Compiled by SEMA Editors

ROUSH Performance unveiled its newest custom vehicle, a ’19 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang designed exclusively for SEMA’s Immediate Past Chairman Wade Kawasaki at the McCall’s Motorworks Revival, August 14, in Monterey, California.

ROUSH Performance Unveils One-of-a-Kind Stage 3 Mustang at McCall’s Motorworks Revival

ROUSH Performance unveiled its newest custom vehicle, a ’19 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang designed exclusively for SEMA’s Immediate Past Chairman Wade Kawasaki at the McCall’s Motorworks Revival, August 14, in Monterey, California. Built to be Kawasaki’s “track-capable daily driver,” the vehicle featured the blue-and-orange Gulf Racing livery painted by SpeedKore Performance Group to match the paint scheme of the Ford race cars that stormed Le Mans a half-century ago. Kawasaki’s vehicle was based on the ’19 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang, and featured a ROUSH TVS R2650 supercharger, along with a ROUSH cold-air intake and ROUSH calibration to boost the car’s 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine to an overall power output of 710hp and 610 lb.-ft. of torque. The Mustang was also equipped with the optional ROUSH Active Exhaust System, which offers four different user-selectable exhaust modes. Other upgrades included a custom Sikky Manufacturing handbrake designed for drifting.

Additional custom touches included a set of one-off 20x8.5-in. and 20x11-in. forged aluminum wheels by Wheel Vintiques, designed as a modern interpretation of the wheels of the original Ford GT40, paired with 245/35R20 and 285/35R20 performance tires. Further bespoke pieces included custom carbon-fiber side vents and side-view mirrors manufactured by SpeedKore as well as a carbon-fiber ROUSH Mustang chin spoiler, a carbon-fiber ROUSH Mustang rear spoiler and complete ROUSH R8 aero body Kit. On the inside, Kawaski’s Stage 3 Mustang’s Sport Interior Package had been upgraded with color-matched orange accents and a ROUSH plaque.   

“Unveiling this custom Stage 3 Mustang at McCall’s Motorworks Revival was an exhilarating experience,” said Legendary Companies President and CEO Wade Kawasaki. “This was my first time seeing the finished car and ROUSH Performance has created something truly special here. I’m proud to share this moment with the public at this exclusive event and I hope everyone enjoyed seeing this incredible machine as much as I have.”

Tim Musiek

Tim Musiek Joins Nitrous Express and Snow Performance

Nitrous Express has hired Tim Musiek as national sales manager. He has 17 years of experience within the performance industry and has held key sales and product-management roles for multiple industry-leading performance companies, including Mr. Gasket and DEI. Musiek enjoys building and customizing all kinds of performance vehicles, including his NX nitrous-fed, fuel-injected, small-block, Chevy-swapped ’34 Ford Sedan Delivery.

AirPro Welcomes Canadian Distribution Partner

AirPro Diagnostics LLC has announced a partnership with iPro Auto Solutions for the distribution of AirPro’s OEM-compliant scan tools and services to the Canadian market. iPro Auto Solutions founders Darren Cox and Gord Fraser have extensive backgrounds in the auto glass sector as well as shop certification for automotive mechanical, glass and collision-repair facilities in the Canadian market.

Steele Rubber Products Invites Businesses to Sign Up for the Steele Partners Program

Steele Rubber Products’ Steele Partner Program offers benefits to shops and resellers in the auto industry. According to the company, in addition to a competitive discount structure on its parts, Steele Partners have access to all of the resource material and expertise Steele has to offer. Partners also have access to unlimited on-demand catalogs—an online ordering portal and quarterly newsletter that highlights new parts and offerings. During the 2019 SEMA Show, Steele Rubber Products will be located in Hot Rod Alley in Central Hall at booth #22583. They will have information about their Steele Partners Program, a sampling of their product line and product specialists on hand to answer any questions you may have about their weatherstripping and rubber products.

Stephanie Davies

Power Automedia Hires Stephanie Davies as Senior Associate Editor, Ford Group

Power Automedia has hired Stephanie Davies as senior associate editor for the Ford Group. She began with Power Automedia on a contract basis, which led to a permanent, full-time position. Prior to joining Power Automedia, Davies was an associate web editor at what was then Source Interlink Media, where she generated web and social-media content for Super Chevy, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, Vette, GM High-Tech Performance, High Performance Pontiac, Mopar Muscle and Circle Track. Davies also spent four years working as the communications and PR manager at ROUSH Performance.

Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists LLC Partners With the Meineke Dealers Association

Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists (AWRS) has announced its partnership with the Meineke Dealers Association as the preferred alloy wheel repair service provider for all Meineke Car Care Centers in the United States and Canada. As the preferred vendor, AWRS’ network of more than 400 certified technicians will provide select wheel refinishing and straightening services onsite at Meineke Car Care Center locations. Additionally, AWRS will offer offsite wheel remanufacturing services for wheels with extensive damage, special finishes and custom color change services.

Holley, VP Racing Fuels Continue Partnership for “Horsepower Wars” Season 2

Power Automedia’s “Horsepower Wars” automotive show will continue a partnership with Holley for season two. Holley has been a partner of “Horsepower Wars” since its inception. Now, in season two, the next “Horsepower Wars” $10K Drag Shootout is about to take center stage and teams will once again rely on Holley parts to improve their chances of taking home the $10,000 paycheck. To watch “Horsepower Wars” season two, visit www.HorsepowerWars.com. VP Racing Fuels has also partnered with “Horsepower Wars” for a second season. For the Junkyard Challenge, VP will supply 100-octane unleaded fuel to teams while C9 (95-octane unleaded) was the required fuel for Pony Wars. In the $10K Drag Shootout, teams were given the option to use either X85 (ethanol) or C16 (leaded race gas). In addition, “Horsepower Wars” will work with Toyo Tires as an official sponsor of the 2019 season.

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.

In cooperation with Ford Motor Co., the SEMA Garage will host a Measuring Session for the ’20 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab. The ’20 Super Duty has a new look with a new grille, headlamps and fascia and new interior materials, colors and trim inserts. It also features a new powertrain option as well as new driver-assist technologies.

In cooperation with Ford Motor Co., the SEMA Garage will host a Measuring Session for the ’20 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab. The ’20 Super Duty has a new look with a new grille, headlamps and fascia and new interior materials, colors and trim inserts. It also features a new powertrain option as well as new driver-assist technologies.

In cooperation with Ford Motor Co., the SEMA Garage will host a Measuring Session for the ’20 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab. The ’20 Super Duty has a new look with a new grille, headlamps and fascia and new interior materials, colors and trim inserts. It also features a new powertrain option as well as new driver-assist technologies.

By Fredy Ramirez

Steven Ellis’ ’99 Ford F-350

SEMA is gearing up for the 2019 Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition, set to take place during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and the list of competitors keeps growing longer as the Show approaches. SEMA eNews will highlight three vehicles each week leading up to the Show. This week's featured builds include Steve Ellis’ ’99 Ford F-350, Preston Folkestad’s ’84 Chevy C10 and Garret Kitchen’s ’68 Barracuda S.

Steven Ellis, ’99 Ford F-350
Scheduled to Appear: Covercraft #23143

This is Ellis’ first solo project in SEMA Battle of the Builders. A 2017 “SEMA 35 Under 35” honoree, Ellis’ Ford F-350 will be used for local search-and-rescue missions and will be equipped with gear from several companies, including CVT, Thule, Line-X, Lightforce and Warn. The truck will feature custom fab work from Ellis’ shop at Urban Garage in Arizona.

Preston Folkestad’s ’84 Chevy C10

Preston Folkestad, ’84 Chevy C10
Scheduled to Appear: GC Cooling # V254

A previous Young Gun competitor, Preston Folkestead was a top-10 BOTB finalist at the 2018 SEMA Show, and he’s gunning for even bigger things this year with his racing-inspired Chevy. Under the carbon-fiber hood is an LSR performance engine with Holley injection, heads from Frankenstein Engine Dynamics, spark from an XS Power and cooling courtesy of components from GC Cooling and C&R Racing. Toyo Tires are paired with American Racing wheels and slowed by Wilwood brakes. A custom No Limit Engineering suspension helps locate a Quick Performance-sourced 9-in. rear end, 515Customs provided additional fabrication and Zion Designs handled the vehicle wrap and graphics.  

Garret Kitchen’s ’68 Barracuda S

Garret Kitchen, ’68 Barracuda S
Scheduled to Appear: Ron Francis Wiring #23479

Garret Kitchen, founder of Garret’s Custom Rods, has been building cars since he was 14 years old. In 1968, he won the Plymouth Trouble Shooting Contest in his high school auto-shop class. The trophy was adorned with a replica of a ’68 Formula S Barracuda—the exact same truck he would build for this year’s SEMA Show more than 50 years later. This ’Cuda, however, no longer relies on 340 power to get around; instead, it is powered by a Gen-3 6.1L HEMI V-8 topped with a Magnuson supercharger. Body mods on “The Aquarium” abound, including a redesigned front clip with front spoiler, flared fender openings, custom tuck-fit bumpers, a rear spoiler, a custom hood and a Barracuda logo as the rear-glass fadeout.

By Fredy Ramirez

Steven Ellis’ ’99 Ford F-350

SEMA is gearing up for the 2019 Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition, set to take place during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and the list of competitors keeps growing longer as the Show approaches. SEMA eNews will highlight three vehicles each week leading up to the Show. This week's featured builds include Steve Ellis’ ’99 Ford F-350, Preston Folkestad’s ’84 Chevy C10 and Garret Kitchen’s ’68 Barracuda S.

Steven Ellis, ’99 Ford F-350
Scheduled to Appear: Covercraft #23143

This is Ellis’ first solo project in SEMA Battle of the Builders. A 2017 “SEMA 35 Under 35” honoree, Ellis’ Ford F-350 will be used for local search-and-rescue missions and will be equipped with gear from several companies, including CVT, Thule, Line-X, Lightforce and Warn. The truck will feature custom fab work from Ellis’ shop at Urban Garage in Arizona.

Preston Folkestad’s ’84 Chevy C10

Preston Folkestad, ’84 Chevy C10
Scheduled to Appear: GC Cooling # V254

A previous Young Gun competitor, Preston Folkestead was a top-10 BOTB finalist at the 2018 SEMA Show, and he’s gunning for even bigger things this year with his racing-inspired Chevy. Under the carbon-fiber hood is an LSR performance engine with Holley injection, heads from Frankenstein Engine Dynamics, spark from an XS Power and cooling courtesy of components from GC Cooling and C&R Racing. Toyo Tires are paired with American Racing wheels and slowed by Wilwood brakes. A custom No Limit Engineering suspension helps locate a Quick Performance-sourced 9-in. rear end, 515Customs provided additional fabrication and Zion Designs handled the vehicle wrap and graphics.  

Garret Kitchen’s ’68 Barracuda S

Garret Kitchen, ’68 Barracuda S
Scheduled to Appear: Ron Francis Wiring #23479

Garret Kitchen, founder of Garret’s Custom Rods, has been building cars since he was 14 years old. In 1968, he won the Plymouth Trouble Shooting Contest in his high school auto-shop class. The trophy was adorned with a replica of a ’68 Formula S Barracuda—the exact same truck he would build for this year’s SEMA Show more than 50 years later. This ’Cuda, however, no longer relies on 340 power to get around; instead, it is powered by a Gen-3 6.1L HEMI V-8 topped with a Magnuson supercharger. Body mods on “The Aquarium” abound, including a redesigned front clip with front spoiler, flared fender openings, custom tuck-fit bumpers, a rear spoiler, a custom hood and a Barracuda logo as the rear-glass fadeout.

By Fredy Ramirez

Steven Ellis’ ’99 Ford F-350

SEMA is gearing up for the 2019 Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition, set to take place during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and the list of competitors keeps growing longer as the Show approaches. SEMA eNews will highlight three vehicles each week leading up to the Show. This week's featured builds include Steve Ellis’ ’99 Ford F-350, Preston Folkestad’s ’84 Chevy C10 and Garret Kitchen’s ’68 Barracuda S.

Steven Ellis, ’99 Ford F-350
Scheduled to Appear: Covercraft #23143

This is Ellis’ first solo project in SEMA Battle of the Builders. A 2017 “SEMA 35 Under 35” honoree, Ellis’ Ford F-350 will be used for local search-and-rescue missions and will be equipped with gear from several companies, including CVT, Thule, Line-X, Lightforce and Warn. The truck will feature custom fab work from Ellis’ shop at Urban Garage in Arizona.

Preston Folkestad’s ’84 Chevy C10

Preston Folkestad, ’84 Chevy C10
Scheduled to Appear: GC Cooling # V254

A previous Young Gun competitor, Preston Folkestead was a top-10 BOTB finalist at the 2018 SEMA Show, and he’s gunning for even bigger things this year with his racing-inspired Chevy. Under the carbon-fiber hood is an LSR performance engine with Holley injection, heads from Frankenstein Engine Dynamics, spark from an XS Power and cooling courtesy of components from GC Cooling and C&R Racing. Toyo Tires are paired with American Racing wheels and slowed by Wilwood brakes. A custom No Limit Engineering suspension helps locate a Quick Performance-sourced 9-in. rear end, 515Customs provided additional fabrication and Zion Designs handled the vehicle wrap and graphics.  

Garret Kitchen’s ’68 Barracuda S

Garret Kitchen, ’68 Barracuda S
Scheduled to Appear: Ron Francis Wiring #23479

Garret Kitchen, founder of Garret’s Custom Rods, has been building cars since he was 14 years old. In 1968, he won the Plymouth Trouble Shooting Contest in his high school auto-shop class. The trophy was adorned with a replica of a ’68 Formula S Barracuda—the exact same truck he would build for this year’s SEMA Show more than 50 years later. This ’Cuda, however, no longer relies on 340 power to get around; instead, it is powered by a Gen-3 6.1L HEMI V-8 topped with a Magnuson supercharger. Body mods on “The Aquarium” abound, including a redesigned front clip with front spoiler, flared fender openings, custom tuck-fit bumpers, a rear spoiler, a custom hood and a Barracuda logo as the rear-glass fadeout.

By Jason Catullo

SEMA’s Show publications are ideal for promoting Show plans and new products, while creating more outreach opportunities for business.

From now until the opening of the 2019 SEMA Show, exhibitors are encouraged to highlight their Show plans through SEMA’s Online Media Center. Announcements about new product releases, celebrity appearances, demonstrations and unique booth attractions are just some examples of what companies submit. As the database of information grows, it serves as a beneficial, one-stop resource for buyers and media leading up to the Show. There is no cost to upload press releases and related images.

An additional benefit of using the Online Media Center is that many of the releases and announcements are used in SEMA Show publications, both electronic and print materials, prior to and during the Show. SEMA’s Show publications are ideal for promoting Show plans and new products, while creating more outreach opportunities for business. 

There are three content types that are relevant for both the October and November issues of SEMA News and the four-issue SEMA Show Daily: new product announcements, Show-related activities and custom-vehicle premieres.

SEMA News Magazine

November SEMA News

As the “Show” issue, November includes a preview of some of the world’s most impressive, innovative project vehicles and rare builds, as well as a Show map, schedule of celebrity appearances, Show educational seminars schedule and more. The deadline for submissions is September 8. The issue also contains a sneak peek of several vehicles that are taking part in the 2019 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. More information is available at www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

SEMA Show Daily

There are four issues of the SEMA Show Daily, three of which are distributed at the Show on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

• The first issue has a circulation of 40,000 and mails October 1, providing a sneak peek of the SEMA Show’s major attractions and can’t-miss features. The deadline for the first issue has passed.
• Show Daily #2 will be distributed Tuesday, November 5—the first day of the 2019 SEMA Show. It has a circulation of 10,000 and will be distributed at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The deadline is September 10.
• Show Daily #3 and #4 also have a circulation of 10,000 each. They will be distributed Wednesday, November 6, and Thursday, November 7. The deadline for both issues is October 5.

The November issue of SEMA News and all issues of Show Daily feature press releases regarding celebrity appearances and related Show activities. Exhibitors should closely monitor editorial deadlines to finalize their Show promotions. To submit a release for consideration, upload it directly to the Online Media Center.

Editorial content is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once you do have a release and image ready, submit it, even if it is after the deadline. Journalists from around the world access this library for potential stories. When additional space becomes available, SEMA’s editorial team will continue to utilize the Online Media Center for new stories.

In terms of releases, oftentimes there is only space for 100–200 words. Our editorial team will shorten a longer release given space constraints. When it comes to images, the art department is looking for high-resolution images. That means 300 dpi and in one of the following file types—JPG, EPS or TIF. It is also perfectly acceptable to submit renderings of new products or a picture of a car while it’s still being built.

Key contacts for SEMA’s Online Media Center and SEMA’s editorial department:

Della Domingo
Public Relations Director
dellad@sema.org

John Stewart
Vice President/Editorial Director
johns@sema.org

By Jason Catullo

SEMA’s Show publications are ideal for promoting Show plans and new products, while creating more outreach opportunities for business.

From now until the opening of the 2019 SEMA Show, exhibitors are encouraged to highlight their Show plans through SEMA’s Online Media Center. Announcements about new product releases, celebrity appearances, demonstrations and unique booth attractions are just some examples of what companies submit. As the database of information grows, it serves as a beneficial, one-stop resource for buyers and media leading up to the Show. There is no cost to upload press releases and related images.

An additional benefit of using the Online Media Center is that many of the releases and announcements are used in SEMA Show publications, both electronic and print materials, prior to and during the Show. SEMA’s Show publications are ideal for promoting Show plans and new products, while creating more outreach opportunities for business. 

There are three content types that are relevant for both the October and November issues of SEMA News and the four-issue SEMA Show Daily: new product announcements, Show-related activities and custom-vehicle premieres.

SEMA News Magazine

November SEMA News

As the “Show” issue, November includes a preview of some of the world’s most impressive, innovative project vehicles and rare builds, as well as a Show map, schedule of celebrity appearances, Show educational seminars schedule and more. The deadline for submissions is September 8. The issue also contains a sneak peek of several vehicles that are taking part in the 2019 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. More information is available at www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

SEMA Show Daily

There are four issues of the SEMA Show Daily, three of which are distributed at the Show on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

• The first issue has a circulation of 40,000 and mails October 1, providing a sneak peek of the SEMA Show’s major attractions and can’t-miss features. The deadline for the first issue has passed.
• Show Daily #2 will be distributed Tuesday, November 5—the first day of the 2019 SEMA Show. It has a circulation of 10,000 and will be distributed at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The deadline is September 10.
• Show Daily #3 and #4 also have a circulation of 10,000 each. They will be distributed Wednesday, November 6, and Thursday, November 7. The deadline for both issues is October 5.

The November issue of SEMA News and all issues of Show Daily feature press releases regarding celebrity appearances and related Show activities. Exhibitors should closely monitor editorial deadlines to finalize their Show promotions. To submit a release for consideration, upload it directly to the Online Media Center.

Editorial content is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once you do have a release and image ready, submit it, even if it is after the deadline. Journalists from around the world access this library for potential stories. When additional space becomes available, SEMA’s editorial team will continue to utilize the Online Media Center for new stories.

In terms of releases, oftentimes there is only space for 100–200 words. Our editorial team will shorten a longer release given space constraints. When it comes to images, the art department is looking for high-resolution images. That means 300 dpi and in one of the following file types—JPG, EPS or TIF. It is also perfectly acceptable to submit renderings of new products or a picture of a car while it’s still being built.

Key contacts for SEMA’s Online Media Center and SEMA’s editorial department:

Della Domingo
Public Relations Director
dellad@sema.org

John Stewart
Vice President/Editorial Director
johns@sema.org

By Jason Catullo

SEMA’s Show publications are ideal for promoting Show plans and new products, while creating more outreach opportunities for business.

From now until the opening of the 2019 SEMA Show, exhibitors are encouraged to highlight their Show plans through SEMA’s Online Media Center. Announcements about new product releases, celebrity appearances, demonstrations and unique booth attractions are just some examples of what companies submit. As the database of information grows, it serves as a beneficial, one-stop resource for buyers and media leading up to the Show. There is no cost to upload press releases and related images.

An additional benefit of using the Online Media Center is that many of the releases and announcements are used in SEMA Show publications, both electronic and print materials, prior to and during the Show. SEMA’s Show publications are ideal for promoting Show plans and new products, while creating more outreach opportunities for business. 

There are three content types that are relevant for both the October and November issues of SEMA News and the four-issue SEMA Show Daily: new product announcements, Show-related activities and custom-vehicle premieres.

SEMA News Magazine

November SEMA News

As the “Show” issue, November includes a preview of some of the world’s most impressive, innovative project vehicles and rare builds, as well as a Show map, schedule of celebrity appearances, Show educational seminars schedule and more. The deadline for submissions is September 8. The issue also contains a sneak peek of several vehicles that are taking part in the 2019 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. More information is available at www.SEMAShow.com/botb.

SEMA Show Daily

There are four issues of the SEMA Show Daily, three of which are distributed at the Show on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

• The first issue has a circulation of 40,000 and mails October 1, providing a sneak peek of the SEMA Show’s major attractions and can’t-miss features. The deadline for the first issue has passed.
• Show Daily #2 will be distributed Tuesday, November 5—the first day of the 2019 SEMA Show. It has a circulation of 10,000 and will be distributed at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The deadline is September 10.
• Show Daily #3 and #4 also have a circulation of 10,000 each. They will be distributed Wednesday, November 6, and Thursday, November 7. The deadline for both issues is October 5.

The November issue of SEMA News and all issues of Show Daily feature press releases regarding celebrity appearances and related Show activities. Exhibitors should closely monitor editorial deadlines to finalize their Show promotions. To submit a release for consideration, upload it directly to the Online Media Center.

Editorial content is chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once you do have a release and image ready, submit it, even if it is after the deadline. Journalists from around the world access this library for potential stories. When additional space becomes available, SEMA’s editorial team will continue to utilize the Online Media Center for new stories.

In terms of releases, oftentimes there is only space for 100–200 words. Our editorial team will shorten a longer release given space constraints. When it comes to images, the art department is looking for high-resolution images. That means 300 dpi and in one of the following file types—JPG, EPS or TIF. It is also perfectly acceptable to submit renderings of new products or a picture of a car while it’s still being built.

Key contacts for SEMA’s Online Media Center and SEMA’s editorial department:

Della Domingo
Public Relations Director
dellad@sema.org

John Stewart
Vice President/Editorial Director
johns@sema.org