Designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford Motor Co., “High Gear” was the concept selected in the first-ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Thousands voted for the satin black luxury Mustang concept, which will debut at the 2012 SEMA Show and then be auctioned on eBay to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Thousands of fans voted for a satin black luxury Mustang concept in the first-ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. The project, which is a collaboration between Ford Motor Co. and SEMA, invited the public to view three concepts online and vote for the one they would like to see built by a group of female volunteers.

The winning concept known as “High Gear” was designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford Motor Co. Inspired by international products in categories, such as jewelry, couture clothing and architecture, the concept is meant to stimulate the senses by fusing luxury and power. Highlights include Rosegold chrome accents throughout the exterior and interior, a satin-black body, plush quilted suede seats and a leather-wrapped interior. Modifications will also be made to the engine, undercarriage, drivetrain and sound system.

“We appreciate our readers and fans helping us determine which concept will be used for this very exciting project,” said Doug Evans, executive vice president of Source Interlink Media (SIM). SIM, a partner in the project, hosted the voting on several of its websites and will also host the physical build at its El Segundo, California, headquarters.

“The concept selected by everyone who voted is amazing,” continued Evans. “It will be very exciting to see the vehicle transformed in just eight short weeks by the dedicated group of women participating in the project. The drive and talent this collaboration of women from the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN), Ford and Source Interlink Media brings to this project is nothing short of phenomenal.”

	Female SBN members will perform all of the modifications SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women.

As title sponsor of the project, Ford Motor Co. donated a ’13 Ford Mustang GT for the project. Female members of the SBN will perform the hands-on modifications from July to August. The finished vehicle will debut at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, then will be auctioned off on eBay to raise money for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators.

The SBN Vehicle Build Task Force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Co.), Assembly Coordinator S. Kellie Colf (eTool Developers), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene Equipment), Joel Ayres (Bedslide/Takit) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).

To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.sema.org/SEMAMustangBuild or contact Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.

	The late Bill France Sr. will be inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame during the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on July 27. In addition to Bill France Sr., the inductees into the 2012 SEMA Hall of Fame are Nick Arias Jr., Mark Heffington and Bob Larivee Sr.

The late Bill France Sr. will be honored and formerly inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame during the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Friday, July 27, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center, Pomona, California. In addition to France, the inductees into the 2012 SEMA Hall of Fame are Nick Arias Jr., Mark Heffington and Bob Larivee Sr.

Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR—the most recognized and successful stock-car racing series in the world. Learning from his early days as a racer and fledgling promoter, France envisioned a single, firmly governed sanctioning body as a key necessity for stock-car racing to succeed on a large scale. Known as "Big Bill" in the racing circles, his efforts and ideas helped pioneer developments in safety, organization, infrastructure, scoring and purses—developments that enabled racing to reach new levels of professionalism and respect within the arena of professional sports.

SEMA's Hall of Fame designation is the most prestigious honor that the association can bestow on an individual. In addition to the induction of the 2012 SEMA Hall of Fame class, the gala celebration will also feature the introduction of the newest SEMA Board of Directors, and the outgoing Board members will be officially recognized and thanked for their volunteerism and service. 



The SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser is part of the association's Leadership Days—a three-day gathering of industry leaders, volunteers and SEMA staff working together to identify and address industry and business challenges, while celebrating the specialty-equipment industry and the spirit of volunteerism. Leadership Days also includes the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, where mini pinewood drag racers built by SEMA members, staff and children from Victory Junction and Childhelp race against the clock for bragging rights. A worthwhile cause, proceeds from the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races benefit both Victory Junction and Childhelp.

All industry professionals are invited to attend the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. The event begins with cocktails at 6:00 p.m., where attendees are able to mix and mingle with industry icons and celebrities. Proceeds from ticket sales will also benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction.

For tickets and more information, visit www.sema.org/galatix or contact Michelle Harris at michelleh@sema.org or 909-978-6684.

	The late Bill France Sr. will be inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame during the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on July 27. In addition to Bill France Sr., the inductees into the 2012 SEMA Hall of Fame are Nick Arias Jr., Mark Heffington and Bob Larivee Sr.

The late Bill France Sr. will be honored and formerly inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame during the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Friday, July 27, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center, Pomona, California. In addition to France, the inductees into the 2012 SEMA Hall of Fame are Nick Arias Jr., Mark Heffington and Bob Larivee Sr.

Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR—the most recognized and successful stock-car racing series in the world. Learning from his early days as a racer and fledgling promoter, France envisioned a single, firmly governed sanctioning body as a key necessity for stock-car racing to succeed on a large scale. Known as "Big Bill" in the racing circles, his efforts and ideas helped pioneer developments in safety, organization, infrastructure, scoring and purses—developments that enabled racing to reach new levels of professionalism and respect within the arena of professional sports.

SEMA's Hall of Fame designation is the most prestigious honor that the association can bestow on an individual. In addition to the induction of the 2012 SEMA Hall of Fame class, the gala celebration will also feature the introduction of the newest SEMA Board of Directors, and the outgoing Board members will be officially recognized and thanked for their volunteerism and service. 



The SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser is part of the association's Leadership Days—a three-day gathering of industry leaders, volunteers and SEMA staff working together to identify and address industry and business challenges, while celebrating the specialty-equipment industry and the spirit of volunteerism. Leadership Days also includes the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, where mini pinewood drag racers built by SEMA members, staff and children from Victory Junction and Childhelp race against the clock for bragging rights. A worthwhile cause, proceeds from the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races benefit both Victory Junction and Childhelp.

All industry professionals are invited to attend the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. The event begins with cocktails at 6:00 p.m., where attendees are able to mix and mingle with industry icons and celebrities. Proceeds from ticket sales will also benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction.

For tickets and more information, visit www.sema.org/galatix or contact Michelle Harris at michelleh@sema.org or 909-978-6684.

NEWS NUGGETS

NHRA HEADS TO BRISTOL DRAGWAY OVER FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND: Fans of all ages love the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, but kids now have one more reason to head to Bristol Dragway to share Father’s Day with their dads: free admission. In celebration of Father’s Day, Sunday’s Junior tickets (ages 12 and younger) will be free with the purchase of an adult admission ticket. The promotion is limited to two free kid tickets per adult ticket. Junior-weekend-combo ticket prices have been lowered to reflect the free Sunday admission. To take advantage of the offer, adult tickets for the event must be purchased by Thursday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

ANDERSON EARNS WIN NO. 100 FOR KB RACING: Summit Racing driver Greg Anderson added yet another milestone win to his storied career on Sunday, capturing the KB Racing team’s 100th Pro Stock victory and returning the Chevrolet Camaro to an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series winner’s circle by taking home the title at the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey. Anderson’s 74th win, and 100th for KBR, came in an all-KBR final round and at the debut race of his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro. Chevy recently debuted the Camaro this season, and Anderson’s win is the first for a Camaro in Pro Stock racing since November 2000.

CAPPS, PEDREGON TO JOIN NASCAR STARS IN PRELUDE TO THE DREAM: NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car stars Cruz Pedregon and Ron Capps will race in the 2012 Prelude to the Dream dirt-track race for charity June 6 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The proceeds from the race will benefit Feed the Children, an international, nonprofit relief organization. Pedregon and Capps will be two of more than 25 world-renowned drivers battling in the dirt, including Tony Stewart and other NASCAR stars, such as Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, Danica Patrick and Kyle and Kurt Busch. The Prelude can be watched live, commercial-free on pay-per-view on HBO beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) with an immediate replay following. The $24.95 order can be made with any digital cable box or satellite service. You do not need to be an HBO subscriber. For ordering information, log on to PreludeToTheDream.org or HBO.com.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS: The 15th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, June 28–July 1 at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, will mark the 11th stop of 23 races in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. As always, ticket holders are granted exclusive pit access and treated to spectacular sights, including jet cars on Friday, Saturday’s JEGS Allstars bonus race for Sportsman competitors, and Sunday’s Nitro Generation track walk. Also, Chicago’s world-famous Chi Town Hustler and Stardust Funny Cars will be taking fans back in time on Saturday night as they race down Route 66 Raceway. For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, June 15–17: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 10th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, June 28–July 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 11th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Chicago, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, July 5–8: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 12th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Norwalk, Ohio, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 419-668-5555 or log on to SummitMotorsportsPark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

TOP OF HIS GAME: Top Fuel driver Steve Torrence earned the first win of his career in Atlanta and backed it up with a win two races later in Englishtown, New Jersey, which has earned him the No. 5 spot in the championship points standings. “It’s really a little surreal coming out and having success in a short time. I figured this team to be a competitive team and run with these guys, but I didn’t expect to do as well as we have. It’s really gratifying to be able to go out and do that well. The car that I’ve got right now is the best Top Fuel car that I’ve ever driven, so I do feel like we have a championship-contender car if it stays the way that it’s running. We’re trying to get some parts built up for the Countdown, and when that time comes, we’ll start looking in that direction. I don’t want to get the cart before the horse. I just want to go out here and keep racing and hopefully get some round-wins.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

5: CAPPS IS IN THE RECORD BOOKS THANKS TO FIVE FINALS IN A ROW: After the addition of tuner Rahn Tobler to the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car team, Ron Capps has been unstoppable, making it to five final rounds in a row. Capps has earned one win in those finals and sits second in championship points. With his fifth final in a row, he is the fifth driver in NHRA Funny Car history to advance to five finals in a row, joining Don Prudhomme, John Force, Kenny Bernstein and Cruz Pedregon. Prudhomme holds the record for most consecutive final rounds in Funny Car with 13.

DID YOU KNOW…

RACEWAY PARK IS THE QUICKEST RACETRACK ON THE CIRCUIT: Ron Capps became the quickest man in Funny Car history when he ran a 3.964-second pass during Friday night qualifying in Englishtown, New Jersey, only the second sub-four-second pass in NHRA history. Spencer Massey followed suit and became the quickest Top Fuel driver when he recorded a 3.728-second pass that same night, making Old Bridge Township Raceway Park the quickest stop on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series circuit. Neither driver was able to certify the times to make them official NHRA national records.

NEWS NUGGETS

NHRA HEADS TO BRISTOL DRAGWAY OVER FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND: Fans of all ages love the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, but kids now have one more reason to head to Bristol Dragway to share Father’s Day with their dads: free admission. In celebration of Father’s Day, Sunday’s Junior tickets (ages 12 and younger) will be free with the purchase of an adult admission ticket. The promotion is limited to two free kid tickets per adult ticket. Junior-weekend-combo ticket prices have been lowered to reflect the free Sunday admission. To take advantage of the offer, adult tickets for the event must be purchased by Thursday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

ANDERSON EARNS WIN NO. 100 FOR KB RACING: Summit Racing driver Greg Anderson added yet another milestone win to his storied career on Sunday, capturing the KB Racing team’s 100th Pro Stock victory and returning the Chevrolet Camaro to an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series winner’s circle by taking home the title at the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey. Anderson’s 74th win, and 100th for KBR, came in an all-KBR final round and at the debut race of his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro. Chevy recently debuted the Camaro this season, and Anderson’s win is the first for a Camaro in Pro Stock racing since November 2000.

CAPPS, PEDREGON TO JOIN NASCAR STARS IN PRELUDE TO THE DREAM: NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car stars Cruz Pedregon and Ron Capps will race in the 2012 Prelude to the Dream dirt-track race for charity June 6 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The proceeds from the race will benefit Feed the Children, an international, nonprofit relief organization. Pedregon and Capps will be two of more than 25 world-renowned drivers battling in the dirt, including Tony Stewart and other NASCAR stars, such as Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, Danica Patrick and Kyle and Kurt Busch. The Prelude can be watched live, commercial-free on pay-per-view on HBO beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) with an immediate replay following. The $24.95 order can be made with any digital cable box or satellite service. You do not need to be an HBO subscriber. For ordering information, log on to PreludeToTheDream.org or HBO.com.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS: The 15th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, June 28–July 1 at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, will mark the 11th stop of 23 races in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. As always, ticket holders are granted exclusive pit access and treated to spectacular sights, including jet cars on Friday, Saturday’s JEGS Allstars bonus race for Sportsman competitors, and Sunday’s Nitro Generation track walk. Also, Chicago’s world-famous Chi Town Hustler and Stardust Funny Cars will be taking fans back in time on Saturday night as they race down Route 66 Raceway. For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, June 15–17: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 10th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, June 28–July 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 11th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Chicago, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, July 5–8: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 12th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Norwalk, Ohio, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 419-668-5555 or log on to SummitMotorsportsPark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

TOP OF HIS GAME: Top Fuel driver Steve Torrence earned the first win of his career in Atlanta and backed it up with a win two races later in Englishtown, New Jersey, which has earned him the No. 5 spot in the championship points standings. “It’s really a little surreal coming out and having success in a short time. I figured this team to be a competitive team and run with these guys, but I didn’t expect to do as well as we have. It’s really gratifying to be able to go out and do that well. The car that I’ve got right now is the best Top Fuel car that I’ve ever driven, so I do feel like we have a championship-contender car if it stays the way that it’s running. We’re trying to get some parts built up for the Countdown, and when that time comes, we’ll start looking in that direction. I don’t want to get the cart before the horse. I just want to go out here and keep racing and hopefully get some round-wins.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

5: CAPPS IS IN THE RECORD BOOKS THANKS TO FIVE FINALS IN A ROW: After the addition of tuner Rahn Tobler to the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car team, Ron Capps has been unstoppable, making it to five final rounds in a row. Capps has earned one win in those finals and sits second in championship points. With his fifth final in a row, he is the fifth driver in NHRA Funny Car history to advance to five finals in a row, joining Don Prudhomme, John Force, Kenny Bernstein and Cruz Pedregon. Prudhomme holds the record for most consecutive final rounds in Funny Car with 13.

DID YOU KNOW…

RACEWAY PARK IS THE QUICKEST RACETRACK ON THE CIRCUIT: Ron Capps became the quickest man in Funny Car history when he ran a 3.964-second pass during Friday night qualifying in Englishtown, New Jersey, only the second sub-four-second pass in NHRA history. Spencer Massey followed suit and became the quickest Top Fuel driver when he recorded a 3.728-second pass that same night, making Old Bridge Township Raceway Park the quickest stop on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series circuit. Neither driver was able to certify the times to make them official NHRA national records.

NEWS NUGGETS

NHRA HEADS TO BRISTOL DRAGWAY OVER FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND: Fans of all ages love the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, but kids now have one more reason to head to Bristol Dragway to share Father’s Day with their dads: free admission. In celebration of Father’s Day, Sunday’s Junior tickets (ages 12 and younger) will be free with the purchase of an adult admission ticket. The promotion is limited to two free kid tickets per adult ticket. Junior-weekend-combo ticket prices have been lowered to reflect the free Sunday admission. To take advantage of the offer, adult tickets for the event must be purchased by Thursday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

ANDERSON EARNS WIN NO. 100 FOR KB RACING: Summit Racing driver Greg Anderson added yet another milestone win to his storied career on Sunday, capturing the KB Racing team’s 100th Pro Stock victory and returning the Chevrolet Camaro to an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series winner’s circle by taking home the title at the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey. Anderson’s 74th win, and 100th for KBR, came in an all-KBR final round and at the debut race of his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro. Chevy recently debuted the Camaro this season, and Anderson’s win is the first for a Camaro in Pro Stock racing since November 2000.

CAPPS, PEDREGON TO JOIN NASCAR STARS IN PRELUDE TO THE DREAM: NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car stars Cruz Pedregon and Ron Capps will race in the 2012 Prelude to the Dream dirt-track race for charity June 6 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The proceeds from the race will benefit Feed the Children, an international, nonprofit relief organization. Pedregon and Capps will be two of more than 25 world-renowned drivers battling in the dirt, including Tony Stewart and other NASCAR stars, such as Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, Danica Patrick and Kyle and Kurt Busch. The Prelude can be watched live, commercial-free on pay-per-view on HBO beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) with an immediate replay following. The $24.95 order can be made with any digital cable box or satellite service. You do not need to be an HBO subscriber. For ordering information, log on to PreludeToTheDream.org or HBO.com.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS: The 15th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, June 28–July 1 at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, will mark the 11th stop of 23 races in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. As always, ticket holders are granted exclusive pit access and treated to spectacular sights, including jet cars on Friday, Saturday’s JEGS Allstars bonus race for Sportsman competitors, and Sunday’s Nitro Generation track walk. Also, Chicago’s world-famous Chi Town Hustler and Stardust Funny Cars will be taking fans back in time on Saturday night as they race down Route 66 Raceway. For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, June 15–17: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 10th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, June 28–July 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 11th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Chicago, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, July 5–8: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 12th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Norwalk, Ohio, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 419-668-5555 or log on to SummitMotorsportsPark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

TOP OF HIS GAME: Top Fuel driver Steve Torrence earned the first win of his career in Atlanta and backed it up with a win two races later in Englishtown, New Jersey, which has earned him the No. 5 spot in the championship points standings. “It’s really a little surreal coming out and having success in a short time. I figured this team to be a competitive team and run with these guys, but I didn’t expect to do as well as we have. It’s really gratifying to be able to go out and do that well. The car that I’ve got right now is the best Top Fuel car that I’ve ever driven, so I do feel like we have a championship-contender car if it stays the way that it’s running. We’re trying to get some parts built up for the Countdown, and when that time comes, we’ll start looking in that direction. I don’t want to get the cart before the horse. I just want to go out here and keep racing and hopefully get some round-wins.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

5: CAPPS IS IN THE RECORD BOOKS THANKS TO FIVE FINALS IN A ROW: After the addition of tuner Rahn Tobler to the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car team, Ron Capps has been unstoppable, making it to five final rounds in a row. Capps has earned one win in those finals and sits second in championship points. With his fifth final in a row, he is the fifth driver in NHRA Funny Car history to advance to five finals in a row, joining Don Prudhomme, John Force, Kenny Bernstein and Cruz Pedregon. Prudhomme holds the record for most consecutive final rounds in Funny Car with 13.

DID YOU KNOW…

RACEWAY PARK IS THE QUICKEST RACETRACK ON THE CIRCUIT: Ron Capps became the quickest man in Funny Car history when he ran a 3.964-second pass during Friday night qualifying in Englishtown, New Jersey, only the second sub-four-second pass in NHRA history. Spencer Massey followed suit and became the quickest Top Fuel driver when he recorded a 3.728-second pass that same night, making Old Bridge Township Raceway Park the quickest stop on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series circuit. Neither driver was able to certify the times to make them official NHRA national records.

	The goal of the SEMA Data Co-Op is to enable any manufacturer to take control of their product data, maintain its compliance to standards, and provide a seamless means to distribute that data to approved data receivers of their choice in the most affordable way possible.

What value does the SEMA Data Co-Op (SDC) bring and how is it different from any other third-party data service? Find out the latest in what's happening with the SDC and the top 10 reasons why a supplier should join.

The SDC is a technology and service initiative created for the benefit of SEMA-member companies, with the mission of encouraging and enabling the development, safe storage and universal export of industry product data.

Through the development and operation of key business tools and processes, the SDC will enable any manufacturer to take control of their product data, maintain its compliance to standards and provide a seamless means to distribute that data to approved data receivers of their choice.

Whether you have XML ready PIES and ACES files to send us, or you don’t know where to start, we are here to help.

Earlier this year, industry veteran John Wyly was hired to launch and manage the SEMA Data Co-Op. A lifelong automotive enthusiast, Wyly is well known to the specialty parts industry, having co-founded the SEMA Business Technology Committee and having served six years on the SEMA Board of Directors. His background includes 25 years at Arrow Speed Warehouse, ending as Executive Vice President, and more recently as VP of e-Commerce at Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. He was named SEMA Person of the Year in 2005.

Read more about Wyly and the SEMA Data Co-Op.

	The goal of the SEMA Data Co-Op is to enable any manufacturer to take control of their product data, maintain its compliance to standards, and provide a seamless means to distribute that data to approved data receivers of their choice in the most affordable way possible.

What value does the SEMA Data Co-Op (SDC) bring and how is it different from any other third-party data service? Find out the latest in what's happening with the SDC and the top 10 reasons why a supplier should join.

The SDC is a technology and service initiative created for the benefit of SEMA-member companies, with the mission of encouraging and enabling the development, safe storage and universal export of industry product data.

Through the development and operation of key business tools and processes, the SDC will enable any manufacturer to take control of their product data, maintain its compliance to standards and provide a seamless means to distribute that data to approved data receivers of their choice.

Whether you have XML ready PIES and ACES files to send us, or you don’t know where to start, we are here to help.

Earlier this year, industry veteran John Wyly was hired to launch and manage the SEMA Data Co-Op. A lifelong automotive enthusiast, Wyly is well known to the specialty parts industry, having co-founded the SEMA Business Technology Committee and having served six years on the SEMA Board of Directors. His background includes 25 years at Arrow Speed Warehouse, ending as Executive Vice President, and more recently as VP of e-Commerce at Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. He was named SEMA Person of the Year in 2005.

Read more about Wyly and the SEMA Data Co-Op.

	The 2011–2012 SEMA Board of Directors from the 2011 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

Tuesday, June 12, is the last day for eligible SEMA members to vote in the 2012–2015 SEMA Board of Directors election. Eleven industry professionals are vying to join the SEMA Board of Directors, which is responsible for providing strategic direction to the association and shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. 



Each candidate has provided SEMA with a detailed biography that includes career experience, personal insights and a discussion of their primary goals in running for a seat on the SEMA Board. To learn more about each individual candidate, simply click through the following list of nominees.

Below are the candidates for all SEMA Board categories.




Manufacturers Category

• John Hotchkis, Hotchkis Performance (Incumbent)
• Adrian Murray, Painless Performance (Incumbent)
• Tim Watts, Superlift Suspension Systems (Incumbent)
• Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology
• Russell Stephens, MSD Performance

Distributor/Retailer & Services Category

• Jim Bingham, Winners Circle Speed & Custom (Incumbent)
• Tom Brooks, Truckin’ Thunder Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing

Services Category

• Luanne Brown, eTool Developers (Incumbent)
• Bob Moore, J&B Service (Incumbent)
• Bill Holland, Holland Communications

Election materials, including instructions for the online voting process, were mailed to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies in mid-May. Voting is entirely electronic this year and closes June 12.

Access the SEMA election site, and enter your member number and the e-signature that was provided to you in an e-mail you should have received on or around May 14.

If you do not have your election login information, click on the “E-mail me my login information” link on the login page and enter the e-mail address that is on file with SEMA. Your election login information will then be e-mailed to you.



For more information about the 2012–2015 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or 909-978-6689.

	The 2011–2012 SEMA Board of Directors from the 2011 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

Tuesday, June 12, is the last day for eligible SEMA members to vote in the 2012–2015 SEMA Board of Directors election. Eleven industry professionals are vying to join the SEMA Board of Directors, which is responsible for providing strategic direction to the association and shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. 



Each candidate has provided SEMA with a detailed biography that includes career experience, personal insights and a discussion of their primary goals in running for a seat on the SEMA Board. To learn more about each individual candidate, simply click through the following list of nominees.

Below are the candidates for all SEMA Board categories.




Manufacturers Category

• John Hotchkis, Hotchkis Performance (Incumbent)
• Adrian Murray, Painless Performance (Incumbent)
• Tim Watts, Superlift Suspension Systems (Incumbent)
• Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology
• Russell Stephens, MSD Performance

Distributor/Retailer & Services Category

• Jim Bingham, Winners Circle Speed & Custom (Incumbent)
• Tom Brooks, Truckin’ Thunder Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing

Services Category

• Luanne Brown, eTool Developers (Incumbent)
• Bob Moore, J&B Service (Incumbent)
• Bill Holland, Holland Communications

Election materials, including instructions for the online voting process, were mailed to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies in mid-May. Voting is entirely electronic this year and closes June 12.

Access the SEMA election site, and enter your member number and the e-signature that was provided to you in an e-mail you should have received on or around May 14.

If you do not have your election login information, click on the “E-mail me my login information” link on the login page and enter the e-mail address that is on file with SEMA. Your election login information will then be e-mailed to you.



For more information about the 2012–2015 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org or 909-978-6689.