By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show New Product Awards are given to the most innovative and cutting-edge new and featured automotive aftermarket products. Nearly 2,000 products were entered into 16 different New Products Showcase categories to be considered for the 2015 SEMA New Product Awards. Winners were selected based on a variety of factors that included quality, marketability, innovation, technology, consumer appeal and more.

The 2015 New Product Award Winners are:

Collision Repair & Refinish Product

Winner Malco Products Inc. Quarter Panel Hemming Air TurboXTool Use your existing air supply to precisely bend and close up to 3/4 in. (19.05 mm) deep wheel arc flanges of replacement quarter panels on late-model cars. Replicates a hammer and dolly motion at high speed; 80% faster based on field trials. Cushioned anvil protects panel finish while hammer rolls over and flattens flange from backside. 320-274-8246 www.malcotools.com PN: QHT1A

• Runner Up: 6 Hands, 6-Hands Universal Body Panel Holder
• Runner Up: Luma III Inc., Aurora

Engineered New Product

Winner Holley Performance Products Holley EFI Digital Dash The Holley EFI Digital Dash is a customizable Holley EFI compatible 7.5 by 4.625 dashboard display with a variety of gauge and indicator screens that can be programmed to display any parameter needed. It also offers a virtual switch panel, user-defined alarms and configurable shift lights, and it can control on-screen playback of your data logs. 270-782-2900 www.holley.com PN: 553-106

• Runner Up: Aeromotive Inc., X1 Fuel Pressure Regulator
• Runner Up: Silverback Carbs, Silverback Carb
  

 Exterior Accessory Product

Winner Lund International: AVS, LUND, AMP RESEARCH, BELMOR AMP RESEARCH PowerStep XL You asked for it, we delivered! Featuring a rugged, bold design, the new patent-pending PowerStep XL offers a 3-in. lower stepping surface than the original PowerStep and makes accessing your lifted vehicle easier. 800-309-6823 www.amp-research.com

• Runner Up: Rigid Industries LED Lighting, Rigid Industries Capture
• Runner Up: Westin Automotive Products Inc., Overhead LED Light Hoop

Interior Accessory Product

Winner Switch-Pros SP8100 Switch Panel System The Switch-Pro 8100 offers eight user-programmable switches. Switches can be programmed and controlled via smart phone or switch panel. Features include sealed, 100-amp power module (safe for under hood), adjustable back lighting, built-in over-current monitoring, low-voltage disconnect, flash and strobe functions, and user-selectable switch legends. 949-581-2991 www.switch-pros.com PN: SP8100

• Runner Up: Rightline Gear, Roll Bar Storage Bag
• Runner Up: US Speedo, Stainless Steel Gauge Face
  

Merchandising Display

Winner Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels Metal Series Jeep Bumper Display The Mickey Thompson Jeep Bumper display is an interactive display that showcases the features and benefits of their Jeep Wrangler JK bumpers. 330-928-9092 www.mickeythompsontires.com PN: MMDISPLAY

• Runner Up: Husky Liners, The "Rider" POP Display
• Runner Up: N-Fab Inc., N-FAB Step System Display

Mobile Electronics Product

Winner App-Tronics LLC SmartNav 5 SmartNav 5 is the benchmark updatable rearview mirror. With full-featured iGO Primo Navigation. Front-viewing DVR with pre-loaded ADR software. A 5-in. rear camera with the brightest display available, Bluetooth 4.0, FM transmitter and a host of media players and functions. Including optional wireless radar- and laser-protection and parking sensors. 888-587-4111 www.app-tronics.com/index.html PN: SN-5

• Runner Up: Custom Autosound Manufacturing, Slidebar Radio by Custom Autosound
• Runner Up: Palmer Performance Engineering, DashLogic Display Controller

Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product

Winner Bubba Rope Gator-Jaw Soft Shackle Gator-Jaw 7/16-in. soft shackle is rated at 32,000 lbs. Replaces heavy steel shackles. Benefits: safer, lighter and higher tensile strength than comparable steel shackles, flexible, one-piece construction, floats in water. Applications: towing, vehicle or equipment recovery and various marine uses. 877-499-8494 www.bubbarope.com PN: 176745

• Runner Up: Factor 55, ProLink Bridle
• Runner Up: Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge, Exo Top Soft Top & Cargo Rack System

Packaging Design

Winner Husky Liners X-Act Contour Floor Liners Packaging The new X-Act Contour packaging from Husky Liners is designed with a raw-dog look and feel to grab attention and invite the customer to feel the liner through a paw-shaped hole in the front. 800-344-8759 www.huskyliners.com

Runner Up: Aero Products, 6-Pack Traveler
Runner Up: Painless Performance Products, PowerBraid

Performance-Racing Product

Winner Silverback Carbs Silverback Carb Technology fueled by innovation designed specifically for strip, drags, ovals, off-road and marine. Suitable for 300-1,000hp applications. Industry-first variable flatslide venturi with an adjustable-strip CFM from 600–850 and race CFM from 950–1,200 with temp and ALT compensating. Real gains of 20–50 hp. We pushed science to maximize intake energy. 801-393-1030 www.silverbackcarbs.com PN: SB-Carb-850

• Runner Up: 3pConnect, Turbosmart Position Sensor Wastegate Caps
• Runner Up: COMP Performance Group, FAST Bump Stager

Performance-Street Product

Winner Aeromotive Inc. Phantom Flex Stealth Fuel System Specifically designed for the increased fuel demand of flex fuel engines, this is a complete drop-in fuel system that places a high-performance (450 lph) fuel pump and baffle system into almost any gas tank. Its modular design provides proper fuel slosh control, venting and performance. A perfect solution for high-horsepower and flex-fuel applications. 913-647-7300 www.AeromotiveInc.com PN: 18310

• Runner up: Hotchkis Sport Suspension, Hotchkis Performance Front Upper Control Arms for ’64.5–’66 and ’67–’70 Ford Mustangs
• Runner up: RideTech, C2–C3 Corvette Suspension System

Powersports Product

Winner Dakota Digital MCL-3014 Digital Plug-In Instrumentation for ’14-up Harley Touring Models Direct-fit, direct plug-in digital instruments for ’14–up Harley-Davidson Touring Models, including the ’15 Road Glide. Using the stock harnesses, stock chrome bezels and supplied oil temp sensor, installation couldn’t be easier! Added features, such as oil temperature and gear position without losing factory readings! Available in red or blue. 800-593-4160 www.dakotadigital.com PN: MCL-3014

• Runner Up: Kicker, PSM3 Mini-Enclosed Speaker System
• Runner Up: Lazer Star Lights, Motorcross Headlight Kit

Street Rod/Custom Car Product

Winner Ron Francis Wiring Blackbox Relay System This fully programmable, state-of-the-art relay system allows full control of 10 individual relayed circuits. Control windows, door locks, fuel/water pumps, fans and more with this all-in-one unit. Bluetooth module for Blackbox remote control will be available spring of 2015 with both iPhone and Android applications. 800-292-1940 www.ronfrancis.com PN: BX-10

• Runner Up: NotcHead, NotcHead Line Clamps
• Runner Up: Vintage Air Inc., E-Z Clip Refrigerant Hose Kit Kit

Tire and Related Product

Winner Continental Tire Continental TrueContact The Continental TrueContact offers touring performance, all-season traction and best-in-class wet braking. A confident choice that features Echo Plus Technology to help conserve fuel and extend treadwear. Additionally, the Alignment Verification System provides an early warning system to inform drivers of a misaligned condition. 704-587-6228 www.continentaltire.com PN: 15497440000

• Runner Up: Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Discoverer SRX
• Runner Up: Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., EXO Grappler AWT

Tools & Equipment Product

Winner Tire Profiles-TreadSpec Groove Glove - Mobile Tire Laser Diagnostics A laser-powered tire-tread depth and alignment measurement instrument utilizing cloud-based software developed by Tire Profiles Inc. 847-979-8043 www.tireprofiles.com

• Runner Up: Celette, Naja Evolution 3D Measuring System
• Runner Up: Luma III Inc., Aurora

Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Product

Winner DECKED DECKED Pickup Truck Bed Organizer and Storage System DECKED allows you to get to your gear without having to crawl into the bed. Load the weatherproof drawers up with 200 lbs. each and you can still operate them with only one hand. Made from 100% recycled HDPE with UV-protection additives, co-molded to a steel subframe, DECKED’s true 2,000-lb. deck load rating lets you load it up and get the job done. 208-806-0251 www.decked.com PN: Model/Year/Bed-length specific

• Runner Up: AnzoUSA, L.E.D 5-Function Corner Step OE Replacement
• Runner Up: Rampage Products, Portable WIFI Back-Up Camera/Multi-Function Monitor

Wheel and Related Product

Winner Deluxe Wheel Co. Wide Whitewall Tire Rim This is a 20-in. rim that replicates a 15-in. steel wheel with a 2.5-in. section of whitewall tire attached. The customer adds their own hubcaps for the model of car they are building and via mounts to a 20-in. low-profile tire—a nostalgic look of old-school wide whitewalls is created with modern performance. 269-930-4001 www.DeluxeWheels.com

• Runner Up: Topline Products, Verde Custom Wheels – V25 – Quantum
• Runner Up: Vorsteiner, Vorsteiner Flow Forged V-FF 103

By SEMA Editors

	Danny Popp and his ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 claimed the 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational victory.

After two days of competition and challenges from past champions and newcomers alike, Danny Popp and his ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 claimed the 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational victory. Popp also won the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational in 2011, and his name will now be engraved on the traveling trophy for another year after a close win (less than one point) over Brandon Ranvek’s ’06 Mitsubishi Evo. Betim Berisha took third overall driving a ’11 Porsche 911TT.

A total of 103 vehicles ultimately competed in the event, held for the first time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the weekend of November 8–9. They faced a series of competitive driving events over the weekend, including the Wilwood Speed Stop Challenge and the Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross during the day on Saturday. Later that evening, competitors faced public roads on the Detroit Speed Road Rally Challenge, which ended with the Showtime Motorsports participant reception at the new Shelby American headquarters in Las Vegas.

The high-speed BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge took place on the 2.4-mile road course all day Sunday. The road-course action was paced by the Red Line Oil Camaro, which set a baseline lap time for all the competitors to challenge. Driven by experienced road-racing champion and OPTIMA PowerPro Brand Ambassador James Clay, the ’14 Roadster Shop Camaro was then put to work as a camera car, following the competitors as they ran the course and capturing the excitement for television. Each vehicle’s overall quality and craftsmanship was reviewed by the group of judges during the Lingenfelter Performance and Design Challenge, which required two days to complete.

When scores were finalized at the end of the last day, Popp had acquired more points than any other competitor. While Popp was named the overall winner, the individual event winners included:

Wilwood Speed Stop Challenge

First Place: ’06 Mitsubishi Evo RS (Brandon Ranvek)
Second Place: ’11 Porsche 911TT (Betim Berisha)
Third Place: ’12 Porsche 911 Turbo S (Larry Woo)

Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross

First place: ’06 Mitsubishi Evo RS (Brandon Ranvek)
Second place: ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Danny Popp)
Third place: ’65 Chevrolet Corvette (Brian Hobaugh)

BF Goodrich Hot Lap Challenge

First place: ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Danny Popp)
Second place: ’10 Chevy Camaro (Ryan Mathews)
Third place: ’13 Chevrolet Camaro (Bryan Johnson)

Lingenfelter Performance and Design Challenge

First place: ’64 Buick Riviera (JF Launier)
Second place: ’59 Chevrolet Corvette (Alan Palmer)
Third place: ’64 Chevrolet Corvette (Dan Livezey)

The 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational event will be broadcast on the MAVTV Network on November 21, at 8:00 p.m. (EST). The 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational was presented by K&N Filters. This year’s event sponsors were BFGoodrich, Detroit Speed, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Ridetech, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Snap-On tools, Jet-Hot Coatings, Red Line Oil, Showtime Motorsports and the MAVTV Network.

By SEMA Editors

	Danny Popp and his ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 claimed the 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational victory.

After two days of competition and challenges from past champions and newcomers alike, Danny Popp and his ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 claimed the 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational victory. Popp also won the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational in 2011, and his name will now be engraved on the traveling trophy for another year after a close win (less than one point) over Brandon Ranvek’s ’06 Mitsubishi Evo. Betim Berisha took third overall driving a ’11 Porsche 911TT.

A total of 103 vehicles ultimately competed in the event, held for the first time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the weekend of November 8–9. They faced a series of competitive driving events over the weekend, including the Wilwood Speed Stop Challenge and the Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross during the day on Saturday. Later that evening, competitors faced public roads on the Detroit Speed Road Rally Challenge, which ended with the Showtime Motorsports participant reception at the new Shelby American headquarters in Las Vegas.

The high-speed BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge took place on the 2.4-mile road course all day Sunday. The road-course action was paced by the Red Line Oil Camaro, which set a baseline lap time for all the competitors to challenge. Driven by experienced road-racing champion and OPTIMA PowerPro Brand Ambassador James Clay, the ’14 Roadster Shop Camaro was then put to work as a camera car, following the competitors as they ran the course and capturing the excitement for television. Each vehicle’s overall quality and craftsmanship was reviewed by the group of judges during the Lingenfelter Performance and Design Challenge, which required two days to complete.

When scores were finalized at the end of the last day, Popp had acquired more points than any other competitor. While Popp was named the overall winner, the individual event winners included:

Wilwood Speed Stop Challenge

First Place: ’06 Mitsubishi Evo RS (Brandon Ranvek)
Second Place: ’11 Porsche 911TT (Betim Berisha)
Third Place: ’12 Porsche 911 Turbo S (Larry Woo)

Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross

First place: ’06 Mitsubishi Evo RS (Brandon Ranvek)
Second place: ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Danny Popp)
Third place: ’65 Chevrolet Corvette (Brian Hobaugh)

BF Goodrich Hot Lap Challenge

First place: ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Danny Popp)
Second place: ’10 Chevy Camaro (Ryan Mathews)
Third place: ’13 Chevrolet Camaro (Bryan Johnson)

Lingenfelter Performance and Design Challenge

First place: ’64 Buick Riviera (JF Launier)
Second place: ’59 Chevrolet Corvette (Alan Palmer)
Third place: ’64 Chevrolet Corvette (Dan Livezey)

The 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational event will be broadcast on the MAVTV Network on November 21, at 8:00 p.m. (EST). The 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational was presented by K&N Filters. This year’s event sponsors were BFGoodrich, Detroit Speed, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Ridetech, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Snap-On tools, Jet-Hot Coatings, Red Line Oil, Showtime Motorsports and the MAVTV Network.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Dave McMullen of EnerSys presents Red Bull GRC driver Rhys Millen with an oversized check during the post-race presentation ceremony following last week's Red Bull GRC Las Vegas event.

2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross Driver Rhys Millen Receives Extreme ODYSSEY Performer Award, Bonus Check

ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys, an official battery of Red Bull Global Rallycross (Red Bull GRC), presented Red Bull GRC driver Rhys Millen with a bonus check in the amount of $40,000 as part of the Extreme ODYSSEY Performer contingency award program. Dave McMullen, director of commercial marketing for specialty and UPS markets at EnerSys, awarded Millen with an oversized check during the post-race presentation ceremony following the Red Bull GRC Las Vegas event, Wednesday, November 5. As an official battery sponsor of Red Bull GRC, ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys has granted the top three finishing drivers at each race with a cash bonus and points award through the Extreme ODYSSEY Performer contingency award program. Millen, the driver with the most points toward the award at the end of the season, received an additional bonus.

The Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle leads the way in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Tanner Foust Racing

Rockstar Energy Drink Driver Tanner Foust Named Rallycross Fan Favorite

Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust received the Global Rallycross "fan favorite" award to cap a successful 2014 racing season, and says he is looking forward to more rallycross next year in the new Volkswagen Beetle. Last Thursday night's awards ceremony in Las Vegas marked the conclusion of the 10-stop 2014 Global Rallycross Championship.

Foust and his Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross teammate Scott Speed opened the GRC season in Barbados last May in a pair of Volkswagen Polo rallycross cars that had been previously campaigned in Europe. Foust earned his first GRC win of the season in the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Polo at Round 4 in New York and this September made the switch to the brand-new Volkswagen Beetle. He drove that car to its first heat race win on its Los Angeles debut.

The final race of the 2014 Global Rallycross season took place last Wednesday night in Las Vegas on a temporary track built outside The LINQ Hotel and Casino under the view of the High Roller observation wheel. For the first time, the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team brought out both of the team's new Beetles.

At last week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Foust unveiled the Tanner Foust Racing Eneos RWB Beetle, which represents collaboration between the Volkswagen rallycross driver and famed Porsche tuners Rauh-Welt Begriff.

	Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST driver Patrik Sandell battled hard in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Olsbergs MSE

Joni Wiman Wins Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship

Olsbergs MSE Ford driver Joni Wiman is the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross champion. The Red Bull/Bluebeam Ford Fiesta ST driver emerged the winner in a tough championship battle that came down to a thrilling season finale in Las Vegas last Wednesday night. Wiman, who moved into the points lead after September's penultimate round, held off a trio of championship challengers on Wednesday to claim his first-ever Supercars title.

This year marked the rookie Wiman's first season of Supercars competition with Olsbergs MSE. A protégé of two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm, Wiman vaulted onto the rallycross scene last year with a dominant season in the GRC Lites category and was promoted into the top class of competition for 2014. He is the first Supercars driver ever to score the championship title and rookie of the year honors in the same season. It is the fourth-consecutive GRC title for the leading Olsbergs MSE Ford team, and the fourth series championship for manufacturer partner Ford.

International Drag Racing Hall of Fame 2015 Inductees Announced

The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame (IDRHOF), housed at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing (Ocala, Florida), has revealed its inductee class of 2015. This group marks the 25th anniversary of honoring significant individuals who contributed to the sport during their careers. The induction ceremony will take place in Gainesville, Florida, at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites, Thursday, March 12, 2015, immediately preceding the NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals. Bob Frey will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

The 2015 class of inductees is composed of a pair of Pro Stock legends, a colorfully successful Top Gas driver, two southeastern U.S. Funny Car drivers, a legendary crew chief and one of the legendary names of the Modified sportsman class. They include: Lee Edwards, the late Shirl Greer, Jerry Gwinn, Butch Leal, Bob Muravez, Bill Schultz, Jess Van Deventer and Dave Dunmore.

The honorees are selected by a committee of veteran drag racing and performance industry figures. The presenters will be named in the future.

	WELD Racing has announced a new partnership with Justin Pawlak for the 2015 race season.

WELD Racing Announces Partnership With Formula Drift Driver Justin Pawlak

WELD Racing has announced a new partnership with Justin Pawlak (JTP) for the 2015 race season. JTP has competed in the professional Formula Drift series for a number of years with increased success each season. Piloting a ’14 Ford Mustang, JTP is a vocal supporter of “made-in-the-U.S.A.” brands and believes in supporting those companies whenever possible.

JTP will continue to race his ’14 Ford Mustang in the 2015 Formula Drift series, as well as other events throughout the country. The car will feature 18-in. WELD S77 wheels in staggered widths to accommodate the massive horsepower from the Roush-Yates supercharged Ford Racing Coyote engine.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Dave McMullen of EnerSys presents Red Bull GRC driver Rhys Millen with an oversized check during the post-race presentation ceremony following last week's Red Bull GRC Las Vegas event.

2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross Driver Rhys Millen Receives Extreme ODYSSEY Performer Award, Bonus Check

ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys, an official battery of Red Bull Global Rallycross (Red Bull GRC), presented Red Bull GRC driver Rhys Millen with a bonus check in the amount of $40,000 as part of the Extreme ODYSSEY Performer contingency award program. Dave McMullen, director of commercial marketing for specialty and UPS markets at EnerSys, awarded Millen with an oversized check during the post-race presentation ceremony following the Red Bull GRC Las Vegas event, Wednesday, November 5. As an official battery sponsor of Red Bull GRC, ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys has granted the top three finishing drivers at each race with a cash bonus and points award through the Extreme ODYSSEY Performer contingency award program. Millen, the driver with the most points toward the award at the end of the season, received an additional bonus.

The Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle leads the way in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Tanner Foust Racing

Rockstar Energy Drink Driver Tanner Foust Named Rallycross Fan Favorite

Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust received the Global Rallycross "fan favorite" award to cap a successful 2014 racing season, and says he is looking forward to more rallycross next year in the new Volkswagen Beetle. Last Thursday night's awards ceremony in Las Vegas marked the conclusion of the 10-stop 2014 Global Rallycross Championship.

Foust and his Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross teammate Scott Speed opened the GRC season in Barbados last May in a pair of Volkswagen Polo rallycross cars that had been previously campaigned in Europe. Foust earned his first GRC win of the season in the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Polo at Round 4 in New York and this September made the switch to the brand-new Volkswagen Beetle. He drove that car to its first heat race win on its Los Angeles debut.

The final race of the 2014 Global Rallycross season took place last Wednesday night in Las Vegas on a temporary track built outside The LINQ Hotel and Casino under the view of the High Roller observation wheel. For the first time, the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team brought out both of the team's new Beetles.

At last week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Foust unveiled the Tanner Foust Racing Eneos RWB Beetle, which represents collaboration between the Volkswagen rallycross driver and famed Porsche tuners Rauh-Welt Begriff.

	Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST driver Patrik Sandell battled hard in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Olsbergs MSE

Joni Wiman Wins Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship

Olsbergs MSE Ford driver Joni Wiman is the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross champion. The Red Bull/Bluebeam Ford Fiesta ST driver emerged the winner in a tough championship battle that came down to a thrilling season finale in Las Vegas last Wednesday night. Wiman, who moved into the points lead after September's penultimate round, held off a trio of championship challengers on Wednesday to claim his first-ever Supercars title.

This year marked the rookie Wiman's first season of Supercars competition with Olsbergs MSE. A protégé of two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm, Wiman vaulted onto the rallycross scene last year with a dominant season in the GRC Lites category and was promoted into the top class of competition for 2014. He is the first Supercars driver ever to score the championship title and rookie of the year honors in the same season. It is the fourth-consecutive GRC title for the leading Olsbergs MSE Ford team, and the fourth series championship for manufacturer partner Ford.

International Drag Racing Hall of Fame 2015 Inductees Announced

The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame (IDRHOF), housed at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing (Ocala, Florida), has revealed its inductee class of 2015. This group marks the 25th anniversary of honoring significant individuals who contributed to the sport during their careers. The induction ceremony will take place in Gainesville, Florida, at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites, Thursday, March 12, 2015, immediately preceding the NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals. Bob Frey will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

The 2015 class of inductees is composed of a pair of Pro Stock legends, a colorfully successful Top Gas driver, two southeastern U.S. Funny Car drivers, a legendary crew chief and one of the legendary names of the Modified sportsman class. They include: Lee Edwards, the late Shirl Greer, Jerry Gwinn, Butch Leal, Bob Muravez, Bill Schultz, Jess Van Deventer and Dave Dunmore.

The honorees are selected by a committee of veteran drag racing and performance industry figures. The presenters will be named in the future.

	WELD Racing has announced a new partnership with Justin Pawlak for the 2015 race season.

WELD Racing Announces Partnership With Formula Drift Driver Justin Pawlak

WELD Racing has announced a new partnership with Justin Pawlak (JTP) for the 2015 race season. JTP has competed in the professional Formula Drift series for a number of years with increased success each season. Piloting a ’14 Ford Mustang, JTP is a vocal supporter of “made-in-the-U.S.A.” brands and believes in supporting those companies whenever possible.

JTP will continue to race his ’14 Ford Mustang in the 2015 Formula Drift series, as well as other events throughout the country. The car will feature 18-in. WELD S77 wheels in staggered widths to accommodate the massive horsepower from the Roush-Yates supercharged Ford Racing Coyote engine.

By SEMA Editors

	Comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad provided the evening's laughs.

Celebrating the specialty-equipment market industry’s contributors and innovators, the 2014 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet—themed “Dream. Build. Drive.”—featured comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad, along with up-and-coming soul and R&B artist Curtis Harding, who provided entertainment throughout the night. Celebrity guest speakers included guitarist Billy Gibbons and Linda Vaughn.

In addition, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is more than $30 billion strong. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Nick Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred C. Offenhauser.

The annual celebration included an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

• Person of the Year – Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology
• GEN-III Innovator Award – Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
• Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – KAM Marketing
• WD of the Year – Motor State Distributing

The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to MacNeil Automotive. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2014 Person of the Year is Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products.

Rich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year.		Curtis Harding and his band offered up tunes throughout the evening.
Guitar icon and car aficionado Billy Gibbons addressed the banquet crowd.		Linda Vaughn was another of the banquet's celebrity guests.
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomes banquet attendees.		Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products was named 2014 PWA Person of the Year.
MacNeil Automotive was honored as the 2014 PWA Manufacturer of the Year.		KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.		Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.

By SEMA Editors

	Comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad provided the evening's laughs.

Celebrating the specialty-equipment market industry’s contributors and innovators, the 2014 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet—themed “Dream. Build. Drive.”—featured comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad, along with up-and-coming soul and R&B artist Curtis Harding, who provided entertainment throughout the night. Celebrity guest speakers included guitarist Billy Gibbons and Linda Vaughn.

In addition, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is more than $30 billion strong. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Nick Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred C. Offenhauser.

The annual celebration included an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

• Person of the Year – Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology
• GEN-III Innovator Award – Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
• Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – KAM Marketing
• WD of the Year – Motor State Distributing

The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to MacNeil Automotive. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2014 Person of the Year is Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products.

Rich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year.		Curtis Harding and his band offered up tunes throughout the evening.
Guitar icon and car aficionado Billy Gibbons addressed the banquet crowd.		Linda Vaughn was another of the banquet's celebrity guests.
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomes banquet attendees.		Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products was named 2014 PWA Person of the Year.
MacNeil Automotive was honored as the 2014 PWA Manufacturer of the Year.		KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.		Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.

By SEMA Editors

	Comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad provided the evening's laughs.

Celebrating the specialty-equipment market industry’s contributors and innovators, the 2014 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet—themed “Dream. Build. Drive.”—featured comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad, along with up-and-coming soul and R&B artist Curtis Harding, who provided entertainment throughout the night. Celebrity guest speakers included guitarist Billy Gibbons and Linda Vaughn.

In addition, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is more than $30 billion strong. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Nick Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred C. Offenhauser.

The annual celebration included an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

• Person of the Year – Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology
• GEN-III Innovator Award – Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
• Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – KAM Marketing
• WD of the Year – Motor State Distributing

The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to MacNeil Automotive. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2014 Person of the Year is Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products.

Rich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year.		Curtis Harding and his band offered up tunes throughout the evening.
Guitar icon and car aficionado Billy Gibbons addressed the banquet crowd.		Linda Vaughn was another of the banquet's celebrity guests.
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomes banquet attendees.		Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products was named 2014 PWA Person of the Year.
MacNeil Automotive was honored as the 2014 PWA Manufacturer of the Year.		KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.		Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.

By SEMA Editors

	Comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad provided the evening's laughs.

Celebrating the specialty-equipment market industry’s contributors and innovators, the 2014 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet—themed “Dream. Build. Drive.”—featured comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad, along with up-and-coming soul and R&B artist Curtis Harding, who provided entertainment throughout the night. Celebrity guest speakers included guitarist Billy Gibbons and Linda Vaughn.

In addition, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is more than $30 billion strong. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Nick Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred C. Offenhauser.

The annual celebration included an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

• Person of the Year – Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology
• GEN-III Innovator Award – Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
• Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – KAM Marketing
• WD of the Year – Motor State Distributing

The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to MacNeil Automotive. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2014 Person of the Year is Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products.

Rich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year.		Curtis Harding and his band offered up tunes throughout the evening.
Guitar icon and car aficionado Billy Gibbons addressed the banquet crowd.		Linda Vaughn was another of the banquet's celebrity guests.
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomes banquet attendees.		Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products was named 2014 PWA Person of the Year.
MacNeil Automotive was honored as the 2014 PWA Manufacturer of the Year.		KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.		Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.

This year’s SEMA Awards for the top-trending vehicle models in four categories were announced on the opening day of the 2014 SEMA Show. The Ford Mustang was named Hottest Car, the Honda Fit took the Hottest Sport-Compact honors, the Chevrolet Silverado won Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler received the Hottest 4x4-SUV award.

“The SEMA Show has always been the annual event where the newest and most innovative products are seen first,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The SEMA Award celebrates the industry’s unique ability to identify and set the trends that influence consumers worldwide.”

The SEMA Award recognizes vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase the year’s coolest products. It also underscores the cooperative relationship between the automakers and SEMA-member companies.

“Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Award helps guide consumers toward the hottest-trending and most accessory-friendly vehicles on the market,” added Kersting. “Our Show exhibitors are industry visionaries who determine the winners of the SEMA Award. The booth space is a ballot, and the vehicles they choose to showcase in their booths are a vote. The most prominent models in each category are the winners.”

The 2014 SEMA Show features more than 2,400 exhibiting companies that manufacture thousands of products designed to improve performance, safety and convenience, as well as those that enhance appearance and comfort. While products are available for every make and model, exhibitors are investing more in the Ford Mustang, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Silverado and Jeep Wrangler than any other vehicles. Consumers, therefore, can expect to find great specialty products for accessorizing these vehicles.

To learn more about the SEMA Award winners and the products that are available for them, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.

Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer receives the Hottest Car award for the ’15 Ford Mustang.	Pietro Gorlier, president and chief executive officer, MOPAR brand service, parts and customer care, Chrysler Group, accepts the Hottest 4x4-SUV award for the ’14/’15 Jeep Wrangler.
Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division, receives the Hottest Sport Compact award for the ’15 Honda Fit.	Alan Batey, president of GM North America, global Chevrolet brand chief, accepts the Hottest Truck award for the ’14/’15 Chevrolet Silverado.