By Kyle Cheng

Pickup upgrades account for 27% of total retail dollars.

Pickup upgrades are the largest sector of the specialty-equipment industry, accounting for 27% of total retail dollars, followed by mid-range cars and SUVs (including the Jeep Wrangler). This aligns with the composition of vehicles on the road. However, the industry is large, offers a wide array of different products, and customer interests vary. As such, sales for all vehicle types contribute to the overall market.

The specialty-equipment industry continues to grow at a fast pace. Last year, American consumers spent $44.6 billion on specialty aftermarket parts. SEMA projects that the market will continue to grow through the end of 2019 and bring retail sales close to a new high of nearly $46 billion.

Do you have the information you need to keep up? Head to www.sema.org/research and download the 2019 SEMA Market Report for free today to learn more about the market and your consumers.

By Kyle Cheng

Pickup upgrades account for 27% of total retail dollars.

Pickup upgrades are the largest sector of the specialty-equipment industry, accounting for 27% of total retail dollars, followed by mid-range cars and SUVs (including the Jeep Wrangler). This aligns with the composition of vehicles on the road. However, the industry is large, offers a wide array of different products, and customer interests vary. As such, sales for all vehicle types contribute to the overall market.

The specialty-equipment industry continues to grow at a fast pace. Last year, American consumers spent $44.6 billion on specialty aftermarket parts. SEMA projects that the market will continue to grow through the end of 2019 and bring retail sales close to a new high of nearly $46 billion.

Do you have the information you need to keep up? Head to www.sema.org/research and download the 2019 SEMA Market Report for free today to learn more about the market and your consumers.

By Zane Clark

Capture your Show Experience. Tag #SEMAEDUCATION and visit the QUAD to get your souvenir photo.

The QUAD is back! Powered by SEMA Education, the QUAD serves as the hub for all things SEMA Show Education, offering all attendees and exhibitors an inviting space to learn about seminars, careers, professional development and student programs. Located in the upper North Hall, outside the SEMA Member’s Lounge (N251), SEMA Show Education invites you to stop by, connect and learn how the association can advance your business through training and development.

New this year: As a special incentive for Showgoers, SEMA Education will capture and print your 2019 Show experience. Take a photo, tag #SEMAEDUCATION and #SEMA2019 on Instagram, then visit The QUAD to pick up your picture. SEMA Show Education will also again provide Showgoers with free professional headshots at the new education STAGE located in the lower South Hall, booth #45227 during Show hours.

Want to learn about exporting internationally? Check out these must-attend seminars happening Monday, November 4, in the Upper North Hall, room N259:

• Middle East: Opportunities for SEMA-member manufacturers.
• Australia/New Zealand: Downunder opportunities for SEMA members.   
• Latin America

Sign up. Show up. Preview all seminars and register.

By Zane Clark

Capture your Show Experience. Tag #SEMAEDUCATION and visit the QUAD to get your souvenir photo.

The QUAD is back! Powered by SEMA Education, the QUAD serves as the hub for all things SEMA Show Education, offering all attendees and exhibitors an inviting space to learn about seminars, careers, professional development and student programs. Located in the upper North Hall, outside the SEMA Member’s Lounge (N251), SEMA Show Education invites you to stop by, connect and learn how the association can advance your business through training and development.

New this year: As a special incentive for Showgoers, SEMA Education will capture and print your 2019 Show experience. Take a photo, tag #SEMAEDUCATION and #SEMA2019 on Instagram, then visit The QUAD to pick up your picture. SEMA Show Education will also again provide Showgoers with free professional headshots at the new education STAGE located in the lower South Hall, booth #45227 during Show hours.

Want to learn about exporting internationally? Check out these must-attend seminars happening Monday, November 4, in the Upper North Hall, room N259:

• Middle East: Opportunities for SEMA-member manufacturers.
• Australia/New Zealand: Downunder opportunities for SEMA members.   
• Latin America

Sign up. Show up. Preview all seminars and register.

By Zane Clark

Capture your Show Experience. Tag #SEMAEDUCATION and visit the QUAD to get your souvenir photo.

The QUAD is back! Powered by SEMA Education, the QUAD serves as the hub for all things SEMA Show Education, offering all attendees and exhibitors an inviting space to learn about seminars, careers, professional development and student programs. Located in the upper North Hall, outside the SEMA Member’s Lounge (N251), SEMA Show Education invites you to stop by, connect and learn how the association can advance your business through training and development.

New this year: As a special incentive for Showgoers, SEMA Education will capture and print your 2019 Show experience. Take a photo, tag #SEMAEDUCATION and #SEMA2019 on Instagram, then visit The QUAD to pick up your picture. SEMA Show Education will also again provide Showgoers with free professional headshots at the new education STAGE located in the lower South Hall, booth #45227 during Show hours.

Want to learn about exporting internationally? Check out these must-attend seminars happening Monday, November 4, in the Upper North Hall, room N259:

• Middle East: Opportunities for SEMA-member manufacturers.
• Australia/New Zealand: Downunder opportunities for SEMA members.   
• Latin America

Sign up. Show up. Preview all seminars and register.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Stephan Stringer drilled the tree and took the holeshot win with a 3.80 at 196 to Jim Widener’s nitrous-backfiring 3.78 run.

18th Annual NMCA World Street Finals Race Wrap

The 18th Annual NMCA World Street Finals presented by Chevrolet Performance, which was hosted at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, September 19–22, marked the end of the NMCA Drag Racing season presented by E3 Spark Plugs, and culminated in the crowning of class champions who had found their place in the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle. Twenty-two cars attempted to qualify for the 16-car field, and the top spot changed every round. In the final round, Stephan Stringer drilled the tree and took the holeshot win with a 3.80 at 196 to Jim Widener’s nitrous-backfiring 3.78 run.

Mickey Thompson Street Outlaw: Shawn Pevlor advanced round by round to the finals where he fell to Rob Goss in a 4.38 to 4.55 match.

Holley EFI Factory Super Cars: Bill Skillman edged out Randy Eakins, 7.95 to 7.96.

ARP Nitrous Pro Street: Billy Glidden and his black Fox-Body Mustang met Tony Gillig in the final round where Glidden unleashed a 4.31—his quickest run of the weekend—to arrive at the finish line first, with Gillig not far behind with a 4.36.

Edelbrock Xtreme Street: Jessie Coulter couldn’t make the final-round lane call due to breakage, which allowed Tim Knieriem to take the win light uncontested and the trip to the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle.

FST Carburetors NA 10.5: Leonard Long met Dwight Ausmus in the final round of competition where Long drove to a winning 7.86 over Ausmus’ 8.03.

Chevrolet Performance Stock presented by Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center: Haley Burkhammer faced Scott Brown in the final round where Brown took the advantage at the tree, but Burkhammer powered around him with a winning 10.19 to Brown’s 10.25.

In the final round of the Dave Duell Classic, Ramon Powell took a trip to the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle after defeating Jim Guy in a Dodge-vs-Plymouth matchup. Class winners included Goodwin FX Shootout winner Brent Wheeler, Victory Performance Parts A-class winner Ramon Powell, B-class winner Jeff Blickensderfer and C-class winner Bob Dillon.

The NMCA’s Quick Fuel Technology NSS cars squared off against the Victory Performance Parts NSS cars in the All-Star-Shootout. The final round featured two NMCA racers, with Jeff Ryan Goodin victorious over Corky Bumpus.

Coan Engineering Stock/Super Stock Combo: Brian Livengood and Jeremy Duncan and their pair of ’69 Camaros met in the final round where Livengood was .016 at the light and drove to the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle with a 10.468 on a 10.46 dial-in versus Duncan’s 9.826 on a 9.81.

Quick Fuel Technology Nostalgia Super Stock: Ricky Newmeyer took the win over Kevin Miller in the final round of competition.

Detroit Truetrac Nostalgia Muscle Car: Noah Winters defeated Jeff Toepper in the final round.

MagnaFuel Open Comp: David Rickey drove to the win over Larry Geddes in the final round.

NMCA Gear Vendors True Street: Justin May was the overall winner with an 8.23 average in his third-gen Firebird. Scott Klepinger was runner-up with an 8.34 average in his third-gen Camaro, and True Street veteran Rick Baum grabbed the 9-second award in his Mustang with an average of 9.81. Jack Caldwell picked up the 10-second win in a Mustang, Harv Owen drove to the 11-second win in his Corvette and NMRA racer Marvin Knack picked up the 12-second win in his Stifflers Mustang. Rounding out the category were Greg Jessup, who was the 13-second winner, Rick Doern, who was the 14-second winner in a Mustang and Angelo Taylor, who was the 15-second winner in a PT Cruiser.

Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout: William Guger was the overall winner with a 10.01 average, while Derrick Roderweiss was the runner-up with a 10.16 average. Peter Mansolillo was the 10-second winner, Bruce Phillips was the 11-second winner, Ken Mason was the 12-second winner, Michael McCarter was the 13-second winner, Dana Baker was the 14-second winner and Jessica Rickey was the 15-second winner. In the Arrington Performance HEMI Quick 8 presented by Red Line Oil, Derrick Roderweiss collected the win with a 10.20 over Peter Mansolillo’s 10.49 elapsed time.

Don Baskin Truck Sales Factory Appearing Stock Tire (FAST): Terry Pennington was the No. 1 qualifier with a 9.943 and once again took home the win in his L-88-powered Corvette. Joining him in the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle was his wife Julie, who was also at the top of the qualifying sheets with an 11.004 and collected the overall win in the Cor-A-Vent and Autorama Auto Sales Factory Stock class.

Fastest Street Car Bracket: Craig Richardson defeated AJ Gick in Bracket 1, while Randy Dobbs defeated Joey Moore in Bracket 2 and Jeff Toepper motored to the win over Jason Whisman in Bracket 3. Troy Lensing won over Blaine Bolding in Bracket 1, while Duane Keiser defeated Nick Allison in Bracket 2 and Don Fotti grabbed the win over Rick Doern in Bracket 3.

Class champions will be crowned in the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle at the NMCA awards ceremony held during the 2019 Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis in December.

The Grand Champion Modern Class Winner was Jack Stanford in his ’07 Chevrolet Corvette.

Jack Stanford Wins Grand Champion Modern Class at LS Fest X

LS Fest X is officially in the books and after 10 years, event organizers say it was one of their biggest events ever, with more than 35,000 attendees, 1,714 participants and 107 businesses in the vendor row at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Grand Champion Modern Class Winner was Jack Stanford in his ’07 Chevrolet Corvette. The Grand Champion Vintage Class Winner was Mike DuSold in his ’67 Chevrolet Camaro and the Grand Champion Truck Class Winner was Jason Brady in his ’70 Chevrolet Blazer. Visit Holley’s website for complete results.

Ryan Arciero Captures Overall and SCORE Trophy Truck Win at first Lucerna SCORE Baja 400

Third-generation veteran SoCal desert-racing champion Ryan Arciero captured the Overall and SCORE Trophy Truck race victory last Saturday by winning the inaugural Lucerna SCORE Baja 400 in eight hours, 26 minutes and 32 seconds while averaging 46.20 mph in his No. 32 Levi Arciero Racing Ford F-150 built by Herbst-Smith Fabrication. Round 3 of the four-race 2019 SCORE World Desert Championship was held last week in Mexico’s Baja California, starting and finishing in Ensenada. The race will be televised as a one-hour special on a date to be announced on ESPN’s World of X Games programming. It was Arciero’s fourth career SCORE Trophy Truck race win and first since 2004 when he won the SCORE Baja 500 with Mark Miller. For a complete list of finishers, visit SCORE’s website.

EnerSys to Host Motorsports Icons at Its 2019 ODYSSEY Battery SEMA Show Booth

EnerSys has announced that several internationally recognized, motorsports personalities will once again make a special appearance at its ODYSSEY battery booth #24875 at the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8 in Las Vegas. The father/daughter racing duo of Brian and Hailie Deegan, X Games Gold Medalist Tanner Foust and the 2019 Indianapolis 500 Champion Simon Pagenaud will be among the individuals stopping by this year’s booth.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Darin Morgan Joins Mast Motorsports Team

Darin Morgan

Darin Morgan has joined the Mast Motorsports team effective immediately. Best known for his efforts in heading Reher-Morrison’s R&D department, Morgan has built his career around developing advanced cylinder heads and induction systems for engine applications including NHRA and IHRA Pro Stock, IndyCar, NASCAR Cup, powerboats, land-speed cars and high-end sportsman and bracket racing.

Thermo Tec Partners With Hoonigan

Thermo-Tec is partnering with Hoonigan on two of its programs: season two of the next-level build show “Knuckle Busters” and season two of the head-to-head contest “Build & Battle.” Season two of “Knuckle Busters” will focus on a Duramax diesel conversion of a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Requiring a retrofit of the engine bay, the goal is to hit 200 mph in the standing mile. Thermo-Tec will provide products to manage heat during extended run times including exhaust wrap, heat shields, wiring wrap and covers for the Duramax’s twin turbos. Thermo-Tec is also a team sponsor for season two of “Build & Battle,” where two influencers from a specific racing genre square off to see who can build the fastest machine in their specific category for less than $10,000 in a limited amount of time. The builders are restricted to using garage tools to show that the projects are attainable for everyday automotive enthusiasts. At the end, the winner gets to keep their vehicle, while the loser must sell theirs and donate the money to the winner’s selected charity.

CJ Pony Parts is giving away a ’69 Ford Mustang Mach 1.

CJ Pony Parts Launches the Mustang Dream Giveaway Starring a Rare ’69 Ford Mustang Mach 1

The Mustang Dream Giveaway, a nationwide drawing sponsored by CJ Pony Parts to benefit charitable organization New Beginning Children’s Homes, has officially launched. The winner will take home a ’69 Ford Mustang Mach 1, plus $10,000 toward the prize taxes. The Ford Mustang Mach 1 featured in the Mustang Dream Giveaway shows 49,000 miles on the odometer and mileage is believed to be original. It is powered by Ford’s 428ci Super Cobra Jet engine backed by a C6 three-speed automatic transmission. The car underwent an extensive frame-off restoration to concours standards before arriving in the Dream Giveaway Garage. The restoration included full mechanical rejuvenation to factory specifications, a correct and highly detailed engine replicating how this Mustang Mach 1 looked on the day it left the factory assembly line, a showroom-like black-knit vinyl deluxe interior and show-quality chrome. CJ Pony Parts provided the restoration parts. Other features include high-back bucket seats, a factory Drag Pack option, smoked glass, radio delete, an in-dash tachometer, Ford 9-in. rear with Traction-Lok, Factory 4.10 rear gears and a copy of the factory billing manifest, verifying authenticity.

Kahn Media earned its place at spot number 74 on Adweek’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Agencies list.

Adweek Names Kahn Media One of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Agencies in the World

Kahn Media has announced it has been recognized as one of the fastest growing marketing agencies in the world on Adweek magazine’s inaugural Top 100 Fastest-Growing Agencies list. Citing rapid growth and an increasing presence in both transportation and luxury/lifestyle marketing from 2016–2018, Kahn Media earned its place at spot number 74. For the new Top 100 Fastest-Growing Agencies list, Adweek magazine analyzed the growth of public relations and advertising agencies worldwide to determine which companies would be honored on its inaugural list. This new distinction was awarded to the 100 companies that achieved the most significant revenue growth over the past three calendar years. Kahn Media was also recently recognized on the 2019 Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for the second year in a row and was named the top public-relations firm in its area by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

Rack-It Truck Racks Inc. has opened a 39,000-sq.-ft. facility in Albany, Kentucky.

Rack-It Truck Racks Inc. Announces Opening of New Manufacturing Facility in Kentucky

Rack-it Truck Racks Inc. has announced the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Albany, Kentucky. The 39,000-sq.-ft. facility will house manufacturing and powder-coating operations and serve as the company’s Eastern United States distribution point. Rack-it currently operates its flagship manufacturing facility in Shingle Springs, just outside Sacramento. According to the company, the expansion to Kentucky provides a prime central location and logistical advantages for distribution of its products. Since breaking ground at the Albany site in October 2018, Rack-it has invested more than $1 million into infrastructure, new equipment and getting the site built out to its production standards. The company has created more than a dozen new jobs in the area and plans to increase that figure to 25 by the end of the year.

Steve Robinson Joins Daystar Products International as Sales Manager

Daystar Products International has announced Steve Robinson has been appointed sales manager. He will be responsible for B2B sales management duties in the United States and Canada for the Daystar family of brands. With 30 years in sales management, and 20 years in automotive wholesale manufacturing, Robinson has a proven record of growth.

Old World Industries Enters Strategic Partnership With BASF

Old World Industries (OWI) is now the sole distributor and strategic partner of BASF Glysantin automotive coolant/antifreeze products in the North American market. Under the agreement, Old World Industries will offer BASF Glysantin automotive coolant/antifreeze products through the OWI portfolio of brands, including PEAK Coolant + Antifreeze, for the service and aftermarket. In addition to the partnership with BASF, OWI will continue to develop and leverage its own coolant and antifreeze technologies to cater to the needs of consumers and OEMs. Affecting the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean markets, the partnership includes leveraging existing and emerging technologies. Old World Industries will utilize its extensive distribution network to supply dealerships and retail locations with BASF’s Glysantin products.

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

The Westgate is among several hotels in the SEMA Show block located within two miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Showgoers are guaranteed low rates with no hidden fees when booking through the official SEMA Show housing partner, OnPeak. The Travel & Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com features a real-time listing of the hotel deals and discounts available for the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. The page also offers information, such as price, location and shuttle availability, to help showgoers determine the hotel that best accommodates their needs.

Here are seven hotels less than two miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center (visit SEMAShow.com/travel for prices and to book):

• Courtyard by Marriott (0.8 miles)
• Encore at Wynn Las Vegas (1.7 miles)
• Hilton Grand Vacations – Las Vegas Convention Center (1.1 miles)
• Las Vegas Marriott (1.0 mile)
• Residence Inn by Marriott – Las Vegas Convention Center (0.8 miles)
• SpringHill Suites (1.0 mile)
• Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (0.9 miles)

For assistance with your reservations, call OnPeak at 866-611-8831 (for international callers, dial +1-312-527-7300), Monday–Friday, between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (CST). If you have an existing reservation, have your onPeak Attendance/Group ID number handy.

Read more about the benefits of booking through the Show’s official housing provider. 

Note: Attendees and exhibitors should be vigilant if approached by companies or services other than OnPeak that impliy or claim to be an official housing provider of the SEMA Show. Management is aware of other housing companies and travel agencies that may be aggressively pursuing you or your company to book your guest rooms through their company at supposedly significant discounts.

Reservations made through an agency other than OnPeak are at your own risk. Exhibitors and attendees contacted by another housing company trying to sell hotel rooms should notify SEMA Show Management at 909-396-0289.

By SEMA Editors

The Westgate is among several hotels in the SEMA Show block located within two miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Showgoers are guaranteed low rates with no hidden fees when booking through the official SEMA Show housing partner, OnPeak. The Travel & Lodging page on www.SEMAShow.com features a real-time listing of the hotel deals and discounts available for the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. The page also offers information, such as price, location and shuttle availability, to help showgoers determine the hotel that best accommodates their needs.

Here are seven hotels less than two miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center (visit SEMAShow.com/travel for prices and to book):

• Courtyard by Marriott (0.8 miles)
• Encore at Wynn Las Vegas (1.7 miles)
• Hilton Grand Vacations – Las Vegas Convention Center (1.1 miles)
• Las Vegas Marriott (1.0 mile)
• Residence Inn by Marriott – Las Vegas Convention Center (0.8 miles)
• SpringHill Suites (1.0 mile)
• Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (0.9 miles)

For assistance with your reservations, call OnPeak at 866-611-8831 (for international callers, dial +1-312-527-7300), Monday–Friday, between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (CST). If you have an existing reservation, have your onPeak Attendance/Group ID number handy.

Read more about the benefits of booking through the Show’s official housing provider. 

Note: Attendees and exhibitors should be vigilant if approached by companies or services other than OnPeak that impliy or claim to be an official housing provider of the SEMA Show. Management is aware of other housing companies and travel agencies that may be aggressively pursuing you or your company to book your guest rooms through their company at supposedly significant discounts.

Reservations made through an agency other than OnPeak are at your own risk. Exhibitors and attendees contacted by another housing company trying to sell hotel rooms should notify SEMA Show Management at 909-396-0289.

Here’s the ’20 Chevy Corvette Stingray in Rapid Blue, providing a more complete look at the new color. The bright blue hue is notably lighter than the Elkhart Lake Blue Metallic shared earlier.

The prototype seen here is wearing the optional Z51 performance package, has a body-color rear spoiler and the optional carbon-flash double five-spoke wheels. It was caught around the Milford Proving Grounds undergoing testing.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde