By Lindsay Bianco

The Industry Cup Challenge pits company versus company in a SEMA Pinewwod Drag Race benefitting charity.

The SEMA Pinewood Drag Race's annual Industry Cup Challenge takes charitable giving to the next level.

Sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race with high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the charities continue to help those in need, the disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars, and the industry engages the community in an overwhelmingly positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the impressive trophy for a year with its company name boldly engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drags, when the company will have a chance to defend the title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

2017 Industry Cup Challenge Winners

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 sec.
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 sec.
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 sec.
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 sec.
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 sec.

Enter the Industry Cup Challenge today!

By Lindsay Bianco

The Industry Cup Challenge pits company versus company in a SEMA Pinewwod Drag Race benefitting charity.

The SEMA Pinewood Drag Race's annual Industry Cup Challenge takes charitable giving to the next level.

Sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race with high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the charities continue to help those in need, the disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars, and the industry engages the community in an overwhelmingly positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the impressive trophy for a year with its company name boldly engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drags, when the company will have a chance to defend the title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

2017 Industry Cup Challenge Winners

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 sec.
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 sec.
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 sec.
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 sec.
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 sec.

Enter the Industry Cup Challenge today!

By Lindsay Bianco

The Industry Cup Challenge pits company versus company in a SEMA Pinewwod Drag Race benefitting charity.

The SEMA Pinewood Drag Race's annual Industry Cup Challenge takes charitable giving to the next level.

Sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race with high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the charities continue to help those in need, the disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars, and the industry engages the community in an overwhelmingly positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the impressive trophy for a year with its company name boldly engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drags, when the company will have a chance to defend the title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

2017 Industry Cup Challenge Winners

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 sec.
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 sec.
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 sec.
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 sec.
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 sec.

Enter the Industry Cup Challenge today!

By Lindsay Bianco

The Industry Cup Challenge pits company versus company in a SEMA Pinewwod Drag Race benefitting charity.

The SEMA Pinewood Drag Race's annual Industry Cup Challenge takes charitable giving to the next level.

Sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race with high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the charities continue to help those in need, the disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars, and the industry engages the community in an overwhelmingly positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the impressive trophy for a year with its company name boldly engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drags, when the company will have a chance to defend the title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

2017 Industry Cup Challenge Winners

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 sec.
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 sec.
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 sec.
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 sec.
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 sec.

Enter the Industry Cup Challenge today!

By Lindsay Bianco

The Industry Cup Challenge pits company versus company in a SEMA Pinewwod Drag Race benefitting charity.

The SEMA Pinewood Drag Race's annual Industry Cup Challenge takes charitable giving to the next level.

Sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race with high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the charities continue to help those in need, the disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars, and the industry engages the community in an overwhelmingly positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the impressive trophy for a year with its company name boldly engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drags, when the company will have a chance to defend the title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

2017 Industry Cup Challenge Winners

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 sec.
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 sec.
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 sec.
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 sec.
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 sec.

Enter the Industry Cup Challenge today!

By Lindsay Bianco

The Industry Cup Challenge pits company versus company in a SEMA Pinewwod Drag Race benefitting charity.

The SEMA Pinewood Drag Race's annual Industry Cup Challenge takes charitable giving to the next level.

Sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race with high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1.

Everyone is a true winner as the charities continue to help those in need, the disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars, and the industry engages the community in an overwhelmingly positive way.

The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:

• Warehouse Distributors
• Manufacturers
• Media Groups
• Rep Agencies
• Service Providers

The champion can display the impressive trophy for a year with its company name boldly engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drags, when the company will have a chance to defend the title.

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

2017 Industry Cup Challenge Winners

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 sec.
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 sec.
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 sec.
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 sec.
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 sec.

Enter the Industry Cup Challenge today!

By SEMA Editors

Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen (far right) on stage during the NHRA Breakfast at the SEMA Show.

Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen, who was voted No. 16 on the NHRA's Top 50 Drivers list in 2001, died June 10. He was 81.

Nicknamed The Mongoose in 1964, as part of a campaign to reel rival Don "The Snake" Prudhomme into a high-exposure match race, McEwen won five NHRA national events during his 35-plus-year career that included time in Funny Cars and Top Fuel dragsters.

Always the promoter, McEwen earned a reputation for being one of the sport's most colorful figures.

McEwen won five NHRA national events during his 35-plus-year career that included time in Funny Cars and Top Fuel dragsters.

Through his long association with Prudhomme, a friendship that survived their racing careers and sometimes bitter rivalry, McEwen helped blaze the trail toward the sponsored drag-racing team. Their Mattel sponsorship, which gave way to "Snake" and "Mongoose" Hot Wheels toys, and backing from big names like Coca-Cola and Carefree sugarless gum, were of major significance, but McEwen was a drag racer first.

McEwen made regular SEMA Show appearances throughout the years. One of the more memorable moments was when he took the stage with Prudhomme during the Show’s annual NHRA Breakfast, and the two legends entertained the audience with stories about their well-known rivalry.  

Read more about McEwen through the PRI Newsletter.

By SEMA Editors

Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen (far right) on stage during the NHRA Breakfast at the SEMA Show.

Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen, who was voted No. 16 on the NHRA's Top 50 Drivers list in 2001, died June 10. He was 81.

Nicknamed The Mongoose in 1964, as part of a campaign to reel rival Don "The Snake" Prudhomme into a high-exposure match race, McEwen won five NHRA national events during his 35-plus-year career that included time in Funny Cars and Top Fuel dragsters.

Always the promoter, McEwen earned a reputation for being one of the sport's most colorful figures.

McEwen won five NHRA national events during his 35-plus-year career that included time in Funny Cars and Top Fuel dragsters.

Through his long association with Prudhomme, a friendship that survived their racing careers and sometimes bitter rivalry, McEwen helped blaze the trail toward the sponsored drag-racing team. Their Mattel sponsorship, which gave way to "Snake" and "Mongoose" Hot Wheels toys, and backing from big names like Coca-Cola and Carefree sugarless gum, were of major significance, but McEwen was a drag racer first.

McEwen made regular SEMA Show appearances throughout the years. One of the more memorable moments was when he took the stage with Prudhomme during the Show’s annual NHRA Breakfast, and the two legends entertained the audience with stories about their well-known rivalry.  

Read more about McEwen through the PRI Newsletter.

By SEMA Editors

Turn 14 Distribution Car Show, June 16

Turn 14 Distribution will host its 2nd Annual Car Meet presented by KW Suspensions Saturday, June 16.

Turn 14 Distribution will host its 2nd Annual Car Meet presented by KW Suspensions Saturday, June 16, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., at the company’s warehouse located at 3035 Campus Dr., Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Turn 14 Distribution has partnered with well-known event promoter Canibeat for the event, and visitors can expect to see dozens of tastefully modified vehicles of all makes and models, for both the street and track.

Turn 14 Distribution will also present awards for the best vehicle in one of four categories: Modern Performance, Domestic Performance, European Performance and Truck & Off-road. The day will include RaceRoom driving simulators, live entertainment courtesy of two DJs on-site, a hospitality tent with seating and shade, and food trucks offering food and refreshments for purchase. The meet is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Vendors for the event include Akrapovič, AWE Tuning, BBS, Edelbrock, Hawk Performance, KW Suspensions, Mackin Industries, Mishimoto, Rigid Industries, Vorsteiner and Wilwood Engineering.

Mitchell 1 Launches “Thank You Thursdays” Sweepstakes

Mitchell 1 continues the celebration of its 100th anniversary with a special edition of its “Thank You Thursdays” sweepstakes on Facebook. Running now through July 12, one lucky winner will be chosen each week to receive a $100 Visa gift card. The winners will be announced on Facebook on Thursdays, with two winners to be named on the final Thursday. Facebook users can enter the sweepstakes on the Mitchell 1 page.

University of the Aftermarket Foundation Mourns the Loss of Former Chairman Tim Lee

The University of the Aftermarket Foundation board of trustees is mourning the loss of its former chairman Tim Lee, who passed away June 3 at the age of 68, and has pledged that donations made in his memory will be used to advance industry education.

The University of the Aftermarket Foundation board of trustees is mourning the loss of its former chairman Tim Lee, who passed away June 3 at the age of 68, and has pledged that donations made in his memory will be used to advance industry education.

“Tim Lee had a tremendous impact on our industry. He was a terrific leader and was actively involved in every facet of the auto care industry,” said Bob Egan, MAAP, chairman, University of the Aftermarket Foundation. “Tim’s passion for the aftermarket was evident, and he was generous with his time. One of his many leadership roles was serving as chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. Under his guidance, the foundation greatly expanded its ability to provide more scholarships to deserving students pursuing a career in the industry he loved."

An active industry participant, Lee held the roles of treasurer and chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (now Auto Care Association) and as a governor, treasurer and chairman of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA). He received many honors during his distinguished career, including the Leader of the Year Award, Martin Fromm Lifetime Achievement Award, Pursuit of Excellence Award and Art Fisher Memorial Scholarship Award. He also received the Industry Service Award from Northwood University.

To make a donation to the University of the Aftermarket, visit www.UofAFoundation.com.

Tony Solano Joins Work Truck Solutions VP of Sales

Tony Solano has joined Work Truck Solutions as the company’s vice president of sales. According to Work Truck Solutions, Solano's previous experience in Automotive DMS, SaaS and CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) makes him highly qualified to lead the growth of the company.

Solano will be responsible for leading in-house sales managers and field representatives in building relationships with dealerships, OEMs, body manufacturers, distributors and other industry contacts. He has held a number of executive sales positions over the past 28 years at Cincom Systems, Coresystems Software, Advantage Business Consulting Group, WS Technologies, Automotive Risk Management, and ADP, where he was the National Strategic Accounts Director of Sales.

AVS and Lund Accessories Join Hot Rod Power Tour as Exterior Accessories Sponsors

Lund International’s AVS and LUND Accessories divisions are the Official Exterior Accessories sponsors of the 2018 Hot Rod Power Tour, which began Saturday June 9, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. At the tour’s final stop, AVS will announce the winner of its custom 2018 Dodge Challenger SCAT Pack, and the two LUND support trucks will travel with the tour participants providing assistance for anyone that has mechanical trouble.

The “AVS Supercharged All-American Car Sweepstakes” was announced at the 2017 SEMA Show and ran through March 31, 2018. Three randomly selected finalists have been chosen to make the trip to the final stop of the tour in Concord, North Carolina where the finalistsdetermine who wins the Challenger and runner-up prizes.

Covercraft Announces GT Covers Expansion

GT Covers, a division of Covercraft Industries, has completed a move into a new facility located in Aurora, Colorado.

GT Covers, a division of Covercraft Industries, has completed a move into a new facility located in Aurora, Colorado. Covercraft acquired GT Covers in the Fall of 2017 and has invested in the expansion of the Division while incorporating strategic manufacturing processes to increase efficiency. Expanding from 18,500 ft. to 43,800 ft., the new GT Covers facility will allow for significant manufacturing growth to include not only the GT Covers product lines but also introduce new capacity for Covercraft product lines.

Currently, GT Covers is producing exact-fit seat covers that are crafted to fit consumers’ make, model and year of vehicle, including seat belt cutouts, gear shifts, armrests and headrests. Many fabric options are available, including Endura, Carhartt, Genuine Leather, Neoprene and more. To learn more about the GT Covers product offerings, visit www.gtcovers.com.

Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Launches eBay Charity Program

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has made it easier than ever to support aftermarket families in need with the new AACF eBay for Charity program. Are you already selling items you no longer need or want on eBay? Now you can select AACF as one of your favorite eBay Charities, and donate automatically when you sell any item.

The program is simple. Log in to your eBay account, and photograph and list your item as you normally would. Then find and select AACF as a favorite charity: www.charity.ebay.com/charity/Automotive-Aftermarket-Charitable-Foundation/1482978. Next, select the percentage of the sale you’d like to donate (between 10% and 100%). This video explains in detail: http://bit.ly/eBay-for-Charity-Sellers.

The program also benefits each eBay seller in a variety of ways:  

• Charitable listings increase the probability your item will sell
• 100% of your donation goes to AACF
• PayPal Giving Fund transfers your donation without a fee
• The eBay Listing Fee is discounted in the amount equal to percentage donated

“This new program makes it easy to help industry families in need,” said Joel Ayres, AACF executive director. “Whether selling a couch or a Camaro, a mountain bike or a Mustang, a heater or a Harley, now folks can support AACF with the sale of unwanted items. And, the donation amount can be customized for each item sold.”

Visit http://bit.ly/AACF-eBay-for-Charity to learn more and download a guide.

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.

Ed Monte explains his role with the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) and what this council does.