By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee approved legislation to allow funds collected for California’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) program to be spent by other agencies on unrelated programs and never reimbursed.

Legislation to allow funds collected for California’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) program to be spent by other agencies on unrelated programs and never reimbursed was approved by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. It has already been approved by the Natural Resources and Water Committee and will now be sent to the Appropriations Committee for consideration. The OHMVR program provides funds to local, state and federal agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit entities for OHV management on both federal and state lands.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and other senior officials from the department and the U.S. Forest Service met with more than 30 representatives of the outdoor recreation industry to discuss improving visitor experiences on America’s public lands and waters. The meeting was hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, with a follow-up meeting at DOI headquarters.  

SEMA and other members of ORIR represent everything from motorized recreation to boating, camping, fishing, hiking and archery. Outdoor recreation generates an estimated $646 billion in direct spending and supports more than 6 million jobs.  

Tom Brooks, president of Truckin Thunder, participated in the summit as a SEMA-member representative. With four locations in central Virginia, his company specializes in selling, installing and serving trailer hitches, towing accessories and trailers destined for recreation areas.

The ORIR is working with Trump Administration officials and lawmakers on Capitol Hill on ways to grow outdoor recreation by improving federal infrastructure and increasing opportunities for innovation and public-private partnerships. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and other senior officials from the department and the U.S. Forest Service met with more than 30 representatives of the outdoor recreation industry to discuss improving visitor experiences on America’s public lands and waters. The meeting was hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, with a follow-up meeting at DOI headquarters.  

SEMA and other members of ORIR represent everything from motorized recreation to boating, camping, fishing, hiking and archery. Outdoor recreation generates an estimated $646 billion in direct spending and supports more than 6 million jobs.  

Tom Brooks, president of Truckin Thunder, participated in the summit as a SEMA-member representative. With four locations in central Virginia, his company specializes in selling, installing and serving trailer hitches, towing accessories and trailers destined for recreation areas.

The ORIR is working with Trump Administration officials and lawmakers on Capitol Hill on ways to grow outdoor recreation by improving federal infrastructure and increasing opportunities for innovation and public-private partnerships. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and other senior officials from the department and the U.S. Forest Service met with more than 30 representatives of the outdoor recreation industry to discuss improving visitor experiences on America’s public lands and waters. The meeting was hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable (ORIR) at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, with a follow-up meeting at DOI headquarters.  

SEMA and other members of ORIR represent everything from motorized recreation to boating, camping, fishing, hiking and archery. Outdoor recreation generates an estimated $646 billion in direct spending and supports more than 6 million jobs.  

Tom Brooks, president of Truckin Thunder, participated in the summit as a SEMA-member representative. With four locations in central Virginia, his company specializes in selling, installing and serving trailer hitches, towing accessories and trailers destined for recreation areas.

The ORIR is working with Trump Administration officials and lawmakers on Capitol Hill on ways to grow outdoor recreation by improving federal infrastructure and increasing opportunities for innovation and public-private partnerships. 

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

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Pritchett, Capps and Butner Pick Up Victories at the 2017 NHRA SpringNationals

Leah Pritchett piloted her Papa John’s dragster to the Top Fuel victory last Sunday at the 30th annual NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway. Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Bo Butner (Pro Stock) were also winners in their respective categories at the fifth event of 24 on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Pritchett raced a 3.781-second pass at 321.96 mph to defeat Steve Torrence who ran a 3.787 at 322.11 in his Capco Contractors dragster. This is Pritchett’s fourth career victory and third of the season. Defending Funny Car champion Ron Capps claimed his first victory of the season when he outran Robert Hight with a 4.004 pass at 284.33 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T. Butner obtained the first Pro Stock win of his career when he raced his Jim Butner’s Auto Chevy Camaro to a 6.550 pass at 212.26 to defeat No. 1 qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 28-30, at zMax Dragway.

Andrie Hartanto won a close fight in the Touring Car class at the United States Touring Car Championship race weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on April 16, 2017. Photo credit: Reza Arsham

Hartanto Wins at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Andrie Hartanto won a close April 16 fight in the Touring Car class at the United States Touring Car Championship race weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Hartanto, driving the Supertech/Rota Wheels Honda S2000 started on pole but fell to second for most of the race, but he kept the pressure on the leader, Michael Shawhan, driving the BTM Motorwerks BMW 330i. Shawhan tried everything he could to keep Hartanto behind him but with two laps to go, Hartanto made his move and took over the lead in the class. In the Sportsman class, Thomas Pitre became the youngest USTCC race winner at the age of 21. Pitre was followed by Victor Ng in his Red Star Racing Honda S2000 and Tom Milburn in the Bay Area Drafting Acura RSX. Carl Rydquist won the GT class in the Champion/TelTac Factory Five GTM with last year’s champion Daniel Akhromtsev in the Red Star Racing BMW M3 close behind. Sam Stowell’s BAF Auto Body/Sterling Foam/Oakland Color Jaguar XKRS had a great third-place debut. George Kibilov easily won the Super Touring class in the SGK Home Solutions BMW M3 with Larry Bani in the GoGoGear.com BMW M3 in second. Kibilov’s win gave the Speed SF team the win in the Cobra Top Team championship with help from Patrick Chio.

Impact Safety Systems Introduces Racer Protection Initiatives 

Impact Safety Systems (ISS), an established U.S. barrier manufacturer, hired an outside firm to research and aggregate the available race-track crash data into one consolidated resource to benefit race tracks and drivers. The project took nine months to arrive at a barrier comparison that provides as comprehensive and unbiased an overview as possible. The comparison acknowledges that one solution can’t fit all tracks; certain barricades, or a combination thereof, may work better for some tracks than for others. The comparison was summarized in a one-page chart. ISS has also produced a new six-minute video designed to demonstrate exactly how its barriers work.

Angie Smith

DENSO Sponsors NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Racer Angie Smith

DENSO Products and Services Americas has partnered with Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Angie Smith as her lead sponsor for four weekend contests of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The first event, the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, takes place April 28–30 at Smith’s hometown racetrack, zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina. A member of the Matt Smith Racing Team, she is within three points of breaking into the top 10 rankings for a shot at the championship. In addition to the North Carolina race, DENSO will be Smith’s lead sponsor at the July 28–30 Toyota Sonoma Nationals in California, the September 29–October 1 AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals in Illinois, and the October 26–29 Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas.

Wilwood Disc Brakes Returns as Contingency Sponsor with USAC Racing

Wilwood is returning as a contingency sponsor with the United States Auto Club (USAC), one of the oldest series and sanctioning bodies in the United States. As a contingency sponsor, Wilwood will provide a $50 product certificate to the 13th-place feature finisher at every Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series and National Midget Series race throughout the 2017 season.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Pritchett, Capps and Butner Pick Up Victories at the 2017 NHRA SpringNationals

Leah Pritchett piloted her Papa John’s dragster to the Top Fuel victory last Sunday at the 30th annual NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway. Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Bo Butner (Pro Stock) were also winners in their respective categories at the fifth event of 24 on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Pritchett raced a 3.781-second pass at 321.96 mph to defeat Steve Torrence who ran a 3.787 at 322.11 in his Capco Contractors dragster. This is Pritchett’s fourth career victory and third of the season. Defending Funny Car champion Ron Capps claimed his first victory of the season when he outran Robert Hight with a 4.004 pass at 284.33 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T. Butner obtained the first Pro Stock win of his career when he raced his Jim Butner’s Auto Chevy Camaro to a 6.550 pass at 212.26 to defeat No. 1 qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 28-30, at zMax Dragway.

Andrie Hartanto won a close fight in the Touring Car class at the United States Touring Car Championship race weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on April 16, 2017. Photo credit: Reza Arsham

Hartanto Wins at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Andrie Hartanto won a close April 16 fight in the Touring Car class at the United States Touring Car Championship race weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Hartanto, driving the Supertech/Rota Wheels Honda S2000 started on pole but fell to second for most of the race, but he kept the pressure on the leader, Michael Shawhan, driving the BTM Motorwerks BMW 330i. Shawhan tried everything he could to keep Hartanto behind him but with two laps to go, Hartanto made his move and took over the lead in the class. In the Sportsman class, Thomas Pitre became the youngest USTCC race winner at the age of 21. Pitre was followed by Victor Ng in his Red Star Racing Honda S2000 and Tom Milburn in the Bay Area Drafting Acura RSX. Carl Rydquist won the GT class in the Champion/TelTac Factory Five GTM with last year’s champion Daniel Akhromtsev in the Red Star Racing BMW M3 close behind. Sam Stowell’s BAF Auto Body/Sterling Foam/Oakland Color Jaguar XKRS had a great third-place debut. George Kibilov easily won the Super Touring class in the SGK Home Solutions BMW M3 with Larry Bani in the GoGoGear.com BMW M3 in second. Kibilov’s win gave the Speed SF team the win in the Cobra Top Team championship with help from Patrick Chio.

Impact Safety Systems Introduces Racer Protection Initiatives 

Impact Safety Systems (ISS), an established U.S. barrier manufacturer, hired an outside firm to research and aggregate the available race-track crash data into one consolidated resource to benefit race tracks and drivers. The project took nine months to arrive at a barrier comparison that provides as comprehensive and unbiased an overview as possible. The comparison acknowledges that one solution can’t fit all tracks; certain barricades, or a combination thereof, may work better for some tracks than for others. The comparison was summarized in a one-page chart. ISS has also produced a new six-minute video designed to demonstrate exactly how its barriers work.

Angie Smith

DENSO Sponsors NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Racer Angie Smith

DENSO Products and Services Americas has partnered with Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Angie Smith as her lead sponsor for four weekend contests of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The first event, the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, takes place April 28–30 at Smith’s hometown racetrack, zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina. A member of the Matt Smith Racing Team, she is within three points of breaking into the top 10 rankings for a shot at the championship. In addition to the North Carolina race, DENSO will be Smith’s lead sponsor at the July 28–30 Toyota Sonoma Nationals in California, the September 29–October 1 AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals in Illinois, and the October 26–29 Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas.

Wilwood Disc Brakes Returns as Contingency Sponsor with USAC Racing

Wilwood is returning as a contingency sponsor with the United States Auto Club (USAC), one of the oldest series and sanctioning bodies in the United States. As a contingency sponsor, Wilwood will provide a $50 product certificate to the 13th-place feature finisher at every Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series and National Midget Series race throughout the 2017 season.

By Becca Butler

Taking you behind the closed doors of the 2016 SEMA Show, the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special gives fans an inside look at the builder competition and some of the amazing rides that are on display at the SEMA Show. The one-hour special will air this Saturday, April 29, at 8:00 p.m. (EDT and PDT), exclusively on Velocity. Mark your calendars, and set your DVRs.

During the program, viewers will watch:

• Stories behind some of the best builds on display at the 2016 SEMA Show.
• Features of up-and-coming “Young Gun” builders.
• Industry experts select the Top 10 builds from more than 250 entries.
• Celebrity hosts Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “AJ” Janic entertaining viewers along the way.
• Special appearance by Chip Foose as he surprises builders.
• A front-row seat as the Top 10 builders vote among themselves for who will be named the winner.
• The winner of the competition announced at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Becca Butler

Taking you behind the closed doors of the 2016 SEMA Show, the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special gives fans an inside look at the builder competition and some of the amazing rides that are on display at the SEMA Show. The one-hour special will air this Saturday, April 29, at 8:00 p.m. (EDT and PDT), exclusively on Velocity. Mark your calendars, and set your DVRs.

During the program, viewers will watch:

• Stories behind some of the best builds on display at the 2016 SEMA Show.
• Features of up-and-coming “Young Gun” builders.
• Industry experts select the Top 10 builds from more than 250 entries.
• Celebrity hosts Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “AJ” Janic entertaining viewers along the way.
• Special appearance by Chip Foose as he surprises builders.
• A front-row seat as the Top 10 builders vote among themselves for who will be named the winner.
• The winner of the competition announced at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Becca Butler

Taking you behind the closed doors of the 2016 SEMA Show, the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special gives fans an inside look at the builder competition and some of the amazing rides that are on display at the SEMA Show. The one-hour special will air this Saturday, April 29, at 8:00 p.m. (EDT and PDT), exclusively on Velocity. Mark your calendars, and set your DVRs.

During the program, viewers will watch:

• Stories behind some of the best builds on display at the 2016 SEMA Show.
• Features of up-and-coming “Young Gun” builders.
• Industry experts select the Top 10 builds from more than 250 entries.
• Celebrity hosts Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “AJ” Janic entertaining viewers along the way.
• Special appearance by Chip Foose as he surprises builders.
• A front-row seat as the Top 10 builders vote among themselves for who will be named the winner.
• The winner of the competition announced at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Becca Butler

Taking you behind the closed doors of the 2016 SEMA Show, the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special gives fans an inside look at the builder competition and some of the amazing rides that are on display at the SEMA Show. The one-hour special will air this Saturday, April 29, at 8:00 p.m. (EDT and PDT), exclusively on Velocity. Mark your calendars, and set your DVRs.

During the program, viewers will watch:

• Stories behind some of the best builds on display at the 2016 SEMA Show.
• Features of up-and-coming “Young Gun” builders.
• Industry experts select the Top 10 builds from more than 250 entries.
• Celebrity hosts Chris Jacobs and Adrienne “AJ” Janic entertaining viewers along the way.
• Special appearance by Chip Foose as he surprises builders.
• A front-row seat as the Top 10 builders vote among themselves for who will be named the winner.
• The winner of the competition announced at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.