The SEMA Show is the temporary home for a wide variety of display vehicles that showcase the added power, performance, utility and styling of the specialty-equipment industry. Photos of the wide array of display vehicles featured at the 2011 SEMA Show are available for download at www.semaphotos.com.

A new group of photos are highlighted each week in SEMA eNews. This week's collection features custom Audis that made the trip to Las Vegas in 2011. In addition to display vehicles, www.semaphotos.com also includes photos of the Show floor, awards winners, industry personalities and more.  

For the past several years, SEMA has been working with the California legislature and state agencies to provide protection for owners of improperly or illegally titled and registered specially constructed vehicles (SPCNS). Under a looming threat of prosecution, this program was pursued to help vehicle owners and builders avoid a situation that could have led to confiscated cars and felony law enforcement actions.

Beginning July 1, 2011, an amnesty program to allow proper registration of previously registered SPCNS went into effect. The program is slated to conclude on June 30, 2012—roughly 16 weeks remain (as of March 12, 2012). For owners who may have misrepresented the value of the vehicle or its model year at initial registration, this law provides a method to obtain legal title/registration.

Read more: California Finalizes Program to Provide Amnesty to Owners of Illegally Titled/Registered Specially Constructed Vehicles.

For additional details, contact Jim McFarland at jmcfar1@aol.com.

For the past several years, SEMA has been working with the California legislature and state agencies to provide protection for owners of improperly or illegally titled and registered specially constructed vehicles (SPCNS). Under a looming threat of prosecution, this program was pursued to help vehicle owners and builders avoid a situation that could have led to confiscated cars and felony law enforcement actions.

Beginning July 1, 2011, an amnesty program to allow proper registration of previously registered SPCNS went into effect. The program is slated to conclude on June 30, 2012—roughly 16 weeks remain (as of March 12, 2012). For owners who may have misrepresented the value of the vehicle or its model year at initial registration, this law provides a method to obtain legal title/registration.

Read more: California Finalizes Program to Provide Amnesty to Owners of Illegally Titled/Registered Specially Constructed Vehicles.

For additional details, contact Jim McFarland at jmcfar1@aol.com.

	Marty Hart and ReadyLIFT have joined forces.

Team ReadyLIFT Racing, Marty Hart Join Forces in 2012 Lucas Oil Off Road Series Championship
Team ReadyLIFT Racing has announced that veteran racer and multi-time champion Marty Hart and ReadyLIFT have joined forces. Hart will pilot the ReadyLIFT Off Road Suspension Unlimited Pro 2 as he seeks to secure yet another championship in the 2012 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

Hart joined Team ReadyLIFT in 2010 where he dominated the Unlimited Pro Lite class and captured yet another championship trophy. In 2011, Hart and Team ReadyLIFT joined up with Johnny Greaves Motorsports where Hart piloted Greaves Pro 2 for the first time in his career.

Co-sponsors of Hart’s #15 ReadyLIFT Off Road Suspension Unlimited Pro 2 include Maxxis Tires, GearUp2Go.com, Fox Shocks, Duncan Racing, Fiberwerx, Simpson Race Products and Walker Evans Racing Wheels.

Race fans will have the opportunity to watch Marty dig hard for the 2012 Pro 2 championship while his up-and-coming son Kyle will pilot his matching ReadyLIFT Off Road Suspension #523 Modified Kart.

The 2012 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will begin March 31, 2012, at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Arizona. Races will be broadcast on SPEED Channel, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports and MavTV. For more information about the 2012 LOORRS season check out www.lucasoiloffroad.com.

Champion Oil Seeking Additional Distribution for Racing and Performance Motor Oils, Chemicals and Additives
Champion Oil has recently announced numerous new geographical locations and opportunities available in North America for qualified wholesalers who have customers with hot rods, sprint cars, midgets, modifieds, drag racers, road racers, off-road, diesel pullers, etc.

Inquiries should be from established race and performance businesses interested in acquiring this racing and performance line of products.

World of Outlaws "NAPA Know How So Cal Showdown" Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway
The "Greatest Show on Dirt," the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, will make its only Southern California appearance of 2012 this Saturday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the "NAPA Know How So Cal Showdown" at Perris Auto Speedway. Joining the stars and cars of the Outlaws on the program will be the California Lighting Sprint Car Series.

The event will feature some of the world's fastest dirt track Sprint Car drivers, including 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser of Bloomington, Indiana, four-time series champ Donny Schatz (driving for Tony Stewart) of Minot, North Dakota, two-time defending champion Jason Meyers of Clovis, California, Joey Saldana (driving for Kasey Kahne), Danny Lasoski, Craig Dollansky, Kraig Kinser, Paul McMahon, Lucas Wolfe, Jason Sides, Sam Hafertepe Jr. and the rest of the World of Outlaws stars.

Tickets are available at the gate on Saturday and in advance online or by calling 877-395-8606.

	Jim Clark addresses those in attendance at the SCCA Hall of Fame induction. Photo: SCCA

2012 SCCA Hall of Fame Induction, Awards Presentation Caps Convention
With 444 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) members and guests in attendance at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the 2012 SCCA National Convention came to a close last Saturday night with the induction of five legendary members into the club’s Hall of Fame.

The SCCA National Hall of Fame was created in 2004 to preserve, protect and record the history and accomplishments of the club by acknowledging those members who have made a significant impact on the development of SCCA, be it through service to the national organization, achievements in national competition or brining national recognition to SCCA. The 2012 class consisted of Charlie Earwood, Jim Hall, Gene Henderson, Dr. Peter Talbot and Bryan Webb.

Several other awards were handed out during the evening’s ceremony, including the Woolf Barnato Trophy. SCCA’s highest award, the honor is presented to the member who has made the most outstanding long-term contribution to the club. Winners are nominated by the last three recipients and approved by the Board of Directors. This year’s recipient was Dick Templeton.

The convention concluded with a final message from SCCA President Jeff Dahnert. The 2013 SCCA National Convention will return to the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, February 28–March 2.

	Matt Bell and Charles Bateman will be aiming for British GT title honors in the United Autosports Audi R8 LMS this year.

United Autosports Bids for British GT Crown With Young Chargers
Leeds-based United Autosports has announced it will campaign an Audi R8 LMS GT3 in the 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship for Matt Bell (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) and Charles Bateman (Boston, Lincolnshire) in a bid to lift the title it so narrowly missed out on last year.

The team was one of the front-running outfits in 2011, having taken several pole positions and led the championship for the majority of the season with drivers Bell and Mike Guasch. Bateman too was a double race winner in the series last year.

The Audi R8 is one of the most successful GT cars in the history of the sport, having taken more than 100 race wins to date, and the United Autosports car will be updated to the latest 2012 specification.

ISMA's ‘Timmy J’ is Late Providence Indoor Race TQ Entry
A late driver change in the entry roster for the 2012 “Coffee Cup Classic” Indoor Race Weekend in Providence, Rhode Island’s Dunkin Donuts Center March 10–11, has the potential to affect the outcome of the races in a big way. Tim Jedrzejek, aka "Timmy J," an International Super Modified Association (ISMA) Supermodified driver from Independence, Ohio, is replacing owner-driver Mike Dicely, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, who last year had Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, Pennsylvania, steer his car to a close second-place feature finish. Dicely had intended to drive himself this year.

The race meet format calls for two days of qualifying races and feature events for the Three Quarter (TQ) Midgets and Champ Karts, culminating on Saturday with the running of “The Coffee Cup Classic,” a 40-lap TQ Midget feature, paying $2,000 to its winner.

Jedrzejek was ranked eighth in the 2011 ISMA Supermodified season standings, driving the Dan Soule-owned car. One of Jedrzejek’s main competitors will be Canadian Mike Lichty—a past winner indoors at Providence and a fellow ISMA Supermodified campaigner. New England favorite Ted Christopher of Plainville, Connecticut, is the race’s defending champion.

On Sunday, the feature for TQ Midgets is a first-time event, to be run over a 100-lap distance with a planned mid-race break to allow teams to make adjustments and, if possible, re-enter the race. This all-new race format will place a premium on endurance and could tend to favor ISMA Supermodifed drivers Jedrzejek and Lichty and Modified favorite Christopher, who are used to driving in longer-distance races in open-wheeled cars.

For tickets, call the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office at 404-331-6700 or Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. 

	Marty Hart and ReadyLIFT have joined forces.

Team ReadyLIFT Racing, Marty Hart Join Forces in 2012 Lucas Oil Off Road Series Championship
Team ReadyLIFT Racing has announced that veteran racer and multi-time champion Marty Hart and ReadyLIFT have joined forces. Hart will pilot the ReadyLIFT Off Road Suspension Unlimited Pro 2 as he seeks to secure yet another championship in the 2012 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

Hart joined Team ReadyLIFT in 2010 where he dominated the Unlimited Pro Lite class and captured yet another championship trophy. In 2011, Hart and Team ReadyLIFT joined up with Johnny Greaves Motorsports where Hart piloted Greaves Pro 2 for the first time in his career.

Co-sponsors of Hart’s #15 ReadyLIFT Off Road Suspension Unlimited Pro 2 include Maxxis Tires, GearUp2Go.com, Fox Shocks, Duncan Racing, Fiberwerx, Simpson Race Products and Walker Evans Racing Wheels.

Race fans will have the opportunity to watch Marty dig hard for the 2012 Pro 2 championship while his up-and-coming son Kyle will pilot his matching ReadyLIFT Off Road Suspension #523 Modified Kart.

The 2012 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will begin March 31, 2012, at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Arizona. Races will be broadcast on SPEED Channel, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports and MavTV. For more information about the 2012 LOORRS season check out www.lucasoiloffroad.com.

Champion Oil Seeking Additional Distribution for Racing and Performance Motor Oils, Chemicals and Additives
Champion Oil has recently announced numerous new geographical locations and opportunities available in North America for qualified wholesalers who have customers with hot rods, sprint cars, midgets, modifieds, drag racers, road racers, off-road, diesel pullers, etc.

Inquiries should be from established race and performance businesses interested in acquiring this racing and performance line of products.

World of Outlaws "NAPA Know How So Cal Showdown" Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway
The "Greatest Show on Dirt," the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, will make its only Southern California appearance of 2012 this Saturday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the "NAPA Know How So Cal Showdown" at Perris Auto Speedway. Joining the stars and cars of the Outlaws on the program will be the California Lighting Sprint Car Series.

The event will feature some of the world's fastest dirt track Sprint Car drivers, including 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser of Bloomington, Indiana, four-time series champ Donny Schatz (driving for Tony Stewart) of Minot, North Dakota, two-time defending champion Jason Meyers of Clovis, California, Joey Saldana (driving for Kasey Kahne), Danny Lasoski, Craig Dollansky, Kraig Kinser, Paul McMahon, Lucas Wolfe, Jason Sides, Sam Hafertepe Jr. and the rest of the World of Outlaws stars.

Tickets are available at the gate on Saturday and in advance online or by calling 877-395-8606.

	Jim Clark addresses those in attendance at the SCCA Hall of Fame induction. Photo: SCCA

2012 SCCA Hall of Fame Induction, Awards Presentation Caps Convention
With 444 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) members and guests in attendance at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the 2012 SCCA National Convention came to a close last Saturday night with the induction of five legendary members into the club’s Hall of Fame.

The SCCA National Hall of Fame was created in 2004 to preserve, protect and record the history and accomplishments of the club by acknowledging those members who have made a significant impact on the development of SCCA, be it through service to the national organization, achievements in national competition or brining national recognition to SCCA. The 2012 class consisted of Charlie Earwood, Jim Hall, Gene Henderson, Dr. Peter Talbot and Bryan Webb.

Several other awards were handed out during the evening’s ceremony, including the Woolf Barnato Trophy. SCCA’s highest award, the honor is presented to the member who has made the most outstanding long-term contribution to the club. Winners are nominated by the last three recipients and approved by the Board of Directors. This year’s recipient was Dick Templeton.

The convention concluded with a final message from SCCA President Jeff Dahnert. The 2013 SCCA National Convention will return to the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, February 28–March 2.

	Matt Bell and Charles Bateman will be aiming for British GT title honors in the United Autosports Audi R8 LMS this year.

United Autosports Bids for British GT Crown With Young Chargers
Leeds-based United Autosports has announced it will campaign an Audi R8 LMS GT3 in the 2012 Avon Tyres British GT Championship for Matt Bell (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) and Charles Bateman (Boston, Lincolnshire) in a bid to lift the title it so narrowly missed out on last year.

The team was one of the front-running outfits in 2011, having taken several pole positions and led the championship for the majority of the season with drivers Bell and Mike Guasch. Bateman too was a double race winner in the series last year.

The Audi R8 is one of the most successful GT cars in the history of the sport, having taken more than 100 race wins to date, and the United Autosports car will be updated to the latest 2012 specification.

ISMA's ‘Timmy J’ is Late Providence Indoor Race TQ Entry
A late driver change in the entry roster for the 2012 “Coffee Cup Classic” Indoor Race Weekend in Providence, Rhode Island’s Dunkin Donuts Center March 10–11, has the potential to affect the outcome of the races in a big way. Tim Jedrzejek, aka "Timmy J," an International Super Modified Association (ISMA) Supermodified driver from Independence, Ohio, is replacing owner-driver Mike Dicely, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, who last year had Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, Pennsylvania, steer his car to a close second-place feature finish. Dicely had intended to drive himself this year.

The race meet format calls for two days of qualifying races and feature events for the Three Quarter (TQ) Midgets and Champ Karts, culminating on Saturday with the running of “The Coffee Cup Classic,” a 40-lap TQ Midget feature, paying $2,000 to its winner.

Jedrzejek was ranked eighth in the 2011 ISMA Supermodified season standings, driving the Dan Soule-owned car. One of Jedrzejek’s main competitors will be Canadian Mike Lichty—a past winner indoors at Providence and a fellow ISMA Supermodified campaigner. New England favorite Ted Christopher of Plainville, Connecticut, is the race’s defending champion.

On Sunday, the feature for TQ Midgets is a first-time event, to be run over a 100-lap distance with a planned mid-race break to allow teams to make adjustments and, if possible, re-enter the race. This all-new race format will place a premium on endurance and could tend to favor ISMA Supermodifed drivers Jedrzejek and Lichty and Modified favorite Christopher, who are used to driving in longer-distance races in open-wheeled cars.

For tickets, call the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office at 404-331-6700 or Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. 

	Jon Wyly has been hired to launch and manage the new SEMA Data Cooperative, an initiative the SEMA Board of Directors has identified as a critical strategic issue.

Bringing 30 years of specialty parts aftermarket experience to the table, Jon Wyly has been hired to launch and manage the new SEMA Data Cooperative.

“We are pleased and excited to have Jon taking the lead as we roll out this key industry initiative,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

“Jon brings a unique mix to the table, combining broad experience in the specialty parts arena with exceptional insight when it comes to data management applications that will be needed in the future.

“The SEMA Data Co-op will create order from chaos in the world of digital product information,” Kersting continued. “No one understands better than Jon that sales today are driven by complete, accurate and standardized product data, available from a single, affordable and easily accessible source. That makes him the ideal person to bring the SEMA Data Co-op to life; we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on board.”

Wyly’s career spans 30 years and has included key roles in sales, marketing, e-commerce, business technology and data management. A lifelong automotive enthusiast, he 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.

“While I have enjoyed operating in the WD and e-commerce arenas of the specialty parts aftermarket for over 30 years now,” Wyly noted, “the opportunity to point my efforts and experience toward building the SEMA Data Co-op was simply too exciting to pass up.”

Wyly’s immediate priorities will include launching a “beta” phase of the Data Co-op, which will precede a full-scale rollout. The SEMA Board of Directors has identified the Data Co-op as a critical strategic issue, and has authorized funding to support the infrastructure necessary to accommodate the system.

“Our ability to get information about the industry’s products to more data users—more WDs, more jobber-retailers, more auto parts stores—is the key to expanding our total market,” said Kersting. “Better data means more sales. You’ve got to have clean, standardized product information easily available to the channel partners.”

SEMA is also collaborating with leading aftermarket associations on data standards, and with the hard-parts industry’s OptiCat data repository, so that complete product information for both specialty and hard parts can be accessed from either system.

A limited-scale “alpha” test of the Data Co-op initiated in 2011 yielded conclusive proof-of-concept validation. In the “beta” phase, which launches in April of 2012, as many as 50 manufacturers and 20 WDs and retailers will have the opportunity to participate. The arrival of Wyly brings full-time, technically-adept, industry-savvy leadership to the project.

“I am at a stage in my career where I would like to give back to the industry in a meaningful way,” said Wyly. “It is my privilege to lead this important new initiative to help SEMA Members succeed.”

Jon Wyly is available at jonw@semadatacoop.org.

	This Sunday’s one-hour, all-new episode of “Inside West Coast Customs” will show the creation of the crystalized pink Mini Cooper that was on display at the 2011 SEMA Show.

Tune in to watch an all-new episode of “Inside West Coast Customs,” Sunday, March 11, when Ryan Friedlinghaus takes viewers behind the scenes of the 2011 SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the Super Bowl for car guys,” says Friedlinghaus, founder and CEO of West Coast Customs.

With an expanded area filled with several one-of-a-kind vehicles on display, the West Coast Customs area of the SEMA Show was buzzing with activity and excitement. Sunday’s one-hour program will also show the creation of the crystalized pink Mini Cooper that was on display at the SEMA Show. The episode premiers Sunday, March 11, at 9:00 p.m. (EDT) on Velocity.

	This Sunday’s one-hour, all-new episode of “Inside West Coast Customs” will show the creation of the crystalized pink Mini Cooper that was on display at the 2011 SEMA Show.

Tune in to watch an all-new episode of “Inside West Coast Customs,” Sunday, March 11, when Ryan Friedlinghaus takes viewers behind the scenes of the 2011 SEMA Show.

“The SEMA Show is the Super Bowl for car guys,” says Friedlinghaus, founder and CEO of West Coast Customs.

With an expanded area filled with several one-of-a-kind vehicles on display, the West Coast Customs area of the SEMA Show was buzzing with activity and excitement. Sunday’s one-hour program will also show the creation of the crystalized pink Mini Cooper that was on display at the SEMA Show. The episode premiers Sunday, March 11, at 9:00 p.m. (EDT) on Velocity.

Security was tight and the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. couldn't get close, but they did manage to get photos of the upcoming ’13 Mercedes GL 63AMG without a spec of camouflage.

The most powerful model of the range is recognizable by the big wheels and AMG-rims, as well as the large front air-intakes.

Code-named "X166," the GL will be built on a stretched version of the next-generation M-class platform. It will feature LED daytime running lights on the bumper and new tail lamps around back.

The AMG will likely come with a 570-hp twin-turbo V8, paired to the brand's 7G-Tronic (7-speed) transmission.

Watch for the GL63 AMG to be shown off in production form at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, with a market release one month later.

Photo Credit: Vadim Arshansky and Eugene Sergienko/Brenda Priddy & Co.

Security was tight and the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. couldn't get close, but they did manage to get photos of the upcoming ’13 Mercedes GL 63AMG without a spec of camouflage.

The most powerful model of the range is recognizable by the big wheels and AMG-rims, as well as the large front air-intakes.

Code-named "X166," the GL will be built on a stretched version of the next-generation M-class platform. It will feature LED daytime running lights on the bumper and new tail lamps around back.

The AMG will likely come with a 570-hp twin-turbo V8, paired to the brand's 7G-Tronic (7-speed) transmission.

Watch for the GL63 AMG to be shown off in production form at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, with a market release one month later.

Photo Credit: Vadim Arshansky and Eugene Sergienko/Brenda Priddy & Co.