Compiled by SEMA Editors

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series returns to action, May 15–17, with events in Division 2 at Atlanta Dragway and Division 4 at Alamo City Motorplex, after a hiatus stemming from the COVID-19 global pandemic.

NHRA Announces Tentative Revised 2020 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Schedule

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series returns to action, May 15–17, with events in Division 2 at Atlanta Dragway and Division 4 at Alamo City Motorplex, after a hiatus stemming from the COVID-19 global pandemic. The National Trail Raceway will feature double the sportsman racing action as it hosts a Division 3 points meet July 16–17 directly followed by the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals, July 18-19. The 2020 season will conclude for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Las Vegas, November 5–8. In addition to the five divisional events that took place prior to the suspension, the revised schedule includes 41 divisional events scheduled to take place after the series return in May for a total of 46 divisional events in 2020. There will also be 24 total regional events featuring the 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes during the 2020 campaign. View the schedule of events.

LIQUI MOLY Enters World Touring Car Cup WTCR Alongside Hyundai

LIQUI MOLY will enter the World Touring Car Cup WTCR at the side of Hyundai Motorsports. LIQUI MOLY has been at home in touring car sport for more than 10 years. Initially in the World Touring Car Championship WTCC and then, since its establishment in 2015, in the TCR series, always in partnership with the Engstler racing team. LIQUI MOLY is now taking the next step into the World Touring Car Cup WTCR together with the team. There, Engstler will compete as the Hyundai works team. In two Hyundai i30 N TCRs, Dutch WTCR veteran Nicky Catsburg and German TCR talent Luca Engstler will fight for the title. This cooperation is reflected firstly in the visible presence on the vehicles and secondly in the fact that the two Hyundai i30 N TCRs run on LIQUI MOLY oil.

Holley Announces New Date For LS Fest West 2020

Due to the coronavirus, Holley LS Fest West in Las Vegas will now be held the weekend of June 12–14, 2020, under the night lights of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. All currently registered participants and spectators who have their tickets will carry over to the new date. If anyone is registered, but cannot attend on the new date, their money will be refunded. For more information, contact lsfest@holley.com.

INDYCAR Releases Revised 2020 Schedule

The NTT INDYCAR Series announced several calendar updates following the cancellation of the Detroit Grand Prix due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two previously scheduled events will become doubleheaders, along with the addition of a third weekend of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). With these additions, there are 15 races on the 2020 INDYCAR calendar—an increase of one event from the 14 races announced March 26. INDYCAR’s established events at Iowa Speedway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will become doubleheaders. The Iowa 300 event weekend will add a race Friday, July 17, along with the previously scheduled race Saturday, July 18. The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey event weekend will now feature a race Saturday, September 19, in addition to the previously scheduled race Sunday, September 20. Race fans also will be treated to a third INDYCAR event with the INDYCAR Harvest GP on the IMS road course taking place Saturday, October 3. This event is in addition to the GMR Grand Prix, already scheduled for Saturday, July 4, and the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, August 23. View the updated 2020 NTT INDYCAR Series schedule.

Revised Schedule for 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship

SCORE International has announced its revised 2020 racing schedule. The three rounds of the revised 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship will be the SCORE Baja 500 (June 17–21), the SCORE San Felipe 250 (September 16–20) and the season-ending SCORE Baja 1000 (November 17–22). For additional information, visit the SCORE website at www.score-international.com.

The National Auto Sport Association has announced the creation of two new racing leagues it will host on iRacing.

National Auto Sport Association Launches Inaugural Sim Racing Leagues on iRacing

The National Auto Sport Association has announced the creation of two new racing leagues it will host on iRacing. The inaugural 2020 season will have two leagues with 10 races per league that run every other Tuesday night through August. Additionally, there will be up to $13,000 in cash prizes available to Pro League drivers as well as real life contingency prizes. Longtime NASA partners Toyo Tires and Hawk Performance have kicked in to pay out contingency dollars in each of our new Sim Leagues. These “real dollars” will help virtual racers get back on track with NASA as soon as we can safely host events. Additionally, Competition Motorsport has stepped up to provide each inaugural league winner with a OMP TRS-E racing seat. Lastly, each 2020 league winner will get a free entry to any regional NASA event of their choosing providing a true racing ladder for sim-to-reality racing. Contingency rules for each program will be published shortly.

The inaugural NASA Club Sim Racing League will run the first and third Tuesday night of each month, kicking off on Tuesday, April 7, at Circuit of The Americas, and running through Tuesday, August 18. All NASA members with iRacing can run in the Club League for free. Select events will be live-streamed with commentary and will be on the NASA Facebook page for all to enjoy the action. The inaugural NASA Pro Sim Racing League will run the second and fourth Tuesday nights, beginning Tuesday, April 14, at Circuit of the Americas, through Tuesday, August 25. Each race will feature cash prizes available to current NASA members. View the full schedule for the Club and Pro Sim Racing Leagues.

Mast Motorsports Acquires Magnitude Performance

Mast Motorsports has announced the acquisition of Magnitude Performance. Jason Youd, founder of Magnitude Performance, will be named CEO of Mast Motorsports. He will manage all aspects of Mast Motorsports and support Mast Powertrain as managing director. According to the company, as part of Mast Technologies group, Mast Motorsports and Magnitude Performance will continue advanced development for motorsports products and technologies.

SpeedVideo has entered into a broadcast partnership with the automotive event series Street Car Super Nationals (SCSN) to live stream the Las Vegas and St. Louis events through 2022.

SpeedVideo.com Announces Multi-Year Agreement to Broadcast Street Car Super Nationals at Las Vegas And St. Louis

SpeedVideo has entered into a broadcast partnership with the automotive event series Street Car Super Nationals (SCSN) to live stream the Las Vegas and St. Louis events through 2022. The COMP Cams Street Car Super Nationals 16 is coming to SpeedVideo, November 19–22, live from The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The festival of speed is expected to draw more than 500 cars in 16 classes with everything from eighth-mile grudge cars to quarter-mile Pro Mods and everything in between. Summer Speed Spectacular featuring the Street Car Super Nationals will take place August 14–15, live from St. Louis. Viewers can catch the full live event coverage and action of the COMP Cams Street Car Super Nationals 16 and the Summer Speed Spectacular featuring the Street Car Super Nationals events in live HD available on www.speedvideo.com for annual or monthly subscribers.

Yamaha’s GNCC University Scheduled to Return for 2020

Yamaha Motor Corp.’s annual Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) University is scheduled to return to Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia June 24–26, during the 2020 GNCC series. While the racing season has been postponed, Yamaha plans to bring back the educational hands-on event for up-and-coming racers when the race series resumes. A panel of current and past Yamaha racing champions and professionals will instruct as many as 80 total students in either ATV- or motorcycle-related sessions. XC1 Pro ATV rider Johnny Gallagher will lead this year’s Yamaha Racing ATV instructors, along with five-time GNCC XC1 Pro ATV champion and current undefeated series leader Walker Fowler and 12-time WXC ATV champion Traci Pickens. The two-wheel class will be led by seven-time AMA National Enduro Champion and AmPro Yamaha Racing team owner Randy Hawkins, five-time AMA National Hare Scramble Champion Jason Raines, XC1 Open Pro motorcycle rider Layne Michael, XC2 250 Pro motorcycle rider Michael Witkowski, along with the WXC bike competitors Rachael Archer and current unbeaten series leader Becca Sheets. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis with 80 openings evenly split between ATV and motorcycle disciplines. Tuition for GNCC University starts at $300 per student. To view the entire Proven Off-Road ATV, SxS, and Off-Road Motorcycle lineup and learn more, visit www.yamahamotorsports.com.

For more racing news, visit the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) website.

By SEMA Editors

Among the speakers providing insight will be Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events, who will explain the ways to avoid the most common pitfalls that exhibitors experience.

The eleventh annual SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is regarded as the most effective way to prepare for the SEMA Show, and offers an insider's perspective on how to make the most of the of your Show exhibit. Trade show experts, including SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso, will provide tips and highlight strategies ranging from saving on booth services to pre-Show planning that generates more awareness for your company and its participation in the SEMA Show.

At the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, exhibitors will learn how to:

• Use proven strategies to attract buyers to your booth.
• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize your ROI.
• Learn to properly plan and budget to add value to your Show experience.
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships.

Regardless of what market you serve, if you are new exhibitors, or want tips and insight on creating an efficient Show budget, the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit will answer your questions and add more value to your Show experience.

Register for the 2020 SEMA Show Summit to be held Monday–Tuesday, June 24–26, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Summit will also provide examples of how exhibitors benefit from early-bird deadlines, and help familiarize companies with the layouts of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and Las Vegas Convention Center.

There is no cost to participate in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit. Complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and staff; however, participants are responsible for travel to and from Las Vegas. Space for the event is limited, so guarantee your spot today.

To secure booth space for the 2020 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

Among the speakers providing insight will be Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events, who will explain the ways to avoid the most common pitfalls that exhibitors experience.

The eleventh annual SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is regarded as the most effective way to prepare for the SEMA Show, and offers an insider's perspective on how to make the most of the of your Show exhibit. Trade show experts, including SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso, will provide tips and highlight strategies ranging from saving on booth services to pre-Show planning that generates more awareness for your company and its participation in the SEMA Show.

At the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, exhibitors will learn how to:

• Use proven strategies to attract buyers to your booth.
• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize your ROI.
• Learn to properly plan and budget to add value to your Show experience.
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships.

Regardless of what market you serve, if you are new exhibitors, or want tips and insight on creating an efficient Show budget, the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit will answer your questions and add more value to your Show experience.

Register for the 2020 SEMA Show Summit to be held Monday–Tuesday, June 24–26, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Summit will also provide examples of how exhibitors benefit from early-bird deadlines, and help familiarize companies with the layouts of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and Las Vegas Convention Center.

There is no cost to participate in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit. Complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and staff; however, participants are responsible for travel to and from Las Vegas. Space for the event is limited, so guarantee your spot today.

To secure booth space for the 2020 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN) recently reached out to members on how they are adapting to new challenges facing the industry during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Get to know what steps Select Committee members Tim Gearhart and Kelleigh Ash are taking as they share their experience and provide automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers with the support they need to help ensure continued success. Additional updates and resources are also available to assist ETTN members and their business at www.sema.org/coronavirus.

Tim Gearhart
Battery and Tire Operations
Sam’s Club

What hobby have you picked up or reignited now that you find yourself socially distanced?

Given the luxury of being able to work from home, I am thankful to my company for allowing me the flexibility to adjust my schedule as needed to help face the challenges of schools being out, pets demanding attention and an increase in the temptation to work on the computer during “off hours.” During my “off hours” and the start of Spring, I have stepped up my yard work. It helps get outside the four walls that seem to close in as the minutes tick by. Not only does this help with physical exercise and the absorption of Vitamin D, but it also gives a sense of accomplishment and improves the aesthetics of my street. With a mind relaxed by heavy lifting in the yard, I am refreshed and ready to do some heavy mental lifting when I “clock-in” for work.

What has been the most challenging aspect for your company and how are you overcoming it?

Working for a retail/wholesale organization, there have been many unique challenges to overcome. Two of the most difficult have been the barrage of constant changes of local and state ordinances directing things from hours of operation, number of consumers allowed in facilities at the same time, etc., for each of the locations in our fleet of facilities. The second issue being that “necessity is the mother of invention,” or in our case innovation. I am blessed to be working for a company that has been investing in technology for some time and that our leaders are nimble while searching for the most viable product. The company has opened multiple communication channels to keep us connected and informed of the rapidly changing landscape.

What advice do you have for businesses to help them stay positive during this pandemic?

While technology helps us stay connected, make advancements and recover quickly, remember it is your people that keep the business running. Take care of them, keep them informed and listen to their ideas. They are on the frontlines and in the trenches daily making incredible sacrifices for your business, the economy and the world.

Kelleigh Ash
Director of Sales, Marketing and Brand Management
KW Automotive North America Inc.

What hobby have you picked up or reignited now that you find yourself socially distanced?

It has given me so much more time to work on all of my garage projects! From all of the small engine projects I had in the works, to large ones like swapping out a rear end, my hands have been busy!

What has been the most challenging aspect for your company and how are you overcoming it?

The most challenging aspect for our company is navigating the legislature. The legislature at a state and federal level is changing by the hour sometimes, and sometimes the legislature is even changing its mind. It is hard to keep up with and keep track of what we should be doing. Navigating through the government stimulus packages is even more confusing. For smaller companies without legal teams to help with clarifying this, I can imagine they are completely lost.

What advice do you have for businesses to help them stay positive during this pandemic?

If you can, keep your doors open. Do whatever is necessary to keep the doors open. The stimulus packages include assistance for small businesses, and more so the business doesn’t lay off employees. Change marketing tactics. Do some LIVE videos or LIVE events to engage with your customers or consumers. Have a virtual car show. Change tactics, but don’t give up.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN) recently reached out to members on how they are adapting to new challenges facing the industry during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Get to know what steps Select Committee members Tim Gearhart and Kelleigh Ash are taking as they share their experience and provide automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers with the support they need to help ensure continued success. Additional updates and resources are also available to assist ETTN members and their business at www.sema.org/coronavirus.

Tim Gearhart
Battery and Tire Operations
Sam’s Club

What hobby have you picked up or reignited now that you find yourself socially distanced?

Given the luxury of being able to work from home, I am thankful to my company for allowing me the flexibility to adjust my schedule as needed to help face the challenges of schools being out, pets demanding attention and an increase in the temptation to work on the computer during “off hours.” During my “off hours” and the start of Spring, I have stepped up my yard work. It helps get outside the four walls that seem to close in as the minutes tick by. Not only does this help with physical exercise and the absorption of Vitamin D, but it also gives a sense of accomplishment and improves the aesthetics of my street. With a mind relaxed by heavy lifting in the yard, I am refreshed and ready to do some heavy mental lifting when I “clock-in” for work.

What has been the most challenging aspect for your company and how are you overcoming it?

Working for a retail/wholesale organization, there have been many unique challenges to overcome. Two of the most difficult have been the barrage of constant changes of local and state ordinances directing things from hours of operation, number of consumers allowed in facilities at the same time, etc., for each of the locations in our fleet of facilities. The second issue being that “necessity is the mother of invention,” or in our case innovation. I am blessed to be working for a company that has been investing in technology for some time and that our leaders are nimble while searching for the most viable product. The company has opened multiple communication channels to keep us connected and informed of the rapidly changing landscape.

What advice do you have for businesses to help them stay positive during this pandemic?

While technology helps us stay connected, make advancements and recover quickly, remember it is your people that keep the business running. Take care of them, keep them informed and listen to their ideas. They are on the frontlines and in the trenches daily making incredible sacrifices for your business, the economy and the world.

Kelleigh Ash
Director of Sales, Marketing and Brand Management
KW Automotive North America Inc.

What hobby have you picked up or reignited now that you find yourself socially distanced?

It has given me so much more time to work on all of my garage projects! From all of the small engine projects I had in the works, to large ones like swapping out a rear end, my hands have been busy!

What has been the most challenging aspect for your company and how are you overcoming it?

The most challenging aspect for our company is navigating the legislature. The legislature at a state and federal level is changing by the hour sometimes, and sometimes the legislature is even changing its mind. It is hard to keep up with and keep track of what we should be doing. Navigating through the government stimulus packages is even more confusing. For smaller companies without legal teams to help with clarifying this, I can imagine they are completely lost.

What advice do you have for businesses to help them stay positive during this pandemic?

If you can, keep your doors open. Do whatever is necessary to keep the doors open. The stimulus packages include assistance for small businesses, and more so the business doesn’t lay off employees. Change marketing tactics. Do some LIVE videos or LIVE events to engage with your customers or consumers. Have a virtual car show. Change tactics, but don’t give up.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA has created a new online toolbox bringing together numerous international resources/data in one central location at www.sema.org/international.

Here you can find links to more than 30 online, free export-related webinars to view on demand; updated make and model data for some top international markets; selected countries’ economic indicators, such as population/vehicles on the road and disposable income levels; U.S. Department of Commerce resources; and a listing of SEMA overseas programs.

For more information on SEMA’s International programs contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA has created a new online toolbox bringing together numerous international resources/data in one central location at www.sema.org/international.

Here you can find links to more than 30 online, free export-related webinars to view on demand; updated make and model data for some top international markets; selected countries’ economic indicators, such as population/vehicles on the road and disposable income levels; U.S. Department of Commerce resources; and a listing of SEMA overseas programs.

For more information on SEMA’s International programs contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The following candidates are vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Distributors/Retailers (one open seat):

• John Evankovich – Director, Sam’s Club
• Ted Wentz III – CEO, Quadratec, Inc.

Voting will take place online between May 12–May 26 and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning April 30. Winners will be announced by May 29 and formally inducted into the SEMA Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation & Gala,  July 24, 2020.

By SEMA Editors

The following candidates are vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Distributors/Retailers (one open seat):

• John Evankovich – Director, Sam’s Club
• Ted Wentz III – CEO, Quadratec, Inc.

Voting will take place online between May 12–May 26 and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning April 30. Winners will be announced by May 29 and formally inducted into the SEMA Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation & Gala,  July 24, 2020.

By SEMA Editors

Reid Lunde, owner and founder of Kaizen Speed, was the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad winner.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) is now accepting applications for the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad Program, a competition for young entrepreneurs who would like to launch their products into the $44.6 billion dollar aftermarket industry. 

Now in its seventh year, the program provides emerging business leaders the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of iconic industry judges and compete for a prize that includes $10,000 to be used for the benefit of their business, and exhibit space at the annual SEMA Show.  

“Our goal is to encourage and support young entrepreneurs in the automotive industry,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “We hope to identify emerging leaders who have amazing new ideas and products. We want to provide these young businesses with the support and resources to help them succeed.”  

Fifteen applicants will be selected to receive a one-year SEMA membership, as well as one professional Launch Pad video to be hosted on the SEMA YouTube Channel. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the businesses they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2020 SEMA Show, with the Top 5 vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 2, at the SEMA Show.  

"SEMA Launch Pad competitors represent the most innovative and passionate emerging industry-leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Ridnouer. “As such, the public will be able to play a key role in the voting process and help determine what product or service consumers will find valuable.”    

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.  

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before May 3.