Compiled by SEMA Editors

Hammerking Productions Acquires Valley Off Road Racing Association

Hammerking Productions Inc.—the organization behind King of the Hammers and ULTRA4 Racing—is partnering with Nor Cal Rock Rock Racing in the purchase of Valley Off Road Racing Association (VORRA), which was established in 1975 and has organized such iconic desert races as the Fallon 250 and the Yerington 300. Wes Harbor, John Goodby and Dave Cole—promoters and CEOs for VORRA, Nor Cal Rock Racing and Hammerking respectively—solidified their agreement earlier this week. Cole and Harbor will coordinate on the desert races and Goodby will add days and heats to Nor Cal Rock Racing's current short-course schedule to include VORRA teams and classes not currently racing in Nor Cal Rock Racing events. 

2016 VORRA Schedule:

April 29–May 1: Prairie City SVRA – combined with Nor Cal Rock Racing
May 29: Hawthorne
July 15–17: Wild West Motorsports Park – combined with Nor Cal Rock Racing
September 3–4: Fallon 250 – combined with ULTRA4 Racing
September 23–25: Prairie City SVRA – Combined with Nor Cal Rock Racing

Dai Yoshihara will compete this season in his Subaru BRZ.

Turn 14 Distribution Extends Sponsorship With Formula D Star Dai Yoshihara

Turn 14 Distribution has announced the extension of its title sponsorship and ongoing partnership with Dai Yoshihara—one of the most popular drivers in the Formula D series. With this sponsorship, Yoshihara is building upon an existing four-year relationship with Turn 14 Distribution, and has a full season of Formula D racing planned for 2016. Since 2004, Yoshihara has finished in the top 10 nine times, including his championship run in 2011. Yoshihara will compete this season in his Subaru BRZ, resplendent in Turn 14 Distribution livery to reflect the sponsorship. The Subaru features a custom-built 477-cid turbocharged LS engine with more than 950 rear-wheel hp. The eight-race Formula D schedule kicks off April 8–9 with the Streets of Long Beach event in California, and traverses North America with stops in Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Montreal, Washington and Texas, before concluding at the Irwindale Speedway in California in October.

Tedesco Racing Partners With VP Racing Fuels for NHRA 2016 Lucas Oil Season

Tedesco Racing’s Mia Tedesco and Jason Lynch have announced the addition of VP Racing Fuels as a primary marketing partner for the 2016 NHRA Lucas Oil season. The partnership will be featured across the Tedesco team’s entries of super gas and super comp race vehicles, beginning at this weekend’s divisional event in Gainesville, Florida. Tedesco Racing’s super gas and super comp race machines will campaign VP Racing Fuels’ Mad Scientist marketing initiatives at both divisional and national level events.

Wilwood Disc Brakes to Sponsor Street Machine and Muscle Car Nationals Autocross; Renews Contingency Sponsorship With IMCA

Wilwood has announced a new sponsorship agreement for the autocross event during the Street Machine and Muscle Car Nationals in Pomona, California, March 12–13, 2016. The Street Machine and Muscle Car Nationals is an annual gathering of performance musclecars, pro-touring cars and street machines from across the country that compete in a variety of events, including a burnout contest, dyno challenge and autocross. Vendors and sponsors are also showcased on the manufacturer’s midway.  

Wilwood also has announced the renewal of its contingency sponsorship with the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) through the 2016 season. Wilwood will support select IMCA divisions through product and monetary contingency to multiple finishers in national points and at the Super Nationals.

Kawasaki Signs With DIESEL Motorsports as Official Diesel ATV/UTV

Kawasaki Motor Corp. USA, manufacturer of Kawasaki Mule, has become an endorsed product sponsor of DIESEL Motorsports for the 2016–2017 season. Kawasaki will be the “Official Diesel ATV/UTV” sponsor for the diesel-only race and pulling series with more than 65 events nationwide.

James Hinchcliffe

Indy Driver James Hinchcliffe Teams Up With Petro-Canada Lubricants

Petro-Canada Lubricants Inc. (PCLI)—a Suncor business—has partnered with IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe for the 2016 IndyCar racing season. Hinchcliffe, a native of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, will be a brand ambassador for PCLI. The partnership will mark the company’s first venture into the United States motorsports space, having participated in Canada and Europe. The 2016 IndyCar season marks the sixth year of competition for Hinchcliffe, driver of the No. 5 Honda for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. He has posted four career wins at St. Petersburg, Sao Paulo and Iowa Speedway in 2013 and New Orleans last year. Hinchcliffe's 2015 IndyCar season was cut short due to a near-fatal accident during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May. The 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series will begin with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Sunday, March 13.

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels Returns to IHRA Drag Racing as a Major Event Sponsor

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series, Summit Pro Am Tour and Summit Team Finals will soon begin with Mickey Thompson as a major contingency sponsor. The company will provide contingency awards for all racing classes beginning March 4. Team M/T IHRA sportsman class champions included Super Rod champion Michael Ruff and Top Dragster champion Kevin Brannon. ​ ​

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

By SEMA Editors

Nominate yourself or another exceptional SEMA-member employee for select committee positions on SEMA’s Councils and Networks.

Nominations are now being accepted for select committee positions on SEMA’s Councils and Networks.

Are you facing a business challenge that is bigger than your own company? See an opportunity for change and growth in the market? Have an idea but need some industry muscle to make it happen? If so, it may be time for you to volunteer and make your voice heard.

The elected select committee of each council and network serves as the volunteer leadership for the group. Because these elected volunteers are in tune with their market and have the drive needed to influence change, they are entrusted to direct SEMA resources toward building solutions, benefits and opportunities that help companies succeed and prosper. Currently, there are 10 council and network groups within SEMA. Councils work to identify related business goals, issues and challenges for member companies in a particular market segment, while the professional networks are a platform for individuals within a company who share a common interest or characteristic.

Nominate yourself or another exceptional SEMA-member employee today by using the quick and easy online nomination form. All nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT), March 21, 2016. The select committee elections will take place in May.

For more information about SEMA's councils and networks or the nomination and election process, contact Katie Carson.

By SEMA Editors

Nominate yourself or another exceptional SEMA-member employee for select committee positions on SEMA’s Councils and Networks.

Nominations are now being accepted for select committee positions on SEMA’s Councils and Networks.

Are you facing a business challenge that is bigger than your own company? See an opportunity for change and growth in the market? Have an idea but need some industry muscle to make it happen? If so, it may be time for you to volunteer and make your voice heard.

The elected select committee of each council and network serves as the volunteer leadership for the group. Because these elected volunteers are in tune with their market and have the drive needed to influence change, they are entrusted to direct SEMA resources toward building solutions, benefits and opportunities that help companies succeed and prosper. Currently, there are 10 council and network groups within SEMA. Councils work to identify related business goals, issues and challenges for member companies in a particular market segment, while the professional networks are a platform for individuals within a company who share a common interest or characteristic.

Nominate yourself or another exceptional SEMA-member employee today by using the quick and easy online nomination form. All nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT), March 21, 2016. The select committee elections will take place in May.

For more information about SEMA's councils and networks or the nomination and election process, contact Katie Carson.

By SEMA Editors

Nominate yourself or another exceptional SEMA-member employee for select committee positions on SEMA’s Councils and Networks.

Nominations are now being accepted for select committee positions on SEMA’s Councils and Networks.

Are you facing a business challenge that is bigger than your own company? See an opportunity for change and growth in the market? Have an idea but need some industry muscle to make it happen? If so, it may be time for you to volunteer and make your voice heard.

The elected select committee of each council and network serves as the volunteer leadership for the group. Because these elected volunteers are in tune with their market and have the drive needed to influence change, they are entrusted to direct SEMA resources toward building solutions, benefits and opportunities that help companies succeed and prosper. Currently, there are 10 council and network groups within SEMA. Councils work to identify related business goals, issues and challenges for member companies in a particular market segment, while the professional networks are a platform for individuals within a company who share a common interest or characteristic.

Nominate yourself or another exceptional SEMA-member employee today by using the quick and easy online nomination form. All nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT), March 21, 2016. The select committee elections will take place in May.

For more information about SEMA's councils and networks or the nomination and election process, contact Katie Carson.

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Materials Supervisor: The Right Stuff Detailing is hiring a full-time materials supervisor. Job duties include developing and implementing procedures to enable the effective and efficient transfer and inventory of all incoming and outgoing materials, along with supervising the workforce to achieve the goals set forth in a safe and efficient manner. The supervisor will be required to make quick and accurate decisions on a daily basis.
• Senior Sales Rep: Traction Media is hiring a senior sales representative to initiate and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential advertisers nationwide to develop continuing long-term revenue, provide ongoing and accurate projections and reports to management and relay market-based recommendations for product and service enhancements. The successful candidate will have a proven record of a minimum of five years of sales success and motorsports marketing experience.
• Product Data Manager: T-REX Truck Products Inc. is hiring a product data manager with strong knowledge of ACES and PIES and a deep understanding of Excel and MS office programs. This position will include full SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) data management, price sheet maintenance, FTP site content management, daily inventory feeds ands website maintenance.

SEMA recently launched the SEMA Career Center to addresses the employment challenges of automotive companies and facilitate a talent pipeline for entering into the automotive aftermarket industry. Through an automotive network that includes the Auto Care Association, the SEMA Career Center will have the ability to expand the volume and reach of job openings from automotive companies throughout the country.

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Materials Supervisor: The Right Stuff Detailing is hiring a full-time materials supervisor. Job duties include developing and implementing procedures to enable the effective and efficient transfer and inventory of all incoming and outgoing materials, along with supervising the workforce to achieve the goals set forth in a safe and efficient manner. The supervisor will be required to make quick and accurate decisions on a daily basis.
• Senior Sales Rep: Traction Media is hiring a senior sales representative to initiate and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential advertisers nationwide to develop continuing long-term revenue, provide ongoing and accurate projections and reports to management and relay market-based recommendations for product and service enhancements. The successful candidate will have a proven record of a minimum of five years of sales success and motorsports marketing experience.
• Product Data Manager: T-REX Truck Products Inc. is hiring a product data manager with strong knowledge of ACES and PIES and a deep understanding of Excel and MS office programs. This position will include full SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) data management, price sheet maintenance, FTP site content management, daily inventory feeds ands website maintenance.

SEMA recently launched the SEMA Career Center to addresses the employment challenges of automotive companies and facilitate a talent pipeline for entering into the automotive aftermarket industry. Through an automotive network that includes the Auto Care Association, the SEMA Career Center will have the ability to expand the volume and reach of job openings from automotive companies throughout the country.

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Materials Supervisor: The Right Stuff Detailing is hiring a full-time materials supervisor. Job duties include developing and implementing procedures to enable the effective and efficient transfer and inventory of all incoming and outgoing materials, along with supervising the workforce to achieve the goals set forth in a safe and efficient manner. The supervisor will be required to make quick and accurate decisions on a daily basis.
• Senior Sales Rep: Traction Media is hiring a senior sales representative to initiate and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential advertisers nationwide to develop continuing long-term revenue, provide ongoing and accurate projections and reports to management and relay market-based recommendations for product and service enhancements. The successful candidate will have a proven record of a minimum of five years of sales success and motorsports marketing experience.
• Product Data Manager: T-REX Truck Products Inc. is hiring a product data manager with strong knowledge of ACES and PIES and a deep understanding of Excel and MS office programs. This position will include full SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) data management, price sheet maintenance, FTP site content management, daily inventory feeds ands website maintenance.

SEMA recently launched the SEMA Career Center to addresses the employment challenges of automotive companies and facilitate a talent pipeline for entering into the automotive aftermarket industry. Through an automotive network that includes the Auto Care Association, the SEMA Career Center will have the ability to expand the volume and reach of job openings from automotive companies throughout the country.

Past SEMA Hall of Fame inductees gathered at the 2015 SEMA Show.

By SEMA Editors

Submit your 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame nomination by March 11. The SEMA Hall of Fame Award has been established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

If you have any questions, contact Marcela Ortega at marcelao@sema.org or 909-978-6744.