Content creator and world-renowned automotive photographer Larry Chen was named winner of the first annual SEMA Automotive Influencer of the Year award. The award was created to honor a content creator or influencer who has built an engaged audience and used his or her platform to positively impact car enthusiasts of all ages.
Content creator Larry Chen was named winner of the first annual SEMA Automotive Influencer of the Year award for his positive impact on the automotive industry.
The award is a result of the rise of content creators’ and social-media influencers’ impact on the industry. Finalists for the award were selected based on their presence and influence across social-media channels, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and more. This year’s finalists, which included Larry Chen, ChrisFix, TJ Hunt, Adam LZ and Alex Taylor, were recognized at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet for their impact on growing the $50.9 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry.
“It is a huge honor to be nominated for this award, especially being alongside my peers. I am a content creator through and through, and I love telling the stories of backyard and garage builds along with the grandest collections,” said Larry Chen. “I enjoy that my audience follows along and appreciates the content I create. For me, this is about doing my best and playing my part in saving the culture that we love so much.”
Chen’s work has graced the covers of numerous magazines, and he is well known for his work with Hoonigan, Hagerty and other top automotive media companies. He also shoots for major OEMs, top builders, multiple race and event series and top automotive brands around the world. Chen is also a Canon Explorer of Light, teaches photography classes and shares his knowledge and passion with aspiring content creators. As an enthusiast himself, Chen hosts car meets, has collaborated on vehicle builds and has shown his own creations at the SEMA Show.
“Larry embodies what it means to be an ambassador for the automotive industry and car culture. He is a true enthusiast, and his contagious passion for the subject matter has not only been embraced by the car community but also continues to bring new people into our hobby,” said SEMA Chairman James Lawrence. “On behalf of SEMA and the aftermarket industry, I want to thank Larry for his ongoing contribution and can think of no better person to recognize as our first winner.”
Chen’s work can be seen on his website, Instagram page, Facebook and other social-media channels.
Power Automedia Acquires Mustang Week; 1,000hp 7.3L Godzilla Engine Giveaway Presented by Summit Racing Equipment Goes LivePower Automedia has announced the acquisition of Mustang Week, one of the largest all-Mustang events in the world. The annual, week-long event has been held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for 21 years, growing each year. After suffering through Hurricane Dorian and the pandemic, it was announced that 2022 would be the final year. Ford Muscle will be the presenting magazine for the event, which is booked for September 4-10, 2023.
In other news, with presenting sponsor Summit Racing Equipment, Power Automedia has launched the EngineLabs Engine Giveaway. The Ford 7.3L V8 “Godzilla” engine is the largest displacement gasoline engine offered by Ford Motor Company. Late Model Engines (LME) will take a Ford Performance Parts crate engine and build it into a 1,000hp-capable twin-turbo engine live on the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show floor in Indianapolis, December 8–10. Enthusiasts will have a chance to see a powerful example of this new platform come together before their eyes, and maybe even take it home!
The 1,000hp twin-turbo 7.3L Ford engine will get some upgrades thanks to this year’s participating sponsors: ATI Performance, BOOSTane, Brian Tooley Racing, Callies, Cometic, Deatschwerks, Design Engineering Inc, E3 Spark Plugs, Ford Performance Parts, Indy Power Products, Johnson Lifters, K1 Technologies, Klotz Synthetics, Kooks Headers, LTA Manufacturing, Manton Pushrods, Operational Speed Supply, Precision Turbo, Ryno Classifieds, SCT Performance, Summit Racing Equipment, Wiseco and Wrenchers.
For a chance to enter the contest, visit EngineLabsGiveaway.com. For additional build details and giveaway updates, follow EngineLabs.com.
The Wheel Group (TWG), a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital, has announced that current board member Wade Kawasaki has agreed to expand his role to executive chairman. Prior to joining TWG, Kawasaki served as the president and CEO of Legendary Companies, which grew under his leadership from Coker Tire into one of the largest collector car wheel/tire and restoration parts providers in the industry. Kawasaki, who is also currently the executive director of SEMA and PRI Political Action Committees, has also served as SEMA’s chairman of the Board, was selected as SEMA’s Person of the Year and in 2014 was inducted into SEMA’s Hall of Fame.
Earlier this year McKinney Corp. based in Lafayette, Indiana, acquired Florida-based Tommy Waters Race Car Products and added the entire suite of their products to the list of offerings.
RaceTec Pistons has been acquired by Taglich Private Equity. RaceTec joins the AFR, Scat Crankshafts, and Procar By Scat family of companies. The Huntington Beach, California-based piston manufacturing company was founded in 2007 by Wayne Brooks, a former owner of JE Pistons. Jeremy Gillum will retain his position as vice president of RaceTec Pistons. At the same time, its management team will also remain in place, along with its production facility and employees in Huntington Beach.
Officials with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models have announced that current Series Competition Director Steve Francis will take over as the new series director starting at the Sunshine Nationals, January 19–21. Casey Shuman will finish off his tenure as series director this weekend at the World of Outlaws World Finals, before taking on a new role as the general manager of I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Missouri. Francis, the 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Champion, was brought on as the competition director in August. Also a National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer, Francis is 10th all-time on the World of Outlaws wins list with 28 victories.
Scott Sulprizio, the longtime owner of United Engine & Machine (UEM), has announced Christopher Sulprizio has been named company president. Christopher had previously rejoined the family-owned and operated business in 2014 after an engineering career with Raytheon Missile Systems. Scott will retain his position as UEM owner and will continue to stay engaged in the operational facets of the piston manufacturing business. Christopher will be based out of the UEM headquarters in Carson City, Nevada.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.
Brendan Bohac is this week’s SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) spotlight member. Bohac is marketing manager at Oracle Lighting, which manufactures designer lighting products and technologies for the automotive powersports, motorcycle and marine markets.
Get to know Bohac in his interview with SEMA below.
SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Brendan Bohac: Some of the best advice I have ever received is the importance of respect. This has led me to always being honest in both personal and professional endeavors. Respecting the truth, people’s time and respecting myself and others permeates in all that I do.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
BB: A deeply rooted passion for cars and their ability to bring people together.
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
BB: Spending time with friends and family, and out either on a drive or hike exploring the beauty and history of my home in South Louisiana.
SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
BB: By gathering as much context and background information I can on the meeting subject, and then preparing at least one or two relevant questions about what we are going to discuss.
SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?
BB: I would have lunch with Carroll Shelby. Not only do I have a large passion for the cars he produced and modified, but it would be a great opportunity to learn more from such a passionate, brilliant and visionary individual.
Fill out an FLN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on FLN's social media, SEMA News and FLN member updates.
SEMA has announced a five-year vision to expand the SEMA Show into an “all-city” experience. Officially called SEMA Week, the expansion’s goal is to create the most passionate and exciting automotive event in the world. SEMA Week will kick off in 2023 with new concepts, activities and events introduced over the five-year roll-out period.
SEMA Week will be headlined by the SEMA Show, which will remain a trade-only event Tuesday through Friday. On Friday, the final day of the SEMA Show, a limited number of enthusiasts will be able to attend the SEMA Show through the Friday Experience program, which launched at the 2021 SEMA Show. Beginning on Friday evening of SEMA Week, SEMA will take over the Las Vegas Festival Grounds through Saturday night with an all-new SEMAFEST.
“We have been watching the connection between enthusiasts and our industry grow for more than a decade and, as the industry’s trade association, have a responsibility to help facilitate that connection in new and meaningful ways,” said James Lawrence, SEMA Chairman of the Board. “By creating SEMA Week and SEMAFEST, we will be able to maintain the integrity of the trade show that makes it a must-attend event for automotive professionals while introducing a new platform for enthusiasts and the industry to engage with one another.”
For 2023, SEMAFEST will take place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds and be open to everyone, bringing together automotive enthusiasts with the aftermarket industry in a high-octane and immersive festival-like celebration of car culture. SEMAFEST will feature top music and entertainment, a car show and cruise, VIP experiences, craft food, automotive celebrities and motorsports. It will run alongside the popular SEMA Ignited Cruise and SEMA Show after-party, which draw thousands of enthusiasts on Friday night.
SEMA Week is also scheduled to include a SEMA Auction, featuring some of the best builds from SEMA and many more amazing vehicles to headline the festivities. SEMA will continue to expand and refine SEMA Week over the next five years, rolling out new events and activities throughout the city of Las Vegas. The evolution of SEMA Week preserves the trade aspects of the industry and business components of the SEMA Show, while enabling enthusiasts from all over to join in the festivities and enjoy car culture-focused events throughout the SEMA Week experience.
Additional details for the 2023 SEMA Show, SEMA Week, and SEMAFEST will be announced in the coming months.
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.
Freelance Writers
CarTech Books Inc.
CarTech Books Inc. is hiring freelance writers to author books on a wide range of topics aimed at the automotive enthusiast. Compensation is a percentage of sales in the marketplace, with up-front royalty advances available. CarTech has an evolving “hit list” of over 50 titles/subjects, for which it is seeking writers/photographers. Topics range from engine swaps to rebuilding diesel engines to various Ford/Chevy/Dodge restoration projects to paintless dent repair. Automotive writing and photography skills are a plus.
Salesperson
ProCharger
ProCharger is hiring an automotive performance sales executive with a comprehensive understanding and passion for the high-performance motorsports industry and a strong mechanical aptitude. This position will be involved in the daily sales process and building relationships with consumers, dealers and racers. Other duties include the ability to travel to events, trade shows, and meet with dealers. This position will be onsite full-time in Lenexa, Kansas.
Senior Vice President of Marketing
Hemmings
Hemmings is hiring a senior vice president of marketing responsible for overseeing the planning, development and execution of Hemmings marketing, events, branding, paid advertising and public-relations initiatives. The ideal candidate will work proactively to secure appropriate opportunities among industry and consumer media to generate print, online, social media and broadcast opportunities to generate maximum, positive publicity for the company’s branding, marketing, special projects and community outreach. This position plays a vital role in Hemmings’ growth across marketplace, media, events and all other business lines. Reporting directly to the president, the senior vice president of marketing’s primary responsibility is to increase audience patronage and sales through successful marketing for the entire organization, using market research, pricing, product marketing, marketing communications, advertising, public relations and off-platform extensions.
By SEMA Editors
Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.
For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.
By Ashley Reyes
New benefits are now available to businesses that are SEMA Business Members, including discounts on apparel, parts and services and more. For years, thousands of businesses have received benefits that include discounts on booth space at the SEMA Show, as well as free market research, group buying discounts, invitations to networking events and more.
Now, members can easily log into the newly designed SEMA members portal and quickly and easily see a comprehensive list of benefits available to them. The portal and benefits are personalized to the company based on the membership category. Some of the new benefits added to the portal are:
SEMA business members can also access all member benefits, including those from SEMA Garage, SEMA Data, Market Research, SEMA Education, and have the ability to join a SEMA council and network within the portal listing as well.
Once logged in at www.sema.org/login, members can access the member portal by clicking My Benefits, under menu links on their profile page. Access your profile page by clicking My Profile once you login.
New benefits are now available to businesses that are SEMA Business Members, including discounts on apparel, parts and services and more. For years, thousands of businesses have received benefits that include discounts on booth space at the SEMA Show, as well as free market research, group buying discounts, invitations to networking events and more.
Now, members can easily log into the newly designed SEMA members portal and quickly and easily see a comprehensive list of benefits available to them. The portal and benefits are personalized to the company based on the membership category. Some of the new benefits added to the portal are:
SEMA business members can also access all member benefits, including those from SEMA Garage, SEMA Data, Market Research, SEMA Education, and have the ability to join a SEMA council and network within the portal listing as well.
Once logged in at www.sema.org/login, members can access the member portal by clicking My Benefits, under Menu Links on their profile page. Access your profile page by clicking My Profile once you login.
The 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas continues!
From NHRA legends, more cool cars, automotive celebrities, interactive games in the Pennzoil booth, SEMA Electrified and the top two Launch Pad innovators, the SEMA Show is the place to see the latest automotive trends and technology.
Watch the recap of yesterday's events:
With the 2022 SEMA Show wrapping up tomorrow, there is still plenty for Showgoers to experience both in the halls and out front of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Stay updated with Show information and plan the rest of your week by downloading the SEMA Show app.
Here are three SEMA Show experiences you won't want to miss on Friday, November 4:
Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys, became a NASCAR Xfinity Series team co-owner last summer. He will headline the 2022 SEMA Show Educational Program’s Friday Enthusiast Track. The new seven-session series will feature celebrities and iconic personalities as they share personal stories that will inspire and entertain Showgoers.
Smith, who will be joined on the Paradise Event Center stage by television personality Chris Jacobs from the hit show “Overhaulin’” on Friday, November 4, at 8:00 a.m., will discuss career opportunities in motorsports and the importance of paying it forward. His race team, Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to break down barriers in motorsports.
“Through Jesse Iwuji Motorsports, we want bring awareness to the many opportunities available in motorsports,” said Smith. “We want to inspire and educate people of all walks of life to work hard and pursue their dreams.”
SEMA Showgoers will hear from Smith about what motivated him to partner with Iwuji as a NASCAR Xfinity Series team co-owner and how they are supporting minorities, youth and the service-member community.
The SEMA Education Enthusiast Track will continue with sessions throughout the day on how to secure sponsors for project vehicles, protecting the right to modify, land-use sustainability and more. The Enthusiast Track is open at no cost to all credentialed SEMA Showgoers, including top enthusiasts who are SEMA Individual Members attending through the SEMA Ignited Friday Experience.
“We’re excited about the Friday Enthusiast Track; it is the first time the SEMA Show Education Program has dedicated a series of seminars to appeal specifically to enthusiasts,” said Pamela Brown-Matthis, SEMA Education director. “Given that this is such a passion-driven industry filled with professionals who love their jobs, the Enthusiast Track will be especially entertaining and engaging. Attendees will leave with practical information that speaks to this passion.”
Open to the public on the Show’s final day, SEMA Cruise gathers hundreds of Show vehicles in a four-wheeled caravan that winds its way toward SEMA Ignited, the Show’s final event.
At the close of the 2022 SEMA Show at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4, the SEMA Cruise begins, as the world's hottest, most innovative custom vehicles roll out of the Convention Center on Silver Drive and dazzle thousands of spectators sitting ringside. Since its inception in 2011, the Cruise has become one of the most anticipated Show attractions. This year, more than 1,000 vehicles will take part in the Cruise, which proceeds toward the West Hall parking lot and SEMA Ignited, the Show’s official after-party that’s open the public. Spectators have a ringside seat to view the coolest cars on the planet, and the Cruise has become one of the Show’s most anticipated events.
As the SEMA Show concludes on Friday, November 4, iconic cars and trucks will emerge from the Las Vegas Convention Center and make their way to the West Hall Parking Lot for SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party—where enthusiasts will see some of the hottest custom vehicles in the world that debuted earlier in the week.
General admission tickets allow access into SEMA Ignited and are available at www.SEMAIgnited.com. Enthusiasts can purchase upgraded tickets for reserved seating to watch the SEMA Cruise and performances from Formula DRIFT and the Urias Globe of Death—daredevil motorcycle riders who perform jaw-dropping stunts in a mesh sphere ball. A limited number of Friday Experience packages are available for general admission into SEMA Ignited, as well as entrance into the SEMA Show on Friday, November 4, and come with a one-year SEMA Individual Membership. The SEMA Friday Experience ticket price is $100.
“The SEMA Ignited Friday Experience is a rare opportunity for gearheads to experience the trade-only SEMA Show, and engage with the industry as SEMA Individual Members,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Through the Friday Experience, enthusiasts will get a behind-the-scenes look at what industry professionals are doing at the SEMA Show and witness the trends as they are happening.”
Now in its eighth year, SEMA Ignited is a combination of a car show, parade, music, food, entertainment and exhibitions all rolled into what becomes the ultimate automotive celebration. It’s where consumers see, hear and, in some cases, get up close and connect with award-winning vehicles and their owners. With more vendors and exhibitors than ever before, the 2022 SEMA Ignited is where enthusiasts will be able to discover the newest trends, learn about new products, meet industry celebrities and experience the excitement of the growing aftermarket.
All SEMA Showgoers will be able to attend SEMA Ignited with their Show credentials. For more information about SEMA Ignited, visit www.SEMAIgnited.com.