By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015.

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.”

As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion. As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you.

Register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015.

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.”

As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion. As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you.

Register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By SEMA Editors

Joel Ayres

The Aftermarket Foundation’s Executive Committee has hired Joel Ayres as the its first-ever executive director. An industry veteran of more than 30 years, Ayres was most recently vice president of sales and marketing for TAKIT Inc. of Medford, Oregon.

In announcing the hiring of Ayres, Foundation Chairman Bob Hirsch commented, “The Foundation could not be more pleased than to have someone of Joel’s caliber lead us into the next phase of our journey providing care and financial assistance to industry people affected by hardship. The need for our services has never been greater, and this is the first time in our nearly 60-year history that we’ve had a full-time director solely dedicated to enabling us to help more people and drive more giving. This is an exciting time indeed.”

Until now, the Foundation has been led by a voluntary board of industry dignitary, with various leaders holding the chairman’s position throughout its history. Ayres’ hiring was the culmination of an exhaustive search to find a leader that possessed a broad-scale network of industry contacts and had the philanthropic experience necessary to manage the intensity of giving that the Foundation initiates and oversees.

“As soon as I became aware of this position, I felt it was my calling,” Ayres said. “All my life I’ve had a passion for the automotive aftermarket and for charitable efforts, and this was a chance to combine the two. I’m honored the Foundation chose me as their first, full-time executive director, and are entrusting me to lead our philanthropic efforts and expand our reach and help more people. The need is great.”

In addition to his prolific aftermarket career, which he began at an early age, Ayres’ work in charity is equally impressive. From co-founding the start of the Big Brothers chapter in Northeastern Indiana and being a Big Brothers volunteer, to being a volunteer at the Adam Petty Victory Junction camp, to co-founding and serving as the first chairman of SEMA Cares, Ayres has a long resume of charitable activism. Along the way, Ayres has also been named the SEMA Person of the Year, has been recognized by Trucking Times magazine for his significant contributions to the truck accessory market and was given an award by HeartGallery of Sacramento for his tireless work contributing to adoptions.

Ayres began his new role March 2.

By SEMA Editors

Joel Ayres

The Aftermarket Foundation’s Executive Committee has hired Joel Ayres as the its first-ever executive director. An industry veteran of more than 30 years, Ayres was most recently vice president of sales and marketing for TAKIT Inc. of Medford, Oregon.

In announcing the hiring of Ayres, Foundation Chairman Bob Hirsch commented, “The Foundation could not be more pleased than to have someone of Joel’s caliber lead us into the next phase of our journey providing care and financial assistance to industry people affected by hardship. The need for our services has never been greater, and this is the first time in our nearly 60-year history that we’ve had a full-time director solely dedicated to enabling us to help more people and drive more giving. This is an exciting time indeed.”

Until now, the Foundation has been led by a voluntary board of industry dignitary, with various leaders holding the chairman’s position throughout its history. Ayres’ hiring was the culmination of an exhaustive search to find a leader that possessed a broad-scale network of industry contacts and had the philanthropic experience necessary to manage the intensity of giving that the Foundation initiates and oversees.

“As soon as I became aware of this position, I felt it was my calling,” Ayres said. “All my life I’ve had a passion for the automotive aftermarket and for charitable efforts, and this was a chance to combine the two. I’m honored the Foundation chose me as their first, full-time executive director, and are entrusting me to lead our philanthropic efforts and expand our reach and help more people. The need is great.”

In addition to his prolific aftermarket career, which he began at an early age, Ayres’ work in charity is equally impressive. From co-founding the start of the Big Brothers chapter in Northeastern Indiana and being a Big Brothers volunteer, to being a volunteer at the Adam Petty Victory Junction camp, to co-founding and serving as the first chairman of SEMA Cares, Ayres has a long resume of charitable activism. Along the way, Ayres has also been named the SEMA Person of the Year, has been recognized by Trucking Times magazine for his significant contributions to the truck accessory market and was given an award by HeartGallery of Sacramento for his tireless work contributing to adoptions.

Ayres began his new role March 2.

By Linda Spencer

	SEMA members measure the ’13 Ford Ranger T6 before it's exported in November.

• April 7–8 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): Roush, 39555 Schoolcraft Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170
• April 21–22 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): Hypertech, 3215 Appling Rd., Bartlett, TN
• May 18–May 22 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): SEMA Garage, 1577 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

• ’12 Toyota HiLux
• ’13 Ford Ranger T6
• ’14 UAZ Hunter
• ’14 Mitsubishi L200

Read more about SEMA's International Vehicle Measuring Program in the December 2014 issue of SEMA News. 


Limited slots are available. Register now for the last chance to measure the HiLux and Ranger before they leave the United States.

By Linda Spencer

	SEMA members measure the ’13 Ford Ranger T6 before it's exported in November.

• April 7–8 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): Roush, 39555 Schoolcraft Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170
• April 21–22 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): Hypertech, 3215 Appling Rd., Bartlett, TN
• May 18–May 22 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): SEMA Garage, 1577 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

• ’12 Toyota HiLux
• ’13 Ford Ranger T6
• ’14 UAZ Hunter
• ’14 Mitsubishi L200

Read more about SEMA's International Vehicle Measuring Program in the December 2014 issue of SEMA News. 


Limited slots are available. Register now for the last chance to measure the HiLux and Ranger before they leave the United States.

By Linda Spencer

	SEMA members measure the ’13 Ford Ranger T6 before it's exported in November.

• April 7–8 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): Roush, 39555 Schoolcraft Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170
• April 21–22 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): Hypertech, 3215 Appling Rd., Bartlett, TN
• May 18–May 22 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): SEMA Garage, 1577 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

• ’12 Toyota HiLux
• ’13 Ford Ranger T6
• ’14 UAZ Hunter
• ’14 Mitsubishi L200

Read more about SEMA's International Vehicle Measuring Program in the December 2014 issue of SEMA News. 


Limited slots are available. Register now for the last chance to measure the HiLux and Ranger before they leave the United States.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	In the Edelbrock Renegade class, Frank Varela and the Hellion Racing B-Team finished with a 7.78 at 178 mph to Brian Devilbiss' 7.99 at 173 mph performance.

NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals Kicks Off the 2015 Season at Bradenton Motorsports Park

The NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals kicked off its annual tour at Bradenton Motorsports Park for the Nitto Tire Spring Break Shootout presented by Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords. The event mixed streetcars and NMRA racecars.

VP Racing Fuels Street Outlaw, John Urist took the win over former champion Phil Hinessaw with a 6.90 at 204 mph. In the Edelbrock Renegade class, Frank Varela and the Hellion Racing B-Team finished with a 7.78 at 178 mph to Brian Devilbiss' 7.99 at 173 mph performance. And in the index classes, Louis Fernandez took the win over Wesley Dalrymple. Johnny Lightning took the win over Greg Bagnell in the Detroit Locker Truck & Lightning class. It is the first time in NMRA history that a competitor has won both an index and heads-up class during the same event. In the Roush Performance Super Stang class, John Mummery raced his way to victory over Marvin Knack in his supercharged ’07 Mustang GT with an 11.01 on an 11.00 dial-in. Florida's Jason Henson sailed to victory over Susan McClenaghan in the Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle class. The Bracket classes were won by a couple of local Florida racers. In Bracket 2 it was Bob Walsh over Dana Keyes and Manny Sousa over Charles Johnson in Bracket 1.

	The Pirelli World Challenge saw its biggest field yet with more than 115 cars taking the track

Pirelli Kicks Off 2015 World Challenge Championship at Circuit of the Americas

Pirelli kicked off the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge Championship at Circuit of the Americas last weekend with a full weekend of racing. The Pirelli World Challenge saw its biggest field yet with more than 115 cars taking the track in the series' seven classes—GT, GT-A, GTS, TC, TCA and TCB. In 2015, the Italian firm will be represented in more than 250 championships around the world in both two and four wheels, which cover a range from grassroots to Formula 1.

VP Racing Fuels Partners With Sebring International Raceway

Sebring International Raceway has announced a multi-year partnership with VP Racing Fuels Inc. as the Official Fuel of America’s oldest sports-car racing facility. Activation of VP’s sponsorship will begin when Sebring International Raceway hosts the 63rd running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida, Saturday, March 21—the second round of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. With the agreement, Sebring joins Lime Rock Park, Watkins Glen International and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca that have switched to VP Racing Fuels.

	The 2015 NMCA WEST VP Racing Fuels season opener comes to Fontana, March 27–29.

Fourth-Annual Nitto Tire NMCA WEST Spring Nationals Coming to Auto Club Dragway

The 2015 NMCA WEST VP Racing Fuels season opener comes to Fontana, March 27–29, with a drag-racing and autocross lineup. On the dragstrip, there's side-by-side competition between American musclecars, and next door, Hotchkis Sport Suspension Autocross, presented by Nitto Tire, entertains road-racing fans all weekend long. Visit the NMCA West website for a complete schedule, directions to the track and more information about the 4th Annual Nitto Tire NMCA WEST Spring Nationals.

Speedway Motors Sponsors New Racing Adventure With Team Speedway

Team Speedway hits the road this weekend, with drivers Robby and Al Unser Jr. competing at the Goodguys Spring Nationals, March 13–15, in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s the first of many Goodguys AutoCross events the Unsers will compete in this race season. They’ll be driving Team Speedway’s G-Comp ’65 Nova—a former economy car that has been transformed into a first-rate handling machine thanks to the new bolt-in G-Comp Chevy II front suspension from Speedway Motors. Though it just hit the autocross track late in the 2014 season, the Nova is already running neck-and-neck with the top cars in the country.