Nearly 180 members of congress are now cosponsoring legislation to save our race cars. Get the latest video, news clips and information on this important motorsports bill here.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) presented Joe Petlick with the 2017 NSRA Person of the Year Award during the recent 48th Annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky.

Motor State Distributing’s Joe Petlick Awarded 2017 NSRA Person of the Year

The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) presented Joe Petlick, sales manager at Motor State Distributing, with the 2017 NSRA Person of the Year Award during the recent 48th Annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Petlick has spent a lifetime involved in the street-rod community. He serves on SEMA’s Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) select committee and is the education chairman.

Jessica Hatcher

Jessica Hatcher Named NHRA Senior Director of Public Relations and Communications

The NHRA has announced that Jessica Hatcher has been named senior director of public relations and communications. In her new role with NHRA, Hatcher will lead and create the strategic direction for corporate communications and public relations. She will report to Glen Cromwell, NHRA senior vice president of media and marketing. Hatcher has led brand awareness and public-relations campaigns for a multitude of nationally recognized brands, including Capriotti’s, Applebee’s, SKYY Vodka, PopChips, Corner Bakery Cafe, Fatburger, JC Penney, and No Kid Hungry.

National Auto Body Council Opens Nominations for 2018 Board of Directors

The National Auto Body Council (NABC) has announced it is now accepting nominations for seven open seats for its board of directors. The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 1. Board candidates may be self-nominated or industry professionals nominated by three members of the NABC. To qualify, the nominee must be either an individual member of the NABC or the designated representative of a company member. Board members are elected for three-year terms. All nominations must be submitted in writing. The election will take place at NABC’s upcoming annual meeting, Wednesday, November 1, at the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Per NABC bylaws, proxy voting and nominations from the floor are not allowed. Current NABC board members whose terms are ending this year may also seek re-election, and they include:

• Greg Clark, Caliber Collision Centers
• Michael Jordan, Manchester Collision Center
• Keith Egan, Colours Inc.
• Joe Lacy, formerly of GEICO
• Elizabeth Stein, Assured Performance
• Kerry Angers, Enterprise Rent-a-Car
• Arlo Johnson, Driven Brands

Nominations for NABC board seats must be submitted in writing to info@NationalAutoBodyCouncil.org or Executive Director Chuck Sulkala.

Jesse Jones

Cometic Gasket Tabs Jones for Newly Created Vice President Role

Automotive aftermarket industry veteran Jesse Jones has joined Cometic Gasket Inc., and will serve as the northeast Ohio-based organization’s vice president of OEM and production engine remanufacturer (PER) sales. Jones comes to Cometic with more than 35 years of industry experience following a lengthy tenure with Dana Inc., including a stop at Mahle Clevite. Most recently, the Northwood University alumnus was the senior manager, special markets, for Dana, where he was responsible for developing new markets. In that role, Jones led Dana’s reintroduction and launch of the company’s engine-sealing product line incorporating strategy, product offerings, marketing and distribution. Jones will focus his efforts on identifying new opportunities with OEMs and PERs while mining and implementing high-volume private-label programs within the automotive, powersports and marine markets. Jones, who is a member of several professional organizations, including SEMA, Auto Care Association (ACA), and Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), will begin his new role effective immediately.

McLeod Racing is moving its operations to a newly purchased 25,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Anaheim, California.

McLeod Racing Moving Operations to New Building September 2017

Beginning September 1, 2017, McLeod Racing will move its operations to a newly purchased manufacturing facility in nearby Anaheim, California (1570 Lakeview Loop, Anaheim, CA 92807). The new 25,000-sq.-ft. building will house new offices and manufacturing operations. McLeod’s moving plans are to be seamless, so customers will continue to get their orders shipped on time. With the larger facility, McLeod will be able to better accommodate customers with more products stocked and ready to ship. McLeod plans to stay open during the move to welcome orders from its customers. The main phone number (714) 630-2764 and website www.mcleodracing.com will remain the same.

Lisa Gill

Marx Group Appoints Lisa Gill as Account Director

Marx Group has appointed Lisa Gill to account director. Gill will work out of the company’s Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, location. She joins Marx Group with 14 years of agency experience in the automotive, motorsports, health care and public affairs sectors. Prior to joining Marx Group, she held agency positions with MSLGROUP and Lambert, Edwards & Associates. She began her career with John Bailey & Associates. At Marx Group, she will direct and support several of the agency’s OE and aftermarket accounts.

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 Jason Catullo

According to SEMA Show Management’s post-Show survey, more than 48% of buyers reported that they visit an exhibitor’s booth after researching the company’s product in the New Products Showcase.

Buyers looking to attract more business at the SEMA Show use the New Products Showcase as a way to put their brand in front of buyers. The Showcase serves as an extension of an exhibitor’s booth, providing a visual representation of a company’s new products and best-sellers. Taking advantage of the Showcase and its high-traffic location allows exhibitors to reach out to new business while still connecting with buyers on the Show floor. This additional outreach is not only free, but has proven to be effective.

According to SEMA Show Management’s post-Show survey, more than 48% of buyers reported that they visit an exhibitor’s booth after researching the company’s product in the Showcase.

The New Products Showcase is located on the Skybridge that connects the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The high-traffic area serves as a destination for buyers, providing exhibitors with the valuable opportunity to attract new business without leaving their booths.

The first new-product entry is free, with additional entries costing $75 each until October 6. There’s no limit to the total number of products a company can display. The Showcase also includes a Featured Products section designed to get top-selling products exposure among buyers who may have missed last year’s Show.

The Showcase is a small investment for exhibitors, one that offers valuable payoff at the Show and throughout the upcoming year. Each product is photographed, featured in SEMA publications, provided for media year-round on www.semaphotos.com, and made available to exhibitors for use in company advertising or promotions.

Register Products Here!

The first product entered in the New Products Showcase is free. Each additional product entered in the Showcase is $75 each if submitted by the Friday, October 6, deadline, $150 each thereafter.

More information on the 2017 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

According to SEMA Show Management’s post-Show survey, more than 48% of buyers reported that they visit an exhibitor’s booth after researching the company’s product in the New Products Showcase.

Buyers looking to attract more business at the SEMA Show use the New Products Showcase as a way to put their brand in front of buyers. The Showcase serves as an extension of an exhibitor’s booth, providing a visual representation of a company’s new products and best-sellers. Taking advantage of the Showcase and its high-traffic location allows exhibitors to reach out to new business while still connecting with buyers on the Show floor. This additional outreach is not only free, but has proven to be effective.

According to SEMA Show Management’s post-Show survey, more than 48% of buyers reported that they visit an exhibitor’s booth after researching the company’s product in the Showcase.

The New Products Showcase is located on the Skybridge that connects the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The high-traffic area serves as a destination for buyers, providing exhibitors with the valuable opportunity to attract new business without leaving their booths.

The first new-product entry is free, with additional entries costing $75 each until October 6. There’s no limit to the total number of products a company can display. The Showcase also includes a Featured Products section designed to get top-selling products exposure among buyers who may have missed last year’s Show.

The Showcase is a small investment for exhibitors, one that offers valuable payoff at the Show and throughout the upcoming year. Each product is photographed, featured in SEMA publications, provided for media year-round on www.semaphotos.com, and made available to exhibitors for use in company advertising or promotions.

Register Products Here!

The first product entered in the New Products Showcase is free. Each additional product entered in the Showcase is $75 each if submitted by the Friday, October 6, deadline, $150 each thereafter.

More information on the 2017 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

According to SEMA Show Management’s post-Show survey, more than 48% of buyers reported that they visit an exhibitor’s booth after researching the company’s product in the New Products Showcase.

Buyers looking to attract more business at the SEMA Show use the New Products Showcase as a way to put their brand in front of buyers. The Showcase serves as an extension of an exhibitor’s booth, providing a visual representation of a company’s new products and best-sellers. Taking advantage of the Showcase and its high-traffic location allows exhibitors to reach out to new business while still connecting with buyers on the Show floor. This additional outreach is not only free, but has proven to be effective.

According to SEMA Show Management’s post-Show survey, more than 48% of buyers reported that they visit an exhibitor’s booth after researching the company’s product in the Showcase.

The New Products Showcase is located on the Skybridge that connects the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The high-traffic area serves as a destination for buyers, providing exhibitors with the valuable opportunity to attract new business without leaving their booths.

The first new-product entry is free, with additional entries costing $75 each until October 6. There’s no limit to the total number of products a company can display. The Showcase also includes a Featured Products section designed to get top-selling products exposure among buyers who may have missed last year’s Show.

The Showcase is a small investment for exhibitors, one that offers valuable payoff at the Show and throughout the upcoming year. Each product is photographed, featured in SEMA publications, provided for media year-round on www.semaphotos.com, and made available to exhibitors for use in company advertising or promotions.

Register Products Here!

The first product entered in the New Products Showcase is free. Each additional product entered in the Showcase is $75 each if submitted by the Friday, October 6, deadline, $150 each thereafter.

More information on the 2017 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross’ Scott Speed claimed victory in two races at the Bader Field circuit in Atlantic City last weekend, and reclaimed control of his championship destiny with a nearly perfect haul of points.

Scott Speed Wraps Up Red Bull Global Rallycross Manufacturer’s Championship for Volkswagen

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross’ Scott Speed claimed victory in two races at the Bader Field circuit in Atlantic City last weekend, and reclaimed control of his championship destiny with a nearly perfect haul of points. The double triumph also secured Volkswagen’s second consecutive manufacturer’s championship in the series, making it only the second automaker to win multiple championship titles. With his near-perfect weekend in Atlantic City, Speed also retook the title of winningest driver in Red Bull Global Rallycross history from Tanner Foust, an accolade they have traded all season. Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross will return to action next month for another doubleheader in Seattle, September 9–10.

In the PRO 4 class, CJ Greaves came from behind to defeat Keegan Kincaid.

TORC Series Wraps Up Round 10 at RedBud With Class Battles

Last Sunday’s TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL racing at RedBud capped two days of intense competition. New winners and podium finishers pointed to the series’ parity, while overall point races tightened as the series continued to grow and attract new short course off-road racing fans at a heightened pace. In the PRO 4 class, CJ Greaves came from behind to defeat Keegan Kincaid. TORC PRO 2 series point leader Luke Johnson got a bit of redemption in last Sunday’s final race at RedBud, charging from the back to the early lead and running a near-perfect race through the checkers for the 4.5-second win over Brad Lovell. With the win, Johnson, who clocked the day’s fastest PRO 2 lap time by a full second, increased his lead in the overall point chase to 27 points over Lovell. In PRO Lights, Kyle Kleinman held on for victory, with Cam Reimers placing second and Shawn Morris in third. With the second-place finish, Reimers moved up to second place overall in the TORC PRO Light points chase, 24 points back from Kleiman. In TORC UTV PRO Mod, Greaves scored his first-ever PRO Mod win, topping class points leader Kyle Chaney in a classic UTV manufacturers battle. In TORC UTV PRO Stock, race leader Jake Lunderby biked his UTV entering one of the final turns, allowing Greaves to zip past on the inside for the win.

Ernie Francis Jr. posted a flag-to-flag victory in the First Energy 100 Trans Am Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last Saturday.

Ernie Francis Jr. Scores Another Trans Am Victory

Ernie Francis Jr. posted a flag-to-flag victory in the First Energy 100 Trans Am Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last Saturday. He stormed to his fifth victory in seven starts this season in his Ford Mustang. It was the 28th victory for Francis in Trans Am competition. Francis didn’t just win the race in his Breathless Racing/Buoniconti Fund/Beta Tools Ford Mustang. He set a race lap record (1 minute, 22.236 seconds) during the event. The former record had stood for five years. During the race, Francis withstood pressure first from two-time defending series champion Amy Ruman and then Martin Ragginger.

MOMO Claims Two Class Victories in Pirelli World Challenge SpintX Series in Utah

Henrique Cisneros leaves the Utah Motorsports Campus with a commanding lead in the GTA class of the SprintX series in the Pirelli World Challenge due to wins in both rounds seven and eight, which took place last weekend. The MOMO/NGT Motorsports team arrived in Utah with a big challenge ahead of it. Cisneros had recorded four previous wins with driving partner Tyler McQuarrie in a Ferrari 458 GT3. However, McQuarrie was promoted from a Bronze to Silver license, making him ineligible for the SprintX GTA class. So the team had recruited Jonathon Ziegelman to share driving duties. For the obligatory driver change, Ziegelman entered the pits around 7 seconds behind the Ferri Ferrari in last Saturday’s race, but the car would eventually exit the pits 20 seconds behind the leader with Cisneros at the wheel. For Sunday’s race, round 8 in the SprintX championship, the MOMO/NGT team started second in class. Ziegelman only had about six laps at racing speed, with the remainder conducted under yellow caution flags. But with the R Ferri Motorsports car behind them, the MOMO/NGT Ferrari again won the GTA class.

SilverHook, the 48-ft. monohull Superboat Grand Prix race boat, set a new one-way speed record Thursday morning, August 17, from Key West, Florida, to Cuba at an average speed of 79.23 mph.

SilverHook Sets World Speed Record From Key West to Cuba

SilverHook, the 48-ft. monohull Superboat Grand Prix race boat, set a new one-way speed record Thursday morning, August 17, from Key West, Florida, to Cuba at an average speed of 79.23 mph for the 101-mile Florida Straights run. With an Elapsed Time of: 1:18:03, SilverHook reached speeds of 127 mph in the 5-7-ft. waves. SilverHook is owned and captained by Nigel Hook, who controlled the throttles on the record attempt. Hook is a 30-year veteran of international powerboat racing and has won three world championships, set three world speed records and earned membership in the APBA Hall of Champions. He currently races the 77 Lucas Oil SilverHook 48GP in the Superboat International unlimited class. His co-pilot and driver is fellow APBA inductee and powerboat veteran Jay Johnson. SilverHook left Key West at 08:43:31 and arrived in Havana, Cuba, at 10:01:34.

 We live in a mobile society and a nation networked by millions of miles of roads and trails. Our industry provides tools to help Americans seek adventure and commune with nature, whether they’re visiting a national park or venturing off the paved roads. Our industry’s products enhance a vehicle’s comfort or increase its performance capabilities to guarantee a quality ride.

 We live in a mobile society and a nation networked by millions of miles of roads and trails. Our industry provides tools to help Americans seek adventure and commune with nature, whether they’re visiting a national park or venturing off the paved roads. Our industry’s products enhance a vehicle’s comfort or increase its performance capabilities to guarantee a quality ride.

By Zane Clark

Nonverbal communication expert Patti Wood will share insight with Showgoers on how to make the most of a first impression.

Patti Wood is an internationally known expert in nonverbal communication and creates high energy interactive programs filled with humor, cutting-edge information and valuable take-aways.

On Monday morning, October 30, Wood will teach you to make the most of that first impression that will determine how you will interact with a person and how they will interact with you. Click here to learn more and register.

Get a double-dose of Wood in her Monday afternoon session and learn how to read the thousands of nonverbal cues that can make your interactions more genuine and more productive. Click here to learn more and register for Wood’s afternoon session.

Watch Wood’s Biz Tip Video here.

View the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education Sessions.

For more details, contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark.

By Zane Clark

Nonverbal communication expert Patti Wood will share insight with Showgoers on how to make the most of a first impression.

Patti Wood is an internationally known expert in nonverbal communication and creates high energy interactive programs filled with humor, cutting-edge information and valuable take-aways.

On Monday morning, October 30, Wood will teach you to make the most of that first impression that will determine how you will interact with a person and how they will interact with you. Click here to learn more and register.

Get a double-dose of Wood in her Monday afternoon session and learn how to read the thousands of nonverbal cues that can make your interactions more genuine and more productive. Click here to learn more and register for Wood’s afternoon session.

Watch Wood’s Biz Tip Video here.

View the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education Sessions.

For more details, contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark.