Compiled by SEMA Editors

Jill Gregory Named Executive Vice President and General Manager at Sonoma Raceway

NASCAR executive and sports marketer Jill Gregory has been named the new executive vice president and general manager at Sonoma Raceway, as announced by Speedway Motorsports President and Chief Executive Officer Marcus Smith. Named by Adweek as one of “The Most Powerful Women in Sports” for the past two years, Gregory assumes leadership of the historic 1,600-acre property. She will follow Steve Page, who announced his retirement last August after nearly three decades at the track’s helm. Gregory is currently the executive vice president and chief marketing and content officer at NASCAR and the managing executive of the company’s Charlotte-based operations.

Superstar Racing Experience Announces 2021 SRX Schedule

Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) and CBS Sports have announced the full 2021 schedule for the new six-race, short-track series set to debut on June 12 at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. After the inaugural race at Stafford, SRX will head to Knoxville Raceway in Iowa on June 19, before visiting Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway in Ohio the following week. In Indiana, Lucas Oil Raceway will kick off the holiday weekend in early July, before a race at Slinger Speedway in Wisconsin. The inaugural season’s final and championship race will take place at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on July 17. Races will air on six consecutive Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on CBS Television Network and CBS All-Access throughout the summer of 2021. For more information and the complete schedule, visit www.srxracing.com.

ARCA Menards Series East, West Reveal 2021 Schedules

Officials have released the 2021 schedules for the West and East ARCA Menards Series. The 2021 season will mark the two series' second year on the ARCA Menards platform. The ARCA Menards Series West will mark the series’ 67th running season with a nine-race schedule featuring third-mile bullrings, one-mile ovals, and road courses. The West schedule will begin in March at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, with a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series. The West championship will be crowned back at Phoenix as part of the NASCAR Championship Weekend. For the complete ARCA Menards Series West 2021 schedule, visit the ARCA website.

The 2021 ARCA Menards Series East schedule will feature eight races over eight premier short tracks. The season will begin with a pair of Florida events in February and crown the East champion at Bristol Motor Speedway. The trip to “Thunder Valley” will be the third consecutive race run as a combination event ARCA Menards Series to close the East Series season. For the complete ARCA Menards Series East 2021 schedule, visit the ARCA website.

Jost Capito Joins Williams F1 as CEO

Williams Racing has announced the appointment of Jost Capito as its new chief executive officer. He will officially join the Formula 1 team on February 1. Capito has enjoyed a wide and varied career spanning over four decades in the automotive and motorsports industries. Reporting to Williams Chairman Matthew Savage, Capito will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the company. After beginning his motorsports career as a driver in the mid-’70s, Capito held positions with BMW M GmbH, Porsche to manage its racing programs, and Sauber Petronas Engineering’s executive committee. He subsequently joined Ford in 2001, where he was Ford Europe’s Motorsport Director. In this role, Capito helped to win the WRC manufacturers’ titles in both 2006 and 2007. In 2012, he joined Volkswagen as motorsport director, and, after a brief stint at McLaren, was chosen to lead Volkswagen R GmbH, the department in charge of the company’s performance cars. As part of the announcement, Williams Racing has also confirmed that Simon Roberts will officially take on Team Principal’s role, reporting to Capito.

Evan Bader Promoted to Track Manager at Summit Motorsports Park

Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, has announced that Evan Bader has been named track manager. Bader began working part-time at the famed family-owned facility when he was 10 years old and transitioned to full-time upon graduating in 2016 with a degree in sport management and public relations from Ohio Northern. He has held several roles throughout the years, including race operations, marketing, and announcing. As track manager, Bader will organize and oversee all on-track operations, including preparing the track surface, which underwent a $1.6 million reconstruction in 2018. He will ensure that supplies are available and equipment is accessible and work alongside a team to present a prepared track surface for all types of vehicles and all horsepower levels. Bader will also create new events, develop racer programs, expand the track rental side of live events, and marketing. 

Ace Racing Sponsors Spring Break Shootout Class

The Holley NMRA Ford Nationals has announced Ace Racing has joined the national event series as the sponsor of the Spring Break Shootout category, to be held March 4–7, 2021 at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida. The Ace Racing Spring Break Shootout category features some of the quickest street-style Mustangs in the country, competing for the honor of Spring Break Shootout champion. The category typically attracts more than 140 QA1 True Street cars vying for a spot in the Quick 16 shootout. To be eligible for the Ace Racing Spring Break Shootout class, competitors must meet all QA1 True Street rules, compete in the True Street class on Saturday, and make all three True Street passes. The 16 competitors who have the quickest 3-pass averages on the final results will be placed on a sportsman ladder for Sunday’s heads-up eliminator.  Visit www.NMRAdigital.com/FL for more information about the Spring Break Shootout’s online ticket sales, racing rules, payouts and spectator information.

Retired Sprint Car Driver Takes Ownership of Port City Raceway

In a partnership with car owner Kevin Rudeen, Shane Stewart is now the new owner of Port City Raceway. The micro sprint race track in Tulsa was first opened in 1974. Stewart, a veteran sprint car driver, will retire from competition to focus on the new role. The previous owners, the Ross and Eubanks families, will still be heavily involved with the day-to-day and race day operations to ensure a successful transition.

By SEMA Editors

Platinum status represents SDC manufacturers that have achieved the pinnacle of product data by putting in the extra effort to provide resellers with the most complete data sets available.

Aeromotive Phantom Series: 2005-2017 GM Truck Direct Drop-In Pump Options

The 2005-2017 models used a larger factory fuel sending unit than the earlier 1999-2004 models. The larger size allows for more pump configurations than the earlier models. These tanks will accommodate; single 340, dual 340, and single 450, dual 450, and triple 450 pump configurations. The Silverado and Sierra tanks have a tank depth of approximately 12.625”, while the other models are more shallow and have depths around 8.25”. The new system will accommodate both of these tank depths. The 2500 truck models can have a deeper tank up to 17.00”; the system will also accommodate these depths as well. This product is not legal for sale or use on emission-controlled vehicles except when used as a direct replacement part matching OEM specifications.

American Car Craft Jeep Wrangler Accessories

American Car Craft designs and manufactures exceptional & unique high-quality aftermarket accessories for Jeep Wrangler. These precision-crafted Jeep Wrangler Accessories are an easy peel-and-stick install over the A/C vents. Fits all 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK & 2018+ JL models. Our Jeep accessories are made from premium stainless steel that will not tarnish, fade, or rust. The kits include 4 A/C vent plates with 3M permanent adhesive backing. Laser-cut from brushed stainless steel with a polished bezel trim ring and then laser-etched with design.

Jeep – SKU 141001
Sahara – SKU 141004
Rubicon – SKU 141005
Trail Rated – SKU 141006

FAST Supercharger and Cam Power Packages for GM LS Engines

An Edelbrock Supercharger Kit and COMP Cams Cam Kit is the perfect pairing for performance enthusiasts looking for 850+ HP potential from their GM LS engines. FAST Supercharger & Cam Power Packages include a pump gas compatible supercharger pulley for break-in, initial tuning and general driving with other smaller pulleys also included for use with race fuel or E85. Additional pulleys and equipment are available for further fine tuning boost levels.

The Edelbrock Supercharger Kits include a 2300 TVS supercharger with an integrated intercooler. The intercooler is a high capacity, dual bar and plate design that enables big power gains through lower inlet air charge temps.

Also included is a COMP Cams application specific CK-Kit that contains a proprietary Low Shock Technology Camshaft designed specifically for GM LS supercharger applications, along with complementing pushrods, dual valve springs, tool steel retainers, locks, seats, seals and installation hardware.

LEED Ford Mustang Power Booster Kit

Upgrade your disc brake, factory manual transmission 64-66 Mustang to power brakes and dual bowl master cylinder! With a factory look this kit is designed to work with no modifications to your factory strut tower and export brace. In this power brake booster kit, you receive a 7" booster, mounting brackets, installation hardware, dual bowl master cylinder, brake pushrod, adjustable proportioning valve, which allows you to fine tune the amount of pressure your rear brakes receive in order to prevent rear wheel lockup. You’ll also receive the brake lines necessary to route from the new master cylinder to your factory 3 port distribution block and step-by-step installation instructions.

Note: Kit will only fit vehicles with factory manual transmission "Z Bar" linkage.

RHS 6 Bolt Heads

RHS Pro Elite CNC-Port 6-Bolt Cylinder Heads for GM LS3 Engines utilize the popular LS 6-bolt head design, making them compatible with the RHS® LS Race Block, GM LSX Block and OEM 4-bolt blocks.

These heads include an 11 (degree) valve angle and fully CNC-machined ports for improved airflow. The CNC-machined runners and chambers increase overall flow capability, while the revised water jacket design enhances thermal conductivity. Premium bronze valve guides hold precision tolerances on valve seat concentricity and the .700” thick deck and reinforced rocker rails make these cylinder heads ideal for high horsepower and boosted LS3 applications.

All RHS cylinder heads feature patented Clean Cast Technology which eliminates casting flaws and promotes a smoother internal surface finish for greater air and coolant flow. These benefits provide more power and cooling, right out of the box.

By John Santos

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Schedules are being prepared for more than 150 media members who have signed up to attend the 2021 SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference, taking place entirely online January 26–28. Completed schedules will be emailed next week to participating manufacturers and all media who signed up before the priority deadline.

Each schedule is personalized to the media group and allows media and manufacturers to meet one-on-one for private, virtual interviews. Media will be able to connect with more than 80 of the top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry. Top product specialists and company representatives will be on hand to share news about the latest products and give journalists a year’s worth of editorial content.

Journalists who have not yet signed up may still be able to secure a schedule filled with high-quality interviews throughout the three-day event.

Register now, or contact John Santos at johns@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Longtime SEMA employee David Block passed away November 25, 2020, due to ongoing health issues. He worked for SEMA from 2003 until his retirement in 2019.

Block was known for his helpful nature and positive attitude among SEMA members and coworkers. He started his career at SEMA in the membership department, answering questions and helping companies take advantage of SEMA benefits.

In 2010, Block transitioned to SEMA News ad/sales coordinator, where he was a key contact with companies advertising in the magazine and at the SEMA Show.

His final resting place is next to his mother’s grave in his home state of Michigan.

By Fredy Ramirez

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.

Warn Tran4mer Mounting System

Warn Industries announces the release of its modular Trans4mer mounting system for the ’19-’20 Ram HD Gen III and ’20 Ford Super Duty. The kit is designed to retain the factory front bumper. The kits are constructed of heavy-gauge steel with a durable black powdercoated finish engineered to protect against corrosion. The base winch mounting kit is required and includes brackets and a winch carrier. They also include J-hooks for increased recovery options and provisions to mount lights.

800-543-9276
www.warn.com
PN: Vary

Polyvance Dent Driver Kit

Polyvance introduces its 6119 Dent Driver kit specialized tool set to help the auto body technician remove dents from plastic bumpers. The kit includes two each of two different-sized tools for a total of four tools. The end of each Dent Driver tool features different shapes to help work out the knots and stretched areas often found around the perimeter of bumper dents.

800-633-3047
www.polyvance.com
PN: 6119

Warn Polaris General 1000 Bumper

Warn Industries announces the release of its bumper for the Polaris General 1000 and General XP1000. Built from steel and powdercoated for durability, the bumper is designed to be sturdy and allows WARN VRX and AXON powersports winch to be mounted. The bumper also showcases welded recovery points ready for shackles (sold separately), and the design helps to maintain the General's factory lines while sitting high to provide ground clearance and off-road performance.

800-543-9276
www.warn.com
PN: Vary

Champion Oil Snowplow Fluid

Champion Oil has launched professional-grade snow-plow hydraulic fluid. The oil is formulated with hydro-treated and hydro-finished API Group II base oils for improved oxidation resistance, viscosity retention and cold flow properties. The oil is engineered to protect against wear, corrosion and the build-up of sludge and varnish in most snowplow applications.

800-821-5693
www.championbrands.com
PN: 4013H

Steele Rubber Products Weatherstrips

Steele Rubber Products announces the launch of its Front Door Vent Window Weatherstrips for ‘66–‘69 Lincoln Continental. The weatherstrip pair is designed from the original parts for accurate fitment and sealing. Molded with corrosion-resistant brass metal inserts, the weatherstrip is constructed to ensure durability and a proper seal.

800-447-0849
www.steelerubber.com
PN: 70-4285-55

SEMA News—January 2021

Innovators and Icons Take The Stage

The 2019 SEMA Show made headlines with the launch of a new educational platform. Jointly presented by SEMA’s education department and the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC), The Stage featured multiple daily interviews with some of the industry’s foremost thought leaders and legends.

The Stage was hosted by DUB President and Co-founder Myles Kovacs, who engaged in thought-proving conversations throughout the week. Heading into the 2020 Show, Kovacs was poised to reprise his role. With the cancellation of the Show, SEMA and WTC pivoted the event to SEMA360. With his usual wit, smarts and gift of gab, Kovacs hit a home run, engaging in lively conversations with a new crop of industry personalities.

The SEMA360 headliners included an iconic group of legends and innovators, from drifting driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. and custom-car fabricator Dave Kindig of Kindig-It to West Coast Customs founder Ryan Friedlinghaus. Besides being the subject of an interview with Kovacs, Aaron Kaufman of ArcLight Fabrication also hosted a Stage interview with SEMA Launch Pad winner Roland Hence of FrontLane.

In a departure from the 2019 format that centered on industry-related topics, Kovacs shifted to more free-flowing conversations that allowed guests to share insights into their backgrounds, experiences and life stories.

“The interviews were different from last year’s,” noted WTC Chair Tyson Boyer. “Myles delved into personal areas and asked questions that really highlighted things you would never have known about these guests, and Aaron’s interview with the Launch Pad winner was a bonus.

“Our Wheel & Tire Council is grateful that we were able to kick off the second annual Stage with Myles. Our hats are off to Myles and Aaron for their unwavering support and ability to deliver exactly what our audience was looking for.”

“Being in the business for more than 20 years, you’d think I’d know everybody,” Kovacs added. “But hearing the stories, I got a new appreciation for the people in the industry and the passion they have for what they do.”

SEMA News—January 2021

Charting the History of HRIA

The primary objectives of the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) are to ensure the future prosperity of the industry and to advance and promote awareness of the hobby. A recent undertaking involves documenting and preserving HRIA’s history from its early days as a SEMA committee to its current status as a council.

It is a daunting task that involves extensive research—locating and sorting through reams of committee and awards rosters, photographs, brochures, newsletters and other memorabilia as well as reaching out to industry veterans to record their recollections.

The task has been undertaken by Dennis Overholser of Painless Performance, a decades-long member who was “volunteered” for the project by fellow HRIA members and has been working on it for more than a year. The goal is to complete the history as a bound book by the end of June 2021.

For the council history to be as well documented, meaningful and accurate as possible, HRIA needs help. Both Major and Overholser urge current and former members to lend a hand to dig through files, look for photos, share reminiscences and pass them along to SEMA Council Director Jim Skelly. You may contact Skelly via email at jimsk@sema.org.

“I’m putting together a timeline and trying to be as accurate as possible,” Overholser said. “It’s time-consuming, and some of the information is hard to get, but we are making progress. I see this as a living document that we could add to as time goes on.”

For HRIA Chair Jeff Major, the project is an important initiative.

“This is one of my pet projects,” he said. “I term out in June, so I want it done by then. There’s a tremendous amount of history, and I want it preserved accurately for future generations. Our plan is to distribute the book to all current and former members—all the people and companies instrumental in building our industry.”

From the Beginning

Until the early ’90s, SEMA was still very much a performance-centric trade group, but as former SEMA President Chuck Blum recently recalled, the association was interested in embracing other markets. So when former SEMA Board Chair Jim Davis, then of B&M Performance, requested a meeting on behalf of now-deceased Pete Chapouris, Blum agreed.

“Pete had worked for SEMA as vice president of marketing and was back building street rods,” Blum said. “I met with Pete and a group of manufacturers. They were seeking help with issues they were having with a street-rod organization.

“At the time, SEMA had only committees—there were no councils—but we wanted to grow the association and the Show. We helped the group resolve their issues, and we formed a SEMA committee called SREA [Street Rod Equipment Alliance].”

In 1992, SEMA was approached by other street-rod suppliers interested in merging with SREA. That group became known as the Street Rod Market Alliance (SRMA). In 1993, SRMA as well as the Automotive Restoration Market Organization and the Professional Restylers Organization were elevated to council status. Flash forward to 2004 when SRMA morphed into HRIA.

SEMA News—January 2021

Launch Pad: A Springboard to Success

The SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the Young Executives Network (YEN), provides a springboard for young entrepreneurs and business owners to launch products into the $46 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry. The annual competition is open to contestants age 18–39.

The final phase of the 2020 competition was slated for the SEMA Show. In lieu of a live event, finalists’ presentations were prerecorded at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles for broadcast on November 2 during SEMA360. The event was moderated by Aaron Kaufman of Arclight Fabrication.

Making the Cut

The crop of 80 contenders was recruited through SEMA’s online marketing campaign and YEN’s social-media outreach. To make the cut, contestants went through a vetting process. YEN’s Launch Pad Task Force reviewed the applications and selected the semifinalists.

“We went through each application line by line and either moved applicants forward or out of the competition, whittling it down to 15 semifinalists,” said Jonathan Barber, task force chair. At that point, the competition moved to online voting.

The top 10 finalists were chosen by the public and then a Manufacturer’s Rep Task Force selected the top five. The finalists were Justin Bradshaw of Rever; Khanjan Desai of Alchemy; Roland Hence from FrontLane; Matt Rafeld of Beachcomber Offroad; and Eric Rivera of Dirt Dynamix.

“It felt great to make it into the final five—a lot of validation—but it didn’t feel like a competition,” said Bradshaw, whose entry was a unique GPS mobile app and website. “It felt like we were all winners. Everyone had great ideas. We had time to talk with the judges and chat with each other to share ideas and advice. That’s important in the entrepreneurial community.”

Hence agreed: “At first you think of the others as competitors, but then you realize that you’re sharing stories, experiences and going on a similar path. We gave each other so much advice and got feedback. As entrepreneurs, that was real value.”

And the Winner Is…

After two days of filming, networking and touring the museum, it was time to announce the winner. The grand prize package, worth $25,000, including perks and $10,000 to benefit the winner’s business, was presented to FrontLane’s Hence.

His prizewinning safety product, Impulse, is a battery-powered wireless pulsating emergency brake light that reduces rear-end collisions under extreme braking conditions. Impulse can be installed on the rear window of any car or truck.

“To win the Launch Pad is incredible,” said a jubilant Hence. “As an entrepreneur, you dream about this moment. I am incredibly proud of my team and grateful to SEMA for the platform to showcase our hard work and life-saving product.”

Added Barber: “Being able to see the finalists, the excitement in their eyes and their drive and passion is what makes this contest so exciting and worthwhile. On behalf of YEN, a big thank you to the judges and Aaron Kaufman for another successful event.”

SEMA News—January 2021

Media Trade Conference Goes Virtual

As MPMC prepares for the conference at the Embassy Suites over January 26–28, enthusiasm runs high—with a twist. The 2021 event will be entirely online, allowing manufacturers and media to connect from anywhere in the world.

“Because of the design—individual meetings in a closed room with people who rotate every half hour—we couldn’t have abided by the social-distancing mandate,” Fisher said. “We had to find the perfect platform, and SEMA did a great job.”

The idea was to create a virtual reality resembling an in-person event. When journalists open a laptop or tablet and click on the event, they’ll pass through a hotel lobby to the atrium beyond. In a live event, manufacturer banners would be displayed on balconies from floor to floor. Instead, there will be virtual manufacturer tables: Click on a table to gain entrée to a manufacturer’s meeting room.

“Meetings will be similar to a live video conference,” Fisher noted. “Manufacturers can show a video or a PowerPoint and share product information. The platform allows for a lot of versatility when it comes to content.”

That versatility is key. Traditionally, media has been limited mostly to domestic journalists able to attend in person. A digital platform expands the potential universe.

“There’s a big motorsports culture in Europe, Australia and elsewhere, but it’s very hard to get their journalists to hop on a plane for a two-and-a-half-day event,” Fisher said. “This platform allows us to bring in international media and expand that footprint for manufacturers. Everybody on the select committee is super-excited that we have this opportunity.”

Because the media landscape is changing, with less print, more digital and the rise of new media—influencers, bloggers and others who rely on social-media platforms—MPMC set about to help educate manufacturers about the new-media landscape and how to navigate it to their best advantage.

“We developed a three-webinar series that will educate our membership base on new media ahead of the trade conference in order to provide an understanding of the new-media landscape to help drive their businesses,” said MPMC Chair Rob Fisher.

To learn more about the 2021 MPMC Media Trade Conference, visit www.sema.org/mtc.

SEMA News—January 2021

Restyler Versus Restyler: Styling Competition Creates New Opportunities

Debuted by the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) as a pilot program in 2019, the PRO Cup Challenge featured four custom contenders. A panel of experts selected the winner. Attendees voted for the fan favorite.

But the Challenge is more than a competition. It delivers real-world marketing and sales opportunities.

Unlike one-of-a-kind feature vehicles—many of which will never be road-driven—Challenge entries had to meet and be judged by specific criteria. To qualify, the builds had to be marketable, appeal to a range of buyers, be creative and designed for dealership display, be easily replicated in any market, and be profitable for restylers and dealerships.

While plans to expand the competition at the 2020 SEMA Show were cancelled, the council is gearing up for 2021. To recruit participants, PRO will reach out to member restylers. The task force will review proposals and select the finalists. Member manufacturers will be encouraged to support the competition.

“PRO has always tried to bring value to our members and the restyling community,” said Eric Holmes, PRO Cup Challenge task force chair. “Seeing the creativity in the different packages opened restylers’ eyes to ideas that they could sell in their markets. It encouraged them to think about restyling a vehicle with packages that they could replicate over and over, that make more money for dealers, and that create business for
the restyler.”

PRO has logged 80 vehicles built by restylers who replicated the Challenge entries. Select committee member Cristina Jorge, whose Hyundai Palisade Ultimate was the fan favorite, is among them.

“We have replicated the Palisade package, but we’ve done a lot of partial packages on different vehicles,” Jorge said. “It’s been a good run. The Challenge is all about building a package other restylers can replicate. We also learned a lot about the parameters and how to build on the Challenge’s success. We’re excited for 2021.”

“Our goal is to put restylers and manufacturers together—to have manufacturers seek restylers who will build these vehicles and be excited to get behind the program,” said PRO Chair Dino Perfetti, whose company has built a dozen vehicles based on those in the
2019 Challenge.

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