Jim Campbell, Chevrolet's U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, talks about the 50th anniversary for the Chevy Camaro and other exciting news.

Jim Campbell, Chevrolet's U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, talks about the 50th anniversary for the Chevy Camaro and other exciting news.

By SEMA Editors

Bob Lichtmann

Bob Lichtmann, founder of Covercraft Industries LLC, passed away February 20, just two days prior to his 92nd birthday.

With just one employee, Lichtmann started Covercraft in 1965, manufacturing custom-patterned car covers for European sports cars in a 1,500-sq.-ft. shop. Beginning with just 30 patterns, Covercraft now boasts a catalog of more than 85,000 custom car cover patterns.

Over the years, a variety of automotive specialty products were added to Covercraft’s lineup, including SeatSaver, LeBra and Colgan Custom masks, the Canine Covers pet travel line, DashMat, floor mats, UVS100 sunscreens, powersports covers and ADCO RV products. Today, Covercraft has more than 700 employees spread across five states, and serves both aftermarket customers and OEMs. The shop has expanded to three manufacturing facilities encompassing nearly 300,000 sq. ft.

Lichtmann’s passing was preceded by his wife of 62 years and best friend Charlotte. He is survived by sons Marty, Larry and Jay and their families.

Services were held February 24 in Los Angeles.

By SEMA Editors

Marie Yeager

CRP Automotive Names Marie Yeager as Product Manager for Pentosin and Ajusa

CRP Automotive has announced the appointment of Marie Yeager as product manager for the Pentosin and Ajusa brands. In this role, Yeager will be responsible for managing product-line lifecycles, from strategic planning to tactical activities, developing product sales and providing technical support as a subject-matter expert. Prior to joining CRP, Yeager spent 11 years as a product manager with Elementis Specialties, where she was also responsible for product lifecycle management, new-product forecasting, product development, analysis and marketing.

American National Carbide Celebrates 40 Years of ERP Loyalty With Global Shop Solutions
Global Shop Solutions, a global producer of ERP software for manufacturers, has announced that American National Carbide (ANC), a make-to-order manufacturer of tungsten carbide products, recently passed the 40-year mark as a loyal Global Shop Solutions customer. According Global Shop Solutions, ANC has yielded ongoing improvements in virtually every area of the business, including inventory and scheduling, 95% on-time delivery rates, significant reductions in labor costs and customer retention.

Kahn Media will handle public relations and specific marketing campaigns for the ClassicCars.com team with an emphasis on expanding the brand’s mainstream appeal and reach with various men’s lifestyle outlets.

ClassicCars.com Selects Kahn Media as Agency of Record

Kahn Media has been selected as the agency of record for ClassicCars.com—a web portal for the classic car hobby and industry. ClassicCars.com is a destination for those looking to purchase a classic automobile with a database of vehicles currently for sale and automotive market and technical knowledge provided by journalists and experts. Kahn Media will handle public relations and specific marketing campaigns for the ClassicCars.com team with an emphasis on expanding the brand’s mainstream appeal and reach with various men’s lifestyle outlets, both online and in print through content syndication. Kahn Media will work with the ClassicCars.com editorial and data teams to report market shifts and predictions, share interesting trends and connect the mainstream media with experts on the collector car lifestyle.

Home Service Oil Signs on With VP Racing Fuels Retail Branding Program

VP Racing Fuels Inc. has introduced Home Service Oil as its newest partner in VP’s national retail branding program. A wholesale fuel distributor based in Barnhart, Missouri, Home Service owns and operates nine Express Mart c-stores and supplies 60 other retail sites across Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois. Home Service is in the process of reimagining its first site with the VP brand in Piedmont, Missouri, and anticipates having four more sites converted by year’s end.

National Performance Warehouse Announces Its First Acquisition of 2017; Names Race Fittings Solutions Service Area Retailer of the Year

National Performance Warehouse (NPW) has announced its first acquisition for 2017 by its purchase of the Key Line Automotive operations. The deal closed March 1. When the deal is complete, NPW will have three distribution centers in Utah and Idaho and 17 Auto Value stores. Key Line Automotive was founded in 1968 by Don Robinson as the first automotive parts distributor in the Idaho Falls area. In 1991, Dee and Kristi Sucher purchased the business from Robinson.  

In addition, NPW, in conjunction with Parts Pro, recently named Race Fittings Solutions of Hialeah, Florida, Retailer of the Year at its January 29 FAST Expo event held at the Miami Airport Convention Center. NPW, an AAM Group member warehouse distributor that sells both traditional and performance parts, maintains 12 stocking locations and is headquartered in Miami.     

TEN Announces Appointment of John Viscardo as General Manager of Car Craft

TEN: The Enthusiast Network has announced the appointment of John Viscardo as general manager of Car Craft. In his new role, Viscardo’s primary responsibilities include enhancing the relationship between the Car Craft brand and its audience and driving content strategy across digital, social, video, print and event sponsorship. Viscardo will also continue in his current role as general manager of Circle Track—a position in which he has been successful extending the brand’s content into new media platforms.

Desia Anderson

Desia Anderson, Erik Umscheid Join Ranch Hand as Outside Sales Representatives

Desia Anderson and Erik Umscheid have joined Ranch Hand as outside sales representatives. Anderson will cover the Northwest region, including Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, California, Oregon, Washington State, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and West Texas, while Umscheid will cover East Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Anderson has worked closely with national and regional automotive aftermarket warehouses for 15 years. Her experience includes sales, product training and customer service. She specializes in strong relationship building with customers and vendors. Umscheid’s career in aftermarket truck accessories spans nearly two decades. His accountabilities have included general manager and owner of a truck accessory shop, sales rep for a regional distributor and running an e-commerce website.

Lund International Acquires RoadWorks

Lund International has announced it has acquired substantially all of the assets of RoadWorks Manufacturing Inc.—a manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket accessories to the heavy truck market. Operations will continue to be conducted from RoadWorks’ existing facility in Lafayette, Indiana, and its employees will join the Lund International team. Regions Business Capital, as administrative agent, along with a syndicate of participating lenders, provided senior financing. Fifth Third Securities Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to RoadWorks Manufacturing Inc. on its sale to Lund International.

Vahé Michaelian

Vahé Michaelian Rejoins 1-800EveryRim – OEM Wheels

After graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in environmental science in 2014, Vahé Michaelian rejoined 1-800EveryRim – OEM Wheels, where he had previously worked part-time. In 2016, he was promoted to warehouse manager. In December 2016, at the age of 24, Vahé became the youngest board member ever to serve the California Tire Dealers Association. He is also active in his charity organization, The Trex Fraternity of California, and was recognized as Junior Trexman of the year 2014.

Chuck Kenney

DEI Appoints Chuck Kenney to Lead Sales for Boom Mat

DEI Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tom Miller has named Chuck Kenney as the company’s 12-volt sales manager—a newly created position. A 30-year veteran of the electronics industry, he is responsible for overseeing sales, distribution and profits for Boom Mat, DEI’s acoustic brand. With expertise in account management and team development, Kenney has been selected to grow the Boom Mat brand in the 12-volt market, to solidify and further develop DEI’s heat- and sound-control product distribution and sales and to explore new market opportunities in the home theater, trailer, RV, commercial work truck and marine industries. He will be the primary contact for trade and distributor shows and will be integral in the selection of sponsored project-car builders to represent the Boom Mat brand under Team DEI. As the former national sales manager for Epsilon Electronics, Kenney handled national accounts and was responsible for domestic sales. In this and prior positions as regional sales manager for Audiovox Electronics and general manager of  Lesco Distributing, he was responsible for working with program distribution groups, developing and managing a strong team of manufacturer representatives and generating sales with retailers, including  Wal-Mart, Target Stores and Best Buy. Kenney will work remotely from his home in Texas and report directly to Miller.

Highlander Partners Acquires Controlling Interest in Hi-Tech Industries

Highlander Partners L.P. has announced the acquisition of Hi-Tech Industries Inc.—a provider of a full line of professional car-care product accessories and specialty aerosols to the automotive appearance industry. Hi-Tech will operate through a holding company owned by Highlander that has various investments in automotive appearance and maintenance products. The business will continue to operate autonomously, and all operations will remain unchanged and continue to be conducted from Hi-Tech’s two facilities in Farmington and Southfield, Michigan, where all manufacturing and distribution takes place. The business will continue to be led by Hi-Tech's current CEO Herschel Wright.

The Goodguys–Austin Hatcher Foundation partnership will kick off at the season-opening Goodguys 8th Spring Nationals, March 10–12, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona.

AutoCross for Kids and Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Join With the Austin Hatcher Foundation

Goodguys Rod and Custom Association and The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer have partnered again in 2017 to raise funds and awareness for the foundation’s mission to erase the effects of pediatric cancer for patients, survivors and their families. The partnership will provide the foundation with opportunities to educate both children and adults about healthy lifestyles that prevent cancer, and provide much-needed therapies in a variety of cities throughout the United States. This year, the Austin Hatcher Foundation is commemorating its 10-year anniversary. During the first decade, they have provided services to approximately 70,000 children and their family members across 28 states and 38 hospitals. Goodguys Rod and Custom Association will work in conjunction with the foundation at several Goodguys shows during 2017. Association members and show attendees will have opportunities to contribute to the effort through donations and volunteering for some of the program’s initiatives. The AutoCross for Kids will offer Goodguys car show attendees opportunities at selected shows a chance to ride with Pro AutoCross competitors on a specially-prepared closed performance AutoCross course in exchange for a specified donation to the Austin Hatcher Foundation. The partnership will kick off at the season-opening Goodguys 8th Spring Nationals, March 10–12, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, and be held at several events throughout the Goodguys 2017 event schedule. 

Tenneco Launches Monroe “Feel the Difference” Consumer Promotion

This spring, Tenneco’s Monroe shocks and struts brand is rewarding consumers for their purchases of qualifying Monroe and Rancho ride-control products with Visa Prepaid cards worth up to $100 through the “Feel the Difference” mail-in rebate promotion, running now through April 30, 2017. The spring promotion coincides with the launch of the new “Feel the Difference” Guarantee, available now on qualifying premium Monroe ride-control products. The Feel the Difference Guarantee is a comprehensive, risk-free consumer offer designed to enable service providers to promise ride-control customers that they will feel a positive difference in handling and overall ride quality or receive their money back. Rebate submissions must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2017. Qualifying purchases available through the promotion include Monroe OESpectrum shock absorbers and struts, Monroe Quick-Strut replacement assemblies, Monroe Reflex shocks and struts and Monroe Gas-Magnum shock absorbers. Visit www.monroe.com for more details and products covered by the guarantee.

Win a 2018 Mustang GT in Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes Presented by Motorcraft

One winner will drive away with an ’18 Ford Mustang GT, plus $5,000 in Ford Performance Parts in the eighth-annual Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes Presented by Motorcraft. Contestants 18 years or older can enter online for a chance to win at www.Mustang50Fever.com now through December 1, 2017, or at Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing’s midway display at select Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races and automotive and Ford enthusiast events. Entries are limited to one per person. In 2016, more than 194,000 entered the contest, and Robin Staudte of Lemon Grove, California, was last year’s winner. She took delivery of her magnetic metallic Mustang GT with black interior from Penske Ford in La Mesa, Saturday, February 25.

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

Team Penske's No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion driven by Joey Logano

Shell and Penske Corp. Announce Multi-Year Motorsports Alliance

Shell and Penske Corp. have announced a multi-year continuation of their ongoing business, technical and motorsport alliance. As part of the agreement, Shell and Pennzoil will continue sponsoring Team Penske entries in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Verizon IndyCar Series through the 2022 season and beyond. Shell and Pennzoil will also continue to be the preferred supplier of fuels, lubricants and related products to the Penske organization. Shell and Pennzoil began their current relationship with Team Penske in 2011. Pennzoil first aligned with Team Penske as part of its IndyCar program in 1983, and won two Indianapolis 500s with driver Rick Mears. Since forging a renewed alliance in 2011, the partners have earned more wins in IndyCar than any other organization and 80 total NASCAR national series victories—second most of all competing teams. Team Penske driver Joey Logano has won 15 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races since joining Team Penske and Shell-Pennzoil in 2013, and delivered Shell-Pennzoil their second Daytona 500 Championship in 2015. The 26-year-old driver finished second in the series point standings last season and won the season-opening, non-points Clash event last weekend at Daytona.

Team Penske has also announced that it has come to an agreement with Logano to continue driving the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion throughout the length of the Shell-Team Penske extension. For the sixth consecutive season, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will continue to represent the Shell and Pennzoil brands in 2017. Castroneves will drive the No. 3 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ IndyCar at the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. Shell and Pennzoil will also be associate sponsors on all Team Penske cars competing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Verizon IndyCar Series.

DEI Supports Grassroots Motorsports With Multiple-Year Contingency Connection Commitment

In support of grassroots motorsports, Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) has signed a multiple-year agreement to sponsor Contingency Connection’s weekly Racer Rewards Program and the DEI “Coolest Champion” end-of-season championship bonus. DEI is also launching its national grassroots support program with a special pre-season 20% discount for purchases made online. To receive the discount, enter the code “DEICCRACER.” Contingency Connection’s Racer Reward Program allows DEI the most direct way to reach target consumers—the racers, engine builders, machine shops and enthusiasts—at the track or online for the broadest number of venues and series. In 2017 and 2018, Racer Rewards winners at Contingency Connection tracks and series will qualify to receive the “DEI Racer’s Deal” receiving special discount pricing on four groups of DEI heat protective products. To participate, racers display the DEI decal in order to win DEI product discount certificates.

Fidanza Announces Sponsorship for 2017 NMRA Season

In support of the 2017 NMRA Ford Nationals, Ohio-based aluminum flywheel manufacturer Fidanza Performance has inked a sponsorship agreement with the series and posted contingency in a number of classes. The six-race NMRA season kicks off March 3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida and concludes September 29–October 2, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  

Wilwood Disc Brakes Renews Sponsorship for Street Rodder Triple Crown of Hot Rodding Competition

Wilwood Disc Brakes will return as an official product sponsor of the Street Rodder Triple Crown of Hot Rodding competition. The annual competition, hosted by Street Rodder Magazine, will take place during the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup, held September 8–9, 2017, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Shades of the Past event entrants and Painless Performance Products/Street Rodder Top 100 winners are eligible, and will be judged to receive one of three titles: Street Rod of the Year, Street Machine of the Year or Street Cruiser of the Year. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will provide a $1,000 product certificate to each of the three category winners. For the latest eligible vehicles and selection process, visit www.hotrod.com/street-rodder-magazine.

Wilwood also has renewed its partnership with Speed Ventures as title sponsor of the Wilwood Corvette Challenge for the 2017 season. This is the third consecutive year as title sponsor of the Wilwood Corvette Challenge—a time-trialing series that promotes friendly competition among drivers from all levels of experience and tests their skills against the clock. The series is open to all Corvette models within four classes: stock, modified, super-modified and unlimited.

Wilwood also has announced the renewal of its contingency sponsorship with the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) through the 2017 season. Wilwood will support select IMCA divisions through product and monetary contingency to multiple finishers in national points and at the Super Nationals.

In addition, Wilwood has renewed its partnership with ChumpCar International Inc. as a series sponsor with the ChumpCar World Series in 2017. Wilwood also has been named title sponsor of The Wilwood Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, July 14–16, 2017. As a series sponsor, Wilwood’s contingency will support the more than 40 ChumpCar events annually across four divisions (East, West, Central and Canada). Eligible drivers have the opportunity to earn $100 product certificates at each ChumpCar event. Each driver will be required to run at least two Wilwood contingency decals on the sides of their competition vehicles to be eligible to receive the contingency.

Finally, Wilwood will return to the Trans Am Series in 2017 as sponsor of the TA2 and TA4 class Rookie of the Year battle. In addition, Wilwood has added contingency support to the new West Coast Championship Rookie of the Year battle. Both the Trans Am TA2 and TA4 classes will race the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. The TA2 Class platform includes high-performance, purpose-built race cars while the TA4 Class is dedicated to year-specific, production-based models. New for 2017 is the West Coast Championship—a four-event series independent of the Trans Am Championship. The series commences March 25–26 at Willow Springs International Raceway in conjunction with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA).

Tanner Foust is the first celebrity guest driver on the Polaris RZR Star Car team when he joins Jim Beaver and Jolene Van Vugt to share driving duties in the brand-new, race-modified ’17 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas.

Champion Racer Tanner Foust to Guest Drive Mint 400 in Polaris RZR Star Car

Champion driver and television personality Tanner Foust this week becomes the first celebrity guest driver on the Polaris RZR Star Car team when he joins Jim Beaver and Jolene Van Vugt to share driving duties in the brand-new, race-modified ’17 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas, March 2–5. Foust joins racing radio host Beaver and action-sport star Van Vugt to make a three-driver roster for the Las Vegas race. The blue-and-white vehicle was unveiled for the first time earlier this week. In addition to the Mint 400, the Polaris RZR Star Car will appear with celebrity guest drivers at three additional motorsport weekends this year:

• Polaris RZR UTV World Championship, April 13–15, in Laughlin, Nevada
• General Tire Vegas to Reno, presented by FOX, August 18–19, in Las Vegas
• Pahrump Nugget 250, presented by Supercross.com, November 30–December 3, in Pahrump, Nevada

The team’s participation in the four select Best in the Desert races will be documented in a series of online videos released throughout the season.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Team Penske's No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion driven by Joey Logano

Shell and Penske Corp. Announce Multi-Year Motorsports Alliance

Shell and Penske Corp. have announced a multi-year continuation of their ongoing business, technical and motorsport alliance. As part of the agreement, Shell and Pennzoil will continue sponsoring Team Penske entries in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Verizon IndyCar Series through the 2022 season and beyond. Shell and Pennzoil will also continue to be the preferred supplier of fuels, lubricants and related products to the Penske organization. Shell and Pennzoil began their current relationship with Team Penske in 2011. Pennzoil first aligned with Team Penske as part of its IndyCar program in 1983, and won two Indianapolis 500s with driver Rick Mears. Since forging a renewed alliance in 2011, the partners have earned more wins in IndyCar than any other organization and 80 total NASCAR national series victories—second most of all competing teams. Team Penske driver Joey Logano has won 15 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races since joining Team Penske and Shell-Pennzoil in 2013, and delivered Shell-Pennzoil their second Daytona 500 Championship in 2015. The 26-year-old driver finished second in the series point standings last season and won the season-opening, non-points Clash event last weekend at Daytona.

Team Penske has also announced that it has come to an agreement with Logano to continue driving the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion throughout the length of the Shell-Team Penske extension. For the sixth consecutive season, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will continue to represent the Shell and Pennzoil brands in 2017. Castroneves will drive the No. 3 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ IndyCar at the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. Shell and Pennzoil will also be associate sponsors on all Team Penske cars competing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Verizon IndyCar Series.

DEI Supports Grassroots Motorsports With Multiple-Year Contingency Connection Commitment

In support of grassroots motorsports, Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) has signed a multiple-year agreement to sponsor Contingency Connection’s weekly Racer Rewards Program and the DEI “Coolest Champion” end-of-season championship bonus. DEI is also launching its national grassroots support program with a special pre-season 20% discount for purchases made online. To receive the discount, enter the code “DEICCRACER.” Contingency Connection’s Racer Reward Program allows DEI the most direct way to reach target consumers—the racers, engine builders, machine shops and enthusiasts—at the track or online for the broadest number of venues and series. In 2017 and 2018, Racer Rewards winners at Contingency Connection tracks and series will qualify to receive the “DEI Racer’s Deal” receiving special discount pricing on four groups of DEI heat protective products. To participate, racers display the DEI decal in order to win DEI product discount certificates.

Fidanza Announces Sponsorship for 2017 NMRA Season

In support of the 2017 NMRA Ford Nationals, Ohio-based aluminum flywheel manufacturer Fidanza Performance has inked a sponsorship agreement with the series and posted contingency in a number of classes. The six-race NMRA season kicks off March 3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida and concludes September 29–October 2, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  

Wilwood Disc Brakes Renews Sponsorship for Street Rodder Triple Crown of Hot Rodding Competition

Wilwood Disc Brakes will return as an official product sponsor of the Street Rodder Triple Crown of Hot Rodding competition. The annual competition, hosted by Street Rodder Magazine, will take place during the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup, held September 8–9, 2017, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Shades of the Past event entrants and Painless Performance Products/Street Rodder Top 100 winners are eligible, and will be judged to receive one of three titles: Street Rod of the Year, Street Machine of the Year or Street Cruiser of the Year. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will provide a $1,000 product certificate to each of the three category winners. For the latest eligible vehicles and selection process, visit www.hotrod.com/street-rodder-magazine.

Wilwood also has renewed its partnership with Speed Ventures as title sponsor of the Wilwood Corvette Challenge for the 2017 season. This is the third consecutive year as title sponsor of the Wilwood Corvette Challenge—a time-trialing series that promotes friendly competition among drivers from all levels of experience and tests their skills against the clock. The series is open to all Corvette models within four classes: stock, modified, super-modified and unlimited.

Wilwood also has announced the renewal of its contingency sponsorship with the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) through the 2017 season. Wilwood will support select IMCA divisions through product and monetary contingency to multiple finishers in national points and at the Super Nationals.

In addition, Wilwood has renewed its partnership with ChumpCar International Inc. as a series sponsor with the ChumpCar World Series in 2017. Wilwood also has been named title sponsor of The Wilwood Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, July 14–16, 2017. As a series sponsor, Wilwood’s contingency will support the more than 40 ChumpCar events annually across four divisions (East, West, Central and Canada). Eligible drivers have the opportunity to earn $100 product certificates at each ChumpCar event. Each driver will be required to run at least two Wilwood contingency decals on the sides of their competition vehicles to be eligible to receive the contingency.

Finally, Wilwood will return to the Trans Am Series in 2017 as sponsor of the TA2 and TA4 class Rookie of the Year battle. In addition, Wilwood has added contingency support to the new West Coast Championship Rookie of the Year battle. Both the Trans Am TA2 and TA4 classes will race the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. The TA2 Class platform includes high-performance, purpose-built race cars while the TA4 Class is dedicated to year-specific, production-based models. New for 2017 is the West Coast Championship—a four-event series independent of the Trans Am Championship. The series commences March 25–26 at Willow Springs International Raceway in conjunction with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA).

Tanner Foust is the first celebrity guest driver on the Polaris RZR Star Car team when he joins Jim Beaver and Jolene Van Vugt to share driving duties in the brand-new, race-modified ’17 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas.

Champion Racer Tanner Foust to Guest Drive Mint 400 in Polaris RZR Star Car

Champion driver and television personality Tanner Foust this week becomes the first celebrity guest driver on the Polaris RZR Star Car team when he joins Jim Beaver and Jolene Van Vugt to share driving duties in the brand-new, race-modified ’17 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas, March 2–5. Foust joins racing radio host Beaver and action-sport star Van Vugt to make a three-driver roster for the Las Vegas race. The blue-and-white vehicle was unveiled for the first time earlier this week. In addition to the Mint 400, the Polaris RZR Star Car will appear with celebrity guest drivers at three additional motorsport weekends this year:

• Polaris RZR UTV World Championship, April 13–15, in Laughlin, Nevada
• General Tire Vegas to Reno, presented by FOX, August 18–19, in Las Vegas
• Pahrump Nugget 250, presented by Supercross.com, November 30–December 3, in Pahrump, Nevada

The team’s participation in the four select Best in the Desert races will be documented in a series of online videos released throughout the season.

By SEMA Editors

Submit your 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame forms before the March 10 deadline.

SEMA Hall of Fame nominations are due March 10. 

The SEMA Hall of Fame Award was established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

For more information, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

Submit your 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame forms before the March 10 deadline.

SEMA Hall of Fame nominations are due March 10. 

The SEMA Hall of Fame Award was established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

For more information, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act of 2017 reached an important milestone as the House bill surpassed 100 co-sponsors earlier this week, meaning nearly one-fourth of the entire House of Representatives supports the bill. The Senate bill is also showing a strong, bipartisan performance with nearly a quarter of the entire Senate signing on as co-sponsors. Gaining momentum with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including key members on the bills’ committees of jurisdiction, is critical to moving the bill through the legislative process and closer to a final vote.

This important progress is a direct result of our industry and community’s swift action. We have sent more than 45,000 letters to the new Congress since the new letter-writing effort started in January. Thank you to those who have sent a letter! While this is an important milestone, our work is far from over. We need to keep the pressure on Congress to push the RPM Act across the finish line!

That’s why we need you to add your name to the effort to save our racecars. Hearing from you—a constituent and member of the motorsports community—lets lawmakers know that the RPM Act demands their attention and action.

Tell your lawmakers to support this critical bill using the form at www.sema.org/rpm. It’s easy and only takes a minute. Even if you sent a letter in 2016, the new Congress means that new letters are needed. And don’t forget to tell your friends and family to join the effort, too. Every letter counts.  

Together we can save our racecars and protect the future of motorsports! Visit www.sema.org/rpm today!

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act of 2017 reached an important milestone as the House bill surpassed 100 co-sponsors earlier this week, meaning nearly one-fourth of the entire House of Representatives supports the bill. The Senate bill is also showing a strong, bipartisan performance with nearly a quarter of the entire Senate signing on as co-sponsors. Gaining momentum with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including key members on the bills’ committees of jurisdiction, is critical to moving the bill through the legislative process and closer to a final vote.

This important progress is a direct result of our industry and community’s swift action. We have sent more than 45,000 letters to the new Congress since the new letter-writing effort started in January. Thank you to those who have sent a letter! While this is an important milestone, our work is far from over. We need to keep the pressure on Congress to push the RPM Act across the finish line!

That’s why we need you to add your name to the effort to save our racecars. Hearing from you—a constituent and member of the motorsports community—lets lawmakers know that the RPM Act demands their attention and action.

Tell your lawmakers to support this critical bill using the form at www.sema.org/rpm. It’s easy and only takes a minute. Even if you sent a letter in 2016, the new Congress means that new letters are needed. And don’t forget to tell your friends and family to join the effort, too. Every letter counts.  

Together we can save our racecars and protect the future of motorsports! Visit www.sema.org/rpm today!