Seventeen SEMA-member companies presented their products in a two-city visit to China during the September 2014 SEMA China Business Development tour. The SEMA delegation had the opportunity to exhibit both in Beijing and Shanghai. The group was briefed by the U.S. Embassy and participated in networking events in both cities, where members had the chance to meet with buyers from throughout the country. Buyers attended the SEMA events from 23 provinces located throughout China.

Seventeen SEMA-member companies presented their products in a two-city visit to China during the September 2014 SEMA China Business Development tour. The SEMA delegation had the opportunity to exhibit both in Beijing and Shanghai. The group was briefed by the U.S. Embassy and participated in networking events in both cities, where members had the chance to meet with buyers from throughout the country. Buyers attended the SEMA events from 23 provinces located throughout China.

	Featuring $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories, the Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK Sport featured at the 2014 SEMA Show raised $85,000 to benefit SEMA Cares charities during this week’s Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

By SEMA Editors

The Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK Sport featured at the 2014 SEMA Show raised $85,000 to benefit SEMA Cares charities through the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Wrangler was purchased using funds from Omix-ADA’s 2013 SEMA Cares donation and then customized through a collaboration with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts. The upfitted, dirt-ready Jeep features $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories. As part of the build, a team of students from the school modified the standard four-door JK Sport at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, using parts from several donor companies.

“We enjoyed our role in the Jeep build,” stated Henk Van Dongen, director of marketing for Omix-ADA/Rigged Ridge. “It is always exciting when you can work with organizations that are giving back to either society as a whole or to organizations that support our industry.”

SEMA’s Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM and product development programs, who attended the auction, was excited about the funds raised and the chance to collaborate with several industry partners.

“This is the sixth SEMA Cares project build and the second build we’ve done with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC), and I really enjoy working with these young adults as well as our involved manufacturers and SEMA staff,” said Spagnola. “They all bring a lot of energy to the build and do a great job overall.”

For additional details, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org or 909-978-6707.

The SEMA Cares committee was established by the SEMA Board of Directors and brings the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. More than $1 million has been raised since SEMA Cares was established in 2007.

	Featuring $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories, the Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK Sport featured at the 2014 SEMA Show raised $85,000 to benefit SEMA Cares charities during this week’s Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

By SEMA Editors

The Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK Sport featured at the 2014 SEMA Show raised $85,000 to benefit SEMA Cares charities through the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Wrangler was purchased using funds from Omix-ADA’s 2013 SEMA Cares donation and then customized through a collaboration with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts. The upfitted, dirt-ready Jeep features $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories. As part of the build, a team of students from the school modified the standard four-door JK Sport at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, using parts from several donor companies.

“We enjoyed our role in the Jeep build,” stated Henk Van Dongen, director of marketing for Omix-ADA/Rigged Ridge. “It is always exciting when you can work with organizations that are giving back to either society as a whole or to organizations that support our industry.”

SEMA’s Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM and product development programs, who attended the auction, was excited about the funds raised and the chance to collaborate with several industry partners.

“This is the sixth SEMA Cares project build and the second build we’ve done with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC), and I really enjoy working with these young adults as well as our involved manufacturers and SEMA staff,” said Spagnola. “They all bring a lot of energy to the build and do a great job overall.”

For additional details, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org or 909-978-6707.

The SEMA Cares committee was established by the SEMA Board of Directors and brings the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. More than $1 million has been raised since SEMA Cares was established in 2007.

KGP's photographer in the UK has just gotten a terrific set of shots showing the Range Rover Evoque Convertible from all angles.

A concept for the Evoque Convertible was shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but the gestation for the production version took a while. In that time, reports had claimed that the program was cancelled, but then rumors began swirling that the open-air Evoque had been green-lit. With conclusive proof now caught testing on Jaguar Land Rover hunting grounds, the Evoque Convertible is really a thing. The question is, will the market treat it better than it treated the awkward Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

These spy shots suggest that the production execution of the Evoque Convertible will differ from the original concept. The prototype's rear fenders appear to have different cut lines than the concept. There is also a different rear deck-lid design, with the prototype showing what appears to be a less elegant, squared-off lip spoiler. It's likely that these changes were made with more cost-effective manufacturing in mind. Here's hoping that the design changes deemed necessary don't hinder what is already a risky proposition for such a unique niche model.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

KGP's photographer in the UK has just gotten a terrific set of shots showing the Range Rover Evoque Convertible from all angles.

A concept for the Evoque Convertible was shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but the gestation for the production version took a while. In that time, reports had claimed that the program was cancelled, but then rumors began swirling that the open-air Evoque had been green-lit. With conclusive proof now caught testing on Jaguar Land Rover hunting grounds, the Evoque Convertible is really a thing. The question is, will the market treat it better than it treated the awkward Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

These spy shots suggest that the production execution of the Evoque Convertible will differ from the original concept. The prototype's rear fenders appear to have different cut lines than the concept. There is also a different rear deck-lid design, with the prototype showing what appears to be a less elegant, squared-off lip spoiler. It's likely that these changes were made with more cost-effective manufacturing in mind. Here's hoping that the design changes deemed necessary don't hinder what is already a risky proposition for such a unique niche model.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

KGP's photographer in the UK has just gotten a terrific set of shots showing the Range Rover Evoque Convertible from all angles.

A concept for the Evoque Convertible was shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, but the gestation for the production version took a while. In that time, reports had claimed that the program was cancelled, but then rumors began swirling that the open-air Evoque had been green-lit. With conclusive proof now caught testing on Jaguar Land Rover hunting grounds, the Evoque Convertible is really a thing. The question is, will the market treat it better than it treated the awkward Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

These spy shots suggest that the production execution of the Evoque Convertible will differ from the original concept. The prototype's rear fenders appear to have different cut lines than the concept. There is also a different rear deck-lid design, with the prototype showing what appears to be a less elegant, squared-off lip spoiler. It's likely that these changes were made with more cost-effective manufacturing in mind. Here's hoping that the design changes deemed necessary don't hinder what is already a risky proposition for such a unique niche model.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

	A main feature of the Nissan display at the North American International Auto Show, the all-new ’16 Nissan Titan XD will make a special series of appearances this coming weekend.

Only days after a Detroit world debut, the all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD fullsize will make three weekend appearances in Southern California. The striking "SolarFlare Yellow" PRO-4X model was one of the Titan models that commanded the stage in Detroit.

The current schedule for the stops in So Cal are:

Saturday, January 17

• 4 Wheel Parts Superstore, 400 W. Artesia Blvd., Compton, 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. (PST)
• Dirt Rider/Nissan Titan Meet-Up @ Supercross, 2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Anaheim (across from Angel Stadium), 1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. (PST).  

Sunday, January 18

• Super Car Sunday at the Westfield Promenade Mall, Woodland Hills, 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. (PST)  

Nissan fans are invited to follow along via Twitter using the hashtag #Nissantitan and take photos and share their impressions about the new pickup. They also have the opportunity to receive special Titan keepsakes at each spot. According to Nissan, the ’16 Titan XD is a ground-up redesign the fullsize pickup that adds more power through a new Cummins 5.0L Turbo Diesel V8, as well as more capability, utility and variety to truck customers.

For more information on the all-new ’16 Nissan TITAN XD, please visit www.nissan-usa.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	TI Automotive will serve as the primary sponsor on the Riley Motorsports No. 33 and No. 93 in the four long-distance races of the TUDOR series at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta.

TI Automotive to Sponsor Dodge Viper GT3-R Race Cars in 2015 Tudor United Sportscar Championship Series

TI Automotive has announced that it will sponsor two Dodge Viper GT3-R race cars in the 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GTD Class beginning with the annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 24–25, 2015. TI Automotive will serve as the primary sponsor on the Riley Motorsports No. 33 and No. 93 in the four long-distance races of the TUDOR series at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta. This grouping of TUDOR endurance races frames the award of the Patron North American Endurance Cup. For the other remaining races of the TUDOR series, TI Automotive will remain as an associate sponsor of the No. 33 Viper Exchange race car.

At the 2014 SEMA Show, TI Automotive announced a technical collaboration with Riley Technologies and Viper Exchange to provide optimized fluid systems for the Dodge Viper GT3-R race cars. TI Automotive has been supporting several test sessions to further tune operating performance and efficiency on both cars for the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.

This April, Rod Hall will slip behind the wheel of his classic Bronco again to pilot it down the Baja peninsula in the General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000. Photos courtesy of Trackside Photo.

The ORMHOF/Rod Hall Championship Bronco Returns to Baja

On December 15, 2014, racing legend Rod Hall pulled his championship Bronco from the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) museum in Reno, Nevada, and into the shop for a full restoration. This April, Hall, who has achieved more podium finishes than any American off-road racer, will slip behind the wheel and again pilot his classic steed down the Baja peninsula in the General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000.

After Hall and teammate Larry Minor drove the Bronco to an overall win in the 1969 Mexican 1000, it was sold, raced, resold and then retired to a wrecking yard in Southern California. Half buried in sand and nearly forgotten, it was discovered by a local race fan and put on display in front of a Denny’s restaurant. In 2003, the Bronco was donated to ORMHOF and found its way back to Hall.

Samco Fabrication will manage the task of restoring the vehicle back to its original glory, which will include a crate 302 from Ford Racing, BFGoodrich tires, and products from Summit Racing, Mastercraft Safety, KC HiLiTES and Fox Racing.

VP Racing Fuels Supports NMCA Drag Racing Series as Official Fuel and Pro Mod Class Sponsor

VP Racing Fuels, along with the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) has announced a new partnership beginning with the 2015 drag-racing season. Effective at the season opener in Bradenton, Florida, March 20–22, VP Racing Fuels will be the Official Fuel of the NMCA Flowmaster Muscle Car Nationals Series and the required Spec Fuel for most NMCA heads-up classes. The agreement between ProMedia Events and VP Racing Fuels continues through the end of the 2017 racing season. The agreement also designates VP as the title sponsor of the VP Racing Fuels Pro Mod class—one of the quickest classes in the NMCA series reaching more than 250 mph in the quarter-mile with turbocharged or nitrous-powered engines.

WELD-Sponsored Drivers Sammy and Kevin Swindell Return to Chili Bowl Looking to Reclaim Championship

The legendary Sprint and Midget car father-and-son race team of Sammy and Kevin Swindell hopes to reclaim the championship when they compete in the 29th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire. WELD is the official wheel supplier for Swindell Motorsports for 2015 and is the sponsor of the “WELD Racing Cool Move of the Race” promotion at this year’s Chili Bowl.

Kevin Swindell is a four-time champion of the Chili Bowl with consecutive victories from 2010 through 2013. While his father, Sammy, is a five-time event champion having captured crowns in 2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989. The 2015 Chili Bowl is being held January 13–17 at the Tulsa Expo Raceway. 

During the first four nights of Chili Bowl qualifying races, a winner of the “WELD Racing Cool Move of the Race” will be picked by the Chili Bowl management staff. The winner each night will be awarded a $250 cash prize. At the conclusion of the Chili Bowl competition on Saturday, January 17, more than 13 feature races will be held and an outstanding cool move from that day will be selected. The Saturday winner will receive a $500 cash prize.

Fans who are not in Tulsa will still be able to participate in the “WELD Racing Cool Move of the Race” competition. Each morning, after a cool move has been awarded, WELD will post a video clip on its Facebook page, the company’s Twitter feed and at www.WELDwheels.com. Fans will be asked to vote on their favorite move of the entire event.

Voting will close five days after the final day of racing on January 22. WELD will randomly select one fan who will win the “WELD Racing Cool Move of the Race” banner that was hung trackside during the Chili Bowl. The banner will contain the signatures of the five winning drivers from that week.  

	Jason Voss once again took the BITD Trick Truck Championship.

Kroyer Racing Engines Finishes 2014 With Two Championships and Engine Builder of the Year

The 2014 racing season provided more than 20 wins for Kroyer Racing Engines (KRE) between desert racing and short-course racing. A total of more than 62 podiums in 2014 made for another year of success for Kroyer and his team as they were also named the 2014 Score-International Engine Builder of the Year for the fifth consecutive year. Steven Eugenio captured the SCORE Trophy Truck Championship and Jason Voss once again took the BITD Trick Truck Championship.

Kroyer Racing Engines finished this year's Baja 1000 with five of the top eight finishers. Winner Rob MacCachren teamed up with Voss and Andy McMillin for the race, where they were the first to cross the finish line in 20 hours.

During the last race of the season, Voss landed another win for the Best In The Desert Henderson 250, and would be awarded the BITD Trick Truck Championship for the second year in a row.

Pro 2 rookie RJ Anderson landed himself on the podium in round 7 and finished out his first Pro 2 season fifth in points.

Halfway through the season, MacCachren switched over his Pro 2 and Pro 4 to Kroyer Racing Engines and was stayed on the podium every race weekend throughout the rest of the season. MacCachren would finish second in points in both classes.

Menzies Motorsports returned back to LOORRS in 2014 with two drivers—Bryce Menzies and Ricky Johnson. Both would provide KRE with numerous wins and podiums.

Irwindale Event Center Announces the SunDay of Destruction 

The Day of Destruction event at the Irwindale Event Center is set for Sunday afternoon, February 15. The event includes an Enduro Flagpole Race, the Skid Plate Cars on the oval and in a Figure 8 race, a Compact Car Demolition Derby and a Trailer Race. Gates for the Sunday-afternoon show will open at 11 a.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.irwindaleeventcenter.com.

Grandview Speedway's Bruce and Teresa Rogers Selected as 2014 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in Eastern Region

Auto racing promoters from across the country have, for the fifth time, named Bruce and Teresa Rogers, along with their family members, as 2014 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in the Eastern region. The Rogers family has owned and operated the NASCAR-sanctioned Grandview Speedway located in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, for 53 years. As the Eastern region award winner, the Rogers family is now in the running for the 39th Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Award when it is announced during the Speedweek Racing Promotion Monthly Promoters Workshop at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort February 16-18, where more than 500 promoters and staff members representing auto-racing facilities across the nation will be in attendance.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	TI Automotive will serve as the primary sponsor on the Riley Motorsports No. 33 and No. 93 in the four long-distance races of the TUDOR series at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta.

TI Automotive to Sponsor Dodge Viper GT3-R Race Cars in 2015 Tudor United Sportscar Championship Series

TI Automotive has announced that it will sponsor two Dodge Viper GT3-R race cars in the 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GTD Class beginning with the annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 24–25, 2015. TI Automotive will serve as the primary sponsor on the Riley Motorsports No. 33 and No. 93 in the four long-distance races of the TUDOR series at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta. This grouping of TUDOR endurance races frames the award of the Patron North American Endurance Cup. For the other remaining races of the TUDOR series, TI Automotive will remain as an associate sponsor of the No. 33 Viper Exchange race car.

At the 2014 SEMA Show, TI Automotive announced a technical collaboration with Riley Technologies and Viper Exchange to provide optimized fluid systems for the Dodge Viper GT3-R race cars. TI Automotive has been supporting several test sessions to further tune operating performance and efficiency on both cars for the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.

This April, Rod Hall will slip behind the wheel of his classic Bronco again to pilot it down the Baja peninsula in the General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000. Photos courtesy of Trackside Photo.

The ORMHOF/Rod Hall Championship Bronco Returns to Baja

On December 15, 2014, racing legend Rod Hall pulled his championship Bronco from the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) museum in Reno, Nevada, and into the shop for a full restoration. This April, Hall, who has achieved more podium finishes than any American off-road racer, will slip behind the wheel and again pilot his classic steed down the Baja peninsula in the General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000.

After Hall and teammate Larry Minor drove the Bronco to an overall win in the 1969 Mexican 1000, it was sold, raced, resold and then retired to a wrecking yard in Southern California. Half buried in sand and nearly forgotten, it was discovered by a local race fan and put on display in front of a Denny’s restaurant. In 2003, the Bronco was donated to ORMHOF and found its way back to Hall.

Samco Fabrication will manage the task of restoring the vehicle back to its original glory, which will include a crate 302 from Ford Racing, BFGoodrich tires, and products from Summit Racing, Mastercraft Safety, KC HiLiTES and Fox Racing.

VP Racing Fuels Supports NMCA Drag Racing Series as Official Fuel and Pro Mod Class Sponsor

VP Racing Fuels, along with the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) has announced a new partnership beginning with the 2015 drag-racing season. Effective at the season opener in Bradenton, Florida, March 20–22, VP Racing Fuels will be the Official Fuel of the NMCA Flowmaster Muscle Car Nationals Series and the required Spec Fuel for most NMCA heads-up classes. The agreement between ProMedia Events and VP Racing Fuels continues through the end of the 2017 racing season. The agreement also designates VP as the title sponsor of the VP Racing Fuels Pro Mod class—one of the quickest classes in the NMCA series reaching more than 250 mph in the quarter-mile with turbocharged or nitrous-powered engines.

WELD-Sponsored Drivers Sammy and Kevin Swindell Return to Chili Bowl Looking to Reclaim Championship

The legendary Sprint and Midget car father-and-son race team of Sammy and Kevin Swindell hopes to reclaim the championship when they compete in the 29th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire. WELD is the official wheel supplier for Swindell Motorsports for 2015 and is the sponsor of the “WELD Racing Cool Move of the Race” promotion at this year’s Chili Bowl.

Kevin Swindell is a four-time champion of the Chili Bowl with consecutive victories from 2010 through 2013. While his father, Sammy, is a five-time event champion having captured crowns in 2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989. The 2015 Chili Bowl is being held January 13–17 at the Tulsa Expo Raceway. 

During the first four nights of Chili Bowl qualifying races, a winner of the “WELD Racing Cool Move of the Race” will be picked by the Chili Bowl management staff. The winner each night will be awarded a $250 cash prize. At the conclusion of the Chili Bowl competition on Saturday, January 17, more than 13 feature races will be held and an outstanding cool move from that day will be selected. The Saturday winner will receive a $500 cash prize.

Fans who are not in Tulsa will still be able to participate in the “WELD Racing Cool Move of the Race” competition. Each morning, after a cool move has been awarded, WELD will post a video clip on its Facebook page, the company’s Twitter feed and at www.WELDwheels.com. Fans will be asked to vote on their favorite move of the entire event.

Voting will close five days after the final day of racing on January 22. WELD will randomly select one fan who will win the “WELD Racing Cool Move of the Race” banner that was hung trackside during the Chili Bowl. The banner will contain the signatures of the five winning drivers from that week.  

	Jason Voss once again took the BITD Trick Truck Championship.

Kroyer Racing Engines Finishes 2014 With Two Championships and Engine Builder of the Year

The 2014 racing season provided more than 20 wins for Kroyer Racing Engines (KRE) between desert racing and short-course racing. A total of more than 62 podiums in 2014 made for another year of success for Kroyer and his team as they were also named the 2014 Score-International Engine Builder of the Year for the fifth consecutive year. Steven Eugenio captured the SCORE Trophy Truck Championship and Jason Voss once again took the BITD Trick Truck Championship.

Kroyer Racing Engines finished this year's Baja 1000 with five of the top eight finishers. Winner Rob MacCachren teamed up with Voss and Andy McMillin for the race, where they were the first to cross the finish line in 20 hours.

During the last race of the season, Voss landed another win for the Best In The Desert Henderson 250, and would be awarded the BITD Trick Truck Championship for the second year in a row.

Pro 2 rookie RJ Anderson landed himself on the podium in round 7 and finished out his first Pro 2 season fifth in points.

Halfway through the season, MacCachren switched over his Pro 2 and Pro 4 to Kroyer Racing Engines and was stayed on the podium every race weekend throughout the rest of the season. MacCachren would finish second in points in both classes.

Menzies Motorsports returned back to LOORRS in 2014 with two drivers—Bryce Menzies and Ricky Johnson. Both would provide KRE with numerous wins and podiums.

Irwindale Event Center Announces the SunDay of Destruction 

The Day of Destruction event at the Irwindale Event Center is set for Sunday afternoon, February 15. The event includes an Enduro Flagpole Race, the Skid Plate Cars on the oval and in a Figure 8 race, a Compact Car Demolition Derby and a Trailer Race. Gates for the Sunday-afternoon show will open at 11 a.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.irwindaleeventcenter.com.

Grandview Speedway's Bruce and Teresa Rogers Selected as 2014 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in Eastern Region

Auto racing promoters from across the country have, for the fifth time, named Bruce and Teresa Rogers, along with their family members, as 2014 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in the Eastern region. The Rogers family has owned and operated the NASCAR-sanctioned Grandview Speedway located in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, for 53 years. As the Eastern region award winner, the Rogers family is now in the running for the 39th Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Award when it is announced during the Speedweek Racing Promotion Monthly Promoters Workshop at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort February 16-18, where more than 500 promoters and staff members representing auto-racing facilities across the nation will be in attendance.