The 2015 SEMA Show has come and gone, and we’re pleased to report that thousands of companies once again took advantage of this annual gathering to set themselves up for a productive 2016.

Among the many seminars and presentations at the Show, one of the most significant sessions took place Thursday, when the SEMA Garage hosted a seminar focusing on emissions compliance. This is a topic of vital importance for hundreds of SEMA-member manufacturers, and it also affects distributors, retailers and installers.

The situation is in some respects straightforward: It is illegal to manufacture, sell, offer for sale or install a part that is emissions-related if that part is not certified as emissions-compliant. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require certification of compliance for emissions-related parts­—what is required in California is required in the 49 other states.

The 2015 SEMA Show has come and gone, and we’re pleased to report that thousands of companies once again took advantage of this annual gathering to set themselves up for a productive 2016.

Among the many seminars and presentations at the Show, one of the most significant sessions took place Thursday, when the SEMA Garage hosted a seminar focusing on emissions compliance. This is a topic of vital importance for hundreds of SEMA-member manufacturers, and it also affects distributors, retailers and installers.

The situation is in some respects straightforward: It is illegal to manufacture, sell, offer for sale or install a part that is emissions-related if that part is not certified as emissions-compliant. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require certification of compliance for emissions-related parts­—what is required in California is required in the 49 other states.

By SEMA Editors

Gary Meadors

The Celebration of Life for Goodguys Rod & Custom Association founder Gary Meadors is set for Sunday, February 14, at 1:00 p.m. The event, “Gary’s Get-Together,” will be held at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California (3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, CA 94506). All are welcome to attend. Meadors passed away Sunday, December 27, 2015.

The event will gather family, friends, fans, business associates and hot rodders to celebrate the life of the man credited with advancing the hobby of hot rodding through Goodguys’ national network of rod and custom events. Among Blackhawk Plaza’s general parking lot, approximately 200 spaces will be reserved specifically for hot rods and custom cars.

Those unable to attend will get a chance to pay their respects to Meadors through a reception and video tribute that will be staged at select Goodguys national events this year. In lieu of flowers, the Meadors family requests donations be made to the Save the Salt Foundation.

Visit the Goodguys website for additional service information, local accommodations and more.

By SEMA Editors

(L-R): Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham were inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2015.

It’s that time of year for SEMA Hall of Fame nominations. As a SEMA member, you have the opportunity to nominate a person for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame—an award established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website, SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame form by March 11.

If you have any questions, contact Marcela Ortega at marcelao@sema.org or 909-978-6744.

By SEMA Editors

(L-R): Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham were inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2015.

It’s that time of year for SEMA Hall of Fame nominations. As a SEMA member, you have the opportunity to nominate a person for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame—an award established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website, SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame form by March 11.

If you have any questions, contact Marcela Ortega at marcelao@sema.org or 909-978-6744.

The Omix-ADA SEMA Cares Jeep Wrangler JK and Arianny Celeste were featured on the cover of DUB magazine’s issue 96.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson, Wednesday, January 27, at 5:30 p.m. (PST). The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

The Omix-ADA SEMA Cares Jeep Wrangler JK and Arianny Celeste were featured on the cover of DUB magazine’s issue 96.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson, Wednesday, January 27, at 5:30 p.m. (PST). The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

The Omix-ADA SEMA Cares Jeep Wrangler JK and Arianny Celeste were featured on the cover of DUB magazine’s issue 96.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson, Wednesday, January 27, at 5:30 p.m. (PST). The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

The Omix-ADA SEMA Cares Jeep Wrangler JK and Arianny Celeste were featured on the cover of DUB magazine’s issue 96.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson, Wednesday, January 27, at 5:30 p.m. (PST). The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amended its fuel regulations to require more specific information be posted at the pump regarding the amount of ethanol that has been added to gasoline at levels above 10% (E10).

First established in 1979, the FTC’s “Fuel Rating Rule” specifies methods for rating and certifying fuel along with labeling requirements. As of July 14, 2016, ethanol contents ranging from 11% to 83% will be called “Ethanol Flex Fuels” and retailers must post labels with either the exact ethanol concentrations or an amount rounded to the nearest multiple of 10 for mid-level blends (11% to 50%). For high-level blends, the label may reference the exact amount, round to the nearest multiple of 10, or label the fuel as “51% to 83% Ethanol.”  The ethanol flex fuel labels must include the text “Use Only in Flex-Fuel Vehicles/May Harm Other Engines.”

SEMA supports the FTC’s amended rule as a way to raise consumer awareness at the pump, since ethanol causes metal corrosion and dissolves certain plastics and rubbers, posing harm to older vehicles that were not constructed with ethanol-compatible materials.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.