By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Blue Flame driven by Gary Gabelich on the Salt Flats. Deseret News photograph © 2008 Utah State Historical Society

The Blue Flame on display in 2007. Photo Credit: Troxx

On October 23, 1970, the Blue Flame rocket car became the world’s fastest vehicle when driver Gary Gabelich recorded the FIA-certified World Land Speed Records of 622.407mph (1001.667kph) for the flying mile and 630.388mph (1014.5111kph) for the flying kilometer. Fifty years later, the achievement was commemorated as the States of Utah, Wisconsin and Illinois celebrated “Blue Flame Day.”

The rocket car was designed in part by several professors and students at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. It was fabricated by motorsports enthusiasts at Reaction Dynamics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raced by the Blue Flame team at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The Blue Flame was 37 ft. long and nearly 8 ft. high and wide, had an aluminum skin and weighed more than 6,500 lbs. The rocket engine produced 58,000 hp and 22,000 lbs. of thrust, burning a combination of hydrogen peroxide and liquefied natural gas pressurized by helium gas. To this day, the vehicle remains the fastest American hot rod and the fastest vehicle ever driven at Bonneville.

Congratulations to the Blue Flame team and their colleagues that helped design, construct and race this timeless vehicle.

Proclamation from Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter.	Proclamation from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.	Proclamation from Utah Governor Gary Herbert.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Blue Flame driven by Gary Gabelich on the Salt Flats. Deseret News photograph © 2008 Utah State Historical Society

The Blue Flame on display in 2007. Photo Credit: Troxx

On October 23, 1970, the Blue Flame rocket car became the world’s fastest vehicle when driver Gary Gabelich recorded the FIA-certified World Land Speed Records of 622.407mph (1001.667kph) for the flying mile and 630.388mph (1014.5111kph) for the flying kilometer. Fifty years later, the achievement was commemorated as the States of Utah, Wisconsin and Illinois celebrated “Blue Flame Day.”

The rocket car was designed in part by several professors and students at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. It was fabricated by motorsports enthusiasts at Reaction Dynamics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raced by the Blue Flame team at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The Blue Flame was 37 ft. long and nearly 8 ft. high and wide, had an aluminum skin and weighed more than 6,500 lbs. The rocket engine produced 58,000 hp and 22,000 lbs. of thrust, burning a combination of hydrogen peroxide and liquefied natural gas pressurized by helium gas. To this day, the vehicle remains the fastest American hot rod and the fastest vehicle ever driven at Bonneville.

Congratulations to the Blue Flame team and their colleagues that helped design, construct and race this timeless vehicle.

Proclamation from Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter.	Proclamation from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.	Proclamation from Utah Governor Gary Herbert.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Blue Flame driven by Gary Gabelich on the Salt Flats. Deseret News photograph © 2008 Utah State Historical Society

The Blue Flame on display in 2007. Photo Credit: Troxx

On October 23, 1970, the Blue Flame rocket car became the world’s fastest vehicle when driver Gary Gabelich recorded the FIA-certified World Land Speed Records of 622.407mph (1001.667kph) for the flying mile and 630.388mph (1014.5111kph) for the flying kilometer. Fifty years later, the achievement was commemorated as the States of Utah, Wisconsin and Illinois celebrated “Blue Flame Day.”

The rocket car was designed in part by several professors and students at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. It was fabricated by motorsports enthusiasts at Reaction Dynamics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raced by the Blue Flame team at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The Blue Flame was 37 ft. long and nearly 8 ft. high and wide, had an aluminum skin and weighed more than 6,500 lbs. The rocket engine produced 58,000 hp and 22,000 lbs. of thrust, burning a combination of hydrogen peroxide and liquefied natural gas pressurized by helium gas. To this day, the vehicle remains the fastest American hot rod and the fastest vehicle ever driven at Bonneville.

Congratulations to the Blue Flame team and their colleagues that helped design, construct and race this timeless vehicle.

Proclamation from Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter.	Proclamation from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.	Proclamation from Utah Governor Gary Herbert.

By Fredy Ramirez

SEMA eNews regularly collects new product press releases from companies to highlight each week. Below are this week's submissions.

FST Performance
Fuel Filter System

FST Performance announces the release of its RPM560 Big Deuce water-separating fuel filter system. The system is designed to filter down to three microns.

The filters are constructed to be ideal for racing where extra capacity is needed, including multiple-engine offshore boats, high-horsepower race engines, off-road/desert racing vehicles or any performance engine that needs a high-flow, reliable, dirt-free fuel supply.

407-323-0122
www.fstperformance.com
PN: Vary

Saint-Gobain Abrasives
Electroplated Grinding Wheels

Saint-Gobain Abrasives announces the introduction of its Norton Winter AEON Electroplated Grinding Wheel for high-precision applications in the automotive, medical and aerospace markets. The wheels are designed to be able to hold a profile tolerance of ± 5µm at a maximum wheel diameter of  ~24-in. (600mm) and width ~12-in. (300mm), weighing up to 551 lbs. (250 kg).

Featuring a single usable abrasive layer design, the core surface of the wheels are mechanically fixed by an electrochemical process of nickel-deposition diamond or cBN particles. The layer design is constructed to provide high grit retention levels for long wheel life.

The wheel core is manufactured to be re-used. Once the abrasive grains are worn, the core of the wheel can be re-plated with new diamond or cBN grain in a continuous re-plating cycle.

508-795-5000
www.nortonabrasives.com
PN: Vary

PROFORM
Universal Electric Fans

PROFORM introduces its High-Performance Universal Electric Fans with Thermostat.

The fan is designed to keep performance up and temperatures chilled.

The kits are offered with the choice of straight-blade or S-blade style. All units feature a 15-in. diameter, 8-blade fan; heavy-duty, 12-volt motor; up to 2,800cfm air flow; and only a 14-amp draw.

586-774-2500
www.proformparts.com
PN: Vary

Mopar
Trailer Brake Controller

Mopar has released its trailer brake controller for the Jeep Gladiator. The controller may be retrofitted into Jeep Gladiators that are already on the road.

Installed in front of the transmission shift lever, the round controller knob is designed to provide a consistent look and feel with the vehicle’s interior.

The controller is engineered to give Jeep Gladiator owners the ability to activate the electronic brakes on properly equipped trailers.

800-399-2668
www.mopar.com
PN: Vary

Atlantic British
Air-to-Coil Suspension Conversion Kit

Atlantic British launches its Air-to-Coil Suspension Conversion Kit for Land Rovers and Range Rovers. The kit includes all the components and hardware needed to replace the air suspensions.

The Electronic Air Suspension (EAS) Management Software is designed to keep Land Rover control systems fully-enabled, such as traction control, hill descent, stability control, ABS, headlight positioning and OEM diagnostics.

800-533-2210
www.roverparts.com
PN: 834

By Ashley Reyes

Hunter Engineering Co. was named 2019 SEMA Manufacturer of the Year.

The finalists for the industry’s most prestigious industry awards—SEMA Manufacturer of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year—have been announced.

Finalists for the Manufacturer of the Year Award are:

• Advanced Clutch Technology
• AEM Performance Electronics
• Redline Detection

Finalists for the Gen-III Innovator of the Year Award are:

• Justin Hartenstein, director of product innovation at Oracle Lighting
• Matt Kossoff, owner and founder of The Retrofit Source
• Brendan McGrath, CEO of Dyme Performance Systems

Winners of the awards will be announced virtually as part of the SEMA Awards Celebration, airing on the SEMA Show YouTube Channel, Thursday, November 5, at 6:00 p.m. (PST). It is a unique opportunity for the entire industry to gather online and celebrate. The program will also include the announcement of the SEMA Person of the Year and recognitions of the 2020 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees: Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology; Jack Chisenhall, Vintage Air; John Gaines, G&M Performance Parts; and Joe St. Lawrence, RTM Productions.

“The celebration of industry icons and legends is always a highlight during SEMA Week—and while 2020 may look a little different, the celebration will continue,” said Lindsay Bianco, manager, membership projects. “We invite everyone to tune in from the comfort of their homes, phones and desktops and join us for a night to remember.”

Log on to the SEMA Show YouTube Channel, Thursday, November 5, at 6:00 p.m. (PST) to join in the celebration.

By Ashley Reyes

Hunter Engineering Co. was named 2019 SEMA Manufacturer of the Year.

The finalists for the industry’s most prestigious industry awards—SEMA Manufacturer of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year—have been announced.

Finalists for the Manufacturer of the Year Award are:

• Advanced Clutch Technology
• AEM Performance Electronics
• Redline Detection

Finalists for the Gen-III Innovator of the Year Award are:

• Justin Hartenstein, director of product innovation at Oracle Lighting
• Matt Kossoff, owner and founder of The Retrofit Source
• Brendan McGrath, CEO of Dyme Performance Systems

Winners of the awards will be announced virtually as part of the SEMA Awards Celebration, airing on the SEMA Show YouTube Channel, Thursday, November 5, at 6:00 p.m. (PST). It is a unique opportunity for the entire industry to gather online and celebrate. The program will also include the announcement of the SEMA Person of the Year and recognitions of the 2020 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees: Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology; Jack Chisenhall, Vintage Air; John Gaines, G&M Performance Parts; and Joe St. Lawrence, RTM Productions.

“The celebration of industry icons and legends is always a highlight during SEMA Week—and while 2020 may look a little different, the celebration will continue,” said Lindsay Bianco, manager, membership projects. “We invite everyone to tune in from the comfort of their homes, phones and desktops and join us for a night to remember.”

Log on to the SEMA Show YouTube Channel, Thursday, November 5, at 6:00 p.m. (PST) to join in the celebration.

By SEMA Editors

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has announced its plans to launch its first Topgolf Top Contender National Championship on November 5, 2020.

AACF board president Lynn Parker said, “When the SEMA and AAPEX trade shows were cancelled in the interest of public safety, AACF made the decision to cancel its largest annual fundraising event, the Bob Schoeberl Memorial Golf Tournament. While this was the right thing to do, we needed to find a way for aftermarket industry employees to connect and have fun as an industry family, and raise funds to assist those in need during this challenging time.”

AACF’s first Topgolf Top Contender National Championship will be an integrated tournament that allows teams to compete in real-time via 60 Topgolf locations throughout North America. The Top Contender format increases the competitive fun, as teams from all locations will compete in real time in the same game. Live leaderboards will be displayed in each time zone starting at 2:00 p.m. (PST) on November 5.

Teams of six players each will compete against other teams to score points by hitting micro-chipped golf balls at giant dartboard-like targets. The more accurate the shot, the more points each team will earn. A national champion will be crowned at the end of the tournament. See video here. 

Deadline for registration is November 3.

By SEMA Editors

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has announced its plans to launch its first Topgolf Top Contender National Championship on November 5, 2020.

AACF board president Lynn Parker said, “When the SEMA and AAPEX trade shows were cancelled in the interest of public safety, AACF made the decision to cancel its largest annual fundraising event, the Bob Schoeberl Memorial Golf Tournament. While this was the right thing to do, we needed to find a way for aftermarket industry employees to connect and have fun as an industry family, and raise funds to assist those in need during this challenging time.”

AACF’s first Topgolf Top Contender National Championship will be an integrated tournament that allows teams to compete in real-time via 60 Topgolf locations throughout North America. The Top Contender format increases the competitive fun, as teams from all locations will compete in real time in the same game. Live leaderboards will be displayed in each time zone starting at 2:00 p.m. (PST) on November 5.

Teams of six players each will compete against other teams to score points by hitting micro-chipped golf balls at giant dartboard-like targets. The more accurate the shot, the more points each team will earn. A national champion will be crowned at the end of the tournament. See video here. 

Deadline for registration is November 3.

By John Santos

The 2021 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will be held entirely online, January 26–28.

The 2021 Motorsports Part Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will take place entirely online, January 26–28, 2021, making it easy for manufacturers and media to connect, engage and interact entirely online from anywhere in the world.

Exhibitor applications are open exclusively to MPMC members at www.sema.org/mtc through November 6, 2020.

Featuring manufacturers of racing and performance parts and accessories, the MPMC Media Trade Conference is designed specifically for reporters and journalists and makes it easy and efficient to conduct interviews and obtain content for stories. As an online event, the 2021 program will provide participants with an affordable and safe event that they can rely on. It will be a cost-effective way for exhibitors to share detailed information about their products, changes in their company or the latest industry trends. Manufacturers seeking more information can visit www.sema.org/mtc/manufacturers.php or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Media information is available at www.sema.org/mtc, with registration available in mid-November. Media are also invited to contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org for more information.

By John Santos

The 2021 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will be held entirely online, January 26–28.

The 2021 Motorsports Part Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will take place entirely online, January 26–28, 2021, making it easy for manufacturers and media to connect, engage and interact entirely online from anywhere in the world.

Exhibitor applications are open exclusively to MPMC members at www.sema.org/mtc through November 6, 2020.

Featuring manufacturers of racing and performance parts and accessories, the MPMC Media Trade Conference is designed specifically for reporters and journalists and makes it easy and efficient to conduct interviews and obtain content for stories. As an online event, the 2021 program will provide participants with an affordable and safe event that they can rely on. It will be a cost-effective way for exhibitors to share detailed information about their products, changes in their company or the latest industry trends. Manufacturers seeking more information can visit www.sema.org/mtc/manufacturers.php or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Media information is available at www.sema.org/mtc, with registration available in mid-November. Media are also invited to contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org for more information.