SEMA Member News July 2020

By Ellen McKoy

MPMC Media Trade Conference Keeps Pace With Evolving Media Demographic

Creating a business climate that fosters growth and success for its members is at the heart of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council’s (MPMC) mission. To that end, the MPMC provides a range of resources—legislative and technical support, the Racing & Performance Section at the SEMA Show, seminars at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, and the “MPMC Business Guidelines Manual,” to name a few. But the council is perhaps best known for its annual Media Trade Conference.

The event was launched in 1998 as the MPMC Media Trade Expo—an idea that had bubbled up during the council’s 1997 long-range planning session. To better reflect the program’s format and focus, the name was changed in 1999.

The concept—which still holds true today—provides members with the opportunity to interface with automotive media to disseminate information about the industry’s products and technology and to increase both media and consumer awareness. Over the years, the conference has continued to grow, ranging from 23 manufacturers in 1998 to 100 each year since 2009.

While the format and focus have remained relatively unaltered, the media landscape has changed dramatically. For years, print journalists made up the bulk of the media who attended the conference. Digital media later joined the mix. Now that there are far fewer print publications, conference planners have set their sights on a new media outlet: social-media influencers.

“From the perspective of the Media Trade Conference, we’ve seen a shift in focus,” said MPMC Chair Rob Fisher. “We’ve morphed from being what I call a singular print outlet—what it was 15 or so years ago—to a mix of print and digital, then to print, digital, video and social media, and to now include social-media influencers as well. So we have all these options and different platforms that we, as manufacturers, can utilize to deliver our message.”

Tapping an Untapped Resource

Exhibitor Flex-A-Lite, pitching products during meeting session.

As the ranks of print media diminished over the last five years, the MPMC select committee took a methodical approach to expanding its audience. Fisher said that the committee asked itself two questions: How do we figure out where the next generation of automotive journalists comes from? And how do current automotive enthusiasts consume information?

As the committee members dove deeper and learned more about the impact of influencers (builders or racers involved in various aspects of motorsports), they put together a list of 10 known contacts and invited them to attend the January conference. The member response overall was positive, but how to grow the number of influencers was a sticking point.

To that end, the select committee reached out to SEMA, which had an existing relationship with the DriveShop, a marketing firm with a network of lifestyle and social-media influencers and the ability to connect automotive brands with their audiences.

“We recognized that we needed guidance from the DriveShop,” Fisher said. “They can track impressions on social media. They can identify influencers based on a set of goals. They were able to help us bring new social-media influencers to the trade conference, and we could track the effectiveness.”

MPMC Chair Rob Fisher.

The results spoke for themselves. The DriveShop successfully recruited 18 social-media influencers to the event. The total number of influencer impressions from January through March was an impressive 1,415,853, with an audience reach of 1,261,592 and a social-media value of $127,785.

For many of the manufacturers, it was their first exposure to influencers—and vice versa. Based on post-event feedback, both groups expressed enthusiasm about working together, and the MPMC select committee and SEMA staff are already strategizing for the 2021 conference.

“The response to this year’s event was very positive, but the key is education,” Fisher said. “The trick is making sure that everybody is prepared. Manufacturers don’t necessarily know how to [engage] with influencers, and influencers don’t necessarily know how to take advantage of what the Media Trade Conference is all about.

“Our select committee knows what we need to do to ensure that our membership base is the benefactor of this program. To that end, we’ve put together a task force responsible for developing webinars that we are in the process of rolling out and for getting the program up and running. The SEMA Board and staff are completely behind the program and are very excited about it. The 2021 conference will be the best one yet. That’s our goal.”

SEMA Member News July 2020

By Ellen McKoy

HRIA Puts Education Front and Center

Caption: Industry professionals came together to attend HRIA’s inaugural Education Day.

HRIA Chair Jeff Major.

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) has ranked education as a key component of its mission from its early days as the Street Rod Market Alliance (SRMA). In the mid-’90s, SEMA and SRMA launched the Street Rod Industry Trade Conference. Held at a hotel in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with Vintage Air, the yearly business-to-business event served as a launch pad for business-management seminars and hands-on technical workshops.

SRMA later partnered with the Automotive Restoration Market Organization to produce an expanded street-rod/restoration industry trade conference at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, also in San Antonio. The event, held annually into the early ’00s, continued to provide educational programming.

Over the years, HRIA also presented seminars at other industry events, such as the Hot Rod & Restoration Trade Show and at the Detroit Autorama. But in 2016, HRIA ratcheted up its efforts, teaming with the National Street Rod Association to offer seminars at the Street Rod Nationals, the premier street rod and classic-car show held annually at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. It was a game changer.

Educating Enthusiasts

The HRIA’s inaugural Education Day program at the Nationals featured a full day of seminars presented by council-member manufacturers to an audience of street-rod hobbyists. It was the first time the sessions were open to the public, and, the response to the council’s initial Education Day was extremely positive, according to HRIA Chair Jeff Major.

“So many enthusiasts attend the Nationals—about 160,000 people every year—so it was a great opportunity for the manufacturers to share information about our industry’s products,” he said. “It was very successful.”

To build on the momentum, the HRIA expanded the program’s footprint in 2017 to include 12 seminars over two days. The sessions have proven so popular that they drew more than 900 attendees last year.

“One of the things that makes the program such a success is that we teamed up with the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) at the Street Rod Nationals,” said Josh Mishler, who chairs HRIA’s education subcommittee. “The great thing about it is that the majority of people who go to the Nationals are hobbyists, so that gives them a chance to learn from the people who actually make and sell the products. The event has grown every year. We’re getting really close to having 1,000 attendees.”

Under the expanded format, six seminars are presented daily. Each session lasts one hour. To qualify as presenters, manufacturers must be HRIA members and NSRA exhibitors. Session topics run the gamut from air conditioning, wiring and gauges to brake and suspension systems, power steering conversions and more.

“All of the sessions are different,” Mishler said, “and we encourage all presenters to present from an educational standpoint versus a commercial. I also try to get a new crop of presenters every year. If everything goes well, we’re on track to have several repeat companies and two or three new presenters.”

While there’s clearly a benefit to attendees, the same holds true for the participating manufacturers.

“People always say that this industry is all about relationships,” Mishler noted. “Even though [companies] aren’t directly selling a product, it gives them an opportunity to get in front of potential customers. Each classroom holds 140 people, and they’re all there to listen. There’s also a good chance many of them will visit a presenter’s booth and spend money before the show is over. It’s more effective than an advertisement or a catalog.

“This will be our fourth consecutive year. NSRA makes us feel very welcome, so I’m planning on it being another great year. I hope everybody is going to be at the Nationals in Louisville and considers taking in one of our seminars.”

Cultivating Youth Awareness

While the Education Days program remains the centerpiece of HRIA’s educational outreach, the council has set its sights on a brand-new learning experience. But unlike the seminars in Louisville, which are primarily for hobbyists, the new event will be aimed at students.

“HRIA has had tremendous success in Louisville, but we have also wanted to do a program on the West Coast,” Major said. “We’re now trying to put a program together for high-school tech students at the Grand National Roadster Show.”

The 2021 Grand National Roadster Show is slated for late January at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. HRIA’s current game plan is to present a one-day educational forum during the show. The idea is to assemble a panel of prominent builders along with well-known manufacturers and industry personalities for an interactive discussion about the business side of the industry and career opportunities. Students and teachers from local technical schools and high schools that offer automotive curriculum would be invited to participate.

“At the Nationals, the program is about reaching hobbyists,” Mishler said. “Now we’re looking to get students engaged and having a panel discussion about the business side of the hot-rod industry would give young people an idea of the different avenues. The industry is not just car builders. There are so many different jobs, whether its sales, marketing or product development. We know how important it is to get the next generation involved in our industry, and our goal is to get in front of the next generation.”

Building Value Through Resources

While much of the United States continued to practice social distancing and self-isolation at press time for this issue of SEMA Member News, the HRIA select committee continued to focus on other projects, including two member resources now in the development stage. The first is a historical record of HRIA. The task of chronicling the council’s history has been undertaken by Dennis Overholser of Painless Performance, whose involvement in SRMA and HRIA dates back decades.

The project came about two years ago during the SEMA Show at a past-chair luncheon for former council and network chairs. Lee Riser of Truck Hero announced the launch of a project to record the history of all SEMA councils and networks and asked for volunteers. Two of Overholser’s colleagues encouraged him to take on the task.

“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. I do have almost everything through 2006 and enough information to go up to 2010 or 2011, but there’s still a lot I need to do to get up to 2020.”

Next up in the HRIA pipeline is a business resource directory. With so much emphasis placed on educating consumers, it makes sense to provide a way for enthusiasts to more easily find HRIA-member companies when looking to research and purchase products. According to Major, the completed project will serve as a resource for hobbyists. It will include listings of HRIA-member companies’ products and services. Once compiled, it will be released in an easy-to-update electronic format that will be housed on an HRIA social-media platform.

“Our goal is to help as many members as possible,” Major said. “HRIA is here to help our member companies grow and prosper. We’re here to develop strategies and programs to advance and promote awareness of the hobby and provide educational, business and networking opportunities. There’s no way to place a value on that.”

SEMA Member News July 2020

By Ellen McKoy

HRIA Puts Education Front and Center

Caption: Industry professionals came together to attend HRIA’s inaugural Education Day.

HRIA Chair Jeff Major.

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) has ranked education as a key component of its mission from its early days as the Street Rod Market Alliance (SRMA). In the mid-’90s, SEMA and SRMA launched the Street Rod Industry Trade Conference. Held at a hotel in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with Vintage Air, the yearly business-to-business event served as a launch pad for business-management seminars and hands-on technical workshops.

SRMA later partnered with the Automotive Restoration Market Organization to produce an expanded street-rod/restoration industry trade conference at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, also in San Antonio. The event, held annually into the early ’00s, continued to provide educational programming.

Over the years, HRIA also presented seminars at other industry events, such as the Hot Rod & Restoration Trade Show and at the Detroit Autorama. But in 2016, HRIA ratcheted up its efforts, teaming with the National Street Rod Association to offer seminars at the Street Rod Nationals, the premier street rod and classic-car show held annually at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. It was a game changer.

Educating Enthusiasts

The HRIA’s inaugural Education Day program at the Nationals featured a full day of seminars presented by council-member manufacturers to an audience of street-rod hobbyists. It was the first time the sessions were open to the public, and, the response to the council’s initial Education Day was extremely positive, according to HRIA Chair Jeff Major.

“So many enthusiasts attend the Nationals—about 160,000 people every year—so it was a great opportunity for the manufacturers to share information about our industry’s products,” he said. “It was very successful.”

To build on the momentum, the HRIA expanded the program’s footprint in 2017 to include 12 seminars over two days. The sessions have proven so popular that they drew more than 900 attendees last year.

“One of the things that makes the program such a success is that we teamed up with the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) at the Street Rod Nationals,” said Josh Mishler, who chairs HRIA’s education subcommittee. “The great thing about it is that the majority of people who go to the Nationals are hobbyists, so that gives them a chance to learn from the people who actually make and sell the products. The event has grown every year. We’re getting really close to having 1,000 attendees.”

Under the expanded format, six seminars are presented daily. Each session lasts one hour. To qualify as presenters, manufacturers must be HRIA members and NSRA exhibitors. Session topics run the gamut from air conditioning, wiring and gauges to brake and suspension systems, power steering conversions and more.

“All of the sessions are different,” Mishler said, “and we encourage all presenters to present from an educational standpoint versus a commercial. I also try to get a new crop of presenters every year. If everything goes well, we’re on track to have several repeat companies and two or three new presenters.”

While there’s clearly a benefit to attendees, the same holds true for the participating manufacturers.

“People always say that this industry is all about relationships,” Mishler noted. “Even though [companies] aren’t directly selling a product, it gives them an opportunity to get in front of potential customers. Each classroom holds 140 people, and they’re all there to listen. There’s also a good chance many of them will visit a presenter’s booth and spend money before the show is over. It’s more effective than an advertisement or a catalog.

“This will be our fourth consecutive year. NSRA makes us feel very welcome, so I’m planning on it being another great year. I hope everybody is going to be at the Nationals in Louisville and considers taking in one of our seminars.”

Cultivating Youth Awareness

While the Education Days program remains the centerpiece of HRIA’s educational outreach, the council has set its sights on a brand-new learning experience. But unlike the seminars in Louisville, which are primarily for hobbyists, the new event will be aimed at students.

“HRIA has had tremendous success in Louisville, but we have also wanted to do a program on the West Coast,” Major said. “We’re now trying to put a program together for high-school tech students at the Grand National Roadster Show.”

The 2021 Grand National Roadster Show is slated for late January at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. HRIA’s current game plan is to present a one-day educational forum during the show. The idea is to assemble a panel of prominent builders along with well-known manufacturers and industry personalities for an interactive discussion about the business side of the industry and career opportunities. Students and teachers from local technical schools and high schools that offer automotive curriculum would be invited to participate.

“At the Nationals, the program is about reaching hobbyists,” Mishler said. “Now we’re looking to get students engaged and having a panel discussion about the business side of the hot-rod industry would give young people an idea of the different avenues. The industry is not just car builders. There are so many different jobs, whether its sales, marketing or product development. We know how important it is to get the next generation involved in our industry, and our goal is to get in front of the next generation.”

Building Value Through Resources

While much of the United States continued to practice social distancing and self-isolation at press time for this issue of SEMA Member News, the HRIA select committee continued to focus on other projects, including two member resources now in the development stage. The first is a historical record of HRIA. The task of chronicling the council’s history has been undertaken by Dennis Overholser of Painless Performance, whose involvement in SRMA and HRIA dates back decades.

The project came about two years ago during the SEMA Show at a past-chair luncheon for former council and network chairs. Lee Riser of Truck Hero announced the launch of a project to record the history of all SEMA councils and networks and asked for volunteers. Two of Overholser’s colleagues encouraged him to take on the task.

“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. I do have almost everything through 2006 and enough information to go up to 2010 or 2011, but there’s still a lot I need to do to get up to 2020.”

Next up in the HRIA pipeline is a business resource directory. With so much emphasis placed on educating consumers, it makes sense to provide a way for enthusiasts to more easily find HRIA-member companies when looking to research and purchase products. According to Major, the completed project will serve as a resource for hobbyists. It will include listings of HRIA-member companies’ products and services. Once compiled, it will be released in an easy-to-update electronic format that will be housed on an HRIA social-media platform.

“Our goal is to help as many members as possible,” Major said. “HRIA is here to help our member companies grow and prosper. We’re here to develop strategies and programs to advance and promote awareness of the hobby and provide educational, business and networking opportunities. There’s no way to place a value on that.”

SEMA Member News July 2020

By Ellen McKoy

ARMO Welcomes New Chair and Chair-Elect

ARMO Chair Ben Tucker.

Two years ago, Tray Smith assumed the role of chair of the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) after having served two years as chair-elect. At the same time, Ben Tucker was chosen by his peers on the select committee to serve in the chair-elect slot.

Flash forward to 2020. The pendulum has gone full swing. As of July 1, Smith is stepping down and will serve as ARMO’s immediate past chair. Tucker is stepping up to council chair, and Randall Bates is taking over as chair-elect.

Both Smith and Bates are industry veterans with years of experience under their belts. Tucker, now CEO of Camaro Central, launched his aftermarket career in 2001 while working for his friend and business associate, Shawn Green, the company founder. Bates has held only two jobs during the course of his 24-year industry career: sales manager for Auto Carpet Systems, and his current position as national sales manager for Auto Custom Carpet.

SEMA Member News recently chatted with Tucker and Bates about how they view the council and their new roles as chair and chair-elect.

SEMA Member News: How did you get involved in ARMO, and what was your motivation?

Ben Tucker: Our company has been attending the SEMA Show since the late ’90s. I went for the first time in 2003 and attended the ARMO reception. The reception and the ARMO open meetings at the Show have always been great places to network with industry peers and leaders. In 2013, Dennis Roberts, then of Distinctive Industries, nominated me for [a seat on] the select committee.

ARMO Chair-Elect Randall Bates.

My motivation was ARMO’s youth-engagement program, Take a Kid to a Car Show. Getting youth involved in our industry is key. From stocking shelves at parts stores and sales and marketing to engineering the newest parts, our industry not only offers many career paths but also helps to create future enthusiasts and customers.

Randall Bates: I have been fortunate to be friends with and a business acquaintance of many of the past volunteers. We have traveled in many of the same circles at car shows where ARMO has different activities. I realized I needed to do my part and be active in the industry that has provided my family and me with so many opportunities in life.

SMN: In what ways is ARMO valuable to the restoration industry?

BT: ARMO offers several programs to help member companies. ARMO works closely with the legislative side of our industry to ensure that member companies have the resources they need. ARMO also offers a licensing guide to help navigate the ever-changing landscape. ARMO’s Hot Products Showcase is a great program to get products in front of 100,000-plus potential customers, and it’s completely free. Not only is the exposure great, but companies also get recognized at the SEMA Show and the ARMO banquet. ARMO’s youth programs—Take a Kid to a Car Show and the Counselor Outreach—are helping to build future enthusiasts, customers and employees.

RB: ARMO and the segment of the market that ARMO serves are constantly evolving, adapting to serving classic cars and more modern car and truck lines. Projects such as Take a Kid to a Car Show, ‘Digital Matters’ articles and keeping members informed of licensing issues are important to the restoration industry.

SMN: What do you see as the most significant trends in the restoration industry?

BT: The restoration industry is seeing a slight shift from bone-stock restorations to modified restoration—also know as restomods. Consumers want classic cars but also want updated technology built into their rides. Safety add-ons such as three-point seat belts, LED taillights, disc-brake conversions, power steering and suspension upgrades will continue to be desired.

Comfort upgrades are another significant trend. Upgraded stock-like bolt-in seats with bolsters and reclining capabilities, one-piece headliners with more headroom, stock-looking stereos with Bluetooth technology and keyless-entry systems are all on the rise.

RB: In my opinion, the trend in the restoration market is leading toward restomods. All you have to do is walk through the SEMA Show and see that there are few concourse-grade cars. The concourse-grade cars are great, but when you can make a car or truck look like it did in the ’60s but with today’s comforts and added horsepower, then why not?

SMN: As the newly elected council leaders, what are your main objectives and goals going forward?

BT: ARMO has some great programs. I want to ensure that these programs continue to grow and add more benefits for member companies. I am looking to add more diversity. General Motors and Ford have always been staples for ARMO companies. Adding more companies that deal in the tuner segment will be one focus along with classics like VW buses and Bugs. I’d like to see these companies join ARMO. I also want to grow and gain more exposure for the Take a Kid to a Car Show program, and I’d like to see the Counselor Outreach program grow as well.

RB: My objective with ARMO is to grow membership and make it more of a value to the companies that are members. Also to make our mission statement clear and precise, so that companies that aren’t members know exactly why they should be ARMO members.

SMN: Why is it important for other restoration companies to join ARMO?

BT: Why just listen to the conversation when you can be part of it? Any company involved in the restoration industry needs to be part of ARMO. Come to ARMO open meetings, the banquet, the Hot Products Showcase and the mixer at Carlisle. Get involved and do some networking with industry peers and leaders. Just join ARMO, and you can.

I think the ARMO mission statement sums it up: “ARMO, the Automotive Restoration Market Organization, is a council of the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Dedicated to addressing the many challenges facing this segment of the aftermarket, ARMO directs its efforts toward preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry. ARMO’s strength and success depends on industry support. Through cooperative action, ARMO-member companies can ensure the viability of the automotive restoration industry.”

RB: It’s important for all kinds of manufacturers, builders and retailers to become members because there is strength in numbers. When it comes to state and federal regulations and the changes in the OE manufacturers’ rules, only a larger body of members will have the pooled resources to [advocate] for a sustainable industry. Also, there’s the networking and camaraderie, being part of something bigger than the individual. You can’t really put a price on that.

SEMA Member News July 2020

By Ellen McKoy

ARMO Welcomes New Chair and Chair-Elect

ARMO Chair Ben Tucker.

Two years ago, Tray Smith assumed the role of chair of the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) after having served two years as chair-elect. At the same time, Ben Tucker was chosen by his peers on the select committee to serve in the chair-elect slot.

Flash forward to 2020. The pendulum has gone full swing. As of July 1, Smith is stepping down and will serve as ARMO’s immediate past chair. Tucker is stepping up to council chair, and Randall Bates is taking over as chair-elect.

Both Smith and Bates are industry veterans with years of experience under their belts. Tucker, now CEO of Camaro Central, launched his aftermarket career in 2001 while working for his friend and business associate, Shawn Green, the company founder. Bates has held only two jobs during the course of his 24-year industry career: sales manager for Auto Carpet Systems, and his current position as national sales manager for Auto Custom Carpet.

SEMA Member News recently chatted with Tucker and Bates about how they view the council and their new roles as chair and chair-elect.

SEMA Member News: How did you get involved in ARMO, and what was your motivation?

Ben Tucker: Our company has been attending the SEMA Show since the late ’90s. I went for the first time in 2003 and attended the ARMO reception. The reception and the ARMO open meetings at the Show have always been great places to network with industry peers and leaders. In 2013, Dennis Roberts, then of Distinctive Industries, nominated me for [a seat on] the select committee.

ARMO Chair-Elect Randall Bates.

My motivation was ARMO’s youth-engagement program, Take a Kid to a Car Show. Getting youth involved in our industry is key. From stocking shelves at parts stores and sales and marketing to engineering the newest parts, our industry not only offers many career paths but also helps to create future enthusiasts and customers.

Randall Bates: I have been fortunate to be friends with and a business acquaintance of many of the past volunteers. We have traveled in many of the same circles at car shows where ARMO has different activities. I realized I needed to do my part and be active in the industry that has provided my family and me with so many opportunities in life.

SMN: In what ways is ARMO valuable to the restoration industry?

BT: ARMO offers several programs to help member companies. ARMO works closely with the legislative side of our industry to ensure that member companies have the resources they need. ARMO also offers a licensing guide to help navigate the ever-changing landscape. ARMO’s Hot Products Showcase is a great program to get products in front of 100,000-plus potential customers, and it’s completely free. Not only is the exposure great, but companies also get recognized at the SEMA Show and the ARMO banquet. ARMO’s youth programs—Take a Kid to a Car Show and the Counselor Outreach—are helping to build future enthusiasts, customers and employees.

RB: ARMO and the segment of the market that ARMO serves are constantly evolving, adapting to serving classic cars and more modern car and truck lines. Projects such as Take a Kid to a Car Show, ‘Digital Matters’ articles and keeping members informed of licensing issues are important to the restoration industry.

SMN: What do you see as the most significant trends in the restoration industry?

BT: The restoration industry is seeing a slight shift from bone-stock restorations to modified restoration—also know as restomods. Consumers want classic cars but also want updated technology built into their rides. Safety add-ons such as three-point seat belts, LED taillights, disc-brake conversions, power steering and suspension upgrades will continue to be desired.

Comfort upgrades are another significant trend. Upgraded stock-like bolt-in seats with bolsters and reclining capabilities, one-piece headliners with more headroom, stock-looking stereos with Bluetooth technology and keyless-entry systems are all on the rise.

RB: In my opinion, the trend in the restoration market is leading toward restomods. All you have to do is walk through the SEMA Show and see that there are few concourse-grade cars. The concourse-grade cars are great, but when you can make a car or truck look like it did in the ’60s but with today’s comforts and added horsepower, then why not?

SMN: As the newly elected council leaders, what are your main objectives and goals going forward?

BT: ARMO has some great programs. I want to ensure that these programs continue to grow and add more benefits for member companies. I am looking to add more diversity. General Motors and Ford have always been staples for ARMO companies. Adding more companies that deal in the tuner segment will be one focus along with classics like VW buses and Bugs. I’d like to see these companies join ARMO. I also want to grow and gain more exposure for the Take a Kid to a Car Show program, and I’d like to see the Counselor Outreach program grow as well.

RB: My objective with ARMO is to grow membership and make it more of a value to the companies that are members. Also to make our mission statement clear and precise, so that companies that aren’t members know exactly why they should be ARMO members.

SMN: Why is it important for other restoration companies to join ARMO?

BT: Why just listen to the conversation when you can be part of it? Any company involved in the restoration industry needs to be part of ARMO. Come to ARMO open meetings, the banquet, the Hot Products Showcase and the mixer at Carlisle. Get involved and do some networking with industry peers and leaders. Just join ARMO, and you can.

I think the ARMO mission statement sums it up: “ARMO, the Automotive Restoration Market Organization, is a council of the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Dedicated to addressing the many challenges facing this segment of the aftermarket, ARMO directs its efforts toward preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry. ARMO’s strength and success depends on industry support. Through cooperative action, ARMO-member companies can ensure the viability of the automotive restoration industry.”

RB: It’s important for all kinds of manufacturers, builders and retailers to become members because there is strength in numbers. When it comes to state and federal regulations and the changes in the OE manufacturers’ rules, only a larger body of members will have the pooled resources to [advocate] for a sustainable industry. Also, there’s the networking and camaraderie, being part of something bigger than the individual. You can’t really put a price on that.

SEMA Member News July 2020

By Ellen McKoy

SEMA’s Tech Transfer Program Streamlines New-Product Development

Caption: SEMA Garage OEM CAD data from a session.
Caption: SEMA Garage live session vehicle scan.

SEMA-member accessory and performance-parts manufacturers nowadays have access to an array of tools to aid in the design and development of new products. They range from OEM CAD data and 3-D scanning and printing to vehicle measuring sessions and more. But that has not always been the case.

At one time, manufacturers were hard pressed to gain early access to new vehicles or OEM technical data. They most often had to rely on reverse engineering. To complicate matters, companies frequently had to wait after new models were introduced before they could get their hands on them long enough to even prototype parts.

Challenged by the inability to debut new products to coincide with new-vehicle rollouts meant losing a valuable marketing advantage. The lack of access sometimes also led to deficiencies in product quality and fit and finish, and the likelihood that automakers would be amenable to data sharing was considered highly improbable.

But with the launch of the SEMA OEM Roundtable Tech Talks in 1993, things began to change. The forum was open exclusively to member manufacturers. Held annually with Detroit automakers for more than a decade, the program gave members a firsthand, long-lead look at new models plus advance access to vehicle specs and marketing data.

One of the earliest tools was aimed at helping body builders with product development. The “Ford Body Builder” books, as they were known, were chock-full of drawn-to-scale vehicle schematics and line drawings. In 1999, with support from Jacques Nasser, then Ford CEO and president, the books morphed into 2-D blueprint files, ultimately laying the groundwork for SEMA’s Tech Transfer program.

“That’s how it all came to fruition,” recalled Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM relations and product development. “When we started Tech Transfer, it was only 2-D files. It started with Jacques Nasser agreeing with SEMA to be part of the program. Shortly after that, General Motors agreed to do the same, and shortly after that, Chrysler came on board.”

Adapting to Technology

The program has continued to evolve. The 2-D files have been replaced by 3-D CAD data from Ford, Lincoln, General Motors/Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Fiat and Scion. While there are now thousands of CAD files in the database, Spagnola noted that it not only took time to amass the files but also for member companies to master the technology.

“We first started to get some of the actual CAD files in the late ’90s and early ’00s,” he said. “But it was hard to transfer the data because [few companies] had the computer capacity or the computer knowledge to use it. CAD data was definitely ahead of the market, but members have learned to adapt and are using better technology for developing products.

“The early adapters were the suspension and engine-development guys and truck-accessory companies. It took a little longer for the styling industry to adapt and translate CAD into something that has dimension versus a mechanical item, but we see that taking off now.”

In fact, the program has experienced a growth spurt. Besides OEM CAD files, there is a 3-D scan library of other vehicles created using SEMA Garage’s Faro 3-D scanner. There are 506 scan files consisting of 26 makes and 94 models, including Toyotas, Nissans and off-road side-by-sides such as Polaris. Additionally, the program hosts data for international vehicles that include the Nissan Patrol, Toyota HiLux and right-hand-drive Ford Ranger. Just as significantly, the number of participating member companies has skyrocketed.

“When I got to SEMA six years ago, the number of members using Tech Transfer was fairly low,” Spagnola said. “Today, we have six times more members using Tech Transfer. I don’t know of a SEMA-member manufacturer that couldn’t take advantage of the Tech Transfer program.”

Bringing Better-Made, Quality Products to Market

Henry Vasquez, director of product development at Rolling Big Power (RBP), and Kevin Sanchez, owner of K Designs, are true believers. In their experience, Tech Transfer has provided a critical edge in bringing superior-quality products to market faster and more cost effectively. From Vasquez’s perspective, Tech Transfer is beneficial in multiple ways.

“It’s all about new-product development,” he said. “We make wheels, so part of our use of the data is to make sure that the (OEM) brake packages still fit within the profile of our wheels and allow us to make adjustments as new trucks come out. We also use the data to develop power running boards.”

RBP has also relied on the scan library. Case in point: Vasquez cited the availability of scanned CAD data for the new Dodge Ram and Jeep.

“The Garage team took the initiative to bring in the vehicles, scan them and provide the data,” he said. “That’s absolutely a benefit. It’s obviously more efficient and less costly to work with [existing] data versus doing manual measurements. There’s no need to reverse engineer when the CAD data yields better results. The fitment and accuracy are much better, so not only is it more efficient and less costly, but it also yields a higher-quality result.”

Sanchez has had a similar experience. A sport-truck hobbyist and mechanical designer and drafter by training, his foray into the aftermarket began when he purchased a limited-edition ’74 Dodge Ram powered by a Viper engine. Unable to find unique accessories, he designed and fabricated a NASCAR-style aluminum rear spoiler, incorporating more dimension and cutouts. He posted images to online forums and began receiving inquiries and orders.

“I’m into the street sport-truck scene, so that’s how I started my business,” Sanchez said. “I put my skills to work and figured I’d make my own spoilers. I design everything in-house, create the blueprint and hand it off to a local fabrication shop. They cut it, fab it, weld it, and it’s done.”

But Sanchez ultimately encountered some fitment issues.

“I would measure by hand and try to replicate the contours of the truck body, but I had a couple of mishaps, so I started searching,” he said. “There had to be a way I could get CAD data or a scan.”

An online contact suggested Tech Transfer. For Sanchez, it was a revelation.

“I contacted SEMA and signed up two years ago,” he said. “In the first half hour, I thought it was amazing. All the trial and error was just gone. I don’t have to measure by hand or ask to borrow a vehicle. I can model whatever I want and know I can guarantee fit. I was very skeptical at first. I didn’t know if I could trust the CAD data. It proved me wrong. For a small company like mine, Tech Transfer has been extremely helpful. I would 100% recommend it to other SEMA members.”

Vasquez concurred.

“Tech Transfer is a great tool that not everybody knows about,” he said. “It streamlines the product-development process and shortens the production cycle. SEMA staff has been really good to work with. The type of service and communication they provide is second to none. It feels like they’re part of our team helping us to succeed.”

Customizing With Confidence

Not content to rest on its laurels, SEMA is committed to enhancing and expanding the program. “We continue to pour a lot of time, money and effort into Tech Transfer,” Spagnola said. For starters, the Garage has made it easier to access data through an online catalog from which members can simply order a file. To add to the arsenal of scanning tools, there will be new and faster scanners. And to better serve the growing number of participating companies, staffing has been increased.

“A big portion of our membership now takes advantage of the Tech Transfer program,” Spagnola said. “Using CAD and other tools in the Garage is significantly reducing the product-development cycle and the time it takes to get new products to market, so there’s a reason we’re running two shifts now. It’s why we’re adding a SEMA Garage in Detroit.”

The Detroit facility will mirror the current Garage based in Diamond Bar, California, and it will also be laser-focused on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

“We are always looking at the next horizons, and our next big challenge is ADAS and vehicle technology,” Spagnola said. “We are attacking it in big ways, and it will be a key feature of the Detroit facility. By having two locations, we can add more 3-D scan files to our database. It will be easier to access vehicles and interface with the OEs and tier-one suppliers. And it will give us the ability to better understand these technologies, what they mean to our members and how to customize with confidence.”

For more information on Tech Transfer and the SEMA Garage as well as the full line of SEMA membership programs and services, contact SEMA Membership Director Gary Vigil by email at garyv@sema.org or call 909-379-8260.

SEMA Member News July 2020

By Ellen McKoy

SEMA’s Tech Transfer Program Streamlines New-Product Development

Caption: SEMA Garage OEM CAD data from a session.
Caption: SEMA Garage live session vehicle scan.

SEMA-member accessory and performance-parts manufacturers nowadays have access to an array of tools to aid in the design and development of new products. They range from OEM CAD data and 3-D scanning and printing to vehicle measuring sessions and more. But that has not always been the case.

At one time, manufacturers were hard pressed to gain early access to new vehicles or OEM technical data. They most often had to rely on reverse engineering. To complicate matters, companies frequently had to wait after new models were introduced before they could get their hands on them long enough to even prototype parts.

Challenged by the inability to debut new products to coincide with new-vehicle rollouts meant losing a valuable marketing advantage. The lack of access sometimes also led to deficiencies in product quality and fit and finish, and the likelihood that automakers would be amenable to data sharing was considered highly improbable.

But with the launch of the SEMA OEM Roundtable Tech Talks in 1993, things began to change. The forum was open exclusively to member manufacturers. Held annually with Detroit automakers for more than a decade, the program gave members a firsthand, long-lead look at new models plus advance access to vehicle specs and marketing data.

One of the earliest tools was aimed at helping body builders with product development. The “Ford Body Builder” books, as they were known, were chock-full of drawn-to-scale vehicle schematics and line drawings. In 1999, with support from Jacques Nasser, then Ford CEO and president, the books morphed into 2-D blueprint files, ultimately laying the groundwork for SEMA’s Tech Transfer program.

“That’s how it all came to fruition,” recalled Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM relations and product development. “When we started Tech Transfer, it was only 2-D files. It started with Jacques Nasser agreeing with SEMA to be part of the program. Shortly after that, General Motors agreed to do the same, and shortly after that, Chrysler came on board.”

Adapting to Technology

The program has continued to evolve. The 2-D files have been replaced by 3-D CAD data from Ford, Lincoln, General Motors/Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Fiat and Scion. While there are now thousands of CAD files in the database, Spagnola noted that it not only took time to amass the files but also for member companies to master the technology.

“We first started to get some of the actual CAD files in the late ’90s and early ’00s,” he said. “But it was hard to transfer the data because [few companies] had the computer capacity or the computer knowledge to use it. CAD data was definitely ahead of the market, but members have learned to adapt and are using better technology for developing products.

“The early adapters were the suspension and engine-development guys and truck-accessory companies. It took a little longer for the styling industry to adapt and translate CAD into something that has dimension versus a mechanical item, but we see that taking off now.”

In fact, the program has experienced a growth spurt. Besides OEM CAD files, there is a 3-D scan library of other vehicles created using SEMA Garage’s Faro 3-D scanner. There are 506 scan files consisting of 26 makes and 94 models, including Toyotas, Nissans and off-road side-by-sides such as Polaris. Additionally, the program hosts data for international vehicles that include the Nissan Patrol, Toyota HiLux and right-hand-drive Ford Ranger. Just as significantly, the number of participating member companies has skyrocketed.

“When I got to SEMA six years ago, the number of members using Tech Transfer was fairly low,” Spagnola said. “Today, we have six times more members using Tech Transfer. I don’t know of a SEMA-member manufacturer that couldn’t take advantage of the Tech Transfer program.”

Bringing Better-Made, Quality Products to Market

Henry Vasquez, director of product development at Rolling Big Power (RBP), and Kevin Sanchez, owner of K Designs, are true believers. In their experience, Tech Transfer has provided a critical edge in bringing superior-quality products to market faster and more cost effectively. From Vasquez’s perspective, Tech Transfer is beneficial in multiple ways.

“It’s all about new-product development,” he said. “We make wheels, so part of our use of the data is to make sure that the (OEM) brake packages still fit within the profile of our wheels and allow us to make adjustments as new trucks come out. We also use the data to develop power running boards.”

RBP has also relied on the scan library. Case in point: Vasquez cited the availability of scanned CAD data for the new Dodge Ram and Jeep.

“The Garage team took the initiative to bring in the vehicles, scan them and provide the data,” he said. “That’s absolutely a benefit. It’s obviously more efficient and less costly to work with [existing] data versus doing manual measurements. There’s no need to reverse engineer when the CAD data yields better results. The fitment and accuracy are much better, so not only is it more efficient and less costly, but it also yields a higher-quality result.”

Sanchez has had a similar experience. A sport-truck hobbyist and mechanical designer and drafter by training, his foray into the aftermarket began when he purchased a limited-edition ’74 Dodge Ram powered by a Viper engine. Unable to find unique accessories, he designed and fabricated a NASCAR-style aluminum rear spoiler, incorporating more dimension and cutouts. He posted images to online forums and began receiving inquiries and orders.

“I’m into the street sport-truck scene, so that’s how I started my business,” Sanchez said. “I put my skills to work and figured I’d make my own spoilers. I design everything in-house, create the blueprint and hand it off to a local fabrication shop. They cut it, fab it, weld it, and it’s done.”

But Sanchez ultimately encountered some fitment issues.

“I would measure by hand and try to replicate the contours of the truck body, but I had a couple of mishaps, so I started searching,” he said. “There had to be a way I could get CAD data or a scan.”

An online contact suggested Tech Transfer. For Sanchez, it was a revelation.

“I contacted SEMA and signed up two years ago,” he said. “In the first half hour, I thought it was amazing. All the trial and error was just gone. I don’t have to measure by hand or ask to borrow a vehicle. I can model whatever I want and know I can guarantee fit. I was very skeptical at first. I didn’t know if I could trust the CAD data. It proved me wrong. For a small company like mine, Tech Transfer has been extremely helpful. I would 100% recommend it to other SEMA members.”

Vasquez concurred.

“Tech Transfer is a great tool that not everybody knows about,” he said. “It streamlines the product-development process and shortens the production cycle. SEMA staff has been really good to work with. The type of service and communication they provide is second to none. It feels like they’re part of our team helping us to succeed.”

Customizing With Confidence

Not content to rest on its laurels, SEMA is committed to enhancing and expanding the program. “We continue to pour a lot of time, money and effort into Tech Transfer,” Spagnola said. For starters, the Garage has made it easier to access data through an online catalog from which members can simply order a file. To add to the arsenal of scanning tools, there will be new and faster scanners. And to better serve the growing number of participating companies, staffing has been increased.

“A big portion of our membership now takes advantage of the Tech Transfer program,” Spagnola said. “Using CAD and other tools in the Garage is significantly reducing the product-development cycle and the time it takes to get new products to market, so there’s a reason we’re running two shifts now. It’s why we’re adding a SEMA Garage in Detroit.”

The Detroit facility will mirror the current Garage based in Diamond Bar, California, and it will also be laser-focused on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

“We are always looking at the next horizons, and our next big challenge is ADAS and vehicle technology,” Spagnola said. “We are attacking it in big ways, and it will be a key feature of the Detroit facility. By having two locations, we can add more 3-D scan files to our database. It will be easier to access vehicles and interface with the OEs and tier-one suppliers. And it will give us the ability to better understand these technologies, what they mean to our members and how to customize with confidence.”

For more information on Tech Transfer and the SEMA Garage as well as the full line of SEMA membership programs and services, contact SEMA Membership Director Gary Vigil by email at garyv@sema.org or call 909-379-8260.

SEMA News—July 2020

INTERNATIONAL

American Graffiti

Stepping Into Sweden’s Vibrant Classic-Car Market

By Linda Spencer

SEMA is hosting an inaugural Nordic Business Development Program to Sweden to allow SEMA members to explore firsthand the customizing market in the Nordic region (Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark). For more information, contact lindas@sema.org. Pictured are Swedes in the small town of Falun participating in the annual classic car cruise featuring an estimated 1500 classic (mostly U.S.) cars. Photo courtesy: Christofer Willhans

Since 2004, the SEMA Global Media Awards program has been a staple of the SEMA Show. Journalists from throughout the world come to the Show with the purpose of identifying 10 new products displayed in the event’s New Products Showcase that are likely to succeed in their home countries. The participating media represent some of the industry’s top magazines, and the editors are among the most respected in the world.

SEMA News spoke with Christofer Lee Willhans, a seven-time Global Media Awards judge from Sweden. (See p. 174 for the selections he made at some of the most recent SEMA Shows.) We spoke with Willhans about his country’s classic-car market to gain some insights into how that market compares with the classic American-car restoration market and the opportunities it provides for U.S. manufacturers of classic-car parts.

SEMA News: Christofer, thanks for joining us today. Please tell us a little about yourself and when you first became a car enthusiast.

Christofer Willhans: I was born and raised in Sweden—born car crazy and the only one back in those years in our small town with such a strange yet strong interest. But when I found a car magazine called Hot Rod in Stockholm in 1959, I knew I wasn’t alone, and I was really hooked.

My first car was a ’34 Ford Tudor V8 that didn’t run. I was kind of scared of it. There was so much stuff on a car compared to the two-stroke, 50cc burnt moped wreck that I just used to teach myself restoring, including spray painting.

A surprising number of classic cars can be found on the streets of Sweden and nearby Norway and Finland starting on Easter and throughout the summer. Numerous car events draw large crowds, including the event pictured above from the small town of Rättvik during Classic Car Week. Willhans described the cruise pictured above as a “rolling museum.” Photo courtesy: Christofer Willhans

SN: We recently visited Sweden and the neighboring countries of Finland and Norway. We were impressed with how much of the market is do-it-yourself.

CW: Like many other guys, I learned how to fix a car out of necessity. I had a very strong desire for a nice ride, and the only way to get one was to fix one myself on a shoestring. Money was tight, but time was free, so you did put a lot of time into the project to compensate for the money. Mostly it worked.

Today, I can rebuild most parts of a car, shape metal panels for rust repairs, weld and paint, and I even became a professional wood grainer. We mostly still restore the cars ourselves with help from friends, except some things such as engine restoration or paint and interior, where we usually need help from professionals. But we also have the option of a full restoration completed by one of many restoration shops established during the last 30 years.

SN: You’ve reported on the very high per-capita number of vintage vehicles in Sweden, a country of 10 million. We understand that a large number of classic cars came from the United States to Sweden during the oil crisis in the ’70s when many gas-guzzling cars were abandoned and vehicles from the ’50s–’70s were easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

CW: From the late ’70s and for at least 20 years on, we imported 15,000 antique cars a year, mostly from the United States. Then it decreased, but it never stopped. Most of the imported cars were in fair to good shape, and a few were in perfect condition. But most cars needed improvements. The same applies today as well.

Referencing classic car events in Sweden, Willhans observed, “When you attend with your car, you kind of drive into a different time zone, because the majority of the cars in the streets are collector cars. You may kind of believe that you are driving your car into the movie American Graffiti. One will notice collector car license plates from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and England during that week, as well as Sweden, of course.” Photo courtesy: Christofer Willhans

SN: We understand that you personally have an impressive and eclectic car collection. Can you tell us a little about it?

CW: My greatest love was American cars. Today, I have 14 American cars in my collection, together with some English, a few German and even a French one—a Citroën DS. Of course, I also have some Swedish cars, like a two-stroke, three-cylinder ’60 Saab with a groundbreaking 38hp strong engine. That motor has only seven moving parts, so not much can go wrong, can it?

Some of my cars with more parts are a ’66 Jaguar MK X, ’48 Buick Roadmaster convertible and ’38 Buick sedan delivery—the only one in the world made in Oslo, Norway. Another rare one is a ’31 Chevrolet Speedster, built in Copenhagen, Denmark. It’s probably not a one-off, but as far as I know, the one we have is the only one left. The first owner happened to be His Royal Highness Prince Viggo of Denmark, and the Speedster was twice the price of an ordinary new Chevy.

SN: We were impressed with how many Swedes own and love vintage Detroit vehicles. Can you talk a little about the breadth of the Swedish hobby?

CW: Collector-car interest in Sweden is more than great. If we count the collector cars per capita, I’m sure Sweden has more such cars per capita than the United States. During the spring and summer and into September, there are car shows, swap meets and many local meets throughout Sweden. The summer season starts during Easter time, with a big indoor car show where legends such as Gene Winfield, George Barris, Chip Foose and many more have attended over the years.

Small and big car shows go on all over Sweden the whole summer, and almost every town in Sweden has at least one cruise every year on the main street—and a cruise in Sweden means moving cars, not parked. Living out in the country like we do—a 30-minute drive to the nearest red light—we still have several local shows to attend. The closest one, 10 minutes away in the nearby town of Leksand, usually gathers some 250–400 cars once a month. Not bad for a small town out in the country!

In Rättvik, the next small town, we have Classic Car Week once a year, where we voluntarily worked the first 14 years, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience, going from maybe 60 cars the first year to thousands and thousands of cars today. And yes, it actually goes on for a week.

When you attend with your car, you kind of drive into a different time zone, because the majority of the cars in the streets are collector cars. You might even believe that you are driving your car into the movie American Graffiti. One will notice collector-car license plates from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Netherlands and England during that week, as well as Sweden, of course.

Christofer Willhans has served as a SEMA Show Global Media Awards judge for seven years. Pictured here is Willhans (right) and his wife Charlotte at the 2019 SEMA Show International Happy Hour. Photo courtesy: Christofer Willhans

SN: We understand that Swedish companies have ventured into producing hard-to-find parts for vintage cars.

CW: There are many more difficult or impossible parts you really can’t find, [but there are] new old stock auto parts also available today, thanks to being reproduced in Sweden or elsewhere. If we in this hobby can’t find a part, we make it, otherwise we won’t get our cars out on the street. Sweden is also at the forefront of reproduction parts, like padded dashboard tops. When you buy a new padded dashboard top for your ’59 Cadillac and it fits perfectly, it’s almost 100% sure that it’s made in Sweden.

SN: You have served for many years as a SEMA Show Global Media Awards judge. You are charged with selecting 10 products from the Show’s New Products Showcase that you believe will resonate best in the Swedish market. Can you talk about the type of products you typically select each year?

CW: I’m supposed to select items that I believe should be successful if sold in Sweden. As a do-it-yourselfer, I have therefore chosen new smart tools that should be of great help to the user.

SN: In this age of electric vehicles and computerized vehicles, do you see the Swedish classic-car hobby continuing into the future?

CW: The Swedish classic-car scene is in many ways similar to the U.S. one. We even have the same worries, such as whether our hobby will live on to the next generation(s). We do believe so, but we would in the same breath like to see more young people in this wonderful hobby.

This is a universal question. I myself believe that the young kids are coming. When they grow older, their focus will change and they will probably love the simplicity of the cars from the ’50s and back.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The state of Illinois will advance to phase four of his Restore Illinois plan on June 26, allowing spectator sports to reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue's capacity.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on Monday that the state will advance to phase four of his Restore Illinois plan on June 26. During phase four, spectator sports facilities, including racetracks, may reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue’s capacity. Previously, motorsports venues were restricted to testing and tuning, and off-limits to spectators.

The SEMA-supported Illinois Motorsports Coalition (IMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across Illinois, previously submitted an eight-step plan to Governor Pritzker to allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state. Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The state of Illinois will advance to phase four of his Restore Illinois plan on June 26, allowing spectator sports to reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue's capacity.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on Monday that the state will advance to phase four of his Restore Illinois plan on June 26. During phase four, spectator sports facilities, including racetracks, may reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue’s capacity. Previously, motorsports venues were restricted to testing and tuning, and off-limits to spectators.

The SEMA-supported Illinois Motorsports Coalition (IMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across Illinois, previously submitted an eight-step plan to Governor Pritzker to allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Performance Racing Industry has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state. Discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.