By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Rhode Island legislature approved a bill allowing the issuance of courtesy registration plates to vehicles more than 25 years old.

The Rhode Island legislature approved a bill allowing the issuance of courtesy registration plates to vehicles more than 25 years old. Under the current law, “antique” plates are available for vehicles that are at least 25 years old and used only for exhibitions, parades and car club activities. Vehicles currently registered as “antique” may purchase and display replica year-of-manufacture plates with Division of Motor Vehicle approval. 

The bill will allow the DMV to issue rules covering the types of plates that can be issued using a combination of letters and numbers. The bill now heads to Governor Raimondo for approval.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) in opposition to threatened tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts.

SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) in opposition to threatened tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts. At the request of President Trump, the DOC is investigating whether these products pose a threat to America’s national security. The DOC will issue its findings and recommendations for presidential actions, if any. President Trump has stated that he is considering global tariffs of 20% to 25%. The tariffs could take effect prior to the mid-term elections.

The DOC investigation applies to all types of cars and parts, including new cars, classic cars, OEM parts and specialty auto parts. The move would directly affect all U.S. automakers and parts suppliers who use imported components, as well as importers of cars, trucks and SUVs.

SEMA will testify at a DOC hearing to be held July 19–20. Read SEMA’s submitted written comments.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) in opposition to threatened tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts.

SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) in opposition to threatened tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts. At the request of President Trump, the DOC is investigating whether these products pose a threat to America’s national security. The DOC will issue its findings and recommendations for presidential actions, if any. President Trump has stated that he is considering global tariffs of 20% to 25%. The tariffs could take effect prior to the mid-term elections.

The DOC investigation applies to all types of cars and parts, including new cars, classic cars, OEM parts and specialty auto parts. The move would directly affect all U.S. automakers and parts suppliers who use imported components, as well as importers of cars, trucks and SUVs.

SEMA will testify at a DOC hearing to be held July 19–20. Read SEMA’s submitted written comments.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) in opposition to threatened tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts.

SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) in opposition to threatened tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts. At the request of President Trump, the DOC is investigating whether these products pose a threat to America’s national security. The DOC will issue its findings and recommendations for presidential actions, if any. President Trump has stated that he is considering global tariffs of 20% to 25%. The tariffs could take effect prior to the mid-term elections.

The DOC investigation applies to all types of cars and parts, including new cars, classic cars, OEM parts and specialty auto parts. The move would directly affect all U.S. automakers and parts suppliers who use imported components, as well as importers of cars, trucks and SUVs.

SEMA will testify at a DOC hearing to be held July 19–20. Read SEMA’s submitted written comments.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

VP Racing Fuels Powers Evernham Ghost to Pikes Peak Win

NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham scored the class win at the 96th running of the historic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado. The Pikes Peak car, nicknamed “The Ghost,” for its pearl-white paint scheme, has the appearance of a ’36 Chevrolet sedan, but the aero performance of a high-tech Indy car, and is powered by an 850+ hp Chevrolet engine fueled by VP Racing Fuels.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

NCMA To Honor Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) will honor Dale Earnhardt Jr. with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award at its 13th annual North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank on January 29, 2019. Earnhardt Jr. will receive the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award for his impact on racing and his native state. Previous recipients of the Tribute Award are Earnhardt’s late father Dale Earnhardt, Benny Parsons, Richard Petty, Richard Childress, Junior Johnson, O. Bruton Smith, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Ned Jarrett and family, Mike Helton, Jeff Gordon, Roger Penske and Jack Roush. Retiring from full-time competition at the conclusion of the 2017 season, Earnhardt Jr. won 26 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races, two NASCAR Xfinity Series titles and 15 most popular driver awards. As owner and co-owner, he has claimed a total of four Xfinity Series championships (2004, 2005, 2014, 2017). In addition to his on-track accomplishments, Earnhardt Jr. continues to make positive impacts in his community through The Dale Jr. Foundation, raising more than $4.2 million to benefit communities, schools and underprivileged individuals since its inception in 2007. Individual tickets will go on sale September 1.

Ron Capps Receives Inaugural SCC Eric Medlen Award

Sonoma Raceway and the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) named NHRA Funny Car Champion Ron Capps as the inaugural recipient of the SCC Eric Medlen Award. Capps embodies Medlen’s best qualities and has supported charity. Sonoma Raceway and the Sonoma chapter of SCC will host its 12th annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity Dinner, Thursday, July 26, at Viansa Sonoma. New for 2018, the event will focus on honoring someone within the drag-racing community who embodies Medlen’s best qualities and has shown support of charitable efforts. Capps, a California native, is a long-time supporter of the Sonoma Chapter of SCC, and has also donated ticket and experience packages to support SCC’s fundraising efforts. Tickets for the evening are $150 per person or $1,500 per table and include wine/beer and dinner. All proceeds benefit qualified youth groups in Sonoma County in Medlen’s name through SCC. Nitro Night also serves as a kick-off to the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, July 27–29.

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

Ed Uehling from King Tailgate talks about his prototype, which was entered into the SEMA Launch Pad competition.

Ed Uehling from King Tailgate talks about his prototype, which was entered into the SEMA Launch Pad competition.

Ed Uehling from King Tailgate talks about his prototype, which was entered into the SEMA Launch Pad competition.

Here are the first shots of a production-spec LHD Ranger Raptor while testing in metro Detroit. Up until this point, Ford has only shown the RHD version of the truck.

Seeing this LHD Ranger Raptor testing stateside more less guarantees a U.S. debut, and should garner excitement for those still waiting for a confirmation from Ford. This truck features a Raptor graphics package, and the engine omitted that all too familiar diesel clang heard on earlier prototypes.

The Ranger Raptor made its official debut in Bangkok, Thailand, back in February. Upon debut, Ford confirmed that it would be equipped (overseas models) with an all-new twin turbo 2.0 diesel good for 211 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The ’19 Ranger FX4 debuted with a version of the 2.3L Ecoboost used in the Mustang and Lincoln MKC paired to a 10-speed automatic, although engine options for the Ranger Raptor should consist of a version of the 2.7L Ecoboost V6, also found in the F-150, and fingers crossed, the new twin turbo diesel.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the U.S.-spec Ranger Raptor made an official debut later this year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here are the first shots of a production-spec LHD Ranger Raptor while testing in metro Detroit. Up until this point, Ford has only shown the RHD version of the truck.

Seeing this LHD Ranger Raptor testing stateside more less guarantees a U.S. debut, and should garner excitement for those still waiting for a confirmation from Ford. This truck features a Raptor graphics package, and the engine omitted that all too familiar diesel clang heard on earlier prototypes.

The Ranger Raptor made its official debut in Bangkok, Thailand, back in February. Upon debut, Ford confirmed that it would be equipped (overseas models) with an all-new twin turbo 2.0 diesel good for 211 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The ’19 Ranger FX4 debuted with a version of the 2.3L Ecoboost used in the Mustang and Lincoln MKC paired to a 10-speed automatic, although engine options for the Ranger Raptor should consist of a version of the 2.7L Ecoboost V6, also found in the F-150, and fingers crossed, the new twin turbo diesel.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the U.S.-spec Ranger Raptor made an official debut later this year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde