By Juan Torres

Gordon Ting turned his first Toyota build—a ’16 Prius—into a performance car that was named to the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders Top 10.

Gordon Ting has specialized in race-inspired builds during the 18 years he has modified cars, and with his most recent project, he decided to push the envelope a bit. Ting took on a ’16 Prius—his first Toyota build—and entered it into the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition to show that a hybrid vehicle could be a performance machine.

The build, which took two months to complete, was inspired by the Japanese Prius GT300 racing in the Okayama International Circuit, but because manufacturers traditionally don’t make performance parts for the Prius, some aftermarket parts had to be modified, especially for the suspension and brakes. Before the SEMA Show, the Prius pulled .97 in lateral Gs on the skid pad during testing, putting it in the neighborhood of Porsches, Vipers and Corvettes.

Ting was humbled to be named into the Top 10. “Being next to some of these awesome builders, it doesn’t feel right,” he said. However, he was very proud of what he accomplished. “It’s purpose-built. It can do what it looks like it was built to do. We did what we said we could do in a short amount of time.”

Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and stories of the 2016 Battle of the Builders competition will be showcased in an hour-long TV special that will air February 6, 2017, on the Velocity Network. Mark your calendars, set your DVRs, and tell your friends not to miss the show. 

For more information, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Juan Torres

Exhibitors and SEMA executives were interviewed during this year’s SEMA Show for a “Performance TV” episode that will air Saturday, December 31, at 9:30 a.m. (EST) on the Velocity Network. Mark your calendars, set your DVRs and tell your friends not to miss the show.

By Juan Torres

Exhibitors and SEMA executives were interviewed during this year’s SEMA Show for a “Performance TV” episode that will air Saturday, December 31, at 9:30 a.m. (EST) on the Velocity Network. Mark your calendars, set your DVRs and tell your friends not to miss the show.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Park Service (NPS) finalized changes to its special regulation for off-road vehicle (ORV) use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina. The revisions are the result of a SEMA-supported federal law enacted in 2014 that required the NPS to revisit a management plan restricting ORV access to large portions of the seashore. The NPS approved without change the revisions it proposed in August 2016 including a revision to the times that certain beaches are open to ORV use in the morning and extension to the dates that certain seasonal ORV routes are open in the fall and spring. The NPS also replaced an ORV route designation on Ocracoke Island with a park road to allow vehicle access and pedestrian use of a soundside area without the requirement for an ORV permit.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Park Service (NPS) finalized changes to its special regulation for off-road vehicle (ORV) use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina. The revisions are the result of a SEMA-supported federal law enacted in 2014 that required the NPS to revisit a management plan restricting ORV access to large portions of the seashore. The NPS approved without change the revisions it proposed in August 2016 including a revision to the times that certain beaches are open to ORV use in the morning and extension to the dates that certain seasonal ORV routes are open in the fall and spring. The NPS also replaced an ORV route designation on Ocracoke Island with a park road to allow vehicle access and pedestrian use of a soundside area without the requirement for an ORV permit.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Park Service (NPS) finalized changes to its special regulation for off-road vehicle (ORV) use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina. The revisions are the result of a SEMA-supported federal law enacted in 2014 that required the NPS to revisit a management plan restricting ORV access to large portions of the seashore. The NPS approved without change the revisions it proposed in August 2016 including a revision to the times that certain beaches are open to ORV use in the morning and extension to the dates that certain seasonal ORV routes are open in the fall and spring. The NPS also replaced an ORV route designation on Ocracoke Island with a park road to allow vehicle access and pedestrian use of a soundside area without the requirement for an ORV permit.

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

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, trucks or wheels and tires—there’s a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit ETTN's website

This year’s Motorsports Tech Roundtable, to be held January 23, at the 2017 SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC) in Santa Ana, California, will offer a chance for participants to meet with experts to discuss a variety of topics.

ETTN Motorsports Tech Roundtable Discussion Topics Announced

By Tim Sayers

The second annual Motorsports Tech Roundtable will be held January 23, at the 2017 SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC) in Santa Ana, California. The event will be hosted by the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN).

This year’s Roundtables will offer a chance for participants to meet with experts to discuss a variety of topics. A roundtable format offers open conversations that can impact current and future product development and testing. Attendees will talk with top industry talent and innovative minds on emerging technical trends in the motorsports industry. Topics will include:

Topic: The Fundamental Principles of Intake Manifold Design
Expert: Dr. Rick Roberts, Edelbrock

Discussion: It is known that intake manifold design can have a significant effect on performance of an internal combustion engine. In this presentation, some of the significant experimental findings in the 100-year development of IC engines and theories developed from them are reviewed and discussed. These results collectively have led to the computer simulation methods used today, which will be reviewed along with presentation of results from an example simulation.

Topic: Emissions Compliance for Street Performance Products
Expert: Peter Treydte, Compliance Center Manager, SEMA
Discussion: Emissions regulations from EPA and CARB and how to make products comply with the law. Special focus on CARB Executive Orders and how the SEMA Compliance Center can help with the process.

Topic: Advancements in Product Design, From Idea to Prototype
Expert: Gabe Hall, Magnaflow; Mike Spagnola, Vice President, OEM and Product Development, SEMA
Discussion: Leveraging new technologies at the SEMA Garage to bring motorsports products to market faster and with confidence.

Topic: Current Technology Transfer Trends from Track to Street

Expert: John Waraniak, SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology
Discussion: Technology transfer from the track to the street is one of the primary reasons why SEMA, as well as auto manufacturers, compete in motorsports. Racing is the Gemba and frontline for advanced vehicle technologies. Whether it’s gasoline, electric, hybrid or hydrogen, it’s a good time to be in the performance business. Horsepower is being matched with computing power, and new market segments are being created in safety, emissions, vehicle electronics, electrification, connected and automated driving performance. Technology and innovation leadership along with talent development are the three primary investments specialty-equipment companies need for creating a competitive advantage and staying relevant with advanced vehicle technology, consumer trends and social demands.

Topic: Obtaining Patents to Protect Motorsports Technology

Expert: Robb Roby, Partner at Knobbe Martens
Discussion: An important component of running a manufacturing business is protecting your investment in thousands of hours of designing and manufacturing your motorsports “widget.” This table discussion will explore the reasons to pursue patents for your motorsports products along with best practices in defending your intellectual property.

The Motorsport Tech Roundtable will be held Monday, January 23, 2017, from 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

Register today!

For more information, contact Bryan Harrison, director of networks, at bryanh@sema.org or 909-978-6691.

Back to Top

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, trucks or wheels and tires—there’s a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit ETTN's website

This year’s Motorsports Tech Roundtable, to be held January 23, at the 2017 SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC) in Santa Ana, California, will offer a chance for participants to meet with experts to discuss a variety of topics.

ETTN Motorsports Tech Roundtable Discussion Topics Announced

By Tim Sayers

The second annual Motorsports Tech Roundtable will be held January 23, at the 2017 SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC) in Santa Ana, California. The event will be hosted by the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN).

This year’s Roundtables will offer a chance for participants to meet with experts to discuss a variety of topics. A roundtable format offers open conversations that can impact current and future product development and testing. Attendees will talk with top industry talent and innovative minds on emerging technical trends in the motorsports industry. Topics will include:

Topic: The Fundamental Principles of Intake Manifold Design
Expert: Dr. Rick Roberts, Edelbrock

Discussion: It is known that intake manifold design can have a significant effect on performance of an internal combustion engine. In this presentation, some of the significant experimental findings in the 100-year development of IC engines and theories developed from them are reviewed and discussed. These results collectively have led to the computer simulation methods used today, which will be reviewed along with presentation of results from an example simulation.

Topic: Emissions Compliance for Street Performance Products
Expert: Peter Treydte, Compliance Center Manager, SEMA
Discussion: Emissions regulations from EPA and CARB and how to make products comply with the law. Special focus on CARB Executive Orders and how the SEMA Compliance Center can help with the process.

Topic: Advancements in Product Design, From Idea to Prototype
Expert: Gabe Hall, Magnaflow; Mike Spagnola, Vice President, OEM and Product Development, SEMA
Discussion: Leveraging new technologies at the SEMA Garage to bring motorsports products to market faster and with confidence.

Topic: Current Technology Transfer Trends from Track to Street

Expert: John Waraniak, SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology
Discussion: Technology transfer from the track to the street is one of the primary reasons why SEMA, as well as auto manufacturers, compete in motorsports. Racing is the Gemba and frontline for advanced vehicle technologies. Whether it’s gasoline, electric, hybrid or hydrogen, it’s a good time to be in the performance business. Horsepower is being matched with computing power, and new market segments are being created in safety, emissions, vehicle electronics, electrification, connected and automated driving performance. Technology and innovation leadership along with talent development are the three primary investments specialty-equipment companies need for creating a competitive advantage and staying relevant with advanced vehicle technology, consumer trends and social demands.

Topic: Obtaining Patents to Protect Motorsports Technology

Expert: Robb Roby, Partner at Knobbe Martens
Discussion: An important component of running a manufacturing business is protecting your investment in thousands of hours of designing and manufacturing your motorsports “widget.” This table discussion will explore the reasons to pursue patents for your motorsports products along with best practices in defending your intellectual property.

The Motorsport Tech Roundtable will be held Monday, January 23, 2017, from 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

Register today!

For more information, contact Bryan Harrison, director of networks, at bryanh@sema.org or 909-978-6691.

Back to Top

Compiled by SEMA Editors

The AAM Group presented the brand-new Excellence Cup honoring the fastest overall perfect engine build winner to Team Fragola from Peach County High School in Georgia at the 2016 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championship 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 brand-new Excellence Cup honoring the fastest overall perfect engine build winner to Team Fragola from Peach County High School in Georgia, coached by Johnny Rickerson, at the 2016 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championship in Indianapolis. This capped of AAM’s pledge to honor every team building a perfect engine in the Elite 8 competitions held at the SEMA and PRI Shows. 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 the Elite 8 teams. The base will be inscribed with the team’s name and school of all past winners as a recognition of their accomplishments. AAM Program Sales Manager Jerry Simpson presented the awards at the season-finale event conducted at the PRI Trade Show. Teams that achieved at least one perfect engine build at one of the Dual National Championship events were awarded a plaque, while the team that clocked the fastest overall perfect engine was awarded with the Excellence Cup.

Elite 8 Perfect Engine Build Honorees:

• Team Fragola, Peach County High School, Georgia (Instructor: Johnny Rickerson) [Excellence Cup winner]
• Team Aeromotive, Fremd High School, Illinois (Instructor: Steven Elza)
• Team Be Cool, Elkhart Area Career Center, Indiana (Instructor: Ryan Gortney)
• Team Comp Cams, Burton Center for Arts & Technology, Pennsylvania (Instructor: Chris Overfelt)
• Team Holley, Forsyth Central High School, Georgia (Instructor: Marlo Miranda)
• Team Howards Cams, Belvidere North High School, Illinois (Instructor: Jill Arata)
• Team Taylor, Fremd High School, Illinois (Instructor: Steven Elza)

ADCO Products Joins Covercraft Industries

Covercraft Industries has announced that it is adding ADCO Products—a market leader in recreational vehicle covers and protection accessories and the official licensee for Winnebago-branded covers—to its stable of brands. This expanded platform will allow the businesses to cross-merchandise existing products into each of their respective markets. ADCO will continue to service its customer base under the ADCO and PCI brand names, and will operate as a division of Covercraft Industries. ADCO’s sales and management team members will all transition into similar roles within the merged company.

Rolling Big Power Signs Endorsed Product Sponsorship With DIESEL Motorsports

Rolling Big Power finalized an endorsed product sponsorship deal with DIESEL Motorsports during the 2016 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, making the City of Industry, California, company the official truck grille sponsor for all events of the 2017 DIESEL Motorsports season. Since its inception in 2001, the Rolling Big Power (RBP) brand’s portfolio has included wheels, grilles, steps, aftermarket accessories and other off-road performance products.

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 Amelia Zwecher

Hire a part-time/temp recruiter or employment agency if you do not have a dedicated HR team.

In the digital age, it’s crucial for employers to have an online presence via social media and job boards in order to recruit new candidates. Here are some more tips hiring managers can utilize to attract and hire qualified employees:

1. Hire a part-time/temp recruiter or employment agency if you do not have a dedicated HR team.
2. Track metrics: time to fill, time to accept, cost per hire vs. cost per vacancy, quality of hires, source of new hire (which source triggered this new hire to apply), and hiring manager satisfaction.
3. Branding is the process of promoting a company or an organization as the employer of choice to a desired target group, one which a company needs and wants to recruit and retain. How can you achieve this?

• Create social media accounts to promote your organization.
• Create an account with Glassdoor; this allows you to develop a campaign around advertising/promoting your organization. Also, employees and the public are able to post comments about your organization.
• Attend career fairs and job fairs frequently even if you haven’t hired individuals from these events. It’s an opportunity to promote your company’s name.
• Create a Youtube video of employees providing testimonials about their experiences at your organization.
• Create groups in Linkedin to promote career opportunities.
• In job descriptions, be sure to include information about your organizational culture (something that will attract applicants; i.e., emphasize the importance of team, flexible work environment, employees’ quality of life, or wellness). Be clear with competencies for each role.

For more information, contact Amelia F. Zwecher, TAS, manager, career services, at ameliaz@sema.org.