The RPM Act of 2017 needs your support. Even if you wrote to Congress in 2016, SEMA urges all race fans and businesses to take action again. Go to www.sema.org/RPM to support the RPM Act of 2017 and secure the future of racing today!

The RPM Act of 2017 needs your support. Even if you wrote to Congress in 2016, SEMA urges all race fans and businesses to take action again. Go to www.sema.org/RPM to support the RPM Act of 2017 and secure the future of racing today!

By SEMA Editors

Speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media and vehicle customization are encouraged to submit an application to host a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show.

SEMA Show Education is now accepting applications for industry professionals interested in hosting a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show. Of particular interest to the industry are speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media, and vehicle customization.

To learn more, access the application and read the criteria.

The educational seminars make up an essential component of the SEMA Show. In addition to connecting automotive manufacturers with professional buyers from all over the world, the four-day SEMA Show is the leading venue for industry experts to network in person and learn new business strategies.

The 2017 SEMA Show education program featured more than 60 sessions. While topics address basic business practices, such as customer service, marketing and social media, the 2018 program will emphasize issues that are of greatest concern to businesses in the automotive aftermarket.

All speakers should be able to focus on industry issues and not a specific company position or agenda.

Applications for speaker submissions are available until Monday, February 12, 2018. Speaker entries will be answered no later than April 20, 2018. For more details, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org, 909-978-6743.

By SEMA Editors

Speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media and vehicle customization are encouraged to submit an application to host a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show.

SEMA Show Education is now accepting applications for industry professionals interested in hosting a seminar during the 2018 SEMA Show. Of particular interest to the industry are speakers with experience in marketing and sales, customer service, business management, automotive trends, social media, and vehicle customization.

To learn more, access the application and read the criteria.

The educational seminars make up an essential component of the SEMA Show. In addition to connecting automotive manufacturers with professional buyers from all over the world, the four-day SEMA Show is the leading venue for industry experts to network in person and learn new business strategies.

The 2017 SEMA Show education program featured more than 60 sessions. While topics address basic business practices, such as customer service, marketing and social media, the 2018 program will emphasize issues that are of greatest concern to businesses in the automotive aftermarket.

All speakers should be able to focus on industry issues and not a specific company position or agenda.

Applications for speaker submissions are available until Monday, February 12, 2018. Speaker entries will be answered no later than April 20, 2018. For more details, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org, 909-978-6743.

By Juan Torres

The Media Trade Conference gives editors and reporters an opportunity to take part in up to 42 private, uninterrupted meetings with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry.

Journalists can still meet with representatives from top motorsports parts manufacturers at the 2018 MPMC Media Trade Conference by registering now.

Taking place Tuesday–Thursday, January 23–25, in Santa Ana, California, the Media Trade Conference gives editors and reporters an opportunity to take part in up to 42 private, uninterrupted meetings with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry.

Media participation is free to all editorial representatives, making it the most affordable and efficient way for reporters to get detailed information specific to their audience needs and interests, and gather a year’s worth of editorial content.

Journalists who registered before the December 21 early-registration deadline and received the automatic confirmation email will receive their schedules by January 12. Those who register after the deadline will have a personalized schedule created and ready for them at the event.

For more details and tips to prepare for the event, visit SEMA’s website or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org or 909-978-6722.

By Juan Torres

The Media Trade Conference gives editors and reporters an opportunity to take part in up to 42 private, uninterrupted meetings with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry.

Journalists can still meet with representatives from top motorsports parts manufacturers at the 2018 MPMC Media Trade Conference by registering now.

Taking place Tuesday–Thursday, January 23–25, in Santa Ana, California, the Media Trade Conference gives editors and reporters an opportunity to take part in up to 42 private, uninterrupted meetings with executives from top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry.

Media participation is free to all editorial representatives, making it the most affordable and efficient way for reporters to get detailed information specific to their audience needs and interests, and gather a year’s worth of editorial content.

Journalists who registered before the December 21 early-registration deadline and received the automatic confirmation email will receive their schedules by January 12. Those who register after the deadline will have a personalized schedule created and ready for them at the event.

For more details and tips to prepare for the event, visit SEMA’s website or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org or 909-978-6722.

By SEMA Editors

Project vehicle proposals for Ford's project vehicle program must be received by March 1, 2018.

Ford Motor Co. has announced its project-vehicle program for 2018. 

2018 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2018
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 1, 2018

All project vehicle requests must be submitted in two parts and meet the following Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program criteria:

Part 1

Email a one-page project summary—must be received by March 1, 2018. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2018 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2018. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

Information on Ford vehicles is available at: www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A manufacturer or designer/restyler dedicated to supporting new-product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Use Ford accessory products as specified and provided by Ford Motor Company.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability, $3 million in automotive liability, $1 million in employer liability and demonstrate worker's compensation coverage. An umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its dealers for display, at the owner's discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development
2. Modifications to the vehicle
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event)
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies)
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle
6. Social media exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration

Information on the specific vehicles Ford plans to emphasize at the 2018 SEMA Show will follow in January. Details will be provided to allow you to research those products and find high-resolution images for renderings.

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Mike Nicopolis & Rob Fridenberg
semainfo@ford.com

By SEMA Editors

Project vehicle proposals for Ford's project vehicle program must be received by March 1, 2018.

Ford Motor Co. has announced its project-vehicle program for 2018. 

2018 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2018
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 1, 2018

All project vehicle requests must be submitted in two parts and meet the following Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program criteria:

Part 1

Email a one-page project summary—must be received by March 1, 2018. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2018 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2018. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

Information on Ford vehicles is available at: www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A manufacturer or designer/restyler dedicated to supporting new-product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Use Ford accessory products as specified and provided by Ford Motor Company.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability, $3 million in automotive liability, $1 million in employer liability and demonstrate worker's compensation coverage. An umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its dealers for display, at the owner's discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development
2. Modifications to the vehicle
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event)
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies)
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle
6. Social media exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration

Information on the specific vehicles Ford plans to emphasize at the 2018 SEMA Show will follow in January. Details will be provided to allow you to research those products and find high-resolution images for renderings.

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Mike Nicopolis & Rob Fridenberg
semainfo@ford.com

Compiled by SEMA Editors

The AAM Group, through its Parts Pro marketing program, presented the Excellence Cup honoring the Fastest Overall Perfect Engine Build winner to Team Meziere Enterprises from Burton Center for Arts & Tech at the 2017 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championships in Indianapolis.

Parts Pro Recognizes Fastest Perfect Engine Builds at Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Championship

The AAM Group, through its Parts Pro marketing program, presented the Excellence Cup honoring the Fastest Overall Perfect Engine Build winner to Team Meziere Enterprises from Burton Center for Arts & Tech at the 2017 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championships in Indianapolis. The team, from Salem, Virginia, was coached by Chris Overfelt.

During the Elite Eight competition, Team Meziere broke the national record with a total time of 15:33, shattering the previous record of 16:11 set in November 2015. They finished their second run in 15:37; however, during their final run, the team incurred a five-minute penalty and missed repeating as national champions by three seconds.

As a result, The AAM Group pledged to honor every team building a perfect engine in the Elite Eight competition during the PRI Trade Show. AAM created The Excellence Cup as a perpetual award that will be kept and displayed by the winning school for one year and then transferred annually to the fastest perfect engine-building team among Elite Eight teams. The base will be inscribed with the team’s name and school of all past winners as a perpetual recognition of their accomplishments.

AAM Program Sales Manager Jerry Simpson presented the awards at the season-finale event conducted in Indianapolis. Teams that achieved at least one perfect engine build during the Elite Eight competition were awarded a plaque, while the team that clocked the fastest overall perfect engine was awarded with the Excellence Cup.

Elite Eight Perfect Engine Build honorees:

• Team Meziere, Burton Center for Arts & Tech, Virginia (Instructor: Chris Overfelt) (Excellence Cup winner) 
• Team Aeromotive, Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center, Oklahoma (Instructor: Jim LaFevers)
• Team Fragola, Fremd High School, Illinois (Instructor: Steven Elza) 
• Team Fel-Pro, Tulsa Technology Center, Oklahoma (Instructor: Greg Gilliam)
• Team K&N Filter, Burton Center for Arts & Technology, Virginia (Instructor: Steven Hoback)
• Team QA1, Forsyth Central High School, Georgia (Instructor: Jacob Cochran)
• Team Howards Cams, Lakeshore High School, Michigan (Instructor: Doug Haygood)
• Team Derale, Forsyth Central High School, Georgia (Instructor: Marlo Miranda)

Centric Parts has received the “Outstanding Shipping Performance Award” from the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance.

Centric Parts Receives Outstanding Shipping Performance Award from Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance

Centric Parts, a division of APC Automotive Technologies, has received the “Outstanding Shipping Performance Award” from the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. This is the second consecutive year that Centric Parts has received the honor, which was given in recognition of the 95% or greater fill rate that Centric Parts was able to deliver throughout the calendar year for all product lines, including drums and rotors, friction and hydraulics. The award was presented during the annual Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Winter Supplier/Membership Meetings in Miami, Florida, December 3–6.

Wes-Coast Marketing to Represent Insane Audio

Insane Audio, a U.S.-based manufacturer of in-dash stereo, multimedia and navigation solutions for the off-road aftermarket, has chosen Wes-Coast Marketing Inc. to represent the company.  

Tow Brothers Joins VIPAR Heavy Duty Network of Distributors

Tow Brothers Company Ltd., based in Amarillo, Texas, is the newest company to join the VIPAR Heavy Duty network of distributors as a stockholder. Tow Brothers is a family-owned and -operated independent truck and trailer parts distributor and maintenance shop that began business in Amarillo in 1958, and has expanded to include locations in Longview, Texas, and St. George, Utah.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Bob Glidden

Bob Glidden, 73, a 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion and one-time IHRA series champion, passed away December 17, following a brief illness. He was joined at his bedside by his wife of 54 years Etta, and their sons Billy and Rusty.

Glidden had battled heart issues since 1994 when he underwent a six-way bypass surgery in which doctors initially gave him two to four years to live. However, Glidden returned to drag racing and drove an NHRA Pro Stocker in competition more than a decade later.

A Ford campaigner from the beginning, Glidden’s success in Pro Stock stemmed from his apprenticeship in Stock and Super Stock. He campaigned a series of 427 Fairlanes before switching to the more potent 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs in 1968. With sponsorship from Ed Martin Ford, where he worked as a line mechanic, Glidden became one of Division 3’s most prolific winners before turning Pro in late 1972.

Known as “Mad Dog” for his work ethic, Glidden dominated the class in the late ’70s and ’80s, winning back-to-back season championships in ’74–’75, three in a row (’78–’80) and five straight (’85–’89).

Glidden retired in February 1997 to concentrate on engine development for some of Ford’s NASCAR Winston Cup teams, which he ended after just two races into the 1997 season. He came out of retirement to drive occasionally through the 2010 season.

This story was originally published on December 21, 2021. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.