By Della Domingo

	Larry Edsall

Get tips on how to work with reporters at the SEMA Show as veteran journalist Larry Edsall hosts the SEMA webinar on "Getting Media Coverage at the SEMA Show," June 12, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

As a freelance contributor to a variety of publications, including the Detroit News “Drive” section and The New York Times “Wheels” section, Edsall will share what catches his eye at the SEMA Show and how exhibitors can be featured in a future story.

Recent articles written by Edsall include:

• Soup it Up: Pickup Primed to Plow Through Winter
• Film Product Protects Car's Paint and Gives Matte-Finished Look at the Same Time
• Speedy Mower Literally Cuts to the Chase
• Mi-T Grip Mount Secures GPS, Smartphones Easily in Cars

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Tokico Performance Brand Formally Relaunched in North America

Motovicity Distribution has formally relaunched the Tokico brand in North America, after an 18-month hiatus of product shipments. Motovicity signed an exclusive distributor agreement with Hitachi Automotive Systems America Inc. in November 2013, and immediately began the process of restoring the product pipeline. Since taking over distribution, Motovicity has restored inventory levels and is currently setting up wholesale distributors in the United States and Canada for the shock and strut manufacturer. Motovicity Brand Manager Scott Cole reports that filling backorders is underway, with the majority of the Tokico product catalog available for distribution. Inventory is now available for popular applications, including Ford Mustang, Honda, Nissan and Mazda. Motovicity is also providing marketing and advertising support for Tokico in the form of national print advertising and a booth at the 2014 SEMA Show.

With Phase 1 of their mission to restore the Tokico brand nearly complete, Motovicity’s exclusive brand management department, (which oversees HKS, Quaife and Kelford North American wholesale distribution), is currently signing-up wholesale distributors and dealers for Tokico.

Direct Lift Helps MustangMedic Restoration Projects

	The MustangMedic restoration show received a 9,000-lb. capacity Direct Lift DL9 two-post lift in May.

Direct Lift is helping the MustangMedic restoration show boost productivity by providing the shop with its first vehicle lift. The show received its 9,000-lb. capacity Direct Lift DL9 two-post lift in May. The company has restored Mustangs and posted more than 4,000 YouTube videos documenting each project, and can now perform work under the car with the vehicle in the air.

At MustangMedic, each element of the restoration process is filmed from day one until the vehicle is sold. All videos are posted to YouTube, so clients can follow along as their Mustangs are brought back to life. MustangMedic’s videos have more than 3 million views, and there are more than 7,000 subscribers to the growing channel. Each project car has its own playlist, so viewers can watch all of its videos back-to-back. To become a subscriber, visit www.youtube.com/user/MustangMedicdotcom or www.mustangmedic.com.

The DL9 two-post lift provided by Direct Lift features asymmetric arms that provide better access to manufacturer-recommended pickup points. The arms position the vehicle toward the rear of the repair bay, so technicians can easily enter and exit the vehicle without worrying about dinging doors on the lift columns.

Jon Holder Joins K&N Executive Team as Chief Sales Officer

Jon Holder has joined K&N’s executive team as chief sales officer. Holder was most recently the senior VP of sales and business development for MagnaFlow/Car Sound Inc., where he was responsible for all global sales activities.

The company began a formal search for this position in January 2014, when Tim Martin was promoted to chief operations officer and relinquished his oversight of sales in order to focus on his new position. Other members of the K&N management team include Steve Williams, chief engineering officer; Jesse Spungin, chief marketing officer; Doug Hood, chief financial officer; and Jean Franks, vice president of administration.

Tomo Mizutani to Head Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.

Tomo Mizutani

Effective July 1, 2014,  will become president of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (TTC), headquartered in Cypress, California. TTC is the U.S. sales-subsidiary for the Toyo Tires brand of premium replacement tires for light truck, passenger car, SUV and commercial truck tires sold globally. Mizutani currently serves as president of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. (TTHA), also headquartered in Cypress.

A corporate officer of Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. (TTR), Mizutani will retain his current position at TTHA and his role as general manager of TTR’s Nitto business unit. Prior to his appointment as president of TTHA in October of 2013, Mizutani served as president of Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. (NTU).

Outgoing TTC president, Tatsuo Mitsuhata, will take his leadership and expertise to Toyo Tire Europe as general manager of the company’s European business unit. He will also serve as president of Toyo Tire Europe GmbH and president of Toyo Tire Deutschland GmbH. Mitsuhata has led Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. for two-and-a-half years.

Quantum Automotive Announces Promotion of Tim Watts as the President of Superlift Suspension

	Tim Watts

Quantum Automotive announced that Tim Watts has been promoted to president of Superlift Suspension, reporting to CEO Bob Crockett. Watts will have total oversight, including strategic direction and expansion for Superlift Suspension.

“I am thrilled, as we all are at Quantum Automotive, to offer Tim this position.” said Crockett. “He shares our vision, values and focus on innovation and places the same strong emphasis as we do on creating valuable growth and a positive customer experience. He has shown himself to be an extraordinary leader throughout his career and has a proven track record as an executive at Superlift and as a member of the SEMA Board of Directors.”

Watts will assume the role of president immediately vacating his former position of vice president of sales and marketing for Superlift. The role of vice president of sales and marketing will be evaluated as Superlift Suspension looks to grow the management team.

Walker Emissions Control Launches "Exhaust Extravaganza" Promotion for Counter Pros

Tenneco’s Walker Emissions Control brand has launched a new counterperson promotion to encourage the sales of premium Walker mufflers and welded assemblies, Walker Ultra and CalCat direct-fit catalytic converters. The new “Exhaust Extravaganza” promotion, running now through August 31, offers a $5 prepaid card for every qualifying Walker product sale. Participants can now look up qualifying parts at www.WalkerExhaust.com/qualify to quickly determine parts that are eligible for the current trade promotion.

By SEMA Editors

Elections for SEMA's council and network Select Committees are underway, and voting will remain open until 5:00 p.m. (PDT), Friday, June 13.

SEMA has collaborated with Association Voting to facilitate the election process. Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail containing the online ballot information from announcement@associationvoting.com, May 30, 2014.

Each Select Committee works together with the general membership to develop programs, services and benefits that support the vision of the group. These volunteers also work with the association's leadership to provide strategic direction for the market they represent. Committee members serve two-year terms (three terms maximum) and act as individuals, not as company representatives.

Election winners will be announced mid-June, with the individuals beginning their terms July 1, 2014.

Questions? Contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

Elections for SEMA's council and network Select Committees are underway, and voting will remain open until 5:00 p.m. (PDT), Friday, June 13.

SEMA has collaborated with Association Voting to facilitate the election process. Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail containing the online ballot information from announcement@associationvoting.com, May 30, 2014.

Each Select Committee works together with the general membership to develop programs, services and benefits that support the vision of the group. These volunteers also work with the association's leadership to provide strategic direction for the market they represent. Committee members serve two-year terms (three terms maximum) and act as individuals, not as company representatives.

Election winners will be announced mid-June, with the individuals beginning their terms July 1, 2014.

Questions? Contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

	Exhibitors can reach more buyers through the pre-Show outreach opportunities available in the SEMA Show Daily by posting press releases to the SEMA Show Online Media Center by July 30.

While buyers at the SEMA Show often stop at booths that catch their eyes, 70% of buyers arrive at the SEMA Show with a plan and a list of exhibitors that they want to see.

One way exhibitors can get on a buyer’s list is to communicate their Show-related activities in the SEMA Show Daily. The official publication of the SEMA Show, the SEMA Show Daily is a printed magazine comprised of four issues. The first issue is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers about 30 days prior to the Show, while the other three are distributed onsite to Showgoers during the event.

Because the first issue is sent to buyers in advance of the Show, buyers refer to it when making their Show plans.

To have your news considered for the first issue of the publication:

• Post your press release on the SEMA Show Online Media Center.
• Post your release before July 30.

For maximum exposure, exhibitors may continue to post new releases before, during and after the SEMA Show. Journalists from throughout the world will continue to look to the Online Media Center for news. Separate releases may be submitted to promote products, vehicles, and celebrity appearances.

To read news from exhibitors, visit www.SEMAShow.com/press.

By SEMA Editors

	Exhibitors can reach more buyers through the pre-Show outreach opportunities available in the SEMA Show Daily by posting press releases to the SEMA Show Online Media Center by July 30.

While buyers at the SEMA Show often stop at booths that catch their eyes, 70% of buyers arrive at the SEMA Show with a plan and a list of exhibitors that they want to see.

One way exhibitors can get on a buyer’s list is to communicate their Show-related activities in the SEMA Show Daily. The official publication of the SEMA Show, the SEMA Show Daily is a printed magazine comprised of four issues. The first issue is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers about 30 days prior to the Show, while the other three are distributed onsite to Showgoers during the event.

Because the first issue is sent to buyers in advance of the Show, buyers refer to it when making their Show plans.

To have your news considered for the first issue of the publication:

• Post your press release on the SEMA Show Online Media Center.
• Post your release before July 30.

For maximum exposure, exhibitors may continue to post new releases before, during and after the SEMA Show. Journalists from throughout the world will continue to look to the Online Media Center for news. Separate releases may be submitted to promote products, vehicles, and celebrity appearances.

To read news from exhibitors, visit www.SEMAShow.com/press.

By SEMA Editors

	Exhibitors can reach more buyers through the pre-Show outreach opportunities available in the SEMA Show Daily by posting press releases to the SEMA Show Online Media Center by July 30.

While buyers at the SEMA Show often stop at booths that catch their eyes, 70% of buyers arrive at the SEMA Show with a plan and a list of exhibitors that they want to see.

One way exhibitors can get on a buyer’s list is to communicate their Show-related activities in the SEMA Show Daily. The official publication of the SEMA Show, the SEMA Show Daily is a printed magazine comprised of four issues. The first issue is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers about 30 days prior to the Show, while the other three are distributed onsite to Showgoers during the event.

Because the first issue is sent to buyers in advance of the Show, buyers refer to it when making their Show plans.

To have your news considered for the first issue of the publication:

• Post your press release on the SEMA Show Online Media Center.
• Post your release before July 30.

For maximum exposure, exhibitors may continue to post new releases before, during and after the SEMA Show. Journalists from throughout the world will continue to look to the Online Media Center for news. Separate releases may be submitted to promote products, vehicles, and celebrity appearances.

To read news from exhibitors, visit www.SEMAShow.com/press.

By SEMA Editors

"Speedy" Bill Smith

The performance automotive community lost a pioneering racer, hot rodder and entrepreneur when SEMA Hall of Famer “Speedy” Bill Smith, founder and owner of Speedway Motors, died May 30 at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska, just weeks before his 85th birthday.

A Lincoln native, Smith got hooked on cars early in life and began buying, fixing and selling Model Ts for profit as a teen. Soon after he was racing—first motorcycles, then cars—while attending classes at Nebraska Wesleyan University. After earning a degree in education, Smith followed his automotive passion and opened Speedway Motors in 1952, aided by a $300 loan from his wife Joyce.

A combination of passion, tenacity and innovation allowed Smith to grow a small 20x20 storefront into a flourishing mail-order business and manufacturing empire. During its 62 years in business, Speedway Motors has grown to become one of the largest manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the performance aftermarket. Working side-by-side with his wife and all four sons, Smith built what is recognized as "America’s Oldest Speed Shop."

Smith’s countless contributions to rodding and racing have been recognized by dozens of organizations, with Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement honors coming from the likes of SEMA, NSRA, Goodguys, IMCA and USAC. He actively supported organizations and sanctioning bodies that shared his mission to make rodding and racing safe, fun and affordable.

Fiercely competitive, Smith fielded hundreds of race cars through the decades, ranging from dragsters and NASCAR stockers to modifieds and sprints. Tiny Lund, Johnny Beauchamp, Bob Burdick, Lloyd Beckman, Jan Opperman and Doug Wolfgang are just a few of the 98 different drivers Smith employed. His most memorable racing successes include Opperman’s victory at the 1976 Hulman Classic and Wolfgang winning the 1978 Knoxville Nationals.

A desire to preserve racing history led Smith, Joyce and their sons to establish the Museum of American Speed in 1992. This world-class collection of racing engines, cars and automotive artifacts has allowed the Smith family to give back to the automotive community and share their profound love of racing and rodding with future generations.

Anyone who would like to share thoughts, memories and condolences are invited to send them via e-mail to forBill@SpeedwayMotors.com.