By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A bill was introduced to change the law so that the initial registration of passenger vehicles will never expire.

A bill was introduced to change the law so that the initial registration of passenger vehicles will never expire. The one-time registration only becomes void upon transfer of vehicle ownership. The bill is currently in the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. 

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 change the law so that the initial registration of passenger vehicles will never expire.

A bill was introduced to change the law so that the initial registration of passenger vehicles will never expire. The one-time registration only becomes void upon transfer of vehicle ownership. The bill is currently in the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. 

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 change the law so that the initial registration of passenger vehicles will never expire.

A bill was introduced to change the law so that the initial registration of passenger vehicles will never expire. The one-time registration only becomes void upon transfer of vehicle ownership. The bill is currently in the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. 

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

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Bill Garoutte

Chuck Sulkala Scholarship Fund to Honor Retired Founder of National Auto Body Council; Bill Garoutte Selected to Take Helm

The Chuck Sulkala NABC Appreciation Scholarship Fund has been established to honor the 50-year career and legacy of the retired founder and executive director of the National Auto Body Council (NABC). The Sulkala scholarship fund, which will be administered by the Collision Repair Industry Foundation (CREF), was announced at the National Auto Body Council’s Annual Member Reception in Palm Springs, California.

Bill Garoutte, a veteran business development, marketing and collision industry executive, has been selected to take the helm at the organization, succeeding Sulkala. In his new position, Garoutte will be responsible for developing and executing NABC’s strategic plans and fiscal objectives, membership development, marketing and administration. Garoutte served on the NABC Board of Directors from 2007–2012, Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) from 2005–2009 and as a business and marketing consultant for Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) for the past four years.

Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge and Austin Hatcher Foundation Partner for One-Off Hurst Edition Wrangler JK Build

Omix-ADA has announced it has partnered with the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer on a Jeep build to help raise awareness and increase support for their cause. The inspiration for the build comes from one of the rarest Jeeps ever produced—the ’71 Jeep Hurst Edition Commando. Based off of a basic two-door wagon, the Jeep Commando was treated to a host of styling upgrades by Hurst Performance, including a hood-mounted tachometer, air scoop, dual-gate shifter, special Hurst badging and Champagne White paint with red-and-blue striping. The base for the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and Omix-ADA’s Hurst recreation is a brand-new ’17 Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited, donated by Mountain View Chrysler Jeep of Ringgold, Georgia. Omix-ADA will provide both design guidance as well as build support backed by the company’s parts catalog. The physical transformation from stock Jeep to Hurst Commando will take place at Truck ‘N Trailers USA in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The ’17 Jeep Wrangler “Hurst Commando” Edition will make appearances across the country at various motorsports and automotive events. The goal is to not only raise awareness for the charity, but also to auction the Jeep off with the proceeds benefitting the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

Transamerican Wholesale Opens New Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Distribution Center

Transamerican Wholesale (TAW) has announced that operations have commenced at its newest of six national distribution centers located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This brand-new facility encompasses more than 200,000 sq.-ft. of warehouse space while housing millions of dollars in new truck, Jeep, SUV and UTV aftermarket parts and accessory inventory. The new Carlisle distribution center will offer TAW customers significant benefits, including reductions in freight costs and more attractive shipping rates, according to Victor Gonzales, director of wholesale operations. Next-day delivery will also be expanded with three new delivery routes to the Philadelphia and Baltimore regions.

APC Automotive Technologies Launches New Diesel and Power Generation Program for Light, Medium and Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles

APC Automotive Technologies LLC has launched its new replacement parts category program for light-, medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The complete offering, covering all classes of commercial vehicles, now includes a range of manufactured components from APC’s DieselTech (exhaust and emissions), recently acquired DuraFit (aftertreatment) and Centric Parts (brake systems) brands. The announcement was made during 2018 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week by APC Automotive Technologies CEO Hugh Charvat.

Hunter Engineering will be featured by Masters Entertainment: Perfomance TV and Brenton Productions: Velocity through February.

Hunter Engineering at 2017 SEMA Show Featured on Performance TV and Velocity

Hunter Engineering will be featured by Masters Entertainment: Perfomance TV and Brenton Productions: Velocity through February. Hunter Engineering showcased 20 new and enhanced product offerings at the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Hunter’s SEMA TV segments (times are EST) for Masters Entertainment: Performance TV include:

• January 23: 7:00 p.m. on Rev’n
• January 27: 1:00 p.m. on Rev’n
• January 28: 1:00 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Rev’n
• February 2: 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on MAVTV

Brenton Productions: Velocity:

• February 2: 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Velocity

Power Automedia has announced the official debut of a completely redesigned next-gen platform across 12 of its digital automotive magazine properties.

Power Automedia Launches New Design and Platform For Digital Magazine Network

Power Automedia has announced the official debut of a completely redesigned next-gen platform across 12 of its digital automotive magazine properties. The fresh new look and user interface were introduced to the magazines’ 2 million monthly readers this week. The new Power Automedia next-gen platform optimizes the reader, content and advertising experience across desktop, tablet and mobile devices. The following Power Automedia titles are launched on the new platform: Ford Muscle, Next-Gen Ford Performance, Chevy Muscle Cars, Corvette, LSX GM, Hot Rods & Muscle Cars, Drag Racing, Street Rods, Off Road, Diesel Trucks, Engine Performance and Performance Driving.

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.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Irwindale Speedway Opens Under New Leadership

Beginning February 1, Tim Huddleston, Bob Bruncati and Justice Brothers will commence the start of a new era at the Irwindale Speedway. This group of race enthusiasts will continue to produce Thursday Night Thunder on the dragstrip and Weekly Racing Series events on the Half-Mile Speedway. Weekly Racing Series will take the green flag March 10, with a full-season schedule. The full racing schedule is available at www.irwindalespeedway.com. The facility also remains available for studio and private rental. Additional events will be announced in the coming weeks. Thursday Night Thunder takes place February 1, at 5:00 p.m. (gates open at 4:00 p.m.). The first 500 attendees will receive a special promotional gift to celebrate a new beginning.

Power Automedia has announced a multi-year agreement with Flying A Motorsports as the official trailer/motorcoach of SpeedVideo and Dragzine.com.

Flying A Motorsports Joins SpeedVideo And Dragzine As Official Trailer/Motorcoach

Power Automedia has announced a multi-year agreement with Flying A Motorsports as the official trailer/motorcoach of SpeedVideo and Dragzine.com. Pairing with SpeedVideo and Dragzine.com, Flying A’s general promotions and some of its showcased equipment will be featured throughout Dragzine’s editorial articles, social media sites and SpeedVideo live broadcasts. Flying A will be an official sponsor of SpeedVideo, being featured on SpeedVideo broadcasts throughout 2018 and 2019. In addition, Flying A will be a marketing partner of Dragzine, and a “Rig of the Month” will be featured in Dragzine and on Dragzine’s social media.

Motovicity Introduces Its Newest Event, Never Lift

Motovicity Distribution is bringing another racing event to life in the form of a half-mile top-speed airstrip battle called Never Lift, which will take place at the New Coalinga Municipal Airport, April 28–29. In collaboration with Shift-S3ctor, which has held events in Coalinga since 2012, Never Lift will cater to the engagement of all aspects of the grassroots racing community. Manufacturers, dealers, shops, racers, enthusiasts and the media will come together for an event that embodies aftermarket performance. Within years of selling to import and modern muscle shops, Motovicity has identified that the growing half-mile airport events remain popular with its customer base. During the last weekend of April, the runway in Coalinga will host some of the country’s fastest import and domestic side-by-side top speed racing.

Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003 Named Spec Tire of the 2018 TrophyLite Series; Named Official Tire of 24 Hours of Lemons

Yokohama Tire has announced that its GEOLANDAR M/T G003 (size 33X12.50R15) is the spec tire of the 2018 TrophyLite R4 Series. The first race of the season is the Best in the Desert (BITD) Parker 425, February 1–4 in Parker, Arizona. View TrophyLite’s website for the full 2018 race schedule. Yokohama’s other off-road alliances include being the title sponsor of the 2018 Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 and the 2018 Yokohama Sonora Rally, as well as being the official tire of Horsepower Adventures. Yokohama is also sponsoring the GenRight Off Road Race Team in the 2018 Ultra4 series 4400 Class, and sponsored the SsangYong Motorsport team in the recent Dakar Rally.

Also, Yokohama Tire is now the official tire of the 24 Hours of Lemons, the madcap race series featuring cars that cost $500 or less. Created by longtime auto journalist Jay Lamm in 2006, the just-for-fun 24 Hours of Lemons endurance road-racing series features everything from stretch limos and junked Maseratis to Toyotas, BMWs and Mustangs. Yokohama also has the naming rights to six of the 19 U.S. races as part of the deal.

Rockford Fosgate has announced it has been named the official sponsor of the Rockford Fosgate/TiLUBE Honda Team for the 2018 season.

Rockford Fosgate Named Official Sponsor of Rockford Fosgate/TiLUBE Honda Motocross Team

Rockford Fosgate has announced it has been named the official sponsor of the Rockford Fosgate/TiLUBE Honda Team for the 2018 season, competing in the full schedules for AX and ATVMX, and will compete in the SX East Lites rounds.

Champion Racing Oil Named Title Sponsor of BAPS Speedway Invitational

Champion will be the title sponsor of the “Champion Oil Night” BAPS Speedway Invitational, April 28, in York Haven, Pennsylvania, featuring Super Sportsman, PASS/IMCA Sprints & Extreme Stocks feature events. BAPS Speedway (Formerly Susquehanna Speedway) is owned and managed by Scott Gobrecht and Kolten Gouse, who took over the speedway at the end of 2015. The speedway experienced an upgrade in appearance, interest and racing action last year.

Covercraft will join the list of vendors exhibiting in the Grassroots Motorsports Experience at the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend.

Covercraft Joins Grassroots Motorsports at 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona

Covercraft will join the list of vendors exhibiting in the Grassroots Motorsports Experience at the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend. The Grassroots Motorsports Experience includes VIP treatment, tickets to enter the track, corral parking, pit tours, goodie bags and a catered dinner for 400 ticket holders. The Rolex 24 started Thursday, January 25, with practice and qualifying sessions that continue Friday, January 26. Racing action starts Saturday and concludes Sunday.

2018 LS Fest West Event Pre-Registration Now Open

Holley has announced that LS Fest West event preregistration is now open for the May 4–6 event. The LS Fest West event website is currently up-to-date with all available information on the West Coast event, with Bowling Green registration slated to go live later in the year. Holley LS Fest events are a celebration of anything and everything powered by GM’s LS and current-generation LT engine. 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Irwindale Speedway Opens Under New Leadership

Beginning February 1, Tim Huddleston, Bob Bruncati and Justice Brothers will commence the start of a new era at the Irwindale Speedway. This group of race enthusiasts will continue to produce Thursday Night Thunder on the dragstrip and Weekly Racing Series events on the Half-Mile Speedway. Weekly Racing Series will take the green flag March 10, with a full-season schedule. The full racing schedule is available at www.irwindalespeedway.com. The facility also remains available for studio and private rental. Additional events will be announced in the coming weeks. Thursday Night Thunder takes place February 1, at 5:00 p.m. (gates open at 4:00 p.m.). The first 500 attendees will receive a special promotional gift to celebrate a new beginning.

Power Automedia has announced a multi-year agreement with Flying A Motorsports as the official trailer/motorcoach of SpeedVideo and Dragzine.com.

Flying A Motorsports Joins SpeedVideo And Dragzine As Official Trailer/Motorcoach

Power Automedia has announced a multi-year agreement with Flying A Motorsports as the official trailer/motorcoach of SpeedVideo and Dragzine.com. Pairing with SpeedVideo and Dragzine.com, Flying A’s general promotions and some of its showcased equipment will be featured throughout Dragzine’s editorial articles, social media sites and SpeedVideo live broadcasts. Flying A will be an official sponsor of SpeedVideo, being featured on SpeedVideo broadcasts throughout 2018 and 2019. In addition, Flying A will be a marketing partner of Dragzine, and a “Rig of the Month” will be featured in Dragzine and on Dragzine’s social media.

Motovicity Introduces Its Newest Event, Never Lift

Motovicity Distribution is bringing another racing event to life in the form of a half-mile top-speed airstrip battle called Never Lift, which will take place at the New Coalinga Municipal Airport, April 28–29. In collaboration with Shift-S3ctor, which has held events in Coalinga since 2012, Never Lift will cater to the engagement of all aspects of the grassroots racing community. Manufacturers, dealers, shops, racers, enthusiasts and the media will come together for an event that embodies aftermarket performance. Within years of selling to import and modern muscle shops, Motovicity has identified that the growing half-mile airport events remain popular with its customer base. During the last weekend of April, the runway in Coalinga will host some of the country’s fastest import and domestic side-by-side top speed racing.

Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003 Named Spec Tire of the 2018 TrophyLite Series; Named Official Tire of 24 Hours of Lemons

Yokohama Tire has announced that its GEOLANDAR M/T G003 (size 33X12.50R15) is the spec tire of the 2018 TrophyLite R4 Series. The first race of the season is the Best in the Desert (BITD) Parker 425, February 1–4 in Parker, Arizona. View TrophyLite’s website for the full 2018 race schedule. Yokohama’s other off-road alliances include being the title sponsor of the 2018 Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 and the 2018 Yokohama Sonora Rally, as well as being the official tire of Horsepower Adventures. Yokohama is also sponsoring the GenRight Off Road Race Team in the 2018 Ultra4 series 4400 Class, and sponsored the SsangYong Motorsport team in the recent Dakar Rally.

Also, Yokohama Tire is now the official tire of the 24 Hours of Lemons, the madcap race series featuring cars that cost $500 or less. Created by longtime auto journalist Jay Lamm in 2006, the just-for-fun 24 Hours of Lemons endurance road-racing series features everything from stretch limos and junked Maseratis to Toyotas, BMWs and Mustangs. Yokohama also has the naming rights to six of the 19 U.S. races as part of the deal.

Rockford Fosgate has announced it has been named the official sponsor of the Rockford Fosgate/TiLUBE Honda Team for the 2018 season.

Rockford Fosgate Named Official Sponsor of Rockford Fosgate/TiLUBE Honda Motocross Team

Rockford Fosgate has announced it has been named the official sponsor of the Rockford Fosgate/TiLUBE Honda Team for the 2018 season, competing in the full schedules for AX and ATVMX, and will compete in the SX East Lites rounds.

Champion Racing Oil Named Title Sponsor of BAPS Speedway Invitational

Champion will be the title sponsor of the “Champion Oil Night” BAPS Speedway Invitational, April 28, in York Haven, Pennsylvania, featuring Super Sportsman, PASS/IMCA Sprints & Extreme Stocks feature events. BAPS Speedway (Formerly Susquehanna Speedway) is owned and managed by Scott Gobrecht and Kolten Gouse, who took over the speedway at the end of 2015. The speedway experienced an upgrade in appearance, interest and racing action last year.

Covercraft will join the list of vendors exhibiting in the Grassroots Motorsports Experience at the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend.

Covercraft Joins Grassroots Motorsports at 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona

Covercraft will join the list of vendors exhibiting in the Grassroots Motorsports Experience at the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend. The Grassroots Motorsports Experience includes VIP treatment, tickets to enter the track, corral parking, pit tours, goodie bags and a catered dinner for 400 ticket holders. The Rolex 24 started Thursday, January 25, with practice and qualifying sessions that continue Friday, January 26. Racing action starts Saturday and concludes Sunday.

2018 LS Fest West Event Pre-Registration Now Open

Holley has announced that LS Fest West event preregistration is now open for the May 4–6 event. The LS Fest West event website is currently up-to-date with all available information on the West Coast event, with Bowling Green registration slated to go live later in the year. Holley LS Fest events are a celebration of anything and everything powered by GM’s LS and current-generation LT engine. 

The Jeep Renegade is up for its first makeover, and spies in the Arctic Circle just snagged the first shots of it in Trailhawk guise.

Judging from the amount of camouflage, the Renegade will receive modifications to the bumpers, grille, headlights, taillights and a slight update to the cabin and dash. Changes are not expected under the hood. The facelifted Renegade should hit dealers in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Jeep Renegade is up for its first makeover, and spies in the Arctic Circle just snagged the first shots of it in Trailhawk guise.

Judging from the amount of camouflage, the Renegade will receive modifications to the bumpers, grille, headlights, taillights and a slight update to the cabin and dash. Changes are not expected under the hood. The facelifted Renegade should hit dealers in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Jeep Renegade is up for its first makeover, and spies in the Arctic Circle just snagged the first shots of it in Trailhawk guise.

Judging from the amount of camouflage, the Renegade will receive modifications to the bumpers, grille, headlights, taillights and a slight update to the cabin and dash. Changes are not expected under the hood. The facelifted Renegade should hit dealers in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Jeep Renegade is up for its first makeover, and spies in the Arctic Circle just snagged the first shots of it in Trailhawk guise.

Judging from the amount of camouflage, the Renegade will receive modifications to the bumpers, grille, headlights, taillights and a slight update to the cabin and dash. Changes are not expected under the hood. The facelifted Renegade should hit dealers in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde