By Ashley Reyes

Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) have been around for many years, but each year, the amount of safety-performance technologies included on new vehicles increases. ADAS technology is included on virtually every part of a new vehicle and it’s impossible to avoid. Regardless of the product being developed, aftermarket product developers, engineers and programmers must understand ADAS technology and learn to work around it.  

Join industry experts as they explain ADAS technology and why it’s relevant and important to the aftermarket industry during an upcoming webinar on March 15, at 1:00 p.m. (PDT).   

Presented by the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN), the webinar will cover:   

• The history behind ADAS technology. 
• Aftermarket product development around new technology. 
• SEMA’s current research on this topic. 
• What the systems are, what they do and why they are important .

Presenters Luis Morales, mechanical engineer at SEMA Garage, and Scott Brown, founder of Diagnostic Network, will answer questions live during the webinar. Take advantage of the opportunity to hear from individuals who work with ADAS technology and the aftermarket on a regular basis, and tap into their expertise during the event.

Register here.  

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. A loan-forgiveness component is also available to employees of SEMA-member companies who have completed and are currently paying off a loan for a program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical school within the United States.

The application is available at www.sema.org/scholarship.

All students with a passion for automobiles and pursuing a career in the industry are encouraged to apply.

Don’t miss your chance, apply today!

By Ashley Reyes

Some of the industry’s young leaders gathered at the 2021 SEMA Show for a candid discussion on where the industry is headed, how technology is impacting the market and if electrification will kill the aftermarket. Watch the recording of the seminar “Future Industry Outlook from CEOs Under 40” now at www.semashow.com/education.

As young leaders and innovators in the industry, the panel provides viewers with a unique perspective of the current state of the industry, and where it is headed.

Moderated by Ian Lehn of BOOSTane, the seminar features Lindsay Hubley, Lodestone Events; Jonathan Pulli, Turn 14 Distribution Inc.; Roland Hence, FrontLane; and Matt Kossoff, Driven Lighting Group.

As young leaders and innovators in the industry, the panel provides viewers with a unique perspective of the current state of the industry, and where it is headed. Among the information viewers will hear:

“With the supply issues that vehicle manufacturers and OEs are having getting new cars on the road, we are seeing an influx of people buying and refitting all kinds of old vehicles. The combustible engine isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The country’s not ready, the infrastructure’s not ready for it to go full electric, so even if we wanted to talk about this show in 10 years, it’ll be here,” said Lindsay Hubley.

“The type of consumer that is out there today wants products that are very turnkey. They want products that are very well documented. They want to watch a video on YouTube to know very clearly step-by-step how this thing should be installed,” said Matt Kossoff.

“The last thing you want [your value proposition] to be is that ‘I can get rich.’ That’s not really going to get a team around you. You really want to try to develop something that you can all have meaning and believe in,” said Jonathan Pulli.

“For anyone who is looking to join the industry, I would say just start by making great connections. Start by talking to people, having conversations. Find things you have in common with folks because at the end of the day it’s all about people,” said Roland Hence.

The seminar recording is one of many available at www.semashow.com/education. New recordings are added weekly. Other recently added seminars include:

• “Digital Advertising: How to Measure Success”
• “Managers Matter: A Relationship-Centered Approach to Driving Employee Engagement, Presented by Dale Carnegie”
• “Going Off Script With Reality Show Stars”
• “Power Steering: One Woman’s Inspiring Success Story”

Visit www.semashow.com/education to view and access the entire collection.

 The SEMA Data Excellence designation recognizes the companies that have worked with SEMA Data to recreate and relaunch industry-leading product data sets. Here are products from current SEMA Data members that have achieved data excellence.

Fluidampr

Harmonic Balancer Ford Flathead V8 With Wide Belt Pulley—Each

Protect your engine. Modifications can compromise your stock harmonic balancer. Install a Fluidampr performance damper early for best durability. Superior viscous damper design controls harmful torsional vibration across the entire rpm range. Reduce wear on engine components. Reduce risk of crankshaft failure. Improve timing. Unleash lost torque and horsepower. Precision CNC machined and balanced high-grade steel components. Brilliant chrome finish with engraved timing marks. No maintenance required. Trusted by leading engine builders worldwide. SFI 18.1 certified. Made in USA.

Features:

• Broad RPM range protection.
• Reduce risk of crankshaft failure.
• Reduce wear on critical engine parts.
• Unleash lost torque and horsepower.
• No maintenance required.
• Superior durability.
• SFI 18.1 spec. Race proven for more than 35 years.
• Made in U.S.A.

PN: 550203
https://fluidampr.com

Bushwacker

Black Jeep Flat-Style Textured Finish Rear Fender Flares for ’87–’95 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Excludes Renegade)

Be ready for anything: Equip your Jeep with Bushwacker Flat-Style Fender Flares. They’re the first and only flat style flares made to absorb impact using our proprietary Dura-Flex 2000 TPO the thickest, most flexible material available. Flat Style Fender Flares maximize your tire coverage and wheel articulation for intense off-road use. Yet they’re carefully engineered to install with a minimum of extra tools and bodywork (see the installation guide for your specific vehicle for details). For example, our mounting brackets bolt straight onto your Jeep for added strength and simpler fitting. Our design integrates neatly with the factory rocker guards, and incorporates DOT-compliant LED side marker lights and fully molded wheel well protection. The flares are 100% UV protected to stop chalking in its tracks. If you want the look and the real-world performance that best fits an American icon, nothing goes with your Jeep better than Bushwacker Flat Style Fender Flares.  

Features:

• Made of durable, yet flexible, TPO material with great “bounce-back” properties while adding a dose of style to the Wrangler or Cherokee (XJ).
• Precision engineered for a perfect fit and keeps dirt and debris away from your vehicle.
• Precision engineered for a perfect fit and keeps dirt and debris away from your Jeep.
• Rugged, stylish protection; increases tire clearance for larger tires and better articulation.
• Tire coverage: YJ, TJ: 6 in. JK front: 9.5 in., JK rear: 4.75 in.
• Installs easily with little to no drilling or trimming required! Plus, all hardware is included.
• Even off-road, our heavy-duty hardware holds the flares securely in place.
• 100% UV-protected OE smooth matte black finish resists chalking and can easily be painted.

PN: 10068-07
www.bushwacker.com

SuperSprings

Trailer SumoSprings for Trailer Axle, GAWR: 3000–5000 (Spring-Under Axle Configuration)—Includes Line Relocation Bracket 

Trailer SumoSprings utilize the same micro-cellular air springs as SumoSprings. They mount above trailer leaf spring assemblies and create a cushion between the axle and trailer frame. Trailer SumoSprings reduce wear and tear on body-frames, windows, doors, closets, mounted TVs and other components by minimizing bounce, hop and sway associated with most towable RVs. Reduced sway and bounce in the trailer results in increased driver control, ride comfort, reduced maintenance costs and reduced overall cost of trailer ownership. 

Features:

• Left/right pair.
• 1,400-lb. capacity at 50% compression.
• Proudly made in the U.S.A.

PN: TSS-106-40
www.superspringsinternational.com

By Ashley Reyes

The custom ’51 Chevrolet 3100 sponsored by WD-40 that is being auctioned off to raise funds for SEMA Cares will be available through Build-A-Trailer on February 28.  

Built in partnership by Trad Ronfeldt (crew chief to seven-time Pro-4 off-road racing champion Kyle LeCDuc) and WD-40, the truck features both original and new upgrades, including a V8 Chevrolet 383 Stroker engine that produces 520 hp.  

Built in partnership by Trad Ronfeldt (crew chief to seven-time Pro-4 off-road racing champion Kyle LeCDuc) and WD-40, the truck features both original and new upgrades, including a V8 Chevrolet 383 Stroker engine that produces 520 hp.  

“The Chevrolet 3100 is a true American classic, and with the help of WD-40, Ronfeldt was able to bring it back to its former glory,” said Chris Standifer, SEMA project manager, recognition programs. “We’re very excited that it will be auctioned off for a good cause.”  

The sale of this Chevrolet 3100 will benefit Childhelp, a SEMA Cares’ charity that provides critical services to abused, neglected and at-risk children.

The vehicle will be available for bidding:  

Bring a Trailer
February 28–March 7
https://bringatrailer.com/

To learn more about the build, watch this video:  

By Ashley Reyes

Finding a mentor can be challenging for women in a male-dominated industry. However, having someone you can relate to and turn to for guidance and support professionally is valuable.  

Women in the automotive industry are invited to join the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) for a Facebook and Instagram live chat on career coaching and mentorship, Thursday, March 2, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).   

Jody DeVere, CEO of AskPatty.com Inc., will help members discover how having a mentor can help women in the automotive industry find greater fulfillment in their careers and establish professional goals.

DeVere is an internationally recognized speaker, trainer, often-quoted industry pundit and spokesperson for the automotive industry on the women’s market. She is a champion for women in the automotive industry, educates the automotive industry at-large, and promotes, mentors and supports careers for women in the automotive industry. Her company AskPatty.com Inc. serves as the first point of contact for many women who are seeking the very best experience to buy a car and service by visiting Certified Female-Friendly automotive retail locations across the United States and Canada.  

Join the SBN live chat to tap into DeVere’s expertise and ask her questions live.  

Live chat location: SBN Facebook page and SBN Instagram page.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Texas will be the first state in the nation to host a primary election in 2022 on Tuesday, March 1, and it’s important to know which candidates support racing when going to the polls.

Seven U.S. House of Representatives members who have co-sponsored the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (H.R. 3281 and S. 2736) during the 2021–2022 session of Congress, are running for re-election. The bipartisan RPM Act guarantees the right to modify street cars, trucks and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles and safeguard the industry’s right to offer parts that enable racers to compete. 

The following Texas lawmakers are co-sponsors of the RPM Act:

• Rep. Michael C. Burgess [R-TX-26]
• Rep. Henry Cuellar [D-TX-28]
• Rep. Pete Sessions [R-TX-17]
• Rep. Van Taylor [R-TX-3]
• Rep. Michael Cloud [R-TX-27]
• Rep. John R. Carter [R-TX-31]
• Rep. Jake Ellzey [R-TX-6]

For more information on the RPM Act, click here.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued its annual report on China’s compliance with the commitments made in 2001 to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). This year’s report focuses on China’s failure to implement many of the significant commitments made in the Phase One trade agreement signed in January 2020. Consequently, there was no indication in the report that the Biden Administration will lift any of the Section 301 tariffs that have been imposed on more than $350 billion worth of Chinese goods. Most auto-part imports from China are subject to 25% tariffs. Some exclusions from the tariffs had been granted based on a demonstration that there was no other supply source and the company would suffer serious economic harm, but they have expired.

In a separate action, the USTR issued its annual “notorious markets” list and has added two Chinese e-commerce platforms to the list that already included other Chinese online sellers. AliExpress and the “WeChat e-commerce ecosystem” were added to the “notorious markets” list for the first time, because the scale of counterfeiting and piracy is causing significant harm to U.S. companies that own the intellectual property rights, their workers and U.S. consumers. The report notes that China is the number-one source of counterfeit products in the world. By highlighting these markets, the USTR hopes to “motivate appropriate action by the private sector and governments to reduce piracy and counterfeiting.” There has been a steep rise in the sale of counterfeit automotive parts on online marketplaces.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

PRI Hosts Founding Members at DIRTcar Nationals

PRI Founding Members and Legacy Exhibitors were invited to attend the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park near Barberville, Florida.

PRI Founding Members and Legacy Exhibitors were invited to attend the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park near Barberville, Florida. PRI and its members were on-hand for the biggest event in DIRTcar racing as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, All Star Circuit of Champions, Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds, Xtreme Outlaws Sprint Cars, DIRTcar Late Models, and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds took on the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”

The PRI Advisory Board was represented by PRI Track Ambassador Tom Deery, and representatives from E3 Spark Plugs, Taktical Solutions, Regis Communications, NASCAR, and MyRacePass were among those in attendance in the PRI Suite. Justin and Rebecca Starkey of VMP Performance in New Smyrna, Florida, were also on-hand.

Ernie Audino, the district director at the office of U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-6), served as a liaison for the congressman for the event, which was overseen by World Racing Group (WRG) CEO Brian Carter, WRG Executive Director of Events Jeff Hachmann, and Volusia Track Manager James Sawyer. Existing PRI members also received a $5 discount on ticket prices. 

Paul Lee Welcomes New Sponsors for the 2022 Winternationals

Photo credit: SR Driven Media

Paul Lee and his McLeod Racing funny car team will return to the Pomona Fairplex with Mainline Sales Inc., MSI International and BREEN Engineering to kick off the 2022 NHRA Camping World Series. Coming off a strong preseason test session, the Jim Oberhofer- and Dustin Heim-led team look forward to hitting the ground running for the funny car class. Lee, owner of the Wharton Automotive Group (McLeod Racing, FTI Performance, Silver Sport Transmissions) enters his 18th year of Funny Car competition. With the addition of Dustin Heim to the assistant crew chief position and several new crew members who have joined the team over the off-season, pre-season testing showed a glimpse into what the team is capable of for this year.

Extreme E Reveals First Hydrogen Off-Road Racing Championship

Extreme H is the first-of-its-kind series for hydrogen cars and will race on the exact dates and locations as the Extreme E series.

Extreme E, the maker of the all-electric off-road series, will launch an off-road hydrogen championship in 2024. Named Extreme H, the first-of-its-kind series will race on the exact dates and locations as the Extreme E series. The Extreme H car will retain the same powertrain and chassis used in Extreme E, but a hydrogen fuel cell will replace the battery as the principal energy source. Extreme H will feature two categories: full transition or combined racing. Officials plan to launch a prototype vehicle in early 2023. For more information, visit extreme-e.com.

Mercedes Launches New F1 Car

The W13 vehicle was built for the 2022 technical regulations and features narrow sidepods and a rearward-placed engine layout.

Mercedes has revealed the car that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will drive in this season’s championship. The W13 vehicle was built for the 2022 technical regulations and features narrow sidepods and a rearward-placed engine layout. Mercedes has won the constructors’ title for eight successive seasons, but relinquished the drivers’ championship as Max Verstappen snatched the crown from Hamilton on the final lap of the 2021 season. The W13 will officially launch on March 18–20 for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. For more information, visit formula1.com.

Grandview Speedway Names New Media Director

Grandview Speedway—the 1/3-mile clay track in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania—has announced longtime track announcer Jeff Ahlum as its new public relations director. Ahlum replaces Ernie Saxton, who announced his retirement in 2021 following 55 years with the speedway. The track, owned and operated by the Rogers Family, opens its 60th anniversary season on Saturday, April 2, for the VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker. For more information, visit grandviewspeedway.com.

Holley High Voltage Experience Returns to Sonoma

The Holley High Voltage Experience is designed for the electric vehicle (EV) community to gather and experience performance on and off track.

Holley has announced the second annual Holley High Voltage Experience will return to Sonoma Raceway July 9–10. The event is designed for the electric vehicle (EV) community to gather and experience performance on and off track. The Holley High Voltage Experience will feature autocross, drag racing, road course action, plus a car show, vendor midway, skidpad and more. Additional details and tickets will be available at a later date. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

Hyundai’s Prophecy concept car will morph into the Ioniq 6 when it finally hits dealers in production form in 2023. As expected, spy shots now prove that the radical design of the Prophecy has been toned down considerably for the Ioniq 6. The interior will still be a stunning place to sit, but the exterior has undergone work and now becomes much more conservative.

The images clearly show that the suicide doors of the concept are certainly not making their way to production and that both the front and rear overhangs have increased in size, presumably because a production car needs more space for things like battery packs and trunk space. These changes likely mean it won't have the same svelte curves as the concept.

Other details we’ve gleaned from previous spy shots include the fact that the Ioniq 6 will feature flush door handles and possibly the retention of the concept’s rear wing, which may or may not house a third brake light. As for performance, there will be two power plants with both single- and dual-motor variants to be offered, the latter of which is likely to produce more than 300 hp.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde