By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Board of Directors

The following slate of eight candidates are vying for four open seats on SEMA's Board of Directors.

Chairman-Elect Category

• Doug Evans – Source Interlink Media
• Tim Martin – K&N Engineering

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Al Azadi – Omix-ADA Inc./Rugged Ridge
• Kyle Fickler – Weld Racing
• Steve Matusek – Aeromotive Inc.
• Tim Watts – Superlift Suspension Systems

Manufacturer’s Representative Category (one open seat)

• Jeff Bates – Bob Cook Sales
• Greg Bernheisel – Considine Sales & Marketing

This year the voting will take place online between May 15–June 11. Voting is open to current SEMA members, and votes must be cast by the designated primary contact of each voting SEMA-member company.

Winners will be announced in June and will be formally introduced as the newest members of SEMA's Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation Banquet in July. All industry professionals are invited to join the celebration and welcome the new Board members by attending the gala on July 26.

For more information about the 2013–2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, e-mail Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or call 909-978-6678.

By Linda Spencer

	Participating SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.

Get in on the ground level at what is likely to be one of the largest consumer specialty-product markets. The SEMA China Business Development Tour—from September 11–14, 2013—allows participants to gain insight into the growing specialty market for the 1.3 billion Chinese consumers. Participants will learn what products sell, what products are in demand and for which applications through networking opportunities with retailers and wholesalers.

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A first-hand look at the developing specialty-equipment market. The delegation will visit off-road and street-performance shops.
• Meetings with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• Qualified exhibitors will receive a U.S. grant of $1,000 to defray the costs of participation.
• Program costs include hotel, meals, interpreters and access to buyers from throughout China.

Here's what past participants have said about the Chinese specialty-equipment market and SEMA overseas one-on-one programs:

“In the near future, I believe the poten­tial for the Chinese specialty-equipment market could easily be 10 times the size of the U.S. market.”

–Jeff Victer, Pro­long Super Lubricants

SCT President Rick Trudo estimated that his company’s sales in China and other markets outside the United States will surpass its U.S. sales by 2015.

“China’s growing middle class and Western influences have created tremendous demand for quality U.S.-made products. In the one-child-only Chinese society, personalization is everything, and everyone wants to be different.”

–George Hsieh, K&N

“China is a very important destination for our products.”

–Nathan Calabrese, OMIX-ADA

Register now for the 2013 SEMA China Business Development Tour. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit sema.org/china.

By Linda Spencer

	Participating SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.

Get in on the ground level at what is likely to be one of the largest consumer specialty-product markets. The SEMA China Business Development Tour—from September 11–14, 2013—allows participants to gain insight into the growing specialty market for the 1.3 billion Chinese consumers. Participants will learn what products sell, what products are in demand and for which applications through networking opportunities with retailers and wholesalers.

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A first-hand look at the developing specialty-equipment market. The delegation will visit off-road and street-performance shops.
• Meetings with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• Qualified exhibitors will receive a U.S. grant of $1,000 to defray the costs of participation.
• Program costs include hotel, meals, interpreters and access to buyers from throughout China.

Here's what past participants have said about the Chinese specialty-equipment market and SEMA overseas one-on-one programs:

“In the near future, I believe the poten­tial for the Chinese specialty-equipment market could easily be 10 times the size of the U.S. market.”

–Jeff Victer, Pro­long Super Lubricants

SCT President Rick Trudo estimated that his company’s sales in China and other markets outside the United States will surpass its U.S. sales by 2015.

“China’s growing middle class and Western influences have created tremendous demand for quality U.S.-made products. In the one-child-only Chinese society, personalization is everything, and everyone wants to be different.”

–George Hsieh, K&N

“China is a very important destination for our products.”

–Nathan Calabrese, OMIX-ADA

Register now for the 2013 SEMA China Business Development Tour. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit sema.org/china.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars with 100% of the proceeds going to help the SEMA Cares children's charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Nothing says "Americana" like a good-old-fashioned pinewood drag race, where the thrill of the build is matched only by the adrenaline rush of the race. SEMA Cares has announced the 2013 Pinewood Drags, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to help SEMA Cares.

Once again, held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will return Friday, July 26, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. The finals will take place during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. In addition to the Stock & Unlimited classes, a special Menzler Class has been created for last year's Pinewood Drags honorary starter John Menzler. As an added bonus this year, SEMA Cares will auction 12 Pinewood Drag cars at $500 each with the total proceeds going toward bone marrow donation programs.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Stock, Unlimited and Modified. Council members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It for Me (BIFM) Stock Class or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds and many of the past top builders have included some of the most recognized names in SEMA. The Modified Class is for the racer who wants to put a little more time into "tuning" the SEMA-supplied stock kit.  

Special features of SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member the greater their chances of winning. If you're the hands-on type of council member, SEMA invites you to attend one of several to-be-announced build days where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble the pinewood cars. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating in one of the build days are invited to contact derby@sema.org or visit the Pinewood Drag Races and SEMA Cares Facebook pages.

 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars with 100% of the proceeds going to help the SEMA Cares children's charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Nothing says "Americana" like a good-old-fashioned pinewood drag race, where the thrill of the build is matched only by the adrenaline rush of the race. SEMA Cares has announced the 2013 Pinewood Drags, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to help SEMA Cares.

Once again, held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will return Friday, July 26, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. The finals will take place during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. In addition to the Stock & Unlimited classes, a special Menzler Class has been created for last year's Pinewood Drags honorary starter John Menzler. As an added bonus this year, SEMA Cares will auction 12 Pinewood Drag cars at $500 each with the total proceeds going toward bone marrow donation programs.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Stock, Unlimited and Modified. Council members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It for Me (BIFM) Stock Class or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds and many of the past top builders have included some of the most recognized names in SEMA. The Modified Class is for the racer who wants to put a little more time into "tuning" the SEMA-supplied stock kit.  

Special features of SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member the greater their chances of winning. If you're the hands-on type of council member, SEMA invites you to attend one of several to-be-announced build days where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble the pinewood cars. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating in one of the build days are invited to contact derby@sema.org or visit the Pinewood Drag Races and SEMA Cares Facebook pages.

 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars with 100% of the proceeds going to help the SEMA Cares children's charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Nothing says "Americana" like a good-old-fashioned pinewood drag race, where the thrill of the build is matched only by the adrenaline rush of the race. SEMA Cares has announced the 2013 Pinewood Drags, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to help SEMA Cares.

Once again, held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will return Friday, July 26, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. The finals will take place during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. In addition to the Stock & Unlimited classes, a special Menzler Class has been created for last year's Pinewood Drags honorary starter John Menzler. As an added bonus this year, SEMA Cares will auction 12 Pinewood Drag cars at $500 each with the total proceeds going toward bone marrow donation programs.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Stock, Unlimited and Modified. Council members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It for Me (BIFM) Stock Class or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds and many of the past top builders have included some of the most recognized names in SEMA. The Modified Class is for the racer who wants to put a little more time into "tuning" the SEMA-supplied stock kit.  

Special features of SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member the greater their chances of winning. If you're the hands-on type of council member, SEMA invites you to attend one of several to-be-announced build days where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble the pinewood cars. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating in one of the build days are invited to contact derby@sema.org or visit the Pinewood Drag Races and SEMA Cares Facebook pages.

 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars with 100% of the proceeds going to help the SEMA Cares children's charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Nothing says "Americana" like a good-old-fashioned pinewood drag race, where the thrill of the build is matched only by the adrenaline rush of the race. SEMA Cares has announced the 2013 Pinewood Drags, and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars, with 100% of the proceeds going to help SEMA Cares.

Once again, held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will return Friday, July 26, 2013, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. The finals will take place during the cocktail reception shortly before the banquet begins. In addition to the Stock & Unlimited classes, a special Menzler Class has been created for last year's Pinewood Drags honorary starter John Menzler. As an added bonus this year, SEMA Cares will auction 12 Pinewood Drag cars at $500 each with the total proceeds going toward bone marrow donation programs.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Stock, Unlimited and Modified. Council members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the Build It for Me (BIFM) Stock Class or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-Class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 seconds on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited Class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 seconds and many of the past top builders have included some of the most recognized names in SEMA. The Modified Class is for the racer who wants to put a little more time into "tuning" the SEMA-supplied stock kit.  

Special features of SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member the greater their chances of winning. If you're the hands-on type of council member, SEMA invites you to attend one of several to-be-announced build days where you can help the children sand, paint and assemble the pinewood cars. Each child will build two cars: one to keep and one reserved for sponsorship by a caring SEMA-member company or individual. Members interested in participating in one of the build days are invited to contact derby@sema.org or visit the Pinewood Drag Races and SEMA Cares Facebook pages.

 

The shooters at KGP Photography have gotten a good look at a prototype for Chevrolet's Silverado 2500 HD, caught taking a test run outside of the company's Proving Ground. It appears that much of the design language from the Silverado 1500 will migrate into the HD's styling, but a new grille treatment is clearly in the works. It also appears that the Silverado HD will gain the impression of greater brawn by ditching the 1500's split center bar in favor of a thicker, solid chrome bar. The result is greater visual weight and a beefier countenance. Slim horizontal slats (two above and three below) sandwich the thick horizontal grille bar, adding some further substance to the Silverado HD's grille treatment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography have gotten a good look at a prototype for Chevrolet's Silverado 2500 HD, caught taking a test run outside of the company's Proving Ground. It appears that much of the design language from the Silverado 1500 will migrate into the HD's styling, but a new grille treatment is clearly in the works. It also appears that the Silverado HD will gain the impression of greater brawn by ditching the 1500's split center bar in favor of a thicker, solid chrome bar. The result is greater visual weight and a beefier countenance. Slim horizontal slats (two above and three below) sandwich the thick horizontal grille bar, adding some further substance to the Silverado HD's grille treatment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography have gotten a good look at a prototype for Chevrolet's Silverado 2500 HD, caught taking a test run outside of the company's Proving Ground. It appears that much of the design language from the Silverado 1500 will migrate into the HD's styling, but a new grille treatment is clearly in the works. It also appears that the Silverado HD will gain the impression of greater brawn by ditching the 1500's split center bar in favor of a thicker, solid chrome bar. The result is greater visual weight and a beefier countenance. Slim horizontal slats (two above and three below) sandwich the thick horizontal grille bar, adding some further substance to the Silverado HD's grille treatment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography