By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA members have been instrumental in rallying dozens more members of Congress to co-sponsor the bipartisan RPM Act. Following the recent SEMA Rally in Washington, D.C., 13 more members of Congress have signed on to co-sponsor the bipartisan bill that, if passed, will guarantee that street vehicles can continue to be modified into race cars used exclusively on the track.

The racing industry is still at risk and remains at risk until the RPM Act is passed and signed into law. That’s because despite withdrawing a proposed racing regulation, the EPA continues to claim that it has the authority to regulate street cars modified exclusively for the track. The EPA’s assertion puts those with modified race cars—and the businesses that make products to support the practice—at risk of enforcement. The RPM Act is the only solution that would make it clear now and in the future that the law allows emissions-certified street vehicles to be modified and converted for competition use. Passage of the bill would end the EPA’s threat of enforcement and protect racing for generations to come.

“The RPM Act is critically important to the future of the racing industry,” said Susan Carpenter of JR Products, who participated in the Washington Rally. “It was great to sit down and talk to my legislators about the bill and what it means to the motorsports industry. The legislators I met with were receptive and interested, and their response to our outreach efforts underscores how our industry’s voice can make a difference.”

Communicating with legislators is one of the most effective ways to gain support for Congressional bills such as the RPM Act. Supporters are urged to reach out to their legislators by visiting www.sema.org/rpm to write letters, or inviting local Congressional representatives to tour their race-related businesses.

For help or information on how to make your voice heard, contact san@sema.org.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

The 2016 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas. Online registration for the Show, available now through October 14, is $40.

The 2015 SEMA Show gathered more than 170,000 individuals together to do business. The annual Show features manufacturers representing all segments of the industry highlighting their latest product innovations—from wheels, tires, mobile electronics, restyling kits and paint, to exhaust kits, engine upgrades, suspension components, interior products and much more.

The 2016 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas. Online registration for the Show, available now through October 14, is $40.

The 2015 SEMA Show gathered more than 170,000 individuals together to do business. The annual Show features manufacturers representing all segments of the industry highlighting their latest product innovations—from wheels, tires, mobile electronics, restyling kits and paint, to exhaust kits, engine upgrades, suspension components, interior products and much more.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.

The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.

The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Automotive Purchasing Coordinator: United Pacific Industries Inc. is hiring an automotive purchasing coordinator to assist in placing and tracking orders, inventory control, research and procurement of local and overseas parts and price negotiation within the automotive industry. The ideal candidate must have strong and effective written and oral communication abilities, sourcing and computer skills and 1–2 years of purchasing experience. Automotive aftermarket experience is a plus.
• Classic Car Restoration: The Creative Workshop is hiring technicians and craftsmen with strong restoration, customization and/or race-car experience. The ideal candidate should be comfortable with both foreign and domestic cars and have experience working on show cars or similar types of specialty/high-end vehicles.
• R&D Calibrator: COBB Tuning is hiring an R&D calibrator to work with a team of engineers and fellow calibrators who are passionate about producing high-quality products. This position will be responsible for developing new engine-control strategies and calibrations, testing prototype hard parts and using data to guide development and collaborating with sales and support teams to bolster the company’s Protuner network.
• Street-Rod Technician: Speedway Motors Inc. is hiring a street-rod technician to assist customers as they tackle all aspects of hot-rod building, such as parts installation, product compatibility and other technical challenges. Excellent communication and great people skills, along with basic computer skills and hands-on, wrench-turning experience are required.
• Off-Road Sales Specialist: CPS Companies is hiring an off-road sales specialist responsible for promoting all of the company’s restyling capabilities and growing off-road and signature vehicle sales. This position will be the primary communication link between new-car dealerships and the company, and will be in charge of implementing and supporting all CPS programs. The ideal candidate will have experience in new-car dealership sales and selling off-road and signature vehicle packages.  

SEMA recently launched the SEMA Career Center to address the employment challenges of automotive companies and facilitate a talent pipeline for entering into the automotive aftermarket industry. Through an automotive network that includes the Auto Care Association, the SEMA Career Center will expand the volume and reach of job openings from automotive companies throughout the country.

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Automotive Purchasing Coordinator: United Pacific Industries Inc. is hiring an automotive purchasing coordinator to assist in placing and tracking orders, inventory control, research and procurement of local and overseas parts and price negotiation within the automotive industry. The ideal candidate must have strong and effective written and oral communication abilities, sourcing and computer skills and 1–2 years of purchasing experience. Automotive aftermarket experience is a plus.
• Classic Car Restoration: The Creative Workshop is hiring technicians and craftsmen with strong restoration, customization and/or race-car experience. The ideal candidate should be comfortable with both foreign and domestic cars and have experience working on show cars or similar types of specialty/high-end vehicles.
• R&D Calibrator: COBB Tuning is hiring an R&D calibrator to work with a team of engineers and fellow calibrators who are passionate about producing high-quality products. This position will be responsible for developing new engine-control strategies and calibrations, testing prototype hard parts and using data to guide development and collaborating with sales and support teams to bolster the company’s Protuner network.
• Street-Rod Technician: Speedway Motors Inc. is hiring a street-rod technician to assist customers as they tackle all aspects of hot-rod building, such as parts installation, product compatibility and other technical challenges. Excellent communication and great people skills, along with basic computer skills and hands-on, wrench-turning experience are required.
• Off-Road Sales Specialist: CPS Companies is hiring an off-road sales specialist responsible for promoting all of the company’s restyling capabilities and growing off-road and signature vehicle sales. This position will be the primary communication link between new-car dealerships and the company, and will be in charge of implementing and supporting all CPS programs. The ideal candidate will have experience in new-car dealership sales and selling off-road and signature vehicle packages.  

SEMA recently launched the SEMA Career Center to address the employment challenges of automotive companies and facilitate a talent pipeline for entering into the automotive aftermarket industry. Through an automotive network that includes the Auto Care Association, the SEMA Career Center will expand the volume and reach of job openings from automotive companies throughout the country.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

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

Visit YEN's website

Aaron Vaccar	Darren Lane

Meet the YEN Power Tour Participants

The Young Executives Network (YEN) will hit the road this summer with 10 members to participate in the Hot Rod Power Tour. The YENsters will stop in seven cities, starting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with the finish line in Kansas City, Kansas. Each stop attracts hundreds of local car enthusiasts, students and automotive professionals. YEN members will interact with students, showing them around the “traveling car show,” and discussing career paths in the automotive aftermarket industry.

You can follow them along their journey via the hashtag #YENPowerTour. Let’s meet one of the teams!

Vaccar will pilot a highly customized, twin-turbo ’15 Ford Edge Sport concept by Vaccar, which debuted at last year’s SEMA Show in the Ford booth.

Driver – Aaron Vaccar, The Aaron Vaccar Company, President

The Aaron Vaccar Company manages several businesses within the industry. The Vaccar brand designs promotional creations for events such as the SEMA Show for companies, including Ford. “AutoLife Tour” works with other client services as a traveling roadshow. “Blood & Grease” is a car-culture-inspired clothing line.

Vaccar’s knack for business started in high school, purchasing wholesale candy and reselling to students until the administration forced him to stop. Now, helping other companies build brands is how he spends his time, possibly preceded by his automotive hobby. His passion for cars was spurred as a father-son pastime, with his first custom in 2006 being featured in eight magazines. With a shelf of OEM achievements, shop full of work, and consulting brands he admires, 29-year-old Vaccar is just getting started.

“I want gain experience from a new perspective, network and build relationships, and most importantly, turn around and apply valuable business practices and ideas toward the future of our industry,” he said, of attending the YEN Power Tour.

Vaccar will pilot a highly customized, twin-turbo ’15 Ford Edge Sport concept by Vaccar, which debuted at last year’s SEMA Show in the Ford booth.

Passenger – Darren Lane, Motor State Distributing, Export and Fulfillment Sales Manager

For more than a decade, Lane has represented the third generation of Motor State Distributing—a premiere aftermarket performance distributor celebrating its 52nd anniversary in 2016. As a multi-channel distributor, Motor State Distributing has experienced tremendous growth since its founding in 1964, now stocking more than 90,000 products representing more than 600 product lines. A six-time SEMA “WD of The Year” award winner, Motor State has solidified its reputation for delivering superior service within the ever-expanding global markets it serves.

Contributing to all facets of the business, Lane’s career path has led him through tenures within each functional area of company, all while receiving a bachelor’s of business administration in finance at Western Michigan University. Both his education and experience have provided him with a deep understanding of the complex daily operations of the business, and will undoubtedly poise him for an increased leadership role within the company.

Moreover, an avid racer in his youth, Lane has cultivated a personal connection with motorsports enthusiasts behind the wheel of karts and various circle-track cars throughout the Midwest. Although he no longer races, you can often find him at a race track or industry event interacting with customers and other performance enthusiasts.

Lane is excited to connect with performance enthusiasts as a member of SEMA’s YEN Power Tour.

For more information on the YEN Power Tour, visit www.sema.org/yen-power-tour.

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Visit PRO's website.

PRO to Host Long-Range Planning Meeting in Detroit

The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) is hosting its annual Long-Range Planning (LRP) meeting June 15–16 in the nation’s car capital—Detroit. The annual LRP is an opportunity for council members to address restyling industry issues and challenges and weigh in on the needs of its member companies. Employees of PRO-member companies are encouraged to attend to gain insight into council initiatives, contribute their ideas to push the restyling industry forward and mingle with Select Committee members and SEMA staff to learn how PRO resources can help their businesses grow.

As an added bonus, attendees will tour the innovative Mobility Transformation Facility, more commonly known as Mcity, at the University of Michigan. The 32-acre facility is located on campus and is the first of its kind in testing new automated vehicle technologies and their capabilities to safely maneuver actual roadways. Public access to Mcity is limited, but LRP attendees will enjoy a guided, private tour of the facility.

The meetings kick off Wednesday, June 15, at the Detroit Metro Airport Marriot, and will break late morning for the Mcity tour and lunch. The meeting will reconvene back at the hotel after the tour for a group discussion and breakout sessions. A PRO-hosted dinner will take place that evening. The Thursday agenda includes a continental breakfast, breakout sessions, lunch and group project planning, and is slated to end at 3:00 p.m.

RSVP now!

For questions on this event, contact Senior Manager of Councils Allan Keefe at 909-978-6696 or allank@sema.org.

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