By Della Domingo

The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition honors SEMA Show vehicle builders, their vehicles and the products on those vehicles.

Featuring top vehicle builders who have proven their talents and craftsmanship by having a car or truck displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show, the third annual SEMA Battle of the Builders® competition includes 250 applications, including builds from 98 up-and-coming “Young Guns.” As the basis for a nationwide television special, the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition honors SEMA Show vehicle builders, their vehicles and the products on those vehicles. 

Industry experts will select the top 10 finalists during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The finalists will then take over and evaluate one another’s vehicles, before the ultimate winner is announced Friday, November 4, at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party open to the general public.

Hosted by Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “AJ” Janic from “Overhaulin’,” the competition includes special recognition for builders under the age of 35 who are entered in SEMA Battle of the Builders. 

To learn more about the competition or about SEMA Ignited, visit www.SEMAshow.com/botb or www.semaignited.com.

The competitors for the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders are:
 


By Della Domingo

The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition honors SEMA Show vehicle builders, their vehicles and the products on those vehicles.

Featuring top vehicle builders who have proven their talents and craftsmanship by having a car or truck displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show, the third annual SEMA Battle of the Builders® competition includes 250 applications, including builds from 98 up-and-coming “Young Guns.” As the basis for a nationwide television special, the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition honors SEMA Show vehicle builders, their vehicles and the products on those vehicles. 

Industry experts will select the top 10 finalists during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The finalists will then take over and evaluate one another’s vehicles, before the ultimate winner is announced Friday, November 4, at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party open to the general public.

Hosted by Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “AJ” Janic from “Overhaulin’,” the competition includes special recognition for builders under the age of 35 who are entered in SEMA Battle of the Builders. 

To learn more about the competition or about SEMA Ignited, visit www.SEMAshow.com/botb or www.semaignited.com.

The competitors for the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders are:
 


By Della Domingo

The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition honors SEMA Show vehicle builders, their vehicles and the products on those vehicles.

Featuring top vehicle builders who have proven their talents and craftsmanship by having a car or truck displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show, the third annual SEMA Battle of the Builders® competition includes 250 applications, including builds from 98 up-and-coming “Young Guns.” As the basis for a nationwide television special, the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition honors SEMA Show vehicle builders, their vehicles and the products on those vehicles. 

Industry experts will select the top 10 finalists during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The finalists will then take over and evaluate one another’s vehicles, before the ultimate winner is announced Friday, November 4, at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party open to the general public.

Hosted by Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “AJ” Janic from “Overhaulin’,” the competition includes special recognition for builders under the age of 35 who are entered in SEMA Battle of the Builders. 

To learn more about the competition or about SEMA Ignited, visit www.SEMAshow.com/botb or www.semaignited.com.

The competitors for the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders are:
 


By Michael Hart

Kim Lear

Consumer expectations are changing fast. Disruptive technologies have made customization and convenience important factors business owners didn’t even have to think about as little as five years ago.

What do business owners really know about what their customers want? Who are their customers, and where else are they shopping for their products?

These are some of the vital questions “trend spotter” Kim Lear will answer at the Friday, November 4, SEMA Show Keynote and Coffee session, entitled “Buyer Behavior and Your Business.”

“This is for anyone who needs to be more effective in selling to the consumers of today and the consumers of tomorrow,” Lear said. “It’s going to be a future-focused look at what people are buying, why they’re buying it and what their expectations are.”

In this session, attendees will learn:

• How to identify those trends that change how we buy things, especially those that call for discretionary spending.
• Ways to grow their businesses by creating remarkable customer experiences.
• The best and worst examples of customer loyalty.
• What they need to build an action plan that will not only retain their current customers, but also generate new ones.

“Many of the companies in the aftermarket industry are family-owned businesses,” Lear said, “and they run on relationships. Those companies are in a very good spot. They understand already what it takes to build standout experiences for their customers and the relationships they have with them.”

Lear, an expert on how emerging trends impact the marketplace and the workforce, has keynoted for some of the most prestigious companies in the world, including Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Disney and American Express. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, USA Today and on NPR.

As a prime example of how consumer expectations have changed, she points to her own recent experience in buying a new car.

“I did the entire thing online,” Lear said. “They’ve created an online experience where you can learn about and customize your car in almost a gamified way. I literally went to the dealership just to pick it up.”

How can business owners compete with that? Learn how in Lear’s “Buyer Behavior and Your Business” session.

Sign up today.

For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.

By Michael Hart

Kim Lear

Consumer expectations are changing fast. Disruptive technologies have made customization and convenience important factors business owners didn’t even have to think about as little as five years ago.

What do business owners really know about what their customers want? Who are their customers, and where else are they shopping for their products?

These are some of the vital questions “trend spotter” Kim Lear will answer at the Friday, November 4, SEMA Show Keynote and Coffee session, entitled “Buyer Behavior and Your Business.”

“This is for anyone who needs to be more effective in selling to the consumers of today and the consumers of tomorrow,” Lear said. “It’s going to be a future-focused look at what people are buying, why they’re buying it and what their expectations are.”

In this session, attendees will learn:

• How to identify those trends that change how we buy things, especially those that call for discretionary spending.
• Ways to grow their businesses by creating remarkable customer experiences.
• The best and worst examples of customer loyalty.
• What they need to build an action plan that will not only retain their current customers, but also generate new ones.

“Many of the companies in the aftermarket industry are family-owned businesses,” Lear said, “and they run on relationships. Those companies are in a very good spot. They understand already what it takes to build standout experiences for their customers and the relationships they have with them.”

Lear, an expert on how emerging trends impact the marketplace and the workforce, has keynoted for some of the most prestigious companies in the world, including Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Disney and American Express. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, USA Today and on NPR.

As a prime example of how consumer expectations have changed, she points to her own recent experience in buying a new car.

“I did the entire thing online,” Lear said. “They’ve created an online experience where you can learn about and customize your car in almost a gamified way. I literally went to the dealership just to pick it up.”

How can business owners compete with that? Learn how in Lear’s “Buyer Behavior and Your Business” session.

Sign up today.

For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.

By Michael Hart

Kim Lear

Consumer expectations are changing fast. Disruptive technologies have made customization and convenience important factors business owners didn’t even have to think about as little as five years ago.

What do business owners really know about what their customers want? Who are their customers, and where else are they shopping for their products?

These are some of the vital questions “trend spotter” Kim Lear will answer at the Friday, November 4, SEMA Show Keynote and Coffee session, entitled “Buyer Behavior and Your Business.”

“This is for anyone who needs to be more effective in selling to the consumers of today and the consumers of tomorrow,” Lear said. “It’s going to be a future-focused look at what people are buying, why they’re buying it and what their expectations are.”

In this session, attendees will learn:

• How to identify those trends that change how we buy things, especially those that call for discretionary spending.
• Ways to grow their businesses by creating remarkable customer experiences.
• The best and worst examples of customer loyalty.
• What they need to build an action plan that will not only retain their current customers, but also generate new ones.

“Many of the companies in the aftermarket industry are family-owned businesses,” Lear said, “and they run on relationships. Those companies are in a very good spot. They understand already what it takes to build standout experiences for their customers and the relationships they have with them.”

Lear, an expert on how emerging trends impact the marketplace and the workforce, has keynoted for some of the most prestigious companies in the world, including Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Disney and American Express. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, USA Today and on NPR.

As a prime example of how consumer expectations have changed, she points to her own recent experience in buying a new car.

“I did the entire thing online,” Lear said. “They’ve created an online experience where you can learn about and customize your car in almost a gamified way. I literally went to the dealership just to pick it up.”

How can business owners compete with that? Learn how in Lear’s “Buyer Behavior and Your Business” session.

Sign up today.

For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.

By SEMA Editors

John Dianna (left) accepted recognition from PWA on behalf of Hot Rod magazine for its 50th anniversary in 1997.

John J. Dianna passed away September 28 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from complications associated with cancer. He was 74 years old.

Those who knew him may be surprised that any illness could beat him, as he was ornery, contentious and outspoken to a fault, but he was also a mentor to many in the automotive industry.

Dianna began drag racing back east in the late ’50s and eventually moved to Southern California. One day, Jim McFarland, publisher of Hot Rod magazine, told Dianna he wanted to talk to him. Dianna thought he would be offered a job racing a Summers Brothers car, but McFarland offered him a job at Hot Rod instead.

Over the next several decades, Dianna worked as an editor at Hot Rod, Car Craft and Motor Trend magazines, among others, eventually becoming the president of the Automotive Performance Group, overseeing as many as 72 automotive titles. Dianna oversaw Hot Rod’s 50th-anniversary content and celebration, and helped transition the initial sale of Petersen Publishing to the Chicago investment group, which went on to take the company public, and again when British publisher Emap purchased the company at the end of the ’90s.

In the mid-’90s, Dianna started his own publishing company, Buckaroo Communications, with magazines such as Super Rod and Street Rod Builder. He eventually moved the business to Chattanooga, Tennessee, but the company quietly dissolved in 2009.

There will be no services.

Sung Kang, known as Han from the “Fast and the Furious” franchise talks with Dennis Pittsenbarger about his ’73 Datsun 240Z that was on display at the 2015 SEMA Show.

Sung Kang, known as Han from the “Fast and the Furious” franchise talks with Dennis Pittsenbarger about his ’73 Datsun 240Z that was on display at the 2015 SEMA Show.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

The PRO2 Championship concludes the 2016 season with new champion Marc Landreville.

Formula DRIFT PRO2 Round 4 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and PRO2 Championship Results

Formula DRIFT PRO2 entered Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the first-ever stand-alone PRO2 event, which was also the final event of the four-event PRO2 Championship. Marc Landreville in the Perry Performance Nissan 240 took his third consecutive PRO2 victory to win the event and earn the PRO2 Championship. The PRO2 Championship concludes the 2016 season with new champion Landreville. Finishing in second place was Jeff Jones in the DOC Racing Nissan 240 and Andrew Lewis in the Andrew Lewis Racing Nissan 240 in third place. The 2016 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship will continue to Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts Title Fight sponsored by Gumout on October 7–8, 2016 at Irwindale Speedway.

NMCA WEST Announces 2017 Event Schedule

NMCA WEST and VP Racing Fuels have announced the official schedule for the 2017 season at the Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California:

March 31–April 2
6th Annual NMCA WEST Spring Nationals

June 2–4
7th Annual NMCA West Coast Shootout

September 15–17
6th Annual NMCA WEST Street Car Nationals

October 13–15
6th Annual NMCA WEST World Finals

The Holley LS Fest weekend was full of autocross cones, burnouts, drag passes, smoking tires and high-revving GM LS engines.

Holley LS Fest 2016 Results

Holley LS Fest 2016 is now in the history books. The weekend was full of autocross cones, burnouts, drag passes, smoking tires and high-revving GM LS engines. Participants and spectators were both out in full force. View the final results on all event segments and classes.

Racer Rewards Program Helps Grassroots Racers Build With the Best

Contingency Connection’s Racer Rewards program is a weekly, grassroots-level contingency program that rewards local racers with money-saving discounts from top performance manufacturers, including Elgin, AFR, Earls, Moroso, Holley, Howards, Edelbrock, JE, Wilwood, MAHLE and Richmond. Racer Rewards coupons can be used to acquire products for free or at a significantly reduced cost. Racers at participating tracks and series simply run sponsor decals for products they use (or would like to use) in order to earn the manufacturer rewards coupons. The Racer Rewards books are rotated among classes and typically awarded to the first- and second-place finishers. Although some tracks don’t require racers to win to earn the awards.

The program has turned into a high-value marketing tool for member tracks and series. Racer Rewards pays 50 winners over the season; therefore tracks can pay more racers, without increasing their purse. Plus, promoting a national $100,000 Racer Rewards attracts new racers, increases car counts, improves the show and increases spectator turn out.  And with top manufacturers on board to provide signage and other marketing support, tracks are finding value in the Contingency Connection platform. Contingency Connection sponsors provide signage, decals and other promotional tools for tracks to display at races, designed to help the track attract more racers and attendees.

Tim Seymour coasted to the winner’s circle after Rod McGregor turned on the red light in the final round of Calvert Racing Quick Street.

Race Wrap for the 5th Annual Energy Suspension NMCA West Street Car Nationals

The 5th Annual Energy Suspension NMCA West Street Car Nationals featured several racers who pulled away from the rest of the pack, while others found it hard to dominate the competitive fields.

Fastest Street Car Pro Mod: In the final round, Mack Moffat took the starting-line advantage and would go on to take the win, 5.17 to 6.03 over Greg Seth-Hunter.

ProCharger Limited Street: James Lawrence edged out Ryan Jones, 4.82 to 4.95.

ARP Outlaw 8.5: Number-one qualifier Ben Davidow faced Anthony Smith who got out of the gate first in the final round, but Davidow was able to pull past him in a 5.03 to 6.24 victory lap.

Lucas Oil NA 10.5: Ross Wilson’s ’05 Sunfire had just enough to edge past at the stripe with an 8.35/164.39 to Bryan Cobbett’s 8.39/163.45.

Ultra Street Shootout: Mike Silva defeated Kevin Watson and his Ford Fairlane in the final round, 5.479/127.43 to 5.81/123.66.

Meziere Top Sportsman: Doug Crumlich set the qualifying pace with a 7.18 at 191 mph, and narrowly defeated Kelly Harper and his GTO in the final round, 7.239/184.14 to 7.241/192.00.

Champion Cooling Systems Pro Comp: Zach Meziere in his ’11 Mullis dragster faced Gary Cooke and his ’61 Corvette in the final round. Meziere was behind at the start by .007 seconds, but combined with his 8.894 breakout of his 8.90 dial in, was the lesser of two infractions as Cooke had gone 9.889 on his 9.90 bid.

Jet-Hot Open Comp: Brent Calvert squared off against Paul Wolfe in a late-model-versus-classic, all-Mustang final round. Calvert would go dead-on 8.688/8.68 while Wolfe was slightly off with his 10.02 on a 10.5 bid.

Fastest Street Car Street Comp: In the final round, Jan Vanderpool’s ’67 Mustang took a starting-line advantage (.085 to .145) over Mike Sayle and his ’68 Nova, and that helped his 10.481 on a 10.42 dial in defeat Sayle’s 11.05 on a 10.97 dial in.

MMR Mustang Madness: In the final round, Brent Calvert gave up a bit at the hit to Ron Mihld, but his 8.689 on his 8.66 dial-in was enough to turn on the win light against Mihld who was 12.120 on a 12.05.

Hedman Hedders Nostalgia Street Car: Rob Strong and his ’66 Chevelle collected the win with his 10.986/11.00 besting Steve Cox’s 10.464/10.50 effort.

Edelbrock Super Quick: Zach Meziere took the reaction time advantage (.028 to .033) over Dave Gotts, and his 8.905/8.90 effort bested Gotts’ 9.915/9.990 pass.

Calvert Racing Quick Street: Tim Seymour coasted to the winner’s circle after Rod McGregor turned on the red light in the final round.

Top Dragster Shootout: The final round pitted Michaelyn Roelle against A.J. Cameron. Roelle took the reaction time advantage and went 6.97 on a 6.96 dial-in for the win over Cameron, whose 7.79 on his 7.77 dial-in was not enough to make up for the starting line deficit.

Gear Vendors True Street: Dan Geis averaged 9.55 seconds to secure the top spot over runner up Javier Hernandez, whose boosted Silverado short-box averaged 10.13 seconds. Ken Slater grabbed the 10-second win with is GT500 by averaging 10.97 seconds, Ross Thorpe nailed the 11-second prize with an 11.04 average from his ’69 Camaro, and Nacho Bernal cruised his ’16 Cadillac CTS-V to the 12-second average with a 12.04. The first of two Mustangs taking a True Street win was Ted Borges who averaged 13.02, while Melanie Green wasn’t far behind, and averaged 14.07 for her class win. Rounding out the contingent was Dennis Sato, who piloted his ’00 Camaro to a 15.03-second average for the plaque.

Edelbrock Bracket Showdown: AJ Cameron took the B1 win, Tim Seymour added the B2 trophy to his Quick Street win and frequent bracket winner Frank Malone secured the B3 win. On Sunday, Mark Simonian, Jeff Interlicchia, and Bob Zahner took home the B1, B2 and B3 wins respectively.

The next stop for the VP Racing Fuels NMCA WEST series is October 14–16 in Fontana, California, for the 5th Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA West World Finals.