By SEMA Editors

MotorTrend Group Introduces Four Wheeler’s New Flagship Event

The MotorTrend Group announced the Four Wheeler Adventure Expo, a unique event for adventure travel enthusiasts, March 7-8, 2020, at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa, California. The Expo will host classes and seminars to prepare attendees for their next adventure, with travel workshops hosted by the Four Wheeler team and top adventure experts. Fans will be inspired by films at the Travel Theater and watching expedition driving experts as they host seminars to showcase the skills needed for extreme off-road driving conditions. Attendees can gear up with the latest camping and travel equipment, mountain bikes and off-road vehicles in the exhibitor midway. MotorTrend Group will produce this new event in partnership with Lodestone Events, the producers of Overland Expo.

SCORE International announced it has entered a new partnership with 4 Wheel Parts (4WP) as the Presenting Partner and Official Retailer for the 2019 SCORE Baja 1000 race.

4 Wheel Parts Named 2019 SCORE Baja 1000 Presenting Partner, Official Retailer

SCORE International announced it has entered a new partnership with 4 Wheel Parts (4WP) as the Presenting Partner and Official Retailer for the 2019 SCORE Baja 1000 race, as well as the 2020 and future SCORE Baja 500 and SCORE Baja 1000 races.

The 4 Wheel Parts logo and presence will be highly visible at these iconic races and in SCORE’s marketing programs starting with the 2019 BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 Presented By 4 Wheel Parts in November. "Partnering with SCORE International is an exciting endeavor for 4WP," says 4 Wheel Parts CEO, Craig Scanlon. "It's an authentic way for us to continue our commitment to supporting the core of the off-road industry, our large enthusiast customer base, and our extensive staff of 4WP off-road experts. SCORE, with its over 50 years of heritage in off-road, perfectly aligns with who we want to be involved with as a company.”

DSS ProDiesel Announces Acquisition of Diesel Parts of America Inc.

Diesel Parts of America (DPA) has been acquired by Nashville, Tennessee-based DSS ProDiesel. DPA brings extensive international diesel fuel injector experience to DSS ProDiesel, creating a combined company that serves the diesel fuel injector needs of more than 50 countries. With the addition of DPA, DSS ProDiesel will provide products and services both domestically and abroad. DPA’s catalog of more than 30,000 products brings additional applications to DSS ProDiesel’s product line. Delivery times will be reduced across North America with the addition of DPA’s West Coast facility. Ara Mansourian will continue with DSS ProDiesel, assuming responsibilities for West Coast sales, marketing and operations as well as international business development. Hart Marx Advisors represented Diesel Parts of America and facilitated the transaction. Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Left to right: Bob Egan, UAF chairman; new UAF Lifetime Trustee representatives Bobby Segal, Duncan Gillis, Dick Beirne; and Rusty Bishop, recipient of the UAF Educational Advocacy Award.

New Lifetime Trustees Recognized by University of the Aftermarket Foundation

The University of the Aftermarket Foundation (www.uofa-foundation.org), a a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, recognized Richard and Lisa Beirne, BBB Industries LLC and Sanel NAPA/The Segal Family as new lifetime trustees during the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association’s (AWDA) recent luncheon.

The University of the Aftermarket Foundation lifetime trustee designation is reserved for those donating $100,000 to $249,999 to support the foundation’s mission of providing scholarships and educational opportunities to the next generation of industry leaders.

Barrett-Jackson will begin its “Road to 50” in celebration of the company’s Golden Anniversary in 2021, with vehicles such as this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 COPO crossing the auction block, when it returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale.

Barrett-Jackson Begins Its “Road to 50” at January's Scottsdale Auction

Barrett-Jackson will begin its “Road to 50” in celebration of the company’s Golden Anniversary in 2021, when it returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale for its 49th Annual Scottsdale Auction from January 11-19, 2020. Barrett-Jackson will once again be the barometer of the collector-car market as vehicles such as a ’19 McLaren Senna and a ’69 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 COPO cross the block.

World-class collections highlighting the 49th Annual Scottsdale Auction will include the final 13 vehicles of the Vault Portfolio, the Scott Thomas Collection of rare supercars, and 21 vehicles from the Paul Walker Collection, the late “Fast and Furious” movie star, including five ’95 BMW M3 Lightweights.

The “Junkyard Challenge” presented by K&N, will officially begin airing December 5.

Junkyard Challenge Presented by K&N Schedule Announced

Power Automedia’s junkyard battle build-off video series, the “Junkyard Challenge” presented by K&N, will officially begin airing December 5, with a special five-episode off-road competition. Concluding the third and final Horsepower Wars series for 2019, the “Junkyard Challenge” presented by K&N features four teams who go head-to-head in a junkyard arena with trucks cobbled together using equal parts ingenuity, skill, creativity and luck as they hustle to hit the jackpot prize of $10,000 cash. Each team has a seven-day timeframe and $2,500 base vehicle purchase budget. Teams were supplied with an additional $2,500 in Summit Racing credit to order whatever they needed, and an additional $1,000 in cash was made available to each team to buy additional items. The “Junkyard Challenge” presented by K&N series will air on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. (PST). Episode 1, which is set to debut December 5, introduces the players, trucks and outlines the overall challenge.

2019 Junkyard Challenge presented by K&N schedule:

Episode 1: Meet the Players, Trucks, & Competition – December 5, 2019
Episode 2: Time to Build – December 12, 2019
Episode 3: The Game is Fabrication – December 19, 2019
Episode 4: The Finished Product – January 2, 2020
Episode 5: Send It – January 9, 2020

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.

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.

• ACE Racing Clutches
• B&M
• CoverKing
• Exedy
• H&R Springs
• Intro-Tech
• ORACLE Lighting
• Remflex
• Spectre
• USA Standard Gear

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

By SEMA Editors

Chevrolet presented the company's Design Awards in six categories during the 2019 SEMA Show. With the winning vehicles selected by Chevrolet designers, the annual awards provide the most talented car builders in the industry with an opportunity to be recognized for showcasing Chevrolet products with thoughtful styling and elite craftsmanship.

Each category winner received a newly designed mid-engine ’20 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray special-edition trophy.

2019 Chevrolet Design Award Winners

• Designer’s Choice – ’35 Chevrolet Sports Coupe by Fitzpatrick Speed Works
• Truck of the Year – Hammerfab/’58 Apache
• Best Track Build – Dutchboys Hot Rods/’69 Chevrolet Camaro
• Best Off-Road Truck Build  - Peter Verboom Jr./’55 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
• Innovative Use of Technology - East Bay Muscle Cars/’68 Chevrolet Camaro
• Car of the Year – Ringbrothers/’69 Camaro

2019 Chevrolet Design Award Winners

Innovative Use of Technology East Bay Muscle Cars ’68 Chevrolet Camaro	Best Off-Road Truck Build Peter Verboom Jr. ’55 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
Designer’s Choice ’35 Chevrolet Sports Coupe	Truck of the Year Hammerfab/’58 Apache
Best Track Build Dutchboys Hot Rods ’69 Chevrolet Camaro	Car of the Year Ringbrothers ’69 Camaro

By SEMA Editors

Chevrolet presented the company's Design Awards in six categories during the 2019 SEMA Show. With the winning vehicles selected by Chevrolet designers, the annual awards provide the most talented car builders in the industry with an opportunity to be recognized for showcasing Chevrolet products with thoughtful styling and elite craftsmanship.

Each category winner received a newly designed mid-engine ’20 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray special-edition trophy.

2019 Chevrolet Design Award Winners

• Designer’s Choice – ’35 Chevrolet Sports Coupe by Fitzpatrick Speed Works
• Truck of the Year – Hammerfab/’58 Apache
• Best Track Build – Dutchboys Hot Rods/’69 Chevrolet Camaro
• Best Off-Road Truck Build  - Peter Verboom Jr./’55 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
• Innovative Use of Technology - East Bay Muscle Cars/’68 Chevrolet Camaro
• Car of the Year – Ringbrothers/’69 Camaro

2019 Chevrolet Design Award Winners

Innovative Use of Technology East Bay Muscle Cars ’68 Chevrolet Camaro	Best Off-Road Truck Build Peter Verboom Jr. ’55 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
Designer’s Choice ’35 Chevrolet Sports Coupe	Truck of the Year Hammerfab/’58 Apache
Best Track Build Dutchboys Hot Rods ’69 Chevrolet Camaro	Car of the Year Ringbrothers ’69 Camaro

By SEMA Editors

SEMA presented its top honors during the annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet last week at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Award winners included:

• SEMA Person of the Year: Dan Kahn, Kahn Media Inc.
• SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Chris Candido, Turn 14 Distribution
• SEMA Rep Agency of the Year: Kunzman & Associates
• SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year: AllPro Distributing
• SEMA Manufacturer of the Year: Hunter Engineering Co.

“We are honored to recognize each year the individuals and companies who embody the spirit of our industry,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a highlight of the SEMA Show and a great way to culminate an outstanding week of business. It’s always great to spend time with friends and family, celebrating the industry that we all love.”

Las Vegas’s iconic Blue Man Group joined this year’s SEMA banquet, mixing in short entertainment to add to the evening’s festivities. In attendance were the new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Bob Chandler and Marla Moore, and family of the late Bruce Crower, as well as SEMA board members, exhibitors and more than 3,000 industry professionals.

Kahn, president and CEO of Kahn Media Inc., received the association’s most prestigious award for SEMA Person of the Year. Kahn, who founded Kahn Media in 2008 and represents many industry clients, is a SEMA Board member, member of the SEMA Communications Task Force and the SEMA Show Task Force and an overall active volunteer and leader in the industry.

The SEMA Gen-III Innovator award was presented to Chris Candido, CTO, of Turn 14 Distribution Inc. A co-founder of Turn 14 Distribution, Candido was recently named to the “SEMA 35 under 35” list, which recognizes young up-and-coming leaders.

Other awards were presented to Kunzman & Associates for the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award, AllPro Distribution for the SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year Award and Hunter Engineering Co. for the SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award. The awards recognize outstanding commitment to the industry and a high level of involvement with SEMA committees, task forces, councils or board of directors’ participation.

The Blue Man Group entertained the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet crowd of more than 3,000 in attendance.	Dan Kahn of Kahn Media Inc. was named SEMA Person of the Year.
Chris Candido of Turn 14 Distribution was recognized as the SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year.	Hunter Engineering Co. was named SEMA Manufacturer of the Year.
AllPro Distributing was bestowed SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year.	Kunzman & Associates was honored with the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year award.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA presented its top honors during the annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet last week at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Award winners included:

• SEMA Person of the Year: Dan Kahn, Kahn Media Inc.
• SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Chris Candido, Turn 14 Distribution
• SEMA Rep Agency of the Year: Kunzman & Associates
• SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year: AllPro Distributing
• SEMA Manufacturer of the Year: Hunter Engineering Co.

“We are honored to recognize each year the individuals and companies who embody the spirit of our industry,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a highlight of the SEMA Show and a great way to culminate an outstanding week of business. It’s always great to spend time with friends and family, celebrating the industry that we all love.”

Las Vegas’s iconic Blue Man Group joined this year’s SEMA banquet, mixing in short entertainment to add to the evening’s festivities. In attendance were the new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Bob Chandler and Marla Moore, and family of the late Bruce Crower, as well as SEMA board members, exhibitors and more than 3,000 industry professionals.

Kahn, president and CEO of Kahn Media Inc., received the association’s most prestigious award for SEMA Person of the Year. Kahn, who founded Kahn Media in 2008 and represents many industry clients, is a SEMA Board member, member of the SEMA Communications Task Force and the SEMA Show Task Force and an overall active volunteer and leader in the industry.

The SEMA Gen-III Innovator award was presented to Chris Candido, CTO, of Turn 14 Distribution Inc. A co-founder of Turn 14 Distribution, Candido was recently named to the “SEMA 35 under 35” list, which recognizes young up-and-coming leaders.

Other awards were presented to Kunzman & Associates for the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award, AllPro Distribution for the SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year Award and Hunter Engineering Co. for the SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award. The awards recognize outstanding commitment to the industry and a high level of involvement with SEMA committees, task forces, councils or board of directors’ participation.

The Blue Man Group entertained the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet crowd of more than 3,000 in attendance.	Dan Kahn of Kahn Media Inc. was named SEMA Person of the Year.
Chris Candido of Turn 14 Distribution was recognized as the SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year.	Hunter Engineering Co. was named SEMA Manufacturer of the Year.
AllPro Distributing was bestowed SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year.	Kunzman & Associates was honored with the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year award.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA presented its top honors during the annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet last week at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Award winners included:

• SEMA Person of the Year: Dan Kahn, Kahn Media Inc.
• SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Chris Candido, Turn 14 Distribution
• SEMA Rep Agency of the Year: Kunzman & Associates
• SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year: AllPro Distributing
• SEMA Manufacturer of the Year: Hunter Engineering Co.

“We are honored to recognize each year the individuals and companies who embody the spirit of our industry,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is a highlight of the SEMA Show and a great way to culminate an outstanding week of business. It’s always great to spend time with friends and family, celebrating the industry that we all love.”

Las Vegas’s iconic Blue Man Group joined this year’s SEMA banquet, mixing in short entertainment to add to the evening’s festivities. In attendance were the new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Bob Chandler and Marla Moore, and family of the late Bruce Crower, as well as SEMA board members, exhibitors and more than 3,000 industry professionals.

Kahn, president and CEO of Kahn Media Inc., received the association’s most prestigious award for SEMA Person of the Year. Kahn, who founded Kahn Media in 2008 and represents many industry clients, is a SEMA Board member, member of the SEMA Communications Task Force and the SEMA Show Task Force and an overall active volunteer and leader in the industry.

The SEMA Gen-III Innovator award was presented to Chris Candido, CTO, of Turn 14 Distribution Inc. A co-founder of Turn 14 Distribution, Candido was recently named to the “SEMA 35 under 35” list, which recognizes young up-and-coming leaders.

Other awards were presented to Kunzman & Associates for the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award, AllPro Distribution for the SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year Award and Hunter Engineering Co. for the SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award. The awards recognize outstanding commitment to the industry and a high level of involvement with SEMA committees, task forces, councils or board of directors’ participation.

The Blue Man Group entertained the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet crowd of more than 3,000 in attendance.	Dan Kahn of Kahn Media Inc. was named SEMA Person of the Year.
Chris Candido of Turn 14 Distribution was recognized as the SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year.	Hunter Engineering Co. was named SEMA Manufacturer of the Year.
AllPro Distributing was bestowed SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year.	Kunzman & Associates was honored with the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year award.

By Matt Kennedy

The new “SEMA Retail Landscape Report” dives into the ways in which retailers are facing and adapting to a range of business challenges.

The specialty-automotive aftermarket industry has always been driven by adaptation and innovation. It’s not just the products that are constantly changing, either; the ways specialty parts are bought and sold are also evolving over time. Today, the independent retailers that sell our industry’s products to consumers are dealing with a business environment that’s changing just as much as the parts they carry.

The new “SEMA Retail Landscape Report” dives into the ways in which retailers are facing and adapting to a range of business challenges. Increased online competition, and its effect on consumer expectations and behavior, are certainly key shifts with a widespread impact on retail. But there’s more to it than just the growth of online sales. Retailers, and companies looking to understand specialty-automotive retail, can use the report to gain insight into strategic questions, including:

• What is the current state of affairs for specialty automotive retail?
• How do retailers feel the industry and customer base have changed?
• How can small retailers stand out from bigger, cheaper competitors?
• Where are there opportunities for retailers to become more efficient? 
• What factors do retailers think will shape the industry going forward?

To learn more, download the “SEMA Retail Landscape Report,” now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Matt Kennedy

The new “SEMA Retail Landscape Report” dives into the ways in which retailers are facing and adapting to a range of business challenges.

The specialty-automotive aftermarket industry has always been driven by adaptation and innovation. It’s not just the products that are constantly changing, either; the ways specialty parts are bought and sold are also evolving over time. Today, the independent retailers that sell our industry’s products to consumers are dealing with a business environment that’s changing just as much as the parts they carry.

The new “SEMA Retail Landscape Report” dives into the ways in which retailers are facing and adapting to a range of business challenges. Increased online competition, and its effect on consumer expectations and behavior, are certainly key shifts with a widespread impact on retail. But there’s more to it than just the growth of online sales. Retailers, and companies looking to understand specialty-automotive retail, can use the report to gain insight into strategic questions, including:

• What is the current state of affairs for specialty automotive retail?
• How do retailers feel the industry and customer base have changed?
• How can small retailers stand out from bigger, cheaper competitors?
• Where are there opportunities for retailers to become more efficient? 
• What factors do retailers think will shape the industry going forward?

To learn more, download the “SEMA Retail Landscape Report,” now available for free at www.sema.org/research.