By Linda Spencer

	SEMA's Middle East Business Development Conference offers United States manufacturers the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted buyers from six Middle Eastern countries.

Eight subsidized slots are still available for SEMA's Middle East Business Development Conference, March 24–28, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Consumers there are passionate about their cars and trucks and have the deep pockets to upgrade their rides. This region's market is as broad as in the United States, where off-roading, street racing, performance, hot rodding, styling and in-car entertainment products are all in demand, and American products considered a premium.

SEMA's Middle East Business Development Conference offers United States manufacturers the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted buyers from six Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2014, buyers also came from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and India.

The early-bird registration discount for the Middle East Business Development Conference ends January 31, 2015.

Participant fees include a booth at a local show, hotel rooms, meals, networking events and the chance to measure vehicles not sold in the United States. Qualified participants are eligible for a U.S. Department of Commerce Grant to defray the cost of participating.

Program highlights include:

• Exhibiting at the Custom Show Emirates where you'll meet with pre-vetted buyers.
• Customizing shop tours
• Participating in networking events
• Access to all-day Measuring Session for vehicles popularly customized in the region but not sold in the United States.

Representatives from the following companies will attend the 2015 Middle East Business Development Conference:

• AC Americas
• aFe Power – advanced FLOW engineering
• ATC Truck Covers
• Baja Designs
• BOLT Locks
• BOOSTane
• Borla Performance Industries Inc.
• Champion Oil
• Dee Zee Inc.
• Derive Systems
• Diablosport Inc.
• Edelbrock LLC
• Flex-a-lite
• Injen Technology
• Keystone Automotive Operations Inc.
• Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
• Logan Laboratories
• Magnuson Superchargers
• Matrix Films
• Mustang Dynamometer
• Northstar Battery
• Omix-ADA Inc.
• QA1
• Radflo Suspension Technology
• Rigid Industries LED Lighting
• Rock-Slide Engineering
• ROUSH Performance
• Sondpex Electronics
• Street Legal Products Corp.
• Toytec Lifts
• Warrior Products
• Weld Racing LLC

President of Konig American, Joe Schaefer visits SEMA Central to discuss the collaboration between the Association’s Wheel and Tire Council and Clemson University and its effect on the wheel and tire market.

The SEMA Show annually connects buyers from around the country and the world with the pulse of the entire specialty-equipment industry. Through the Show, exhibitors have the opportunities to find new buyers, strengthen relationships with existing buyers, introduce and demo new products, expand brand awareness, capitalize on cross-market opportunities and more, all in one venue.

President of Konig American, Joe Schaefer visits SEMA Central to discuss the collaboration between the Association’s Wheel and Tire Council and Clemson University and its effect on the wheel and tire market.

The SEMA Show annually connects buyers from around the country and the world with the pulse of the entire specialty-equipment industry. Through the Show, exhibitors have the opportunities to find new buyers, strengthen relationships with existing buyers, introduce and demo new products, expand brand awareness, capitalize on cross-market opportunities and more, all in one venue.

	The deadline for exhibitors to reserve booth space for the 2015 Show is Monday, April 6.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show Management has announced several key dates for companies interested in exhibiting at the 2015 SEMA Show, November 3–6, in Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.

The deadline for exhibitors to reserve booth space for the 2015 Show is Monday, April 6. Exhibitors who reserve booth space for the Show prior to the April 6 deadline are also guaranteed participation in the 2015 Priority Selection Process, where exhibitors are assigned their locations in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Once the selection process is complete, remaining space is assigned to companies whose applications came in after the priority deadline.

In addition to the selection process, companies that commit to the Show by the deadline will not only get a head start on planning, but also have sufficient time to save money through the advance rates offered on exhibit and booth services.

The Priority Space Selection Process for the 2015 SEMA Show will take place May 4–22, 2015.

Ready to present your company’s best innovations to 60,000 buyers representing every segment of the specialty-equipment industry? Register for the 2015 SEMA Show at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. For additional questions or for more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com, call 909-396-0289 or email sales@sema.org.

The SEMA Show annually connects buyers from around the country and the world with the pulse of the entire specialty-equipment industry. Through the Show, exhibitors have the opportunities to find new buyers, strengthen relationships with existing buyers, introduce and demo new products, expand brand awareness, capitalize on cross-market opportunities and more, all in one venue.

	The deadline for exhibitors to reserve booth space for the 2015 Show is Monday, April 6.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show Management has announced several key dates for companies interested in exhibiting at the 2015 SEMA Show, November 3–6, in Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.

The deadline for exhibitors to reserve booth space for the 2015 Show is Monday, April 6. Exhibitors who reserve booth space for the Show prior to the April 6 deadline are also guaranteed participation in the 2015 Priority Selection Process, where exhibitors are assigned their locations in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Once the selection process is complete, remaining space is assigned to companies whose applications came in after the priority deadline.

In addition to the selection process, companies that commit to the Show by the deadline will not only get a head start on planning, but also have sufficient time to save money through the advance rates offered on exhibit and booth services.

The Priority Space Selection Process for the 2015 SEMA Show will take place May 4–22, 2015.

Ready to present your company’s best innovations to 60,000 buyers representing every segment of the specialty-equipment industry? Register for the 2015 SEMA Show at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. For additional questions or for more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com, call 909-396-0289 or email sales@sema.org.

The SEMA Show annually connects buyers from around the country and the world with the pulse of the entire specialty-equipment industry. Through the Show, exhibitors have the opportunities to find new buyers, strengthen relationships with existing buyers, introduce and demo new products, expand brand awareness, capitalize on cross-market opportunities and more, all in one venue.

	The deadline for exhibitors to reserve booth space for the 2015 Show is Monday, April 6.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show Management has announced several key dates for companies interested in exhibiting at the 2015 SEMA Show, November 3–6, in Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.

The deadline for exhibitors to reserve booth space for the 2015 Show is Monday, April 6. Exhibitors who reserve booth space for the Show prior to the April 6 deadline are also guaranteed participation in the 2015 Priority Selection Process, where exhibitors are assigned their locations in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Once the selection process is complete, remaining space is assigned to companies whose applications came in after the priority deadline.

In addition to the selection process, companies that commit to the Show by the deadline will not only get a head start on planning, but also have sufficient time to save money through the advance rates offered on exhibit and booth services.

The Priority Space Selection Process for the 2015 SEMA Show will take place May 4–22, 2015.

Ready to present your company’s best innovations to 60,000 buyers representing every segment of the specialty-equipment industry? Register for the 2015 SEMA Show at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. For additional questions or for more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com, call 909-396-0289 or email sales@sema.org.

The SEMA Show annually connects buyers from around the country and the world with the pulse of the entire specialty-equipment industry. Through the Show, exhibitors have the opportunities to find new buyers, strengthen relationships with existing buyers, introduce and demo new products, expand brand awareness, capitalize on cross-market opportunities and more, all in one venue.

By SEMA Washington, D.C, Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached an accord with states and industry associations representing the automakers and major suppliers to reduce the amount of copper used in motor vehicle brake pads. Copper amounts will be reduced to less than 5% by 2021 and 0.5% by 2025 under the so-called “Copper-Free Brake Initiative.” The voluntary agreement also seeks to reduce the amount of mercury, lead, cadmium, asbestiform fibers and chromium-6 salts in motor vehicle brake pads.

As brakes are used, these materials may fall on the roadways and eventually run-off into streams, rivers and lakes and pose harm to animals and plants.  California and Washington have already passed requirements to reduce these materials in brake pads.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C, Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached an accord with states and industry associations representing the automakers and major suppliers to reduce the amount of copper used in motor vehicle brake pads. Copper amounts will be reduced to less than 5% by 2021 and 0.5% by 2025 under the so-called “Copper-Free Brake Initiative.” The voluntary agreement also seeks to reduce the amount of mercury, lead, cadmium, asbestiform fibers and chromium-6 salts in motor vehicle brake pads.

As brakes are used, these materials may fall on the roadways and eventually run-off into streams, rivers and lakes and pose harm to animals and plants.  California and Washington have already passed requirements to reduce these materials in brake pads.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C, Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached an accord with states and industry associations representing the automakers and major suppliers to reduce the amount of copper used in motor vehicle brake pads. Copper amounts will be reduced to less than 5% by 2021 and 0.5% by 2025 under the so-called “Copper-Free Brake Initiative.” The voluntary agreement also seeks to reduce the amount of mercury, lead, cadmium, asbestiform fibers and chromium-6 salts in motor vehicle brake pads.

As brakes are used, these materials may fall on the roadways and eventually run-off into streams, rivers and lakes and pose harm to animals and plants.  California and Washington have already passed requirements to reduce these materials in brake pads.

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

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	ESAB and partner LetzRoll Offroad Racing will be onsite throughout the event to help drivers compete, offering all race teams free repairs, welding and cutting assistance and use of ESAB equipment and filler metals at the ESAB Solutions Tour Truck.

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products to Sponsor 2015 Nitto King of the Hammers

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products will be the official welding sponsor of the 2015 Nitto King of the Hammers (KOH)—a grueling off-road race that combines high-speed desert racing and rock crawling in a 165-mile course set in Johnson Valley, California. A full week of racing will start Sunday, February 1, 2015, with more than 300 teams competing before more than 35,000 fans in person and nearly 500,000 watching online. ESAB and partner LetzRoll Offroad Racing will be onsite throughout the event to help drivers compete, offering all race teams free repairs, welding and cutting assistance and use of ESAB equipment and filler metals at the ESAB Solutions Tour Truck.

The Solutions Tour Truck is ESAB’s mobile showroom, equipped with the latest in welding and cutting equipment, filler metals and accessories. During the weeklong event, the ESAB Solutions Tour Truck will be open to any KOH team requiring welding or cutting support. ESAB will have welding and cutting experts on hand to share their knowledge and expertise with drivers and race teams.

The LetzRoll Offroad Racing team, sponsored by ESAB, is building two new cars in two different Ultra4 Racing classes for the Griffin King of the Hammers race to take place February 6, 2015. For more information on Ultra4 Racing and the KOH event, visit www.ultra4racing.com.

	The Trans Am Series will be brought to a national television audience as part of the long-running CBS Sports Spectacular series.

Trans Am Ready for the Spotlight With CBS Sports Network

The Trans Am Race Co. has announced a multi-year agreement with CBS Sports Network, bringing the Trans Am Series to a national television audience as part of the long-running CBS Sports Spectacular series. Now Trans Am fans from across the country will see the likes of Amy Ruman, Tommy Kendall, Cameron Lawrence, Doug Peterson, Adam Andretti, Ron Keith, Simon Gregg and Wally Dallenbach Jr., battle it out for Trans Am glory in 2015 and beyond. Returning to the Trans Am Series’ television effort will be Rick Benjamin and Carolinas Production Group, who will handle the creation of each hour-long show, continuing a relationship that goes back decades. Benjamin will also serve as play-by-play commentator and will be joined in the booth once more by Michael McDowell, who will provide color commentary. The multi-year agreement includes a minimum of six Trans Am events telecast each year.

The CBS Sports Network television schedule kicks off on Tuesday, March 17 at 8:00 PM (EDT) from the Sebring International Speedway in Sebring, Florida. Additional events will be announced at a later date.

Presenters Named for 2015 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction Banquet

Donna Garlits, general manager and chief financial officer of the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, has announced the presenters for the class of 2015 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame (IDRHoF) Induction Banquet. The banquet will take place in Gainesville, Florida, at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites, Thursday, March 12, 2015, immediately preceding the NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals. Bob Frey, the popular retired NHRA event announcer, will serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. This year’s presenters and inductees include:

Kenda Tires Announce 2015 Series Partnership

TORC: The Off-Road Championship Presented by AMSOIL and Kenda Tires will be official marketing partners in 2015.