The 2021 SEMA Show will be held November 2–5 in Las Vegas.
The 2021 SEMA Show is about five weeks away. Here’s a rundown of key deadlines, including early-bird and advance rates available for several booth services, as well as checklists to keep you on track and on budget.
The Deadlines Checklist provides a breakdown of all of the deadlines for booth orders, rentals, booth vehicle applications, celebrity appearance notifications and much more.
The budget checklist form allows you to keep track of all your costs and ensures that you are adequately prepared for your experience at the SEMA Show.
Exhibitors of the 2021 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.
The list, which will be updated in SEMA eNews, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2021 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.
The list is open to exhibitors of the 2021 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.
Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.
Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2021 SEMA Show.
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.
Automotive Editor Power Automedia is hiring an editor responsible forwriting and managing editorial content, assigning freelance articles, event coverage and managing in-house project vehicles. Candidates must have at least three years of relevant experience.
Automotive Product Specialist Speedmaster is hiring an automotive product specialist to source new items, record technical specs and develop new products for the automotive aftermarket industry; recommend product informational material for new and existing product developments and collaborate with the marketing team for flyers, brochures, automotive industry publications, trade shows and social media; and provide tech and support during the SEMA Show and PRI Trade Show. Candidates must have previous experience in product research and data entry, familiarity with automotive terminology, and mechanical knowledge is preferred.
Auto Parts Merchandiser Kincer Chassis is hiring a shipping and receiving agentto ensure all outbound shipments receive appropriate labeling, postage and packaging based on contents and destination; verify all incoming shipments are accurate by comparing purchase orders, invoices, packing slips, and shipment contents to ensure accurate inventory and acceptable condition of goods; organize, assemble and package sub assemblies and ready-to-ship products within the warehouse; and report incoming shipment and inventory discrepancies to management immediately. Automotive mechanical skills and background in the automotive industry is preferred.
The halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center are nearly full of exhibits, but booth space is still being reserved, and more exhibitors are expected to secure space until the Show opens on November 2.
Attendees planning on joining the industry at the 2021 SEMA Show can see who's exhibiting and where through the updated floorplan. If you have not yet registered for the SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, visit www.SEMAShow.com/attendee to register.
For 2021, the Show will include exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s newly constructed West Hall, a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. facility completed in January. The new facility includes exhibitors from the Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, and Truck, SUV & Off-Road sections.
Earlier in June, the visitors of the World of Concrete convention were the first to use the new hall, and the event marked the first large-scale convention and tradeshow to be held in Las Vegas in 15 months.
In addition to the new hall, the newly constructed Loop—a high-speed, people-mover system that runs 40 feet under the LVCC—will transport visitors between South, Central and West Halls. The World of Concrete successfully used the system to shuttle visitors through the 200-acre convention center.
For more information on the 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
I-CAR is offering several opportunities to increase collision-repair industry knowledge and skills for attendees of the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 2–5.
Register online for a variety of I-CAR classes before arriving at the Show (note that SEMA offers a reduced registration fee prior to October 9). Attendees can also register for I-CAR classes outside of Skybridge classrooms S224 and S225 from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Stop by the stage to participate in free I-CAR live demonstrations on topics including ADAS, Calibration/Aiming, EV, Welding and more. Catch discussions and presentations by leading OE manufacturers and panel discussions on the hottest technical topics in the industry. Visit the SEMA Collision Repair & Refinish Stage (Booth #32145).
Visit I-CAR Booth #33139, where attendees can learn about the many exciting changes I-CAR is delivering.
Support for the bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), H.R. 3281 and S. 2736, continues to expand each day as members of Congress receive an outpouring of support for the bill from racers and the motorsports’ parts industry. It’s clear the letters that enthusiasts and businesses have sent are being noticed on Capitol Hill and continue to make a difference, but there’s more that you can do to pass the RPM Act (details on other ways to help are below).
Over the past week, eight U.S. Senators and seven U.S. House members have agreed to co-sponsor the bill, including Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Gary Peters (D-MI), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representatives Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Mike Johnson (R-LA), Mike Bost (R-IL), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Billy Long (R-MO).
If you’ve already sent a letter to Congress about the RPM Act, please follow-up by making a short call to their office to voice your support for the bill. SEMA has made it easy to call your elected officials by clicking here. Below is a list of things you can do right now to help the cause:
Send a personal letter to your lawmakers at: saveourracecars.com. A letter has already been drafted. It takes less than a minute.
Sign a letter to your lawmakers on company letterhead. Email erics@sema.org for a template and for more information.
Post about the RPM Act on your company’s social-media accounts using the toolkit of digital assets.
Become a member of SEMA and learn more about SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) at www.semapac.com. SEMA PAC allows SEMA members to support the lawmakers that stand up for our industry in Washington.
The RPM Act must be enacted into law to guarantee your right to modify street cars, trucks and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, and ensure that industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete. It is imperative that lawmakers continue to be reminded of the importance of passing the RPM Act. Currently, 108 members of the House and 13 Senators have cosponsored the bill.
The specialty automotive aftermarket and the racing community must continue to unite and do everything we can to Save Our Race Cars!
For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) named Jessieleigh Freeman, mechanic at #SavingSaturn, as the newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member. Freeman has a passion for Saturn vehicles, which ceased production in 2010, and has taken on the task of restoring and collecting Saturn vehicles—17 of them at the moment. Learn more about Freeman in her interview with SEMA below.
SEMA: What is most challenging part of running your business or job?
Jessieleigh Freeman: The most challenging part is finding the parts and keeping up with all the Saturns.
SEMA: How many years have you been in the industry, and what was your first industry job?
JF: I have been in the automotive industry for about six years now. My first job was office manager and service writer for a speed shop.
SEMA: What are three qualities that got you to where you are today?
JF: The three qualities that got me where I am today are organization, perseverance and determination.
SEMA: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?
JF: Being taken seriously is a big thing for me in what I do. Many people have not taken me or what I do seriously and think that it is a joke. I worked very hard to get where I am and do what I do. People ask me all the time if I am just the face of #SavingSaturn and some man does everything behind the scenes.
SEMA: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry? How have they helped you along the way?
JF: It has been difficult to find a female in the industry who does what I do to be a role model. My family has been part of drag racing for years though, and I always looked up to Team Force. The girls have such confidence, and their father never held them back.
SEMA: What is the best career advice you have received? How has this advice helped you either professionally or personally?
JF: The best advice I’ve received is “If they judge you by your cover, show them why they should read.” I have no idea who said that to me; I wish I did, but it has been a great reminder that I should try to educate rather than walk away.
SEMA: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry? What keeps you here?
JF: Yes, I have loved cars for as long as I can remember. The passion to get my cars restored has been my driving force.
SEMA: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
JF: My Uncle Frank; he pushed me to be who I am today.
Do you know, or are you, a woman with a career in the automotive industry? Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN’s #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN’s social media, SEMA eNews and recognized on the www.sema.org/she-is-sema website.
SEMA members are invited to join Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events, for a Facebook live chat and Q&A on the 2021 SEMA Show on Wednesday, October 6, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
Taking place on the SBN Facebook page, the discussion will help members understand how to make the most out of their experience at the week-long trade-only event taking place November 2–5 in Las Vegas. Gattuso will share updates about this year’s Show, as well as tips for navigating the event with ease.
Get your questions ready and tune into SBN Facebook page on Wednesday, October 6, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
In Edelbrock Xtreme Street, Dave Fiscus faced Tim Knieriem in
the final round of eliminations, where Fiscus went through the
traps at 4.52 in his Mustang and wheeled to the NMCA
Winner’s Circle when Knieriem went -.003 red in his Mustang.
2021 NMCA Season Ends at Lucas Oil Raceway
Here are the results from the 20th Annual NMCA World Street Finals presented by Chevrolet Performance, held September 23–26, 2021 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indiana.
VP Racing Lubricants Xtreme Pro Mod: Ken Quartuccio in his Camaro faced Craig Sullivan and his “El Mero Mero” ’49 Mercury in the final round of eliminations, where Sullivan locked up his second VP Racing Lubricants Xtreme Pro Mod win in the car he just debuted in July, with a 3.691 at 202 mph over Quartuccio’s 3.697 at 197 mph.
Mickey Thompson Tires Street Outlaw: Alan Felts in his Mustang faced Steve Cagle in the final round of eliminations, where Felts won with a 4.36 while Cagle’s Nova struck the tires.
Holley EFI Factory Super Cars: Tripp Carter in his Mustang Cobra Jet made it to the final round of eliminations to race Dennis Chaisson in his Drag Pak, where Chaisson went to the NMCA Winner’s Circle with a 7.80 when smoke billowed from Carter’s car at the top end of the track and he was forced to lift.
ARP Nitrous Pro Street: Jake Naumann and Kyle Salminen staged for the final round of eliminations, where Naumann won with a 4.36 in his Nova when Salmimen was forced to pump the pedal in his Camaro.
Edelbrock Xtreme Street: Dave Fiscus faced Tim Knieriem in the final round of eliminations, where Fiscus went through the traps at 4.52 in his Mustang and wheeled to the NMCA Winner’s Circle when Knieriem went -.003 red in his Mustang.
Dart NA 10.5: The final round of eliminations featured Leonard Long and Richie Nye and their Mustangs, where Long lapped up the win with an off-the-throttle 9.91 when Nye went -.003 red.
Chevrolet Performance Stock presented by Scoggin Dickey Parts Center: Glenn Pushis and Kevin Lumsden faced each other in the final round of eliminations, where Pushis picked up the win with a 9.87 in his Camaro over Lumsden, who landed at 9.95 in his classic Camaro.
Coan Stock/Super Stock Combo: The final round pitted Bill Skillman against Pete Ricart in their Mustang Cobra Jets, where Skillman rocketed to the win with an 8.66 on an 8.63 against Ricart’s 8.37 on an 8.11.
Quick Fuel Technology Nostalgia Super Stock: Casey Fauss-Johnson pushed through six rounds of eliminations to earn a trip to the NMCA Winner’s Circle with an 11.25 on an 11.25 index in a Plymouth, while Bruce Lang broke out with a 9.72 on a 9.75 index in his Barracuda.
Detroit Truetrac Nostalgia Muscle: On the eliminations day, Chad Brewer in his Nova beat Jacob Weigl in his Malibu with a 10.13 on a 10.00 index to Weigl’s 10.80 on a 10.75 index.
MagnaFuel Open Comp: Mike Winters and Donald Fenlon made it to the final round of eliminations, where Winters wrapped up the win with a 10.09 on a 10.07 and Fenlon broke out with a 10.15 on a 10.17.
LME Street King presented by Chevrolet Performance: Kurt Anderson in his Camaro defeated Austin Tewell, who ran on his 10.00 index in his Monte Carlo, but wasn’t quite as quick at the hit in the final round of eliminations.
Proform Rumble presented by Chevrolet Performance: Kevin Rowand won with an 11.13 on an 11.00 index in his Corvette over Nicholas Massengale, who turned in a 10.79 on a 10.75 index in his Camaro.
Motor City Muscle Challenge NA 9″: In the final round of eliminations, Richard Eldred in his Nova nailed an 8.84 to edge out Ben Mens, who had a 9.10 in a Camaro.
Horsepower Depot Factory Appearing Stock Tire (FAST) and Cor-A-Vent Factory Stock: In FAST, Terry Pennington outran Larry Kirkum, and in Cor-A-Vent Factory Stock, Ed Keim upset Jeff Wilkins.
TorqStorm Superchargers True Street: Tim Flanders took the win with an 8.53 average in his Mustang, Matt Caldwell motored to the 9-second win in his Mustang, Jeremy Holbrook hung on for the 10-second win in his Mustang, Kevin Rowand ran to the 11-second win in his Corvette and Marvin Knack muscled to 12-second win in his Mustang. Mark Storts was the 13-second winner in his Mustang, Angelo Taylor was the 14-second winner in his SRT-6, and Taylor Dietsein was the 15-second winner in a Focus RS.
Dodge // Mopar HEMI Shootout: Tony DeMaio drove to the overall win with a 9.16 average in a Challenger Hellcat, Morgan Hixon was the 9-second winner in the Wesley Motorsports/Bilstein Hellcat Redeye, Bill Cherry was the 10-second winner in a Challenger and Marshall Meyers was the 11-second winner in a Challenger. Dennis Cherry was the 12-second winner in a Challenger, Charles Tyree was the 13-second winner in a Challenger, Dana Baker was the 14-second winner in a Challenger, and David Dunse was the 15-second winner in a Ram Daytona. The eight quickest drivers in the Dodge // Mopar HEMI Shootout went on to the Arrington Performance HEMI Quick 8 presented by Red Line Oil, where Alan Scuggs advanced over Tony DeMaio.
Dave Duell Nostalgia Super Stock Classic: Michael Retford ran to the win with a .003 reaction time and a 10.30 on a 10.25 index in his Polara over Mike Moss, who broke out with a 10.23 on a 10.25 in his Biscayne.
NMCA Quick Fuel Technology Nostalgia Super Stock racers took on Victory Nostalgia Super Stock racers for the 6th Annual Fuelab Nostalgia Super Stock All-Stars Weekend, and Danny Whitford won the double break out race with a 9.70 on a 9.75 in his Chevelle over Jim Netherland and his 10.18 on a 10.25 index in his Buick.
Two days of Bracket racing were offered at Lucas Oil Raceway. On Saturday, Scott Tuttle won over Danny Black in Bracket 2, and Nick Allison won over Scott Dillman in Bracket 3. On Sunday, Jeremy Holbrook went all the way against Randy Dobbs in Bracket 2, and Nick Allison edged out Tim Earle in Bracket 3.
Officials are carefully counting points in each category, and champions will officially be declared and celebrated on the NMCA and Race Pages Digital Websites, in Fastest Street Car and at the NMCA Awards Ceremony, held during the 2021 Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, December 11, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
A new season of NMCA Muscle Car Nationals will spool up with the 20th Annual Muscle Car Mayhem, March 17–20, 2022 at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida.
Steve Torrence went 3.736 seconds at 328.78 mph in the
final round in his 11,000-hp Capco Contractors dragster to
defeat Mike Salinas.
S. Torrence, Hagan and Enders Power to Wins at NHRA Midwest Nationals
Steve Torrence, Matt Hagan and Erica Enders all raced to playoff victories at the NHRA Midwest Nationals. Torrence, the three-time Top Fuel defending champ, powered back into the points lead in the class, going 3.736 seconds at 328.78 mph in the final round in his 11,000-hp Capco Contractors dragster to defeat Mike Salinas. Torrence’s victory gave him a 36-point lead over Brittany Force with four races remaining in the 2021 season.
Hagan, the defending Funny Car world champ, went 3.933 at 333.49 in the final round in his 11,000hp New Holland Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye to knock off Bob Tasca III, who went 3.967 at 329.99, which sent Hagan into the points lead over Ron Capps by 59 points and Force by 72.
Enders, the reigning and back-to-back Pro Stock world champ, slipped past rookie Dallas Glenn in the final round with a run of 6.572 at 207.24 in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Enders also had a stellar .010 reaction time, which proved to be just enough to defeat Glenn, who was a near-perfect .001 on the starting line and ran 6.583 at 208.85. It gave Enders the victory by just .002, closing the gap to just 17 points between her and points leader Greg Anderson, with both drivers seeking their fifth world title.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action Texas NHRA FallNationals on October 7–10 at Texas Motorplex in Dallas.
Submissions Now Open 2022 Champion Racing Oil Sponsorships
Champion Oil has started the process of reviewing 2022 driver and team submissions for “Factory Product Sponsorships, Elite Racing Status, and Champion Distributor Sponsorships” in addition to a racing contingency program for regional and national racers in North America. Submissions for 2022 Racing Sponsorships can be sent to racer@championbrands.com with the following information: name, email, phone, series, 2021 results, and active social-media platforms.
Rounds 5 and 6 of the United States Touring Car
Championship (USTCC)saw a return to Laguna Seca Raceway
for the drivers after a seven-week break.
Edgar Lau and Gary Sheehan Score Double Wins at Rounds 5 and 6 at Laguna Seca
Rounds 5 and 6 of the United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) saw a return to Laguna Seca Raceway for the drivers after a seven-week break. The venue was the host for the NTT IndyCar Series, and the touring cars making it the largest race of the calendar year for the teams, drivers and fans. etitors, the competition was as tough as ever.
In the GT class, three-time USTCC Champion Edgar Lau faced Bob Accardo in the Accurate Arms Chevrolet Camaro, where Lau won by just over 5 seconds, gaining 13 positions in the process.
In the Super Touring class, Art Nersisyan in the TNI Racing BMW M3 held off the pair of rookies John Friesen and Brandon Elghanian to win by 1.7 seconds for the first time this season. Friesen came home in second and after Elghanian suffered suspension damage, championship leader Viktor Czapla’s Cool Boxx Audi R8 claimed the final step on the podium after holding off the ARG MBO Motorsports pair of Doug Makishima and Daniel Rose.
The Touring Car class, Gary Sheehan piloted his GoGoGear.com Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis Coupe to victory from pole position. Sheehan was not without competition as his teammate, Ali Arsham, in the sister Hyundai Genesis Coupe was close behind and completed a 1-2 finish for the GoGoGear.com Team—their first of the year.
In the Sportsman class, Brad Austin in the TNI Racing Mazda MX5 took his fourth consecutive win. DNFs for championship contenders Daniel Milburn, Reza Arsham and Pete Bovenberg mean that Austin has one hand on the Driver’s Championship with three championship rounds to go.
In Round 6 of the USTCC, Lau went on to repeat victory with championship leader Rob Harper’s AP Racing/Essex Chevrolet Corvette coming home with a great haul of points in second place. Teammate Beau Border’s Hankook/MyRaceShop.com Factory Five Racing GTM claimed another third place.
Sheehan’s GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis Coupe was the most consistent car on the track, as he drove away for another victory in Round 6.
In the Sportsman class, Josh Lion prevailed and held off Sean Milburn and his Milburn Motorsports Acura RSX-S by half a second for the win. Milburn came home second after working through the night to repair the lap one damage from Round 5. For complete results, visit www.ustcc.com. The action continues October 16–17 for the penultimate round of the USTCC at Buttonwillow Raceway.
IndyCar to Sanction, Promote Indy Lights Series
Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles has announced that IndyCar will become the sanctioning body and promoter of the Indy Lights series following 2021. The agreement was made with Andersen Promotions Owner and CEO Dan Andersen. Indy Lights serves as the final step on the “Road to Indy” ladder system that develops drivers and teams to compete in the NTT IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Andersen Promotions will continue stewardship of Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000. The 2022 Indy Lights schedule and remaining details will be released at a later date. For more information, visit indycar.com.
Miami Grand Prix Set for May 2022
Formula 1’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix dates have been announced, with the race set to take place on May 6–8, 2022. The Miami Grand Prix will see Formula 1 stars race in Florida for the first time since 1959. Drivers will battle on the recently named Miami International Autodrome on a 3.36-mile track set within the city’s Hard Rock Stadium campus. For more information, visit formula1.com.
