Compiled by SEMA Editors

Matt Jones Takes Operations Helm at Art Morrison Enterprises

With the untimely passing of Art Morrison Enterprises (AME) Vice President Craig Morrison, long-time AME employee Matt Jones will take over a number of responsibilities he had shared with Morrison since 2019 as operations manager. Jones joined AME in 2005. He worked hand-in-hand with company founder Art Morrison, and as the company grew, Jones ascended to the roll of lead engineer, ultimately supervising a trio of other chassis and suspension experts. Jones was the prime motivator in the development of the AME Multi-Link I.R.S.

An automotive enthusiast all his life, Jones’ silver ’69 Camaro became the development “mule” for many of AME’s suspension components. Jones participated in several “suspension shootouts” held by leading enthusiast publications and scored high marks. Prior to the Camaro, Jones road raced a Mazda Miata. Jones and his wife, Lisa, live in nearby Auburn, Washington, and have two daughters, Ashlynn, 12, and Cailee, 7.

Motul Named Official Partner of RADwood

Motul has joined RADwood as an official partner for the 2021 show season. RADwood events highlight cars from the post-emissions, pre-digital decades and celebrate the lifestyles and fashions of the ’80s and ’90s. Motul helped kick off RADwood’s 2021 return at RADwood NorCal, held at the San Mateo County Event Center in San Mateo, California, on July 10.

XLerate Group Acquires Liquid Motors

The XLerate Group has added Liquid Motors to its offerings serving consignors and buyers, both digitally and in-lane. Liquid Motors is a critical service provider to independent auctions, dealers, marketplaces and key industry participants.

LSI Chemical Announces China-Based Distributor

LSI Chemical has announced Anna ChemTech Co. Ltd. (Shanghai) as its international distributor to sell and market LSI Chemical and Hot Shot’s Secret oil and fuel additives in China. As part of the agreement, LSI Chemical’s state-of-the-art R&D facility in Ohio will be used to develop custom formulations for the Chinese market. Anna ChemTech is an international trading company with a product portfolio that includes lubricants, coatings, metalworking fluids and more. In addition to the full line of LSI Chemical fuel and oil additives, Anna ChemTech will market and sell Hot Shot’s Secret complete line of fuel and oil additives and specialty oils for gas and diesel-powered vehicles.

QA1 to Host First Open House at New Lakeville, Minnesota, Facility

QA1 has announced the company will host its first open house event since the completion of its state-of-the-art facility in 2020. The company’s space will be available to visitors from 7:00 a.m.–9 a.m. local time, Friday, July 16. Guided tours of the facility will be followed by a #goDRIVEit cruise to the Street Machine Summer Nationals at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The open house will allow enthusiasts to see QA1’s development center, manufacturing floor and more. Attendees will see how QA1’s products are designed and manufactured in the Lakeville, Minnesota facility and will be able to explore the 100,000-plus-sq.-ft. building. QA1’s upcoming open house marks the return of the company’s annual event after a two-year hiatus due to the transition to the new building in 2019 and COVID-19 precautions in 2020. To take part in the free cruise from QA1 to Street Machine Summer Nationals, drivers can register via QA1’s Eventbrite page.

Acme Manufacturing Unveils New Logo and Branding

Acme Manufacturing has unveiled its new logo to symbolize its modern focus. With the new logo, Acme wanted to preserve its legacy by retaining similar elements of their past designs. The globe shape stands out from the text, serving as a modern representation of Acme’s expanding global footprint. During the past year, Acme made many internal process changes that led to increased efficiency and more innovative solutions. This forward motion instigated the need for a new logo and branding to reflect the focus on perpetual innovation in a global market.

Kian Capital’s The Eastwood Company Completes Add-on Acquisition of Yost Vises

The Eastwood Company completed the acquisition of Yost Vises, a specialized provider of high-quality vises. The Yost Vises brand has a 100-year-old history as an industry-leading provider of rugged, durable and dependable workholding tools sold at DIY price points. It offers a range of bench vises, drill press vises, woodworking vises and clamps and accessories sold via e-commerce to automotive enthusiasts, metalworkers, woodworkers and other DIYers and hobbyists.

“Like Eastwood, Yost Vises is a storied company with a loyal following and we are excited to welcome the brand into the Eastwood family,” commented Brian Huck, CEO of Eastwood. “Vises are an essential device in the arsenal of tools that our customers need to finish their DIY project and do the job right. The Yost Vises acquisition offers us another high-quality product line that complements our existing capabilities and enables us to continue providing a broader set of solutions to our customers.”

Yost Vises has been owned by the Nelis family for more than four decades, over which time they have grown the brand, innovated within the category and built a strong reputation for quality and customer service. “Yost Vises has been owned by our family since 1979, and we were very selective with potential buyers during this process,” said Pat Nelis, Co-Owner at Yost Vises. “Eastwood was the ideal fit for Yost Vises, and we are confident that Brian and his team will uphold its high standards of quality and service and be great stewards of its legacy.”

Kian’s continued progress with buy-and-build strategies at its three automotive aftermarket platform investments reinforces the firm’s focus on investing in branded/enthusiast DTC companies with a differentiated strategy, a robust e-commerce presence and superior product lines that result in a highly engaged customer base. NuVescor Group acted as financial advisor to Yost Vises. Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. acted as legal advisor to Eastwood.

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 Jason Catullo

The 2021 SEMA Space Allocation process was completed in late-June, with more than 1,700 companies selecting their booth locations at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The LVCC's halls are nearly full of exhibits, but booth space is still being reserved, and more exhibitors are expected to secure space until the Show opens on November 2.

Attendees planning on joining the industry at the 2021 SEMA Show can see who's exhibiting and where through the updated floorplan. If you have not yet registered for the SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, visit www.SEMAShow.com/attendee to register.

For 2021, the Show will include exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s newly constructed West Hall, a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. facility completed in January. The new facility includes exhibitors from the Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, and Truck, SUV & Off-Road sections.

Earlier in June, the visitors of the World of Concrete convention were the first to use the new hall, and the event marked the first large-scale convention and tradeshow to be held in Las Vegas in 15 months.

In addition to the new hall, the newly constructed Loop—a high-speed, people-mover system that runs 40 ft. under the LVCC—will transport visitors between South, Central and West Halls. The World of Concrete successfully used the system to shuttle visitors through the 200-acre convention center.

For more information on the 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

The 2021 SEMA Show Space Allocation process wrapped up earlier this week, and more than more than 1,700 companies are confirmed to exhibit, and many more are expected before the event takes place in November.

The SEMA Show floorplan is live, and buyers are currently examining the event's layout to see who will be there for 2021.

Companies that would like to exhibit at this year's SEMA Show to reconnect with customers and generate new business, can get started at www.SEMAShow.com.

Exhibiting at the SEMA Show puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry, including buyers looking for your products. This year's Show offers even more opportunities for exhibitors reach new buyers. SEMA Show management recently announced that buyer registration for the Show has started at the fastest pace they have seen in the event's 54-year history.  

SEMA Show exhibitor Cometic Gaskets is ready to reunite with customers in person, and reach out to more buyers outside of the company's local region.

“We are most looking forward to face-to-face conversations and reconnecting with our customers old and new. Cometic is located in the midwest, and exhibiting at SEMA allows us to connect with our West Coast customers and industry segments, such as desert racing.”

Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor, and media—and everyone must qualify to receive a badge and attend.

Reserve your booth now!

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.

HushMat
’64–’67 Chevrolet El Camino Complete Kit

HushMat’s ’64–’67 Chevrolet El Camino Complete Kit sound deadening, and thermal insulation material is designed to make every type of vehicle cool, quiet and comfortable to drive and enjoy! HushMat is an easy to install, U.S.-made material that molds, forms and adheres to your vehicle’s surface. No tools, glues and or special equipment needed to install HushMat. Simply peel and stick. HushMat has invested thousands of hours over the past 15 years measuring vehicles to create a year-, make- and model-specific portfolio of 365,000 part numbers. HushMat insulates firewall, floor pan, tunnel, doors, roof and trunk. HushMat even provides installation templates to show where each piece is placed.    

www.hushmat.com

TI Automotive
GSL396

Introducing the new TI Automotive GSL396. This pump is the latest addition to our series of the most trusted and reliable in-line, high pressure pumps on the market. With a lightweight, compact design, the TI Automotive GSL396 high-pressure in-line fuel pump fits most EFI applications, including turbo and supercharged systems. GSL396 is the essential upgrade for the 255lph GSL392 high pressure in-line fuel pump since it is identical in size and shape with output on average of 350lph. The GSL392 features upgraded internal componentry, an internal check valve, and aluminum construction to resist rust. As always, these high-pressure performance pumps are manufactured in the Caro, Michigan, facility.

aftermarket.tiautomotive.com
PN: GSL396

ZyBar
4-oz. Cast Finish

ZyBar 4-oz. cast finish high-temperature heat-dissipation coating is designed to reduce radiant heat, reduce underhood temperatures, offer outstanding corrosion resistance, provide lasting color stability under the most extreme engine conditions and extend the life of your components. ZyBar is rated to internal temperatures well in excess of 2,000 °F. ZyBar is a single component, durable polymer coating that far outperforms ceramic paints, wraps and heat tapes. ZyBar is spray-applied inside and outside the component. ZyBar treats manifolds, headers, turbo housings, exhaust, brakes and intakes. ZyBar is a thin .001-.0025 film coating that is either oven cured (2 hours @ 450 °F) or air cured (120 hours).   

www.zycoat.com
PN: 13004

SEMA eNews highlights new products from industry companies each week. To have your product considered for upcoming issues, send product press releases to editors@sema.org.

S.U.R.&R.
CT500 Universal Clamp Making Tool Kit

S.U.R.&R., the vehicle fluid line repair division of Husky Corporation, is rolling out the CT500 Universal Clamp Making Tool Kit, which will quickly create 360-degree wire seals that hold a wide variety of objects securely together. The CT500 kit includes the clamp-making tool engineered and manufactured at Husky Corporation facilities, 18-gauge stainless steel wire, a wire nut and mini diagonal cutters. The potential uses for the CT500 kit are limited only by the imagination.

Automotive: Repair CV boots, coolant hoses, air hoses and more.
Home: Everyday repairs, including garden hoses, rakes or broken shovel handles.
Farm: Great for mending fences or joining different kinds of materials (metal to wood).
Marine: Quick and cost-effective fuel line repairs.
Industrial: Repair hose connections in minutes.

Many clamp assemblies, like the common worm-gear clamp, don’t result in a uniform seal around the objects that need to be held tightly together. Wire clamps made with the CT500, however, are true 360-degree seals with long-lasting connections thanks to durable stainless steel wire.

www.surrauto.com

American Powertrain
GEN III HEMI 6-Speed Transmission Package

American Powertrain now offers a new T-56 Magnum package designed for GEN III Hemi, Hellcat, Hellcrate and Hellephant engines up to 1,100 hp. The Stage 2 upgrade takes high-horsepower Tremec Magnum six-speeds to a new level with increased torque capacity up to 1,100 lb.-ft. of torque. The package includes transmission backed up with a proven DYAD dual disc clutch by Centerforce Clutches, rated for a holding capacity of 1,100 lb.-ft. of torque at the crank. The kit also includes a QuickTime steel scattershield bellhousing, Hydramax hydraulic conversion bearing, four quarts of transmission fluid and all the hardware needed for installation.

The Magnum six-speed package is designed for enthusiasts planning a GEN-III swap into a classic Mopar musclecar. American Powertrain is the one-stop shop for all installation parts for a complete swap, including the crossmember and correct shifter location.

www.americanpowertrain.com

CTEK
Portable Battery Charger With Adaptive Boost Technology

CTEK’s new CS FREE is a portable battery charger and maintainer with Adaptive Boost technology. Within 15 minutes, the CS FREE can take your car from a dead battery to back on the road without being tied to a power outlet. Now available in North America, the CS FREE keeps 12V lead-acid and lithium (LiFePO4) batteries charged wherever you go.

The multi-functional CS FREE is four cutting-edge products in one portable unit: Adaptive Boost safe start, battery charger, smart maintainer and hi-tech power bank.

Adaptive Boost: Jumper cables and regular boosters are designed to shock your battery by pouring in a lot of electricity in a very short time, a process that can be dangerous for your battery and your vehicle’s electronic systems. CTEK’s Adaptive Boost technology analyzes a battery to give it the correct power it needs to safely and quickly charge your battery while protecting sensitive vehicle tech.

Adaptive Boost technology makes the CS FREE the ideal charger to use if your vehicle battery fails when you’re away from home. Don’t rely on expensive roadside assistance services or jumper cables. With the CS FREE 15-minute start time, dead batteries go from a major hassle to a minor inconvenience.

Battery Charger: The CS FREE can be used as a regular battery charger and maintainer. Use it as a portable charger to top up your battery, especially handy for vehicles stored for longer periods of time away from power. Available accessories allow the CS FREE to enable maintenance charging via solar panels or a 12V service battery for complete charging freedom wherever you go, perfect for campers or adventurers heading off-grid.

Smart Maintainer: The smart maintainer allows you to keep your battery in peak condition. Regularly maintaining batteries prolongs their lifespan as much as three times, saving you from costly replacements.

Hi-Tech Power Bank: With USB-C and USB-A outputs for charging laptops, smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other devices, the CS FREE is more than a portable vehicle charger, it’s the ultimate 12V power bank. Charge your tech while camping, traveling or during power outages at home.

With CTEK’s CS FREE, you can charge it, take it with you, and use it anywhere. Suitable for cars, motorcycles, leisure vehicles, and boats, the smart and simple Swedish design features no buttons or modes, only clear, easy-to-read displays—just connect and the CS FREE will do the rest.

With USB-C connectivity, you can fully recharge your CS FREE quickly and easily. Once you've charged it, the CS FREE will hold its charge for up to a year.

In addition to charging the CS FREE via a power outlet via the supplied PD travel charger and USB-C cable, the CS FREE also can be charged via:

• 12V service battery using optional USB-C charger cable clamps
• Solar panels using CTEK's optional solar panel charge kit
• 12V accessory plug

www.smartercharger.com

Milwaukee Tool
M12 Heated Toughshell and Quietshell Jackets

Milwaukee Tool introduced a new generation in the company’s lineup of Heated Gear with the redesigned M12 Heated Toughshell and Quietshell jackets. Both jackets feature an advanced heat technology system, designed to outlast and exceed the wearer’s experience in cold climate conditions.

The next generation of M12 Heated Toughshell jackets deliver heat built to last with re-engineered Toughshell Stretch Polyester that offers 80% more stretch and 5X longer life. The jackets offer better mobility and flexibility while being lightweight and comfortable. The next-generation M12 Heated Quietshell Jacket delivers heat built for silent movement with Quietshell Stretch Polyester that reduces noise from movement and provides wind and water resistance. The jacket combines durable and lightweight carbon-fiber heating elements with Realtree Edge camouflage pattern for use in wooded environments. With three times faster heat, the next-generation heated Toughshell and Quietshell jackets fully heat-up in 2.5 minutes and are designed with new inner lining material that optimizes heat transfer to the user. Both jackets feature the unique new battery pass-through that allows for battery placement in the front or back pocket. The pass-through provides improved comfort by allowing users to relocate the battery to a more optimal location based on the situation. Both heated jackets are powered by an M12 Redlithium 3.0 battery, allowing for 50% more run-time over the previous generations, and feature an advanced heat technology system.

www.milwaukeetool.com/heated-gear

Steele Rubber Products
’68–’73 Nisan/Datsun 510

www.steelerubber.com

By Ashley Reyes

The year 2020 was a roller coaster, with COVID-19 and the response to it creating an unprecedented and unpredictable disruption throughout the U.S. economy. Still, the specialty-equipment industry showed resilience with industry retail sales climbing from $46.2 billion to new high of $47.89 billion in the United States, according to the new ”2021 SEMA Market Report.” 

The report provides an overview on the state of the U.S. specialty-equipment market and examines how consumers and businesses adapted to the pandemic, along with how much was spent, and where, on specialty-automotive parts and accessories in 2020.   

While the industry was certainly affected by the pandemic, some businesses were spared from full lockdowns as auto parts were considered an essential business in some areas. Even amid the disruption of the pandemic, many of the industry’s companies reported record sales in 2020 as enthusiasts spent money on their cars instead of other pursuits that were unavailable during the lockdown. Forty-eight percent of enthusiasts did more online shopping for parts in 2020 than in 2019, and 40% of enthusiasts spent more time working on their vehicle.

Filled with data on market sizing by parts category and vehicle segment, purchasing channels, and types of consumer, the new report contains key findings such as:  

• Forty percent of enthusiast consumers modify their vehicle to stand out vs. 28% of non-enthusiasts.
• Sixty percent of specialty-equipment consumers are under the age of 40. Young drivers continue to be an important and engaged part of the industry and often buy more involved performance parts or accessories and make heavier modifications to their vehicles.  
• Forty-three percent of accessorizors turn to search engines and review websites when looking for parts information, while 41% look to manufacturer’s websites and 36% to retail websites.  
• Just over 50% of dollars spent in 2020 went through online channels. However, even with social-distancing measures in place, many consumers still preferred brick-and-mortar retailers for their aftermarket parts purchases.
• Pickups remained the biggest vehicle segment for the specialty-equipment market, accounting for 28% of all dollars spent, followed by CUVs at 16%.  

For more data on the size and scope of opportunity available in the automotive specialty-equipment market, download the “2021 SEMA Market Report” for free today at www.sema.org/research.

Annual Retail Sales of Automotive Specialty-Equipment Products (in billions)

  By Mike Imlay

SEMA leadership, volunteers and industry icons are set to gather in Las Vegas for the 2021 SEMA Installation Gala on Friday, July 30. To underscore the significance of SEMA’s return to in-person events, the evening gala will take place in the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the same venue where thousands of industry professionals will congregate for the 2021 SEMA Show in November.

“SEMA has a deep history and connection with the city of Las Vegas,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We could not be more excited about celebrating the industry in Las Vegas and christening the West Hall with such a noteworthy event.”

The SEMA Installation Gala is a long-established tradition where individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry are honored and celebrated. Since 1976, the SEMA Installation Gala has served as the formal gathering where new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees are introduced, the incoming Board of Directors are recognized, and outgoing Directors are thanked. SEMA council, network and industry leaders are also recognized during the event.

The move marks the first time in its 45-year history that the gala has been held outside the Southern California area where SEMA is headquartered. In fact, the gala of about 400 individuals will represent several “firsts.” It will be among the first events held in the LVCC West Hall since construction of the 1.4-million-sq.-ft. facility was completed in January. Plus, it will become SEMA’s first mass gathering to take place in more than a year.

“I look forward to the SEMA Installation Gala each year—even more so this year than any other year, since it will be a reunion for our industry’s friends and family,” Kersting said. “The SEMA Installation Gala is important to the association, the members and the industry, and it’s about much more than just introducing new Hall of Fame members or recognizing our Board of Directors. The event is about community, family and celebrating with people who share a common passion and love for the industry.”

“This year’s gala is especially meaningful,” agreed SEMA Senior Director of Special Events Jamie Eriksen. “The themes of industry, community and family will be front and center. After a year of being apart, we’re inviting the industry to come together. The highlight is on people, their volunteerism and their industry contributions. We want to recognize their achievements and hopefully inspire others to become more involved with the association and make a difference for our industry.”

A Symbolic Move

Eriksen added that gala organizers couldn’t have asked for a better venue than the LVCC West Hall.

“We’ve been given the opportunity to showcase this amazing new addition to the LVCC, and we’re excited to introduce our industry to it,” she said. “Secondly, it’s symbolic of the fact that Las Vegas is ready for business, open and able to accommodate, meetings and events, so we’re also excited to be working with them to produce our first ‘post-pandemic’ event in this new space. The city and convention center have been important partners for more than 40 years, and we look forward to showing our support as they reopen for business.”

Because the gala is taking place as the nation reemerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Eriksen said that SEMA’s event team will remain conscious of the environment. The goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere where the industry can safely celebrate.

“Health and safety have always been priorities for SEMA, and we take them seriously in every event we do,” Eriksen said. “With the pandemic, there’s a heightened sensitivity to those issues. SEMA will continue to work with local health and safety agencies to ensure that the event reflects current health standards in Las Vegas.”

The Race Is On!

Being a night of camaraderie, the gala wouldn’t be the same without the annual SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags fundraiser in which participants can sponsor a Pinewood race car or challenge industry colleagues in head-to-head competition. A signature event combining charitable giving, community, automotive passion and youthful spirit, the Pinewood Drags will return as a fun way to contribute to SEMA Cares, the association’s charitable arm.

SEMA Cares helps to significantly improve the lives of many in need through donations to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer, Childhelp for the prevention and treatment of child abuse, and Victory Junction camp for children with serious medical conditions.

Sponsorships for a race car in the Build-It-For-Me category are just $95. Of course, the peak of the Pinewood Drags competition is the annual Industry Cup Challenge, where boasting rights run high. This year, the racing will take place in the West Hall lobby, with entry in the Industry Cup Challenge competition set at $1,000 per company.

“The children that SEMA Cares supports truly need our help,” said Kathryn Reinhardt, SEMA Cares chairperson. “With the return of the Pinewood Drags to the SEMA Installation Gala, I hope that this year we can raise more money than ever.”

“Absolutely no donation is too small,” added Lindsay Bianco, SEMA senior manager of membership projects. “Last year was certainly difficult, and fundraising was not top-of-mind for many people, so it will be good to rally together again in support of the children’s charities we serve.”

Las Vegas has been steadily moving toward a full reopening and has adopted the latest best practices for large gatherings. The 2021 Installation Gala planners are working closely with state and local partners to ensure a safe and healthy evening of networking and celebration.

Las Vegas has been steadily moving toward a full reopening and has adopted the latest best practices for large gatherings. The 2021 Installation Gala planners are working closely with state and local partners to ensure a safe and healthy evening of networking and celebration.

High Anticipation

Eriksen agreed that there is a growing sense of anticipation for this year’s gala and all the activities surrounding it. Additionally, she sees the evening as a harbinger of the enthusiasm that’s already building for the return of a live SEMA Show in November. According to Eriksen, each event in its own way reflects the passion and interpersonal connections at the heart of the industry.

“For me, the SEMA Installation Gala is especially important this year,” she said. “We’ve always seen it as our mid-year gathering before gearing up for the SEMA Show in the fall. With the COVID-19 situation this past year, I think the members of our industry are craving the opportunity to reconnect with each other more than ever, and this event in particular is like a family gathering for the industry. It’s a little more relaxed than, say, November during the Show. A lot of meaningful connections and conversations can happen, and I think people are really looking forward to that.”

Join the Celebration!

Tickets to the 2021 SEMA Installation Gala, which are available to all SEMA members, can be purchased by visiting www.sema.org/gala. (Please note that, although the gala is open to the entire association, seating is limited.)

If you’d like to sponsor a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags race car or challenge a colleague, please make your donation today. Visit www.sema.org/semacares for more information.

By Juan Torres

SEMA representatives escalated their advocacy efforts by taking part in nearly 100 meetings with Republican and Democratic lawmakers from Capitol Hill during June and July. As part of the virtual 2021 SEMA Washington Rally, more than 60 SEMA-member companies joined SEMA staff in a record-high number of meetings with officials from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Discussions focused on top industry issues, challenges and concerns, chief among them passage of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act.

SEMA members also spoke with federal lawmakers in opposition to electric vehicle mandates while voicing support for increased federal investments in roads and bridges, protecting motorized off-road recreational access, tax credits for businesses participating in trade shows and ensuring that aftermarket businesses can market products that are interoperable with vehicles that are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The bipartisan RPM Act is a top priority for SEMA, and will protect the motorsports industry against overreach from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The bill clarifies the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete and protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars.

“We must continue to communicate with and educate elected officials about the issues that are important to the industry,” said Daniel Ingber, SEMA vice president of government and legal affairs. “We value the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and will continue to push for the rights of the aftermarket industry.”

The RPM Act was first introduced in 2016, after the EPA began interpreting the 50-year-old Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) to include race car conversions. SEMA has led the fight to advocate for passage of the bill, which was introduced earlier this year in the House of Representatives after enthusiasts sent more than 1.3 million letters to lawmakers urging them to pass the RPM Act. The bill currently has Congressional support from 82 co-sponsors, including a number of lawmakers who signed on after meeting with SEMA-member business representatives and staff. SEMA urges racers and race fans to continue to reach out to lawmakers and demand that the RPM Act be passed into law.

“We cannot let up on our efforts to push for the RPM Act,” said Ingber. “As the EPA attacks the motorsports industry, we must protect our rights to modify vehicles. The RPM Act will clarify that it is legal to modify street vehicles into dedicated race cars and give the industry the assurance it needs to continue to legally compete.”

With strong bipartisan support and engagement from the industry, the RPM Act is well positioned for passage in the current Congressional year. Committees have reviewed the bill in previous years and are prepared to expedite the bill.     

“It was great to meet with lawmakers who seriously considered the RPM Act, which allows street vehicles to be converted into racing vehicles,” said Braden Liberg, director of compliance and calibration engineering of the Edelbrock Group. “Without the RPM Act there is a threat to the motorsports industry. Many lawmakers are unaware of the challenges facing our industry, and it’s imperative that we work with them to ensure that motorsports businesses can continue to operate.”

Racers, race fans, and related businesses are encouraged to continue to contact their legislators to pass the bill and #saveourracecars by visiting www.saveourracecars.com.

By SEMA Editors

Showgoers booking through onPeak—the SEMA Show housing partner—receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip.

onPeak not only offers discounted nightly rates for SEMA Show participants, but also offers reduced resort fees so you can save even more on your stay.

Looking for a quiet, no-frills hotel stay? There are a number of non-casino properties that are offering discounted rates for SEMA Show guests. Check these out and book with onPeak today:

When making your hotel reservations through the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging page, you are receiving the most affordable and convenient hotel options through our partnership with onPeak—the only official hotel provider for the 2021 SEMA Show. All negotiated rates provided by onPeak include resort fees and will allow you to change or cancel your reservation without any financial penalties.

More information about the SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, is available on www.SEMAShow.com.

By Ashley Reyes

Conflict in the workplace is a common occurrence. When confronted with a challenge from a direct report, colleague or manager, knowing how to effectively handle the situation can save a team from unnecessary work disruptions, decreased productivity, project failure and even termination.

Employees and managers from all SEMA-member companies are invited to join the webinar, “Effectively Managing Conflict,” July 27, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT) to learn methods for how to confront workplace challenges, whether it be manager to employee, employee to employee, manager to manager or manager to supervisor.

Rebeca Olavarietta from Roco 4x4 serves as moderator, as she is joined by Executive Coach Julie Couret. Known for her unabashedly candid approach that cuts through the noise and clutter, Couret trains company leaders on the behaviors necessary to lead others in coaching, leadership credibility, business communications and conflict resolution.

Register here.