By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law No: 116-136, March 27, 2020. The $2.2 trillion package provides sweeping relief to individuals and companies, including small businesses, and distressed industries. Listed below are highlights of the CARES Act, including sections on loan programs and tax provisions in the law:

Loan Programs

• Paycheck Protection Program: Provides $349 billion to guarantee private-sector loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) existing 7(a) loan program for small businesses. For motor vehicle parts manufacturers, the definition of “small business” ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 employees. Paycheck Protection Program loans created under the law would equal 250% of a company’s monthly payroll (capped at $10 million), which can be used to cover payroll, mortgages, rent and other specified expenses. The bill waives collateral and personal guarantee requirements in addition to borrower and lender fees, defers payments for six months, and caps the interest rate on loans at 1.0% on the two-year loan. Important: The SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used to cover payroll, mortgage interest, rent payments, and the cost of utilities for a period of eight weeks if small businesses retain their employees and payroll levels.
  o Starting on April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply, while independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply starting on April 10, 2020. You will need to complete and submit the Paycheck Protection Program loan application with the required documentation to an approved lender that is available to process your application by June 30, 2020. However, we encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.
  o You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. All loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower. Contact the SBA for assistance in identifying local lenders.
  o For additional information on the Paycheck Protection Program, please take a look at the U.S. Department of Treasury fact sheet or visit the SBA’s webpage on the program. 

• Disaster Loans Expanded to Include Grants: Provides $10 billion to expand the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program by authorizing the agency to advance up to $10,000 to eligible Coronavirus disaster loan applicants within three days of receiving their applications (applies to applications filed between January 31, 2020, and the end of 2020). This advance of funds would not have to be repaid. Recipients could use the funds to pay sick leave to employees affected by Covid-19, retain employees, address interrupted supply chains, make rent or mortgage payments and repay debt.
  o The law also enables a borrower who qualified for an EIDL loan related to COVID-19 on or after January 31, 2020, to apply for a Paycheck Protection loan, with an option to refinance that loan into a Paycheck Protection loan until the end of the covered period for the loans (June 30, 2020). However, the emergency EIDL grant award would be subtracted from the amount forgiven under the Paycheck Protection Program.
  o EIDLs are lower interest loans (3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits) of up to $2 million, with principal and interest deferment available for up to 30 years that are available to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, including payroll and other operating expenses.
  o To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, click here.
• Express Loans: Increases the maximum loan for an SBA Express loan (has a turnaround time of 36 hours) from $350,000 to $1 million through December 31, 2020.
• SBA to Pick-up Cost of Loans for Six Months: Provides $17 billion for the SBA to pay all principal, interest and fees on new and existing SBA loan products including 7(a), Community Advantage, 504, and Microloan programs for six months (does not apply to Paycheck Protection Program loans listed above).

Tax Provisions

• Refundable Payroll Tax Credit: Provides employers with a refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of the first $10,000 of compensation, including health benefits, paid by employers to employees during the COVID-19 crisis (for compensation paid from March 13, 2020, through December 31, 2020). The credit is available to employers whose operations were fully or partially suspended, due to a COVID-19-related shut-down order, or gross receipts declined by more than 50% when compared to the same quarter in the prior year. For employers with more than 100 full-time employees, qualified wages are wages paid to employees when they are not providing services due to the COVID-19-related circumstances described above. For employers with 100 or fewer full-time employees, all employee wages qualify for the credit, whether the employer is open for business or subject to a shut-down order. Note: the credit is not available to employers receiving assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program.
• Tax Deadlines Extended:
  o The income tax filing due date has been extended to July 15. Tax returns and any income taxes owed will not be due until July 15.
  o Employers and self-employed individuals can defer payment of the employer share of the Social Security tax through the end of 2020 with half of the amount to be paid by December 31, 2021 and the other half by December 31, 2022. Note: deferral is not available to employers receiving assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program.
• Net Operating Loss Limitations:
  o Corporations, allowing any loss for tax years 2018, 2019 or 2020 to be carried back five years.
  o It would modify the loss limitation applicable to pass-through businesses and sole proprietors, so they can utilize excess business losses and access critical cash flow to maintain operations and payroll for their employees.
• Increased Business Expensing: The law increases the amount of interest expense businesses can deduct on their tax returns from a 30% limitation to 50% of the taxable income (with adjustments) for 2019 and 2020.
• Depreciation for Retailers: Retail businesses can depreciate the entire cost of renovating a store(s) in a single year instead of having to depreciate those improvements over the 39-year life of the building.

Other Key Provisions

• Cash Payments to Stimulate Economy: Provide cash payments of up to $1,200 per individual with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less, $2,400 for married couples filing jointly with an AGI of $150,000 or less and $500 for each child. The law provides smaller cash payments for individuals and couples with incomes greater than those amounts and phases-out payments for single filers with incomes exceeding $99,000, head of household filers earning more than $136,500 and joint filers earning more than $198,000.
• Increased Unemployment: Help unemployed and furloughed workers by providing an additional $600 per week payment per recipient of unemployment insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through July 31, 2020. The law also provides an additional 13 weeks of federally funded unemployment compensation for individuals who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits through December 31, 2020.
• Liquidity Assistance: The law provides more than $450 billion for the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve to provide secured loans to U.S. businesses, states and municipalities to provide liquidity assistance for entities that haven’t already received economic relief through other loans provided under the law. The Federal Reserve can also purchase debt obligations or securities from a business and purchase bonds, loans and securities directly from banks or from investors in the secondary market.
  o Collateral is required for all loans given by the Federal Reserve and Treasury, and all loans, bonds and securities purchased by the Federal Reserve must be collateralized.  
  o Directs the Treasury Secretary to establish a program that provides banks with liquidity to make loans to businesses and nonprofit organizations with between 500 and 10,000 employees, capping interest rates for the loans at 2% and providing 6 months of forbearance.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

For additional information about SBA loans, a 50-state tracking guide on shelter-in-place orders, and other Coronavirus information, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law No: 116-136, March 27, 2020. The $2.2 trillion package provides sweeping relief to individuals and companies, including small businesses, and distressed industries. Listed below are highlights of the CARES Act, including sections on loan programs and tax provisions in the law:

Loan Programs

• Paycheck Protection Program: Provides $349 billion to guarantee private-sector loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) existing 7(a) loan program for small businesses. For motor vehicle parts manufacturers, the definition of “small business” ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 employees. Paycheck Protection Program loans created under the law would equal 250% of a company’s monthly payroll (capped at $10 million), which can be used to cover payroll, mortgages, rent and other specified expenses. The bill waives collateral and personal guarantee requirements in addition to borrower and lender fees, defers payments for six months, and caps the interest rate on loans at 1.0% on the two-year loan. Important: The SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used to cover payroll, mortgage interest, rent payments, and the cost of utilities for a period of eight weeks if small businesses retain their employees and payroll levels.
  o Starting on April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply, while independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply starting on April 10, 2020. You will need to complete and submit the Paycheck Protection Program loan application with the required documentation to an approved lender that is available to process your application by June 30, 2020. However, we encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.
  o You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. All loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower. Contact the SBA for assistance in identifying local lenders.
  o For additional information on the Paycheck Protection Program, please take a look at the U.S. Department of Treasury fact sheet or visit the SBA’s webpage on the program. 

• Disaster Loans Expanded to Include Grants: Provides $10 billion to expand the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program by authorizing the agency to advance up to $10,000 to eligible Coronavirus disaster loan applicants within three days of receiving their applications (applies to applications filed between January 31, 2020, and the end of 2020). This advance of funds would not have to be repaid. Recipients could use the funds to pay sick leave to employees affected by Covid-19, retain employees, address interrupted supply chains, make rent or mortgage payments and repay debt.
  o The law also enables a borrower who qualified for an EIDL loan related to COVID-19 on or after January 31, 2020, to apply for a Paycheck Protection loan, with an option to refinance that loan into a Paycheck Protection loan until the end of the covered period for the loans (June 30, 2020). However, the emergency EIDL grant award would be subtracted from the amount forgiven under the Paycheck Protection Program.
  o EIDLs are lower interest loans (3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits) of up to $2 million, with principal and interest deferment available for up to 30 years that are available to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, including payroll and other operating expenses.
  o To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, click here.
• Express Loans: Increases the maximum loan for an SBA Express loan (has a turnaround time of 36 hours) from $350,000 to $1 million through December 31, 2020.
• SBA to Pick-up Cost of Loans for Six Months: Provides $17 billion for the SBA to pay all principal, interest and fees on new and existing SBA loan products including 7(a), Community Advantage, 504, and Microloan programs for six months (does not apply to Paycheck Protection Program loans listed above).

Tax Provisions

• Refundable Payroll Tax Credit: Provides employers with a refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of the first $10,000 of compensation, including health benefits, paid by employers to employees during the COVID-19 crisis (for compensation paid from March 13, 2020, through December 31, 2020). The credit is available to employers whose operations were fully or partially suspended, due to a COVID-19-related shut-down order, or gross receipts declined by more than 50% when compared to the same quarter in the prior year. For employers with more than 100 full-time employees, qualified wages are wages paid to employees when they are not providing services due to the COVID-19-related circumstances described above. For employers with 100 or fewer full-time employees, all employee wages qualify for the credit, whether the employer is open for business or subject to a shut-down order. Note: the credit is not available to employers receiving assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program.
• Tax Deadlines Extended:
  o The income tax filing due date has been extended to July 15. Tax returns and any income taxes owed will not be due until July 15.
  o Employers and self-employed individuals can defer payment of the employer share of the Social Security tax through the end of 2020 with half of the amount to be paid by December 31, 2021 and the other half by December 31, 2022. Note: deferral is not available to employers receiving assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program.
• Net Operating Loss Limitations:
  o Corporations, allowing any loss for tax years 2018, 2019 or 2020 to be carried back five years.
  o It would modify the loss limitation applicable to pass-through businesses and sole proprietors, so they can utilize excess business losses and access critical cash flow to maintain operations and payroll for their employees.
• Increased Business Expensing: The law increases the amount of interest expense businesses can deduct on their tax returns from a 30% limitation to 50% of the taxable income (with adjustments) for 2019 and 2020.
• Depreciation for Retailers: Retail businesses can depreciate the entire cost of renovating a store(s) in a single year instead of having to depreciate those improvements over the 39-year life of the building.

Other Key Provisions

• Cash Payments to Stimulate Economy: Provide cash payments of up to $1,200 per individual with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less, $2,400 for married couples filing jointly with an AGI of $150,000 or less and $500 for each child. The law provides smaller cash payments for individuals and couples with incomes greater than those amounts and phases-out payments for single filers with incomes exceeding $99,000, head of household filers earning more than $136,500 and joint filers earning more than $198,000.
• Increased Unemployment: Help unemployed and furloughed workers by providing an additional $600 per week payment per recipient of unemployment insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through July 31, 2020. The law also provides an additional 13 weeks of federally funded unemployment compensation for individuals who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits through December 31, 2020.
• Liquidity Assistance: The law provides more than $450 billion for the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve to provide secured loans to U.S. businesses, states and municipalities to provide liquidity assistance for entities that haven’t already received economic relief through other loans provided under the law. The Federal Reserve can also purchase debt obligations or securities from a business and purchase bonds, loans and securities directly from banks or from investors in the secondary market.
  o Collateral is required for all loans given by the Federal Reserve and Treasury, and all loans, bonds and securities purchased by the Federal Reserve must be collateralized.  
  o Directs the Treasury Secretary to establish a program that provides banks with liquidity to make loans to businesses and nonprofit organizations with between 500 and 10,000 employees, capping interest rates for the loans at 2% and providing 6 months of forbearance.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

For additional information about SBA loans, a 50-state tracking guide on shelter-in-place orders, and other Coronavirus information, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus.

By Carr Winn

The #SEMAFamily video library is about reliving special moments in our industry’s history. From interviews with industry legends to SEMA Show recaps and more, these videos offer viewers a chance to watch our #SEMAFamily hard at work, doing what it does best—pushing the limits and having a little bit of fun, too.

This week’s videos feature an interview with Hall of Famer Ed Iskandarian, 2014 Battle of the Builders entry from legendary builder Bobby Alloway and a recap of the 2014 Griffin King of the Hammers.

By Fredy Ramirez

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) is “data central” for hundreds of specialty parts brands, representing millions of part numbers and tens of millions of vehicle applications. Created by SEMA, the SDC is the definitive, industry-owned and -operated centralized data repository, complete with a comprehensive set of online data management tools.

The product releases below are from SEMA members who are also part of the SDC at the the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level. Learn more about the SDC at www.semadatacoop.org.

SDC members are invited to submit new-product press releases for consideration to editors@sema.org.

Hooker BlackHeart Long Tube Headers – Stainless Hooker BlackHeart introduces Long Tube Headers designed for the ’02–’04 Porsche Carrera 911/996 with (non-turbo) 3.6L engines. They are hand welded from 18-gauge 304SS and use a flange engineered to prevent warping. The hand-blended ports and tube geometry are constructed to offer excellent fit and maximum performance. Note: This product is not street-legal and may only be used on racing vehicles. Racing vehicles must be used exclusively for racing or other forms of competition. Racing vehicles must not be registered and must never be used on the street. It is illegal to install this product on a registered vehicle and use it on the street. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN: BH8323
Holley Intech Cold Air Intake Holley announces the release of its Intech cold air intake system for the ’12–’18 Jeep Wrangler JK with the 3.6L engine. The intake is designed to produce 12.8 hp and 11.6 lb.-ft. of torque on the dyno. It features a patented Slip-Seal housing-filter-tube interface manufactured to eliminate the use of hose clamps and adapters. The housing design is constructed to match the engine compartment of your vehicle. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN: 223-20
Holley Adjustable Clutch Master Cylinder Holley introduces its clutch master cylinder for the ’98–’02 Camaro and Firebird. The housing has been designed to feature the correct mounting angle for your floorboards. Inside that housing is a stainless-steel cylinder bore sleeve engineered to hold the tight tolerances needed for consistent fluid volume and pressure every time you push the clutch in. The pedal shaft is manufactured to be fully adjustable with a spherical rod end to ensure no binding during the pedal travel. The mounting hardware and detailed instructions are included. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN: 319-200
Proryde Ford Ranger Adjustable Front Lift Leveling Kit Proryde announces the release of its Adjustable Front Lift Leveling Kit for the ’19–’20 Ford Ranger. The kit is engineered to provide live on-vehicle front ride height adjustment. Seasonal on-vehicle ride-height adjustment can be made on snow-plow vehicles and other commercial front-heavy applications. The kit is manufactured to allow fender clearance for larger tire/wheel combinations and retains original OE ride quality and driving comfort. 888-813-7933 www.prorydeliftkits.com PN: 74-3150F
Hooker Blackheart Transmission Crossmembers Hooker Blackheart releases its LS/LT engine swap transmission crossmember for the ’67–’72 GM C10 trucks. It is designed specifically for use with Hooker Blackheart engine swap brackets and exhaust components. Three models are available, providing bolt-in installation of 4L80, TH400, 4L60E, TH350, 6L80, 700R4, and T56 transmissions. The crossmembers are engineered for maximum clearance and can allow for up to 3-in. exhaust without hanging below the frame rails. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN: 71222024HKR
Auto Meter Tachometer Auto Meter introduces the Auto Gage 3¾-in. pedestal 0–10,000 RPM tachometer with shift light. The tachometer is engineered to be easy to read with through-the-dial incandescent lighting featuring bright, distinctly illuminated numbers. The tachometers are designed to be compatible with most 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder engines (2–4 pulse per revolution ignition signals) with points, electronic ignitions, and most 12V high-performance racing ignitions. 866-248-6356 www.autometer.com PN: 233909

By Fredy Ramirez

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) is “data central” for hundreds of specialty parts brands, representing millions of part numbers and tens of millions of vehicle applications. Created by SEMA, the SDC is the definitive, industry-owned and -operated centralized data repository, complete with a comprehensive set of online data management tools.

The product releases below are from SEMA members who are also part of the SDC at the the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level. Learn more about the SDC at www.semadatacoop.org.

SDC members are invited to submit new-product press releases for consideration to editors@sema.org.

Hooker BlackHeart Long Tube Headers – Stainless Hooker BlackHeart introduces Long Tube Headers designed for the ’02–’04 Porsche Carrera 911/996 with (non-turbo) 3.6L engines. They are hand welded from 18-gauge 304SS and use a flange engineered to prevent warping. The hand-blended ports and tube geometry are constructed to offer excellent fit and maximum performance. Note: This product is not street-legal and may only be used on racing vehicles. Racing vehicles must be used exclusively for racing or other forms of competition. Racing vehicles must not be registered and must never be used on the street. It is illegal to install this product on a registered vehicle and use it on the street. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN: BH8323
Holley Intech Cold Air Intake Holley announces the release of its Intech cold air intake system for the ’12–’18 Jeep Wrangler JK with the 3.6L engine. The intake is designed to produce 12.8 hp and 11.6 lb.-ft. of torque on the dyno. It features a patented Slip-Seal housing-filter-tube interface manufactured to eliminate the use of hose clamps and adapters. The housing design is constructed to match the engine compartment of your vehicle. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN: 223-20
Holley Adjustable Clutch Master Cylinder Holley introduces its clutch master cylinder for the ’98–’02 Camaro and Firebird. The housing has been designed to feature the correct mounting angle for your floorboards. Inside that housing is a stainless-steel cylinder bore sleeve engineered to hold the tight tolerances needed for consistent fluid volume and pressure every time you push the clutch in. The pedal shaft is manufactured to be fully adjustable with a spherical rod end to ensure no binding during the pedal travel. The mounting hardware and detailed instructions are included. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN: 319-200
Proryde Ford Ranger Adjustable Front Lift Leveling Kit Proryde announces the release of its Adjustable Front Lift Leveling Kit for the ’19–’20 Ford Ranger. The kit is engineered to provide live on-vehicle front ride height adjustment. Seasonal on-vehicle ride-height adjustment can be made on snow-plow vehicles and other commercial front-heavy applications. The kit is manufactured to allow fender clearance for larger tire/wheel combinations and retains original OE ride quality and driving comfort. 888-813-7933 www.prorydeliftkits.com PN: 74-3150F
Hooker Blackheart Transmission Crossmembers Hooker Blackheart releases its LS/LT engine swap transmission crossmember for the ’67–’72 GM C10 trucks. It is designed specifically for use with Hooker Blackheart engine swap brackets and exhaust components. Three models are available, providing bolt-in installation of 4L80, TH400, 4L60E, TH350, 6L80, 700R4, and T56 transmissions. The crossmembers are engineered for maximum clearance and can allow for up to 3-in. exhaust without hanging below the frame rails. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN: 71222024HKR
Auto Meter Tachometer Auto Meter introduces the Auto Gage 3¾-in. pedestal 0–10,000 RPM tachometer with shift light. The tachometer is engineered to be easy to read with through-the-dial incandescent lighting featuring bright, distinctly illuminated numbers. The tachometers are designed to be compatible with most 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder engines (2–4 pulse per revolution ignition signals) with points, electronic ignitions, and most 12V high-performance racing ignitions. 866-248-6356 www.autometer.com PN: 233909

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NASCAR and some of the tracks they race on are doing their part to help in the fight against the coronavirus.

NASCAR Foundation and Race Tracks Join Fight Against Coronavirus

Racing events throughout the world have been cancelled due to the spread of the coronavirus. In light of that, NASCAR and some of the tracks they race on are doing their part to help in the fight against the virus.

The NASCAR Foundation: Through its website, The NASCAR Foundation is collecting donations to help families in need. Proceeds will go directly to delivering food, supplies, safety items and more to racing communities impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Series Invitational race at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway, proceeds went to Feed the Children in the Homestead-Miami area. In conjunction with the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Series Invitational race at virtual Texas Motor Speedway, the foundation is working with Speedway Children’s Charities—the official charity of Speedway Motorsports, which owns Texas Motor Speedway. The organizations will partner with the American Red Cross to help “lifesaving missions” in North Texas because of COVID-19.

Charlotte Motor Speedway: In partnership with the speedway, Atrium Health has created a Coronavirus Testing Center at zMAX Dragway, part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex. The remote testing site provides a convenient location for residents of northern Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties to have their tests performed, when ordered by their physician. Testing for COVID-19 is conducted without patients having to get out of their cars, which reduces the possibility of infecting other patients and healthcare workers. Tests are administered by appointment only from your physician.

Martinsville Speedway: The Virginia track is working with The Harvest Foundation and other local healthcare providers and government leaders to turn the speedway grounds into a COVID-19 testing center. The foundation indicated March 30 that an opening date, operating hours and other logistics will be announced later.

The Texas Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway all will have multiple blood drives. There has been a shortage of blood and plasma due to the pandemic. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Eric Hargan shared this video via twitter in case you have safety concerns donating blood.

NHRA Announces Revised Schedule for Pro Mod, Top Fuel Harley, Factory Stock Showdown and Mountain Motor Pro Stock

NHRA officials have announced the revised schedules for the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by J&A Service, the Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Series, the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown Series and the Mountain Motor Pro Stock category. After announcing a revised national event schedule last week, NHRA officials have announced the schedules for the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by J&A Service, the Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Series, the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown Series, and the Mountain Motor Pro Stock category. The revised schedule will consist of 12 total events for Pro Mod, 10 total events for Top Fuel Harley (the category participated in the first two national events of the season), eight events for Factory Stock Showdown and four events for Mountain Motor Pro Stock. Tentative schedule announcements for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will be announced soon. All NHRA-sanctioned drag-racing series competition is still suspended until further notice. View the schedule.

The Holley NMRA Ford Nationals and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals season openers kicked off in grand style over back-to-back weekends at Bradenton Motorsports Park. However, the huge momentum from each series was stopped cold as the COVID-19 pandemic tightened its grasp on the United States and around the world forcing our lives to adapt to a new normal.

Coming off the unscheduled break, the Power Festival in late May will now include both NMRA and NMCA at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway (Madison, Illinois) the weekend of May 28–31, now dubbed the Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA Power Festival presented by HPJ Performance.

NMRA/NMCA Releases Updated 2020 Schedule

ProMedia Events & Publishing have made changes to the schedule to ensure the continuity of championship drag racing in both event series. The sudden change to the schedules are designed to ensure both sanctioning bodies offer the racers, sponsors and fans a full list of events in 2020 rather than shorten the number events. Coming off the unscheduled break, the Power Festival in late May will now include both NMRA and NMCA at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway (Madison, Illinois) the weekend of May 28–31, now dubbed the Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA Power Festival presented by HPJ Performance. The Ford Motorsport Nationals has been removed from the 2020 schedule and the recently postponed Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals will run on that weekend of June 25–28 at Atlanta Dragway (Commerce, Georgia).

The series moves to Route 66 Raceway (Joliet, Illinois) for the as-scheduled Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing presented by Nickey Performance. The All-American Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park will host both the NMRA and NMCA championship series. The final two events on the 2020 schedules, the NMCA World Street Finals presented by Chevrolet Performance and the Nitto Tire NMRA World Finals + Holley Intergalactic Ford Festival, remain unchanged and as scheduled. The NMCA season concludes at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis September 24–27 while the NMRA finale goes down at Beech Bend Raceway October 1–4.

View the complete schedule.

Irwindale Speedway Postpones All April Events

Due to federal, state and county-wide social distancing guidelines, Irwindale Speedway & Event Center will extend the postponement of events through the end of April.

“Throughout this process, we have maintained that our number one priority is the safety or our fans, staff and competitors here at Irwindale Speedway and Irwindale Dragstrip. While we certainly look forward to seeing all of our friends here soon, we all must continue to be patient and do our part to navigate these trying times,” said Irwindale Speedway & Event Center President Tim Huddleston. “Irwindale Speedway and Irwindale Dragstrip will be here to welcome everybody when the time comes.”

Ticketholders will be able to use their tickets toward future events. Visit the Irwindale Speedway & Event Center website for a full listing of postponements.

Ultra4 Releases Revised 2020 Schedule

In concert with the park owners in Kentucky and the Tourism Department of Baja Mexico, Ultra4 Racing has cancelled its upcoming events at Rush Offroad Park (April 17) and San Felipe, Mexico (May 16). All advance paid entry fees are being refunded.

The following is the event schedule for 2020:

• Crandon, Wisconsin (June 18–21): This will be an optional non-point race open to all classes.
• 4WP Adventure Offroad Park, Tennessee (July 23–25): Points Race
• Lasernut Reno, Nevada (September 17–19): Points Race
• Nitto Tire Ultra4 National Championships at Crossbar Ranch, Oklahoma (October 22–24)
• 1st Annual Ultra4 Jamboree San Felipe, MX (11/24-11/28) – Non-competition fan/racer engagement, more details below.

For a full listing of event cancellations and postponements, visit the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) website.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 202 List 3 products imported from China and subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities including several auto parts, such as:

• Windshields of laminated safety glass (HTS 7007.21.1010)
• Rear-view mirrors (HTS 7009.10.0000)
• Hydraulic jacks (HTS 8425.42.0000)
• Camshafts for certain off-road vehicles and snowmobiles (HTS 8483.10.1030)
• Ignition coils for powersports vehicles including off-road vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles (HTS 8511.30.0080)
• Interior lighting equipment for vehicles (HTS 8512.20.2040)
• Steel or aluminum bumpers, other than stampings, for off-road vehicles (HTS 8708.10.3050)
• Certain aluminum radiators (HTS 8708.94.5000)
• Mufflers and exhaust pipes for ATVs and snowmobiles (HTS 8708.92.5000)
• Fabric automobile seat covers (HTS 8708.99.8180)
• Intercooler pipes of cast aluminum (HTS 8708.99.8180)
• Certain automobile seats (HTS 9401.20.0000)

View the entire list.

The time period for List 3 exclusions is September 24, 2018, to August 7, 2020, regardless of when the exclusion request was granted. The time period for requesting an exclusion ended September 30, 2019.

An exclusion is product specific, not company specific. That means a company that did not request the exclusion may still benefit although the benefit may be narrowly applied. For example, the beneficiary company may need to demonstrate that its product’s technical specifications are related and the product can be used in the same manner as the excluded product.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 202 List 3 products imported from China and subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities including several auto parts, such as:

• Windshields of laminated safety glass (HTS 7007.21.1010)
• Rear-view mirrors (HTS 7009.10.0000)
• Hydraulic jacks (HTS 8425.42.0000)
• Camshafts for certain off-road vehicles and snowmobiles (HTS 8483.10.1030)
• Ignition coils for powersports vehicles including off-road vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles (HTS 8511.30.0080)
• Interior lighting equipment for vehicles (HTS 8512.20.2040)
• Steel or aluminum bumpers, other than stampings, for off-road vehicles (HTS 8708.10.3050)
• Certain aluminum radiators (HTS 8708.94.5000)
• Mufflers and exhaust pipes for ATVs and snowmobiles (HTS 8708.92.5000)
• Fabric automobile seat covers (HTS 8708.99.8180)
• Intercooler pipes of cast aluminum (HTS 8708.99.8180)
• Certain automobile seats (HTS 9401.20.0000)

View the entire list.

The time period for List 3 exclusions is September 24, 2018, to August 7, 2020, regardless of when the exclusion request was granted. The time period for requesting an exclusion ended September 30, 2019.

An exclusion is product specific, not company specific. That means a company that did not request the exclusion may still benefit although the benefit may be narrowly applied. For example, the beneficiary company may need to demonstrate that its product’s technical specifications are related and the product can be used in the same manner as the excluded product.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 202 List 3 products imported from China and subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities including several auto parts, such as:

• Windshields of laminated safety glass (HTS 7007.21.1010)
• Rear-view mirrors (HTS 7009.10.0000)
• Hydraulic jacks (HTS 8425.42.0000)
• Camshafts for certain off-road vehicles and snowmobiles (HTS 8483.10.1030)
• Ignition coils for powersports vehicles including off-road vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles (HTS 8511.30.0080)
• Interior lighting equipment for vehicles (HTS 8512.20.2040)
• Steel or aluminum bumpers, other than stampings, for off-road vehicles (HTS 8708.10.3050)
• Certain aluminum radiators (HTS 8708.94.5000)
• Mufflers and exhaust pipes for ATVs and snowmobiles (HTS 8708.92.5000)
• Fabric automobile seat covers (HTS 8708.99.8180)
• Intercooler pipes of cast aluminum (HTS 8708.99.8180)
• Certain automobile seats (HTS 9401.20.0000)

View the entire list.

The time period for List 3 exclusions is September 24, 2018, to August 7, 2020, regardless of when the exclusion request was granted. The time period for requesting an exclusion ended September 30, 2019.

An exclusion is product specific, not company specific. That means a company that did not request the exclusion may still benefit although the benefit may be narrowly applied. For example, the beneficiary company may need to demonstrate that its product’s technical specifications are related and the product can be used in the same manner as the excluded product.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Covercraft Industries is expanding production of urgently needed personal protective equipment, mainly gowns and masks, for healthcare workers and first responders fighting the Coronavirus pandemic.

Covercraft Producing Personal Protective Equipment

Covercraft Industries is expanding production of urgently needed personal protective equipment, mainly gowns and masks, for healthcare workers and first responders fighting the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Covercraft’s expertise in working with non-woven specialty fabrics has allowed us to pivot our operations in the USA from crafting car covers, seat covers, and windshield sunscreens to helping provide hospitals and first responders with personal protective equipment incredibly fast”, said Clay Callan, president and COO of Covercraft Industries. “Orders will begin shipping today and we have capacity to potentially build hundreds of thousands of units. As an industry leader in the product categories we manufacture, we felt it was our duty to step in and help our country in this time of need.”

Groups or organizations in need of these PPE products should contact Covercraft at 405-367-8930 or covercraftppe@covercraft.com.

Impact Racing to Make Masks

Impact Racing, an Indianapolis-based manufacturer of helmets and racing gear, is switching production to keep its workers on the job and make items meant to keep people healthy. Former stock car racer Steve Barnett is now Franklin, Indiana’s mayor. He turned to the racing world to get face masks for his police officers and firefighters. Under normal circumstances, Impact Racing would be at the peak of making race-related gear from suits to helmets. But it's turned its production lines to make 100% cotton washable masks. For more information, visit www.impactraceproducts.com.

DSM's two Stratasys FDM 3D printers are operating around-the-clock to produce headbands to be used as part of medical face shields.

DSR/DSM Partner with Stratasys to Aid in the Fight of COVID-19 Pandemic

Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and Don Schumacher Motorsports (DSM) have joined the fight to help protect health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the growing need for supplies, DSM has teamed up with Stratasys to produce headbands, which will be used for medical face shields in healthcare facilities. DSM’s two Stratasys FDM 3D printers—the Stratasys Fortus 450mc and F370—are typically used for chassis fixturing, weldment fixturing, rapid prototype development and proofing out new components for DSR’s fleet of race cars. With NHRA drag racing at a temporary standstill, both printers have switched gears and are now working round-the-clock to churn out as many headbands as possible throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We take this pandemic very seriously and want to do our part to help,” said DSM owner Don Schumacher. “When our partners at Stratasys approached us about producing these crucial pieces for medical face shields, we didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes.’ We have the capability, so of course we wanted to do whatever we could to help support the vulnerable medical personnel that are working so hard during these unprecedented times.”

Upon completion, the DSM-produced headbands are turned over to Stratasys, who then installs clear shields to the bands. The finished goods are placed into inventory at the Stratasys warehouse, and then distributed to hospitals upon request via an online request form. For more information, visit www.shoeracing.com.

Port City Racecars Manufactures Portable Sneeze Guards

Port City Racecars, the race car chassis provider based in Mooresville, North Carolina, has started selling portable sneeze guards in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The see-through guards are designed for point-of-sale locations at places such as reception desks, grocery stores, gas stations and more. The standard size is 24-in. wide and 32-in. tall, but custom sizes are also available. For more information, visit www.portcityracecars.com.

Fleece Performance Producing Disposable Full Face Shields

Fleece Performance has redeployed its engineers and a portion of its flexible manufacturing space to develop, test, document and begin producing a patent-pending disposable full face shield for medical professionals who are running short on this form of personal protection equipment nationwide. Setting this mask apart is its ability to ship flat, requiring less than 2% of the shipping and storage space required by currently available face shields, exponentially reducing shipping and storage costs. The company has already begun deliveries to local hospitals. For more information, visit www.fleeceperformance.com.

BendPak is opening a new 100,000-sq.-ft. distribution center near Mobile, Alabama.

BendPak Opens East Coast Distribution Center

BendPak is opening a new 100,000-sq.-ft. distribution center near Mobile, Alabama, to better serve customers in the eastern United States. The administrative and shipping complex, which is expected to be fully operational within 60 days, will enable BendPak to deliver products same-day or next-day to more customers in the eastern half of the country. The new warehouse will stock all of BendPak’s products, and a future training facility will include a classroom and fully appointed service bay to offer customers an option for technical training on BendPak’s product lines. BendPak’s headquarters and distribution multiplex in Santa Paula, California, will continue offering shipping and order-fulfilment services to approximately 15 western states. BendPak’s new distribution center features a 3,600 sq.-ft. administrative office space, 15 dock doors and two oversize ramp doors.

Power Test Acquires Dynomite Dynamometer

Power Test Inc., a dynamometer and test system manufacturer located in Sussex Wisconsin, has acquired the assets of DynoMite Dynamometer—a  44 -year-old business located in Manchester, New Hampshire. This acquisition comes right on the tail of Power Test acquiring, moving and integrating another longtime competitor, SuperFlow Technologies, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa.

Al Anderson Named Peterson’s New Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Peterson Manufacturing has announced that Al Anderson has been named the company’s new vice president of sales and marketing, effective April 1. Most recently, Anderson was director of fleet business development for CIMC Intermodal Equipment, headquartered in South Gate, California. Prior to that, he was corporate director of heavy-duty sales for Peterson and helped launch the company’s PetersonPULSE Intelligent Trailer System. His previous stops include serving as national sales manager for Bose Corp.; director of national fleet accounts for JOST International; and national accounts manager for Consolidated Metco. For six years he chaired the Associates Group of the American Trucking Association’s 2,300-member Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), receiving their Recognized Associate Award and their Silver Spark Plug Award—trucking’s highest honor recognizing outstanding contributions to the industry. Anderson is also a past board member of the Truckload Carriers Association and is a Trustee of TCA’s Scholarship Fund. Anderson will head a sales and marketing force over 120 strong, including inside sales reps, customer support staff, marketing specialists, field sales and services personnel and manufacturers’ reps.

SpeedVideo is releasing four brand-new automotive shows for drag-racing fans. “Burnout,” “Drag Racing Friends,” “Tech Inspection,” and “Rewind.”

SpeedVideo.com Announces New Automotive Shows Debuting in April

SpeedVideo is releasing four brand-new automotive shows for drag-racing fans. “Burnout,” “Drag Racing Friends,” “Tech Inspection,” and “Rewind” will feature dynamic personalities from the sport starting next week. “Burnout” is the weekly drag-racing show hosted by Drag Illustrated’s Wes Buck, co-starring veteran drag-racing journalist Mike Galimi, and rising star drag racer Alex Taylor. The show features news, highlights, current events, commentary, opinions, recaps and a look ahead to the next week. “Drag Racing Friends” is a video talk show hosted by Chad Reynolds and co-host “Street Outlaws” star Kayla Morton. “Tech Inspection” is a tech-focused show featuring educational tech content for drag racers and street/strip enthusiasts. Hosted by Brian Petty, the show will discuss tuning, power adders, drivetrain, chassis setup, engine building and more. “Rewind” curates weekly, selected and highlighted drag-racing clips. Season 1 will entail 40 episodes between the four shows over the next three months. Full episodes will be live on SpeedVideo.com each week for subscribers, with one episode each month available to all via Speedvideo, Drag Illustrated, Dragzine, Facebook, and YouTube. In addition, for all four shows, show highlights, clips and cut-downs will be available across social media for free.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.