By Chad Simon

With more than 2,000 exhibitors, the Show is segmented into 12 sections spread throughout the halls and grounds of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

With the exhibitor Priority Booth Space Selection Process for the 2017 SEMA Show currently under way, distributors, retailers, installers and buyers should begin making their plans to attend the world’s premier automotive specialty-products trade event. The 2017 SEMA Show—to be held October 31–November 3, at the Las Vegas Convention Center—will feature the latest innovative products, the coolest custom rides, emerging industry trends, countless networking opportunities and a host of educational programs.

Special events and seminars include those offered by the Society of Collision & Repair Specialists (SCRS), Tire Industry Association (TIA), Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the SEMA Show Education program, which typically produces more than five dozen sessions on topics such as trends, technologies and opportunities.

The first three steps for attending the 2017 SEMA Show are as follows:

• Register For The Show—SEMA Show online registration is $40. The badge is your all-access pass to the Show and many of its attractions and special events, including entrance to the New Products Showcase one hour before the Show opens each day, and free entrance to the SEMA Ignited after-party.

• Reserve Your Hotel Room—Find the latest deals on hotels for Show week. Backed by the official SEMA Show housing partner OnPeak, all Showgoers receive a lowest-rate guarantee, ensuring the best deal for each hotel contract.

• Review The Show’s Floorplan—With more than 2,000 exhibitors, the Show is segmented into 12 sections spread throughout the halls and grounds of the Las Vegas Convention Center. To navigate the Show and achieve your goals, you need a plan. Find the location of exhibitors you want to see by using the 2017 SEMA Show floorplan.

The next step for attendee preparation is utilizing the following resources, which are designed to help maximize their SEMA Show efforts:

• New Products Showcase—Visit the SEMA Show’s No. 1 destination. The 2017 New Products Showcase will once again be located on the Skybridge between Central and South Halls, opening Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. Free scanners are available, which will allow users to get instant product information, including the exhibitor’s booth location.

• Friday Is Still Better—All exhibitors are ready to do business on Friday, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, so stick around. With the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, SEMA Cruise and the official industry after-party—SEMA Ignited—Friday will once again be the best day of the Show.

• SEMA Show Education Days—The vast diversity and innovation-driven focus of the SEMA Show makes it an unparalleled platform for stimulating and exchanging ideas that will challenge and equip both individuals and businesses to meet the needs of today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. The SEMA Show education program typically includes more than five dozen sessions. Topics will focus on industry trends, technologies and opportunities, while also addressing basic business practices, such as customer service, accounting, marketing and social media. View the SEMA Show Education Days schedule.

Not registered for the Show? Don’t miss out on the best business opportunity of the year. Register now. Distributors, retailers, installers and buyers who will meet with exhibitors at the 2017 SEMA Show should register using the “attendee” link. Applicants may be required to submit proof of industry employment, and approved attendees who register before the early October deadline will receive their badges in the mail.

For more information about the 2017 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Chad Simon

With more than 2,000 exhibitors, the Show is segmented into 12 sections spread throughout the halls and grounds of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

With the exhibitor Priority Booth Space Selection Process for the 2017 SEMA Show currently under way, distributors, retailers, installers and buyers should begin making their plans to attend the world’s premier automotive specialty-products trade event. The 2017 SEMA Show—to be held October 31–November 3, at the Las Vegas Convention Center—will feature the latest innovative products, the coolest custom rides, emerging industry trends, countless networking opportunities and a host of educational programs.

Special events and seminars include those offered by the Society of Collision & Repair Specialists (SCRS), Tire Industry Association (TIA), Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the SEMA Show Education program, which typically produces more than five dozen sessions on topics such as trends, technologies and opportunities.

The first three steps for attending the 2017 SEMA Show are as follows:

• Register For The Show—SEMA Show online registration is $40. The badge is your all-access pass to the Show and many of its attractions and special events, including entrance to the New Products Showcase one hour before the Show opens each day, and free entrance to the SEMA Ignited after-party.

• Reserve Your Hotel Room—Find the latest deals on hotels for Show week. Backed by the official SEMA Show housing partner OnPeak, all Showgoers receive a lowest-rate guarantee, ensuring the best deal for each hotel contract.

• Review The Show’s Floorplan—With more than 2,000 exhibitors, the Show is segmented into 12 sections spread throughout the halls and grounds of the Las Vegas Convention Center. To navigate the Show and achieve your goals, you need a plan. Find the location of exhibitors you want to see by using the 2017 SEMA Show floorplan.

The next step for attendee preparation is utilizing the following resources, which are designed to help maximize their SEMA Show efforts:

• New Products Showcase—Visit the SEMA Show’s No. 1 destination. The 2017 New Products Showcase will once again be located on the Skybridge between Central and South Halls, opening Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. Free scanners are available, which will allow users to get instant product information, including the exhibitor’s booth location.

• Friday Is Still Better—All exhibitors are ready to do business on Friday, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, so stick around. With the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, SEMA Cruise and the official industry after-party—SEMA Ignited—Friday will once again be the best day of the Show.

• SEMA Show Education Days—The vast diversity and innovation-driven focus of the SEMA Show makes it an unparalleled platform for stimulating and exchanging ideas that will challenge and equip both individuals and businesses to meet the needs of today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. The SEMA Show education program typically includes more than five dozen sessions. Topics will focus on industry trends, technologies and opportunities, while also addressing basic business practices, such as customer service, accounting, marketing and social media. View the SEMA Show Education Days schedule.

Not registered for the Show? Don’t miss out on the best business opportunity of the year. Register now. Distributors, retailers, installers and buyers who will meet with exhibitors at the 2017 SEMA Show should register using the “attendee” link. Applicants may be required to submit proof of industry employment, and approved attendees who register before the early October deadline will receive their badges in the mail.

For more information about the 2017 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals winners, from left, Steve Torrence, Ron Capps, Bo Butner and LE Tonglet.

Torrence, Capps, Butner and Tonglet Take Home Wally Trophies at the Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals

Ron Capps raced his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T to his third consecutive Funny Car victory this season last Sunday at the 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners in their respective categories at the seventh event of 24 on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series schedule. Defending world-champion Capps raced a 3.991-second pass at 317.79 mph to defeat Tim Wilkerson in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang. This is Capps’ second victory at Atlanta Dragway and 52nd of his Top Fuel career. Top Fuel driver Torrence piloted his Capco Contractors dragster to the winners circle in back-to-back races after a 3.745 pass at 320.81 to defeat U.S. Army driver Tony Schumacher. This is Torrence’s third consecutive final-round appearance. Butner, who made his Pro Stock debut at Atlanta in 2015, powered his Jim Butner’s Auto Chevy Camaro to the second victory of his career after a 6.569 pass at 211.26 that bettered two-time world champion Erica Enders, who raced her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro to a 6.593 pass at 210.97 in her first final round appearance since Las Vegas 2 in 2015. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Tonglet raced to back-to-back wins this season after he rode his Nitro Fish Racing Suzuki to a 6.843 pass at 194.35 defeating teammate and defending world champion Jerry Savoie. This is Tonglet’s 12th career win and second at Atlanta Dragway. The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at the 29th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties, May 19–21 at Heartland Park Topeka.

Atturo Kicks Off 2017 TORC Race Season with Expanded Team in Pro-lite and Pro 2 Classes

Atturo Tire has announced its lineup for 2017’s The Off Road Championship (TORC) series. Kicking off May 13, in Joliet, Illinois, with the Chicagoland Slam, this TORC series will feature Atturo tires racing in two classes of off-road competition—the Pro Lite and Pro 2. Atturo has been a major player in the Pro Lite class of the TORC series, having sponsored 2016’s series and nabbing 11 podium finishes with veteran drivers Andrew Carlson #151 and Travis Dinsmore #43.

MAHLE Motorsports Provides Technical Assistance on Measuring Piston to Bore Clearances

MAHLE Motorsports has been active providing important technical information with its Technical Tuesday’s Facebook video posts. One of the company’s more popular videos is measuring piston-to-bore clearance. The first thing customers need to do is access MAHLE Motorsports’ 2017 Application Guide, which can be found online, with a link to download the pdf. Once the specific application is located, the part numbers are on the far-right side of the page, and just to the left of the part number is the measuring point, indicating where to measure on the piston. Using the proper measuring point is vital to ensure accuracy as each MAHLE Motorsports piston has a unique profile, designed so that the piston is at the optimal size under operating temperatures. Measuring above or below the measuring point will provide an inaccurate reading that does not represent the piston’s maximum diameter. View the complete video.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals winners, from left, Steve Torrence, Ron Capps, Bo Butner and LE Tonglet.

Torrence, Capps, Butner and Tonglet Take Home Wally Trophies at the Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals

Ron Capps raced his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T to his third consecutive Funny Car victory this season last Sunday at the 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners in their respective categories at the seventh event of 24 on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series schedule. Defending world-champion Capps raced a 3.991-second pass at 317.79 mph to defeat Tim Wilkerson in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang. This is Capps’ second victory at Atlanta Dragway and 52nd of his Top Fuel career. Top Fuel driver Torrence piloted his Capco Contractors dragster to the winners circle in back-to-back races after a 3.745 pass at 320.81 to defeat U.S. Army driver Tony Schumacher. This is Torrence’s third consecutive final-round appearance. Butner, who made his Pro Stock debut at Atlanta in 2015, powered his Jim Butner’s Auto Chevy Camaro to the second victory of his career after a 6.569 pass at 211.26 that bettered two-time world champion Erica Enders, who raced her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro to a 6.593 pass at 210.97 in her first final round appearance since Las Vegas 2 in 2015. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Tonglet raced to back-to-back wins this season after he rode his Nitro Fish Racing Suzuki to a 6.843 pass at 194.35 defeating teammate and defending world champion Jerry Savoie. This is Tonglet’s 12th career win and second at Atlanta Dragway. The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at the 29th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties, May 19–21 at Heartland Park Topeka.

Atturo Kicks Off 2017 TORC Race Season with Expanded Team in Pro-lite and Pro 2 Classes

Atturo Tire has announced its lineup for 2017’s The Off Road Championship (TORC) series. Kicking off May 13, in Joliet, Illinois, with the Chicagoland Slam, this TORC series will feature Atturo tires racing in two classes of off-road competition—the Pro Lite and Pro 2. Atturo has been a major player in the Pro Lite class of the TORC series, having sponsored 2016’s series and nabbing 11 podium finishes with veteran drivers Andrew Carlson #151 and Travis Dinsmore #43.

MAHLE Motorsports Provides Technical Assistance on Measuring Piston to Bore Clearances

MAHLE Motorsports has been active providing important technical information with its Technical Tuesday’s Facebook video posts. One of the company’s more popular videos is measuring piston-to-bore clearance. The first thing customers need to do is access MAHLE Motorsports’ 2017 Application Guide, which can be found online, with a link to download the pdf. Once the specific application is located, the part numbers are on the far-right side of the page, and just to the left of the part number is the measuring point, indicating where to measure on the piston. Using the proper measuring point is vital to ensure accuracy as each MAHLE Motorsports piston has a unique profile, designed so that the piston is at the optimal size under operating temperatures. Measuring above or below the measuring point will provide an inaccurate reading that does not represent the piston’s maximum diameter. View the complete video.

SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark talks about the efforts the industry is making to engage the youth and the automotive aftermarket’s future leaders and innovators.

SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark talks about the efforts the industry is making to engage the youth and the automotive aftermarket’s future leaders and innovators.

SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark talks about the efforts the industry is making to engage the youth and the automotive aftermarket’s future leaders and innovators.

By Chad Simon

A 95th birthday celebration will be held for Alex Xydias at the Petersen Garage at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, Saturday, June 17.

A 95th birthday celebration will be held for SEMA Hall of Famer Alex Xydias at the Petersen Garage at the Fairplex in Pomona, California (2201 N. White Ave., Gate 12, Pomona, CA 91768), Saturday, June 17, from 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Entertainment will include a car show, live DJ, tacos and a no-host bar, with proceeds benefiting the next phase of the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC)—the Pete Chapouris PC3 Welding & Fabrication Program.

Emceed by the legendary Dave McClelland, the event will feature Xydias, who will deliver the keynote entitled “Life in the Fast Lane.” The cost to attend is $35 per person, which includes a taco dinner and non-alcoholic beverages ($24 of each purchase is tax-deductible, and will benefit AXC’s PC3 Welding & Fabrication Program), and $60 per couple, which includes two taco dinners, non-alcoholic beverages, and one car-show entry ($24 of each purchase is tax-deductible, and will benefit AXC’s PC3 Welding & Fabrication Program.

The following sponsorship opportunities are available:

• $1,500 Table Sponsor: Includes 10 general-admission tickets, award-winning wine, up to five car show entries and event materials recognition ($1,350 of the sponsorship is tax-deductible, and will benefit AXC’s PC3 Welding & Fabrication Program.
• $5,000 Presenting Sponsor: Includes 20 general-admission tickets, up to 10 car-show entries, award-winning wine and premium recognition in event, banner and sales material ($4,700 of the sponsorship is tax-deductible, and will benefit AXC’s PC3 Welding & Fabrication Program.

A limited number of spaces are available for the car show. Buy tickets online, or call 909-865-4205. For more information, contact Theresa Contreras at contreras@fairplex.com.

By Della Domingo

GiGi Carleton, Doug Evans and Barry Meguiar will receive the industry's highest honor and be inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame. The new members will be recognized as part of the festivities during the SEMA Installation Gala on Friday, July 28, 2017, at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California. They represent an accomplished group of leaders who have shaped and inspired the automotive specialty-equipment market.

GiGi Carleton (left).

GiGi Carleton
Many in the industry are familiar with Robert E. Petersen, the 1981 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee who is responsible for launching many of the largest and most successful automotive magazine titles, such as Motor Trend and Hot Rod. What few people realize is that, for nearly 50 years, GiGi Carleton worked side-by-side with Petersen and his wife, as the trio went on to create the Petersen empire. Today, Carleton serves as the president of the Robert E. Petersen Foundation, where she is committed to and responsible for carrying on Petersen’s legacy in the automotive industry and philanthropic activities.

Doug Evans (far right).

Doug Evans
Doug Evans has an impressive career in the automotive industry, having spent more than 30 years as a senior executive at various publishing houses. It is, however, his leadership and activism that distinguish him from many others. As the current SEMA Chairman of the Board, Evans guides the association on initiatives focused on youth outreach and legislation. He’s also served as chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition, is an advisor to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, and volunteers as a judge for the SEMA Launch Pad competition.

Barry Meguiar (right).

Barry Meguiar
Barry Meguiar is the president of the car care company that was founded by his grandfather in 1901. With a passion for cars, Meguiar grew the company to attract mainstream consumers. Through fun, family-oriented car shows and the launch of “Car Crazy” TV, Meguiar’s signature smile and infectious excitement for vehicles spread across the country. In addition to being one of the earliest exhibitors of the SEMA Show, Meguiar gave viewers a taste of the trade-only Show by filming “Car Crazy” TV from the annual event. Meguiar interviewed iconic Showgoers and is responsible for spreading the “Car Crazy” bug throughout the world.

For additional details about the SEMA Hall of Fame and the inductees over the years, visit www.semahof.com. For more information about the SEMA Installation Gala, visit www.sema.org/gala.

By Della Domingo

GiGi Carleton, Doug Evans and Barry Meguiar will receive the industry's highest honor and be inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame. The new members will be recognized as part of the festivities during the SEMA Installation Gala on Friday, July 28, 2017, at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California. They represent an accomplished group of leaders who have shaped and inspired the automotive specialty-equipment market.

GiGi Carleton (left).

GiGi Carleton
Many in the industry are familiar with Robert E. Petersen, the 1981 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee who is responsible for launching many of the largest and most successful automotive magazine titles, such as Motor Trend and Hot Rod. What few people realize is that, for nearly 50 years, GiGi Carleton worked side-by-side with Petersen and his wife, as the trio went on to create the Petersen empire. Today, Carleton serves as the president of the Robert E. Petersen Foundation, where she is committed to and responsible for carrying on Petersen’s legacy in the automotive industry and philanthropic activities.

Doug Evans (far right).

Doug Evans
Doug Evans has an impressive career in the automotive industry, having spent more than 30 years as a senior executive at various publishing houses. It is, however, his leadership and activism that distinguish him from many others. As the current SEMA Chairman of the Board, Evans guides the association on initiatives focused on youth outreach and legislation. He’s also served as chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition, is an advisor to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, and volunteers as a judge for the SEMA Launch Pad competition.

Barry Meguiar (right).

Barry Meguiar
Barry Meguiar is the president of the car care company that was founded by his grandfather in 1901. With a passion for cars, Meguiar grew the company to attract mainstream consumers. Through fun, family-oriented car shows and the launch of “Car Crazy” TV, Meguiar’s signature smile and infectious excitement for vehicles spread across the country. In addition to being one of the earliest exhibitors of the SEMA Show, Meguiar gave viewers a taste of the trade-only Show by filming “Car Crazy” TV from the annual event. Meguiar interviewed iconic Showgoers and is responsible for spreading the “Car Crazy” bug throughout the world.

For additional details about the SEMA Hall of Fame and the inductees over the years, visit www.semahof.com. For more information about the SEMA Installation Gala, visit www.sema.org/gala.