The shooters at KGP Photography caught Ford engineers testing a prototype for their updated global Ford Ranger pickup in the mountains of Colorado. Whenever a Ranger prototype is spotted testing in the United States, especially when it's in prototype form like this test truck, fans of the sub-F-Series trucks get renewed hope that the Ranger may once again be destined for U.S. showrooms.  

The facelifted prototype captured here gets a new front fascia, and the camouflaged interior shows that it is also getting some attention. The mid-cycle facelift applied to this Ranger could be viewed as a new chance for Ford to better tailor the Ranger for U.S. tastes, just as GM overhauled its global Colorado pickup specifically for the U.S. market. Of course, it would be very interesting to see the Ranger hit the U.S. market in light of the increased focus on smaller trucks from GM, Nissan and a new Tacoma likely in the works from Toyota. Still, there are no signs that Ford is looking to join the party, and likely with good reason.

With Ford's truck attentions all so heavily directed toward launching the new aluminum F-150, and developing a thoroughly-overhauled Super Duty lineup, it's unlikely that a U.S.-spec Ranger is high on the priority list for Ford's U.S. product planners.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

Royal Purple Announces Fourth Annual Show It Off at SEMA Contest

	Past winner of Royal Purple's Show It Off at SEMA photo contest, Mark Field’s 1969 Chevy Camaro. Fields will serve as a guest on this year’s judging panel. Photo Credit: Mark Fields

Royal Purple’s fourth-annual Show It Off at SEMA photo contest will launch Monday, July 14, on the brand’s Facebook fan page. The winner of the contest will have the opportunity to display his or her vehicle at the 2014 SEMA Show, November 4–7, in Las Vegas, as a feature vehicle outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In addition to paid registration as a feature vehicle, the winner will receive hotel accommodations (restrictions apply), Royal Purple products, Royal Purple apparel and an invitation to attend a winner’s dinner hosted by Royal Purple. Following initial photo submissions, online fan voting will begin July 25, followed by a final round of judging August 5–9. The winner will be announced August 11. The judging panel for this year’s contest includes last year’s Show It Off at SEMA winner Mark Fields and a variety of personalities from the automotive, motorsports and entertainment industries, including Townsend Bell, IndyCar and TUDOR Sportscar Championship driver and TV personality; Tim “Skrape” Katz, vice president and co-founder, Authentic Brands Group LLC, TAPOUT LLC; Jeff Thisted, Discovery Channel’s television show “Rods ‘N Wheels;”  and Carrie Strange, 2013 Royal Purple Ladies Feature Vehicle Contest Winner.

Power Automedia Announces Launch of “Revved”

Power Automedia has announced that it plans to launch a new digital magazine targeted toward sport-compact performance enthusiasts. Entitled, “Revved,” the new publication will deliver content that enthusiasts need, including tech insight and how-to guidance, latest specs in wheels and tires, show and lifestyle highlights and high-performance driving and handling techniques. Power Automedia currently publishes 10 leading automotive performance magazines that reach more than 1.3 million readers a month—each with fresh content delivered daily. Power Automedia plans to launch “Revved” in Q4 2014 at www.revvedmag.com.

BOLT Lock Now Standard Equipment onUnderCover Elite

UnderCover’s newly-designed Elite tonneau cover now comes standard with STRATTEC Security Corp.’s BOLT lock.

UnderCover’s newly designed Elite tonneau cover now comes standard with STRATTEC Security Corp.’s BOLT lock incorporated into the cover’s newly designed handle. The custom-fit tonneau cover is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composite material, which is strong and durable. With a full perimeter seal, the Elite protects gear from damaging weather. BOLT Locks are available for many General Motors, Ford, Ram/Jeep, Toyota and Nissan vehicles, and come with a limited lifetime warranty.

All BOLT products feature patented one-key lock technology, an innovation which permanently programs the lock to the vehicle's ignition key and allows for the use of just a single key, no matter how many BOLT locks are in use. The first time the key is inserted into the BOLT lock cylinder, spring-loaded plate tumblers move, immediately coding the cylinder to that unique key.

6,000 Show Cars Expected at Goodguys 17th PPG Nationals

The 17th PPG Nationals, hits the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio this weekend July 11–13. The event is home to over 6,000 1972 and earlier rods, customs classics, muscle cars and tricked out trucks and boasts over 400 vendor booths featuring the hot rodding industry’s top manufacturer’s. On Friday July 11th, Goodguys will observe Collector Car Appreciation Day.
 
The Goodguys 2014 Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year and the Goodguys 2014 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year will be crowned Saturday evening July 12th during a special ceremony which will also see the grand unveiling of the Goodguys G-10 Chevy Giveaway Truck. The 1970 Chevy pickup, built by Scott’s Hot Rods, features upholstery from Ron Mangus, paint & body by Palmer’s Customs and a burly Lingenfelter LS3 engine. The truck will tour the country with Goodguys before being given away in Columbus in July of 2015.
 
The Kindig-It Design-built Goodguys ’32 Tribute Ford Tudor sedan will be given away during the closing awards ceremony. Racing action is also on the weekend schedule with Friday Nite Vintage Drags at National Trail Raceway along with Goodguys AutoCross action all weekend long at the Expo Center. For complete event details, hours and admission prices visit www.good-guys.com

Tom O’Hare Named Opening Speakers for University of the Aftermarket Leadership 2.0

Tom O’Hare, retired former president and CEO of Worldpac, will serve as the opening speaker for the next University of the Aftermarket Leadership 2.0 program. O’Hare will address the 2014–2015 Leadership 2.0 class at its opening dinner, August 24, at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. During his presentation, he will discuss his career, the industry and his personal philosophy on leadership in the motor-vehicle aftermarket. The program is designed for early to mid-career, management-track, aftermarket professionals in all market segments. Program participants include a mix of aftermarket professionals from manufacturing, retail/wholesale stores, program groups, warehouses, service dealers, associations and other industry segments.

In May, the University of the Aftermarket officially opened registration for its next class, which begins August 24–29 on Northwood University’s Midland, Michigan, campus. The second session will be held March 8–13, 2015, at Northwood University’s West Palm Beach, Florida, campus. Participants must attend both sessions. For more information about Leadership 2.0, contact Brian Cruickshank at brianc@northwood.edu.

Garagistry Joins Noted Collectors and Industry Experts to Support National Collector Car Appreciation Day

Garagistry is joining with organizers nationwide to celebrate the fifth-annual Collector Car Appreciation Day with several special promotions in cooperation with the Wellborn Musclecar Museum, in Alexander City, Alabama, David Burroughs’ Prove It and Vintage Automotive LLC. As a singular tribute to the collector car industry and the millions of hobbyists it supports, the second Friday in July is recognized as Collector Car Appreciation Day as a means to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.

"We are excited that businesses and hobbyists throughout the country are joining together to celebrate and that we can be a part of it," said Tim Wellborn, founder of the Wellborn Musclecar Museum.

“Automobiles may have had the largest single social impact on America and Americans. It’s time that that we deliver a positive message about this contribution and recognize the vehicles and people that created it. I’m glad to see this effort launched, and hope to see it inspire new growth and appreciation,” added David Burroughs, founder of Prove It, Bloomington Gold and Survivor.

Bryan Shook of Vintage Automotive, LLC noted, "The fact that state and federal legislatures are supporting Collector Car Appreciation Day is a testament to the enormity of the hobby and the positive impact that collector cars play in our nation's economy. I am very proud of and support SAN's efforts in increasing positive public awareness of our hobby."

"We began our support of Collector Car Appreciation Day months ago," said Tom Daly, senior vice president for Garagistry. "The goal was to provide a broader view of the entire community of classic car owners throughout the world, "The Garagistry World Tour." Thanks to the incredible passion of classic car owners and the power of the Internet, any automotive enthusiast can visit the Garagistry Blog to view dozens of events and owner interviews from more than 30 different countries without ever leaving the comforts of home or using a drop of gas," he added.

"Over the next few days and in cooperation with the Wellborn Musclecar Museum, Prove It and Vintage Automotive, we will be providing a number of exclusive features and complimentary services to every classic car owner, collector and car club," said Fred Prybol, founder of Garagistry. "It's our way of supporting the worldwide classic car community, 365 days a year."

By Rebecca Butler

	The New Products Showcase is the No. 1 SEMA Show buyer and media destination.

The SEMA Show's New Products Showcase is a 35,000-sq.-ft. space that allows exhibitors to display their newest and most innovative products. It is open to all exhibitors and is the No. 1 SEMA Show buyer and media destination.

The showcase allows buyers to scan products and obtain information about products and where the exhibitor's booth is located. This provides exhibitors increased exposure and additional publicity for the products they register. All new products will be photographed and featured in SEMA News and on the SEMA website. In addition, products are judged and may be candidates for a New Products Award.

Enter a product in the New Products Showcase. The first product entry is free. All additional entries are $75 per product category if entered by Friday, October 10, after which, the fee will be $150 per product category.

For more information and guidelines on the New Products Showcase, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Rebecca Butler

	The New Products Showcase is the No. 1 SEMA Show buyer and media destination.

The SEMA Show's New Products Showcase is a 35,000-sq.-ft. space that allows exhibitors to display their newest and most innovative products. It is open to all exhibitors and is the No. 1 SEMA Show buyer and media destination.

The showcase allows buyers to scan products and obtain information about products and where the exhibitor's booth is located. This provides exhibitors increased exposure and additional publicity for the products they register. All new products will be photographed and featured in SEMA News and on the SEMA website. In addition, products are judged and may be candidates for a New Products Award.

Enter a product in the New Products Showcase. The first product entry is free. All additional entries are $75 per product category if entered by Friday, October 10, after which, the fee will be $150 per product category.

For more information and guidelines on the New Products Showcase, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Rebecca Butler

	The New Products Showcase is the No. 1 SEMA Show buyer and media destination.

The SEMA Show's New Products Showcase is a 35,000-sq.-ft. space that allows exhibitors to display their newest and most innovative products. It is open to all exhibitors and is the No. 1 SEMA Show buyer and media destination.

The showcase allows buyers to scan products and obtain information about products and where the exhibitor's booth is located. This provides exhibitors increased exposure and additional publicity for the products they register. All new products will be photographed and featured in SEMA News and on the SEMA website. In addition, products are judged and may be candidates for a New Products Award.

Enter a product in the New Products Showcase. The first product entry is free. All additional entries are $75 per product category if entered by Friday, October 10, after which, the fee will be $150 per product category.

For more information and guidelines on the New Products Showcase, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

SCORE International Baja 500 to Premiere on CBS Sports Network, July 20
The SCORE International Baja 500 will premiere on CBS Sports Network, July 20, at 9:00 p.m. (EDT).

Prolong Super Lubricants Announces Tony Pedregon Sponsorship Two-time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) funny car world champion Tony Pedregon has chosen Prolong Super Lubricants as his primary lubricant sponsor for the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Pedregon has 43 career wins, with a career-best elapsed time at 4.041 seconds, and he holds the record of quickest quarter-mile run in funny car history at 4.659 seconds.

Shannon Campbell was the ULTRA4 winner at the Badlands for the second year in a row. Photo credit: Thom Kingston of Spidertrax

Shannon Campbell Repeats Win at Badlands
More than 40 ULTRA4 cars came to compete at The Ultimate Motorsports Championship last weekend at Badlands Off-Road Park in Attica, Indiana. The race has grown nearly 70% in the last three years and has become a battle of East meets West on some of the harshest terrain the 2014 ULTRA4 season has to offer. The fastest drivers from the East included Erik Miller, Derek West, Bill Baird and Chicky Barton. Drivers from the West included Shannon Campbell, Loren Healy, Wayland Campbell and Tom Wayes. After two-and-a-half hours of racing, Campbell led by two laps over Mike Colville, making him the ULTRA4 winner at the Badlands for the second year in a row. At every 2014 ULTRA4 regional race, the top 10 drivers who haven't already qualified earn a spot to compete in the the 2015 Griffin King of The Hammers presented by Nitto Tire.

The unlimited ULTRA4 class shared the course this year with five modified 4500 vehicles. Casey Gilbert, who would have been the only 4600 stock vehicle to compete, opted to race with the 4500s, and ultimately won the field, followed by Jay Callaway and James Cantrell.

The 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix in San Bernardino, California, is the next ULTRA4 event. It will take place next weekend, and is the second race in the Trail-Gear Western Regional Series. The next 4WD Eastern regional event will be the Sturgis Off Road Blowout in Sturgis, Kentucky, September 12–13. The next ULTRA4 Europe event will be the third annual King of The Valleys held in Wales, August 8–12.

Driving the new Audi R8 race car, Mike Skeen of the CRP team recorded two wins, sweeping the weekend at Road America.

Hawk Performance and CRP Racing Sweep the Weekend at Road America
Driving the new Audi R8 race car, Mike Skeen of the CRP team recorded two wins, sweeping the weekend at Road America, which is sponsored by the Hawk Performance brand.

	Gary Sheehan drove three of the four GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels race cars during the weekend to score the victory.

Sheehan/Arsham Win Back-to-Back in Touring Car at Thunderhill
The Sheehan/Arsham partnership resulted in another win in the Touring Car class with Daniel Akhromstev pulling out a victory in the GT class at Thunderhill Raceway. The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) playing host to the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC). Gary Sheehan drove three of the four GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels race cars during the weekend to score the victory.

The team of Larry Bani and Becky Arsham won the Orange Electronics Sportsman class in the GoGoGear.com/UTI/Powerbuilt Tools BMW M3. Mike Sekhon almost won the race in his BTM Motorwerks BMW M3 but his second place finish earned him the Plastex Top Rookie award. With a third-place and first-place finish in the Touring Car class, the GoGoGear.com/UTI /Konig Wheels teammates of Sheehan and Bani won the Cobra Electronics Top Team award for the GoGoGear.com team and won a cool Cobra radar detector for their hard work.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

SCORE International Baja 500 to Premiere on CBS Sports Network, July 20
The SCORE International Baja 500 will premiere on CBS Sports Network, July 20, at 9:00 p.m. (EDT).

Prolong Super Lubricants Announces Tony Pedregon Sponsorship Two-time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) funny car world champion Tony Pedregon has chosen Prolong Super Lubricants as his primary lubricant sponsor for the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Pedregon has 43 career wins, with a career-best elapsed time at 4.041 seconds, and he holds the record of quickest quarter-mile run in funny car history at 4.659 seconds.

Shannon Campbell was the ULTRA4 winner at the Badlands for the second year in a row. Photo credit: Thom Kingston of Spidertrax

Shannon Campbell Repeats Win at Badlands
More than 40 ULTRA4 cars came to compete at The Ultimate Motorsports Championship last weekend at Badlands Off-Road Park in Attica, Indiana. The race has grown nearly 70% in the last three years and has become a battle of East meets West on some of the harshest terrain the 2014 ULTRA4 season has to offer. The fastest drivers from the East included Erik Miller, Derek West, Bill Baird and Chicky Barton. Drivers from the West included Shannon Campbell, Loren Healy, Wayland Campbell and Tom Wayes. After two-and-a-half hours of racing, Campbell led by two laps over Mike Colville, making him the ULTRA4 winner at the Badlands for the second year in a row. At every 2014 ULTRA4 regional race, the top 10 drivers who haven't already qualified earn a spot to compete in the the 2015 Griffin King of The Hammers presented by Nitto Tire.

The unlimited ULTRA4 class shared the course this year with five modified 4500 vehicles. Casey Gilbert, who would have been the only 4600 stock vehicle to compete, opted to race with the 4500s, and ultimately won the field, followed by Jay Callaway and James Cantrell.

The 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix in San Bernardino, California, is the next ULTRA4 event. It will take place next weekend, and is the second race in the Trail-Gear Western Regional Series. The next 4WD Eastern regional event will be the Sturgis Off Road Blowout in Sturgis, Kentucky, September 12–13. The next ULTRA4 Europe event will be the third annual King of The Valleys held in Wales, August 8–12.

Driving the new Audi R8 race car, Mike Skeen of the CRP team recorded two wins, sweeping the weekend at Road America.

Hawk Performance and CRP Racing Sweep the Weekend at Road America
Driving the new Audi R8 race car, Mike Skeen of the CRP team recorded two wins, sweeping the weekend at Road America, which is sponsored by the Hawk Performance brand.

	Gary Sheehan drove three of the four GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels race cars during the weekend to score the victory.

Sheehan/Arsham Win Back-to-Back in Touring Car at Thunderhill
The Sheehan/Arsham partnership resulted in another win in the Touring Car class with Daniel Akhromstev pulling out a victory in the GT class at Thunderhill Raceway. The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) playing host to the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC). Gary Sheehan drove three of the four GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels race cars during the weekend to score the victory.

The team of Larry Bani and Becky Arsham won the Orange Electronics Sportsman class in the GoGoGear.com/UTI/Powerbuilt Tools BMW M3. Mike Sekhon almost won the race in his BTM Motorwerks BMW M3 but his second place finish earned him the Plastex Top Rookie award. With a third-place and first-place finish in the Touring Car class, the GoGoGear.com/UTI /Konig Wheels teammates of Sheehan and Bani won the Cobra Electronics Top Team award for the GoGoGear.com team and won a cool Cobra radar detector for their hard work.

By SEMA Editors

	Todd Petersen of MSD Performance was the 2013 SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award recipient.

SEMA is seeking nominations to identify youthful innovators whose work is substantially changing the way the automotive aftermarket is doing business. These nominations will be used to select the third-annual SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award. SEMA will honor the award winner at the 2014 SEMA Show Banquet, which takes place on the evening of Thursday, November 6, 2014.

The winning candidate will be energetic and passionate about the enthusiast marketplace. He or she will have contributed a bright, novel way to fix something broken, build something really new or make something better.

He or she may be the MVP on a team that leads with a game-changing product or service. They may have been the first to act on a new trend, invent an original product people did not yet know they needed, or work independently to devise and implement stellar ideas that better suit the changing marketplace of the new millennium.

Whatever the case, the SEMA Gen-III Innovator will be young—less than 40 years of age as of December 31, 2014. If you know someone who exhibits the same pioneering spirit as the original industry founders, we need your help in identifying that person for the SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award.

Please fill out the 2014 SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award Nomination Form and tell us about the person you think deserves a moment in the spotlight. All nominees will be invited, along with a guest, to attend and participate in the SEMA Banquet. Gen-III Innovator Award nomination forms must be submitted prior to close of business, Friday, July 25, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

For more information about that award, please visit www.sema.org/innovator or contact Lindsay Bianco at LindsayB@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

	Todd Petersen of MSD Performance was the 2013 SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award recipient.

SEMA is seeking nominations to identify youthful innovators whose work is substantially changing the way the automotive aftermarket is doing business. These nominations will be used to select the third-annual SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award. SEMA will honor the award winner at the 2014 SEMA Show Banquet, which takes place on the evening of Thursday, November 6, 2014.

The winning candidate will be energetic and passionate about the enthusiast marketplace. He or she will have contributed a bright, novel way to fix something broken, build something really new or make something better.

He or she may be the MVP on a team that leads with a game-changing product or service. They may have been the first to act on a new trend, invent an original product people did not yet know they needed, or work independently to devise and implement stellar ideas that better suit the changing marketplace of the new millennium.

Whatever the case, the SEMA Gen-III Innovator will be young—less than 40 years of age as of December 31, 2014. If you know someone who exhibits the same pioneering spirit as the original industry founders, we need your help in identifying that person for the SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award.

Please fill out the 2014 SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award Nomination Form and tell us about the person you think deserves a moment in the spotlight. All nominees will be invited, along with a guest, to attend and participate in the SEMA Banquet. Gen-III Innovator Award nomination forms must be submitted prior to close of business, Friday, July 25, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

For more information about that award, please visit www.sema.org/innovator or contact Lindsay Bianco at LindsayB@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

	Todd Petersen of MSD Performance was the 2013 SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award recipient.

SEMA is seeking nominations to identify youthful innovators whose work is substantially changing the way the automotive aftermarket is doing business. These nominations will be used to select the third-annual SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award. SEMA will honor the award winner at the 2014 SEMA Show Banquet, which takes place on the evening of Thursday, November 6, 2014.

The winning candidate will be energetic and passionate about the enthusiast marketplace. He or she will have contributed a bright, novel way to fix something broken, build something really new or make something better.

He or she may be the MVP on a team that leads with a game-changing product or service. They may have been the first to act on a new trend, invent an original product people did not yet know they needed, or work independently to devise and implement stellar ideas that better suit the changing marketplace of the new millennium.

Whatever the case, the SEMA Gen-III Innovator will be young—less than 40 years of age as of December 31, 2014. If you know someone who exhibits the same pioneering spirit as the original industry founders, we need your help in identifying that person for the SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award.

Please fill out the 2014 SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award Nomination Form and tell us about the person you think deserves a moment in the spotlight. All nominees will be invited, along with a guest, to attend and participate in the SEMA Banquet. Gen-III Innovator Award nomination forms must be submitted prior to close of business, Friday, July 25, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

For more information about that award, please visit www.sema.org/innovator or contact Lindsay Bianco at LindsayB@sema.org or 909-978-6692.