Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

BROWN, FORCE, ENDERS-STEVENS, HINES WIN IN OHIO: In a side-by-side final-round duel with longtime rival Ron Capps, NHRA Funny Car icon John Force picked up his 140th career win last Sunday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners in Norwalk. In the championship round, Force powered his Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang to a performance of 4.113 seconds at 317.27 mph while Capps had a run of 4.135 at 305.56 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger. Force, the reigning Funny Car world champion, earned his first-ever win at Norwalk and second of the 2014 season.

"It was special to me," said Force. "I’ve come to this track for decades. I’ve won here at the Night of Fire races. Robert [Hight] and my daughter Ashley [Force Hood] have won here. I keep coming back here. The Bader family is P.T. Barnum doing this year-round, 90-some races a year. They light the fire under those fans. Look at the crowd on Friday night and that whole fireworks show. I’ve been real lucky in my career, and you want to win them all, but I really wanted this win."

NHRA TEAMS BRACE FOR START OF WESTERN SWING IN DENVER: The three-week NHRA Western Swing begins at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, at scenic Bandimere Speedway, home of the 35th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, July 18–20. At an elevation of more than 5,800 ft., the Bandimere Speedway altitude affects everything from engine tune-ups to aerodynamics. Crews must adapt their setups to power-making combinations and battle the lack of down force to tackle the unique racing environment. Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Shawn Gann (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were winners of the 2013 event. The race will once again be televised on ESPN2.

He Said, She Said

"Last Monday, we decided to take our third chassis and turn it into a race bike, and after three straight 14-hour days, we got it done. It was a lot of give and take to get it to leave the starting line, but after qualifying, we had a lot of little things fall into place. We were disastrous in qualifying; that was the worst I’ve been this year, and when Eddie [Krawiec, teammate] came out and went to No. 1, I was a little jealous. Saturday we sat down and threw a tune up at it and had the quickest winning time of the first round. Then we just massaged it during the day. This bike is easier to ride than my old bike, which used to wobble down the track a bit. This one was straight on all four runs today, and that’s when we put up big speeds. We ran 6.90 in the final, which was very strong, and I needed it. Hector [Sr.] is going to be a pain. He has his bike running strong in the back half. He’s been on a losing streak, but now he’s been to back-to-back finals, and that says a lot about what he’s done with his program."

—Norwalk winner Andrew Hines following his 35th career win in Norwalk after building a new bike following the event in Chicago. With his 35th career win, Hines has also tied Top Fuel legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits on NHRA's all-time wins list.

Inside the Numbers

5: Number of events remaining for racers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock to enter into the Top 10 in points in their respective categories to earn a spot in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Pro Stock Motorcycle has just three races remaining in their schedule to earn points to place them in the Countdown. In Funny Car, 2012 world champion Jack Beckman returned to the Top 10 following a semifinal appearance in Norwalk. J.R. Todd is currently in the field by 80 points over Bob Vandergriff and Steve Johnson anchors the bike top 10 over Chaz Kennedy by just 31 points. In Pro Stock, four-time world champion Greg Anderson is 11th, 45 points behind Jonathan Gray. Anderson missed the first five races of the season following heart surgery, but has two runner-up finishes this year and aims his sights on returning to the Countdown field and is determined to return to the Countdown field to pursue a fifth championship.

Did You Know

BROWN'S FIVE WINS LEAD TOP FUEL CATEGORY: Antron Brown has raced to five victories in 2014 and leads all Mello Yello Series categories in that department. The most wins Brown has claimed in a single season is six, which he has done three times in his Top Fuel career, including his 2012 championship season. Tony Schumacher owns the record for most wins in a single season in Top Fuel with 15, which he accomplished in 2008. Pro Stock's Greg Anderson is the only other driver to earn 15 wins in a season (2004).

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

BROWN, FORCE, ENDERS-STEVENS, HINES WIN IN OHIO: In a side-by-side final-round duel with longtime rival Ron Capps, NHRA Funny Car icon John Force picked up his 140th career win last Sunday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners in Norwalk. In the championship round, Force powered his Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang to a performance of 4.113 seconds at 317.27 mph while Capps had a run of 4.135 at 305.56 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger. Force, the reigning Funny Car world champion, earned his first-ever win at Norwalk and second of the 2014 season.

"It was special to me," said Force. "I’ve come to this track for decades. I’ve won here at the Night of Fire races. Robert [Hight] and my daughter Ashley [Force Hood] have won here. I keep coming back here. The Bader family is P.T. Barnum doing this year-round, 90-some races a year. They light the fire under those fans. Look at the crowd on Friday night and that whole fireworks show. I’ve been real lucky in my career, and you want to win them all, but I really wanted this win."

NHRA TEAMS BRACE FOR START OF WESTERN SWING IN DENVER: The three-week NHRA Western Swing begins at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, at scenic Bandimere Speedway, home of the 35th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, July 18–20. At an elevation of more than 5,800 ft., the Bandimere Speedway altitude affects everything from engine tune-ups to aerodynamics. Crews must adapt their setups to power-making combinations and battle the lack of down force to tackle the unique racing environment. Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Shawn Gann (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were winners of the 2013 event. The race will once again be televised on ESPN2.

He Said, She Said

"Last Monday, we decided to take our third chassis and turn it into a race bike, and after three straight 14-hour days, we got it done. It was a lot of give and take to get it to leave the starting line, but after qualifying, we had a lot of little things fall into place. We were disastrous in qualifying; that was the worst I’ve been this year, and when Eddie [Krawiec, teammate] came out and went to No. 1, I was a little jealous. Saturday we sat down and threw a tune up at it and had the quickest winning time of the first round. Then we just massaged it during the day. This bike is easier to ride than my old bike, which used to wobble down the track a bit. This one was straight on all four runs today, and that’s when we put up big speeds. We ran 6.90 in the final, which was very strong, and I needed it. Hector [Sr.] is going to be a pain. He has his bike running strong in the back half. He’s been on a losing streak, but now he’s been to back-to-back finals, and that says a lot about what he’s done with his program."

—Norwalk winner Andrew Hines following his 35th career win in Norwalk after building a new bike following the event in Chicago. With his 35th career win, Hines has also tied Top Fuel legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits on NHRA's all-time wins list.

Inside the Numbers

5: Number of events remaining for racers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock to enter into the Top 10 in points in their respective categories to earn a spot in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Pro Stock Motorcycle has just three races remaining in their schedule to earn points to place them in the Countdown. In Funny Car, 2012 world champion Jack Beckman returned to the Top 10 following a semifinal appearance in Norwalk. J.R. Todd is currently in the field by 80 points over Bob Vandergriff and Steve Johnson anchors the bike top 10 over Chaz Kennedy by just 31 points. In Pro Stock, four-time world champion Greg Anderson is 11th, 45 points behind Jonathan Gray. Anderson missed the first five races of the season following heart surgery, but has two runner-up finishes this year and aims his sights on returning to the Countdown field and is determined to return to the Countdown field to pursue a fifth championship.

Did You Know

BROWN'S FIVE WINS LEAD TOP FUEL CATEGORY: Antron Brown has raced to five victories in 2014 and leads all Mello Yello Series categories in that department. The most wins Brown has claimed in a single season is six, which he has done three times in his Top Fuel career, including his 2012 championship season. Tony Schumacher owns the record for most wins in a single season in Top Fuel with 15, which he accomplished in 2008. Pro Stock's Greg Anderson is the only other driver to earn 15 wins in a season (2004).

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

By Linda Spencer

	Exhibitors of the 2014 SEMA China Business Development tour will have the opportunity to exhibit at events in Beijing and Shanghai. Buyers are pre-registering to attend from throughout China. Buyers from these cities/regions attended last year’s event.

Resellers from throughout China will be attending the upcoming 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour, September 16–20, 2014. Wholesalers, retailers and installers are all looking for the latest products to meet the growing interest in vehicle customization.

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A first-hand look at the developing specialty-equipment market and an opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China during stops in Shanghai and Beijing.

• The opportunity to exhibit at two events:

SEMA China Business Development Conference at Beijing-based Tuner Tribe.

SEMA Pavilion at the Shanghai-based China Auto Salon (CAS).

The U.S. Department of Commerce has partnered with SEMA to promote the participation of U.S. specialty-equipment companies at the SEMA China Business Development Tour. Qualified firms can receive up to $1,750.

Program costs include booth space at both events, hotel, meals, interpreters, access to buyers from throughout China and a bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing (flights to and from the United States are not included).

Register now for the 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit sema.org/china.

Read the 2013 SEMA post-show report.

By Linda Spencer

	Exhibitors of the 2014 SEMA China Business Development tour will have the opportunity to exhibit at events in Beijing and Shanghai. Buyers are pre-registering to attend from throughout China. Buyers from these cities/regions attended last year’s event.

Resellers from throughout China will be attending the upcoming 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour, September 16–20, 2014. Wholesalers, retailers and installers are all looking for the latest products to meet the growing interest in vehicle customization.

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A first-hand look at the developing specialty-equipment market and an opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China during stops in Shanghai and Beijing.

• The opportunity to exhibit at two events:

SEMA China Business Development Conference at Beijing-based Tuner Tribe.

SEMA Pavilion at the Shanghai-based China Auto Salon (CAS).

The U.S. Department of Commerce has partnered with SEMA to promote the participation of U.S. specialty-equipment companies at the SEMA China Business Development Tour. Qualified firms can receive up to $1,750.

Program costs include booth space at both events, hotel, meals, interpreters, access to buyers from throughout China and a bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing (flights to and from the United States are not included).

Register now for the 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit sema.org/china.

Read the 2013 SEMA post-show report.

By SEMA Editors

	Mercedes-Benz will select the four most innovative and exciting project vehicles—based on the automaker’s new midsize van concept—to display in its booth at the 2014 SEMA Show. Each of the approved companies will receive a pre-production van and a budget of up to $50,000 to make vehicle modifications based on their design.

Background—Exploring the Potential for a Midsize Van in the U.S. Market

Commercial vans are used mainly by businesses and public services, with a wide-array of uses, including package/freight delivery, trade vehicles for carpenters and electricians, mobile repair workshops, emergency services, luxury transportation and even mobile pet grooming, but they have also captured the imagination of private owners, who use them not only as transportation, but also to realize their passions.

The Sprinter Van revolutionized the large van segment in the United States, bringing the tall, efficient and ergonomic European van to American customers and, incidentally, providing a vehicle template for other manufacturers that are only now bringing in their own European-style vans.

Now, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is exploring the potential of the mid-size commercial van segment in the United States. The new midsize commercial van concept offers up to 194 cu. ft. of cargo space or seating for up to eight passengers in a versatile, compact, efficient vehicle. Many American customers have indicated strong interest in this mid-size van concept, according to MBUSA, and the OEM is consequently now evaluating the U.S. market opportunity for the commercial van, targeting mainly small and midsize businesses that transport cargo and passengers.

A Mid-Size Van at the SEMA Show

The SEMA Show, with its diverse attendees, provides a natural platform to explore the potential of the midsize van platform. A showcase of diverse van-based designs, developed and executed by tuners and upfitters across the United States, will allow attendees to experience the full scope of the van’s potential and allow them to imagine the different uses for the midsize van. The SEMA Show will also be the first time when this new midsize van concept is shown in the United States, presenting a unique opportunity to build awareness for the concept while gathering feedback on unique vehicle variations.

Project Vehicle Proposal

A midsize commercial van can provide the basis for numerous different vehicle concepts and designs that require a larger vehicle, and deliver more excitement and utility than is possible in a passenger car. To explore these possibilities, MBUSA will host a tuning and upfitting competition to develop and build the most exciting midsize van concepts. Tuners and upfitters across the United States are invited to propose showcar concepts based on the midsize van. MBUSA will select the four most exciting concepts to be realized. Each vehicle’s creators will receive a pre-production van and a budget of up to $50,000 to make vehicle modifications based on their design. All four vehicles will be displayed in the Mercedes-Benz Vans booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, and they will compete with one another for the most votes by SEMA Show attendees and Internet voters.

Each proposal should focus on one or two of the different uses for which the midsize van would be perfect—and take it to the extreme. Concept ideas include:

• Ultimate Roadtrip Van – the vehicle you’d want to take on the longest, best vacation of your life.
• Perfect Mobile Office – everything you need to be productive and comfortable on the road in one compact package.
• Definitive Tailgating and Party Van – the van that provides the right setting for a party anytime, anywhere.
• Success on Wheels – the van that lets you grow your business by taking it mobile, taking advantage of the space the midsize cargo van offers.
• Limo on Steroids – the van for group transportation with over-the-top style.

MBUSA is open to considering any concept that takes the van to the next level. Concepts that focus on commercial applications are especially welcome. A total of four concepts will be selected to be built by aftermarket companies and displayed to compete with one another at the SEMA Show. Only one project vehicle per theme will be awarded.

Following the Show, the four aftermarket companies will take possession of the vehicle for the next 12–18 months for the purposes of their approved marketing plan, but MBUSA reserves the right to schedule the vehicles for display with written notice in advance. Vans will ultimately be returned to MBUSA at the conclusion of the promotional period with all modifications intact, which become the property of MBUSA.

Aftermarket companies and upfitters that wish to apply for this opportunity must submit proposals that include the following information:

• Executive Summary – One-pager to focus on the key benefits of the proposal and prior experiences to support this new role.
• Vehicle Description – List of specific modifications and accessories to be added, including a total customer pay price, along with a color rendering.
• Examples of previous project vehicles by the applicant.
• Promotional plan – Detailed marketing/PR plan for the show vehicle over the next 12–18 months.
• Timing – Specific dates, vehicle delivery and project timing and completion date. Vehicles must be completed by October 20, 2014.
• Commitment to feature the vehicle with the Mercedes-Benz logos and nomenclature intact with visible likeness to the production vehicle.
• Feature the van with its original engine, though power-boosting accessories are acceptable.
• Commit to creating weekly progress reports during the vehicle build process, including photos.
• Allow photo/video production by MBUSA during the build process, if requested by MBUSA.
• Booth number for their exhibit space at the 2014 SEMA Show.
• All costs associated with preparing the response to this Request For Proposal shall be borne solely by the aftermarket companies/upfitters.
• Finally, this Request For Proposal does not constitute a binding agreement between the aftermarket companies/upfitters and MBUSA. It should be made clear that a project vehicle will only be awarded upon the execution of an agreement by MBUSA and the aftermarket companies/upfitters, as required by MBUSA.

All proposals must be submitted to MBUSA via email to sema@mbusa.com by July 28, 2014.

Proposal Submission: July 28, 2014
Award Recipient Notification Date: August 4, 2014
Vehicle Delivery: Mid-August

Preliminary Project Van Specifications

Measurements

Length/width/height (in.): 202/76/74
Wheelbase/ground clearance (in.): 126/5.7
Payload/Towing (lbs.): 2,579/5,000
Cargo capacity (cu. ft.): 194
Cargo area length/height (in.): 92/54

Powertrain

Configuration: Rear-wheel drive
Engine: 4-cylinder gasoline, turbocharged, direct injection
Total Displacement: 2.0L
Horsepower: 211 @ 5,000 RPM
Net Torque: 273 lb.-ft.

By SEMA Editors

	Mercedes-Benz will select the four most innovative and exciting project vehicles—based on the automaker’s new midsize van concept—to display in its booth at the 2014 SEMA Show. Each of the approved companies will receive a pre-production van and a budget of up to $50,000 to make vehicle modifications based on their design.

Background—Exploring the Potential for a Midsize Van in the U.S. Market

Commercial vans are used mainly by businesses and public services, with a wide-array of uses, including package/freight delivery, trade vehicles for carpenters and electricians, mobile repair workshops, emergency services, luxury transportation and even mobile pet grooming, but they have also captured the imagination of private owners, who use them not only as transportation, but also to realize their passions.

The Sprinter Van revolutionized the large van segment in the United States, bringing the tall, efficient and ergonomic European van to American customers and, incidentally, providing a vehicle template for other manufacturers that are only now bringing in their own European-style vans.

Now, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is exploring the potential of the mid-size commercial van segment in the United States. The new midsize commercial van concept offers up to 194 cu. ft. of cargo space or seating for up to eight passengers in a versatile, compact, efficient vehicle. Many American customers have indicated strong interest in this mid-size van concept, according to MBUSA, and the OEM is consequently now evaluating the U.S. market opportunity for the commercial van, targeting mainly small and midsize businesses that transport cargo and passengers.

A Mid-Size Van at the SEMA Show

The SEMA Show, with its diverse attendees, provides a natural platform to explore the potential of the midsize van platform. A showcase of diverse van-based designs, developed and executed by tuners and upfitters across the United States, will allow attendees to experience the full scope of the van’s potential and allow them to imagine the different uses for the midsize van. The SEMA Show will also be the first time when this new midsize van concept is shown in the United States, presenting a unique opportunity to build awareness for the concept while gathering feedback on unique vehicle variations.

Project Vehicle Proposal

A midsize commercial van can provide the basis for numerous different vehicle concepts and designs that require a larger vehicle, and deliver more excitement and utility than is possible in a passenger car. To explore these possibilities, MBUSA will host a tuning and upfitting competition to develop and build the most exciting midsize van concepts. Tuners and upfitters across the United States are invited to propose showcar concepts based on the midsize van. MBUSA will select the four most exciting concepts to be realized. Each vehicle’s creators will receive a pre-production van and a budget of up to $50,000 to make vehicle modifications based on their design. All four vehicles will be displayed in the Mercedes-Benz Vans booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, and they will compete with one another for the most votes by SEMA Show attendees and Internet voters.

Each proposal should focus on one or two of the different uses for which the midsize van would be perfect—and take it to the extreme. Concept ideas include:

• Ultimate Roadtrip Van – the vehicle you’d want to take on the longest, best vacation of your life.
• Perfect Mobile Office – everything you need to be productive and comfortable on the road in one compact package.
• Definitive Tailgating and Party Van – the van that provides the right setting for a party anytime, anywhere.
• Success on Wheels – the van that lets you grow your business by taking it mobile, taking advantage of the space the midsize cargo van offers.
• Limo on Steroids – the van for group transportation with over-the-top style.

MBUSA is open to considering any concept that takes the van to the next level. Concepts that focus on commercial applications are especially welcome. A total of four concepts will be selected to be built by aftermarket companies and displayed to compete with one another at the SEMA Show. Only one project vehicle per theme will be awarded.

Following the Show, the four aftermarket companies will take possession of the vehicle for the next 12–18 months for the purposes of their approved marketing plan, but MBUSA reserves the right to schedule the vehicles for display with written notice in advance. Vans will ultimately be returned to MBUSA at the conclusion of the promotional period with all modifications intact, which become the property of MBUSA.

Aftermarket companies and upfitters that wish to apply for this opportunity must submit proposals that include the following information:

• Executive Summary – One-pager to focus on the key benefits of the proposal and prior experiences to support this new role.
• Vehicle Description – List of specific modifications and accessories to be added, including a total customer pay price, along with a color rendering.
• Examples of previous project vehicles by the applicant.
• Promotional plan – Detailed marketing/PR plan for the show vehicle over the next 12–18 months.
• Timing – Specific dates, vehicle delivery and project timing and completion date. Vehicles must be completed by October 20, 2014.
• Commitment to feature the vehicle with the Mercedes-Benz logos and nomenclature intact with visible likeness to the production vehicle.
• Feature the van with its original engine, though power-boosting accessories are acceptable.
• Commit to creating weekly progress reports during the vehicle build process, including photos.
• Allow photo/video production by MBUSA during the build process, if requested by MBUSA.
• Booth number for their exhibit space at the 2014 SEMA Show.
• All costs associated with preparing the response to this Request For Proposal shall be borne solely by the aftermarket companies/upfitters.
• Finally, this Request For Proposal does not constitute a binding agreement between the aftermarket companies/upfitters and MBUSA. It should be made clear that a project vehicle will only be awarded upon the execution of an agreement by MBUSA and the aftermarket companies/upfitters, as required by MBUSA.

All proposals must be submitted to MBUSA via email to sema@mbusa.com by July 28, 2014.

Proposal Submission: July 28, 2014
Award Recipient Notification Date: August 4, 2014
Vehicle Delivery: Mid-August

Preliminary Project Van Specifications

Measurements

Length/width/height (in.): 202/76/74
Wheelbase/ground clearance (in.): 126/5.7
Payload/Towing (lbs.): 2,579/5,000
Cargo capacity (cu. ft.): 194
Cargo area length/height (in.): 92/54

Powertrain

Configuration: Rear-wheel drive
Engine: 4-cylinder gasoline, turbocharged, direct injection
Total Displacement: 2.0L
Horsepower: 211 @ 5,000 RPM
Net Torque: 273 lb.-ft.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New York state legislature failed to complete action on a series of bills that would have had a positive impact on the automotive hobby. Among these are legislation to allow historical vehicle owners to only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration; legislation to provide for the issuance of special historic vehicle plates to be issued to owners for display on a trailer towing a historic vehicle; legislation to provide for the issuance of a single registration plate and require that the plate be attached on the rear of all vehicles; and SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles (including kit cars and replicas) and exempt these vehicles from emissions inspections. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New York state legislature failed to complete action on a series of bills that would have had a positive impact on the automotive hobby. Among these are legislation to allow historical vehicle owners to only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration; legislation to provide for the issuance of special historic vehicle plates to be issued to owners for display on a trailer towing a historic vehicle; legislation to provide for the issuance of a single registration plate and require that the plate be attached on the rear of all vehicles; and SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles (including kit cars and replicas) and exempt these vehicles from emissions inspections. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New York state legislature failed to complete action on a series of bills that would have had a positive impact on the automotive hobby. Among these are legislation to allow historical vehicle owners to only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration; legislation to provide for the issuance of special historic vehicle plates to be issued to owners for display on a trailer towing a historic vehicle; legislation to provide for the issuance of a single registration plate and require that the plate be attached on the rear of all vehicles; and SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles (including kit cars and replicas) and exempt these vehicles from emissions inspections. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

For the third consecutive year, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and the Las Vegas City Council has issued a proclamation declaring “Collector Car Appreciation Day” in the city. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 493 at the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) request to acknowledge the day’s significance in raising awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The date marks the fifth commemoration in what has become an annual event.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.