By Jason Catullo

Pictured here is Mark Heffington (middle) during the 2012 SEMA Installation Banquet. He is flanked by Paul “Scooter” Brothers of COMP Performance Group (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

Mark Heffington, founder and president of Hypertech Inc., passed away April 23. He was 74.

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee and beginning his career as chief designer for Crane Cams, Heffington sharpened his skills designing camshafts, as well as diagnosing and solving cam-related problems. In 1972, he founded Cam Dynamics, which quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts. Heffington sold the company in the early ’80s and began consulting on camshaft design and engineering for United Technologies and General Motors. 

Mark Heffington founded Cam Dynamics in 1972, and the company quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts.

During the mid-’80s, Heffington witnessed the emergence of computer-controlled engines on race cars. Realizing this could have a major impact on performance tuning and racing, Heffington founded Hypertech Inc. in 1985. He worked with engineers to help with computer programs and reverse engineer codes to develop aftermarket onboard computer reprogramming devices.

Through Hypertech Inc., Heffington pioneered automotive aftermarket tuning with the invention of the “Power Chip,” which was used to recalibrate early automotive computers that used replaceable “chips” in their electronic control modules.

Heffington was recognized for his contributions to the performance tuning market through inductions in the Hot Rod Hall of Fame in 1997, and the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2012.

The family will hold a private service with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Contributions to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made in memory of Mark Heffington.

To learn more about Heffington, read “Lifetime Achievers” in SEMA News.

By Jason Catullo

Pictured here is Mark Heffington (middle) during the 2012 SEMA Installation Banquet. He is flanked by Paul “Scooter” Brothers of COMP Performance Group (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

Mark Heffington, founder and president of Hypertech Inc., passed away April 23. He was 74.

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee and beginning his career as chief designer for Crane Cams, Heffington sharpened his skills designing camshafts, as well as diagnosing and solving cam-related problems. In 1972, he founded Cam Dynamics, which quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts. Heffington sold the company in the early ’80s and began consulting on camshaft design and engineering for United Technologies and General Motors. 

Mark Heffington founded Cam Dynamics in 1972, and the company quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts.

During the mid-’80s, Heffington witnessed the emergence of computer-controlled engines on race cars. Realizing this could have a major impact on performance tuning and racing, Heffington founded Hypertech Inc. in 1985. He worked with engineers to help with computer programs and reverse engineer codes to develop aftermarket onboard computer reprogramming devices.

Through Hypertech Inc., Heffington pioneered automotive aftermarket tuning with the invention of the “Power Chip,” which was used to recalibrate early automotive computers that used replaceable “chips” in their electronic control modules.

Heffington was recognized for his contributions to the performance tuning market through inductions in the Hot Rod Hall of Fame in 1997, and the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2012.

The family will hold a private service with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Contributions to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made in memory of Mark Heffington.

To learn more about Heffington, read “Lifetime Achievers” in SEMA News.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

The Tennessee Legislature approved legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars was approved by the Tennessee Legislature. Under the bill, all vehicles three years old and newer would be excused regardless of mileage. Current law only exempts new motor vehicles being registered for the first time or one year from initial registration. The bill will now be sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

The Tennessee Legislature approved legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars was approved by the Tennessee Legislature. Under the bill, all vehicles three years old and newer would be excused regardless of mileage. Current law only exempts new motor vehicles being registered for the first time or one year from initial registration. The bill will now be sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

The Tennessee Legislature approved legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars was approved by the Tennessee Legislature. Under the bill, all vehicles three years old and newer would be excused regardless of mileage. Current law only exempts new motor vehicles being registered for the first time or one year from initial registration. The bill will now be sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

The Tennessee Legislature approved legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars was approved by the Tennessee Legislature. Under the bill, all vehicles three years old and newer would be excused regardless of mileage. Current law only exempts new motor vehicles being registered for the first time or one year from initial registration. The bill will now be sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In addition to hot products and leading manufacturers, the annual SEMA Show attracts top vehicle builders who debut their one-of-a-kind creations in front of more than 140,000 industry professionals at the world’s premier automotive trade gathering. For many of these builders, the SEMA Battle of the Builders is their chance to prove that they are among the elite. Hundreds enter; only one can win.

Working during the 2015 SEMA Show, an esteemed panel of judges narrowed the field, and then the builders of the top 10 contenders—those shown on these pages—voted among themselves to decide who should be the winner. The competition culminated Friday night at the SEMA Ignited event, where consumers joined in the action and watched as the winner was named during the filming of a nationwide broadcast special, “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” on the Velocity Network.

In addition to hot products and leading manufacturers, the annual SEMA Show attracts top vehicle builders who debut their one-of-a-kind creations in front of more than 140,000 industry professionals at the world’s premier automotive trade gathering. For many of these builders, the SEMA Battle of the Builders is their chance to prove that they are among the elite. Hundreds enter; only one can win.

Working during the 2015 SEMA Show, an esteemed panel of judges narrowed the field, and then the builders of the top 10 contenders—those shown on these pages—voted among themselves to decide who should be the winner. The competition culminated Friday night at the SEMA Ignited event, where consumers joined in the action and watched as the winner was named during the filming of a nationwide broadcast special, “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” on the Velocity Network.

In addition to hot products and leading manufacturers, the annual SEMA Show attracts top vehicle builders who debut their one-of-a-kind creations in front of more than 140,000 industry professionals at the world’s premier automotive trade gathering. For many of these builders, the SEMA Battle of the Builders is their chance to prove that they are among the elite. Hundreds enter; only one can win.

Working during the 2015 SEMA Show, an esteemed panel of judges narrowed the field, and then the builders of the top 10 contenders—those shown on these pages—voted among themselves to decide who should be the winner. The competition culminated Friday night at the SEMA Ignited event, where consumers joined in the action and watched as the winner was named during the filming of a nationwide broadcast special, “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” on the Velocity Network.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation to exempt motor vehicles more than 35 years old from the requirement that they have a certificate of title.

Legislation to exempt motor vehicles more than 35 years old from the requirement that they have a certificate of title was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Currently, only vehicles of model-year ’74 and older are exempted. Trailers 20 model years old and older would also be exempted. Having already been approved by the Alabama House, the bill will now be considered in a vote by the full Senate. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.