By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

By SEMA Editors

The current SEMA Board of Directors led by Chairman Doug Evans (front center).

The SEMA Board of Directors is a group of individuals who volunteer their time to provide leadership and guidance for the association. The members of the board provide a critical leadership role by serving the industry and all of the businesses within it.

Here are the candidates for this year’s election:

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Chris Douglas – vice president of marketing, COMP Performance Group
• Dave Edmondson – senior vice president, Roadwire
• Kyle Fickler – director of business development, Aeromotive Inc.
• Rick Love – executive vice president, Vintage Air

Manufacturer’s Representative Category (one open seat)

• Les Rudd – president, Bob Cook Sales
• Rich Butler – CEO, R&R Marketing

SEMA’s Board consists of 10 directors, the chairman, the chairman-elect, immediate-past chairman and secretary/treasurer. While the number of seats on the Board are limited, the election provides all SEMA-member companies with the opportunity to influence the specialty-equipment industry’s future.

Voting will take place online May 11–24, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company's primary contact. Details with ballots and links will be sent to the member company's designated primary contact between May 9–10.

Winners will be announced by May 27 and formally welcomed to the SEMA Board of Directors during the SEMA Installation Gala, July 29.

For more information about the 2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Susan Alfonso at 909-978-6671 or susana@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The current SEMA Board of Directors led by Chairman Doug Evans (front center).

The SEMA Board of Directors is a group of individuals who volunteer their time to provide leadership and guidance for the association. The members of the board provide a critical leadership role by serving the industry and all of the businesses within it.

Here are the candidates for this year’s election:

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Chris Douglas – vice president of marketing, COMP Performance Group
• Dave Edmondson – senior vice president, Roadwire
• Kyle Fickler – director of business development, Aeromotive Inc.
• Rick Love – executive vice president, Vintage Air

Manufacturer’s Representative Category (one open seat)

• Les Rudd – president, Bob Cook Sales
• Rich Butler – CEO, R&R Marketing

SEMA’s Board consists of 10 directors, the chairman, the chairman-elect, immediate-past chairman and secretary/treasurer. While the number of seats on the Board are limited, the election provides all SEMA-member companies with the opportunity to influence the specialty-equipment industry’s future.

Voting will take place online May 11–24, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company's primary contact. Details with ballots and links will be sent to the member company's designated primary contact between May 9–10.

Winners will be announced by May 27 and formally welcomed to the SEMA Board of Directors during the SEMA Installation Gala, July 29.

For more information about the 2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Susan Alfonso at 909-978-6671 or susana@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The current SEMA Board of Directors led by Chairman Doug Evans (front center).

The SEMA Board of Directors is a group of individuals who volunteer their time to provide leadership and guidance for the association. The members of the board provide a critical leadership role by serving the industry and all of the businesses within it.

Here are the candidates for this year’s election:

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Chris Douglas – vice president of marketing, COMP Performance Group
• Dave Edmondson – senior vice president, Roadwire
• Kyle Fickler – director of business development, Aeromotive Inc.
• Rick Love – executive vice president, Vintage Air

Manufacturer’s Representative Category (one open seat)

• Les Rudd – president, Bob Cook Sales
• Rich Butler – CEO, R&R Marketing

SEMA’s Board consists of 10 directors, the chairman, the chairman-elect, immediate-past chairman and secretary/treasurer. While the number of seats on the Board are limited, the election provides all SEMA-member companies with the opportunity to influence the specialty-equipment industry’s future.

Voting will take place online May 11–24, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company's primary contact. Details with ballots and links will be sent to the member company's designated primary contact between May 9–10.

Winners will be announced by May 27 and formally welcomed to the SEMA Board of Directors during the SEMA Installation Gala, July 29.

For more information about the 2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Susan Alfonso at 909-978-6671 or susana@sema.org.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO RACE! THE EPA IS BANNING RACECARS. TELL CONGRESS TO PASS THE RPM ACT NOW AND STOP THE EPA FROM DESTROYING MOTORSPORTS IN 2020. YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW!

• Street vehicles—cars, trucks, and motorcycles—can’t be converted into racecars according to the EPA.
• The EPA has announced that enforcement against high performance parts—including superchargers, tuners, and exhaust systems—is a top priority for 2020.
• The RPM Act was just reintroduced.  Even if you are one of the hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts who contacted Congress in the past, we need your support again!
• Tell the bureaucrats in Washington that racecars are off limits!

The RPM Act of 2019 (H.R. 5434/S. 2602) is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation to protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles (cars, trucks and motorcycles) into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete.  The bill clarifies that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to a street vehicle for the purpose of converting it into a racecar used exclusively in competition.  It also confirms that it is legal to produce, market and install racing equipment.  

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck, or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.  This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways.  Although the EPA did not finalize the proposed rule, the agency still maintains the practice of modifying the emission system of a motor vehicle for the purpose of converting it for racing is illegal.  Manufacturing, selling and installing race parts for the converted vehicle would also be a violation. The EPA has also announced that enforcement against high performance parts—including superchargers, tuners, and exhaust systems—is a top priority for 2020.

Converting street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles is an American tradition dating back decades and has negligible environmental impact.  While California is known for having the strictest emissions laws, the state exempts racing vehicles from regulation. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional.  Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually.  Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal. 

The RPM Act does not interfere with the EPA’s authority to enforce against individuals who illegally install race parts on vehicles driven on public roads and highways and the companies that market such products.  Tampering with the emissions system of a motor vehicle used on public roads is a clear violation of the Clean Air Act.

The RPM Act will provide the racing community with certainty and confidence in the face of an EPA interpretation of the Clean Air Act that threatens to devastate an American pastime and eliminate jobs in our communities. 

Tell Your Elected Officials to Protect Motorsports and Pass the RPM Act

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Republican and Democrat members of Congress have expressed a desire to provide certainty to racers and the motorsports parts industry. However, there is much more to be done before the RPM Act becomes law.

Use our Action Center to send a message to your Senators and Representative to ask them to support the RPM Act.

SEMA members can help spread the word by including links on their websites, social media platforms, storefronts and garages.  Members can also rally their customers, employees, followers and friends to act.  Use the assets found in SEMA’s digital toolkit: www.sema.org/rpmtools. And don’t forget to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SaveOurRacecars.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO RACE! THE EPA IS BANNING RACECARS. TELL CONGRESS TO PASS THE RPM ACT NOW AND STOP THE EPA FROM DESTROYING MOTORSPORTS IN 2020. YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW!

• Street vehicles—cars, trucks, and motorcycles—can’t be converted into racecars according to the EPA.
• The EPA has announced that enforcement against high performance parts—including superchargers, tuners, and exhaust systems—is a top priority for 2020.
• The RPM Act was just reintroduced.  Even if you are one of the hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts who contacted Congress in the past, we need your support again!
• Tell the bureaucrats in Washington that racecars are off limits!

The RPM Act of 2019 (H.R. 5434/S. 2602) is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation to protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles (cars, trucks and motorcycles) into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete.  The bill clarifies that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to a street vehicle for the purpose of converting it into a racecar used exclusively in competition.  It also confirms that it is legal to produce, market and install racing equipment.  

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck, or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.  This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways.  Although the EPA did not finalize the proposed rule, the agency still maintains the practice of modifying the emission system of a motor vehicle for the purpose of converting it for racing is illegal.  Manufacturing, selling and installing race parts for the converted vehicle would also be a violation. The EPA has also announced that enforcement against high performance parts—including superchargers, tuners, and exhaust systems—is a top priority for 2020.

Converting street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles is an American tradition dating back decades and has negligible environmental impact.  While California is known for having the strictest emissions laws, the state exempts racing vehicles from regulation. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional.  Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually.  Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal. 

The RPM Act does not interfere with the EPA’s authority to enforce against individuals who illegally install race parts on vehicles driven on public roads and highways and the companies that market such products.  Tampering with the emissions system of a motor vehicle used on public roads is a clear violation of the Clean Air Act.

The RPM Act will provide the racing community with certainty and confidence in the face of an EPA interpretation of the Clean Air Act that threatens to devastate an American pastime and eliminate jobs in our communities. 

Tell Your Elected Officials to Protect Motorsports and Pass the RPM Act

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Republican and Democrat members of Congress have expressed a desire to provide certainty to racers and the motorsports parts industry. However, there is much more to be done before the RPM Act becomes law.

Use our Action Center to send a message to your Senators and Representative to ask them to support the RPM Act.

SEMA members can help spread the word by including links on their websites, social media platforms, storefronts and garages.  Members can also rally their customers, employees, followers and friends to act.  Use the assets found in SEMA’s digital toolkit: www.sema.org/rpmtools. And don’t forget to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SaveOurRacecars.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO RACE! THE EPA IS BANNING RACECARS. TELL CONGRESS TO PASS THE RPM ACT NOW AND STOP THE EPA FROM DESTROYING MOTORSPORTS IN 2020. YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW!

• Street vehicles—cars, trucks, and motorcycles—can’t be converted into racecars according to the EPA.
• The EPA has announced that enforcement against high performance parts—including superchargers, tuners, and exhaust systems—is a top priority for 2020.
• The RPM Act was just reintroduced.  Even if you are one of the hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts who contacted Congress in the past, we need your support again!
• Tell the bureaucrats in Washington that racecars are off limits!

The RPM Act of 2019 (H.R. 5434/S. 2602) is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation to protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles (cars, trucks and motorcycles) into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete.  The bill clarifies that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to a street vehicle for the purpose of converting it into a racecar used exclusively in competition.  It also confirms that it is legal to produce, market and install racing equipment.  

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck, or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.  This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways.  Although the EPA did not finalize the proposed rule, the agency still maintains the practice of modifying the emission system of a motor vehicle for the purpose of converting it for racing is illegal.  Manufacturing, selling and installing race parts for the converted vehicle would also be a violation. The EPA has also announced that enforcement against high performance parts—including superchargers, tuners, and exhaust systems—is a top priority for 2020.

Converting street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles is an American tradition dating back decades and has negligible environmental impact.  While California is known for having the strictest emissions laws, the state exempts racing vehicles from regulation. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional.  Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually.  Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal. 

The RPM Act does not interfere with the EPA’s authority to enforce against individuals who illegally install race parts on vehicles driven on public roads and highways and the companies that market such products.  Tampering with the emissions system of a motor vehicle used on public roads is a clear violation of the Clean Air Act.

The RPM Act will provide the racing community with certainty and confidence in the face of an EPA interpretation of the Clean Air Act that threatens to devastate an American pastime and eliminate jobs in our communities. 

Tell Your Elected Officials to Protect Motorsports and Pass the RPM Act

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Republican and Democrat members of Congress have expressed a desire to provide certainty to racers and the motorsports parts industry. However, there is much more to be done before the RPM Act becomes law.

Use our Action Center to send a message to your Senators and Representative to ask them to support the RPM Act.

SEMA members can help spread the word by including links on their websites, social media platforms, storefronts and garages.  Members can also rally their customers, employees, followers and friends to act.  Use the assets found in SEMA’s digital toolkit: www.sema.org/rpmtools. And don’t forget to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SaveOurRacecars.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO RACE! THE EPA IS BANNING RACECARS. TELL CONGRESS TO PASS THE RPM ACT NOW AND STOP THE EPA FROM DESTROYING MOTORSPORTS IN 2020. YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW!

• Street vehicles—cars, trucks, and motorcycles—can’t be converted into racecars according to the EPA.
• The EPA has announced that enforcement against high performance parts—including superchargers, tuners, and exhaust systems—is a top priority for 2020.
• The RPM Act was just reintroduced.  Even if you are one of the hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts who contacted Congress in the past, we need your support again!
• Tell the bureaucrats in Washington that racecars are off limits!

The RPM Act of 2019 (H.R. 5434/S. 2602) is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation to protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles (cars, trucks and motorcycles) into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete.  The bill clarifies that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to a street vehicle for the purpose of converting it into a racecar used exclusively in competition.  It also confirms that it is legal to produce, market and install racing equipment.  

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck, or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.  This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways.  Although the EPA did not finalize the proposed rule, the agency still maintains the practice of modifying the emission system of a motor vehicle for the purpose of converting it for racing is illegal.  Manufacturing, selling and installing race parts for the converted vehicle would also be a violation. The EPA has also announced that enforcement against high performance parts—including superchargers, tuners, and exhaust systems—is a top priority for 2020.

Converting street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles is an American tradition dating back decades and has negligible environmental impact.  While California is known for having the strictest emissions laws, the state exempts racing vehicles from regulation. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional.  Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually.  Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal. 

The RPM Act does not interfere with the EPA’s authority to enforce against individuals who illegally install race parts on vehicles driven on public roads and highways and the companies that market such products.  Tampering with the emissions system of a motor vehicle used on public roads is a clear violation of the Clean Air Act.

The RPM Act will provide the racing community with certainty and confidence in the face of an EPA interpretation of the Clean Air Act that threatens to devastate an American pastime and eliminate jobs in our communities. 

Tell Your Elected Officials to Protect Motorsports and Pass the RPM Act

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Republican and Democrat members of Congress have expressed a desire to provide certainty to racers and the motorsports parts industry. However, there is much more to be done before the RPM Act becomes law.

Use our Action Center to send a message to your Senators and Representative to ask them to support the RPM Act.

SEMA members can help spread the word by including links on their websites, social media platforms, storefronts and garages.  Members can also rally their customers, employees, followers and friends to act.  Use the assets found in SEMA’s digital toolkit: www.sema.org/rpmtools. And don’t forget to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SaveOurRacecars.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Neal L. Williams

Memorial Fund Established for Neal L. Williams

N.A. Williams Company, in conjunction with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, has established the Neal L. Williams Memorial Fund to honor its former chairman who passed away one year ago at the age of 78. Donations made in Williams’ memory will be used to help educate the next generation of auto care industry professionals.

Neal L. Williams joined N.A. Williams Company in 1959—the firm founded by his father in 1934, after attending the University of Georgia and serving in the United States Army. During a long, successful career that spanned over 50 years, he led the company to become one of the top manufacturers’ representative firms in North America. Widely respected for his integrity, fairness and achievement, Williams was a renowned figure in the automotive aftermarket. He was presented with the Martin Fromm Lifetime Achievement award in 2009 and the Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader award in 2012. Active in both industry and civic causes, Williams served on the board of governors and manufacturers’ council of Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA). With this donation to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, N.A. Williams Company will become a lifetime trustee of the foundation.

To make a donation in memory of Neal L. Williams, send a check, made payable to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation/Neal L. Williams Memorial, 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814. For more information, contact Barbara Cunningham at 816-584-0511 or cunningham8095@yahoo.com.

Mishimoto Raises More Than $19,000 for the American Cancer Society

Through its Chilly Cares program, Mishimoto raised more than $19,000 to the American Cancer Society in 2015. For every product that's included in the Chilly Cares program, a portion of the sales are donated to the American Cancer Society!

Toyo Tires is the official tire sponsor of the Tough Mudder obstacle course challenge.

Toyo Tires Teams Up with Tough Mudder Again as Official Tire Sponsor

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp has added official tire of Tough Mudder to the brand’s résumé last year. This week, the company has extended the partnership with Tough Mudder and will continue to have Toyo Tires branding on the courses across America. Tough Mudder is a team-oriented 10–12-mile obstacle course challenge designed to test physical strength, stamina and mental grit. The events are untimed, and teamwork and camaraderie are considered above all else. Participants are encouraged to work together to overcome obstacles and push themselves to physical and mental boundaries. Tough Mudder participants face Toyo Tires Skidmarked—a 10-ft. wall angled toward Mudders. Teammates must work together to get on top of the wall, and then navigate down the face of it past a row of Toyo tires. Toyo Tires is also the Official Tire of Mudderella—a five- to seven-mile obstacle course challenge designed by women for women.

Husky Corp. Acquires S.U.R.&R.

Husky Corp. has completed the asset acquisition of S.U.R.&R. of Akron, Ohio—a supplier of fuel, brake, air conditioning and transmission fluid line repair kits, along with specialty tools used within the automotive aftermarket industry. The acquisition is part of Husky Corp.’s strategy as an industry leader in petroleum dispensing nozzles and related equipment to serve customer needs in the broader transportation sector.

THE SHOP Magazine Joins Champion Oil 60th Anniversary

Champion Brands has announced that National Business Media (NBM) and THE SHOP magazine will be the official national print and digital business media sponsor for Champion’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations. 

Phillips 66 Lubricants Consolidates Brand Portfolio

Phillips 66 Lubricants announced that the company will consolidate its Lubricants portfolio into two brands, Phillips 66 and Kendall Motor Oil, beginning July 1. According to the company, transitioning away from a tri-branded strategy will help to elevate the profile of Phillips 66 Lubricants as a national lubricants supplier and better position it for the future. As a result of the consolidation, Phillips 66 Lubricants will optimize its product portfolio mix and develop a full line of lubricants products for every need under the Phillips 66 brand. The consolidation affects only Phillips 66 Lubricants business; Phillips 66, Conoco and 76 fuel brands will remain intact.

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.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The South Dakota Legislature approved legislation to allow the issuance of a single license plate for special-interest motor vehicles.

Legislation to allow the issuance of a single license plate for special-interest motor vehicles was approved by the South Dakota Legislature. The bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. The bill, favored by state hobbyists, requires that the single registration plate be attached to the rear of the special-interest motor vehicle. The measure defines a special-interest motor vehicle as “a vehicle that is collected, preserved, restored or maintained by the owner as a leisure pursuit and is not used for general or commercial transportation.” 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.