For 2010, SEMA and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) have created a tire industry-only part of the SEMA Show called the Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA. The new Expo will be open to all segments of the tire industry.

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced the "Truck Tires at 10" educational sessions for the 2010 Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA, which is a part of the 2010 SEMA Show, taking place November 2–5, 2010 in Las Vegas. For the latest Expo information and updates, visit the "Events" section of www.tireindustry.org.

Truck Tires at 10: Wednesday, November 3: Bead Lubricants and Chamber Fires: Commercial tire service and retreading have basically operated independent of each other for years, but the problem of chamber fires has been linked to certain bead lubricants and release agents. Besides the possible link to chamber fires, the use of these compounds also poses an occupational health risk to employees. This seminar will address the risks of using flammable bead lubricants and introduce extensive research on a new bead lubricant and release agent that is petroleum-free and non-flammable.

Thursday, November 4: TMC Radial Tire & Disc Wheel Service Manual: Last year, the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) released the TMC Radial Tire & Disc Wheel Service Manual, a project that took years to complete and is the work of TMC's S.2 Tire and Wheel Study Group. This seminar will outline the information contained in the TMC Radial Tire & Disc Wheel Service Manual and demonstrate how it can be used as a reference in the field.

Interested Expo attendees can find out the latest session and speaker information, as well as hotel reservations and TIA special-event information, by visiting the "Events" section of www.tireindustry.org.

Environment Canada issued a SEMA-supported final rule to indefinitely extend an exemption allowing the use of leaded gasoline in competition motor vehicles. The exemption has been renewed several times since it was first established in 1996. SEMA had previously opposed efforts to permanently terminate the exemption and effectively ban racing vehicles using leaded fuel. The new rule recognizes the relationship between the Canadian and U.S. racing industries and adopts a consistent environmental approach to leaded fuel use.

In comments to Environment Canada, SEMA identified a number of reasons to continue the exemption, including:

• In the United States, the Clean Air Act specifically exempts leaded fuels for competition-use vehicles;
• The North American racing industry is fully integrated, with both competitors and spectators crossing country borders to participate in and attend events;
• There are an estimated 165 racing facilities operating in Canada that support thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars of economic benefit for local businesses and communities;
• Although there are fuel alternatives for some racing vehicles, the drag-racing industry still requires leaded gasoline; and
• While the racing industry continues to move towards long-term independence from leaded fuel, the amount used in Canada is miniscule when compared to total leaded fuel use: 2% by competition vehicles versus 98% by piston engine aircraft. To put the issue in perspective, 99.8% of gasoline used in Canada is already lead free.

Environment Canada will conduct a five-year review and revisit the exemption issue if necessary based on science, technology and fuel replacement developments. Meanwhile, Environment Canada will work with the racing industry to encourage a voluntary reduction or phase-out of leaded racing fuel.

For more information, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Environment Canada issued a SEMA-supported final rule to indefinitely extend an exemption allowing the use of leaded gasoline in competition motor vehicles. The exemption has been renewed several times since it was first established in 1996. SEMA had previously opposed efforts to permanently terminate the exemption and effectively ban racing vehicles using leaded fuel. The new rule recognizes the relationship between the Canadian and U.S. racing industries and adopts a consistent environmental approach to leaded fuel use.

In comments to Environment Canada, SEMA identified a number of reasons to continue the exemption, including:

• In the United States, the Clean Air Act specifically exempts leaded fuels for competition-use vehicles;
• The North American racing industry is fully integrated, with both competitors and spectators crossing country borders to participate in and attend events;
• There are an estimated 165 racing facilities operating in Canada that support thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars of economic benefit for local businesses and communities;
• Although there are fuel alternatives for some racing vehicles, the drag-racing industry still requires leaded gasoline; and
• While the racing industry continues to move towards long-term independence from leaded fuel, the amount used in Canada is miniscule when compared to total leaded fuel use: 2% by competition vehicles versus 98% by piston engine aircraft. To put the issue in perspective, 99.8% of gasoline used in Canada is already lead free.

Environment Canada will conduct a five-year review and revisit the exemption issue if necessary based on science, technology and fuel replacement developments. Meanwhile, Environment Canada will work with the racing industry to encourage a voluntary reduction or phase-out of leaded racing fuel.

For more information, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published answers to “frequently asked questions” (FAQs) to help businesses better understand the FTC’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” The guides were revised in October 2009 to clarify that they apply to all types of advertising, including via social media websites and blogs. Disclosure to consumers of the relationship between ads and advertisers has always been the focus of the guides, and the October 2009 revisions detail which messages qualify as advertisements in the digital age.

The FTC clarified that messages must either be easily discernable to consumers as advertisements, and when they are not conspicuous ads, include disclaimers. The FAQ document breaks-down what is and is not permissible in online advertising endorsements/testimonials. It explains that advertisers utilizing online forums to post testimonials must include a disclaimer to inform consumers that the testimonials have been influenced by the company producing, selling or marketing the product that is being recommended.

The FAQ document may be downloaded here.

For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published answers to “frequently asked questions” (FAQs) to help businesses better understand the FTC’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” The guides were revised in October 2009 to clarify that they apply to all types of advertising, including via social media websites and blogs. Disclosure to consumers of the relationship between ads and advertisers has always been the focus of the guides, and the October 2009 revisions detail which messages qualify as advertisements in the digital age.

The FTC clarified that messages must either be easily discernable to consumers as advertisements, and when they are not conspicuous ads, include disclaimers. The FAQ document breaks-down what is and is not permissible in online advertising endorsements/testimonials. It explains that advertisers utilizing online forums to post testimonials must include a disclaimer to inform consumers that the testimonials have been influenced by the company producing, selling or marketing the product that is being recommended.

The FAQ document may be downloaded here.

For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

Doug Evans (left) receives the 2009 SEMA Person of the Year award from 2008 winner Patrick Judge (right).

2008 SEMA Person of the Year award winner Patrick Judge.

Wade Kawasaki (right) receives the 2007 SEMA Person of the Year award from 2006 winner Joel Ayres (left).

There are only two weeks left to submit nominations for the SEMA Person of the Year Award, which was established for SEMA members to honor a person for his/her outstanding contribution to the industry, above and beyond their normal job function.

Please review the Person of the Year Award criteria included in the online nomination form before completing your nomination. Nominations must include comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the person of your choice is deserving of this award.

All nominations are confidential. Please submit your 2010 SEMA Person of the Year Nomination Form by Friday, July 30, 2010.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cindy Booher at 909/978-6706 or via e-mail cindyb@sema.org.

Past Award Winners:

Year	Name	Year	Name
1969	Bob Spar	1990	Bob McJannett
1970	Keith Jackson	1991	Bob Patteri
1971	Doug Thoms	1992	Bob Vandergriff
1972	Robert E. Petersen	1993	Bob Keller
1973	Wally Parks	1994	Leo Kagan
1974	Harvey Crane	1995	Brian Appelgate
1975	Don Smith	1996	Amy Faulk
1976	Els Lohn	1997	Ronald Coleman
1977	Dick Wells	1998	Nate Shelton
1978	Donna Imrie Foulger	1999	Jeffrey L. Thompson
1979	Linda Vaughn	2000	Douglas Mergenthaler
1980	John Simmons	2001	Mitch Williams
1981	Nile Cornelison	2002	Paul "Scooter" Brothers
1982	Dennis Holding	2003	Steve Bolio
1983	Jim Davis	2004	Jim Cozzie
1984	W.A. "Butch" Lahmann	2005	Jon Wyly
1985	Jim McFarland	2006	Joel Ayres
1986	Tom Cepek	2007	Wade Kawasaki
1987	Joe Amato	2008	Patrick Judge
1988	Murray Diamond		2009	Doug Evans
1989	Charlie Van Cleve		2010

 

Doug Evans (left) receives the 2009 SEMA Person of the Year award from 2008 winner Patrick Judge (right).

2008 SEMA Person of the Year award winner Patrick Judge.

Wade Kawasaki (right) receives the 2007 SEMA Person of the Year award from 2006 winner Joel Ayres (left).

There are only two weeks left to submit nominations for the SEMA Person of the Year Award, which was established for SEMA members to honor a person for his/her outstanding contribution to the industry, above and beyond their normal job function.

Please review the Person of the Year Award criteria included in the online nomination form before completing your nomination. Nominations must include comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the person of your choice is deserving of this award.

All nominations are confidential. Please submit your 2010 SEMA Person of the Year Nomination Form by Friday, July 30, 2010.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cindy Booher at 909/978-6706 or via e-mail cindyb@sema.org.

Past Award Winners:

Year	Name	Year	Name
1969	Bob Spar	1990	Bob McJannett
1970	Keith Jackson	1991	Bob Patteri
1971	Doug Thoms	1992	Bob Vandergriff
1972	Robert E. Petersen	1993	Bob Keller
1973	Wally Parks	1994	Leo Kagan
1974	Harvey Crane	1995	Brian Appelgate
1975	Don Smith	1996	Amy Faulk
1976	Els Lohn	1997	Ronald Coleman
1977	Dick Wells	1998	Nate Shelton
1978	Donna Imrie Foulger	1999	Jeffrey L. Thompson
1979	Linda Vaughn	2000	Douglas Mergenthaler
1980	John Simmons	2001	Mitch Williams
1981	Nile Cornelison	2002	Paul "Scooter" Brothers
1982	Dennis Holding	2003	Steve Bolio
1983	Jim Davis	2004	Jim Cozzie
1984	W.A. "Butch" Lahmann	2005	Jon Wyly
1985	Jim McFarland	2006	Joel Ayres
1986	Tom Cepek	2007	Wade Kawasaki
1987	Joe Amato	2008	Patrick Judge
1988	Murray Diamond		2009	Doug Evans
1989	Charlie Van Cleve		2010

 

Enthusiasts in Monterrey, Mexico, are customizing a wide variety of vehicles, including U.S., German and Japanese cars and light trucks.

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in the region's earlier days, the most popular vehicles to modify were the Nissan Tsuru, Chevy Hatchback and Honda Civic. Currently, the most popular makes are BMW, Mitsubishi, Dodge and Hummer, and popular vehicles range from the VW Jetta GTi and the Nissan 350Z to SUVs and trucks, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade and Toyota Tacoma.

The report also highlights the modifications and accessories that are the most popular and which SEMA-member products are best known in Mexico.

SEMA members can get a free copy of the piece from Casey Kooiman at caseyk@sema.org.

Enthusiasts in Monterrey, Mexico, are customizing a wide variety of vehicles, including U.S., German and Japanese cars and light trucks.

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in the region's earlier days, the most popular vehicles to modify were the Nissan Tsuru, Chevy Hatchback and Honda Civic. Currently, the most popular makes are BMW, Mitsubishi, Dodge and Hummer, and popular vehicles range from the VW Jetta GTi and the Nissan 350Z to SUVs and trucks, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade and Toyota Tacoma.

The report also highlights the modifications and accessories that are the most popular and which SEMA-member products are best known in Mexico.

SEMA members can get a free copy of the piece from Casey Kooiman at caseyk@sema.org.

Enthusiasts in Monterrey, Mexico, are customizing a wide variety of vehicles, including U.S., German and Japanese cars and light trucks.

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in the region's earlier days, the most popular vehicles to modify were the Nissan Tsuru, Chevy Hatchback and Honda Civic. Currently, the most popular makes are BMW, Mitsubishi, Dodge and Hummer, and popular vehicles range from the VW Jetta GTi and the Nissan 350Z to SUVs and trucks, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade and Toyota Tacoma.

The report also highlights the modifications and accessories that are the most popular and which SEMA-member products are best known in Mexico.

SEMA members can get a free copy of the piece from Casey Kooiman at caseyk@sema.org.