Connect With Local Peers at Several YEN Regional Networking Events
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 10:11

By Katie Carson

sand sports

The Young Executives Network (YEN) will host a series of regional networking opportunities for local young automotive industry members at popular automotive events, where attendees can connect with local peers in a fun and relaxing environment. Check out these upcoming events to find out if YEN is coming to a city near you:

Sand Sport Super Show – Costa Mesa, California
September 16, 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

YEN and the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) are co-hosting a networking event at the Sand Sport Super Show in Costa Mesa, California, for local automotive professionals. After enjoying a day of activities and attractions, cap off the night with industry friends at Hangar 24 Craft Brewery with free beverage tastings and snacks.

Register by September 13 to receive one general admission pass into the Sand Sport Super Show.

speed ring

The Speed Ring – Pontiac, Michigan
September 30, 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

YEN is hosting a networking event for local automotive professionals at Motovicity’s motorsports competition festival, The Speed Ring. Enjoy a day of watching exciting races, indulge in local fare and patron some of the coolest Detroit shops before capping off the evening with industry friends in the VIP pavilion over free beverages and snacks.

Register by September 20 to receive one general admission pass into The Speed Ring.

formulad

Formula DRIFT – Irwindale, California
October 13, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

YEN is hosting a networking event for local automotive professionals at the Formula DRIFT Championship at Irwindale Speedway. After enjoying a day of watching your favorite drivers battle it out to be named 2017 Formula DRIFT Champion, cap off the evening with industry friends from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., and enjoy free beverages.  

Register for this event.

 

Mark Your Calendars
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 10:06

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

Hot Links to Cool Sites
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 10:04

By SEMA Editors

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

Register for the 2017 SEMA Show
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 10:02

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

Register for the 2017 SEMA Show
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 10:02

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

Industry Jobs
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 09:58

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

Federal Court Strikes Down Overtime Pay Rule
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 09:20

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal court overturned a 2016 rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which greatly expanded the number of salaried employees who are required to be paid time-and-a-half for overtime work. The DOL rule raised the minimum salary threshold required to qualify for the Fair Labor Standards Act’s “white collar” exemption to $47,476 per year. The rule was scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2016, but the same federal court placed it on hold last November pending review.

The old threshold remains in effect. Management, administrative and professional employees who earn a salary of more than $23,660 per year are exempt from receiving overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours per week. The rule impacts an estimated 4.2 million salaried workers. Some employers had already increased workers’ salaries or adjusted work schedules in anticipation that the 2016 rule would take effect.

The DOL intends to revisit the issue and has requested public feedback on issues addressed in the rule such as whether the current threshold should be updated for inflation and whether that threshold should consider other factors such as employer size, industry and regional cost of living. 

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

Federal Court Strikes Down Overtime Pay Rule
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 09:20

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal court overturned a 2016 rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which greatly expanded the number of salaried employees who are required to be paid time-and-a-half for overtime work. The DOL rule raised the minimum salary threshold required to qualify for the Fair Labor Standards Act’s “white collar” exemption to $47,476 per year. The rule was scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2016, but the same federal court placed it on hold last November pending review.

The old threshold remains in effect. Management, administrative and professional employees who earn a salary of more than $23,660 per year are exempt from receiving overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours per week. The rule impacts an estimated 4.2 million salaried workers. Some employers had already increased workers’ salaries or adjusted work schedules in anticipation that the 2016 rule would take effect.

The DOL intends to revisit the issue and has requested public feedback on issues addressed in the rule such as whether the current threshold should be updated for inflation and whether that threshold should consider other factors such as employer size, industry and regional cost of living. 

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

Video—Hot Rod Magazine Editor Evan Perkins on Industry Role
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 09:05

Hot Rod magazine Editor-in-Chief Evan Perkins talks with Dennis Pittsenbarger about the future of the magazine and its role in the industry.

Racing News: Torrence, Todd, Skillman and Krawiec Winners at Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 08:40

Compiled by SEMA Editors

torrence
Steve Torrence piloted his Capco Contractors dragster to the Top Fuel victory last Monday at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

Torrence, Todd, Skillman and Krawiec Winners at Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals

Steve Torrence piloted his Capco Contractors dragster to the Top Fuel victory last Monday at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. J.R. Todd (Funny Car), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victorious at the 18th event of 24 on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Series Drag Racing Series schedule. Torrence raced to a 3.757-second pass at 322.96 mph to defeat Kebin Kinsley who lost traction in his Road Rage Fuel Booster dragster at the start of the final. It is Torrence’s first win at the Chevy Performance U.S. Nationals, seventh of the season and 15th of his career. Torrence also won the Top Fuel Traxxas Nitro Shootout, the lucrative race-within-a-race with a $100,000 cash prize. With his semifinal win over Leah Pritchett, Torrence clinched the No. 1 seed heading into the Countdown to the Championship—NHRA’s six-race playoff.

Todd powered past Funny Car reigning world champion Ron Capps with a 3.949 pass at 325.53 in his DHL Toyota Camry to better Capps’ 3.923 at 325.61 in his NAPA Dodge Charger. It is Todd’s first career win at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, his second of the season and of his Funny Car Career. He’s secured the No. 9 spot heading into the Countdown to the Championship.

In Pro Stock, Skillman ran a 6.676 pass at 206.61 in his Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro to defeat Greg Anderson’s 6.660 at 208.01 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro on a holeshot for his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory, fourth win of the season and seventh of his career.

Krawiec rode to the Pro Stock Motorcycle win with his 6.858 pass at 196.90 on his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to defeat Hector Arana Jr. and his Lucas Oil Buell’s 6.886 pass at 195.48. This was Krawiec’s second Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory, his third win of the season and 39th of his career.

The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues September 15–17 at zMAX Dragway with the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals and the kickoff to the Countdown to the Championship.

mahle
The GsR vehicle that broke the landspeed record for diesel trucks is a Chevy S10 retrofitted with a high-powered diesel engine.

MAHLE Aftermarket Inc., MAHLE Motorsports Power Greenspeed Research to World Landspeed Record for
Diesel Trucks

With a powertrain consisting of MAHLE Motorsports Monotherm steel pistons, Clevite bearings and MAHLE Original gaskets, non-profit organization Greenspeed Research (GsR) broke the landspeed record for diesel trucks. Driver Dave Shenker, GsR CTO Patrick Johnson and the other GsR team members reached a speed of 219.411 mph at the 69th Annual Southern California Timing Association Speed Week, August 18, in Utah. The previous diesel speed record stood for 10 years at 215.091mph. Racing among 500 other entrants at the event, the GsR vehicle is a Chevy S10 retrofitted with a high-powered diesel engine.

Strong Support for Amateur Riders at the Motorex Challenge

After its debut at the 2016 ISDE in Navarra, Spain, the Motorex Challenge returned in the Swiss lubricant manufacturer’s centenary year with great success. Italian Moto Club Pavia dominated this year’s edition of the Club Trophy competition with 28 participating teams. They claimed victory with their “Pavia Senior” team, and also came in third with their “Pavia Junior” team. They were joined on the podium by the “KBS UAMK Team Unhost” squad from the Czech Republic. In the Motorex Challenge of the Vintage Trophy, a total of 45 riders participated aboard their vintage machines. Philippe Vellas from France came out on top with Rolf Nickolai from Germany a close second and Italian Riccardo Terranova in third. The 93rd edition of the ISDE will take place in Chile in 2018 and Motorex will return as main partner of the event and direct supporter of the amateur riders of the Club Trophy and Vintage Trophy competitions.