season.

STILL A MUST SEE: Must See Racing will continue to sanction the Pay Less Little 500 asphalt sprint-car race, which is scheduled May 28 at Anderson (Indiana) Speedway.

SOUTHBOUND: The American-Canadian Tour for late models will travel to Florida for the first time in February to take part in the annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing February 13–14, 2011.

WELCOME BACK: Spencer Massey has been named the driver of the Fram/Prestone NHRA Top Fuel Dragster out of the Don Schumacher Racing stable for the 2011 season.

STEPPING ASIDE: Sarah Fisher has retired from driving, handing over the wheel of her No. 67 Dollar General Dallara Honda in the IZOD IndyCar Series to Ed Carpenter for at least nine races next season.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate, visit www.nationalspeedsportnews.com.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intend to expand the amount of fuel-economy information contained on the vehicle window sticker. Among other changes, the information will now include the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the vehicle. SEMA submitted comments in favor of incorporating graphics, increasing type size and using other visual tools to help focus consumer attention, a position taken by the automakers.

SEMA opposed an alternative approach of using an A–D letter-grading system as too simplistic. SEMA noted that most new-car buyers will be comparison shopping within a specific vehicle segment. Using 25 versus 28 mpg as an example, under the grading system, both cars would receive the same grade (B). SEMA contends that the consumer can easily distinguish the data (25 versus 28 mpg) and that there would be a better chance of achieving the intended goal of making the vehicle’s mileage rating a factor when selecting a car.

Click here to read SEMA’s comments. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intend to expand the amount of fuel-economy information contained on the vehicle window sticker. Among other changes, the information will now include the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the vehicle. SEMA submitted comments in favor of incorporating graphics, increasing type size and using other visual tools to help focus consumer attention, a position taken by the automakers.

SEMA opposed an alternative approach of using an A–D letter-grading system as too simplistic. SEMA noted that most new-car buyers will be comparison shopping within a specific vehicle segment. Using 25 versus 28 mpg as an example, under the grading system, both cars would receive the same grade (B). SEMA contends that the consumer can easily distinguish the data (25 versus 28 mpg) and that there would be a better chance of achieving the intended goal of making the vehicle’s mileage rating a factor when selecting a car.

Click here to read SEMA’s comments. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

In yet another missed opportunity, the United States Senate failed to remove the 1099 reporting requirement, which was included as a revenue-raising provision within the health care law. The rule will require businesses to issue 1099 reporting forms to all vendors from whom they buy more than $600 of goods or services in any year, beginning in 2012. There was majority support to repeal the rule during a series of votes earlier this week, but senators could not agree on how to fund the lost revenues. (The repeal vote required a super-majority of 67 votes for passage.)

SEMA will continue to pursue a full repeal of the 1099 reporting provision. There should be another opportunity to resolve the funding dispute, which is holding up the 1099 repeal when lawmakers take action on the tax-extenders package in December. SEMA has worked with several small-business coalitions, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), to remove the provision.

Please contact your United States Senators (click here to find your senators) in support of this repeal to ensure that small businesses can continue to remain focused on recovery and growth. For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski, congressional affairs manager, at dans@sema.org.

In yet another missed opportunity, the United States Senate failed to remove the 1099 reporting requirement, which was included as a revenue-raising provision within the health care law. The rule will require businesses to issue 1099 reporting forms to all vendors from whom they buy more than $600 of goods or services in any year, beginning in 2012. There was majority support to repeal the rule during a series of votes earlier this week, but senators could not agree on how to fund the lost revenues. (The repeal vote required a super-majority of 67 votes for passage.)

SEMA will continue to pursue a full repeal of the 1099 reporting provision. There should be another opportunity to resolve the funding dispute, which is holding up the 1099 repeal when lawmakers take action on the tax-extenders package in December. SEMA has worked with several small-business coalitions, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), to remove the provision.

Please contact your United States Senators (click here to find your senators) in support of this repeal to ensure that small businesses can continue to remain focused on recovery and growth. For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski, congressional affairs manager, at dans@sema.org.

 

	MySEMA enables users to connect and network directly with key leaders in the specialty-equipment market.

MySEMA offers users a specialized forum in which to discuss industry issues and promote business-to-business networking opportunities. No one can dispute the influence that social media venues, such as Facebook and Twitter, have on communication and relationships. Yet, by their nature, these communication vehicles are designed to allow users to build a broad-based network of contacts that focus primarily on daily personal experiences and habitual interaction. However, they do little to promote and address business challenges and opportunities.

MySEMA was created to provide SEMA members with the opportunity to participate in industry-specific discussion groups in a closed forum that encourages meaningful and important dialogue within your niche segment. You’ll also connect and network directly with key leaders who have built the specialty-equipment market without the burden of having to sift through spam and other unwanted solicitations.

SEMA groups cover the industry spectrum, from automotive restoration to young executives, from professional restylers to the wheel and tire segment, and are only open to the current council and committee members of each respective segment. These groups allow users to interact with industry leaders, post announcements, locate resources, download related research and white papers and participate in worthwhile discussions—all in a secure environment. If you want to talk shop, MySEMA is the place.

To get connected, sign in to MySEMA, review the groups, request to join and start chatting. Your opinion matters!

Get involved, join the discussion.

 

	MySEMA enables users to connect and network directly with key leaders in the specialty-equipment market.

MySEMA offers users a specialized forum in which to discuss industry issues and promote business-to-business networking opportunities. No one can dispute the influence that social media venues, such as Facebook and Twitter, have on communication and relationships. Yet, by their nature, these communication vehicles are designed to allow users to build a broad-based network of contacts that focus primarily on daily personal experiences and habitual interaction. However, they do little to promote and address business challenges and opportunities.

MySEMA was created to provide SEMA members with the opportunity to participate in industry-specific discussion groups in a closed forum that encourages meaningful and important dialogue within your niche segment. You’ll also connect and network directly with key leaders who have built the specialty-equipment market without the burden of having to sift through spam and other unwanted solicitations.

SEMA groups cover the industry spectrum, from automotive restoration to young executives, from professional restylers to the wheel and tire segment, and are only open to the current council and committee members of each respective segment. These groups allow users to interact with industry leaders, post announcements, locate resources, download related research and white papers and participate in worthwhile discussions—all in a secure environment. If you want to talk shop, MySEMA is the place.

To get connected, sign in to MySEMA, review the groups, request to join and start chatting. Your opinion matters!

Get involved, join the discussion.

 

	The SEMA Business Technology Committee will hold an educational workshop entitled, “Decoding the Benefits of Accurate Product Data” at the 2010 International Motor Industry Show and 2010 Performance Racing Industry Show.

Motor State Distributing will be the presenting sponsor of two seminars on behalf of the SEMA Business Technology Committee (BTC), which will be held at the 2010 International Motor Industry Show (IMIS) and the 2010 Performance Racing Industry Show (PRI). At each event, the SEMA BTC will hold an educational workshop entitled, “Decoding the Benefits of Accurate Product Data.”

SEMA wants you to know about the latest news and changes regarding properly applying industry best practices toward the distribution and overall content of your company’s product information. Many companies in the performance and racing industry are using standardized product data to increase sales, lower returns and improve product exposure. In this session, they’ll focus on how using a standardized product information format allows everyone to sell more parts. They will cover the basics and also more advanced areas of product data including:

• The essential pieces of product information required today, including digital assets.
• The importance of information quality and accuracy.
• Real-life examples that show how bad information can cause problems, including legal issues and recent North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) changes for 2010.
• Methods to populate and share data, including the new 2010 Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) requirements.
• Why so many companies have already adopted data standards—and the benefits they have gained.

This seminar is in easy-to-understand language and the presentation will demonstrate how to format and manage product information required by today’s distribution channel.

Each seminar will be hosted by Scott O’Toole, principal and founder of RPM Data Services located in southwest Michigan, a leader in the field of product data solutions concentrating on the high-performance, racing and accessory aftermarket parts distribution segment.

O’Toole, a 28-plus-year veteran of the performance and OEM industry, has held key management positions in both the product manufacturing and wholesale distribution sectors before starting his own private company in 2010.

Since 2006, he has volunteered his time working with SEMA’s BTC to help the performance industry promote and adopt both the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) and Aftermarket Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES), developed by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) as an open standard for the automotive aftermarket. In late 2010, he was selected to serve on the AAIA Technology Standards and Solutions Committee.

O’Toole is a regular speaker at many industry conferences and trade shows, including the SEMA Show, Hotrod & Restoration Show, Aftermarket eForum, IMIS, National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) and PRI.

IMIS Show Date and Time:

Date: Thursday, December 2, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting Room #109

PRI Show Date and Time:

Date: Friday, December 10, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting Room S 320 H

Hotrod & Restoration Show Date and Time:

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011
Time: 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Location: TBD

Please mark your calendars, and be sure to make time in your schedule to attend. After all, it’s all about working smarter through technology and achieving the overall goal of selling more parts.

If you have questions about these seminars, please e-mail Scott O’Toole at RPM Data Services or Staci Bostock, or call 909/978-6693.