By Chad Simon

Last year, nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the SEMA Installation & Gala to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.
	Held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California.

Join friends and colleagues for the SEMA Installation & Gala, Friday, July 20, from 6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m., at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, in Universal City, California. This special evening honors the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers, 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees—Donnie Eatherly, Ed Pink and Chris Thomson—and the association’s incoming and outgoing Board members.

The 2018 SEMA Installation & Gala will feature up-and-coming industry leaders and esteemed icons from the automotive accessories world. The celebration will include a cocktail reception, where the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races will take place, and dinner will follow. Purchasing a pinewood car is one of the easiest ways to contribute to SEMA Cares.

All SEMA-member companies are invited to join the festivities, but seats are limited, so register now at www.SEMA.org/gala.

Once again held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares 2018 Pinewood Drag Races will take place during the cocktail reception, shortly before the gala begins. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. To learn more and register, visit www.sema.org/semacares.

SEMA members can race either a car or a truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the BIFM or Stock Class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds, and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

Now in its second year, the Industry Cup Challenge features five divisions where sponsoring companies race child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1. The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions: Warehouse Distributors, Manufacturers, Media Groups, Rep Agencies and Service Providers. The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drag Races, where the company will have a chance to defend their title. The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including The Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides a camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

Register for the Installation & Gala at www.SEMA.org/gala.

2017 Pinewood Drag Race Winners:

By SEMA Editors

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) [second from right] with (L-R) SEMA’s Chris Kersting, Stuart Gosswein and Wade Kawasaki.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) helped to raise awareness at the SEMA Washington Rally for important issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including the RPM Act.

More than 110 SEMA representatives descended on the nation’s capital to participate in SEMA’s 2018 Washington Rally, Wednesday, May 16. Industry leaders stormed the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry and motorsports.

During the event, SEMA members urged Congress to pass H.R. 350/S.203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. The RPM Act now has 148 co-sponsors in the House and 38 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also raised awareness for other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including harmful tariffs, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and saving the Bonneville Salt Flats.

“I thank the SEMA members who took valuable time away from their businesses to fight for the issues that matter most to our industry, including the RPM Act,” said SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki. “This year’s turnout makes one thing certain—our industry is committed to getting the RPM Act across the finish line in 2018. Passage of this bipartisan bill is the only way to ensure it is legal to modify a street vehicle into a racecar used exclusively at the track, now and into the future. It’s time for Congress to act. We urge members of the House and Senate to pass the RPM Act and protect motorsports for generations to come.”

This year’s event, which was one of the largest SEMA rallies to date, marks the 15th time representatives from SEMA have held a fly-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The event raises SEMA’s profile in the nation’s capital and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.

SEMA members who couldn’t make it to the rally this year are urged to reach out to the SEMA D.C. office at san@sema.org and learn how to they can get in touch with their lawmakers in Congress. They can also see what happened at the rally on SEMA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using #SaveOurRacecars and #SEMARally2018.

By SEMA Editors

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) [second from right] with (L-R) SEMA’s Chris Kersting, Stuart Gosswein and Wade Kawasaki.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) helped to raise awareness at the SEMA Washington Rally for important issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including the RPM Act.

More than 110 SEMA representatives descended on the nation’s capital to participate in SEMA’s 2018 Washington Rally, Wednesday, May 16. Industry leaders stormed the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry and motorsports.

During the event, SEMA members urged Congress to pass H.R. 350/S.203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. The RPM Act now has 148 co-sponsors in the House and 38 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also raised awareness for other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including harmful tariffs, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and saving the Bonneville Salt Flats.

“I thank the SEMA members who took valuable time away from their businesses to fight for the issues that matter most to our industry, including the RPM Act,” said SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki. “This year’s turnout makes one thing certain—our industry is committed to getting the RPM Act across the finish line in 2018. Passage of this bipartisan bill is the only way to ensure it is legal to modify a street vehicle into a racecar used exclusively at the track, now and into the future. It’s time for Congress to act. We urge members of the House and Senate to pass the RPM Act and protect motorsports for generations to come.”

This year’s event, which was one of the largest SEMA rallies to date, marks the 15th time representatives from SEMA have held a fly-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The event raises SEMA’s profile in the nation’s capital and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.

SEMA members who couldn’t make it to the rally this year are urged to reach out to the SEMA D.C. office at san@sema.org and learn how to they can get in touch with their lawmakers in Congress. They can also see what happened at the rally on SEMA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using #SaveOurRacecars and #SEMARally2018.

By SEMA Editors

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) [second from right] with (L-R) SEMA’s Chris Kersting, Stuart Gosswein and Wade Kawasaki.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) helped to raise awareness at the SEMA Washington Rally for important issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including the RPM Act.

More than 110 SEMA representatives descended on the nation’s capital to participate in SEMA’s 2018 Washington Rally, Wednesday, May 16. Industry leaders stormed the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry and motorsports.

During the event, SEMA members urged Congress to pass H.R. 350/S.203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. The RPM Act now has 148 co-sponsors in the House and 38 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also raised awareness for other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including harmful tariffs, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and saving the Bonneville Salt Flats.

“I thank the SEMA members who took valuable time away from their businesses to fight for the issues that matter most to our industry, including the RPM Act,” said SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki. “This year’s turnout makes one thing certain—our industry is committed to getting the RPM Act across the finish line in 2018. Passage of this bipartisan bill is the only way to ensure it is legal to modify a street vehicle into a racecar used exclusively at the track, now and into the future. It’s time for Congress to act. We urge members of the House and Senate to pass the RPM Act and protect motorsports for generations to come.”

This year’s event, which was one of the largest SEMA rallies to date, marks the 15th time representatives from SEMA have held a fly-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The event raises SEMA’s profile in the nation’s capital and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.

SEMA members who couldn’t make it to the rally this year are urged to reach out to the SEMA D.C. office at san@sema.org and learn how to they can get in touch with their lawmakers in Congress. They can also see what happened at the rally on SEMA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using #SaveOurRacecars and #SEMARally2018.

By SEMA Editors

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) [second from right] with (L-R) SEMA’s Chris Kersting, Stuart Gosswein and Wade Kawasaki.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) helped to raise awareness at the SEMA Washington Rally for important issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including the RPM Act.

More than 110 SEMA representatives descended on the nation’s capital to participate in SEMA’s 2018 Washington Rally, Wednesday, May 16. Industry leaders stormed the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry and motorsports.

During the event, SEMA members urged Congress to pass H.R. 350/S.203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. The RPM Act now has 148 co-sponsors in the House and 38 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also raised awareness for other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including harmful tariffs, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and saving the Bonneville Salt Flats.

“I thank the SEMA members who took valuable time away from their businesses to fight for the issues that matter most to our industry, including the RPM Act,” said SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki. “This year’s turnout makes one thing certain—our industry is committed to getting the RPM Act across the finish line in 2018. Passage of this bipartisan bill is the only way to ensure it is legal to modify a street vehicle into a racecar used exclusively at the track, now and into the future. It’s time for Congress to act. We urge members of the House and Senate to pass the RPM Act and protect motorsports for generations to come.”

This year’s event, which was one of the largest SEMA rallies to date, marks the 15th time representatives from SEMA have held a fly-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The event raises SEMA’s profile in the nation’s capital and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.

SEMA members who couldn’t make it to the rally this year are urged to reach out to the SEMA D.C. office at san@sema.org and learn how to they can get in touch with their lawmakers in Congress. They can also see what happened at the rally on SEMA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using #SaveOurRacecars and #SEMARally2018.

By SEMA Editors

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) [second from right] with (L-R) SEMA’s Chris Kersting, Stuart Gosswein and Wade Kawasaki.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) helped to raise awareness at the SEMA Washington Rally for important issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including the RPM Act.

More than 110 SEMA representatives descended on the nation’s capital to participate in SEMA’s 2018 Washington Rally, Wednesday, May 16. Industry leaders stormed the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry and motorsports.

During the event, SEMA members urged Congress to pass H.R. 350/S.203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. The RPM Act now has 148 co-sponsors in the House and 38 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also raised awareness for other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including harmful tariffs, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and saving the Bonneville Salt Flats.

“I thank the SEMA members who took valuable time away from their businesses to fight for the issues that matter most to our industry, including the RPM Act,” said SEMA Chairman of the Board Wade Kawasaki. “This year’s turnout makes one thing certain—our industry is committed to getting the RPM Act across the finish line in 2018. Passage of this bipartisan bill is the only way to ensure it is legal to modify a street vehicle into a racecar used exclusively at the track, now and into the future. It’s time for Congress to act. We urge members of the House and Senate to pass the RPM Act and protect motorsports for generations to come.”

This year’s event, which was one of the largest SEMA rallies to date, marks the 15th time representatives from SEMA have held a fly-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The event raises SEMA’s profile in the nation’s capital and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.

SEMA members who couldn’t make it to the rally this year are urged to reach out to the SEMA D.C. office at san@sema.org and learn how to they can get in touch with their lawmakers in Congress. They can also see what happened at the rally on SEMA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using #SaveOurRacecars and #SEMARally2018.

By Jason Catullo

Circus Circus is among several Las Vegas hotels that are available for less than $150 per night.

Showgoers who have not yet secured rooms for the 2018 SEMA Show are encouraged to check out the hotel deals and options available on www.SEMAShow.com/travel. All hotel reservations made through the SEMA Show’s official housing partner, OnPeak, come with guaranteed low rates, no hidden fees and exclusive room blocks. 

The Travel & Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com features a real-time listing of the hotel deals and discounts available. Hotels can be searched and sorted by alphabetical order, rating, distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center or price. The following are hotels available for less than $150 per night.

• Circus Circus
• Downtown Grand Las Vegas
• Excalibur
• Golden Nugget
• Luxor
• Plaza Hotel and Casino
• Stratosphere

For an extra level of service and assurance, guests are identified as SEMA Showgoers, and the hotel staff is prepared to deliver a higher level of service and direct guests to Show-related programs, such as free shuttles. Booking early allows attendees and exhibitors to take advantage of the hotel and travel discounts negotiated by SEMA Show management.

For assistance with your reservations, call OnPeak, the official housing provider of the SEMA Show, at 866-611-8831 (for international callers, dial +1-312-527-7300), Monday–Friday, between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (CST). If you have an existing reservation, have your OnPeak Attendance/Group ID number handy.

Read more about the benefits of booking through the Show’s official housing provider.

By Jason Catullo

Circus Circus is among several Las Vegas hotels that are available for less than $150 per night.

Showgoers who have not yet secured rooms for the 2018 SEMA Show are encouraged to check out the hotel deals and options available on www.SEMAShow.com/travel. All hotel reservations made through the SEMA Show’s official housing partner, OnPeak, come with guaranteed low rates, no hidden fees and exclusive room blocks. 

The Travel & Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com features a real-time listing of the hotel deals and discounts available. Hotels can be searched and sorted by alphabetical order, rating, distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center or price. The following are hotels available for less than $150 per night.

• Circus Circus
• Downtown Grand Las Vegas
• Excalibur
• Golden Nugget
• Luxor
• Plaza Hotel and Casino
• Stratosphere

For an extra level of service and assurance, guests are identified as SEMA Showgoers, and the hotel staff is prepared to deliver a higher level of service and direct guests to Show-related programs, such as free shuttles. Booking early allows attendees and exhibitors to take advantage of the hotel and travel discounts negotiated by SEMA Show management.

For assistance with your reservations, call OnPeak, the official housing provider of the SEMA Show, at 866-611-8831 (for international callers, dial +1-312-527-7300), Monday–Friday, between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (CST). If you have an existing reservation, have your OnPeak Attendance/Group ID number handy.

Read more about the benefits of booking through the Show’s official housing provider.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Bob Van Gorkom

Power Stop LLC Appoints Bob Van Gorkom Vice President of Business Development

Power Stop LLC has named Bob Van Gorkom to the new position of vice president of business development, where he will be responsible for accelerating the growth of new distribution partners throughout the North American and Canadian markets. Van Gorkom will work closely with the sales and marketing team in targeting new potential channel partners to better serve installers. Van Gorkom has spent the last 34 years in the automotive industry, starting as a parts driver at an early age. He joins Power Stop from AIT/TrakMotive, where he served as vice president of sales and marketing for the past five years. Prior to this, he was vice president of sales and marketing at Hytec Automotive. Van Gorkom worked for nearly 10 years as the Autospecialty midwest regional sales manager covering a 22-state market area in the early stages of his automotive career. His office will be located at Power Stop’s main corporate headquarters in Bedford Park, Illinois.

Lloyd Hunt

FiTech Names Lloyd Hunt Sales and Marketing Manager

FiTech has announced that Lloyd Hunt has joined the company in the position of sales and marketing manager. In this newly created role, Hunt, a veteran of the automotive aftermarket, will oversee FiTech’s sales and marketing efforts and collaborate with FiTech’s leadership team on the company’s strategic plans. Hunt joins FiTech after 10 years at Power Automedia, where he was the business development director.

Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Launches Champion Donor Program

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has launched an elite donor partner program called the AACF Champion program.

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has launched an elite donor partner program called the AACF Champion program.

“AACF Champions are generous, big-hearted aftermarket brands and individuals that have committed to supporting aftermarket families with a donation of $25,000 or more,” said Joel Ayres, AACF executive director. “And, we simply can't thank them enough.”

Current AACF Champion partners include SEMA, Auto Care Association, AASA/MEMA, The Group (Pronto/Federated), Standard Motor Products, and Don Smith.

“AACF Champions help us maintain emergency funding,” Ayres continued. “This vital funding helps put the tough times in the rearview mirror for aftermarket employees that face catastrophic illness, injury, accident or disaster that insurance or savings don’t cover.”

Contact Joel Ayres to learn more about the AACF Champion program by calling 916-628-0271. To apply for help, visit http://bit.ly/AACF-get-help.

“Horsepower Wars” $10K Drag Shootout: Top Five Applicants Released

Power Automedia’s “Horsepower Wars” production team has officially finalized the top five participants for its $10K Drag Shootout. The two following teams have been chosen by “Horsepower Wars” staff to be guaranteed admittance into the $10K Drag Shootout competition.

• “Disco Dean” Karns & Stinky Pinky Racing of Fairborn, Ohio: Dean Karns Sr., Dan Davies, Brian Sorells and Jimmy Bowling.
• Russ Wullenwaber & Team Boddie/Dow Brothers Racecars of Los Banos, California: Jay Boddie, Cole Dow, Ben Boylan Jr., Cody Dow and Nick Stewart.

Three remaining teams will be reviewed by a panel of drag-racing experts from across the country. After a voting process, the final third team will be determined and announced to the public. The final three teams will then join the fourth, COMP Cams Dream Team, and the Horsepower Wars staff in Southern California, where they will be given $10,000 to buy, build and race a drag car in 10 days. The score will be settled at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, in September, where the winning team of the final race will not only win their vehicle, but also $10,000 cash.

Bradley Roy

Covercraft and Bradley Roy Announce Partnership

Covercraft has announced a partnership with Bassmaster Elite Series angler Bradley Roy. The nine-year pro from Lancaster, Kentucky, is currently leading the Angler of the Year points race. Roy was first introduced to Covercraft through his camouflage sponsor Prym1. Covercraft licensed their patterns, and last year sent Roy two sets of fully custom seat covers for his tow vehicle and hunting truck. Covercraft will immediately join Roy’s current sponsors helping him give back to his community.

NGK’s general manager of the GM account Toshio Lewis (left) and Vice President of OE Kent Howard (right).

GM Awards NGK Spark Plugs Supplier of the Year for 10th Time

NGK Spark Plugs Inc. was named a Supplier of the Year by General Motors for the 10th time during GM’s 26th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony, held April 20, in Orlando, Florida. GM recognized 132 of its best suppliers from 17 countries that have consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value or brought new innovations to the company. The award builds upon NGK’s decades-long partnership with GM, as an original-equipment supplier of both ignition and emissions parts. Award winners represent companies who provide products and services to General Motors in the areas of vehicle components, supply chain and logistics, customer care and aftersales, and indirect services.

Motorsport Aftermarket Group Announces Key Promotion to Leadership Team

Rob Ramlose has been promoted to director of brands for Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG), where he will oversee product and marketing teams for all brands in the portfolio, including Roland Sands Design Apparel, Answer Racing, Speed & Strength, Firstgear and Black Brand. In his prior role as brand manager for RSD Apparel, Ramlose elevated the overall marketing of the brand while managing the product creation process and strategy. He has been involved with brand management functions in various capacities for the past 17 years with key brands, such as Oakley and Fox Racing.

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 SEMA Editors

For exhibitors who have secured booth space and selected a Show-floor location, Show Management suggests to start shaping your Show experience by reviewing the Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM), reserving hotel rooms, registering company staff and attending the Exhibitor Summit.

The 2018 SEMA Show Priority Selection Process, which began on April 30, is now complete. To see the selection results and an updated floorplan of the 2018 Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/floorplan and click on any section to view the layout.

Manufacturers that were not part of the space selection but would still like to participate in the 2018 Show are encouraged to visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

For exhibitors who have secured booth space and selected a Show-floor location, Show Management suggests to start shaping your Show experience by reviewing the Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM), reserving hotel rooms, registering company staff and attending the Exhibitor Summit.

Known as the go-to resource for all things Show-related, the ESM includes all the forms, instructions and deadlines needed for companies to enhance ROI and execute their Show plan. The ESM is available at www.SEMAShow.com/esm. Forms such as the Budget Checklist and Deadline Checklist are quick reference guides that will help exhibitors save money and stay on track with Show planning.

Exhibitors that have not yet reserved rooms for the week of the Show should visit www.SEMAShow.com/travel and see the deals available. Booking through OnPeak, the Show’s Official Housing Partner, means that exhibitors receive guaranteed low rates and benefit from added perks, such as no booking or cancellation fees and simple tools to manage group bookings.

In addition to locking-in hotel reservations, exhibitors are also encouraged to register their staff for the Show. Completing registration early allows companies to ensure staff members have the credentials needed prior to the Show's opening and helps to avoid registration lines on site. Register for the SEMA Show at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

The most effective way to prepare for the SEMA Show is to participate in the Exhibitor Summit, and let trade show experts outline money-saving programs and time-saving planning tips. Now in its eighth year, the Exhibitor Summit remains the most direct, cost-effective way to prepare for the SEMA Show.

Visit www.SEMAShow.com for complete Show information.