At the recommendation of the PAC Executive Director Wade Kawasaki, the SEMA Board of Directors have appointed two new PAC Chairs for SEMA’s and PRI’s political action committees (PAC). Kim Pendergast of Magnuson Superchargers will serve as the PAC chair for the SEMA PAC, and Norris Marshall of BluePrint Engines will serve as the PAC chair for the PRI PAC. In their volunteer roles as PAC chairs, Pendergast and Marshall will oversee each of their own PAC Board of Directors and fundraising efforts.
Norris Marshall
“Our PACs continue to be our industry’s best defense against harmful regulations and laws” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “Kim understands the political fight that’s ahead and how important of a role the SEMA PAC will play in securing a viable future for the automotive aftermarket.”
In addition to serving as PAC chairs, Pendergast and Marshall both currently serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Pendergast is the owner and CEO of Magnuson Products, which has been a member of SEMA for more than 40 years. Marshall founded BluePrint Engines around 1982, and previously worked with the SEMA Garage on CARB EOs.
“Norris understands intricacies of politics, and he knows how to get things done in Washington,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “The PRI PAC has the ability to get legislation like the RPM Act across the finish line, and Norris will help us get there.”
“My goal is to take the SEMA PAC and the PRI PAC to the next level, and with Kim and Norris as our PAC Chairs, we will be a powerhouse for the industry in D.C.,” said PAC Executive Director Wade Kawasaki. “I am excited to work alongside them as we grow awareness and support for both PACs.”
For more information, contact Samantha Large at samanthal@sema.org.
The SEMA Show is a great way for exhibitors to connect with international buyers. There are a number of events to facilitate these networking opportunities.
With 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and media, the International Happy Hour is the world’s largest international networking gathering of specialty-equipment companies.
International Happy Hour (IHH): With 1,000 international buyers, exhibitors and media, the event is the world’s largest international networking gathering of specialty-equipment companies. Come and meet buyers from throughout the world and global enthusiast editorial media from 16 countries. The IHH is held Wednesday, November 2, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, Room W233. There is no cost to attend but preregistration is required.
Four international roundtables will be held on Monday, October 31, in the Upper West Hall, Room W229.
International Roundtables: You are welcome to attend any/all of the four international roundtables held on Monday, October 31, Upper West Hall, Room W229. There is no cost to participate and preregistration is not required.
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Middle East Tazweed—The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. specialty-parts manufacturers. Meet with buyers from throughout the region who will let you know what their customers want. Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region filled with passionate consumers with disposable income. Discover why off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all strong markets throughout the region.
12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m.Connect With Buyers Down Under:Australia and New Zealand—Meet for lunch and conversation with top buyers from Down Under. Learn the latest SEMA Show roundtable trends from distributors of off-road, styling, restoration and performance products and the opportunities in this country of pickup (utes) and SUV customizing fanatics, V8 lovers and die-hard hot-rod enthusiasts.
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.— New Session Nordic/Europe: Explore the Opportunities in the Vintage Car, Pickup and Performance Niches—Learn the potential for your products in this performance and classic-car paradise. Meet with top trade buyers enabling the half-century-old Nordic—and pan-European—craze to restore and upgrade American classics. Performance upgrades are among the top modifications sought for a range of vehicles. After all, the region is the headquarters of the European Drag-Racing Championship and performance for street use as well as circuit and drag racing, rally racing and drifting. High disposable income coupled with a passion for personalization makes this a very attractive region.
3:45 p.m.–4:45 p.m. Latin America: Learn What’s Hot and What’s Not—Trade buyers and the media from Central and South America will discuss their respective markets and the opportunity in this pickup- and car-crazy region. Get insider tips into which vehicles are local customizers’ rides of choice and the top-selling products. Learn more about the opportunities for U.S. manufacturers seeking to sell into Latin America—everything from the passion for motorsports and the strong market for vehicle restoration. Learn also how international suppliers have overcome language barriers and challenges, such as the high tariffs in countries such as Argentina and Brazil, and the spirited but small and fragmented Latin American markets.
Additional resources for exhibitors:
Utilize the Center for International Commerce (CIC). Exhibitors are invited to utilize the private meeting rooms to meet with current or potential international buyers. Interpreters are also available in the CIC to translate for these private meetings.
Request a complimentary “We Export” sign. Let international buyers know that you are interested in doing business with them with this multilingual sign. The signs will be delivered by Freeman to your booth. We will also send you a complimentary electronic version of the “We Export” sign. Feel free to use this complimentary electronic logo in your pre- and post-Show promotion to international buyers.
For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.
Bryce Menzies Claims Overall Victory at SCORE Baja 400 as Toyo Tires Wins in Three Classes
Bryce Menzies and his #7 Red Bull/Toyo Tires/KMC Wheels AWD Mason Motorsports Trophy Truck took the overall win at the SCORE Baja 400.
Bryce Menzies and Toyo Tires took the overall win at the SCORE Baja 400 desert race, completing back-to-back wins in the Trophy Truck class after previously winning in 2021. Christopher Polvoorde also finished on top of the podium in the Trophy Truck Spec class and is leading in championship points. In addition, Vildosola Racing also claimed victory in the Trophy Truck Legends class and is leading in championship points. Menzies has qualified first for the Baja 1000 coming up in mid-November. Polvoorde and Vildosola Racing are one race away in their bid for a championship in their respective classes.
Menzies and his #7 Red Bull/Toyo Tires/KMC Wheels AWD Mason Motorsports Trophy Truck qualified second at the Baja 400. At race mile 200, Menzies’ Trophy Truck lost front drive entering the later stages of the race. Unphased, Menzies willed the truck to the finish line winning with an overall time of 7 hours, 59 minutes and 26 seconds.
Brown, Capps and Stanfield Get Playoff Wins at Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals
Three-time world champion Antron Brown picked up his first playoff win in six years on Sunday at zMAX Dragway, driving to the Top Fuel victory at the 14th annual Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals. Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) also picked up wins at the second of six races in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.
Brown put together a run of 3.672 seconds at 335.73 mph in his 11,000hp Matco Tools dragster, slipping past points leader Justin Ashley on a holeshot in the final round to win his first race in the Countdown to the Championship since 2016. Brown moved to second in the points standings with four races left in 2022.
Capps, the defending world champ in Funny Car, also pulled to second in points with his win last Sunday, hanging on against Alexis DeJoria in the championship round with a 3.967 at 267.32 in his 11,000hp NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra. Capps is 27 points behind leader Robert Hight as the Countdown to the Championship nears the halfway mark.
Stanfield captured his first career Countdown to the Championship victory by knocking off Matt Hartford in the final round with a run of 6.567 at 210.21 in his Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro. Stanfield pulled within 64 points after his impressive day at zMAX Dragway.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action with the NHRA Midwest Nationals on September 30–October 2 at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis.
IHRA Announces 2023 Sportsman Programs, New Track Agreements
Officials with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) have confirmed its Sportsman racing programs, including the IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Hagerty and Moser Engineering, the IHRA Ironman Classic, the IHRA Summit Team Finals and the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals, will continue in 2023 and beyond. There are no plans to “bring back Nitro or Pro Mod racing,” officials stated.
In addition, several race tracks have confirmed or reconfirmed involvement in the series, including Gleason Raceway Park (Gleason, Tennessee); Ozark Raceway Park (Rogersville, Missouri); Wilkesboro Dragway (Wilkesboro, North Carolina); and Xtreme Raceway Park (Ferris, Texas).
TFR Distribution—the retail and wholesale distributor of LFR and Troyer Race Cars based in West Boylston, Massachusetts—has announced a new strategic alignment with two companies: Buzze Racing and Hamke Racecars. To better serve Southern modified racing customers, Buzze Racing will serve as the official dealer for all Troyer Modified and LFR Modified needs, including fully completed chassis to parts and components. Hamke Racecars, meanwhile, will serve as the official repair facility for Troyer and LFR customers. The news follows Buzze Racing’s recent move to a facility next door to Hamke Racecars. For more information, visit tfrdistribution.com, buzzeracing.com, and hamkeracecarsandparts.com.
Both the SEMA Show and PRI Trade Show were honored for being among the top 100 trade shows in the United States by Trade Show Executive(TSE) magazine at its annual Gold 100 Awards & Summit, September 21–23, in Santa Barbara, California.
With 767,000 net sq. ft., 1,360 exhibiting companies and 100,873 attendees, the SEMA Show made the Gold 100 list as the show with the highest attendance in 2021. SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso was also the subject of a live Power Lunch interview with TSE Vice President and Editor-in-Chief Gabrielle Weiss and will be featured on TSE’s October cover.
“Our focus was reuniting our industry, bringing prescient content for this time to the TSE stage, exchanging ideas to succeed as the business events industry rebounds and, of course, honoring everyone’s hard work and successes in 2021,” Weiss said. “It was an incredible honor to recognize these executives whose perseverance and determination has helped to make our return possible.”
The Grand Awards honor the best of the best among trade shows, and are open to trade shows of all sizes, even those not large enough to qualify for the TSE Gold 100.
“The Awards are the perfect opportunity to not only recognize, but also reward the shows that have gone the extra mile in providing the best experience possible,” said Rick Simon, TSE chairman and president and CEO of United Service Companies. “These top show organizers reopened our industry, and for that we applaud them.”
The 2022 SEMA Show, taking place November 1–4, in Las Vegas, is poised to surpass last year’s attendance figures, and is currently up 30% in net square feet. For more information about the SEMA Show and to register, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
More than 100 SEMA members descended on the nation’s capital to participate in SEMA’s 2022 Washington Rally on Thursday, September 22. Industry leaders took to the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry and motorsports.
During the event, SEMA members urged Congress to pass H.R. 3281/S.2736, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill would protect Americans’ right to modify street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. The RPM Act currently has 132 co-sponsors in the House and 33 co-sponsors in the Senate, and the number continues to grow. Members also raised awareness for other issues facing the industry, including the REPAIR Act, harmful tariffs and zero-emissions vehicle mandates.
This year’s event marks the 16th time representatives from SEMA have held a fly-in on Capitol Hill. The event raises SEMA’s profile in Washington, D.C., and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts in Congress.
SEMA members who couldn’t make it to the Rally can get involved by hosting their local lawmakers at their business. To learn more, please contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
(L–R): Michael Essex of Motor Trend Group, John Viscardo of Viscardo Enterprises, U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), Sofia Morreale of The Tuning School, Bob Morreale of The Tuning School and Rob Fisher of E3 Spark Plugs.
U.S. Senator Shelly Moore-Capito (R-WV) speaks at a lunch event during the 2022 SEMA Washington Rally.
U.S. Representative Ted Budd (R-NC) addresses participants at the 2022 SEMA Washington Rally.
SEMA is calling all SEMA Show car builders to register for SEMA Battle of the Builders—the aftermarket industry’s ultimate vehicle competition—by the October 14 deadline. Open exclusively to builders with a car or truck displayed at the annual trade show, the competition celebrates and honors top builders for participating in what many consider to be the pinnacle of automotive events.
“Since 2014, we’ve provided vehicle builders a special platform to showcase their imagination, creativity and craftsmanship while also fueling the love for competition and pride of accomplishment,” said RJ de Vera, SEMA vice president of marketing. “SEMA Show Exhibitors are tremendously selective with the vehicles they choose to showcase their products, capture attention and drive traffic to their booths. SEMA Battle of the Builders not only offers an additional avenue for further exposure by featuring the top builders and brands that exhibit at the SEMA Show but also provides a chance for top builders from different genres to learn from each other building meaningful connections as they judge each other’s builds in the final round.”
SEMA Battle of the Builders gives builders to opportunity to gain global recognition, including possible inclusion in a one-hour television special or SEMA’s social channels, and a chance to be recognized and named as the industry’s top builder. The competition recognizes one winner in four different categories:
Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck
4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road
Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic
Young Guns—before crowning the coveted title, Battle of the Builders Champion.
The four categories have evolved for the 2022 competition. Hot Rod Trucks will now compete with traditional Hot Rod builds. The former Truck class becomes more focused on 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road builds while the Sport Compact class is expanded to include Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic builds as well. The age limit for the Young Guns class has also been raised from 27 to 29 years old. As part of SEMA’s initiative to support and encourage the next generation of builders in the industry, the association will continue its SEMA Young Guns category for builders who are 29 and younger.
“Each year, we meet amazing young builders through the Young Guns program,” said de Vera. “It is inspiring to witness the passion, drive and courage they have to put their blood, sweat and tears into their projects and to compete with their pride and joy in this competition. To see the industry embrace them as they build a network of contacts and connections that will fuel a lifelong career is exactly why the Young Guns class was created. Fortune definitely favors the brave, and we want to highlight that.”
Although the SEMA Show is a trade-only event, consumers can experience the excitement of the event and see the winning Battle of the Builder vehicles during the SEMA Cruise and at SEMA Ignited (www.semaignited.com), the official SEMA Show after-party taking place from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., in the West Hall parking lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
For more information on the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition or to register, visit www.semabotb.com. The deadline to register is October 14. Calling all builders!
Five standout innovators have been selected from nearly 100 competitors to advance in the 2022 SEMA Launch Pad competition.
Dustin Golat, co-owner of GolaTTaylor Tools; Jacob Hawksworth, CEO of Hypercraft; Susan Pieper, founder and CEO of DMOS Collective Inc.; Kevin Robinson, president of TRAC LLC; and Frank Terlap, co-founder and CEO of Auto Techcelerators LLC are headed to the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November, where they will pitch their ideas for a chance to win a grand-prize package valued at $92,000.
Since 2013, the SEMA Launch Pad has served as the ultimate product-pitching competition for the automotive aftermarket. In addition to vying for a prize package that includes space at the world-renown SEMA Show and promotion on national television, competitors build connections and receive support from established experts who serve as judges and mentors in the program.
The four returning judges are Chip Foose, award-winning vehicle builder and artist best known from the TV hit series “Overhaulin’”; Jared Hare, an innovator and entrepreneur who founded Addictive Desert Designs in 2007 and has grown the company into one of the leading offroad brands; Myles Kovacs, a trend setter who founded DUB magazine and launched TIS Wheels; and Alex Parker, industry advocate and CMO of the 2020 SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Winner Redline Detection.
“This year’s SEMA Launch Pad competitors were among the best that we’ve ever seen,” said Kovacs, who is acting as a Launch Pad judge for the third time this year. “I’m constantly amazed at the ingenuity, passion and drive we see from competitors. It’s going to be difficult to select just one winner from the group.”
The Top 15 semifinalists will have their products displayed in a special Launch Pad Corral of the 2022 SEMA Show in Central Hall booth #22970. A must see-feature, the Launch Pad Corral gives competitors an exclusive opportunity to educate Showgoers on their cutting-edge inventions through up-close interactive demonstrations or product displays. Competitors also get an opportunity to increase brand awareness, reaching thousands of potential buyers and business partners from all over the world while attendees learn of new innovations that could benefit their business and customers.
The Top 5 finalists will go before the judges and a live audience at the Show as they dive deeper into their business and marketing activities and get put in the hot seat by the judges:
Dustin Golat, GolaTTaylor Tools Thread Wizard: Tool engineered to remove all grime, dirt, surface rust and fouling from a bolt in a fraction of the time when compared to traditional methods.
Jacob Hawksworth, Hypercraft Hyper-Pack: Modular EV battery pack system that allows builders to easily configure a custom high-voltage battery system for their electric-vehicle project.
Susan Pieper, DMOS Collective Inc. Stealth and Delta Car Shovels: Premium indestructible advanced designed shovels that are easy to stow and mount on various vehicle racks and platforms.
Kevin Robinson, TRAC LLC TRAC Tire Jack: Tool designed to make removing or installing a wheel/tire from a vehicle safer, simpler and easier.
Frank Terlep, Auto Techcelerators LLC Drive CoPilot Technology Platform: Technology platform designed to help properly perform, document and invoice for ADAS safety system verification testing, dynamic calibrations, seat-belt function tests and more.
Two finalists will be announced on Wednesday, November 2, and go on to pitch their products on stage at the newly revamped SEMA Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 3.
“Winning SEMA Launch Pad is truly an opportunity of a lifetime,” added Kovacs. “Not only does each competitor benefit from the experience, but we are also able to shed light on the products and services that fill a gap in the industry and can inspire future inventors to do the same.”
To attend the SEMA Awards Banquet and see the Top 2 contenders battle it out to be crowned the SEMA Launch Pad Champion, visit www.semashow.com/banquet.
Just as the Ford Super Duty lineup is getting ready to be unveiled on September 27, we have caught the ’23 Ram 2500 Power Wagon completely uncamouflaged for the first time with its new sport performance hood.
For the past several months, there have been dozens of ’23 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickups in prototype form running around the Detroit area. Those trucks are scheduled to feature some new technology updated for 2023, including telescoping mirrors, trailer-reverse steering control, digital gauge cluster and new camera technologies.
But on the Power Wagon, Laramie and Limited models, they will also be getting a new sport-performance hood from MOPAR for 2023. The design adds heat extractors on the outside of a large air-intake scoop, with the model designation addressed on the outside of it.
This particular truck was caught sitting in a grocery store parking lot, not too far from Chrysler’s engineering grounds. The new ’23 Ram Heavy Duty is scheduled to begin production on November 1.
SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2022 SEMA Show can lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rate now by booking in the SEMA Show Block.
Making hotel reservations in the Block provides you with the most affordable and convenient options for a wide range of hotels located on and off the Strip.
The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino is among several hotels in the SEMA Show Block with nightly rates less than $200.
All of the hotels available through the SEMA Show Block come with a low-price guarantee. To help ensure that your price remains the lowest, SEMA will price-match lower advertised rates, even after your reservations are set. Whether you're looking for your favorite place to stay, or for a hotel within close proximity to the Show, you can book with confidence knowing you will get the rooms you need at the the most affordable price available.
The SEMA Show also provides shuttle service to and from the Show for the hotels listed that are not within walking distance to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
There are more than 45 hotels available in the block, 16 of which cost less than $200 per night. For more information on the hotels listed below, including rating, price per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
The following hotels in the SEMA Show Block have nightly rates less than $200:
Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show, the premier gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry, is now open at www.semashow.com/register.
Taking place November 1–4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2022 SEMA Show will build upon the positive momentum following last year’s event, which successfully connected the $47.8 billion industry in person in what was the largest automotive trade show in North America since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.
“The SEMA Show is where industry professionals go to grow existing relationships, create new ones and push their businesses forward,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Exhibitors are eager to showcase their products and services to the tens of thousands of qualified professionals in attendance.”
Anticipation for this year's SEMA Show ramped up in recent weeks as exhibitors selected their booth locations during Priority Space Selection, a weeks-long process that took place May 2–18.
“Enthusiasm for the 2022 Show continues to exceed last year’s, with more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibitor space already committed for the 2022 SEMA Show and confirmed spaces running 25% above last year,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales.
Attendees at the 2022 SEMA Show will learn about the latest products, trends and technology in the industry from manufacturers exhibiting throughout the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, including the surrounding parking lots. Educational seminars led by industry experts and networking events that bring market niches together will also be available during the four-day trade event.
“Our industry continues to thrive despite current challenges in the marketplace, and last year’s event proved that the value of conducting business and networking face-to-face can never be replaced,” said Gattuso. “Our mission is to help continue that momentum by providing an unparalleled experience that builds meaningful business relationships.”
Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor and media—and everyone must qualify to attend. Attendees are encouraged to register early at www.semashow.com/register so they can secure their credentials and receive updates on breaking news from the 2022 SEMA Show.
Attendees are encouraged to check the floorplan to see where the companies they need to interact with will be located at the 2022 SEMA Show.
For more information about qualifying documents and the 2022 SEMA Show, log on to www.semashow.com.
IHRA Announces 2023 Sportsman Programs, New Track Agreements
TFR Distribution, Buzze Racing, Hamke Racecars Announce Partnership
