Compiled by SEMA Editors

Fredric Aasbo took the victory over Kristaps Bluss to move into the lead in the Pro Championship standings.

Fredric Aasbo Takes Over Lead in Formula DRIFT Standings

Formula DRIFT presented by BlackVue returned to Orlando for Round 3: Unchartered Territory, where Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy/Nexen Tire SR Toyota tC took the victory over Kristaps Bluss in the HGK/Mast/Motul/Achilles BMW E46 to move into the lead in the Pro Championship standings. The event weekend featured both the Pro 2 Championship and Pro Championship with a full schedule of on-track action. Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy Drink/Hankook Nissan 370Z finished in third place and moved into third place overall. Tyler McQuarrie of Team Falken—a two-time manufacturer’s champion in Formula Drift—placed fourth. Team Falken driver Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, who qualified third, currently sits fourth in the championship points. McQuarrie, after making it into the Top 4, now sits fifth in championship points. Rounding out the Top 10 is Daijiro Yoshihara, who qualified in eighth place. Yoshihara finished the event ranked ninth in championship points. The 2016 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship will continue to Round 4: The Gauntlet, June 17–18 at Wall Speedway.

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 returned to the Orlando Speed World for the second round of the the PRO 2 championship, where Marc Landreville in the Perry Performance Nissan S14 took the victory and the lead in the standings. The 2016 Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Championship will continue to Round 3, September 9–10.

Champion Racing Oil Sponsors ASCS 360 Super Dirt Car Showdown

Champion Brands has announced that Champion Racing Oil has been named the title sponsor for the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) Sizzlin’ Summer Showdown on June 17 at Sedalia Speedway. The ASCS is a winged sprint-car series racing within the United States. ASCS uses a 360-cid engine, which leads to fans calling the cars “360s.”

Joe Castello

Joe Castello of WFO Radio to Emcee Quarter Mile Foundation’s Larry Morgan Roast Fundraiser

WFO Radio’s Joe Castello will emcee the Quarter Mile Foundation’s fundraiser roast of Pro Stock drag-racing star Larry Morgan on June 23. Castello assumed the role when Bill Bader Jr., president of Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park had to relinquish the role, due to an unexpected schedule conflict. Castello, a native of South Florida, hosts the motorsports Internet radio program, and is a fixture at most National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events, doing live public address interviews. Castello will oversee the evening’s theme: “The Larry Morgan Roast—A Cavalcade of Laughter” and as “Ringmaster of Ceremonies,” he will attempt to direct Morgan’s personally selected panel of tormenters. They include Tony Christian, Modified Eliminator, Pro Stock and Pro Street star; Ian Landies Jr., Competition Eliminator racer; Pat Musi, engine builder, Pro Street pioneer; John Nobile, IHRA Pro Stock World Champion, NHRA Pro Stock; Ollie Volpe, a former Gas-class racer and racing sales specialist for serveral leading aftermarket companies; and Billy (“B.M.F.”) Wagner, former Larry Morgan Racing crew chief.

Tanner Foust Finishes Third at Global Rallycross Dallas

Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust extended his Global Rallycross podium streak to three in a row last Saturday with a third-place result in Dallas. Next, Foust and the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team head into a Florida doubleheader, June 18–19. The two-time series champion has a 25-point lead in the standings. A two-time series champion, Foust is the most winning in Global Rallycross Championship history with a record of nine wins and 20 podium finishes.

The Toyota Tundra is off-road’s Official Truck, and a cornerstone of a program that also positions Toyota as a presenting power block sponsor for the series’ telecasts on CBS, CBS Sports, MAVTV and the new LucasOilRacing.TV.

Toyota Tundra named Official Truck for 2016 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

Toyota is continuing its partnership with the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and Team Lucas for the eighth season in 2016. The Toyota Tundra is off-road’s Official Truck, and a cornerstone of a program that also positions Toyota as a presenting power block sponsor for the series’ telecasts on CBS, CBS Sports, MAVTV and the new LucasOilRacing.TV. Toyota is supplying a fleet of Tundras for the series’ use as safety and support vehicles, and providing primary sponsorship for veteran racer Eric Barron in the Pro 4 class and associate sponsorship for several teams in Pro 2. The sponsorship agreement with Team Lucas also gives Toyota sponsorship rights for two of the eight events in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, an on-board camera for all races and space on vendor row for all event weekends.

Black Falcon’s Bilstein-wrapped #9 Mercedes AMG GT3 came in fourth at the 44th Annual ADAC Zürich 24-Hour Race.

Bilstein Triumphant at 2016 24-Hour Nürburging Race

Bilstein drivers raced to victory in the 44th Annual ADAC Zürich 24-Hour Race. Held on the famed Nürburgring race track in Germany, also known as the “Green Hell,” more than 40 Bilstein-equipped cars took part in the 24-Hour classic, May 26–29. The Black Falcon team in the #4 Mercedes AMG GT3 celebrated its biggest victory to date at the Nürburgring. Drivers Bernd Schneider, Maro Engel, Adam Christodoulou and Manuel Metzger led the path to victory. The Black Falcon #9 AMG GT3 car, wrapped in Bilstein  blue and yellow, also successfully finished in fourth place.

Race Ramps Joins Ultimate Street Car Association as Associate Sponsor

Race Ramps has joined the Ultimate Street Car Association (USCA) as an associate sponsor. USCA, the sanctioning organization that operates the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI), uses a custom-designed Race Ramps full-vehicle lift system for their tech and scales area, and a Portable Pit System for other vehicle inspections that are needed on-site at events. USCA competitors were first introduced to the new Race Ramps assisted tech and scaling area in 2015. Modifying the design of the 14-in.-tall Portable Pit System, Race Ramps designed a special 7-in.-tall ramp system that accommodated USCA’s scales.

In JE Pistons Drag Radial, Mark Carlyle took the overall win with a 4.840 at 163.02 mph hit in his ’07 Corvette.

Race Wrap: 5th Annual Chevrolet Performance Nationals

Due to rain, the 5th Annual Chevrolet Performance Nationals presented by Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia, ran on a shortened schedule with test and tune Friday, June 3, and qualifying and eliminations both being run Saturday, June 4.

JE Pistons Drag Radial: Mark Carlyle took the overall win with a 4.840 at 163.02 mph hit in his ’07 Corvette over Paul Falcon’s 5.623 at 127.64 mph effort with his ’98 Firebird.

Holley EFI Real Street: George Toll drove his ’02 Trans Am to defeat Jessie Coulter and his ’91 Camaro.

LME Street King: Shawn Calabrese pushed his ’Hawk to a 10.913 at 115.82 mph run in the finals over Taylor Lumsden.

Chevrolet Performance Stock: Glenn Pushis in his '13 Camaro scored a 10.380 at 127.44 mph hit over Kevin Lumsden and his ’99 Camaro’s 10.435 at 127.21 mph pass.

Gear Vendors True Street: Taking the overall category win was Kyle Cumpton who had an average of 9.272-seconds in his Chevy Nova, while Craig Smith’s average of 11.071 seconds in his Pontiac GTO earned him the runner-up spot. In the 11-second category, Adam Toney took top honors with his Pontiac Trans Am, followed by the Chevy Camaro SS of Tom Calabrese in the 12-second category, Terry Barnett with his Camaro in the 13-second category and John Greiner rounded out the pack for the 14-second group in his Pontiac G8.

Brackets: Thomas Bell took the win in the finals against Deborah Fitzpatrick in Bracket 1. In Bracket 2, Chad Brewer defeated Harold Wilson for the win, while Tim Clark overtook Ted Carter in Bracket 3. Later on Saturday, the would-be Sunday races were completed, with Brad Howard winning over Chad Kennedy in Bracket 1, Chad Brewer doubling up with a second victory in Bracket 2 by taking out Allen Williams and Russell Haskins winning in Bracket 3 when he put Randy Franklin back on the trailer.

Callaway Competition celebrated a double victory at the ADAC GT Masters’ second race of the season at the Lausitzring in Germany.

Callaway Competition Makes it Two in a Row With Win at ADAC GT Masters – Lausitzring

Callaway Competition celebrated a double victory at the ADAC GT Masters’ second race of the season at the Lausitzring in Germany. Last weekend’s win proved to be the second of the season for the Leingarten, Germany-based team’s new Corvette C7 GT3-R, following the winning performance last month at the Sachsenring. The #69 AutoArena Corvette of Patrick Assenheimer (GER) and Dominik Schwager (GER) finished on the podium in third, and the sister #77 Roller/Valvoline Corvette of Jules Gounon (F) and Daniel Keilwitz (GER) finished fourth. Callaway Competition is currently running in second place in team ranking, with its drivers ranking and also in second and third position in the Junior Class. The next ADAC GT Masters race takes place July 22–24 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

EnerSys Returns as Exclusive Battery Partner of BIGFOOT 4x4 Inc.

EnerSys, the manufacturer of ODYSSEY batteries, continues as a primary sponsor of the BIGFOOT monster truck team in 2016. A long-time sponsor of BIGFOOT 4x4’s racing and display program, ODYSSEY batteries are found in the BIGFOOT 4x4’s entire fleet of monster trucks, haulers and shop vehicles. The ODYSSEY battery logo can be seen on all of the BIGFOOT monster trucks, transporters and crew shirts.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Fredric Aasbo took the victory over Kristaps Bluss to move into the lead in the Pro Championship standings.

Fredric Aasbo Takes Over Lead in Formula DRIFT Standings

Formula DRIFT presented by BlackVue returned to Orlando for Round 3: Unchartered Territory, where Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy/Nexen Tire SR Toyota tC took the victory over Kristaps Bluss in the HGK/Mast/Motul/Achilles BMW E46 to move into the lead in the Pro Championship standings. The event weekend featured both the Pro 2 Championship and Pro Championship with a full schedule of on-track action. Chris Forsberg in the NOS Energy Drink/Hankook Nissan 370Z finished in third place and moved into third place overall. Tyler McQuarrie of Team Falken—a two-time manufacturer’s champion in Formula Drift—placed fourth. Team Falken driver Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis, who qualified third, currently sits fourth in the championship points. McQuarrie, after making it into the Top 4, now sits fifth in championship points. Rounding out the Top 10 is Daijiro Yoshihara, who qualified in eighth place. Yoshihara finished the event ranked ninth in championship points. The 2016 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship will continue to Round 4: The Gauntlet, June 17–18 at Wall Speedway.

Formula DRIFT PRO 2 returned to the Orlando Speed World for the second round of the the PRO 2 championship, where Marc Landreville in the Perry Performance Nissan S14 took the victory and the lead in the standings. The 2016 Formula DRIFT PRO 2 Championship will continue to Round 3, September 9–10.

Champion Racing Oil Sponsors ASCS 360 Super Dirt Car Showdown

Champion Brands has announced that Champion Racing Oil has been named the title sponsor for the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) Sizzlin’ Summer Showdown on June 17 at Sedalia Speedway. The ASCS is a winged sprint-car series racing within the United States. ASCS uses a 360-cid engine, which leads to fans calling the cars “360s.”

Joe Castello

Joe Castello of WFO Radio to Emcee Quarter Mile Foundation’s Larry Morgan Roast Fundraiser

WFO Radio’s Joe Castello will emcee the Quarter Mile Foundation’s fundraiser roast of Pro Stock drag-racing star Larry Morgan on June 23. Castello assumed the role when Bill Bader Jr., president of Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park had to relinquish the role, due to an unexpected schedule conflict. Castello, a native of South Florida, hosts the motorsports Internet radio program, and is a fixture at most National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events, doing live public address interviews. Castello will oversee the evening’s theme: “The Larry Morgan Roast—A Cavalcade of Laughter” and as “Ringmaster of Ceremonies,” he will attempt to direct Morgan’s personally selected panel of tormenters. They include Tony Christian, Modified Eliminator, Pro Stock and Pro Street star; Ian Landies Jr., Competition Eliminator racer; Pat Musi, engine builder, Pro Street pioneer; John Nobile, IHRA Pro Stock World Champion, NHRA Pro Stock; Ollie Volpe, a former Gas-class racer and racing sales specialist for serveral leading aftermarket companies; and Billy (“B.M.F.”) Wagner, former Larry Morgan Racing crew chief.

Tanner Foust Finishes Third at Global Rallycross Dallas

Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust extended his Global Rallycross podium streak to three in a row last Saturday with a third-place result in Dallas. Next, Foust and the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team head into a Florida doubleheader, June 18–19. The two-time series champion has a 25-point lead in the standings. A two-time series champion, Foust is the most winning in Global Rallycross Championship history with a record of nine wins and 20 podium finishes.

The Toyota Tundra is off-road’s Official Truck, and a cornerstone of a program that also positions Toyota as a presenting power block sponsor for the series’ telecasts on CBS, CBS Sports, MAVTV and the new LucasOilRacing.TV.

Toyota Tundra named Official Truck for 2016 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

Toyota is continuing its partnership with the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and Team Lucas for the eighth season in 2016. The Toyota Tundra is off-road’s Official Truck, and a cornerstone of a program that also positions Toyota as a presenting power block sponsor for the series’ telecasts on CBS, CBS Sports, MAVTV and the new LucasOilRacing.TV. Toyota is supplying a fleet of Tundras for the series’ use as safety and support vehicles, and providing primary sponsorship for veteran racer Eric Barron in the Pro 4 class and associate sponsorship for several teams in Pro 2. The sponsorship agreement with Team Lucas also gives Toyota sponsorship rights for two of the eight events in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, an on-board camera for all races and space on vendor row for all event weekends.

Black Falcon’s Bilstein-wrapped #9 Mercedes AMG GT3 came in fourth at the 44th Annual ADAC Zürich 24-Hour Race.

Bilstein Triumphant at 2016 24-Hour Nürburging Race

Bilstein drivers raced to victory in the 44th Annual ADAC Zürich 24-Hour Race. Held on the famed Nürburgring race track in Germany, also known as the “Green Hell,” more than 40 Bilstein-equipped cars took part in the 24-Hour classic, May 26–29. The Black Falcon team in the #4 Mercedes AMG GT3 celebrated its biggest victory to date at the Nürburgring. Drivers Bernd Schneider, Maro Engel, Adam Christodoulou and Manuel Metzger led the path to victory. The Black Falcon #9 AMG GT3 car, wrapped in Bilstein  blue and yellow, also successfully finished in fourth place.

Race Ramps Joins Ultimate Street Car Association as Associate Sponsor

Race Ramps has joined the Ultimate Street Car Association (USCA) as an associate sponsor. USCA, the sanctioning organization that operates the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI), uses a custom-designed Race Ramps full-vehicle lift system for their tech and scales area, and a Portable Pit System for other vehicle inspections that are needed on-site at events. USCA competitors were first introduced to the new Race Ramps assisted tech and scaling area in 2015. Modifying the design of the 14-in.-tall Portable Pit System, Race Ramps designed a special 7-in.-tall ramp system that accommodated USCA’s scales.

In JE Pistons Drag Radial, Mark Carlyle took the overall win with a 4.840 at 163.02 mph hit in his ’07 Corvette.

Race Wrap: 5th Annual Chevrolet Performance Nationals

Due to rain, the 5th Annual Chevrolet Performance Nationals presented by Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia, ran on a shortened schedule with test and tune Friday, June 3, and qualifying and eliminations both being run Saturday, June 4.

JE Pistons Drag Radial: Mark Carlyle took the overall win with a 4.840 at 163.02 mph hit in his ’07 Corvette over Paul Falcon’s 5.623 at 127.64 mph effort with his ’98 Firebird.

Holley EFI Real Street: George Toll drove his ’02 Trans Am to defeat Jessie Coulter and his ’91 Camaro.

LME Street King: Shawn Calabrese pushed his ’Hawk to a 10.913 at 115.82 mph run in the finals over Taylor Lumsden.

Chevrolet Performance Stock: Glenn Pushis in his '13 Camaro scored a 10.380 at 127.44 mph hit over Kevin Lumsden and his ’99 Camaro’s 10.435 at 127.21 mph pass.

Gear Vendors True Street: Taking the overall category win was Kyle Cumpton who had an average of 9.272-seconds in his Chevy Nova, while Craig Smith’s average of 11.071 seconds in his Pontiac GTO earned him the runner-up spot. In the 11-second category, Adam Toney took top honors with his Pontiac Trans Am, followed by the Chevy Camaro SS of Tom Calabrese in the 12-second category, Terry Barnett with his Camaro in the 13-second category and John Greiner rounded out the pack for the 14-second group in his Pontiac G8.

Brackets: Thomas Bell took the win in the finals against Deborah Fitzpatrick in Bracket 1. In Bracket 2, Chad Brewer defeated Harold Wilson for the win, while Tim Clark overtook Ted Carter in Bracket 3. Later on Saturday, the would-be Sunday races were completed, with Brad Howard winning over Chad Kennedy in Bracket 1, Chad Brewer doubling up with a second victory in Bracket 2 by taking out Allen Williams and Russell Haskins winning in Bracket 3 when he put Randy Franklin back on the trailer.

Callaway Competition celebrated a double victory at the ADAC GT Masters’ second race of the season at the Lausitzring in Germany.

Callaway Competition Makes it Two in a Row With Win at ADAC GT Masters – Lausitzring

Callaway Competition celebrated a double victory at the ADAC GT Masters’ second race of the season at the Lausitzring in Germany. Last weekend’s win proved to be the second of the season for the Leingarten, Germany-based team’s new Corvette C7 GT3-R, following the winning performance last month at the Sachsenring. The #69 AutoArena Corvette of Patrick Assenheimer (GER) and Dominik Schwager (GER) finished on the podium in third, and the sister #77 Roller/Valvoline Corvette of Jules Gounon (F) and Daniel Keilwitz (GER) finished fourth. Callaway Competition is currently running in second place in team ranking, with its drivers ranking and also in second and third position in the Junior Class. The next ADAC GT Masters race takes place July 22–24 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

EnerSys Returns as Exclusive Battery Partner of BIGFOOT 4x4 Inc.

EnerSys, the manufacturer of ODYSSEY batteries, continues as a primary sponsor of the BIGFOOT monster truck team in 2016. A long-time sponsor of BIGFOOT 4x4’s racing and display program, ODYSSEY batteries are found in the BIGFOOT 4x4’s entire fleet of monster trucks, haulers and shop vehicles. The ODYSSEY battery logo can be seen on all of the BIGFOOT monster trucks, transporters and crew shirts.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.

The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.

The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

The 2016 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas. Online registration for the Show, available now through October 14, is $40.

The 2015 SEMA Show gathered more than 170,000 individuals together to do business. The annual Show features manufacturers representing all segments of the industry highlighting their latest product innovations—from wheels, tires, mobile electronics, restyling kits and paint, to exhaust kits, engine upgrades, suspension components, interior products and much more.

The 2016 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas. Online registration for the Show, available now through October 14, is $40.

The 2015 SEMA Show gathered more than 170,000 individuals together to do business. The annual Show features manufacturers representing all segments of the industry highlighting their latest product innovations—from wheels, tires, mobile electronics, restyling kits and paint, to exhaust kits, engine upgrades, suspension components, interior products and much more.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit HRIA's website

HRIA Hosting Exciting Events at NSRA Nationals

HRIA General Membership Meeting

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is hosting a general membership meeting at the NSRA Nationals on August 3—one day before the event opens. General membership meetings are a great opportunity to learn more about the council and the resources available exclusively to HRIA members. Attendees will hear the latest updates from the select committee and enjoy an open discussion on the hot rod industry.

With the SEMA Show just around the corner, the select committee will announce opportunities to volunteer at the Show and other opportunities to become more involved in council activities. Enjoy refreshments while connecting with hot-rod professionals.

The meeting will take place Wednesday, August 3, from 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m., in the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Freedom Hall.

Register Here.

HRIA Education Day Moves to NSRA Nationals

The HRIA is moving its Education Day sessions to be hosted at the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Twelve manufacturers will give hour-long presentations on not only their product line but also tips and tricks for your restoration projects. The Education Day will take place Thursday, August 4, with sessions beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the last session concluding at 4:15 p.m., with two simultaneous presentations per hour. The sessions will be set up classroom style with some manufacturers having panel discussions while others will be true presentation style. These valuable sessions are open to all NSRA Nationals attendees. This is a popular event and seats are limited.

Reserve your spot in the sessions.

HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge

If you are attending the NSRA Nationals, you do not want to miss the HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge taking place Friday and Saturday (August 5–6) of the nationals on the show floor. The annual HRIA Pinewood Builders Challenge is an opportunity to showcase the skills of nationally known hot-rod builders while raising money for SEMA Cares charities benefiting Childhelp and Victory Junction facilities.

Cheer on the builders as they race their one-of-a-kind, small-scale pinewood cars for recognition and a good cause. After the races, the pinewoods are placed on display in the HRIA booth and auctioned off during the HRIA Industry Awards Reception at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

If you have questions regarding any of these events, contact SEMA Director of Councils Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.

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Visit YEN's website

Todd Earsley	Erika Klein

Meet the YEN Power Tour Participants

The Young Executives Network (YEN) will hit the road this summer with 10 members to participate in the Hot Rod Power Tour. The YENsters will stop in seven cities, starting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with the finish line in Kansas City, Kansas. Each stop attracts hundreds of local car enthusiasts, students and automotive professionals. YEN members will interact with students, showing them around the “traveling car show,” and discussing career paths in the automotive aftermarket industry.

You can follow them along their journey via the hashtag #YENPowerTour.

Let’s meet one of the teams!

Driver – Todd Earsley, My Shop Assist: President

Todd Earsley has taken his passion for the automotive industry and turned it into a business (well, multiple businesses actually). He co-founded My Shop Assist—a web-based project management system for performance shops—in 2012. He edits the “Do It For A Living” podcast. He teaches a business management seminar for shop owners called “Essentials of Operating a Shop.” And he owns his own dyno/fabrication business called Friction Circle Fabrication. You can also catch Earsley on TV, where he competes in the Ultimate Street Car Association races presented by Optima Batteries in his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo, built by Evolution Dynamics. He will drive his Camaro on the YEN Power Tour.

Todd Earsley will drive his Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour.

Passenger – Erika Klein, AutoAnything.com: Product Development Manager

Erika Klein has been in the retail industry developing brands for the past 13 years, and has specifically been in the automotive aftermarket for the last three at AutoAnything.com (an AutoZone company). As the product development manager at AutoAnything, Klein has developed and launched three new private-label brands, which has helped her get more connected to the industry, her customers and their needs.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the automotive aftermarket, especially as a woman.” says Klein. “Not only to help drive innovation but to help drive evolution in culture. I have recently had the pleasure of serving on the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network as a select committee member, where I lend my fresh set of eyes and passion for innovation to help elevate women in the automotive industry.” 

Overall it has been a great experience for her learning a new industry and being an SBN select committee member. She is excited to make even more connections with peers and students during the Power Tour! 

For more information on the YEN Power Tour, visit www.sema.org/yen-power-tour.

Jayke Milton

YEN Member Insight: Jayke Milton, Co-Founder, fuelculture Media

What is fuelculture Media? How does it work?

The fuelculture Media Agency was born of an intuitive and organic inclination toward both modern media and automotive passion. We, in practice, are a full-service media agency dedicated to the automotive aftermarket and specializing in creating and distributing content for mass public consumption. Our progression through the industry has led us to creating and executing many entities, and fuelculture serves somewhat as the zip tie that binds it all together. Wrecked magazine, Sponsor Spotter, Slide America, The Street Driven Tour and more have all been created to serve both our industry and our clients.

What’s the best part about developing this type of business?

The freedom to create. We are free to keep our fingers to the pulse of the consumer, which has allowed us to consistently produce creative marketing initiatives for our clients that truly integrate their brands into the communities they want to sell into. We get to play the bridge of two worlds and, for us, it is a rewarding challenge.

When/how did you decide to merge your experience with your passion for the aftermarket?

The day I decided to quit my restaurant job in college and start a “career.” We decided to shoot a documentary film about grassroots drifting in the United States, and everything after that was created from what we learned and experienced along the road. This industry has provided me the only professional home I have ever known, and with fuelculture, we are constantly pushing the limits to strengthen and drive this industry forward.

What roles do social media and content marketing play in the aftermarket?

I think a broad answer is that this depends on who you target. But for us, the role of social and content-based marketing is of paramount importance. We as industry producers must access the next generation of consumers through a different medium where those consumers are most often found—through a screen. As this new breed of digital consumer evolves, so does their ability to understand when they are being targeted. This leaves it up to us to produce brand-integrated content that is entertaining, educational and experiential and that at least narrows the selection tree during a buying decision. The content is the cargo; social media is the big rig delivering it.

What is your opinion on the youth market? Are young people still interested in cars? How do companies connect with them?

The youth market is something that every industry on this planet is fighting for because they’re all accessible through some medium or another. Because of this access, there are so many different messages competing for the same attention span. Because of this wealth of choice, the youth market bores quickly and is easily distracted. The good news is that this market is obsessive when they find what excites them. This is where we as an industry, as a hobby and as a passion are provided an advantage. The thing that ignited the passion in all of us is not broken in today’s youth. On any street, the sound of a roaring engine still turns heads. Anyone who looks at a well-built and modified, crafted vehicle would much prefer to own it over its stock counterpart. The exhilaration from acceleration is something that runs into the very genetics of who we are as human beings. The difference between today’s youth and yesterday’s comes in its proximity and frequency to these adrenaline-inducing events.

How do companies connect with this youth?

I think we’re asking the wrong question. As our market ages out at the top, how do we develop and expand the next generation of enthusiasts? How do we get them to understand and share the passion that burns in us? My answer is that we bring it to them with events; we increase the proximity and frequency with which the youth experiences our gear-driven fire, the events that sparked our own passions. I helped start an event series last year called the Street Driven Tour, born specifically of this cause. We put on display the wide range in taste and vision for show cars, we explode down dragways, we get people sideways in drift cars and we let people feel the excitement of door-to-door road-course racing. We aim to show, and more importantly, let people feel all that our industry has to offer with the belief that something will resonate. In that resonation we will create a new consumer and only then can we ask how to connect.

How did you make so many connections?

I credit a lot of our success and connections to the opportunities SEMA has provided me through its various functions and trade shows. The great thing about this industry and something that sets it apart from a lot of other industries is that we all as individuals have more in common with each other than just our industry. For most of us, we were able to turn our pastime, our hobby and our passion into our career, and that goes a long way in letting us connect and identify with one another. What allows us all to make our living also unites us in common interest.

After building your own business, what advice would you give someone chasing a new idea?

I would advise someone to never let a gifted skillset be a substitute for hard work; it’s the blend of the two that will make you successful.

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Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit HRIA's website

HRIA Hosting Exciting Events at NSRA Nationals

HRIA General Membership Meeting

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is hosting a general membership meeting at the NSRA Nationals on August 3—one day before the event opens. General membership meetings are a great opportunity to learn more about the council and the resources available exclusively to HRIA members. Attendees will hear the latest updates from the select committee and enjoy an open discussion on the hot rod industry.

With the SEMA Show just around the corner, the select committee will announce opportunities to volunteer at the Show and other opportunities to become more involved in council activities. Enjoy refreshments while connecting with hot-rod professionals.

The meeting will take place Wednesday, August 3, from 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m., in the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Freedom Hall.

Register Here.

HRIA Education Day Moves to NSRA Nationals

The HRIA is moving its Education Day sessions to be hosted at the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Twelve manufacturers will give hour-long presentations on not only their product line but also tips and tricks for your restoration projects. The Education Day will take place Thursday, August 4, with sessions beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the last session concluding at 4:15 p.m., with two simultaneous presentations per hour. The sessions will be set up classroom style with some manufacturers having panel discussions while others will be true presentation style. These valuable sessions are open to all NSRA Nationals attendees. This is a popular event and seats are limited.

Reserve your spot in the sessions.

HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge

If you are attending the NSRA Nationals, you do not want to miss the HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge taking place Friday and Saturday (August 5–6) of the nationals on the show floor. The annual HRIA Pinewood Builders Challenge is an opportunity to showcase the skills of nationally known hot-rod builders while raising money for SEMA Cares charities benefiting Childhelp and Victory Junction facilities.

Cheer on the builders as they race their one-of-a-kind, small-scale pinewood cars for recognition and a good cause. After the races, the pinewoods are placed on display in the HRIA booth and auctioned off during the HRIA Industry Awards Reception at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

If you have questions regarding any of these events, contact SEMA Director of Councils Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.

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Todd Earsley	Erika Klein

Meet the YEN Power Tour Participants

The Young Executives Network (YEN) will hit the road this summer with 10 members to participate in the Hot Rod Power Tour. The YENsters will stop in seven cities, starting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with the finish line in Kansas City, Kansas. Each stop attracts hundreds of local car enthusiasts, students and automotive professionals. YEN members will interact with students, showing them around the “traveling car show,” and discussing career paths in the automotive aftermarket industry.

You can follow them along their journey via the hashtag #YENPowerTour.

Let’s meet one of the teams!

Driver – Todd Earsley, My Shop Assist: President

Todd Earsley has taken his passion for the automotive industry and turned it into a business (well, multiple businesses actually). He co-founded My Shop Assist—a web-based project management system for performance shops—in 2012. He edits the “Do It For A Living” podcast. He teaches a business management seminar for shop owners called “Essentials of Operating a Shop.” And he owns his own dyno/fabrication business called Friction Circle Fabrication. You can also catch Earsley on TV, where he competes in the Ultimate Street Car Association races presented by Optima Batteries in his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo, built by Evolution Dynamics. He will drive his Camaro on the YEN Power Tour.

Todd Earsley will drive his Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour.

Passenger – Erika Klein, AutoAnything.com: Product Development Manager

Erika Klein has been in the retail industry developing brands for the past 13 years, and has specifically been in the automotive aftermarket for the last three at AutoAnything.com (an AutoZone company). As the product development manager at AutoAnything, Klein has developed and launched three new private-label brands, which has helped her get more connected to the industry, her customers and their needs.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the automotive aftermarket, especially as a woman.” says Klein. “Not only to help drive innovation but to help drive evolution in culture. I have recently had the pleasure of serving on the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network as a select committee member, where I lend my fresh set of eyes and passion for innovation to help elevate women in the automotive industry.” 

Overall it has been a great experience for her learning a new industry and being an SBN select committee member. She is excited to make even more connections with peers and students during the Power Tour! 

For more information on the YEN Power Tour, visit www.sema.org/yen-power-tour.

Jayke Milton

YEN Member Insight: Jayke Milton, Co-Founder, fuelculture Media

What is fuelculture Media? How does it work?

The fuelculture Media Agency was born of an intuitive and organic inclination toward both modern media and automotive passion. We, in practice, are a full-service media agency dedicated to the automotive aftermarket and specializing in creating and distributing content for mass public consumption. Our progression through the industry has led us to creating and executing many entities, and fuelculture serves somewhat as the zip tie that binds it all together. Wrecked magazine, Sponsor Spotter, Slide America, The Street Driven Tour and more have all been created to serve both our industry and our clients.

What’s the best part about developing this type of business?

The freedom to create. We are free to keep our fingers to the pulse of the consumer, which has allowed us to consistently produce creative marketing initiatives for our clients that truly integrate their brands into the communities they want to sell into. We get to play the bridge of two worlds and, for us, it is a rewarding challenge.

When/how did you decide to merge your experience with your passion for the aftermarket?

The day I decided to quit my restaurant job in college and start a “career.” We decided to shoot a documentary film about grassroots drifting in the United States, and everything after that was created from what we learned and experienced along the road. This industry has provided me the only professional home I have ever known, and with fuelculture, we are constantly pushing the limits to strengthen and drive this industry forward.

What roles do social media and content marketing play in the aftermarket?

I think a broad answer is that this depends on who you target. But for us, the role of social and content-based marketing is of paramount importance. We as industry producers must access the next generation of consumers through a different medium where those consumers are most often found—through a screen. As this new breed of digital consumer evolves, so does their ability to understand when they are being targeted. This leaves it up to us to produce brand-integrated content that is entertaining, educational and experiential and that at least narrows the selection tree during a buying decision. The content is the cargo; social media is the big rig delivering it.

What is your opinion on the youth market? Are young people still interested in cars? How do companies connect with them?

The youth market is something that every industry on this planet is fighting for because they’re all accessible through some medium or another. Because of this access, there are so many different messages competing for the same attention span. Because of this wealth of choice, the youth market bores quickly and is easily distracted. The good news is that this market is obsessive when they find what excites them. This is where we as an industry, as a hobby and as a passion are provided an advantage. The thing that ignited the passion in all of us is not broken in today’s youth. On any street, the sound of a roaring engine still turns heads. Anyone who looks at a well-built and modified, crafted vehicle would much prefer to own it over its stock counterpart. The exhilaration from acceleration is something that runs into the very genetics of who we are as human beings. The difference between today’s youth and yesterday’s comes in its proximity and frequency to these adrenaline-inducing events.

How do companies connect with this youth?

I think we’re asking the wrong question. As our market ages out at the top, how do we develop and expand the next generation of enthusiasts? How do we get them to understand and share the passion that burns in us? My answer is that we bring it to them with events; we increase the proximity and frequency with which the youth experiences our gear-driven fire, the events that sparked our own passions. I helped start an event series last year called the Street Driven Tour, born specifically of this cause. We put on display the wide range in taste and vision for show cars, we explode down dragways, we get people sideways in drift cars and we let people feel the excitement of door-to-door road-course racing. We aim to show, and more importantly, let people feel all that our industry has to offer with the belief that something will resonate. In that resonation we will create a new consumer and only then can we ask how to connect.

How did you make so many connections?

I credit a lot of our success and connections to the opportunities SEMA has provided me through its various functions and trade shows. The great thing about this industry and something that sets it apart from a lot of other industries is that we all as individuals have more in common with each other than just our industry. For most of us, we were able to turn our pastime, our hobby and our passion into our career, and that goes a long way in letting us connect and identify with one another. What allows us all to make our living also unites us in common interest.

After building your own business, what advice would you give someone chasing a new idea?

I would advise someone to never let a gifted skillset be a substitute for hard work; it’s the blend of the two that will make you successful.

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