Linda Vaughn

Foundation to Host Linda Vaughn Roast
The Quarter Mile Foundation has unveiled plans to pay tribute to the “First Lady of Motorsports,” Linda Vaughn. The roast will be hosted at the “Sports Barn” facility at the Lucas family estate in Carmel, Indiana, Wednesday, August 29, preceding the NHRA’s Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis (August 29–September 3, 2012). The evening’s schedule will include cocktails at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m., followed by the evening’s festivities beginning at 8:00 p.m.

The event will feature “roasters” from across the wide range of the North American motorsports community—drag racing, IndyCar, NASCAR—as well as the automakers and performance aftermarket companies commenting on Vaughn’s life and times and her contributions and impact upon motorsports and the performance aftermarket for the past 50-plus years. To date, the confirmed “roasters” will include Joe Amato, John Force, Don Garlits, Bob Glidden, Don Prudhomme and Jack “Doc” Watson, with NHRA event announcer, Bob Frey serving as the master of ceremonies. Other names will be added shortly.

In addition to the “Roast,” an auction of donated items from friends in the aftermarket, drag racing, IndyCar and NASCAR will be held with seating for up to 350. Tickets will be available online at the Quarter Mile Foundation website beginning June 1, 2012. The VIP/sponsor tables will be available for $2,000/table (seats 8). Non-VIP tables can be sponsored for $1,500 per table. Individual seats can be purchased for $100 each. Sponsors will receive several marketing bonuses, which will be announced shortly.

As with the Don Garlits “Rat Roast” held in Pomona, California, the event will be filmed and the DVD will be made available for purchase to the public. Proceeds will benefit both Linda Vaughn and the Quarter Mile Foundation in its quest to capture the first-person stories of drag racing’s pioneers beginning in the late ’40s through the ’80s; plus the motorsports aftermarket which was spawned from their efforts.

	Jet-Hot Coatings is sponsoring the Autocross events at Chevy High Performance Nationals, June 1–3, 2012, at Atlanta Dragway.

Jet-Hot Backs Chevy High Performance Nationals Autocross Extravaganza
Jet-Hot Coatings is sponsoring the Autocross events at Chevy High Performance Nationals, June 1–3, 2012, at Atlanta Dragway located in Commerce, Georgia. An autocross event challenges a driver’s dexterity and skills as he or she competes against the clock. Also pushed hard is a vehicle’s steering and braking systems as well as durability.

The Jet-Hot Autocross course will be set up in the pit area in order to accommodate a technically challenging course. Atlanta Dragway is well versed in hosting an autocross event as it has done so on many occasions since opening in 1975. The facility is home to the NHRA Southern Nationals—one of the most popular stops on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing tour. There are seven distinct categories for your GM vehicle to fit—Modern Muscle (’93–present), Street Machine (’73–’92), Muscle Machine (’55–’72), Street Rod (’54–older), Truck (any vehicle registered as a truck regardless of year), Turn and Burn, and Pro.

There will be more than 30 awards given away to the participants, including each category champion. Competitors and fans can get up close and personal with leading Pro Touring cars and drivers as they compete in the magazine shootout. Visit www.CHPNationals.com for more information on the Jet-Hot Autocross and other festivities.

	Rookie driver Geoffrey Cooley piloted the No. 22 Alumi Craft/Competitive Metals Pro Buggy to a second-place finish last Sunday at the Speedworld Off Road Park in Surprise, Arizona.

Rookie Driver Geoffrey Cooley Remains Hot in Arizona
Rookie driver Geoffrey Cooley, 17, continues to be a front runner and championship contender in his first season of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Pro Buggy Class. Piloting the No. 22 Alumi Craft/Competitive Metals Pro Buggy, Cooley drove to the podium for the third straight time this season, coming just one step away from a win. Rounds 5 and 6 of the series took place last Saturday and Sunday at the Speedworld Off Road Park in Surprise, Arizona.

Cooley started the event by qualifying ninth on Friday with a time of 1:00.196, which was 0.514 seconds off the fast-time qualifier. The high school senior was challenged by the track conditions and seemed to have run out of speed for his streak of podium finishes. But he was able to overcome and adapt to pull off a sixth-place finish on Saturday and move one step closer to a win on Sunday, where he finished second to veteran racer Doug Fortin.

Nick Tyree finished in seventh place in last Sunday's round six.

Nick Tyree Grabs Best Series Finish; Cracks Top Five
With his family-operated independent team, Nick Tyree and Tyree Motorsports continue to make gains against some of the best off-road racers in the world. Tyree qualified 15th and improved upon his speed all last weekend. In Saturday's race, Tyree battled his way up into the top five in off-road short-course racing. Tyree was running down series multi-time champion Carl Renezeder for a podium position, but ran out of laps and had to settle for a career best finish of fourth.

In Sunday's round six, Tyree remained strong with even faster lap times than Saturday's race. With a few laps remaining, Tyree was in seventh place. He dove inside two trucks and made a pass that moved him into the top five. At the same time elsewhere on the track an incident brought out the red flag and all the trucks were reverted back to the previous completed lap, meaning Tyree had to return to the seventh-place spot. With only one lap remaining, Tyree battled for the top five but fell just short to finish seventh.

A two-year study conducted by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) concludes that at least 5 million newer vehicles on the road today could be threatened with engine damage from gasoline that contains 15% or 20% ethanol (E15/E20). The study supports SEMA’s claim that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was premature in approving the sale of E15 for use in 2001 and newer vehicles. The EPA simultaneously made it “illegal to fuel pre-2001 vehicles” with E15, but only required gas stations to place orange and black warning labels on E15 fuel pumps.

Ethanol increases water formation which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. E15 also burns hotter than E10 and poses a risk to high-performance specialty parts of any year. 

The CRC tested eight different vehicle types produced from model years 2001–2009 representing a variety of popular valvetrain-type engines. During the tests, two engine types failed when running on E15 and E20 gas. The failures potentially represent about 5 million vehicles in the U.S. fleet. The damage included leaks, increased emissions and failure to meet the engine maker’s valve clearance measurements.

In addition to the CRC study results, SEMA contends that another 74 million pre-2001 vehicles are at risk of damage if misfueled. The EPA has already concluded E15 could damage the engines, fuel lines or other equipment on these vehicles.

SEMA has urged Congress to enact legislation (HR 3199) to stop the sale of E15 gas until the National Academies conducts a study on how E15 may impact gas-powered vehicles. The U.S. House Science Committee has approved the bill and sent it to the House floor for further consideration. A federal court is expected to rule this summer on whether the EPA had authority to approve the sale of E15.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

A two-year study conducted by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) concludes that at least 5 million newer vehicles on the road today could be threatened with engine damage from gasoline that contains 15% or 20% ethanol (E15/E20). The study supports SEMA’s claim that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was premature in approving the sale of E15 for use in 2001 and newer vehicles. The EPA simultaneously made it “illegal to fuel pre-2001 vehicles” with E15, but only required gas stations to place orange and black warning labels on E15 fuel pumps.

Ethanol increases water formation which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. E15 also burns hotter than E10 and poses a risk to high-performance specialty parts of any year. 

The CRC tested eight different vehicle types produced from model years 2001–2009 representing a variety of popular valvetrain-type engines. During the tests, two engine types failed when running on E15 and E20 gas. The failures potentially represent about 5 million vehicles in the U.S. fleet. The damage included leaks, increased emissions and failure to meet the engine maker’s valve clearance measurements.

In addition to the CRC study results, SEMA contends that another 74 million pre-2001 vehicles are at risk of damage if misfueled. The EPA has already concluded E15 could damage the engines, fuel lines or other equipment on these vehicles.

SEMA has urged Congress to enact legislation (HR 3199) to stop the sale of E15 gas until the National Academies conducts a study on how E15 may impact gas-powered vehicles. The U.S. House Science Committee has approved the bill and sent it to the House floor for further consideration. A federal court is expected to rule this summer on whether the EPA had authority to approve the sale of E15.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The U.S. House of Representatives amended the annual defense strategy bill to include a requirement that the United States Marines issue a report that considers alternative ways to share the “Johnson Valley” off-highway (OHV) recreation area in southern California without taking ownership rights to the land. The land has been managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for decades. SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN) is working with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and others in the “Save Johnson Valley” Coalition to support issuance of a BLM special-use permit to the Marines for the one or two months a year that it needs access to the land. The Marines have suggested taking ownership rights and issuing OHV-use permits on a limited portion of the land.

Nearly 189,000 acres of land adjacent to the Marine Corps Ground Air Combat Center Twenty-Nine Palms is designated by the 1980 California Desert Conservation Plan as an off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation area. The Marines are expected to issue plans in the near future to acquire 160,000 acres of the land, including Johnson Valley, site of the “King of the Hammers” event and scores of other OHV activities throughout the year. Currently, only 2% of the California Desert is open for OHV recreation and Johnson Valley represents about half of that land.  

The Marines want to use the additional lands for up to two months a year to accommodate large-scale troop maneuver training. The House-approved defense bill would give the motorized recreation community and the Marines additional time to identify a mutually beneficial solution on ownership and access issues. The recreation community brings in more than $70 million per year to the local economy through various forms of recreation, including OHVs, motorcycles, rock hounds, bicycles, campers, hikers, bird watchers, model airplane groups and the commercial movie industry.

The U.S. Senate is considering its version of the defense strategy bill. When passed, lawmakers will negotiate a single bill to be sent to the President for his final approval. The “Johnson Valley amendment” was introduced by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), who worked with California Representatives Kevin McCarthy, Buck McKeon and Jerry Lewis.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The U.S. House of Representatives amended the annual defense strategy bill to include a requirement that the United States Marines issue a report that considers alternative ways to share the “Johnson Valley” off-highway (OHV) recreation area in southern California without taking ownership rights to the land. The land has been managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for decades. SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN) is working with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and others in the “Save Johnson Valley” Coalition to support issuance of a BLM special-use permit to the Marines for the one or two months a year that it needs access to the land. The Marines have suggested taking ownership rights and issuing OHV-use permits on a limited portion of the land.

Nearly 189,000 acres of land adjacent to the Marine Corps Ground Air Combat Center Twenty-Nine Palms is designated by the 1980 California Desert Conservation Plan as an off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation area. The Marines are expected to issue plans in the near future to acquire 160,000 acres of the land, including Johnson Valley, site of the “King of the Hammers” event and scores of other OHV activities throughout the year. Currently, only 2% of the California Desert is open for OHV recreation and Johnson Valley represents about half of that land.  

The Marines want to use the additional lands for up to two months a year to accommodate large-scale troop maneuver training. The House-approved defense bill would give the motorized recreation community and the Marines additional time to identify a mutually beneficial solution on ownership and access issues. The recreation community brings in more than $70 million per year to the local economy through various forms of recreation, including OHVs, motorcycles, rock hounds, bicycles, campers, hikers, bird watchers, model airplane groups and the commercial movie industry.

The U.S. Senate is considering its version of the defense strategy bill. When passed, lawmakers will negotiate a single bill to be sent to the President for his final approval. The “Johnson Valley amendment” was introduced by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), who worked with California Representatives Kevin McCarthy, Buck McKeon and Jerry Lewis.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The U.S. House of Representatives amended the annual defense strategy bill to include a requirement that the United States Marines issue a report that considers alternative ways to share the “Johnson Valley” off-highway (OHV) recreation area in southern California without taking ownership rights to the land. The land has been managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for decades. SEMA and its SEMA Action Network (SAN) is working with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and others in the “Save Johnson Valley” Coalition to support issuance of a BLM special-use permit to the Marines for the one or two months a year that it needs access to the land. The Marines have suggested taking ownership rights and issuing OHV-use permits on a limited portion of the land.

Nearly 189,000 acres of land adjacent to the Marine Corps Ground Air Combat Center Twenty-Nine Palms is designated by the 1980 California Desert Conservation Plan as an off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation area. The Marines are expected to issue plans in the near future to acquire 160,000 acres of the land, including Johnson Valley, site of the “King of the Hammers” event and scores of other OHV activities throughout the year. Currently, only 2% of the California Desert is open for OHV recreation and Johnson Valley represents about half of that land.  

The Marines want to use the additional lands for up to two months a year to accommodate large-scale troop maneuver training. The House-approved defense bill would give the motorized recreation community and the Marines additional time to identify a mutually beneficial solution on ownership and access issues. The recreation community brings in more than $70 million per year to the local economy through various forms of recreation, including OHVs, motorcycles, rock hounds, bicycles, campers, hikers, bird watchers, model airplane groups and the commercial movie industry.

The U.S. Senate is considering its version of the defense strategy bill. When passed, lawmakers will negotiate a single bill to be sent to the President for his final approval. The “Johnson Valley amendment” was introduced by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), who worked with California Representatives Kevin McCarthy, Buck McKeon and Jerry Lewis.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

	FIAT is offering a 500 Abarth to select customizers for the 2012 SEMA Show.

FIAT brand is offering customizers Abarth vehicles for the 2012 SEMA Show. Proposals must be submitted by May 31, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. (EDT).

This year’s focus will be developing lifestyle and performance vehicles. The FIAT 500 Abarth is equipped with a manual 1.4L 16v MultiAir Turbo Engine rated at 160 hp.

FIAT 500 SEMA Offer/Benefits:

• A FIAT 500 Abarth vehicle to create and promote accessories and/or vendor capabilities.
• Potential display of the modified FIAT at shows and FIAT promotional events.
• Potential media coverage of the modified FIAT and, therefore, increased exposure of the vendor's name from the SEMA Show and through other media outreach.

FIAT 500 SEMA Requirements:

• An introductory letter defining the theme of the project vehicle and its general content.
• 8½ x 11 color renderings illustrating front/side, rear and interior appearance (Composite ¾ views acceptable) with the intended color and graphic scheme accurately defined. Preservation of front-end brand identity (divisional emblem and possibly grille features) is mandatory.
• A list of specific system upgrades, including partnered sources and new products being developed for FIAT through the project.
• Examples of previous project vehicles and promotional activities by the applicant.
• Promotional and media outreach plan beyond the SEMA Show (i.e. tour of events, specific magazine feature articles, online promotion, etc.).
• Availability for the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas is required. Please state where the vehicle will be displayed at the SEMA Show and who will sponsor the vehicle if it is placed in a feature spot. Note that partners are required to promote the vehicle through November 1, 2013. Proposals with guaranteed interior booth space will be given preferred consideration.
• Required shows to be displayed at as part of FIAT display: TBA.
• Need to be accessible for Fiat brand/dealer events (minimum: 4).

Aftermarket companies requesting vehicles should have the following capabilities:

• Financially and technically capable of building a one-off show car without financial or parts support from FIAT USA, Chrysler Group LLC or Mopar.
• Willing to partner with other non-competing aftermarket companies or enthusiast publications to enhance the vehicle project.
• History of active promotion of vehicle projects with an established marketing plan.

Project vehicle recipients must:

• Execute a promotional agreement with Chrysler that sets forth the obligations of the vehicle recipient, including, without limitation, the requirement to return the vehicle to Chrysler Group LLC in three years.
• Commit to make the vehicle available to FIAT or its dealers if requested for additional shows and exhibits for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the model logos intact and visible. Commit to provide regular reports to FIAT USA public relations regarding media coverage and event activity for the project vehicle for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.

Timeline:

• Proposals due: May 31, 2012; 4:00 p.m. (EDT)
• Winners announced: June 15, 2012
• Vehicle delivery: July 5–9, 2012
• Customized vehicle live visit review with FIAT brand team to review finished vehicle: October 7–11, 2012
• FIAT 500 customized vehicle on display at the 2012 SEMA Show: October 30–November 2, 2012

Contact:

Please e-mail your detailed project proposal or questions to nicole.longhini@FIATUSA.com before May 31, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. (EDT). For more information on the FIAT 500 Abarth, visit www.fiatusa.com/abarth.

	FIAT is offering a 500 Abarth to select customizers for the 2012 SEMA Show.

FIAT brand is offering customizers Abarth vehicles for the 2012 SEMA Show. Proposals must be submitted by May 31, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. (EDT).

This year’s focus will be developing lifestyle and performance vehicles. The FIAT 500 Abarth is equipped with a manual 1.4L 16v MultiAir Turbo Engine rated at 160 hp.

FIAT 500 SEMA Offer/Benefits:

• A FIAT 500 Abarth vehicle to create and promote accessories and/or vendor capabilities.
• Potential display of the modified FIAT at shows and FIAT promotional events.
• Potential media coverage of the modified FIAT and, therefore, increased exposure of the vendor's name from the SEMA Show and through other media outreach.

FIAT 500 SEMA Requirements:

• An introductory letter defining the theme of the project vehicle and its general content.
• 8½ x 11 color renderings illustrating front/side, rear and interior appearance (Composite ¾ views acceptable) with the intended color and graphic scheme accurately defined. Preservation of front-end brand identity (divisional emblem and possibly grille features) is mandatory.
• A list of specific system upgrades, including partnered sources and new products being developed for FIAT through the project.
• Examples of previous project vehicles and promotional activities by the applicant.
• Promotional and media outreach plan beyond the SEMA Show (i.e. tour of events, specific magazine feature articles, online promotion, etc.).
• Availability for the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas is required. Please state where the vehicle will be displayed at the SEMA Show and who will sponsor the vehicle if it is placed in a feature spot. Note that partners are required to promote the vehicle through November 1, 2013. Proposals with guaranteed interior booth space will be given preferred consideration.
• Required shows to be displayed at as part of FIAT display: TBA.
• Need to be accessible for Fiat brand/dealer events (minimum: 4).

Aftermarket companies requesting vehicles should have the following capabilities:

• Financially and technically capable of building a one-off show car without financial or parts support from FIAT USA, Chrysler Group LLC or Mopar.
• Willing to partner with other non-competing aftermarket companies or enthusiast publications to enhance the vehicle project.
• History of active promotion of vehicle projects with an established marketing plan.

Project vehicle recipients must:

• Execute a promotional agreement with Chrysler that sets forth the obligations of the vehicle recipient, including, without limitation, the requirement to return the vehicle to Chrysler Group LLC in three years.
• Commit to make the vehicle available to FIAT or its dealers if requested for additional shows and exhibits for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the model logos intact and visible. Commit to provide regular reports to FIAT USA public relations regarding media coverage and event activity for the project vehicle for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.

Timeline:

• Proposals due: May 31, 2012; 4:00 p.m. (EDT)
• Winners announced: June 15, 2012
• Vehicle delivery: July 5–9, 2012
• Customized vehicle live visit review with FIAT brand team to review finished vehicle: October 7–11, 2012
• FIAT 500 customized vehicle on display at the 2012 SEMA Show: October 30–November 2, 2012

Contact:

Please e-mail your detailed project proposal or questions to nicole.longhini@FIATUSA.com before May 31, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. (EDT). For more information on the FIAT 500 Abarth, visit www.fiatusa.com/abarth.

	FIAT is offering a 500 Abarth to select customizers for the 2012 SEMA Show.

FIAT brand is offering customizers Abarth vehicles for the 2012 SEMA Show. Proposals must be submitted by May 31, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. (EDT).

This year’s focus will be developing lifestyle and performance vehicles. The FIAT 500 Abarth is equipped with a manual 1.4L 16v MultiAir Turbo Engine rated at 160 hp.

FIAT 500 SEMA Offer/Benefits:

• A FIAT 500 Abarth vehicle to create and promote accessories and/or vendor capabilities.
• Potential display of the modified FIAT at shows and FIAT promotional events.
• Potential media coverage of the modified FIAT and, therefore, increased exposure of the vendor's name from the SEMA Show and through other media outreach.

FIAT 500 SEMA Requirements:

• An introductory letter defining the theme of the project vehicle and its general content.
• 8½ x 11 color renderings illustrating front/side, rear and interior appearance (Composite ¾ views acceptable) with the intended color and graphic scheme accurately defined. Preservation of front-end brand identity (divisional emblem and possibly grille features) is mandatory.
• A list of specific system upgrades, including partnered sources and new products being developed for FIAT through the project.
• Examples of previous project vehicles and promotional activities by the applicant.
• Promotional and media outreach plan beyond the SEMA Show (i.e. tour of events, specific magazine feature articles, online promotion, etc.).
• Availability for the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas is required. Please state where the vehicle will be displayed at the SEMA Show and who will sponsor the vehicle if it is placed in a feature spot. Note that partners are required to promote the vehicle through November 1, 2013. Proposals with guaranteed interior booth space will be given preferred consideration.
• Required shows to be displayed at as part of FIAT display: TBA.
• Need to be accessible for Fiat brand/dealer events (minimum: 4).

Aftermarket companies requesting vehicles should have the following capabilities:

• Financially and technically capable of building a one-off show car without financial or parts support from FIAT USA, Chrysler Group LLC or Mopar.
• Willing to partner with other non-competing aftermarket companies or enthusiast publications to enhance the vehicle project.
• History of active promotion of vehicle projects with an established marketing plan.

Project vehicle recipients must:

• Execute a promotional agreement with Chrysler that sets forth the obligations of the vehicle recipient, including, without limitation, the requirement to return the vehicle to Chrysler Group LLC in three years.
• Commit to make the vehicle available to FIAT or its dealers if requested for additional shows and exhibits for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the model logos intact and visible. Commit to provide regular reports to FIAT USA public relations regarding media coverage and event activity for the project vehicle for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.

Timeline:

• Proposals due: May 31, 2012; 4:00 p.m. (EDT)
• Winners announced: June 15, 2012
• Vehicle delivery: July 5–9, 2012
• Customized vehicle live visit review with FIAT brand team to review finished vehicle: October 7–11, 2012
• FIAT 500 customized vehicle on display at the 2012 SEMA Show: October 30–November 2, 2012

Contact:

Please e-mail your detailed project proposal or questions to nicole.longhini@FIATUSA.com before May 31, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. (EDT). For more information on the FIAT 500 Abarth, visit www.fiatusa.com/abarth.