By SEMA Editors

The 27th annual Advanced Engineering Technology Conference will be held in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, December 6–7, 2016.

Leading automotive performance technology experts will share the latest racing industry advancements during the 27th annual Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, held December 6–7, 2016, in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Open to performance parts manufacturing business owners, engine builders and design engineers, as well as to media and racers in the industry, this year’s conference features Gale Banks from Gale Banks Engineering; George Bryce from STAR Racing; Brian Lebarron from Vibratech TVD & Fluidampr; Chuck Lynch from Engine Builders Association AERA; Ron Sledge from King Engine Bearings; John Waraniak, SEMA vice president – vehicle technology; and representatives from Ford, ECR Engines and Roush Yates Engines. They will discuss, among other topics, the effects of nitrous oxide, instrumentation and data gathering in a dyno room.

“We’re excited that the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference is once again in Indy during the week of the PRI Show,” said PRI General Manager Bill Miller. “Understanding and knowing the latest in advanced technology is crucial to the motorsports industry. This top-rated conference focuses on these important topics, and attending the event will be easy and convenient.”

The two-day program includes one-on-one time with presenters, raffle prizes and breakfasts and lunches. Registration is $399.95 at www.aetconline.com, or call 909-978-6743.

By SEMA Editors

The 27th annual Advanced Engineering Technology Conference will be held in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, December 6–7, 2016.

Leading automotive performance technology experts will share the latest racing industry advancements during the 27th annual Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, held December 6–7, 2016, in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Open to performance parts manufacturing business owners, engine builders and design engineers, as well as to media and racers in the industry, this year’s conference features Gale Banks from Gale Banks Engineering; George Bryce from STAR Racing; Brian Lebarron from Vibratech TVD & Fluidampr; Chuck Lynch from Engine Builders Association AERA; Ron Sledge from King Engine Bearings; John Waraniak, SEMA vice president – vehicle technology; and representatives from Ford, ECR Engines and Roush Yates Engines. They will discuss, among other topics, the effects of nitrous oxide, instrumentation and data gathering in a dyno room.

“We’re excited that the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference is once again in Indy during the week of the PRI Show,” said PRI General Manager Bill Miller. “Understanding and knowing the latest in advanced technology is crucial to the motorsports industry. This top-rated conference focuses on these important topics, and attending the event will be easy and convenient.”

The two-day program includes one-on-one time with presenters, raffle prizes and breakfasts and lunches. Registration is $399.95 at www.aetconline.com, or call 909-978-6743.

By SEMA Editors

The first half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) 2016 Dual Championship Engine Challenge is over. The event, which took place last week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, included 20 teams from across the country who battled to become one of the top four teams to move on and compete for the 2016 National Championship at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, December 9–10.

Team Vibrant, from C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, came in first place with an average time of 19:18. They were the only team to have all three runs below the 20-minute mark.

Team Howards Cams from Belvidere North High School in Belvidere, Illinois, came in second place with an average time of 22:04. They are the first all-female team to compete in the Elite 8 of the Dual Championship, and the fastest all-female team in the history of the competition.

Team Aeromotive, from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, came in third place with an average time of 22:52. They are the only team to have perfect motors (no penalties) during the first half of the 2016 HROT Dual Championship. Team Taylor, also from Fremd High School, came in fourth place with an average time of 23:10. Teams Aeromotive and Taylor are both coached by Steven Elza.

The top four teams from the SEMA Show will now move on to the Elite 8, held next month during the PRI Trade Show, to compete head-to-head against the top four teams from PRI to earn the 2016 HROT National Champion title. The Elite 8 battle will start December 9, at 1:00 p.m. (EST), and continue through December 10.

Visit www.HotRoddersofTomorrow.com for more information.

By SEMA Editors

The first half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) 2016 Dual Championship Engine Challenge is over. The event, which took place last week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, included 20 teams from across the country who battled to become one of the top four teams to move on and compete for the 2016 National Championship at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, December 9–10.

Team Vibrant, from C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, came in first place with an average time of 19:18. They were the only team to have all three runs below the 20-minute mark.

Team Howards Cams from Belvidere North High School in Belvidere, Illinois, came in second place with an average time of 22:04. They are the first all-female team to compete in the Elite 8 of the Dual Championship, and the fastest all-female team in the history of the competition.

Team Aeromotive, from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, came in third place with an average time of 22:52. They are the only team to have perfect motors (no penalties) during the first half of the 2016 HROT Dual Championship. Team Taylor, also from Fremd High School, came in fourth place with an average time of 23:10. Teams Aeromotive and Taylor are both coached by Steven Elza.

The top four teams from the SEMA Show will now move on to the Elite 8, held next month during the PRI Trade Show, to compete head-to-head against the top four teams from PRI to earn the 2016 HROT National Champion title. The Elite 8 battle will start December 9, at 1:00 p.m. (EST), and continue through December 10.

Visit www.HotRoddersofTomorrow.com for more information.

By SEMA Editors

The first half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) 2016 Dual Championship Engine Challenge is over. The event, which took place last week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, included 20 teams from across the country who battled to become one of the top four teams to move on and compete for the 2016 National Championship at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, December 9–10.

Team Vibrant, from C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, came in first place with an average time of 19:18. They were the only team to have all three runs below the 20-minute mark.

Team Howards Cams from Belvidere North High School in Belvidere, Illinois, came in second place with an average time of 22:04. They are the first all-female team to compete in the Elite 8 of the Dual Championship, and the fastest all-female team in the history of the competition.

Team Aeromotive, from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, came in third place with an average time of 22:52. They are the only team to have perfect motors (no penalties) during the first half of the 2016 HROT Dual Championship. Team Taylor, also from Fremd High School, came in fourth place with an average time of 23:10. Teams Aeromotive and Taylor are both coached by Steven Elza.

The top four teams from the SEMA Show will now move on to the Elite 8, held next month during the PRI Trade Show, to compete head-to-head against the top four teams from PRI to earn the 2016 HROT National Champion title. The Elite 8 battle will start December 9, at 1:00 p.m. (EST), and continue through December 10.

Visit www.HotRoddersofTomorrow.com for more information.

By SEMA Editors

The first half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) 2016 Dual Championship Engine Challenge is over. The event, which took place last week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, included 20 teams from across the country who battled to become one of the top four teams to move on and compete for the 2016 National Championship at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, December 9–10.

Team Vibrant, from C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, came in first place with an average time of 19:18. They were the only team to have all three runs below the 20-minute mark.

Team Howards Cams from Belvidere North High School in Belvidere, Illinois, came in second place with an average time of 22:04. They are the first all-female team to compete in the Elite 8 of the Dual Championship, and the fastest all-female team in the history of the competition.

Team Aeromotive, from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, came in third place with an average time of 22:52. They are the only team to have perfect motors (no penalties) during the first half of the 2016 HROT Dual Championship. Team Taylor, also from Fremd High School, came in fourth place with an average time of 23:10. Teams Aeromotive and Taylor are both coached by Steven Elza.

The top four teams from the SEMA Show will now move on to the Elite 8, held next month during the PRI Trade Show, to compete head-to-head against the top four teams from PRI to earn the 2016 HROT National Champion title. The Elite 8 battle will start December 9, at 1:00 p.m. (EST), and continue through December 10.

Visit www.HotRoddersofTomorrow.com for more information.

By SEMA News Staff

Relive the excitement and thrill of the 2016 SEMA Cruise in this video.

The 2016 SEMA Show concluded with the annual roll out of vehicles, better known as the SEMA Cruise. With consumers joining the industry for the world’s most unique parade of customize vehicles, the SEMA Cruise featured 1,500 vehicles from the premier automotive gathering as they exited the Las Vegas Convention Center.

https://youtu.be/0NbfQ15i31s

By SEMA News Staff

Relive the excitement and thrill of the 2016 SEMA Cruise in this video.

The 2016 SEMA Show concluded with the annual roll out of vehicles, better known as the SEMA Cruise. With consumers joining the industry for the world’s most unique parade of customize vehicles, the SEMA Cruise featured 1,500 vehicles from the premier automotive gathering as they exited the Las Vegas Convention Center.

https://youtu.be/0NbfQ15i31s

By SEMA News Staff

Relive the excitement and thrill of the 2016 SEMA Cruise in this video.

The 2016 SEMA Show concluded with the annual roll out of vehicles, better known as the SEMA Cruise. With consumers joining the industry for the world’s most unique parade of customize vehicles, the SEMA Cruise featured 1,500 vehicles from the premier automotive gathering as they exited the Las Vegas Convention Center.

https://youtu.be/0NbfQ15i31s

By Chad Simon

For its 50th anniversary, themed “We Built This,” the 2016 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet celebrated the specialty-equipment market’s contributors and innovators. Guided by first-year emcees Dennis Pittsenbarger and Jessi Combs, the evening also featured comedian, multiplatinum recording artist and Grammy nominee Larry the Cable Guy—known for his signature catchphrase “Git-R-Done” and the voice of Mater in the animated feature films Cars and Cars 2.

Attendees paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is now $39 billion strong. The 2016 Hall of Fame inductees were Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker.

The annual celebration included an awards program in which SEMA's Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

• Person of the Year – Tim Martin, K&N Engineering Inc.
• Manufacturer of the Year: WeatherTech
• GEN-III Innovator Award – Jonathan Mill, Keyway Innovations
• Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year – Kunzman & Associates
• WD of the Year – Turn 14 Distribution Inc.

“It is a great honor to be recognized as the 2016 SEMA Person of the Year,” said Tim Martin, vice president of K&N Engineering Inc. “It has been a privilege to work with the SEMA leadership team on many issues that matter to all SEMA members. I could not volunteer without the support of the team at K&N, and my wife and family. SEMA has many hard-working volunteers, and our industry is filled with talented people. Working with SEMA staff and volunteers has been a rewarding experience for me. This is an industry full of people that love what they do. The work that SEMA is doing is very important to the future of our industry and the automotive lifestyle. I am very thankful to be involved with SEMA, and to be recognized as playing a part in our accomplishments on behalf of SEMA members.”

Dennis Pittsenbarger and Jessi Combs emceed the 50th anniversary banquet, themed “We Built This.”	Comedian Larry the Cable Guy entertained the banquet crowd.
Tim Martin was honored as the 2016 SEMA Person of the Year.	Matt Agosta (right), president/CEO of Steele Rubber Products and 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee, was recognized for his involvement with SEMA. He has volunteered his time as a board member, chairman of the ARMO council and a founding member of the SEMA Political Action Committee and President’s Club.
Jessi Combs talks with 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Gary Hooker, who revolutionized the headers business and grew his company from a $100,000 enterprise to $3 million in just three years.	Automotive designer and reality show star Chip Foose was honored as a 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee for his charitable work and multiple-award-winning builds.
WeatherTech won the Manufacturer of the Year award.	Jonathan Mill of Keyway Innovations accepted the GEN-III Innovator award.
Kunzman & Associates was presented with the Rep Agency of the Year award.	Turn 14 Distribution Inc. was named WD of the Year.