Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

POPULAR FORMER FUNNY CAR DRIVER GORDIE BONIN DIES: Former NHRA national event-winning Funny Car driver "240 Gordie" Bonin, the world championship runner-up in 1977, died November 29. He was 65. Bonin earned his famous nickname in the ’70s when his Bobble Up Trans Am was a steady performer in the 240-mph zone. Bonin had nine NHRA national event wins in his career and for six years served as NHRA's director of marketing services. Read more on this story.

JR. CONFERENCE FINALS LOCATIONS AND DATES ANNOUNCED: The 2014 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League's Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will be held at Rocky Mountain Raceways near Salt Lake City and Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals will move to Utah’s Rocky Mountain Raceways for the first time, July 10–12, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals will return to eastern Tennessee’s Thunder Valley, July 24–26.

“We are extremely excited about the 2014 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League season,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. “We welcome Rocky Mountain Raceways as the host of the Western Conference Finals, and we are pleased that Bristol Dragway is returning to host the Eastern Conference Finals. Both venues will provide great backdrops for these very important events where the future stars of NHRA Drag Racing will be showcased.”

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES AWARDS CEREMONY ADDED TO NHRA.COM: Fans of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series can watch a 90-minute presentation of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series banquet on NHRA.com. Fans will also be able to watch a time-lapse video of the setup for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series ceremony. View both videos.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014: The 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series kicks off at one of the most historic facilities on the NHRA circuit—Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014. Robert Hight will attempt to win his fourth career NHRA Winternationals event, and Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock), will attempt to defend their 2013 wins and start the season off on a positive note.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, February 21–23: For the 30th season, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races into the Valley of the Sun for the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, February 21–23. The venerable facility located south of Phoenix has seen many historic performances over the years. Doug Kalitta will attempt to earn his second win at the facility and Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) recorded wins at the track in 2013, and will once again be among the favorites to claim early season victories.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

"It’s tough to summarize what you see and what goes on during the course of a week, let alone the time we’re not here. I’ve been doing this for two years now and my respect has grown greatly, every time I come back here, for the troops and for what everybody does for us. It’s that out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing. When you’re at home with your family and your kids, you don’t think about it. You don’t think about the guys overseas—not just in the Middle East but around the world—sacrificing their lives, putting everything they have out on the line when they have their own family at home. What we’re doing is a small part of the appreciation side of it, but I think it goes a long way for some of the troops because it brings home to them. And when home comes to them, I think it’s one of those things that brings joy to them. As we come to the holidays, I think one of the most important things is morale and I think we’re able to help a little bit."

—Eddie Krawiec, who returned to the United States after he, Andrew Hines, Greg Anderson, Jason Line and Dan Runte concluded their tour of oversees military bases. A full wrap-up of their trip can be found on OnAllCylinders.com.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

256: Number of consecutive races Pro Stock racer Greg Anderson has qualified for following the 2014 season. The streak for the Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro racer began at the 2002 Las Vegas 2 event. Top Fuel racer Tony Schumacher is second with 247 consecutive starts and Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Andrew Hines is third with 171. John Force is the leader in Funny Car with 121 consecutive starts.

DID YOU KNOW…

PRICHETT JOINS RANKS OF NHRA.COM DRIVER BLOGS: The newly married Leah Pritchett joins the ranks of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers who are featured on NHRA.com in the driver blog section. The driver of the Dote Family Racing Top Fuel dragster chronicles her rookie season and previews the upcoming season. Her blog can be found on NHRA.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

POPULAR FORMER FUNNY CAR DRIVER GORDIE BONIN DIES: Former NHRA national event-winning Funny Car driver "240 Gordie" Bonin, the world championship runner-up in 1977, died November 29. He was 65. Bonin earned his famous nickname in the ’70s when his Bobble Up Trans Am was a steady performer in the 240-mph zone. Bonin had nine NHRA national event wins in his career and for six years served as NHRA's director of marketing services. Read more on this story.

JR. CONFERENCE FINALS LOCATIONS AND DATES ANNOUNCED: The 2014 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League's Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will be held at Rocky Mountain Raceways near Salt Lake City and Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals will move to Utah’s Rocky Mountain Raceways for the first time, July 10–12, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals will return to eastern Tennessee’s Thunder Valley, July 24–26.

“We are extremely excited about the 2014 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League season,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. “We welcome Rocky Mountain Raceways as the host of the Western Conference Finals, and we are pleased that Bristol Dragway is returning to host the Eastern Conference Finals. Both venues will provide great backdrops for these very important events where the future stars of NHRA Drag Racing will be showcased.”

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES AWARDS CEREMONY ADDED TO NHRA.COM: Fans of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series can watch a 90-minute presentation of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series banquet on NHRA.com. Fans will also be able to watch a time-lapse video of the setup for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series ceremony. View both videos.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014: The 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series kicks off at one of the most historic facilities on the NHRA circuit—Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014. Robert Hight will attempt to win his fourth career NHRA Winternationals event, and Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock), will attempt to defend their 2013 wins and start the season off on a positive note.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, February 21–23: For the 30th season, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races into the Valley of the Sun for the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, February 21–23. The venerable facility located south of Phoenix has seen many historic performances over the years. Doug Kalitta will attempt to earn his second win at the facility and Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) recorded wins at the track in 2013, and will once again be among the favorites to claim early season victories.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

"It’s tough to summarize what you see and what goes on during the course of a week, let alone the time we’re not here. I’ve been doing this for two years now and my respect has grown greatly, every time I come back here, for the troops and for what everybody does for us. It’s that out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing. When you’re at home with your family and your kids, you don’t think about it. You don’t think about the guys overseas—not just in the Middle East but around the world—sacrificing their lives, putting everything they have out on the line when they have their own family at home. What we’re doing is a small part of the appreciation side of it, but I think it goes a long way for some of the troops because it brings home to them. And when home comes to them, I think it’s one of those things that brings joy to them. As we come to the holidays, I think one of the most important things is morale and I think we’re able to help a little bit."

—Eddie Krawiec, who returned to the United States after he, Andrew Hines, Greg Anderson, Jason Line and Dan Runte concluded their tour of oversees military bases. A full wrap-up of their trip can be found on OnAllCylinders.com.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

256: Number of consecutive races Pro Stock racer Greg Anderson has qualified for following the 2014 season. The streak for the Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro racer began at the 2002 Las Vegas 2 event. Top Fuel racer Tony Schumacher is second with 247 consecutive starts and Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Andrew Hines is third with 171. John Force is the leader in Funny Car with 121 consecutive starts.

DID YOU KNOW…

PRICHETT JOINS RANKS OF NHRA.COM DRIVER BLOGS: The newly married Leah Pritchett joins the ranks of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers who are featured on NHRA.com in the driver blog section. The driver of the Dote Family Racing Top Fuel dragster chronicles her rookie season and previews the upcoming season. Her blog can be found on NHRA.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

POPULAR FORMER FUNNY CAR DRIVER GORDIE BONIN DIES: Former NHRA national event-winning Funny Car driver "240 Gordie" Bonin, the world championship runner-up in 1977, died November 29. He was 65. Bonin earned his famous nickname in the ’70s when his Bobble Up Trans Am was a steady performer in the 240-mph zone. Bonin had nine NHRA national event wins in his career and for six years served as NHRA's director of marketing services. Read more on this story.

JR. CONFERENCE FINALS LOCATIONS AND DATES ANNOUNCED: The 2014 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League's Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will be held at Rocky Mountain Raceways near Salt Lake City and Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals will move to Utah’s Rocky Mountain Raceways for the first time, July 10–12, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals will return to eastern Tennessee’s Thunder Valley, July 24–26.

“We are extremely excited about the 2014 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League season,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. “We welcome Rocky Mountain Raceways as the host of the Western Conference Finals, and we are pleased that Bristol Dragway is returning to host the Eastern Conference Finals. Both venues will provide great backdrops for these very important events where the future stars of NHRA Drag Racing will be showcased.”

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES AWARDS CEREMONY ADDED TO NHRA.COM: Fans of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series can watch a 90-minute presentation of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series banquet on NHRA.com. Fans will also be able to watch a time-lapse video of the setup for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series ceremony. View both videos.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014: The 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series kicks off at one of the most historic facilities on the NHRA circuit—Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014. Robert Hight will attempt to win his fourth career NHRA Winternationals event, and Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock), will attempt to defend their 2013 wins and start the season off on a positive note.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, February 21–23: For the 30th season, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races into the Valley of the Sun for the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, February 21–23. The venerable facility located south of Phoenix has seen many historic performances over the years. Doug Kalitta will attempt to earn his second win at the facility and Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) recorded wins at the track in 2013, and will once again be among the favorites to claim early season victories.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

"It’s tough to summarize what you see and what goes on during the course of a week, let alone the time we’re not here. I’ve been doing this for two years now and my respect has grown greatly, every time I come back here, for the troops and for what everybody does for us. It’s that out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing. When you’re at home with your family and your kids, you don’t think about it. You don’t think about the guys overseas—not just in the Middle East but around the world—sacrificing their lives, putting everything they have out on the line when they have their own family at home. What we’re doing is a small part of the appreciation side of it, but I think it goes a long way for some of the troops because it brings home to them. And when home comes to them, I think it’s one of those things that brings joy to them. As we come to the holidays, I think one of the most important things is morale and I think we’re able to help a little bit."

—Eddie Krawiec, who returned to the United States after he, Andrew Hines, Greg Anderson, Jason Line and Dan Runte concluded their tour of oversees military bases. A full wrap-up of their trip can be found on OnAllCylinders.com.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

256: Number of consecutive races Pro Stock racer Greg Anderson has qualified for following the 2014 season. The streak for the Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro racer began at the 2002 Las Vegas 2 event. Top Fuel racer Tony Schumacher is second with 247 consecutive starts and Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Andrew Hines is third with 171. John Force is the leader in Funny Car with 121 consecutive starts.

DID YOU KNOW…

PRICHETT JOINS RANKS OF NHRA.COM DRIVER BLOGS: The newly married Leah Pritchett joins the ranks of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers who are featured on NHRA.com in the driver blog section. The driver of the Dote Family Racing Top Fuel dragster chronicles her rookie season and previews the upcoming season. Her blog can be found on NHRA.com.

By Steve Campbell

Retailer Spotlight

In the Family Way With Chuck’s Truck Accessories and Line-a-Bed Sales

The business, as it currently stands, is a testament to the need for flexibility and adaptation as markets shift, open and close. The company has adopted new methods of advertising, made judicious adaptations in the way they stock parts, but been careful all along to emphasize customer service.

“My uncle held the original patent for Line-A-Bed plastic bedliners, and my dad, Jimmy Vaughn, started our Nashville store in 1976,” Vaughn said. “We originally did nothing but drop-in bedliners, but we expanded in 1985 into truck tops and accessories. We no longer specialize in any one area now. It’s a complete free-for-all. On any given day, we may install a truck top or two, five or six bedliners, raise or lower a truck or Jeep, spray a couple more bedliners, install a gooseneck or step bars, wire a trailer and then swap an engine.”

The expansion started gradually when bedliners alone weren’t providing enough revenue. The younger Vaughn had completed his bachelor’s degree in business and began to add products to the store’s repertoire. The business stayed in its original location for the first few years and then moved to its current site. Eight years ago, the business had grown enough that Chuck’s Truck Accessories built a larger facility to incorporate more retail space as well as several installation bays.

Chuck’s currently employs four full-time sales and technical personal, including dad Jimmy, who still works full time at the age of 72. Vaughn brings in three part-time employees during the summer months when the store is at its busiest. He also teaches his installers how he wants things done.

“We have them follow us through the various installations we do,” he said. “Most of the employees have been around the store a lot and were already truck guys, so they have been working on their own vehicles for years.”

A few outside sales people added to Vaughn’s accessory business education, and the truck-top enterprise blossomed under the tutelage of an industry veteran.

“When we started, a guy who worked for American Specialty Inc.—which was eventually acquired by Keystone Automotive Operations—helped me a lot with the accessory end of things,” Vaugh said. “We also brought in Clifford Davenport, who had worked for Gemtop Manufacturing for a long time. He came to work for us for four or five years and taught us the topper business.”

“At our height, we stocked about $450,000 in parts,” Vaughn said, “but things changed in 2004. We now keep only about $150,000 in parts in inventory. Trucks are changing so drastically that we now rely heavily on our warehouse distributors, which include P&E Distributors, Keystone Automotive Operations and Meyer Distributing.”

Vaughn said that his relationship with his WDs is one of the keys to the success of Chuck’s Truck Accessories.

“In our location, you cannot physically stock everything,” he said. “That’s why our distributor network is so important.”

The store receives at least one delivery per day from each WD and two from P&E. But because P&E is so close, Chuck’s also makes up to 10 trips a day to the warehouse for parts and kits.

“That’s the thing that sets us apart,” Vaughn said. “We can supply parts almost immediately through our distributors. A guy will walk in, want an Undercover tonneau, and we’re able to get it for him right away. With most shops, it takes until the next day because they have to wait for somebody to deliver it. We can go to P&E and be back in 30 minutes. It’s rare for us not to be able to get what the customer wants quickly.”

Great salespeople at the WDs also make a huge difference, he said. Chuck’s has had the same salesman at Meyer Distributing since the start of business there, and it’s been the same at P&E. And Vaughn is also able to rely on the WDs to keep him informed about new products and vehicles, with recommendations for items that sell well.

Vaughn said that most of the customers at Chuck’s are 45 years old or more, and a lot of them are retired UAW workers. That demographic is steadily changing, however, with lift and leveling kits as well as wheels and tires bringing in a much younger clientele. The shift in age may also partially explain the success of Vaughn’s best marketing arm: the Internet.

Vaughn said that he’s pretty good with computers and was able to build the website himself using Network Solutions. He added that it was the best return on an investment he’s ever had.

“The biggest draw on the site is the used stuff—tops, lids, parts and accessories,” he said. “Most of the calls we get are from the website’s used-parts pages, and that’s all day every day. My wife Tiffany handles most of that. She also does local shopping pages that she understands from doing antiques and crafts, and those pages do just about as well as Craigslist. The used products also bring in customers who start out looking there and then decide on something new instead.”

Of course, none of it works without great customer service. Vaughn said that avoiding mistakes is on a par with his WD relationships in ensuring the success of his store.

“You don’t want to see customers come back until they are ready to buy another part,” he said. “We make sure that they’re not having to return because of a squeaking step bar or something wired wrong or incorrectly installed. We have almost no comebacks. That’s where word of mouth builds.”

It also leads to one of the greatest rewards for him and his employees—seeing a customer grinning from ear to ear as he’s handed back the keys to truck with a new installation. A huge bonus is the fact that it’s all a family affair.

By Steve Campbell

Retailer Spotlight

In the Family Way With Chuck’s Truck Accessories and Line-a-Bed Sales

The business, as it currently stands, is a testament to the need for flexibility and adaptation as markets shift, open and close. The company has adopted new methods of advertising, made judicious adaptations in the way they stock parts, but been careful all along to emphasize customer service.

“My uncle held the original patent for Line-A-Bed plastic bedliners, and my dad, Jimmy Vaughn, started our Nashville store in 1976,” Vaughn said. “We originally did nothing but drop-in bedliners, but we expanded in 1985 into truck tops and accessories. We no longer specialize in any one area now. It’s a complete free-for-all. On any given day, we may install a truck top or two, five or six bedliners, raise or lower a truck or Jeep, spray a couple more bedliners, install a gooseneck or step bars, wire a trailer and then swap an engine.”

The expansion started gradually when bedliners alone weren’t providing enough revenue. The younger Vaughn had completed his bachelor’s degree in business and began to add products to the store’s repertoire. The business stayed in its original location for the first few years and then moved to its current site. Eight years ago, the business had grown enough that Chuck’s Truck Accessories built a larger facility to incorporate more retail space as well as several installation bays.

Chuck’s currently employs four full-time sales and technical personal, including dad Jimmy, who still works full time at the age of 72. Vaughn brings in three part-time employees during the summer months when the store is at its busiest. He also teaches his installers how he wants things done.

“We have them follow us through the various installations we do,” he said. “Most of the employees have been around the store a lot and were already truck guys, so they have been working on their own vehicles for years.”

A few outside sales people added to Vaughn’s accessory business education, and the truck-top enterprise blossomed under the tutelage of an industry veteran.

“When we started, a guy who worked for American Specialty Inc.—which was eventually acquired by Keystone Automotive Operations—helped me a lot with the accessory end of things,” Vaugh said. “We also brought in Clifford Davenport, who had worked for Gemtop Manufacturing for a long time. He came to work for us for four or five years and taught us the topper business.”

“At our height, we stocked about $450,000 in parts,” Vaughn said, “but things changed in 2004. We now keep only about $150,000 in parts in inventory. Trucks are changing so drastically that we now rely heavily on our warehouse distributors, which include P&E Distributors, Keystone Automotive Operations and Meyer Distributing.”

Vaughn said that his relationship with his WDs is one of the keys to the success of Chuck’s Truck Accessories.

“In our location, you cannot physically stock everything,” he said. “That’s why our distributor network is so important.”

The store receives at least one delivery per day from each WD and two from P&E. But because P&E is so close, Chuck’s also makes up to 10 trips a day to the warehouse for parts and kits.

“That’s the thing that sets us apart,” Vaughn said. “We can supply parts almost immediately through our distributors. A guy will walk in, want an Undercover tonneau, and we’re able to get it for him right away. With most shops, it takes until the next day because they have to wait for somebody to deliver it. We can go to P&E and be back in 30 minutes. It’s rare for us not to be able to get what the customer wants quickly.”

Great salespeople at the WDs also make a huge difference, he said. Chuck’s has had the same salesman at Meyer Distributing since the start of business there, and it’s been the same at P&E. And Vaughn is also able to rely on the WDs to keep him informed about new products and vehicles, with recommendations for items that sell well.

Vaughn said that most of the customers at Chuck’s are 45 years old or more, and a lot of them are retired UAW workers. That demographic is steadily changing, however, with lift and leveling kits as well as wheels and tires bringing in a much younger clientele. The shift in age may also partially explain the success of Vaughn’s best marketing arm: the Internet.

Vaughn said that he’s pretty good with computers and was able to build the website himself using Network Solutions. He added that it was the best return on an investment he’s ever had.

“The biggest draw on the site is the used stuff—tops, lids, parts and accessories,” he said. “Most of the calls we get are from the website’s used-parts pages, and that’s all day every day. My wife Tiffany handles most of that. She also does local shopping pages that she understands from doing antiques and crafts, and those pages do just about as well as Craigslist. The used products also bring in customers who start out looking there and then decide on something new instead.”

Of course, none of it works without great customer service. Vaughn said that avoiding mistakes is on a par with his WD relationships in ensuring the success of his store.

“You don’t want to see customers come back until they are ready to buy another part,” he said. “We make sure that they’re not having to return because of a squeaking step bar or something wired wrong or incorrectly installed. We have almost no comebacks. That’s where word of mouth builds.”

It also leads to one of the greatest rewards for him and his employees—seeing a customer grinning from ear to ear as he’s handed back the keys to truck with a new installation. A huge bonus is the fact that it’s all a family affair.

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• advanced FLOW engineering Inc., located in Corona, California, is hiring a design engineer responsible for the design and development of new products, and modifying the design of existing products. The successful candidate must be a car enthusiast and have knowledge of database and inventory software.

• American Eagle Wheel Corp., located in San Diego, is hiring a sales manager. Individuals must have exceptional communication skills, be computer literate and have excellent time management and organizational skills. Prior sales and management experience in the aftermarket wheel and/or tire industry is required.

• Supersprings Int Inc., located in Carpinteria, California, is hiring a suspension specialist with experience in suspension systems for trucks, vans and RVs. The successful candidate must have good working knowledge in Solid Works.

• Coker Tire, located in City of Industry, California, is hiring a highly motivated sales and customer service representative with a coachable attitude and strong desire to succeed.

View more listings from SEMA's Automotive Classifieds listings.

By SEMA Editors

	The SEMA Scholarship Engine project—a 700+ hp package based on a Dart LS Next cast-iron block—will be offered on eBay beginning December 12, 2013.

The SEMA Scholarship Engine project—a 700+ hp package based on a Dart LS Next cast-iron block—will be offered on eBay beginning December 12, 2013.

Dart’s unique LS Next block evolved from the popular LS Series engine family introduced by General Motors in 1997. This aftermarket iteration incorporates a number of unique features, the most noticeable being a redesigned bottom end (non Y-block) with improved oil control and a reduction in windage. It also utilizes six head bolts per cylinder and four-bolt steel main caps. A pair of CNC-ported Dart Pro1 aluminum cylinder heads will be employed in the SEMA Scholarship engine.

Heading the SEMA build team is Dart’s Richard Maskin, who has been the engine builder/crew chief for several NHRA National Points Championship-winning efforts in Pro Stock. Maskin has developed a 434-cid engine combination that is dyno-proven to generate in excess of 700 hp utilizing a single four-barrel carburetor on pump gasoline.

Components from a number of highly respected aftermarket firms are being used in the build. They include Allstar Performance, ARP, ATI, Callies, Champion, Clevite, Comp Cams, Dart, Diamond, Fel-Pro, Hedman Hedders, Holley, Joe Gibbs Driven, Melling, Meziere, Moroso, MSD, PowerMaster, Total Seal and Trend.

The engine will be finished to the requirements of the buyer, whether it’s to be used for racing or the street.

For additional information on the SEMA Scholarship Engine project, or to get involved in the eBay sale, go to www.SEMAengine.com.

SEMA’s scholarships are awarded to university, two-year college and trade school students pursuing a career in the automotive industry. There is also a Loan Forgiveness Program to help retire student debt that’s available to employees of SEMA member companies. For information on applications go to www.SEMA.org/scholarships. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is a recognized 501(3) charity and the purchase price of the engine may be tax deductible (verify with your CPA or tax preparer).

By SEMA Editors

	The SEMA Scholarship Engine project—a 700+ hp package based on a Dart LS Next cast-iron block—will be offered on eBay beginning December 12, 2013.

The SEMA Scholarship Engine project—a 700+ hp package based on a Dart LS Next cast-iron block—will be offered on eBay beginning December 12, 2013.

Dart’s unique LS Next block evolved from the popular LS Series engine family introduced by General Motors in 1997. This aftermarket iteration incorporates a number of unique features, the most noticeable being a redesigned bottom end (non Y-block) with improved oil control and a reduction in windage. It also utilizes six head bolts per cylinder and four-bolt steel main caps. A pair of CNC-ported Dart Pro1 aluminum cylinder heads will be employed in the SEMA Scholarship engine.

Heading the SEMA build team is Dart’s Richard Maskin, who has been the engine builder/crew chief for several NHRA National Points Championship-winning efforts in Pro Stock. Maskin has developed a 434-cid engine combination that is dyno-proven to generate in excess of 700 hp utilizing a single four-barrel carburetor on pump gasoline.

Components from a number of highly respected aftermarket firms are being used in the build. They include Allstar Performance, ARP, ATI, Callies, Champion, Clevite, Comp Cams, Dart, Diamond, Fel-Pro, Hedman Hedders, Holley, Joe Gibbs Driven, Melling, Meziere, Moroso, MSD, PowerMaster, Total Seal and Trend.

The engine will be finished to the requirements of the buyer, whether it’s to be used for racing or the street.

For additional information on the SEMA Scholarship Engine project, or to get involved in the eBay sale, go to www.SEMAengine.com.

SEMA’s scholarships are awarded to university, two-year college and trade school students pursuing a career in the automotive industry. There is also a Loan Forgiveness Program to help retire student debt that’s available to employees of SEMA member companies. For information on applications go to www.SEMA.org/scholarships. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is a recognized 501(3) charity and the purchase price of the engine may be tax deductible (verify with your CPA or tax preparer).

By SEMA Editors

	The SEMA Scholarship Engine project—a 700+ hp package based on a Dart LS Next cast-iron block—will be offered on eBay beginning December 12, 2013.

The SEMA Scholarship Engine project—a 700+ hp package based on a Dart LS Next cast-iron block—will be offered on eBay beginning December 12, 2013.

Dart’s unique LS Next block evolved from the popular LS Series engine family introduced by General Motors in 1997. This aftermarket iteration incorporates a number of unique features, the most noticeable being a redesigned bottom end (non Y-block) with improved oil control and a reduction in windage. It also utilizes six head bolts per cylinder and four-bolt steel main caps. A pair of CNC-ported Dart Pro1 aluminum cylinder heads will be employed in the SEMA Scholarship engine.

Heading the SEMA build team is Dart’s Richard Maskin, who has been the engine builder/crew chief for several NHRA National Points Championship-winning efforts in Pro Stock. Maskin has developed a 434-cid engine combination that is dyno-proven to generate in excess of 700 hp utilizing a single four-barrel carburetor on pump gasoline.

Components from a number of highly respected aftermarket firms are being used in the build. They include Allstar Performance, ARP, ATI, Callies, Champion, Clevite, Comp Cams, Dart, Diamond, Fel-Pro, Hedman Hedders, Holley, Joe Gibbs Driven, Melling, Meziere, Moroso, MSD, PowerMaster, Total Seal and Trend.

The engine will be finished to the requirements of the buyer, whether it’s to be used for racing or the street.

For additional information on the SEMA Scholarship Engine project, or to get involved in the eBay sale, go to www.SEMAengine.com.

SEMA’s scholarships are awarded to university, two-year college and trade school students pursuing a career in the automotive industry. There is also a Loan Forgiveness Program to help retire student debt that’s available to employees of SEMA member companies. For information on applications go to www.SEMA.org/scholarships. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is a recognized 501(3) charity and the purchase price of the engine may be tax deductible (verify with your CPA or tax preparer).

By Della Domingo

During the 2014 MPMC Media Trade Conference, journalists will have the opportunity to conduct private interviews with leading manufacturers.

Journalists—including freelancers, bloggers, TV reporters and magazine writers—are invited to sit down in private, uninterrupted meetings with executives from manufacturing companies during the 2014 MPMC Media Trade Conference, taking place January 21–23, 2014, in Santa Ana, California. Registration is available at www.sema.org/mpmcmediaregister.

Unlike traditional trade events where media attendees walk the Show floor, participants will receive a personalized schedule that includes meetings with manufacturers that they have selected. These meetings allow reporters to conduct high-quality interviews that can result in a year’s worth of editorial content. Reporters are able to select from 100 companies and indicate which companies they wish to meet with, so that they are only meeting with companies that are relevant to their outlet.

Media can register early to select the manufacturers that best match their editorial needs. A final schedule will include individual meetings with manufacturers every half hour, allowing participants to meet with up to 14 manufacturers in a single day. Plus, media may choose to attend one, two or all three days—whatever is most convenient.

There is no cost for media members to attend, and lunch is provided each day.

Register early before schedules start to fill up. The priority registration deadline is Monday, December 16, 2013. After that date, meetings will be assigned as space is available.

For questions about media participation, contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org, 909-978-6723. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909-978-6690.