By Jason Catullo

Now that the Priority Selection Process is complete, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to reserve hotels rooms, register staff and become familiar with the Show’s Exhibitor Services Manual.

Now that you have your booth location for the 2016 SEMA Show, there are three steps that SEMA Show management encourages exhibitors to take now to save time and be better prepared as Show time approaches.

1. Lock-In Guaranteed Low Hotel Rates  

The SEMA Show Travel and Lodging page lists more than 30 hotels and their rates and is powered by OnPeak, the Official Housing Partner of the SEMA Show. Booking through OnPeak means that exhibitors can lock in guaranteed low rates for hotels now and benefit from added perks, such as no booking or cancellation fees and simple tools to manage group bookings. Properties can be searched by several categories, including price, location, amenities and rating.

2. Register Your Staff

Completing registration early allows companies to ensure their staff members have the credentials needed prior to the Show's opening and helps to avoid registration lines on site. Register your staff at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

3. Review The Exhibitor Services Manual

The SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) contains all of the forms, instructions and deadline information for companies to execute a successful Show plan. One key element of the ESM that exhibitors are encouraged to become acquainted with at this point of Show preparation is the Exhibitor Deadline Checklist. The list provides every key deadline from now until the beginning of the 2016 SEMA Show.

The earliest deadlines begin in July, with the photo submission deadline for SEMA pre-Show publications on July 22, online press release submissions for inclusion in SEMA pre-Show publications on July 25, and Media Conference Applications on July 29.

For more information about the 2016 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

Now that the Priority Selection Process is complete, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to reserve hotels rooms, register staff and become familiar with the Show’s Exhibitor Services Manual.

Now that you have your booth location for the 2016 SEMA Show, there are three steps that SEMA Show management encourages exhibitors to take now to save time and be better prepared as Show time approaches.

1. Lock-In Guaranteed Low Hotel Rates  

The SEMA Show Travel and Lodging page lists more than 30 hotels and their rates and is powered by OnPeak, the Official Housing Partner of the SEMA Show. Booking through OnPeak means that exhibitors can lock in guaranteed low rates for hotels now and benefit from added perks, such as no booking or cancellation fees and simple tools to manage group bookings. Properties can be searched by several categories, including price, location, amenities and rating.

2. Register Your Staff

Completing registration early allows companies to ensure their staff members have the credentials needed prior to the Show's opening and helps to avoid registration lines on site. Register your staff at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

3. Review The Exhibitor Services Manual

The SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) contains all of the forms, instructions and deadline information for companies to execute a successful Show plan. One key element of the ESM that exhibitors are encouraged to become acquainted with at this point of Show preparation is the Exhibitor Deadline Checklist. The list provides every key deadline from now until the beginning of the 2016 SEMA Show.

The earliest deadlines begin in July, with the photo submission deadline for SEMA pre-Show publications on July 22, online press release submissions for inclusion in SEMA pre-Show publications on July 25, and Media Conference Applications on July 29.

For more information about the 2016 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

Now that the Priority Selection Process is complete, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to reserve hotels rooms, register staff and become familiar with the Show’s Exhibitor Services Manual.

Now that you have your booth location for the 2016 SEMA Show, there are three steps that SEMA Show management encourages exhibitors to take now to save time and be better prepared as Show time approaches.

1. Lock-In Guaranteed Low Hotel Rates  

The SEMA Show Travel and Lodging page lists more than 30 hotels and their rates and is powered by OnPeak, the Official Housing Partner of the SEMA Show. Booking through OnPeak means that exhibitors can lock in guaranteed low rates for hotels now and benefit from added perks, such as no booking or cancellation fees and simple tools to manage group bookings. Properties can be searched by several categories, including price, location, amenities and rating.

2. Register Your Staff

Completing registration early allows companies to ensure their staff members have the credentials needed prior to the Show's opening and helps to avoid registration lines on site. Register your staff at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

3. Review The Exhibitor Services Manual

The SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) contains all of the forms, instructions and deadline information for companies to execute a successful Show plan. One key element of the ESM that exhibitors are encouraged to become acquainted with at this point of Show preparation is the Exhibitor Deadline Checklist. The list provides every key deadline from now until the beginning of the 2016 SEMA Show.

The earliest deadlines begin in July, with the photo submission deadline for SEMA pre-Show publications on July 22, online press release submissions for inclusion in SEMA pre-Show publications on July 25, and Media Conference Applications on July 29.

For more information about the 2016 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Jason Catullo

Now that the Priority Selection Process is complete, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to reserve hotels rooms, register staff and become familiar with the Show’s Exhibitor Services Manual.

Now that you have your booth location for the 2016 SEMA Show, there are three steps that SEMA Show management encourages exhibitors to take now to save time and be better prepared as Show time approaches.

1. Lock-In Guaranteed Low Hotel Rates  

The SEMA Show Travel and Lodging page lists more than 30 hotels and their rates and is powered by OnPeak, the Official Housing Partner of the SEMA Show. Booking through OnPeak means that exhibitors can lock in guaranteed low rates for hotels now and benefit from added perks, such as no booking or cancellation fees and simple tools to manage group bookings. Properties can be searched by several categories, including price, location, amenities and rating.

2. Register Your Staff

Completing registration early allows companies to ensure their staff members have the credentials needed prior to the Show's opening and helps to avoid registration lines on site. Register your staff at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

3. Review The Exhibitor Services Manual

The SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) contains all of the forms, instructions and deadline information for companies to execute a successful Show plan. One key element of the ESM that exhibitors are encouraged to become acquainted with at this point of Show preparation is the Exhibitor Deadline Checklist. The list provides every key deadline from now until the beginning of the 2016 SEMA Show.

The earliest deadlines begin in July, with the photo submission deadline for SEMA pre-Show publications on July 22, online press release submissions for inclusion in SEMA pre-Show publications on July 25, and Media Conference Applications on July 29.

For more information about the 2016 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Steve Wolcott

From left to right: Edie Clouse, Craig Turner, Susan Carpenter, Joan Turner, Reba Hicks, Mackenzie Hicks, Judy Brooks, Ashley Ailsworth, Molly Tomlinson, Nancy Flores, Christian Robinson, Matt Donovan, Julia Jeffs, Tom Brooks (organizer) and Eric Snyder.

Each year SEMA Cares volunteers make a difference by donating their love and time to several Pinewood Drag Races build days throughout the United States to support children in need. Working with several of the qualified SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction, these volunteers help children build hundreds of pinewood racers that can be purchased by caring SEMA members. Each pinewood will be raced at the SEMA Installation Gala, and will then be shipped to the purchasing SEMA member following the event.  

Recently, several volunteers attended the first build day at Childhelp in Lignum, Virginia. Each took the time to be a part of the pinewood build process, and showed the kids how much they care. Each child had the opportunity to decorate two cars; one they got to keep and the other to be sold to a SEMA member as a part of the Pinewood Drag Races’ “build it for me” category. The best part is always when the children race their cars on a pinewood track set up as part of the build day. 

Purchase your own kid-built pinewood car and help a child in need.

Held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 29, 2016, at 12:00 p.m., at the Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California. The finals will be held during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. Proceeds from the races benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses, who otherwise would not be able to go to camp.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood car is easy and rewarding. Visit SEMA’s website to purchase your own Pinewood car, participate and help a child in need.

By Steve Wolcott

From left to right: Edie Clouse, Craig Turner, Susan Carpenter, Joan Turner, Reba Hicks, Mackenzie Hicks, Judy Brooks, Ashley Ailsworth, Molly Tomlinson, Nancy Flores, Christian Robinson, Matt Donovan, Julia Jeffs, Tom Brooks (organizer) and Eric Snyder.

Each year SEMA Cares volunteers make a difference by donating their love and time to several Pinewood Drag Races build days throughout the United States to support children in need. Working with several of the qualified SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction, these volunteers help children build hundreds of pinewood racers that can be purchased by caring SEMA members. Each pinewood will be raced at the SEMA Installation Gala, and will then be shipped to the purchasing SEMA member following the event.  

Recently, several volunteers attended the first build day at Childhelp in Lignum, Virginia. Each took the time to be a part of the pinewood build process, and showed the kids how much they care. Each child had the opportunity to decorate two cars; one they got to keep and the other to be sold to a SEMA member as a part of the Pinewood Drag Races’ “build it for me” category. The best part is always when the children race their cars on a pinewood track set up as part of the build day. 

Purchase your own kid-built pinewood car and help a child in need.

Held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 29, 2016, at 12:00 p.m., at the Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California. The finals will be held during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. Proceeds from the races benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses, who otherwise would not be able to go to camp.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood car is easy and rewarding. Visit SEMA’s website to purchase your own Pinewood car, participate and help a child in need.

By Steve Wolcott

From left to right: Edie Clouse, Craig Turner, Susan Carpenter, Joan Turner, Reba Hicks, Mackenzie Hicks, Judy Brooks, Ashley Ailsworth, Molly Tomlinson, Nancy Flores, Christian Robinson, Matt Donovan, Julia Jeffs, Tom Brooks (organizer) and Eric Snyder.

Each year SEMA Cares volunteers make a difference by donating their love and time to several Pinewood Drag Races build days throughout the United States to support children in need. Working with several of the qualified SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction, these volunteers help children build hundreds of pinewood racers that can be purchased by caring SEMA members. Each pinewood will be raced at the SEMA Installation Gala, and will then be shipped to the purchasing SEMA member following the event.  

Recently, several volunteers attended the first build day at Childhelp in Lignum, Virginia. Each took the time to be a part of the pinewood build process, and showed the kids how much they care. Each child had the opportunity to decorate two cars; one they got to keep and the other to be sold to a SEMA member as a part of the Pinewood Drag Races’ “build it for me” category. The best part is always when the children race their cars on a pinewood track set up as part of the build day. 

Purchase your own kid-built pinewood car and help a child in need.

Held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 29, 2016, at 12:00 p.m., at the Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California. The finals will be held during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. Proceeds from the races benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses, who otherwise would not be able to go to camp.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood car is easy and rewarding. Visit SEMA’s website to purchase your own Pinewood car, participate and help a child in need.

By Steve Wolcott

From left to right: Edie Clouse, Craig Turner, Susan Carpenter, Joan Turner, Reba Hicks, Mackenzie Hicks, Judy Brooks, Ashley Ailsworth, Molly Tomlinson, Nancy Flores, Christian Robinson, Matt Donovan, Julia Jeffs, Tom Brooks (organizer) and Eric Snyder.

Each year SEMA Cares volunteers make a difference by donating their love and time to several Pinewood Drag Races build days throughout the United States to support children in need. Working with several of the qualified SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction, these volunteers help children build hundreds of pinewood racers that can be purchased by caring SEMA members. Each pinewood will be raced at the SEMA Installation Gala, and will then be shipped to the purchasing SEMA member following the event.  

Recently, several volunteers attended the first build day at Childhelp in Lignum, Virginia. Each took the time to be a part of the pinewood build process, and showed the kids how much they care. Each child had the opportunity to decorate two cars; one they got to keep and the other to be sold to a SEMA member as a part of the Pinewood Drag Races’ “build it for me” category. The best part is always when the children race their cars on a pinewood track set up as part of the build day. 

Purchase your own kid-built pinewood car and help a child in need.

Held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Gala, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 29, 2016, at 12:00 p.m., at the Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, California. The finals will be held during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. Proceeds from the races benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses, who otherwise would not be able to go to camp.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood car is easy and rewarding. Visit SEMA’s website to purchase your own Pinewood car, participate and help a child in need.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Chris Wagner

Daystar Welcomes Chris Wagner as New Aftermarket Sales Manager

Daystar Products International has announced the addition of Chris Wagner to the Daystar sales team. With more than 15 years of experience in the automotive and light-truck aftermarket industry, Wagner joins the company as sales manager for Daystar’s aftermarket division.

The AAM Group Announces On the Map Dealer Locator Program

The AAM Group has announced On the Map—a portal service that gets local retailers and installers of automotive aftermarket accessories listed on the online dealer locators and internal databases of the manufacturers they sell. On the Map—free to AAM program participants—is designed to connect shoppers, jobbers and manufacturers in a way that meets the needs of all three. On the Map helps to direct consumers to their local source for aftermarket products and installation services, generating additional foot traffic and sales for community retailers and installers. Retailers affiliated with one of AAM’s marketing programs simply visit www.theaamgroup.com/on-the-map and indicate the brands they actively sell or install. AAM then submits the results to its vendor partners, and within 4–6 weeks, those retailers can expect to be listed on the dealer locators of the manufacturers they selected.

Thermal R&D Exhaust premiers on Velocity Performance TV on Saturday, May 28, at 9:30 p.m. (EST).

Thermal R&D Exhaust to Premier on Velocity TV This Saturday

Thermal R&D Exhaust premiers on Velocity Performance TV on Saturday, May 28, at 9:30 p.m. (EST). The segment will also air on Friday, May 27, at 9:30 a.m. EST and 4:00 p.m. EST on MAVTV. The show will showcase Thermal R&D Exhaust’s Fifth Generation Camaro Exhaust, as well as Thermal R&D Exhaust’s 2015+ Mustang GT Exhaust.

WELD Honored With City Proclamation to Celebrate Growth at Kansas City Headquarters

WELD has received a proclamation signed by Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James during a ribbon cutting and open house May 19 at its Kansas City headquarters. The proclamation was presented by Scott Wagner, Kansas City mayor pro-tem and 1st District-at-Large councilman, on behalf of Mayor James and the City Council. The document congratulated WELD on the expansion of its manufacturing facility and declared “May 19, 2016, as a day to honor WELD throughout the City of Kansas City, Missouri.” Tony Miller, Jackson County 3rd District-at-Large legislator, also provided remarks on behalf of Jackson County. Other local dignitaries who attended included Theresa Galvin, Jackson County 6th District legislator and 2016 vice chairwoman; Quinton Lucas, Kansas City 3rd District-at-Large councilman; Jermaine Reed, Kansas City 3rd District councilman; Teresa Loar, Kansas City 2nd District-at-Large councilwoman; and David Pruente, director of membership, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. WELD brand ambassador and NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force of John Force Racing delivered remarks before the ribbon cutting. Also in attendance were WELD ambassadors Clay Millican, NHRA Top Fuel driver; Erica Enders-Stevens, NHRA Pro Stock driver; Robert Hight, NHRA Funny Car driver; World of Outlaws star Brian Brown; and Formula Drift driver Justin Pawlak. On display were a number of vehicles featuring the company’s wheels from its brands, including WELD Racing, WELD Street & Strip, CCW Forged Performance, REKON Off Road and HiPer Technology by WELD.

Terry Heffelfinger

Terry Heffelfinger to Retire From Brake Parts Inc.

Brake Parts Inc. announced that Terry Heffelfinger, vice president of engineering, product development, quality and R&D will retire from the company, effective June 30, 2016.

“Terry has been an integral part of our company for the past eleven years, leading multi-disciplinary teams that consistently contributed to BPI’s growth and profitability. His hard work and commitment to BPI are greatly appreciated and will be felt for years to come,” said company president and CEO David Overbeeke. “On behalf of all the employees at Brake Parts Inc., I would like to thank Terry for his many contributions to our company and wish him all the best that retirement has to offer.”

Heffelfinger joined BPI in 2005 as director, product engineering, quality and R&D before assuming his current role five years ago. Prior to BPI, he served as chief engineer, and later as director, product engineering and marketing, for Tenneco. Considered an expert in vehicle safety and safety testing, Heffelfinger has developed several patented 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.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Mike Whiddett in a Mazda RX-7 defeated Japanese drifter Masashi Yokoi in the finals.

Formula DRIFT Japan Round 2: Ebisu/Formula DRIFT Round 3: Mike Whiddett Wins Big In Japan

G-Shock presents Formula DRIFT Japan headed to the Ebisu Circuit for the second round of the Formula DRIFT Japan Championship and third round of the Formula DRIFT World Championship, where Mike Whiddett took the victory in a Mazda RX-7. The finals saw Whiddett take on famed Japanese drifter Masashi Yokoi. Both drivers went door-to-door on both runs, but it was Whiddett’s lead run that sealed the victory with a perfectly executed backwards entry. Yokoi lost his positioning as Whiddett accelerated to the final clip, which ended with the judges unanimously favoring Whiddett giving him the victory. The 2016 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship will continue to Round 3: Unchartered Territory, June 3–4, at Orlando Speedworld.

Jason Line Leads NHRA Pro Stock Pack

Pro Stock frontrunner Jason Line rode to victory for the fifth time this season at Heartland Park Topeka during the NHRA Kansas Nationals. The May 20–22 races marked the eighth weekend event in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Line has reached the finals in all eight Pro Stock contests in the 2016 series. He crossed the finish line in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro in 6.664 seconds at 207.85 mph to capture his latest trophy. With a total of 942 points, Line leads the field in the Pro Stock class as the series nears the halfway point in the 18-race regular season before the top 10 drivers compete for the championship in six playoff races. Line bested Summit Racing Equipment teammate Greg Anderson by 0.023 in the final round. Anderson holds the No. 2 position on the Pro Stock roster with 816 points. Ranked No. 3 with 614 points is Bo Butner, who reached Sunday’s second final elimination round.

Truck racing returns to the Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for the season opener of TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL. Photo credit: TORC Series

Season Opener for TORC: The Off-Road Championship Starts This Weekend

Short-course off-road truck racing brings the best drivers on dirt to The Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway, May 27–28, for the season-opening doubleheader of TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL. This weekend’s action takes place on a purpose-built track at the Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway, which is transformed for TORC Series racing to include a jump that will see trucks fly 130 ft. through the air, a 200-ft. rhythm section and 12-degree banked turns. AMSOIL driver Scott Douglas is back to battle for championship victory in the highlight PRO 4WD category, while stars, including Keegan Kincaid and Brad Lovell, return to the series this season in PRO 2WD. The young drivers of the Atturo Tires PRO Light include Luke Johnson and Kyle Hart.

Jerett Brooks Wins LOORRS Pro Lite Rounds 5 and 6

Jerett Brooks, in his RIGID Industries/General Tire Nissan, earned back-to-back wins in rounds 5 and 6 of the 2016 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORS) at the Utah Motorsports Campus last weekend, keeping him at the top of the LOORRS Pro Lite points battle.