By Linda Spencer

A ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger will be featured in a December 12–14 measuring session at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

A ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger will be featured in a December 12–14 measuring session at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. SEMA members are invited to sign up to measure the 3.2L diesel-powered RHD 4x4 double-cab pickup, which is available globally but not sold in the United States.   

Members unable to attend the December measuring session are welcome to come to the SEMA Garage for a separate measuring session at a later date. The truck can also travel to members’ facilities, if needed.

Ford Ranger details:

• Coming to the United States? The Ford Ranger is expected to be produced in the United States for the first time in 2018, although Ford has not provided definitive confirmation. The UAW plant manager in Wayne, Michigan, was recently quoted in the press as stating that a decision had been made to build the Ford Ranger and a new Bronco at the plant located within 30 minutes of Detroit.
• Plant Locations: The Ford Ranger is built in Thailand, South Africa and Argentina.
• Global Sales: Ford Ranger global sales totaled 208,251 in 2015, according to IHS. Sales since the midsize pickup was introduced in 2011 totals 662,831. South Africa was the No. 1 market in 2015 with Australia, Thailand, Argentina and Brazil joining in the top five countries in terms of sales (see charts below).
• Engines: 2.5L (gasoline) and diesel versions: 2.2L and 3.2L.
• Drivetrain: 2x4 and 4x4.
• Competitors: Other midsize pickups, such as the Chevy Colorado, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi L200 and the Nissan Navara.

Ford Ranger Sales

Top 10 Countries (Sales: 2011–2015 and 2015)

Source: SEMA calculations from IHS statistics.

European Ford Ranger Sales

Source: SEMA calculations from IHS statistics.

Register now to measure the latest truck temporarily imported by SEMA to provide access to otherwise hard-to-obtain vehicles in order to create new export-ready products. A ’16 Toyota HiLux and a ’14 Mitsubishi L200 are also available at the SEMA Garage.

For questions about measuring the Ford Ranger or the other international vehicles, contact Jim Moore at jimm@sema.org. For information on SEMA’s international programs, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

A ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger will be featured in a December 12–14 measuring session at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

A ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger will be featured in a December 12–14 measuring session at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. SEMA members are invited to sign up to measure the 3.2L diesel-powered RHD 4x4 double-cab pickup, which is available globally but not sold in the United States.   

Members unable to attend the December measuring session are welcome to come to the SEMA Garage for a separate measuring session at a later date. The truck can also travel to members’ facilities, if needed.

Ford Ranger details:

• Coming to the United States? The Ford Ranger is expected to be produced in the United States for the first time in 2018, although Ford has not provided definitive confirmation. The UAW plant manager in Wayne, Michigan, was recently quoted in the press as stating that a decision had been made to build the Ford Ranger and a new Bronco at the plant located within 30 minutes of Detroit.
• Plant Locations: The Ford Ranger is built in Thailand, South Africa and Argentina.
• Global Sales: Ford Ranger global sales totaled 208,251 in 2015, according to IHS. Sales since the midsize pickup was introduced in 2011 totals 662,831. South Africa was the No. 1 market in 2015 with Australia, Thailand, Argentina and Brazil joining in the top five countries in terms of sales (see charts below).
• Engines: 2.5L (gasoline) and diesel versions: 2.2L and 3.2L.
• Drivetrain: 2x4 and 4x4.
• Competitors: Other midsize pickups, such as the Chevy Colorado, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi L200 and the Nissan Navara.

Ford Ranger Sales

Top 10 Countries (Sales: 2011–2015 and 2015)

Source: SEMA calculations from IHS statistics.

European Ford Ranger Sales

Source: SEMA calculations from IHS statistics.

Register now to measure the latest truck temporarily imported by SEMA to provide access to otherwise hard-to-obtain vehicles in order to create new export-ready products. A ’16 Toyota HiLux and a ’14 Mitsubishi L200 are also available at the SEMA Garage.

For questions about measuring the Ford Ranger or the other international vehicles, contact Jim Moore at jimm@sema.org. For information on SEMA’s international programs, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

A ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger will be featured in a December 12–14 measuring session at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

A ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger will be featured in a December 12–14 measuring session at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. SEMA members are invited to sign up to measure the 3.2L diesel-powered RHD 4x4 double-cab pickup, which is available globally but not sold in the United States.   

Members unable to attend the December measuring session are welcome to come to the SEMA Garage for a separate measuring session at a later date. The truck can also travel to members’ facilities, if needed.

Ford Ranger details:

• Coming to the United States? The Ford Ranger is expected to be produced in the United States for the first time in 2018, although Ford has not provided definitive confirmation. The UAW plant manager in Wayne, Michigan, was recently quoted in the press as stating that a decision had been made to build the Ford Ranger and a new Bronco at the plant located within 30 minutes of Detroit.
• Plant Locations: The Ford Ranger is built in Thailand, South Africa and Argentina.
• Global Sales: Ford Ranger global sales totaled 208,251 in 2015, according to IHS. Sales since the midsize pickup was introduced in 2011 totals 662,831. South Africa was the No. 1 market in 2015 with Australia, Thailand, Argentina and Brazil joining in the top five countries in terms of sales (see charts below).
• Engines: 2.5L (gasoline) and diesel versions: 2.2L and 3.2L.
• Drivetrain: 2x4 and 4x4.
• Competitors: Other midsize pickups, such as the Chevy Colorado, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi L200 and the Nissan Navara.

Ford Ranger Sales

Top 10 Countries (Sales: 2011–2015 and 2015)

Source: SEMA calculations from IHS statistics.

European Ford Ranger Sales

Source: SEMA calculations from IHS statistics.

Register now to measure the latest truck temporarily imported by SEMA to provide access to otherwise hard-to-obtain vehicles in order to create new export-ready products. A ’16 Toyota HiLux and a ’14 Mitsubishi L200 are also available at the SEMA Garage.

For questions about measuring the Ford Ranger or the other international vehicles, contact Jim Moore at jimm@sema.org. For information on SEMA’s international programs, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Eric Brockmeyer (right) received the 2016 Goodguys Trendsetter Award, which recognizes rising talents in the hot-rod and custom-car scene.

Eric Brockmeyer was named Goodguys 2016 Trendsetter during the 2016 SEMA Show. The Goodguys Trendsetter Award is presented annually at the SEMA Show to recognize rising talents in the hot-rod and custom-car scene. Brockmeyer began his rise and steady career arch to the top of hot-rod and street-machine design from the time he was a kid building models, hot rods and drawing cars.

Convinced he could have a career as a designer, he enrolled in the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, graduating in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial design. Though his first professional design job was with Sea Ray Boats, his true passion and hobby was designing hot rods. He got so good at hot-rod design that the late Boyd Coddington came calling in 2003 for help in designing a Model A Tudor to be named the “AlumaTub.” That went so well, Coddington commissioned him to design the “French Connection”—a hand-built concept custom based on a ’39 Delahaye. Soon after that, hot rodding’s elite builders turned the look and feel of their coming attractions over to the keen eye and skilled pen of Eric Brockmeyer.

Since going to hot-rod and street-machine design full time, he has created the illustrations, style, interior and color schemes of three Goodguys Street Machine of the Year winners, a Goodguys Street Rod of the Year and a Ridler Winner, as well as Goodguys giveaway cars. Throughout his journey, his wife Pam has been there and was initially responsible for convincing him to make the leap from corporate designer to full-time hot-rod illustrator.

He said, “I am so fortunate to have my passion for hot-rod design as a career. I would like to thank the builders for trusting me with their projects and my wife Pam for supporting me for so many years.”

Brockmeyer’s work can be seen at www.brockmeyerdesign.com.

By SEMA Editors

Eric Brockmeyer (right) received the 2016 Goodguys Trendsetter Award, which recognizes rising talents in the hot-rod and custom-car scene.

Eric Brockmeyer was named Goodguys 2016 Trendsetter during the 2016 SEMA Show. The Goodguys Trendsetter Award is presented annually at the SEMA Show to recognize rising talents in the hot-rod and custom-car scene. Brockmeyer began his rise and steady career arch to the top of hot-rod and street-machine design from the time he was a kid building models, hot rods and drawing cars.

Convinced he could have a career as a designer, he enrolled in the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, graduating in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial design. Though his first professional design job was with Sea Ray Boats, his true passion and hobby was designing hot rods. He got so good at hot-rod design that the late Boyd Coddington came calling in 2003 for help in designing a Model A Tudor to be named the “AlumaTub.” That went so well, Coddington commissioned him to design the “French Connection”—a hand-built concept custom based on a ’39 Delahaye. Soon after that, hot rodding’s elite builders turned the look and feel of their coming attractions over to the keen eye and skilled pen of Eric Brockmeyer.

Since going to hot-rod and street-machine design full time, he has created the illustrations, style, interior and color schemes of three Goodguys Street Machine of the Year winners, a Goodguys Street Rod of the Year and a Ridler Winner, as well as Goodguys giveaway cars. Throughout his journey, his wife Pam has been there and was initially responsible for convincing him to make the leap from corporate designer to full-time hot-rod illustrator.

He said, “I am so fortunate to have my passion for hot-rod design as a career. I would like to thank the builders for trusting me with their projects and my wife Pam for supporting me for so many years.”

Brockmeyer’s work can be seen at www.brockmeyerdesign.com.

By SEMA Editors

Eric Brockmeyer (right) received the 2016 Goodguys Trendsetter Award, which recognizes rising talents in the hot-rod and custom-car scene.

Eric Brockmeyer was named Goodguys 2016 Trendsetter during the 2016 SEMA Show. The Goodguys Trendsetter Award is presented annually at the SEMA Show to recognize rising talents in the hot-rod and custom-car scene. Brockmeyer began his rise and steady career arch to the top of hot-rod and street-machine design from the time he was a kid building models, hot rods and drawing cars.

Convinced he could have a career as a designer, he enrolled in the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, graduating in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial design. Though his first professional design job was with Sea Ray Boats, his true passion and hobby was designing hot rods. He got so good at hot-rod design that the late Boyd Coddington came calling in 2003 for help in designing a Model A Tudor to be named the “AlumaTub.” That went so well, Coddington commissioned him to design the “French Connection”—a hand-built concept custom based on a ’39 Delahaye. Soon after that, hot rodding’s elite builders turned the look and feel of their coming attractions over to the keen eye and skilled pen of Eric Brockmeyer.

Since going to hot-rod and street-machine design full time, he has created the illustrations, style, interior and color schemes of three Goodguys Street Machine of the Year winners, a Goodguys Street Rod of the Year and a Ridler Winner, as well as Goodguys giveaway cars. Throughout his journey, his wife Pam has been there and was initially responsible for convincing him to make the leap from corporate designer to full-time hot-rod illustrator.

He said, “I am so fortunate to have my passion for hot-rod design as a career. I would like to thank the builders for trusting me with their projects and my wife Pam for supporting me for so many years.”

Brockmeyer’s work can be seen at www.brockmeyerdesign.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Rick Rollins

Rick Rollins to Serve as Master of Ceremonies for Bob Vandergriff Sr. Roast

Former SEMA Chairman of the Board Rick Rollins (2009–2011) will serve as master of ceremonies for the Quarter Mile Foundation’s “Hustling a Husler” Roast and Toast of Bob Vandergriff Sr., December 8, 2016. Rollins, of Osteen, Florida, has held corporate executive positions at several performance aftermarket companies, including Crane Cams, Taylor Cable Products and Superchips. Currently, he operates Rollins Performance Marketing LLC, and Filter Solutions Technologies LLC/FST Performance, headquartered in Osteen.

The Vandergriff roast will be presented by Hedman Husler Hedders and the Quarter Mile Foundation and sponsored by the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown. It will be held in the Main Ballroom (second floor) of the hotel at 350 West Maryland Street, directly across from the Indiana Convention Center, and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a beef and salmon duet dinner at 7:00 p.m., with the roast and live auction starting at 8:00 p.m. The deadline for reserving tables and individual seating is December 2, 2016.

Mia Tedesco

VP Racing Fuels Powers Mia Tedesco to National Championship

Mia Tedesco became the first woman to win the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Super Gas national championship when she claimed the title during the running of the Division 7 event November 6 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 22-year-old had finished accumulating national points for the season but had to wait for the outcome at Las Vegas where challengers Tommy Phillips and Brad Pierce went out in the second round, assuring Tedesco of the championship. Tedesco’s Super Gas Chevrolet Cavalier is sponsored by VP Racing Fuels. Tedesco won two Super Gas races this season, a national event and a Division 3 race at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. In addition to the Super Gas national title, Tedesco also won the Division 3 Super Gas championship and the North Central Region Top Alcohol Dragster championship.  

Tyler Speer emerged as the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series world champion in the Pro Modified class in just his second tour with the series.

Speer Wins Tight Battle for Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series Championship

Tyler Speer entered the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series World Finals at Wild Horse Motorsports Park in Phoenix with a slim points lead, but ultimately emerged as world champion in the Pro Modified class in just his second tour with the series. He will sign autographs in the Lucas Oil booth at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis in December, while his Top Fuel boat will be the featured attraction in the Hedman Husler Hedders booth. 

Sam Hafertepe Jr. and the Keith Dobbs #15H Champion Racing Oil Team wrapped up a championship season with the ASCS National Series last weekend at Cocopah Speedway near Yuma, Arizona.

Sam Hafertepe Jr. Wins ASCS National Series With Champion Racing Oil

Champion Oil has announced that Sam Hafertepe Jr. and the Keith Dobbs #15H Champion Racing Oil Team wrapped up a championship season with the ASCS National Series last weekend at Cocopah Speedway near Yuma, Arizona. The Sunnyvale, Texas, driver finished second in last Saturday’s finale to clinch his first title with the series. Champion Oil also has announced that Chad Kemenah won the 2016 All Star Circuit of Champions Championship—his fifth—during the final race of the season at Atomic Speedway. In addition, sprint car driver Trey Starks won 11 races at 11 different tracks from coast to coast. He captured his first international win during the Gold Cup at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in August with the NSA Shootout. He also garnered the inaugural World Short Track Championships at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, North Carolina.

SpeedVideo and ProMedia Sign Multi-Year Agreement to Live Broadcast NMRA and NMCA Racing Series

SpeedVideo and ProMedia Events have jointly announced a multi-year agreement to live broadcast the NMRA and NMCA Racing Series through 2018. SpeedVideo will release the official NMRA and NMCA broadcast schedules later this year.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Rick Rollins

Rick Rollins to Serve as Master of Ceremonies for Bob Vandergriff Sr. Roast

Former SEMA Chairman of the Board Rick Rollins (2009–2011) will serve as master of ceremonies for the Quarter Mile Foundation’s “Hustling a Husler” Roast and Toast of Bob Vandergriff Sr., December 8, 2016. Rollins, of Osteen, Florida, has held corporate executive positions at several performance aftermarket companies, including Crane Cams, Taylor Cable Products and Superchips. Currently, he operates Rollins Performance Marketing LLC, and Filter Solutions Technologies LLC/FST Performance, headquartered in Osteen.

The Vandergriff roast will be presented by Hedman Husler Hedders and the Quarter Mile Foundation and sponsored by the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown. It will be held in the Main Ballroom (second floor) of the hotel at 350 West Maryland Street, directly across from the Indiana Convention Center, and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a beef and salmon duet dinner at 7:00 p.m., with the roast and live auction starting at 8:00 p.m. The deadline for reserving tables and individual seating is December 2, 2016.

Mia Tedesco

VP Racing Fuels Powers Mia Tedesco to National Championship

Mia Tedesco became the first woman to win the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Super Gas national championship when she claimed the title during the running of the Division 7 event November 6 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 22-year-old had finished accumulating national points for the season but had to wait for the outcome at Las Vegas where challengers Tommy Phillips and Brad Pierce went out in the second round, assuring Tedesco of the championship. Tedesco’s Super Gas Chevrolet Cavalier is sponsored by VP Racing Fuels. Tedesco won two Super Gas races this season, a national event and a Division 3 race at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. In addition to the Super Gas national title, Tedesco also won the Division 3 Super Gas championship and the North Central Region Top Alcohol Dragster championship.  

Tyler Speer emerged as the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series world champion in the Pro Modified class in just his second tour with the series.

Speer Wins Tight Battle for Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series Championship

Tyler Speer entered the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series World Finals at Wild Horse Motorsports Park in Phoenix with a slim points lead, but ultimately emerged as world champion in the Pro Modified class in just his second tour with the series. He will sign autographs in the Lucas Oil booth at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis in December, while his Top Fuel boat will be the featured attraction in the Hedman Husler Hedders booth. 

Sam Hafertepe Jr. and the Keith Dobbs #15H Champion Racing Oil Team wrapped up a championship season with the ASCS National Series last weekend at Cocopah Speedway near Yuma, Arizona.

Sam Hafertepe Jr. Wins ASCS National Series With Champion Racing Oil

Champion Oil has announced that Sam Hafertepe Jr. and the Keith Dobbs #15H Champion Racing Oil Team wrapped up a championship season with the ASCS National Series last weekend at Cocopah Speedway near Yuma, Arizona. The Sunnyvale, Texas, driver finished second in last Saturday’s finale to clinch his first title with the series. Champion Oil also has announced that Chad Kemenah won the 2016 All Star Circuit of Champions Championship—his fifth—during the final race of the season at Atomic Speedway. In addition, sprint car driver Trey Starks won 11 races at 11 different tracks from coast to coast. He captured his first international win during the Gold Cup at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in August with the NSA Shootout. He also garnered the inaugural World Short Track Championships at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, North Carolina.

SpeedVideo and ProMedia Sign Multi-Year Agreement to Live Broadcast NMRA and NMCA Racing Series

SpeedVideo and ProMedia Events have jointly announced a multi-year agreement to live broadcast the NMRA and NMCA Racing Series through 2018. SpeedVideo will release the official NMRA and NMCA broadcast schedules later this year.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is now accepting applications from students preparing for careers in the auto or auto-parts industries for the 2017 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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 at www.sema.org/scholarships.

“The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is a way for us to help develop the future innovators and leaders of the aftermarket industry,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “We encourage all students working toward a career in our industry to apply and take advantage of this great program.”

The deadline for the program is March 1, 2017. Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, including technical and business disciplines. 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 have completed and are paying off a loan for a program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

For more information on the program, please contact Juliet Marshall, SEMA manager of education projects, at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is now accepting applications from students preparing for careers in the auto or auto-parts industries for the 2017 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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 at www.sema.org/scholarships.

“The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is a way for us to help develop the future innovators and leaders of the aftermarket industry,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “We encourage all students working toward a career in our industry to apply and take advantage of this great program.”

The deadline for the program is March 1, 2017. Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, including technical and business disciplines. 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 have completed and are paying off a loan for a program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

For more information on the program, please contact Juliet Marshall, SEMA manager of education projects, at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.