One of the newest benefits available to SEMA manufacturing members is the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center located adjacent to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. For more than two months, construction has been underway on the newest addition to the SEMA Garage—a state-of-the-art media cove.

As the project nears completion, SEMA Vice President of OEM and Product Development Programs Mike Spagnola spoke with SEMA News about the significance of the new facility.

In addition to the cove, the SEMA Garage provides other services and tools designed for product development, fitment, research and more. In fact, the SEMA Garage serves as the main location for most of SEMA’s Measuring Sessions—granting manufacturers access to upcoming vehicles, most often, before they hit dealerships. With SEMA's custom scanning service and Tech Transfer program, the entire product development process is now more affordable, and more efficient than ever.

Last October, SEMA eNews Senior Editor Jason Catullo published this SEMA Garage article covering some of the exciting projects taking place at the newly repurposed facility.

For more information about the SEMA Garage-Industry Innovations Center, including upcoming events and availability, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Cody Robinson and Roberto Romo, in the No. 1016 Robinson Farms/Romo Race Prep Class 10 Buggy, were crowned Class 10 victors for Radar Tires.

Robinson Romo Racing Wins San Felipe Class 10
In their first SCORE International San Felipe 250 Class 10 attempt, Cody Robinson and Roberto Romo, three-time San Felipe 1600 Class winners, were crowned Class 10 victors for Radar Tires. The Robinson/Romo race win marks back-to-back podium finishes for Radar Tires at the San Felipe event and a second SCORE Class 10 victory for the Singapore-based tire firm. In the No. 1016 Robinson Farms/Romo Race Prep Class 10 Buggy, the Robinson/Romo driving duo completed the shortened 219-mile event in 4:08:24—0.17 seconds ahead of the next Class 10 racer.

Now in its second season of SCORE International competition, Radar Tires—the flagship brand of Omni United—will be used by two full-time SCORE teams in 2014. In addition to SCORE, Radar Tires are also competing in the full season of The Off Road Championship (TORC) and a partial season Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS). Next up for Radar Tires in SCORE International competition is the Imperial Valley 250. The 249-mile event takes place in Plaster City, California, April 25–27.

Yokohama Tire Corp. has signed an agreement to be the exclusive tire supplier of the Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) series.

Yokohama Tire Corp. Named Exclusive Tire Supplier for Red Bull Global Rallycross
Yokohama Tire Corp. is expanding its 2014 motorsports program to new arenas. The tire maker has announced it has signed an agreement to be the exclusive tire supplier of the Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) series. Red Bull GRC combines the best elements of circuit racing, off-road racing, and rally competition. The series features heavily modified 600hp production-based cars built for fast-paced heat races with huge jumps—some up to 70 ft. The tracks are a combination of dirt and asphalt with multiple obstacles and surface transitions. Top drivers in the series include Tanner Foust, Scott Speed, Bucky Lasek, Travis Pastrana and Nelson Piquet Jr. All competitors will race on specially designed Yokohama ADVAN race tires. The 10-race series starts May 17–18 in Barbados and ends November 5 in Las Vegas. GRC details are available at www.global-rallycross.com.

Formula DRIFT Announces the Return of All Four Major Tire Partners and Three Tire Suppliers
Formula DRIFT has announced the return of all four major tire partners: Achilles, Falken, Hankook and Nitto, and returning tire suppliers: Kenda, Maxxis and Yokohama. In addition, GT Radial signs on as a new Tire Supplier for the 2014 season. Formula DRIFT continues to be the proving grounds for tire manufacturers. The extreme conditions created through competitive drifting pushes the limits of the drivers, cars and the tires creating the ultimate performance test for the brands. Current returning tire partners include: Falken Tire (11th season), Hankook Tire (current tire manufacturer champion, eighth season), Nitto Tire (ninth season), Achilles (third season), Yokohama (third season), Maxxis Tire (third season) and Kenda (fifth season). Driving for GT Radial will be back-to-back feeder series champion Tyler Wolfson. The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will begin with Round 1: Streets of Long Beach, April 4–5.

	World Racing Group (WRG) has expanded approval of Fluidampr performance crankshaft dampers to the DIRTcar 358 Modified division.

World Racing Group Expands Approval of Fluidampr Performance Dampers
Fluidampr has announced that World Racing Group (WRG) has expanded approval of its performance crankshaft dampers to the DIRTcar 358 Modified division. Effective in 2014, teams now have the option to compete with an appropriate Fluidampr, part numbers 620101, 720101 or 62260D. World Racing Group-owned divisions that permit Fluidampr performance dampers in open engine configurations include: World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars
, World of Outlaws Late Model
, Super DIRTcar
, DIRTcar 358 Modifieds
, UMP DIRTcar Late-Model
 and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds. In 2014, Fluidampr looks to further support grass-roots dirt-track racing through sponsoring the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals series this summer and NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLIII in October.

Longtime DSR Assistant John Collins Promoted to Crew Chief for Tommy Johnson Jr.'s Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T
John Collins, in his seventh season with Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and fifth as an assistant crew chief to Rahn Tobler, has been promoted to crew chief for DSR's Make-A-Wish team with driver Tommy Johnson Jr. Collins has worked with Tobler the past five seasons, including the last two as the assistant crew chief on the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge team. Replacing Collins on the NAPA team will be Eric Lane, who has been with John Force Racing since 2001. Lane most recently was the assistant crew chief on the Top Fuel dragster driven by Brittany Force, who advanced to her first Top Fuel championship round February 23 near Phoenix where she lost to DSR's Antron Brown and the Matco Tools team.

Jones to Debut FOX 40-Year Paint Scheme at Mint 400
As the the Mint 400 quickly approaches, FOX is preparing to debut its 40-year anniversary paint scheme on the #76 Trophy Truck of Jesse Jones. FOX and Jones hit the Nevada desert last year in the 2013 Mint 400, and will do so again this year starting March 12. Jones and Menzies Motorsports will campaign Jones' truck along with Bryce Menzies and, new to the Mint 400, Travis Pastrana. Pastrana will get behind the wheel of Jones' backup truck for the race. Along with the BITD Mint 400, Jones will also race the BITD Vegas to Reno, SCORE Baja 500 and SCORE Baja 1000.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Cody Robinson and Roberto Romo, in the No. 1016 Robinson Farms/Romo Race Prep Class 10 Buggy, were crowned Class 10 victors for Radar Tires.

Robinson Romo Racing Wins San Felipe Class 10
In their first SCORE International San Felipe 250 Class 10 attempt, Cody Robinson and Roberto Romo, three-time San Felipe 1600 Class winners, were crowned Class 10 victors for Radar Tires. The Robinson/Romo race win marks back-to-back podium finishes for Radar Tires at the San Felipe event and a second SCORE Class 10 victory for the Singapore-based tire firm. In the No. 1016 Robinson Farms/Romo Race Prep Class 10 Buggy, the Robinson/Romo driving duo completed the shortened 219-mile event in 4:08:24—0.17 seconds ahead of the next Class 10 racer.

Now in its second season of SCORE International competition, Radar Tires—the flagship brand of Omni United—will be used by two full-time SCORE teams in 2014. In addition to SCORE, Radar Tires are also competing in the full season of The Off Road Championship (TORC) and a partial season Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS). Next up for Radar Tires in SCORE International competition is the Imperial Valley 250. The 249-mile event takes place in Plaster City, California, April 25–27.

Yokohama Tire Corp. has signed an agreement to be the exclusive tire supplier of the Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) series.

Yokohama Tire Corp. Named Exclusive Tire Supplier for Red Bull Global Rallycross
Yokohama Tire Corp. is expanding its 2014 motorsports program to new arenas. The tire maker has announced it has signed an agreement to be the exclusive tire supplier of the Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) series. Red Bull GRC combines the best elements of circuit racing, off-road racing, and rally competition. The series features heavily modified 600hp production-based cars built for fast-paced heat races with huge jumps—some up to 70 ft. The tracks are a combination of dirt and asphalt with multiple obstacles and surface transitions. Top drivers in the series include Tanner Foust, Scott Speed, Bucky Lasek, Travis Pastrana and Nelson Piquet Jr. All competitors will race on specially designed Yokohama ADVAN race tires. The 10-race series starts May 17–18 in Barbados and ends November 5 in Las Vegas. GRC details are available at www.global-rallycross.com.

Formula DRIFT Announces the Return of All Four Major Tire Partners and Three Tire Suppliers
Formula DRIFT has announced the return of all four major tire partners: Achilles, Falken, Hankook and Nitto, and returning tire suppliers: Kenda, Maxxis and Yokohama. In addition, GT Radial signs on as a new Tire Supplier for the 2014 season. Formula DRIFT continues to be the proving grounds for tire manufacturers. The extreme conditions created through competitive drifting pushes the limits of the drivers, cars and the tires creating the ultimate performance test for the brands. Current returning tire partners include: Falken Tire (11th season), Hankook Tire (current tire manufacturer champion, eighth season), Nitto Tire (ninth season), Achilles (third season), Yokohama (third season), Maxxis Tire (third season) and Kenda (fifth season). Driving for GT Radial will be back-to-back feeder series champion Tyler Wolfson. The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will begin with Round 1: Streets of Long Beach, April 4–5.

	World Racing Group (WRG) has expanded approval of Fluidampr performance crankshaft dampers to the DIRTcar 358 Modified division.

World Racing Group Expands Approval of Fluidampr Performance Dampers
Fluidampr has announced that World Racing Group (WRG) has expanded approval of its performance crankshaft dampers to the DIRTcar 358 Modified division. Effective in 2014, teams now have the option to compete with an appropriate Fluidampr, part numbers 620101, 720101 or 62260D. World Racing Group-owned divisions that permit Fluidampr performance dampers in open engine configurations include: World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars
, World of Outlaws Late Model
, Super DIRTcar
, DIRTcar 358 Modifieds
, UMP DIRTcar Late-Model
 and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds. In 2014, Fluidampr looks to further support grass-roots dirt-track racing through sponsoring the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals series this summer and NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLIII in October.

Longtime DSR Assistant John Collins Promoted to Crew Chief for Tommy Johnson Jr.'s Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T
John Collins, in his seventh season with Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and fifth as an assistant crew chief to Rahn Tobler, has been promoted to crew chief for DSR's Make-A-Wish team with driver Tommy Johnson Jr. Collins has worked with Tobler the past five seasons, including the last two as the assistant crew chief on the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge team. Replacing Collins on the NAPA team will be Eric Lane, who has been with John Force Racing since 2001. Lane most recently was the assistant crew chief on the Top Fuel dragster driven by Brittany Force, who advanced to her first Top Fuel championship round February 23 near Phoenix where she lost to DSR's Antron Brown and the Matco Tools team.

Jones to Debut FOX 40-Year Paint Scheme at Mint 400
As the the Mint 400 quickly approaches, FOX is preparing to debut its 40-year anniversary paint scheme on the #76 Trophy Truck of Jesse Jones. FOX and Jones hit the Nevada desert last year in the 2013 Mint 400, and will do so again this year starting March 12. Jones and Menzies Motorsports will campaign Jones' truck along with Bryce Menzies and, new to the Mint 400, Travis Pastrana. Pastrana will get behind the wheel of Jones' backup truck for the race. Along with the BITD Mint 400, Jones will also race the BITD Vegas to Reno, SCORE Baja 500 and SCORE Baja 1000.

By Zane Clark

	Jim Graven

Are you ready for the selling season? Would you like to boost your profits and expand your market reach? Standards compliant data is easily sharable, and the time to start is now! Led by Jim Graven, SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) director of membership, webinar participants will learn how the SDC program works through a presentation and live demonstration of their system. Then subscribe to the SDC to sell more parts!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the SDC helps suppliers and receivers sell more parts.
• Use the online user interface and take a tour of SDC features and functionality.
• Learn how to upload new products, update current products and validate product data to industry standards.
• Learn how to schedule downloads, review current member listings and manage data feeds.

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and the SDC team! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.
 
Jim Graven came to the SDC in August 2012 with more than 15 years of experience in the specialty-parts aftermarket, taking responsibility for member services, recruitment and promotions.
 
His background includes extensive sales, marketing and project management experience at Reliable Automotive and Arrow Speed Warehouse, where he managed various customer-facing teams, events, media production and end-to-end project organization. In 1990, Graven earned a B.S. in finance from Georgia Southern University.
 
Graven's energetic and attentive style, coupled with a broad background in the industry, made him the ideal candidate to work closely with SDC members to optimize their experience. In addition, his flair for communication, organization and teaching make him ideally suited for welcoming new members into the SDC.

By Zane Clark

	Jim Graven

Are you ready for the selling season? Would you like to boost your profits and expand your market reach? Standards compliant data is easily sharable, and the time to start is now! Led by Jim Graven, SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) director of membership, webinar participants will learn how the SDC program works through a presentation and live demonstration of their system. Then subscribe to the SDC to sell more parts!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the SDC helps suppliers and receivers sell more parts.
• Use the online user interface and take a tour of SDC features and functionality.
• Learn how to upload new products, update current products and validate product data to industry standards.
• Learn how to schedule downloads, review current member listings and manage data feeds.

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and the SDC team! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.
 
Jim Graven came to the SDC in August 2012 with more than 15 years of experience in the specialty-parts aftermarket, taking responsibility for member services, recruitment and promotions.
 
His background includes extensive sales, marketing and project management experience at Reliable Automotive and Arrow Speed Warehouse, where he managed various customer-facing teams, events, media production and end-to-end project organization. In 1990, Graven earned a B.S. in finance from Georgia Southern University.
 
Graven's energetic and attentive style, coupled with a broad background in the industry, made him the ideal candidate to work closely with SDC members to optimize their experience. In addition, his flair for communication, organization and teaching make him ideally suited for welcoming new members into the SDC.

By Zane Clark

	Jim Graven

Are you ready for the selling season? Would you like to boost your profits and expand your market reach? Standards compliant data is easily sharable, and the time to start is now! Led by Jim Graven, SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) director of membership, webinar participants will learn how the SDC program works through a presentation and live demonstration of their system. Then subscribe to the SDC to sell more parts!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the SDC helps suppliers and receivers sell more parts.
• Use the online user interface and take a tour of SDC features and functionality.
• Learn how to upload new products, update current products and validate product data to industry standards.
• Learn how to schedule downloads, review current member listings and manage data feeds.

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and the SDC team! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.
 
Jim Graven came to the SDC in August 2012 with more than 15 years of experience in the specialty-parts aftermarket, taking responsibility for member services, recruitment and promotions.
 
His background includes extensive sales, marketing and project management experience at Reliable Automotive and Arrow Speed Warehouse, where he managed various customer-facing teams, events, media production and end-to-end project organization. In 1990, Graven earned a B.S. in finance from Georgia Southern University.
 
Graven's energetic and attentive style, coupled with a broad background in the industry, made him the ideal candidate to work closely with SDC members to optimize their experience. In addition, his flair for communication, organization and teaching make him ideally suited for welcoming new members into the SDC.

By Jason Catullo

	A SEMA Show Hotline has been established at 909-396-0289 to help exhibitors get answers from dedicated account representatives about the upcoming event, including setup, booth sales, services and more.

To enhance customer service and help exhibitors with Show planning, a SEMA Show Hotline has been established at 909-396-0289. The new hotline puts companies in touch with SEMA account representatives, knowledgeable staff members who serve as a single point of contact to meet exhibitors' needs, answer questions, and assist with Show preparation, including booth sales, registration, special events, operations and more.

"Exhibitors can get Show questions answered and plans finalized in real time, with the help of a association professional who is prepared and dedicated to a specific company," stated Tom Gattuso, SEMA Show director.

In addition to Show-specific questions and services, representatives are also prepared to answer questions regarding SEMA membership, benefits and programs, including the SEMA Data Co-op, the SEMA Garage, Tech Transfer, Councils and Networks and more.

The new team of in-house account reps has already begun its outreach to members and exhibitors. Account reps will serve companies based on business categories as follows:

• Trucks/SUVs/Off-road, Powersports and Restoration: Alan Josse
• Mobile Electronics, Wheels and OEMs: Warren Kosikov
• Business Services, Tools and Equipment and Global Tires: Brian Paik
• Collision Repair, Hot Rod, Restyling, Car Care and Accessories: Monica Terlouw
• Racing & Performance: The PRI account reps will serve as the SEMA representative for the companies that they already service; the team includes Andrea Brake, Eric Jurado, Jeff Swoboda, Judy Kean, Francisque Savinien and Reed Morales.

Members who would like to contact their account representative can do so directly via the e-mail links above, through the new SEMA Show Hotline at 909-396-0289 or via sales@sema.org.

The 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 4–7, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More information on the SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com. Exhibitors ready to get started are encouraged to visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. 

By Jason Catullo

	A SEMA Show Hotline has been established at 909-396-0289 to help exhibitors get answers from dedicated account representatives about the upcoming event, including setup, booth sales, services and more.

To enhance customer service and help exhibitors with Show planning, a SEMA Show Hotline has been established at 909-396-0289. The new hotline puts companies in touch with SEMA account representatives, knowledgeable staff members who serve as a single point of contact to meet exhibitors' needs, answer questions, and assist with Show preparation, including booth sales, registration, special events, operations and more.

"Exhibitors can get Show questions answered and plans finalized in real time, with the help of a association professional who is prepared and dedicated to a specific company," stated Tom Gattuso, SEMA Show director.

In addition to Show-specific questions and services, representatives are also prepared to answer questions regarding SEMA membership, benefits and programs, including the SEMA Data Co-op, the SEMA Garage, Tech Transfer, Councils and Networks and more.

The new team of in-house account reps has already begun its outreach to members and exhibitors. Account reps will serve companies based on business categories as follows:

• Trucks/SUVs/Off-road, Powersports and Restoration: Alan Josse
• Mobile Electronics, Wheels and OEMs: Warren Kosikov
• Business Services, Tools and Equipment and Global Tires: Brian Paik
• Collision Repair, Hot Rod, Restyling, Car Care and Accessories: Monica Terlouw
• Racing & Performance: The PRI account reps will serve as the SEMA representative for the companies that they already service; the team includes Andrea Brake, Eric Jurado, Jeff Swoboda, Judy Kean, Francisque Savinien and Reed Morales.

Members who would like to contact their account representative can do so directly via the e-mail links above, through the new SEMA Show Hotline at 909-396-0289 or via sales@sema.org.

The 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 4–7, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More information on the SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com. Exhibitors ready to get started are encouraged to visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. 

By Zane Clark

	Nancy Friedman

Some words are conversation distractions. They can confuse, annoy and stop a conversation. When that happens it can be difficult to get back on track. Plan on attending Friedman’s webinar as she runs through the words that can kill the deal. You’ll wish you'd had the alternative words sooner—you’d have saved a lot of sales. Don't miss this appointment to hear from the Telephone Doctor.

Register Today! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.

A six-time SEMA speaker, Nancy Friedman returns to us once again to entertain, engage, excite, educate and motivate our audiences. Born and raised in Chicago, she and her family now live in St. Louis, where they run Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training. She is a much sought-after conference and corporate meeting speaker on sales and customer service and author of eight books on sales and customer service. She, along with her son and husband David and Dick, offer seven divisions of Telephone Doctor to help companies communicate better with their customers. Her high energy and humorous presentation is a highlight at all meetings, and SEMA members keep asking for her to come back. Friedman can be reached at 314-291-1012 or at the Telephone Doctor website, www.telephonedoctor.com.

By Zane Clark

	Nancy Friedman

Some words are conversation distractions. They can confuse, annoy and stop a conversation. When that happens it can be difficult to get back on track. Plan on attending Friedman’s webinar as she runs through the words that can kill the deal. You’ll wish you'd had the alternative words sooner—you’d have saved a lot of sales. Don't miss this appointment to hear from the Telephone Doctor.

Register Today! Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

For more information contact Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655.

A six-time SEMA speaker, Nancy Friedman returns to us once again to entertain, engage, excite, educate and motivate our audiences. Born and raised in Chicago, she and her family now live in St. Louis, where they run Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training. She is a much sought-after conference and corporate meeting speaker on sales and customer service and author of eight books on sales and customer service. She, along with her son and husband David and Dick, offer seven divisions of Telephone Doctor to help companies communicate better with their customers. Her high energy and humorous presentation is a highlight at all meetings, and SEMA members keep asking for her to come back. Friedman can be reached at 314-291-1012 or at the Telephone Doctor website, www.telephonedoctor.com.