SEMA News—September 2022

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

Law and Order

By Daniel Ingber

FEDERAL UPDATE

Ocean Shipping Reform Act Signed Into Law: President Biden signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to improve ongoing supply-chain issues and backlogs at ports. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was passed unanimously by the Senate and overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives. The bill strengthens the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which oversees international ocean shipping, to enforce against exploitative business practices and investigate fees charged by shipping companies. Shipping company invoices will need to include accurate information on a container’s availability date, port of discharge, free time, rates and contact information. The FMC will also establish a webpage for complaint submissions and maintain an office for dispute resolution services.

RPM Act: With members of Congress returning to Washington in September, now is the time to demand they pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), H.R. 3281 and S. 2736, before they leave town for the mid-term election. The RPM Act clarifies that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to convert a street vehicle into a dedicated race car under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The bill would also confirm that producing, marketing and installing racing equipment on track vehicles does not violate the CAA. The RPM Act enjoys strong bipartisan support in the 2021–2022 session of Congress, including more than 150 co-sponsors, but SEMA members and the racing community must turn up the pressure on lawmakers to pass the bill this fall.

Below are things you can do right now to help to pass the RPM Act:

• Invite your members of Congress to visit your business or participate in a virtual meeting with your lawmaker and SEMA staff. Email erics@sema.org for a template and more information. Call and send a letter to your lawmakers at: www.saveourracecars.com. A letter has already been drafted. It takes less than a minute.
• Sign a letter to your lawmakers on company letterhead. Email erics@sema.org for a template and more information.
• Post about the RPM Act on your company’s social-media accounts using the digital assets toolkit at www.sema.org/rpmtools.
• Learn more about SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) at www.SEMApac.com. SEMA PAC allows SEMA members to support the lawmakers that stand up for our industry in Washington, D.C.

IRS Raises Standard Mileage Rate: The Internal Revenue Service increased the standard business-mileage deduction from 58.5 cents per mile to 62.5 cents per mile for the remainder of 2022. While the rate is generally updated annually, the IRS adjusted the rate mid-year in response to rising gas prices. The change took effect July 1. The mileage calculation includes the cost of fuel, along with other vehicle fixed and variable operating expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, tires, etc. Companies and individuals who use their automobiles (including vans, pickups and panel trucks) for business have the option of using the standard rate in lieu of keeping records of their actual expenses.

NHTSA Updates Standard Reference Test Tire: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule to update the standard reference test tire (SRTT) used as a baseline tire to rate treadwear, braking traction, snow traction and evaluate pavement surface friction. The rule was necessary because the only manufacturer of the previously referenced SRTT ceased production of the tire. Referencing a new SRTT ensures the availability of a test tire for testing purposes. Under the final rule, ASTM E1136, ‘‘Standard Specification for P195/75R14 Radial Standard Reference Test Tire’’ (14-in. SRTT) will be replaced with ASTM F2493, Standard Specification for P225/60R16 (16-in. SRTT). The 16-in. SRTT is considered more representative of current tires because of its larger size, new material and design features that are more typical of modern passenger car tires.

Changes to California’s Prop 65 Short-Form Warnings Abandoned for Now: California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment did not complete the regulatory process for its proposed amendments to the Proposition 65 short-form warning within the allotted time and allowed the rulemaking to lapse. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment stated it intends to start the regulatory process again with a new proposal to update the short-form warning label and will consider the comments on the previous proposal into this process. SEMA submitted comments opposing the initial proposal and the subsequent modifications, as the new regulations would have mandated that at least one chemical associated with cancer and/or one chemical known to be a carcinogen be identified on the short form. Prop 65 doesn’t stop anyone from selling their products regardless of what chemicals they contain. It simply requires consumer warning labels under certain circumstances. The current short-form warning does not identify a specific chemical(s) while the long-form warning requires identification of a specific chemical(s).

STATE UPDATE

Michigan—Historic Vehicles: The Michigan House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation to expand the usage of historic vehicles by allowing vehicles to be driven without restrictions between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. The bill declares this time period as “participation in an exhibition.” Currently, historic vehicles may only be used in participation for club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses with the month of August declared as an exhibition period. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Alaska—License Plate: The Alaska legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to allow the display of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger vehicles. Under current law, vehicles must display two license plates.

Iowa—Antique Vehicles: The Iowa legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to reduce the registration fee/tax for older antique vehicles from 5% of the purchase price to 2%.

Iowa—License Plate: The Iowa legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment two SEMA-supported bills to allow certain vehicles to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. Under one bill, eligible motor vehicles included those “registered as antiques or any vehicle that would require modifications including but not limited to adding or mounting hardware, drilling, or adding adhesives in order to secure a front registration plate.” Under the other bill, eligible motor vehicles included vintage (model year ’79 or older), reconstructed or specially-constructed vehicles built to resemble a vintage motor vehicle, and limited-production motor vehicles.

Iowa—License Plates: The Iowa legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to allow the state to issue newly-created year-of-manufacture license plates for antique vehicles. Current law allows only vintage year-of-manufacture plates in original condition with DMV approval.

Minnesota—Ethanol: The Minnesota legislature defeated two SEMA-opposed bills to increase the standard biofuel blend in gasoline to 15% ethanol (E15). One bill had an exemption for retailers who sell less than 500,000 gal. of gasoline/biofuel per year who are not equipped to store and dispense E15, while another bill had an exemption for retailers who sell less than 300,000 gal. of gasoline/biofuel per year.

Minnesota—License Plate: The Minnesota legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation for the issuance of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for special-interest vehicles.

Missouri—Historic Vehicles: The Missouri legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation that would have allowed historic vehicles to be issued license plates without an annual mileage restriction. Current law limits historic vehicle owners to 1,000 mi. of driving for personal use per year.

New Hampshire—Exhaust: Governor Chris Sununu signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to allow the use of side-mounted exhaust on antique vehicles. The new law specifies exhaust discharge points (must be to the rear edge of either door if the vehicle has two doors and to the rear edge of either rear door if the vehicle has four doors) and such system directs exhaust gas away from the vehicle.

New Jersey—License Plate: The New Jersey Senate introduced SEMA-supported legislation to allow the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue newly created classic license plates for display on all vehicles. The new plates will resemble those issued between 1979 and 1991, featuring sand-yellow text on a blue background. The legislation awaits consideration in the Senate Transportation Committee.

South Carolina—Automotive Hobby Recognition: The South Carolina legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to designate the automotive hobby as the official family-friendly pastime of the state, specifically the “restoration, exhibition, showing, and enjoyment of classic and antique motor vehicles.”

Vermont—Exhaust Noise: The Vermont legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-model legislation to create a fair testing procedure for vehicles suspected of exhaust noise violations. The proposal would have implemented the Society of Automotive Engineers’ objective testing procedures for determining if a vehicle’s installed exhaust system is more than 95 decibels.

Vermont—Inspections: The Vermont legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to require biennial safety and emissions inspection in lieu of the current annual obligation.

Vermont—License Plate: The Vermont legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to require the display of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger vehicles with a registered weight of 10,000 lbs. or less.

Vermont—Window Tint: The Vermont legislature failed to pass prior to adjournment SEMA-supported legislation to allow window shading or tinting material on the side and vent windows to the left and right side of the driver.

  

By Ashley Reyes

Creating a culture of fun is important for the success of any team or organization, particularly because a fun culture helps to keep employees engaged and attract new talent.  

Tiffanie Hartenstein, CEO of Oracle Lighting, is no stranger to this concept and will join the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) for a Facebook and Instagram live chat to share ideas that have worked for her company on September 8, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).   

Hartenstein attributes Oracle’s positive company culture to helping the company achieve SEMA’s Manufacturer of the Year Award. SEMA members are invited to connect with Hartenstein directly and join in on an inspiring discussion on how to influence fun and positivity within one’s own organization.

Hartenstein will answer participant questions live on the SBN Facebook page and SBN Instagram live (@sbn_sema).

RSVP and reminders about the event here.

SEMA News—September 2022

PEOPLE

Remembering Dave McClelland

The voice of countless drag races and SEMA events left a rich legacy of memories and set a high bar for those who follow him behind the microphone

By Drew Hardin

Photography Courtesy NHRA and Petersen Publishing Company Archives

Dave McClelland “cared about the people in our industry, and he brought that care to all the work he did with SEMA—whether it was as a volunteer serving on various committees or standing in front of an audience for the countless award banquets he anchored as master of ceremonies,” said outgoing SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

That voice. The honeyed baritone was so distinctive, immediately recognizable whether he was addressing thousands at an NHRA drag race, hundreds at a SEMA Banquet or in one-on-one conversation. And it wasn’t just the tenor of his voice; even when he was behind the microphone, Dave McClelland sounded like he was talking to just you, car guy to car guy (or gal), fully engaged in the passion he shared with fans and friends.

Sadly, we won’t have those conversations anymore. McClelland passed away of natural causes in May at the age of 85. We are fortunate, though, that so much of his work can still be enjoyed through archival videos available online. We can relive the excitement of a final-round upset or the drama of an engine explosion, all while McClelland narrates the action with a mix of expertise and authority—and concern for a racer’s safety when the unexpected happens.

There’s no question McClelland brought a tremendous amount of talent to his role as an announcer. Training, too. He was interested in music and drama as far back as high school and took what he called an “experimental” course in radio and television broadcasting while in college in central Missouri in the mid-’50s.

But McClelland had qualities that set him apart from those with just talent and training. It’s what former SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting called his “secret sauce.”

McClelland, said Kersting, “collected a lifetime of knowledge and relationships in the performance and racing industry, and that was the foundation for his outstanding work, whether it was in media, in his career announcing racing events, or performing as master of ceremonies. He cared about people in our industry, and he really brought that care to all the work he did. What was special about Dave was that he was one of those people whose personal traits and talents came together with a career role that allowed him to really deliver in an exceptional way.”

“He would look you in the eye, he would speak to you with respect, and he was just an overwhelmingly positive influence,” said Brian Lohnes, who now fills McClelland’s role as lead announcer for the NHRA. “Whether you’re talking about interacting with a single person at the race track or with a million people on TV, Dave’s genuine nature came through. He made everyone feel important and respected.”

McClelland was affable and humble. He may have broadcast from the tower, but he was just as comfortable walking through the pits talking to racers and listening to stories from fans. His approachability was rooted in the fact that he was a true enthusiast and a drag racer himself.

Blown Away

As he told the story in various interviews over the years, McClelland’s first exposure to drag racing was in 1955, when he went to a race in his Kansas City, Missouri, hometown while a senior in high school. He remembered being “blown away” by what he saw. Not only could fans get close to the drivers and the cars in the pits, but unlike the Circle Track racing that was popular in the area, drag racing was something he could see himself doing.

McClelland held several positions during his tenure at the NHRA, from track manager to director of communications.

He did just that. He started racing while he finished college and began his career in television and radio, and he would continue to race for years. One of his cars, the “Tuna Tank” Fiat Altered, has been restored and is on display at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

McClelland was first able to mix his racing and broadcasting passions in 1959 at a small airstrip-turned-race-track in Carlisle, Arkansas. As he recalled in an interview with Hot Rod magazine, he was there with friends who were racing a modified sports car, and he found himself in the staging lanes when Eddie Hill and Art Malone (filling in for Don Garlits) lined up for a series of match races. The track announcer became suddenly mute.

“The guy either froze or fainted or whatever,” McClelland said. “Here’s the best-known drag racer in the world right in front of you on your race track, and you’re holding the mic not saying anything. How can you do this? The manager was getting more and more concerned by the moment, and I turned to him and said, ‘Do you mind if I give it a try?’ He said, ‘You couldn’t do any worse.’”

For many years McClelland juggled race announcing with his day job on the radio, even after he signed on with the NHRA in 1961 to work at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

“They were going to compensate me $25 and a hotel room,” he told Hot Rod. “That was five days of work with three announcers, for $25. Yes, the math is correct, that’s $5 a day. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”

High Demand

For the next 10 years, McClelland worked at NHRA races on a part-time basis and took other announcing gigs as he was able. In the early ’70s he spent a short time managing the Dallas International Speedway for NHRA; but when that track left the sanctioning body, he joined NHRA’s promotions and PR department. By 1973, he took the job he would hold for decades as the television host of the NHRA’s drag racing series and its on-site event announcer.

McClelland began announcing drag races in 1959 and signed on with the NHRA in 1961 at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

Even then, McClelland mixed his NHRA announcing duties with other work. He joined the staff of Popular Hot Rodding magazine as an ad salesman in the late ’70s and while there, came up with the concept of the Super Chevy Sunday shows. He did voice-over work for television and radio commercials. He began hosting the SEMA Awards Banquet in 1976 and would soon be in high demand as a master of ceremonies for a number of corporate clients, most of which, like SEMA, were automotive- and/or performance-related.

“Dave would take the time to meet around a conference room table on several occasions in advance to plan each and every SEMA Awards Banquet each year,” Kersting said. “It was during these sessions that you could really see Dave’s incredible industry experience and his interest in the people we would be honoring, and the level of care to get it right. We all learned so much over the years from him during those sessions. Dave’s standards and approach for delivering great events is going to live on at SEMA as a legacy.

“It was special, and I think everybody realized it was special, too,” Kersting added. “We all, across the course of our lives, are exposed to people who perform in a role that Dave was performing, and rarely do you run into somebody who could do it like Dave could do it.”

McClelland retired from the NHRA in 2003, having spent, by his count, some 27 years doing play-by-play on television and 40-some years as a track announcer. His love of the sport never flagged; it was the stress of the travel that finally took him off the road.

“I think that somebody who doesn’t travel for a living and have to work on the road doesn’t understand how hard it can be on you,” he told Hot Rod. When his broadcasting partner and good friend Steve Evans died of a heart attack in a Las Vegas hotel room in the late ’80s, “that solidified my thinking that I ain’t gonna drop dead on the road. Of course, I just damn near dropped dead on the road two years later, in 1991, when I needed a triple bypass. I never got discouraged about the racing. I got to the point I couldn’t take the travel anymore.”

“Dave’s standards and approach for delivering great events is going to live on at SEMA as a legacy,” said Kersting.

Among the accolades and awards McClelland earned over the course of his career was induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1994. His Hall of Fame bio noted that “Dave has been such a presence in the performance industry that he ranks as one of the few ‘behind-the-mic’ talents whose face is as recognizable as his voice.” He was also inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, earned a spot on the Car Craft magazine All-Star Drag Racing Team as well as a Car Craft Ollie Award, was given a Founder’s Award by the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, and received a Pioneer Award by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.

“His Heart and Soul Were in the Sport”

Lohnes started working with McClelland after his retirement, when he was doing the corporate emcee work and announcing at nostalgia drag races and other, smaller events.

“I think his most endearing quality, when you watched a race where he was announcing, you could tell he was engaged in the race, in what was happening, and in the people who were racing. He was not a guy who started in another motorsport and ended up in drag racing. His heart and soul were in the sport. He was a home-grown product of the sport, and that set him apart. If you look at the way he spoke about the drivers and their accomplishments, he gave them the gravitas they deserved.”

Lohnes said McClelland didn’t have a favorite event, per se, “but at the U.S. Nationals he always sounded a little different, in a good way. And when Don Garlits was in the final round, there was always a little more gas in the tank for Dave. I’m not saying he had a favorite, or he was pulling for Garlits to win, but there was something about Don Garlits and the magic of that era and what he did that definitely brought the best out in Dave.”

McClelland spent more than 40 years as an on-track announcer for the NHRA. A drag racer himself, he brought expertise and authority to his racing calls.

For Lohnes, McClelland’s most memorable race call was in 1986, when Garlits faced Darrell Gwynn in the Top Fuel final of the NHRA Chief Nationals in Dallas. Gwynn was heavily favored, having set the brand-new track’s ET and speed records (and was the first-ever Top Fueler to run under 5.20 sec. and more than 275 mph).

This race was “probably the single most excited, screamy moment that Dave has ever had,” Lohnes said. “He was never a screamer. Dave had that big baritone voice, but he used it very smartly. But in this particular race, he just loses his mind, and it’s fantastic.”

Garlits, too, has vivid memories of that race in Dallas. “I went right to the line and staged, never allowing any time for heat. I never ran a very high percentage of nitro and didn’t need a lot of heat like everyone else. Gwynn’s car stumbled, and that’s all it took. Dave must have had a bet on me with the NHRA ‘kids’ in the tower, thinking that I wasn’t going to let the ‘Kid’ beat me. When I won, all hell must have broken loose in the tower, and Dave went nuts over the PA. I never really found out how much was bet, but it probably was a good bit!

“I loved Dave, he was a real fan, followed my career for many years,” Garlits added. “I worked with Dave for many years doing TV. He was one of the nicest people to work with that I have ever met.”

“Dave was the antithesis of that saying, ‘You should never meet your heroes,’” Lohnes said. “If they’re like Dave McClelland, you should always meet your heroes.”

By Ashley Reyes

Staying in tune and ahead of trends is one of the most important things any business can do. As the hot-rod market changes and evolves through different styles, capabilities and technology, it’s critical for businesses to have in-depth, inside knowledge of what they can do to position themselves to capitalize on trends.

After an exciting year and car show season, the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is bringing together industry leaders to look back and highlight the trends that got the hot-rod market where it is today and what will be changing business, design and fabrication in the year ahead.

Taking place on September 7, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), the virtual panel discussion will be led by Amy Fitzgerald of Cool Hand Customs and feature panelists Jonathan Goolsby, Goolsby Customs; Stacey David, Rattletrap Productions; and Scott Parker, Power Automedia.

Participants will hear the panel’s insight on what trends led the way this past year, what they should expect to see at the 2022 SEMA Show, and what’s in store for the future of the hot-rod market.

Register here.

SEMA News—September 2022

FROM THE HILL

Lawmakers Love Formula Drift

Key Congressmen Take in Formula D, Which Seeks Certainty Provided by RPM Act

By Eric Snyder

(From Left): Jim Liaw from PRI; Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee; and SEMA’s Eric Snyder and Daniel Ingber pose for a picture on the track after opening ceremonies for the Formula DRIFT Pro Series race in Englishtown, New Jersey.

When the average person thinks of racing, they usually picture an oval track or a dragstrip. While it’s true that these two types of racetracks dominate the hobby, motorsports today encompasses so much more. From off-road racing to land-speed racing, rock crawling, drifting and even donk racing (big-wheel vehicles), it’s clear that motorsports today is a big tent with something for everyone.

SEMA and PRI are committed to shining a light on all the exciting things taking place on four wheels, recently hosting two key members of Congress, U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the Chairman of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee (E&C), and Darren Soto (D-FL), an E&C Committee member and RPM Act co-sponsor, at Formula Drift events in New Jersey and Florida. Both lawmakers had a chance to see firsthand the importance of racing in their districts, and their time at the track reinforced the need to pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), which would provide legal certainty to thousands of racers who compete in modified production vehicles and to the businesses that produce and sell racing products used exclusively on the track.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Visits Formula Drift Event in Englishtown, New Jersey

Rep. Pallone (left) and Jim Liaw (center) talk to Brian Mabutas, owner of Eat Sleep Race in North Brunswick, New Jersey.

Rep. Pallone is one of the most important and influential policymakers in Washington, D.C. As chairman of the E&C Committee—which has one of the broadest jurisdictions of any congressional committee, including automotive, health care, energy, environment, commerce, food and drug safety, consumer protection, telecommunications and the internet—he is a leading voice in Congress when it comes to making public policy surrounding the vehicles we love to drive, including street vehicles and race cars. Chairman Pallone is very familiar with the RPM Act and his support is critical to our efforts to pass the bill in 2022.

Rep. Pallone’s visit to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, for the Formula Drift event reinforced his support for the motorsports community. In addition to watching PRO Series drivers compete, Chairman Pallone met with Mike Napp, Owner of Old Bridge Raceway Park, members of the U.S. Air Force, racing businesses from New Jersey, and PROSPEC Drivers from the Garden State, including Ricky Hoffman, Alex Jagger and Matthew Bystrak. Chairman Pallone was honored during the PRO Series opening ceremonies for his efforts to support motorsports.

“It was great to visit Formula Drift at Raceway Park and meet with fans, the teams, and hardworking crew who are so committed to this sport,” said Rep. Pallone. “I especially enjoyed having the chance to check out one of the cars on my own. I wish everyone the very best of luck in their competitions this year.”

As a native and lifetime resident of Long Branch, located along the northern part of New Jersey’s picturesque coastline, Chairman Pallone grew up listening to the music of the Garden State’s favorite son, Bruce Springsteen. For those of you less familiar with The Boss, his love of musclecars and speed is well documented in his music. That same passion for cars and modifying vehicles is still a vibrant part of the culture in and around Rep. Pallone’s district, which includes Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. Chairman Pallone looks back fondly on the many afternoons he spent taking in races at Wall Speedway with his children as they were growing up.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto Visits Formula Drift Event in Orlando, Florida

U.S. Representative Darren Soto (D-FL) [center], members of the U.S. Air Force, and Formula DRIFT’s president, Ryan Sage [second from left], and sponsorship director, Bryan Olfert [right], at the event in Orlando, Florida.

When the Formula Drift series came to Central Florida, Rep. Soto jumped at the chance to take in the competition at Orlando Speed World. While Rep. Soto will modestly tell you that he is not a car guy, my conversations with him would beg to differ. The Congressman has great insight on the automotive trends and vehicles he prefers. Rep. Soto also happens to be the owner of an ’11 Ford Mustang convertible that he enjoys taking out when he’s back home.

Rep. Soto has been a strong advocate for the RPM Act, using his position on the E&C Committee to advocate for the bill’s passage. He is also a sponsor of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR Act), a bipartisan bill that would ensure enthusiasts, aftermarket businesses and repair shops have access to the information and tools that are needed to maintain and modify vehicles.

In addition to watching Pro Series drivers qualify, he accompanied Ryan Sage, president of Formula Drift, on a tour of the event that included meetings with racers, exhibiting businesses from Florida and members of the U.S. Air Force. Rep. Soto met with representatives from BC Racing, Drift HQ and LZMFG along with ProSpec driver Richard Advani and the race team for ProSeries driver Dan Burkett.

“It was great to see so many local businesses working hard to make exciting drift racing events happen,” said Rep. Soto. “Events like Formula Drift not only promote safe, legal racing, but they also bring visitors from all over to Central Florida.
I am happy that our region was chosen to hold this event and hope it continues to happen every year.”

Rep. Soto has lived in Orlando for nearly 20 years, although he is a native New Jerseyan. While studying economics as an undergraduate at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he did some volunteer campaign work for his local Congressman, Rep. Frank Pallone. After graduating, he worked in the insurance industry before attending the George Washington University Law School. Rep. Soto followed his family to Orlando after graduating law school, opening a legal practice that included family law, civil litigation and real-estate law. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2007, served in the Florida Senate (2009–2016) and was elected to Congress in 2016. Rep. Soto’s congressional district includes all of Osceola and parts of Orange and Polk Counties. He is running for a fourth term in November.

Formula Drift Events:

• Grand Prix of Long Beach–Long Beach, California (2006–present)
• Road Atlanta–Braselton, Georgia (2004–present)
• Lake Erie Speedway–Erie, Pennsylvania (2021–present)
• Evergreen Speedway–Monroe, Washington (2006–present)
• Orlando Speed World–Orlando, Florida (2015–present)
• Old Bridge Township Raceway Park–Englishtown, New Jersey (2008–present)
• Irwindale Speedway–Irwindale, California (2004–present)

Formula Drift Background

While drifting’s roots are firmly planted in Japan, this form of motorsports competition has grown in popularity all over the world. Formula Drift (also known as Formula D) is the premier North American professional drifting championship series featuring eight events each year. Each event consists of an eight-round championship where competitors are judged based on their line, angle and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time.

Formula Drift features production vehicles that are either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive cars that have been converted to rear-wheel drive. The series is known for having an open engine rulebook, as drivers can also swap engines from manufacturers other than the company that made the vehicle. Formula Drift Drivers can also modify the engine, transmission, ECU, and/or final drive modifications, resulting in a huge variety of engine/chassis combinations as well as power outputs of 800 hp or more. Suspension tuning is also a vital part of any successful Formula D team.

Formula Drift blends traditional racing and extreme sports, which has made the series incredibly popular with the under-35 crowd, bringing a diverse group of young men and women into the world of motorsports and modifying cars.

Formula Drift features licensed drivers competing in the PRO and PROSPEC series. Drivers in North America can also compete in regionally sanctioned PRO/AM organizations for licensing. Winners and high finishers of these feeder series are then able to enter the Formula DRIFT PROSPEC series, a secondary national tour where they compete to move up to the main series.

RPM Act Background

Modifying vehicles is a tale as old as time. Ever since the birth of the automobile, gear heads and automotive businesses ranging from small businesses to automakers have been working to make vehicles faster and more efficient for motorsports competition. Formula Drift represents a segment of the hobby that personifies this rich tradition and its constant evolution. SEMA is inspired by the creativity of industry businesses and organizations like Formula Drift that rely on converting street vehicles for the track, which is why the association is at the forefront of the effort to pass the RPM Act and protect the right to modify.

Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) interpretation of the Clean Air Act (CAA), the modified production cars used in Formula Drift are a violation of the 1970 law even though they are trailered to and from the track in the same way that purpose-built vehicles are transported to races. The EPA maintains that purpose-built race cars are not subject to the CAA because they were never street-legal and thus can never be driven on the road. However, the agency’s position is that race cars that have been converted from previously street-legal vehicles can never have their emissions system modified from their original, EPA-certified configuration. This is where Congress comes in, as lawmakers can pass legislation to clarify that it is not a violation of the CAA to convert a street vehicle into a dedicated track vehicle, which would protect racers and businesses that produce, sell and install performance parts for motorsports competition.

SEMA is working closely with members of Congress to pass the RPM Act and override the EPA’s position on modifying street vehicles for the track. While much of our advocacy takes place on Capitol Hill, the most important thing we can do is bring lawmakers to motorsports events to see firsthand what is at stake and why the right to modify vehicles for racing must be protected in federal law.

 SEMA News—September 2022

REQUIRED READING

SEMA Members in the Media

By Juan Torres, Rachel Tatum and Carr Winn

The SEMA Launch Pad program, the ultimate product-pitching competition for automotive entrepreneurs, returned for the 10th consecutive year to give innovators a chance to establish their product within the automotive industry. “SEMA Launch Pad helps bring these emerging inventors to the forefront, providing a platform for them to potentially take their new creations to the next level,” said RJ de Vera, SEMA vice president of marketing.

Through the program, selected applicants are hand-picked to receive brand exposure, access to business resources, and the chance to win a grand-prize package valued at $92,000 to launch their product or service into the marketplace. Additionally, the Launch Pad competition will be featured in a nationwide television special that will give competitors added exposure. To learn more about SEMA Launch Pad, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.

FenderBender

FenderBender editors informed their readers that the 2021 Launch Pad competition would air on national television. Last year’s winner, Dustin Woolf, owner of Woolfpack Racing, took home the grand prize for his product Natural Nitrous—a stand-alone intake cooling system.

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EngineLabs

EngineLabs, which provides readers with coverage of performance engine technology, ensured that the entrepreneurs in its audience were aware when registration opened for this year’s program. Editor Greg Acosta shared that 15 hand-selected applicants would be given exhibitor space at the 2022 SEMA Show.

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Aftermarket News

Aftermarket News editors reported on the five Launch Pad finalists last year. Jonathan Hurley (Toolbox Widget), Brendan McGrath (Dyme Performance Systems Inc.), Kevin Robinson (TRAC LLC), Tom Sawarynski (Off-Road Research) and Dustin Woolf (Woolfpack Racing) vied for the grand prize at the 2021 SEMA Show.

The RPM Act—Make Your Voices Heard!

What if there was no racing? Join Cleetus McFarland and the rest of the motorsports community and tell your elected officials to sign the RPM Act of 2021 (H.R. 3281) to protect the motorsports that you love. McFarland explains how to do it.

Allies of Auto Enthusiasts: U.S. Senator Jon Tester

When he’s not in D.C., Sen. Tester and his son Shon can be found on their Montana farm working on their many collector cars, such as a Ford Model T, Ford Model A, ’38 Chevy, ’48–’53 Willy’s Jeep, ’56 Buick Century, ’55 Chevy Stepside pickup, and ’70 Buick Electra.

Help Fight Unfair Automotive Laws—Join the SAN Today

The SEMA Action Network’s (SAN’s) efforts have resulted in positive outcomes on a wide range of issues, from vehicle scrappage laws to equipment standards, registration classifications, emissions-test exemptions and hobbyist rights. Join for free at https://bit.ly/3M65Mff.

Faces in the Crowd

Wendy Huynh
@gtrwendy

Wendy Huynh is a content creator who shares build updates and event coverage on her ’15 Nissan GT-R. Many of her social shares feature SEMA members, including AMS and Mickey Thompson. Huynh is a true enthusiast as she enjoys all aspects of the aftermarket community from building to racing to cruising.

Jacob Doty
@jacobrdoty

Jacob Doty is a Ford enthusiast builder from Sacramento, California. His content features all of his Ford vehicles and builds, including a ’13 5.0 Mustang and ’22 Ford Bronco. Doty is most active on YouTube, creating install and how-to videos with more than 6 million views. Doty will be making more videos on his new Bronco, featuring a multi-part build series as he prepares for the upcoming SEMA Show.

Kendal Klein
@kendal240sx

Kendal Klein is a young female builder, enthusiast and drifter. She is working on her 240sx and frequently posts build updates and following her driving progression as her top performing content. She also produces an all-female drift event to encourage other women to get involved in the sport and provide learning opportunities.

HEARD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

“SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2022 Launch Pad competition. Find out how to apply.”—The Shop, via Facebook

“SEMA’s ‘State of the Industry–Spring 2022’ report shows sales surpassed pre-“Check out the most recent episode of SEMA Launch Pad, then tune this Sunday for the finale, on the History Channel, check local listings for times!”—BCII, via Facebook

“SEMA Launch Pad’s Automotive Entrepreneurs and Inventors Featured on Television Special.”—12 Volt News, via Facebook

“Time is quickly running out. Applications to participate in SEMA Launch Pad must be submitted online by Monday, June 13.”—Aftermarket Matters, via Twitter

SEMA News—September 2022

BUSINESS

First Impressions

How Three Successful Companies Took Divergent Paths to the 2021 SEMA Show

By Eric Colby

Because the founding principals all had backgrounds in powersports, they knew they needed to be at SEMA and they wanted to make a big splash. Hypercraft USA partnered with Geiser Brothers to build an electrically powered trophy truck.

In June 2021, Jake Merrick Sr., the owner of Merrick Tool in Hinton, Oklahoma, had a new product for the automotive industry. He was trying to think of ways to get the word out about his innovative new socket for removing stripped lug nuts.

“I said, ‘We need to go to a trade show,’ so I typed it in on the search engine and the first one that came up was SEMA,” said the 77-year-old inventor and entrepreneur.

“I got in touch with a guy named Scott Hartwick [SEMA industry sales director] and he was a gentleman all the way through,” continued Merrick. He put me in touch with Tom Gattuso [SEMA vice president of events], and they got me all hooked up.”

Merrick attended the SEMA Exhibitor Summit in July, which is kind of like a freshman orientation for new companies planning to display at the annual SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“He became the poster child for the summit,” said SEMA Vice President of Sales Warren Kosikov. “He worked the event and made contacts with everyone at SEMA.”

The SEMA Show is the largest event of its kind for the automotive performance industry, and 2022 marks the 55th anniversary of the event first held in the basement of Dodger Stadium in 1967. Last year’s edition of the Show featured more than 100,000 attendees who checked out products from 1,700 exhibitors, 200 of which were first-timers. We talked to three of them to see what they learned from the experience.

Luck of the Draw

After attending the Exhibitor Summit and enjoying the experience, Merrick made his reservations for the 2021 event, reserving a 20x20-ft. island booth and purchasing a sponsorship package for $22,000 that further promoted his company with billboards and other presentations. Merrick Tool also participated in the New Products Showcase.

“We had $100,000 in the trip, and we’ll have the same in it this time, and it’s totally worth it,” said Merrick. “It’s like anything else you do. It’s only as good as your preparation, your enthusiasm, your marketing plan.”

He admits that Merrick Tool was not quite as prepared as he would have liked to have been for the 2021 SEMA Show, but because the majority of the attendees are knowledgeable about cars, trucks and performance, they quickly picked up on what his company was offering.

“They’re mechanical people and we were far enough along that the attendees saw the product and took it from there,” said Merrick.

The products that Merrick Tool displayed included the company’s CAMLOCK Sockets that are designed to remove two-piece, metal-clad lug nuts without damaging them. They come in three sizes: ¾ in.-19mm, 13/16 in.-21mm and 7/8 in.-22mm. What sets apart these tools is that they are designed to grip every flat on the hexagonally shaped nut or bolt head instead of just the corners. In addition, they are made from high-speed tool steel.

Jake Merrick Sr., has a mechanical background. In 1988, he invented a stud-
removal tool for oil wells. “I broke 90,000 of those studs with a wrench and came up with a tool that gripped the round surface and rotated it right or left,” he explained. With that tool, he went around the country, removing more than 500,000 studs that were more than 2 in. in diameter. He also invented a tool that linked the above-ground pump and the in-ground unit for oil wells.

Perhaps the biggest exposure from the Show came from a video shot by Koon Trucking at the Merrick Tool booth. When it appeared on YouTube, it called the CAMLOCK Socket the best product of the 2021 SEMA Show and featured interviews with Jake Merrick, Jr., who is a partner in the business and a state senator from Oklahoma, as well as Jake Sr. The video had garnered approximately 9,500 views as of early June.

When Merrick saw the potential for applying the same technology to lug nuts, he set to work refining his CAMLOCK Socket. Response from the 2021 SEMA Show made the tool an unequivocal favorite of attendees. “Sales were in the hundreds but the praise was 100% from the people who bought them,” said Merrick. He even gave a set to car enthusiast and TV personality Jay Leno.

Merrick estimated that between the show’s closing and the end of 2021, Merrick Tool had more than 10,000 inquiries, but he couldn’t turn them into sales because he couldn’t get machine shops to supply what Merrick wanted in terms of quality for the tools. Instead, the company started work on a research and development program that was wrapping up in early June so Merrick could machine its own parts.

Perhaps the biggest exposure from the Show came from a video shot by Koon Trucking at the Merrick Tool booth. When it appeared on YouTube, it called the CAMLOCK Socket the best product of the 2021 SEMA Show and featured interviews with Jake Merrick Jr., who is a partner in the business and a state senator from Oklahoma, as well as Jake Sr. The video had garnered approximately 9,500 views as of early June.

Aside from finding the walk from the Westgate Las Vegas Resort to the convention center challenging because he has bad knees, Merrick Sr., came away with only positive feedback for his first time at the SEMA Show. This year he’s booked at the Renaissance, so the walk is taken care of.

“It’s priceless. We could have paid 10 times more, and I’d still go back,” he said. “We went away from there glassy-eyed with our mouths open and dead tired, but we were smiling.”

The Strategists

While Merrick happened upon the SEMA Show almost by accident, the folks at Horizon Brands in Costa Mesa, California, are industry veterans. They knew that for their spin-off Project X product to grow, they needed to be at the biggest event in automotive performance.

“We knew we needed to be there, and we knew that the people we needed to see were going to be there, and we had a focused plan when we got there,” said Jared Chavez, director of brand development for Horizon Brands.

Horizon supplies automotive parts and accessories to Costco, AutoZone, Wal-Mart and other brands. Chavez and some of his coworkers wanted Horizon to have a presence in the high-performance off-road market. “We needed to create a whole new brand to house this off-road product and needed a different sales channel,” he said. “This wasn’t going to be something that you put into AutoZone.”

Project X began as performance lighting for off-road vehicles. It then morphed into a full ecosystem with a central control box for all functions in an off-road vehicle. Project X launched at the Johnson Valley, California, King of the Hammers event in 2021 and barely made it on time because of material shortages.

For SEMA, Chavez, who has attended the show since 2006, and his team had a specific plan. “Some of the struggles you have at a trade show include not having a focus,” he said. “We weren’t really ready to talk to jobbers or direct shops yet. We really wanted to talk to distributors.”

He continued, “We had a hit list of who we wanted to deal with and a five-year business plan that made sure we communicated our brand and our product well.”

Project X reserved a 20x60-ft. booth with a meeting room as well as three freestanding displays and a custom Ford Bronco as the centerpiece. The company took advantage of the New Product Showcase, introducing a total of nine new products.

While a product like a wrench or supercharger almost explains itself, something like a management system requires more conversation, and Chavez said that the show environment gave his team the opportunity to do that. For the 2022 Show, Project X will have a 30x70-ft. booth and plans to partner with other exhibitors to have products in their builds to get visibility outside its primary display.

“We ended up leaving the Show with commitments from every person that was on our five-year plan,” said Chavez. “The biggest thing I can tell people going into the SEMA Show is you need to have a plan. If you go into SEMA and think you can stand there and it will sell, it won’t go well.”

A Big Splash

In 2019, Jake Hawksworth wanted to build an electrically powered mountain snowmobile. He designed it and quickly found out that there was no electric propulsion system that could provide the power needed to make it perform.

In his previous career, Hawksworth had led the development and launch of more than 100 products in the powersports industry. Something of a serial entrepreneur, he reached out to some friends in the powersports industry and told them of his plans to develop an electric propulsion system that could be scaled to power anything from a snowmobile, motorcycle or personal watercraft up to a yacht. Hypercraft USA was formed with its headquarters in Provo, Utah. A year ago, the company signed on with an accelerator program to get Hypercraft USA moving in the right direction.

“That’s where we pivoted and realized this was a billion-dollar idea,” said Jon Miller, co-founder and chief creative officer for Hypercraft USA. “We’re the first company to do that in an application-agnostic way.”

Because the founding principals all had backgrounds in powersports, they knew they needed to be at SEMA and they wanted to make a big splash. Hypercraft USA partnered with Geiser Brothers to build an electrically powered trophy truck. Geiser Brothers has built more Baja 1000-winning trophy trucks than any other manufacturer.

Hypercraft USA has electric engines that can make up to 1,600 hp and the company put two of them in the trophy truck, dialing them back to improve the range. During the Baja 1000 off-road race, instead of recharging the batteries, the company plans to do complete battery swaps, according to Miller.

“They let us use one of their trucks and we wrapped in their livery and did cutaway renderings and that made our backdrop,” said Miller.

Hypercraft had the truck in the SEMA Electrified section of the Show. A couple of halls away, the company also had a 10x10-ft. booth.

“We thought we were going to go to SEMA and have to convince everyone this was happening,” said Miller. “Instead we were met with, ‘Where have you been all my life?’”

Like Project X, Hypercraft USA was quite early in its program at the 2021 SEMA Show, and one of the goals for the management team was to meet with interested parties in person.

“We’re still pretty early in this space and there were a couple of companies that we were already partnered with and it was a good place to have in-person meetings,” said Miller. “With electric, you need to look at the system level and not the component level.”

There were other companies at the Show, including OEMs, with electric “crate motors,” designed to be drop-in replacements for gas engines. Hypercraft USA says what sets it apart is that the company can work across diversified platforms. Miller said Hypercraft USA is working on a gas-electric hybrid power system for the military and is replacing a supercharged LS V8 with an electric motor on an airboat. The company currently has 16 different customers in myriad fields.

Project X reserved a 20x60-ft. booth with a meeting room as well as three freestanding displays and a custom Ford Bronco as the centerpiece. The company also took advantage of the New Product Showcase, introducing a total of nine new products.

Looking back at 2021, Miller admitted, “I don’t know that we optimized the whole experience the way we could have.”

Coming into the 2022 Show, Hypercraft USA plans a bigger presence than last year.

“We’re scrambling on every customer, and we’re going to show up with whatever we have that’s show-worthy at that time,” said Miller. The company has purchased a 20x10-ft. booth and hopes to the in the SEMA Electrified section again as well.

“Whatever we show up with its going to get a lot of attention,” said Miller. “We look forward to growing our brand in front of the SEMA audience.”

For new exhibitors coming into the 2022 SEMA Show, he offers the following advice: “You definitely want to do some research and look at maps and plan how everything is going to go, give yourself time to get to where you’re going,” said Miller. “SEMA was our coming-out to the world party, and it made a significant impact for us.”

SEMA News—September 2022

HERITAGE

Full Power Treatment

By Drew Hardin

Photography: Eric Rickman, Petersen Publishing Company Archive

In 1958, Ford introduced the FE V8 engine series, named for its intended use in Ford and Edsel passenger cars. Vic Edelbrock Sr., who built his namesake speed equipment business engineering parts for Ford’s Flathead V8, “took an immediate interest in the new Ford engine,” said Hot Rod’s Ray Brock. So did Edelbrock’s customers, who asked about the engine’s power potential and modifications needed to get there. Edelbrock bought an Edsel version of the FE, measuring 361 ci and rated at 303 hp and 405 lb.-ft. of peak torque, and embarked on a series of tests to see just what the engine was capable of. He invited Brock to cover the tests, which resulted in a two-part series, “Full House for ’58 Fords,” in the August and September 1958 issues.

“Edelbrock didn’t realize when the test started that they would spend nearly eight weeks on the dyno and perform 30 separate and complete tests before they were through,” Brock wrote.

Out of the crate and in full stock trim, the engine produced 210 hp and 315 lb.-ft. of torque as measured on Edelbrock’s Clayton engine dynamometer.

Thirteen of the 30 tests were covered in the first story, which culminated in the engine making 290 hp. Some changes made just incremental improvements; some changes actually reduced power. The biggest gains were seen when a set of Hedman headers was added, when Edelbrock replaced the 84-lb. (!) stock intake manifold and single Holley four-barrel carburetor assembly with an aluminum Edelbrock intake and triple Holley two-barrels (weighing just 43 lbs.), and when Ed Iskenderian delivered several different camshaft grinds to test. The photo seen here shows Edelbrock (left) and Brock installing the new induction system.

Part 2 began with Edelbrock addressing what he thought was the engine’s weak point: its “puny,” as Brock described them, 1.561-in. exhaust valves. Edelbrock installed a set of 1.750-in. Lincoln valves and did some machine work on the heads to accommodate them. That change alone didn’t net much power, but when combined with headers, bigger Stromberg carburetors and increasingly aggressive camshaft grinds, the engine finally climbed above the 300hp mark. Brock noted, “112 horsepower for an increase of 54% without removing the engine from the car is pretty good.”

But “pretty good” was not what Edelbrock was after. He disassembled the engine, bored the block and had a stroker crankshaft made to increase displacement to 412 ci. Initial tests at the new size retained the bolt-on speed equipment but returned the stock camshaft to the block to better evaluate the more aggressive cams Isky had provided. In its final trim, for test number 30, the engine was fitted with Isky’s EE-400 cam, with .430-in. lift, 264 degrees of intake duration and 272 degrees on the exhaust side. “Above 3,000 rpm the EE-400 supplied the needed extra timing, and the power soared to 341 hp at 5,000 rpm and then remained almost constant with 342 hp registered at both 5,500 and 6,000 rpm,” Brock wrote.

“The results were interesting,” he said, “and did prove that the ’58 Ford (and Edsel) engine can be a good workhorse if properly groomed.”

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund issued a total of $297,250 in scholarships and loan forgiveness awards to help 119 individuals who currently work for, or are planning to pursue careers in, the automotive aftermarket industry. The winners include 103 students who received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, and 16 employees of SEMA-member companies who received loan forgiveness awards to help pay off student loans.

“The SEMA Scholarship Program receives some incredibly impressive applications from students every year,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Chris Standifer. “This year’s applications were especially noteworthy. The accomplishments, dedication and passion that came through the applications was remarkable. We’re pleased and honor to be able to support so many individuals through the program.”

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Program was established in 1984 to help support the future of the automotive aftermarket industry. Since its inception, more than $3 million has been awarded to deserving students. One of the primary criteria for scholarship recipients is that the winner must have clearly demonstrated a passion for the automotive industry.

“There are many career tracks and opportunities in the automotive industry,” said Standifer. “We’re here to support students from all majors. Winners go on to pursue a variety of careers; the common denominator is their love for automobiles.”
The online application for next year’s program will open in January of 2023, at www.sema.org/scholarships.

SEMA Scholarship Award Winners
Recipient (Employer, Institution Name, Major)

• Aaron Bodenham (Iowa State University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Adam Valentine (Ohio State University-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering)
• Allyssa Bryant (The University of Alabama, Engineering)
• Anthony Carrao (College of Southern Nevada, Autobody Collision)
• Benjamin Tai (Clark College, Automotive)
• Boni Yraguen (Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering)
• Brad Nelson (Brigham Young University-Provo, Mechanical Engineering)
• Brandan Marhefka (Pennsylvania College of Technology, Welding)
• Brayden Grimm (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Technology)
• Brendan Stejskal (Pittsburg State University, Automotive Technology)
• Brian Gonzalez (The University of Texas at El Paso, Electrical Engineering)
• Brock Dunkelberger (Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg, Mechanical Engineering)
• Caleb Rogers (Washtenaw Community College, Engineering)
• Cameron Cocalis (University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Business)
• Carter Cygan (Kansas State University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Chandler Pagnotta (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Chloe Holman (University of Northwestern Ohio, Motorsports Marketing)
• Christopher Mark (Rio Hondo College, Automotive Technology)
• Christopher Schell (Iowa State University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Colby Price (University of Northwestern Ohio, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician)
• Daniel Szurek (The University of Alabama, Computer & Information Sciences)  
• Darril Baty (McPherson College, Automotive Technology)
• David Dixon (Wesleyan University, Economics)
• David Ramos (Arizona State University Campus Immersion, Mechanical Engineering)
• Davis Dorries (Dallas College, Automotive Technology)
• Elizabeth Rohrer (University of Notre Dame, Mechanical Engineering)
• Emily Mitchell (Idaho State University, Autobody Collision)
• Emma Ricketts (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
• Erika Burton (WyoTech, Automotive Aftermarket)
• Ethan Francis (Harding University, Engineering)
• Ethan Hubbard (Utah Valley University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Grayson Kief (University of Wisconsin-Stout, Industrial Design)
• Hunter Ormond (McPherson College, Automation Technology)
• Jack Reusch (University of Northwestern Ohio, Marketing)
• Jacob Beshara (Bethel University, Marketing)
• Jacob Lesa (Brigham Young University-Provo, Mechanical Engineering)
• Jacob Matties (California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Mechanical Engineering)
• Jaden King (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Industrial Engineering & Design)
• Jaedyn Imhoff (California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Mechanical Engineering)
• Jamie Sullivan (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Aftermarket)
• Jennifer Stamboulian (Villanova University, Business)
• John Clark (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Technology Supervision)
• John Motter (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
• Jonathon Damzyn (Michigan State University, Electrical Engineering)
• Josiah Hildebrandt (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering)
• Julian Mathews (Texas Christian University, Business)
• Kaden Elisaldez (University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Marketing)
• Kaitlyn Zubia (The University of Texas at El Paso, Mechanical Engineering)
• Keeley Whitmer (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
• Kenton Kyger (Kettering University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Kinzie Wilson (Belmont Abbey College, Motorsport Management)
• Kyle Groe (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
• Kyle Janssen (Ferris State University, Automotive Engineering & Technology)
• Kylie Tulley (California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, Mechanical Engineering)
• Lars Luther (Cuesta College, Automotive Engineering & Technology)
• Liam Dunsmore (California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Mechanical Engineering)
• Liam Goldthwait (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Technology)
• Liam Richardson (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
• Luke Vilagi (The University of Alabama, Mechanical Engineering)
• Madyan Khidir (M State, Moorhead Campus, Automotive)
• Manuel Aldana (San Diego State University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Marcus Walker (Florida Atlantic University, Marketing)
• Matthew Bleier (NASCAR Technical Institute, Automation Technology)
• Matthew McDonnell (Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah, Automation Technology)
• Matthew Traum (Missouri University of Science and Technology, Mechanical Engineering)
• Matthew Trees (Texas A & M University-College Station, Mechanical Engineering)
• Maximilian Redfearn (University of St Thomas, Mechanical Engineering)
• Mehrod Khalili (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
• Michael Langdon (Michigan Technological University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Michael Shinedling (Brigham Young University-Provo, Mechanical Engineering)
• Michael Ustes (University of Michigan-Dearborn, Materials, Engineering)
• Molly Poer (Cypress College, Automotive Technology)
• Nathan Ragsdale (Montana State University, Mechanical Engineering Technology)
• Nathanael Pierce (Hibbing Community College, Automotive Technician)
• Nathaniel Martens (University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Mechanical Engineering)
• Niko Rosell (Cochise County Community College District, Automotive Technician)
• Noah Dunsmore (California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Mechanical Engineering)
• Owen Yim (University of Southern California, Automotive Engineering & Technology)
• Payton Lee (Kansas State University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Philip Moore (School of Automotive Machinists & Technology, Engine & Machine Assembler)
• Preston Duller (University of Detroit Mercy, Cyber Security)
• Rachel Garrett (University of Northwestern Ohio, Robotics and Automation Technology)
• Robert Sandusky (Washtenaw Community College, Autobody Collision)
• Robert Schonberner (McPherson College, Automotive Engineering & Technology)
• Ryan Duffy (Ohio State University-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering)
• Ryder Lestrud (North Iowa Area Community College, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician)
• Samuel Kohls (The University of Alabama, Mechanical Engineering)
• Santino Loretta (West Virginia University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Sebastian Milka (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
• Sebastian Pereira (Harvard University, Computer Mathematics)
• Shay Saarie (Dakota Wesleyan University, Business Management)
• Shelly Pineda Franco (Triton College, Automotive Technology)
• Sloane Miller (North Carolina A&T State University, Computer & Information Sciences)
• Songa Rugangazi (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Business Administration/General Office Worker)
• Sophie Owen (Clemson University, Packaging Science)
• Tess Roberts (Concordia University-Saint Paul, Computer & Information Sciences)
• Tyler Udy (Utah Valley University, Automotive Engineering & Technology)
• Vance Weber (Kansas State University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Victoria Bruno (McPherson College, Automotive Technology)
• Wyatt Smith (Brigham Young University-Idaho, Automotive)
• Xavier Ruano (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Aftermarket)
• Zachary Dosey (Wayne State University, Electrical Engineering Technician)
• Zachary Mosier (Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering)

SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners
Recipient (Employer, Institution Name, Major)

• Brian Fair (MAHLE Motorsports, Tennessee Technological University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Cameron Bigelow (Roush, University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Technician)
• Collin Mikottis (Atturo Tire Corp., Northwood University, Automotive Aftermarket)
• Dante Brown (Trade Union International, University of La Verne, Information Technology)
• Elizabeth Niemi (MagnaFlow, Northwood University, Automotive Aftermarket)
• Emily Glass (K&N Engineering Inc., Riverside City College, Humanities)
• Gahre Scudder (Keystone Automotive Operations Inc., Western Governors University, Business Administration/General Office Worker)
• Hubert Celinski (4 Wheel Parts, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
• James Stray (Hennessey Performance Engineering, School of Automotive Machinists & Technology, Automotive Technology)
• Janelle McDermott (Decal Applicators, Northwest University, Communications)
• Kirstin Backes (Derive Systems, University of Redlands, Business Administration/General Office Worker)
• Mark Mollica (Thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, University of San Diego, Mechanical Engineering)
• Shauni Greene (Kontio's Automotive Service and Sales, Eastern Maine Community College, Automotive Technology)
• Sophia Dancel (Ford Motor Co., Kettering University, Mechanical Engineering)
• Timothy King (Baer Inc., California State University-San Bernardino, Marketing)
• Troy Lemuel Magpantay (General Motors, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mechanical Engineering)

NHRA Top Fuel champion and superstar Antron Brown will testify before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee as it considers passage of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Brown—a professional NHRA driver-team owner who has won three Top Fuel Championships—began his racing career about 40 years ago by modifying street-legal motorcycles into dedicated race motorcycles. Today, this ability to compete in modified street-legal vehicles is at risk. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a draft ruling in 2015 stating that it is not legal to convert production vehicles into dedicated race vehicles. Although the ruling was never finalized, the EPA maintains its position that such conversions are not legal and continues to enforce against the production and sale of high-performance parts.

“The RPM Act is essential to the racing community, particularly for grassroots racers who are just getting started,” said Brown. “It’s imperative that we protect the ability for young men and women to be able to compete at the track. The RPM Act will give racers the assurance they need to continue this American tradition.”

Most of America’s 100,000-plus racers began competing in modified street vehicles. It is a cost-effective way to get started in motorsports. Passage of the RPM Act would enshrine in Federal law the right to modify street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles, thereby giving the racing community the certainty it needs to continue a long-standing practice without fear of EPA enforcement.

“Passage of the RPM Act will bring clarity to grassroots racers and businesses that manufacture, sell and distribute motorsports parts,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. “We’re grateful to the elected officials who strongly support and advocate for Congress to pass the RPM Act. The industry has been in limbo and in a state of uncertainty for far too long; it’s time to pass the RPM Act!”

Brown’s testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will showcase the positive impact of racing. He will be joined by his sons Adler and Anson, who compete in NHRA’s Junior Drag Racing Series, and his wife Billie Jo. Brown will share details about his family’s personal journey in motorsports, which includes four generations of Brown family members competing on the track.

“I owe a lot to motorsports; there are many great lessons that come from racing,” said Brown. “I’m urging Congress to help protect motorsports and ensure that it remains a viable pastime for all Americans by passing the RPM Act.”

The hearing will stream live on September 7, at 10:00 am (EDT). To learn more about the RPM Act and the threat to motorsports, visit www.saveourracecars.com.