By SEMA Editors

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Leo Kagan, 104, passed away peacefully at his home on December 5.

He was born and raised in Ozone Park, New York, November 17, 1916. In 1936, he left New York for Cedar Falls, Iowa, on a full football scholarship, where he established records during his football career at Iowa State Teachers College (now known as University of Northern Iowa) that still stand today. After discharge from the Army in 1945 having achieved the rank of Major and obtaining his Masters Degree at NYU, Kagan worked in sales. In 1952, he moved his family to Philadelphia., where he first worked in the electronics industry.

Kagan’s lengthy background in the automotive aftermarket industry included positions of vice president of sales at Hurst Products, vice president/marketing at Automatic Radio and vice president at American Racing Equipment. He organized the manufacturers’ representative firm Kagan, Maloney, Russo and Associates.

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Kagan’s dedicated service to SEMA and the industry led to his 1982 induction to the SEMA Hall of Fame. It was Kagan who, as president of SEMA from 1975-79, spearheaded the unprecedented growth of the annual SEMA Show, including pushing to have it moved from Anaheim, California, to Las Vegas.

Kagan held a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors, and proposed the creation of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. He was named SEMA Person of the Year in 1994.

Kagan was known far and wide for his positive “you can do anything your set your mind to” attitude. An exercise aficionado, he often said that his years of running and later walking were deposits he put into his health bank, which allowed him to live as long as he did.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mabel (2011). He is survived by his son Kenneth, daughters Cynthia (Mike) and Stacey and three granddaughters (Andrea, Naomi, Leslie).  He is also remembered and mourned by his nephews and nieces, friends and business associates throughout the industry.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kagan’s memory can be made to either the SEMA Scholarship Fund or University of Northern Iowa Foundation, or mail to Foundation, 121 Commons/UNI, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614.

By SEMA Editors

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The latest addition to the RMT line of turn-key adventure vehicles is the RMT Jeep Gladiator.

The RMT Jeep Gladiator comes with a 3.5-in. suspension lift system from JKS Manufacturing with the FOX Performance Elite 2.5 shocks for provides on-road comfort and improved capability when hitting the terrain. The FOX Performance Elite 2.5 shocks come with external compression adjusters that allow drivers to quickly adapt to terrain and vehicle loads with the turn of a knob. With this technology, the transition from asphalt to dirt becomes easier, allowing overlanders to get back to doing what they love.

For more information on RMT Overland, visit www.rmtoverland.com.

By John Santos

Journalists who register and request meetings for the 2021 MPMC Media Trade Conference at https://sites.sema.org/mtc before December 11, will receive priority and receive the best possible schedule. Taking place entirely online January 26-28, 2021, the event helps journalists secure private, uninterrupted meetings with motorsports manufacturers quickly, easily and efficiently.

Rather than a simple phone call or random Zoom meeting, manufacturers will be set up for three days of media interviews and may have product demonstrations and technical experts prepared for the interviews. The event will be the best time for journalists to hear from key company spokespersons, see new products in action and find out what manufacturers have planned for the upcoming year.

Learn more and sign up at https://sites.sema.org/mtc contact pr@sema.org.

By John Santos

Journalists who register and request meetings for the 2021 MPMC Media Trade Conference at https://sites.sema.org/mtc before December 11, will receive priority and receive the best possible schedule. Taking place entirely online January 26-28, 2021, the event helps journalists secure private, uninterrupted meetings with motorsports manufacturers quickly, easily and efficiently.

Rather than a simple phone call or random Zoom meeting, manufacturers will be set up for three days of media interviews and may have product demonstrations and technical experts prepared for the interviews. The event will be the best time for journalists to hear from key company spokespersons, see new products in action and find out what manufacturers have planned for the upcoming year.

Learn more and sign up at https://sites.sema.org/mtc contact pr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation to create a commission that would recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was commissioned in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The “Route 66 Centennial Commission Act,” S. 1014, creates a 15-person commission with representatives appointed by the President of the United States based on recommendations from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. House and Senate Republican and Democratic leaders, and the Governors of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The commission has two years to make recommendations to Congress for celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. It may recommend the production of various written materials, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works, commemorative memorabilia and celebrations to commemorate Route 66’s storied history. The legislation unanimously passed the U.S. Senate in August, which now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation to create a commission that would recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was commissioned in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The “Route 66 Centennial Commission Act,” S. 1014, creates a 15-person commission with representatives appointed by the President of the United States based on recommendations from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. House and Senate Republican and Democratic leaders, and the Governors of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The commission has two years to make recommendations to Congress for celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. It may recommend the production of various written materials, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works, commemorative memorabilia and celebrations to commemorate Route 66’s storied history. The legislation unanimously passed the U.S. Senate in August, which now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Even though SEMA360 is in the rearview mirror, Toyota’s SEMA builds continue to gain steam.

The GR Supra Sport Top went under the knife in Episode 2, as the team began the actual surgery involved in cutting the roof off the sports car. On the overlanding side of the house, the TRD Sport Trailer’s backbone started to take shape, along with serious features that bring comfort and livability to the great outdoors.

Continue to follow along, as the team at the Toyota Motorsports Garage works through the challenges of these two unique builds at the links below:

TRD Sport Trailer – Episode 2

GRSupra Sport Top – Episode 2

These two episodes are far from the end of the SEMA story. Toyota will drop a full press kit for Wave 2 content later in the month. Stay tuned to see how the cars turn out in their finished form.

By SEMA Editors

Even though SEMA360 is in the rearview mirror, Toyota’s SEMA builds continue to gain steam.

The GR Supra Sport Top went under the knife in Episode 2, as the team began the actual surgery involved in cutting the roof off the sports car. On the overlanding side of the house, the TRD Sport Trailer’s backbone started to take shape, along with serious features that bring comfort and livability to the great outdoors.

Continue to follow along, as the team at the Toyota Motorsports Garage works through the challenges of these two unique builds at the links below:

TRD Sport Trailer – Episode 2

GRSupra Sport Top – Episode 2

These two episodes are far from the end of the SEMA story. Toyota will drop a full press kit for Wave 2 content later in the month. Stay tuned to see how the cars turn out in their finished form.

By Ashley Reyes

Whether it’s a vroom, a honk or a zoom, the industry is raising awareness and helping children in need by participating in the #MotorSoundChallenge on social media.

Issued by SEMA Cares, the #MotorSound Challenge is an activity involving making the sound of a motor engine with your mouth, recording it and posting the video to your social media account with the hashtag #MotorSoundChallenge. The goal? Promote awareness and encourage friends and colleagues to make a charitable donation to SEMA Cares.

Donations help support the charities that best reflect the values of the automotive specialty equipment industry, including the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer, Childhelp for the prevention and treatment of child abuse, and the Victory Junction camp for children with serious medical conditions and serious illnesses.

Take the challenge by posting your video with the hashtag #MotorSoundChallenge, tag your friends and colleagues encouraging them to do the same, and follow the hashtag to see and hear the industry’s motor sounds!

Support for SEMA Cares is also available through direct donation, or by purchasing a SEMA Cares Build-at-Home Pinewood Derby Car.

By Ashley Reyes

Whether it’s a vroom, a honk or a zoom, the industry is raising awareness and helping children in need by participating in the #MotorSoundChallenge on social media.

Issued by SEMA Cares, the #MotorSound Challenge is an activity involving making the sound of a motor engine with your mouth, recording it and posting the video to your social media account with the hashtag #MotorSoundChallenge. The goal? Promote awareness and encourage friends and colleagues to make a charitable donation to SEMA Cares.

Donations help support the charities that best reflect the values of the automotive specialty equipment industry, including the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer, Childhelp for the prevention and treatment of child abuse, and the Victory Junction camp for children with serious medical conditions and serious illnesses.

Take the challenge by posting your video with the hashtag #MotorSoundChallenge, tag your friends and colleagues encouraging them to do the same, and follow the hashtag to see and hear the industry’s motor sounds!

Support for SEMA Cares is also available through direct donation, or by purchasing a SEMA Cares Build-at-Home Pinewood Derby Car.