By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place in conjunction with the Installation & Gala, Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California.

The 2019 Pinewood Drag Racing season is now here. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. To learn more and register, visit www.sema.org/pinewood.

Once again held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation & Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California. The finals are held during the cocktail reception, shortly before the banquet begins.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the BIFM or Stock class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 sec. on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 sec., and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

Now in its third year, the Industry Cup Challenge features five divisions where sponsoring companies race child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1. The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions: warehouse distributors, manufacturers, media groups, rep agencies and service providers. The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drag Races, where the company will have a chance to defend its title. The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including The Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides a camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

Register for the Installation & Gala at www.sema.org/gala.

2018 Pinewood Drag Race Winners:

• Build-It-For-Me Class – Hella
• Council Cup – ARMO
• People’s Choice – Edelbrock

2018 Industry Cup Winners:

• Industry Cup Challenge Winner – Hot Rod
• Media Class – Hot Rod
• Service Provider’s Class – LGE*CTS
• Rep Agency Class – R&R Marketing
• Warehouse Distributor Class – RSD
• Manufacturer’s class – A.R.E.

By SEMA Editors

Through the SEMA Show's Priority Space Selection, exhibitors work with their sales representative to determine which booth on the floorpan offers the best opportunities.

On Monday, April 29, Priority Space Selection will begin at SEMA headquarters. Sales representatives from each section of the SEMA Show will begin calling exhibitors in order of seniority to determine which booth on the floorpan offers the company the best opportunity for success. All Showgoers can follow the start of the process on Facebook beginning at 9:55 a.m., as Tom Gattuso conducts a virtual tour of the call center and allow viewers to witness the first call. After the process begins, companies can visit www.SEMAShow.com/floorplan to watch as the layout of the 2019 SEMA Show develops.

For exhibitors participating in Priority Space Selection, you should have received an email with details related to your company’s exhibit. Here are seven tips for exhibitors who will be getting that phone call during the next 13 business days.

1. Be prepared for your call.
If you have not received an email outlining the day and time for your space selection, contact your account rep. If for any reason you will not be available on the date and time of your assigned call, you can designate a proxy. Follow the steps in the email to establish a proxy and contact information.

2. Have a discussion with your rep.
Prior to your assigned call time, bring up the SEMA Show floorpan and look for several potential booth locations. Having the map on screen will allow you and your caller to have a more detailed discussion about the ideal booth for your exhibit. If you have requests or concerns, now is the time to see what can be accommodated. Ask. Talk details. “Is this the best space? Are there pillars near the booth? Are there height restrictions?"

3. Review your confirmation email.
Once you have completed your space selection phone call, the Show staff will then triple check your booth location and create a confirmation email that will arrive in about four hours. When you receive the email, verify that everything is correct.

4. Notify us with any changes to your booth.
If you were not able to negotiate an acceptable outcome during the selection process, you can obtain a refund. The SEMA Show offers a 24-hour cancellation policy. To receive 100% of your deposit, you must contact SEMA within 24 business hours of receiving your confirmation email.

5. Exhibitor Service Manual (ESM).
One of the most powerful online tools, the digital exhibitor service manual was developed by SEMA to highlight links to all of the resources pertinent to a successful exhibit at the Show. To help you navigate efficiently, each section is broken down to the basics. Spend some time getting to know this website because time spent understanding the tools available to you will pay dividends with ease of participation, give you better visibility with our buyers and save you valuable time and money.

6. Register your staff.
At present, buyers and media can apply for the 2019 SEMA Show. For exhibitors, once you have your booth space selected and a confirmation email, you can begin to apply for credentials for your booth personnel.

7. Need a Hotel?
Great rooms are available for the 2019 SEMA Show. In fact, SEMA has a special housing partner that guarantees the lowest rates on rooms for the Show. If you know you need housing for you and your staff, the earlier you make the reservation, the more money you will save.

Remember, join Tom Gattuso and the SEMA Show staff at 9:55 a.m., Monday, April 29, for the first call of the Priority Space Selection.

The 2019 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. There’s still time to participate in the Priority Space Selection Process. Reserve a booth space for 2019 now by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

Through the SEMA Show's Priority Space Selection, exhibitors work with their sales representative to determine which booth on the floorpan offers the best opportunities.

On Monday, April 29, Priority Space Selection will begin at SEMA headquarters. Sales representatives from each section of the SEMA Show will begin calling exhibitors in order of seniority to determine which booth on the floorpan offers the company the best opportunity for success. All Showgoers can follow the start of the process on Facebook beginning at 9:55 a.m., as Tom Gattuso conducts a virtual tour of the call center and allow viewers to witness the first call. After the process begins, companies can visit www.SEMAShow.com/floorplan to watch as the layout of the 2019 SEMA Show develops.

For exhibitors participating in Priority Space Selection, you should have received an email with details related to your company’s exhibit. Here are seven tips for exhibitors who will be getting that phone call during the next 13 business days.

1. Be prepared for your call.
If you have not received an email outlining the day and time for your space selection, contact your account rep. If for any reason you will not be available on the date and time of your assigned call, you can designate a proxy. Follow the steps in the email to establish a proxy and contact information.

2. Have a discussion with your rep.
Prior to your assigned call time, bring up the SEMA Show floorpan and look for several potential booth locations. Having the map on screen will allow you and your caller to have a more detailed discussion about the ideal booth for your exhibit. If you have requests or concerns, now is the time to see what can be accommodated. Ask. Talk details. “Is this the best space? Are there pillars near the booth? Are there height restrictions?"

3. Review your confirmation email.
Once you have completed your space selection phone call, the Show staff will then triple check your booth location and create a confirmation email that will arrive in about four hours. When you receive the email, verify that everything is correct.

4. Notify us with any changes to your booth.
If you were not able to negotiate an acceptable outcome during the selection process, you can obtain a refund. The SEMA Show offers a 24-hour cancellation policy. To receive 100% of your deposit, you must contact SEMA within 24 business hours of receiving your confirmation email.

5. Exhibitor Service Manual (ESM).
One of the most powerful online tools, the digital exhibitor service manual was developed by SEMA to highlight links to all of the resources pertinent to a successful exhibit at the Show. To help you navigate efficiently, each section is broken down to the basics. Spend some time getting to know this website because time spent understanding the tools available to you will pay dividends with ease of participation, give you better visibility with our buyers and save you valuable time and money.

6. Register your staff.
At present, buyers and media can apply for the 2019 SEMA Show. For exhibitors, once you have your booth space selected and a confirmation email, you can begin to apply for credentials for your booth personnel.

7. Need a Hotel?
Great rooms are available for the 2019 SEMA Show. In fact, SEMA has a special housing partner that guarantees the lowest rates on rooms for the Show. If you know you need housing for you and your staff, the earlier you make the reservation, the more money you will save.

Remember, join Tom Gattuso and the SEMA Show staff at 9:55 a.m., Monday, April 29, for the first call of the Priority Space Selection.

The 2019 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. There’s still time to participate in the Priority Space Selection Process. Reserve a booth space for 2019 now by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA 2019 Business Resource Guide features contact information and descriptions of SEMA-member companies offering services specific to the automotive aftermarket industry.

SEMA recently announced the availablity of its newest member-benefit: The 2019 Business Resource Guide.

The guide, which is available electronically at www.SEMA.org/BRG and included in a print version through the May issue of SEMA News magazine, features contact information and descriptions of SEMA member-companies offering services specific to the automotive aftermarket industry.

The guide includes listings for advertising agencies, consultants, export management companies, importers, internet-related services, manufacturers' reps firms, promoters, publishers and media companies, and trade schools, universities and colleges.

The guide also highlights a sample of the cost-saving benefits offered to all SEMA members. The benefits available include unlimited access to the world’s most complete data repository, improved flat-rate pricing through UPS, access insurance with lower costs and better coverage, member exclusives at the annual SEMA Show and more.

To learn more about SEMA membership, visit www.sema.org/membership.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA 2019 Business Resource Guide features contact information and descriptions of SEMA-member companies offering services specific to the automotive aftermarket industry.

SEMA recently announced the availablity of its newest member-benefit: The 2019 Business Resource Guide.

The guide, which is available electronically at www.SEMA.org/BRG and included in a print version through the May issue of SEMA News magazine, features contact information and descriptions of SEMA member-companies offering services specific to the automotive aftermarket industry.

The guide includes listings for advertising agencies, consultants, export management companies, importers, internet-related services, manufacturers' reps firms, promoters, publishers and media companies, and trade schools, universities and colleges.

The guide also highlights a sample of the cost-saving benefits offered to all SEMA members. The benefits available include unlimited access to the world’s most complete data repository, improved flat-rate pricing through UPS, access insurance with lower costs and better coverage, member exclusives at the annual SEMA Show and more.

To learn more about SEMA membership, visit www.sema.org/membership.

Amy Fitzgerald originally felt that her two-man shop was too small to get involved with SEMA councils and committees. During the 2018 SEMA Show, she took time to explain why she was mistaken and how volunteering for different groups makes a difference.

Amy Fitzgerald originally felt that her two-man shop was too small to get involved with SEMA councils and committees. During the 2018 SEMA Show, she took time to explain why she was mistaken and how volunteering for different groups makes a difference.

These are photos of a Ford Ranger prototype testing around Ford’s headquarters that could foreshadow a diesel version of the midsize truck for the U.S. market.

From the outside, the model looks just like any current T6 Ranger (except for the roof rack), but take notice of a few components, including the strange-looking equipment under the truck, and something in its bed, just behind the cab.

According to sources, the metallic items in the bed are actually the truck’s exhaust fed by catalytic converters that, in this case, are the strange-looking items beneath the vehicle.

So, it’s assumed that this is a powertrain mule for a potential diesel version of the Ranger destined for the U.S. market. The engine under the hood is probably a 2.0L single turbodiesel. This engine is offered in foreign versions of the Ranger, where it’s rated at 158 hp and 284 lb.-ft. of torque. Ford also has a more powerful bi-turbo version of this engine (seen in the overseas Ranger Raptor), but this mule is not likely to have that engine.

A potential diesel-powered Ford Ranger would fight the diesel-powered Chevy Colorado in the United States.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

These are photos of a Ford Ranger prototype testing around Ford’s headquarters that could foreshadow a diesel version of the midsize truck for the U.S. market.

From the outside, the model looks just like any current T6 Ranger (except for the roof rack), but take notice of a few components, including the strange-looking equipment under the truck, and something in its bed, just behind the cab.

According to sources, the metallic items in the bed are actually the truck’s exhaust fed by catalytic converters that, in this case, are the strange-looking items beneath the vehicle.

So, it’s assumed that this is a powertrain mule for a potential diesel version of the Ranger destined for the U.S. market. The engine under the hood is probably a 2.0L single turbodiesel. This engine is offered in foreign versions of the Ranger, where it’s rated at 158 hp and 284 lb.-ft. of torque. Ford also has a more powerful bi-turbo version of this engine (seen in the overseas Ranger Raptor), but this mule is not likely to have that engine.

A potential diesel-powered Ford Ranger would fight the diesel-powered Chevy Colorado in the United States.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

These are photos of a Ford Ranger prototype testing around Ford’s headquarters that could foreshadow a diesel version of the midsize truck for the U.S. market.

From the outside, the model looks just like any current T6 Ranger (except for the roof rack), but take notice of a few components, including the strange-looking equipment under the truck, and something in its bed, just behind the cab.

According to sources, the metallic items in the bed are actually the truck’s exhaust fed by catalytic converters that, in this case, are the strange-looking items beneath the vehicle.

So, it’s assumed that this is a powertrain mule for a potential diesel version of the Ranger destined for the U.S. market. The engine under the hood is probably a 2.0L single turbodiesel. This engine is offered in foreign versions of the Ranger, where it’s rated at 158 hp and 284 lb.-ft. of torque. Ford also has a more powerful bi-turbo version of this engine (seen in the overseas Ranger Raptor), but this mule is not likely to have that engine.

A potential diesel-powered Ford Ranger would fight the diesel-powered Chevy Colorado in the United States.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde