By Kristopher Porter

Sally McNulty

Join fellow Young Executive Network (YEN) members and industry leaders, February 4, at 11:00 a.m. (PST) on YEN’s Facebook page for the YEN Live Chat where participants can ask Snail Performance Global Time Attack driver Sally McNulty questions about the industry. Mark your calendars! You won't want to miss this.

McNulty drives a heavily modified ’17 Subaru STi that makes 560 awhp. She is also a professional race car driver for Honda Performance Development (HPD) in Honda’s turnkey Civic Si race car. She competes on a national level, earning multiple podium finishes and class records with Gridlife, Global Time Attack, TC America and Super Lap Battle. She also works with Hoonigan. McNulty is currently the fastest female in Time Attack Racing and is working toward achieving the same success in the wheel2wheel racing field.

This live chat is an open Q&A where participants will have a chance to communicate directly with McNulty. Have your questions ready!

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• Webinar: New 3-D Printing Material Makes Prototyping More Affordable and Practical, January 31, 2020
• SBN Biannual General Membership Call, February 4, 2020
• YEN Live Chat With Sally McNulty, February 4, 2020
• TORA Meetup – King of the Hammers, February 6, 2020, King of the Hammers, Hammertown VIP Area
• WTC Open Membership Meeting, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California, February 19, 2020
• 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 31–April 7, 2020, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• YEN General Membership Call, April 15, 2020
• WTC Ambassador (WTCA) Call, May 6, 2020
• SEMA Nordic Business Development Conference, August 29–September 2, 2020, Stockholm, Sweden
• 2020 SEMA Show, November 3–6, 2020, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

• Lunati
• Miller CAT
• N-Fab
• Oro-Tek
• ProRYDE Suspension Systems
• Rigid Industries
• Superchips
• TrailFX
• TruXedo
• Whiteline

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) continues to be a strong advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. As soon as he heard about the threat to motorsports—a key economic driver in his district, which includes Charlotte Motor Speedway and Rockingham Dragway—he got to work. Not only is he an original co-sponsor of the RPM Act, but he also questioned then EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy about the regulation at a Congressional committee hearing and penned a letter to the agency questioning its authority to regulate vehicles used exclusively at the track.

Watch the video below to learn more about Rep. Hudson and then send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) continues to be a strong advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. As soon as he heard about the threat to motorsports—a key economic driver in his district, which includes Charlotte Motor Speedway and Rockingham Dragway—he got to work. Not only is he an original co-sponsor of the RPM Act, but he also questioned then EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy about the regulation at a Congressional committee hearing and penned a letter to the agency questioning its authority to regulate vehicles used exclusively at the track.

Watch the video below to learn more about Rep. Hudson and then send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) continues to be a strong advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. As soon as he heard about the threat to motorsports—a key economic driver in his district, which includes Charlotte Motor Speedway and Rockingham Dragway—he got to work. Not only is he an original co-sponsor of the RPM Act, but he also questioned then EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy about the regulation at a Congressional committee hearing and penned a letter to the agency questioning its authority to regulate vehicles used exclusively at the track.

Watch the video below to learn more about Rep. Hudson and then send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) continues to be a strong advocate for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. As soon as he heard about the threat to motorsports—a key economic driver in his district, which includes Charlotte Motor Speedway and Rockingham Dragway—he got to work. Not only is he an original co-sponsor of the RPM Act, but he also questioned then EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy about the regulation at a Congressional committee hearing and penned a letter to the agency questioning its authority to regulate vehicles used exclusively at the track.

Watch the video below to learn more about Rep. Hudson and then send a letter asking your legislator to support the RPM Act.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

A+E Networks and Barrett-Jackson Auctions Enter Programming Agreement

A+E Networks and Barrett-Jackson have announced a programming agreement for “Barrett-Jackson Live,” which will air on FYI and HISTORY, beginning with the 18th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, April 16–18. Set to debut as part of the networks’ Drive Block, “Barrett-Jackson Live” will offer live programming as well as premieres, short-form and original Barrett-Jackson specials. The programming will air across weekend dayparts on HISTORY and primetime on FYI, as well as non-linear platforms. The content on FYI and HISTORY will be unique compared to other programming for each channel. Barrett-Jackson Live will be distributed globally by A+E International.

BorgWarner to Buy Delphi for $3.3 Billion

Auto parts supplier BorgWarner is acquiring Delphi Technologies in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $3.3 billion, partly to help strengthen its power electronics products. Delphi Technologies PLC shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.4534 shares of BorgWarner stock for each Delphi Technologies share they own. BorgWarner Inc. stockholders are expected to own about 84% of the combined company, with Delphi Technologies shareholders owning approximately 16%. BorgWarner President and CEO Frédéric Lissalde will lead the combined company, which will be based at BorgWarner’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The transaction is targeted to close in the second half of the year. It still needs approval from Delphi Technologies shareholders. BorgWarner's stock fell 7.1% in Tuesday premarket trading, while shares of Delphi Technologies soared 60%.

Travis French

Travis French Named Loss Control Consultant With RevPro

Travis French was named loss control consultant with RevPro—a specialty insurance program created by Alliant Insurance Services. He oversees all of the company’s middle-market clients on the West Coast, helping them to maintain OSHA compliance, determining what drives client losses from a workers’ compensation standpoint and assisting them with managing safety programs tailored to their specific needs. He started working with Alliant in December 2017. He was previously safety and risk management director for Universal Waste Systems Inc., where he oversaw the company’s safety department.

Josh Steinmetz

Lubrication Specialties Inc. Announces Josh Steinmetz as New Digital Marketing Manager

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI), manufacturer of Hot Shot’s Secret brand of performance additives and oils, has announced Josh Steinmetz as the company’s new digital marketing manager. Steinmetz brings a decade of creative and digital marketing experience to the company’s growing marketing team. With a background in developing marketing strategy, social media, advertising management, creative production, website maintenance, photography and videography, he brings a broad-based skill set to the position. As digital marketing manager, Steinmetz will be responsible for developing the digital strategy, content, analytics and ROI for all Hot Shot’s Secret 35+ products across multiple markets with a goal of ensuring a future-state mindset to emerging industry and consumer digital media trends to build brand awareness and loyalty. Previously, Steinmetz served as the digital communications director for the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) from February 2010 until he came on board with Hot Shot’s Secret in December 2019. His experience with NTPA was instrumental in the development of a robust NPTA sponsorship for Hot Shot’s Secret in 2020 that included promotional activities at all events, addition of banners, decals and PA announcements, inclusion in NTPA’s TV series, exposure at top retail locations and Hot Shot’s Secret research and product testing with top-level drivers.

Larry Magee

Larry Magee Selected as AACF Board of Trustees Vice President

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) announced the selection of Larry Magee as vice president of the Board of Trustees. Magee has been involved with the AACF for more than 25 years, and currently serves on the Foundation’s Executive Committee, Recipient Review Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Golf Committee. During his career in the aftermarket Magee held CEO/president positions with several companies, including Bridgestone/Firestone, Heartland Automotive and Magnolia Enterprise Group.

Racing Electronics Selects Guy Gauthier to Lead New Motorsports Technology and Development Division

Racing Electronics has announced Guy Gauthier as director of Motorsports Technology and Development, the newest division within Racing Electronics’ professional services department. The Motorsports Technology and Development department will expand Racing Electronics’ research, development and deployment capabilities for all forms of competitor and spectator communication technology. Gauthier joins Racing Electronics following a 22-year career with Diversified Electronics’ Racing Radios division, where he led the engineering and development of many popular motorsport communications devices for use in NASCAR, IMSA and IndyCar. Gauthier began his technical career as a navigational and meteorological technician for the United States Air Force, stationed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, before serving in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Brake Parts Inc. Presents Leadership Awards

Brake Parts Inc. (BPI) recently honored five team members with the BPI Leadership Award. The following award recipients were recognized for their performance excellence, dedication and commitment to the success of both BPI and its customers:

• David Ferretti, vice president, sales – NAPA
• Kristin Grons, marketing manager – Raybestos
• Mark Massoth, director of pricing
• Michael Caruso, vice president, finance and global controller
• Yu Jun, vice general manager – quality control and engineering, Haimeng, China

The BPI Leadership Awards are presented annually, and nominations are made by members of the BPI Global Leadership Team. Employees nominated for the award must exhibit several of the following leadership qualities, including: strong financial and operational acumen, customer-focused, results-driven, inspirational leadership, ability to build and manage collaborative relationships, entrepreneurship and strong personal development.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

“Chasing Perfect” will be broadcast on Discovery’s Motor Trend for North American viewers starting February 1.

Motor Trend to Broadcast “Chasing Perfect” Across North America

The feature-length documentary, “Chasing Perfect,” revealing the untold story of Frank Stephenson—the man behind some of the world’s most iconic car designs—is to be broadcasted in the United States and Canada on Motor Trend. “Chasing Perfect” offers insight into the world of automotive design, revealing to the audience the creative process behind every design. Stephenson led design teams at Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, McLaren and MINI, and shares unheard anecdotes about the creation of his many automotive masterpieces with the audience. “Chasing Perfect” was made available to stream on Netflix in the United Kingdom in November 2019 and will be broadcast on Discovery’s Motor Trend for North American viewers starting February 1.

VP Racing Fuels Official Fuel of Factory Connection Racing

VP Racing Fuels Inc. has signed a multi-year deal to become the official fuel supplier to Factory Connection Racing/GEICO Honda for its 250cc Supercross/Motocross program.
 
Factory Connection Racing has been a satellite race team for American Honda since 1998 and the official 125cc, then 250cc team for American Honda since 2001. Race wins in both classes in AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross have led to nine regional 250 Supercross titles and two 250 National Motocross Championships on Honda motorcycles.

Power Automedia and SpeedVideo.com have announced that they will broadcast the Shakedown Nationals XVIII with a multi-year agreement.

SpeedVideo.com and Virginia Motorsports Park Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Broadcast Shakedown Nationals XVIII

Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP) hosted the Shakedown Nationals for the first time last year, which featured the best of Pro Mod, Radial vs. World, Limited Drag Radial, X275, Ultra Street, Outlaw 10.5 and DXP 235. Power Automedia and SpeedVideo.com have announced that they will broadcast the Shakedown Nationals XVIII, September 16–19, with a multi-year agreement. The event will be available in its entirety to SpeedVideo subscribers. In addition, there will be free bonus content, including Thursday’s test and tune, Round 1 qualifying and more.

Global Electronic Technology joins Paul Lee Racing for the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.

Global Electronic Technology Joins Paul Lee’s Nitro Funny Car Team

Global Electronic Technology joins Paul Lee Racing for the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season on his Nitro Funny Car. Lee will adorn the blue of Global Electronic Technology as the major marketing partner for 12 selected races. Lee currently plans to run 15 total races in 2020 with his “friends and family” funny car team. The Global Electronic Technology team will make appearances at the first four races and will continue to be at select events for the remainder of the year. In addition to Global Electronic Technology, the team welcomes Red Line Oil, Gates and Justice Brothers to the roster, joining Weld Wheels, Mac Tools, TMS Titanium and ARP as iproduct suppliers. The team plans on testing in Las Vegas for the PRO pre-season session and will begin the 2020 season at the WinterNationals in Pomona, California.

Red Line Synthetic Oil to Support the H.E.P. Motorsports Team Throughout 2020 Motocross and Supercross Season

Red Line Synthetic Oil has announced that its partnership with the H.E.P. Motorsports team, supported by Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI), will continue through 2020. In addition to the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross series, Red Line will also provide products and technical support to the team as they compete in the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The 2020 H.E.P team is comprised of riders Kyle Cunningham, Adam Enticknap, Ryan Breece, Max Anstie and crew chief Clark Jones. The team will compete on ’20 Suzuki RMZ 450s that are built specifically to each racer’s preference. Red Line will remain in close contact with Jones in order to obtain feedback from the riders as they compete throughout both the Supercross and Motocross season.

Exhibitors interested in getting a jump on SEMA Show planning for 2020 can reserve booth space now at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.