In June, 10 members of SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) set out on the Hot Rod Power Tour. The network, which has a stated goal of cultivating talents and facilitating connections for SEMA-member company employees under age 40, has offered this program for the past three years in order to raise industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

The 10 YEN members were paired in teams of two—one passenger and one driver, who brought his or her own vehicle on the tour. The participants were selected based on the strength of their application materials and with consideration of their chosen profession in order to demonstrate the breadth of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

In June, 10 members of SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) set out on the Hot Rod Power Tour. The network, which has a stated goal of cultivating talents and facilitating connections for SEMA-member company employees under age 40, has offered this program for the past three years in order to raise industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

The 10 YEN members were paired in teams of two—one passenger and one driver, who brought his or her own vehicle on the tour. The participants were selected based on the strength of their application materials and with consideration of their chosen profession in order to demonstrate the breadth of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

In June, 10 members of SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) set out on the Hot Rod Power Tour. The network, which has a stated goal of cultivating talents and facilitating connections for SEMA-member company employees under age 40, has offered this program for the past three years in order to raise industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

The 10 YEN members were paired in teams of two—one passenger and one driver, who brought his or her own vehicle on the tour. The participants were selected based on the strength of their application materials and with consideration of their chosen profession in order to demonstrate the breadth of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Gale Banks gives an update on what’s new at Banks Power during the 2015 SEMA Show.

Gale Banks gives an update on what’s new at Banks Power during the 2015 SEMA Show.

SEMA News—September 2016

EVENTS

By Amanda Gubbins

On the Road Again

Young Executives Network Makes Connections on Hot Rod Power Tour

The YEN Power Tour program is designed to grow industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

In June, 10 members of SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) set out on the Hot Rod Power Tour. The network, which has a stated goal of cultivating talents and facilitating connections for SEMA-member company employees under age 40, has offered this program for the past three years in order to raise industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

The 10 YEN members were paired in teams of two—one passenger and one driver, who brought his or her own vehicle on the tour. The participants were selected based on the strength of their application materials and with consideration of their chosen profession in order to demonstrate the breadth of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

“This program is about more than just ogling cool vehicles,” said SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison. “We select YEN members who characterize YEN’s focus on young talent and career paths. The goal is to help each participant make great business connections while also advancing the network’s reach to consumers, students and young professionals already in the automotive industry. Ultimately, we’re looking to promote the career options available in the specialty-equipment industry and how SEMA can help individuals reach their goals.”

The seven-day, seven-stop tour began in Gonzales, Louisiana, and hit Texas and Oklahoma before ending in Kansas City, Kansas. At each stop, the participants completed assignments designed to promote personal interactions with automotive students, industry members
and enthusiasts.

What sounds good in theory must be demonstrated in practice. According to the participants themselves, the school visits, discussions with enthusiasts and networking opportunities were highlights of the week. In total, the YEN members spoke with more than 110 young consumers and more than 40 young automotive professionals. The conversations proved beneficial both personally and professionally.

“Speaking directly with industry-leading vendors, finding projects to work on together and networking are just a sample of the benefits from this experience,” reflected Nick Caloroso of Diode Dynamics. “Learning from members of our group and their experiences in various segments of the market are also very useful in my growth as a young professional. Additionally, completing interviews with attending media outlets has aided me in improving my ability to represent myself and my company professionally.”

Social media gave the participants a chance to chronicle their travels and share stories, photos and videos using the hashtag #yenpowertour. The 10 netted 650 social-media posts during the week, garnering millions of impressions.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram gave the participants the opportunity to chronicle their travels publicly and share stories, photos and videos of what they were experiencing using the hashtag #yenpowertour.

The 10 netted 650 social-media posts during the week, garnering millions of impressions. Many of the posts focused on the connections the YEN members were making with other professionals and automotive students.

The team also visited four technical schools along the way: Sowela Technical Community College in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Johnson Community College in Smithfield, North Carolina; Wichita Area Technical College in Wichita, Kansas; and Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas. Those visits were some of the highest-rated aspects of the entire program.

“I think one of the good ways to help the younger generation get engaged in this industry is to show them what they can do,” said Eric Ables of Flat 12 Gallery.

“We all arrived in our cars, so they got to see a wide variety of vehicles roll in,” added Todd Earsley of My Shop Assist. “The kids were really excited about getting into the automotive industry, and they wanted to speak to people who are actually already doing it. So it was a lot of fun to give them some tips or what we’re looking for when we’re hiring people—just some sense of what they can aspire to when they finish school.”

The YEN members hosted a group from Wichita Area Technical College at the stop in Wichita, Kansas.

Earsley’s best advice for students was to work on their own projects outside of school.

“If you really want to get involved, I suggest having something of your own so you can show your potential employer what you’ve done to the car over time,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be anything wild and crazy, but it’s really impressive if someone comes in and they’ve done some fabrication work, some paint and body, or they’ve done some stereo installation.”

After speaking to classes as a whole, the YEN members stuck around to talk about their vehicles and their careers one-on-one. Many of the students had questions about how to make the transition from student to fully employed professional.

“One student was fortunate enough to have a shop with his father, and he was going to the VoTech school for mechanics,” recalled Jason Geathers of Auto Images. “He really didn’t know how to get out of the school and incorporate his dad’s business. It was great to have the YEN group talk to him about the different facets of owning and running a shop, whether it be from the financial aspect or the mechanical aspect or the marketing side of things. He also had a classmate dealing with the same questions. So putting those two together from the same class, in the same town, with the same passion—I’m sure that’s going to drive their business and what they want to do in the future.”

When Zach Denney of Wholesale Horsepower joined the tour, he was hoping to demonstrate the breadth of the specialty-equipment market.

“I think young people often have a narrow scope of what you can do in the automotive world, and they don’t have any idea of all the opportunities that are present within the SEMA-member network,” he said.

His takeaway was that there is a bright future ahead for the industry.

“I think there’s a very passionate group of young people who are seeking to get into the industry, working on their own cars and doing their own thing,” he said. “It may not be what we grew up with, but there are people coming in every day who have interest in this industry.”

Caloroso concurred. “This experience has shown me that our industry is driven by individuals with passion and enthusiasm for automotive culture,” he said. “The Power Tour reinforced my belief that automotive culture is alive and well. Future generations will continue the traditions passed down to them by family and friends."

SEMA News—September 2016

EVENTS

By Amanda Gubbins

On the Road Again

Young Executives Network Makes Connections on Hot Rod Power Tour

The YEN Power Tour program is designed to grow industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

In June, 10 members of SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) set out on the Hot Rod Power Tour. The network, which has a stated goal of cultivating talents and facilitating connections for SEMA-member company employees under age 40, has offered this program for the past three years in order to raise industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

The 10 YEN members were paired in teams of two—one passenger and one driver, who brought his or her own vehicle on the tour. The participants were selected based on the strength of their application materials and with consideration of their chosen profession in order to demonstrate the breadth of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

“This program is about more than just ogling cool vehicles,” said SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison. “We select YEN members who characterize YEN’s focus on young talent and career paths. The goal is to help each participant make great business connections while also advancing the network’s reach to consumers, students and young professionals already in the automotive industry. Ultimately, we’re looking to promote the career options available in the specialty-equipment industry and how SEMA can help individuals reach their goals.”

The seven-day, seven-stop tour began in Gonzales, Louisiana, and hit Texas and Oklahoma before ending in Kansas City, Kansas. At each stop, the participants completed assignments designed to promote personal interactions with automotive students, industry members
and enthusiasts.

What sounds good in theory must be demonstrated in practice. According to the participants themselves, the school visits, discussions with enthusiasts and networking opportunities were highlights of the week. In total, the YEN members spoke with more than 110 young consumers and more than 40 young automotive professionals. The conversations proved beneficial both personally and professionally.

“Speaking directly with industry-leading vendors, finding projects to work on together and networking are just a sample of the benefits from this experience,” reflected Nick Caloroso of Diode Dynamics. “Learning from members of our group and their experiences in various segments of the market are also very useful in my growth as a young professional. Additionally, completing interviews with attending media outlets has aided me in improving my ability to represent myself and my company professionally.”

Social media gave the participants a chance to chronicle their travels and share stories, photos and videos using the hashtag #yenpowertour. The 10 netted 650 social-media posts during the week, garnering millions of impressions.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram gave the participants the opportunity to chronicle their travels publicly and share stories, photos and videos of what they were experiencing using the hashtag #yenpowertour.

The 10 netted 650 social-media posts during the week, garnering millions of impressions. Many of the posts focused on the connections the YEN members were making with other professionals and automotive students.

The team also visited four technical schools along the way: Sowela Technical Community College in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Johnson Community College in Smithfield, North Carolina; Wichita Area Technical College in Wichita, Kansas; and Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas. Those visits were some of the highest-rated aspects of the entire program.

“I think one of the good ways to help the younger generation get engaged in this industry is to show them what they can do,” said Eric Ables of Flat 12 Gallery.

“We all arrived in our cars, so they got to see a wide variety of vehicles roll in,” added Todd Earsley of My Shop Assist. “The kids were really excited about getting into the automotive industry, and they wanted to speak to people who are actually already doing it. So it was a lot of fun to give them some tips or what we’re looking for when we’re hiring people—just some sense of what they can aspire to when they finish school.”

The YEN members hosted a group from Wichita Area Technical College at the stop in Wichita, Kansas.

Earsley’s best advice for students was to work on their own projects outside of school.

“If you really want to get involved, I suggest having something of your own so you can show your potential employer what you’ve done to the car over time,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be anything wild and crazy, but it’s really impressive if someone comes in and they’ve done some fabrication work, some paint and body, or they’ve done some stereo installation.”

After speaking to classes as a whole, the YEN members stuck around to talk about their vehicles and their careers one-on-one. Many of the students had questions about how to make the transition from student to fully employed professional.

“One student was fortunate enough to have a shop with his father, and he was going to the VoTech school for mechanics,” recalled Jason Geathers of Auto Images. “He really didn’t know how to get out of the school and incorporate his dad’s business. It was great to have the YEN group talk to him about the different facets of owning and running a shop, whether it be from the financial aspect or the mechanical aspect or the marketing side of things. He also had a classmate dealing with the same questions. So putting those two together from the same class, in the same town, with the same passion—I’m sure that’s going to drive their business and what they want to do in the future.”

When Zach Denney of Wholesale Horsepower joined the tour, he was hoping to demonstrate the breadth of the specialty-equipment market.

“I think young people often have a narrow scope of what you can do in the automotive world, and they don’t have any idea of all the opportunities that are present within the SEMA-member network,” he said.

His takeaway was that there is a bright future ahead for the industry.

“I think there’s a very passionate group of young people who are seeking to get into the industry, working on their own cars and doing their own thing,” he said. “It may not be what we grew up with, but there are people coming in every day who have interest in this industry.”

Caloroso concurred. “This experience has shown me that our industry is driven by individuals with passion and enthusiasm for automotive culture,” he said. “The Power Tour reinforced my belief that automotive culture is alive and well. Future generations will continue the traditions passed down to them by family and friends."

SEMA News—September 2016

EVENTS

By Amanda Gubbins

On the Road Again

Young Executives Network Makes Connections on Hot Rod Power Tour

The YEN Power Tour program is designed to grow industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

In June, 10 members of SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) set out on the Hot Rod Power Tour. The network, which has a stated goal of cultivating talents and facilitating connections for SEMA-member company employees under age 40, has offered this program for the past three years in order to raise industry awareness and create connection points for up-and-coming industry leaders.

The 10 YEN members were paired in teams of two—one passenger and one driver, who brought his or her own vehicle on the tour. The participants were selected based on the strength of their application materials and with consideration of their chosen profession in order to demonstrate the breadth of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

“This program is about more than just ogling cool vehicles,” said SEMA Director of Networks Bryan Harrison. “We select YEN members who characterize YEN’s focus on young talent and career paths. The goal is to help each participant make great business connections while also advancing the network’s reach to consumers, students and young professionals already in the automotive industry. Ultimately, we’re looking to promote the career options available in the specialty-equipment industry and how SEMA can help individuals reach their goals.”

The seven-day, seven-stop tour began in Gonzales, Louisiana, and hit Texas and Oklahoma before ending in Kansas City, Kansas. At each stop, the participants completed assignments designed to promote personal interactions with automotive students, industry members
and enthusiasts.

What sounds good in theory must be demonstrated in practice. According to the participants themselves, the school visits, discussions with enthusiasts and networking opportunities were highlights of the week. In total, the YEN members spoke with more than 110 young consumers and more than 40 young automotive professionals. The conversations proved beneficial both personally and professionally.

“Speaking directly with industry-leading vendors, finding projects to work on together and networking are just a sample of the benefits from this experience,” reflected Nick Caloroso of Diode Dynamics. “Learning from members of our group and their experiences in various segments of the market are also very useful in my growth as a young professional. Additionally, completing interviews with attending media outlets has aided me in improving my ability to represent myself and my company professionally.”

Social media gave the participants a chance to chronicle their travels and share stories, photos and videos using the hashtag #yenpowertour. The 10 netted 650 social-media posts during the week, garnering millions of impressions.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram gave the participants the opportunity to chronicle their travels publicly and share stories, photos and videos of what they were experiencing using the hashtag #yenpowertour.

The 10 netted 650 social-media posts during the week, garnering millions of impressions. Many of the posts focused on the connections the YEN members were making with other professionals and automotive students.

The team also visited four technical schools along the way: Sowela Technical Community College in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Johnson Community College in Smithfield, North Carolina; Wichita Area Technical College in Wichita, Kansas; and Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas. Those visits were some of the highest-rated aspects of the entire program.

“I think one of the good ways to help the younger generation get engaged in this industry is to show them what they can do,” said Eric Ables of Flat 12 Gallery.

“We all arrived in our cars, so they got to see a wide variety of vehicles roll in,” added Todd Earsley of My Shop Assist. “The kids were really excited about getting into the automotive industry, and they wanted to speak to people who are actually already doing it. So it was a lot of fun to give them some tips or what we’re looking for when we’re hiring people—just some sense of what they can aspire to when they finish school.”

The YEN members hosted a group from Wichita Area Technical College at the stop in Wichita, Kansas.

Earsley’s best advice for students was to work on their own projects outside of school.

“If you really want to get involved, I suggest having something of your own so you can show your potential employer what you’ve done to the car over time,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be anything wild and crazy, but it’s really impressive if someone comes in and they’ve done some fabrication work, some paint and body, or they’ve done some stereo installation.”

After speaking to classes as a whole, the YEN members stuck around to talk about their vehicles and their careers one-on-one. Many of the students had questions about how to make the transition from student to fully employed professional.

“One student was fortunate enough to have a shop with his father, and he was going to the VoTech school for mechanics,” recalled Jason Geathers of Auto Images. “He really didn’t know how to get out of the school and incorporate his dad’s business. It was great to have the YEN group talk to him about the different facets of owning and running a shop, whether it be from the financial aspect or the mechanical aspect or the marketing side of things. He also had a classmate dealing with the same questions. So putting those two together from the same class, in the same town, with the same passion—I’m sure that’s going to drive their business and what they want to do in the future.”

When Zach Denney of Wholesale Horsepower joined the tour, he was hoping to demonstrate the breadth of the specialty-equipment market.

“I think young people often have a narrow scope of what you can do in the automotive world, and they don’t have any idea of all the opportunities that are present within the SEMA-member network,” he said.

His takeaway was that there is a bright future ahead for the industry.

“I think there’s a very passionate group of young people who are seeking to get into the industry, working on their own cars and doing their own thing,” he said. “It may not be what we grew up with, but there are people coming in every day who have interest in this industry.”

Caloroso concurred. “This experience has shown me that our industry is driven by individuals with passion and enthusiasm for automotive culture,” he said. “The Power Tour reinforced my belief that automotive culture is alive and well. Future generations will continue the traditions passed down to them by family and friends."

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Johnny Greaves (left) is overtaken by son CJ Greaves (right) at Bark River International Raceway. Photo credit: TORC Series

CJ Greaves, Kyle Kleiman Sweep Bark River International Raceway

CJ Greaves swept another weekend in both PRO 2WD and PRO 4WD racing at Bark River International Raceway as TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL moved into the Upper Peninsula for Throwdown in the U.P. In Atturo Tire PRO Light, Kyle Kleiman dominated two days of competition, while Tim Farr and Jason Luburgh came out on top in the new PRO UTV classes.

Team Kalitta Announces Expansion With Lee, McLeod

Team Kalitta has added a third Funny Car with driver Paul Lee beginning the NHRA Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway later this fall. Lee will campaign the McLeod Clutches Toyota Camry Funny Car for Kalitta Motorsports for the last four events on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Series schedule. Leading NHRA crew chiefs Jim Oberhofer and Nicky Boninfante will combine for the tuning decisions on Lee’s Funny Car. The expansion will allow Kalitta Motorsports to campaign a fifth team for the first time in their history. Lee will campaign for a multi-car team for the first time as he will join teammates, Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster; J.R. Todd, driver of the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster; Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, and Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Tequila Patron Toyota Camry Funny Car in the field for the last four 2016 events. Lee will pilot Worsham’s 2015 championship car with the DHL team acquiring a new Bounty Hunter chassis for the latter part of the season.

Team M/T earned top podium spots in the Pro 2 and Buggy classes in rounds nine and 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) competition at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. Photo credit: Eric Minks

Team M/T Earns Top Spots in LOORRS Pro 2 and Pro Buggy

Team M/T earned top podium spots in the Pro 2 and Buggy classes in rounds nine and 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) competition at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. In round nine, Brian Deegan earned the number two spot in Pro 2 in his new custom-built competition truck, and burned up the track with the fastest Pro 2 lap time of the weekend. Myan Spaccarelli took second place in round 10, his first podium finish as a LOORRS competitor. Darren Hardesty Jr. was on top of the podium in Pro Buggy in round nine with Taylor Atchison taking third place. Sammy Ehrenberg and Jason Bates earned second and third place respectively in round 10.

Scott Speed drove his Volkswagen Beetle GRC to victory after setting the quickest time in qualifying and winning each of his heat and semifinal races.

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Earns Home Race Double Podium in Washington, D.C.

Scott Speed completed a perfect weekend last Saturday afternoon, taking his Volkswagen Beetle GRC to victory after setting the quickest time in qualifying and winning each of his heat and semifinal races. The reigning Red Bull Global Rallycross champion walked away from D.C. with a maximum haul of points, placing him second—just behind Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross teammate Tanner Foust—in the provisional points standings. The win in D.C. marks the team’s fifth victory in seven contests this season. Volkswagen leads the manufacturer points standings and Speed and Foust sit one–two in the driver’s championship. Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross will be back in action next month at the inaugural race in Atlantic City on August 28.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Johnny Greaves (left) is overtaken by son CJ Greaves (right) at Bark River International Raceway. Photo credit: TORC Series

CJ Greaves, Kyle Kleiman Sweep Bark River International Raceway

CJ Greaves swept another weekend in both PRO 2WD and PRO 4WD racing at Bark River International Raceway as TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL moved into the Upper Peninsula for Throwdown in the U.P. In Atturo Tire PRO Light, Kyle Kleiman dominated two days of competition, while Tim Farr and Jason Luburgh came out on top in the new PRO UTV classes.

Team Kalitta Announces Expansion With Lee, McLeod

Team Kalitta has added a third Funny Car with driver Paul Lee beginning the NHRA Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway later this fall. Lee will campaign the McLeod Clutches Toyota Camry Funny Car for Kalitta Motorsports for the last four events on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Series schedule. Leading NHRA crew chiefs Jim Oberhofer and Nicky Boninfante will combine for the tuning decisions on Lee’s Funny Car. The expansion will allow Kalitta Motorsports to campaign a fifth team for the first time in their history. Lee will campaign for a multi-car team for the first time as he will join teammates, Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster; J.R. Todd, driver of the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster; Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, and Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Tequila Patron Toyota Camry Funny Car in the field for the last four 2016 events. Lee will pilot Worsham’s 2015 championship car with the DHL team acquiring a new Bounty Hunter chassis for the latter part of the season.

Team M/T earned top podium spots in the Pro 2 and Buggy classes in rounds nine and 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) competition at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. Photo credit: Eric Minks

Team M/T Earns Top Spots in LOORRS Pro 2 and Pro Buggy

Team M/T earned top podium spots in the Pro 2 and Buggy classes in rounds nine and 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) competition at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. In round nine, Brian Deegan earned the number two spot in Pro 2 in his new custom-built competition truck, and burned up the track with the fastest Pro 2 lap time of the weekend. Myan Spaccarelli took second place in round 10, his first podium finish as a LOORRS competitor. Darren Hardesty Jr. was on top of the podium in Pro Buggy in round nine with Taylor Atchison taking third place. Sammy Ehrenberg and Jason Bates earned second and third place respectively in round 10.

Scott Speed drove his Volkswagen Beetle GRC to victory after setting the quickest time in qualifying and winning each of his heat and semifinal races.

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Earns Home Race Double Podium in Washington, D.C.

Scott Speed completed a perfect weekend last Saturday afternoon, taking his Volkswagen Beetle GRC to victory after setting the quickest time in qualifying and winning each of his heat and semifinal races. The reigning Red Bull Global Rallycross champion walked away from D.C. with a maximum haul of points, placing him second—just behind Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross teammate Tanner Foust—in the provisional points standings. The win in D.C. marks the team’s fifth victory in seven contests this season. Volkswagen leads the manufacturer points standings and Speed and Foust sit one–two in the driver’s championship. Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross will be back in action next month at the inaugural race in Atlantic City on August 28.