By Kyle Cheng

According to the July “SEMA Industry Indicators Report,” the risk of recession has diminished.

The first half of 2019 is in the books, and the United States is now in the longest economic expansion in its history. The economy is intact, and the risk of recession has diminished. Further risks of additional tariffs appear low for now, but tension remains, and growth is slowing both at home and abroad.

Consumer spending is at a healthy level. Likewise, a tight labor market is keeping pressure on wages. Consumers are feeling optimistic, and that confidence is driving many to look for new opportunities. Good fundamentals should carry the economy the rest of the year.

Likewise, the manufacturing sector added 17,000 new jobs last month—a strong increase from the prior three months. Fewer trade uncertainties, a weaker dollar and improving business sentiment could collectively help manufacturers in the second half of the year.

To learn more, download the July “SEMA Industry Indicators Report,” now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

According to the July “SEMA Industry Indicators Report,” the risk of recession has diminished.

The first half of 2019 is in the books, and the United States is now in the longest economic expansion in its history. The economy is intact, and the risk of recession has diminished. Further risks of additional tariffs appear low for now, but tension remains, and growth is slowing both at home and abroad.

Consumer spending is at a healthy level. Likewise, a tight labor market is keeping pressure on wages. Consumers are feeling optimistic, and that confidence is driving many to look for new opportunities. Good fundamentals should carry the economy the rest of the year.

Likewise, the manufacturing sector added 17,000 new jobs last month—a strong increase from the prior three months. Fewer trade uncertainties, a weaker dollar and improving business sentiment could collectively help manufacturers in the second half of the year.

To learn more, download the July “SEMA Industry Indicators Report,” now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

The annual SEMA Installation & Gala serves as the event where we thank our association’s outgoing board members and welcome those who have been newly elected. It’s also the place where we celebrate our newest SEMA Hall of Fame inductees. It’s a networking event like no other—where guests have the opportunity to connect with our industry’s leaders and legends. Join us for a very special evening of celebration.

The annual SEMA Installation & Gala serves as the event where we thank our association’s outgoing board members and welcome those who have been newly elected. It’s also the place where we celebrate our newest SEMA Hall of Fame inductees. It’s a networking event like no other—where guests have the opportunity to connect with our industry’s leaders and legends. Join us for a very special evening of celebration.

By SEMA Editors

Members of the media can find exhibitor press releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center.

SEMA Show exhibitors are announcing plans for the upcoming event taking place November 5–8, in Las Vegas, with new-product debuts and innovations. Many of the announcements can be found in the SEMA Show Online Media Center.

Among the exhibitor press releases on the site are the following:

• New XS Power Battery Terminals
• KEMA Enterprise Co. Ltd., Supplier of Big Brake Kits
• Speedmaster, Trusted and Respected for Its People and Its Products
• Introducing The All New 4PLAY Wheel Line – Public Debut SEMA 2019
• RetroSound Introduces the Daytona RetroRadio for Select Classic General Motors Vehicles
• Chevrolet Performance Offers Exclusive Drag Race Calibration for Camaro ZL1
• TKO’s Award-Winning Premium Adjustable Clamps Are Now Available
• Fumoto Engine Oil Drain Valve to Be featured at 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas
• Set It And Forget It With Auto-Grip

To see more press releases from SEMA Show exhibitors, visit www.semashow.com/press.

Exhibitors can upload releases to be included in the Online Media Center.

For information about PR opportunities for SEMA Show exhibitors, contact Rachel Tatum at rachelt@sema.org or 909-978-6669.

By SEMA Editors

Members of the media can find exhibitor press releases in the SEMA Show Online Media Center.

SEMA Show exhibitors are announcing plans for the upcoming event taking place November 5–8, in Las Vegas, with new-product debuts and innovations. Many of the announcements can be found in the SEMA Show Online Media Center.

Among the exhibitor press releases on the site are the following:

• New XS Power Battery Terminals
• KEMA Enterprise Co. Ltd., Supplier of Big Brake Kits
• Speedmaster, Trusted and Respected for Its People and Its Products
• Introducing The All New 4PLAY Wheel Line – Public Debut SEMA 2019
• RetroSound Introduces the Daytona RetroRadio for Select Classic General Motors Vehicles
• Chevrolet Performance Offers Exclusive Drag Race Calibration for Camaro ZL1
• TKO’s Award-Winning Premium Adjustable Clamps Are Now Available
• Fumoto Engine Oil Drain Valve to Be featured at 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas
• Set It And Forget It With Auto-Grip

To see more press releases from SEMA Show exhibitors, visit www.semashow.com/press.

Exhibitors can upload releases to be included in the Online Media Center.

For information about PR opportunities for SEMA Show exhibitors, contact Rachel Tatum at rachelt@sema.org or 909-978-6669.

According to research by Global Market Insights, the powersports market is expected to trend upward from $11 billion in 2018 to $14.5 billion by 2025.

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2019/07/upward-trend-in-powersports

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Gerry Crown and Matt Bryson have walked away as overall winners of Peking to Paris Motor Challenge.

Gerry Crown and Matt Bryson Make It a Triple Crown, Winning Peking to Paris Motor Challenge 2019

After 8,500 miles of driving adventure, the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge endurance rally has reached its terminus in Paris for the seventh time. Gerry Crown and Matt Bryson have walked away as overall winners. This is their third victory, making it a triple crown. 

Bondurant School of High Performance Driving Announces New Drag Racing Program

Bondurant School of High Performance Driving has announced the addition of a new drag-racing program, offering professional drag-racing instruction to the public behind the wheel of the most powerful street-legal cars in the world on July 27 and August 17, with additional courses being announced in the coming weeks. Courses are limited to 16 students per class and cost is $1,999 per driver. Classroom instruction for the full-day school will last approximately two hours and address the fundamental rules of drag racing, including proper launch, staging technique, reaction time, signals and safety pre- and post-checks. On-track instruction will be under the direction and supervision of a professional Bondurant instructor. Each student will get in-classroom and on-track instruction followed by eight 1/8-mile full passes. In addition to the 840hp Challenger SRT Demon, the Bondurant//Dodge SRT drag-racing program will include the 707hp Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Hellcat Widebody, and the 485hp Dodge Challenger SRT 392. Students do not have to own Dodge//SRT vehicles to enroll in the course. Enrollment for classes is now open.

Matt Mills piloted the #5 Covercraft Toyota for B.J. McLeod Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway last weekend.

Covercraft Goes to Daytona With McLeod Motorsports

B.J. McLeod Motorsports (BJMM) cruised into “The World Center of Racing” for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Independence Day race weekend featuring a new primary partner on the #5 at Daytona. Matt Mills piloted the #5 Covercraft Toyota for B.J. McLeod Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway last weekend. The partnership was culminated originally through veteran NASCAR driver JJ Yeley, who will continue to carry the Covercraft flag the remainder of the 2019 calendar year as an official brand ambassador on and off the track.

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

Booth space is still available for the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas.

Booth space is still available for the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas.