By Ellen McKoy

An avid off-roader, Nick D’Orazio turned an interest in auto mechanics into a career in design engineering at Fox Factory Inc. With financial assistance from SEMA, he’s been able to pay down on a higher-interest student loan.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Consumer Credit Panel, student debt has hit a record-setting $1.52 trillion. And while millions of college grads struggle to repay their loans, for those pursuing a career in the automotive industry, there’s a pathway to help them leave their worries behind: the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program.

Established in the early 2000s under the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, the program is aimed at helping graduates employed by a SEMA-member company pay off their student loans.

Loan forgiveness awards are presented annually to qualified candidates. Beyond employment at a member company, applicants must hold a degree or certificate from an accredited college, university or technical school, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and, perhaps most important, a demonstrated passion for the industry.

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2019 SEMA Loan Forgiveness and Scholarship programs at www.sema.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 1.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 263/S.B. 283) has been introduced in Tennessee to allow antique vehicles to be driven up to 5,000 miles per year for general transportation.

Legislation (H.B. 263/S.B. 283) has been introduced in Tennessee to allow antique vehicles to be driven up to 5,000 miles per year for general transportation.

Under current law, antique vehicles may be driven to and from club activities, exhibits, tours and parades; for the purpose of testing the operation of and obtaining repairs; and for general transportation only on Saturday and Sunday.

The bills are currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 263/S.B. 283) has been introduced in Tennessee to allow antique vehicles to be driven up to 5,000 miles per year for general transportation.

Legislation (H.B. 263/S.B. 283) has been introduced in Tennessee to allow antique vehicles to be driven up to 5,000 miles per year for general transportation.

Under current law, antique vehicles may be driven to and from club activities, exhibits, tours and parades; for the purpose of testing the operation of and obtaining repairs; and for general transportation only on Saturday and Sunday.

The bills are currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA  Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (S.B. 333) has been introduced in West Virginia to exempt vehicles 25 years old and older from personal property taxes.

Legislation (S.B. 333) has been introduced in West Virginia to exempt vehicles 25 years old and older from personal property taxes.

The bill is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA  Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (S.B. 333) has been introduced in West Virginia to exempt vehicles 25 years old and older from personal property taxes.

Legislation (S.B. 333) has been introduced in West Virginia to exempt vehicles 25 years old and older from personal property taxes.

The bill is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA  Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 52) has been introduced in Maryland to exempt vehicles driven under 5,000 miles annually from inspection and testing requirements.

Legislation (H.B. 52) has been introduced in Maryland to exempt vehicles driven under 5,000 miles annually from inspection and testing requirements.

Under current law, low-mileage vehicle exemptions are only available to those with disabilities and to persons 70 years old or older.

The bill is currently awaiting consideration in the Assembly Environment and Transportation Committee.

For more information, visit SEMA Action Network website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA  Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 52) has been introduced in Maryland to exempt vehicles driven under 5,000 miles annually from inspection and testing requirements.

Legislation (H.B. 52) has been introduced in Maryland to exempt vehicles driven under 5,000 miles annually from inspection and testing requirements.

Under current law, low-mileage vehicle exemptions are only available to those with disabilities and to persons 70 years old or older.

The bill is currently awaiting consideration in the Assembly Environment and Transportation Committee.

For more information, visit SEMA Action Network website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Summit Racing to Title Sponsor 2019 American Endurance Racing Season

Summit Racing has announced it will be the title sponsor for the American Endurance Racing (AER) 2019 season. Composed of five classes—1 being the slowest, 5 being the fastest—each AER event features two nine-hour races completed on back-to-back days. Vehicle preparation, fueling strategy and driver skill are pushed to the limits during each race. Teams are classed via AER’s unique classing system that compares each team’s drivers’ qualifying times to one another. This means the race field is not only diverse, but also fair with little to no debate as to which cars belong in each class.

AER’s 2019 season begins February 15–17 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta near Atlanta. Other events include:

• April 12–14: Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York
• May 17–19: New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, New Jersey
• June 14–16: Palmer Motorsports Park, Palmer, Massachusetts
• September 13–15: Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, West Virginia
• October 18–20: Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course, Lexington, Ohio
• November 15–17: Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, Pennsylvania

True North Racing of Western Canada competes in the 4600 Stock Class with two off-road capable Jeep Grand Cherokee builds, as well as the 4800 Legends Class with a custom-fabricated “Brinkfab” off-road vehicle.

Nexen Tire USA Makes First Appearance at 2019 King of the Hammers, Sponsoring True North Racing Team

Nexen Tire is partnering with True North Racing this week for the 2019 King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California. True North Racing of Western Canada competes in the 4600 Stock Class with two off-road capable Jeep Grand Cherokee builds, as well as the 4800 Legends Class with a custom-fabricated “Brinkfab” off-road vehicle. Nexen Tire has provided its Roadian MTX Extreme Off-Road tires for all three vehicles and will utilize the company’s 35x12.5x17-in. and 37x12.5x17-in. off-road tires. True Racing North will have two custom Jeep Grand Cherokee builds and one custom-fabricated off-road vehicle on the scene at this year’s King of the Hammers event.

“Horsepower Wars” $10K ‘2’ Drag Shootout Applications Now Open; Preliminary Rules Released for 2019

Power Automedia’s $10K Drag Shootout from “Horsepower Wars” has officially opened the team application process for the second season of its build-off and changes have been introduced to the event and rules. “Horsepower Wars’” $10K Drag Shootout challenge pits teams against one another with the goal of building the fastest, most capable drag car possible in just 10 days with a budget of only $10,000. The $10K Drag Shootout 2 is open to all teams who wish to apply through the online process. The official build has been set for May 8–18, in Riverside, California. New this year are several changes designed to make the competition more thrilling, both for participants and for spectators alike. Most notably, the $10K Drag Shootout will move to an eighth-mile format and will compete at No Mercy 10 in Valdosta, Georgia, in October. For performance-based rule changes, teams will be allowed to use E85 as a fuel and are no longer limited to running just race gas. Dual power adders, however, have been outlawed, and teams will be forced to choose one only for their builds to encourage more creative thinking. Overall, the rules have been tightened to increase competitiveness and creativity. Teams can now apply online until the February 21 deadline.

E3 Spark Plugs has announced a multi-year sponsorship contract renewal with Don Schumacher Racing.

E3 Announces Multi-Year Expanded Partnership With Don Schumacher Racing

E3 Spark Plugs has announced a multi-year sponsorship contract renewal with Don Schumacher Racing. E3 signed on as a sponsor initially with Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) in 2016, and during the course of the past three years, Leah Pritchett, Antron Brown and Ron Capps have all won championships running E3 products. The renewal, a three-year agreement, includes an elevated level of branding and a deeper product relationship. All DSR teams will be run DiamondFIRE racing spark plugs and the company’s new DiamondFIRE racing spark plug wires.

Permatex Returns to NASCAR with Sponsorship of StarCom Racing in 2019 Daytona 500

Permatex will return to NASCAR competition with StarCom Racing at the 2019 Daytona 500, February 17. The sponsorship of StarCom’s 00 Camaro and driver, Landon Cassill, in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ premier event represents Permatex’s first participation as a NASCAR team corporate sponsor in almost four decades.

Specialty Mustangs face off in the Mickey Thompson Cobra/Terminator vs. GT500 Shootout at two NMRA events in 2019.

Mickey Thompson Cobra/Terminator vs. GT500 Shootout Continues the Rivalry at NMRA Opener and Finals

The battle rages on when specialty Mustangs face off in the Mickey Thompson Cobra/Terminator vs. GT500 Shootout at two NMRA events in 2019. The first showdown happens during the 25th Annual NMRA Spring Break Shootout, February 28–March 3, at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida. The second competition happens during the biggest Mustang race of the year, the NMRA All-Ford World Finals over the weekend of September 26–29, at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Mickey Thompson Cobra/Terminator vs. GT500 Shootout is open to any stock-appearing, VIN-verified ’96–’04 SVT Cobra or ’07–’14 Shelby GT500 with a 4.6L, 5.4L or 5.8L modular engine. The OEM chassis must remain but bolt-on modifications are permitted along with any street or race style rear tires. The winner walks away with a $500 winner’s check plus a Mickey Thompson $600 gift certificate and a $1,000 Aeromotive gift certificate. In addition to the check and bonus prizes, the category is included in the NMRA Contingency program, one of the largest all-cash programs in street-legal drag racing. The champion could walk away with winnings that exceed $3,000 for the victory. In addition to the cash and prizes, winners celebrate in the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle and receive an NMRA Victor award.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 2657) has been introduced in West Virginia to allow for the registration of “military surplus vehicles.”

Legislation (H.B. 2657) has been introduced in West Virginia to allow for the registration of “military surplus vehicles.” This legislation is based on SEMA model legislation.

The bill defines military surplus vehicle as a wheeled, multipurpose or tactical vehicle including a trailer, that was manufactured for a military use by or under the direction the U.S. Armed Forces or Armed Forces of any other country and was subsequently authorized for sale to civilians.

H.B. 2657 awaits consideration in the House Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 2657) has been introduced in West Virginia to allow for the registration of “military surplus vehicles.”

Legislation (H.B. 2657) has been introduced in West Virginia to allow for the registration of “military surplus vehicles.” This legislation is based on SEMA model legislation.

The bill defines military surplus vehicle as a wheeled, multipurpose or tactical vehicle including a trailer, that was manufactured for a military use by or under the direction the U.S. Armed Forces or Armed Forces of any other country and was subsequently authorized for sale to civilians.

H.B. 2657 awaits consideration in the House Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.