By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is on the move this summer to let motorsports participants and fans know about the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act”—the Congressional bill that clarifies that street vehicles may continue to be converted into race cars used solely on the track. There is already a lot of information about the RPM Act circulating, and the SAN will continue to connect with the industry to explain what the bill is and why it is important.

Up next is the inaugural Rev’n Rods & Heartland Music Tour. Join us July 17–22 for six days of the hottest rides, the coolest cars and the brightest stars! The event is a thrilling combination of car shows, a driving tour and nightly concerts. SAN representatives will be on hand to explain why the future of racing is at risk, update visitors on the current status of the RPM Act and let the community know how they can help protect the racing industry. After all, the bill is critical to guaranteeing that the future of motorsports is protected.

Rev'n Rods & Heartland Music Tour Promo (National 60s) V1 R10 from Luken Communications on Vimeo.

Each day’s events will feature a car show complete with vendors, exhibits, food and beverages with admittance free to the general public. Every night will end with a ticketed concert featuring the legends of country music. Owners of hot rods, street rods, motorcycles and classic automobiles are encouraged to go on tour with Rev’n and Heartland for one stop or even the whole trip. Each registration includes two free nightly concert tickets per vehicle.

The details for each stop are as follows:

July 17 – Nashville, Tennessee, at Fontanel featuring Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and Collin Raye
July 18 – Southaven, Mississippi, at Landers Center featuring Restless Heart
July 19 – Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at A.C. Brase Arena featuring Terri Clark
July 20 – Bowling Green, Kentucky, at Beech Bend Raceway Park featuring Pam Tillis
July 21 – Bean Blossom, Indiana, at Bill Monroe Bluegrass Festival Center featuring James Otto
July 22 – Indianapolis, Indiana, at Indiana State Fairgrounds featuring John Michael Montgomery

Visit www.revntour.com for more information. Those in attendance are invited and encouraged to stop by the SAN booth to learn more about the RPM Act.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act surpassed 100 Congressional co-sponsors this week, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 103 in the House of Representatives and 18 in the Senate.

Despite this important milestone, the bill to clarify that street vehicles can be converted into race cars for competition needs to continue to gain support in order to move through committee and be approved by the full Congress.

Until the RPM Act is passed and signed into law, the motorsports industry remains at risk. Although the EPA withdrew a proposed racing regulation earlier this year, the agency continues to claim that it has the authority to regulate street cars modified exclusively for the track. The RPM Act is the only solution that would clarify that the law allows emissions-certified street vehicles to be modified and converted for competition use.

Our community and industry have made remarkable progress, but the effort isn’t over yet. Racers, race fans and the entire motorsports industry are urged to rally together and keep up the momentum by contacting their Congressional representatives. The site www.sema.org/rpm makes it quick and easy to contact the appropriate legislators.

Businesses can take further action by inviting Congressional representatives to tour their facilities, especially since lawmakers will be in their home districts during the summer break. RPM Act sponsor Rep. Richard Hudson was recently hosted by SEMA member PRO-FABrication.

To view the entire list of co-sponsors or for more information, visit www.sema.org/epa-news.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act surpassed 100 Congressional co-sponsors this week, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 103 in the House of Representatives and 18 in the Senate.

Despite this important milestone, the bill to clarify that street vehicles can be converted into race cars for competition needs to continue to gain support in order to move through committee and be approved by the full Congress.

Until the RPM Act is passed and signed into law, the motorsports industry remains at risk. Although the EPA withdrew a proposed racing regulation earlier this year, the agency continues to claim that it has the authority to regulate street cars modified exclusively for the track. The RPM Act is the only solution that would clarify that the law allows emissions-certified street vehicles to be modified and converted for competition use.

Our community and industry have made remarkable progress, but the effort isn’t over yet. Racers, race fans and the entire motorsports industry are urged to rally together and keep up the momentum by contacting their Congressional representatives. The site www.sema.org/rpm makes it quick and easy to contact the appropriate legislators.

Businesses can take further action by inviting Congressional representatives to tour their facilities, especially since lawmakers will be in their home districts during the summer break. RPM Act sponsor Rep. Richard Hudson was recently hosted by SEMA member PRO-FABrication.

To view the entire list of co-sponsors or for more information, visit www.sema.org/epa-news.

By Katie Carson

SEMA’s councils and networks are now accepting award nominations to be presented during their individual receptions at the 2016 SEMA Show.

SEMA’s councils and networks honor outstanding member companies and industry professionals through their annual awards, which will be presented during their individual receptions at the 2016 SEMA Show. The winners are nominated and voted on by each council and network membership.

Nominate now for the following segments:

• Automotive Restoration Market Organization
• Emerging Trends and Technology Network
• Hot Rod Industry Alliance
• Truck and Off-Road Alliance
• Professional Restylers Organization
• Wheel and Tire Council
• Manufacturers’ Rep Network
• SEMA Businesswomen’s Network
• Young Executives Network

*Nominees must be a member of the council or network for which they are being nominated.

By Katie Carson

SEMA’s councils and networks are now accepting award nominations to be presented during their individual receptions at the 2016 SEMA Show.

SEMA’s councils and networks honor outstanding member companies and industry professionals through their annual awards, which will be presented during their individual receptions at the 2016 SEMA Show. The winners are nominated and voted on by each council and network membership.

Nominate now for the following segments:

• Automotive Restoration Market Organization
• Emerging Trends and Technology Network
• Hot Rod Industry Alliance
• Truck and Off-Road Alliance
• Professional Restylers Organization
• Wheel and Tire Council
• Manufacturers’ Rep Network
• SEMA Businesswomen’s Network
• Young Executives Network

*Nominees must be a member of the council or network for which they are being nominated.

By Katie Carson

SEMA’s councils and networks are now accepting award nominations to be presented during their individual receptions at the 2016 SEMA Show.

SEMA’s councils and networks honor outstanding member companies and industry professionals through their annual awards, which will be presented during their individual receptions at the 2016 SEMA Show. The winners are nominated and voted on by each council and network membership.

Nominate now for the following segments:

• Automotive Restoration Market Organization
• Emerging Trends and Technology Network
• Hot Rod Industry Alliance
• Truck and Off-Road Alliance
• Professional Restylers Organization
• Wheel and Tire Council
• Manufacturers’ Rep Network
• SEMA Businesswomen’s Network
• Young Executives Network

*Nominees must be a member of the council or network for which they are being nominated.

By AJ Carney

SEMA invites industry professionals to its Town Hall Meeting in Livonia, Michigan, where members and prospective members will gather at Roush Retail and Automotive Museum, Wednesday, July 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and the SEMA team.

SEMA's Town Hall Meetings provide both members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions give members a chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. As SEMA staff interacts with attendees, they also gain valuable feedback which helps identify how current benefits can enhance members' business operations to better meet their needs.

Be sure to check out the other cities SEMA has visited across the United States during the 2016 Town Hall Meeting Series.

For more information or to register, visit SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings website or contact Andrea “AJ” Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

By AJ Carney

SEMA invites industry professionals to its Town Hall Meeting in Livonia, Michigan, where members and prospective members will gather at Roush Retail and Automotive Museum, Wednesday, July 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and the SEMA team.

SEMA's Town Hall Meetings provide both members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions give members a chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. As SEMA staff interacts with attendees, they also gain valuable feedback which helps identify how current benefits can enhance members' business operations to better meet their needs.

Be sure to check out the other cities SEMA has visited across the United States during the 2016 Town Hall Meeting Series.

For more information or to register, visit SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings website or contact Andrea “AJ” Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

EnerSys is sponsoring the 2016 racing season for the Camburg Engineering Inc. race team, Camburg Racing and its KINETIK series trucks.

EnerSys Sponsors 2016 Camburg Racing Season; Returns as Brian Deegan Official Sponsor

EnerSys is sponsoring the 2016 racing season for the Camburg Engineering Inc. race team, Camburg Racing and its KINETIK series trucks. As the official battery of Camburg Racing, the ODYSSEY battery logo appears on the doors of the #6175 Trick Truck Spec and the sides of the team’s box truck and pit rig.

EnerSys also will return as an official sponsor of Brian Deegan for the fourth consecutive year. Deegan is the most decorated Freestyle Motocross rider with 15 X-Games medals. He is the only rider to have competed in every X-Games competition since its inception in 1999. Deegan is also a six-time Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing (LOORRS) Champion and a four-time medalist in Global Rally Cross at the X Games, including a gold medal win in 2011. As an official sponsor, EnerSys will support Deegan’s #38 Pro 2 truck in LOORRS. Deegan also will use an ODYSSEY battery in the Ford Fiesta ST he will drive in the 2016 Red Bull Global Rallycross series with Ganassi Racing.

In attendance at the ribbon-cutting were Road America staff, board of directors and members from the Sheboygan County, Plymouth and Elkhart Lake Chambers of Commerce. Photo Credit: Les Tension

Road America Hosts Ribbon-Cutting for new Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center

Road America recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center. The new building is centrally located in the paddock to serve as a focal point where visitors may gather, shop and learn about Road America’s history. The center also offers areas for variable use and many new entertainment amenities, plus it will be open year round. Built on the site of the previous Paddock Shop, the 7,500-sq.-ft. upper level of the new building stretches 100 ft. along the midway with easy access to the paddock and Road America’s new winner’s circle. In addition to the new Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center, Road America added a new main gate allowing fans easy access to the facility. A new winner’s circle complete with a 16x10-ft. screen and backdrop also graces the paddock.

Scott Douglas tops the PRO 4WD podium at Chicagoland Slam Saturday. Photo credit: TORC Series

TORC: The Off-Road Championship Round 4 Results

The Chicagoland Slam lived up to its name Saturday night at Round 4 of TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL as racers gave it their all on the Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway. In the PRO 4WD class, Scott Douglas and his AMSOIL PRO 4WD took the win. Keegan Kincaid came out on top in PRO 2WD, while Kyle Hart earned the victory in Atturo Tire PRO Light.

Complete results:

Jessi Combs

Jessi Combs to Kick Off Annual Great Race Road Rally

This year’s Great Race time-speed-endurance rally will begin in San Rafael, California, Saturday, June 18, with off-road and land-speed racer, fabricator and TV host Jessi Combs serving as honorary grand marshall. Combs will also traverse the rally route alongside Great Race participants for an upcoming episode of Autoblog’s “The List: 1001 Car Things to Do Before You Die.” This year, 120 teams are participating. One driver and one navigator will pilot a car manufactured in ’72 or earlier and are allowed only the bare essentials—pens, pencils, race tables, instructions, Great Race-sanctioned maps, a stopwatch and a standard radio with AM/FM only. The most important rule on this journey is no electronics, i.e. cell phones, GPS, laptops, tablets, etc. This year, Noteworthy stops include Old Sacramento, California; Reno, Nevada; the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and the finish line will be in Moline, Illinois. Combs will compete in Commercial Director of Pur Sang Automotive of Argentina, John Bothwell’s ’35 Grand Prix Bugatti. Bothwell and Combs’ “The List” co-host Patrick McIntyre will switch off as Combs’ partner during the course of the race.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

EnerSys is sponsoring the 2016 racing season for the Camburg Engineering Inc. race team, Camburg Racing and its KINETIK series trucks.

EnerSys Sponsors 2016 Camburg Racing Season; Returns as Brian Deegan Official Sponsor

EnerSys is sponsoring the 2016 racing season for the Camburg Engineering Inc. race team, Camburg Racing and its KINETIK series trucks. As the official battery of Camburg Racing, the ODYSSEY battery logo appears on the doors of the #6175 Trick Truck Spec and the sides of the team’s box truck and pit rig.

EnerSys also will return as an official sponsor of Brian Deegan for the fourth consecutive year. Deegan is the most decorated Freestyle Motocross rider with 15 X-Games medals. He is the only rider to have competed in every X-Games competition since its inception in 1999. Deegan is also a six-time Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing (LOORRS) Champion and a four-time medalist in Global Rally Cross at the X Games, including a gold medal win in 2011. As an official sponsor, EnerSys will support Deegan’s #38 Pro 2 truck in LOORRS. Deegan also will use an ODYSSEY battery in the Ford Fiesta ST he will drive in the 2016 Red Bull Global Rallycross series with Ganassi Racing.

In attendance at the ribbon-cutting were Road America staff, board of directors and members from the Sheboygan County, Plymouth and Elkhart Lake Chambers of Commerce. Photo Credit: Les Tension

Road America Hosts Ribbon-Cutting for new Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center

Road America recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center. The new building is centrally located in the paddock to serve as a focal point where visitors may gather, shop and learn about Road America’s history. The center also offers areas for variable use and many new entertainment amenities, plus it will be open year round. Built on the site of the previous Paddock Shop, the 7,500-sq.-ft. upper level of the new building stretches 100 ft. along the midway with easy access to the paddock and Road America’s new winner’s circle. In addition to the new Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center, Road America added a new main gate allowing fans easy access to the facility. A new winner’s circle complete with a 16x10-ft. screen and backdrop also graces the paddock.

Scott Douglas tops the PRO 4WD podium at Chicagoland Slam Saturday. Photo credit: TORC Series

TORC: The Off-Road Championship Round 4 Results

The Chicagoland Slam lived up to its name Saturday night at Round 4 of TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL as racers gave it their all on the Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway. In the PRO 4WD class, Scott Douglas and his AMSOIL PRO 4WD took the win. Keegan Kincaid came out on top in PRO 2WD, while Kyle Hart earned the victory in Atturo Tire PRO Light.

Complete results:

Jessi Combs

Jessi Combs to Kick Off Annual Great Race Road Rally

This year’s Great Race time-speed-endurance rally will begin in San Rafael, California, Saturday, June 18, with off-road and land-speed racer, fabricator and TV host Jessi Combs serving as honorary grand marshall. Combs will also traverse the rally route alongside Great Race participants for an upcoming episode of Autoblog’s “The List: 1001 Car Things to Do Before You Die.” This year, 120 teams are participating. One driver and one navigator will pilot a car manufactured in ’72 or earlier and are allowed only the bare essentials—pens, pencils, race tables, instructions, Great Race-sanctioned maps, a stopwatch and a standard radio with AM/FM only. The most important rule on this journey is no electronics, i.e. cell phones, GPS, laptops, tablets, etc. This year, Noteworthy stops include Old Sacramento, California; Reno, Nevada; the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and the finish line will be in Moline, Illinois. Combs will compete in Commercial Director of Pur Sang Automotive of Argentina, John Bothwell’s ’35 Grand Prix Bugatti. Bothwell and Combs’ “The List” co-host Patrick McIntyre will switch off as Combs’ partner during the course of the race.