By Michael Hart

This year, SEMA Education will offer close to 100 sessions, covering everything you need to know to grow your business in the coming year.

The SEMA Show—held November 1–4 in Las Vegas—is absolutely the best place you can go to get the education and information you need to move your career to the next level and grow your company’s business.

More than 8,500 showgoers who participated in last year’s SEMA Show education program gave the sessions an average of a 4.5 satisfaction rating (out of a possible 5).

This year there will be close to 100 sessions covering everything you need to know to grow your business in the coming year. Topics will range from best small-business practices and industry trends to new technologies and the latest automotive-focused research. For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.

New conference tracks will cover topics that are vital to your business today:

• The new Human Resources track will show you how to build sustainable employee recruitment and retention plans at your company. There will also be advice on how to deal with sensitive workplace issues.
• A track devoted to Retailers will be full of sessions that offer brick-and-mortar stores practical advice and best practices on how to stay competitive and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
• The new Builders track will “build” off the success of the very popular annual Hot Rod Builders session, with advice on how to take advantage of this fast-growing industry segment focused on trucks, off-road vehicles, sport compacts and restoration.
• And the new Quick Talks series, SEMA’s own version of the popular Ted Talks, will include short but in-depth takes on topics, such as vehicle technology, customer service and digital marketing.

And, as if that weren’t enough, the conference and education program is expanding to include even more sessions on Friday, November 5! Five additional value-rich sessions will be held that day, including a popular Keynote & Coffee presentation on how to make consumer buying practices work for you.

“Our goal is to offer learning opportunities that have real-world applications and fuel innovation,” said SEMA Senior Director of Education Zane Clark. “The SEMA Show offers attendees meaningful learning opportunities that will absolutely benefit your business!”

For complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks, visit SEMA Show Education.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Rick Riccardi’s 8.151 at 166.76 mph pass took out Vince Khoury Jr. and his 8.329 at 164.29 mph effort.

Race Wrap: 15th Annual NMCA All-American Nationals

Held at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, nearly 20 classes were hotly contested at the 2016 NMCA All-American Nationals:

VP Racing Fuels' Xtreme Pro Mod: Billy Banaka ran the eighth-mile in 3.914 seconds at 198.38 mph defeating Steve Summers, who ran 3.995 at 204.76 mph.

Dart Machinery Pro Stock: Merv Moyer in Leonard Long’s ’04 Mustang took a huge holeshot (.046 to .195) and that would help his slower 7.50 at 182.18 mph run defeat Stephen Graham’s 7.37 at 192.60 mph effort in his Bob Book Racing Engines–powered ’12 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Holley EFI Factory Super Cars: Chuck Watson pushed his ’16 Mustang Cobra Jet to a final time of 8.549 at 159.51 mph to edge out Clay Arnett and his ’15 COPO Camaro that ran 8.566 at 158.13 mph.

Mickey Thompson Radial Wars: DeWayne Mills in his ’68 Camaro defeated Keith Berry in his C5 Z06 Corvette with a 3.948 at 197.86 mph pass over Berry’s 3.990 at 188.20 mph blast.

Wiseco Performance Products Street Outlaw: Jacky McCarty threw down in the finals with a 4.432 at 167.01 mph from his ’91 Mustang, taking out Phil Hines who went 4.567 at 161.21 mph in his ’03 Mustang.

ARP Nitrous Pro Street: Joe Bucaro pushed his ’04 Mustang to a final-round time of 7.280 at 187.42 mph to take the win over Jim Beil who had trouble at the start and fouled.

Edelbrock Xtreme Street: Louie Filippides in his ’10 Camaro defeated Henry Lee in his ’90 Mustang with an 8.790 at 146.30 mph pass over Filippides’ 7.696 at 180.45 mph trip.

MX235 Shootout: Brad Medlock’s ’95 Mustang’s 4.803 at 150.35 mph pass secured the win when Shane Halleman’s ’88 Mustang went 5.052 at 146.11 mph with a -0.002-second reaction time and a red light at the start.

Quick Lane of Downs Ford NA 10.5: Rick Riccardi’s 8.151 at 166.76 mph pass took out Vince Khoury Jr. and his 8.329 at 164.29 mph effort.

Fastest Street Car Top Sportsman: Shawn Morrow and his ’03 Mustang cruised to a 7.746 at 173.90 mph run on his 7.72 dial in over Kynon Dinkel’s 6.758 at 206.45 mph on his 6.79 dial.

Chevrolet Performance Stock: Glenn Pushis drove to a 10.44 at 127 mph and the win over Kevin Lumsden.

ATI Performance Products Nostalgia Super Stock: Al Corda drove his ’69 Dodge Dart to a final time of 9.825 at 133.58 mph to earn the win over Jeff Frees’ 9.837 at 130.10 mph run.

Detroit Truetrac Nostalgia Muscle Car: Tim Boggs clicked off a 12.134 at 106.89 mph pass on a 12.00 dial in with his ’67 Chevy II. Andy Warren had the better pass when his ’71 Caprice went 10.510 at 124.25 mph on a 10.50 dial in and triggered the win light in his lane.

MagnaFuel Open Comp: Donnie Bowles drove his ’05 Mustang to a 10.220 at 126.67 mph on his 10.18 dial in to get the win over Jenna Pierce-Wilson in her ’12 COPO Camaro who ran 9.800 at 137.36 mph on her dial in of 9.76.

Y-Block: After three rounds of eliminations, the win went to Ted Eaton in his ’23 Altered with a 9.008 a 145.75 mph run on his 8.99 dial in, while his opponent Harry Hutten Jr. triggered a red light with his ’60 Monterey.

True Street and Y-Block: Harry Hutten Jr. was the overall winner in Bracket 3. His 12.974 at 105.37 mph hit with an 0.066-second reaction time got the job done against Marvin Knack, who clicked off a 12.016 at 108.45 mph pass.

Gear Vendors True Street: Taking the overall win with his ’90 Mustang is Lonnie Tibbs who posted a 7.93, an 8.05, and an 8.11 to average 8.03—nearly two seconds faster that the runner up. Chasing down Tibbs was Robert Mandabach, whose nitrous-enhanced ’70 Chevy Nova went 9.94, 9.64 and 9.61 to average 9.73 for the runner-up honors.

The next stop for the NMCA Drag Racing Series presented by E3 Spark Plugs will be the 11th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, July 28–31.

Hindman and Cassels won the Continental Tire 150 for Bodymotion Racing.

Hindman, Cassels Grab Continental Tire 150 Win at Watkins Glen International

Bodymotion Racing has grown accustomed to winning in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, earning trips to victory lane in each of the series’ past two races. On July 2, Trent Hindman and Cameron Cassels ensured that trend was alive and well with a triumph in a Continental Tire 150 at Watkins Glen International. Hindman, a 2014 series champion, led a Porsche sweep of the podium following a late-race battle that included both CJ Wilson Racing Caymans. Nick Galante and Spencer Pumpelly earned their first win of the season in the Street Tuner class, outlasting fellow Cayman duos of Jason Rabe/Devin Jones and Matthew Dicken/Corey Lewis. For Galante, it was the first win of his Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge career. His co-driver, Pumpelly, picked up yet another victory at the site of his first series win.

Barbosa and Fittipaldi Sail to Victory in Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen

Joao Barbosa (left) and Christian Fittipaldi celebrated their win in victory lane at Watkins Glen.

Joao Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi were rewarded for a smooth, consistent run in the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen. Dane Cameron and Eric Curran finished second, completing a 1-2 finish for Action Express Racing. Other category winners in the 2016 edition of the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen included Renger van der Zande and Alex Popow (Prototype Challenge), Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook (GT Le Mans), and Christina Nielson, Alessandro Balzan and Jeff Segal (GT Daytona).

Precision Turbo to Sponsor BangShift LIVE Streaming Coverage of 11th Annual NMCA/NMRA Super Bowl Event

BangShift.com will provide live streaming video coverage, courtesy of Precision Turbo & Engine, of the 11th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing, July 29-31.  Watch the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals and the NMCA E3 Spark Plugs Muscle Car Nationals series compete at the same track the same weekend with class winners from Team NMRA and Team NMCA taking each other on at the finale for an all-out slugfest for Nitto Tire Diamond Tree champions rings.  

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Rick Riccardi’s 8.151 at 166.76 mph pass took out Vince Khoury Jr. and his 8.329 at 164.29 mph effort.

Race Wrap: 15th Annual NMCA All-American Nationals

Held at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, nearly 20 classes were hotly contested at the 2016 NMCA All-American Nationals:

VP Racing Fuels' Xtreme Pro Mod: Billy Banaka ran the eighth-mile in 3.914 seconds at 198.38 mph defeating Steve Summers, who ran 3.995 at 204.76 mph.

Dart Machinery Pro Stock: Merv Moyer in Leonard Long’s ’04 Mustang took a huge holeshot (.046 to .195) and that would help his slower 7.50 at 182.18 mph run defeat Stephen Graham’s 7.37 at 192.60 mph effort in his Bob Book Racing Engines–powered ’12 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Holley EFI Factory Super Cars: Chuck Watson pushed his ’16 Mustang Cobra Jet to a final time of 8.549 at 159.51 mph to edge out Clay Arnett and his ’15 COPO Camaro that ran 8.566 at 158.13 mph.

Mickey Thompson Radial Wars: DeWayne Mills in his ’68 Camaro defeated Keith Berry in his C5 Z06 Corvette with a 3.948 at 197.86 mph pass over Berry’s 3.990 at 188.20 mph blast.

Wiseco Performance Products Street Outlaw: Jacky McCarty threw down in the finals with a 4.432 at 167.01 mph from his ’91 Mustang, taking out Phil Hines who went 4.567 at 161.21 mph in his ’03 Mustang.

ARP Nitrous Pro Street: Joe Bucaro pushed his ’04 Mustang to a final-round time of 7.280 at 187.42 mph to take the win over Jim Beil who had trouble at the start and fouled.

Edelbrock Xtreme Street: Louie Filippides in his ’10 Camaro defeated Henry Lee in his ’90 Mustang with an 8.790 at 146.30 mph pass over Filippides’ 7.696 at 180.45 mph trip.

MX235 Shootout: Brad Medlock’s ’95 Mustang’s 4.803 at 150.35 mph pass secured the win when Shane Halleman’s ’88 Mustang went 5.052 at 146.11 mph with a -0.002-second reaction time and a red light at the start.

Quick Lane of Downs Ford NA 10.5: Rick Riccardi’s 8.151 at 166.76 mph pass took out Vince Khoury Jr. and his 8.329 at 164.29 mph effort.

Fastest Street Car Top Sportsman: Shawn Morrow and his ’03 Mustang cruised to a 7.746 at 173.90 mph run on his 7.72 dial in over Kynon Dinkel’s 6.758 at 206.45 mph on his 6.79 dial.

Chevrolet Performance Stock: Glenn Pushis drove to a 10.44 at 127 mph and the win over Kevin Lumsden.

ATI Performance Products Nostalgia Super Stock: Al Corda drove his ’69 Dodge Dart to a final time of 9.825 at 133.58 mph to earn the win over Jeff Frees’ 9.837 at 130.10 mph run.

Detroit Truetrac Nostalgia Muscle Car: Tim Boggs clicked off a 12.134 at 106.89 mph pass on a 12.00 dial in with his ’67 Chevy II. Andy Warren had the better pass when his ’71 Caprice went 10.510 at 124.25 mph on a 10.50 dial in and triggered the win light in his lane.

MagnaFuel Open Comp: Donnie Bowles drove his ’05 Mustang to a 10.220 at 126.67 mph on his 10.18 dial in to get the win over Jenna Pierce-Wilson in her ’12 COPO Camaro who ran 9.800 at 137.36 mph on her dial in of 9.76.

Y-Block: After three rounds of eliminations, the win went to Ted Eaton in his ’23 Altered with a 9.008 a 145.75 mph run on his 8.99 dial in, while his opponent Harry Hutten Jr. triggered a red light with his ’60 Monterey.

True Street and Y-Block: Harry Hutten Jr. was the overall winner in Bracket 3. His 12.974 at 105.37 mph hit with an 0.066-second reaction time got the job done against Marvin Knack, who clicked off a 12.016 at 108.45 mph pass.

Gear Vendors True Street: Taking the overall win with his ’90 Mustang is Lonnie Tibbs who posted a 7.93, an 8.05, and an 8.11 to average 8.03—nearly two seconds faster that the runner up. Chasing down Tibbs was Robert Mandabach, whose nitrous-enhanced ’70 Chevy Nova went 9.94, 9.64 and 9.61 to average 9.73 for the runner-up honors.

The next stop for the NMCA Drag Racing Series presented by E3 Spark Plugs will be the 11th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, July 28–31.

Hindman and Cassels won the Continental Tire 150 for Bodymotion Racing.

Hindman, Cassels Grab Continental Tire 150 Win at Watkins Glen International

Bodymotion Racing has grown accustomed to winning in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, earning trips to victory lane in each of the series’ past two races. On July 2, Trent Hindman and Cameron Cassels ensured that trend was alive and well with a triumph in a Continental Tire 150 at Watkins Glen International. Hindman, a 2014 series champion, led a Porsche sweep of the podium following a late-race battle that included both CJ Wilson Racing Caymans. Nick Galante and Spencer Pumpelly earned their first win of the season in the Street Tuner class, outlasting fellow Cayman duos of Jason Rabe/Devin Jones and Matthew Dicken/Corey Lewis. For Galante, it was the first win of his Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge career. His co-driver, Pumpelly, picked up yet another victory at the site of his first series win.

Barbosa and Fittipaldi Sail to Victory in Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen

Joao Barbosa (left) and Christian Fittipaldi celebrated their win in victory lane at Watkins Glen.

Joao Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi were rewarded for a smooth, consistent run in the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen. Dane Cameron and Eric Curran finished second, completing a 1-2 finish for Action Express Racing. Other category winners in the 2016 edition of the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen included Renger van der Zande and Alex Popow (Prototype Challenge), Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook (GT Le Mans), and Christina Nielson, Alessandro Balzan and Jeff Segal (GT Daytona).

Precision Turbo to Sponsor BangShift LIVE Streaming Coverage of 11th Annual NMCA/NMRA Super Bowl Event

BangShift.com will provide live streaming video coverage, courtesy of Precision Turbo & Engine, of the 11th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing, July 29-31.  Watch the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals and the NMCA E3 Spark Plugs Muscle Car Nationals series compete at the same track the same weekend with class winners from Team NMRA and Team NMCA taking each other on at the finale for an all-out slugfest for Nitto Tire Diamond Tree champions rings.  

By Carr Winn

Sung Kang recently announced via Facebook that Project Underdog is officially underway. “This has been my passion project. I hope you can follow their journey in building the Ultimate UNDERDOG car.”

Kang explained the cryptic nature of several recent posts, describing in detail the meaning behind the Underdog moniker and the identity of the DreamTeam involved in the top secret restomod.

The DreamTeam is actually a group of three high-school-age kids working with Kang, PENNZOIL, SEMA and some of the best in the business on a custom one-of-a-kind ’72 Ford Maverick named “Underdog.” He offered few details on the build’s final design; however, he invited everyone to visit the official Project Udog page on Facebook.

In the meantime, the trailer above offers a glimpse at the DreamTeam as their Underdog project begins.

By Carr Winn

Sung Kang recently announced via Facebook that Project Underdog is officially underway. “This has been my passion project. I hope you can follow their journey in building the Ultimate UNDERDOG car.”

Kang explained the cryptic nature of several recent posts, describing in detail the meaning behind the Underdog moniker and the identity of the DreamTeam involved in the top secret restomod.

The DreamTeam is actually a group of three high-school-age kids working with Kang, PENNZOIL, SEMA and some of the best in the business on a custom one-of-a-kind ’72 Ford Maverick named “Underdog.” He offered few details on the build’s final design; however, he invited everyone to visit the official Project Udog page on Facebook.

In the meantime, the trailer above offers a glimpse at the DreamTeam as their Underdog project begins.

By Carr Winn

Sung Kang recently announced via Facebook that Project Underdog is officially underway. “This has been my passion project. I hope you can follow their journey in building the Ultimate UNDERDOG car.”

Kang explained the cryptic nature of several recent posts, describing in detail the meaning behind the Underdog moniker and the identity of the DreamTeam involved in the top secret restomod.

The DreamTeam is actually a group of three high-school-age kids working with Kang, PENNZOIL, SEMA and some of the best in the business on a custom one-of-a-kind ’72 Ford Maverick named “Underdog.” He offered few details on the build’s final design; however, he invited everyone to visit the official Project Udog page on Facebook.

In the meantime, the trailer above offers a glimpse at the DreamTeam as their Underdog project begins.

By Carr Winn

Sung Kang recently announced via Facebook that Project Underdog is officially underway. “This has been my passion project. I hope you can follow their journey in building the Ultimate UNDERDOG car.”

Kang explained the cryptic nature of several recent posts, describing in detail the meaning behind the Underdog moniker and the identity of the DreamTeam involved in the top secret restomod.

The DreamTeam is actually a group of three high-school-age kids working with Kang, PENNZOIL, SEMA and some of the best in the business on a custom one-of-a-kind ’72 Ford Maverick named “Underdog.” He offered few details on the build’s final design; however, he invited everyone to visit the official Project Udog page on Facebook.

In the meantime, the trailer above offers a glimpse at the DreamTeam as their Underdog project begins.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees to sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week's video, Jamie Notter of Culture That Works discusses the common misconceptions about millennials and their expectations in the workplace.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees to sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week's video, Jamie Notter of Culture That Works discusses the common misconceptions about millennials and their expectations in the workplace.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees to sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week's video, Jamie Notter of Culture That Works discusses the common misconceptions about millennials and their expectations in the workplace.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.