Compiled by SEMA Editors

McLaren Racing to Acquire Majority Stake in Arrow McLaren SP

McLaren Racing has agreed to acquire a majority share in the Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar team. The transaction will close by the end of the year and see McLaren Racing take a 75% share of the team. The financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed. The team will be governed by a new five-person board, comprising three McLaren Racing appointees together with Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson, chaired by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. Taylor Kiel, president of Arrow McLaren SP, will continue to lead and oversee the team’s operations, reporting directly to the board.

Texas Motor Speedway Appoints Rob Ramage as Senior Vice President, General Manager

Veteran Texas Motor Speedway executive and general counsel Rob Ramage has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of Texas Motor Speedway, as announced by Speedway Motorsports President and Chief Executive Officer Marcus Smith. Ramage succeeds promoter Eddie Gossage, who stepped down in June after 25 years at the helm of Texas Motor Speedway and more than three decades with Speedway Motorsports.

Ramage has worked for Speedway Motorsports since 2013, serving as general counsel and director of governmental affairs and senior vice president of finance and compliance at Texas Motor Speedway. His efforts have spanned a variety of capacities, including risk management and working with government entities, business leaders, and community advocates. Before joining Speedway Motorsports, Ramage practiced law in Dallas, focusing on complex litigation, intellectual property and business transactions.

Ramage currently serves on numerous boards of directors that focus on supporting veterans, law enforcement-related causes and transportation matters. In addition, he was recognized for his charitable work for veterans by being named an honorary commander of the United States Air Force.

2022 NHRA Winternationals Returns to Traditional February Date as Season Opener

NHRA and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona have announced the dates of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season opener of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Presented By ProtectTheHarvest.com as February 17–20. As is tradition at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the NHRA Winternationals will kick off the year at the famed track in Southern California. The historic Pomona track sees two of NHRA's most significant events on tour: the NHRA Winternationals and the Auto Club NHRA Finals, slated for November 11–14.

Off-Road Motorsports Hall Of Fame Announces Class of 2021

The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) has announced its Class of 2021 as Steve Kelley, Spencer Low, John Marking and Tim Morton. A committee of off-road professionals convened to evaluate and review more than 40 submissions. The inductees that received at least two-thirds of votes were submitted for ratification by ORMHOF.

ORMHOF inductees represent excellence and achievement in many areas of off-road, including advocacy, journalism, industry, rock sports, desert racing, short course and rally. The Class of 2021 will be celebrated at the 2021 ORMHOF Induction & Awards Gala along with the Class of 2020, including Bob Bower, Dean Bulloch, Danny Foddrill, Jack Johnson, Roger Mears, Cal Wells, and Tom White. These inductees bring the total number in the Hall of Fame to 110. For more information on the inductees, visit here. For more information, visit ormhof.org.

Annual DEI Cruise-In Set for Saturday, August 21

Design Engineering Inc. (DEI), in partnership with the city of Avon Lake, Ohio, will host its annual DEI Cruise-In on Saturday, August 21. The event will feature food, music and the hottest cars, trucks, SUVs, race cars, motorcycles and classic vehicles. Free and open to the public, the event will be held at the Weiss Baseball Fields, 33401 Webber Road, across from DEI headquarters. It will include activities, music, food vendors and more.

This year the Cruise-In will also serve as a fundraiser for Valor Home of Lorain County—a transitional housing program for homeless male veterans. Funds will be raised through a $10 donation for anyone wanting to show a vehicle, with all years, makes, models, and styles eligible to participate. For more information about the annual DEI Cruise-In and how to register a vehicle, visit facebook.com/DEIcruisein.

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

By Ashley Reyes

Register now for the following upcoming live webinars and stay tuned to SEMA eNews as additional sessions are announced throughout the year. For a comprehensive library of upcoming live and on-demand sessions that members can access anytime, visit www.sema.org/virtual-education.

Wednesday, August 18 – Wheel Knowledge 401: Resources for WTC Members
Series: Wheel and Tire Industry Insights, Powered by WTC
Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

During this live webinar, wheel and tire manufacturers and companies will learn about the resources, high-tech tools and equipment available to them through the SEMA Garage. Participants will get the latest information on measuring sessions, 3-D printing capabilities, the Tech Transfer program and ADAS resources. An update on services available through the new SEMA Garage in Detroit will also be discussed.

Register here.

Wednesday, August 18 – Pricing Policies 201: Implementing a Pricing Policy That Works
Series: Pricing Policies Webinar Series

Learn the step-by-step approach to understanding the key components of a successful pricing policy. During this live webinar, attendees will learn what the most effective pricing policy is, what to do when your biggest customer breaks the policy and how a pricing policy increases sales. Cost: $25.

Register here.

Newly Added: Wednesday, August 18 – YEN Live Chat With Bruce Piefke
Track: Industry Talks

During this Facebook live chat, founder of High Octane Events Bruce Piefke will discuss the topic of building a car show into a brand. As CEO of Caffeine and Octane, a popular monthly cruise in car show held in Atlanta under the High Octane Events brand, Piefke will engage live with the audience and discuss the opportunities that building a car show creates and the challenges of turning events into successful businesses.

Location: YEN Facebook page.

Newly Added: Friday, August 20 – ETTN Live Chat with Andrew Johnson
Track: Industry Talks

Learn business hacks for entrepreneurs and startup companies during this Facebook live chat from the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN). Andrew Johnson, who is the head of product at AutoAnything, as well as a consultant for digital product development for Porsche Digital and other early-stage companies, will discuss useful online business tools, startup fundraising, and building an effective team.  

Location: ETTN Facebook page.

Tuesday, August 24 – The Value of Managing Different Personalities
Series: Sharpen Your Soft Skills, Powered by SBN
Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

During this live webinar geared toward automotive aftermarket managers, attendees will learn about the value of managing different personalities and how to identify different personality traits in the workplace. Methods discussed will help managers learn more about their employees so they can adjust their management style accordingly, enhance teamwork and collaboration, and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Register here.

Wednesday, August 25 – Pricing Policies 301: Why Isn’t My Pricing Policy Working?
Series: Pricing Policies Webinar Series

If you’ve launched a pricing policy and have not yet seen the benefits—stick with it and you will. This live webinar will help members understand the most common reasons why a pricing policy isn’t moving the needle. You will learn how long it typically takes to see results, why only some resellers follow a pricing policy, and what the top KPIs that measure a successful pricing policy are. Cost: $25.

Register here.

Tuesday, August 31 – Preventing Ransomware in the Automotive Aftermarket – What SEMA Retailers, Manufacturers and WDs Can Do to Mitigate Threats
Track: Small-Business Strategy

Cybersecurity threats continue to be one of the most important concerns for businesses and organizations. During this live webinar, aftermarket executives and decision makers will learn everything they need to know about how to make educated cybersecurity decisions. The information conveyed will help businesses identify key vulnerabilities within their organization and provide strategies and techniques for mitigating security threats.

Register here.

Newly Added: Thursday, September 9 – Thriving From Day 1 to Day 365
Series: Perfecting Your Job Search Series, Powered by SBN
Track: Industry Segments, Powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

Job seekers and those who recently completed their job search will learn how to prepare for day one of their new job, and how to succeed and thrive all the way up to day 365 in this live, interactive webinar. From the moment a new job offer is accepted, employees will learn how to create a short-term plan that will help them exceed goals for the first year.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

Ivan Korda is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. Korda is a business development manager at Power Automedia—a media company that produces automotive content, digital websites and immersive video.  

Find out what keeps Korda in the industry and how he prepares for important meetings in his interview with SEMA below.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Ivan Korda: “Follow your gut”—simple, I know. As a young adult starting out in the industry more than 10 years ago, I had to learn to trust my instincts and let my passion drive me. In the last decade, I have made several big decisions that were uncomfortable but have transformed my career in ways I didn’t expect.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

IK: My earliest memories are of my love for racing, speed and the automobile. My entire childhood and young adult life were based on finding my way into the automotive aftermarket. I knew this industry is where I belonged because that’s where my passion lies.

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

IK: I can be found spending time with my wife and three dogs, working in the shop on one of my project vehicles, racing or somewhere on the beach.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

IK: I prepare by understanding the agenda and doing my research to understand the topics that are going to be discussed. I am most comfortable when I am prepared.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?

IK: There are so many, but one that came to mind first was Nicky Hayden. As a kid, I remember watching him compete. I couldn’t help but notice how competitive and focused he was, but at the same time, he showed his competitors and supporters so much respect, sincerity and love. I have huge respect for him and his legacy.

If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN-member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

Join the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) for a Facebook live chat featuring the founder of High Octane Events Bruce Piefke.

Piefke launched his first business at the age of 23, at which time he established and operated two very successful metro Atlanta night clubs and live music venues. By the age of 30, he founded the Special Events Network—an Atlanta-based organization producing more than 75 events nationwide for a variety of clients and major media organizations.

Piefke now runs High Octane Events and Caffeine and Octane—a popular monthly cruise in car show that is considered by many to be North America’s largest all-makes-and-models car show. Held the first Sunday of every month at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody, Georgia, Caffeine and Octane consistently attracts more than 2,500 cars and thousands of automotive enthusiasts.

SEMA members are invited to tune into the live chat August 18, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), as Piefke engages with the audience and discusses the topic of building a car show into a brand, the opportunities it creates and the challenges of turning events into a successful business.

Location: YEN Facebook page.

By Ashley Reyes

COVID-19 has changed the face of how all businesses operate. Many companies have adapted to new ways of doing business and the changing environment.

SEMA members are invited to learn business hacks for entrepreneurs and startup companies during a Facebook live chat on August 20, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). Andrew Johnson, head of product at AutoAnything, will share lessons he’s learned over the years. He has had experience as product marketer for Apple, was founder of a technology startup Wheelwell, and is now head of product for AutoAnything, where he oversees the company’s portfolio of six ecommerce properties.

Johnson is also a consultant for digital product development for Porsche Digital and a number of early-stage companies in various industries. During this live chat, attendees will tap into his expertise as he discusses useful online business tools, startup fundraising and where he sees the future of small businesses and technology going in the next one to five years.

Location: ETTN Facebook page. 

By Ashley Reyes

Cybersecurity threats have always been important concerns for businesses. This is especially true as the pandemic redefined how organizations operated—with employees working remotely and utilizing their own devices.

During a live webinar on August 31, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), aftermarket executives and decision makers will learn everything they need to make educated cybersecurity decisions. Even if not tech savvy, participants will learn how to reduce the threat of hacking and ransoming, discover how to identify key vulnerabilities within their organization and leave with the knowledge necessary to develop strategies and techniques for mitigating security threats.

Targeted specifically to owners and leaders of automotive aftermarket retailers, manufacturers and WDs, this webinar will feature business and cybersecurity experts sharing key strategies on how to reopen businesses without opening doors to disaster.

Learn more and register here for “Preventing Ransomware in the Automotive Aftermarket: What SEMA Retailers, Manufacturers and WDs Can Do to Mitigate Threats.” 

Exclusive for SEMA Show 2021 participants, Las Vegas hotels are offering unbeatable nightly rates—but only when you book through the SEMA Show hotel block on www.SEMAShow.com.

SEMA Show management has compared rates against other online travel sites and found that you can save an average of 30% each night on the best available retail rates, and you can still accrue hotel loyalty rewards points.

Hotels That Save You $100 Per Night or More

• ARIA
• Bellagio
• Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World
• Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas
• Encore
• Excalibur
• Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World
• MGM Grand
• SpringHill Suites - Las Vegas Convention Center
• The Palazzo at The Venetian
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
• Vdara
• Wynn

Hotels That Save You 50% Per Night or More

• Bellagio
• Encore
• Excalibur
• Luxor
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• Vdara
• Wynn

Anticipation for the SEMA Show is high. People are eager to reconnect with friends, network with new contacts, get back down to business, and be inspired at the world's leading celebration of product ingenuity, vehicle-performance innovations and the passion for automobiles.

The SEMA Show takes place November 2–5, in Las Vegas. Book your hotel through the SEMA Show hotel block at www.SEMAShow.com.

By Della Domingo

Exhibitors are gearing up for the SEMA Show and are sharing their latest announcements. Below are some of the latest exhibitor announcements from the SEMA Show Online Media Center:

• TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart/Tire Jack
• TMI 60-in. Deluxe Bench Seat Product Launch
• UniAuto Inc. Reveals New Brands and Product Lines
• CTEK Launches World’s First Truly Portable Battery Charger With Adaptive Boost Technology
• Morimoto Lighting in Search of Lighting Sponsorship Partners for SEMA 2021
• Tesla Powered – Extreme ’65 Mustang
• Diode Dynamics, LED Manufacturer, Announces ISO 9001:2015 Certification

All exhibitor press releases can be found at www.semashow.com/press.

All SEMA Show exhibitors are welcome to upload releases free of charge. Upload releases using this link.

The 2021 SEMA Show will take place November 2–5 in Las Vegas. 

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show exhibitors planning to host a special appearance in their booth must submit the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by September 1 to be featured in the SEMA Show’s printed material. Whether it’s a driver, industry icon, TV personality or famous vehicle, featuring a familiar face or iconic vehicle in your booth provides buyers with an identifiable, visual connection of the company’s target market.

Complete the Celebrity Appearance Notification form to have your special attraction publicized with your company name and Show booth number. The information will be included in the Official 2021 SEMA Show Directory and the SEMA Show Daily.

Exhibitors can learn how to get the most out of their 2021 SEMA Show, as well as additional options to reach buyers, by contacting an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

Information about the 2021 SEMA Show is available on www.SEMAShow.com.

Click here for a complete listing of 2021 SEMA Show deadlines.

By Richard Hail

SEMA Battle of the Builders continues the tradition of encouraging young, upcoming builders with the return of the Young Guns division.

The Young Guns division makes it possible for builders 27 years of age or younger to compete alongside industry veterans in the SEMA Battle of the Builders—a competition that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of SEMA Show vehicle builders.

SEMA Battle of the Builders is an exclusive and elite competition open only to builders with vehicles at the SEMA Show.

Builders who are 27 years of age or younger may compete, even if they do not currently have a vehicle scheduled to be on display at the SEMA Show.

Through partnerships with regional events, young builders can compete for a “Golden Ticket” prize package that includes transportation and accommodations to the 2021 SEMA Show for the winning builder and their vehicle. This year, the SEMA Young Guns Regional Qualifiers will be held exclusively online with three events: Eastern States Virtual Corral on August 14, Midwest States Virtual Corral on August 21, and Western States Virtual Corral on August 28.

The Virtual Corrals will be held via Zoom with judging handled by professional builders from the pro division categories of Battle of the Builders. Young Builders will have 10 minutes to pitch their skills and highlight their current build. One winner from each virtual corral will be awarded a Golden Ticket to SEMA.

For more information on Battle of the Builders Young Guns or to apply for a Virtual Corral, visit www.semayoungguns.com.