By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation to create a commission that would recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was commissioned in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The “Route 66 Centennial Commission Act,” S. 1014, creates a 15-person commission with representatives appointed by the president of the United States based on recommendations from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. House and Senate Republican and Democrat leaders and the Governors of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The bill provides the commission with two years from the time that each member is appointed to make recommendations to Congress for celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The commission may recommend the production of various written materials, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works, commemorative memorabilia and celebrations to commemorate Route 66’s storied history.

A similar version of this bipartisan bill, H.R. 66, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019 by a margin of 393 to 22. Because there are minor differences between the two bills, the next step will be for the House to take up S. 1014.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation to create a commission that would recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was commissioned in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The “Route 66 Centennial Commission Act,” S. 1014, creates a 15-person commission with representatives appointed by the president of the United States based on recommendations from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. House and Senate Republican and Democrat leaders and the Governors of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The bill provides the commission with two years from the time that each member is appointed to make recommendations to Congress for celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The commission may recommend the production of various written materials, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works, commemorative memorabilia and celebrations to commemorate Route 66’s storied history.

A similar version of this bipartisan bill, H.R. 66, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019 by a margin of 393 to 22. Because there are minor differences between the two bills, the next step will be for the House to take up S. 1014.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By Kyle Cheng

Since the beginning of April, SEMA Market Research has been tracking how businesses within the specialty-equipment industry have navigated through the disruption over the past few months. Overall, our industry continues to return to more normal operations and is increasingly more optimistic about their sales for the rest of 2020.

In a recent survey conducted July 24–30, approximately 95% of all companies said they were mostly business as usual or only impacted in the short-term. Nearly half (45%) stated that they were business as usual, compared to only 17% back in April. The number of companies reporting more severe disruptions have continued to decrease over the past few months as well.

Companies are growing equally optimistic about their sales. Today, nearly half of all companies expect higher or at least the same amount of sales as last year. That is a significant jump from April when only 20% of companies said that. Overall, most companies expect to finish the year better, at least the same, or with only a slight decline in sales compared to 2019.

Want the latest data and trends in the specialty-equipment industry? Check out the newest reports from SEMA Market Research:

• 2020 SEMA Market Report: The “2020 SEMA Market Report” provides a comprehensive look at how the products your company sells are purchased and installed. Also included is the most up-to-date information on parts buyers, key industry trends and forecasts, and insights into the vehicles currently on the road.
• SEMA State of the Consumer Report – July 2020: In this report, the SEMA Market Research team explores the current state of consumers within the United States and their outlook for the future. This quick snapshot looks at how consumers are emerging from coronavirus lockdown—including recent driving patterns, retail behavior and how they are interacting with the specialty-equipment industry.

All of these reports, and much more, are available for free download at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

Since the beginning of April, SEMA Market Research has been tracking how businesses within the specialty-equipment industry have navigated through the disruption over the past few months. Overall, our industry continues to return to more normal operations and is increasingly more optimistic about their sales for the rest of 2020.

In a recent survey conducted July 24–30, approximately 95% of all companies said they were mostly business as usual or only impacted in the short-term. Nearly half (45%) stated that they were business as usual, compared to only 17% back in April. The number of companies reporting more severe disruptions have continued to decrease over the past few months as well.

Companies are growing equally optimistic about their sales. Today, nearly half of all companies expect higher or at least the same amount of sales as last year. That is a significant jump from April when only 20% of companies said that. Overall, most companies expect to finish the year better, at least the same, or with only a slight decline in sales compared to 2019.

Want the latest data and trends in the specialty-equipment industry? Check out the newest reports from SEMA Market Research:

• 2020 SEMA Market Report: The “2020 SEMA Market Report” provides a comprehensive look at how the products your company sells are purchased and installed. Also included is the most up-to-date information on parts buyers, key industry trends and forecasts, and insights into the vehicles currently on the road.
• SEMA State of the Consumer Report – July 2020: In this report, the SEMA Market Research team explores the current state of consumers within the United States and their outlook for the future. This quick snapshot looks at how consumers are emerging from coronavirus lockdown—including recent driving patterns, retail behavior and how they are interacting with the specialty-equipment industry.

All of these reports, and much more, are available for free download at www.sema.org/research.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) agreed to create a “Restore Bonneville” program in April 2020, which will dramatically increase the amount of salt being pumped onto the Bonneville Salt Flats. The U.S. Congress appropriated more than $2 million in the BLM’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget to start the program, although the Interior Department has not yet released the funds. SEMA is calling on the land-speed racing community to contact the Interior Department and request that it allocate funding for Bonneville before the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2020). To submit a letter to the Interior Department, click here.

Over the past several years, SEMA and the Save the Salt Coalition have worked with BLM, UDNR, Intrepid Potash and U.S. Congress to help create and begin funding the 10-year “Restore Bonneville” program. It is modeled after a 1997–2002 pilot program that pumped an average of 1.25 million tons of salt—dramatically more than the current 300,000 tons or less each year. The program strengthened the salt crust, and the salt flats began to expand before the program ended. Bonneville's existence is endangered under the current pumping levels. The Utah State Legislature funded the first year of the “Restore Bonneville” program at $1 million, although the agency is waiting to release the “Restore Bonneville” funds until the federal government allocates matching funds.  

The 2020 race season at Bonneville will commence with Speed Week (August 8-14, 2020) organized by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) and Bonneville Nationals Inc. (BNI). The organizations have conducted the event since 1949. More than 250 teams, ranging from streamliners topping more than 500 mph to vintage 50cc motorcycles, are entered in this year’s event. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, SCTA/BNI have been working with local, state and federal government agencies to ensure the health and safety of participants of the event, which is set for one of the most socially-distanced racing venues in the world.

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) agreed to create a “Restore Bonneville” program in April 2020, which will dramatically increase the amount of salt being pumped onto the Bonneville Salt Flats. The U.S. Congress appropriated more than $2 million in the BLM’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget to start the program, although the Interior Department has not yet released the funds. SEMA is calling on the land-speed racing community to contact the Interior Department and request that it allocate funding for Bonneville before the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2020). To submit a letter to the Interior Department, click here.

Over the past several years, SEMA and the Save the Salt Coalition have worked with BLM, UDNR, Intrepid Potash and U.S. Congress to help create and begin funding the 10-year “Restore Bonneville” program. It is modeled after a 1997–2002 pilot program that pumped an average of 1.25 million tons of salt—dramatically more than the current 300,000 tons or less each year. The program strengthened the salt crust, and the salt flats began to expand before the program ended. Bonneville's existence is endangered under the current pumping levels. The Utah State Legislature funded the first year of the “Restore Bonneville” program at $1 million, although the agency is waiting to release the “Restore Bonneville” funds until the federal government allocates matching funds.  

The 2020 race season at Bonneville will commence with Speed Week (August 8-14, 2020) organized by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) and Bonneville Nationals Inc. (BNI). The organizations have conducted the event since 1949. More than 250 teams, ranging from streamliners topping more than 500 mph to vintage 50cc motorcycles, are entered in this year’s event. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, SCTA/BNI have been working with local, state and federal government agencies to ensure the health and safety of participants of the event, which is set for one of the most socially-distanced racing venues in the world.

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) agreed to create a “Restore Bonneville” program in April 2020, which will dramatically increase the amount of salt being pumped onto the Bonneville Salt Flats. The U.S. Congress appropriated more than $2 million in the BLM’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget to start the program, although the Interior Department has not yet released the funds. SEMA is calling on the land-speed racing community to contact the Interior Department and request that it allocate funding for Bonneville before the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2020). To submit a letter to the Interior Department, click here.

Over the past several years, SEMA and the Save the Salt Coalition have worked with BLM, UDNR, Intrepid Potash and U.S. Congress to help create and begin funding the 10-year “Restore Bonneville” program. It is modeled after a 1997–2002 pilot program that pumped an average of 1.25 million tons of salt—dramatically more than the current 300,000 tons or less each year. The program strengthened the salt crust, and the salt flats began to expand before the program ended. Bonneville's existence is endangered under the current pumping levels. The Utah State Legislature funded the first year of the “Restore Bonneville” program at $1 million, although the agency is waiting to release the “Restore Bonneville” funds until the federal government allocates matching funds.  

The 2020 race season at Bonneville will commence with Speed Week (August 8-14, 2020) organized by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) and Bonneville Nationals Inc. (BNI). The organizations have conducted the event since 1949. More than 250 teams, ranging from streamliners topping more than 500 mph to vintage 50cc motorcycles, are entered in this year’s event. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, SCTA/BNI have been working with local, state and federal government agencies to ensure the health and safety of participants of the event, which is set for one of the most socially-distanced racing venues in the world.

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By Juan Torres

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) President Dr. Jamie Meyer sent a letter to the racing industry on Monday, August 3, informing them of the status of the 2020 PRI Trade Show, scheduled for December 10-12, at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

The letter, written personally by Dr. Meyer, is straight-forward and candid. In it, Dr. Meyer writes “I know you have a lot of questions and concerns right now, and I want to help answer those.” He makes clear that the 2020 PRI Trade Show is set to take place as scheduled, but that approval from the Marion County Health Department is required and pending.

Since joining PRI as President, Dr. Meyer has focused on doing “what is right for the industry,” and he vowed that PRI will continue to do so as it pushes to host the 2020 PRI Trade Show.

In the letter, Dr. Meyer points out that:

• More than 940 exhibitors have registered for the 2020 PRI Show and are ready to display their racing products.
• PRI is working closely with the Visit Indy team, the Indiana Convention Center staff and other Indianapolis officials, including the Office of the Mayor of Indianapolis, to ensure a safe and productive trade show. 
• While the city of Indianapolis is currently at a Stage 4.5 through August 27, the Visit Indy team has had great success gaining approval for events at the Indianapolis Convention Center, and the entire city of Indianapolis is preparing for this year's PRI Trade Show.
• PRI is putting together a safety plan to obtain approval from the Marion County Health Department. The PRI safety plan includes the use of masks, hand sanitizer, health screening and social distancing throughout the event.  

To read the entire letter, click here.

Performance Racing Industry is committed to helping the racing community get through the challenges it currently faces due the Coronavirus pandemic. Providing the racing industry with a venue where they can conduct business safely, efficiently and productively is PRI's top priority.

Visit www.performanceracing.com to learn more about PRI, as well as resources available to the racing community, legislative advocacy and representation information, updated information on guidelines and federal aid, a list of tracks that have reopened and information on the PRI Track Promoter Helpline.

For more information, contact PRI at mail@performanceracing.com.

By Juan Torres

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) President Dr. Jamie Meyer sent a letter to the racing industry on Monday, August 3, informing them of the status of the 2020 PRI Trade Show, scheduled for December 10-12, at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

The letter, written personally by Dr. Meyer, is straight-forward and candid. In it, Dr. Meyer writes “I know you have a lot of questions and concerns right now, and I want to help answer those.” He makes clear that the 2020 PRI Trade Show is set to take place as scheduled, but that approval from the Marion County Health Department is required and pending.

Since joining PRI as President, Dr. Meyer has focused on doing “what is right for the industry,” and he vowed that PRI will continue to do so as it pushes to host the 2020 PRI Trade Show.

In the letter, Dr. Meyer points out that:

• More than 940 exhibitors have registered for the 2020 PRI Show and are ready to display their racing products.
• PRI is working closely with the Visit Indy team, the Indiana Convention Center staff and other Indianapolis officials, including the Office of the Mayor of Indianapolis, to ensure a safe and productive trade show. 
• While the city of Indianapolis is currently at a Stage 4.5 through August 27, the Visit Indy team has had great success gaining approval for events at the Indianapolis Convention Center, and the entire city of Indianapolis is preparing for this year's PRI Trade Show.
• PRI is putting together a safety plan to obtain approval from the Marion County Health Department. The PRI safety plan includes the use of masks, hand sanitizer, health screening and social distancing throughout the event.  

To read the entire letter, click here.

Performance Racing Industry is committed to helping the racing community get through the challenges it currently faces due the Coronavirus pandemic. Providing the racing industry with a venue where they can conduct business safely, efficiently and productively is PRI's top priority.

Visit www.performanceracing.com to learn more about PRI, as well as resources available to the racing community, legislative advocacy and representation information, updated information on guidelines and federal aid, a list of tracks that have reopened and information on the PRI Track Promoter Helpline.

For more information, contact PRI at mail@performanceracing.com.

By Juan Torres

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) President Dr. Jamie Meyer sent a letter to the racing industry on Monday, August 3, informing them of the status of the 2020 PRI Trade Show, scheduled for December 10-12, at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

The letter, written personally by Dr. Meyer, is straight-forward and candid. In it, Dr. Meyer writes “I know you have a lot of questions and concerns right now, and I want to help answer those.” He makes clear that the 2020 PRI Trade Show is set to take place as scheduled, but that approval from the Marion County Health Department is required and pending.

Since joining PRI as President, Dr. Meyer has focused on doing “what is right for the industry,” and he vowed that PRI will continue to do so as it pushes to host the 2020 PRI Trade Show.

In the letter, Dr. Meyer points out that:

• More than 940 exhibitors have registered for the 2020 PRI Show and are ready to display their racing products.
• PRI is working closely with the Visit Indy team, the Indiana Convention Center staff and other Indianapolis officials, including the Office of the Mayor of Indianapolis, to ensure a safe and productive trade show. 
• While the city of Indianapolis is currently at a Stage 4.5 through August 27, the Visit Indy team has had great success gaining approval for events at the Indianapolis Convention Center, and the entire city of Indianapolis is preparing for this year's PRI Trade Show.
• PRI is putting together a safety plan to obtain approval from the Marion County Health Department. The PRI safety plan includes the use of masks, hand sanitizer, health screening and social distancing throughout the event.  

To read the entire letter, click here.

Performance Racing Industry is committed to helping the racing community get through the challenges it currently faces due the Coronavirus pandemic. Providing the racing industry with a venue where they can conduct business safely, efficiently and productively is PRI's top priority.

Visit www.performanceracing.com to learn more about PRI, as well as resources available to the racing community, legislative advocacy and representation information, updated information on guidelines and federal aid, a list of tracks that have reopened and information on the PRI Track Promoter Helpline.

For more information, contact PRI at mail@performanceracing.com.