From the moment the main gates opened for 2022 KOH on January 27, until February 5, when the last 4400 rig pulled back into Hammertown, there was non-stop music, vendors showing off new products and racing...lots and lots of racing.
One of the newest categories for drivers to tackle is the UTV competition, and more than 130 drivers lit out of Hammertown on February 3. The SEMA News team captured the moment Kyle Chaney took the checkered flag on the 2022 CAN-AM UTV Hammers Championship. Here’s a look at some highlights.
Next up was the 2022 4WP Everyman Challenge and in the Spidertrax 4600 Stock Class, Ford Performance drove three Broncos up to the podium. Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy combined to take first place with Brad Lovell/Roger Lovell and Bailey Cole/Jason Scherer joining the group, completing a clean sweep in the class for Ford Performance. Here’s a look at the action on the course, and back in Hammertown.
Finally on Saturday, February 5, it was time for the 2022 Nitto Race of Kings. According to a Nitto press release, the King of the Hammers race is extremely hard on both drivers and equipment. This year Team Nitto Tires driver Raul Gomez was the first to the checkered flag taking the win by over 15 minutes ahead of the nearest competitor.
“We came out this year looking for a win- brought out a new car, did some testing and tuning, and got it dialed in for the race,” said Raul Gomez, pilot of the #83 Unlimited 4400 car. “One of the greatest things about working with Nitto for about five years now, is the confidence I have with their product and knowing I wouldn’t have any issues.”
Here’s some of the action from the Race of Kings, and an interview with Raul Gomez.
For more information about the 2022 Progressive King of the Hammers, presented by Optima Batteries, visit www.Ultra4Racing.com.
Oracle Red Bull Racing Unveils RB18 With Fan-Led Reveal
Oracle Red Bull Racing have revealed the car with which they will be contesting the 2022 Formula One World Championship—the RB18—in a collaborative broadcast with many of the team’s online followers. Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez joined forces with the Oracle Red Bull Racing engineering team to reveal the 2022 car to the world in a fan-first experience. The launch was hosted from their technology campus in Milton Keynes and streamed by thousands of fans.
15th North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony Set for April 19
The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) has announced the NC Motorsports Industry Ceremony will take place Tuesday, April 19, at Embassy Suites Ballroom in Concord in Concord, North Carolina. The ceremony will honor NASCAR Hall of Fame championship team owner and Pro Football Hall of Fame football coach Joe Gibbs with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award.
A native North Carolinian, Gibbs will join motorsports notables such as Richard Petty, Richard Childress, Junior Johnson, O. Bruton Smith, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Ned Jarrett family, Dale Earnhardt, Benny Parsons, Mike Helton, Jeff Gordon, Roger Penske, Jack Roush, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Robert Yates as NCMA Achievement in Motorsports Tribute honorees.
Tickets are available for the dinner and awards ceremony and include single and table options. For more information, visit northcarolinamotorsportsassociation.org.
PPG Renews Sponsorship With Team Penske
PPG has announced that it will renew its sponsorship of Team Penske and two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Josef Newgarden, who is set to drive the No. 2 PPG Chevrolet in 2022. PPG will once again sponsor Team Penske’s No. 2 Chevrolet, featuring the colorful new PPG livery unveiled in 2021. The car will be driven by Newgarden in eight NTT INDYCAR SERIES races this season. Newgarden, who has represented PPG on multiple occasions since joining the Penske team, claimed the INDYCAR SERIES Championship in 2017 and 2019. PPG’s longstanding relationship with Team Penske began in 1984 when PPG supported Penske’s numerous race cars. Today, PPG supplies refinish coatings for Penske Corporation’s racing, truck leasing and automotive collision-repair subsidiaries.
Alan Gow
Alan Gow Reappointed President of the FIA Touring Car Commission
International motorsports governing body the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has announced Alan Gow has been reappointed as president of the FIA Touring Car Commission and the World Endurance Commission. With his role extended through 2023, Gow enters his 13th year as president of the FIA Touring Car Commission, the body that oversees the FIA-sanctioned touring car competitions. He also retains his position as a member of the World Endurance Commission, which he has held since 2018. This role will also extend through 2023. For more information, visit fia.com/commissions.
Boxing Legend Floyd Mayweather Forms NASCAR Team
Floyd “Money” Mayweather has partnered with Pit Viper to form The Money Team Racing (TMTR), which will make its NASCAR Cup Series debut with No. 50 Pit Viper Chevrolet at the Daytona 500 on February 20, 2022.
Legendary five-division world champion and boxing Hall of Famer Floyd “Money” Mayweather has partnered with sunglass giant Pit Viper to form The Money Team Racing (TMTR), which will make its NASCAR Cup Series debut with No. 50 Pit Viper Chevrolet at the Daytona 500 on February 20, 2022. Driver Kaz Grala will pilot the new NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet with an engine from ECR Engines. Calling the shots from the pit box will be NASCAR Cup Series winning crew chief Tony Eury Jr. The co-owner of TMT Racing, William Auchmoody, an associate of Mayweather’s and a longtime member of the NASCAR community, will serve as the team’s general manager. For more information, visit nascar.com and themoneyteamracing.com.
Ultra4, King Of the Hammers Announce EV Racing Program
Officials with Ultra4 Racing and King of the Hammers have announced the EV Spec Racing Program, an electric vehicle (EV) series that will compete with EV crate packages from Hypercraft and Dana Inc., along with supporting components from Yukon Gear and Axle and Holley/AEM. Eleven Ultra4 Racing teams have committed to the program to help develop and build EV-powered vehicles. The first race will take place in July 2022 in Attica, Indiana. For more information, visit ultra4racing.com.
Nominations for the 2022 SEMA Hall of Fame class are open at www.sema.org/hof.
Induction to the Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association and honors the pioneers who have contributed to the growth of the automotive aftermarket over a long period of time.
“Our industry is fueled by nothing short of passionate and hard-working individuals. The SEMA Hall of Fame honors those whom without, our industry would not be what it is today,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership.
“The industry’s input in the selection process is an invaluable asset to the association in identifying deserving hall of fame inductees.”
Since its inception in 1969, 165 individuals have been inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame, including:
Agosta, Matt (Steele Rubber Products)
Airheart, Bob (Bob Airheart Sales)
Alderson, Don (Muldoon Engineering)
Amato, Joe (Keystone Automotive Warehouse)
Appelgate, Brian (B&M Racing & Performance)
Arias Jr., Nick (Arias Pistons)
Arkus-Duntov, Zora (Chevorlet Motor Division)
Ayres, Joel (Automtoive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation)
Babcox, Tom (Babcox Publications)
Baney, Lou (SEMA)
Barnett, Don (Speed Warehouse)
Barris, George (Barris Kustom Industries)
Barsamian, Rich (Advanced Clutch Technology Inc.)
Bartlett, John (Grant Piston Rings)
Baskerville, Gray (Hot Rod Magazine)
Belond, Sandy (Belond Mufflers)
Bingham, Jim (Winners Circle Speed & Custom Inc.)
Black, Keith (Keith Black Racing Engines)
Bleiweis, Raymond (Rocket Industries)
Blum, Charles R. (SEMA)
Bobins, Chuck (CB Sales)
Bolio, Steve (Scafidi-Bolio & Associates)
Borick, Louis (Superior Industries)
Borré, Dan (Keith Black Performance Inc.)
Borré, Jim (Manik Motors)
Brock, Ray (Petersen Publishing)
Brothers, Paul "Scooter" (Competition Cams, Inc.)
Brown, Ray (Superior Industries)
Cahill, Robert (Chrysler Corp., Mopar Division)
Campbell, Ben, Nighthorse (Senator)
Card, Charley (Honest Charley's)
Carleton, GiGi (Robert E. Petersen Foundation)
Cepek, Dick (Dick Cepek Inc.)
Chandler, Bob (Bigfoot 4x4 Inc.)
Chapouris, Pete (SO-CAL Speed Shop)
Chrisman, Art (Chrisman’s Auto Rod Specialist – CARS)
Coddington, Boyd (Boyds Wheels)
Coker, Corky (Coker Tires)
Coleman, Ron (Competition Cams)
Cook, Bob (Book Cook Sales)
Cornelison, Nile (Direct Communications Inc.)
Cozzie, Jim (Brenton Productions Inc.)
Crane, Harvey J. (Crane Cams)
Crower, Bruce (Crower Cams)
Day, Dick (Petersen Publishing Co.)
Deane, Russ (SEMA General Counsel)
Deist, Jim (Deist Safety Equipment)
Diamond, Murray (Plasticolor Molded Products)
Douglass, Howard (Douglass Mufflers)
Eatherly, Donnie (P&E Distributors Inc.)
Economaki, Chris (National Speed Sport News)
Edelbrock Jr., Vic (Edelbrock Corp.)
Edelbrock Sr., Vic (Edelbrock Corp.)
Elliott, Ed (Elliott-McMullen Advertising)
Elliott, George (Argus Publishers)
Evans, Doug (Bonnier Corporation)
Faulk, Amy (Hypertech Inc.)
Fishel, Herb (The Business of Motorsports)
Foose, Chip (Foose Design)
Foote, George (Karbelt Speed & Custom)
Foulger, Donna Imrie (SEMA)
France Sr., Bill (NASCAR)
Funfar, Run (Hedman Manufacturing)
Gage, Dennis (MadStache Inc.)
Gaines, John (G&M Performance Parts)
Garlits, Don (Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing)
Garner, Willie (Trans-Dapt)
Giampetroni, Angelo (Ford Motor Company)
Goldberg, Harvey (Goldberg Marketing Inc.)
Goldstein, Jack (Jack Goldstein & Associates)
Granatelli, Andy (Consultant)
Grant, Eric
Halibrand, Ted (Halibrand Engineering)
Harman, Kenny (Harman Collins Inc.)
Harris, Jack (Rush Sales)
Hart, C.J. (Lion's Drag Strip)
Hart, Jack (NHRA)
Hays, Bill (Centerforce Clutches)
Hedman, Bob (Hedman Manufacturing)
Heffington, Mark (Hypertech Inc.)
Hibler, Harry (Nanotech Fuel Corp.)
Hilborn, Stuart (Fuel Injection Engineering Co.)
Hiltz, Stan (Thrush Mufflers)
Holding, Dennis (Direct Parts Inc.)
Hooker, Gary (Hooker Headers)
Hrudka, Joe (Mr. Gasket Co.)
Hurst, George (Hurst Shifters)
Iskenderian, Ed (Isky Racing Cams)
Kagan, Leo (Amco Manufacturing)
Kawasaki, Wade (Coker Group)
Keller, Bob (Turbonetics, Inc.)
Kerr, Jim (Jim Kerr & Associates)
Konblett, Sheldon (SC Performance)
Kuhns, Arnold (SFI Foundation Inc.)
Lahmann, Butch (American Specialty Equipment)
Larivee Sr., Bob (Promotions Inc.)
LeSage, Burke
Leslie, Roy (Kenz & Leslie Accessories Ltd.)
Light, Jerry (Speed Warehouse)
Lipper, Ray (Center Line Wheel Corp.)
Lohn, Els (Ansen Enterprises)
Mallory, Boots (Mallory Ignition)
Martin, Dick
Maxwell, Dick (Chrysler Corporation)
McClelland, Dave (Diamond P Sports)
McFarland, Jim (AutoCom)
McJannett, Bob (Performance Improvements)
McMullen, Richard
Meguiar, Barry (Meguiar’s)
Menzler, John (COMP Performance Group)
Moon, Dean (Moon Equipment Co.)
Moore, Marla (Coker Tire)
Moroso, Dick (Moroso Performance Products)
Offenhauser, Fred (Offenhauser Equipment Corp.)
Olson, Carl (SFI Foundation Inc.)
Parks, Wally (NHRA)
Patteri, Robert (Patteri Sales)
Perry, Bill (Bill Perry and Associates)
Petersen, Robert E. (Petersen Publishing)
Piggins, Vince (Chevorlet Motor Division)
Pink, Ed (Ed Pink Racing Engines)
Pisano, Joe (Venolia Pistons)
Prudhomme, Don (Don Prudhomme Racing)
Raleigh, Don (Don's Speed Shop)
Reed, Alan (IMARC)
Richter, Roy (Cragar Industries)
Rifchin, Marvin (M&H Tires)
Roberts, Red (McLeod Industries)
Rollins, Rick (Superchips, Inc.)
Scafidi, John (Hurst Shifters)
Schiefer, Paul (Schiefer Equipment Co.)
Schubeck, Joe
Schwartz, Chuck (ConvExx)
Senter, Louis (Senter Engineering Corp.)
Shedden, Tom (Cragar Industries)
Shelby, Carroll (Shelby Automotives)
Shelton, Nate (B&M Automotive Group)
Sigman, Ben (Sigman-Pittman)
Simmons, John (SECO Performance Centers)
Simpson, Bill (Simpson Racing Products)
Smith, Bill (Speedway Motors)
Smith, Don (High Performance Distributors)
Spar, Bob (B&M Automotive)
St. Lawrence, Joe (RTM Studios)
Stroppe, Bill (Bill Stroppe & Son)
Thompson, Mickey (Mickey Thompson Enterprises)
Thomson, Chris (TMG Performance Group)
Towle, John (Performance Warehouse Association)
Van Cleve, Charlie (Hedman/TD Performance)
Van Cleve, Dick (Van Cleve & Associates)
Vandergriff, Robert (Hedman/TD Performance)
Vaughn, Jim (Mr. Phone)
Vaughn, Linda (Hurst Performance Products)
Warn, Thurston (Warn Industries)
Weber, Harry (Weber Cams)
Weiand, Joan (Weiand Industries)
Weiand, Phil (Weiand Automotive Industries)
Wells, Dick (SEMA)
Winfield, Ed (Winfield Carburetors)
Wirth, Jim (Wirth & Wirth Advertising)
Woodell, Van (Weathers Auto Supply)
Woomer, Steve (Competition Specialties)
Worthan, Rolan “Jeep” (Auto Meter Products, Inc.)
Xydias, Alex (SO-CAL Speed Shop)
Yunick, Henry “Smokey”
In any given year, it’s not unusual for three or four people to earn induction. Nominations are open until March 18, 2022, and can be submitted here.
Questions can be directed to Chris Standifer, Project Manager-Recognition Programs, at chriss@sema.org, 909-978-6692.
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.
Marketing Specialist Edelbrock is hiring a marketing specialist responsible for ideation, creative concept development and weaving all components of a story from start to finish through a variety of mediums and channels. You will be able to recognize or define content needs, understand target audiences, build measures to track success and continually improve upon your skills. You will become the voice of each brand and maintain the overall message of innovation and passion while collaborating with cross-functional marketing, product, brand and digital teams to produce assets and materials on-time, on-budget and on-brand. You will be able to collaborate with creatives to help shape brand assets to align visually with the written message. You will be a flexible writer with the ability to develop content and communication for teams in and outside of marketing; write or shape headlines for print, outdoor and digital ads; write long form content for print, blogs and brochures; write press releases, packaging descriptions, website page copy, product descriptions for catalog and web, email copy and video scripts.
Aftermarket Websites Business Development Professional The AAM Group is hiring an aftermarket websites business development professional responsible for communication with strategic customer groups, communication with prospective account holders, participation in platform demonstrations and interaction with AAM members’ sales and marketing teams. Additionally, they will support the business development of AAM’s reseller marketing programs: Total Truck Centers, Performance Corner and Parts Pro. Finally, they will contribute to the development of AAM’s overarching company and program presentations by serving as the voice of the industry’s resellers.
Mechanical Engineer Suspension Direct is hiring a mechanical engineerto assist in maintaining the shop floors daily tasks ranging from programming, assisting employees on improving efficiency and production times who can quickly manage and solve problems on the shop floor. This is a great opportunity for an entry-level candidate looking to grow their career in an innovative and entrepreneurial company. Candidates must have graduated with a B.A. in mechanical engineering; no experience is needed.
SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.
Four iconic industry builders gathered during the recent SEMA Show for a rare discussion about the restoration industry, including the current state and its future.
Watch the recording of the seminar, “Restorations to Restomods Builder Panel—Powered by the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO),” now at www.semashow.com/education. Hosted by Sabra Johnson of City Classic Cars, the seminar features famed television personality Ant Anstead of Radford; Bob Smith “The Ferrari King” of Bob Smith Coachworks; and award-winning builder and innovator Steve Cook of Steve Cook Creations.
Hosted by Sabra Johnson of City Classic Cars, the seminar features famed television personality Ant Anstead of Radford; Bob Smith “The Ferrari King” of Bob Smith Coachworks; and award-winning builder and innovator Steve Cook of Steve Cook Creations.
Viewers will hear the panel open up and share their personal experiences on getting started in the business, running their shops, keeping employee accountability, choosing and firing the right customers and mastering a niche within the restoration market.
“If you’re a builder, you might be doing something today that you’re not going to do tomorrow. […] What is that, in your wildest dream, what you want to be building? That might not be what you’re building today and that’s okay because we all have to start somewhere. We evolve, we grow, we learn and we develop,” said Johnson. “You have to know where you are today and become a master of the moment. […] Mastering the moment, knowing where you are, knowing what gets you going, do that, but also avail yourself for tomorrow.”
The seminar recording is one of many available at www.semashow.com/education. New recordings are added weekly. Other recently added seminars include:
The Globalization of Overlanding: How Retailers and Manufacturers Can Capitalize on the Worldwide Phenomenon of Overlanding.
Women Who Rule Racing, Powered by SBN.
Challenges to Modding the Modern Powertrain, Powered by ETTN.
How to Use Facebook and Instagram to Find Customers and Increase Sales.
Real-world testing of the next-gen Range Rover Sport is long underway, and spies in Germany have caught shots of a prototype wearing a lot less camouflage than ever before. The new Range Rover Sport could arrive about a year after the “standard” Range Rover, with the grand unveiling around the end of this year.
Evidence gathered from prototype sightings like this suggests that the Range Rover Sport will yet again assume the role of a younger sibling of the Range Rover. At least the stately proportions and signature design cues would be retained. Progress will be evolutionary on the looks, although that’s exactly what loyal customers would seek in the subsequent model generation.
The next-gen Range Rover Sport has visibly short overhangs compared to the next-gen Range Rover. Another difference between the SUVs is a strongly tapering tail on the Sport. Using a softer roof and a different tail, JLR can disguise the 5+2 SUV as a sporty five-seater.
More extensive changes could be seen on the inside, although JLR designers may repeat the classical SUV elements, such as chunky four-spoke steering, a chunky dashboard, vertical AC vents and the Pivi Pro infotainment system’s 11.4-in. screen. More information on the interior is bound to emerge later this year when the bigger Range Rover is previewed.
The RR Sport will be underpinned by the new Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) platform that was supposed to debut in the next-gen Jaguar XJ, which was cancelled early this year. The MLA platform supports full electrification. So, a Range Rover EV/Range Rover Sport EV should follow in a few years. At launch, partial electrification should be standard across the range, with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies.
The next-gen Range Rover Sport will arrive as the ’23 model, likely in the second half of this year.
How does a bill become a law? That question is like someone asking how to build a winning racecar; it’s a little bit more complicated than it may first appear. There are several ways to get it done, and it’s certainly harder to do than one would hope. It also takes more time and more money than you initially thought.
A bill, just like a racecar, starts with an idea. The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act, known as the RPM Act, started as a simple idea: to protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars and the motorsports industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete.
This video explains the paths a bill can take to become a law and the possible obstacles along the way:
If you support the RPM Act and want to see this critical bill become a law, SEMA urges you to share this video with several of your friends, write letters to your lawmakers telling them to pass the bill and do everything in your power to keep the RPM Act top of mind until it becomes a law.
If you love racing, the RPM Act is critical to protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars, and the motorsports parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete.
The RPM Act is one of the many advocacy efforts supported by SEMA. For more information on SEMA membership for business, visit www.sema.org/get-involved. For information on SEMA’s individual membership, visit www.sema.org/individual-membership/.
Overall, 2021 was a strong year for the industry amid high demand, with many companies reporting record growth. The specialty-equipment market should continue to grow in 2022, but at more muted levels, before returning to more normal (pre-pandemic) growth for 2023 and beyond. In fact, nearly three-quarters (74%) of industry companies expect sales growth in 2022. Key impacts to keep an eye on moving forward will be consumer demand, supply-chain disruption, rising costs and automotive sales.
According to the “SEMA Future Trends – January 2022” report, nearly three-quarters (74%) of industry companies expect sales growth in 2022.
Want to learn more? Want to see the latest economic and supply-chain projections for 2022 and beyond? Download the new “SEMA Future Trends – January 2022” report. In it, you’ll find:
Outlook for the specialty-equipment industry in 2022 and beyond.
Projections for the U.S. economy, including consumer spending, inflation and employment.
Outlook on the global supply chain and input prices.
A look at changing demographics of consumers, and what that means for the industry in the future.
To get the latest economic information and trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry, also check out Market Research’s “SEMA Industry Indicators” report. Published monthly, this report provides a snapshot of the key economic and automotive indicators that impact the specialty-equipment industry.
PPG Renews Sponsorship With Team Penske
