By Della Domingo

Showcasing a vehicle at the SEMA Show is a great way to drive booth traffic.

One of the exclusive SEMA Show exhibitor benefits is having the opportunity to showcase a vehicle at the event, whether it’s in a booth or a feature vehicle spot. Both options are great ways to promote products and drive booth traffic.

Below are some tips to help exhibitors get the most out of a project vehicle at the Show and increase awareness:

• Booth Vehicles: Exhibitors must submit a booth vehicle application so that the vehicle is registered with Show management. Be aware of the guidelines for booth vehicles. This form includes details to ensure a smooth move-in and move-out process. Booth vehicles are great for attracting buyers walking the aisles and should be used to engage customers.

• Feature Vehicles: Applications for feature vehicle space are due August 1. Qualified exhibitors are guaranteed one space if their applications and payment are submitted before the deadline. Exhibitors should also note the guidelines for feature vehicles. Exhibitors should treat feature vehicle spaces as an extension of their booth spaces and use them to promote their own products and drive traffic to their booths.

• Booth and Feature Vehicles: Exhibitors should encourage their vehicle builders to enter SEMA Battle of the Builders. A competition for builders, exhibitors also benefit because vehicle signage is promoted before, during and after the Show. Listings often include the sponsoring exhibitor and promote the products on the builds, and many vehicles are featured in online webisodes and television specials. Exhibitors should provide their builders with company shirts or offer them talking points about their products.

To learn more about how exhibitors can promote their project vehicles and increase awareness at the 2017 SEMA Show, contact an account rep at sales@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 502) to exempt antique motor vehicles from state and local taxes was not considered by the House Ways and Means Committee before the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation (H.B. 502) to exempt antique motor vehicles from state and local taxes was not considered by the House Ways and Means Committee before the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill defined an “antique motor vehicle” as a vehicle which was manufactured at least 25 years ago, maintained by a private collector and not used for commercial purposes. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 502) to exempt antique motor vehicles from state and local taxes was not considered by the House Ways and Means Committee before the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation (H.B. 502) to exempt antique motor vehicles from state and local taxes was not considered by the House Ways and Means Committee before the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill defined an “antique motor vehicle” as a vehicle which was manufactured at least 25 years ago, maintained by a private collector and not used for commercial purposes. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 502) to exempt antique motor vehicles from state and local taxes was not considered by the House Ways and Means Committee before the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation (H.B. 502) to exempt antique motor vehicles from state and local taxes was not considered by the House Ways and Means Committee before the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill defined an “antique motor vehicle” as a vehicle which was manufactured at least 25 years ago, maintained by a private collector and not used for commercial purposes. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation establishing the Jonesville Public Use Area to protect, maintain, perpetuate and enhance year-round public recreation was not considered in committee before the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation establishing the Jonesville Public Use Area to protect, maintain, perpetuate and enhance year-round public recreation was not considered in committee before the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill would have, among other things, provided opportunities for the public to enjoy the area through a full spectrum of public uses, including the maintenance and enhancement of off-road vehicle recreational opportunities. The measure is eligible for consideration in 2018. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation establishing the Jonesville Public Use Area to protect, maintain, perpetuate and enhance year-round public recreation was not considered in committee before the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation establishing the Jonesville Public Use Area to protect, maintain, perpetuate and enhance year-round public recreation was not considered in committee before the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill would have, among other things, provided opportunities for the public to enjoy the area through a full spectrum of public uses, including the maintenance and enhancement of off-road vehicle recreational opportunities. The measure is eligible for consideration in 2018. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation establishing the Jonesville Public Use Area to protect, maintain, perpetuate and enhance year-round public recreation was not considered in committee before the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation establishing the Jonesville Public Use Area to protect, maintain, perpetuate and enhance year-round public recreation was not considered in committee before the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill would have, among other things, provided opportunities for the public to enjoy the area through a full spectrum of public uses, including the maintenance and enhancement of off-road vehicle recreational opportunities. The measure is eligible for consideration in 2018. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Fredric Aasbo takes the win in Montreal with the Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM. Photo credit: Toyota Racing

Fredric Aasbo Returns to Top of the Podium in Montreal

Fredric Aasbo returned to the top of the podium in the Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM last Saturday, scoring his 10th career victory to become the most winning driver in Formula Drift history. The Montreal win vaults him to second in the 2017 points standings. He is within striking distance of the title with three rounds remaining in the season. Following next month's Throwdown event at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, August 4–5, the championship travels to Fort Worth, Texas, September 8–9, before wrapping up the year with the California season ender at Irwindale Speedway, October 13–14.

California DOT Motorsports Exemption for Sonoma Tractor-Trailer Rigs

Racers traveling to the Sonoma NHRA event in a few weeks should be warned as the California Department of Transportation (DOT) has alerted the NHRA as to a new motorsports exemption in regard to commercial tractor-trailer rigs. The directive allows for a length limit (65 ft.) and involves applying for a permit. According to one California DOT official, there is no allowance or permit available for motorhomes and trailers more than 65 ft. long.

Round 8 of TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL heated up in Bark River, Michigan, where CJ Greaves finished first in PRO 4 competition.

TORC Championship Deck is Shuffled in Bark River Round 8 Action

Round 8 of TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL heated up in Bark River, Michigan, where CJ Greaves finished first in PRO 4 competition, followed by Keegan Kincaid, who cross the line in second, and Scott Douglas in third. In PRO 2, it was Luke Johnson, Andrew Carlson and Mark Peterson taking the respective podium positions. The victory was the second of the season for Johnson, putting more distance between himself and the rest of the PRO 2 field in the championship standings. But, Carlson made perhaps an even bigger statement on the weekend, backing up his Saturday PRO 2 win with a come-from-the-back second-place finish. Cody Kleiman took the first win of his PRO Light career. Greaves notched his seventh consecutive win in PRO Stock UTV. Jake Lunderby found himself in second, and Kenny Masch hung on for third despite having a UTV that was still feeling the lingering effects of a twisted frame from a previous crash. After finishing second in six consecutive races, Kyle Chaney finally garnered his first win of the season in PRO Mod UTV. The surprise podium of the race was points leader Rodney Van Eperen, who was forced to start in 19th position after an engine failure forced him to install a stock back-up engine into his mod UTV. 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Fredric Aasbo takes the win in Montreal with the Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM. Photo credit: Toyota Racing

Fredric Aasbo Returns to Top of the Podium in Montreal

Fredric Aasbo returned to the top of the podium in the Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla iM last Saturday, scoring his 10th career victory to become the most winning driver in Formula Drift history. The Montreal win vaults him to second in the 2017 points standings. He is within striking distance of the title with three rounds remaining in the season. Following next month's Throwdown event at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, August 4–5, the championship travels to Fort Worth, Texas, September 8–9, before wrapping up the year with the California season ender at Irwindale Speedway, October 13–14.

California DOT Motorsports Exemption for Sonoma Tractor-Trailer Rigs

Racers traveling to the Sonoma NHRA event in a few weeks should be warned as the California Department of Transportation (DOT) has alerted the NHRA as to a new motorsports exemption in regard to commercial tractor-trailer rigs. The directive allows for a length limit (65 ft.) and involves applying for a permit. According to one California DOT official, there is no allowance or permit available for motorhomes and trailers more than 65 ft. long.

Round 8 of TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL heated up in Bark River, Michigan, where CJ Greaves finished first in PRO 4 competition.

TORC Championship Deck is Shuffled in Bark River Round 8 Action

Round 8 of TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL heated up in Bark River, Michigan, where CJ Greaves finished first in PRO 4 competition, followed by Keegan Kincaid, who cross the line in second, and Scott Douglas in third. In PRO 2, it was Luke Johnson, Andrew Carlson and Mark Peterson taking the respective podium positions. The victory was the second of the season for Johnson, putting more distance between himself and the rest of the PRO 2 field in the championship standings. But, Carlson made perhaps an even bigger statement on the weekend, backing up his Saturday PRO 2 win with a come-from-the-back second-place finish. Cody Kleiman took the first win of his PRO Light career. Greaves notched his seventh consecutive win in PRO Stock UTV. Jake Lunderby found himself in second, and Kenny Masch hung on for third despite having a UTV that was still feeling the lingering effects of a twisted frame from a previous crash. After finishing second in six consecutive races, Kyle Chaney finally garnered his first win of the season in PRO Mod UTV. The surprise podium of the race was points leader Rodney Van Eperen, who was forced to start in 19th position after an engine failure forced him to install a stock back-up engine into his mod UTV. 

By Amelia Zwecher

More than 46% of undergraduate students attending Virginia Tech’s upcoming engineering career fair are nonresidents of Virginia.

The Student Engineers’ Council (SEC) at Virginia Tech will host one of the largest student-run engineering career fairs in the United States, September 12–13. This is Virginia Tech’s primary engineering career fair with more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students and more than 280 premier companies in attendance. Students who attend the fair comprise 14 different engineering majors and are actively seeking internships, co-ops and full-time positions.

Employers throughout the United States should consider participating in this event because more than 46% of undergraduate students are nonresidents of Virginia. The top five home states for students include:

• New Jersey
• Maryland
• Pennsylvania
• North Carolina
• New York

Registration fees are $850 to attend for one day and $1,850 to attend for two days.

For more details on the event and registration packages, visit Virginia Tech’s website. For information on other career fairs and internship opportunities, contact Manager of Career Services Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR, at ameliaz@sema.org.