NEWS NUGGETS

HIGHT LOOKS TO MAKE HISTORY AT ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY: The hottest Funny Car driver on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series circuit is Robert Hight. The California native has won the last four races and holds a commanding lead in the points standings as the series moves to ultrafast Royal Purple Raceway near Houston for the 25th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, April 27–29. With his fourth consecutive win, Hight joined some elite company in the NHRA record books. Only four other Funny Car drivers have claimed four wins in a row: Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, John Force and Cruz Pedregon. Prudhomme’s mark of seven wins in a row in ’75–’76 stands as the record in the category. The most consecutive Funny Car wins in a single season is five, held jointly by Prudhomme, Pedregon and Force.

NHRA ORIGINALS NOW AVAILABLE AT WALMART STORES NATIONWIDE: NHRA and JEM Sportswear have announced that Walmart stores nationwide are stocking the NHRA Originals vintage T-shirts for men. This marks yet another expansion of the classic line of NHRA Originals vintage men’s T-shirts that debuted last fall. Walmart is the largest retail outlet currently participating in the NHRA Originals program, operating 629 stores across the United States. Depicting a class front-engine dragster and the NHRA Championship Drag Racing logo, the gray-heather color men’s shirt is exclusively available at all Walmart stores nationwide. Sizes range from small to XXL.

TRAXXAS HITS IGNITION ON 1/8-SCALE RC FUNNY CARS: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing fans around the country have been awaiting a John Force Racing RC Funny Car model since the new partnership between Traxxas and JFR was announced in early January. At the third-annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals last weekend, fans got their first peek at the four JFR Traxxas Funny Cars during a photo shoot beside the Traxxas fan experience zone. Traxxas earlier revealed a collection of fully assembled, ready-to-race Traxxas RC Ford Mustang Funny Cars; the new models run 70-plus mph and are designed to convey realistic effects of the class. The cars have all the current logos and paint schemes from the 2012 JFR Ford Mustang Funny Cars.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY, April 27–29: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first stop of the season in the Lone Star State for the sixth race of the season. Winners from 2011 were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Jeff Arend (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281-383-RACE (7223) or log on to RoyalPurpleRaceway.com. For media credentials, contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS, ATLANTA DRAGWAY, May 4–6: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Georgia for the seventh race of the season—one of NHRA’s long-established events. Defending winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com. For media credentials, contact Senior Communications Manager Scott Smith at ssmith@nhra.com.

DOLLAR GENERAL NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, May 18–20: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its eighth stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will earn points in the battle for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. Defending winners are Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Shane Gray (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com. For media credentials, contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID			INSIDE THE NUMBERS
HOTTEST DRIVER IN TOP FUEL: Spencer Massey and his FRAM/Prestone Top Fuel team have won three of five races this season and became the national speed record holder after a pass of 332.18 mph Sunday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Said the points leader, “It’s unbelievable. We blistered a 330 mph right after Tony Schumacher ran 330 in front of us and we did it twice. I can’t believe it right now. It just shows how awesome my team is right now.” Schumacher became the first driver to break the 330-mph barrier, but Massey set the record with his 332.18 mph pass during the final round of eliminations.			330: SCHUMACHER FIRST TO BREAK THE BARRIER: Tony Schumacher became the first Top Fuel driver to crack the 330-mph mark he ran 330.23 mph during the opening round of eliminations Sunday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.

DID YOU KNOW …

GETTING CLOSER TO MAKING HISTORY: Erica Enders made her sixth final-round appearance during the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals but fell short of earning her first win in Pro Stock. When Enders scores that victory, she will make history as the first woman to triumph in Pro Stock. Enders’ first wins in Super Gas and Jr. Dragster both occurred at her home track, which happens to be Royal Purple Raceway near Houston—site of the next stop in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

	TORA-member companies are eligible to donate $1,500 to the SEMA Cares charity in exchange for having a display vehicle in the TORA booth at the annual SEMA Show. Beyond that, the booth shows off member company products and provides members and non-members alike with a place to meet and network.

With roots that go back to the early 1980s, when it was known as the Truck Cap Industry Alliance (TCIA), TORA members enjoy a true sense of community. In addition, the council continues a long tradition of providing useable solutions that drive education and growth for their member companies in the light truck accessories market. If your company is in this segment of the industry and is not yet an TORA member, there is no better time to join.

Top 3 Reasons to Join TORA:

• Education and Training: The TORA eLearning track section of the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) hosts several handy tools for installers and retailers, including the Pickup Bed Dimensions Reference Chart and the Keyless Entry and Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) Wiring Guides. These guides provide a quick and easy one-stop shop for obtaining critical measurements or wiring pickup points. There is also a video explaining why paint colors may vary from truck to truck, even when comparing similar makes, models and years. Manufacturers and retailers alike will soon benefit from the online Manufacturer Product Training on SEI. These training modules will deliver critical information on products in a consistent format and include testing and tracking.

• New Products Showcase: The annual TORA New Products Showcase at the Truck Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, puts TORA-member products on display in front of one of the largest gatherings of truck enthusiasts in the country. Photographs of the products are displayed at the SEMA Show and on the TORA website. A new element has been added for 2012, in the form of a Jeep Rubicon build out. TORA products that are on display in the New Products area will be installed live at the event, effectively tying together the manufacturer, retailer/installer and end user. Only TORA-member companies are eligible to participate in the New Products Showcase and the Jeep build.

• Networking: Throughout the year, TORA strives to communicate with its members through eNews, SEMA News and social media. A large presence on the SEMA Show floor provides members and non-members alike with a place to meet and communicate during the Show. The TORA Industry Reception at the SEMA Show, featuring the TORA Fall Nationals Pinewood Drag Races, is recognized as one of the premier light truck accessory industry events of the year. Through the TORA Show booth and Fall Nationals Pinewood Drags, in 2011, TORA members helped raise more than $11,000 for the SEMA Cares charity.

For more information on TORA membership, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

	TORA-member companies are eligible to donate $1,500 to the SEMA Cares charity in exchange for having a display vehicle in the TORA booth at the annual SEMA Show. Beyond that, the booth shows off member company products and provides members and non-members alike with a place to meet and network.

With roots that go back to the early 1980s, when it was known as the Truck Cap Industry Alliance (TCIA), TORA members enjoy a true sense of community. In addition, the council continues a long tradition of providing useable solutions that drive education and growth for their member companies in the light truck accessories market. If your company is in this segment of the industry and is not yet an TORA member, there is no better time to join.

Top 3 Reasons to Join TORA:

• Education and Training: The TORA eLearning track section of the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) hosts several handy tools for installers and retailers, including the Pickup Bed Dimensions Reference Chart and the Keyless Entry and Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) Wiring Guides. These guides provide a quick and easy one-stop shop for obtaining critical measurements or wiring pickup points. There is also a video explaining why paint colors may vary from truck to truck, even when comparing similar makes, models and years. Manufacturers and retailers alike will soon benefit from the online Manufacturer Product Training on SEI. These training modules will deliver critical information on products in a consistent format and include testing and tracking.

• New Products Showcase: The annual TORA New Products Showcase at the Truck Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, puts TORA-member products on display in front of one of the largest gatherings of truck enthusiasts in the country. Photographs of the products are displayed at the SEMA Show and on the TORA website. A new element has been added for 2012, in the form of a Jeep Rubicon build out. TORA products that are on display in the New Products area will be installed live at the event, effectively tying together the manufacturer, retailer/installer and end user. Only TORA-member companies are eligible to participate in the New Products Showcase and the Jeep build.

• Networking: Throughout the year, TORA strives to communicate with its members through eNews, SEMA News and social media. A large presence on the SEMA Show floor provides members and non-members alike with a place to meet and communicate during the Show. The TORA Industry Reception at the SEMA Show, featuring the TORA Fall Nationals Pinewood Drag Races, is recognized as one of the premier light truck accessory industry events of the year. Through the TORA Show booth and Fall Nationals Pinewood Drags, in 2011, TORA members helped raise more than $11,000 for the SEMA Cares charity.

For more information on TORA membership, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

	TORA-member companies are eligible to donate $1,500 to the SEMA Cares charity in exchange for having a display vehicle in the TORA booth at the annual SEMA Show. Beyond that, the booth shows off member company products and provides members and non-members alike with a place to meet and network.

With roots that go back to the early 1980s, when it was known as the Truck Cap Industry Alliance (TCIA), TORA members enjoy a true sense of community. In addition, the council continues a long tradition of providing useable solutions that drive education and growth for their member companies in the light truck accessories market. If your company is in this segment of the industry and is not yet an TORA member, there is no better time to join.

Top 3 Reasons to Join TORA:

• Education and Training: The TORA eLearning track section of the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) hosts several handy tools for installers and retailers, including the Pickup Bed Dimensions Reference Chart and the Keyless Entry and Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) Wiring Guides. These guides provide a quick and easy one-stop shop for obtaining critical measurements or wiring pickup points. There is also a video explaining why paint colors may vary from truck to truck, even when comparing similar makes, models and years. Manufacturers and retailers alike will soon benefit from the online Manufacturer Product Training on SEI. These training modules will deliver critical information on products in a consistent format and include testing and tracking.

• New Products Showcase: The annual TORA New Products Showcase at the Truck Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, puts TORA-member products on display in front of one of the largest gatherings of truck enthusiasts in the country. Photographs of the products are displayed at the SEMA Show and on the TORA website. A new element has been added for 2012, in the form of a Jeep Rubicon build out. TORA products that are on display in the New Products area will be installed live at the event, effectively tying together the manufacturer, retailer/installer and end user. Only TORA-member companies are eligible to participate in the New Products Showcase and the Jeep build.

• Networking: Throughout the year, TORA strives to communicate with its members through eNews, SEMA News and social media. A large presence on the SEMA Show floor provides members and non-members alike with a place to meet and communicate during the Show. The TORA Industry Reception at the SEMA Show, featuring the TORA Fall Nationals Pinewood Drag Races, is recognized as one of the premier light truck accessory industry events of the year. Through the TORA Show booth and Fall Nationals Pinewood Drags, in 2011, TORA members helped raise more than $11,000 for the SEMA Cares charity.

For more information on TORA membership, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

	TORA-member companies are eligible to donate $1,500 to the SEMA Cares charity in exchange for having a display vehicle in the TORA booth at the annual SEMA Show. Beyond that, the booth shows off member company products and provides members and non-members alike with a place to meet and network.

With roots that go back to the early 1980s, when it was known as the Truck Cap Industry Alliance (TCIA), TORA members enjoy a true sense of community. In addition, the council continues a long tradition of providing useable solutions that drive education and growth for their member companies in the light truck accessories market. If your company is in this segment of the industry and is not yet an TORA member, there is no better time to join.

Top 3 Reasons to Join TORA:

• Education and Training: The TORA eLearning track section of the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) hosts several handy tools for installers and retailers, including the Pickup Bed Dimensions Reference Chart and the Keyless Entry and Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) Wiring Guides. These guides provide a quick and easy one-stop shop for obtaining critical measurements or wiring pickup points. There is also a video explaining why paint colors may vary from truck to truck, even when comparing similar makes, models and years. Manufacturers and retailers alike will soon benefit from the online Manufacturer Product Training on SEI. These training modules will deliver critical information on products in a consistent format and include testing and tracking.

• New Products Showcase: The annual TORA New Products Showcase at the Truck Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, puts TORA-member products on display in front of one of the largest gatherings of truck enthusiasts in the country. Photographs of the products are displayed at the SEMA Show and on the TORA website. A new element has been added for 2012, in the form of a Jeep Rubicon build out. TORA products that are on display in the New Products area will be installed live at the event, effectively tying together the manufacturer, retailer/installer and end user. Only TORA-member companies are eligible to participate in the New Products Showcase and the Jeep build.

• Networking: Throughout the year, TORA strives to communicate with its members through eNews, SEMA News and social media. A large presence on the SEMA Show floor provides members and non-members alike with a place to meet and communicate during the Show. The TORA Industry Reception at the SEMA Show, featuring the TORA Fall Nationals Pinewood Drag Races, is recognized as one of the premier light truck accessory industry events of the year. Through the TORA Show booth and Fall Nationals Pinewood Drags, in 2011, TORA members helped raise more than $11,000 for the SEMA Cares charity.

For more information on TORA membership, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

	Now's your chance to nominate the best young talent in the automotive aftermarket industry for recognition in SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

SEMA News is searching for the best young talent in the automotive aftermarket industry and we need your input.

We're asking for help finding young leaders who are 35 years old or less. They might be working anywhere in the automotive aftermarket business, including manufacturing and design, retail, events and media or distribution.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. Nominate now.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate now. Nominations are due May 1, 2012.

	Now's your chance to nominate the best young talent in the automotive aftermarket industry for recognition in SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

SEMA News is searching for the best young talent in the automotive aftermarket industry and we need your input.

We're asking for help finding young leaders who are 35 years old or less. They might be working anywhere in the automotive aftermarket business, including manufacturing and design, retail, events and media or distribution.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. Nominate now.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate now. Nominations are due May 1, 2012.

	New “consumer segments” will be presented in the next SEMA webinar to help companies target potential customers by knowing what they are looking for from the industry.

SEMA-member companies have asked for more information on specialty-equipment consumers. This year we kicked off the first in a series of projects designed to uncover and profile sub-groups of consumers within the SEMA market. The SEMA Consumer Segmentation Study surveyed 3,000 consumers who purchased accessories to explore their motivation for modifying. New “consumer segments” will be presented to help companies target potential customers by knowing what they are looking for from the industry (not just by the car they drive).

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s Market Research Department, Thursday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar that will highlight the results of this recent study.

During this session you will learn about:

• New SEMA consumer segments
• Motivations for accessorization
• How vehicle targets match consumer segments
• Accessories and modifications desired by consumer segments
• Profiles of consumer segments

Join Knapp Thursday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) to learn more about the consumers who are buying accessories.

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Register now!

	New “consumer segments” will be presented in the next SEMA webinar to help companies target potential customers by knowing what they are looking for from the industry.

SEMA-member companies have asked for more information on specialty-equipment consumers. This year we kicked off the first in a series of projects designed to uncover and profile sub-groups of consumers within the SEMA market. The SEMA Consumer Segmentation Study surveyed 3,000 consumers who purchased accessories to explore their motivation for modifying. New “consumer segments” will be presented to help companies target potential customers by knowing what they are looking for from the industry (not just by the car they drive).

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s Market Research Department, Thursday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar that will highlight the results of this recent study.

During this session you will learn about:

• New SEMA consumer segments
• Motivations for accessorization
• How vehicle targets match consumer segments
• Accessories and modifications desired by consumer segments
• Profiles of consumer segments

Join Knapp Thursday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) to learn more about the consumers who are buying accessories.

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Register now!

	New “consumer segments” will be presented in the next SEMA webinar to help companies target potential customers by knowing what they are looking for from the industry.

SEMA-member companies have asked for more information on specialty-equipment consumers. This year we kicked off the first in a series of projects designed to uncover and profile sub-groups of consumers within the SEMA market. The SEMA Consumer Segmentation Study surveyed 3,000 consumers who purchased accessories to explore their motivation for modifying. New “consumer segments” will be presented to help companies target potential customers by knowing what they are looking for from the industry (not just by the car they drive).

Join the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) and Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s Market Research Department, Thursday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar that will highlight the results of this recent study.

During this session you will learn about:

• New SEMA consumer segments
• Motivations for accessorization
• How vehicle targets match consumer segments
• Accessories and modifications desired by consumer segments
• Profiles of consumer segments

Join Knapp Thursday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) to learn more about the consumers who are buying accessories.

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Register now!