SEMA Member News—January/February 2016

TORA Gives Back and Honors Contributions

The 2015 TORA Retailer of the Year award was presented to Cap World. General Manager Ron DiVincenzo (left) accepted the award from TORA Chair Lee McGuire.

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) hosted its annual award ceremony at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The event offered current and prospective TORA members with networking opportunities and honored outstanding members of the light-truck industry. Two awards were presented: TORA Hall of Fame and TORA Retailer of the Year.

Attendees at the event had the opportunity to support SEMA Cares by renting a pinewood car and racing for the title of Fall Nationals Top Eliminator. The champion at the 2015 SEMA Show was Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO, and the runner-up was Rob Kelley from Truck’n America. The pinewood races raised nearly $2,200 for SEMA Cares.

2015 Retailer of the Year

The TORA Retailer of the Year award was established to honor an outstanding light-truck accessory retailer whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate’s community. The 2015 Retailer of the Year award went to Cap World Inc.

Cap World Inc. currently operates 12 retail stores located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland and Florida. It is a full-service company, which means that all of its stores provide sales, customer service and expert installation. Its mission is to lead the truck-accessory industry with state-of-the-art products and a deep commitment to the company’s employees, customers and the communities in which it does business.

Cap World has been a major contributor to SEMA and the TORA, playing a role in founding the group. Cap World is an outstanding contributor to the industry.

TORA Hall of Fame

Charles Morrison Jr. (not pictured) was inducted into the TORA Hall of Fame. On hand at the presentation were (from left) Joel Ayres, Daniel Morrison, Charles Morrison IV and TORA Chair Lee McGuire.

The TORA Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments have enhanced the industry’s stature and significantly contributed to its growth on a national and international basis. This year, the TORA inducted Charles Morrison Jr. into its hall of fame.

From 1976 to 1998, Charles Morrison Jr., along with his son, Charles Morrison III, operated Cap City USA, which began selling truck caps out of an old Crab Shack in Southern Maryland. Cap City grew into a multi-store retail chain that reached from New York to Florida. It manufactured its own aluminum and fiberglass truck caps from 1985 to 1998.

In 1989, Morrison Jr. took six months off to start the Truck Cap Industry Alliance (TCIA, now the TORA) and personally hired an association director to get the fledgling council off the ground. He organized the first TCIA meeting in 1989 in Omaha, Nebraska, where Dillard Fletcher was nominated and then elected the first TCIA president. In August of that year, Morrison and other TCIA committee members met in Chicago to finalize plans for TCIA’s future and to establish the first TCIA trade show. He served as the first TCIA show chairman when the event was held February 25–27, 1990, in Orlando, Florida. Nancy, his youngest daughter, dressed in a TCIA turtle costume and strolled the convention center floor.

Charles Morrison Jr. is a decorated veteran and officer. At almost 84 years of age, he had not missed a SEMA Show up until a few years ago.

TORA Awards Best New Products

The annual new product awards are chosen by a panel of volunteer, non-manufacturing industry professionals within TORA. The awards recognize innovation, product potential and consumer appeal in two categories: best under $500 and best over $500. The council awarded J.W Speaker Corporation with Best New Product Under $500 for their 8900 Evolution LED Headlight and Rigid Industries with Best New Product Over $500 for their Midnight Edition LED.

TORA Booth and Happy Hour

The TORA booth at the 2015 SEMA Show was centrally located in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Show attendees stopped by to learn about the council and its initiatives, meet the organization’s leadership and discuss volunteer opportunities. The booth became a destination point for networking and meetings, providing benches and a welcoming environment in which to sit and relax. Vehicles from Westin Automotive, Truck Accessories Group, Bolt Locks by Strattec and A.R.E. Accessories were featured outside and in the booth. Together, those companies donated more than $5,000 to SEMA Cares this year.

TORA and the Off Road Business Association hosted a happy hour in the TORA booth to cap off the opening day of the SEMA Show. The booth proved to be a perfect setting to evoke discussions about the latest trends in the light-truck accessory industry.

SEMA Member News—January/February 2016

TORA Gives Back and Honors Contributions

The 2015 TORA Retailer of the Year award was presented to Cap World. General Manager Ron DiVincenzo (left) accepted the award from TORA Chair Lee McGuire.

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) hosted its annual award ceremony at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The event offered current and prospective TORA members with networking opportunities and honored outstanding members of the light-truck industry. Two awards were presented: TORA Hall of Fame and TORA Retailer of the Year.

Attendees at the event had the opportunity to support SEMA Cares by renting a pinewood car and racing for the title of Fall Nationals Top Eliminator. The champion at the 2015 SEMA Show was Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO, and the runner-up was Rob Kelley from Truck’n America. The pinewood races raised nearly $2,200 for SEMA Cares.

2015 Retailer of the Year

The TORA Retailer of the Year award was established to honor an outstanding light-truck accessory retailer whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate’s community. The 2015 Retailer of the Year award went to Cap World Inc.

Cap World Inc. currently operates 12 retail stores located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland and Florida. It is a full-service company, which means that all of its stores provide sales, customer service and expert installation. Its mission is to lead the truck-accessory industry with state-of-the-art products and a deep commitment to the company’s employees, customers and the communities in which it does business.

Cap World has been a major contributor to SEMA and the TORA, playing a role in founding the group. Cap World is an outstanding contributor to the industry.

TORA Hall of Fame

Charles Morrison Jr. (not pictured) was inducted into the TORA Hall of Fame. On hand at the presentation were (from left) Joel Ayres, Daniel Morrison, Charles Morrison IV and TORA Chair Lee McGuire.

The TORA Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments have enhanced the industry’s stature and significantly contributed to its growth on a national and international basis. This year, the TORA inducted Charles Morrison Jr. into its hall of fame.

From 1976 to 1998, Charles Morrison Jr., along with his son, Charles Morrison III, operated Cap City USA, which began selling truck caps out of an old Crab Shack in Southern Maryland. Cap City grew into a multi-store retail chain that reached from New York to Florida. It manufactured its own aluminum and fiberglass truck caps from 1985 to 1998.

In 1989, Morrison Jr. took six months off to start the Truck Cap Industry Alliance (TCIA, now the TORA) and personally hired an association director to get the fledgling council off the ground. He organized the first TCIA meeting in 1989 in Omaha, Nebraska, where Dillard Fletcher was nominated and then elected the first TCIA president. In August of that year, Morrison and other TCIA committee members met in Chicago to finalize plans for TCIA’s future and to establish the first TCIA trade show. He served as the first TCIA show chairman when the event was held February 25–27, 1990, in Orlando, Florida. Nancy, his youngest daughter, dressed in a TCIA turtle costume and strolled the convention center floor.

Charles Morrison Jr. is a decorated veteran and officer. At almost 84 years of age, he had not missed a SEMA Show up until a few years ago.

TORA Awards Best New Products

The annual new product awards are chosen by a panel of volunteer, non-manufacturing industry professionals within TORA. The awards recognize innovation, product potential and consumer appeal in two categories: best under $500 and best over $500. The council awarded J.W Speaker Corporation with Best New Product Under $500 for their 8900 Evolution LED Headlight and Rigid Industries with Best New Product Over $500 for their Midnight Edition LED.

TORA Booth and Happy Hour

The TORA booth at the 2015 SEMA Show was centrally located in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Show attendees stopped by to learn about the council and its initiatives, meet the organization’s leadership and discuss volunteer opportunities. The booth became a destination point for networking and meetings, providing benches and a welcoming environment in which to sit and relax. Vehicles from Westin Automotive, Truck Accessories Group, Bolt Locks by Strattec and A.R.E. Accessories were featured outside and in the booth. Together, those companies donated more than $5,000 to SEMA Cares this year.

TORA and the Off Road Business Association hosted a happy hour in the TORA booth to cap off the opening day of the SEMA Show. The booth proved to be a perfect setting to evoke discussions about the latest trends in the light-truck accessory industry.

By Monika Earle

The Media Trade Conference is designed for journalists to interview manufacturers through 20-minute, one-on-one meetings.

More than 220 journalists, reporters and media representatives are confirmed to participate in the 2016 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference, taking place January 26–28, 2016, in Santa Ana, California. Media who have registered should have received a confirmation email and will receive final schedules January 12. Those who have not received a confirmation email and/or those who would like to sign up may do so at www.sema.org/mtcreg.

To view a list of exhibiting manufacturers or more details, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg.

Unlike traditional trade shows, the MPMC Media Trade Conference is designed specifically for journalists to sit down and interview manufacturers in private, 30-minute, one-on-one meetings. Reporters are able to select the companies that are most relevant to their editorial needs, and may choose to attend one, two or all three days of the event.

The event includes lunch and evening events. To view a list of exhibiting manufacturers or more details, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg.

For questions about media participation, contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org, 909-978-6723. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909-978-6690.

By Monika Earle

The Media Trade Conference is designed for journalists to interview manufacturers through 20-minute, one-on-one meetings.

More than 220 journalists, reporters and media representatives are confirmed to participate in the 2016 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference, taking place January 26–28, 2016, in Santa Ana, California. Media who have registered should have received a confirmation email and will receive final schedules January 12. Those who have not received a confirmation email and/or those who would like to sign up may do so at www.sema.org/mtcreg.

To view a list of exhibiting manufacturers or more details, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg.

Unlike traditional trade shows, the MPMC Media Trade Conference is designed specifically for journalists to sit down and interview manufacturers in private, 30-minute, one-on-one meetings. Reporters are able to select the companies that are most relevant to their editorial needs, and may choose to attend one, two or all three days of the event.

The event includes lunch and evening events. To view a list of exhibiting manufacturers or more details, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg.

For questions about media participation, contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org, 909-978-6723. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909-978-6690.

By Monika Earle

The Media Trade Conference is designed for journalists to interview manufacturers through 20-minute, one-on-one meetings.

More than 220 journalists, reporters and media representatives are confirmed to participate in the 2016 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference, taking place January 26–28, 2016, in Santa Ana, California. Media who have registered should have received a confirmation email and will receive final schedules January 12. Those who have not received a confirmation email and/or those who would like to sign up may do so at www.sema.org/mtcreg.

To view a list of exhibiting manufacturers or more details, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg.

Unlike traditional trade shows, the MPMC Media Trade Conference is designed specifically for journalists to sit down and interview manufacturers in private, 30-minute, one-on-one meetings. Reporters are able to select the companies that are most relevant to their editorial needs, and may choose to attend one, two or all three days of the event.

The event includes lunch and evening events. To view a list of exhibiting manufacturers or more details, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg.

For questions about media participation, contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org, 909-978-6723. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909-978-6690.

By Goodguys Rod & Custom Association

Gary Meadors

Gary Meadors, founder and chairman of the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, died last Sunday of natural causes. He was 76.

Meadors founded Goodguys in 1983 in Northern California before branching out to stage a national series of hot-rod and custom-car events beginning in 1987. What started as a passion-based idea blossomed into one of America’s premier automotive event production companies in Goodguys. Today, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has a worldwide membership of more than 70,000 people, and promotes 21 hot-rod and custom-car events that attract millions of visitors each year. The Goodguys Gazette, the official magazine of Goodguys, was first published by Meadors in 1989.

Meadors grew up in California’s Central Valley in the tiny town of Dinuba. It was there he discovered his love of custom cars, tricking out his first rod—a ’47 Plymouth when he was just 16 years old. It was the first in a long line of hot rods and custom cars Meadors built and collected, the most recognized of which was his bright-yellow ’32 Ford Tudor. The Ford hi-boy sedan, as drawn by artist Thom Taylor, has served as the centerpiece of the Goodguys logo since 1987.

In 1973, the Nor-Cal Early Iron Car Club—a club Meadors helped create in Fremont, California—organized the first “Street Rod Mini Nationals” at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds. More than 500 hot rods attended, and it inspired Meadors to move forward as a promoter. Just a few years later while working as a regional event director for the National Street Rod Association, Meadors would develop the Western Nationals in Merced, California, into the West’s signature event for vintage street rods and customs.

When Meadors and his wife Marilyn quit their day jobs and launched Goodguys as their own association in 1987, the Western Nationals became the Goodguys West Coast Nationals and was moved to its current location at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds. The event will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Pleasanton next August and is known as the “Crown Jewel” of all Goodguys events nationwide due to its propensity to attract the top cars and personalities in contemporary hot rodding. The Danville Dukes, a car club Meadors co-founded with Tom Walsh and the late Bill Burnham in the early ’80s, has played a pivotal role in the West Coast Nationals.

As Goodguys grew as an association with popular events anchored in cities such as Pleasanton; San Diego; Des Moines, Iowa; Columbus, Ohio; and Scottsdale, Arizona; Meadors successfully developed and sanctioned vintage drag-racing events in California and Indiana, adding them to the Goodguys event tour. Historic events, such as Bakersfield’s March Meet were resurrected to flourish under Goodguys’ direction and care. Meadors gained membership to the Bonneville 200 mph club in 1994, when he drove the Dozier & Hegarty Chrysler-powered streamliner to a top speed of 223 mph.

In 2008, Goodguys began staging AutoCross racing competitions at select events, giving event participants the opportunity to “flog” their hot cars and street machines on a timed course. Today, AutoCross is held at 16 Goodguys national events offering five classes of competition, a season-long points series and year-end Championships.

In 2000, Meadors and Goodguys spearheaded the development of the Trendsetter award—a perpetual honor presented at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas to rising young hot-rod craftsmen. Chip Foose was the first recipient. Other recipients have included Troy Trepanier, Ringbrothers, Troy Ladd, Dave Kindig and many others.

Meadors is enshrined in the Street Rod Market Alliance Hall of Fame, Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Hall of Fame and is a recipient of both Street Rodder magazine and the HRIA’s “Lifetime Achievement” awards. In 2014, he received the International Show Car Association’s “Legends of Hot Rodding” award.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

This is the ’17 Nissan GT-R, which has been around since 2007 in its current form. However, Nissan has consistently refined it with more performance and better dynamics. Caught testing in California, an upcoming round of revisions appears to include moderate styling revisions to the existing car. A totally new GT-R is rumored to be coming no sooner than 2018, so this set of changes should be substantial enough to hold the car over until then.

Up front, there's a totally revised front fascia with a deeper and more aggressive air intake under the grille. More changes are seen at the rear, however, with new LED lights, a revised bumper cover and a generally sharper, more angular look than the existing car.

The current GT-R produces 545 hp, with the NISMO version turning out 591. It stands to reason this updated model should push 600 hp from the 3.8L twin-turbo V-6.

Expect to see this GT-R sometime in 2016, with a fall on-sale date.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Nissan GT-R, which has been around since 2007 in its current form. However, Nissan has consistently refined it with more performance and better dynamics. Caught testing in California, an upcoming round of revisions appears to include moderate styling revisions to the existing car. A totally new GT-R is rumored to be coming no sooner than 2018, so this set of changes should be substantial enough to hold the car over until then.

Up front, there's a totally revised front fascia with a deeper and more aggressive air intake under the grille. More changes are seen at the rear, however, with new LED lights, a revised bumper cover and a generally sharper, more angular look than the existing car.

The current GT-R produces 545 hp, with the NISMO version turning out 591. It stands to reason this updated model should push 600 hp from the 3.8L twin-turbo V-6.

Expect to see this GT-R sometime in 2016, with a fall on-sale date.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Nissan GT-R, which has been around since 2007 in its current form. However, Nissan has consistently refined it with more performance and better dynamics. Caught testing in California, an upcoming round of revisions appears to include moderate styling revisions to the existing car. A totally new GT-R is rumored to be coming no sooner than 2018, so this set of changes should be substantial enough to hold the car over until then.

Up front, there's a totally revised front fascia with a deeper and more aggressive air intake under the grille. More changes are seen at the rear, however, with new LED lights, a revised bumper cover and a generally sharper, more angular look than the existing car.

The current GT-R produces 545 hp, with the NISMO version turning out 591. It stands to reason this updated model should push 600 hp from the 3.8L twin-turbo V-6.

Expect to see this GT-R sometime in 2016, with a fall on-sale date.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Nissan GT-R, which has been around since 2007 in its current form. However, Nissan has consistently refined it with more performance and better dynamics. Caught testing in California, an upcoming round of revisions appears to include moderate styling revisions to the existing car. A totally new GT-R is rumored to be coming no sooner than 2018, so this set of changes should be substantial enough to hold the car over until then.

Up front, there's a totally revised front fascia with a deeper and more aggressive air intake under the grille. More changes are seen at the rear, however, with new LED lights, a revised bumper cover and a generally sharper, more angular look than the existing car.

The current GT-R produces 545 hp, with the NISMO version turning out 591. It stands to reason this updated model should push 600 hp from the 3.8L twin-turbo V-6.

Expect to see this GT-R sometime in 2016, with a fall on-sale date.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde