By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Danny Thompson crew with Challenger 2.

Team Vesco crew with Turbinator II.

At least five vehicles have driven more than 400 mph during Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Located in northwestern Utah, Bonneville is central to the history of motorsports, where hundreds of land-speed records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive classes. Speed Week began in 1949 and is the largest annual racing event held at Bonneville, with hundreds of teams racing every type of vehicle, from hot rods, roadsters and belly tankers to motorcycles, lakesters and streamliners. In addition to Speed Week, there are four other major racing events at Bonneville during August and September.

In 1960, Mickey Thompson, was the first American racer to break the 400-mph barrier with a one-time speed of 406.60 mph in the Challenger I. This week, his son Danny Thompson set a new land-speed record at 448.757 mph in the Challenger II. That record was quickly broken by the Team Vesco’s Turbinator II land-speed record at 455.107 mph.

While the racing news is positive, the conditions at Bonneville have deteriorated since the 1960s. Today, the salt crust is measured in inches rather than feet, and the 13-mile race track is now eight miles or less. The Bonneville Salt Flats Race Track is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). However, SEMA has helped to develop a 10-year program to restore the salt flats to ensure that speed records continue to be made at Bonneville by future generations. SEMA urges the public to contact their U.S. Representative and Senators and ask for their support in funding the measure. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Danny Thompson crew with Challenger 2.

Team Vesco crew with Turbinator II.

At least five vehicles have driven more than 400 mph during Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Located in northwestern Utah, Bonneville is central to the history of motorsports, where hundreds of land-speed records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive classes. Speed Week began in 1949 and is the largest annual racing event held at Bonneville, with hundreds of teams racing every type of vehicle, from hot rods, roadsters and belly tankers to motorcycles, lakesters and streamliners. In addition to Speed Week, there are four other major racing events at Bonneville during August and September.

In 1960, Mickey Thompson, was the first American racer to break the 400-mph barrier with a one-time speed of 406.60 mph in the Challenger I. This week, his son Danny Thompson set a new land-speed record at 448.757 mph in the Challenger II. That record was quickly broken by the Team Vesco’s Turbinator II land-speed record at 455.107 mph.

While the racing news is positive, the conditions at Bonneville have deteriorated since the 1960s. Today, the salt crust is measured in inches rather than feet, and the 13-mile race track is now eight miles or less. The Bonneville Salt Flats Race Track is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). However, SEMA has helped to develop a 10-year program to restore the salt flats to ensure that speed records continue to be made at Bonneville by future generations. SEMA urges the public to contact their U.S. Representative and Senators and ask for their support in funding the measure. 

By Zane Clark

Attorney Eugene Zelek will return the 2018 SEMA Show to lead an important session on MAP policies and practices.

Forbes contributor Siimon Reynolds once asked the question, “What is the most crucial aspect of business to focus on to ensure success?” Reynolds suggested that answers to this question would likely include sales, marketing, leadership, systems and financial acumen. However, he concluded that the underlying element contributing to success is urgency.

According to Reynolds, “The No. 1 gripe of executives and entrepreneurs today is that they can’t get enough done.”

One implication is that executives and entrepreneurs must empower their staff by providing the tools and resources to help move the business forward and ensure success by creating a shared sense of urgency.

Below are five sessions that will help your team do just that:

Effectively Dealing With Online and Other Discounting: A No-Nonsense Panel Discussion
Resale price erosion in the automotive aftermarket is a growing problem that affects every level of distribution—manufacturers, warehouse/distributors and both brick-and-mortar and online dealers and retailers. Industry panelists will pass on the lessons they’ve learned along the way—both the positives and the pitfalls.

Winning the Innovation Game
Participants will learn the four building blocks for executing an innovation strategy in an environment where change is happening at an ever-increasing rate. Extensive research done at Stanford University, MIT, Harvard and in the field by hundreds of practitioners has been brought together in a simple and powerful framework that leaders at all levels can take advantage of in the pursuit of their goals, given high levels of change.

Killing Status Quo with Principles to Fortune
Crush your competition from anywhere in the world with the power of the internet and an empowered workforce. No Ivy League degree or resources required. Learn why and how to craft a culture to massively grow your business. Q&A around work culture, e-commerce and killing status quo.

Why You Make More Money When You Have a Business Plan
All businesses in the trade were started with an idea. Unfortunately, most ideas were never written down and developed into a plan of action. This session explains how a business plan is not primarily for obtaining a loan, but is intended to help the owner develop the right course for the business and is to be used to keep the business and owner on track over the life of the business.

Build Your Tribe. Cut the Noise. Grow Your Business
Every day we are bombarded with information. “Push”-style messages trying to force us to buy this or recommend that. “Pull”-type messages promise untold wealth and happiness if we just do these three things! Find out direct from small-business boot-strappers and global business road warriors why employing on a more focused and authentic approach will enable you to punch through the “noise.”

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all sessions and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By Zane Clark

Attorney Eugene Zelek will return the 2018 SEMA Show to lead an important session on MAP policies and practices.

Forbes contributor Siimon Reynolds once asked the question, “What is the most crucial aspect of business to focus on to ensure success?” Reynolds suggested that answers to this question would likely include sales, marketing, leadership, systems and financial acumen. However, he concluded that the underlying element contributing to success is urgency.

According to Reynolds, “The No. 1 gripe of executives and entrepreneurs today is that they can’t get enough done.”

One implication is that executives and entrepreneurs must empower their staff by providing the tools and resources to help move the business forward and ensure success by creating a shared sense of urgency.

Below are five sessions that will help your team do just that:

Effectively Dealing With Online and Other Discounting: A No-Nonsense Panel Discussion
Resale price erosion in the automotive aftermarket is a growing problem that affects every level of distribution—manufacturers, warehouse/distributors and both brick-and-mortar and online dealers and retailers. Industry panelists will pass on the lessons they’ve learned along the way—both the positives and the pitfalls.

Winning the Innovation Game
Participants will learn the four building blocks for executing an innovation strategy in an environment where change is happening at an ever-increasing rate. Extensive research done at Stanford University, MIT, Harvard and in the field by hundreds of practitioners has been brought together in a simple and powerful framework that leaders at all levels can take advantage of in the pursuit of their goals, given high levels of change.

Killing Status Quo with Principles to Fortune
Crush your competition from anywhere in the world with the power of the internet and an empowered workforce. No Ivy League degree or resources required. Learn why and how to craft a culture to massively grow your business. Q&A around work culture, e-commerce and killing status quo.

Why You Make More Money When You Have a Business Plan
All businesses in the trade were started with an idea. Unfortunately, most ideas were never written down and developed into a plan of action. This session explains how a business plan is not primarily for obtaining a loan, but is intended to help the owner develop the right course for the business and is to be used to keep the business and owner on track over the life of the business.

Build Your Tribe. Cut the Noise. Grow Your Business
Every day we are bombarded with information. “Push”-style messages trying to force us to buy this or recommend that. “Pull”-type messages promise untold wealth and happiness if we just do these three things! Find out direct from small-business boot-strappers and global business road warriors why employing on a more focused and authentic approach will enable you to punch through the “noise.”

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all sessions and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By Zane Clark

Attorney Eugene Zelek will return the 2018 SEMA Show to lead an important session on MAP policies and practices.

Forbes contributor Siimon Reynolds once asked the question, “What is the most crucial aspect of business to focus on to ensure success?” Reynolds suggested that answers to this question would likely include sales, marketing, leadership, systems and financial acumen. However, he concluded that the underlying element contributing to success is urgency.

According to Reynolds, “The No. 1 gripe of executives and entrepreneurs today is that they can’t get enough done.”

One implication is that executives and entrepreneurs must empower their staff by providing the tools and resources to help move the business forward and ensure success by creating a shared sense of urgency.

Below are five sessions that will help your team do just that:

Effectively Dealing With Online and Other Discounting: A No-Nonsense Panel Discussion
Resale price erosion in the automotive aftermarket is a growing problem that affects every level of distribution—manufacturers, warehouse/distributors and both brick-and-mortar and online dealers and retailers. Industry panelists will pass on the lessons they’ve learned along the way—both the positives and the pitfalls.

Winning the Innovation Game
Participants will learn the four building blocks for executing an innovation strategy in an environment where change is happening at an ever-increasing rate. Extensive research done at Stanford University, MIT, Harvard and in the field by hundreds of practitioners has been brought together in a simple and powerful framework that leaders at all levels can take advantage of in the pursuit of their goals, given high levels of change.

Killing Status Quo with Principles to Fortune
Crush your competition from anywhere in the world with the power of the internet and an empowered workforce. No Ivy League degree or resources required. Learn why and how to craft a culture to massively grow your business. Q&A around work culture, e-commerce and killing status quo.

Why You Make More Money When You Have a Business Plan
All businesses in the trade were started with an idea. Unfortunately, most ideas were never written down and developed into a plan of action. This session explains how a business plan is not primarily for obtaining a loan, but is intended to help the owner develop the right course for the business and is to be used to keep the business and owner on track over the life of the business.

Build Your Tribe. Cut the Noise. Grow Your Business
Every day we are bombarded with information. “Push”-style messages trying to force us to buy this or recommend that. “Pull”-type messages promise untold wealth and happiness if we just do these three things! Find out direct from small-business boot-strappers and global business road warriors why employing on a more focused and authentic approach will enable you to punch through the “noise.”

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all sessions and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By Kristopher Porter

Throughout the Media Preview Exclusive, exhibiting truck accessory manufacturers will meet face-to-face with editors, reporters and influencers, and introduce their latest products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers.

The Media Preview Exclusive, presented by the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA), will enable manufacturers exhibiting at the 2018 SEMA Show to maximize product exposure to some of the top members of the media from the light-truck segment. The event will be held in the Media Center located in the Skybridge of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Monday, October 29, prior to the opening of the 2018 SEMA Show.

Throughout the two-hour event, exhibiting truck accessory manufacturers will meet face-to-face with editors, reporters and influencers, and introduce their latest products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers. Manufacturers are encouraged to set up temporary signage, banners and marketing materials within their designated display spaces and bring products for the media to see and touch.

Exhibitors will also have the exclusive opportunity to enter their new products to win an award that will be presented during the event. The “TORA Best New Product Under $500” and “TORA Best New Product Over $500” will be selected from the 2018 Media Preview Exclusive exhibitors who enter their new products during the application period.

Exhibiting requirements and key details:

• Must be a light-truck accessory manufacturer.
• Must be a good-standing member of SEMA and TORA at the time of application and event.
• Must exhibit at the 2018 SEMA Show.
• Selected participants shall commit to staffing their booth from 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. on the event day.
• A $300 exhibitor fee will be charged to companies selected to exhibit after the application deadline (August 31).

Apply to exhibit now!

By Kristopher Porter

Throughout the Media Preview Exclusive, exhibiting truck accessory manufacturers will meet face-to-face with editors, reporters and influencers, and introduce their latest products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers.

The Media Preview Exclusive, presented by the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA), will enable manufacturers exhibiting at the 2018 SEMA Show to maximize product exposure to some of the top members of the media from the light-truck segment. The event will be held in the Media Center located in the Skybridge of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Monday, October 29, prior to the opening of the 2018 SEMA Show.

Throughout the two-hour event, exhibiting truck accessory manufacturers will meet face-to-face with editors, reporters and influencers, and introduce their latest products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers. Manufacturers are encouraged to set up temporary signage, banners and marketing materials within their designated display spaces and bring products for the media to see and touch.

Exhibitors will also have the exclusive opportunity to enter their new products to win an award that will be presented during the event. The “TORA Best New Product Under $500” and “TORA Best New Product Over $500” will be selected from the 2018 Media Preview Exclusive exhibitors who enter their new products during the application period.

Exhibiting requirements and key details:

• Must be a light-truck accessory manufacturer.
• Must be a good-standing member of SEMA and TORA at the time of application and event.
• Must exhibit at the 2018 SEMA Show.
• Selected participants shall commit to staffing their booth from 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. on the event day.
• A $300 exhibitor fee will be charged to companies selected to exhibit after the application deadline (August 31).

Apply to exhibit now!

By Kristopher Porter

Throughout the Media Preview Exclusive, exhibiting truck accessory manufacturers will meet face-to-face with editors, reporters and influencers, and introduce their latest products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers.

The Media Preview Exclusive, presented by the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA), will enable manufacturers exhibiting at the 2018 SEMA Show to maximize product exposure to some of the top members of the media from the light-truck segment. The event will be held in the Media Center located in the Skybridge of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Monday, October 29, prior to the opening of the 2018 SEMA Show.

Throughout the two-hour event, exhibiting truck accessory manufacturers will meet face-to-face with editors, reporters and influencers, and introduce their latest products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers. Manufacturers are encouraged to set up temporary signage, banners and marketing materials within their designated display spaces and bring products for the media to see and touch.

Exhibitors will also have the exclusive opportunity to enter their new products to win an award that will be presented during the event. The “TORA Best New Product Under $500” and “TORA Best New Product Over $500” will be selected from the 2018 Media Preview Exclusive exhibitors who enter their new products during the application period.

Exhibiting requirements and key details:

• Must be a light-truck accessory manufacturer.
• Must be a good-standing member of SEMA and TORA at the time of application and event.
• Must exhibit at the 2018 SEMA Show.
• Selected participants shall commit to staffing their booth from 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. on the event day.
• A $300 exhibitor fee will be charged to companies selected to exhibit after the application deadline (August 31).

Apply to exhibit now!

By Kristopher Porter

Throughout the Media Preview Exclusive, exhibiting truck accessory manufacturers will meet face-to-face with editors, reporters and influencers, and introduce their latest products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers.

The Media Preview Exclusive, presented by the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA), will enable manufacturers exhibiting at the 2018 SEMA Show to maximize product exposure to some of the top members of the media from the light-truck segment. The event will be held in the Media Center located in the Skybridge of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Monday, October 29, prior to the opening of the 2018 SEMA Show.

Throughout the two-hour event, exhibiting truck accessory manufacturers will meet face-to-face with editors, reporters and influencers, and introduce their latest products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers. Manufacturers are encouraged to set up temporary signage, banners and marketing materials within their designated display spaces and bring products for the media to see and touch.

Exhibitors will also have the exclusive opportunity to enter their new products to win an award that will be presented during the event. The “TORA Best New Product Under $500” and “TORA Best New Product Over $500” will be selected from the 2018 Media Preview Exclusive exhibitors who enter their new products during the application period.

Exhibiting requirements and key details:

• Must be a light-truck accessory manufacturer.
• Must be a good-standing member of SEMA and TORA at the time of application and event.
• Must exhibit at the 2018 SEMA Show.
• Selected participants shall commit to staffing their booth from 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. on the event day.
• A $300 exhibitor fee will be charged to companies selected to exhibit after the application deadline (August 31).

Apply to exhibit now!

John Collins, vice president for Textron, discusses many of the things the company does for the automotive specialty-equipment industry.