Andretti Global and General Motors Team Up in F1 Pursuit

Andretti Global and General Motors have announced their intent to pursue the opportunity to compete in the FIA Formula One World Championship. GM would be represented by the Cadillac brand. The Andretti Cadillac team would be based in the United States with a support facility in the United Kingdom.

F1 has seen consistent growth globally and most recently in the United States with 2023 races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas. The Andretti Cadillac team is planning to submit an expression of interest when the FIA opens the formal process. If selected, the team is seeking to compete as soon as practical with at least one American driver.  

Since 2017, Cadillac has been competing at the forefront of American sports-car racing in IMSA, achieving numerous wins, podiums and championships with the Cadillac DPi-V.R. Cadillac will continue in sports-car racing with the all-new hybrid Cadillac V-LMDh, which will compete globally in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship.  

Andretti racing teams currently compete in seven different top-tier series worldwide and have found success in each avenue of competition. Andretti and GM last paired for the return of Chevrolet to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012, together capturing nine wins across two seasons. The pairing additionally claimed the Driver, Team and Manufacturer titles in 2012. 

NHRA Releases 2023 Schedule for Nine-Race Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series

NHRA has announced the nine-race schedule for the 2023 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, which will feature a pair of Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Hot Rod Reunions. The series will again feature racing action from the Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters and Nostalgia Funny Cars.

This season opens with the Good Vibrations March Meet, March 2–5, at Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield, California. The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series will then make its first-ever stop at Redding Motorsports Park in Redding, California, April 8–9, followed by the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Opener, which is reserved for Nostalgia Funny Cars at Firebird Raceway in Boise, May 6–7, and the Nostalgia Reunion at Sacramento Raceway, May 12–13. That leads into the National Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway Park, June 15–17.

The series resumes in August with a second trip to Firebird Raceway for the track’s Nightfire Nationals, August 4–6, followed by a pair of September races on back-to-back weekends. The Nitro Nationals takes place at Osage Casino and Hotel Tulsa Raceway Park, September 15–16, featuring Nostalgia Top Fuel, Funny Car and A/Fuel and a second 2023 event at Sacramento Raceway, the Governor’s Cup, will run September 22–23 and hosts Groups 1 and 2.

The California Hot Rod Reunion will close out the season, October 13–15 at Famoso Dragstrip, with Nostalgia Top Fuel competing for points at five events during the season (March Meet, National Hot Rod Reunion, Nightfire Nationals, Nitro Nationals and California Hot Rod Reunion). Nostalgia Funny Car will compete for points at six races (March Meet, Ignitor Nitro Opener, National Hot Rod Reunion, Nightfire Nationals, Nitro Nationals and California Hot Rod Reunion).

For more information about the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series, visit www.nhra.com/hotrodheritage.

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

Lubrication Specialties Names Josh Steinmetz Hot Shot’s Secret Brand Manager

Lubrication Specialties (LSI) has announced the promotion of Josh Steinmetz to Hot Shot’s Secret brand manager. Since Steinmetz’s employment in 2019, he has quickly risen in assigned responsibilities working first as digital marketing manager before being promoted to e-commerce and digital marketing manager. In his capacity as brand manager, Steinmetz will develop and define the long-term brand vision and strategy for Hot Shot’s Secret performance and preventative maintenance additives, oils and fluids. He will direct the brand’s messaging, goals and promise, and will develop the best go-to-market strategy to ensure market share and sales. As brand manager, he will oversee all brand messaging, packaging and media buys, and provide input on new-product development for diverse markets.

Steinmetz brings to the position a background in marketing strategy, social media, advertising and creative production, content creation, website development, photography, and videography, and has been contributing increasingly to branding in addition to his e-commerce and digital duties.

Tread Lightly! Announces ATV Trader as Newest Official Partner

Tread Lightly!, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through stewardship and educational programs, has announced ATV Trader as its newest official partner. As an official partner of Tread Lightly!, ATV Trader will support Tread Lightly!’s mission to protect off-road trail access and public lands through stewardship projects and responsible recreation education. In addition to its partnership, ATV Trader will also offer Tread Lightly! members 50% off any listing package on ATV Trader, valid January 1–December 31, 2023. For more information on ATV Trader, visit www.ATVTrader.com. To learn more about Tread Lightly!, visit www.treadlightly.org.

CRC Industries Appoints Len Mazzanti as CEO

CRC Industries has appointed Len Mazzanti as CEO. Mazzanti succeeds Perry Cozzone, who served as CEO of the company since 2018 and retired at the end of December 2022. Mazzanti has 30 years of experience developing and leading high-performing teams on a global scale with a proven track record in growing businesses both domestically and globally. Most recently, Mazzanti was regional president of Sartomer Americas, a global specialty business unit of Arkema with previous roles encompassing operations, supply chain and commercial business leadership in the chemical industry with companies including AmeriGas, General Electric, and Rohm and Haas. Mazzanti will be focused on driving operational excellence and infrastructure capabilities to support CRC’s growth around core product lines, including its environmentally preferred products.

Mile Marker Industries Inc. Announces Brand Representation by Motorsports Television Personality Terry L. Madden

Mile Marker Industries Inc. has announced its multi-level partnership with racer and motorsports television personality Terry Madden, a U.S. Army veteran. Madden recently left WARN Industries and signed on with Mile Marker Industries Inc. to introduce a line of signature products and also will become a full-line dealer.

Madden began racing bikes, motocross and flat track at a young age, and after high school served in The United States Army for eight years as an “MP” in the Military Police division. Upon completing his military service, Madden had a successful career working in the oil and gas/oilfield industry, thereafter pursuing his passion for off-road racing. He continues to enjoy success in the off-road sector, including two Baja 1000 wins, two Mexican 1000 wins and countless other championships and awards around the globe. Madden is also a professional driver and rider and has appeared in many television programs and commercials.

“Mile Marker will be launching products with Terry at the King of the Hammers, February 2–11,” said Mile Marker CEO Paul Fioravanti. “Terry’s California shop will become a Mile Marker full-service dealer, with on-hand inventory. Terry will help us tell the story of a re-energized Mile Marker [under new ownership since 2021], and help us continue to grow our brand as we launch some exciting new products throughout the year and later in the year at SEMA 2023.”

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

This a Corvette C8 Stingray prototype with EPA exhaust tips, indicating that a powertrain update is in store for the base model C8.

According to sources, the C8 Stingray will gain more power for the ’24 model year, which would explain the presence of the EPA/EEA testing exhaust tips on this prototype. The powertrain changes are expected to put the C8 Stingray above the 500hp mark, which seems very feasible given that the car is currently rated at 495 hp with the optional performance exhaust system.

Going forward, the C8 stingray should receive a modest exterior refresh with a revised front/rear end along a revised Interior too.

Expect an official debut somewhere around Q1 of 2024.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Customer Service Representative
Quadratec Inc.

Quadratec Inc. is hiring a customer service representative. Ideal candidates will be the liaison between the company and its customers. The successful candidate will be able to accept ownership for effectively solving customer issues, take orders and keep customer satisfaction at the core of every decision and behavior. This is a remote opportunity. Candidates should be Jeep enthusiasts. Three years of customer service experience is preferred.

Junior Engineer
Allied Wheel Components

Allied Wheel Components is hiring a junior engineer for its manufacturing/warehouse. Candidates must thrive in a fast-paced environment and communicate positively with sales and marketing teams and be self-driven, disciplined, reliable, hard-working, excellent communicators with experience in engineering. A degree in mechanical engineering is required and candidates must be proficient in engineering 2-D and 3-D CAD software.

Graphic Designer
Go Rhino

Go Rhino is hiring a graphic designer to design and produce exciting, well-executed creative work, and collaborate with others inside and outside of marketing for project specifics. Be part of the team to improve the quality of current design/graphics work and ensure all finished creative work is accurate, on brand and on time. Candidates must be passionate about the automotive industry, and want to be a part of a fast-growing automotive-based outdoor adventure company. Strong automotive knowledge/experience is required.

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The West Virginia legislature has appointed Senator Mark Maynard and Delegate Gary Howell as chairs of new policy committees in their respective chambers. Senator Maynard will serve as chair of the Outdoor Recreation Committee, formed to promote motorsports and off-highway vehicle access to public lands. Delegate Howell’s Committee on Economic Development and Tourism works to attract new businesses to the state, and focuses on workforce training and tax reform.

West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell (left) and West Virginia Senator Mark Maynard (right) with automotive media personality Courtney Hansen at the SEMA Show.

Senator Maynard and Delegate Howell are no strangers to SEMA. Senator Maynard was named SEMA’s 2018 Stephen B. McDonald Lawmaker of the Year for his efforts to promote off-highway vehicle recreation in the state. Delegate Howell served as national chair of SEMA’s State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus from 2013 to 2021 and led the Caucus during a period of unprecedented growth.

SEMA congratulates Senator Maynard and Delegate Howell on their appointments and looks forward to working with them during the legislative session.

For more information, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Five of SEMA’s leading groups—the Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA), Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), Wheel & Tire Council (WTC), SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) and Future Leaders Network (FLN)—will host a cross-council mixer for its members at the 2023 Keystone BIG Show.  

Attendees also will learn about SEMA’s resources and programs, plans for the year and enjoy complimentary snacks and cold drinks.

Taking place Friday, February 10, from 3:15 p.m.–4:15 p.m. (MST) at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colorado, the event is the ideal place for members to expand their professional network by making new connections. Attendees also will learn about SEMA’s resources and programs, plans for the year and enjoy complimentary snacks and cold drinks.

Registration is requested so that event coordinators can plan accordingly.

RSVP for the mixer now.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a proposed rule that would ban employers from including non-compete clauses in worker contracts. The agency contends that the provisions are an unfair method of competition that have the effect of suppressing wages, hampering innovation and thwarting entrepreneurs from starting up new businesses. The FTC argues that removing them would allow workers to more freely switch jobs, seek higher wages and better working conditions and expand the talent pool from which other businesses hire employees. Opponents argue that non-compete provisions encourage companies to retain and promote workers and invest in training. The FTC estimates that at least 30 million Americans are subject to non-compete clauses.

The proposed rule would not apply to other types of employment restrictions, such as non-disclosure agreements. SEMA is reviewing the proposed rule and welcomes member feedback. Comments are due 60 days after it is officially published in the Federal Register.

For more information, please contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

Ford F-Series has surpassed 640,000 trucks in 2022, making it America’s best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 41 years after selling an average of at least one F-Series Truck every 49 seconds last year.

From F-150 to F-550 chassis cab, entry-level XL to well-equipped Limited, EcoBoost to the all-electric F-150 Lightning, lined bumper to bumper, all of the Ford F-Series trucks sold last year would stretch approximately 2,400 miles, or further than the driving distance from Los Angeles to Detroit, according to Ford.

“The Ford truck team’s ability to anticipate customer needs, continuously innovate, and provide best-in-class levels of capability and performance has helped make F-Series the sales leader time and time again,” said Kumar Galhotra, president, Ford Blue. “We’re honored and humbled that our customers have helped us achieve this milestone for more than four decades.”

F-Series celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The all-electric F-150 Lightning, which began sales in 2022, immediately became the best-selling EV pickup on the market. Furthermore, the all-new F-Series Super Duty has racked up 150,000 orders. First deliveries start early this year.

For more information, visit www.ford.com.

Robbie Pierce, who purchased Jimco Racing in 2018, passed away in a scuba diving accident, according to an announcement by Jimco Racing.

Pierce was a member of the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame class of 2018. Pierce became CEO of MasterCraft Safety in 1999 and expanded the business with the purchase of Impact from safety pioneer Bill Simpson in 2010. Pierce sold Impact by MasterCraft Safety to the Italian firm Sparco in 2017, and less than a year later, he announced his acquisition of Jimco Racing—a manufacturer of off-road racing vehicles. Scuba diving was considered his second passion in life.

As of press time, no memorial announcements have been made.