This is the ’19 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view, but this is the whole enchilada.

Continuing with the steel body for the RAM 1500 is a break from Ford’s pattern for weight savings on a fullsize truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional, predominantly steel RAM is the right path for its next-generation truck.

Other details of the RAM 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, and will be joined by a larger passenger cab and new tailgate options. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, but a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the ’19 RAM 1500 to appear at the Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 RAM 1500 with its face completely revealed before its Detroit debut. Earlier shots offered an almost unobstructed view, but this is the whole enchilada.

Continuing with the steel body for the RAM 1500 is a break from Ford’s pattern for weight savings on a fullsize truck. Apparently, FCA decided that a more traditional, predominantly steel RAM is the right path for its next-generation truck.

Other details of the RAM 1500 have been firmed up ahead of its debut next year. Coil springs with optional air suspension are likely to continue, and will be joined by a larger passenger cab and new tailgate options. A hybrid and turbocharged four-cylinder are possibilities, but a more powerful V8 and Raptor-fighter are also rumored.

Expect the ’19 RAM 1500 to appear at the Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Hastings Manufacturing Merges With Piston Rings Komarov

Hastings Manufacturing Company and Piston Rings Komarov have announced a merger. According to the companies, by joining forces, both can leverage technology, a larger footprint and a greater reputation to add value to customers around the world. Current and new customers will benefit from an expanded product offering, lower lead times, competitive pricing and a regional infrastructure, including R&D, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, sales and customer service support. Petr Masek will continue to lead the Piston Rings Komarov manufacturing organization and report to Ken Holbrook, CEO and president.

Dave Illes

Lumileds Appoints Dave Illes as Director of Aftermarket Sales

Lumileds has appointed Dave Illes as director of sales for the North American automotive aftermarket. He will be responsible for all sales channels and customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Illes has more than 25 years of automotive aftermarket executive sales and account management experience. Prior to joining the company, he held a variety of sales management positions during his 17 years at Tenneco Inc. From 2010–2017, Illes was Tenneco’s director of national sales – Canada before moving to director of strategic accounts for the North American aftermarket. He was also regional sales manager from 1999–2010. In between his time at Tenneco, Illes served Philips Automotive Lighting from 2009–2010 as its senior sales manager for the North American automotive aftermarket.

Larry Pacey (right) of National Performance Warehouse (NPW) holds up a check for $3,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

National Performance Warehouse Holds 28th Annual Vendor-Customer Golf Outing Benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

For the 28th year, National Performance Warehouse (NPW) attracted golfers from NPW’s customers and vendor partners for a day on the links to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Following the tournament, an event was held at the original Shula’s Steak House, founded by Don Shula, the legendary coach of the Miami Dolphins. Following cocktails and dinner, awards, recognition and door prizes were presented. The team from WAI (Doug, Seth and Ryan Moul, and Patrick Nichol) won the event with a score of 61. In addition, NPW recently announced its third acquisition of 2017—Associate Jobbers Warehouse in Boaz, Alabama—bringing the number of locations to 15.

AirPro Diagnostics Names Michael Quinn to Business Development Post

AirPro Diagnostics has announced the appointment of Michael Quinn as senior vice president of business development. With more than 35 years of experience, Quinn is a technician at heart, a former regional multi-shop owner/operator, past chairman of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and Hall of Eagles inductee.

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.

By Jenny Galvan

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) invites members who are in town for the Media Trade Conference or the Grand National Roadster Show to its open meeting, to be held Friday, January 26, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, California, from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the council’s latest initiatives and find out how to get more involved with the council and the hot-rod industry at large. HRIA select committee members, along with SEMA staff, will be on hand to answer questions for those interested in joining HRIA. A continental breakfast will be provided.  

For more information, contact SEMA Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690, or via email at jimsk@sema.org.

Register now!

By Jenny Galvan

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) invites members who are in town for the Media Trade Conference or the Grand National Roadster Show to its open meeting, to be held Friday, January 26, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, California, from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the council’s latest initiatives and find out how to get more involved with the council and the hot-rod industry at large. HRIA select committee members, along with SEMA staff, will be on hand to answer questions for those interested in joining HRIA. A continental breakfast will be provided.  

For more information, contact SEMA Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690, or via email at jimsk@sema.org.

Register now!

By Jenny Galvan

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) invites members who are in town for the Media Trade Conference or the Grand National Roadster Show to its open meeting, to be held Friday, January 26, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, California, from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the council’s latest initiatives and find out how to get more involved with the council and the hot-rod industry at large. HRIA select committee members, along with SEMA staff, will be on hand to answer questions for those interested in joining HRIA. A continental breakfast will be provided.  

For more information, contact SEMA Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690, or via email at jimsk@sema.org.

Register now!

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip Remain Open Under New Management Team

The Irwindale Event Center—home of Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip—will remain open and in full operation under a new multi-year agreement with a group of motorsports enthusiasts led by Tim Huddleston and Justice Brothers and the property owners. In July 2017, Team 211 Entertainment, operators of the 63-acre motorsports and entertainment facility, were informed that their lease would not be renewed, and that January 31, 2018, would be 211’s last day of operation at Irwindale. Three months after the announcement was made public, a change in the owner’s plans for the property led them to contact 211’s President/CEO Jim Cohan to indicate that a contract extension would be offered. However, by that time, a number of new business plans were already in place at 211. 

“Being presented with the right of first refusal, we quickly reached out to Huddleston’s group helping to negotiate a deal that would assure both a smooth transition and the continued operation of the track. It was just the right thing to do,” Cohan explained.

Cohan’s company is credited with putting the Irwindale facility back into business when the first operators of the track closed it under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing in February 2012.

“These are the right people to operate this facility; they have the background, the acumen and the energy,” Cohan continued. “They know racing and they know marketing. This is really a win for everyone, especially the fans.”

Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Landon Simon to Field Two Cars at 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals

Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Team owner and Sprint Car driver Landon Simon will pilot the Mt. Baker Vapor, Dave and Busters-sponsored, Toyota-powered XXX chassis at the Chili Bowl, along with Hall of Fame Sprint Car driver Danny Smith in the second team car. Smith, although a Hall of Fame race-car driver who has been in competition for more than 40 years, is a Chili Bowl rookie, making his first-ever appearance at the event.

Champion Named Official Oil at BAPS Motor Speedway

Champion Oil has recently been named the official racing oil of the BAPS Motor Speedway (BMS), formerly Susquehanna Raceway Park. Founded in 1954 and located in York Haven, Pennsylvania, BMS runs more than 50 races per year supporting numerous racing series, such as 410 Sprints, 360 Sprints, Late Models, Super Sportsman, Street Stocks, Legends, Modifieds, Midgets, Micros and Road Warriors.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip Remain Open Under New Management Team

The Irwindale Event Center—home of Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip—will remain open and in full operation under a new multi-year agreement with a group of motorsports enthusiasts led by Tim Huddleston and Justice Brothers and the property owners. In July 2017, Team 211 Entertainment, operators of the 63-acre motorsports and entertainment facility, were informed that their lease would not be renewed, and that January 31, 2018, would be 211’s last day of operation at Irwindale. Three months after the announcement was made public, a change in the owner’s plans for the property led them to contact 211’s President/CEO Jim Cohan to indicate that a contract extension would be offered. However, by that time, a number of new business plans were already in place at 211. 

“Being presented with the right of first refusal, we quickly reached out to Huddleston’s group helping to negotiate a deal that would assure both a smooth transition and the continued operation of the track. It was just the right thing to do,” Cohan explained.

Cohan’s company is credited with putting the Irwindale facility back into business when the first operators of the track closed it under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing in February 2012.

“These are the right people to operate this facility; they have the background, the acumen and the energy,” Cohan continued. “They know racing and they know marketing. This is really a win for everyone, especially the fans.”

Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Landon Simon to Field Two Cars at 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals

Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Team owner and Sprint Car driver Landon Simon will pilot the Mt. Baker Vapor, Dave and Busters-sponsored, Toyota-powered XXX chassis at the Chili Bowl, along with Hall of Fame Sprint Car driver Danny Smith in the second team car. Smith, although a Hall of Fame race-car driver who has been in competition for more than 40 years, is a Chili Bowl rookie, making his first-ever appearance at the event.

Champion Named Official Oil at BAPS Motor Speedway

Champion Oil has recently been named the official racing oil of the BAPS Motor Speedway (BMS), formerly Susquehanna Raceway Park. Founded in 1954 and located in York Haven, Pennsylvania, BMS runs more than 50 races per year supporting numerous racing series, such as 410 Sprints, 360 Sprints, Late Models, Super Sportsman, Street Stocks, Legends, Modifieds, Midgets, Micros and Road Warriors.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2018 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Students preparing for careers in the auto or auto-parts industries can apply at www.sema.org/scholarships.  

New this year, high-school and part-time students can apply for a scholarship. The change is part of an effort by SEMA’s Scholarship Committee to start students down the automotive path and support their efforts at an earlier stage.

“SEMA is dedicated to activating the next-generation automotive workforce by providing financial support and career resources to students enrolled in various high schools, universities, colleges and/or vocational schools in the United States,” said SEMA Chairman-Elect Tim Martin.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Students can apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships. The deadline for the program is March 1, 2018.

Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, such as accounting, sales and marketing, and engineering. Dozens of awards ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 will be given out, with a $5,000 award going to the top student.

The program also includes a loan-forgiveness aspect that offers financial awards to employees of SEMA-member companies who are paying off a loan for a completed program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2018 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Students preparing for careers in the auto or auto-parts industries can apply at www.sema.org/scholarships.  

New this year, high-school and part-time students can apply for a scholarship. The change is part of an effort by SEMA’s Scholarship Committee to start students down the automotive path and support their efforts at an earlier stage.

“SEMA is dedicated to activating the next-generation automotive workforce by providing financial support and career resources to students enrolled in various high schools, universities, colleges and/or vocational schools in the United States,” said SEMA Chairman-Elect Tim Martin.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Students can apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships. The deadline for the program is March 1, 2018.

Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, such as accounting, sales and marketing, and engineering. Dozens of awards ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 will be given out, with a $5,000 award going to the top student.

The program also includes a loan-forgiveness aspect that offers financial awards to employees of SEMA-member companies who are paying off a loan for a completed program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.