NHRA News

K&N CHALLENGE FIELDS SET FOR BONUS CASH AND BRAGGING RIGHTS IN LAS VEGAS: Allen Johnson will lead the K&N Horsepower Challenge field as the No. 1 seed for the second time in his career as the special event takes center stage March 29 during the 15th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A $50,000 prize is on the table for the winner with a total purse of $76,000 for the eight drivers competing in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. For more on the story, visit www.NHRA.com.

MIRAMONTE RECORDS NAMED TITLE SPONSOR FOR NHRA PRO BIKE BATTLE: MiraMonte Records, the official record label of country music songwriter and entertainer Danny Griego, has signed a multiyear agreement to become the title sponsor for a race-within-a-race bonus program for Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The MiraMonte Records NHRA Pro Bike Battle will be contested as a special bonus event during the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, July 26, with television coverage provided by ESPN2. For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

KALITTA, HIGHT, A. JOHNSON, S. JOHNSON TAKE HOME WINS AT AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS: Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta raced to his first victory of the season last Sunday at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at historic Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville. Robert Hight (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

NHRA ANNOUNCES YOUTH RACING: Pop culture observers who think young people’s interest in cars is somehow waning seem to have difficulty explaining a growing interest in motorsports among America’s youth. In fact, to help meet the demand for teenagers wanting to drive fast, the NHRA has announced a new racing program for 13–16-year-olds that combines racing and car safety. NHRA Youth Racing will give teenage boys and girls the opportunity to race against their peers in full-bodied street vehicles with an adult co-driver as their teammate. For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"The last time I was the points leader, I put a No. 1 on the trailer. Our trailers are 12-ft. high so I put a 12-ft. high No. 1 on the back of my trailer and went to the next race. Just to have fun with it. I actually got to have it on there until I lost the points lead after the third race. I might do that this time."

—Steve Johnson on holding the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead and breaking an 86-race winless streak with his victory at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Johnson last led the points for the two-wheeled category after his season-opening Gainesville win in 2005.

Inside the Numbers

30: Number of Funny Car wins Robert Hight has in his 10-year Funny Car career. This number ties him for sixth place with legend Kenny Bernstein for all-time wins in the Funny Car class. The 2009 Funny Car world champion trails Cruz Pedregon by four wins to move into a tie for fifth place. The win also gives him at least one win in each of his 10 years in the category. His most wins came in 2011 when he recorded five wins during the 22-race season.

Did You Know

NHRA ENTERS YEARLONG "FRESH FROM FLORIDA" MARKETING CAMPAIGN: The NHRA announced that it has partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to participate in its “Fresh From Florida” marketing and advertising campaign. The “Fresh From Florida” campaign is focused on building awareness and sales of fresh produce, seafood, and other Florida products. For more on this story visit www.NHRA.com.

View the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

NHRA News

K&N CHALLENGE FIELDS SET FOR BONUS CASH AND BRAGGING RIGHTS IN LAS VEGAS: Allen Johnson will lead the K&N Horsepower Challenge field as the No. 1 seed for the second time in his career as the special event takes center stage March 29 during the 15th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A $50,000 prize is on the table for the winner with a total purse of $76,000 for the eight drivers competing in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. For more on the story, visit www.NHRA.com.

MIRAMONTE RECORDS NAMED TITLE SPONSOR FOR NHRA PRO BIKE BATTLE: MiraMonte Records, the official record label of country music songwriter and entertainer Danny Griego, has signed a multiyear agreement to become the title sponsor for a race-within-a-race bonus program for Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The MiraMonte Records NHRA Pro Bike Battle will be contested as a special bonus event during the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, July 26, with television coverage provided by ESPN2. For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

KALITTA, HIGHT, A. JOHNSON, S. JOHNSON TAKE HOME WINS AT AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS: Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta raced to his first victory of the season last Sunday at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at historic Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville. Robert Hight (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

NHRA ANNOUNCES YOUTH RACING: Pop culture observers who think young people’s interest in cars is somehow waning seem to have difficulty explaining a growing interest in motorsports among America’s youth. In fact, to help meet the demand for teenagers wanting to drive fast, the NHRA has announced a new racing program for 13–16-year-olds that combines racing and car safety. NHRA Youth Racing will give teenage boys and girls the opportunity to race against their peers in full-bodied street vehicles with an adult co-driver as their teammate. For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"The last time I was the points leader, I put a No. 1 on the trailer. Our trailers are 12-ft. high so I put a 12-ft. high No. 1 on the back of my trailer and went to the next race. Just to have fun with it. I actually got to have it on there until I lost the points lead after the third race. I might do that this time."

—Steve Johnson on holding the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead and breaking an 86-race winless streak with his victory at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Johnson last led the points for the two-wheeled category after his season-opening Gainesville win in 2005.

Inside the Numbers

30: Number of Funny Car wins Robert Hight has in his 10-year Funny Car career. This number ties him for sixth place with legend Kenny Bernstein for all-time wins in the Funny Car class. The 2009 Funny Car world champion trails Cruz Pedregon by four wins to move into a tie for fifth place. The win also gives him at least one win in each of his 10 years in the category. His most wins came in 2011 when he recorded five wins during the 22-race season.

Did You Know

NHRA ENTERS YEARLONG "FRESH FROM FLORIDA" MARKETING CAMPAIGN: The NHRA announced that it has partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to participate in its “Fresh From Florida” marketing and advertising campaign. The “Fresh From Florida” campaign is focused on building awareness and sales of fresh produce, seafood, and other Florida products. For more on this story visit www.NHRA.com.

View the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Five pro-hobby bills introduced in West Virginia in 2014 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

Several pro-hobby bills introduced in West Virginia in 2014 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

• Legislation (H.B. 2443) to provide owners of antique motor vehicles with an exemption from all taxation and fees was approved by the House Roads and Transportation Committee and referred to the Judiciary Committee where it did not receive committee consideration before the session concluded.

• Based on SEMA-model legislation, a bill (H.B. 2127) that would have allowed West Virginia’s vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit was not given committee consideration.

• Legislation (H.B. 4233) to provide that a motor vehicle that has been started by use of a remote starter when the vehicle is locked is not an “unattended vehicle” and not in violation of the law was approved by the House Roads and Transportation Committee, but died in the Judiciary Committee.

• Legislation (H.B. 4265) to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the special plates temporarily between the collector motor vehicles owned by the collector was not given committee consideration.

• Legislation (S.B. 222) to exempt motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, trucks and tractors that are older than 25 years from personal property taxes was not given committee consideration.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Five pro-hobby bills introduced in West Virginia in 2014 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

Several pro-hobby bills introduced in West Virginia in 2014 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

• Legislation (H.B. 2443) to provide owners of antique motor vehicles with an exemption from all taxation and fees was approved by the House Roads and Transportation Committee and referred to the Judiciary Committee where it did not receive committee consideration before the session concluded.

• Based on SEMA-model legislation, a bill (H.B. 2127) that would have allowed West Virginia’s vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit was not given committee consideration.

• Legislation (H.B. 4233) to provide that a motor vehicle that has been started by use of a remote starter when the vehicle is locked is not an “unattended vehicle” and not in violation of the law was approved by the House Roads and Transportation Committee, but died in the Judiciary Committee.

• Legislation (H.B. 4265) to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the special plates temporarily between the collector motor vehicles owned by the collector was not given committee consideration.

• Legislation (S.B. 222) to exempt motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, trucks and tractors that are older than 25 years from personal property taxes was not given committee consideration.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Five pro-hobby bills introduced in West Virginia in 2014 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

Several pro-hobby bills introduced in West Virginia in 2014 failed to be approved by both houses of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

• Legislation (H.B. 2443) to provide owners of antique motor vehicles with an exemption from all taxation and fees was approved by the House Roads and Transportation Committee and referred to the Judiciary Committee where it did not receive committee consideration before the session concluded.

• Based on SEMA-model legislation, a bill (H.B. 2127) that would have allowed West Virginia’s vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit was not given committee consideration.

• Legislation (H.B. 4233) to provide that a motor vehicle that has been started by use of a remote starter when the vehicle is locked is not an “unattended vehicle” and not in violation of the law was approved by the House Roads and Transportation Committee, but died in the Judiciary Committee.

• Legislation (H.B. 4265) to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the special plates temporarily between the collector motor vehicles owned by the collector was not given committee consideration.

• Legislation (S.B. 222) to exempt motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, trucks and tractors that are older than 25 years from personal property taxes was not given committee consideration.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

	Legislation in the Washington State House of Representatives to require the issuance of only a single license plate for vehicles that do not include a front mounting bracket died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation (H.B. 2362) in the Washington State House of Representatives to require the issuance of only a single license plate for vehicles that do not include a front mounting bracket died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill had received no committee consideration prior to adjournment. The bill would have required that owners issued one plate pay all applicable fees as if the vehicle had been issued two plates. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

	Legislation in the Washington State House of Representatives to require the issuance of only a single license plate for vehicles that do not include a front mounting bracket died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation (H.B. 2362) in the Washington State House of Representatives to require the issuance of only a single license plate for vehicles that do not include a front mounting bracket died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill had received no committee consideration prior to adjournment. The bill would have required that owners issued one plate pay all applicable fees as if the vehicle had been issued two plates. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

	Legislation in the Washington State House of Representatives to require the issuance of only a single license plate for vehicles that do not include a front mounting bracket died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation (H.B. 2362) in the Washington State House of Representatives to require the issuance of only a single license plate for vehicles that do not include a front mounting bracket died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill had received no committee consideration prior to adjournment. The bill would have required that owners issued one plate pay all applicable fees as if the vehicle had been issued two plates. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Hampshire House Science, Technology and Energy Committee approved legislation to prohibit a person from selling or offering for sale gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10%.

Legislation (H.B. 1220) to prohibit a person from selling or offering for sale gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10% was amended and approved by the New Hampshire House Science, Technology and Energy Committee. Under the amendment, the bill would take effect only if any two additional New England states adopt similar legislation limiting the amount of corn-based ethanol in gasoline to 10%.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The New Hampshire House Science, Technology and Energy Committee approved legislation to prohibit a person from selling or offering for sale gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10%.

Legislation (H.B. 1220) to prohibit a person from selling or offering for sale gasoline that contains corn-based ethanol as an additive at a level greater than 10% was amended and approved by the New Hampshire House Science, Technology and Energy Committee. Under the amendment, the bill would take effect only if any two additional New England states adopt similar legislation limiting the amount of corn-based ethanol in gasoline to 10%.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.