By SEMA Editors
 Two types of tours are available for this year's SEMA Show—one covering the New Products Showcase, and the other featuring “hot spots” of the SEMA Show. |
Get the most out of the 2017 SEMA Show with a floor tour designed to help you get business done. Sign up at www.SEMAShow.com/tours.
By SEMA Editors
Two types of tours are available for this year's SEMA Show—one covering the New Products Showcase, and the other featuring “hot spots” of the SEMA Show. |
Get the most out of the 2017 SEMA Show with a floor tour designed to help you get business done. Sign up at www.SEMAShow.com/tours.
Before you hit the road and head to SEMA, read up on how these well-traveled business owners keep productivity levels high while traveling on business.
Before you hit the road and head to SEMA, read up on how these well-traveled business owners keep productivity levels high while traveling on business.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Speed Ring 2017, held at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, featured more than 50 racers, 40 manufacturers and thousands in attendance. |
The Speed Ring 2017 Breaks Records
Speed Ring 2017, held three weeks ago at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan—located just miles from Motovicity Distribution’s headquarters—featured more than 50 racers, 40 manufacturers and thousands in attendance over the two-day spectacle. Through this time-attack and touge-style-based competition, Motovicity’s goal is to bring their customers, racers, partnering manufacturers and the media together. Motovicity has set out to expand on its Speed Ring event for 2018 by adding more entertainment, vendors, sponsorship options, awards and upping the purse for individual and overall winners.
ProMedia Launches RacePagesDigital.com
ProMedia Events & Publishing has announced the launch of Race Pages Digital, a new destination for racing and automotive enthusiasts. Race Pages Digital joins Fastest Street Car magazine and existing event websites in providing coverage of ProMedia’s grassroots racing series, the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals and NMRA Ford Nationals. The new webzine will reach beyond those two race circuits to deliver daily coverage of sanctioned, outlaw, and no-prep drag racing from all over, as well as the latest in all-domestic street performance and the Mustang segment.
 Piotr Wiecek in the Worthhouse/Falken Tire Nissan 240 took home his first Formula DRIFT victory and clinched Rookie of the Year honors. |
Formula DRIFT Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight” Results
Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Irwindale Speedway for Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight,” where Piotr Wiecek in the Worthhouse/Falken Tire Nissan 240 took home his first Formula DRIFT victory and clinched Rookie of the Year honors. His teammate James Deane in the Worthouse/Falken Tire Nissan 240 clinched his first Formula DRIFT Championship. Deane’s season included four event victories and a third-place finish at the Round 8 finale to secure the championship. His sponsor Falken Tire swept the podium and won the Tire Manufacturer championship for the second consecutive time. Toyota won its fourth consecutive Manufacturer championship. In the Top 4, Daijiro Yoshihara in the Falken Tire/Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ defeated Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the Monster Energy/Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR. Deane’s win over Aurimas Bakchis put him into the Finals. Yoshihara and Wiecek had a close battle, but Wiecek took his first Formula DRIFT victory and secured his Rookie of the Year honors.
 Robert Hight raced to a 3.877-second pass at 332.34 mph in his AAA of Texas Chevrolet Camaro SS to defeat reigning world champion and category points leader Ron Capps’ 3.927 pass at 329.18 in his Napa Auto Parts Dodge R/T in the Funny Car final. |
Hight, B. Force, Line and Krawiec Victorious at AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals
Robert Hight powered to the Funny Car victory last Sunday at the 32nd annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also earned victories in their respective categories at the fourth of six playoff events during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. Hight raced to a 3.877-second pass at 332.34 mph in his AAA of Texas Chevrolet Camaro SS to defeat reigning world champion and category points leader Ron Capps’ 3.927 pass at 329.18 in his Napa Auto Parts Dodge R/T in the Funny Car final. Hight remains second in the points standings with Capps in first by 24 points. Force piloted her Monster Energy dragster to a Texas Motorplex elapsed-time record of 3.681 at 326.87 to defeat Shawn Langdon and his Global Electronic Technology dragster’s 3.693 pass at 326.56 in the Top Fuel finals. The victory moves her into second in the points standings. Defending Pro Stock world champion Line found himself in the winner’s circle for the second time this season after running a 6.548 pass at 211.20 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro to take down Drew Skillman, who lost on a red-light start. Greg Anderson maintains the points lead by 15 points over Bo Butner, who is trailed by Line. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Krawiec rode his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 9.336 pass at 92.62, which was enough due to a red-light start from defending world champion Jerry Savoie. The win puts Krawiec 107 points ahead of LE Tonglet, who remains in second. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26–29, with the 17th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals.
 Chad Kemenah won his sixth 2017 All-Star Circuit of Champions Championship last weekend at Eldora Speedway in New Weston, Ohio. |
Chad Kemenah Wins the 2017 All-Star Circuit of Champions Championship
Champion Oil has announced that Chad Kemenah won his sixth 2017 All-Star Circuit of Champions Championship last weekend at Eldora Speedway in New Weston, Ohio. Kemenah is now even with Dale Blaney as a six-time Arctic Cat All Star Champion—the most in Series history. Kemenah captured three victories during his 2017 Arctic Cat All-Star campaign, earning 37 top-10 feature finishes in 48 main-event starts.
 The VP Racing Fuels NMCA West Drag Racing Series championship season concluded with the completion of the 6th Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA West Coast World Finals at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, last weekend. |
Race Wrap—6th Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA West Coast World Finals
The VP Racing Fuels NMCA West Drag Racing Series championship season concluded with the completion of the 6th Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA West Coast World Finals at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, October 13–15. NMCA West championships were on the line, as racers pulled out all of the stops while battling major winds that caused many of the classes to be run at the eighth-mile race distance.
ProCharger Outlaw Street: Tom Marshall took the win and the trip to the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle with a hole-shot victory over Lafayette Williams, 5.121 to 5.119.
Lucas Oil Ultra Street: Mike Silva drove to victory with a 5.32 over Dan Dagata’s 5.88 effort.
ARP Outlaw 8.5: At the stripe, it was Tim Orello for the win with a 5.53 over Tim Schmackpfeffer’s slowing 8.63 run.
Lucas Oil NA 10.5: Ryan Bell ran a close race against Ross Wilson, and took home the Victor trophy with a 5.218-to-5.258 winning effort.
Meziere Top Sportsman: Joe Stannard made it back-to-back wins for the Trans Am driver as he defeated number-one qualifier Raul Perez in the final round.
Champion Cooling Systems Pro Comp: Michael Boner went 6.303 on a 6.30 dial in to Zach Meziere’s losing 5.735 on a 5.70 bid.
FSC Open Comp: Paul Geis’ ’52 pickup took the victory over Kevin Stokesberry’s ’71 Chevelle, running 11.084 on its 11.07 dial-in compared to the Chevelle’s 9.559 on a 9.49.
TBT Racing Products Street Comp: Mike Sayle was quick on the tree with a .002 light compared to Jan Vanderpool’s .097 effort, and that allowed his 10.885 on a 10.78 to defeat Vanderpool’s 12.750 on a 12.66 dial-in.
Edelbrock Super Quick: In the final round, David Butler went way red (-.178) and gave away the prize to Bob Earleywine.
Calvert Racing Quick Street: Pedro Valadez, driving an ’87 Camaro with a stroked small-block, took the reaction-time advantage over Bill Batey, and secured the win with a 10.397 on a 10.37 dial-in, while Batey had posted a losing 10.220 on a 10.21.
Mustang Madness: Driving the family’s Cobra Jet Mustang, Brent Calvert pushed Ron Mihld out at the top end for the win, running 8.635 on an 8.60 dial-in while Mihld went 12.269 on a 12.29.
Classic Performance Products Nostalgia Street Car: Mike Nordahl’s small-block-powered ’64 Nova prevailed over Dan Geis’ big-block-powered ’64 Nova, thanks to a reaction-time advantage, and a 10.534 performance against a 10.50 index compared to Geis’ 11.029 on an 11.00.
Gear Vendors True Street: Dan Olson had the field fully covered and his closest rival, Dan Geis, by nearly a second. Olson averaged 9.198 seconds over three runs for the overall win, while Geis was runner-up with a 10.031 effort. Michael Webb has strung along several 10-second wins now in his ’12 Mustang GT with another one here in the finals; Nick Cuaresma collected another True Street win in the 11-second category with an 11.072 average; Steve McQueen took home the 12-second win with his E55 AMG Mercedes with a 12.165 average; Ted Borles won the 13-second division with a 13.404 and Tyson McPherson, who grabbed the 13-second win at the last event, was awarded the 14-second plaque with a 14.206 effort.
FSC Top Dragster Shootout: Cecil Wiles Jr. squared off against Heather Elliot in the final round, where Wiles Jr. grabbed the reaction-time advantage and took the win, running 5.118 on his 5.05 dial in to Elliot’s 5.309 effort on a 5.03 bid.
Edelbrock Bracket Showdown: on Saturday, Will Mangrum took the Super Pro win, Jack Swanson grabbed the Pro award, and Jeff Jones grabbed the trophy in Sportsman. Sunday’s winners were Greg Hicks in Super Pro, Joe Henchey in Pro, and CW Hoefer in Sportsman.
For a complete list of drag-racing results, visit the NMCA West website.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
Speed Ring 2017, held at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, featured more than 50 racers, 40 manufacturers and thousands in attendance. |
The Speed Ring 2017 Breaks Records
Speed Ring 2017, held three weeks ago at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan—located just miles from Motovicity Distribution’s headquarters—featured more than 50 racers, 40 manufacturers and thousands in attendance over the two-day spectacle. Through this time-attack and touge-style-based competition, Motovicity’s goal is to bring their customers, racers, partnering manufacturers and the media together. Motovicity has set out to expand on its Speed Ring event for 2018 by adding more entertainment, vendors, sponsorship options, awards and upping the purse for individual and overall winners.
ProMedia Launches RacePagesDigital.com
ProMedia Events & Publishing has announced the launch of Race Pages Digital, a new destination for racing and automotive enthusiasts. Race Pages Digital joins Fastest Street Car magazine and existing event websites in providing coverage of ProMedia’s grassroots racing series, the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals and NMRA Ford Nationals. The new webzine will reach beyond those two race circuits to deliver daily coverage of sanctioned, outlaw, and no-prep drag racing from all over, as well as the latest in all-domestic street performance and the Mustang segment.
Piotr Wiecek in the Worthhouse/Falken Tire Nissan 240 took home his first Formula DRIFT victory and clinched Rookie of the Year honors. |
Formula DRIFT Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight” Results
Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Irwindale Speedway for Round 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts “Title Fight,” where Piotr Wiecek in the Worthhouse/Falken Tire Nissan 240 took home his first Formula DRIFT victory and clinched Rookie of the Year honors. His teammate James Deane in the Worthouse/Falken Tire Nissan 240 clinched his first Formula DRIFT Championship. Deane’s season included four event victories and a third-place finish at the Round 8 finale to secure the championship. His sponsor Falken Tire swept the podium and won the Tire Manufacturer championship for the second consecutive time. Toyota won its fourth consecutive Manufacturer championship. In the Top 4, Daijiro Yoshihara in the Falken Tire/Turn 14 Distribution Subaru BRZ defeated Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the Monster Energy/Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR. Deane’s win over Aurimas Bakchis put him into the Finals. Yoshihara and Wiecek had a close battle, but Wiecek took his first Formula DRIFT victory and secured his Rookie of the Year honors.
Robert Hight raced to a 3.877-second pass at 332.34 mph in his AAA of Texas Chevrolet Camaro SS to defeat reigning world champion and category points leader Ron Capps’ 3.927 pass at 329.18 in his Napa Auto Parts Dodge R/T in the Funny Car final. |
Hight, B. Force, Line and Krawiec Victorious at AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals
Robert Hight powered to the Funny Car victory last Sunday at the 32nd annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also earned victories in their respective categories at the fourth of six playoff events during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. Hight raced to a 3.877-second pass at 332.34 mph in his AAA of Texas Chevrolet Camaro SS to defeat reigning world champion and category points leader Ron Capps’ 3.927 pass at 329.18 in his Napa Auto Parts Dodge R/T in the Funny Car final. Hight remains second in the points standings with Capps in first by 24 points. Force piloted her Monster Energy dragster to a Texas Motorplex elapsed-time record of 3.681 at 326.87 to defeat Shawn Langdon and his Global Electronic Technology dragster’s 3.693 pass at 326.56 in the Top Fuel finals. The victory moves her into second in the points standings. Defending Pro Stock world champion Line found himself in the winner’s circle for the second time this season after running a 6.548 pass at 211.20 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro to take down Drew Skillman, who lost on a red-light start. Greg Anderson maintains the points lead by 15 points over Bo Butner, who is trailed by Line. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Krawiec rode his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 9.336 pass at 92.62, which was enough due to a red-light start from defending world champion Jerry Savoie. The win puts Krawiec 107 points ahead of LE Tonglet, who remains in second. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26–29, with the 17th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals.
Chad Kemenah won his sixth 2017 All-Star Circuit of Champions Championship last weekend at Eldora Speedway in New Weston, Ohio. |
Chad Kemenah Wins the 2017 All-Star Circuit of Champions Championship
Champion Oil has announced that Chad Kemenah won his sixth 2017 All-Star Circuit of Champions Championship last weekend at Eldora Speedway in New Weston, Ohio. Kemenah is now even with Dale Blaney as a six-time Arctic Cat All Star Champion—the most in Series history. Kemenah captured three victories during his 2017 Arctic Cat All-Star campaign, earning 37 top-10 feature finishes in 48 main-event starts.
The VP Racing Fuels NMCA West Drag Racing Series championship season concluded with the completion of the 6th Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA West Coast World Finals at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, last weekend. |
Race Wrap—6th Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA West Coast World Finals
The VP Racing Fuels NMCA West Drag Racing Series championship season concluded with the completion of the 6th Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA West Coast World Finals at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, October 13–15. NMCA West championships were on the line, as racers pulled out all of the stops while battling major winds that caused many of the classes to be run at the eighth-mile race distance.
ProCharger Outlaw Street: Tom Marshall took the win and the trip to the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle with a hole-shot victory over Lafayette Williams, 5.121 to 5.119.
Lucas Oil Ultra Street: Mike Silva drove to victory with a 5.32 over Dan Dagata’s 5.88 effort.
ARP Outlaw 8.5: At the stripe, it was Tim Orello for the win with a 5.53 over Tim Schmackpfeffer’s slowing 8.63 run.
Lucas Oil NA 10.5: Ryan Bell ran a close race against Ross Wilson, and took home the Victor trophy with a 5.218-to-5.258 winning effort.
Meziere Top Sportsman: Joe Stannard made it back-to-back wins for the Trans Am driver as he defeated number-one qualifier Raul Perez in the final round.
Champion Cooling Systems Pro Comp: Michael Boner went 6.303 on a 6.30 dial in to Zach Meziere’s losing 5.735 on a 5.70 bid.
FSC Open Comp: Paul Geis’ ’52 pickup took the victory over Kevin Stokesberry’s ’71 Chevelle, running 11.084 on its 11.07 dial-in compared to the Chevelle’s 9.559 on a 9.49.
TBT Racing Products Street Comp: Mike Sayle was quick on the tree with a .002 light compared to Jan Vanderpool’s .097 effort, and that allowed his 10.885 on a 10.78 to defeat Vanderpool’s 12.750 on a 12.66 dial-in.
Edelbrock Super Quick: In the final round, David Butler went way red (-.178) and gave away the prize to Bob Earleywine.
Calvert Racing Quick Street: Pedro Valadez, driving an ’87 Camaro with a stroked small-block, took the reaction-time advantage over Bill Batey, and secured the win with a 10.397 on a 10.37 dial-in, while Batey had posted a losing 10.220 on a 10.21.
Mustang Madness: Driving the family’s Cobra Jet Mustang, Brent Calvert pushed Ron Mihld out at the top end for the win, running 8.635 on an 8.60 dial-in while Mihld went 12.269 on a 12.29.
Classic Performance Products Nostalgia Street Car: Mike Nordahl’s small-block-powered ’64 Nova prevailed over Dan Geis’ big-block-powered ’64 Nova, thanks to a reaction-time advantage, and a 10.534 performance against a 10.50 index compared to Geis’ 11.029 on an 11.00.
Gear Vendors True Street: Dan Olson had the field fully covered and his closest rival, Dan Geis, by nearly a second. Olson averaged 9.198 seconds over three runs for the overall win, while Geis was runner-up with a 10.031 effort. Michael Webb has strung along several 10-second wins now in his ’12 Mustang GT with another one here in the finals; Nick Cuaresma collected another True Street win in the 11-second category with an 11.072 average; Steve McQueen took home the 12-second win with his E55 AMG Mercedes with a 12.165 average; Ted Borles won the 13-second division with a 13.404 and Tyson McPherson, who grabbed the 13-second win at the last event, was awarded the 14-second plaque with a 14.206 effort.
FSC Top Dragster Shootout: Cecil Wiles Jr. squared off against Heather Elliot in the final round, where Wiles Jr. grabbed the reaction-time advantage and took the win, running 5.118 on his 5.05 dial in to Elliot’s 5.309 effort on a 5.03 bid.
Edelbrock Bracket Showdown: on Saturday, Will Mangrum took the Super Pro win, Jack Swanson grabbed the Pro award, and Jeff Jones grabbed the trophy in Sportsman. Sunday’s winners were Greg Hicks in Super Pro, Joe Henchey in Pro, and CW Hoefer in Sportsman.
For a complete list of drag-racing results, visit the NMCA West website.
Vic Bennett, chair of SEMA's Manufacturers' Representative Network (MRN), shares what the MRN does and how people can get involved.
Vic Bennett, chair of SEMA's Manufacturers' Representative Network (MRN), shares what the MRN does and how people can get involved.
Vic Bennett, chair of SEMA's Manufacturers' Representative Network (MRN), shares what the MRN does and how people can get involved.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
Truck Hero Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Omix-ADA
Truck Hero Inc. has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Omix-ADA Inc. and its family of brands, which includes Rugged Ridge and Alloy USA. The transaction, the terms of which were not disclosed, is expected to close by the end of October. Founded in 1992 by Al Azadi and headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, Omix-ADA’s product offering includes more than 13,000 active SKUs across the accessories, replacement and restoration categories. Omix-ADA’s products are sold in more than 90 countries worldwide, with more than 800 active customers across every Jeep aftermarket channel, including warehouse distributors, jobbers, automotive dealerships, national retailers and online retailers. By continuously investing in new products and product lines, Omix-ADA is able to service Jeep owners with models dating back to 1941. During the early period of the integration of Truck Hero and Omix-ADA, Azadi intends to serve as an advisor and consultant to Bill Reminder, president and CEO of Truck Hero, on a limited basis. This transaction marks Truck Hero’s 13th acquisition since its formation in 2007.
 The Spookstock Foundation will feature a ’50 Ford business coupe, built by Hard Up Garage, in the ARC Audio Booth at the 2017 SEMA Show. |
Spookstock Foundation Hot Rod to Be Featured at SEMA Show, Auctioned at Barrett-Jackson for Charity
The Spookstock Foundation will feature a ’50 Ford business coupe, built by Hard Up Garage’s Sam Hard and Megan Light (Michael Lightbourn), in the ARC Audio Booth (#11917, #61006), at the 2017 SEMA Show. In January 2018, the hot rod will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, with all of the proceeds going to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) and the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation (CIAOMF). These organizations provide the surviving children of America’s shadow warriors education funding for post-high-school education. In an effort to build awareness and interest, the ’50 Ford business coupe will be featured at a private annual event Spookstock produces in Washington, D.C., with senior leadership from Special Operations and U.S. Intelligence agencies. The car will then be shipped to Las Vegas to be displayed at the 2017 SEMA Show.
 Dan Brown |
Dan Brown Joins Premium Guard Inc. as Executive Vice President of Product
Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) has appointed aftermarket industry veteran Dan Brown as its executive vice president of product. The announcement was made by PGI President and CEO Anan E. Bishara, who noted that Dan Brown will be responsible for driving the timely development of new products, supporting the growth and management of the current product portfolio and delivering a positive customer experience. In his role as executive vice president of product, Brown will report directly to Bishara. Additional duties will include product team management, training, and development, partnering with internal teams to design, develop and commercialize new products based on quantitative and qualitative research. He will work directly with customers to develop specific technology/product solutions, continually updating and refining PGI’s product process management system. Brown will also oversee PGI’s quality control team in Asia. Before joining PGI, Brown was director of product management at Dorman Products Inc.
 SpeedVideo and the Ultimate Callout Challenge have announced a multi-year agreement to live-broadcast the company’s diesel events, starting in 2018. |
SpeedVideo and Ultimate Callout Challenge Announce Multi-Year Live Broadcast Agreement
SpeedVideo and the Ultimate Callout Challenge have announced a multi-year agreement to live-broadcast the company’s diesel events, starting in 2018. The Ultimate Callout Challenge is an event that takes place over the course of three days, in which participants compete in dyno performance, drag racing and sled-pulling activities. With SpeedVideo, diesel fans all over the world will be able to view the event in HD with studio-quality audio. In addition to the live broadcasts on SpeedVideo.com, the high-definition coverage will be shared via Facebook Live, YouTube, and Power Automedia’s magazine, Diesel Army. The official Ultimate Callout Challenge/SpeedVideo schedule will be released in the near future.
 Galpin Motors hosted its sixth annual Galpin Car Show, October 8, featuring nearly 1,000 unique and custom show cars on display across the entire Galpin campus. |
Sixth Annual Galpin Car Show Featured Nearly 1,000 One-of-a-Kind Vehicles
Southern California’s Galpin Motors hosted its sixth annual Galpin Car Show, October 8, featuring nearly 1,000 unique and custom show cars on display across the entire Galpin campus, creating six car shows in one. Millions of dollars’ worth of luxury and exotic vehicles, including Ferraris, Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Porsches and more were on display at Galpin Premier. Galpin Mazda hosted the White Rabbit Food Truck and a variety of Japanese import cars, including custom Miatas, Subarus and Toyotas. Galpin Volkswagen was home to a diverse collection of classic bugs, buses and custom microbuses. Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) featured many custom and vintage vehicles, including its own Ed “Big Daddy” Roth collection, famed Metallica guitarist James Hetfield’s Aquarius and the Moonliner, which raced at Bonneville Salt Flats, among others. The Petersen Museum displayed the first Tucker 48, which was owned by Preston Tucker himself, the ’32 Ford Phaeton from Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” and Elton John’s Delahaye in the GAS showroom. Three Ford GTs were featured throughout the show.
 Michael Palm |
CRP Automotive Re-Appoints Michael Palm as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
CRP Automotive has announced the re-appointment of Michael Palm as vice president of sales and marketing. Palm was previously vice president of marketing and brand management. He will now reassume the lead of the automotive sales team and continue to be responsible for automotive cataloging and corporate marketing. Palm’s re-appointment comes as a result of a recent restructuring of the executive management team, which combined the executive sales and marketing positions. A 21-year veteran of the company, Palm began his career with CRP in 1986, working in product development and marketing. He left the company in 1995 to join Berlitz International, where he served in several marketing roles, including director of worldwide marketing. In 2005, Palm returned to CRP as vice president of marketing. Palm is now directly responsible for the planning and execution of CRP’s marketing and sales management strategy, corporate brand positioning and promotion of the company.
 John Allen |
John Allen, Allen Racing Engines Joins TOPP Performance Race Parts
TOPP Performance Race Parts (TPRP) has announced the addition of John Allen and Allen Racing Engines to its portfolio of experienced leaders and brands. Allen brings 20 years of industry and engine-building experience. Since 1992, Allen has worked in the racing industry with a specialized focus on engine building in modified race cars. In 2009, Allen founded Allen Racing Engines, and has been assembling award-winning engines for drivers year after year. Allen has built engines for two of the top-five drivers in the nation for the UMP DIRTcar Series for back-to-back years, competing against an estimated 3,000 other drivers. He has placed in the top five on the engine builders win list consistently on a national level, with numerous track championships on a local level. Currently, Allen has drivers running his engines in the UMP DIRTcar Series who are winning in the Northern Indiana region, Deep South region and standing fourth in national points for South East Dirt Modified Series.
 Leo Kagan |
ColorBond to Present Cleo Award, Host “Tackle My Ride” Autograph Session, Celebrate Leo Kagan’s 101st Birthday in SEMA Show Booth
In conjunction with the Cleo award ceremony, ColorBond Automotive Paint is hosting an autograph session in its booth #23889 with the crew of the NFL Network’s “Tackle My Ride,” Wednesday, November 1, at 12:00 p.m. At 1:00 p.m., ColorBond will celebrate the fourth annual recipient of the Cleo Interior Restoration Trophy—Eddie Black, owner of Black’s Body Shop located in Adairville, Georgia. Black customized a ’12 Camaro for Vic Beasley, an NFL all-star outside linebacker who plays for the Atlanta Falcons. Followed by the giveaway of an autographed Vick Beasley NFL football, a birthday party will be held in the booth for SEMA Hall Of Fame member Leo Kagan, who turns 101. The Cleo was established in 2012 to honor him.
 Andrew Briggs |
Yokohama Tire Corp. Announces Organizational Changes
Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has announced that Andrew Briggs has been promoted to the newly created position of vice president of marketing and product management. Briggs, who will report to Jeff Barna, YTC’s COO, replaces Fred Koplin, senior director of marketing and motorsports, who has retired after 12 years with YTC. Briggs has been with Yokohama for 14 years. He joined YTC in 2003 and has held several positions, including account manager; senior manager of motorsports; and senior director of marketing, product planning and motorsports. Briggs was promoted to senior director of tire business and product planning in 2015.
 Hyundai Elantra Sport |
 Chevrolet Colorado |
Fear One to Feature Two Vehicles in Covercraft SEMA Show Booth
Fear One and Covercraft have teamed up again to showcase two custom vehicles—a Chevrolet Colorado and Hyundai Elantra Sport—at the SEMA Show. Covercraft will feature both vehicles in booth #23343 in the Central Hall at the 2017 SEMA Show.
Lund International to Debut Eight SEMA Project Vehicles and More Than a Dozen New Products at SEMA Show Press Conference
Lund International will host a lunch, Tuesday, October 31, from 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m., in SEMA Show booth #31027 in the Upper South Hall, where the company will debut eight new vehicles, including a new musclecar project, which will be paired with a major announcement. The program will be emceed by Sam Mahdavi, host of Velocity Network’s “Sam’s Garage” and “The Lund International Truck and Jeep Show,” along with Lund CEO Mitch Fogle. Lund International brands will showcase more than a dozen new products for the Jeep, truck and musclecar markets as part of its “Road to Success” New Product Passport program. Throughout the week, Mahdavi will perform daily live product installs in the all-new Lund International Garage.
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