By Washington, D.C., Staff

The SEMA Garage Open House provided racing enthusiasts and SEMA members with a number of opportunities to engage with their lawmakers, customers, families and friends about the RPM Act and the need to protect the future of motorsports.

Hundreds of motorsports manufacturers, racers, celebrities and supporters gathered at the SEMA Garage’s annual Open House last week, where they got a firsthand look at SEMA’s state-of-the-art facility.

The event underscored the ongoing uncertainty regarding how the motorsports industry is regulated. Despite withdrawing a problematic racing regulation in April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that it has the authority to regulate street vehicles modified exclusively for the track and the businesses that make those products – despite Congressional intent.

A bipartisan bill now pending in the U.S. Congress, the RPM Act, would make it clear now and in the future that modification of street vehicles for competition is legal and beyond the reach of EPA regulations. The RPM Act addresses any doubts regarding regulation of racecars and gives the public and racecar industry much-needed certainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is applied.

The Open House provided racing enthusiasts and SEMA members with a number of opportunities to engage with their lawmakers, customers, families and friends about the RPM Act and the need to protect the future of motorsports.

If you missed the Open House, check out the digital toolkit provided to attendees: www.sema.org/rpmtools.

The toolkit includes a sample press release, sample letter to the editor, and post for you to share on social media. Questions about how to use the materials? Contact SEMA’s DC team at san@sema.org.

You can learn about additional ways to support the RPM Act and the future of racing here: www.sema.org/epa-act.

About the SEMA Garage

Each year, SEMA members introduce thousands of cutting-edge tools and accessories designed to add enjoyment to vehicle ownership. While some have universal fitments, many have model-specific applications that require significantly more research and development.

The SEMA Garage gives SEMA-member businesses access to the special high-tech tools and equipment needed to get products off the drawing board and into customer hands. It is the only known facility of its kind in the United States.

Covering 15,000 square feet and filled with nearly $2 million of equipment, the SEMA Garage includes all of the tools specialty-product developers could hope for and then some, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race car scales for the most precise vehicle weight measurements and a dynamometer for power output measurements.

By Washington, D.C., Staff

The SEMA Garage Open House provided racing enthusiasts and SEMA members with a number of opportunities to engage with their lawmakers, customers, families and friends about the RPM Act and the need to protect the future of motorsports.

Hundreds of motorsports manufacturers, racers, celebrities and supporters gathered at the SEMA Garage’s annual Open House last week, where they got a firsthand look at SEMA’s state-of-the-art facility.

The event underscored the ongoing uncertainty regarding how the motorsports industry is regulated. Despite withdrawing a problematic racing regulation in April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that it has the authority to regulate street vehicles modified exclusively for the track and the businesses that make those products – despite Congressional intent.

A bipartisan bill now pending in the U.S. Congress, the RPM Act, would make it clear now and in the future that modification of street vehicles for competition is legal and beyond the reach of EPA regulations. The RPM Act addresses any doubts regarding regulation of racecars and gives the public and racecar industry much-needed certainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is applied.

The Open House provided racing enthusiasts and SEMA members with a number of opportunities to engage with their lawmakers, customers, families and friends about the RPM Act and the need to protect the future of motorsports.

If you missed the Open House, check out the digital toolkit provided to attendees: www.sema.org/rpmtools.

The toolkit includes a sample press release, sample letter to the editor, and post for you to share on social media. Questions about how to use the materials? Contact SEMA’s DC team at san@sema.org.

You can learn about additional ways to support the RPM Act and the future of racing here: www.sema.org/epa-act.

About the SEMA Garage

Each year, SEMA members introduce thousands of cutting-edge tools and accessories designed to add enjoyment to vehicle ownership. While some have universal fitments, many have model-specific applications that require significantly more research and development.

The SEMA Garage gives SEMA-member businesses access to the special high-tech tools and equipment needed to get products off the drawing board and into customer hands. It is the only known facility of its kind in the United States.

Covering 15,000 square feet and filled with nearly $2 million of equipment, the SEMA Garage includes all of the tools specialty-product developers could hope for and then some, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race car scales for the most precise vehicle weight measurements and a dynamometer for power output measurements.

By SEMA Editors

In less than five years since it was conceived, the SDC has grown to be the largest openly accessible product database in the industry, serving tens of thousands of retail, wholesale and online business locations with over 470 industry brands participating.

During this time, an expert team has been developed to provide member recruitment, services, development and support.

“Our aims have been ambitious,” said Jon Wyly, CEO, “but we have reached and exceeded our startup goals, and are now ready to move into the next phase of our member-focused strategy.  My initial commitment was to spend 5 years building this SEMA benefit, and with the support of a great team, I can now comfortably turn over the helm to an experienced staff that will continue to grow and improve this important operation.”

Wyly will stay on through the first quarter of 2017 to guide the transition, at which time Craig Schmutzler will take over daily operational responsibilities as the VP of Operations, reporting to Mike Spagnola at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

Schmutzler, who joined the SEMA Data Co-op in September of 2014, is an operations and customer-service professional with past roles at Keystone Automotive and Arrow Speed Warehouse.

“Under Jon’s guidance, the SDC has become the industry’s go-to data repository that houses over 50,000,000 live vehicle applications and nearly 4 million skus,” said SEMA CEO Chris Kersting.  “Craig brings some great experience to guide SDC operations and we look forward to building on our success and helping our members grow sales.”

Bob Castle, who joined the SDC early on, will be transitioning out at the end of August.  Until that time, he will be working with Stephanie Jones to take over eBusiness and I.T. responsibilities as the new Director of eBusiness.

Jim Graven will continue to oversee Membership efforts, while assuming more direct responsibility for marketing and events coordination as Senior Director of Membership.

“It’s been a pleasure to have been involved in the creation of this vital industry service.” Commented Wyly, “and I am pleased to be able to leave the business in such capable hands.”

By SEMA Editors

In less than five years since it was conceived, the SDC has grown to be the largest openly accessible product database in the industry, serving tens of thousands of retail, wholesale and online business locations with over 470 industry brands participating.

During this time, an expert team has been developed to provide member recruitment, services, development and support.

“Our aims have been ambitious,” said Jon Wyly, CEO, “but we have reached and exceeded our startup goals, and are now ready to move into the next phase of our member-focused strategy.  My initial commitment was to spend 5 years building this SEMA benefit, and with the support of a great team, I can now comfortably turn over the helm to an experienced staff that will continue to grow and improve this important operation.”

Wyly will stay on through the first quarter of 2017 to guide the transition, at which time Craig Schmutzler will take over daily operational responsibilities as the VP of Operations, reporting to Mike Spagnola at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

Schmutzler, who joined the SEMA Data Co-op in September of 2014, is an operations and customer-service professional with past roles at Keystone Automotive and Arrow Speed Warehouse.

“Under Jon’s guidance, the SDC has become the industry’s go-to data repository that houses over 50,000,000 live vehicle applications and nearly 4 million skus,” said SEMA CEO Chris Kersting.  “Craig brings some great experience to guide SDC operations and we look forward to building on our success and helping our members grow sales.”

Bob Castle, who joined the SDC early on, will be transitioning out at the end of August.  Until that time, he will be working with Stephanie Jones to take over eBusiness and I.T. responsibilities as the new Director of eBusiness.

Jim Graven will continue to oversee Membership efforts, while assuming more direct responsibility for marketing and events coordination as Senior Director of Membership.

“It’s been a pleasure to have been involved in the creation of this vital industry service.” Commented Wyly, “and I am pleased to be able to leave the business in such capable hands.”

By SEMA Editors

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, e-mail your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the e-mail.

• Advanced Clutch Technology
• Aeromotive Inc.
• A.R.E. Accessories
• ATC Truck Covers
• BOLT Locks by STRATTEC
• COMP Performance Group
• Dee Zee Inc.
• Digital Throttle LLC
• Edelbrock
• Hellwig Products Co. Inc.
• Hypertech Inc.
• JE Pistons
• K&N Engineering
• L&G Enterprises
• MagnaFlow Exhaust Products
• Moss Motors
• PBM-ERSON-World
• Phoenix Race Tires/Coker Tire Co.
• Rigid Industries
• Skyjacker Suspension
• Truck Accessories Group
• WeatherTech

By Della Domingo

Larry the Cable Guy is the featured entertainer for the 2016 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet.

Comedian Larry the Cable Guy is bringing his stand-up comedy routine to the 2016 SEMA Show as the featured entertainer at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, taking place Thursday, November 3, in Las Vegas. Tickets to the banquet are available exclusively to SEMA Showgoers at www.SEMAShow.com/awards-banquet.

The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is the automotive specialty-equipment market’s premier awards ceremony where industry excellence and achievements are celebrated. Held annually on Thursday evening during the week of the SEMA Show, the event is the industry’s single largest gala attended by nearly 3,000 automotive icons, professionals, supporters and celebrities.

Larry, known for his signature catchphrase “Git-R-Done,” is a multiplatinum recording artist, Grammy nominee, Billboard award winner and voice of “Mater” in the animated feature films “Cars” and “Cars 2.”

Tickets are available to SEMA Showgoers and include a formal sit-down dinner. The program also includes the announcement of the SEMA Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, WD of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year, and Gen-III Innovator of the Year awards, and pays tribute to this year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees—Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker.

All SEMA Show exhibitors qualify to obtain a limited number of free tickets to the banquet. Tickets can also be purchased by any Showgoer at www.SEMAShow.com/awards-banquet.

By Della Domingo

Larry the Cable Guy is the featured entertainer for the 2016 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet.

Comedian Larry the Cable Guy is bringing his stand-up comedy routine to the 2016 SEMA Show as the featured entertainer at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, taking place Thursday, November 3, in Las Vegas. Tickets to the banquet are available exclusively to SEMA Showgoers at www.SEMAShow.com/awards-banquet.

The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is the automotive specialty-equipment market’s premier awards ceremony where industry excellence and achievements are celebrated. Held annually on Thursday evening during the week of the SEMA Show, the event is the industry’s single largest gala attended by nearly 3,000 automotive icons, professionals, supporters and celebrities.

Larry, known for his signature catchphrase “Git-R-Done,” is a multiplatinum recording artist, Grammy nominee, Billboard award winner and voice of “Mater” in the animated feature films “Cars” and “Cars 2.”

Tickets are available to SEMA Showgoers and include a formal sit-down dinner. The program also includes the announcement of the SEMA Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, WD of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year, and Gen-III Innovator of the Year awards, and pays tribute to this year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees—Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker.

All SEMA Show exhibitors qualify to obtain a limited number of free tickets to the banquet. Tickets can also be purchased by any Showgoer at www.SEMAShow.com/awards-banquet.

By Della Domingo

Larry the Cable Guy is the featured entertainer for the 2016 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet.

Comedian Larry the Cable Guy is bringing his stand-up comedy routine to the 2016 SEMA Show as the featured entertainer at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, taking place Thursday, November 3, in Las Vegas. Tickets to the banquet are available exclusively to SEMA Showgoers at www.SEMAShow.com/awards-banquet.

The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is the automotive specialty-equipment market’s premier awards ceremony where industry excellence and achievements are celebrated. Held annually on Thursday evening during the week of the SEMA Show, the event is the industry’s single largest gala attended by nearly 3,000 automotive icons, professionals, supporters and celebrities.

Larry, known for his signature catchphrase “Git-R-Done,” is a multiplatinum recording artist, Grammy nominee, Billboard award winner and voice of “Mater” in the animated feature films “Cars” and “Cars 2.”

Tickets are available to SEMA Showgoers and include a formal sit-down dinner. The program also includes the announcement of the SEMA Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, WD of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year, and Gen-III Innovator of the Year awards, and pays tribute to this year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees—Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker.

All SEMA Show exhibitors qualify to obtain a limited number of free tickets to the banquet. Tickets can also be purchased by any Showgoer at www.SEMAShow.com/awards-banquet.

By Chad Simon

Nearly 400 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2016 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California on July 29, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2016—Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker. Dennis Pittsenbarger and Jessi Combs filled the void as emcee—a position in which the “Voice of the NHRA” Dave McClelland was entrenched for so many years.

The festivities were kicked-off by the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. The races are made up of Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize outgoing SEMA Board members: Jeff Bates of Bob Cook Sales and Tim Watts of Superlift Suspension, and newly elected members: Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group and Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales.

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: Retrax (Truck)
2nd Place: Lund (Truck)
3rd Place: SEMA (Car-Mustang)

Stock Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products (Car-Mustang)
2nd Place: AAM Total Truck Centers (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Matt Agosta
3rd Place: AAM Performance Corner (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Gary Hooker

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Perfect Circle/Duffus best time 2.938 seconds
2nd Place: Motovicity Radio Flyer Wagon, second best time 3.081
3rd Place: Christopher Witherspoon, StarFire Race Plugs, third Best time 3.122

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities and events from the 2016 SEMA Installation Gala.

Prior to the gala program beginning, guests connected during the event’s reception, featuring live music.		Themed “Leaders & Legends,” the 2016 Installation and Gala was held at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California.
The gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (right) and Dennis Pittsenbarger.		The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation Gala, raises money for the charities supported by SEMA Cares.
New board members, such as Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group (middle), are formally introduced during the gala. Flanking Douglas are SEMA President Chris Kersting (left) and SEMA Chairman of the Board Doug Evans.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Matt Agosta.
2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Chip Foose.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Gary Hooker.

By Chad Simon

Nearly 400 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2016 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California on July 29, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2016—Matt Agosta, Chip Foose and Gary Hooker. Dennis Pittsenbarger and Jessi Combs filled the void as emcee—a position in which the “Voice of the NHRA” Dave McClelland was entrenched for so many years.

The festivities were kicked-off by the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. The races are made up of Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize outgoing SEMA Board members: Jeff Bates of Bob Cook Sales and Tim Watts of Superlift Suspension, and newly elected members: Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group and Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales.

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: Retrax (Truck)
2nd Place: Lund (Truck)
3rd Place: SEMA (Car-Mustang)

Stock Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products (Car-Mustang)
2nd Place: AAM Total Truck Centers (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Matt Agosta
3rd Place: AAM Performance Corner (Truck) Honoring Hall of Fame Inductee Gary Hooker

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Perfect Circle/Duffus best time 2.938 seconds
2nd Place: Motovicity Radio Flyer Wagon, second best time 3.081
3rd Place: Christopher Witherspoon, StarFire Race Plugs, third Best time 3.122

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities and events from the 2016 SEMA Installation Gala.

Prior to the gala program beginning, guests connected during the event’s reception, featuring live music.		Themed “Leaders & Legends,” the 2016 Installation and Gala was held at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California.
The gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (right) and Dennis Pittsenbarger.		The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation Gala, raises money for the charities supported by SEMA Cares.
New board members, such as Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group (middle), are formally introduced during the gala. Flanking Douglas are SEMA President Chris Kersting (left) and SEMA Chairman of the Board Doug Evans.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Matt Agosta.
2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Chip Foose.		2016 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Gary Hooker.