By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed tougher tailpipe and evaporative emissions standards known as “Tier 3” to take effect in 2017. Reduced tailpipe emissions standards for particulate matter, non-methane organic gases and nitrogen oxides would be phased-in between 2017 and 2025, and the useful life period would be raised from 120,000 miles to 150,000 miles. The evaporative emissions standards would also be reduced by nearly 50% from current standards and the useful life period raised to 150,000 miles. The EPA would also adopt California’s Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD) requirements.

Tier 3 would lower the sulfur content in gasoline by nearly two-thirds. California has already adopted this approach as of 2017, and the automakers are relying on the fuel to run lean-burn gasoline direct-injection engines and allow the vehicle’s catalytic converter to work more efficiently. Under Tier 3, new vehicles would be tested and certified to gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) rather than 10% (E10). The rule would apply to all light-duty vehicles, medium-duty passenger cars and some heavy-duty vehicles.  

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed tougher tailpipe and evaporative emissions standards known as “Tier 3” to take effect in 2017. Reduced tailpipe emissions standards for particulate matter, non-methane organic gases and nitrogen oxides would be phased-in between 2017 and 2025, and the useful life period would be raised from 120,000 miles to 150,000 miles. The evaporative emissions standards would also be reduced by nearly 50% from current standards and the useful life period raised to 150,000 miles. The EPA would also adopt California’s Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD) requirements.

Tier 3 would lower the sulfur content in gasoline by nearly two-thirds. California has already adopted this approach as of 2017, and the automakers are relying on the fuel to run lean-burn gasoline direct-injection engines and allow the vehicle’s catalytic converter to work more efficiently. Under Tier 3, new vehicles would be tested and certified to gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15) rather than 10% (E10). The rule would apply to all light-duty vehicles, medium-duty passenger cars and some heavy-duty vehicles.  

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Chad Simon

	RJ Lynn of Fab Fours Inc. gathered 3D data for developing premium bumpers for the new Tundra.
	Darrin Olsen of EGR Inc. took window measurements to produce window visors for the Tundra.
	Daniel Rice and Victor Garcia of Westin Automotive Products gathered specs from the Tundra's grille.
	The Tundra's available 5.7L DOHC i-Force V8 produces 381 hp and 401 lb.-ft. of peak torque, in both gasoline and flex-fuel variants.
	The new 1794 Edition is a tribute to the ranch, founded in the year 1794, on which the Tundra plant is located in San Antonio, Texas.
	Providing access to the Tundra allows manufacturers that develop truck-bed products to measure the pickup's bed (65 x 78.7 in.) so they can design products to accurately fit and match the ’14 Tundra’s styling.

Thirty-three manufacturers—the best attendance in several years—showed up to measure the redesigned ’14 Toyota Tundra during last week's SEMA Measuring Session at the Toyota Warehouse in Gardena, California. With three different models on display—the all-new premium 1794 Edition, SR5 and Limited—manufacturers extracted the specs they needed to develop aftermarket parts for the pickup that is sure to be a hit among enthusiasts.



The ’14 Tundra—available in September—will be redesigned, inside and out, representing the first major change since the launch of the current generation for the ’07 model year.

The ’14 Tundra is available in SR, SR5, Limited and two premium grades: Platinum and the all-new 1794 Edition. Three cab styles are offered: a two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab and four-door CrewMax—all available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. 

SEMA Measuring Sessions provide an integration platform for different sectors of the aftermarket community. Members acquaint themselves with new vehicles before their release or immediately following their debut. Participants can question manufacturer representatives and offer their feedback regarding the new vehicles. 

SEMA acquires first-production or pre-production test vehicles for the sessions, allowing wheel companies, performance groups and cosmetic restyling businesses to shorten the lead-time for new products. SEMA often gathers two or more vehicles for each session, increasing the value of each event. In this case, three different Tundra models were made available for specialty-parts manufacturers.

Westin Automotive Products uses Measuring Sessions to verify fitment of its current product offerings for an upcoming vehicle. “In the case of the Toyota Tundra, we manufacture a wide range of step-up products, winch mounts and grille guards,” said Victor Garcia of Westin. “We were able to install some product and surface scan a few key areas of the vehicle with a 3D white-light scanner. This Measuring Session is invaluable for planning the rest of our development schedule for this vehicle line. Pickups and sport-utility vehicles are our main product application, so having the opportunity to interact with the vehicle and personnel at Toyota is extremely helpful.”

The Tundra's all-new front design integrates the hood and grille for a chiseled and modern industrial image. Designers increased the size of the front fascia and tightened up the surfaces and character lines to punctuate Tundra’s pulling power and wide stance. The chrome grille has a taller, bolder look, visually connecting the upper intake to the lower bumper. The front lower bumpers are now a three-piece design, allowing for grade differentiation and less-expensive replacement parts. In addition, the fenders and wheelwells have been squared-off for a wide and sturdy stance.

According to RJ Lynn of Fab Fours Inc., the manufacturer's products will further enhance the Tundra's new styling. “SEMA Measuring Sessions are hugely beneficial for Fab Fours to get our hands on new vehicles well in advance of their release,” said Lynn. “This allows us to attain all of the data required [if not provided by that specific OEM] to be able to develop our products and have them released for production as the vehicles are hitting the dealership lots. The Tundra's more bulky lines will make for a stunning rugged look with our products installed.”

An all-new bed design helps carry the chiseled character lines all the way down the profile, leading to a rugged new bed and tailgate. An integrated spoiler in the deck helps with fuel efficiency. Like the front bumper, the rear bumper changes from one piece to three, for lower replacement costs.

In the case of Kevin Douglass of Truck Accessories Group (TAG), access to the Tundra allows him to measure the pickup's bed and cab so he can design products to accurately fit and match the Tundra’s styling. “This early access gives TAG the ability to have product available as new Tundras hit the market for those enthusiasts wanting to enhance and personalize their pickups. This service from SEMA is extremely valuable and greatly appreciated,” he said.

According to Nils Forssman of Truck Covers USA, “Measuring Sessions are invaluable to us as manufacturers because they afford us the opportunity to measure new trucks before they hit the market, which in turn enables us to ensure a perfect fit for our product and the new truck bed. We can with confidence supply tonneau covers that fit from the very first purchase of the latest truck models. Eliminating lag time gives us an enormous advantage from a customer-service aspect.”

Inside, overall passenger comfort is improved with an all-new front and rear (CrewMax) seat design and improved front seat ventilation. In addition, front seats have additional travel, and CrewMax rear seats can now be folded up for additional cargo carrying capability while maintaining a comfortable seating back angle.

The Limited grade features leather seating surfaces matching soft-touch stitched door and console surfaces and wood-style interior trims.

The Platinum grade has been completely redesigned for the next generation of personal-use truckers. It features perforated black leather-trimmed seats with double-stitched diamond plate leather, door and instrument panel inserts, and chrome seat and console accent badging.

The 1794 Edition reflects a Western lifestyle theme and includes saddle brown leather seating with embossed leather and ultra-suede accents. Matching soft-touch materials also accents the shift console, the front and rear door trim and instrument panel.

According to Walt Detlefsen of Vizualogic, Measuring Sessions help to match the color of the vehicle's upholstery, measure the OE headrests and test prototypes all before the truck hits the streets. “It was a great opportunity to get an advance look and have our product ready when the truck launches,” he said. “Toyota and SEMA staff were on hand to answer questions and provide guidance. With the new Tundra’s best-in-class rear-seat room in their CrewMax cab, it’s a natural fit for our DVD and Android systems, and we’re glad to have the opportunity to develop for it in such a helpful environment.”

Tundra continues to offer three proven powertrains. A 4.0L V6 is standard on Tundra Regular and Double Cab models and produces 270 hp. It is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The available 4.6L V8 offers 310 hp, and the 5.7L V8 produces 381 hp in both gasoline and flex-fuel variants. Both V8s come standard with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

The SR and SR5 grades will ride on 18-in. styled steel wheels, while the Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition will ride on all-new 20-in. alloy wheels specific to each grade.

When equipped with a tow package, the Tundra has a maximum tow capacity of 10,400 lbs.

Measuring Sessions have also been a valuable part of SEMA’s Tech Transfer program, which grants SEMA manufacturing members access to vehicle CAD files provided directly from participating OEMs. The intent of the program is to help streamline production by minimizing or completely eliminating the necessity for reverse engineering. Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Scion are currently participating in the program. SEMA Measuring Sessions and the Tech Transfer Program are functions of SEMA's OEM department.

In addition to access to upcoming vehicles, SEMA Measuring Session participants can also ask questions of the participating OEM staff to learn more about the vehicles, the automaker's marketing plans, the intended audience and more.



Chris Gomez, Toyota product manager, believes Measuring Sessions are beneficial to product manufacturers because they help to develop strong relationships with companies and individuals whose business relies on the vehicles OEMs produce. “There has been a longstanding trend for vehicle customization and accessorizing that is important to our customers,” he said. “With this Measuring Session partnership between Toyota, SEMA and aftermarket manufacturers, we hope to give all of our customers the option of making their vehicle their own the second they drive a new vehicle off of the dealer lot.”

“We at Toyota are extremely excited about launch of the new Tundra and we have begun to hear that from the aftermarket as well,” Gomez continued. “We find that this is being driven by the look and feel of the grades that we will offer on the new Tundra. The 1794 Edition will provide additional diversity, which builds off of our growing Platinum, increasingly popular Limited and SR5 grades. With these distinct grades, we feel that the aftermarket will be able to provide additional products on top of their current offerings, which can further help customers personalize their vehicles. We feel this is particularly vital in the fullsize pickup market because across all vehicle segments, owners of fullsize pickups (on average) spend the most on accessories. We would like to have the owners of the new Tundra ready to make their vehicle suitable to their lives once they purchase the new Tundra, and this partnership between Toyota, SEMA and aftermarket manufacturers helps to have those products ready once the purchase is made.”

The next SEMA Measuring Session features ’14 GM fullsize trucks and will be held April 23, at Warren Technical Center in Warren, Michigan.

For additional information on Measuring Sessions, Tech Transfer and additional programs available through SEMA's OEM Relations department, visit www.sema.org/oem.



The ’14 Toyota Tundra Measuring Session participants included:

A.R.E. Accessories LLC			Prestige Autotech Corp.
AEM Induction			Rosen
American Eagle Wheel Corp.			Rostra Precision Controls
American Tire Distributors			Rugged Liner Inc.
ATS Design			Stoptech
Bushwacker			Tenneco Inc.
Carlisle Tire and Wheel			Truck Accessories Group
CARR			Truck Covers USA
C.R. Laurence Co. Inc.			TSW Alloy Wheels
Delta Tech Industries LLC			Vizualogic
Discount Tire Co.			Voxx Products
EGR Inc.			Westin Automotive Products
Fab Fours Inc.			Wheel Consultants Inc.
Fabtech			Wheel Pros
Konig			Winbo USA
Lexani			Winfield Consumer Products
Lund International

By Chad Simon

	RJ Lynn of Fab Fours Inc. gathered 3D data for developing premium bumpers for the new Tundra.
	Darrin Olsen of EGR Inc. took window measurements to produce window visors for the Tundra.
	Daniel Rice and Victor Garcia of Westin Automotive Products gathered specs from the Tundra's grille.
	The Tundra's available 5.7L DOHC i-Force V8 produces 381 hp and 401 lb.-ft. of peak torque, in both gasoline and flex-fuel variants.
	The new 1794 Edition is a tribute to the ranch, founded in the year 1794, on which the Tundra plant is located in San Antonio, Texas.
	Providing access to the Tundra allows manufacturers that develop truck-bed products to measure the pickup's bed (65 x 78.7 in.) so they can design products to accurately fit and match the ’14 Tundra’s styling.

Thirty-three manufacturers—the best attendance in several years—showed up to measure the redesigned ’14 Toyota Tundra during last week's SEMA Measuring Session at the Toyota Warehouse in Gardena, California. With three different models on display—the all-new premium 1794 Edition, SR5 and Limited—manufacturers extracted the specs they needed to develop aftermarket parts for the pickup that is sure to be a hit among enthusiasts.



The ’14 Tundra—available in September—will be redesigned, inside and out, representing the first major change since the launch of the current generation for the ’07 model year.

The ’14 Tundra is available in SR, SR5, Limited and two premium grades: Platinum and the all-new 1794 Edition. Three cab styles are offered: a two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab and four-door CrewMax—all available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. 

SEMA Measuring Sessions provide an integration platform for different sectors of the aftermarket community. Members acquaint themselves with new vehicles before their release or immediately following their debut. Participants can question manufacturer representatives and offer their feedback regarding the new vehicles. 

SEMA acquires first-production or pre-production test vehicles for the sessions, allowing wheel companies, performance groups and cosmetic restyling businesses to shorten the lead-time for new products. SEMA often gathers two or more vehicles for each session, increasing the value of each event. In this case, three different Tundra models were made available for specialty-parts manufacturers.

Westin Automotive Products uses Measuring Sessions to verify fitment of its current product offerings for an upcoming vehicle. “In the case of the Toyota Tundra, we manufacture a wide range of step-up products, winch mounts and grille guards,” said Victor Garcia of Westin. “We were able to install some product and surface scan a few key areas of the vehicle with a 3D white-light scanner. This Measuring Session is invaluable for planning the rest of our development schedule for this vehicle line. Pickups and sport-utility vehicles are our main product application, so having the opportunity to interact with the vehicle and personnel at Toyota is extremely helpful.”

The Tundra's all-new front design integrates the hood and grille for a chiseled and modern industrial image. Designers increased the size of the front fascia and tightened up the surfaces and character lines to punctuate Tundra’s pulling power and wide stance. The chrome grille has a taller, bolder look, visually connecting the upper intake to the lower bumper. The front lower bumpers are now a three-piece design, allowing for grade differentiation and less-expensive replacement parts. In addition, the fenders and wheelwells have been squared-off for a wide and sturdy stance.

According to RJ Lynn of Fab Fours Inc., the manufacturer's products will further enhance the Tundra's new styling. “SEMA Measuring Sessions are hugely beneficial for Fab Fours to get our hands on new vehicles well in advance of their release,” said Lynn. “This allows us to attain all of the data required [if not provided by that specific OEM] to be able to develop our products and have them released for production as the vehicles are hitting the dealership lots. The Tundra's more bulky lines will make for a stunning rugged look with our products installed.”

An all-new bed design helps carry the chiseled character lines all the way down the profile, leading to a rugged new bed and tailgate. An integrated spoiler in the deck helps with fuel efficiency. Like the front bumper, the rear bumper changes from one piece to three, for lower replacement costs.

In the case of Kevin Douglass of Truck Accessories Group (TAG), access to the Tundra allows him to measure the pickup's bed and cab so he can design products to accurately fit and match the Tundra’s styling. “This early access gives TAG the ability to have product available as new Tundras hit the market for those enthusiasts wanting to enhance and personalize their pickups. This service from SEMA is extremely valuable and greatly appreciated,” he said.

According to Nils Forssman of Truck Covers USA, “Measuring Sessions are invaluable to us as manufacturers because they afford us the opportunity to measure new trucks before they hit the market, which in turn enables us to ensure a perfect fit for our product and the new truck bed. We can with confidence supply tonneau covers that fit from the very first purchase of the latest truck models. Eliminating lag time gives us an enormous advantage from a customer-service aspect.”

Inside, overall passenger comfort is improved with an all-new front and rear (CrewMax) seat design and improved front seat ventilation. In addition, front seats have additional travel, and CrewMax rear seats can now be folded up for additional cargo carrying capability while maintaining a comfortable seating back angle.

The Limited grade features leather seating surfaces matching soft-touch stitched door and console surfaces and wood-style interior trims.

The Platinum grade has been completely redesigned for the next generation of personal-use truckers. It features perforated black leather-trimmed seats with double-stitched diamond plate leather, door and instrument panel inserts, and chrome seat and console accent badging.

The 1794 Edition reflects a Western lifestyle theme and includes saddle brown leather seating with embossed leather and ultra-suede accents. Matching soft-touch materials also accents the shift console, the front and rear door trim and instrument panel.

According to Walt Detlefsen of Vizualogic, Measuring Sessions help to match the color of the vehicle's upholstery, measure the OE headrests and test prototypes all before the truck hits the streets. “It was a great opportunity to get an advance look and have our product ready when the truck launches,” he said. “Toyota and SEMA staff were on hand to answer questions and provide guidance. With the new Tundra’s best-in-class rear-seat room in their CrewMax cab, it’s a natural fit for our DVD and Android systems, and we’re glad to have the opportunity to develop for it in such a helpful environment.”

Tundra continues to offer three proven powertrains. A 4.0L V6 is standard on Tundra Regular and Double Cab models and produces 270 hp. It is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The available 4.6L V8 offers 310 hp, and the 5.7L V8 produces 381 hp in both gasoline and flex-fuel variants. Both V8s come standard with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

The SR and SR5 grades will ride on 18-in. styled steel wheels, while the Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition will ride on all-new 20-in. alloy wheels specific to each grade.

When equipped with a tow package, the Tundra has a maximum tow capacity of 10,400 lbs.

Measuring Sessions have also been a valuable part of SEMA’s Tech Transfer program, which grants SEMA manufacturing members access to vehicle CAD files provided directly from participating OEMs. The intent of the program is to help streamline production by minimizing or completely eliminating the necessity for reverse engineering. Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Scion are currently participating in the program. SEMA Measuring Sessions and the Tech Transfer Program are functions of SEMA's OEM department.

In addition to access to upcoming vehicles, SEMA Measuring Session participants can also ask questions of the participating OEM staff to learn more about the vehicles, the automaker's marketing plans, the intended audience and more.



Chris Gomez, Toyota product manager, believes Measuring Sessions are beneficial to product manufacturers because they help to develop strong relationships with companies and individuals whose business relies on the vehicles OEMs produce. “There has been a longstanding trend for vehicle customization and accessorizing that is important to our customers,” he said. “With this Measuring Session partnership between Toyota, SEMA and aftermarket manufacturers, we hope to give all of our customers the option of making their vehicle their own the second they drive a new vehicle off of the dealer lot.”

“We at Toyota are extremely excited about launch of the new Tundra and we have begun to hear that from the aftermarket as well,” Gomez continued. “We find that this is being driven by the look and feel of the grades that we will offer on the new Tundra. The 1794 Edition will provide additional diversity, which builds off of our growing Platinum, increasingly popular Limited and SR5 grades. With these distinct grades, we feel that the aftermarket will be able to provide additional products on top of their current offerings, which can further help customers personalize their vehicles. We feel this is particularly vital in the fullsize pickup market because across all vehicle segments, owners of fullsize pickups (on average) spend the most on accessories. We would like to have the owners of the new Tundra ready to make their vehicle suitable to their lives once they purchase the new Tundra, and this partnership between Toyota, SEMA and aftermarket manufacturers helps to have those products ready once the purchase is made.”

The next SEMA Measuring Session features ’14 GM fullsize trucks and will be held April 23, at Warren Technical Center in Warren, Michigan.

For additional information on Measuring Sessions, Tech Transfer and additional programs available through SEMA's OEM Relations department, visit www.sema.org/oem.



The ’14 Toyota Tundra Measuring Session participants included:

A.R.E. Accessories LLC			Prestige Autotech Corp.
AEM Induction			Rosen
American Eagle Wheel Corp.			Rostra Precision Controls
American Tire Distributors			Rugged Liner Inc.
ATS Design			Stoptech
Bushwacker			Tenneco Inc.
Carlisle Tire and Wheel			Truck Accessories Group
CARR			Truck Covers USA
C.R. Laurence Co. Inc.			TSW Alloy Wheels
Delta Tech Industries LLC			Vizualogic
Discount Tire Co.			Voxx Products
EGR Inc.			Westin Automotive Products
Fab Fours Inc.			Wheel Consultants Inc.
Fabtech			Wheel Pros
Konig			Winbo USA
Lexani			Winfield Consumer Products
Lund International

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

ANDERSON REMEMBERS KB RACING TEAM'S FIRST RACE AT THE STRIP AT LVMS: This weekend's SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will provide two opportunities to celebrate in the winner's circle for outstanding performers in the factory hot-rod crowd. Summit Racing driver Greg Anderson expects great things for his Chevy Camaro on the double-down weekend and rightfully so. The main event is his sponsor's title race, and the facility where it takes place is nestled in the hometown of his team owner, Ken Black. Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock national champion in NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, has made a habit of rising to the challenge of such pressure at the Las Vegas racetrack and has accumulated seven victories there, more than any other professional driver on the circuit. However, it was not by chance that the KB Racing team found a successful combination for the desert racetrack that sits some 2,100 ft. above sea level. They were deeply motivated by the outcome of their first showing at "The Strip."

"Las Vegas has been very good to this Summit Racing team, but it was a tough place to start out when we first formed this team with Ken Black," admitted Anderson. "I'll never forget our first race there; we didn't qualify. Ken was all about racing serious, but he also wanted to have fun and he told us, 'You know, I'll be happy as long as you do well in Vegas. That stuck with us, and starting off that way at his home track [in 2002] was a real heartbreaker. But because of that, we've spent a lot of time testing in Las Vegas since then, and we've won a lot of high pressure, high stakes, very pivotal and very important races there. It started out rough for us, but we were able to turn it around through hard work and create some special, special moments at that racetrack. We'll be looking forward to more of that this weekend."

For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com.

PEDREGON TO DEBUT KOMATSU MACHINE IN VEGAS: Tony Pedregon Racing will sport a new look at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas this weekend. The Funny Car team is partnering with Komatsu, a worldwide manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. The brand will highlight its Komatsu Care program, which provides complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance on Komatsu equipment. With the added support of Komatsu, the team looks to make strides at the Las Vegas event.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Komatsu,” Pedregon said. “They have many customers that look forward to the race weekend.”

Pedregon will make an appearance at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall during his stay. The two-time NHRA Mello Yello champ will have his new Komatsu and Sam’s Town Toyota Funny Car on display at the hotel Wednesday, April 3, from 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Fans can stop by for autographs and pictures and enter for a chance to win free race tickets and VIP hospitality passes to the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.

NHRA FEMALE DRIVERS LOOK TO KEEP MOMENTUM GOING AT DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS: In the world of motorsports, 2013 has been the year of the ladies, some of whom will look to make even more history at the upcoming Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, April 19–21. Perhaps the biggest obstacle that the girls of the NHRA will tackle this year is the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. No female has won at zMAX Dragway in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, but Courtney and Brittany Force are hungry to pick up that win.

“[zMAX Dragway] was probably the most nerve-wracking track I’ve ever competed at,” said Courtney. “This obviously is the Bellagio of drag strips. There’s no other race track on the planet that’s four-wide; there’s no other place you get to see 40,000 hp going down the track at once. These are 10,000hp cars and they’re going 300 mph in just under four seconds. That’s the great thing about this track. It’s rare and it’s not like you can go practice it at all the other race tracks. This is the only track that is this way and it definitely makes it exciting for the fans and for the drivers.”

Erica Enders-Stevens is also hoping to add a Four-Wide Wally to her collection in the Pro Stock category. "Winning at Charlotte—and any Bruton Smith track—is a big deal," Enders-Stevens said. "Bruton Smith has done a lot for our sport, and his tracks are the nicest facilities on the circuit. It would definitely be neat to get it done there. It's our backyard, and Charlotte is the only race track that Cagnazzi Racing has not conquered. It's definitely on our to-do list."

Fans who want to see Courtney, Brittany, Enders-Stevens, Smith and all of the other stars of the NHRA going for the Wally at the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals can purchase three tickets and get one free in select sections. Children 13 and under are admitted for free every day of the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Every ticket is a pit pass. Tickets and camping are still available for the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 19–21, at zMAX Dragway, by calling the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) and online at www.4widedrags.com.

LEGENDARY RACER, TRACK OPERATOR MALONE DIES: Art Malone, a legendary figure in drag racing and other motorsports, died March 29. He suffered severe injuries in an airboat crash a few years ago and never fully recovered. Few automotive racers have enjoyed a more varied and exciting career than Malone, who not only was a successful dragstrip owner and Top Fuel campaigner, but also gained fame as a driver at the legendary Indy 500. Malone was also instrumental in providing financial assistance to longtime friend Don Garlits for his return to NHRA competition in the mid-’80s, a move that set the stage for “Big Daddy’s” three straight NHRA U.S. Nationals Top Fuel victories (’84–’86) and back-to-back NHRA Top Fuel championships (’85–’86). Raised in Tampa, Florida, Malone got his first taste of drag racing when he and a group of teenage buddies made the trek to the West Coast to attend the first NHRA event in Pomona in 1953. Upon returning to Florida, he began staging races at Henderson Airfield in Tampa, charging 25 cents a head to cover the cost of trophies for the winners. After substituting as a driver for Garlits, who was recovering from burns suffered during a June 20, 1959, engine explosion, Malone began Top Fuel match racing on his own. He soon ventured into the world of circle-track competition, where he became the first driver to exceed 180 mph on an oval course with a 181.561-mph lap at Daytona International Speedway in 1961. In early 1963, upon the recommendation of NHRA founder Wally Parks, Malone was introduced to Andy Granatelli, who later hired him to drive his V8-powered Novi in the Indy 500. He qualified for the ’63 and ’64 events and finished 11th in the latter. Following a brief stint with Funny Cars in the late ’60s, Malone continued to race in Top Fuel until he retired from active driving in 1975. He later operated a pair of Florida racetracks under NHRA sanction—Sunshine Dragstrip and DeSoto Memorial Speedway.


COMING ATTRACTIONS



SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 5–7: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the fourth of 24 races on the circuit. Drivers in the Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock classes will earn points toward the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2012 winners of the event were Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com.

DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS, zMAX Dragway, April 19–21: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to the Bellagio of Dragstrips in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the fifth of 24 events. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will compete in a four-wide configuration and earn points toward the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series regular season points standings. The 2012 winners of the event were Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-455-FANS or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

O'REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS, Royal Purple Raceway, April 26–28: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to the Lone Star State for the sixth of 24 events of the 2013 season. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points toward the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2012 winners of the event were Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281-383-7223 or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

BERNSTEIN LOVES RACING IN LAS VEGAS: After a solid test session and a nice spring break and following the Gainesville race, Brandon Bernstein and the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MATV Top Fuel team are anxious to get back to work at this weekend's SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. An improved car isn't the only thing that has Bernstein, who currently sits ninth in the Top Fuel standings, itching to get back to Sin City—one of his favorite stops on the NHRA schedule.

"I can't wait to get back to Vegas because the track has been a great one for me," Bernstein said. "There's something about that track that I just love and, of course, there's a lot of personal history there for me, winning at the same race as my dad."

Las Vegas also has its fair share of entertainment options, which Bernstein points to as one of the other high points of racing there. "There are tons of distractions in Vegas," Bernstein said. "There's great nightlife, and I do enjoy gambling as well. But the most fun I have is sitting with friends at one of the bars and just watching the people go by. People of all shapes, sizes, colors and everything come to Vegas, and it's cool to take it all in. It's one of the few places we go to that you can leave the issues on the track at the track. Plus there's no place better to celebrate a race win."




INSIDE THE NUMBERS

8: NUMBER OF NHRA PRO STOCK DRIVERS WHO WILL BATTLE FOR $50,000 IN THE K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE IN LAS VEGAS: Allen Johnson will lead the K&N Horsepower Challenge field as the No. 1 seed for the first time in his career as the event takes center stage April 6 during the 14th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A purse of $76,000 is available for the eight drivers competing in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. The winner of the 29th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge will earn $50,000. The runner-up will earn $10,000, the two semifinalists $3,000 each and the four first-round finishers $2,500 apiece. Johnson, of Greeneville, Tennessee, qualified No. 1 at five of the 15 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events where drivers could earn K&N Horsepower Challenge points. It will be Johnson’s 10th appearance in the bonus event. The driver of the Team Mopar Dodge Avenger is the defending NHRA Mello Yello Series Pro Stock world champion. The $121,000 K&N Horsepower Challenge showcases eight Pro Stock teams in a race-within-a-race bonus event. Seven of the teams qualified during a 15-race span from the 2012 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk through the 2013 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville. The eighth-place team was selected via a special fan vote on the K&N website. Besides the $76,000 available in the K&N Horsepower Challenge, bonuses of $45,000 were paid to the top Pro Stock qualifiers throughout the 15-race K&N Horsepower Challenge series, including $3,000 to the No. 1 qualifier at each race.

This year’s K&N Horsepower Challenge field features four past winners and four drivers who are looking for their first victory in the special event. The past winners were top-seed Johnson; defending champ Vincent Nobile; fifth-seed Greg Anderson, a four-time winner; and the fan-vote winner, Jeg Coughlin Jr., who is a three-time K&N Horsepower Challenge winner. Among the four drivers who have never won, two are multitime runners-up in the race: Mike Edwards (four) and Jason Line (three). Erica Enders-Stevens is making her fourth start in the special event and veteran driver V. Gaines is making his third start in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. In the opening round, top-seeded Johnson, the 2008 winner of the event, will face K&N fan-vote winner Coughlin, who is making his 11th appearance in the event. Second-seeded Line will meet Gaines; third-seeded Enders-Stevens will face defending winner Nobile; and four-time winner Anderson will meet Edwards, who is racing in the Challenge for the 10th time. Other past winners of the K&N Horsepower Challenge include Darrell Alderman, Bruce Allen, Dave Connolly, Bob Glidden, Kurt Johnson, Warren Johnson, Larry Morgan, and Jim Yates. K&N Horsepower Challenge rounds are scheduled for 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:25 p.m., April 6. For more on this story, visit www.nhra.com.

DID YOU KNOW…

CAPPS WINS MOST POPULAR MAN IN SAN DIEGO TITLE: Powered by popularity and fueled by the NHRA Drag Racing community, Ron Capps made a late surge to win the March Man-ness contest to determine the most popular man in San Diego on local radio station Star 94.1. Capps, who was selected by the FM station as one of 16 contestants, made a hard move with an hour left in the online voting Thursday night and was informed on the air early Friday that he is the most popular male celebrity in the San Diego area.

“It was a little strange because I was up against San Diego celebrities that I watch on TV,” said Capps, who lives in Carlsbad, California. “It’s cool. I really didn’t think much about it the first week, but as it went on, I was getting more and more messages from friends and fans about how they were voting for me. This last week people were coming out of the woodwork. “I guarantee through this contest we opened the eyes of thousands who have never been to a race what NHRA Drag Racing is. It’s great for our sport.”

Capps easily won his first three matches in the single-elimination tournament but faced his strongest competition in the championship round when paired with YouTube and "America’s Got Talent" star Jorge Narvaez. But Narvaez’s popularity couldn’t overcome the power of the drag-racing family. From Capps’ sponsor NAPA Auto Parts and other NHRA teams to nearly every drag-racing website, the racing world rallied behind Capps.

“It blew me away how many racing sites, whether NHRA, NASCAR or IndyCar, were trying to get people to vote for me. I can’t thank all the people who posted messages on Twitter for me. “Some of the people I race against helped me get votes. That means so much to me. We race against each other on weekends, but we all support each other when something like this contest comes up,” said Capps.

Narvaez and his daughter Alexa, then 3, were wildly popular with a 2011 YouTube video with him playing guitar and Alexa singing. The following year they were picked for "America’s Got Talent" and advanced to the quarterfinals.

“Jorge destroyed his competition in each round up to the final,” Capps added. “I was happy just to hang in there against him for a while. It was kind of like a drag race; I popped ahead, then he did a video with his daughter and pulled ahead, and then it was tied for the last couple days, but we drove around him at the finish line. The producer told me we were almost tied with about an hour to go.”

Capps will be an in-studio guest on Star 94.1 after next weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in Las Vegas.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

ANDERSON REMEMBERS KB RACING TEAM'S FIRST RACE AT THE STRIP AT LVMS: This weekend's SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will provide two opportunities to celebrate in the winner's circle for outstanding performers in the factory hot-rod crowd. Summit Racing driver Greg Anderson expects great things for his Chevy Camaro on the double-down weekend and rightfully so. The main event is his sponsor's title race, and the facility where it takes place is nestled in the hometown of his team owner, Ken Black. Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock national champion in NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, has made a habit of rising to the challenge of such pressure at the Las Vegas racetrack and has accumulated seven victories there, more than any other professional driver on the circuit. However, it was not by chance that the KB Racing team found a successful combination for the desert racetrack that sits some 2,100 ft. above sea level. They were deeply motivated by the outcome of their first showing at "The Strip."

"Las Vegas has been very good to this Summit Racing team, but it was a tough place to start out when we first formed this team with Ken Black," admitted Anderson. "I'll never forget our first race there; we didn't qualify. Ken was all about racing serious, but he also wanted to have fun and he told us, 'You know, I'll be happy as long as you do well in Vegas. That stuck with us, and starting off that way at his home track [in 2002] was a real heartbreaker. But because of that, we've spent a lot of time testing in Las Vegas since then, and we've won a lot of high pressure, high stakes, very pivotal and very important races there. It started out rough for us, but we were able to turn it around through hard work and create some special, special moments at that racetrack. We'll be looking forward to more of that this weekend."

For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com.

PEDREGON TO DEBUT KOMATSU MACHINE IN VEGAS: Tony Pedregon Racing will sport a new look at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas this weekend. The Funny Car team is partnering with Komatsu, a worldwide manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. The brand will highlight its Komatsu Care program, which provides complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance on Komatsu equipment. With the added support of Komatsu, the team looks to make strides at the Las Vegas event.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Komatsu,” Pedregon said. “They have many customers that look forward to the race weekend.”

Pedregon will make an appearance at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall during his stay. The two-time NHRA Mello Yello champ will have his new Komatsu and Sam’s Town Toyota Funny Car on display at the hotel Wednesday, April 3, from 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Fans can stop by for autographs and pictures and enter for a chance to win free race tickets and VIP hospitality passes to the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.

NHRA FEMALE DRIVERS LOOK TO KEEP MOMENTUM GOING AT DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS: In the world of motorsports, 2013 has been the year of the ladies, some of whom will look to make even more history at the upcoming Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, April 19–21. Perhaps the biggest obstacle that the girls of the NHRA will tackle this year is the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. No female has won at zMAX Dragway in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, but Courtney and Brittany Force are hungry to pick up that win.

“[zMAX Dragway] was probably the most nerve-wracking track I’ve ever competed at,” said Courtney. “This obviously is the Bellagio of drag strips. There’s no other race track on the planet that’s four-wide; there’s no other place you get to see 40,000 hp going down the track at once. These are 10,000hp cars and they’re going 300 mph in just under four seconds. That’s the great thing about this track. It’s rare and it’s not like you can go practice it at all the other race tracks. This is the only track that is this way and it definitely makes it exciting for the fans and for the drivers.”

Erica Enders-Stevens is also hoping to add a Four-Wide Wally to her collection in the Pro Stock category. "Winning at Charlotte—and any Bruton Smith track—is a big deal," Enders-Stevens said. "Bruton Smith has done a lot for our sport, and his tracks are the nicest facilities on the circuit. It would definitely be neat to get it done there. It's our backyard, and Charlotte is the only race track that Cagnazzi Racing has not conquered. It's definitely on our to-do list."

Fans who want to see Courtney, Brittany, Enders-Stevens, Smith and all of the other stars of the NHRA going for the Wally at the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals can purchase three tickets and get one free in select sections. Children 13 and under are admitted for free every day of the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Every ticket is a pit pass. Tickets and camping are still available for the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 19–21, at zMAX Dragway, by calling the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) and online at www.4widedrags.com.

LEGENDARY RACER, TRACK OPERATOR MALONE DIES: Art Malone, a legendary figure in drag racing and other motorsports, died March 29. He suffered severe injuries in an airboat crash a few years ago and never fully recovered. Few automotive racers have enjoyed a more varied and exciting career than Malone, who not only was a successful dragstrip owner and Top Fuel campaigner, but also gained fame as a driver at the legendary Indy 500. Malone was also instrumental in providing financial assistance to longtime friend Don Garlits for his return to NHRA competition in the mid-’80s, a move that set the stage for “Big Daddy’s” three straight NHRA U.S. Nationals Top Fuel victories (’84–’86) and back-to-back NHRA Top Fuel championships (’85–’86). Raised in Tampa, Florida, Malone got his first taste of drag racing when he and a group of teenage buddies made the trek to the West Coast to attend the first NHRA event in Pomona in 1953. Upon returning to Florida, he began staging races at Henderson Airfield in Tampa, charging 25 cents a head to cover the cost of trophies for the winners. After substituting as a driver for Garlits, who was recovering from burns suffered during a June 20, 1959, engine explosion, Malone began Top Fuel match racing on his own. He soon ventured into the world of circle-track competition, where he became the first driver to exceed 180 mph on an oval course with a 181.561-mph lap at Daytona International Speedway in 1961. In early 1963, upon the recommendation of NHRA founder Wally Parks, Malone was introduced to Andy Granatelli, who later hired him to drive his V8-powered Novi in the Indy 500. He qualified for the ’63 and ’64 events and finished 11th in the latter. Following a brief stint with Funny Cars in the late ’60s, Malone continued to race in Top Fuel until he retired from active driving in 1975. He later operated a pair of Florida racetracks under NHRA sanction—Sunshine Dragstrip and DeSoto Memorial Speedway.


COMING ATTRACTIONS



SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 5–7: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the fourth of 24 races on the circuit. Drivers in the Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock classes will earn points toward the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2012 winners of the event were Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com.

DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS, zMAX Dragway, April 19–21: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to the Bellagio of Dragstrips in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the fifth of 24 events. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will compete in a four-wide configuration and earn points toward the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series regular season points standings. The 2012 winners of the event were Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-455-FANS or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

O'REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS, Royal Purple Raceway, April 26–28: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to the Lone Star State for the sixth of 24 events of the 2013 season. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points toward the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2012 winners of the event were Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281-383-7223 or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

BERNSTEIN LOVES RACING IN LAS VEGAS: After a solid test session and a nice spring break and following the Gainesville race, Brandon Bernstein and the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MATV Top Fuel team are anxious to get back to work at this weekend's SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. An improved car isn't the only thing that has Bernstein, who currently sits ninth in the Top Fuel standings, itching to get back to Sin City—one of his favorite stops on the NHRA schedule.

"I can't wait to get back to Vegas because the track has been a great one for me," Bernstein said. "There's something about that track that I just love and, of course, there's a lot of personal history there for me, winning at the same race as my dad."

Las Vegas also has its fair share of entertainment options, which Bernstein points to as one of the other high points of racing there. "There are tons of distractions in Vegas," Bernstein said. "There's great nightlife, and I do enjoy gambling as well. But the most fun I have is sitting with friends at one of the bars and just watching the people go by. People of all shapes, sizes, colors and everything come to Vegas, and it's cool to take it all in. It's one of the few places we go to that you can leave the issues on the track at the track. Plus there's no place better to celebrate a race win."




INSIDE THE NUMBERS

8: NUMBER OF NHRA PRO STOCK DRIVERS WHO WILL BATTLE FOR $50,000 IN THE K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE IN LAS VEGAS: Allen Johnson will lead the K&N Horsepower Challenge field as the No. 1 seed for the first time in his career as the event takes center stage April 6 during the 14th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A purse of $76,000 is available for the eight drivers competing in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. The winner of the 29th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge will earn $50,000. The runner-up will earn $10,000, the two semifinalists $3,000 each and the four first-round finishers $2,500 apiece. Johnson, of Greeneville, Tennessee, qualified No. 1 at five of the 15 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events where drivers could earn K&N Horsepower Challenge points. It will be Johnson’s 10th appearance in the bonus event. The driver of the Team Mopar Dodge Avenger is the defending NHRA Mello Yello Series Pro Stock world champion. The $121,000 K&N Horsepower Challenge showcases eight Pro Stock teams in a race-within-a-race bonus event. Seven of the teams qualified during a 15-race span from the 2012 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk through the 2013 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville. The eighth-place team was selected via a special fan vote on the K&N website. Besides the $76,000 available in the K&N Horsepower Challenge, bonuses of $45,000 were paid to the top Pro Stock qualifiers throughout the 15-race K&N Horsepower Challenge series, including $3,000 to the No. 1 qualifier at each race.

This year’s K&N Horsepower Challenge field features four past winners and four drivers who are looking for their first victory in the special event. The past winners were top-seed Johnson; defending champ Vincent Nobile; fifth-seed Greg Anderson, a four-time winner; and the fan-vote winner, Jeg Coughlin Jr., who is a three-time K&N Horsepower Challenge winner. Among the four drivers who have never won, two are multitime runners-up in the race: Mike Edwards (four) and Jason Line (three). Erica Enders-Stevens is making her fourth start in the special event and veteran driver V. Gaines is making his third start in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. In the opening round, top-seeded Johnson, the 2008 winner of the event, will face K&N fan-vote winner Coughlin, who is making his 11th appearance in the event. Second-seeded Line will meet Gaines; third-seeded Enders-Stevens will face defending winner Nobile; and four-time winner Anderson will meet Edwards, who is racing in the Challenge for the 10th time. Other past winners of the K&N Horsepower Challenge include Darrell Alderman, Bruce Allen, Dave Connolly, Bob Glidden, Kurt Johnson, Warren Johnson, Larry Morgan, and Jim Yates. K&N Horsepower Challenge rounds are scheduled for 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:25 p.m., April 6. For more on this story, visit www.nhra.com.

DID YOU KNOW…

CAPPS WINS MOST POPULAR MAN IN SAN DIEGO TITLE: Powered by popularity and fueled by the NHRA Drag Racing community, Ron Capps made a late surge to win the March Man-ness contest to determine the most popular man in San Diego on local radio station Star 94.1. Capps, who was selected by the FM station as one of 16 contestants, made a hard move with an hour left in the online voting Thursday night and was informed on the air early Friday that he is the most popular male celebrity in the San Diego area.

“It was a little strange because I was up against San Diego celebrities that I watch on TV,” said Capps, who lives in Carlsbad, California. “It’s cool. I really didn’t think much about it the first week, but as it went on, I was getting more and more messages from friends and fans about how they were voting for me. This last week people were coming out of the woodwork. “I guarantee through this contest we opened the eyes of thousands who have never been to a race what NHRA Drag Racing is. It’s great for our sport.”

Capps easily won his first three matches in the single-elimination tournament but faced his strongest competition in the championship round when paired with YouTube and "America’s Got Talent" star Jorge Narvaez. But Narvaez’s popularity couldn’t overcome the power of the drag-racing family. From Capps’ sponsor NAPA Auto Parts and other NHRA teams to nearly every drag-racing website, the racing world rallied behind Capps.

“It blew me away how many racing sites, whether NHRA, NASCAR or IndyCar, were trying to get people to vote for me. I can’t thank all the people who posted messages on Twitter for me. “Some of the people I race against helped me get votes. That means so much to me. We race against each other on weekends, but we all support each other when something like this contest comes up,” said Capps.

Narvaez and his daughter Alexa, then 3, were wildly popular with a 2011 YouTube video with him playing guitar and Alexa singing. The following year they were picked for "America’s Got Talent" and advanced to the quarterfinals.

“Jorge destroyed his competition in each round up to the final,” Capps added. “I was happy just to hang in there against him for a while. It was kind of like a drag race; I popped ahead, then he did a video with his daughter and pulled ahead, and then it was tied for the last couple days, but we drove around him at the finish line. The producer told me we were almost tied with about an hour to go.”

Capps will be an in-studio guest on Star 94.1 after next weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in Las Vegas.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

ANDERSON REMEMBERS KB RACING TEAM'S FIRST RACE AT THE STRIP AT LVMS: This weekend's SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will provide two opportunities to celebrate in the winner's circle for outstanding performers in the factory hot-rod crowd. Summit Racing driver Greg Anderson expects great things for his Chevy Camaro on the double-down weekend and rightfully so. The main event is his sponsor's title race, and the facility where it takes place is nestled in the hometown of his team owner, Ken Black. Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock national champion in NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, has made a habit of rising to the challenge of such pressure at the Las Vegas racetrack and has accumulated seven victories there, more than any other professional driver on the circuit. However, it was not by chance that the KB Racing team found a successful combination for the desert racetrack that sits some 2,100 ft. above sea level. They were deeply motivated by the outcome of their first showing at "The Strip."

"Las Vegas has been very good to this Summit Racing team, but it was a tough place to start out when we first formed this team with Ken Black," admitted Anderson. "I'll never forget our first race there; we didn't qualify. Ken was all about racing serious, but he also wanted to have fun and he told us, 'You know, I'll be happy as long as you do well in Vegas. That stuck with us, and starting off that way at his home track [in 2002] was a real heartbreaker. But because of that, we've spent a lot of time testing in Las Vegas since then, and we've won a lot of high pressure, high stakes, very pivotal and very important races there. It started out rough for us, but we were able to turn it around through hard work and create some special, special moments at that racetrack. We'll be looking forward to more of that this weekend."

For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com.

PEDREGON TO DEBUT KOMATSU MACHINE IN VEGAS: Tony Pedregon Racing will sport a new look at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas this weekend. The Funny Car team is partnering with Komatsu, a worldwide manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. The brand will highlight its Komatsu Care program, which provides complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance on Komatsu equipment. With the added support of Komatsu, the team looks to make strides at the Las Vegas event.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Komatsu,” Pedregon said. “They have many customers that look forward to the race weekend.”

Pedregon will make an appearance at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall during his stay. The two-time NHRA Mello Yello champ will have his new Komatsu and Sam’s Town Toyota Funny Car on display at the hotel Wednesday, April 3, from 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Fans can stop by for autographs and pictures and enter for a chance to win free race tickets and VIP hospitality passes to the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.

NHRA FEMALE DRIVERS LOOK TO KEEP MOMENTUM GOING AT DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS: In the world of motorsports, 2013 has been the year of the ladies, some of whom will look to make even more history at the upcoming Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, April 19–21. Perhaps the biggest obstacle that the girls of the NHRA will tackle this year is the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. No female has won at zMAX Dragway in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, but Courtney and Brittany Force are hungry to pick up that win.

“[zMAX Dragway] was probably the most nerve-wracking track I’ve ever competed at,” said Courtney. “This obviously is the Bellagio of drag strips. There’s no other race track on the planet that’s four-wide; there’s no other place you get to see 40,000 hp going down the track at once. These are 10,000hp cars and they’re going 300 mph in just under four seconds. That’s the great thing about this track. It’s rare and it’s not like you can go practice it at all the other race tracks. This is the only track that is this way and it definitely makes it exciting for the fans and for the drivers.”

Erica Enders-Stevens is also hoping to add a Four-Wide Wally to her collection in the Pro Stock category. "Winning at Charlotte—and any Bruton Smith track—is a big deal," Enders-Stevens said. "Bruton Smith has done a lot for our sport, and his tracks are the nicest facilities on the circuit. It would definitely be neat to get it done there. It's our backyard, and Charlotte is the only race track that Cagnazzi Racing has not conquered. It's definitely on our to-do list."

Fans who want to see Courtney, Brittany, Enders-Stevens, Smith and all of the other stars of the NHRA going for the Wally at the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals can purchase three tickets and get one free in select sections. Children 13 and under are admitted for free every day of the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Every ticket is a pit pass. Tickets and camping are still available for the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 19–21, at zMAX Dragway, by calling the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) and online at www.4widedrags.com.

LEGENDARY RACER, TRACK OPERATOR MALONE DIES: Art Malone, a legendary figure in drag racing and other motorsports, died March 29. He suffered severe injuries in an airboat crash a few years ago and never fully recovered. Few automotive racers have enjoyed a more varied and exciting career than Malone, who not only was a successful dragstrip owner and Top Fuel campaigner, but also gained fame as a driver at the legendary Indy 500. Malone was also instrumental in providing financial assistance to longtime friend Don Garlits for his return to NHRA competition in the mid-’80s, a move that set the stage for “Big Daddy’s” three straight NHRA U.S. Nationals Top Fuel victories (’84–’86) and back-to-back NHRA Top Fuel championships (’85–’86). Raised in Tampa, Florida, Malone got his first taste of drag racing when he and a group of teenage buddies made the trek to the West Coast to attend the first NHRA event in Pomona in 1953. Upon returning to Florida, he began staging races at Henderson Airfield in Tampa, charging 25 cents a head to cover the cost of trophies for the winners. After substituting as a driver for Garlits, who was recovering from burns suffered during a June 20, 1959, engine explosion, Malone began Top Fuel match racing on his own. He soon ventured into the world of circle-track competition, where he became the first driver to exceed 180 mph on an oval course with a 181.561-mph lap at Daytona International Speedway in 1961. In early 1963, upon the recommendation of NHRA founder Wally Parks, Malone was introduced to Andy Granatelli, who later hired him to drive his V8-powered Novi in the Indy 500. He qualified for the ’63 and ’64 events and finished 11th in the latter. Following a brief stint with Funny Cars in the late ’60s, Malone continued to race in Top Fuel until he retired from active driving in 1975. He later operated a pair of Florida racetracks under NHRA sanction—Sunshine Dragstrip and DeSoto Memorial Speedway.


COMING ATTRACTIONS



SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 5–7: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the fourth of 24 races on the circuit. Drivers in the Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock classes will earn points toward the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2012 winners of the event were Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to www.lvms.com.

DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS, zMAX Dragway, April 19–21: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to the Bellagio of Dragstrips in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the fifth of 24 events. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will compete in a four-wide configuration and earn points toward the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series regular season points standings. The 2012 winners of the event were Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-455-FANS or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

O'REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS, Royal Purple Raceway, April 26–28: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to the Lone Star State for the sixth of 24 events of the 2013 season. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points toward the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2012 winners of the event were Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281-383-7223 or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

BERNSTEIN LOVES RACING IN LAS VEGAS: After a solid test session and a nice spring break and following the Gainesville race, Brandon Bernstein and the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MATV Top Fuel team are anxious to get back to work at this weekend's SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. An improved car isn't the only thing that has Bernstein, who currently sits ninth in the Top Fuel standings, itching to get back to Sin City—one of his favorite stops on the NHRA schedule.

"I can't wait to get back to Vegas because the track has been a great one for me," Bernstein said. "There's something about that track that I just love and, of course, there's a lot of personal history there for me, winning at the same race as my dad."

Las Vegas also has its fair share of entertainment options, which Bernstein points to as one of the other high points of racing there. "There are tons of distractions in Vegas," Bernstein said. "There's great nightlife, and I do enjoy gambling as well. But the most fun I have is sitting with friends at one of the bars and just watching the people go by. People of all shapes, sizes, colors and everything come to Vegas, and it's cool to take it all in. It's one of the few places we go to that you can leave the issues on the track at the track. Plus there's no place better to celebrate a race win."




INSIDE THE NUMBERS

8: NUMBER OF NHRA PRO STOCK DRIVERS WHO WILL BATTLE FOR $50,000 IN THE K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE IN LAS VEGAS: Allen Johnson will lead the K&N Horsepower Challenge field as the No. 1 seed for the first time in his career as the event takes center stage April 6 during the 14th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A purse of $76,000 is available for the eight drivers competing in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. The winner of the 29th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge will earn $50,000. The runner-up will earn $10,000, the two semifinalists $3,000 each and the four first-round finishers $2,500 apiece. Johnson, of Greeneville, Tennessee, qualified No. 1 at five of the 15 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events where drivers could earn K&N Horsepower Challenge points. It will be Johnson’s 10th appearance in the bonus event. The driver of the Team Mopar Dodge Avenger is the defending NHRA Mello Yello Series Pro Stock world champion. The $121,000 K&N Horsepower Challenge showcases eight Pro Stock teams in a race-within-a-race bonus event. Seven of the teams qualified during a 15-race span from the 2012 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk through the 2013 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville. The eighth-place team was selected via a special fan vote on the K&N website. Besides the $76,000 available in the K&N Horsepower Challenge, bonuses of $45,000 were paid to the top Pro Stock qualifiers throughout the 15-race K&N Horsepower Challenge series, including $3,000 to the No. 1 qualifier at each race.

This year’s K&N Horsepower Challenge field features four past winners and four drivers who are looking for their first victory in the special event. The past winners were top-seed Johnson; defending champ Vincent Nobile; fifth-seed Greg Anderson, a four-time winner; and the fan-vote winner, Jeg Coughlin Jr., who is a three-time K&N Horsepower Challenge winner. Among the four drivers who have never won, two are multitime runners-up in the race: Mike Edwards (four) and Jason Line (three). Erica Enders-Stevens is making her fourth start in the special event and veteran driver V. Gaines is making his third start in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. In the opening round, top-seeded Johnson, the 2008 winner of the event, will face K&N fan-vote winner Coughlin, who is making his 11th appearance in the event. Second-seeded Line will meet Gaines; third-seeded Enders-Stevens will face defending winner Nobile; and four-time winner Anderson will meet Edwards, who is racing in the Challenge for the 10th time. Other past winners of the K&N Horsepower Challenge include Darrell Alderman, Bruce Allen, Dave Connolly, Bob Glidden, Kurt Johnson, Warren Johnson, Larry Morgan, and Jim Yates. K&N Horsepower Challenge rounds are scheduled for 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:25 p.m., April 6. For more on this story, visit www.nhra.com.

DID YOU KNOW…

CAPPS WINS MOST POPULAR MAN IN SAN DIEGO TITLE: Powered by popularity and fueled by the NHRA Drag Racing community, Ron Capps made a late surge to win the March Man-ness contest to determine the most popular man in San Diego on local radio station Star 94.1. Capps, who was selected by the FM station as one of 16 contestants, made a hard move with an hour left in the online voting Thursday night and was informed on the air early Friday that he is the most popular male celebrity in the San Diego area.

“It was a little strange because I was up against San Diego celebrities that I watch on TV,” said Capps, who lives in Carlsbad, California. “It’s cool. I really didn’t think much about it the first week, but as it went on, I was getting more and more messages from friends and fans about how they were voting for me. This last week people were coming out of the woodwork. “I guarantee through this contest we opened the eyes of thousands who have never been to a race what NHRA Drag Racing is. It’s great for our sport.”

Capps easily won his first three matches in the single-elimination tournament but faced his strongest competition in the championship round when paired with YouTube and "America’s Got Talent" star Jorge Narvaez. But Narvaez’s popularity couldn’t overcome the power of the drag-racing family. From Capps’ sponsor NAPA Auto Parts and other NHRA teams to nearly every drag-racing website, the racing world rallied behind Capps.

“It blew me away how many racing sites, whether NHRA, NASCAR or IndyCar, were trying to get people to vote for me. I can’t thank all the people who posted messages on Twitter for me. “Some of the people I race against helped me get votes. That means so much to me. We race against each other on weekends, but we all support each other when something like this contest comes up,” said Capps.

Narvaez and his daughter Alexa, then 3, were wildly popular with a 2011 YouTube video with him playing guitar and Alexa singing. The following year they were picked for "America’s Got Talent" and advanced to the quarterfinals.

“Jorge destroyed his competition in each round up to the final,” Capps added. “I was happy just to hang in there against him for a while. It was kind of like a drag race; I popped ahead, then he did a video with his daughter and pulled ahead, and then it was tied for the last couple days, but we drove around him at the finish line. The producer told me we were almost tied with about an hour to go.”

Capps will be an in-studio guest on Star 94.1 after next weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in Las Vegas.

SEMA News—April 2013

INTERNATIONAL
By Alysha Webb

Case Study: Globalizing Sales

One Company’s Methods May Be a Model for Others

David Canitz (second from left), manager of Royal Purple’s international markets, and Lars Nordberg Lenco (second from right) of Middle East FZC, and the company’s distributor for the UAE, Qatar and Oman, chatted at the event. This was Canitz at the first SEMA Middle East trip in the UAE meeting with owners of performance shops, repair shops and entrepreneurs who wanted to sell Royal Purple’s high-performance consumer lubricants.

SEMA members are increasingly finding overseas markets and growing their exports, at least in part by taking advantage of resources and opportunities made available through SEMA. Royal Purple is one such company. Last year, international sales of its consumer products grew from almost nothing to around $60,000. Now it is setting its sights much higher.

“We see the potential for double-digit growth in our international sales over the next 24 to 36 months, both on the consumer side and the industrial side,” said David Canitz, manager of the company’s international markets.

Royal Purple’s consumer products are high-performance lubricants for automotive, motorcycle, marine and racing enthusiasts. Its industrial product is high-performance synthetic oil to the petroleum industry. Its business in the United States is about 55% industrial and 43% consumer. Internationally, however, consumer products account for only about 20% of sales.

The company, based in Porter, Texas, now aims to change that. It has embarked on an ambitious program to grow sales of its consumer products by up to one-third this year.

The smaller market for consumer products was mainly because of the high cost of finding distributors and marketing the consumer products, Canitz said. But in July of 2012, privately owned Royal Purple was purchased by Calumet Specialty Products, a much larger, publicly traded company. That sale will provide the needed resources to grow international sales by adding more distributors.

		SEMA organizes a trip each spring to the Middle East and each September to China to assist members in better understanding these key emerging markets and to meet face to face with potential buyers. For more information on these and other SEMA international resources, such as hands-on access to vehicles popular around the world but not sold in the United States, make and model data for key countries, and top strategies for meeting with international buyers at the SEMA Show, contact SEMA Director of International Relations Linda Spencer.

Lots of international travel is part of the plan. Nothing can replace face time in a distributor’s home country, Canitz said, and Royal Purple’s long-term distributors are Canitz’s good friends.

“You know there is a good relationship when you have traveled to their country and they want to invite you to their homes for dinner or a drink,” he said.

Given the growing number of international attendees at the SEMA Show, it is also “a great place to make initial contact without the expense of flying all over the world,” said Canitz. SEMA’s business-development conferences are also opportunities to meet potential distributors, he said.

Canitz attended the Abu Dhabi conference last April, where he met owners of performance and repair shops and entrepreneurs who wanted to sell Royal Purple’s high-performance consumer lubricants.

“Without SEMA, it would have taken a long time to go out and locate those people,” he said, since most of Royal Purple’s previous business in the Middle East was for industrial products. “The last container for my Middle East distributor, a third was retail product, whereas it would have been 5% before.”

Overseas Distribution Basics

	Royal Purple has won a number of awards at the Global Media Awards at the SEMA Show. Company officials, Butch Cox (left) and Kyle Neal (right) are pictured here accepting their award from a Canadian publication from SEMA Chairman Scooter Brothers. Royal Purple is also active in Australia and doing business in emerging markets, such as the Middle East and China.

When evaluating a potential distributor, Canitz looks for “someone who is hungry and will work hard to promote your products. If they are too successful, they may not be hungry enough.”

If you are unsure about an overseas distributor, call another SEMA-member company and ask about them, he suggested. Royal Purple was considering a distributor in the Middle East that also sold another SEMA member’s products. Canitz called that company and got very favorable responses.

Next, give distributors time to grow into the job. Royal Purple let one new Middle East distributor “mature” for about 20 months. “This year, they are poised to get some good sales,” said Canitz.

He also advised against giving new distributors “exclusive rights.” The legal interpretations of the term can differ vastly from country to country. Royal Purple does not set up competing distributors, but it also doesn’t grant exclusive rights.

Canitz also advised that companies should establish whether there is a market for their products in a new country before pursuing sales there. Each country means an investment of not just money but also time.

Countries with oil industries are good candidates for Royal Purple’s industrial products. Finding the right overseas markets for its consumer products is trickier. Canitz looks for countries where consumers have sufficient disposable income and a retail distribution system similar to the one in the United States. He likes Mexico for that reason.

Similar vehicles are also helpful. Royal Purple is successful in Australia because it has chain stores and General Motors and Ford are there in force, said Canitz. “I would recommend Australia for any high-performance SEMA manufacturer,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is another good resource, he said. “There are cultural differences that SEMA and the U.S. Department of Commerce can help you understand,” he explained.

China is next on Canitz’s list of overseas markets for consumer products. He plans to attend the SEMA business conference there.

“We understand how the industrial distribution system works in China but not how the retail works,” he said. “I hope we can explore that through the SEMA China program.”

SEMA News—April 2013

INTERNATIONAL
By Alysha Webb

Case Study: Globalizing Sales

One Company’s Methods May Be a Model for Others

David Canitz (second from left), manager of Royal Purple’s international markets, and Lars Nordberg Lenco (second from right) of Middle East FZC, and the company’s distributor for the UAE, Qatar and Oman, chatted at the event. This was Canitz at the first SEMA Middle East trip in the UAE meeting with owners of performance shops, repair shops and entrepreneurs who wanted to sell Royal Purple’s high-performance consumer lubricants.

SEMA members are increasingly finding overseas markets and growing their exports, at least in part by taking advantage of resources and opportunities made available through SEMA. Royal Purple is one such company. Last year, international sales of its consumer products grew from almost nothing to around $60,000. Now it is setting its sights much higher.

“We see the potential for double-digit growth in our international sales over the next 24 to 36 months, both on the consumer side and the industrial side,” said David Canitz, manager of the company’s international markets.

Royal Purple’s consumer products are high-performance lubricants for automotive, motorcycle, marine and racing enthusiasts. Its industrial product is high-performance synthetic oil to the petroleum industry. Its business in the United States is about 55% industrial and 43% consumer. Internationally, however, consumer products account for only about 20% of sales.

The company, based in Porter, Texas, now aims to change that. It has embarked on an ambitious program to grow sales of its consumer products by up to one-third this year.

The smaller market for consumer products was mainly because of the high cost of finding distributors and marketing the consumer products, Canitz said. But in July of 2012, privately owned Royal Purple was purchased by Calumet Specialty Products, a much larger, publicly traded company. That sale will provide the needed resources to grow international sales by adding more distributors.

		SEMA organizes a trip each spring to the Middle East and each September to China to assist members in better understanding these key emerging markets and to meet face to face with potential buyers. For more information on these and other SEMA international resources, such as hands-on access to vehicles popular around the world but not sold in the United States, make and model data for key countries, and top strategies for meeting with international buyers at the SEMA Show, contact SEMA Director of International Relations Linda Spencer.

Lots of international travel is part of the plan. Nothing can replace face time in a distributor’s home country, Canitz said, and Royal Purple’s long-term distributors are Canitz’s good friends.

“You know there is a good relationship when you have traveled to their country and they want to invite you to their homes for dinner or a drink,” he said.

Given the growing number of international attendees at the SEMA Show, it is also “a great place to make initial contact without the expense of flying all over the world,” said Canitz. SEMA’s business-development conferences are also opportunities to meet potential distributors, he said.

Canitz attended the Abu Dhabi conference last April, where he met owners of performance and repair shops and entrepreneurs who wanted to sell Royal Purple’s high-performance consumer lubricants.

“Without SEMA, it would have taken a long time to go out and locate those people,” he said, since most of Royal Purple’s previous business in the Middle East was for industrial products. “The last container for my Middle East distributor, a third was retail product, whereas it would have been 5% before.”

Overseas Distribution Basics

	Royal Purple has won a number of awards at the Global Media Awards at the SEMA Show. Company officials, Butch Cox (left) and Kyle Neal (right) are pictured here accepting their award from a Canadian publication from SEMA Chairman Scooter Brothers. Royal Purple is also active in Australia and doing business in emerging markets, such as the Middle East and China.

When evaluating a potential distributor, Canitz looks for “someone who is hungry and will work hard to promote your products. If they are too successful, they may not be hungry enough.”

If you are unsure about an overseas distributor, call another SEMA-member company and ask about them, he suggested. Royal Purple was considering a distributor in the Middle East that also sold another SEMA member’s products. Canitz called that company and got very favorable responses.

Next, give distributors time to grow into the job. Royal Purple let one new Middle East distributor “mature” for about 20 months. “This year, they are poised to get some good sales,” said Canitz.

He also advised against giving new distributors “exclusive rights.” The legal interpretations of the term can differ vastly from country to country. Royal Purple does not set up competing distributors, but it also doesn’t grant exclusive rights.

Canitz also advised that companies should establish whether there is a market for their products in a new country before pursuing sales there. Each country means an investment of not just money but also time.

Countries with oil industries are good candidates for Royal Purple’s industrial products. Finding the right overseas markets for its consumer products is trickier. Canitz looks for countries where consumers have sufficient disposable income and a retail distribution system similar to the one in the United States. He likes Mexico for that reason.

Similar vehicles are also helpful. Royal Purple is successful in Australia because it has chain stores and General Motors and Ford are there in force, said Canitz. “I would recommend Australia for any high-performance SEMA manufacturer,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is another good resource, he said. “There are cultural differences that SEMA and the U.S. Department of Commerce can help you understand,” he explained.

China is next on Canitz’s list of overseas markets for consumer products. He plans to attend the SEMA business conference there.

“We understand how the industrial distribution system works in China but not how the retail works,” he said. “I hope we can explore that through the SEMA China program.”

SEMA News—April 2013

INTERNATIONAL
By Alysha Webb

Case Study: Globalizing Sales

One Company’s Methods May Be a Model for Others

David Canitz (second from left), manager of Royal Purple’s international markets, and Lars Nordberg Lenco (second from right) of Middle East FZC, and the company’s distributor for the UAE, Qatar and Oman, chatted at the event. This was Canitz at the first SEMA Middle East trip in the UAE meeting with owners of performance shops, repair shops and entrepreneurs who wanted to sell Royal Purple’s high-performance consumer lubricants.

SEMA members are increasingly finding overseas markets and growing their exports, at least in part by taking advantage of resources and opportunities made available through SEMA. Royal Purple is one such company. Last year, international sales of its consumer products grew from almost nothing to around $60,000. Now it is setting its sights much higher.

“We see the potential for double-digit growth in our international sales over the next 24 to 36 months, both on the consumer side and the industrial side,” said David Canitz, manager of the company’s international markets.

Royal Purple’s consumer products are high-performance lubricants for automotive, motorcycle, marine and racing enthusiasts. Its industrial product is high-performance synthetic oil to the petroleum industry. Its business in the United States is about 55% industrial and 43% consumer. Internationally, however, consumer products account for only about 20% of sales.

The company, based in Porter, Texas, now aims to change that. It has embarked on an ambitious program to grow sales of its consumer products by up to one-third this year.

The smaller market for consumer products was mainly because of the high cost of finding distributors and marketing the consumer products, Canitz said. But in July of 2012, privately owned Royal Purple was purchased by Calumet Specialty Products, a much larger, publicly traded company. That sale will provide the needed resources to grow international sales by adding more distributors.

		SEMA organizes a trip each spring to the Middle East and each September to China to assist members in better understanding these key emerging markets and to meet face to face with potential buyers. For more information on these and other SEMA international resources, such as hands-on access to vehicles popular around the world but not sold in the United States, make and model data for key countries, and top strategies for meeting with international buyers at the SEMA Show, contact SEMA Director of International Relations Linda Spencer.

Lots of international travel is part of the plan. Nothing can replace face time in a distributor’s home country, Canitz said, and Royal Purple’s long-term distributors are Canitz’s good friends.

“You know there is a good relationship when you have traveled to their country and they want to invite you to their homes for dinner or a drink,” he said.

Given the growing number of international attendees at the SEMA Show, it is also “a great place to make initial contact without the expense of flying all over the world,” said Canitz. SEMA’s business-development conferences are also opportunities to meet potential distributors, he said.

Canitz attended the Abu Dhabi conference last April, where he met owners of performance and repair shops and entrepreneurs who wanted to sell Royal Purple’s high-performance consumer lubricants.

“Without SEMA, it would have taken a long time to go out and locate those people,” he said, since most of Royal Purple’s previous business in the Middle East was for industrial products. “The last container for my Middle East distributor, a third was retail product, whereas it would have been 5% before.”

Overseas Distribution Basics

	Royal Purple has won a number of awards at the Global Media Awards at the SEMA Show. Company officials, Butch Cox (left) and Kyle Neal (right) are pictured here accepting their award from a Canadian publication from SEMA Chairman Scooter Brothers. Royal Purple is also active in Australia and doing business in emerging markets, such as the Middle East and China.

When evaluating a potential distributor, Canitz looks for “someone who is hungry and will work hard to promote your products. If they are too successful, they may not be hungry enough.”

If you are unsure about an overseas distributor, call another SEMA-member company and ask about them, he suggested. Royal Purple was considering a distributor in the Middle East that also sold another SEMA member’s products. Canitz called that company and got very favorable responses.

Next, give distributors time to grow into the job. Royal Purple let one new Middle East distributor “mature” for about 20 months. “This year, they are poised to get some good sales,” said Canitz.

He also advised against giving new distributors “exclusive rights.” The legal interpretations of the term can differ vastly from country to country. Royal Purple does not set up competing distributors, but it also doesn’t grant exclusive rights.

Canitz also advised that companies should establish whether there is a market for their products in a new country before pursuing sales there. Each country means an investment of not just money but also time.

Countries with oil industries are good candidates for Royal Purple’s industrial products. Finding the right overseas markets for its consumer products is trickier. Canitz looks for countries where consumers have sufficient disposable income and a retail distribution system similar to the one in the United States. He likes Mexico for that reason.

Similar vehicles are also helpful. Royal Purple is successful in Australia because it has chain stores and General Motors and Ford are there in force, said Canitz. “I would recommend Australia for any high-performance SEMA manufacturer,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is another good resource, he said. “There are cultural differences that SEMA and the U.S. Department of Commerce can help you understand,” he explained.

China is next on Canitz’s list of overseas markets for consumer products. He plans to attend the SEMA business conference there.

“We understand how the industrial distribution system works in China but not how the retail works,” he said. “I hope we can explore that through the SEMA China program.”