The following message is from SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola
Dear SEMA Member:
Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are
due on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
A strong SEMA Board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. As a member of the Association, we are currently seeking your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.
The following seats are open for this year’s election:
Chairman-elect (one open seat)
Distributor/Retailer (one open seat)
Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, please include brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.
We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.
Thank you for your attention to this important request.
Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.
AMS Performance is hiring a mechanical engineer to design new products for current and future vehicle platforms. This position is responsible for creating a well-scoped product charter and, once approved, create CAD parts, assemblies and drawings. Utilizing in-house rapid prototyping and computational simulation resources, you will validate that fit, form and function are aligned with the project intent. With the design work largely complete, you will work with vendors to produce sample and production components. Engineering support continues after the product is released via design revisions, vendor resourcing, and cost-save initiatives. The ideal candidate must be self-driven, hardworking and have a good understanding of mechanical systems. They must also have the ability to work efficiently and effectively to ensure all details are accounted for during the development process.
Wheel-1 is hiring an aftermarket wheel and tire salesperson with a proven history of “hunting” for new customers. Candidates must thrive in a fast-paced environment and communicate positively with customers and the sales team. Candidates must have experience in the automotive aftermarket wheel industry and be willing to travel. Bilingual (Spanish/English) is preferred.
Hellwig is hiring a director of operations to oversee management of all operations to produce products in the most cost-effective manner within quality standards. Responsibilities include overseeing maximum efficiency in design and production, ensuring inventory and deliverables operate at levels that meet customers’ needs and established financial benchmarks, formulating and recommending policies and programs that guide the company in maintaining and improving its competitive position and the profitability of the operation, and directing activities so that approved deliverables are completed on schedule and within quality standards and cost objectives. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related major or equivalent combination of education and experience; an extensive and diversified background with at least five years of industry experience; and knowledge of the industry, human resources laws and regulations and employee relations skills.
SEMA and PRI must share that despite strong Congressional backing and extraordinary support from the racing community, the 2021–2022 Congressional session is ending without passage of the RPM Act.
Key negotiators in Congress could not reach an agreement on bill language that balanced the need for federal law to protect racers and motorsports parts businesses from EPA enforcement with reasonable measures to ensure that race parts are not used on vehicles driven on roads and public highways.
The RPM Act made incredible progress in the 2021–2022 session of Congress. In addition to more than 1.5 million letters advocating for the RPM Act from the grassroots motorsports community to Congress, SEMA and PRI worked with Richard Petty to meet personally with key lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and with NHRA Top Fuel driver Antron Brown to testify before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
SEMA and PRI thank the RPM Act’s lead sponsors, the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee and the House Energy & Commerce Committee for their efforts to advance the RPM Act over the course of this year. Their leadership was integral throughout this process, despite the outcome.
“We wouldn’t have made it this far without this incredible effort by so many of our members,” said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “The RPM Act was one of the most bipartisan bills in the 117th Congress with more than 165 lawmakers co-sponsoring the legislation. SEMA and PRI will leverage the momentum we built during this congressional session, assess the current challenges the industry faces and chart a new path forward for the industry’s advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels.
SEMA/PRI will continue its advocacy work to bring needed certainty to the racing community to protect a great American pastime and hundreds of thousands of jobs in communities throughout the country.
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are currently drafting the state’s 2023 Colorado Electric Vehicle (EV) Plan. Despite being a CARB state, the current draft will not follow California by banning the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicles.
SEMA believes Coloradans, not the government, should be allowed to choose the type of vehicle technology that best serves them and their families, and encourages its members and enthusiasts to submit comments to the Colorado Energy Office by the December 31 deadline. The state aims to issue its final plan in late January or early February.
For more information, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.
SEMA is planning its 2023 education program and has issued a call for speakers for its annual SEMA Show—taking place in Las Vegas in November 2023—and its year-round virtual education program. Dynamic and entertaining presenters who can share new skills and ideas targeted to the automotive aftermarket are invited to apply at www.sema.org/speakers.
SEMA has issued a call for speakers for the 2023 SEMA Show and its year-round virtual education program.
Organizers are seeking experts who can facilitate thought-provoking, forward-thinking seminars that will help industry members take their businesses and careers to the next level.
SEMA’s year-round virtual program provides relevant, engaging and inspiring information on the industry’s complex issues and topics through online events and informational webinars. Likewise, the educational seminars make up one of the key pillars of the SEMA Show, where thousands of industry professionals come to learn new business strategies.
Topics of focus for 2023 include:
Aftermarket updates and future trends
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Electric vehicles
Emerging and executive leadership
Legal and regulatory
Sales and marketing
Small-business strategy
Vehicle technology
Specific industry segments
Speaker proposals for the 2023 SEMA Show must be submitted by January 27, 2023. Virtual education proposals can be submitted at any time throughout the year. Submit proposals at www.sema.org/speakers.
For more details, contact Gary Vigil, senior manager of professional development, at garyv@sema.org or 909-978-6738.
Priority media registration may have passed, but reporters, journalists and content creators who would like to participate in the SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference can still register to attend here.
Unlike traditional trade shows, where manufacturers are focused on buyers and making sales, MPMC Media Trade Conference exhibitors attend to conduct quality media interviews.
Taking place in person on January 24–26, 2023, at the Embassy Suites Anaheim South in Garden Grove, California, the Media Trade Conference is the best way for journalists to build relationships and connect with up to 42 manufacturers of racing and performance products (14 each day) in quality one-on-one meetings. There is no fee for media, and the event includes complimentary lunch.
Media can attend one, two or all three days to meet with company representatives who are prepared to discuss their newest product lines, important updates within their company, and the latest industry trends. It is the best and most efficient way for media to obtain editorial content to share with their audience.
For questions or more information, click here or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.
The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) named Edward Brumfield as the council's newest spotlight member. Brumfield is the owner of Hi Class Customs, an automotive customization shop in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Get to know Brumfield through the following SEMA interview:
SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?
Edward Brumfield: I decided to volunteer for PRO because I want to stay connected to the industry. It will impact my business in a major way. I will have access to new manufacturers and technical data, not to mention all the upcoming SEMA News and events.
SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?
EB: Find your niche, focus on your growth and move in the direction where you are strong. Don’t worry about anything but what will help you grow. Stay in your own lane.
SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?
EB: My dream vehicle is the ’22 Ford Bronco—Battleship Gray exterior with some Gloss Black ADV1 wheels and a Rosso Corso Impact Leather interior by EDTHESTITCHDOCTOR. You would find me at weekly Cars & Coffee shows worldwide with the roof and doors off to enjoy the lovely weather.
SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
EB: Don't worry about how long it takes to build a great company. Just get started and don't waste time.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
EB: What keeps me and my company in the industry is our ability to adjust to changes fast. You must be open minded for change at all times.
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
EB: At car-related events or at my shop catching up on work staying ahead of the pack.
Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on PRO’s social media, SEMA News and future PRO-member updates.
The following message is from SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola
Dear SEMA Member:
Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are
due on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
A strong SEMA Board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. As a member of the Association, we are currently seeking your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.
The following seats are open for this year’s election:
Chairman-elect (one open seat)
Distributor/Retailer (one open seat)
Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, please include brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.
We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.
Thank you for your attention to this important request.
Throughout the South, In & Out Customs Owner Sage Thomas, aka, The Donkmaster, is known as the king of big-wheel racing. Born in Savannah, Georgia, and now based in Charleston, South Carolina, Thomas built his first Donk at 16 and dove headlong into the racing scene. Now he’s formed the National Donk Racing Association (NDRA), the first professional sanctioning body dedicated to Donk and big-wheel drags, which are exploding in popularity. His many fans follow him on Donkmaster TV on YouTube and @1_Donkmaster on Instagram.
SEMA News: For those unfamiliar with the concept—what’s a Donk?
Sage Thomas: A Donk is a ’71–’76 Chevrolet Caprice or Impala. It can be a two- or four-door convertable model. NDRA or other big-wheel racing platforms can have other classes like G-bodies. This would include Monte Carlos, Novas, Camaros, Cutlasses and other big-wheel cars.
SN: What first attracted you to Donk racing?
ST: Actually how big the cars were and how fast they got moving. I always liked big cars with horsepower because of my stature and how comfortable they are.
SN: Why did you start the NDRA?
ST: These big cars can weigh anywhere between 5,000–6,000 lbs. Wheels, U-joints, driveshafts, transmissions—all that stuff takes a different load level. People always wanted a good appearance, but weren’t doing it safely. I wanted to touch on the safety side to ensure they have the right kind of U-joints, axles, plus the right kind of safety equipment when they start going 150 mph in the quarter-mile.
SN: Big-wheel events are real crowd pleasers. What makes them unique? Why are they catching on?
ST: Donk racing is catching on because I make the impossible possible, and it becomes a challenge. You see a 5,000-lb. car with 26-in. wheels and real small sidewalls. This setup is extremely difficult to grip and hook on the track. Plus, all the flashy paint and chrome wheels make the sport appealing. Spectators like to see all the trash talking, the money, and who’s handing out Gapsauce. Every driver is a character.
SN: Obviously, big-wheel racing takes skill. Have you ever had one of those “uh-oh” moments where you had to call on every skill you had?
ST: Oh yeah—one particular time when my car started leaking coolant. After I went into high gear, I was feeling so much pressure in my engine that the coolant line started seeping and dripping on the track. When I did a one-two shift, I started spinning towards the wall a little bit, but I gathered it up pretty quickly and overcorrected something, but it straightened out. I went to third gear, and I just had to pedal on through it. But yeah, I’ve had a couple of “uh-oh” moments.
SN: What should the aftermarket know about the car culture surrounding big-wheel events?
ST: It’s exciting. It’s flashy. It’s loud. There’s a lot of different things to see. You might pull up to the racetrack at a car show and see a Honda Civic with 50 speakers hanging out of it. Or you might see a Donk on big wheels running 170 mph. It’s truly fun and exciting to see.
In the beginning there was little exposure to the Donk world. We were always testing parts. I had a lot of ins because I drag-raced 10 years before I actually started big-wheel racing. So some of my parts suppliers/partners, like FTI Transmissions, made different clutches, baskets and other parts like input shafts. I actually was part of the engineering process for some axle-specific big-wheel racing parts. Now TBM Brakes is making a different kind of brake just for big-wheel racing. Since being at the PRI and the SEMA Shows, the world is taking notice and starting to manufacture parts specifically for big-wheel racing.
SN: Who are your personal racing inspirations?
ST: Murff, a fellow from Florida who died recently, inspired me to do this stuff. Also Vito NoShake out of South Florida, and my Uncle Buggy, who was more of a father figure, helped me actually build all these big-horsepower cars in the very beginning. My uncle is one of the main people that pushed me in this direction.
SN: When not at the track, how do you spend your downtime?
ST: I love to play with my kids. We [also] go swimming, travel a lot to different places, and just relax, sit on the beach, kick my feet up.
SN: And finally, what’s in your shop?
ST: We have a high-end clientele that includes celebrities, football players (Za’darious Smith), rappers, comedians (Karlous Miller) and other entertainers.We just finished a car going to Canada for eBay Motors and Sneaker Con. We also have a wheel line and a top AKOO (A King of Oneself) urban clothing line that’s in 1,500 stores nationwide.
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are currently drafting the state’s 2023 Colorado Electric Vehicle (EV) Plan. Despite being a CARB state, the current draft will not follow California by banning the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicles.
