By Lindsay Bianco

PSKB, a manufacturer’s rep, was crowned in 2019 as the overall champion in the Industry Cup Challenge during the SEMA Installation & Gala. With the rep agency taking home the hardware, the Industry Cup now rests in their hands until another SEMA member donates to SEMA Cares and enters this year’s Industry Cup Challenge. Here’s SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White and Rich Barsamian presenting PSKB with the Industry Cup:

During the Industry Cup Challenge, sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1. Here are the official standings from last year.

2019 INDUSTRY CUP CHALLENGE WINNERS (Member Category Represented)

• Rep Agency Class – PSKB, 1st Place Champion
• Manufacturer’s Class – Hellwig Products, 2nd Place
• Warehouse Distributor Class – All Pro Distributing, 3rd Place
• Media Class – Motor Trend
• Service Providers Class – eTool Developers

Make no mistake. This is a challenge from PSKB. This is the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races. The SEMA Cares committee will engrave one company’s name on a special Stanley-Cup-inspired trophy. Will it be yours?

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Even if you get your doors blown-off by a competitor, this race has one of the best consolation prizes ever—your sponsorship money will become a donation to SEMA Cares. For the children who labored over these race cars, your contribution is a signal to our industry and to children dealing with life’s harshest challenges.

For more information, contact the SEMA Cares staff liaison Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Lindsay Bianco

PSKB, a manufacturer’s rep, was crowned in 2019 as the overall champion in the Industry Cup Challenge during the SEMA Installation & Gala. With the rep agency taking home the hardware, the Industry Cup now rests in their hands until another SEMA member donates to SEMA Cares and enters this year’s Industry Cup Challenge. Here’s SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White and Rich Barsamian presenting PSKB with the Industry Cup:

During the Industry Cup Challenge, sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1. Here are the official standings from last year.

2019 INDUSTRY CUP CHALLENGE WINNERS (Member Category Represented)

• Rep Agency Class – PSKB, 1st Place Champion
• Manufacturer’s Class – Hellwig Products, 2nd Place
• Warehouse Distributor Class – All Pro Distributing, 3rd Place
• Media Class – Motor Trend
• Service Providers Class – eTool Developers

Make no mistake. This is a challenge from PSKB. This is the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races. The SEMA Cares committee will engrave one company’s name on a special Stanley-Cup-inspired trophy. Will it be yours?

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Even if you get your doors blown-off by a competitor, this race has one of the best consolation prizes ever—your sponsorship money will become a donation to SEMA Cares. For the children who labored over these race cars, your contribution is a signal to our industry and to children dealing with life’s harshest challenges.

For more information, contact the SEMA Cares staff liaison Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Lindsay Bianco

PSKB, a manufacturer’s rep, was crowned in 2019 as the overall champion in the Industry Cup Challenge during the SEMA Installation & Gala. With the rep agency taking home the hardware, the Industry Cup now rests in their hands until another SEMA member donates to SEMA Cares and enters this year’s Industry Cup Challenge. Here’s SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White and Rich Barsamian presenting PSKB with the Industry Cup:

During the Industry Cup Challenge, sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions, where they race high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1. Here are the official standings from last year.

2019 INDUSTRY CUP CHALLENGE WINNERS (Member Category Represented)

• Rep Agency Class – PSKB, 1st Place Champion
• Manufacturer’s Class – Hellwig Products, 2nd Place
• Warehouse Distributor Class – All Pro Distributing, 3rd Place
• Media Class – Motor Trend
• Service Providers Class – eTool Developers

Make no mistake. This is a challenge from PSKB. This is the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races. The SEMA Cares committee will engrave one company’s name on a special Stanley-Cup-inspired trophy. Will it be yours?

The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Even if you get your doors blown-off by a competitor, this race has one of the best consolation prizes ever—your sponsorship money will become a donation to SEMA Cares. For the children who labored over these race cars, your contribution is a signal to our industry and to children dealing with life’s harshest challenges.

For more information, contact the SEMA Cares staff liaison Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Byron Bergmann

Mark Moneypenny

Join the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN) as they present a live chat with industrial design consultant Mark Moneypenny, who will discuss the product-development landscape and diverse array of disciplines, resources and processes needed to create successful products that function exceptionally well and inspire their users.

To help navigate this landscape while staying focused on the destination, Moneypenny will define the Northstar. At every stage of a project, from an incremental decision point to a significant pivot, Northstar is the fixed point to guide and inspire every project.

Moneypenny is an industrial designer, creative director and brand strategist with more than 30 years of experience crafting products that deliver engaging sensory experiences to their users. He has won numerous design awards and patents and has spoken about innovation, design thinking, and Experiential Brand Language (XBL) at multiple universities, professional associations and startup events. He most recently presented on “Building a Connected Experience” at last year’s Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East in New York City.

His accomplishments also include facilitating innovation sessions for a wide range of clients, including Whirlpool, Energizer, CR Bard, GE Appliances and Georgia Pacific. Moneypenny holds a bachelor of science in industrial design from the University of Cincinnati.

Communicate directly with Moneypenny on ETTN’s Facebook page, March 31, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT) and come ready with questions to tap into his expertise.

By Byron Bergmann

Mark Moneypenny

Join the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN) as they present a live chat with industrial design consultant Mark Moneypenny, who will discuss the product-development landscape and diverse array of disciplines, resources and processes needed to create successful products that function exceptionally well and inspire their users.

To help navigate this landscape while staying focused on the destination, Moneypenny will define the Northstar. At every stage of a project, from an incremental decision point to a significant pivot, Northstar is the fixed point to guide and inspire every project.

Moneypenny is an industrial designer, creative director and brand strategist with more than 30 years of experience crafting products that deliver engaging sensory experiences to their users. He has won numerous design awards and patents and has spoken about innovation, design thinking, and Experiential Brand Language (XBL) at multiple universities, professional associations and startup events. He most recently presented on “Building a Connected Experience” at last year’s Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East in New York City.

His accomplishments also include facilitating innovation sessions for a wide range of clients, including Whirlpool, Energizer, CR Bard, GE Appliances and Georgia Pacific. Moneypenny holds a bachelor of science in industrial design from the University of Cincinnati.

Communicate directly with Moneypenny on ETTN’s Facebook page, March 31, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT) and come ready with questions to tap into his expertise.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

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

24 Hours of Le Mans Rescheduled

The organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, together with the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), have decided to postpone the 88th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, originally scheduled for June 13–14, 2020. The new date will be September 19–20, 2020. For the latest information, visit www.fiawec.com.

Crate Racin’ USA Reschedules First Three Races of Season

The Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series has announced the first three races of the 2020 national touring season have been rescheduled for the month of April. The two-race Rumble on the Grumbo at Greenville Speedway (Greenville, Mississippi) is now scheduled for April 17–18. The 50-lap Shoals Showdown at North Alabama Speedway (Tuscumbia, Alabama) has been rescheduled for April 25. Additionally, the two races set for NASCAR Weekend at Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, Alabama), will be rescheduled. A later date will be announced. For the latest information, visit www.crateracinusa.com.

Formula DRIFT Coronavirus Update

Formula DRIFT has announced the opening round of the 2020 Formula DRIFT season on the Streets of Long Beach has been cancelled. The team at Formula DRIFT is remaining positive about the remainder of the season and is working determinedly to find an alternative venue to replace Long Beach and to ensure the teams can compete in an eight-round championship. More announcements will be made in the near future about a new location for the cancelled round. Ticket holders for the Streets of Long Beach event will be fully refunded by Ticketmaster and that the process has already begun. For more information, visit www.formulad.com.

Mazda MX-5 Cup Postpones First Two Rounds

Following the recent cancelation of the IndyCar events at Barber Motorsports Park and Circuit of The Americas, Mazda Motorsports, Andersen Promotions and IndyCar have decided to postpone the first two rounds of the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich. For the latest information, visit www.mazdamotorsports.com.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Postponed Until August

In a press release distributed last week, organizers said, “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect everyone throughout the world, the board of directors of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has made the decision to postpone the 98th running of the race. The race will not be conducted on June 28, 2020, but instead will be slated to take place on Sunday, August 30.” For more information, visit http://ppihc.org.

Sparta Evolution and Gear Racing Form Multi-Year Partnership

Sparta Evolution has announced a multi-season partnership with Girl Empowerment Around Racing (GEAR), beginning in 2020. Sparta Evolution is will partner with GEAR’s all-female driven No. 19 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and the Michelin Endurance Cup. Together, GEAR Racing and Sparta Evolution plan to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold in racing and in life.

Sonoma Speed Festival Rescheduled

Organizers of the second annual Sonoma Speed Festival have elected to reschedule the event at Sonoma Raceway to Labor Day weekend, September 4–6, 2020. Over the coming weeks, organizers will revisit the lineup of cars for this year’s event. Updates will be shared regularly via social media, newsletter and blog as drivers and their cars are confirmed. Current ticket purchases will be valid for the September event date. However, if any guest is unable to attend the rescheduled date, a full refund (including any transaction fees) will be granted. All ticket holders will receive an email with further directions to select the option that best works for them and steps to roll-over tickets or to receive a refund. For more information, visit www.sonomaspeedfestival.com.

Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) Cancels Trans-Am SpeedFest

Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) officials have shared that the 2020 Trans-Am SpeedFest at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, set for May 1-3, will not take place as planned. Officials are in active discussions to find an alternative date for later this year. A full entry fee credit, with no expiration, will also be issued. For more information, visit www.svra.com.

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

Compiled by SEMA Editors

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

24 Hours of Le Mans Rescheduled

The organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, together with the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), have decided to postpone the 88th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, originally scheduled for June 13–14, 2020. The new date will be September 19–20, 2020. For the latest information, visit www.fiawec.com.

Crate Racin’ USA Reschedules First Three Races of Season

The Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series has announced the first three races of the 2020 national touring season have been rescheduled for the month of April. The two-race Rumble on the Grumbo at Greenville Speedway (Greenville, Mississippi) is now scheduled for April 17–18. The 50-lap Shoals Showdown at North Alabama Speedway (Tuscumbia, Alabama) has been rescheduled for April 25. Additionally, the two races set for NASCAR Weekend at Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, Alabama), will be rescheduled. A later date will be announced. For the latest information, visit www.crateracinusa.com.

Formula DRIFT Coronavirus Update

Formula DRIFT has announced the opening round of the 2020 Formula DRIFT season on the Streets of Long Beach has been cancelled. The team at Formula DRIFT is remaining positive about the remainder of the season and is working determinedly to find an alternative venue to replace Long Beach and to ensure the teams can compete in an eight-round championship. More announcements will be made in the near future about a new location for the cancelled round. Ticket holders for the Streets of Long Beach event will be fully refunded by Ticketmaster and that the process has already begun. For more information, visit www.formulad.com.

Mazda MX-5 Cup Postpones First Two Rounds

Following the recent cancelation of the IndyCar events at Barber Motorsports Park and Circuit of The Americas, Mazda Motorsports, Andersen Promotions and IndyCar have decided to postpone the first two rounds of the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich. For the latest information, visit www.mazdamotorsports.com.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Postponed Until August

In a press release distributed last week, organizers said, “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect everyone throughout the world, the board of directors of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has made the decision to postpone the 98th running of the race. The race will not be conducted on June 28, 2020, but instead will be slated to take place on Sunday, August 30.” For more information, visit http://ppihc.org.

Sparta Evolution and Gear Racing Form Multi-Year Partnership

Sparta Evolution has announced a multi-season partnership with Girl Empowerment Around Racing (GEAR), beginning in 2020. Sparta Evolution is will partner with GEAR’s all-female driven No. 19 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and the Michelin Endurance Cup. Together, GEAR Racing and Sparta Evolution plan to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold in racing and in life.

Sonoma Speed Festival Rescheduled

Organizers of the second annual Sonoma Speed Festival have elected to reschedule the event at Sonoma Raceway to Labor Day weekend, September 4–6, 2020. Over the coming weeks, organizers will revisit the lineup of cars for this year’s event. Updates will be shared regularly via social media, newsletter and blog as drivers and their cars are confirmed. Current ticket purchases will be valid for the September event date. However, if any guest is unable to attend the rescheduled date, a full refund (including any transaction fees) will be granted. All ticket holders will receive an email with further directions to select the option that best works for them and steps to roll-over tickets or to receive a refund. For more information, visit www.sonomaspeedfestival.com.

Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) Cancels Trans-Am SpeedFest

Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) officials have shared that the 2020 Trans-Am SpeedFest at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, set for May 1-3, will not take place as planned. Officials are in active discussions to find an alternative date for later this year. A full entry fee credit, with no expiration, will also be issued. For more information, visit www.svra.com.

For more racing news and features, 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.

By SEMA Editors

Reid Lunde, owner and founder of Kaizen Speed, was the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad winner.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) is now accepting applications for the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad Program, a competition for young entrepreneurs who would like to launch their products into the $44.6 billion dollar aftermarket industry. 

Now in its seventh year, the program provides emerging business leaders the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of iconic industry judges and compete for a prize that includes $10,000 to be used for the benefit of their business, and exhibit space at the annual SEMA Show.  

“Our goal is to encourage and support young entrepreneurs in the automotive industry,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “We hope to identify emerging leaders who have amazing new ideas and products. We want to provide these young businesses with the support and resources to help them succeed.”  

Fifteen applicants will be selected to receive a one-year SEMA membership, as well as one professional Launch Pad video to be hosted on the SEMA YouTube Channel. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the businesses they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2020 SEMA Show, with the Top 5 vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 2, at the SEMA Show.  

"SEMA Launch Pad competitors represent the most innovative and passionate emerging industry-leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Ridnouer. “As such, the public will be able to play a key role in the voting process and help determine what product or service consumers will find valuable.”    

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.  

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before May 3.