By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued two memos providing guidance to employers on the use of face coverings for workers. Recognizing that the federal government has encouraged non-healthcare employers to donate N-95 respirators to healthcare workers, OSHA is giving employers limited relief from OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard during the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, the first memo gives employers relief to extend the use of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators and to permit the reuse of them. The second memo allows employers in certain circumstances to use respirators approved by other countries when a NIOSH-approved respirator is unavailable.

In related news, on April 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. This recommended practice is in addition to maintaining 6-ft. social distancing. The simple cloth face coverings may be made from common materials and are not to be surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which are reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued two memos providing guidance to employers on the use of face coverings for workers. Recognizing that the federal government has encouraged non-healthcare employers to donate N-95 respirators to healthcare workers, OSHA is giving employers limited relief from OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard during the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, the first memo gives employers relief to extend the use of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators and to permit the reuse of them. The second memo allows employers in certain circumstances to use respirators approved by other countries when a NIOSH-approved respirator is unavailable.

In related news, on April 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. This recommended practice is in addition to maintaining 6-ft. social distancing. The simple cloth face coverings may be made from common materials and are not to be surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which are reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

A new video featuring Brittany and Kevin Williams of LiteBrite Studios at the 2019 SEMA Show is now available. Direct from the SEMA Show STAGE, the featured episode offers viewers the chance to get to know the social media influencers who have amassed more than 103,000 followers on their Instagram account and 113,000 subscribers on their YouTube account.

In addition to their extreme Jeep Driving YouTube Channel, Brittany and Kevin hold careers as professional drifters. Get to know their story as they share their insight on creating a dedicated YouTube following, how to monetize social media channels, and the importance of finding your niche and what you are passionate about.

“You definitely have to do something that you love, that you enjoy and you have to be able to be yourself while you do it,” said Brittany. “If you’re fake on camera, people feel it. And if you’re genuinely having fun, that type of excitement is insanely contagious.”

Additional talking points include their experience on joining the Netflix show “Hyperdrive,” how to overcome your fears by taking risks and creating a mindset capable of reaching your dreams. 

“That’s what living your life to the fullest is; when you see an opportunity, always seizing, no matter how small or big, just taking it,” said Kevin. “Because you never know who you are going to meet.”

In addition to her past experiences, Brittany also shares advice for women pursuing a career in motorsports and the benefits of listening to industry experts and seeking a mentor. 

“Mentors can have such a positive impact in terms of success and your entire life,” said Brittany. “What’s amazing is finding a mentor is so much easier than people think; the only thing is that you cannot be afraid to ask the question in the first place.”

Check out Brittany and Kevin’s full video and stay tuned to SEMA eNews for additional featured interviews powered by SEMA Education in partnership with the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC). For the latest news and updates on the STAGE, follow SEMA Education on Facebook and Instagram.

By Ashley Reyes

A new video featuring Brittany and Kevin Williams of LiteBrite Studios at the 2019 SEMA Show is now available. Direct from the SEMA Show STAGE, the featured episode offers viewers the chance to get to know the social media influencers who have amassed more than 103,000 followers on their Instagram account and 113,000 subscribers on their YouTube account.

In addition to their extreme Jeep Driving YouTube Channel, Brittany and Kevin hold careers as professional drifters. Get to know their story as they share their insight on creating a dedicated YouTube following, how to monetize social media channels, and the importance of finding your niche and what you are passionate about.

“You definitely have to do something that you love, that you enjoy and you have to be able to be yourself while you do it,” said Brittany. “If you’re fake on camera, people feel it. And if you’re genuinely having fun, that type of excitement is insanely contagious.”

Additional talking points include their experience on joining the Netflix show “Hyperdrive,” how to overcome your fears by taking risks and creating a mindset capable of reaching your dreams. 

“That’s what living your life to the fullest is; when you see an opportunity, always seizing, no matter how small or big, just taking it,” said Kevin. “Because you never know who you are going to meet.”

In addition to her past experiences, Brittany also shares advice for women pursuing a career in motorsports and the benefits of listening to industry experts and seeking a mentor. 

“Mentors can have such a positive impact in terms of success and your entire life,” said Brittany. “What’s amazing is finding a mentor is so much easier than people think; the only thing is that you cannot be afraid to ask the question in the first place.”

Check out Brittany and Kevin’s full video and stay tuned to SEMA eNews for additional featured interviews powered by SEMA Education in partnership with the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC). For the latest news and updates on the STAGE, follow SEMA Education on Facebook and Instagram.

By SEMA Editors

Tom Gattuso	Ron Coleman

MOTOR MEDIA Inc. and D1 Productions have announced a new, original podcast, “The Aftermarket Insider,” launching April 14, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT). Hosted by automotive aftermarket industry veteran and personality Joe Sebergandio, owner of MOTOR MEDIA Inc., “The Aftermarket Insider” will feature candid and insightful interviews with the biggest names and personalities from the automotive industry, and explore today’s hottest automotive trends and important issues affecting the aftermarket.

Tom Gattuso, SEMA’s vice president of events, and Ron Coleman, president of Driven Racing Oil, will headline the premier episode, in which viewers will be encouraged to send in questions or comments during the podcast for the guests to answer.

“The Aftermarket Insider” will also react to urgent matters in a timely fashion. For example, one of the first episodes will focus on how exactly the aftermarket is dealing with novel coronavirus, particularly as it relates to legendary automotive events and shows that are immediately feeling the impact of the quarantine, including HOT ROD Power Tour, NHRA, SEMA and PRI. Another upcoming episode will take listeners inside the first-ever Riyadh Auto Festival in Saudi Arabia to get the inside scoop on the process of putting on a show of this magnitude in the Middle East.

Sebergandio has worked in this industry for decades in various roles, including as publisher of multiple Petersen Publishing Co. automotive brands, such as Four Wheeler magazine, vice president of automotive events for eMAP and Primedia, and host of his annual Joe’s Minibike Reunion, for which he is also host of the podcast with the same name.

No topic will be off limits. “I have enough relationships, stories, curiosity and questions to entertain an audience and to give them very truthful and sometimes unbelievable stories of my own—and to get my guests talking, too,” Sebergandio said.

“The Aftermarket Insider” podcast will air a minimum of once per week starting April 14, then will expand to a minimum of twice per week in June. It will be offered in a 45–60-minute format. All “The Aftermarket Insider” podcasts will available at www.theaftermarketinsider.com in addition to Facebook (www.facebook.com/theaftermarketinsider) and Instagram (@TheAftermarketInsider).

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)’s Volunteer Spotlight features Ben Winter of Transfer Flow, an active volunteer of TORA’s Education and Technology Sub-Committee, where he utilizes his 28 years of experience to educate and train council members in different truck and off-road segments of the industry.

His professional experience includes sales management, introducing service opportunities, and executing projects with successful profits. In 2010, he became director of business development with an emphasis on OEM sales and growth. His current role at Transfer Flow involves networking, customer maintenance, presenting new business and fielding diversity in manufacturing.

Get to know what inspired Winter to volunteer for TORA in his Q&A with the SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

I really have a passion for what customers want, what their expectations are and what their trips are going to be. Being in the automotive and transportation segment, I am able to find out what they like to do; it may be commercial, recreation or government—I like to make sure that I find a product that we can offer and it fits exactly what their needs are.

I’ve been traveling through my years at Transfer Flow and learning the different segments. I really enjoy having that opportunity to grow with our customers, grow with our nation, and grow with innovation.

Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

Over my 28 years of being at Transfer Flow, I gained training, education and experience in the work truck off-road industry. What I was hoping to do was share that experience and training with this working group, as well as extract some information from other team members to make my company better, as well as to make the end users’ experience that much better.

What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

What I like about this industry is that it’s ever moving. It’s always changing and it’s always innovating. If you’re prepared to be agile and work through those different lines of education and learning, then this is a great place for you to start a career. There’s always something changing. There’s always something new on the forefront, whether it’s through government agencies, or it’s vehicles through the OEMS or it’s alternative fuels. There’s always something that you need to be one step ahead and that one step ahead will make sure that your company has success in the automotive aftermarket and off-road segments.

What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

It has to fit a lot of different characteristics. I have a family. I have of five kids, two of whom are out of the house, but I need to make sure my adventure vehicle is able to fit my family, my mountain bikes, all of my running gear and all of our camping equipment. So my dream vehicle would be a large SUV that’s able to get me off a beaten path. And that beaten path might not even be created yet, but I’d like to get back into some country that we can fish, go camping and ride our bikes around as a family.

My SUV would take me to a trailhead where I could do some running or do mountain bike riding. I can also take it to the back country to find a secret fishing spot and ultimately, I can take it across the country to the Boston marathon.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)’s Volunteer Spotlight features Ben Winter of Transfer Flow, an active volunteer of TORA’s Education and Technology Sub-Committee, where he utilizes his 28 years of experience to educate and train council members in different truck and off-road segments of the industry.

His professional experience includes sales management, introducing service opportunities, and executing projects with successful profits. In 2010, he became director of business development with an emphasis on OEM sales and growth. His current role at Transfer Flow involves networking, customer maintenance, presenting new business and fielding diversity in manufacturing.

Get to know what inspired Winter to volunteer for TORA in his Q&A with the SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

I really have a passion for what customers want, what their expectations are and what their trips are going to be. Being in the automotive and transportation segment, I am able to find out what they like to do; it may be commercial, recreation or government—I like to make sure that I find a product that we can offer and it fits exactly what their needs are.

I’ve been traveling through my years at Transfer Flow and learning the different segments. I really enjoy having that opportunity to grow with our customers, grow with our nation, and grow with innovation.

Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

Over my 28 years of being at Transfer Flow, I gained training, education and experience in the work truck off-road industry. What I was hoping to do was share that experience and training with this working group, as well as extract some information from other team members to make my company better, as well as to make the end users’ experience that much better.

What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

What I like about this industry is that it’s ever moving. It’s always changing and it’s always innovating. If you’re prepared to be agile and work through those different lines of education and learning, then this is a great place for you to start a career. There’s always something changing. There’s always something new on the forefront, whether it’s through government agencies, or it’s vehicles through the OEMS or it’s alternative fuels. There’s always something that you need to be one step ahead and that one step ahead will make sure that your company has success in the automotive aftermarket and off-road segments.

What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

It has to fit a lot of different characteristics. I have a family. I have of five kids, two of whom are out of the house, but I need to make sure my adventure vehicle is able to fit my family, my mountain bikes, all of my running gear and all of our camping equipment. So my dream vehicle would be a large SUV that’s able to get me off a beaten path. And that beaten path might not even be created yet, but I’d like to get back into some country that we can fish, go camping and ride our bikes around as a family.

My SUV would take me to a trailhead where I could do some running or do mountain bike riding. I can also take it to the back country to find a secret fishing spot and ultimately, I can take it across the country to the Boston marathon.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series returns to action, May 15–17, with events in Division 2 at Atlanta Dragway and Division 4 at Alamo City Motorplex, after a hiatus stemming from the COVID-19 global pandemic.

NHRA Announces Tentative Revised 2020 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Schedule

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series returns to action, May 15–17, with events in Division 2 at Atlanta Dragway and Division 4 at Alamo City Motorplex, after a hiatus stemming from the COVID-19 global pandemic. The National Trail Raceway will feature double the sportsman racing action as it hosts a Division 3 points meet July 16–17 directly followed by the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals, July 18-19. The 2020 season will conclude for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Las Vegas, November 5–8. In addition to the five divisional events that took place prior to the suspension, the revised schedule includes 41 divisional events scheduled to take place after the series return in May for a total of 46 divisional events in 2020. There will also be 24 total regional events featuring the 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes during the 2020 campaign. View the schedule of events.

LIQUI MOLY Enters World Touring Car Cup WTCR Alongside Hyundai

LIQUI MOLY will enter the World Touring Car Cup WTCR at the side of Hyundai Motorsports. LIQUI MOLY has been at home in touring car sport for more than 10 years. Initially in the World Touring Car Championship WTCC and then, since its establishment in 2015, in the TCR series, always in partnership with the Engstler racing team. LIQUI MOLY is now taking the next step into the World Touring Car Cup WTCR together with the team. There, Engstler will compete as the Hyundai works team. In two Hyundai i30 N TCRs, Dutch WTCR veteran Nicky Catsburg and German TCR talent Luca Engstler will fight for the title. This cooperation is reflected firstly in the visible presence on the vehicles and secondly in the fact that the two Hyundai i30 N TCRs run on LIQUI MOLY oil.

Holley Announces New Date For LS Fest West 2020

Due to the coronavirus, Holley LS Fest West in Las Vegas will now be held the weekend of June 12–14, 2020, under the night lights of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. All currently registered participants and spectators who have their tickets will carry over to the new date. If anyone is registered, but cannot attend on the new date, their money will be refunded. For more information, contact lsfest@holley.com.

INDYCAR Releases Revised 2020 Schedule

The NTT INDYCAR Series announced several calendar updates following the cancellation of the Detroit Grand Prix due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two previously scheduled events will become doubleheaders, along with the addition of a third weekend of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). With these additions, there are 15 races on the 2020 INDYCAR calendar—an increase of one event from the 14 races announced March 26. INDYCAR’s established events at Iowa Speedway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will become doubleheaders. The Iowa 300 event weekend will add a race Friday, July 17, along with the previously scheduled race Saturday, July 18. The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey event weekend will now feature a race Saturday, September 19, in addition to the previously scheduled race Sunday, September 20. Race fans also will be treated to a third INDYCAR event with the INDYCAR Harvest GP on the IMS road course taking place Saturday, October 3. This event is in addition to the GMR Grand Prix, already scheduled for Saturday, July 4, and the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, August 23. View the updated 2020 NTT INDYCAR Series schedule.

Revised Schedule for 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship

SCORE International has announced its revised 2020 racing schedule. The three rounds of the revised 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship will be the SCORE Baja 500 (June 17–21), the SCORE San Felipe 250 (September 16–20) and the season-ending SCORE Baja 1000 (November 17–22). For additional information, visit the SCORE website at www.score-international.com.

The National Auto Sport Association has announced the creation of two new racing leagues it will host on iRacing.

National Auto Sport Association Launches Inaugural Sim Racing Leagues on iRacing

The National Auto Sport Association has announced the creation of two new racing leagues it will host on iRacing. The inaugural 2020 season will have two leagues with 10 races per league that run every other Tuesday night through August. Additionally, there will be up to $13,000 in cash prizes available to Pro League drivers as well as real life contingency prizes. Longtime NASA partners Toyo Tires and Hawk Performance have kicked in to pay out contingency dollars in each of our new Sim Leagues. These “real dollars” will help virtual racers get back on track with NASA as soon as we can safely host events. Additionally, Competition Motorsport has stepped up to provide each inaugural league winner with a OMP TRS-E racing seat. Lastly, each 2020 league winner will get a free entry to any regional NASA event of their choosing providing a true racing ladder for sim-to-reality racing. Contingency rules for each program will be published shortly.

The inaugural NASA Club Sim Racing League will run the first and third Tuesday night of each month, kicking off on Tuesday, April 7, at Circuit of The Americas, and running through Tuesday, August 18. All NASA members with iRacing can run in the Club League for free. Select events will be live-streamed with commentary and will be on the NASA Facebook page for all to enjoy the action. The inaugural NASA Pro Sim Racing League will run the second and fourth Tuesday nights, beginning Tuesday, April 14, at Circuit of the Americas, through Tuesday, August 25. Each race will feature cash prizes available to current NASA members. View the full schedule for the Club and Pro Sim Racing Leagues.

Mast Motorsports Acquires Magnitude Performance

Mast Motorsports has announced the acquisition of Magnitude Performance. Jason Youd, founder of Magnitude Performance, will be named CEO of Mast Motorsports. He will manage all aspects of Mast Motorsports and support Mast Powertrain as managing director. According to the company, as part of Mast Technologies group, Mast Motorsports and Magnitude Performance will continue advanced development for motorsports products and technologies.

SpeedVideo has entered into a broadcast partnership with the automotive event series Street Car Super Nationals (SCSN) to live stream the Las Vegas and St. Louis events through 2022.

SpeedVideo.com Announces Multi-Year Agreement to Broadcast Street Car Super Nationals at Las Vegas And St. Louis

SpeedVideo has entered into a broadcast partnership with the automotive event series Street Car Super Nationals (SCSN) to live stream the Las Vegas and St. Louis events through 2022. The COMP Cams Street Car Super Nationals 16 is coming to SpeedVideo, November 19–22, live from The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The festival of speed is expected to draw more than 500 cars in 16 classes with everything from eighth-mile grudge cars to quarter-mile Pro Mods and everything in between. Summer Speed Spectacular featuring the Street Car Super Nationals will take place August 14–15, live from St. Louis. Viewers can catch the full live event coverage and action of the COMP Cams Street Car Super Nationals 16 and the Summer Speed Spectacular featuring the Street Car Super Nationals events in live HD available on www.speedvideo.com for annual or monthly subscribers.

Yamaha’s GNCC University Scheduled to Return for 2020

Yamaha Motor Corp.’s annual Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) University is scheduled to return to Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia June 24–26, during the 2020 GNCC series. While the racing season has been postponed, Yamaha plans to bring back the educational hands-on event for up-and-coming racers when the race series resumes. A panel of current and past Yamaha racing champions and professionals will instruct as many as 80 total students in either ATV- or motorcycle-related sessions. XC1 Pro ATV rider Johnny Gallagher will lead this year’s Yamaha Racing ATV instructors, along with five-time GNCC XC1 Pro ATV champion and current undefeated series leader Walker Fowler and 12-time WXC ATV champion Traci Pickens. The two-wheel class will be led by seven-time AMA National Enduro Champion and AmPro Yamaha Racing team owner Randy Hawkins, five-time AMA National Hare Scramble Champion Jason Raines, XC1 Open Pro motorcycle rider Layne Michael, XC2 250 Pro motorcycle rider Michael Witkowski, along with the WXC bike competitors Rachael Archer and current unbeaten series leader Becca Sheets. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis with 80 openings evenly split between ATV and motorcycle disciplines. Tuition for GNCC University starts at $300 per student. To view the entire Proven Off-Road ATV, SxS, and Off-Road Motorcycle lineup and learn more, visit www.yamahamotorsports.com.

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

By SEMA Editors

Among the speakers providing insight will be Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events, who will explain the ways to avoid the most common pitfalls that exhibitors experience.

The eleventh annual SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is regarded as the most effective way to prepare for the SEMA Show, and offers an insider's perspective on how to make the most of the of your Show exhibit. Trade show experts, including SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso, will provide tips and highlight strategies ranging from saving on booth services to pre-Show planning that generates more awareness for your company and its participation in the SEMA Show.

At the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, exhibitors will learn how to:

• Use proven strategies to attract buyers to your booth.
• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize your ROI.
• Learn to properly plan and budget to add value to your Show experience.
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships.

Regardless of what market you serve, if you are new exhibitors, or want tips and insight on creating an efficient Show budget, the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit will answer your questions and add more value to your Show experience.

Register for the 2020 SEMA Show Summit to be held Monday–Tuesday, June 24–26, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Summit will also provide examples of how exhibitors benefit from early-bird deadlines, and help familiarize companies with the layouts of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and Las Vegas Convention Center.

There is no cost to participate in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit. Complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and staff; however, participants are responsible for travel to and from Las Vegas. Space for the event is limited, so guarantee your spot today.

To secure booth space for the 2020 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

Among the speakers providing insight will be Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events, who will explain the ways to avoid the most common pitfalls that exhibitors experience.

The eleventh annual SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is regarded as the most effective way to prepare for the SEMA Show, and offers an insider's perspective on how to make the most of the of your Show exhibit. Trade show experts, including SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso, will provide tips and highlight strategies ranging from saving on booth services to pre-Show planning that generates more awareness for your company and its participation in the SEMA Show.

At the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, exhibitors will learn how to:

• Use proven strategies to attract buyers to your booth.
• Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
• Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize your ROI.
• Learn to properly plan and budget to add value to your Show experience.
• Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
• Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships.

Regardless of what market you serve, if you are new exhibitors, or want tips and insight on creating an efficient Show budget, the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit will answer your questions and add more value to your Show experience.

Register for the 2020 SEMA Show Summit to be held Monday–Tuesday, June 24–26, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Summit will also provide examples of how exhibitors benefit from early-bird deadlines, and help familiarize companies with the layouts of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and Las Vegas Convention Center.

There is no cost to participate in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit. Complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and staff; however, participants are responsible for travel to and from Las Vegas. Space for the event is limited, so guarantee your spot today.

To secure booth space for the 2020 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.