By SEMA Editors

SEMA Cares and Go Rhino will host the R/C Off Road Truck Play Day Saturday, April 28, at the Merv Griffin ChildHelp Village in Beaumont, California, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

SEMA members are invited to join SEMA Cares and Go Rhino for the R/C Off Road Truck Play Day at the Merv Griffin ChildHelp Village in Beaumont, California, Saturday, April 28, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Children will be introduced to the exciting world of remote-control action through R/C trucks (donated by Traxxas) by participating in three stages of an event-like setting.

The three stages are:

1. Staging and prepping the vehicle for use.
2. How to operate the vehicle and open track time.
3. How to properly clean and store vehicle for future use.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate. Lunch will be served. RSVP for Go Rhino’s R/C Off Road Truck Play Day by contacting Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org. The Merv Griffin ChildHelp Village is located at 14700 Manzanita Park Rd., Beaumont, California.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Cares and Go Rhino will host the R/C Off Road Truck Play Day Saturday, April 28, at the Merv Griffin ChildHelp Village in Beaumont, California, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

SEMA members are invited to join SEMA Cares and Go Rhino for the R/C Off Road Truck Play Day at the Merv Griffin ChildHelp Village in Beaumont, California, Saturday, April 28, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Children will be introduced to the exciting world of remote-control action through R/C trucks (donated by Traxxas) by participating in three stages of an event-like setting.

The three stages are:

1. Staging and prepping the vehicle for use.
2. How to operate the vehicle and open track time.
3. How to properly clean and store vehicle for future use.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate. Lunch will be served. RSVP for Go Rhino’s R/C Off Road Truck Play Day by contacting Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org. The Merv Griffin ChildHelp Village is located at 14700 Manzanita Park Rd., Beaumont, California.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Formula DRIFT has entered into a partnership with the Drift Masters European Championship to create an open dialogue between the two series that will allow greater alignment and collaboration between the two organizations.

Formula DRIFT Forms Strategic Partnership With Drift Masters European Championship

Formula DRIFT (FD) has entered into a partnership with the Drift Masters European Championship (DMEC) to create an open dialogue between the two series that will allow greater alignment and collaboration between FD and DMEC. Formula DRIFT co-founders Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage will soon travel to Torun, Poland, to continue discussions with the DMEC series organizers with a view to growing the partnership for the future. As part of the initial agreement, Formula DRIFT will award PRO licenses to the top eight drivers in the DMEC series who do not currently hold them. This will allow these drivers to compete at the highest level in Formula DRIFT for the following season. At the same time, all current FD PRO license holders will be eligible to compete in DMEC events for the entire championship season or selected rounds. To assist with their future entry into Formula Drift, the top three drivers from the DMEC series will be awarded a scholarship by FD and DMEC. It is also hoped that Formula DRIFT drivers will join the DMEC series, and both series will benefit from the influx of new drivers.

DENSO Sponsors NHRA Top Fuel Drag Racer Clay Millican

At the upcoming DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, DENSO’s logo will wrap around the Clay Millican’s dragster to celebrate the longstanding relationship between Millican, his team sponsor Parts Plus and DENSO. In the NHRA, Millican’s career highlights include a world-record title with a best elapsed time of 3.628 seconds, set this year at the season opener in Pomona, California, where he broke his own record (3.631 seconds) set last year in Madison, Illinois. DENSO and Millican also support each other off the track. Millican, an advocate of road safety, helped to promote DENSO’s safety efforts in North America with a 10-city mobile road tour in 2017. Additionally, Millican has been a featured guest of DENSO’s at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where he spoke to youngsters about safe driving and his racing career, and at AAPEX in Las Vegas. In addition, DENSO is a supporting sponsor of all 24 races in the 2018 Mello Yello series crisscrossing the nation through November. DENSO’s other support for the NHRA includes the recent creation of the DENSO Spark Plugs 200 MPH Club to honor the first racers in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class who break the 200-mph barrier.

Beginning with the March 16 season opener of the NHRDA Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Drag Racing Series in Chandler, Arizona, Hot Shot’s Secret will support Save the Racks by donating $50 for every pass made during the drag-racing series, and will provide a $250 bonus for a second-place finish or a $500 bonus if Amalee Mueller wins the class.

Hot Shot’s Secret Partners with Amalee Mueller to Save the Racks

Hot Shot’s Secret will partner with NHRDA racer and pro puller Amalee Mueller to “Save The Racks.” Beginning with the March 16 season opener of the NHRDA Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Drag Racing Series in Chandler, Arizona, Hot Shot’s Secret will support Save the Racks by donating $50 for every pass made during the drag-racing series, and will provide a $250 bonus for a second-place finish or a $500 bonus if Mueller wins the class. Starting the season, Mueller won the 10.90 index class, racking up a donation total of $850 from Hot Shot’s Secret. In addition, Hot Shot’s Secret will also make donations following the same schedule for all passes run by Mueller’s father, Edgar Artecona, to support this cause. All funds collected throughout the season will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in October during the NHRDA World Finals, which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness month. This year, Mueller is unveiling a new “Save the Racks” wrapped Pro Stock truck built by Lavon Miller and the Firepunk Diesel team, D&J Precision and fueled by Exergy Performance, at the Oklahoma Diesel Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 18–19.

VP Racing Fuels Extends Partnership With Sebring International Raceway; Signs Multi-Year Agreement With SCORE International

VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced the signing of a long-term agreement with Sebring International Raceway to provide fuel service as its Official Racing Fuel partner. VP Racing Fuels has provided fuel to the track since 2015, and also provided on-site fuel service for its 2018 IMSA SportsCar Championship, IMSA Prototype Challenge, Continental Tire and GT3 Cup events.

In addition, VP Racing Fuels has signed a long-term agreement with SCORE International as its official fuel. As the 2018 SCORE season launches April 5, in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, VP Racing Fuel distributors Dion/Amber Racing Services and Amber De Mexico will provide fuel service and offer special pricing to SCORE competitors who take advantage of the pre-order system available through the SCORE registration system for all events. VP’s sponsorship of SCORE is also a key part of the initiative to expand the VP products presence throughout Mexico.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Formula DRIFT has entered into a partnership with the Drift Masters European Championship to create an open dialogue between the two series that will allow greater alignment and collaboration between the two organizations.

Formula DRIFT Forms Strategic Partnership With Drift Masters European Championship

Formula DRIFT (FD) has entered into a partnership with the Drift Masters European Championship (DMEC) to create an open dialogue between the two series that will allow greater alignment and collaboration between FD and DMEC. Formula DRIFT co-founders Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage will soon travel to Torun, Poland, to continue discussions with the DMEC series organizers with a view to growing the partnership for the future. As part of the initial agreement, Formula DRIFT will award PRO licenses to the top eight drivers in the DMEC series who do not currently hold them. This will allow these drivers to compete at the highest level in Formula DRIFT for the following season. At the same time, all current FD PRO license holders will be eligible to compete in DMEC events for the entire championship season or selected rounds. To assist with their future entry into Formula Drift, the top three drivers from the DMEC series will be awarded a scholarship by FD and DMEC. It is also hoped that Formula DRIFT drivers will join the DMEC series, and both series will benefit from the influx of new drivers.

DENSO Sponsors NHRA Top Fuel Drag Racer Clay Millican

At the upcoming DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, DENSO’s logo will wrap around the Clay Millican’s dragster to celebrate the longstanding relationship between Millican, his team sponsor Parts Plus and DENSO. In the NHRA, Millican’s career highlights include a world-record title with a best elapsed time of 3.628 seconds, set this year at the season opener in Pomona, California, where he broke his own record (3.631 seconds) set last year in Madison, Illinois. DENSO and Millican also support each other off the track. Millican, an advocate of road safety, helped to promote DENSO’s safety efforts in North America with a 10-city mobile road tour in 2017. Additionally, Millican has been a featured guest of DENSO’s at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where he spoke to youngsters about safe driving and his racing career, and at AAPEX in Las Vegas. In addition, DENSO is a supporting sponsor of all 24 races in the 2018 Mello Yello series crisscrossing the nation through November. DENSO’s other support for the NHRA includes the recent creation of the DENSO Spark Plugs 200 MPH Club to honor the first racers in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class who break the 200-mph barrier.

Beginning with the March 16 season opener of the NHRDA Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Drag Racing Series in Chandler, Arizona, Hot Shot’s Secret will support Save the Racks by donating $50 for every pass made during the drag-racing series, and will provide a $250 bonus for a second-place finish or a $500 bonus if Amalee Mueller wins the class.

Hot Shot’s Secret Partners with Amalee Mueller to Save the Racks

Hot Shot’s Secret will partner with NHRDA racer and pro puller Amalee Mueller to “Save The Racks.” Beginning with the March 16 season opener of the NHRDA Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Drag Racing Series in Chandler, Arizona, Hot Shot’s Secret will support Save the Racks by donating $50 for every pass made during the drag-racing series, and will provide a $250 bonus for a second-place finish or a $500 bonus if Mueller wins the class. Starting the season, Mueller won the 10.90 index class, racking up a donation total of $850 from Hot Shot’s Secret. In addition, Hot Shot’s Secret will also make donations following the same schedule for all passes run by Mueller’s father, Edgar Artecona, to support this cause. All funds collected throughout the season will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in October during the NHRDA World Finals, which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness month. This year, Mueller is unveiling a new “Save the Racks” wrapped Pro Stock truck built by Lavon Miller and the Firepunk Diesel team, D&J Precision and fueled by Exergy Performance, at the Oklahoma Diesel Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 18–19.

VP Racing Fuels Extends Partnership With Sebring International Raceway; Signs Multi-Year Agreement With SCORE International

VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced the signing of a long-term agreement with Sebring International Raceway to provide fuel service as its Official Racing Fuel partner. VP Racing Fuels has provided fuel to the track since 2015, and also provided on-site fuel service for its 2018 IMSA SportsCar Championship, IMSA Prototype Challenge, Continental Tire and GT3 Cup events.

In addition, VP Racing Fuels has signed a long-term agreement with SCORE International as its official fuel. As the 2018 SCORE season launches April 5, in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, VP Racing Fuel distributors Dion/Amber Racing Services and Amber De Mexico will provide fuel service and offer special pricing to SCORE competitors who take advantage of the pre-order system available through the SCORE registration system for all events. VP’s sponsorship of SCORE is also a key part of the initiative to expand the VP products presence throughout Mexico.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. government has launched an investigation into whether extra-large steel wheels imported from China are being dumped or illegally subsidized. The petitioners are Accuride Corp. and Maxion Wheels Acron LLC, and the subject wheels have 22.5–24.5-in. wheel diameters, and are generally used on trucks, trailers, military and agricultural vehicles.

This is the second time in recent years that the government has investigated steel wheels from China. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) found that dumping (sales below fair market value) and unfair Chinese government subsidization was occurring, but the International Trade Commission (ITC) found that the imports were not injuring or threatening to injure U.S. industry and dismissed the case. The DOC will now make new preliminary calculations on whether dumping/subsidies are occurring while the ITC contacts foreign producers, exporters and U.S. importers for specific information in determining harm to U.S. industry.

The subject merchandise falls under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule categories: 8708.70.4530, 8708.70.4560, 8708.70.6030, 8708.70.6060, 8716.90.5045 and 8716.90.5059. Wheels meeting the scope description may also enter under the following subheadings: 4011.20.1015, 4011.20.5020 and 8708.99.48.50. The alleged AD (dumping) and CVD (subsidies) margins are: AD: 11.3% to 231.7%; CVD: 0.03% to 77.27%.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. government has launched an investigation into whether extra-large steel wheels imported from China are being dumped or illegally subsidized. The petitioners are Accuride Corp. and Maxion Wheels Acron LLC, and the subject wheels have 22.5–24.5-in. wheel diameters, and are generally used on trucks, trailers, military and agricultural vehicles.

This is the second time in recent years that the government has investigated steel wheels from China. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) found that dumping (sales below fair market value) and unfair Chinese government subsidization was occurring, but the International Trade Commission (ITC) found that the imports were not injuring or threatening to injure U.S. industry and dismissed the case. The DOC will now make new preliminary calculations on whether dumping/subsidies are occurring while the ITC contacts foreign producers, exporters and U.S. importers for specific information in determining harm to U.S. industry.

The subject merchandise falls under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule categories: 8708.70.4530, 8708.70.4560, 8708.70.6030, 8708.70.6060, 8716.90.5045 and 8716.90.5059. Wheels meeting the scope description may also enter under the following subheadings: 4011.20.1015, 4011.20.5020 and 8708.99.48.50. The alleged AD (dumping) and CVD (subsidies) margins are: AD: 11.3% to 231.7%; CVD: 0.03% to 77.27%.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. government has launched an investigation into whether extra-large steel wheels imported from China are being dumped or illegally subsidized. The petitioners are Accuride Corp. and Maxion Wheels Acron LLC, and the subject wheels have 22.5–24.5-in. wheel diameters, and are generally used on trucks, trailers, military and agricultural vehicles.

This is the second time in recent years that the government has investigated steel wheels from China. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) found that dumping (sales below fair market value) and unfair Chinese government subsidization was occurring, but the International Trade Commission (ITC) found that the imports were not injuring or threatening to injure U.S. industry and dismissed the case. The DOC will now make new preliminary calculations on whether dumping/subsidies are occurring while the ITC contacts foreign producers, exporters and U.S. importers for specific information in determining harm to U.S. industry.

The subject merchandise falls under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule categories: 8708.70.4530, 8708.70.4560, 8708.70.6030, 8708.70.6060, 8716.90.5045 and 8716.90.5059. Wheels meeting the scope description may also enter under the following subheadings: 4011.20.1015, 4011.20.5020 and 8708.99.48.50. The alleged AD (dumping) and CVD (subsidies) margins are: AD: 11.3% to 231.7%; CVD: 0.03% to 77.27%.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Showgoers booking through the SEMA Show housing partner receive guaranteed low rates at a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip, including the Golden Nugget.

The Travel & Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com features a real-time listing of the hotel deals and discounts available for the 2018 SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. The page also offers information, such as price, location and shuttle availability, to help showgoers determine the hotel that best accommodates their needs.

Showgoers booking through the SEMA Show housing partner receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip. Here are examples of the hotels available:

• Golden Nugget Las Vegas - $169 per night
• Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - $164 per night
• Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino - $267 per night

Read more about the benefits of booking through the Show’s official housing provider. 

Note: Attendees and exhibitors should be vigilant if approached by companies or services other than OnPeak that implies or claims to be an official housing provider of the SEMA Show. Management is aware of other housing companies and travel agencies that may be aggressively pursuing you or your company to book your guest rooms through their company at supposedly significant discounts.

Reservations made through an agency other than OnPeak are at your own risk. Exhibitors and attendees contacted by another housing company trying to sell hotel rooms should notify SEMA Show Management at 909-396-0289.

By SEMA Editors

Showgoers booking through the SEMA Show housing partner receive guaranteed low rates at a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip, including the Golden Nugget.

The Travel & Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com features a real-time listing of the hotel deals and discounts available for the 2018 SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, in Las Vegas. The page also offers information, such as price, location and shuttle availability, to help showgoers determine the hotel that best accommodates their needs.

Showgoers booking through the SEMA Show housing partner receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip. Here are examples of the hotels available:

• Golden Nugget Las Vegas - $169 per night
• Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - $164 per night
• Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino - $267 per night

Read more about the benefits of booking through the Show’s official housing provider. 

Note: Attendees and exhibitors should be vigilant if approached by companies or services other than OnPeak that implies or claims to be an official housing provider of the SEMA Show. Management is aware of other housing companies and travel agencies that may be aggressively pursuing you or your company to book your guest rooms through their company at supposedly significant discounts.

Reservations made through an agency other than OnPeak are at your own risk. Exhibitors and attendees contacted by another housing company trying to sell hotel rooms should notify SEMA Show Management at 909-396-0289.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) published a list of about 1,300 product categories covering nearly $50 billion worth of U.S. imports from China that could be subject to a proposed 25% tariff. The product list includes chemicals, metal products, machinery, measurement and medical devices, weapons and seats for aircraft and motor vehicles. The list is subject to public comment and revision. A public hearing is scheduled for May 15 before the U.S. International Trade Commission. Parties interested in appearing at the hearing must register by April 23. Written comments are due by May 11.

The tariffs could go into effect in June or even later. The list could also be reduced if U.S./Chinese negotiators make progress on addressing trade disputes. The U.S. is pressing for more equitable tariffs and free trade and an end to practices that force companies to transfer their technology to China. The Chinese have threatened retaliatory tariffs, many of which are targeted at U.S. agricultural products. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.