By SEMA Editors

For the fourth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. We need your input. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2016—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2016 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2016.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They are also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas that include marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

To read more about the RPM Act, visit www.sema.org/rpm or www.sema.org/epa-news. —Photo Courtesy of DSport Magazine

Racing enthusiasts across the country continue to sound the alarm on EPA overreach and call on Congress to pass the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2016.” But don’t take our word for it. See what others are saying and doing:

Hot Rod Network: EPA Update: Members of Congress Joining Fight to Save Racecars
“While most racers are turning their attention to battling on the track, an ongoing battle continues off the track. It is a battle that could prove crucial for the future of the sport… With some allies in congress, the RPM Act is starting to gain momentum.” READ MORE By Matt Panure, March 30, 2016

TruckTrend Network: EPA vs. Diesel Performance – Finding a Better Way    
“If the language proposed by the EPA were to become codified, suddenly, potentially thousands of vehicles at dragstrips, off-road trails, or dirt tracks would be considered illegal…The RPM Act may be the last chance to halt the onslaught of the government against the enthusiast community for a generation.” READ MORE By Edward A. Sanchez, March 28, 2016

Gaston Gazette (Gastonia, North Carolina): McHenry: EPA needs to leave racing alone    
“Jason Snyder doesn't just enjoy motor sports, he has built a Gastonia business around helping drivers modify their cars for competition and offering track-side mechanical support. So when he heard last month the Environmental Protection Agency could start enforcing emission rules for vehicles modified for racing, he said he almost blew a gasket. ‘It’s absurd,’ said Snyder, owner of JBD Customz. ‘As much as I agree with trying to protect the environment, there’s some financial implications that are important too.’” READ MORE By Kevin Ellis, March 18, 2016

DSport Magazine: The Right to Mod
“...This proposal could severely damage the vehicle performance industry, from weekend hobbyists to professional race teams. Are you as pissed off as we are? Reach out to your state representatives and encourage them to join the fight against this proposal.” READ MORE May 2016

Speedway Illustrated: The EPA Attacks Racing
“For our category, the danger is real. It means if you found an ’84 Monte Carlo in the junkyard that had an emissions-controlled V6 and converted it into street stock and changed its engine to a V8 with a carburetor, you’re in violation.” READ MORE By Karl Fredrickson, April 2016

To read these articles and learn more about the RPM Act, visit www.sema.org/rpm or www.sema.org/epa-news.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

To read more about the RPM Act, visit www.sema.org/rpm or www.sema.org/epa-news. —Photo Courtesy of DSport Magazine

Racing enthusiasts across the country continue to sound the alarm on EPA overreach and call on Congress to pass the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2016.” But don’t take our word for it. See what others are saying and doing:

Hot Rod Network: EPA Update: Members of Congress Joining Fight to Save Racecars
“While most racers are turning their attention to battling on the track, an ongoing battle continues off the track. It is a battle that could prove crucial for the future of the sport… With some allies in congress, the RPM Act is starting to gain momentum.” READ MORE By Matt Panure, March 30, 2016

TruckTrend Network: EPA vs. Diesel Performance – Finding a Better Way    
“If the language proposed by the EPA were to become codified, suddenly, potentially thousands of vehicles at dragstrips, off-road trails, or dirt tracks would be considered illegal…The RPM Act may be the last chance to halt the onslaught of the government against the enthusiast community for a generation.” READ MORE By Edward A. Sanchez, March 28, 2016

Gaston Gazette (Gastonia, North Carolina): McHenry: EPA needs to leave racing alone    
“Jason Snyder doesn't just enjoy motor sports, he has built a Gastonia business around helping drivers modify their cars for competition and offering track-side mechanical support. So when he heard last month the Environmental Protection Agency could start enforcing emission rules for vehicles modified for racing, he said he almost blew a gasket. ‘It’s absurd,’ said Snyder, owner of JBD Customz. ‘As much as I agree with trying to protect the environment, there’s some financial implications that are important too.’” READ MORE By Kevin Ellis, March 18, 2016

DSport Magazine: The Right to Mod
“...This proposal could severely damage the vehicle performance industry, from weekend hobbyists to professional race teams. Are you as pissed off as we are? Reach out to your state representatives and encourage them to join the fight against this proposal.” READ MORE May 2016

Speedway Illustrated: The EPA Attacks Racing
“For our category, the danger is real. It means if you found an ’84 Monte Carlo in the junkyard that had an emissions-controlled V6 and converted it into street stock and changed its engine to a V8 with a carburetor, you’re in violation.” READ MORE By Karl Fredrickson, April 2016

To read these articles and learn more about the RPM Act, visit www.sema.org/rpm or www.sema.org/epa-news.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

To read more about the RPM Act, visit www.sema.org/rpm or www.sema.org/epa-news. —Photo Courtesy of DSport Magazine

Racing enthusiasts across the country continue to sound the alarm on EPA overreach and call on Congress to pass the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2016.” But don’t take our word for it. See what others are saying and doing:

Hot Rod Network: EPA Update: Members of Congress Joining Fight to Save Racecars
“While most racers are turning their attention to battling on the track, an ongoing battle continues off the track. It is a battle that could prove crucial for the future of the sport… With some allies in congress, the RPM Act is starting to gain momentum.” READ MORE By Matt Panure, March 30, 2016

TruckTrend Network: EPA vs. Diesel Performance – Finding a Better Way    
“If the language proposed by the EPA were to become codified, suddenly, potentially thousands of vehicles at dragstrips, off-road trails, or dirt tracks would be considered illegal…The RPM Act may be the last chance to halt the onslaught of the government against the enthusiast community for a generation.” READ MORE By Edward A. Sanchez, March 28, 2016

Gaston Gazette (Gastonia, North Carolina): McHenry: EPA needs to leave racing alone    
“Jason Snyder doesn't just enjoy motor sports, he has built a Gastonia business around helping drivers modify their cars for competition and offering track-side mechanical support. So when he heard last month the Environmental Protection Agency could start enforcing emission rules for vehicles modified for racing, he said he almost blew a gasket. ‘It’s absurd,’ said Snyder, owner of JBD Customz. ‘As much as I agree with trying to protect the environment, there’s some financial implications that are important too.’” READ MORE By Kevin Ellis, March 18, 2016

DSport Magazine: The Right to Mod
“...This proposal could severely damage the vehicle performance industry, from weekend hobbyists to professional race teams. Are you as pissed off as we are? Reach out to your state representatives and encourage them to join the fight against this proposal.” READ MORE May 2016

Speedway Illustrated: The EPA Attacks Racing
“For our category, the danger is real. It means if you found an ’84 Monte Carlo in the junkyard that had an emissions-controlled V6 and converted it into street stock and changed its engine to a V8 with a carburetor, you’re in violation.” READ MORE By Karl Fredrickson, April 2016

To read these articles and learn more about the RPM Act, visit www.sema.org/rpm or www.sema.org/epa-news.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

If you haven’t contacted your legislators to support the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2016”, visit www.sema.org/rpm today.

A cell phone and one minute is all it takes to help prevent the EPA from overreaching, and support the Congressional bill that will ensure that street vehicles can continued to be modified for the track.  

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

If you haven’t contacted your legislators to support the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2016”, visit www.sema.org/rpm today.

A cell phone and one minute is all it takes to help prevent the EPA from overreaching, and support the Congressional bill that will ensure that street vehicles can continued to be modified for the track.  

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

If you haven’t contacted your legislators to support the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2016”, visit www.sema.org/rpm today.

A cell phone and one minute is all it takes to help prevent the EPA from overreaching, and support the Congressional bill that will ensure that street vehicles can continued to be modified for the track.  

By SEMA Editors

Paul Shafer, 68, died Sunday, March 27, from complications caused by brain cancer. Owner of SA Motorsports located in Anaheim, California, Shafer retired in June 2015 after spending more than 45 years in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Before starting SA Motorsports, he worked for Hooker Headers, Keystone/Dynamark Wheel Company and was a partner in TWE/Performance Plus.

Shafer is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Bertie).

This is the ’17 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 caught testing in the Rockies.

The HD trucks will adopt a look similar to the ones introduced on the 1500s for 2016, complete with a taller and bolder front end and a new hood scoop that reveals the pickup is equipped with the latest version of the current 6.6L V8 turbodiesel. It will be comprehensively modified to unseat the Ford Super Duty in efficiency and hauling capacities, pushing it comfortably over the 425 hp mark, and at least 860 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also likely to become standard, but the 10-speed unit may not be far behind.

The revised HD trucks are supposed to last until 2020 or so, when the next-generation GM pickups will adopt a more aluminum-intensive architecture to reduce weight, also carrying downsized engines for better efficiency.

Expect to see the ’17 Sierra HD by the summer.
Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 caught testing in the Rockies.

The HD trucks will adopt a look similar to the ones introduced on the 1500s for 2016, complete with a taller and bolder front end and a new hood scoop that reveals the pickup is equipped with the latest version of the current 6.6L V8 turbodiesel. It will be comprehensively modified to unseat the Ford Super Duty in efficiency and hauling capacities, pushing it comfortably over the 425 hp mark, and at least 860 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also likely to become standard, but the 10-speed unit may not be far behind.

The revised HD trucks are supposed to last until 2020 or so, when the next-generation GM pickups will adopt a more aluminum-intensive architecture to reduce weight, also carrying downsized engines for better efficiency.

Expect to see the ’17 Sierra HD by the summer.
Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde