Compiled by SEMA Editors

Turner is campaigning the 2016 IMSA 12-course schedule with two brand-new BMW M6 GT3s equipped with aFe POWER product.

aFe POWER Partners With Turner Motorsport for 2016 WeatherTech Sportscar Championship Season

aFe POWER has announced its partnership with Turner Motorsport for the 2016 WeatherTech Sportscar Championship season. Turner is campaigning the 2016 IMSA 12-course schedule with two brand-new BMW M6 GT3s, starting with last month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. The 2016 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship schedule includes monthly races at some of the most iconic racetracks in the United States, including Daytona, Sebring, Long Beach, Laguna Seca, Road America and more. This racing series features production-based cars from BMW, Ford, Ferrari, Porsche and Corvettes.

Three New Presenters Named for 2016 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction Dinner

Three new presenters have been named to introduce the audience to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame’s (IDRHoF) class of 2016 inductees. Presenting Jack Doyle, considered by many to be the “Godfather of New England drag racing” and longtime general manager of the New England Dragway, will be Don Roberts, who drove Doyle’s Top Gas entry in the late ’60s to several important wins, and worked with Doyle as the marketing and promotions manager at the racetrack. The new presenter for the late Marvin Miller, a partner in the famed Warren, Colburn and Miller “Ridge Route Terrors”/“Rain for Rent” Top Fuel Team, and longtime owner of the famed Famoso Raceway, will be Ron Capps, driver of the NAPA-sponsored Dodge Funny Car from Don Schumacher Racing. Mark Oswald, the former Funny Car World Champion and the Don Schumacher Racing’s co-crew chief for two-time World Champion Antron Brown’s Top Fuel MATCO Tools team, will be presented by second-generation Top Fuel and Funny Car driver and television drag-racing analyst Mike Dunn.

The 26th annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction Banquet presented by Lucas Oil Products will be held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel Gainesville (formerly the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites), Thursday, March 17, 2016. Veteran race announcer Bob Frey will again serve as master of ceremonies. For more information, contact Donna Garlits at 352-245-8661, 877-271-3278 (toll-free) or donna@garlits.com.

Prolong is sponsoring NHRA Pro Stock motorcycle rider Freddie Camarena.

Prolong Sponsors NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Rider Freddie Camarena

Prolong Super Lubricants has announced its sponsorship of NHRA Pro Stock motorcycle rider Freddie Camarena. He has raced a Suzuki in the Pro Stock series since 1999, when he was a finalist for NHRA Rookie of the Year, finishing 14th in the standings after racing at nine of the 14 Pro Stock Bike events that year. Last year, Camarena established his career-best e.t. time of 6.842 at 197.77 mph during the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte. His previous career best e.t. was 7.026 set in 2009. 

EnerSys Announces Multi-Year Extension as Team Penske Sponsor

EnerSys, a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications and the manufacturer of ODYSSEY batteries, recently announced its multi-year extension as official sponsor of Team Penske through 2018. As official partner of Team Penske’s NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) programs, EnerSys will equip Team Penske with its ODYSSEY batteries. In addition, the ODYSSEY battery logo will be displayed on the B-post of the No. 22 NXS Ford Mustang beginning with the POWERSHARES QQQ 300 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, Saturday, February 20. EnerSys joined forces with Team Penske in 2014, displaying its ODYSSEY battery logo on the Team’s No. 22 Ford Mustang and outfitting Penske Racing’s state-of-the-art Mooresville, North Carolina, headquarters with its ODYSSEY batteries, chargers and accessories.

4-Wheel Jamborees Expands Competitions

The three major 4-Wheel Drive events comprise the Lucas Oil 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals series will have expanded participant features for 2016, including the “Side-x-Side Shootout” and a larger purse for the events, announced Mike Moore, president of Family Events. The “Side-x-Side Shootout” will offer competition for cash payouts in two classes. The “Ranch” class will be for side-x-side UTVs with engine displacements of 800cc and below, and the “Open” class will be for UTVs with displacements of 801cc and above. Each class will provide two runs for each UTV competing two at a time over three courses: an Enduro course, a Speed course, and a Mud Drag course. The times for each run per competitor will accrue across the three events, culminating in a combined overall time score. The object will be to achieve the lowest score. There will be a purse of $1,250 per class with payouts going to the first through fifth places in each. The Lucas Oil 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals 2016 Series:

• The 31st Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Spring 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – May 20–22, 2016 – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio
• The 29th Annual A&A Auto Stores Summer 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – July 8–10, 2016 – Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
• The 35th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Fall 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – September 16–18, 2016 – Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis

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

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels continues its support of NHRA drag racing this year as a major event sponsor of the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The company will also continue its role as a contingency sponsor for all Sportsman racing classes, as well as Pro Mod and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The company plans to attend all national events with the fully equipped Mickey Thompson trailer to provide trackside support to racers throughout the season, and will continue to sponsor champions Dan Fletcher and Luke Bogacki among others. The 24-event Mello Yello Drag Racing Series kicks off with the Winternationals February 11 at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. The Regional series begins in Chandler, Arizona, March 4, and the Pro Mod and Pro Stock Motorcycle series begin with the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, March 17.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

By Zane Clark

A SEMA-hosted student workshop, which will feature 100 engineering students from 18 Southern California colleges and universities, will highlight career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry while showcasing the advanced product development and emissions resources available at the SEMA Garage.

Panelists have been announced for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Southern California section student workshop, Saturday, February 27, from 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. The workshop, which will feature 100 engineering students from 18 Southern California colleges and universities, will highlight career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry while showcasing the advanced product development and emissions resources available at the SEMA Garage. The career path panel discussion will feature:

• Scooter Brothers, COO, Comp Performance Group
• Ted Moncure, director of engineering, Transamercian Manufacturing Group
• Brent McCarthy, chief engineer, Edelbrock
• Jeremy Lanini, engineering manager, Westin Automotive
• Rick Lamber Jr., owner, Race Tech Services

Participating students will be treated to networking opportunities and a panel discussion from industry-leading companies and professional engineers who will share real-world advice and delve into career paths in the automotive industry. The engineering students will also participate in tours of the SEMA Garage’s all-new CARB-recognized emissions lab, installation center and photography studio.

Additionally, the SOCAL SAE student group will hold an open meeting in which they will discuss their participation in Collegiate Design Series (CDS) competitions. Topics will include:

• 40th anniversary of the Baja competition and first-ever SAE Baja California.
• SoCal Mac Short competition.
• Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach booth participation and discount codes.
• Baja California competition.
• Aero Design West competition.

Companies and individuals interested in participating in this exclusive SAE student workshop should contact SEMA’s Director of Education Zane Clark at 909-978-6743. Lunch will be provided. Attendance is limited.

By Zane Clark

A SEMA-hosted student workshop, which will feature 100 engineering students from 18 Southern California colleges and universities, will highlight career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry while showcasing the advanced product development and emissions resources available at the SEMA Garage.

Panelists have been announced for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Southern California section student workshop, Saturday, February 27, from 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. The workshop, which will feature 100 engineering students from 18 Southern California colleges and universities, will highlight career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry while showcasing the advanced product development and emissions resources available at the SEMA Garage. The career path panel discussion will feature:

• Scooter Brothers, COO, Comp Performance Group
• Ted Moncure, director of engineering, Transamercian Manufacturing Group
• Brent McCarthy, chief engineer, Edelbrock
• Jeremy Lanini, engineering manager, Westin Automotive
• Rick Lamber Jr., owner, Race Tech Services

Participating students will be treated to networking opportunities and a panel discussion from industry-leading companies and professional engineers who will share real-world advice and delve into career paths in the automotive industry. The engineering students will also participate in tours of the SEMA Garage’s all-new CARB-recognized emissions lab, installation center and photography studio.

Additionally, the SOCAL SAE student group will hold an open meeting in which they will discuss their participation in Collegiate Design Series (CDS) competitions. Topics will include:

• 40th anniversary of the Baja competition and first-ever SAE Baja California.
• SoCal Mac Short competition.
• Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach booth participation and discount codes.
• Baja California competition.
• Aero Design West competition.

Companies and individuals interested in participating in this exclusive SAE student workshop should contact SEMA’s Director of Education Zane Clark at 909-978-6743. Lunch will be provided. Attendance is limited.

By Zane Clark

A SEMA-hosted student workshop, which will feature 100 engineering students from 18 Southern California colleges and universities, will highlight career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry while showcasing the advanced product development and emissions resources available at the SEMA Garage.

Panelists have been announced for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Southern California section student workshop, Saturday, February 27, from 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. The workshop, which will feature 100 engineering students from 18 Southern California colleges and universities, will highlight career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry while showcasing the advanced product development and emissions resources available at the SEMA Garage. The career path panel discussion will feature:

• Scooter Brothers, COO, Comp Performance Group
• Ted Moncure, director of engineering, Transamercian Manufacturing Group
• Brent McCarthy, chief engineer, Edelbrock
• Jeremy Lanini, engineering manager, Westin Automotive
• Rick Lamber Jr., owner, Race Tech Services

Participating students will be treated to networking opportunities and a panel discussion from industry-leading companies and professional engineers who will share real-world advice and delve into career paths in the automotive industry. The engineering students will also participate in tours of the SEMA Garage’s all-new CARB-recognized emissions lab, installation center and photography studio.

Additionally, the SOCAL SAE student group will hold an open meeting in which they will discuss their participation in Collegiate Design Series (CDS) competitions. Topics will include:

• 40th anniversary of the Baja competition and first-ever SAE Baja California.
• SoCal Mac Short competition.
• Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach booth participation and discount codes.
• Baja California competition.
• Aero Design West competition.

Companies and individuals interested in participating in this exclusive SAE student workshop should contact SEMA’s Director of Education Zane Clark at 909-978-6743. Lunch will be provided. Attendance is limited.

By SEMA Editors

(L-R): Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham were inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2015.

It’s that time of year for SEMA Hall of Fame nominations. As a SEMA member, you have the opportunity to nominate a person for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame—an award 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.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website, SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame form by March 11.

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