By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and virtually all of the major automakers have agreed to voluntarily install automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems on all new cars by 2022 and heavier SUVs and pickups by 2024. AEB systems use lasers, radar and/or cameras to sense potential collision hazards. The system can make a sound warning to the driver and then proactively activate the brakes if necessary. Studies indicate that AEB systems have the potential to prevent accidents or reduce the severity by as much as 50%. The systems are already available on a number of vehicles. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

For motorsports enthusiasts, the Bonneville Salt Flats is hallowed ground. From the first speed record in 1914 through present day, thousands of records have been broken in many automobile, truck and motorcycle classes.

A SEMA-supported resolution urging the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to restore the Bonneville Salt Flats was approved by the Utah House and Senate and signed by Gov. Gary Herbert. The resolution calls attention to the deterioration of the Bonneville Salt Flats and urges the BLM to work with the Save the Salt Coalition, Utah Alliance and other concerned stakeholders to formulate a plan to restore the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway. The resolution also urges the U.S. Congress to take action to restore safe racing conditions.    

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bonneville Salt Flats is an awe-inspiring geologic phenomenon. For motorsports enthusiasts, it is hallowed ground. From the first speed record in 1914 through present day, thousands of records have been broken in many automobile, truck and motorcycle classes.

Nearly all of the racing events were cancelled in 2014 and 2015 due to rain and salt surface degradation. However, there was a silver lining, as major players with a vested interest in Bonneville pledged to work together toward its restoration.

“Although concerns about deterioration at Bonneville have existed for decades, this is the first time officials representing government, industry and racers are sitting at the same table to discuss solutions,” said Doug Evans, chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition. “We are finally at the starting line in the race to save Bonneville.”

The Utah state resolution is a next step in those efforts. Although it has a broad mandate without funding, it is a clear directive that will help spur action.

“Bonneville is a national treasure,” said Louise Noeth, spokesperson for Save the Salt Coalition and Utah Alliance. “The resolution is a love letter from the people, leadership and administration of the state of Utah directing this treasure be saved.”

The Coalition and Alliance are finalizing comprehensive recommendations for restoring Bonneville. Although the goal will take many years to achieve, the starting flag is being dropped in 2016.

For more information, visit www.savethesalt.org or contact stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

For motorsports enthusiasts, the Bonneville Salt Flats is hallowed ground. From the first speed record in 1914 through present day, thousands of records have been broken in many automobile, truck and motorcycle classes.

A SEMA-supported resolution urging the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to restore the Bonneville Salt Flats was approved by the Utah House and Senate and signed by Gov. Gary Herbert. The resolution calls attention to the deterioration of the Bonneville Salt Flats and urges the BLM to work with the Save the Salt Coalition, Utah Alliance and other concerned stakeholders to formulate a plan to restore the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway. The resolution also urges the U.S. Congress to take action to restore safe racing conditions.    

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bonneville Salt Flats is an awe-inspiring geologic phenomenon. For motorsports enthusiasts, it is hallowed ground. From the first speed record in 1914 through present day, thousands of records have been broken in many automobile, truck and motorcycle classes.

Nearly all of the racing events were cancelled in 2014 and 2015 due to rain and salt surface degradation. However, there was a silver lining, as major players with a vested interest in Bonneville pledged to work together toward its restoration.

“Although concerns about deterioration at Bonneville have existed for decades, this is the first time officials representing government, industry and racers are sitting at the same table to discuss solutions,” said Doug Evans, chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition. “We are finally at the starting line in the race to save Bonneville.”

The Utah state resolution is a next step in those efforts. Although it has a broad mandate without funding, it is a clear directive that will help spur action.

“Bonneville is a national treasure,” said Louise Noeth, spokesperson for Save the Salt Coalition and Utah Alliance. “The resolution is a love letter from the people, leadership and administration of the state of Utah directing this treasure be saved.”

The Coalition and Alliance are finalizing comprehensive recommendations for restoring Bonneville. Although the goal will take many years to achieve, the starting flag is being dropped in 2016.

For more information, visit www.savethesalt.org or contact stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

For motorsports enthusiasts, the Bonneville Salt Flats is hallowed ground. From the first speed record in 1914 through present day, thousands of records have been broken in many automobile, truck and motorcycle classes.

A SEMA-supported resolution urging the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to restore the Bonneville Salt Flats was approved by the Utah House and Senate and signed by Gov. Gary Herbert. The resolution calls attention to the deterioration of the Bonneville Salt Flats and urges the BLM to work with the Save the Salt Coalition, Utah Alliance and other concerned stakeholders to formulate a plan to restore the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway. The resolution also urges the U.S. Congress to take action to restore safe racing conditions.    

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bonneville Salt Flats is an awe-inspiring geologic phenomenon. For motorsports enthusiasts, it is hallowed ground. From the first speed record in 1914 through present day, thousands of records have been broken in many automobile, truck and motorcycle classes.

Nearly all of the racing events were cancelled in 2014 and 2015 due to rain and salt surface degradation. However, there was a silver lining, as major players with a vested interest in Bonneville pledged to work together toward its restoration.

“Although concerns about deterioration at Bonneville have existed for decades, this is the first time officials representing government, industry and racers are sitting at the same table to discuss solutions,” said Doug Evans, chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition. “We are finally at the starting line in the race to save Bonneville.”

The Utah state resolution is a next step in those efforts. Although it has a broad mandate without funding, it is a clear directive that will help spur action.

“Bonneville is a national treasure,” said Louise Noeth, spokesperson for Save the Salt Coalition and Utah Alliance. “The resolution is a love letter from the people, leadership and administration of the state of Utah directing this treasure be saved.”

The Coalition and Alliance are finalizing comprehensive recommendations for restoring Bonneville. Although the goal will take many years to achieve, the starting flag is being dropped in 2016.

For more information, visit www.savethesalt.org or contact stuartg@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

BRITTANY FORCE SCORES FIRST WIN IN TOP FUEL; HIGHT, ANDERSON, KRAWIEC ALSO SCORE: Brittany Force raced to her first career victory and took control of the Top Fuel point standings last Sunday at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Robert Hight (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victorious at the third of 24 events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Force powered her Monster Energy dragster to a 3.772-second run at 318.77 mph to outlast Terry McMillen’s 3.981 at 266.90 in his Amalie Motor Oil Xtermigator dragster. This was Force’s eighth career final-round appearance and first ever at Gainesville Raceway.

“It feels good to finally bring home the win,” said Force, daughter of 16-time Funny Car champion John. “Our car was on fire all weekend. It went down there and had great runs. This is a very proud moment for me and the John Force Racing team, the Monster Energy team. It took everyone to get us here.”

TASCA TO COMPETE IN FOUR NHRA NATIONAL EVENTS: Tasca Racing will return to NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car competition this season at four events, beginning with the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. Team owner Bob Tasca III will also compete at the NHRA national events in Topeka, Epping and Chicago in his Mustang-bodied entry.

“I’m thrilled to have NewAutoParts.com back as the primary sponsor for the Four-Wide event,” said Tasca. “We also have three other primary sponsors that I will be announcing soon for the remaining events.” Longtime Ford stalwart Tasca is excited to be answering the demands from NHRA Ford fans who want to see more Ford Funny Cars on the track. “I get emails and see social media posts nonstop asking why Ford pulled out of NHRA Funny Car racing,” he said. “I talk to the executives all the time and, trust me, the Ford family and many people within the company love the NHRA Ford fans. I firmly believe that one day they will come back and support their fans and their teams. Until then, the Tasca Family will do whatever we can to keep the passion alive for the Ford fans.”

NHRA ALL-ACCESS VIDEO STREAMING SERVICE DEBUTS: The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals marked the beginning of NHRA’s exciting new premium streaming service—NHRA All Access. For just $99.95 per season, race fans can get live, all-day video coverage from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fans will get the actual in-venue announcing and video feed directly from the Sunoco Vision big-screen display.

He Said, She Said

“Took several years for (Brittany) to struggle and go through all the teams that she loved and the crew chiefs. But what Alan (Johnson) said was that you could put me over there with that other stuff but to make me any better, put me with what I know. And that is what we did. It’s early in the season, but just mentally this is great to deliver for Monster Energy, to deliver for Chevrolet, to deliver for Auto Club that’s been so loyal to us, to Mac Tools, to Peak and everybody. The only one that didn’t deliver today was me, but what I think I am looking at is that I made the right calls. A lot of it is money, and I have had to take money out of my pocket to make this program work. I invested in this Top Fuel team and in Alan Johnson and he made this team work."

—Funny Car racer and team owner John Force after his daughter won her first Top Fuel race in Gainesville. The victory was the first win outside of the Funny Car ranks in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and also the first time the team doubled-up with wins in the nitro ranks.

Inside the Numbers

3.879: Number in seconds of the Funny Car national elapsed time record set by Don Schumacher Funny Car racer Jack Beckman in Gainesville. The time was also a Gainesville Raceway track record and earned him his 17th No. 1 qualifying position.

“I’m always excited to come here,” said Beckman following the run. “This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.”

Did You Know

JEGS BOOSTS SPORTSNATIONALS PURSE TO RECORD AMOUNT: Incentives for racers looking to attend the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals, May 27–29, at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, have been sweetened with JEGS boosting the cash purse to an all-time SPORTSnationals record $99,250. With contingency awards in excess of $275,000 and special bonus races, the total award posting approaches $380,000, a dramatic increase over the $50,700 posted at the inaugural SPORTSnationals in 1974. The JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals is the most lucrative all-Sportsman drag-racing event in the country. The inclusion of a Racer Appreciation Cookout and JEGS Family Fun Night at Beech Bend Raceway Park Friday night makes for a Memorial Day weekend celebration of NHRA Drag Racing that can’t be missed.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

BRITTANY FORCE SCORES FIRST WIN IN TOP FUEL; HIGHT, ANDERSON, KRAWIEC ALSO SCORE: Brittany Force raced to her first career victory and took control of the Top Fuel point standings last Sunday at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Robert Hight (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victorious at the third of 24 events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Force powered her Monster Energy dragster to a 3.772-second run at 318.77 mph to outlast Terry McMillen’s 3.981 at 266.90 in his Amalie Motor Oil Xtermigator dragster. This was Force’s eighth career final-round appearance and first ever at Gainesville Raceway.

“It feels good to finally bring home the win,” said Force, daughter of 16-time Funny Car champion John. “Our car was on fire all weekend. It went down there and had great runs. This is a very proud moment for me and the John Force Racing team, the Monster Energy team. It took everyone to get us here.”

TASCA TO COMPETE IN FOUR NHRA NATIONAL EVENTS: Tasca Racing will return to NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car competition this season at four events, beginning with the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. Team owner Bob Tasca III will also compete at the NHRA national events in Topeka, Epping and Chicago in his Mustang-bodied entry.

“I’m thrilled to have NewAutoParts.com back as the primary sponsor for the Four-Wide event,” said Tasca. “We also have three other primary sponsors that I will be announcing soon for the remaining events.” Longtime Ford stalwart Tasca is excited to be answering the demands from NHRA Ford fans who want to see more Ford Funny Cars on the track. “I get emails and see social media posts nonstop asking why Ford pulled out of NHRA Funny Car racing,” he said. “I talk to the executives all the time and, trust me, the Ford family and many people within the company love the NHRA Ford fans. I firmly believe that one day they will come back and support their fans and their teams. Until then, the Tasca Family will do whatever we can to keep the passion alive for the Ford fans.”

NHRA ALL-ACCESS VIDEO STREAMING SERVICE DEBUTS: The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals marked the beginning of NHRA’s exciting new premium streaming service—NHRA All Access. For just $99.95 per season, race fans can get live, all-day video coverage from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fans will get the actual in-venue announcing and video feed directly from the Sunoco Vision big-screen display.

He Said, She Said

“Took several years for (Brittany) to struggle and go through all the teams that she loved and the crew chiefs. But what Alan (Johnson) said was that you could put me over there with that other stuff but to make me any better, put me with what I know. And that is what we did. It’s early in the season, but just mentally this is great to deliver for Monster Energy, to deliver for Chevrolet, to deliver for Auto Club that’s been so loyal to us, to Mac Tools, to Peak and everybody. The only one that didn’t deliver today was me, but what I think I am looking at is that I made the right calls. A lot of it is money, and I have had to take money out of my pocket to make this program work. I invested in this Top Fuel team and in Alan Johnson and he made this team work."

—Funny Car racer and team owner John Force after his daughter won her first Top Fuel race in Gainesville. The victory was the first win outside of the Funny Car ranks in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and also the first time the team doubled-up with wins in the nitro ranks.

Inside the Numbers

3.879: Number in seconds of the Funny Car national elapsed time record set by Don Schumacher Funny Car racer Jack Beckman in Gainesville. The time was also a Gainesville Raceway track record and earned him his 17th No. 1 qualifying position.

“I’m always excited to come here,” said Beckman following the run. “This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.”

Did You Know

JEGS BOOSTS SPORTSNATIONALS PURSE TO RECORD AMOUNT: Incentives for racers looking to attend the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals, May 27–29, at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, have been sweetened with JEGS boosting the cash purse to an all-time SPORTSnationals record $99,250. With contingency awards in excess of $275,000 and special bonus races, the total award posting approaches $380,000, a dramatic increase over the $50,700 posted at the inaugural SPORTSnationals in 1974. The JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals is the most lucrative all-Sportsman drag-racing event in the country. The inclusion of a Racer Appreciation Cookout and JEGS Family Fun Night at Beech Bend Raceway Park Friday night makes for a Memorial Day weekend celebration of NHRA Drag Racing that can’t be missed.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

BRITTANY FORCE SCORES FIRST WIN IN TOP FUEL; HIGHT, ANDERSON, KRAWIEC ALSO SCORE: Brittany Force raced to her first career victory and took control of the Top Fuel point standings last Sunday at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Robert Hight (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victorious at the third of 24 events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Force powered her Monster Energy dragster to a 3.772-second run at 318.77 mph to outlast Terry McMillen’s 3.981 at 266.90 in his Amalie Motor Oil Xtermigator dragster. This was Force’s eighth career final-round appearance and first ever at Gainesville Raceway.

“It feels good to finally bring home the win,” said Force, daughter of 16-time Funny Car champion John. “Our car was on fire all weekend. It went down there and had great runs. This is a very proud moment for me and the John Force Racing team, the Monster Energy team. It took everyone to get us here.”

TASCA TO COMPETE IN FOUR NHRA NATIONAL EVENTS: Tasca Racing will return to NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car competition this season at four events, beginning with the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. Team owner Bob Tasca III will also compete at the NHRA national events in Topeka, Epping and Chicago in his Mustang-bodied entry.

“I’m thrilled to have NewAutoParts.com back as the primary sponsor for the Four-Wide event,” said Tasca. “We also have three other primary sponsors that I will be announcing soon for the remaining events.” Longtime Ford stalwart Tasca is excited to be answering the demands from NHRA Ford fans who want to see more Ford Funny Cars on the track. “I get emails and see social media posts nonstop asking why Ford pulled out of NHRA Funny Car racing,” he said. “I talk to the executives all the time and, trust me, the Ford family and many people within the company love the NHRA Ford fans. I firmly believe that one day they will come back and support their fans and their teams. Until then, the Tasca Family will do whatever we can to keep the passion alive for the Ford fans.”

NHRA ALL-ACCESS VIDEO STREAMING SERVICE DEBUTS: The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals marked the beginning of NHRA’s exciting new premium streaming service—NHRA All Access. For just $99.95 per season, race fans can get live, all-day video coverage from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fans will get the actual in-venue announcing and video feed directly from the Sunoco Vision big-screen display.

He Said, She Said

“Took several years for (Brittany) to struggle and go through all the teams that she loved and the crew chiefs. But what Alan (Johnson) said was that you could put me over there with that other stuff but to make me any better, put me with what I know. And that is what we did. It’s early in the season, but just mentally this is great to deliver for Monster Energy, to deliver for Chevrolet, to deliver for Auto Club that’s been so loyal to us, to Mac Tools, to Peak and everybody. The only one that didn’t deliver today was me, but what I think I am looking at is that I made the right calls. A lot of it is money, and I have had to take money out of my pocket to make this program work. I invested in this Top Fuel team and in Alan Johnson and he made this team work."

—Funny Car racer and team owner John Force after his daughter won her first Top Fuel race in Gainesville. The victory was the first win outside of the Funny Car ranks in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and also the first time the team doubled-up with wins in the nitro ranks.

Inside the Numbers

3.879: Number in seconds of the Funny Car national elapsed time record set by Don Schumacher Funny Car racer Jack Beckman in Gainesville. The time was also a Gainesville Raceway track record and earned him his 17th No. 1 qualifying position.

“I’m always excited to come here,” said Beckman following the run. “This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.”

Did You Know

JEGS BOOSTS SPORTSNATIONALS PURSE TO RECORD AMOUNT: Incentives for racers looking to attend the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals, May 27–29, at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, have been sweetened with JEGS boosting the cash purse to an all-time SPORTSnationals record $99,250. With contingency awards in excess of $275,000 and special bonus races, the total award posting approaches $380,000, a dramatic increase over the $50,700 posted at the inaugural SPORTSnationals in 1974. The JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals is the most lucrative all-Sportsman drag-racing event in the country. The inclusion of a Racer Appreciation Cookout and JEGS Family Fun Night at Beech Bend Raceway Park Friday night makes for a Memorial Day weekend celebration of NHRA Drag Racing that can’t be missed.

By SEMA Editors

The new SEMA Career Center is an online employment resource dedicated to the automotive aftermarket industry.

Employers and recruiters often search for qualified candidates through the résumés that users upload to the SEMA Career Center. Below are the top five reasons you should upload your résumé and start down the path toward your dream job.

1. Free of Charge: You can upload your résumé free of charge. So what is there to lose?
2. Save Time and Effort: Once your résumé has been uploaded to the database, there will be hundreds of potential employers who can view it. You don’t have to chase them anymore; they’ll chase you.
3. Constant Visibility: Publishing your résumé on the SEMA Career Center means that your profile can be accessed constantly (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) by potential employers. This can dramatically increase your chances of being noticed, and consequently getting hired.
4. Access to a Wide Range of Jobs: When applying in the traditional way, the job search is usually centered on a particular area of work. However, when you upload your résumé to SEMA’s Career Center, it can be viewed by all employers that have current openings.
5. Full Control over Personal Details: You will have full control over your personal profile and résumé with three privacty settings:

• Public: Allow employers to see your résumé and contact information.
• Anonymous: Allow employers to see résumé, but keep your contact information private.
• Private: Keep your résumé and contact information private.

These options mean that you will always be in control of your personal profile.

Take control of your future. Visit the SEMA Career Center today. For more information, please contact SEMA’s Director of Education, Zane Clark.

By SEMA Editors

The new SEMA Career Center is an online employment resource dedicated to the automotive aftermarket industry.

Employers and recruiters often search for qualified candidates through the résumés that users upload to the SEMA Career Center. Below are the top five reasons you should upload your résumé and start down the path toward your dream job.

1. Free of Charge: You can upload your résumé free of charge. So what is there to lose?
2. Save Time and Effort: Once your résumé has been uploaded to the database, there will be hundreds of potential employers who can view it. You don’t have to chase them anymore; they’ll chase you.
3. Constant Visibility: Publishing your résumé on the SEMA Career Center means that your profile can be accessed constantly (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) by potential employers. This can dramatically increase your chances of being noticed, and consequently getting hired.
4. Access to a Wide Range of Jobs: When applying in the traditional way, the job search is usually centered on a particular area of work. However, when you upload your résumé to SEMA’s Career Center, it can be viewed by all employers that have current openings.
5. Full Control over Personal Details: You will have full control over your personal profile and résumé with three privacty settings:

• Public: Allow employers to see your résumé and contact information.
• Anonymous: Allow employers to see résumé, but keep your contact information private.
• Private: Keep your résumé and contact information private.

These options mean that you will always be in control of your personal profile.

Take control of your future. Visit the SEMA Career Center today. For more information, please contact SEMA’s Director of Education, Zane Clark.

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. This week's video features Colby Martin of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) discussing how SAN, through the help of its members, strives to protect the automotive hobby from harmful government legislation.

A current example of SAN’s efforts is the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016” (RPM Act), which would ensure that converting street vehicles to racecars used exclusively in competition does not violate the Clean Air Act.  

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.