SEMA’s Career Windows program is not your typical internship. Through its unique structure of department visits, students gain a big-picture view of the automotive industry and exposure to the variety of career options within a particular company. While not a traditional job training program, companies have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of automotive industry leaders by offering a tailored work experience for one, two or three weeks at a time.
SEMA’s Career Windows program is not your typical internship. Through its unique structure of department visits, students gain a big-picture view of the automotive industry and exposure to the variety of career options within a particular company. While not a traditional job training program, companies have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of automotive industry leaders by offering a tailored work experience for one, two or three weeks at a time.
SEMA’s Career Windows program is not your typical internship. Through its unique structure of department visits, students gain a big-picture view of the automotive industry and exposure to the variety of career options within a particular company. While not a traditional job training program, companies have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of automotive industry leaders by offering a tailored work experience for one, two or three weeks at a time.
SEMA’s Career Windows program is not your typical internship. Through its unique structure of department visits, students gain a big-picture view of the automotive industry and exposure to the variety of career options within a particular company. While not a traditional job training program, companies have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of automotive industry leaders by offering a tailored work experience for one, two or three weeks at a time.
SEMA’s Career Windows program is not your typical internship. Through its unique structure of department visits, students gain a big-picture view of the automotive industry and exposure to the variety of career options within a particular company. While not a traditional job training program, companies have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of automotive industry leaders by offering a tailored work experience for one, two or three weeks at a time.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
![]() Traci Hrudka. Photo credit: Wayne Gierke | |
Traci Hrudka to Be an Award Presenter at the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Awards Gala
The Quarter Mile Foundation will be on an international stage at the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame (BDRHoF) awards gala, November 21, 2015, in Windsor Great Park, Surrey, United Kingdom. Held at the Savill Court Hotel not far from Windsor Castle, the BDRHoF gala will celebrate drag-racing figures important to the sport's growth in Great Britain and Europe.
Traci Hrudka, the Quarter Mile Foundation’s chairman, has been invited as an honored guest in recognition of her role as the Quarter Mile Foundation chairman and as the American Patron of the Allard-Chrysler Action Group (A.C.A.G.), which restored Britain’s first dragster to operating condition. She shares that honor with her British Patron, Nick Mason—well-known as the drummer for Pink Floyd, and an avid auto collector and automotive journalist—who also will be in attendance. Additionally, she will serve as an award presenter at the event, paired with David Lillywhite, editorial director of the British motorsports publication, OCTANE, to present the “Sydney Allard Media Awards” for drag racing journalism and photography excellence in 2015. The award is sponsored by the performance aftermarket manufacturer, Mooneyes.
The 2015 BDRHoF Gala will have a sizeable contingent from the United States, led by Don Garlits, one of the 2014 BDRHoF inductees, who will present the Lucas Oil Global Achievement Award to Pieto Gorlier, president and CEO, MOPAR Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care Fiat Chrysler Automotive, CEO Components FCA - Global.
NMCA Announces 2016 Event Schedule
The NMCA event team has announced the official schedule for the 2016 season. NMCA is home to the “World's Fastest Street Cars.” Each NMCA event also includes all-American car shows, manufacturers midways, vendors, burnout contests and featured events, such as the Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series, Dave Duell Classic and Super Bowl Shootout.
![]() The 17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA World Finals will be held October 1–4 at Beech Bend Raceway Park, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. | |
17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA World Finals to Feature New Events
The 17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA World Finals will be held October 1–4 at Beech Bend Raceway Park, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, featuring new events, celebrities and more. This year's final event of the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals, not only will championships be settled, but also special events will be held, including an after-hours Grudge Night on Saturday, where racers can settle their score on the track with only a win light indicating the victor.
Also on hand Saturday will be Chris "BoostedGT" Hamilton from the Discovery Channel's hit series “Street Outlaws” and 14-time NMRA Champion, Mike Murillo, who is co-hosting the upcoming show “House of Grudge” on MAVTV. The weekend will also feature special races for a number of niches, including the VMP Superchargers Terminator/GT500 Shootout and the Henchmen Racing Turbo Coyote Shootout. New for 2015 is the Livernois Motorsports EcoBoost Battle presented by SVTperformance.com and a special Naturally Aspirated Shootout, which will include some of the best all-motor cars in the country.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
![]() Traci Hrudka. Photo credit: Wayne Gierke | |
Traci Hrudka to Be an Award Presenter at the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Awards Gala
The Quarter Mile Foundation will be on an international stage at the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame (BDRHoF) awards gala, November 21, 2015, in Windsor Great Park, Surrey, United Kingdom. Held at the Savill Court Hotel not far from Windsor Castle, the BDRHoF gala will celebrate drag-racing figures important to the sport's growth in Great Britain and Europe.
Traci Hrudka, the Quarter Mile Foundation’s chairman, has been invited as an honored guest in recognition of her role as the Quarter Mile Foundation chairman and as the American Patron of the Allard-Chrysler Action Group (A.C.A.G.), which restored Britain’s first dragster to operating condition. She shares that honor with her British Patron, Nick Mason—well-known as the drummer for Pink Floyd, and an avid auto collector and automotive journalist—who also will be in attendance. Additionally, she will serve as an award presenter at the event, paired with David Lillywhite, editorial director of the British motorsports publication, OCTANE, to present the “Sydney Allard Media Awards” for drag racing journalism and photography excellence in 2015. The award is sponsored by the performance aftermarket manufacturer, Mooneyes.
The 2015 BDRHoF Gala will have a sizeable contingent from the United States, led by Don Garlits, one of the 2014 BDRHoF inductees, who will present the Lucas Oil Global Achievement Award to Pieto Gorlier, president and CEO, MOPAR Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care Fiat Chrysler Automotive, CEO Components FCA - Global.
NMCA Announces 2016 Event Schedule
The NMCA event team has announced the official schedule for the 2016 season. NMCA is home to the “World's Fastest Street Cars.” Each NMCA event also includes all-American car shows, manufacturers midways, vendors, burnout contests and featured events, such as the Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series, Dave Duell Classic and Super Bowl Shootout.
![]() The 17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA World Finals will be held October 1–4 at Beech Bend Raceway Park, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. | |
17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA World Finals to Feature New Events
The 17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA World Finals will be held October 1–4 at Beech Bend Raceway Park, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, featuring new events, celebrities and more. This year's final event of the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals, not only will championships be settled, but also special events will be held, including an after-hours Grudge Night on Saturday, where racers can settle their score on the track with only a win light indicating the victor.
Also on hand Saturday will be Chris "BoostedGT" Hamilton from the Discovery Channel's hit series “Street Outlaws” and 14-time NMRA Champion, Mike Murillo, who is co-hosting the upcoming show “House of Grudge” on MAVTV. The weekend will also feature special races for a number of niches, including the VMP Superchargers Terminator/GT500 Shootout and the Henchmen Racing Turbo Coyote Shootout. New for 2015 is the Livernois Motorsports EcoBoost Battle presented by SVTperformance.com and a special Naturally Aspirated Shootout, which will include some of the best all-motor cars in the country.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
Holley Performance Products Acquires MSD Group
Holley Performance Products has announced the acquisition of the El Paso, Texas-based MSD Group, which includes brands such as MSD, Mr. Gasket, ACCEL, Superchips, Edge, Racepak, Mallory, Hays, QuickTime and Lakewood.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to combine the awesome legacies of these companies,” said Holley President and CEO Tom Tomlinson. “The combination of these brands will provide our customers with the most complete offering of performance products in the industry. We are aggressively developing innovative new products at Holley, and we’re going to continue to build upon the fine job the MSD Group is already doing with new products.”
![]() Jayme Farina | |
Jayme Farina Joins AP Exhaust Technologies as Vice President of Sales
AP Exhaust Technologies LLC has announced Jayme Farina as its new vice president sales of traditional markets, effective September 2015. Farina joins AP Exhaust with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry. Most recently, he was vice president of sales with Gates Corp.—a manufacturer of power transmission belts and fluid power products. Prior to Gates, he was with CARDONE Industries where he spent a majority of his career rising through the sales organization to channel vice president of traditional markets. Farina will be focused on AP Exhaust’s traditional markets, reporting directly to Dan Billie, AP Exhaust’s executive vice president of sales and marketing.
VHD Equipment Network to Merge into Power Heavy Duty in 2016
VIPAR Heavy Duty has announced that its VHD Equipment Network of distributors will transition into the Power Heavy Duty LLC network, effective January 1, 2016. VHD Equipment Network was established in 2008 to offer membership to commercial vehicle truck-mounted equipment distributors in a national marketing group. VIPAR Heavy Duty acquired the Power Heavy Duty organization in late December 2013, and as a result, Power Heavy Duty became part of the growing VIPAR Heavy Duty family of companies. The combination of the two groups into one will allow the organization to maximize efficiencies while focusing on growing business with members, supplier partners and their collective customers. The combined group will represent more than 140 distributor companies with more than 210 locations coast to coast and more than 175 existing supplier and business service programs.
![]() Rugged Ridge’s 53-ft. trailer features an end-to-end vinyl wrap showcasing the brand’s Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, “Mango.” Photo Credit: Rugged Ridge | |
Rugged Ridge Hits the Road With All-New Custom 53-ft. Trailer
Rugged Ridge has announced that it is hitting the road with a custom-designed trailer to raise the bar on their show efforts at Jeep and off-road events in 2016. Featuring Rugged Ridge’s orange Jeep Wrangler (JK) Unlimited known as “Mango,” the 53-ft. tri-axle gooseneck trailer showcases a vivid mountainous scene. The company’s slogan, “We Make Jeeps Rock,” is printed across the trailer.
Rancho Offers “Shocktober” Performance Shocks and Struts Promotion
The Rancho “Shocktober” promotion, available at participating retailers and vehicle service provider locations nationwide between September 1–October 31, 2015, will provide off-road enthusiasts driving trucks, SUVs, Jeeps or other custom off-road rigs with a chance to save on the fourth unit in a four-corner sale. The offer enables consumers to get four qualifying Rancho shocks or struts for the price of three through a participating vehicle service provider or parts store. Consumers who qualify for the rebate will receive by mail a Visa Prepaid Card equal to the lowest priced unit, up to the current suggested list price. Rancho products included in the offer are Rancho RS9000 XL shocks, Rancho quickLIFT Loaded units, Rancho RS7000 MT monotube shocks, and RS5000 X shocks and struts. For a complete list of qualifying Rancho products, visit www.GoRancho.com after September 1, 2015. Entries must be postmarked by November 30, 2015.
![]() Jay Van Hooten from Mars Automotive Reconditioning Center of Boise, Idaho, is the winner of this year’s second annual Cleo Award for his reconditioning of a ’54 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. | |
2015 Cleo Award Winner Announced
ColorBond has announced that Jay Van Hooten from Mars Automotive Reconditioning Center of Boise, Idaho, is the winner of this year’s second annual Cleo Award for his reconditioning of a ’54 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. The award will be presented at the 2015 SEMA Show, Wednesday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the ColorBond booth # 23793. A press conference will follow. The Cleo crystal trophy and $500 is awarded to the individual who has shown excellence in utilizing ColorBond finishes to restore the interior of any type of automobile, including trucks, musclecars, classics, hot rods and antiques. Last year’s winner was Ken Bolen, who restored a ’69 20-ft.-long Cadillac Deville. The Cleo award was established in 2014 to honor Leo Kagan—a SEMA Hall of Famer who was responsible for moving the SEMA Show from Anaheim, California, to its current location in Las Vegas in 1977. Kagan will turn 99 years old and continues to work in the ColorBond booth at the SEMA Show. He will be celebrating his 50th year as a SEMA member.
The Buzz Maker! Public Relations Celebrates 10 Years, Launches New Mobile-Friendly Website
The Buzz Maker! Public Relations (TBM) has launched a new mobile-friendly website as part of the company’s 10-year milestone anniversary. Visitors will find information about the team on “The Hive” page, and details about company philosophy and service offerings on “The Deets” page. Site navigation and connection to social channels is available on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
Edelbrock’s “Top It Off” Promotion Is Back
Edelbrock has announced its Top It Off consumer promotion in which participating consumers can get a free Performer Series or Thunder Series AVS Carburetor when they purchase a new Power Package Top End Kit between October 1–December 31, 2015. Eligible purchases include any new Power Package Top End Kit. Consumers can choose a standard satin-finished Performers Series or Thunder Series AVS Carburetor to top off their engine. For a complete list of eligible purchases by part number, complete promotion details and to download a redemption form, visit the official promotional website.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.
By Michael Hart
![]() More than 2,500 students attended the 2014 S.T.E.A.M event at West Los Angeles College. | |
Are you looking for the next generation of innovators in the automotive industry? You might be able to find them at S.T.E.A.M. Nation. For the fourth year, S.T.E.A.M. Nation will draw more than 2,500 students from Los Angeles County schools to learn how science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) can intersect with careers they might go into when they finish school. It is a single day that allows companies in dynamic industries, such as the automotive aftermarket, to inspire children and ignite passion in the future creators of new technologies.
S.T.E.A.M. Nation will take place Saturday, October 10, at West Los Angeles College in Culver City, and there are major ways and reasons why the automotive industry should get involved.
“The elements of entrepreneurship and innovation are embedded in the automotive industry,” said Scott Golden of Star Education, one of the educational nonprofits involved with the event.
Technology leaders from all over Southern California will be at S.T.E.A.M. Nation, and Golden and his colleagues are hoping automotive companies will also be there.
“Kids can learn about your expertise by you showing them prototypes of products you make, then showing how you made them and what you did to improve products already out there,” said Raymond Loo, also of Star Education.
For instance, he pointed out, last year one exhibiting company started their demonstration by talking about customers who wanted a new kind of tire rims. Then they showed students the designs that came from those first ideas, followed by an engineer who talked about how he worked through the problem of transforming that design into a real product.
Children get excited about engineering and design by seeing how things are made, Loo added.
There will be opportunities for automotive companies to display and demonstrate their products and speak at workshop sessions that will be held throughout the day on technology and design topics.
For more information on how to get involved, go to steamnation.org or call 714-743-8823





