SEMA News—September 2016

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

Tips to Connect With International Buyers at the 2016 SEMA Show

Meet Australian retailers and wholesalers before the SEMA Show opens at the Australian roundtable Monday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m. in Upper North Hall, room N259. Take the opportunity to also hear about SEMA’s new Australia Regional Business Development program.

Tens of thousands of international buyers will be walking the 2016 SEMA Show looking for new products to export to their home markets. How do you, as an exhibitor, connect with these buyers who come to Las Vegas from Australia, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and more than 130 countries? They likely have just a few minutes to stop at any one booth, so how do you grab their attention and maintain their interest in order to introduce yourself and your product, scan their badges or collect their business cards? Here are some tips about how to attract buyers to your booth and what you can do even before the Show begins.

Exhibitors should create an action plan to attract and service international buyers visiting their booths. Make plans to:

• Arrange for your international sales and marketing staff to be on hand to greet overseas buyers.
  
  
• Request a “We Export” sign. Complimentary “We Export” signs are available to exhibitors for display in their booths. Let international buyers know that you are interested in doing business with them with this multilingual sign. Exhibitors can request signs at www.sema.org/international.
  
  
• Do you create products with international applications? Don’t forget signage for any product applications that would fit vehicles that may not be found in the United States. For example, if you created products for global vehicles popularly customized abroad but not sold in the United States—such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 or UAZ Hunter—be sure to let visitors to your booth know.
  
  
• Attend the SEMA International Happy Hour and international roundtables as an easy way to meet global buyers as well as U.S. companies doing business abroad.

Forums on Top Emerging Markets

Each year SEMA hosts the annual International Happy Hour, which brings together more than 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and global media. More information on registering for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Top automotive specialty-equipment buyers from the Middle East, Australia and China will speak about the opportunities and challenges U.S. manufacturers face in doing business in their home markets at roundtable discussions Monday, October 31, in room N259 of the Upper North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Sign up to attend the international seminars at www.sema.org/education.

Select the International Track on the education pull-down menu. The seminars include the following:

Middle East: Monday, October 31; 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. automotive specialty-equipment manufacturers. Off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the sixth one-on-one matchmaking program to be held in Abu Dhabi over March 28–April 1, 2017.

Australia: Monday, October 31; 12:00–1:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Meet for lunch and have a conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Hear about the opportunities in this country of pickup and SUV customizing fanatics and die-hard hot-rod enthusiasts. In particular, learn about the new business for the specialty-equipment market that has developed from the all-new Ford Mustang (in right-hand drive) landing on Australia’s shores this past year. Explore the challenges as well: All vehicles in the country are right-hand drive; many vehicles popularly customized in Australia are not sold in the United States; and a strong dollar makes exports to that market more expensive. Meet with SEMA members who exhibited in May 2016 at the inaugural SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Program in Melbourne and learn about future programs.

China: Monday, October 31; 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region will provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of U.S. brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in an informal, practical session that will assist attendees in deciding if this market is a good fit for their products. Hear from SEMA members who are actively selling into the market as well as from buyers specializing in U.S. products.

International Happy Hour

Wednesday, November 2; 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N255

The 2016 International Happy Hour will be the largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gathering. Network with international buyers, distributors and media right in the LVCC at the close of the day’s SEMA Show. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend this year’s networking party. Registration for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Global Media Awards

Get your hottest new products in front of buyers and the media by participating in the New Products Showcase. The annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of 35 top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries. Each will name 10 products from the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets. Winning companies will be recognized at the International Happy Hour, receiving Global Media Awards that signify the global appeal of their products and their companies. Exhibitors can register for the Happy Hour at www.sema.org/international.

Center for International Commerce

The Center for International Commerce (CIC) is located in LVCC room N255. The CIC room offers complimentary private meeting space and interpreters to facilitate meetings between exhibitors and international buyers. On hand will be a team of interpreters to assist in bilingual communication in key languages, such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. All international buyers and exhibitors are welcome to use these export-oriented services.

SEMA News—September 2016

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

Tips to Connect With International Buyers at the 2016 SEMA Show

Meet Australian retailers and wholesalers before the SEMA Show opens at the Australian roundtable Monday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m. in Upper North Hall, room N259. Take the opportunity to also hear about SEMA’s new Australia Regional Business Development program.

Tens of thousands of international buyers will be walking the 2016 SEMA Show looking for new products to export to their home markets. How do you, as an exhibitor, connect with these buyers who come to Las Vegas from Australia, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and more than 130 countries? They likely have just a few minutes to stop at any one booth, so how do you grab their attention and maintain their interest in order to introduce yourself and your product, scan their badges or collect their business cards? Here are some tips about how to attract buyers to your booth and what you can do even before the Show begins.

Exhibitors should create an action plan to attract and service international buyers visiting their booths. Make plans to:

• Arrange for your international sales and marketing staff to be on hand to greet overseas buyers.
  
  
• Request a “We Export” sign. Complimentary “We Export” signs are available to exhibitors for display in their booths. Let international buyers know that you are interested in doing business with them with this multilingual sign. Exhibitors can request signs at www.sema.org/international.
  
  
• Do you create products with international applications? Don’t forget signage for any product applications that would fit vehicles that may not be found in the United States. For example, if you created products for global vehicles popularly customized abroad but not sold in the United States—such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 or UAZ Hunter—be sure to let visitors to your booth know.
  
  
• Attend the SEMA International Happy Hour and international roundtables as an easy way to meet global buyers as well as U.S. companies doing business abroad.

Forums on Top Emerging Markets

Each year SEMA hosts the annual International Happy Hour, which brings together more than 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and global media. More information on registering for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Top automotive specialty-equipment buyers from the Middle East, Australia and China will speak about the opportunities and challenges U.S. manufacturers face in doing business in their home markets at roundtable discussions Monday, October 31, in room N259 of the Upper North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Sign up to attend the international seminars at www.sema.org/education.

Select the International Track on the education pull-down menu. The seminars include the following:

Middle East: Monday, October 31; 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. automotive specialty-equipment manufacturers. Off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the sixth one-on-one matchmaking program to be held in Abu Dhabi over March 28–April 1, 2017.

Australia: Monday, October 31; 12:00–1:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Meet for lunch and have a conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Hear about the opportunities in this country of pickup and SUV customizing fanatics and die-hard hot-rod enthusiasts. In particular, learn about the new business for the specialty-equipment market that has developed from the all-new Ford Mustang (in right-hand drive) landing on Australia’s shores this past year. Explore the challenges as well: All vehicles in the country are right-hand drive; many vehicles popularly customized in Australia are not sold in the United States; and a strong dollar makes exports to that market more expensive. Meet with SEMA members who exhibited in May 2016 at the inaugural SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Program in Melbourne and learn about future programs.

China: Monday, October 31; 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N259

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region will provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of U.S. brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in an informal, practical session that will assist attendees in deciding if this market is a good fit for their products. Hear from SEMA members who are actively selling into the market as well as from buyers specializing in U.S. products.

International Happy Hour

Wednesday, November 2; 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.; Upper North Hall, Room N255

The 2016 International Happy Hour will be the largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gathering. Network with international buyers, distributors and media right in the LVCC at the close of the day’s SEMA Show. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend this year’s networking party. Registration for the International Happy Hour is available at www.sema.org/international.

Global Media Awards

Get your hottest new products in front of buyers and the media by participating in the New Products Showcase. The annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of 35 top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries. Each will name 10 products from the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets. Winning companies will be recognized at the International Happy Hour, receiving Global Media Awards that signify the global appeal of their products and their companies. Exhibitors can register for the Happy Hour at www.sema.org/international.

Center for International Commerce

The Center for International Commerce (CIC) is located in LVCC room N255. The CIC room offers complimentary private meeting space and interpreters to facilitate meetings between exhibitors and international buyers. On hand will be a team of interpreters to assist in bilingual communication in key languages, such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. All international buyers and exhibitors are welcome to use these export-oriented services.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show floorplan has been enhanced with user-friendly functions that make navigating the Show, planning the week and creating a personalized schedule quick and simple.

Research companies, locate exhibitor booths, create a personalized schedule and search the Show by product keywords with the updated 2016 SEMA Show floorplan.

The homepage features the Show Locations Map, highlighting the Show’s sections and the outside layout of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Clicking on any of the halls will bring up a large map of the layout, showing the companies and booth numbers within the hall. The drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner provides convenient links to areas throughout the Show, including the LVCC’s hall layouts, the Performance Pavilion and all three Silver Lots.

Buyers can use the search tool to locate companies by product keywords. As an example, a search for the term “exhaust” will produce a list of companies offering exhaust-related products, a button graphic with the number of those exhibitors per hall, and their locations on the floorplan. To navigate deeper, buyers can click on any of the buttons to bring up a larger version of the map, and the specific location and booth number for each company.

To form a plan for the Show, users create a free account and use the site’s features to research and plan. Buyers can make personalized meeting schedules, add exhibitors to a list of companies to visit, and use the “Share My Planner” option to share the information with their employer or other colleagues. To schedule educational sessions, users access the “Conference” tab at the top of the page to view the meetings and times. Clicking the star icon to the right of the education track will add it to the calendar. The floorplan’s additional features include a complete list of exhibiting companies and descriptions and the locations for shuttle and taxi stops.

To learn more about the 2016 SEMA Show and to register, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show floorplan has been enhanced with user-friendly functions that make navigating the Show, planning the week and creating a personalized schedule quick and simple.

Research companies, locate exhibitor booths, create a personalized schedule and search the Show by product keywords with the updated 2016 SEMA Show floorplan.

The homepage features the Show Locations Map, highlighting the Show’s sections and the outside layout of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Clicking on any of the halls will bring up a large map of the layout, showing the companies and booth numbers within the hall. The drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner provides convenient links to areas throughout the Show, including the LVCC’s hall layouts, the Performance Pavilion and all three Silver Lots.

Buyers can use the search tool to locate companies by product keywords. As an example, a search for the term “exhaust” will produce a list of companies offering exhaust-related products, a button graphic with the number of those exhibitors per hall, and their locations on the floorplan. To navigate deeper, buyers can click on any of the buttons to bring up a larger version of the map, and the specific location and booth number for each company.

To form a plan for the Show, users create a free account and use the site’s features to research and plan. Buyers can make personalized meeting schedules, add exhibitors to a list of companies to visit, and use the “Share My Planner” option to share the information with their employer or other colleagues. To schedule educational sessions, users access the “Conference” tab at the top of the page to view the meetings and times. Clicking the star icon to the right of the education track will add it to the calendar. The floorplan’s additional features include a complete list of exhibiting companies and descriptions and the locations for shuttle and taxi stops.

To learn more about the 2016 SEMA Show and to register, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

The SEMA Show floorplan has been enhanced with user-friendly functions that make navigating the Show, planning the week and creating a personalized schedule quick and simple.

Research companies, locate exhibitor booths, create a personalized schedule and search the Show by product keywords with the updated 2016 SEMA Show floorplan.

The homepage features the Show Locations Map, highlighting the Show’s sections and the outside layout of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Clicking on any of the halls will bring up a large map of the layout, showing the companies and booth numbers within the hall. The drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner provides convenient links to areas throughout the Show, including the LVCC’s hall layouts, the Performance Pavilion and all three Silver Lots.

Buyers can use the search tool to locate companies by product keywords. As an example, a search for the term “exhaust” will produce a list of companies offering exhaust-related products, a button graphic with the number of those exhibitors per hall, and their locations on the floorplan. To navigate deeper, buyers can click on any of the buttons to bring up a larger version of the map, and the specific location and booth number for each company.

To form a plan for the Show, users create a free account and use the site’s features to research and plan. Buyers can make personalized meeting schedules, add exhibitors to a list of companies to visit, and use the “Share My Planner” option to share the information with their employer or other colleagues. To schedule educational sessions, users access the “Conference” tab at the top of the page to view the meetings and times. Clicking the star icon to the right of the education track will add it to the calendar. The floorplan’s additional features include a complete list of exhibiting companies and descriptions and the locations for shuttle and taxi stops.

To learn more about the 2016 SEMA Show and to register, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Scott Speed earned his third consecutive Red Bull Global Rallycross first-place finish last Sunday.

Scott Speed Claims Dominant Win for Volkswagen in Inaugural Atlantic City Red Bull Global Rallycross Event

Scott Speed continued his Red Bull Global Rallycross winning streak in Atlantic City last Sunday, earning his third consecutive first-place finish, after a perfect inaugural weekend of competition at Bader Field. Speed reclaimed the race lead with two laps remaining when his teammate, Tanner Foust, struck trouble with a punctured tire. The two-time series champion managed to bring his wounded Beetle GRC to the line in fourth position, earning valuable championship points. Volkswagen increases its lead in the manufacturer’s championship with its fourth consecutive win and sixth of the season. Provisionally, the drivers still lead the championship standings, although their positions have swapped. Both drivers continue to grow their points gap to the rest of the field, heading into the final three races of the season. Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross will be back in action at the ninth round of the 2016 season in Seattle. The race will air Sunday, September 18, at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) on NBC.

Classic Instruments to Partner With Pro Stocker Jason Line for NHRA U.S. Nationals

Two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Jason Line and performance gauge maker Classic Instruments have inked a partnership for the Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals, August 31–September 5 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Line and the Summit Racing-sponsored KB Racing team have worked closely with Classic Instruments to develop the company’s new Performance Series gauges.

Cooper Webb earned the 250MX class champion title recently at the GEICO Motorcycle Budds Creek National. Photo credit: Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha

Mickey Thompson-Sponsored Cooper Webb Earns Pro Motocross 250 Class Champion Title

Mickey Thompson and Deegan 38-sponsored racer Cooper Webb earned the 250MX class champion title recently at the GEICO Motorcycle Budds Creek National—part of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha team member scored 457 points in the series and has been on the podium nine times. The 20-year-old from Newport, North Carolina, has held his lead in the overall point standings for most of the series. Webb’s closest competitor, teammate Alex Martin, earned second at Budds Creek, and is in second place in the series.

IndyCar, Watkins Glen International Announce Multi-Year Extension

Watkins Glen International is officially New York’s home for IndyCar racing once again. In a joint announcement made at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, New York State Senator Tom O’Mara, IndyCar President Jay Frye and IndyCar driver Will Power confirmed that the Verizon IndyCar Series will return to the historic circuit in 2017 and beyond. Following the cancellation of the planned Grand Prix of Boston, Printup and Frye announced in Indianapolis that the series would return to Watkins Glen International September 1–4 on a one-year deal that would fill the open date on the schedule.

Team McLeish Bros. set a 186.305-mph national land-speed record at the 68th annual Speed Week at Bonneville Salt Flats.

Team McLeish Bros. Sets 186-mph Record With an Indian Scout Engine

On Friday, August 19, Team McLeish Bros. inked a 186.305-mph national land-speed record at the 68th annual Speed Week at Bonneville Salt Flats. Competing with its 21-ft. SilverRod, the motorcycle streamliner rocketed to the top-speed spot for Class SCS-G, eclipsing all other Indian Motorcycle-powered speed machines at Bonneville. Team McLeish Bros. record-book accomplishment exceeded Burt Munro’s long-standing 183-mph speed, but not his record. Munro was venerated when Anthony Hopkins played the New Zealand motorcyclist in the feature film “World’s Fastest Indian.”

Jonnie Lindberg Motorsports has partnered with VP Racing Fuels for the 2016 racing season.

VP Racing Fuels Partners With Jonnie Lindberg, GM Parts Now & Gray Motorsports

Jonnie Lindberg Motorsports has announced a new alliance with VP Racing Fuels for the 2016 racing season. Lindberg, reigning NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car champion, will rely exclusively on VP’s M1 Methanol in his attempt to secure a second championship this year.

VP Racing Fuels has also announced a partnership with Victor Cagnazzi and Gray Motorsports’ COPO Camaro Sportsman racing team. With the agreement, each of the team’s cars will be powered exclusively by VP’s C25 racing fuel at the upcoming NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and other NHRA National events. The GM Parts Now Chevy COPO team campaigns four cars in Stock, Super Stock and the Factory Stock Showdown.

NMCA Announces 2017 Event Schedule

The National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) has announced the official event schedule for the 2017 season:

• March 9–12: 15th Annual NMCA Muscle Car Mayhem, Bradenton Motorsports Park, Bradenton, Florida
• April 6–9: 9th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals, Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Georgia
• May 18–21: 16th Annual Bluegrass Nationals, Beech Bend Raceway, Bowling Green, Kentucky
• July 27–30: 12th Annual NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing, Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Illinois
• August 24–27: 16th Annual NMCA All American Muscle Supernationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio
• September 21–24: 16th Annual NMCA World Street Finals, Lucas Oil Raceway, Indianapolis

Champion Racing Oil National Open Returns to Williams Grove Speedway

Champion will again be the title sponsor of the Williams Grove National Open sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, September 29–October 1, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The Champion Racing Oil National Open is an event with more than 50 years of history that includes the biggest names in motorsports competing at half-mile Williams Grove Speedway. This year’s three-day competition offers a pair of 25-lap, $10,000 to win mains on both Thursday and Friday, plus a 40-lap championship race paying $50,000 to win on Saturday. 

Josh Klugger Wins Big in Radial vs. World at PSCA SCSN St. Louis

Fiscus/Klugger Racing (FKR) driver Josh Klugger took home the overall win in Radial vs. the World at the PSCA Street Car Super Nationals “Anarchy at the Arch” III race at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis last weekend. Additionally, teammate Kevin Fiscus made it through to both the semi-finals in Pro Nitrous vs. Pro Boost and the quarter-finals in Radial vs. the World.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Scott Speed earned his third consecutive Red Bull Global Rallycross first-place finish last Sunday.

Scott Speed Claims Dominant Win for Volkswagen in Inaugural Atlantic City Red Bull Global Rallycross Event

Scott Speed continued his Red Bull Global Rallycross winning streak in Atlantic City last Sunday, earning his third consecutive first-place finish, after a perfect inaugural weekend of competition at Bader Field. Speed reclaimed the race lead with two laps remaining when his teammate, Tanner Foust, struck trouble with a punctured tire. The two-time series champion managed to bring his wounded Beetle GRC to the line in fourth position, earning valuable championship points. Volkswagen increases its lead in the manufacturer’s championship with its fourth consecutive win and sixth of the season. Provisionally, the drivers still lead the championship standings, although their positions have swapped. Both drivers continue to grow their points gap to the rest of the field, heading into the final three races of the season. Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross will be back in action at the ninth round of the 2016 season in Seattle. The race will air Sunday, September 18, at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) on NBC.

Classic Instruments to Partner With Pro Stocker Jason Line for NHRA U.S. Nationals

Two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Jason Line and performance gauge maker Classic Instruments have inked a partnership for the Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals, August 31–September 5 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Line and the Summit Racing-sponsored KB Racing team have worked closely with Classic Instruments to develop the company’s new Performance Series gauges.

Cooper Webb earned the 250MX class champion title recently at the GEICO Motorcycle Budds Creek National. Photo credit: Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha

Mickey Thompson-Sponsored Cooper Webb Earns Pro Motocross 250 Class Champion Title

Mickey Thompson and Deegan 38-sponsored racer Cooper Webb earned the 250MX class champion title recently at the GEICO Motorcycle Budds Creek National—part of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha team member scored 457 points in the series and has been on the podium nine times. The 20-year-old from Newport, North Carolina, has held his lead in the overall point standings for most of the series. Webb’s closest competitor, teammate Alex Martin, earned second at Budds Creek, and is in second place in the series.

IndyCar, Watkins Glen International Announce Multi-Year Extension

Watkins Glen International is officially New York’s home for IndyCar racing once again. In a joint announcement made at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, New York State Senator Tom O’Mara, IndyCar President Jay Frye and IndyCar driver Will Power confirmed that the Verizon IndyCar Series will return to the historic circuit in 2017 and beyond. Following the cancellation of the planned Grand Prix of Boston, Printup and Frye announced in Indianapolis that the series would return to Watkins Glen International September 1–4 on a one-year deal that would fill the open date on the schedule.

Team McLeish Bros. set a 186.305-mph national land-speed record at the 68th annual Speed Week at Bonneville Salt Flats.

Team McLeish Bros. Sets 186-mph Record With an Indian Scout Engine

On Friday, August 19, Team McLeish Bros. inked a 186.305-mph national land-speed record at the 68th annual Speed Week at Bonneville Salt Flats. Competing with its 21-ft. SilverRod, the motorcycle streamliner rocketed to the top-speed spot for Class SCS-G, eclipsing all other Indian Motorcycle-powered speed machines at Bonneville. Team McLeish Bros. record-book accomplishment exceeded Burt Munro’s long-standing 183-mph speed, but not his record. Munro was venerated when Anthony Hopkins played the New Zealand motorcyclist in the feature film “World’s Fastest Indian.”

Jonnie Lindberg Motorsports has partnered with VP Racing Fuels for the 2016 racing season.

VP Racing Fuels Partners With Jonnie Lindberg, GM Parts Now & Gray Motorsports

Jonnie Lindberg Motorsports has announced a new alliance with VP Racing Fuels for the 2016 racing season. Lindberg, reigning NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car champion, will rely exclusively on VP’s M1 Methanol in his attempt to secure a second championship this year.

VP Racing Fuels has also announced a partnership with Victor Cagnazzi and Gray Motorsports’ COPO Camaro Sportsman racing team. With the agreement, each of the team’s cars will be powered exclusively by VP’s C25 racing fuel at the upcoming NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and other NHRA National events. The GM Parts Now Chevy COPO team campaigns four cars in Stock, Super Stock and the Factory Stock Showdown.

NMCA Announces 2017 Event Schedule

The National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) has announced the official event schedule for the 2017 season:

• March 9–12: 15th Annual NMCA Muscle Car Mayhem, Bradenton Motorsports Park, Bradenton, Florida
• April 6–9: 9th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals, Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Georgia
• May 18–21: 16th Annual Bluegrass Nationals, Beech Bend Raceway, Bowling Green, Kentucky
• July 27–30: 12th Annual NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing, Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Illinois
• August 24–27: 16th Annual NMCA All American Muscle Supernationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio
• September 21–24: 16th Annual NMCA World Street Finals, Lucas Oil Raceway, Indianapolis

Champion Racing Oil National Open Returns to Williams Grove Speedway

Champion will again be the title sponsor of the Williams Grove National Open sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, September 29–October 1, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The Champion Racing Oil National Open is an event with more than 50 years of history that includes the biggest names in motorsports competing at half-mile Williams Grove Speedway. This year’s three-day competition offers a pair of 25-lap, $10,000 to win mains on both Thursday and Friday, plus a 40-lap championship race paying $50,000 to win on Saturday. 

Josh Klugger Wins Big in Radial vs. World at PSCA SCSN St. Louis

Fiscus/Klugger Racing (FKR) driver Josh Klugger took home the overall win in Radial vs. the World at the PSCA Street Car Super Nationals “Anarchy at the Arch” III race at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis last weekend. Additionally, teammate Kevin Fiscus made it through to both the semi-finals in Pro Nitrous vs. Pro Boost and the quarter-finals in Radial vs. the World.

By Michael Hart

Engineering students attended a Career Day at the SEMA Garage in February.

This year, in support of SEMA’s Career Paths initiative, the SEMA Show will launch its first-ever Student Career Day. On Monday, October 31, from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., SEMA members and Show exhibitors will have the chance to introduce themselves and their companies and present available career opportunities to about 600 high-school and college students who will attend the Show.

While not technically a “job fair” (although students may come with their résumés in hand), it is an opportunity to pique the interest of bright, talented young people, and for students to begin relationships that may lead to careers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Join the 33 companies already committed to participating.

Spots are going fast. To participate or learn more, contact Zane Clark, SEMA’s senior director of education.

By Michael Hart

Engineering students attended a Career Day at the SEMA Garage in February.

This year, in support of SEMA’s Career Paths initiative, the SEMA Show will launch its first-ever Student Career Day. On Monday, October 31, from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., SEMA members and Show exhibitors will have the chance to introduce themselves and their companies and present available career opportunities to about 600 high-school and college students who will attend the Show.

While not technically a “job fair” (although students may come with their résumés in hand), it is an opportunity to pique the interest of bright, talented young people, and for students to begin relationships that may lead to careers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Join the 33 companies already committed to participating.

Spots are going fast. To participate or learn more, contact Zane Clark, SEMA’s senior director of education.

By Michael Hart

Engineering students attended a Career Day at the SEMA Garage in February.

This year, in support of SEMA’s Career Paths initiative, the SEMA Show will launch its first-ever Student Career Day. On Monday, October 31, from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., SEMA members and Show exhibitors will have the chance to introduce themselves and their companies and present available career opportunities to about 600 high-school and college students who will attend the Show.

While not technically a “job fair” (although students may come with their résumés in hand), it is an opportunity to pique the interest of bright, talented young people, and for students to begin relationships that may lead to careers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Join the 33 companies already committed to participating.

Spots are going fast. To participate or learn more, contact Zane Clark, SEMA’s senior director of education.