Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Patrik Sandell drives the Kobalt Tools/Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST to victory in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Olsbergs MSE)

Patrik Sandell Wins Red Bull Global Rallycross
Patrik Sandell from the Olsbergs MSE team scored the win in the Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST last weekend at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Through two days of tough heat racing, Sandell never finished lower than second to bypass the Last Chance Qualifier and advance directly to the Final, where he had a front-row starting position. The Kobalt Tools driver held the lead position for all 10 laps to the checkered flag. Sandell is now tied for third in the championship standings.

The Olsbergs MSE team returns to Red Bull Global Rallycross, July 19–20, in New York. World RX drivers Andreas Bakkerud and Reinis Nitiss will appear next weekend in Kuovola, Finland, for the Finnish round of the World Rallycross Championship.

Doug Peterson Wins at Road America, Retains Championship Lead
Doug Peterson, in the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, emerged victorious from the VP Small Engine Fuels 100 Miles of Madness at Road America, Round 6 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship, outlasting Amy Ruman, Cliff Ebben and Tony Ave in the TA Class. Peterson now has a 14-point lead over Ruman, with 167 points to her 153. Simon Gregg continues to hold third with 143 points.

Trans Am will now enter a one-month mid-season break in preparation for THE 3Dimensional Services Next Dimension 100 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, August 17, for Round Seven of the 2014 Trans Am Championship.

	Team Falken's Justin Pawlak and Darren McNamara are in sixth and eighth position, respectively, in the overall championship.

Team Falken Departs Formula Drift's 'New Jersey Gauntlet' With Two Drivers in Top 10
Team Falken had a strong showing at New Jersey’s Wall Speedway for Round 4 of the 2014 Formula Drift series and maintains two drivers—Justin Pawlak and Darren McNamara in sixth and eighth position, respectively—in the overall championship.

It was also the strongest performance of the season for third Team Falken driver, Daijiro Yoshihara, who qualified fourth, and advanced to the top eight as did McNamara, who lost to eventual Gauntlet winner Fredric Aasbo. Team Falken will travel next to Monroe, Washington, for the “Throwdown,” when Formula D visits Evergreen Speedway, July 18–19.

Hawk Performance and CRP Racing Sweep the Weekend at Road America
Hawk Performance and the CRP Racing Team sweeps the Pirelli World Challenge weekend at Road America with Mike Skeen behind the wheel of the team’s Audi R8. Halfway through both Friday and Saturday races, Skeen made a move on the race-leading Cadillac, made the pass and never looked back as he raced toward the checkered flag.

	About 2,000 tons of salt were deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. The repairs demonstrate that it should be possible to repair and restore areas of the historic racing venue that have been depleted of salt.

An estimated 2,000 tons of salt were successfully deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was graded and then dried to a hard, concrete-like racing surface. Although modest in scope, the project demonstrates that it should be possible to deposit dry salt in targeted areas so as to help preserve our national treasure—the site where land-speed records have been set over the past 100 years.  

The project took place over several days in mid-June. It was organized by the Save the Salt Coalition, which is comprised of SEMA and a number of other organizations and companies within the land-speed racing community with a shared mission of restoring the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Coalition coordinated the project with the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Shelton Construction. Shelton deposited the salt over the mud—an area once covered by salt. The company has decades of experience working in and around Bonneville.

“The dry salt laydown project marks a milestone event as we celebrate a century of racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats,” said Doug Evans, chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition. “There has been a significant loss of salt in the area since the ’40s. While millions of tons of salt brine have been pumped back in recent years, a supplemental dry salt program will focus on targeted areas, such as the race tracks.”    

The Bonneville Salt Flats is a National Landmark and a geologic phenomenon of international significance. For motorsports enthusiasts worldwide, it is hallowed ground. From the first speed record attempts in 1914 and through the present day, hundreds of records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes.

“SEMA’s roots are firmly planted at Bonneville,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “SEMA’s founding companies produced performance equipment for many of the early trailblazers that set land-speed records on the fabled salt. These pioneers would adjust their equipment on the salt flats and then go back to the garage to create the next generation of speed equipment.”

“The Coalition is now eager to take the next step this summer by laying down a two-mile strip of salt the width of a race track,” said Ron Main with the Speed Demon team (the world’s fastest piston-driven vehicle).  “Pending BLM approval, the test project will confirm that we can repair areas where it’s needed and help preserve and protect our national treasure—the Bonneville Salt Flats—for our future generations.”  

The Coalition has been fundraising to pay for equipment and transportation costs associated with dry salt laydown projects. 

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

	About 2,000 tons of salt were deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. The repairs demonstrate that it should be possible to repair and restore areas of the historic racing venue that have been depleted of salt.

An estimated 2,000 tons of salt were successfully deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was graded and then dried to a hard, concrete-like racing surface. Although modest in scope, the project demonstrates that it should be possible to deposit dry salt in targeted areas so as to help preserve our national treasure—the site where land-speed records have been set over the past 100 years.  

The project took place over several days in mid-June. It was organized by the Save the Salt Coalition, which is comprised of SEMA and a number of other organizations and companies within the land-speed racing community with a shared mission of restoring the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Coalition coordinated the project with the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Shelton Construction. Shelton deposited the salt over the mud—an area once covered by salt. The company has decades of experience working in and around Bonneville.

“The dry salt laydown project marks a milestone event as we celebrate a century of racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats,” said Doug Evans, chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition. “There has been a significant loss of salt in the area since the ’40s. While millions of tons of salt brine have been pumped back in recent years, a supplemental dry salt program will focus on targeted areas, such as the race tracks.”    

The Bonneville Salt Flats is a National Landmark and a geologic phenomenon of international significance. For motorsports enthusiasts worldwide, it is hallowed ground. From the first speed record attempts in 1914 and through the present day, hundreds of records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes.

“SEMA’s roots are firmly planted at Bonneville,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “SEMA’s founding companies produced performance equipment for many of the early trailblazers that set land-speed records on the fabled salt. These pioneers would adjust their equipment on the salt flats and then go back to the garage to create the next generation of speed equipment.”

“The Coalition is now eager to take the next step this summer by laying down a two-mile strip of salt the width of a race track,” said Ron Main with the Speed Demon team (the world’s fastest piston-driven vehicle).  “Pending BLM approval, the test project will confirm that we can repair areas where it’s needed and help preserve and protect our national treasure—the Bonneville Salt Flats—for our future generations.”  

The Coalition has been fundraising to pay for equipment and transportation costs associated with dry salt laydown projects. 

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

	About 2,000 tons of salt were deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. The repairs demonstrate that it should be possible to repair and restore areas of the historic racing venue that have been depleted of salt.

An estimated 2,000 tons of salt were successfully deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was graded and then dried to a hard, concrete-like racing surface. Although modest in scope, the project demonstrates that it should be possible to deposit dry salt in targeted areas so as to help preserve our national treasure—the site where land-speed records have been set over the past 100 years.  

The project took place over several days in mid-June. It was organized by the Save the Salt Coalition, which is comprised of SEMA and a number of other organizations and companies within the land-speed racing community with a shared mission of restoring the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Coalition coordinated the project with the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Shelton Construction. Shelton deposited the salt over the mud—an area once covered by salt. The company has decades of experience working in and around Bonneville.

“The dry salt laydown project marks a milestone event as we celebrate a century of racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats,” said Doug Evans, chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition. “There has been a significant loss of salt in the area since the ’40s. While millions of tons of salt brine have been pumped back in recent years, a supplemental dry salt program will focus on targeted areas, such as the race tracks.”    

The Bonneville Salt Flats is a National Landmark and a geologic phenomenon of international significance. For motorsports enthusiasts worldwide, it is hallowed ground. From the first speed record attempts in 1914 and through the present day, hundreds of records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes.

“SEMA’s roots are firmly planted at Bonneville,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “SEMA’s founding companies produced performance equipment for many of the early trailblazers that set land-speed records on the fabled salt. These pioneers would adjust their equipment on the salt flats and then go back to the garage to create the next generation of speed equipment.”

“The Coalition is now eager to take the next step this summer by laying down a two-mile strip of salt the width of a race track,” said Ron Main with the Speed Demon team (the world’s fastest piston-driven vehicle).  “Pending BLM approval, the test project will confirm that we can repair areas where it’s needed and help preserve and protect our national treasure—the Bonneville Salt Flats—for our future generations.”  

The Coalition has been fundraising to pay for equipment and transportation costs associated with dry salt laydown projects. 

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

	About 2,000 tons of salt were deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. The repairs demonstrate that it should be possible to repair and restore areas of the historic racing venue that have been depleted of salt.

An estimated 2,000 tons of salt were successfully deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was graded and then dried to a hard, concrete-like racing surface. Although modest in scope, the project demonstrates that it should be possible to deposit dry salt in targeted areas so as to help preserve our national treasure—the site where land-speed records have been set over the past 100 years.  

The project took place over several days in mid-June. It was organized by the Save the Salt Coalition, which is comprised of SEMA and a number of other organizations and companies within the land-speed racing community with a shared mission of restoring the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Coalition coordinated the project with the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Shelton Construction. Shelton deposited the salt over the mud—an area once covered by salt. The company has decades of experience working in and around Bonneville.

“The dry salt laydown project marks a milestone event as we celebrate a century of racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats,” said Doug Evans, chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition. “There has been a significant loss of salt in the area since the ’40s. While millions of tons of salt brine have been pumped back in recent years, a supplemental dry salt program will focus on targeted areas, such as the race tracks.”    

The Bonneville Salt Flats is a National Landmark and a geologic phenomenon of international significance. For motorsports enthusiasts worldwide, it is hallowed ground. From the first speed record attempts in 1914 and through the present day, hundreds of records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes.

“SEMA’s roots are firmly planted at Bonneville,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “SEMA’s founding companies produced performance equipment for many of the early trailblazers that set land-speed records on the fabled salt. These pioneers would adjust their equipment on the salt flats and then go back to the garage to create the next generation of speed equipment.”

“The Coalition is now eager to take the next step this summer by laying down a two-mile strip of salt the width of a race track,” said Ron Main with the Speed Demon team (the world’s fastest piston-driven vehicle).  “Pending BLM approval, the test project will confirm that we can repair areas where it’s needed and help preserve and protect our national treasure—the Bonneville Salt Flats—for our future generations.”  

The Coalition has been fundraising to pay for equipment and transportation costs associated with dry salt laydown projects. 

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

All SEMA Manufacturer Members — The GM Measuring Session has been rescheduled for August 6, 2014, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (EDT) at the Warren Technical Facility in Warren, Michigan. For any questions or concerns, please contact Mike Spagnola at 909-978-6739 or e-mail MikeS@sema.org.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

On behalf of GM Fleet & Commercial Operations, General Motors Vehicle Engineering, and GM Accessories, GM Upfitter Integration would like to extend an invitation to you to “APPLY” to attend our Measuring Session for the ’15 Next Generation Midsize Pickup Trucks (Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon) and Chevrolet City Express Cargo Van at the Warren Technical Center, Warren, Michigan.

The SEMA & IBP session will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2014. Applications will be accepted and processed based on your business need and availability of data.

For your advance planning, the daily activities are as follows:

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Registration
• 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Introductions, Product Presentations, and Q&A
• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lunch
• 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Product walk around and measuring activities
• Meeting is expected to conclude by 3:00 PM

“Business casual” attire is requested. Attendance will be limited to the first 200 requests per advance registration, with only (2) persons per company allowed. A confirmation letter with a complete detailed package (maps, agenda, hotel recommendations, etc.) will be e-mailed upon receipt and approval of the application and confidentiality form.

All attendees are required by General Motors to sign the confidentiality statement on the attached application form. Please be aware that cameras, video cameras, tape recorders or recording devices of any kind are strictly prohibited inside the facility. This now includes all cell phones with camera capabilities. Due to the sensitive nature of this session, all attendees are required to provide photo identification at the registration desk. We appreciate your cooperation with our security policies. Please complete the form for each attendee using the link below, also please note applications must be received no later than Wednesday, July 23, 2014.

Thank You
The GM Upfitter Integration Team

All SEMA Manufacturer Members — The GM Measuring Session has been rescheduled for August 6, 2014, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (EDT) at the Warren Technical Facility in Warren, Michigan. For any questions or concerns, please contact Mike Spagnola at 909-978-6739 or e-mail MikeS@sema.org.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

On behalf of GM Fleet & Commercial Operations, General Motors Vehicle Engineering, and GM Accessories, GM Upfitter Integration would like to extend an invitation to you to “APPLY” to attend our Measuring Session for the ’15 Next Generation Midsize Pickup Trucks (Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon) and Chevrolet City Express Cargo Van at the Warren Technical Center, Warren, Michigan.

The SEMA & IBP session will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2014. Applications will be accepted and processed based on your business need and availability of data.

For your advance planning, the daily activities are as follows:

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Registration
• 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Introductions, Product Presentations, and Q&A
• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lunch
• 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Product walk around and measuring activities
• Meeting is expected to conclude by 3:00 PM

“Business casual” attire is requested. Attendance will be limited to the first 200 requests per advance registration, with only (2) persons per company allowed. A confirmation letter with a complete detailed package (maps, agenda, hotel recommendations, etc.) will be e-mailed upon receipt and approval of the application and confidentiality form.

All attendees are required by General Motors to sign the confidentiality statement on the attached application form. Please be aware that cameras, video cameras, tape recorders or recording devices of any kind are strictly prohibited inside the facility. This now includes all cell phones with camera capabilities. Due to the sensitive nature of this session, all attendees are required to provide photo identification at the registration desk. We appreciate your cooperation with our security policies. Please complete the form for each attendee using the link below, also please note applications must be received no later than Wednesday, July 23, 2014.

Thank You
The GM Upfitter Integration Team

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Roadwire’s new corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas, serves as the hub for the company’s global operations.

Roadwire Expands Into New World Headquarters

In a move designed to strategically realign the company’s executive and administrative operations, Roadwire Inc. has relocated its world headquarters to a state-of-the-art facility in Austin, Texas. According to Roadwire Inc. Vice President Dave Edmondson, the new, 20,000-sq.-ft. headquarters serves as the hub for the company’s global operations. The facility features expansive office space housing executive and administrative staff, including work stations, community work space and other amenities conducive to fostering creativity, teamwork and social interaction.

“We are excited by our move to new headquarters,” said Edmondson. “Roadwire Inc. and its subsidiaries—Roadwire Leather Interiors, Signature Sunroofs, Distinctive Industries and Classic Soft Trim—are experiencing significant growth. The employee-centric environment in our new facility provides an ideal work setting for our team of dedicated professionals, ensures that we will attract talented, high-caliber employees, and is integral to strategic positioning with our global facilities throughout the United States, and in Ensenada, Mexico, and Shanghai, China.”

	Ingersoll Rand donated a full suite of power tools to Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical School students at the first Ingersoll Rand Race Day, celebrating the racing program and power tool industry. Far left: John Evans, president of power tools at Ingersoll Rand; second from right: Chris Scheuerman, instructor at Hunterdon County Polytech.

Ingersoll Rand Donates Power Tools to Support Education

Ingersoll Rand donated a full suite of its vehicle service power tools, valued at approximately $10,000, as part of its first Ingersoll Rand Race Day. The donation, including the new W5330 Cordless Right Angle Impactool and the IQv12 Series of cordless tools, was made to Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical School, Tuesday, June 3, in Annandale, New Jersey.

The purpose of the Ingersoll Rand Race Day is to engage, excite and educate employees and customers about technical automotive industries and Ingersoll Rand tools with a focus on the Ingersoll Rand racing program. The event featured the Ingersoll Rand hauler used at NASCAR racing events with interactive product displays, such as a pit crew tire-changing challenge. Attendees were also able to meet NASCAR driver Will Kimmel and see the #69 Kimmel Racing Ford used at ARCA Series races. Among the attendees were employees, local officials, automotive technicians, mobile jobbers, industrial customers and students who use Ingersoll Rand tools as part of their training.

This donation is part of an existing Ingersoll Rand student program that donates tool packages and offers a discount to students registered in vocational and technical programs for high schools or colleges. It is designed to help propel the next generation of technicians into the industry. Ingersoll Rand expects additional Race Day events in Southern Pines, North Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Nashville, Tennessee, later in the year with more power tool donations to technical schools.

	Royal Purple will appear in this summer's "Transformers: Age of Extinction."

Royal Purple to Appear in “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and “Earth to Echo” This Summer

Royal Purple will kick off the summer with appearances in two of the season’s hottest movies, “Transformers: Age of Extinction” (opening June 27) and “Earth to Echo” (July 2). Royal Purple’s branding will make prominent appearances in both films utilizing its lines of premium synthetic products and featuring the Royal Purple logo on a variety of set pieces. For example, one of the movie trailers for "Earth to Echo” features a Royal Purple-branded semi-truck and trailer crashing and then reanimating itself.

“Our involvement with some of Hollywood’s biggest films allows us exposure to audiences previously unfamiliar with the Royal Purple brand,” said Royal Purple Marketing Director Randy Fisher. “We’ve found this to be an incredibly effective tactic for raising awareness of our brand and establishing familiarity among the pop-culture crowd.”

In addition to “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and “Earth to Echo,” Royal Purple will be featured in a number of other films throughout the remainder of the year.

By Linda Spencer

Buyers travel to the SEMA China program from throughout China. Above is a chart of the locations of buyers attending the 2013 event.

Each exhibiting company will be provided a booth at each venue. Slots are limited, register now at 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour.

Performance and off-road products figure prominently in the type of products Chinese wholesalers and retailers want to source from U.S. companies, according to early buyer registration for the upcoming 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour.

SEMA members can connect with Chinese companies through face-to-face meetings with distributors at venues in both Beijing and Shanghai on 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour.

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 and subsidize the participation of U.S. specialty-equipment companies at the SEMA China Business Development Tour. Firms that certify the products promoted at the SEMA China Business Development Tour contain a minimum of 51% U.S. content may be eligible for a $1,250 grant per company and an additional $250 grant for each additional person from the same company.

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

Buyers travel to the SEMA China program from throughout China. Above is a chart of the locations of buyers attending the 2013 event.

Each exhibiting company will be provided a booth at each venue. Slots are limited, register now at 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour.

Performance and off-road products figure prominently in the type of products Chinese wholesalers and retailers want to source from U.S. companies, according to early buyer registration for the upcoming 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour.

SEMA members can connect with Chinese companies through face-to-face meetings with distributors at venues in both Beijing and Shanghai on 2014 SEMA China Business Development Tour.

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 and subsidize the participation of U.S. specialty-equipment companies at the SEMA China Business Development Tour. Firms that certify the products promoted at the SEMA China Business Development Tour contain a minimum of 51% U.S. content may be eligible for a $1,250 grant per company and an additional $250 grant for each additional person from the same company.

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.