The following is an important alert to SEMA Show exhibitors who have booked hotel accommodations through a travel agency doing business as IEP Group (otherwise known as International Events), an independent entity not connected with SEMA or the SEMA Show.

It has come to our attention that in at least some instances, hotel room reservations made through the IEP Group have not been booked with the respective hotels or are incomplete bookings. If you have made your hotel room reservations through IEP Group, or with any other independent booking agency, we urge you to immediately contact the hotel directly to confirm that your reservation has been properly booked and that any advance payment requirement is in order.

In the event you find that your hotel reservation through IEP Group or any other independent booking agency is not complete, or that any required advance payment has not been applied to your reservation, contact SEMA Show Manager Jeff Pressman at jpressman@convexx.com or call 702-303-1199 so that we may try to assist you in securing alternate hotel accommodations for the 2011 SEMA Show.

If you have made your 2011 SEMA Show hotel reservations through Travel Planners, the official SEMA Show housing affiliate, you may disregard this notice. If you have any questions for Travel Planners, however, you can reach them at 877-690-9214. They have customer service agents that will be able to assist you with any questions and are fully aware of the situation with the IEP Group.  

Although independent vendors who solicit SEMA Show attendees are beyond the control of the association, we seek to keep you informed when we become aware of issues with such vendors and will do our best to help you find solutions to make your SEMA Show experience a success. Please remember that the best means to assure smooth operations and a successful event is to work with the official SEMA Show hotel booking agency, Travel Planners, and with the other official service providers.

It is our sincere hope that your SEMA Show preparations are going well—please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you. By all indications we are expecting a very exciting and value-packed SEMA Show again this year. Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas.  

–SEMA Show Management

The following is an important alert to SEMA Show exhibitors who have booked hotel accommodations through a travel agency doing business as IEP Group (otherwise known as International Events), an independent entity not connected with SEMA or the SEMA Show.

It has come to our attention that in at least some instances, hotel room reservations made through the IEP Group have not been booked with the respective hotels or are incomplete bookings. If you have made your hotel room reservations through IEP Group, or with any other independent booking agency, we urge you to immediately contact the hotel directly to confirm that your reservation has been properly booked and that any advance payment requirement is in order.

In the event you find that your hotel reservation through IEP Group or any other independent booking agency is not complete, or that any required advance payment has not been applied to your reservation, contact SEMA Show Manager Jeff Pressman at jpressman@convexx.com or call 702-303-1199 so that we may try to assist you in securing alternate hotel accommodations for the 2011 SEMA Show.

If you have made your 2011 SEMA Show hotel reservations through Travel Planners, the official SEMA Show housing affiliate, you may disregard this notice. If you have any questions for Travel Planners, however, you can reach them at 877-690-9214. They have customer service agents that will be able to assist you with any questions and are fully aware of the situation with the IEP Group.  

Although independent vendors who solicit SEMA Show attendees are beyond the control of the association, we seek to keep you informed when we become aware of issues with such vendors and will do our best to help you find solutions to make your SEMA Show experience a success. Please remember that the best means to assure smooth operations and a successful event is to work with the official SEMA Show hotel booking agency, Travel Planners, and with the other official service providers.

It is our sincere hope that your SEMA Show preparations are going well—please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you. By all indications we are expecting a very exciting and value-packed SEMA Show again this year. Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas.  

–SEMA Show Management

The following is an important alert to SEMA Show exhibitors who have booked hotel accommodations through a travel agency doing business as IEP Group (otherwise known as International Events), an independent entity not connected with SEMA or the SEMA Show.

It has come to our attention that in at least some instances, hotel room reservations made through the IEP Group have not been booked with the respective hotels or are incomplete bookings. If you have made your hotel room reservations through IEP Group, or with any other independent booking agency, we urge you to immediately contact the hotel directly to confirm that your reservation has been properly booked and that any advance payment requirement is in order.

In the event you find that your hotel reservation through IEP Group or any other independent booking agency is not complete, or that any required advance payment has not been applied to your reservation, contact SEMA Show Manager Jeff Pressman at jpressman@convexx.com or call 702-303-1199 so that we may try to assist you in securing alternate hotel accommodations for the 2011 SEMA Show.

If you have made your 2011 SEMA Show hotel reservations through Travel Planners, the official SEMA Show housing affiliate, you may disregard this notice. If you have any questions for Travel Planners, however, you can reach them at 877-690-9214. They have customer service agents that will be able to assist you with any questions and are fully aware of the situation with the IEP Group.  

Although independent vendors who solicit SEMA Show attendees are beyond the control of the association, we seek to keep you informed when we become aware of issues with such vendors and will do our best to help you find solutions to make your SEMA Show experience a success. Please remember that the best means to assure smooth operations and a successful event is to work with the official SEMA Show hotel booking agency, Travel Planners, and with the other official service providers.

It is our sincere hope that your SEMA Show preparations are going well—please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you. By all indications we are expecting a very exciting and value-packed SEMA Show again this year. Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas.  

–SEMA Show Management

The following is an important alert to SEMA Show exhibitors who have booked hotel accommodations through a travel agency doing business as IEP Group (otherwise known as International Events), an independent entity not connected with SEMA or the SEMA Show.

It has come to our attention that in at least some instances, hotel room reservations made through the IEP Group have not been booked with the respective hotels or are incomplete bookings. If you have made your hotel room reservations through IEP Group, or with any other independent booking agency, we urge you to immediately contact the hotel directly to confirm that your reservation has been properly booked and that any advance payment requirement is in order.

In the event you find that your hotel reservation through IEP Group or any other independent booking agency is not complete, or that any required advance payment has not been applied to your reservation, contact SEMA Show Manager Jeff Pressman at jpressman@convexx.com or call 702-303-1199 so that we may try to assist you in securing alternate hotel accommodations for the 2011 SEMA Show.

If you have made your 2011 SEMA Show hotel reservations through Travel Planners, the official SEMA Show housing affiliate, you may disregard this notice. If you have any questions for Travel Planners, however, you can reach them at 877-690-9214. They have customer service agents that will be able to assist you with any questions and are fully aware of the situation with the IEP Group.  

Although independent vendors who solicit SEMA Show attendees are beyond the control of the association, we seek to keep you informed when we become aware of issues with such vendors and will do our best to help you find solutions to make your SEMA Show experience a success. Please remember that the best means to assure smooth operations and a successful event is to work with the official SEMA Show hotel booking agency, Travel Planners, and with the other official service providers.

It is our sincere hope that your SEMA Show preparations are going well—please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you. By all indications we are expecting a very exciting and value-packed SEMA Show again this year. Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas.  

–SEMA Show Management

	Scott Tucker

Inside Motorsports With Scott Tucker and Level 5 at Le Mans Now on Speed2
Inside Motorsports, the web-based, behind-the-scenes motorsports video series, has produced a 24-minute recap of the effort made by Level 5 Motorsports in the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. That program is available on Speed2.com, the web channel maintained by the cable TV network SPEED.

Throughout the 2011 racing season, Inside Motorsports and host Diana Binks have been following Level 5 as they competed in the American Le Mans series for the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. In June, Level 5 competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time as a team. That journey is the subject of the program now available through Speed2.

Inside Motorsports takes the viewer into the pits and into the minds of the drivers and crews brave enough to tackle this race. Scott Tucker and Level 5 Motorsports teammates Christophe Bouchut and Joao Barbosa, drove their No. 33 Lola-Honda Coupe to a third-place finish in the highly competitive LMP2 category. More impressive was the fact that their trouble-free race was rewarded with a 10th-place result in the overall classification.

Faced with two minor setbacks—a spin by Barbosa into the gravel trap during Hour 14 and a quick trip to the garage for a realignment and rear deck change with three hours to go— the team was able to keep the car in solid contention for the win.

	Greg Alexander will pilot the John Belegante #23 Barnes Systems, Amsoil, Persall Masonry, Scott's Headers and Mufflers car at the Budweiser Oval Nationals. Photo credit: Doug Allen.

Greg Alexander Prepares for 16th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals
Greg Alexander, the young racing star from Gardena, California, is preparing for his second foray into the tough world of the Budweiser Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway November 3–5. Alexander will be in the cockpit of the John Belegante #23 Barnes Systems, Amsoil, Persall Masonry, Scott's Headers and Mufflers car at the sprint car race. The Budweiser Oval Nationals will pit Alexander against the top sprint car drivers from both the Amsoil National Sprint Car Series and Amsoil USAC/CRA Series in three demanding nights of action.

	Scott Tucker

Inside Motorsports With Scott Tucker and Level 5 at Le Mans Now on Speed2
Inside Motorsports, the web-based, behind-the-scenes motorsports video series, has produced a 24-minute recap of the effort made by Level 5 Motorsports in the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. That program is available on Speed2.com, the web channel maintained by the cable TV network SPEED.

Throughout the 2011 racing season, Inside Motorsports and host Diana Binks have been following Level 5 as they competed in the American Le Mans series for the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. In June, Level 5 competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time as a team. That journey is the subject of the program now available through Speed2.

Inside Motorsports takes the viewer into the pits and into the minds of the drivers and crews brave enough to tackle this race. Scott Tucker and Level 5 Motorsports teammates Christophe Bouchut and Joao Barbosa, drove their No. 33 Lola-Honda Coupe to a third-place finish in the highly competitive LMP2 category. More impressive was the fact that their trouble-free race was rewarded with a 10th-place result in the overall classification.

Faced with two minor setbacks—a spin by Barbosa into the gravel trap during Hour 14 and a quick trip to the garage for a realignment and rear deck change with three hours to go— the team was able to keep the car in solid contention for the win.

	Greg Alexander will pilot the John Belegante #23 Barnes Systems, Amsoil, Persall Masonry, Scott's Headers and Mufflers car at the Budweiser Oval Nationals. Photo credit: Doug Allen.

Greg Alexander Prepares for 16th Annual Budweiser Oval Nationals
Greg Alexander, the young racing star from Gardena, California, is preparing for his second foray into the tough world of the Budweiser Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway November 3–5. Alexander will be in the cockpit of the John Belegante #23 Barnes Systems, Amsoil, Persall Masonry, Scott's Headers and Mufflers car at the sprint car race. The Budweiser Oval Nationals will pit Alexander against the top sprint car drivers from both the Amsoil National Sprint Car Series and Amsoil USAC/CRA Series in three demanding nights of action.

Stay connected on the SEMA Show floor through the mobile version of www.SEMAShow.com.

SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees can stay in the know at the SEMA Show with the newly launched mobile version of www.SEMAShow.com.

The new, smartphone-friendly site provides users with on-the-go access to some of the site's key resources, including the SEMA Show exhibitor list, details on Show registration hours and transportation, and a Show calendar highlighting education sessions, celebrity appearances and press conferences.

For exhibitors, the site includes a directory of helpful contact numbers, including Show Management, exhibitor services, freight/drayage and more.  

The media section of the mobile site also provides the working press with key contact information, including SEMA's PR department and the SEMA Show Media Center sponsored by Continental Tire.  

The website is compatible with smartphones, and no special URL is needed. Simply type in SEMAShow.com in your phone's browser and you will be taken to the mobile site automatically. Want to visit the entire site from your phone? No problem. A link to the full www.SEMAShow.com website is available at the bottom of the mobile version's home page.

Start your mobile experience directly at m.semashow.com.

Stay connected on the SEMA Show floor through the mobile version of www.SEMAShow.com.

SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees can stay in the know at the SEMA Show with the newly launched mobile version of www.SEMAShow.com.

The new, smartphone-friendly site provides users with on-the-go access to some of the site's key resources, including the SEMA Show exhibitor list, details on Show registration hours and transportation, and a Show calendar highlighting education sessions, celebrity appearances and press conferences.

For exhibitors, the site includes a directory of helpful contact numbers, including Show Management, exhibitor services, freight/drayage and more.  

The media section of the mobile site also provides the working press with key contact information, including SEMA's PR department and the SEMA Show Media Center sponsored by Continental Tire.  

The website is compatible with smartphones, and no special URL is needed. Simply type in SEMAShow.com in your phone's browser and you will be taken to the mobile site automatically. Want to visit the entire site from your phone? No problem. A link to the full www.SEMAShow.com website is available at the bottom of the mobile version's home page.

Start your mobile experience directly at m.semashow.com.

Jon Titman Opens Prestige Automotive Accessories
Jon Titman, whose industry background spans nearly three decades, has opened Prestige Automotive Accessories, according to a recent company announcement. The New Carrollton, Maryland-based, restyling center is a full-line automotive accessory installation and distribution facility. The company serves new-car dealerships throughout the Washington, D.C., northern Virginia and Baltimore markets. Product offerings include leather interiors, truck accessories and a variety of mobile electronics, including video, audio and navigation systems, as well as other accessories. In addition to his experience in manufacturing, distribution, installation and sales, Titman has long been involved with SEMA, as well as its Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) council. Titman received the PRO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 in recognition of his service on the PRO Select Committee and contributions to the restyling industry. 

Goodguys Releases 2012 Event Schedule
The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association will stage 21 events in 2012, welcoming a wide range of hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks and classic cars to the country’s premier event venues. California, Arizona and Texas will host multiple events while the Goodguys 15th PPG Nationals will return to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, July 6–8. Eighteen of the 21 events will feature a Goodguys AutoCross which is free to all registered Goodguys event participants. New for the 2012 season will be the Goodguys “Super Sunday Get-Together” program which welcomes all years, makes and models of American-made or American-powered vehicles to 17 Goodguys national events on Sunday only. Here is the 2012 Goodguys event schedule (pdf). 

Covercraft Industries Sign Sponsorship Agreement With "MotorzTV"
Covercraft Industries Inc. has signed a major sponsorship agreement with "MotorzTV."

"Besides 300 days of sunshine, there are other environmental factors in this area that make car covers and interior protection a necessity," said "MotorzTV" host and producer Chris Duke. "We could think of no better company than Covercraft to be our car cover sponsor, with their long history of making custom-patterned covers for show cars, OE and aftermarket parts suppliers for over 45 years." All-new episodes of "Motorz" air on Sundays at 10:30 p.m. (PST) on DirecTV or DISH Network. Past episodes are also available for download at www.motorz.tv.

Joe Kubiak, Robert Roese Named Wilwood Sales and Technical Consultants
Wilwood Disc Brakes hired Joe Kubiak and Robert Roese as sales and technical consultants. According to Wilwood, Kubiak has an exceptional background in the automotive racing and performance aftermarket industry, which includes working at BMR Suspension, Braille Battery, and Summit Racing's Atech Motorsports. At Wilwood, Kubiak will focus on sales development activities and participating in Wilwood's trade show events. Roese has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive racing and performance aftermarket Industry, including time at Magnuson Products and Vortech Engineering. He will be involved in Wilwood's sales development activities and support of Wilwood's participation in trade events.

McCullough Public Relations Partners With GOJO Industries
McCullough Public Relations was retained as the public relations firm representing the automotive and manufacturing divisions of GOJO Industries. GOJO manufactures products and programs to kill germs on hands and solve skin care-related problems in a variety of markets including manufacturing, automotive, construction, healthcare, foodservice, food processing, education, government and military.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reviewing its rules and guidance documents on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a 1975 federal law that governs consumer product warranties. SEMA submitted several recommendations on how the rules can be expanded to clarify manufacturer responsibilities and consumer protections. 

Last December, the FTC issued a Consumer Alert, which confirms that it is illegal to void a warranty or deny coverage based on the mere presence of an aftermarket part. The alert notes that a consumer has the right to patronize independent retail stores and repair shops for parts and service without fear of voiding the new-car warranty. The dealer/vehicle manufacturer has the right to deny a warranty repair if they can demonstrate that the aftermarket part caused the problem. The warranty remains in effect for all other covered parts.

In its comments to the FTC, SEMA recommended that the agency issue a supplemental alert to specifically reference installation of specialty parts. While the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act covers these types of consumer products, the December alert generally described straight repair/maintenance issues. SEMA also recommended that the FTC’s definition of “consumer product” be clarified to include specialty parts.

SEMA recommended that auto dealerships be required to put in writing why a warranty is being denied. While the law requires that consumer warranties be written in a single, clear and easy-to-read document, there is no corresponding requirement for warranty denials. Under the law, it is the dealership’s obligation to diagnose a problem and demonstrate that the aftermarket part caused the damage or defect. For dealerships that may not be aware of this requirement or may seek to avoid the obligation, a directive from the FTC would be an educational resource.

Documenting the alleged cause of a problem and providing a copy of test results or other evidence upon which the dealership is basing its claim creates a level playing field for the consumer. It may ultimately assist in resolving a dispute by allowing the claim to be properly considered by the consumer and potentially a third-party mechanic, the aftermarket manufacturer or a mediator. 

Click here (pdf) for a copy of SEMA’s comments.  

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.