Here’s a first look at the upcoming off-road version of the Ford Explorer completely undisguised.
This model has a few unique elements when compared to the “regular” Explorer, including a new upper and lower grille treatment resulting in a unique front fascia with what looks to be a higher approach angle. A set of red tow hooks sits in the front. Out back is a set of tucked-under exhaust tips and what seems to be a new rear end treatment. The model is running on a set of black wheels wrapped in rugged Bridgestone Dueler tires.
All badges for the vehicle have tape over them, including on the C-pillar and cargo cover. A 4WD logo, however, is present and accounted for.
Though initially believed that the model in question would be called Explorer FX4, Ford Authority recently reported that Ford is planning to introduce a new Explorer model called Timberline.
Expect a launch in the first half of the 2021 calendar year as a ’22 model.
Steve Ames of Ames Performance passed away December 20.
Ames graduated with an engineering degree from Columbia University and immediately went into the National Guard.
Afterward, he worked for a large paper company in Maine. Shortly after, he left Maine to run a machine shop while pursing his passion for drag racing until he was 33. He started in the parts business by traveling up and down the East Coast buying NOS parts from primarily Chevy Dealers. However, there were also Pontiac parts mixed in.
He attended one of the first Carlisle events in the Fall of 1976 with Chevy and Pontiac parts. At that time, he saw how competitive the Chevy parts business was and that his Pontiac parts were also selling well, so he decided to specialize in Pontiac.
In 1980, Ames was asked for a rare 64 GTO part, which made him realize that the demand for Pontiac parts far exceeded the supply of NOS parts that he could find. So he made some connections and started to get these popular items reproduced. In 1983, he compiled one of the first full line GTO catalogs. The first Firebird catalog followed in 1984. A combination of supplying parts readily available from a Pontiac dealer, NOS and high-quality aftermarket items helped set the bar for the industry.
Ames was one of the original founders of SEMA's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), and was named ARMO’s Person of the Year in 2007.
As a successful female in a male-dominated industry and an immigrant to the United States, Marquez brings a unique perspective to her job. She will share details of her journey into the automotive aftermarket, including real-life challenges, and how she’s was able to succeed and earn the SEMA’s Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) Award for most outstanding manufacturer’s sales team.
Tune in to the SBN’s Facebook page on January 6 for what is promised to be an inspiring and motivating Live Chat.
The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) named Theresa Contreras as this week’s #SheIsSEMA Spotlight Member. Contreras is the president of LGE-CTS Motorsports, where she specializes in custom design and paint for the company’s vehicle builds—many which have been featured in magazines and newspapers over the years. She is an active SEMA volunteer and has helped spearhead countless association projects and programs. The SBN is proud to recognize her for her untiring efforts.
SEMA: What is the most challenging part of running your business or job?
Theresa Contreras: Communication to me will always be one of the most challenging aspects of working with others, especially when they are your family, lol. But seriously, we all communicate differently, and understanding people’s personalities and how to work with each person will, to me, always be the biggest challenge for most of us.
SEMA: How many years have you been in the industry and what was your first industry job?
TC: I would consider this my first industry job, so 22 years at the family business. I started in the office as the secretary, taught myself how to paint, and have been painting for 20 years. The list of things I do here are graphic design, vehicle renderings, accounting and custom paint work.
SEMA: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments? Do you have a specific situation that comes to mind?
TC: My biggest accomplishment has been being part of the first all-female SEMA build through SBN. That build has helped break barriers in the industry. I have truly made some of my best friends through that build!
Another big one is being one of PPG Industries Vibrance Collection Top Guns. This is such an honor to be listed there with other truly amazing painters that I look up to. I have always wanted to be the best at what I do, but I seriously taught myself in a paint booth, and I am humbled by this happening.
As for challenges, I have never seen myself as a “woman” trying to break through, but as just being the best at what I wanted to do. Did I get dismissed sometimes because I was a woman, or a newbie at what I did? Sure! That happened quite a lot. But I just wanted to be the best at what I did, and it’s all about earning respect. That will always come through, no matter your gender. My biggest challenge has been getting to where I wanted to be by showing what I can do.
SEMA: What is the best career advice you have received? How has this advice helped you either professionally or personally?
TC: “Sell Cool.” – Pete Chapouris. People will buy what you are selling if you think it’s cool, but you have to believe that, first and foremost. Then, it’s really not about selling, but about, well, being cool!
It’s definitely all about confidence. This advice has helped me both professionally and personally. It’s about believing in yourself because guess what… you’re cool!
SEMA: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?
TC: Mike Spagnola—he is a “Super Connector!” He is truly that person who believes in everyone. He listens, and then connects people with others so that they can see their potential to grow. We did our first SEMA build together with LGE-CTS Motorsports and Street Scene Equipment in 2003. He really saw something in me to push me further than I ever saw myself going. And life is really about hanging out with people that you achieve to be like; I want to be like Mike!
Toyota’s second wave of custom SEMA vehicles broke cover this week, just in time for the holidays. The ’21 GR Supra Sport Top and overlanding-ready TRD-Sport Trailer ensure that Toyota’s on- and off-road performance and adventure concepts continue to inspire Toyota fans and the automotive aftermarket.
TRD-Sport Trailer
Toyota previously unveiled four builds in its wave one SEMA360 Showcase presentation, held November 2, 2020. SEMA360 is SEMA’s online program connecting the automotive aftermarket industry in a year that made the traditional SEMA Show impossible.
’20 GR Supra Heritage Edition
“Our wave one reveals whet Toyota fans’ appetite with four creations—a bold, hand-painted GR Supra, two GR Supra drift cars and an outrageous overlanding-ready Tacoma pickup,” said Ed Laukes, group vice president–Toyota Division Marketing. “But we saved the best for last, and today we’re proud to show off our latest creations, the ’21 GR Supra Sport Top and the TRD-Sport Trailer, among some additional content as well.”
The new ’21 GR Supra Sport Top concept is a perfect follow up to the ’20 GR Supra Heritage Edition that debuted at Toyota’s 2019 SEMA Show display, featuring custom visual and performance upgrades paying homage to the MKIV Supra from the late ‘90s. And Toyota’s TRD-Sport Trailer answers the backroads adventure calling and the growing popularity of overlanding getaways in a year where socializing with family and friends is a challenge.
Highlights from Toyota’s second wave of SEMA360 Showcase creations include:
’21 GR Supra Sport Top
Inspired by the GR Supra Heritage Edition that debuted last year, Toyota set out to dream up a fitting companion. Conceptualizing an open-air tribute to removable-top Supra models of the past, the team put much thought into the unprecedented task of removing the roof and a significant part of the GR Supra’s structure.
The crew ensured structural rigidity by reinforcing large sections of the vehicle’s frame. The removable roof includes two composite panels that can be stored in the car’s trunk. Unlike a “T-Top” car, there is no center bar down the middle; just open air as far as the eye can see.
As a sibling to the GR Supra Heritage Edition, the Sport Top delivers similar styling cues, including the MKIV-inspired basket handle wing and round taillights. At the same time, it has a striking profile all its own that includes a black piano-finish canopy over the top.
TRD-Sport Trailer
Overlanding’s growing popularity inspired the Toyota team to think outside the box, as they sought to make a true overland trailer out of a Tacoma pickup bed. The TRD-Sport Trailer concept serves as a base camp to extend adventurers’ off-highway fun while being pulled by a Toyota truck or SUV.
It features a remote-operated scissor-lift that raises a platform several feet out of the bed. There’s a Yakima four-person tent with an awning and fly fishing-pole holders, a custom-built toilet and trash can, a refrigerator, a hot water heater, fresh and gray water holding tanks, a slide-out sink and stove, and efficient campsite lighting.
’20 GR Supra Heritage Edition
This 500-plus hp sportscar debuted late last year, and it makes an encore appearance in 2020 as the inspiration for this year’s GR Supra Sport Top. Returning to the spotlight for Toyota’s second wave of content, this one-off creation painted in Re-entry Red continues to excite fans with its retro-inspired custom headlights, taillights and MKIV-style rear wing. Upgrades, such as bigger brakes, a tuned engine, turbocharger and ECU, and custom front and rear suspension, ensure optimal performance. The Ornamental Conifer Supra and the 4WD Overland-Ready Tacoma also get a reprise from last month with a freshening of new materials.
The final episodes for the GR Supra Sport Top and TRD-Sport Trailer can be found here:
SEMA eNews highlights new products from industry companies each week. To have your product considered for upcoming issues, send product press releases to editors@sema.org.
B&M Pro Gate Gated Race Shifters For GM 3- and 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
The B&M Pro Gate shifter is an externally gated race shifter for GM three-speed automatic transmissions. The compact and lightweight design features a 10-gauge black oxide coated 304 stainless-steel base with a heavy-duty 303 stainless steel shift pin for longevity and bullet-proof performance. The 1016 steel shift stick includes a black B&M logo shift knob for shifting duties while the external gate plate is constructed from black oxide coated 11-gauge 304 stainless steel for durability. The three-speed gated forward shift pattern features a staggered shift pattern with positive stops between each gear for easy and precise shifts. Other features include thick injection-molded nylon side covers featuring a knurled texture with the B&M Pro Gate logo on both sides. The covers are removable for access to the virtually maintenance-free shifter sub-assembly and will not gum up with dirt affecting shift performance, which is ideal for off-road racing. The rear exit cable design includes a black 5-ft. Super Duty race shifter cable along with a cable bracket, shift lever and all necessary hardware for a straight-forward installation. Includes lifetime limited warranty.
The patent-pending HD Tube Track is specifically designed to replace a partial strip of your trailer's wood decking. When installed, the HD Tube Track lies flush with the trailer deck. Attachment holes hit common trailer cross-member center lines and can be bolted or welded in place.
The Mac's HD Tube Track is manufactured from 1.5 x 1.5 x .1875-in. steel tubing and tested to 10,000-lb. Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS). The Mac's HD Tube Track accepts the Low-Profile Lashing Winch or a D-Ring using a trolley attached to the base that locks into the HD Tube Track. Both locate on 2-in. increments the length of the track. The Low-Profile Lashing Winch and D-Ring are sold with or without the trolley. At times, the crossmember might not coincide with the laser-cut 3/8-in. hole on a 2-in. centerline. Optional 3/8-in. thick laser-cut spacers are available with the HD Tube Track and also sold individually. The HD Tube Track ships in raw form (no powder coating or paint) and in 8-ft. lengths only.
Hypertherm Extreme Bevel Plasma Consumables for MAXPRO200 Air and Oxygen Plasma System
Hypertherm has announced the release of extreme bevel consumables for its MAXPRO200 LongLife air and oxygen plasma cutting system. The consumables, designed for mechanized, robotic and handheld cutting, have an aggressive pointed geometry so the plasma torch can tilt to an angle of up to 66.5 degrees. This makes the consumables ideal for a wide range of jobs, including steep mechanized beveling, tube and pipe cutting, structural steel work, pressure vessel construction, and handheld cutting. In addition, it makes it easier for operators to see what they are cutting and gives them better access to beam flanges and areas with limited clearance for better cuts and fewer secondary operations. The extreme bevel consumables are available for both air and oxygen cutting at 130 and 200 amps.
’63-’66 GM C10/GMC 1000, American Thunder, Stainless Steel Header-Back, 2.5-in. Dual Exit Exhaust System
This American Thunder exhaust system is specifically designed for ’63–’66 Chevrolet C10 and GMC 1000 series two-wheel drive, non X-Frame V8 trucks without the torsion bar front suspension. The system is perfect for the person looking for an aggressive to moderate exterior and interior sound level. Starting just after a set of headers, this exhaust system comes complete with a built-in H-pipe crossover and all mandrel-bent 2.50-in. 409 stainless-steel tubing that helps maximize the flow of the exhaust pulses for better performance and the added durability of stainless steel. The Super 44 Series performance mufflers will give any V8 a deep rumble with that classic Flowmaster tone. This system comes with your choice of three tailpipe exits, straight out the rear, side exit behind each rear tire or dumped behind the rear tires. The system includes all hardware necessary for an at home installation. This exhaust system is covered by our Lifetime Limited Warranty. Fits both short and long wheelbase trucks.
Oracle Lighting Announces New Ford Mustang Dynamic ColorSHIFT Headlight DRL Halo Kit
Oracle Lighting has announced the launch of its new Dynamic ColorSHIFT Halo Kit with DRL Upgrade for the ’18–’21 model-year Ford Mustangs. Now available with an MSRP of $299.99, the kit includes unique standard features such as sequential FLOW turn signals, true white DRL mode and smartphone control all in one package. The integrated controller features both DRL and turn indicator inputs. The switchback LED indicator features Oracle Lighting’s exclusive Dynamic FLOW turn signal effect. The white DRL trigger automatically switches the LEDs to pure white when the vehicle is started.
Heading into 2021, Texas Motorplex—the only quarter-mile multi-use racing facility in North Texas and home of the NHRA FallNationals—will once again host more than three-dozen specialty events drawing fans from across the country. The 2021 schedule is the most diverse the facility has prepared with almost every national drag racing series represented, plus a variety of non-sport festivals. In 2020 Texas Motorplex was the first outdoor sporting facility to host events with fans. By instituting reasonable safety precautions, Texas Motorplex hosted the NHRA Texas FallNationals in October without issue, and the facility plans to continue to follow prescribed health and safety guidelines moving into 2021.
NHRA Announces Eight-Race 2021 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Schedule
NHRA has announced the eight-race schedule for the 2021 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, featuring the NHRA Motorsports Museum’s Hot Rod Reunions. The series will feature thrilling racing action, highlighted by the crowd-pleasing, nitro-burning Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters and Nostalgia Funny Cars. The 2021 season will begin at the Heritage Nostalgia Reunion, April 29–May 1, at Sacramento Raceway. The traditional season opening Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet at Auto Club Famoso Raceway was postponed until May due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now be the series’ third event, following the Ignitor Funny Car Opener at Firebird Raceway. The series visits those three tracks twice, as well as Osage Casino Tulsa Raceway Park in September for the Nostalgia Nitro Nationals and Beech Bend Raceway Park for the National Hot Rod Reunion.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California will produce two Hot Rod Reunions during the season. The National Hot Rod Reunion will be held at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, June 17-19, while the California Hot Rod Reunion will close the season at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, October 22–24. Nostalgia Top Fuel will compete for points at five events during the season and Nostalgia Funny Car will compete for points at six events.
In addition to Nostalgia Top Fuel dragster and Nostalgia Funny Car, there are two groups of additional classes. Group 1 includes A/Fuel, Jr. Fuel, and 7.0 Eliminator, while Group 2 includes Nostalgia Eliminator l, Nostalgia Eliminator ll, Nostalgia Eliminator lll, A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas, D/Gas, and Hot Rod Eliminator. Drivers in each class will be able to run a combination of events that will award them points toward their respective championships.
The U.S. Congress passed a $900 billion coronavirus stimulus plan following months of contentious debate over the size and scope of the measure. A bipartisan group of lawmakers helped craft the final measure that President Trump signed into law on December 27, 2020. Key provisions include:
Business Aid
Revive the PPP program by providing $284 billion for first and second loans. The covered period for all PPP loans was extended to March 31, 2021. For second loans, businesses need to have suffered a 25% revenue loss during the pandemic.
Simplify the one-page forgiveness application for loans under $150k, whereby the lender can rely on the borrower’s attestation that the funds were used to pay for authorized expenses (payroll, rent, utilities, etc.).
Allow businesses that have had their PPP loans forgiven to also deduct the costs covered by those loans on their federal tax returns.
Expand PPP eligibility for certain nonprofits including 501(c)(6) organizations.
Provide $20 billion for targeted grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
Repeals a previous provision that required PPP borrowers to deduct their EIDL Advance from their PPP loan forgiveness amount.
Taxes
Renew the employee retention tax credit for businesses that keep workers on their payrolls.
Allow 100% deduction of corporate meal expenses on federal taxes through 2022. (Businesses have only been able to deduct 50% since the 1980s.)
Extend a variety of expiring tax credits including the 7-year recovery period for motorsports entertainment complexes through December 31, 2025.
Stimulus Checks
Provide $600 stimulus checks per person, including adults and children. The direct payments are phased-out for people who earned between $75,000 and $99,000 in 2019.
Unemployment
Extend unemployment benefits up to $300 per week for 11 weeks (December 26 through March 14, 2021). More than 20 million people are estimated to still be on some form of unemployment aid.
Emergency Rental Assistance
Provide $25 billion in emergency assistance to renters.
Extend by one month a moratorium on evictions, which can be extended further by the Biden administration.
Money for Vaccine Distribution
Provide funds to procure vaccines and treatments; expand testing, tracing and mitigation; and for health care and mental health providers.
Other Categories
Provide targeted funds for schools, state highways, transit agencies and airports, and health-related expenses of states and local governments.
Protect consumers from huge surprise medical bills after receiving treatment from out-of-network providers.
Business Liability Protection, Aid to States
Lawmakers failed to include a SEMA-supported provision to provide limited liability protection from COVID-19 related lawsuits. (Many states have enacted such liability protections, including GA, KS, LA, MI, MS, NV, OH, OK, NC, TN, UT, and WY.)
The law also does not provide aid to states and local governments facing budget shortfalls.
For additional information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
In partnership with Ford Motor Company, the SEMA Garage is excited to announce a Measuring Session for the upcoming 2021 Ford Bronco Sport!
The event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3D scan, measure, and have close-up experience with the Bronco Sport ahead of the vehicle’s public release.
The featured 2021 Bronco Sport will contain the following specs:
Badlands Trim
4x4
2.0L EcoBoost Engine
8-speed Automatic Transmission
Please note that this will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. In order to comply with state and local health guidelines, this event will take place over two separate weeks with scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, your appointment will be time limited.
Week 2: January 4, 2021 – January 8, 2021
*All registered attendees will be required to an initial temperature check, wear face coverings and gloves, as well as practice social distancing during their appointment. The vehicle will be sanitized in between each appointment.
The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:
As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.
The following seats are open for this year’s election:
Chairman-elect (1 open seat)
Manufacturers (2 open seats)
Distributors/Retailers (2 open seats)
Services (1 open seat)
Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.
A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.
Thank you for your attention to this important request.
Steve Ames of Ames Performance passed away December 20.
Join the 
The 
SEMA: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments? Do you have a specific situation that comes to mind?
