Thu, 03/16/2017 - 13:23

By Amelia Zwecher

recruitment
The SEMA Career Center supports automotive aftermarket companies with human resources and talent acquisition tools, including recruitment tips.

The SEMA Career Center supports automotive aftermarket companies with human resources and talent acquisition tools. Some helpful articles were recently published in SEMA eNews. Just in case you missed any of these engaging articles, they’re listed below in chronological order. Save this list as a quick reference to help your company with recruitment strategy:

For more information, or if you would like assistance with scheduling recruitment and outreach events at higher-education institutions nationally, contact SEMA Manager of Career Services Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR, at ameliaz@sema.org.

Also, complete this form to receive specific career fair event information relevant to your company needs.

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 12:34

NFL linebacker and Super Bowl champion Lamar Woodley and master car builder James Torrez give SEMA Showgoers a sneak preview of their brand-new show on the NFL Network, “Tackle My Ride.”

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 12:34

NFL linebacker and Super Bowl champion Lamar Woodley and master car builder James Torrez give SEMA Showgoers a sneak preview of their brand-new show on the NFL Network, “Tackle My Ride.”

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 12:04

Compiled by SEMA Editors

rhino
Go Rhino has expanded its North American operations with a new 50,000-sq.-ft. distribution facility in Laredo, Texas.

Go Rhino Expands Warehouse Operations and Manufacturing

Go Rhino has announced the expansion of its North American operations with a new distribution facility in Laredo, Texas. The center will provide customers a strategically located hub for expanded logistics operations that will optimize product fulfillment and address their changing needs. The new 50,000-sq.-ft. warehousing and distribution center opened in February 2017. It supports the IDDEA, Go Rhino and Big Country strategic focus on developing distribution capabilities that assist partners in meeting the needs of their end-user customers, including faster delivery times, inventory visibility, product availability and streamlined order management.

Meyer Distributing Opens Salina, Kansas, Location

Meyer Distributing Inc. has announced the addition of its Salina, Kansas location. The cross-dock will have a direct feed from Meyer's Jasper, Indiana, distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories and RV parts in the country.

aries
In 2016, ARIES Automotive assembled a team of elite builders from across the nation called the TEAM ARIES Pro Builder Program.

ARIES Launches ProBuilder Program

In 2016, ARIES Automotive assembled a team of elite builders from across the nation called the TEAM ARIES Pro Builder Program, which is categorized by two levels of involvement. Pro Builders are the elite builders in the United States and Canada with brick-and-mortar businesses clients can visit to have their rides built to show-level quality. The Ambassador program is made up of individuals and businesses who showcase the work of ARIES builders and support them and their efforts to promote their work. TEAM Aries builders include: Pro Motorsports, Scottsdale, Arizona; North Shore Off-Road Centre, Surrey, B.C., Canada; Buck’s 4x4, Boise, Idaho; Alpha Jeep, Peoria, Illinois; KAO Auto Stylings, Las Vegas; Tommy Pike Customs, Greenville, South Carolina; Complete Customs, McKinny, Texas; Starwood Customs, Addison, Texas; and Slick Up Center, Altoona, Wisconsin.

Gaerte Engines Now Owned by TOPP Performance Race Parts

TOPP Performance Race Parts has announced the acquisition of Gaerte Engines. TOPP Performance Race Parts, under the leadership of President and CEO Kevin Birchmeier, is now the sole owner of Gaerte Engines, which was previously owned by Joe and Brenda Gaerte. The change of ownership effective date was March 8, 2017. The Gaerte name will continue to be a part of the TOPP Performance Race Parts business, having Gaerte Engines sold as an exclusive line by TOPP Performance Race Parts.

Missouri Great Dane Joins VIPAR Heavy Duty

Missouri Great Dane is the newest company to join the VIPAR Heavy Duty network of distributors as a stockholder. Established in 1980, Missouri Great Dane operates out of its headquarters in Benton, Missouri, and from a St. Louis branch that opened in 1993. Missouri Great Dane serves a customer base of fleets, independent service facilities, municipalities, owner-operators and farmers in the greater St. Louis area, southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

hebert
Patrick Hébert

CRP Automotive Names Patrick Hébert as Canadian National Sales Manager

CRP Automotive has named Patrick Hébert as its new Canadian national sales manager. In this role, Hébert will be responsible for the development of customer relations and customer service initiatives in the Canadian market, as well as the management of CRP Automotive’s Canadian sales team. Prior to joining CRP, Hébert was the general manager of B-Line Tire and Auto Supply. In this role, Hébert managed the day-to-day operations and sales for Eastern Canada. Prior to B-Line, Hébert spent four years with Schrader International (Sensata), where he worked as the regional sales manager for Eastern Canada. Hébert is a TIA-certified automotive tire service instructor and an AIA import parts specialist.

Power Automedia, Alloy Studios Develop Partnership With Custom Automotive Network

Power Automedia has announced its recent partnership with the Custom Automotive Network (CAN), previously known as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA). Power Automedia’s video production division, Alloy Studios, will help CAN’s freshly overhauled brand take shape as its preferred video production partner. Along with Alloy Studios, the newly redesigned CAN will be promoted throughout Power Automedia’s magazines and via its live broadcast company, SpeedVideo. Power Automedia will also provide CAN members with promotional opportunities to better align their businesses with today’s digital-savvy consumerism.

phillips
Rick Phillips

Yokohama Tire Corporation’s Vice President of Sales Leaves Company

Longtime tire industry veteran and current vice president of sales Rick Phillips is leaving Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) after almost two decades to pursue other opportunities. Phillips joined Yokohama in 1999 and moved up the ranks from district sales manager to manager of commercial sales. He was promoted to director of commercial sales in 2011, followed by senior director of commercial and OTR sales in 2013, then vice president of sales in 2015.

King Engine Bearings Becomes an Official TecDoc Data Supplier

King Engine Bearings has announced it has become a certified data supplier to TecDoc—the European catalog of spare parts. Partnering with TecDoc gives King the opportunity to showcase its data in a user-friendly, accessible format. The TecDoc platform allows linking the company’s products to more engines and models and enables easier product identification. TecDoc is the global information system, which provides the spare-parts market with the relevant and detailed information to identify a needed part. TecDoc’s current base contains about 3 million items for cars and trucks.

Dake Celebrates 130 Years of American Manufacturing

In 1887, Dake opened its doors in Grand Haven, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, the company went on to manufacture more than 10,000 steam engines for the war effort. Over the years, Dake has expanded its product line to include bandsaws, cold saws, drill presses and a variety of other machine tools.

Aaron Zeigler Opens 50-Acre Powersports Dealership and Entertainment Facility in Kalamazoo

Aaron Zeigler recently celebrated the opening of the automotive group’s first multi-line powersports dealership and entertainment complex. Opening its doors March 6, Zeigler Motorsports is now located at 5001 Park Circle Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49048. The 50-acre facility features a 30-ft. mountain and waterfall, birch trees, a 300-sq.-ft. video wall, 36 motorcycles suspended from the ceiling, and a Tap House Restaurant & Bar. It also includes an indoor service write-up area and a 150-person training and development center. Dream Traxx developed the dealer’s three on-site tracks, which span more than four miles. These include a 1.3-mile motocross track, a side-by-side track with natural obstacles and an additional junior track. In addition to the attractions and entertainment features, Zeigler emphasized the one-stop-shop aspect of the complex by designating 85,000 sq. ft. for sales and service—including 24 large indoor service lanes, plus an additional 400,000 sq. ft for on-site storage. The storage facility features an in/out service that allows clients to store their vehicles on-site and use them on the tracks without a trailer. Zeigler Automotive Group plans to hold an official grand-opening event for the new dealership in the near future.

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.

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 12:02

Compiled by SEMA Editors

flowmaster
Flowmaster Mufflers will support USTCC teams during the 2017 season.

Flowmaster Mufflers to Support United States Touring Car Championship Teams in 2017

Flowmaster Mufflers will support United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) teams during the 2017 season. One driver at each race will win the Flowmaster Award—a $500 certificate for Flowmaster products. The USTCC season starts March 18 in Las Vegas, and the race will be shown on Comcast Sports Channel—one of the NBC Sports networks.

23rd Annual Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout Results

For the 23rd time in a row, Mustang drag racers converged on Bradenton Motorsports Park last weekend to kickoff the NMRA Keystone Drag Racing Series with the Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout, presented by Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords.

VP Racing Fuels Street Outlaw: Charlie Cooper ran 4.369 at 169.68 mph over Manny Bugingato take his first career NMRA victory.

Edelbrock Renegade: Dom DiDonato and his ’08 Shelby GT500 won the class with a 7.653 at 178.18 mph to Frank Varela and the Hellion Racing B-Team’s 7.500 at 180.46 mph.

ProCharger Coyote Modified: Defending champion Drew Lyons struck first with a class win over Darin Hendricks. Lyons won the battle, but it was Hendricks who walked away with the quickest run in class history with a 10.075 performance.

Richmond Gear Factory Stock: Dan Ryntz unleashed a holeshot, .054 reaction time to James Meredith’s .143 light, winning with a 10.701 at 123.30 mph to a quicker, but losing, 10.640 at 123.79 mph.

JLT Performance Spring Break Shootout: In the QA1 True Street class Cal Hayward beat Jeff Bloem in the finals with a 7.323 at 191.20 mph. Also part of the QA1 True Street party is the TREMEC Stick Shift Shootout, which the four quickest stick drivers compete in for a Tremec six-speed transmission. Anthony Heard took the class win over Harrison Cumbie, 9.192 at 149.15 mph to a 10.475 at just 108.17 mph.

UPR Products Modular Xtreme and VMP Performance Terminator vs. GT500 Shootout: Brian Devilbiss visited the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle twice by dominating both classes. He beat Mark Duber in Modular Xtreme, and ran 7.387 at 188.99 mph to top Randy Thomas in the other category.

Livernois Motorsports EcoBoost Battle: Sai Li pushed his ’12 Mustang GT to an 8.350 at 179.24 mph, topping Chris Holmes in Hellion Turbo Coyote Shootout. Justin Jordan was the top qualifier with a 7.893, but ran as quick as 7.601 at 181.48 mph during eliminations before losing to Li in the semifinals.

Ford Performance Cobra Jet Showdown Presented by Watson Racing: Michelle Bongiovanni captured the win over Paul Roderick.

ididit Outlaw True Street: Mark Duber was the victor over Jon Anderson.

Aerospace Components Open Comp: Mel White drove his borrowed Mustang to the win as he defeated Gordon Harlow in the finals. The Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle class saw Roush teammates Susan McClenaghan and Donnie Bowles meet up in the final round. The propane-powered S197 machines were primed for a tight race, but Bowles went red, and McClenaghan raced right into the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle.

Detroit Locker Truck & Lightning: Randy Conway began the season with a class victory, beating Jimmy Cantrell as he begins his title defense. The fixed dial-in category came down to Kent Nine and Levi Wendell. Nine took his first class win, after going winless in 2015, while behind the wheel of the Brenspeed ’15 Roush Mustang.

Ford Muscle: Danny Towe with his Harland Sharp ’70 Mustang defeated Bryan Parker.

QA1 True Street: Cal Hayward took the Overall win with a 7.94 average, while Jeff Bloem was the Overall runner-up. Also on the winner’s list were William Lujan (9-second), Bill Dudley (10-second), Bill Lee Jr. (11-second), Mike Baker (12-second), Carlos Mendes (13-second), Mary Mamen (14-second) and Gary Clempa (15-second).

Included in all NMRA events is the Race Pages Magazine Bracket Challenge with two types of eliminators. Larry Meray won Bracket 1 (Super Pro), Manny Sousa took the win in Bracket 2.

 summit

Summit Racing Equipment to Sponsor SCCA Road Racing Program

Summit Racing has announced that it is the title sponsor of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Road Racing program, which encompasses SCCA’s amateur road-racing activities including Regional, U.S. Majors Tour, Hoosier Racing Tire Super Tour and the National Championship Runoffs. Summit Racing will continue to support U.S. Majors Tour racers with a contingency program. For 2017, Summit Racing will award a $100 product certificate to winners in all classes, and a $50 product certificate to those finishing second. Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing decals will replace previous Club Racing stickers and will be required on every SCCA race car. New decals are available free of charge to racers through the SCCA national office and at SCCA Club Racing events.

dei
As a member of Team DEI, sponsored participants receive discounted product and merchandise in exchange for promotion of DEI products inclusive of all the company’s brands.

DEI Announces 2017 Race Sponsorship Program Details Open to All

Design Engineering invites racers from all series and levels of participation to become a member of the Team DEI sponsorship program. As a member of Team DEI, sponsored participants receive discounted product and merchandise in exchange for promotion of DEI products inclusive of all the company’s brands: DEI, Boom Mat, CryO2, Radiator Relief and DEI Powersports. The sponsorship agreement with DEI and the racer/race team is for one year and concludes at the end of the calendar year. To apply for TEAM DEI, an application for acceptance is required in the form of a proposal package, which should include driver/owner contact information; driver/rider résumé and vehicle information, including photos, specifications; all modifications and information about the transporter, driver and owner. The proposal should also include the year’s show schedule, past media coverage or expected media coverage, and how the owner/rider will promote DEI. Participants must commit to providing win updates, and how the DEI decals will be applied to the vehicle. Monthly follow-up emails are required. If accepted, show and race event updates can be submitted online. Also, participants must sign an authorization to allow DEI to use their name and image for potential advertising or literature. To begin the process to be a sponsored member of Team DEI, simply fill out the online form at www.designengineering.com, or download the application as a PDF and fax to 440-930-7967.

New Dates Announced for TORC Rounds 1–2 – Chicagoland Slam

TORC: The Off-Road Championship has announced new dates for Rounds 1–2 at The Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The May 13–14 Chicagoland Slam doubleheader will kick off the 2017 national championship season with a weekend of short-course racing, featuring pro racing in four classes: four-wheel-drive PRO 4 trucks, PRO 2 trucks, PRO Lights and PRO UTV.

GEICO Continues Team Lucas Partnership

GEICO is continuing its commitment to Team Lucas events for the eighth consecutive year. In 2017, GEICO will again be the presenting sponsor of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, with additional major involvement, including the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Speedway and the Chili Bowl.

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 11:55

The scourge of ransomware has become so ingrained in the very fabric of computing that some of the criminals behind it have actually begun offering live chat support for victims who agree to pay their ransoms. The new “service” was discovered this past summer by Trend Micro, an IT security firm that posed as a victim of ransomware and was cheerfully offered live chat support in exchange for its ransom payment.  

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2017/03/ransomware

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 11:55

The scourge of ransomware has become so ingrained in the very fabric of computing that some of the criminals behind it have actually begun offering live chat support for victims who agree to pay their ransoms. The new “service” was discovered this past summer by Trend Micro, an IT security firm that posed as a victim of ransomware and was cheerfully offered live chat support in exchange for its ransom payment.  

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2017/03/ransomware

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 11:43

spy

This is the ’18 Honda Civic Si sedan, caught while out on a test drive in Urban Meyer’s backyard.

The Civic Si coupe was previewed in November at the L.A. Auto Show, but the production version has yet to be unveiled. Based on these photos, the Si sedan will look similar to the concept when it hits showrooms. The wheels and wing on this version look a little smaller, but it’s otherwise distinctive compared to a standard Civic sedan.

Honda confirmed in Los Angeles that the Civic Si would get a higher-performance version of the 1.5L turbo four offered in other Civics and special styling tweaks, limited-slip differential, and active steering and suspension. Power figures were not disclosed, but bet on at least 200 hp.

The Si will be available in coupe and sedan formats when it goes on sale later this year. Expect a production version to be shown this spring, more than likely in New York.

spy

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 11:43

spy

This is the ’18 Honda Civic Si sedan, caught while out on a test drive in Urban Meyer’s backyard.

The Civic Si coupe was previewed in November at the L.A. Auto Show, but the production version has yet to be unveiled. Based on these photos, the Si sedan will look similar to the concept when it hits showrooms. The wheels and wing on this version look a little smaller, but it’s otherwise distinctive compared to a standard Civic sedan.

Honda confirmed in Los Angeles that the Civic Si would get a higher-performance version of the 1.5L turbo four offered in other Civics and special styling tweaks, limited-slip differential, and active steering and suspension. Power figures were not disclosed, but bet on at least 200 hp.

The Si will be available in coupe and sedan formats when it goes on sale later this year. Expect a production version to be shown this spring, more than likely in New York.

spy

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Thu, 03/16/2017 - 11:43

spy

This is the ’18 Honda Civic Si sedan, caught while out on a test drive in Urban Meyer’s backyard.

The Civic Si coupe was previewed in November at the L.A. Auto Show, but the production version has yet to be unveiled. Based on these photos, the Si sedan will look similar to the concept when it hits showrooms. The wheels and wing on this version look a little smaller, but it’s otherwise distinctive compared to a standard Civic sedan.

Honda confirmed in Los Angeles that the Civic Si would get a higher-performance version of the 1.5L turbo four offered in other Civics and special styling tweaks, limited-slip differential, and active steering and suspension. Power figures were not disclosed, but bet on at least 200 hp.

The Si will be available in coupe and sedan formats when it goes on sale later this year. Expect a production version to be shown this spring, more than likely in New York.

spy

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde