Thu, 02/18/2016 - 09:00

It takes dedication, hard work and drive to build and grow an automotive specialty-equipment business. Even more so to grow an entire industry. Yet to help its members succeed and prosper, SEMA relies on individuals from every industry segment to step forward and bring their own vision and initiative. Consequently, it seems only fitting once a year to celebrate an individual whose contributions best embody this SEMA mission. For 2015, that individual is Kathryn Reinhardt of MagnaFlow, who found herself named SEMA Person of the Year at the recent 2015 SEMA Show Industry Banquet in Las Vegas.

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 16:37

Earlier this week SEMA issued a press release informing the public that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aiming to make it illegal to convert automobiles originally designed for on-road use into race cars, even though such conversions have been done for decades. Under the EPA’s proposed rule, it would also be illegal to sell any performance-related products for those cars. The EPA’s proposal would have a devastating impact on motorsports since many types of racing rely on production vehicles that have been modified for use strictly at the track.

 

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 16:37

Earlier this week SEMA issued a press release informing the public that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aiming to make it illegal to convert automobiles originally designed for on-road use into race cars, even though such conversions have been done for decades. Under the EPA’s proposed rule, it would also be illegal to sell any performance-related products for those cars. The EPA’s proposal would have a devastating impact on motorsports since many types of racing rely on production vehicles that have been modified for use strictly at the track.

 

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 16:37

Earlier this week SEMA issued a press release informing the public that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aiming to make it illegal to convert automobiles originally designed for on-road use into race cars, even though such conversions have been done for decades. Under the EPA’s proposed rule, it would also be illegal to sell any performance-related products for those cars. The EPA’s proposal would have a devastating impact on motorsports since many types of racing rely on production vehicles that have been modified for use strictly at the track.

 

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 15:30

By Jason Catullo

SEMA Show
Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2016 SEMA Show are encouraged to get started at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2016 SEMA Show are encouraged to get started at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. While the Show is nearly nine months away, committing early ensures that companies are eligible to participate in the Priority Booth Space Selection, where exhibitors pick their locations at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The SEMA Show annually connects specialty-equipment manufacturers with more than 60,000 industry buyers seeking the latest product innovations from the $36-billion industry.

The deadline to secure booth space for the Show and participate in the selection process is April 1.

In addition to selecting space on schedule, exhibitors purchasing booth space now will receive information and Show-related updates, key deadlines, transportation news, hotel deals, special offers and the latest news from exhibitors. Taking advantage of early bird discounts and deadlines is the easiest way to control costs for the Show and keep companies on budget.

New Products Showcase

The SEMA Show is the hot-bed of ingenuity, where all of the latest specialty automotive products are introduced. In 2016, more than 2,500 new and featured products were displayed in the New Products Showcase. With the first product category free for every Show exhibitor, companies can display product in their booths while simultaneously featuring a product in the Showcase, providing the additional opportunity to attract attention from buyers and media. Every product entered in the Showcase features detailed product information and descriptive signs, and the product information is available to buyers and media at the Show.

Media Exposure

In addition to access to industry buyers from around the world, companies participating in the SEMA Show have the opportunity for additional exposure through the Show’s participating media representatives. Last year’s SEMA Show featured more than 3,000 members of the media. Read “Required Reading” in the January issue of SEMA News for a sample of media coverage from the Show.

To secure booth space for the 2016 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 15:30

By Jason Catullo

SEMA Show
Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2016 SEMA Show are encouraged to get started at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2016 SEMA Show are encouraged to get started at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. While the Show is nearly nine months away, committing early ensures that companies are eligible to participate in the Priority Booth Space Selection, where exhibitors pick their locations at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The SEMA Show annually connects specialty-equipment manufacturers with more than 60,000 industry buyers seeking the latest product innovations from the $36-billion industry.

The deadline to secure booth space for the Show and participate in the selection process is April 1.

In addition to selecting space on schedule, exhibitors purchasing booth space now will receive information and Show-related updates, key deadlines, transportation news, hotel deals, special offers and the latest news from exhibitors. Taking advantage of early bird discounts and deadlines is the easiest way to control costs for the Show and keep companies on budget.

New Products Showcase

The SEMA Show is the hot-bed of ingenuity, where all of the latest specialty automotive products are introduced. In 2016, more than 2,500 new and featured products were displayed in the New Products Showcase. With the first product category free for every Show exhibitor, companies can display product in their booths while simultaneously featuring a product in the Showcase, providing the additional opportunity to attract attention from buyers and media. Every product entered in the Showcase features detailed product information and descriptive signs, and the product information is available to buyers and media at the Show.

Media Exposure

In addition to access to industry buyers from around the world, companies participating in the SEMA Show have the opportunity for additional exposure through the Show’s participating media representatives. Last year’s SEMA Show featured more than 3,000 members of the media. Read “Required Reading” in the January issue of SEMA News for a sample of media coverage from the Show.

To secure booth space for the 2016 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 15:24

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

del

DEFENDING FUNNY CAR WORLD CHAMPION WORSHAM EXCITED TO START 2016: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will celebrate 50 years of Funny Car racing during the 2016 season, and reigning Funny Car world champion Del Worsham can think of no better way to cap that celebration than with a second straight world title. The Kalitta Motorsports standout became just the third driver in NHRA history to win a championship in both Top Fuel and Funny Car after holding off Jack Beckman in a thrilling finish to the 2015 season. With his first Funny Car championship on his résumé, Worsham hopes for his first back-to-back championship reign in his 10,000hp DHL Toyota Camry, a journey that starts at the 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals, February 11–14, at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“I am ready,” said Worsham, whose four wins in 2015 all came in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. “I feel as excited as I did in 1991 just starting out. I did not defend my 2011 championship, so it will be exciting to run the No. 1 and go out and try to defend our title."

crampton

CRAMPTON EAGER FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN 2016: Now entering his third season in Top Fuel, Richie Crampton doesn’t take his opportunity for granted. That appreciation to drive the 10,000hp Lucas Oil dragster for Morgan Lucas Racing has already taken the Australia native to incredible places, including five victories and a third-place Top Fuel finish in 2015. That success carried over into the off-season and has Crampton excited for what is ahead during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, starting with this weekend’s 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“Every time I get to put on my firesuit and compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, it's what I wanted my whole life,” said Crampton, who has seven career wins. “It's still huge for me to be able to drive for such a good team and compete with the best Top Fuel drivers in the world. The fact that I've staked my claim in the top five Top Fuel teams is what I've always wanted. It's fantastic.”

testing

NHRA NITRO SPRING TRAINING CONCLUDES WITH BIG RUNS BY FORCE AND JOHNSON: Tommy Johnson Jr. and Brittany Force posted the quickest runs in their categories Saturday during the final day of NHRA Nitro Spring Training at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix. NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car teams utilized the four-day preseason test session to prepare for the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals (February 11–14) at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. The race near Los Angeles is the season-opening event for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Johnson powered his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger to the unofficial quickest run ever in Funny Car—a 3.874-second run at 318.47 mph. Matt Hagan holds the quickest run in history, 3.879, set in Brainerd last season.

“We ran really well all week, and John [Collins, crew chief] kept saying we weren’t really leaning on it; we were just testing parts to learn some things,” said Johnson, who had a strong season last year with two wins in eight final rounds, three top qualifying efforts and a third-place points finish. “He said we’re going to make one more run, and we’re going to lean on it a little bit. It was a really good run early, and it didn’t run as well at the top end as we were expecting, but a 3.12 to the eighth-mile is pretty awesome.”

He Said, She Said

fox

“We're working toward a level of NHRA coverage that has never been available. Being able to watch the event digitally as if you were there will be a great option for our fans on a worldwide basis. At the same time, we're focusing on bringing NHRA racing to TV networks around the globe. It will all be worth waiting for.”

—NHRA vice president of broadcast and digital content Ken Adelson on the launching of a premium live streaming service, anticipated to start in March 2016, which will deliver live video streams from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events to Internet-connected devices, including mobile devices. This subscription service will give NHRA fans around the world the chance to see all of the action from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events like never before. NHRA All Access will feature live and continuous coverage of all Pro and most Sportsman races from the qualifying runs on Friday through the finals on Sunday. The live stream of the in-venue feed will include audio from track announcers and video from trackside big screen displays. Subscribers will be able to experience all of the racing action as if they were sitting in the stands.

Inside the Numbers

6: Number of hours of coverage on FOX Sports 1 during this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Winternationals. The series will debut on the new broadcast partner Friday on FS1 with one hour of qualifying coverage that begins at 10:00 p.m. (EST). On Saturday they will air two hours of qualifying coverage starting at 1:00 p.m. (EST). On Sunday the finals of the Circle K NHRA Winternationals will be covered live with three hours of coverage beginning at 5:00 p.m. (EST).

Did You Know

nhra

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES DRIVERS MEET WITH MEDIA: More than 20 drivers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series took part in a media season kick-off media day at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California, on Wednesday. Drivers were interviewed by local and national media, took headshots, were interviewed for the Fox Sports broadcasts, and select drivers took part in a press conference. All drivers are anxious to start the season and return to racing following the off season.

“I’m excited how the off season went. It isn’t just the process we made at JFR but all the progress made at NHRA," said John Force Racing Funny Car driver and 2009 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight. “All the new announcements, new TV package, this is the most productive off season that I’ve ever experienced. I’m excited about the sport as a whole and my chances for winning a championship in Funny Car."

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 15:24

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

del

DEFENDING FUNNY CAR WORLD CHAMPION WORSHAM EXCITED TO START 2016: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will celebrate 50 years of Funny Car racing during the 2016 season, and reigning Funny Car world champion Del Worsham can think of no better way to cap that celebration than with a second straight world title. The Kalitta Motorsports standout became just the third driver in NHRA history to win a championship in both Top Fuel and Funny Car after holding off Jack Beckman in a thrilling finish to the 2015 season. With his first Funny Car championship on his résumé, Worsham hopes for his first back-to-back championship reign in his 10,000hp DHL Toyota Camry, a journey that starts at the 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals, February 11–14, at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“I am ready,” said Worsham, whose four wins in 2015 all came in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. “I feel as excited as I did in 1991 just starting out. I did not defend my 2011 championship, so it will be exciting to run the No. 1 and go out and try to defend our title."

crampton

CRAMPTON EAGER FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN 2016: Now entering his third season in Top Fuel, Richie Crampton doesn’t take his opportunity for granted. That appreciation to drive the 10,000hp Lucas Oil dragster for Morgan Lucas Racing has already taken the Australia native to incredible places, including five victories and a third-place Top Fuel finish in 2015. That success carried over into the off-season and has Crampton excited for what is ahead during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, starting with this weekend’s 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“Every time I get to put on my firesuit and compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, it's what I wanted my whole life,” said Crampton, who has seven career wins. “It's still huge for me to be able to drive for such a good team and compete with the best Top Fuel drivers in the world. The fact that I've staked my claim in the top five Top Fuel teams is what I've always wanted. It's fantastic.”

testing

NHRA NITRO SPRING TRAINING CONCLUDES WITH BIG RUNS BY FORCE AND JOHNSON: Tommy Johnson Jr. and Brittany Force posted the quickest runs in their categories Saturday during the final day of NHRA Nitro Spring Training at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix. NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car teams utilized the four-day preseason test session to prepare for the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals (February 11–14) at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. The race near Los Angeles is the season-opening event for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Johnson powered his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger to the unofficial quickest run ever in Funny Car—a 3.874-second run at 318.47 mph. Matt Hagan holds the quickest run in history, 3.879, set in Brainerd last season.

“We ran really well all week, and John [Collins, crew chief] kept saying we weren’t really leaning on it; we were just testing parts to learn some things,” said Johnson, who had a strong season last year with two wins in eight final rounds, three top qualifying efforts and a third-place points finish. “He said we’re going to make one more run, and we’re going to lean on it a little bit. It was a really good run early, and it didn’t run as well at the top end as we were expecting, but a 3.12 to the eighth-mile is pretty awesome.”

He Said, She Said

fox

“We're working toward a level of NHRA coverage that has never been available. Being able to watch the event digitally as if you were there will be a great option for our fans on a worldwide basis. At the same time, we're focusing on bringing NHRA racing to TV networks around the globe. It will all be worth waiting for.”

—NHRA vice president of broadcast and digital content Ken Adelson on the launching of a premium live streaming service, anticipated to start in March 2016, which will deliver live video streams from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events to Internet-connected devices, including mobile devices. This subscription service will give NHRA fans around the world the chance to see all of the action from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events like never before. NHRA All Access will feature live and continuous coverage of all Pro and most Sportsman races from the qualifying runs on Friday through the finals on Sunday. The live stream of the in-venue feed will include audio from track announcers and video from trackside big screen displays. Subscribers will be able to experience all of the racing action as if they were sitting in the stands.

Inside the Numbers

6: Number of hours of coverage on FOX Sports 1 during this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Winternationals. The series will debut on the new broadcast partner Friday on FS1 with one hour of qualifying coverage that begins at 10:00 p.m. (EST). On Saturday they will air two hours of qualifying coverage starting at 1:00 p.m. (EST). On Sunday the finals of the Circle K NHRA Winternationals will be covered live with three hours of coverage beginning at 5:00 p.m. (EST).

Did You Know

nhra

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES DRIVERS MEET WITH MEDIA: More than 20 drivers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series took part in a media season kick-off media day at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California, on Wednesday. Drivers were interviewed by local and national media, took headshots, were interviewed for the Fox Sports broadcasts, and select drivers took part in a press conference. All drivers are anxious to start the season and return to racing following the off season.

“I’m excited how the off season went. It isn’t just the process we made at JFR but all the progress made at NHRA," said John Force Racing Funny Car driver and 2009 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight. “All the new announcements, new TV package, this is the most productive off season that I’ve ever experienced. I’m excited about the sport as a whole and my chances for winning a championship in Funny Car."

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 15:24

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

del

DEFENDING FUNNY CAR WORLD CHAMPION WORSHAM EXCITED TO START 2016: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will celebrate 50 years of Funny Car racing during the 2016 season, and reigning Funny Car world champion Del Worsham can think of no better way to cap that celebration than with a second straight world title. The Kalitta Motorsports standout became just the third driver in NHRA history to win a championship in both Top Fuel and Funny Car after holding off Jack Beckman in a thrilling finish to the 2015 season. With his first Funny Car championship on his résumé, Worsham hopes for his first back-to-back championship reign in his 10,000hp DHL Toyota Camry, a journey that starts at the 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals, February 11–14, at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“I am ready,” said Worsham, whose four wins in 2015 all came in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. “I feel as excited as I did in 1991 just starting out. I did not defend my 2011 championship, so it will be exciting to run the No. 1 and go out and try to defend our title."

crampton

CRAMPTON EAGER FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN 2016: Now entering his third season in Top Fuel, Richie Crampton doesn’t take his opportunity for granted. That appreciation to drive the 10,000hp Lucas Oil dragster for Morgan Lucas Racing has already taken the Australia native to incredible places, including five victories and a third-place Top Fuel finish in 2015. That success carried over into the off-season and has Crampton excited for what is ahead during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, starting with this weekend’s 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“Every time I get to put on my firesuit and compete in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, it's what I wanted my whole life,” said Crampton, who has seven career wins. “It's still huge for me to be able to drive for such a good team and compete with the best Top Fuel drivers in the world. The fact that I've staked my claim in the top five Top Fuel teams is what I've always wanted. It's fantastic.”

testing

NHRA NITRO SPRING TRAINING CONCLUDES WITH BIG RUNS BY FORCE AND JOHNSON: Tommy Johnson Jr. and Brittany Force posted the quickest runs in their categories Saturday during the final day of NHRA Nitro Spring Training at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix. NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car teams utilized the four-day preseason test session to prepare for the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals (February 11–14) at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. The race near Los Angeles is the season-opening event for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Johnson powered his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger to the unofficial quickest run ever in Funny Car—a 3.874-second run at 318.47 mph. Matt Hagan holds the quickest run in history, 3.879, set in Brainerd last season.

“We ran really well all week, and John [Collins, crew chief] kept saying we weren’t really leaning on it; we were just testing parts to learn some things,” said Johnson, who had a strong season last year with two wins in eight final rounds, three top qualifying efforts and a third-place points finish. “He said we’re going to make one more run, and we’re going to lean on it a little bit. It was a really good run early, and it didn’t run as well at the top end as we were expecting, but a 3.12 to the eighth-mile is pretty awesome.”

He Said, She Said

fox

“We're working toward a level of NHRA coverage that has never been available. Being able to watch the event digitally as if you were there will be a great option for our fans on a worldwide basis. At the same time, we're focusing on bringing NHRA racing to TV networks around the globe. It will all be worth waiting for.”

—NHRA vice president of broadcast and digital content Ken Adelson on the launching of a premium live streaming service, anticipated to start in March 2016, which will deliver live video streams from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events to Internet-connected devices, including mobile devices. This subscription service will give NHRA fans around the world the chance to see all of the action from NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events like never before. NHRA All Access will feature live and continuous coverage of all Pro and most Sportsman races from the qualifying runs on Friday through the finals on Sunday. The live stream of the in-venue feed will include audio from track announcers and video from trackside big screen displays. Subscribers will be able to experience all of the racing action as if they were sitting in the stands.

Inside the Numbers

6: Number of hours of coverage on FOX Sports 1 during this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Winternationals. The series will debut on the new broadcast partner Friday on FS1 with one hour of qualifying coverage that begins at 10:00 p.m. (EST). On Saturday they will air two hours of qualifying coverage starting at 1:00 p.m. (EST). On Sunday the finals of the Circle K NHRA Winternationals will be covered live with three hours of coverage beginning at 5:00 p.m. (EST).

Did You Know

nhra

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES DRIVERS MEET WITH MEDIA: More than 20 drivers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series took part in a media season kick-off media day at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California, on Wednesday. Drivers were interviewed by local and national media, took headshots, were interviewed for the Fox Sports broadcasts, and select drivers took part in a press conference. All drivers are anxious to start the season and return to racing following the off season.

“I’m excited how the off season went. It isn’t just the process we made at JFR but all the progress made at NHRA," said John Force Racing Funny Car driver and 2009 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight. “All the new announcements, new TV package, this is the most productive off season that I’ve ever experienced. I’m excited about the sport as a whole and my chances for winning a championship in Funny Car."

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 14:24

By Becca Butler


SEMA Battle of the Builders® will continue to air on the Velocity Network throughout 2016.

Viewers across the nation recently tuned in to the Velocity Network to watch the “SEMA Battle of the Builders®” TV special, where they saw and learned about the amazing builds that were displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show. Additional footage and interviews are available on the SEMA YouTube channel.

Check out the SEMA Battle of the Builders® TV Extras, featuring the following builders:

The one-hour TV special will continue to air on the Velocity Network throughout 2016. Check your local cable/satellite provider for dates/times or visit www.semaignited.com.