By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

During the SEMA Show, meet automotive media personality Courtney Hansen at the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) vehicle display.

Automotive media personality Courtney Hansen will once again be the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) guest at the 2018 SEMA Show. Those attending can meet her Wednesday, October 31, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #60003 (outside Central Hall). In addition to meeting and greeting attendees, she will promote the SAN’s influence on state and federal proposals affecting enthusiasts nationwide. In fact, bills threatening the hobby in states across the nation are opposed by SAN forces each year—some are killed in less than 24 hours. On the flip side, efforts to preserve and enjoy the classics of the past and the future are supported on a pathway toward enactment into law.  

Stop by to have your photo taken with Hansen and find out the latest word on keeping the nation’s prized vehicles on the road. Get a head start at www.semaSAN.com. Hotchkis Sport Suspension’s “E-Max” ’71 Dodge Challenger T/A will also be featured and will stand as this year’s visual symbol for Show attendees of the types of vehicles and equipment that many states seek to restrict and regulate.  

For more about the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Zane Clark

Take the time to explore the 125-plus educational seminars that are offered at the 2018 SEMA Show.

There are so many great ways to learn and sharpen your skills these days: you can read blogs, listen to podcasts, watch how-to videos on YouTube and attend webinars, just to name a few. Why bother with the time and investment of an in-person conference or workshop?

If that’s your attitude, you may be missing out on one of the best opportunities to take your game to the next level. Live events—conferences, workshops, lunch & learns—provide unique learning and career-building opportunities that you just can’t find anywhere else.

Below you’ll find five tips to help you make the most of your SEMA Show Education experience:

Step 1: Sign up. Take the time to explore the 125-plus educational seminars that are offered. Give thought to the skills that you need to sharpen and those that will advance your career, and strategies that will grow your business, then register. Preview all seminars.

Step 2: Schedule your time. The SEMA Show is jam-packed with business opportunities. From the trade-show floor to industry meetings and networking events, there is always something competing for your time. Factor in Vegas traffic and the square footage the Show covers, and it becomes even more important to build out your calendar.  

Step 3: Use the mobile conference app. Take advantage of new technologies. Conference apps are convenient and efficient ways to navigate a conference. They are easy to use and will help you review important conference information as you move through seminars and events. Download the SEMA Show app.

Step 4: Participate. Raise your hand, offer a comment, tell a story, frame a challenge, suggest a solution, give an example, reflect, engage and engage others! Be an active rather than a passive participant. Much of the learning that takes place at a conference happens through peer-to-peer sharing and interaction.

Step 5: Become a Power User. To recognize attendees who make education a priority—new for 2018—SEMA Education will highlight regular seminar attendees as Power Users. It’s easy. Pick up a Power User pass at the Quad (located in the upper North Hall, outside room N251), attend any three seminars you like, and get you pass punched by the room ambassadors. Then return your pass to the Quad and get free SEMA swag.* Learn more.

*While supplies last.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all sessions and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

Other Recommended Seminars:

SEMA Suggested: 3 Seminars Featuring Automotive Personalities.
SEMA Suggested: Market Research Trends to Help Your Business.
SEMA Suggested: 3 Seminars on How to Leverage Data in Decision Making.

By Zane Clark

Take the time to explore the 125-plus educational seminars that are offered at the 2018 SEMA Show.

There are so many great ways to learn and sharpen your skills these days: you can read blogs, listen to podcasts, watch how-to videos on YouTube and attend webinars, just to name a few. Why bother with the time and investment of an in-person conference or workshop?

If that’s your attitude, you may be missing out on one of the best opportunities to take your game to the next level. Live events—conferences, workshops, lunch & learns—provide unique learning and career-building opportunities that you just can’t find anywhere else.

Below you’ll find five tips to help you make the most of your SEMA Show Education experience:

Step 1: Sign up. Take the time to explore the 125-plus educational seminars that are offered. Give thought to the skills that you need to sharpen and those that will advance your career, and strategies that will grow your business, then register. Preview all seminars.

Step 2: Schedule your time. The SEMA Show is jam-packed with business opportunities. From the trade-show floor to industry meetings and networking events, there is always something competing for your time. Factor in Vegas traffic and the square footage the Show covers, and it becomes even more important to build out your calendar.  

Step 3: Use the mobile conference app. Take advantage of new technologies. Conference apps are convenient and efficient ways to navigate a conference. They are easy to use and will help you review important conference information as you move through seminars and events. Download the SEMA Show app.

Step 4: Participate. Raise your hand, offer a comment, tell a story, frame a challenge, suggest a solution, give an example, reflect, engage and engage others! Be an active rather than a passive participant. Much of the learning that takes place at a conference happens through peer-to-peer sharing and interaction.

Step 5: Become a Power User. To recognize attendees who make education a priority—new for 2018—SEMA Education will highlight regular seminar attendees as Power Users. It’s easy. Pick up a Power User pass at the Quad (located in the upper North Hall, outside room N251), attend any three seminars you like, and get you pass punched by the room ambassadors. Then return your pass to the Quad and get free SEMA swag.* Learn more.

*While supplies last.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all sessions and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

Other Recommended Seminars:

SEMA Suggested: 3 Seminars Featuring Automotive Personalities.
SEMA Suggested: Market Research Trends to Help Your Business.
SEMA Suggested: 3 Seminars on How to Leverage Data in Decision Making.

By Zane Clark

Take the time to explore the 125-plus educational seminars that are offered at the 2018 SEMA Show.

There are so many great ways to learn and sharpen your skills these days: you can read blogs, listen to podcasts, watch how-to videos on YouTube and attend webinars, just to name a few. Why bother with the time and investment of an in-person conference or workshop?

If that’s your attitude, you may be missing out on one of the best opportunities to take your game to the next level. Live events—conferences, workshops, lunch & learns—provide unique learning and career-building opportunities that you just can’t find anywhere else.

Below you’ll find five tips to help you make the most of your SEMA Show Education experience:

Step 1: Sign up. Take the time to explore the 125-plus educational seminars that are offered. Give thought to the skills that you need to sharpen and those that will advance your career, and strategies that will grow your business, then register. Preview all seminars.

Step 2: Schedule your time. The SEMA Show is jam-packed with business opportunities. From the trade-show floor to industry meetings and networking events, there is always something competing for your time. Factor in Vegas traffic and the square footage the Show covers, and it becomes even more important to build out your calendar.  

Step 3: Use the mobile conference app. Take advantage of new technologies. Conference apps are convenient and efficient ways to navigate a conference. They are easy to use and will help you review important conference information as you move through seminars and events. Download the SEMA Show app.

Step 4: Participate. Raise your hand, offer a comment, tell a story, frame a challenge, suggest a solution, give an example, reflect, engage and engage others! Be an active rather than a passive participant. Much of the learning that takes place at a conference happens through peer-to-peer sharing and interaction.

Step 5: Become a Power User. To recognize attendees who make education a priority—new for 2018—SEMA Education will highlight regular seminar attendees as Power Users. It’s easy. Pick up a Power User pass at the Quad (located in the upper North Hall, outside room N251), attend any three seminars you like, and get you pass punched by the room ambassadors. Then return your pass to the Quad and get free SEMA swag.* Learn more.

*While supplies last.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview all sessions and register.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

Other Recommended Seminars:

SEMA Suggested: 3 Seminars Featuring Automotive Personalities.
SEMA Suggested: Market Research Trends to Help Your Business.
SEMA Suggested: 3 Seminars on How to Leverage Data in Decision Making.

By SEMA Editors

With the recent news about an EPA Consent Decree sending shock waves throughout the industry, it is more important than ever to understand emissions regulations and how to comply. The SEMA Emissions Compliance team will present the seminar “Changes to the CARB E.O. Program and EPA’s Memo 1A; What You Need To Know,” Thursday, November 1, from 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m., in the Upper North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N258. This seminar will provide an overview of upcoming changes to the CARB Aftermarket Parts Exemption Procedures, changes to the EPA’s Memo 1A resulting from the Consent Decree and how SEMA can assist members in understanding these changes and complying with emissions regulations.

Panelists will include:

• Mike Spagnola – SEMA vice president of OEM & product development programs
• Peter Treydte – SEMA director of emissions compliance
• David Goch – SEMA general counsel
• Jason Flores – CARB air resources engineer, aftermarket parts section
• Evan Belser – EPA chief, vehicle and engine enforcement branch

A Q&A session following the presentations will allow attendees to interact directly with the government officials that manage these programs. This seminar is a must for anyone involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale, installation or use of performance-related parts for street vehicles.

Register to attend.

By SEMA Editors

With the recent news about an EPA Consent Decree sending shock waves throughout the industry, it is more important than ever to understand emissions regulations and how to comply. The SEMA Emissions Compliance team will present the seminar “Changes to the CARB E.O. Program and EPA’s Memo 1A; What You Need To Know,” Thursday, November 1, from 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m., in the Upper North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N258. This seminar will provide an overview of upcoming changes to the CARB Aftermarket Parts Exemption Procedures, changes to the EPA’s Memo 1A resulting from the Consent Decree and how SEMA can assist members in understanding these changes and complying with emissions regulations.

Panelists will include:

• Mike Spagnola – SEMA vice president of OEM & product development programs
• Peter Treydte – SEMA director of emissions compliance
• David Goch – SEMA general counsel
• Jason Flores – CARB air resources engineer, aftermarket parts section
• Evan Belser – EPA chief, vehicle and engine enforcement branch

A Q&A session following the presentations will allow attendees to interact directly with the government officials that manage these programs. This seminar is a must for anyone involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale, installation or use of performance-related parts for street vehicles.

Register to attend.

By SEMA Editors

With the recent news about an EPA Consent Decree sending shock waves throughout the industry, it is more important than ever to understand emissions regulations and how to comply. The SEMA Emissions Compliance team will present the seminar “Changes to the CARB E.O. Program and EPA’s Memo 1A; What You Need To Know,” Thursday, November 1, from 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m., in the Upper North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N258. This seminar will provide an overview of upcoming changes to the CARB Aftermarket Parts Exemption Procedures, changes to the EPA’s Memo 1A resulting from the Consent Decree and how SEMA can assist members in understanding these changes and complying with emissions regulations.

Panelists will include:

• Mike Spagnola – SEMA vice president of OEM & product development programs
• Peter Treydte – SEMA director of emissions compliance
• David Goch – SEMA general counsel
• Jason Flores – CARB air resources engineer, aftermarket parts section
• Evan Belser – EPA chief, vehicle and engine enforcement branch

A Q&A session following the presentations will allow attendees to interact directly with the government officials that manage these programs. This seminar is a must for anyone involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale, installation or use of performance-related parts for street vehicles.

Register to attend.

By SEMA Editors

With the recent news about an EPA Consent Decree sending shock waves throughout the industry, it is more important than ever to understand emissions regulations and how to comply. The SEMA Emissions Compliance team will present the seminar “Changes to the CARB E.O. Program and EPA’s Memo 1A; What You Need To Know,” Thursday, November 1, from 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m., in the Upper North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N258. This seminar will provide an overview of upcoming changes to the CARB Aftermarket Parts Exemption Procedures, changes to the EPA’s Memo 1A resulting from the Consent Decree and how SEMA can assist members in understanding these changes and complying with emissions regulations.

Panelists will include:

• Mike Spagnola – SEMA vice president of OEM & product development programs
• Peter Treydte – SEMA director of emissions compliance
• David Goch – SEMA general counsel
• Jason Flores – CARB air resources engineer, aftermarket parts section
• Evan Belser – EPA chief, vehicle and engine enforcement branch

A Q&A session following the presentations will allow attendees to interact directly with the government officials that manage these programs. This seminar is a must for anyone involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale, installation or use of performance-related parts for street vehicles.

Register to attend.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Champion James Deane (center) with second place Fredric Aasbo (left) and third place Piotr Wiecek (right).

Annual Formula DRIFT Awards Recognize Top Achievers

Formula DRIFT (FD) honored the top drivers, newcomers, fan favorites and the people who play an important part behind the scenes at its 2018 awards banquet last weekend:

2018 FD Pro Awards:

• 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship: James Deane
• Auto Manufacturer’s Cup: Toyota
• Tire Manufacturer’s Cup: Falken
• Fan-Favorite Driver: James Deane
• Fan-Favorite Car: Ford Mustang RTR driven by Chelsea Denofa
• Top Qualifier of the Year: James Deane
• Rookie of the Year: Dirk Stratton
• Best Drifting Style: Forrest Wang
• Hardest Charger: Chelsea Denofa
• Takedown of the Year: Piotr Wiecek
• Most Improved Driver of the Year: Matt Field
• Comeback of the Year: Matt Coffman at FD Seattle, where he qualified 22nd and finished eighth.
• Perfect Event Award: Fredric Aasbo
• Spirit of Drifting: Michael Essa
• Giving Back Award: Daijiro Yoshihara
• Special Recognition: Chris Forsberg for being the first driver to surpass 200 wins in head-to-head FD battles.
• Spotter of the Year: Amy Bakchis
• Crew Member of the Year: Stan Williams from Justin Pawlak Racing
• Crew Chief of the Year: Garrett Nikolich from Forrest Wang’s Get Nuts Lab
• Team Manager of the Year: Stephan Papadakis from Papadakis Racing
  

2018 FD Pro2 Awards:

• 2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro2 Championship: Travis Reeder
• Fan-Favorite Driver: Dylan Hughes
• Fan-Favorite Car: Nissan 350Z driven by Alec Robbins
• Top Qualifier of the Year: Brandon Schmidt
• Rookie of the Year: Sebastien Gauthier
• Most Improved of the Year: Crick Filippi
• Comeback of the Year: Travis Reeder at FD St Louis, where he qualified 14th and won the event.

Fry and Rupert Victorious at California Hot Rod Reuion

The 2018 California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, completed competition at Auto Club Famoso Raceway last Sunday crowning not only event winners but also many champions in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series. Mendy Fry piloted her High Speed Motorsports dragster to victory with a 5.61-second pass at 259.36 mph in the Nostalgia Top Fuel final taking out Rick McGee. Fry was the top qualifier for the weekend and achieved the low ET for the event in the semi-finals with a 5.550 ET. In Nostalgia Funny Car, Jason Rupert took home the Wally when he ran a 5.63 pass at 259.51 in his ’69 Camaro bettering Rian Konno’s 5.855 pass at 241.84. Other winners included Brian Hope in AA/Fuel Altered, Drew Austin in A/Fuel, John Marottek in Junior Fuel, Steve Faller in 7.0 Pro, Bernie Plourd in Nostalgia Eliminator 1, Robert Johnson in Nostalgia Eliminator 2, Lindsey Lister in Nostalgia Eliminator 3, Brian Rogers in A/Gas, Val Miller in B/Gas, Bill Becker in C/Gas, Bill Norton in D/Gas, Scott White in AA/Gas, Roger Holder in Pro Mod, Jack Goodrich in A/FX and Alex George in Hot Rod. The 2018 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series champions are Fry in Top Fuel, Bobby Cottrell in Funny Car, Austin in A/Fuel, Marottek in Jr. Fuel, Brad Denny in 7.0 Pro, Dustin Lee in Nostalgia Eliminator 1, Johnson in Nostalgia Eliminator 2, Ed DeStaute in Nostalgia Eliminator 3, Frank Merenda in A/Gas, Kevin Riley in B/Gas, Chris Rea in C/Gas, Ed Carey in D/Gas and Dale Hicks in Hot Rod.

With a top speed of 503.334 mph, the Turbinator II is now the world’s fastest wheel-driven vehicle.

Turbinator II Makes 503-mph Run at Bonneville

Team Vesco and the Turbinator II are the first to be inducted into the 500-mph club, thanks to a run at the Bonneville Salt Flats earlier this month. With a top speed of 503.334 mph, the Turbinator II is now the world’s fastest wheel-driven vehicle. Featuring Mickey Thompson’s land-speed tires, the Turbinator II is driven by a Lycoming T55 turbine engine from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. Unfortunately, Team Vesco’s history-making run wasn’t enough to land them in the official record books, as land-speed records require the average of two runs. Inclement weather conditions prevented the crew from making a second pass and solidifying the official record. In August, Danny Thompson set the land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats after a two-way average run of 448.757 mph in the Challenger II, a racecar originally built by his father Mickey Thompson more than 50 years ago. Thompson’s run broke the 439-mph record held by George Poteet.

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

Compiled by SEMA Editors

2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Champion James Deane (center) with second place Fredric Aasbo (left) and third place Piotr Wiecek (right).

Annual Formula DRIFT Awards Recognize Top Achievers

Formula DRIFT (FD) honored the top drivers, newcomers, fan favorites and the people who play an important part behind the scenes at its 2018 awards banquet last weekend:

2018 FD Pro Awards:

• 2018 Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship: James Deane
• Auto Manufacturer’s Cup: Toyota
• Tire Manufacturer’s Cup: Falken
• Fan-Favorite Driver: James Deane
• Fan-Favorite Car: Ford Mustang RTR driven by Chelsea Denofa
• Top Qualifier of the Year: James Deane
• Rookie of the Year: Dirk Stratton
• Best Drifting Style: Forrest Wang
• Hardest Charger: Chelsea Denofa
• Takedown of the Year: Piotr Wiecek
• Most Improved Driver of the Year: Matt Field
• Comeback of the Year: Matt Coffman at FD Seattle, where he qualified 22nd and finished eighth.
• Perfect Event Award: Fredric Aasbo
• Spirit of Drifting: Michael Essa
• Giving Back Award: Daijiro Yoshihara
• Special Recognition: Chris Forsberg for being the first driver to surpass 200 wins in head-to-head FD battles.
• Spotter of the Year: Amy Bakchis
• Crew Member of the Year: Stan Williams from Justin Pawlak Racing
• Crew Chief of the Year: Garrett Nikolich from Forrest Wang’s Get Nuts Lab
• Team Manager of the Year: Stephan Papadakis from Papadakis Racing
  

2018 FD Pro2 Awards:

• 2018 Formula DRIFT Link ECU Pro2 Championship: Travis Reeder
• Fan-Favorite Driver: Dylan Hughes
• Fan-Favorite Car: Nissan 350Z driven by Alec Robbins
• Top Qualifier of the Year: Brandon Schmidt
• Rookie of the Year: Sebastien Gauthier
• Most Improved of the Year: Crick Filippi
• Comeback of the Year: Travis Reeder at FD St Louis, where he qualified 14th and won the event.

Fry and Rupert Victorious at California Hot Rod Reuion

The 2018 California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, completed competition at Auto Club Famoso Raceway last Sunday crowning not only event winners but also many champions in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series. Mendy Fry piloted her High Speed Motorsports dragster to victory with a 5.61-second pass at 259.36 mph in the Nostalgia Top Fuel final taking out Rick McGee. Fry was the top qualifier for the weekend and achieved the low ET for the event in the semi-finals with a 5.550 ET. In Nostalgia Funny Car, Jason Rupert took home the Wally when he ran a 5.63 pass at 259.51 in his ’69 Camaro bettering Rian Konno’s 5.855 pass at 241.84. Other winners included Brian Hope in AA/Fuel Altered, Drew Austin in A/Fuel, John Marottek in Junior Fuel, Steve Faller in 7.0 Pro, Bernie Plourd in Nostalgia Eliminator 1, Robert Johnson in Nostalgia Eliminator 2, Lindsey Lister in Nostalgia Eliminator 3, Brian Rogers in A/Gas, Val Miller in B/Gas, Bill Becker in C/Gas, Bill Norton in D/Gas, Scott White in AA/Gas, Roger Holder in Pro Mod, Jack Goodrich in A/FX and Alex George in Hot Rod. The 2018 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series champions are Fry in Top Fuel, Bobby Cottrell in Funny Car, Austin in A/Fuel, Marottek in Jr. Fuel, Brad Denny in 7.0 Pro, Dustin Lee in Nostalgia Eliminator 1, Johnson in Nostalgia Eliminator 2, Ed DeStaute in Nostalgia Eliminator 3, Frank Merenda in A/Gas, Kevin Riley in B/Gas, Chris Rea in C/Gas, Ed Carey in D/Gas and Dale Hicks in Hot Rod.

With a top speed of 503.334 mph, the Turbinator II is now the world’s fastest wheel-driven vehicle.

Turbinator II Makes 503-mph Run at Bonneville

Team Vesco and the Turbinator II are the first to be inducted into the 500-mph club, thanks to a run at the Bonneville Salt Flats earlier this month. With a top speed of 503.334 mph, the Turbinator II is now the world’s fastest wheel-driven vehicle. Featuring Mickey Thompson’s land-speed tires, the Turbinator II is driven by a Lycoming T55 turbine engine from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. Unfortunately, Team Vesco’s history-making run wasn’t enough to land them in the official record books, as land-speed records require the average of two runs. Inclement weather conditions prevented the crew from making a second pass and solidifying the official record. In August, Danny Thompson set the land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats after a two-way average run of 448.757 mph in the Challenger II, a racecar originally built by his father Mickey Thompson more than 50 years ago. Thompson’s run broke the 439-mph record held by George Poteet.

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