By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) named John Rastetter as this week’s WTC spotlight volunteer. Rastetter is a tire information ambassador at Tire Rack—a retailer and distributor of tires and wheels for the automotive aftermarket.

Get to know Rastetter in his interview with SEMA below.

SEMA: What led you to obtaining a career in the wheel and tire industry?

John Rastetter: Participating in Autocrossing showed me how important tires are. This led me to working for BFGoodrich and managing one of their company stores. I later relocated to Akron, Ohio, and was promoted to become a member of the BFG Performance Team.

SEMA: How has being a WTC volunteer or member impacted your professional career?

JR: It has introduced me to the leaders of multiple companies and has given me the opportunity to help sales representatives take better care of their customers.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the wheel and tire segment?

JR: Don’t be afraid to commit and get started. People may not always believe what you say, but they will always believe what you do. Your genuine interest and growing experience will help open doors for you throughout your career.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

JR: I live only 10 minutes from Road Atlanta, so I’m often attending road races or area car shows. I am also a coach for Tire Rack Street Survival teen driving schools.

Fill out a WTC spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the wheel and tire segment of the automotive aftermarket. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on WTC’s social media, SEMA eNews and future WTC member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

Media registration for the 2022 MPMC Media Trade Conference is now available at www.sema.org/mtc.

The annual event which caters to reporters, journalists, freelancers and those seeking one-on-one interviews with motorsports manufacturers is set for January 25–27, 2022, and will take place entirely online. The 2021 event was also held entirely online and was so overwhelmingly successful that members voted to host the 2022 entirely online again.

By signing up at www.sema.org/mtc, journalists will be able to prioritize the exhibitors they would like to meet with and will receive the best possible schedule. Priority is given to media who sign up before December 15, 2021, and who are attending all three days of the event.

Sign up and get more details by visiting www.sema.org/mtc or contact pr@sema.org.

Dear SEMA Member:

A strong SEMA Board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. As a member of the Association, we are currently seeking your recommendation for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Manufacturers (3 open seats)
• Manufacturers Rep (1 open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, please include brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Sincerely,

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President & CEO

By Della Domingo

Racers, race teams, engine builders and motorsports businesses still have time to secure credentials for the 2021 PRI Trade Show. Available online at www.pri2021.com/attend, credentials will provide access to all three days of the event taking place December 9–11, 2021, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

The 2021 PRI Trade Show will be held December 9–11, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

In addition to discovering new products and meeting manufacturers of motorsports products, attendees of this year’s PRI Show have the opportunity to join the newly created PRI Membership Program. Launched earlier this year, the inaugural program is designed to build, promote and protect the motorsports industry for years to come.

The $40 annual fee for PRO Members includes entrance to the 2021 PRI Trade Show, discount on PRI merchandise, 12 issues of the digital PRI Magazine, a subscription to the weekly PRI enewsletter, posting access to the PRI Jobs Board, a membership card, welcome packet, stickers and support for the “Save Our Racecars” initiative.

“PRI has made significant strides in becoming more politically active to help protect the racing industry,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, PRI president. “We’re pleased to be able to provide to the industry a mechanism that allows them to unite and join in this effort. PRI Membership is a simple yet highly effective way to make a positive impact and safeguard the future of motorsports.”

At the 2021 PRI Trade Show, PRO members—as well as Champion and Founding Members—will have access to several exclusive areas and benefits, including:

Admission to the Members Lounge during all Show days and hours

• The ideal location to take a break during the show, meet with other members, charge their phones or laptops or grab a quick bite to eat.

Admission to attend the Save Our Racecars Rally, Friday, December 10, 5:00 p.m.

• The first-ever event includes complimentary hors d’ouvres, drinks and will include special guest appearances and activities.

Discount at the PRI Gear Store

• Enjoy 10% off all merchandise from the PRI Gear Store.

Founding members are also invited to the Founding Members Reception, Thursday, December 9, 6:00 p.m.

• After a busy first day of the PRI Trade Show, the Founding Members Reception is the ideal place to unwind and connect with other founding members.

PRI Trade Show attendees who registered for the complimentary credentials can upgrade to become PRO members during the Show, and will receive the benefits afforded to all PRI members.

The 2021 PRI Show marks the motorsports industry’s first and largest in-person business gathering since the pandemic. Exhibitors will showcase the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, and trailers, available for the racing industry in a single location. PRI encompasses all forms of motorsports and attracts attendees from all 50 states and all over the world, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers and media.

To learn more about the PRI Show, visit performanceracing.com/tradeshow. To register for the 2021 PRI Trade Show, visit www.pri2021.com/attend.    

Volkswagen’s electric Passat equivalent will be launched in 2023. The range of the model, which comes both as a sedan and station wagon, should then be around 400 miles. Our spies have caught the production version of the sedan variant during its first test drive in the Austrian Alps. It’s expected to be called the Aero B—the brand’s electric family car was first shown in concept form as the ID Space Vizzion back in 2018. The model is expected to correspond to the current Passat in size but offer the same interior spaces as its now defunct big brother Phaeton.

The production Aero B is based on the VW Group’s electric car platform MEB, which is also used for the hatchback ID 3 and will be launched after the MEB SUVs ID 4 and ID 5. The production start is now nailed to 2023. The new model will be offered with rear-wheel drive as standard. As a hotter alternative, there will also be a four-wheel drive GTX performance model which will be able to handle 0–60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

The range with the largest battery package on offer, 84 kWh, will offer about 435 miles. In comparison, the platform sibling ID 3 has a maximum of 77 kWh and a WLTP range of 340 miles.

The higher-energy capacity is said to be made possible by a slightly longer wheelbase, which means that the battery pack in the floor can be slightly larger. The increased range is also due to more “efficient” battery cells and reduced rolling and air resistance. 200 kW fast charge shall also be possible, which should mean that 140 miles of charging takes only 10 minutes.

The production of the Aero B will take place at Volkswagen’s factory in Emden, Germany in 2023, which currently manufactures Passat and Arteon models. The factory is currently undergoing a “heavy upgrade” which, according to Volkswagen, will increase production capacity to 300,000 electric cars per year in 2023—including ID 4 and 5 models that will be manufactured there from 2022.​

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Volkswagen’s electric Passat equivalent will be launched in 2023. The range of the model, which comes both as a sedan and station wagon, should then be around 400 miles. Our spies have caught the production version of the sedan variant during its first test drive in the Austrian Alps. It’s expected to be called the Aero B—the brand’s electric family car was first shown in concept form as the ID Space Vizzion back in 2018. The model is expected to correspond to the current Passat in size but offer the same interior spaces as its now defunct big brother Phaeton.

The production Aero B is based on the VW Group’s electric car platform MEB, which is also used for the hatchback ID 3 and will be launched after the MEB SUVs ID 4 and ID 5. The production start is now nailed to 2023. The new model will be offered with rear-wheel drive as standard. As a hotter alternative, there will also be a four-wheel drive GTX performance model which will be able to handle 0–60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

The range with the largest battery package on offer, 84 kWh, will offer about 435 miles. In comparison, the platform sibling ID 3 has a maximum of 77 kWh and a WLTP range of 340 miles.

The higher-energy capacity is said to be made possible by a slightly longer wheelbase, which means that the battery pack in the floor can be slightly larger. The increased range is also due to more “efficient” battery cells and reduced rolling and air resistance. 200 kW fast charge shall also be possible, which should mean that 140 miles of charging takes only 10 minutes.

The production of the Aero B will take place at Volkswagen’s factory in Emden, Germany in 2023, which currently manufactures Passat and Arteon models. The factory is currently undergoing a “heavy upgrade” which, according to Volkswagen, will increase production capacity to 300,000 electric cars per year in 2023—including ID 4 and 5 models that will be manufactured there from 2022.​

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

BFGoodrich Tires 54th SCORE Baja 1000: MacCachren/L. McMillin Bolt to Overall 1,226.35-Mile Gold

Rob MacCachren was driver of record for San Diego’s budding youthful super star Luke McMillin and rose above the rest in a field of 299 starters last Friday to win the overall and SCORE Trophy Truck title in the season-ending BFGoodrich Tires 54th SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts. Starting second physically on the road in the elapsed time race and splitting the driving in McMillin’s Big Blue M racing machine all-wheel drive 4 Wheel Parts/BFGoodrich Tires No. 11 Chevy Silverado, the duo worked their way to the front of the pack and finished the 1,226.35-mile race down Mexico’s Baja peninsula in 20 hours, 45 minutes and 59 seconds with an average speed of 59.05 mph. The SCORE Baja 1000 is at the pinnacle of motorsports as the oldest, most iconic, longest continuously held desert race in the world. Celebrating its 48th season in 2021, this race is the flagship event of the SCORE World Desert Championship. For complete results, visit the SCORE International website.

FIA World Rally Championship: Ogier Bows Out With Eighth Title

Dani Sordo completed the podium in a Hyundai i20, 14.0sec behind Elfyn Evans.

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia swept to an eighth FIA World Rally Championship title in nine seasons in Italy last Sunday afternoon. The Frenchmen ended their careers together with victory at FORUM8 ACI Rally Monza after a showdown with Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Elfyn Evans. The lead changed hands six times across three days of challenging speed tests in the foothills of the Italian Alps and at Monza’s Temple of Speed circuit.

The outcome was decided when Evans spun in the penultimate speed test, allowing Ogier to win by 7.3 seconds in a Yaris World Rally Car. Ogier will step back from full-time driving next year, while this marked Ingrassia’s final rally. His championship-winning margin was 23 points from Evans. Their 1–2 finish ensured a clean sweep of the major titles as Toyota also secured the manufacturers’ honors for the first time since 2018 after winning nine of the 12 rounds.

Dani Sordo completed the podium in a Hyundai i20, 14.0sec behind Evans. Spaniard Sordo demoted teammate Thierry Neuville on Saturday afternoon when the Belgian spun into a barrier. Neuville ended 10.7 seconds behind. Oliver Solberg scored a career-best fifth place, despite stalling his i20’s engine twice in the final stage. Teemu Suninen climbed to sixth in a similar car when Takamoto Katsuta spun into a barrier and broke his Yaris’ front left suspension in the penultimate stage.

The event marked the end of the World Rally Car era after 25 seasons. Next year will bring the introduction of new hybrid-powered Rally1 cars to the championship.

Reza Arsham Scores First Win of Season at Buttonwillow in Sportsman, While Lau Wins in Super Touring

Reza Arsham scored a win at the Buttonwillow Raceway Round 7 in the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Honda Civic. Photo credit: CaliPhotography

Reza Arsham scored an important win at the Buttonwillow Raceway Round 7 of the United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC), winning the Sportsman class. Edgar Lau managed to win the Super Touring class, Gary Sheehan won the Touring Car class and Beau Borders took the win in the GT class.

Arsham was driving the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Honda Civic with the new Hasport/KTuned powerplant. He was the quickest car in every session and found himself on pole position but the race was a different story. The other competitors turned up the speed and Arsham found himself getting caught by Andy Chittum’s LeMans Karting Mazda MX5 and Matthew Rivkin’s Cool Boxx BMW 330i. Chittum and Rivkin were battling for second place when the BMW tapped the Mazda resulting in the Mazda spinning in the Off Ramp Turn. Rivkin took after Arsham and soon caught him and forced Arsham into a mistake to claim the win. Afterwards, the stewards issued a penalty to Rivkin for the body contact and he was dropped to third place, which gave the victory to Arsham. Taking second place was Brad Austin’s TNI Racing Mazda MX5 who is the current points leader.

In Super Touring, it was a BMW vs. Audi battle with the two AR-G Motorsports BMWs of Lau and Daniel Rose, who were trying to beat the Cool Boxx Audi R8 of Victor Czapla. The Audi was the quickest car but Lau used his experience to put his BMW M3 in front and took the win. Czapla finished second and Rose finished third.

Sheehan stretched his championship points battle in the Touring Car class with a win in the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis. Sheehan’s teammate made it a 1-2, finishing second in the other GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis. Borders put the MyRaceShop.com/Hankook FFR GTM on the top step of the podium in the GT class.

With one race left in the championship, a double points two-hour race, anything can still happen at Thunderhill Raceway next month.

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

The 2021 LA Auto Show is a good way to feel the pulse of the industry. This year, the pulse was electric. While most reveals featured some type of EV, the major OEs still brought fleets of internal combustion vehicles. The Corvette Z06, Nissan Z and Toyota Supra all made their presence felt. Here is a look at what SEMA News found.

Race Winning Brands Acquired by MiddleGround Capital

Race Winning Brands has been acquired by MiddleGround Capital, an operationally-focused private equity firm. Race Winning Brands consists of a 12-brand portfolio of high-performance aftermarket product categories, including JE Pistons, Wiseco Performance Products, K1 Technologies, Diamond Pistons, Trend Performance, Rekluse Motor Sports, MGP Connecting Rods, ProX Racing Parts, Dart Machinery, CV4, Manley Performance and Victory 1 Performance. MiddleGround Capital founding partners John Stewart and Scot Duncan have experience with enthusiast-based products in the automotive aftermarket, having both worked with Holley Performance Products in 2012.

NMRA/NMCA Announce Augustine Herrera as National Tech Director

ProMedia Events and Publishing, the parent company of the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, has announced Augustine Herrera as the new NMRA/NMCA National Tech Director. His duties include overseeing fair competition in both drag racing series and leading the on-site tech staff at all national events. Herrera will be available in-person at the 2021 PRI Trade Show, December 9–11 in Indianapolis in the NMRA/NMCA Drag Racing Series Booth #1632. He can be contacted through email at aherrera@promediapub.com.

Holley Announces Plans to Establish Mooresville, North Carolina, Manufacturing Facility

Holley Performance Products has announced plans to establish a 111,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Mooresville, North Carolina. The new hub also gives the option to expand an additional 80,000 sq. ft. The company will receive local tax incentives for the $12.3 million expansion, which will bring 80 existing employees to the operation and also add 40 new jobs, according to reports. Holley offers nearly 70 brands, including Detroit Speed, GearFX Driveline, Flowmaster exhaust, MSD Ignition, Holley EFI, Hurst Shifters, NOS, Simpson Racing, Stilo and more.

LSI Announces James Palasota as COO

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) has announced the addition of James Palasota as the company’s chief operating officer (COO). He reports directly to Chris Gabrelcik. Prior to LSI, Palasota served as COO for AFC Industries and Herbal Brands and as senior vice president of operations for UtekTik. Before, he worked as vice president of llumination International, DBA The Amazing Flameless Candle, and prior, as vice president of sales and marketing for Sottera.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By Richard Hail

Builders with vehicles displayed at the SEMA Show are considered to be the industry’s elite, and while there may be just one winner of the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, every competitor has their own unique and inspiring story to tell. Many of those stories are told through the SEMA Battle of the Builders web series and TV special. Although these vehicles may have graced the cover of magazines and made their ways through social media, their stories remain yet to be told. Tune in to the webisodes below and mark your calendars to watch the one-hour television special on the HISTORY Channel on January 23 for some behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with this year’s Battle of the Builders competitors.

Tim Moceri, ’82 Delorean DMC-12

Tim Moceri of Salvage 2 Savage debuted this iconic ’82 DeLorean DMC 12 at the 2021 SEMA Show. Power comes via the IMSA-inspired 5.3L, twin-turbo LS, which was moved to the back of the car and is easily viewed beneath the new polycarbonate louvres a la a Ferrari F40. The list of mods is plentiful, but they include a custom wide-body kit, hand-crafted interior, and a set of three-piece wheels by SKÖL Wheels that are wrapped around Toyo Proxes R888RTM tires.

Greg Friedrich, ’60 Plymouth Fury Wagon

This ’60 Fury is powered by a 528ci Gen 2 Hemi that’s aided underhood by performance components from AEM, Holley and Weiand. Behind the transmission, a Gear Vendor Overdrive helps send power to a Winters quick-change rearend. The Race Tech suspension incorporates Afco Shocks and FL bearings and rod ends, and a set of Mickey Thompson tires is wrapped around a set of 20x9 and 20x12 Forgeline CR3 wheels with titanium centers and polished outers; Brembo brakes bring the Plymouth to a stop. Among the many exterior mods are a set of Eddie Motorsports hood hinges and custom paint from House of Kolor.

Marcus Fry, ’72 Datsun 240z

This year, Marcus Fry created a widebody IMSA-spec regulation vehicle out of a 1972 Datsun 240z for the 2021 SEMA Show. The engine system features an original L-series engine bolted up to a T5 tranny from a 280zx. The naturally aspirated L28 was stroked to 3.1L and utilizes a trio of 50mm Mikuni/Solex side draft carburetors. A Pyrotect fuel cell combined with an external low-pressure pump and scavenge tank are paired to an Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator for optimal fuel delivery. The modified suspension includes billet components from Arizona Z Cars and a five-lug conversion kit from Wilwood. Maximum grip on the track is supplied by the Toyo Proxes R888R tires which are wrapped around a set of WORK Wheels.

Dominic Olson, ’37 Ford Coupe

This ’37 frame-off restoration commenced when its builder was 15. Under the molded and finished hood is a 350 Chevy V8 that’s mated to a TH350 transmission that’s been metal-finished with all castings primed and painted. A custom-made battery box and throttle linkage can also be spotted inside the cleaned-up engine bay. Power flows to a Ford 8.8-in. rearend, while a Mustang II IFS front end provides a supple ride. Many custom touches can be found on the Ford, including the battery box, fender cutouts, throttle linkage and air cleaner.

Neil Tjin, ’21 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Neil Tjin is no stranger to SEMA builds. His Mustang Mach-E features numerous custom touches, starting with the Porsche Signal Yellow Orange paint and the custom front splitter, side skirts, rear valance and color-matched flares. The car rides on a one-off, fully adjustable Air Lift suspension and rolls on custom Vossen wheels and Falken tires. A custom Baer disc kit brings the electric motors to a stop. Inside, the Ford sports an all-white interior with RECARO seats and a KICKER audio system, and custom solar panels can be found on the rear window and roof.

For more information about the 2021 Battle of the Builders competition or the SEMA Young Guns program, visit www.semabotb.com, or visit SEMA’s YouTube channel. The four finalists of this years’ competition will be highlighted along with other featured builders in a new TV special “2021 SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” scheduled to premiere on the HISTORY Channel January 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. (EST).