By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A bill was introduced to eliminate a recent requirement that $833,000 collected from off-highway vehicle (OHV) taxes and fees be transferred to the state of California’s general fund rather deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund.

A bill was introduced to eliminate a recent requirement that $833,000 collected from off-highway vehicle (OHV) taxes and fees be transferred to the state of California’s general fund rather deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund. The legislation is currently in the Assembly Committee on Transportation. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Daniel Ingber at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A bill was introduced to eliminate a recent requirement that $833,000 collected from off-highway vehicle (OHV) taxes and fees be transferred to the state of California’s general fund rather deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund.

A bill was introduced to eliminate a recent requirement that $833,000 collected from off-highway vehicle (OHV) taxes and fees be transferred to the state of California’s general fund rather deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund. The legislation is currently in the Assembly Committee on Transportation. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Daniel Ingber at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A bill was introduced to eliminate a recent requirement that $833,000 collected from off-highway vehicle (OHV) taxes and fees be transferred to the state of California’s general fund rather deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund.

A bill was introduced to eliminate a recent requirement that $833,000 collected from off-highway vehicle (OHV) taxes and fees be transferred to the state of California’s general fund rather deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund. The legislation is currently in the Assembly Committee on Transportation. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Daniel Ingber at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A bill was introduced to eliminate a recent requirement that $833,000 collected from off-highway vehicle (OHV) taxes and fees be transferred to the state of California’s general fund rather deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund.

A bill was introduced to eliminate a recent requirement that $833,000 collected from off-highway vehicle (OHV) taxes and fees be transferred to the state of California’s general fund rather deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Fund. The legislation is currently in the Assembly Committee on Transportation. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Daniel Ingber at stateleg@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Falken’s teams are running in the King of the Hammers 4400, 4500, 4600 and 4800 classes.

Falken Tires Kicks Off King of the Hammers Week 2018 With 11 Teams Competing

Falken Tires returns to off-road racing in 2018 through its support of 11 teams for the 12th running of the King of the Hammers (KOH) race week, February 2–10, on Means Dry Lake. Falken’s teams are running in the 4400, 4500, 4600 and 4800 classes. Drivers include Brian McNamara, the 2015 Ultra4 4600 Class National Champion, who also placed second in the same class in both 2016 and 2017, and Shawn Rants, who scored first in national points in the 2017 Ultra4. Savvy Off-Road returned, and entered a vehicle in the 4500 class driven by Dan Fresh, who is known for his four Baja 1000 championships.

Angie Smith

DENSO Sponsors Angie and Matt Smith for 2018 NHRA Season

DENSO Products and Services Americas Inc. will serve as the primary sponsor for Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Angie Smith in the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. DENSO also will serve as an associate sponsor of racer Matt Smith, Angie’s teammate and husband. Only one of a handful of women to ever compete in the class, Angie Smith will continue to ride her Matt Smith Racing Buell V-Twin powered by DENSO Iridium spark plugs. As part of their ongoing partnership, Angie Smith will continue to support DENSO by making personal appearances at customer events, trade shows and associate gatherings. The 2018 Mello Yello series kicks off February 8–11, at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. In addition to backing the Smiths, DENSO returns for the third consecutive year as the title sponsor of the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 6–8, in Las Vegas. DENSO also remains a supporting sponsor of all 24 races in the series that crisscrosses the nation through November.

Landon Simon’s Mt Baker Vapor race cars will sport new paint schemes this season.

Landon Simon to Sport New Colors

There are fresh, new, colorful paint schemes on the Mt Baker Vapor race cars this season, two of which will occupy the Landon Simon Racing hauler when the team enters the pits for the 2018 USAC season opener next week in Ocala, Florida. Simon will kick off the season behind the wheel of the Mt Baker Vapor-sponsored race car at Bubba Raceway Park, February 15–17. Simon’s car has a new look to it this year, featuring Mt Baker Vapor’s new line “Make the Switch,” which encourages tobacco users to make healthier choices and utilize vaping as an alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes. This three-day race in the Sunshine State will begin a 60+ midget, sprint car and wing sprint car schedule for Simon, who operates the team out of Speedway, Indiana, and wears multiple hats as owner, driver and crew chief of the #24 cars. The team’s complete schedule will be published on www.landonsimon.com at a later date.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Falken’s teams are running in the King of the Hammers 4400, 4500, 4600 and 4800 classes.

Falken Tires Kicks Off King of the Hammers Week 2018 With 11 Teams Competing

Falken Tires returns to off-road racing in 2018 through its support of 11 teams for the 12th running of the King of the Hammers (KOH) race week, February 2–10, on Means Dry Lake. Falken’s teams are running in the 4400, 4500, 4600 and 4800 classes. Drivers include Brian McNamara, the 2015 Ultra4 4600 Class National Champion, who also placed second in the same class in both 2016 and 2017, and Shawn Rants, who scored first in national points in the 2017 Ultra4. Savvy Off-Road returned, and entered a vehicle in the 4500 class driven by Dan Fresh, who is known for his four Baja 1000 championships.

Angie Smith

DENSO Sponsors Angie and Matt Smith for 2018 NHRA Season

DENSO Products and Services Americas Inc. will serve as the primary sponsor for Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Angie Smith in the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. DENSO also will serve as an associate sponsor of racer Matt Smith, Angie’s teammate and husband. Only one of a handful of women to ever compete in the class, Angie Smith will continue to ride her Matt Smith Racing Buell V-Twin powered by DENSO Iridium spark plugs. As part of their ongoing partnership, Angie Smith will continue to support DENSO by making personal appearances at customer events, trade shows and associate gatherings. The 2018 Mello Yello series kicks off February 8–11, at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. In addition to backing the Smiths, DENSO returns for the third consecutive year as the title sponsor of the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 6–8, in Las Vegas. DENSO also remains a supporting sponsor of all 24 races in the series that crisscrosses the nation through November.

Landon Simon’s Mt Baker Vapor race cars will sport new paint schemes this season.

Landon Simon to Sport New Colors

There are fresh, new, colorful paint schemes on the Mt Baker Vapor race cars this season, two of which will occupy the Landon Simon Racing hauler when the team enters the pits for the 2018 USAC season opener next week in Ocala, Florida. Simon will kick off the season behind the wheel of the Mt Baker Vapor-sponsored race car at Bubba Raceway Park, February 15–17. Simon’s car has a new look to it this year, featuring Mt Baker Vapor’s new line “Make the Switch,” which encourages tobacco users to make healthier choices and utilize vaping as an alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes. This three-day race in the Sunshine State will begin a 60+ midget, sprint car and wing sprint car schedule for Simon, who operates the team out of Speedway, Indiana, and wears multiple hats as owner, driver and crew chief of the #24 cars. The team’s complete schedule will be published on www.landonsimon.com at a later date.

By Jenny Galvan

SEMA is now accepting nominations for council and network select committee positions.

Nominations are now being accepted for select committee positions on SEMA’s councils and networks.

SEMA council or network select committee volunteers work alongside automotive professionals from different segments of the industry and identify common challenges. More importantly, they work toward solutions, make key connections, grow in their professions and gain fulfillment from being an integral part of something bigger.

If you are ready to dive deeper into the industry, or if you know someone who is, now’s your chance to nominate yourself or fellow professionals who have the skills and character to influence industry progress.

Currently, there are 10 councils and networks within SEMA. Councils work to identify related business goals, issues and challenges for member companies in a particular market segment, while the professional networks are a platform for individuals within a SEMA-member company who share a common interest or characteristic.

Join your peers and become an industry leader. Nominate yourself or another exceptional SEMA-member employee today by using the quick and easy online councils nomination form. Nominations must be received by midnight February 23, 2018. The select committee elections will take place in late April.

For more information about SEMA’s councils and networks or the nomination and election process, contact Katie Carson.

By Jenny Galvan

SEMA is now accepting nominations for council and network select committee positions.

Nominations are now being accepted for select committee positions on SEMA’s councils and networks.

SEMA council or network select committee volunteers work alongside automotive professionals from different segments of the industry and identify common challenges. More importantly, they work toward solutions, make key connections, grow in their professions and gain fulfillment from being an integral part of something bigger.

If you are ready to dive deeper into the industry, or if you know someone who is, now’s your chance to nominate yourself or fellow professionals who have the skills and character to influence industry progress.

Currently, there are 10 councils and networks within SEMA. Councils work to identify related business goals, issues and challenges for member companies in a particular market segment, while the professional networks are a platform for individuals within a SEMA-member company who share a common interest or characteristic.

Join your peers and become an industry leader. Nominate yourself or another exceptional SEMA-member employee today by using the quick and easy online councils nomination form. Nominations must be received by midnight February 23, 2018. The select committee elections will take place in late April.

For more information about SEMA’s councils and networks or the nomination and election process, contact Katie Carson.

By Jenny Galvan

The Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is asking its members to join in recruiting efforts. As an added incentive for referring technical colleagues to join the network, ETTN will award the person with the most referrals an iPad.*

Any technical professional employed by a SEMA-member company is eligible to join ETTN at no cost to the company or individual. Referrals should note the ETTN member’s name who referred them on the application form when they register.

Send the ETTN membership application link to technical professionals: www.sema.org/join-ettn.

About ETTN

ETTN is a community designed to advance automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers by providing information on emerging vehicle trends and new technology to ensure continued success in both their careers and respective SEMA-member companies.

Learn more about ETTN.

*The contest will run October 19–February 28. Referrals will only be counted during that time period. The individual with the most qualified referrals will win an iPad. Qualified referrals are defined as a current employee of a current SEMA-member company who is an engineering, design, product development or technical professional. Referrals will only be counted if the new qualified member mentions the name and company of the referrer. In the event of a tie, the referrer whose name is mentioned first by date and time will be determined as the winner.

By Jenny Galvan

The Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is asking its members to join in recruiting efforts. As an added incentive for referring technical colleagues to join the network, ETTN will award the person with the most referrals an iPad.*

Any technical professional employed by a SEMA-member company is eligible to join ETTN at no cost to the company or individual. Referrals should note the ETTN member’s name who referred them on the application form when they register.

Send the ETTN membership application link to technical professionals: www.sema.org/join-ettn.

About ETTN

ETTN is a community designed to advance automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers by providing information on emerging vehicle trends and new technology to ensure continued success in both their careers and respective SEMA-member companies.

Learn more about ETTN.

*The contest will run October 19–February 28. Referrals will only be counted during that time period. The individual with the most qualified referrals will win an iPad. Qualified referrals are defined as a current employee of a current SEMA-member company who is an engineering, design, product development or technical professional. Referrals will only be counted if the new qualified member mentions the name and company of the referrer. In the event of a tie, the referrer whose name is mentioned first by date and time will be determined as the winner.