By SEMA Editors

The CTEK-sponsored Chevy Camaro, fielded by Miller Racing and driven by Cameron Lawrence, captured first place in the season-ending points total.

CTEK-Sponsored Chevy Camaro driven by Cameron Lawrence Takes Season Title in Trans Am TA2 Class
The NorthStar Battery CTEK Chargers 100 Race at Daytona International Speedway was held last month, and marked the final event for the 2013 Trans Am Racing Series. In addition to being the race’s title sponsor, the CTEK-sponsored Chevy Camaro, fielded by Miller Racing and driven by Cameron Lawrence, captured first place in the season-ending points total to become the 2013 Trans Am TA2 class overall champion after winning eight out of 10 races. In the final race at Daytona, Lawrence finished first in the 22-car TA2 field and ninth overall. The Trans Am Series, America’s Road Racing Series, dates back to 1966. The series now features three distinct classes: TA, TA2 and TA3 and is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing. For more information, visit www.gotransam.com.

Crew Chief Todd Smith Joins John Force Racing
Veteran Top Fuel and Funny Car tuner Todd Smith has joined John Force Racing. Smith, of Cooper City, Florida, will take over the lead tuning duties of the Castrol EDGE Top Fuel Dragster. The veteran tuner was released by Don Schumacher Racing at the end of October.

Smith moves to JFR after a two-year stint with Don Schumacher Racing where he was the crew chief for Funny Car driver Jack Beckman. Smith will lead the team piloted by 2013 Auto Club Road to the Future Awards winner Brittany Force. The tuner has experience with young drivers going back to his tenure as co-crew chief Spencer Massey’s Top Fuel dragster for legendary driver and team owner Don Prudhomme.

By SEMA Editors

	The all-new ’15 Ford Mustang was revealed today in cities across the globe.

The all-new ’15 Ford Mustang was revealed today around the globe in six cities on four continents. Ford has sold 9 million-plus Mustangs in its 50 years of continuous production and, for the first time ever, Ford will bring the car to customers in key parts of Europe and Asia.

The clean-sheet design of both Mustang fastback and convertible retains key elements, including the long sculpted hood and short rear deck, with contemporary execution. Several key design features include a lower, wider stance with a reduction in roof height, and wider rear fenders and track; a more steeply sloped windshield and rear glass; and three-dimensional, tri-bar taillamps with sequential turn signals.

The Mustang convertible features a standard multilayer insulated cloth top that gives the car a more upscale appearance and a quieter cabin, according to Ford. The new top lowers twice as fast as before, and has a sleeker profile when folded for open-air motoring. Inside, the added width and a new rear suspension contribute to improved shoulder and hip room for passengers, and a more usefully shaped trunk can accommodate two golf bags.

Under the hood, the upgraded V6 and V8 are joined by an all-new 2.3L EcoBoost engine. Mustang GT continues with the latest edition of the 5.0L V8, now featuring an upgraded valvetrain and cylinder heads that yield more than 420 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. A new intake manifold improves low-speed breathing for better fuel economy, idle stability and emissions. The Mustang EcoBoost engine uses direct injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging to deliver performance and fuel efficiency. The standard 3.7L V6 delivers 300 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.

An updated manual gearbox offers a smoother shift, while a reworked automatic transmission features new steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles for drivers who want the choice between convenience and control.

The ’15 Mustang features all-new front and rear suspension systems. At the front, a new perimeter subframe helps to stiffen the structure while reducing mass, providing a better foundation for more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride. The new double-ball-joint front MacPherson strut system also enables the use of larger, more powerful brakes.

At the rear is an all-new integral-link independent rear suspension. The geometry, springs, dampers and bushings all have been specifically modified and tuned for this high-performance application. New aluminum rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass for improved ride and handling.

The all-new Mustang features a significant amount of innovative technologies, from Intelligent Access with push-button start to SYNC and MyKey. Drivers can tap the toggle switches on the console to quickly adjust steering effort, engine response and transmission and electronic stability control settings using the available Selectable Drive Modes.

Available advanced driver-assist features include a Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control and SYNC AppLink, which allows drivers to control their smartphone apps to listen to their favorite form of entertainment.

Ford hasn't yet released pricing information for the new Mustang. The current model starts at around $23,000.

	For this year’s SEMA Board of Directors election, there is one seat open in the manufacturer’s category and one seat open in the distributor/retailer category.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience, and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

For this year’s election there is one seat open in the manufacturer’s category and one seat open in the distributor/retailer category.

Nominations for the 2014 SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 2, 2014. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

	For this year’s SEMA Board of Directors election, there is one seat open in the manufacturer’s category and one seat open in the distributor/retailer category.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience, and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

For this year’s election there is one seat open in the manufacturer’s category and one seat open in the distributor/retailer category.

Nominations for the 2014 SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 2, 2014. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is supporting legislation that would amend the state’s current law defining historical motor vehicles to permit use of these vehicles on public roads to and from a location where maintenance is performed. Under current Ohio law, a “historical motor vehicle" is any motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old and owned solely as a collector's item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses, but not for general transportation. The bill would give Ohio motorists the opportunity to have their historical vehicles serviced or repaired without the threat of being cited by law enforcement for violation of the Motor Vehicle Code. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is supporting legislation that would amend the state’s current law defining historical motor vehicles to permit use of these vehicles on public roads to and from a location where maintenance is performed. Under current Ohio law, a “historical motor vehicle" is any motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old and owned solely as a collector's item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses, but not for general transportation. The bill would give Ohio motorists the opportunity to have their historical vehicles serviced or repaired without the threat of being cited by law enforcement for violation of the Motor Vehicle Code. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is supporting legislation that would amend the state’s current law defining historical motor vehicles to permit use of these vehicles on public roads to and from a location where maintenance is performed. Under current Ohio law, a “historical motor vehicle" is any motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old and owned solely as a collector's item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses, but not for general transportation. The bill would give Ohio motorists the opportunity to have their historical vehicles serviced or repaired without the threat of being cited by law enforcement for violation of the Motor Vehicle Code. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA is supporting legislation that would amend the state’s current law defining historical motor vehicles to permit use of these vehicles on public roads to and from a location where maintenance is performed. Under current Ohio law, a “historical motor vehicle" is any motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old and owned solely as a collector's item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses, but not for general transportation. The bill would give Ohio motorists the opportunity to have their historical vehicles serviced or repaired without the threat of being cited by law enforcement for violation of the Motor Vehicle Code. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

In a unanimous vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation that originally required headlights on motor vehicles to display a “white light” without defining the term. A SEMA amendment that was included in the bill now conforms the legislation to U.S. Department of Transportation standards regarding headlamp color, which all headlamps destined for on-road use must comply. 

The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a vote by all members. Under the federal standards, it is possible to design a headlamp that can be perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the federal boundaries that define "white." 

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

In a unanimous vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation that originally required headlights on motor vehicles to display a “white light” without defining the term. A SEMA amendment that was included in the bill now conforms the legislation to U.S. Department of Transportation standards regarding headlamp color, which all headlamps destined for on-road use must comply. 

The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a vote by all members. Under the federal standards, it is possible to design a headlamp that can be perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the federal boundaries that define "white." 

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