SEMA is supporting legislation to approve a regulation allowing off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles (referred to as "utility terrain vehicles" or "UTVs") and motorcycles. Having already been approved by the House Transportation Committee, the bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee. 

In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Off-road vehicles must also comply with exhaust noise provisions. 

SEMA is currently working with lawmakers to ensure that a proper and fair standard for testing the exhaust noise of off-road vehicles is applied. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting legislation to approve a regulation allowing off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles (referred to as "utility terrain vehicles" or "UTVs") and motorcycles. Having already been approved by the House Transportation Committee, the bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee. 

In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Off-road vehicles must also comply with exhaust noise provisions. 

SEMA is currently working with lawmakers to ensure that a proper and fair standard for testing the exhaust noise of off-road vehicles is applied. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting legislation to approve a regulation allowing off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles (referred to as "utility terrain vehicles" or "UTVs") and motorcycles. Having already been approved by the House Transportation Committee, the bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee. 

In West Virginia, "off-road vehicles" are defined as motor vehicles that do not have low-pressure tires and which are constructed, manufactured or modified for off-road driving. Off-road vehicles must also comply with exhaust noise provisions. 

SEMA is currently working with lawmakers to ensure that a proper and fair standard for testing the exhaust noise of off-road vehicles is applied. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-opposed legislation to impose a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax on state motorists has been introduced in Texas. Under the bill, the amount of the VMT tax would vary by vehicle type. Vehicles weighing 10,000 lbs. or less would be taxed at a rate of 1 cent per mile, vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs. at 1.25 cents per mile and electric vehicles at .75 cents per mile. The tax would be offset by a motor fuels tax credit, which would be determined using the vehicle’s VMT and fuel economy data, such that as fuel economy goes up, the credit decreases to ensure vehicles paying less in fuel taxes get a smaller credit and pay more in VMT. The actual VMT would be measured using an annual odometer inspection.  

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

SEMA-opposed legislation to impose a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax on state motorists has been introduced in Texas. Under the bill, the amount of the VMT tax would vary by vehicle type. Vehicles weighing 10,000 lbs. or less would be taxed at a rate of 1 cent per mile, vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs. at 1.25 cents per mile and electric vehicles at .75 cents per mile. The tax would be offset by a motor fuels tax credit, which would be determined using the vehicle’s VMT and fuel economy data, such that as fuel economy goes up, the credit decreases to ensure vehicles paying less in fuel taxes get a smaller credit and pay more in VMT. The actual VMT would be measured using an annual odometer inspection.  

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

SEMA-opposed legislation to impose a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax on state motorists has been introduced in Texas. Under the bill, the amount of the VMT tax would vary by vehicle type. Vehicles weighing 10,000 lbs. or less would be taxed at a rate of 1 cent per mile, vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs. at 1.25 cents per mile and electric vehicles at .75 cents per mile. The tax would be offset by a motor fuels tax credit, which would be determined using the vehicle’s VMT and fuel economy data, such that as fuel economy goes up, the credit decreases to ensure vehicles paying less in fuel taxes get a smaller credit and pay more in VMT. The actual VMT would be measured using an annual odometer inspection.  

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

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers of gasoline sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol has been introduced in Oregon. Currently, the state requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. In Florida, a bill to repeal the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol is being considered in the Florida House. Currently, the Florida Renewable Fuels Standard requires that all gasoline sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender or wholesaler in Florida contain 9%–10% ethanol, or other alternative fuel, by volume. SEMA is supporting both measures. 

For more information, check out the Oregon bill and Florida bill. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers of gasoline sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol has been introduced in Oregon. Currently, the state requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. In Florida, a bill to repeal the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol is being considered in the Florida House. Currently, the Florida Renewable Fuels Standard requires that all gasoline sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender or wholesaler in Florida contain 9%–10% ethanol, or other alternative fuel, by volume. SEMA is supporting both measures. 

For more information, check out the Oregon bill and Florida bill. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

	The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association kicks off its 30th anniversary season this weekend at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Goodguys 30th Anniversary Season Kick-off This Weekend
The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association will kick off its 30th anniversary season this weekend at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event marks the beginning of a year full of automotive festivals geared towards classic American automobile enthusiasts, according to a Goodguys release. With the kick-off in Scottsdale, the Goodguys promises that fans will get a close-up glimpse of the modern-day hot-rodding scene and witness how the Goodguys' core message—having fun with cars—has not changed in 30 years. The event will feature all of the attractions of Goodguys events—the AutoCross, Manufacturers Midway, model car program sponsored by Revell, and All American Sunday—that have made Goodguys events a key component of the rodding scene. For more information, tickets or to register a show car, visit www.good-guys.com.

Rich Barsamian has joined GT Performance as vice president of sales and marketing.

Rich Barsamian Joins GT Performance
GT Performance Products hired Rich Barsamian as the company's vice president of sales and marketing. GT Performance President Tom Poteet said he is excited about reuniting with Barsamian and that he looks forward to having an employee of Barsamian’s caliber join the team. Barsamian will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to grow GT Performance’s product business, according to a press release. Barsamian resigned as national sales manager with Advanced Clutch Technology. He served as vice president of sales for Grant Products and also worked as national sales manager for Edelbrock. He is also active with SEMA and is the chair-elect of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturer Council (MPMC). He also served as chairman of the Young Executives Network (YEN) and is currently a Select Committee member of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Committee.

Petersen Automotive Museum Presents Women's Day
The Petersen Automotive Museum is celebrating Women's History Month by presenting Women's Day, Saturday, March 16, from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. The day's activities will include a car care clinic, light refreshments, workshop certificate, car care goody bag, admission to the museum and parking validation. Participants will get their hands dirty in pairs or groups working on their own cars. The cost of the event is $30 for non-members and $25 for members. A special rate for students has recently been added at 2-for-$20. In order to receive the 2-for-$20 special student rate, participants should write “SEMA” in the PAM Membership # section and fill in the names of the two participants. For more information, or to sign up for the event, contact Lorianne at 323-964-6308 or e-mail lsalazar@petersen.org.

	The members of the Link Trailer Parts sales team are (from left to right) Evan Hunt, Anne Johnson, Tim Stein, Connie Acord, Jim Newsom and Dan Summerill (not pictured).

Link Trailer Parts Relaunched
Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. and NTP Distribution have announced the re-launch of Link Trailer Parts. Link Trailer Parts offers an assortment of trailer products in segments that include utility, hitch and tow, equestrian and recreation trailers, and the product mix consists of axles, brakes and brake assemblies, hub assemblies, trailer chassis components, hitches, wiring and electrical, jacks, couplers and leaf springs. In conjunction with the re-launch, a new sales team for Link Trailer Parts has been established. The members of the sales team are Evan Hunt, Anne Johnson, Tim Stein, Connie Acord, Jim Newsom and Dan Summerill. 

New Phoenix Location for Meyer Distributing
Meyer Distributing has opened a new location in Phoenix. The cross-dock will have a direct feed from the Meyer hub in Dallas. “We are taking another big step towards our West coast expansion plans,” states Nick Gramelspacher, vice president of sales and marketing. “Meyer carries a lot of unique product offerings that will help customers in the Phoenix market to grow their business and ours together. We look forward to starting relationships in a city we frequently visit for the Performance Warehouse Association conference each year.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org. 

	The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association kicks off its 30th anniversary season this weekend at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Goodguys 30th Anniversary Season Kick-off This Weekend
The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association will kick off its 30th anniversary season this weekend at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event marks the beginning of a year full of automotive festivals geared towards classic American automobile enthusiasts, according to a Goodguys release. With the kick-off in Scottsdale, the Goodguys promises that fans will get a close-up glimpse of the modern-day hot-rodding scene and witness how the Goodguys' core message—having fun with cars—has not changed in 30 years. The event will feature all of the attractions of Goodguys events—the AutoCross, Manufacturers Midway, model car program sponsored by Revell, and All American Sunday—that have made Goodguys events a key component of the rodding scene. For more information, tickets or to register a show car, visit www.good-guys.com.

Rich Barsamian has joined GT Performance as vice president of sales and marketing.

Rich Barsamian Joins GT Performance
GT Performance Products hired Rich Barsamian as the company's vice president of sales and marketing. GT Performance President Tom Poteet said he is excited about reuniting with Barsamian and that he looks forward to having an employee of Barsamian’s caliber join the team. Barsamian will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to grow GT Performance’s product business, according to a press release. Barsamian resigned as national sales manager with Advanced Clutch Technology. He served as vice president of sales for Grant Products and also worked as national sales manager for Edelbrock. He is also active with SEMA and is the chair-elect of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturer Council (MPMC). He also served as chairman of the Young Executives Network (YEN) and is currently a Select Committee member of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Committee.

Petersen Automotive Museum Presents Women's Day
The Petersen Automotive Museum is celebrating Women's History Month by presenting Women's Day, Saturday, March 16, from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. The day's activities will include a car care clinic, light refreshments, workshop certificate, car care goody bag, admission to the museum and parking validation. Participants will get their hands dirty in pairs or groups working on their own cars. The cost of the event is $30 for non-members and $25 for members. A special rate for students has recently been added at 2-for-$20. In order to receive the 2-for-$20 special student rate, participants should write “SEMA” in the PAM Membership # section and fill in the names of the two participants. For more information, or to sign up for the event, contact Lorianne at 323-964-6308 or e-mail lsalazar@petersen.org.

	The members of the Link Trailer Parts sales team are (from left to right) Evan Hunt, Anne Johnson, Tim Stein, Connie Acord, Jim Newsom and Dan Summerill (not pictured).

Link Trailer Parts Relaunched
Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. and NTP Distribution have announced the re-launch of Link Trailer Parts. Link Trailer Parts offers an assortment of trailer products in segments that include utility, hitch and tow, equestrian and recreation trailers, and the product mix consists of axles, brakes and brake assemblies, hub assemblies, trailer chassis components, hitches, wiring and electrical, jacks, couplers and leaf springs. In conjunction with the re-launch, a new sales team for Link Trailer Parts has been established. The members of the sales team are Evan Hunt, Anne Johnson, Tim Stein, Connie Acord, Jim Newsom and Dan Summerill. 

New Phoenix Location for Meyer Distributing
Meyer Distributing has opened a new location in Phoenix. The cross-dock will have a direct feed from the Meyer hub in Dallas. “We are taking another big step towards our West coast expansion plans,” states Nick Gramelspacher, vice president of sales and marketing. “Meyer carries a lot of unique product offerings that will help customers in the Phoenix market to grow their business and ours together. We look forward to starting relationships in a city we frequently visit for the Performance Warehouse Association conference each year.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.