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

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

By Ashley Reyes

Females in the industry are invited to take part in the first-ever SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Women’s Leadership Forum, where participants will acquire skills, develop a valuable support network and leave inspired to take on greater leadership roles in their personal and professional lives. Registration for the March 16–18 event taking place in Costa Mesa, California, is now available online.  

With presentations led by experts, several from the world-renown Dale Carnegie Training Program, the program includes individual tracks and breakout sessions. The conference is a one-of-a-kind event featuring top-quality content that will meet each participant’s unique needs. From learning about employee engagement and the art of executive presence to personal development and leading with a passion, topics addressed during the two-and-a-half day program are practical and proven to have an immediate impact. Participants will also create and build skill sets through education, mentorship and small group discussions.  

“Women in automotive face a variety of unique challenges,” said SBN Director Nicole Bradle. “This event is a safe environment for females to come together to express those challenges, as well as wins, knowing that the common goal is to advance all females. The varied activities and connections made will be unparallel to other industry events. Bonds will be created that will become a woman’s strongest allies throughout their career.”  

Online registration is open through March 15. SBN members can register at a reduced rate of $499, compared to non-SEMA members at $699. Participants must make their own travel arrangements.

View the full program and register here. 

By Ashley Reyes

EPA overreach. Electric vehicle mandates. The right to modify your vehicle. These are just a few examples of how automotive restoration rights are being threatened around the United States.

For the first-time ever, individuals can officially join and help win the fiercest battles for their right to enjoy their automotive passion.

Automotive restoration professionals are invited to learn about SEMA Individual Membership and why becoming a member is imperative for them to defend their automotive rights whenever they are under attack during the SEMA Automotive Restoration Organization (ARMO) general membership and panel discussion, March 11, at 10:00 a.m. (PST).

The discussion will cover the benefits of SEMA individual membership, laws currently impacting the restoration market and why it’s essential that automotive restorers have a voice in each of these fights.

Attendees will be able to ask questions and a brief report on the council’s current initiatives will also be discussed.

Register here.

By Jay Carpio, Fredy Ramirez and Carr Winn

SEMA News caught up to Shelby Hall standing next to a real-world, Bronco Raptor. Hall is literally one of the few civilians with any seat time in the new model. She could barely contain her excitement as she gave the video team a quick tour around the vehicle.

“Raptor is the apex of our off-road lineup and is now a full lineup with race proven content and design that you can’t get from anyone else,” said Jim Farley, chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. “Only Ford could create a Bronco Raptor.”

“We had to build the Bronco Raptor—it’s our ultimate vehicle for hardcore off-road enthusiasts who demand something more,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Like the Ultra4 desert race trucks, the ‘Raptor of SUVs’ conquers desert dunes at highway speeds and is equipped with competition-level off-road technology and hardware.”

For more information about Shelby, connect on Instagram at shelbyhalloffroad. And for all things Bronco, visit www.thebronconation.com.