Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Olsbergs MSE driver Kevin Eriksson took home the win in the first race of the 2015 FIA RX Lites series in the AEM Infinity/Olsbergs MSE Lites car.

Kevin Eriksson Takes the Win in FIA RX Lites Opener in Infinity-Tuned Olsbergs MSE Racecar

Olsbergs MSE driver Kevin Eriksson took home the win in the first race of the 2015 FIA RX Lites series in the AEM Infinity/Olsbergs MSE Lites car, setting the pace to defend his 2014 Champion title in the points race. Eriksson was the fastest in free practice and won both Heat 1 and Heat 2 en route to his victory in the final heat. AEM's Infinity ECU was chosen as the spec ECU for the Global Rallycross SuperCar Lites championship in 2013, and in 2014 this role was expanded to include the Lites cars in the FIA World Rallycross Lites Championship series and Rallycross Supercar Lites Scandinavia series.

Cooper, Jones, Ruth Among 2015 Class for Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame

A former boat-racing world champion, the owner-operator of an iconic dragstrip and the businessman who helped save a drag-race sanctioning organization are among the members of the 2015 class of the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Marion Cooper enjoyed a three-decade career in boat racing, winning an American Power Boat Racing Association world championship. He was a three-time winner of the Calvert Trophy—claimed in competition on the Ohio River during the ’50s and ’60s.

Dallas Jones is best known as the long-time owner and promoter of Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, including Beech Bend Dragway and Raceway. Jones has operated that facility for more than 25 years and overseen an active schedule of national and regional racing events. The facility annually hosts the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, National Hot Rod Association Midwest series races and a variety of other events, which pump millions of dollars into the region's economy.

Jim Ruth enjoyed some on-track success competing in Pro Stock drag racing as a hobby. But he is best remembered for helping purchase and resurrect the International Hot Rod Association after that sanctioning organization nearly closed down after the 1988 season. Before his death in 1990, Ruth owned and operated Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, played an integral role in establishing Pro Modified as a professional category and helped launch the career of three-time drag racing world champion Darrell Alderman, also of Morehead.

Other members of the class of 2015 include Jerry Decker, a two-time drag-racing world champion car owner and driver; Pat Freels, a former national champion tractor puller and drag racer; and Dickie Ogles, who has enjoyed a 50-year career in drag racing. He remains active today after accumulating 75 NHRA national event class winner trophies.

This year's Pioneer Award will be presented to Earl Hayden, patriarch of the world-champion Hayden brothers motorcycle racers. His son Nicky is a former Moto GP world champion, who has garnered numerous wins in the American Motorcyclist Association Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes. Eldest son Tommy is a former champion in the Supersport class, and son Roger Lee has been active at all levels of racing, including Moto GP and Superbike.

Induction ceremonies for the organization's eighth class will be held October 24, 2015, at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History's SpeedZeum.

	The 14th Annual Quick Fuel Technology NMCA Muscle Car Nationals will be held at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 14–17.

NMCA Returns to Bowling Green

The 14th Annual Quick Fuel Technology NMCA Muscle Car Nationals will be held at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 14–17. This event marks the halfway point of the NMCA Flowmaster Drag Racing Series season. This year's NMCA event in Bowling Green will host the 10th Annual Dave Duell Classic for racers in the ATI Performance Products Nostalgia Super Stock class. The Dave Duell Classic is the largest NSS race in the country, and it includes one of the biggest purses with $4,000 going to the winner and $1,500 to the runner-up. Racers will also compete in their regular class races to see who is the quickest in the land and deserving of a trip to the Aerospace Components Winners Circle.

FASTRAK Extends Partnership With VP Racing Fuels

The FASTRAK Racing Series has announced VP Racing Fuels will continue as Official Fuel of the FASTRAK Racing Series, including both the FASTRAK weekly series and touring series throughout the United States. The agreement designates VP as the preferred fuel for FASTRAK competitors and provides substantial VP brand exposure at race venues and across FASTRAK’s digital and social media platforms.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Olsbergs MSE driver Kevin Eriksson took home the win in the first race of the 2015 FIA RX Lites series in the AEM Infinity/Olsbergs MSE Lites car.

Kevin Eriksson Takes the Win in FIA RX Lites Opener in Infinity-Tuned Olsbergs MSE Racecar

Olsbergs MSE driver Kevin Eriksson took home the win in the first race of the 2015 FIA RX Lites series in the AEM Infinity/Olsbergs MSE Lites car, setting the pace to defend his 2014 Champion title in the points race. Eriksson was the fastest in free practice and won both Heat 1 and Heat 2 en route to his victory in the final heat. AEM's Infinity ECU was chosen as the spec ECU for the Global Rallycross SuperCar Lites championship in 2013, and in 2014 this role was expanded to include the Lites cars in the FIA World Rallycross Lites Championship series and Rallycross Supercar Lites Scandinavia series.

Cooper, Jones, Ruth Among 2015 Class for Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame

A former boat-racing world champion, the owner-operator of an iconic dragstrip and the businessman who helped save a drag-race sanctioning organization are among the members of the 2015 class of the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Marion Cooper enjoyed a three-decade career in boat racing, winning an American Power Boat Racing Association world championship. He was a three-time winner of the Calvert Trophy—claimed in competition on the Ohio River during the ’50s and ’60s.

Dallas Jones is best known as the long-time owner and promoter of Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, including Beech Bend Dragway and Raceway. Jones has operated that facility for more than 25 years and overseen an active schedule of national and regional racing events. The facility annually hosts the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, National Hot Rod Association Midwest series races and a variety of other events, which pump millions of dollars into the region's economy.

Jim Ruth enjoyed some on-track success competing in Pro Stock drag racing as a hobby. But he is best remembered for helping purchase and resurrect the International Hot Rod Association after that sanctioning organization nearly closed down after the 1988 season. Before his death in 1990, Ruth owned and operated Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, played an integral role in establishing Pro Modified as a professional category and helped launch the career of three-time drag racing world champion Darrell Alderman, also of Morehead.

Other members of the class of 2015 include Jerry Decker, a two-time drag-racing world champion car owner and driver; Pat Freels, a former national champion tractor puller and drag racer; and Dickie Ogles, who has enjoyed a 50-year career in drag racing. He remains active today after accumulating 75 NHRA national event class winner trophies.

This year's Pioneer Award will be presented to Earl Hayden, patriarch of the world-champion Hayden brothers motorcycle racers. His son Nicky is a former Moto GP world champion, who has garnered numerous wins in the American Motorcyclist Association Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes. Eldest son Tommy is a former champion in the Supersport class, and son Roger Lee has been active at all levels of racing, including Moto GP and Superbike.

Induction ceremonies for the organization's eighth class will be held October 24, 2015, at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History's SpeedZeum.

	The 14th Annual Quick Fuel Technology NMCA Muscle Car Nationals will be held at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 14–17.

NMCA Returns to Bowling Green

The 14th Annual Quick Fuel Technology NMCA Muscle Car Nationals will be held at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 14–17. This event marks the halfway point of the NMCA Flowmaster Drag Racing Series season. This year's NMCA event in Bowling Green will host the 10th Annual Dave Duell Classic for racers in the ATI Performance Products Nostalgia Super Stock class. The Dave Duell Classic is the largest NSS race in the country, and it includes one of the biggest purses with $4,000 going to the winner and $1,500 to the runner-up. Racers will also compete in their regular class races to see who is the quickest in the land and deserving of a trip to the Aerospace Components Winners Circle.

FASTRAK Extends Partnership With VP Racing Fuels

The FASTRAK Racing Series has announced VP Racing Fuels will continue as Official Fuel of the FASTRAK Racing Series, including both the FASTRAK weekly series and touring series throughout the United States. The agreement designates VP as the preferred fuel for FASTRAK competitors and provides substantial VP brand exposure at race venues and across FASTRAK’s digital and social media platforms.

By SEMA Editors

	SEMA News is looking for young superstars to highlight in this year's 35 Under 35.

For the fourth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. We need your input. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2015—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2015 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2015.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They are also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas that include marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

	SEMA News is looking for young superstars to highlight in this year's 35 Under 35.

For the fourth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. We need your input. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2015—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2015 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2015.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They are also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas that include marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

	SEMA News is looking for young superstars to highlight in this year's 35 Under 35.

For the fourth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. We need your input. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2015—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2015 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2015.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They are also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas that include marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Wheel Vintiques, located in City of Industry, California, is hiring a customer service/sales representative. The qualified candidate will have excellent customer service and telephone skills and be able to travel to trade shows. Automotive and wheel knowledge is preferred.

• Skyjacker Suspensions, located in Monroe, Louisiana, is hiring a marketing manager/director to oversee the marketing department that handles all national print, radio, television, online, event and social media marketing. This position will be responsible for managing the creative team and helping develop ad campaigns, promotions, event planning and product/vehicle photos. The successful candidate will have 3–5+ years’ marketing management experience in a similar or related industry and a proven track record in the automotive aftermarket.

• Roll-n-Lock Corp. is hiring a Nevada-based regional representative to annually develop and execute a regional sales plan in support of the company’s business plan, develop a plan to participate in monthly special events throughout the Western region to advertise and solicit sales of Roll N Lock products, annually develop and manage an expense budget and travel (at least 10–15 days per month) to support, train, evaluate or recruit new or existing key jobber and dealer accounts.

• Addictive Desert Designs, located in Mesa, Arizona, is hiring an in-house sales representative. The ideal candidate must be computer savvy with 3–5 years’ minimum in customer service and telephone sales. Good communication and typing skills are a must. Primary responsibilities include parts sales, customer relations, customer service and customer follow-up.

View more listings from SEMA's Automotive Classifieds listings.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit TORA's website.

Media Preview Provides Truck Accessory Retailers Immediate Exposure

By Amanda Gubbins

The Light Truck Industry Alliance (TORA) is now accepting applications until June 30 for the 2015 Media Preview event, taking place Monday, November 2, prior to the opening of the 2015 SEMA Show. The event gives truck accessory manufacturers a chance to meet one on one with media reps, and is ideal for making contacts and introducing new products without sacrificing valuable floor time with buyers.

Last year’s inaugural event was a success by all accounts, with nearly 200 media in attendance. Each of the manufacturer participants were chosen from the application pool by lottery to set up temporary exhibit space within the Media Center. Throughout the four-hour event, these manufacturers showed samples and answered questions about their newest products.

Jerrod Strauss of N-Fab Inc. is a prime example of how preparation can pay off in a big way for exhibiting companies. Strauss recalls immediate gratification when an editor returned to his company’s area for a second conversation during the event with a completed article that had been already posted online. That piece resulted in two feature vehicles for the company.

Strauss provided thumb drives with files of press releases and product information to the journalists, along with hard copies of the company’s catalog. These items eased the writing process for the media reps. His other advice for participants is to be engaged during the entire afternoon event.

“It was really important that you were out and actively pulling the media in, talking about your product instead of just letting them walk by,” he reflected.

N-Fab also received a “Show Stopper” award from Diesel Tech magazine for the company’s “AdjustStep,” a nerf-step allowing for up to 5.5 in. of height adjustment on each step.

“They were so enamored by the design and the concept and what it was built for that they came by our booth [later in the week] and told us they wanted to give us the award for it. They had not stopped thinking about the ingenuity and engineering behind it.” Said Strauss.

Without the Media Preview event, Diesel Tech might not have discovered N-Fab’s product. The Show Stopper award has resulted in a great deal of editorial attention for the company since last November. Much of this exposure was made possible because Strauss knew how to make it easy for the media.

“I highly recommend participating in the event, but if you’re going to do it, make sure you execute it properly,” he said.

Applying now leaves plenty of time for TORA-member companies to prepare thoroughly for the event, and the council has many resources available to help. If your company is not yet a member of TORA, consider joining to take advantage of this benefit.

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Visit ARMO's website.

Learn What SEMA Offers to Restoration Businesses

The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) will host a general membership meeting at the SEMA Garage–Product Development Center in Diamond Bar, California, Wednesday, May 27, 2015. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m., with the meeting running from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. A networking lunch will follow the meeting.

General membership meetings provide the perfect opportunity to let the ARMO leadership know what kind of challenges you face in day-to-day business, and to meet in person with restoration industry peers.

In addition to presentations and discussions about various topics, including SEMA Market Research, the 2015 SEMA Show, the ARMO data initiative and other projects, attendees at this meeting will be treated to a tour of the SEMA Garage. The Garage offers many valuable services and resources to members at substantial savings, including FaroArm/CMM scanning, 3D printing, fully equipped photo coves and more.

Please RSVP, or contact Jim Skelly for more information.

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Visit MPMC's website.

Motorsports Council Hosts Open Meeting at SEMA Garage

The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) will host a general membership meeting at the SEMA Garage-Product Development Center in Diamond Bar, California, on Thursday, May 28, 2015. The meeting will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and lunch at 12:00 p.m.  General meetings provide the perfect opportunity to let the MPMC leadership know what kind of challenges you face in daily business operations and meet face-to-face with fellow motorsports parts manufacturers.

In addition to presentations and discussions about various MPMC initiatives, of particular interest to MPMC manufacturers will be a tour of the SEMA Garage and the various resources it offers manufacturers. Emissions testing, CMM scanning and 3D printing, along with fully equipped photo coves are all offered at substantial savings. Compliance Center Manager Peter Treydte will make a special presentation on the SEMA emissions lab and the other ways he and the Garage staff can assist with E.O. certifications.

Please RSVP, or contact Jim Skelly if you have any questions.

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Visit PRO's website.

Restylers: Add a New Resource to Your Business Toolkit

The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) has released another tool for restylers to keep handy. The Vehicle Accessorization flyer is designed to help restylers educate dealers about the value of vehicle accessorization and the importance of working with a professional accessory provider. A free resource for PRO council members, the flyer is customizable so restylers can add their salespeople’s contact information, along with time- or brand-specific service promotions.

This flyer can be tailored to each dealership, and will stand out in its easy-to-read infographic format. The writable PDF format allows members to edit and print as many copies as needed, as often as necessary, or distribute the information electronically. Contact Clayton Drescher today for your free copy.

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Visit YEN's website

	During last year's competition, Roger Peterson, founder and CEO of MG Research LLC, introduced a mobile app that engages enthusiasts and collects useful market information for specialty-equipment manufacturers.

Let SEMA Help Launch Your Business

By Amanda Gubbins

Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 SEMA Launch Pad, Presented by YEN. The competition, now entering its third year, gives automotive innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs under the age of 40 an industry platform for their budding businesses.

Roger Peterson, founder and CEO of MG Research LLC, was a contestant in the 2014 competition. He and his concept—a mobile app that engages enthusiasts and collects useful market information for specialty-equipment manufacturers—made it all the way to the final stage of the competition, where he gave a live presentation to a panel of respected industry leaders during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

“As I look at the experience overall, I have to say that as a very, very young company, it did a tremendous amount of good for us in the sense that we went from being a concept, an untested idea, and we were forced to mature to our best capacity,” Peterson reflected. “We were forced to ripen as best that we could. It taught us about ourselves, our will, our desire to see this through, and it brought out the best in our team. It definitely brought out the best in me.”

Launch Pad applicants are evaluated based on their video submissions by a task force, which will select the top 10. The top five candidates are narrowed down via a Facebook voting campaign. These finalists will each pitch their business plan at the 2015 SEMA Show, where the judging panel will select the winner, who will receive a prize package designed to fuel the next steps of his or her business.

Peterson explained that each of the finalists gained a certain amount of validation, which made the experience valuable. For MG Research, the feedback and exposure was a catalyst for much of the growth the company has experienced over the past months.

“We no longer have to strain ourselves trying to make this vision visible to other people. It’s now plastered all over the SEMA website, and it’s represented well. It has taken us from being one of a million young companies trying to come out of the woodwork, to one of a few that actually has accomplished something. As we are moving along now to our funding activities, we are going to find out exactly what the strength of the SEMA Launch Pad experience is.”

The bottom line, according the Peterson?

“We were all winners in the sense that we all walked away with what we needed to go to the next stage [of business],” he said.

Applications are due July 3, 2015. Find out what Launch Pad can do for your business. For more information, and to fill out the application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, contact Bryan Harrison.

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