By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation.

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation at a March 25 hearing. SEMA testified at the hearing as the bill’s sponsor. The bill will now be considered by the Committee on Appropriations.

Signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2018, AB 1824 amended how excess exhaust noise violations are treated by law enforcement. Pursuant to the law, a vehicle cited for violating exhaust noise laws no longer receive what is known as a “fix-it” ticket. Instead, violations now result in an immediate fine. AB 390 would re-institute law enforcement’s discretion to issue “fix-it” tickets.

In California, exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 lbs., other than motorcycles, may not exceed a sound level of 95 decibels when tested under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1492 (formerly J1169). This would be unchanged by AB 390.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation.

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation at a March 25 hearing. SEMA testified at the hearing as the bill’s sponsor. The bill will now be considered by the Committee on Appropriations.

Signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2018, AB 1824 amended how excess exhaust noise violations are treated by law enforcement. Pursuant to the law, a vehicle cited for violating exhaust noise laws no longer receive what is known as a “fix-it” ticket. Instead, violations now result in an immediate fine. AB 390 would re-institute law enforcement’s discretion to issue “fix-it” tickets.

In California, exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 lbs., other than motorcycles, may not exceed a sound level of 95 decibels when tested under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1492 (formerly J1169). This would be unchanged by AB 390.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Caught while testing in Auburn Hills, the Jeep Wrangler PHEV is finally becoming a reality. Jeep has not yet revealed which engine the PHEV system will be paired to, but rumors point to the 3.6L V6 from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the likely candidate.

Although camo is seen on both sides of the vehicle, the plug-in port will most likely be located on the driver’s side. After following for 3 or 4 mi., the photographer witnessed the Wrangler traveling at about 25 mph (in EV mode) before the engine kicked on.

Going forward, the Wrangler could be offered as a pure EV as well. According to FCA's five-year business plan that was revealed in June 2018, there will be four Jeep nameplates that will offer a pure EV powertrain, at least globally. Wrangler could be among these four.

Expect an official debut by the end of 2019, most likely at the L.A. Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

Caught while testing in Auburn Hills, the Jeep Wrangler PHEV is finally becoming a reality. Jeep has not yet revealed which engine the PHEV system will be paired to, but rumors point to the 3.6L V6 from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the likely candidate.

Although camo is seen on both sides of the vehicle, the plug-in port will most likely be located on the driver’s side. After following for 3 or 4 mi., the photographer witnessed the Wrangler traveling at about 25 mph (in EV mode) before the engine kicked on.

Going forward, the Wrangler could be offered as a pure EV as well. According to FCA's five-year business plan that was revealed in June 2018, there will be four Jeep nameplates that will offer a pure EV powertrain, at least globally. Wrangler could be among these four.

Expect an official debut by the end of 2019, most likely at the L.A. Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

Caught while testing in Auburn Hills, the Jeep Wrangler PHEV is finally becoming a reality. Jeep has not yet revealed which engine the PHEV system will be paired to, but rumors point to the 3.6L V6 from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the likely candidate.

Although camo is seen on both sides of the vehicle, the plug-in port will most likely be located on the driver’s side. After following for 3 or 4 mi., the photographer witnessed the Wrangler traveling at about 25 mph (in EV mode) before the engine kicked on.

Going forward, the Wrangler could be offered as a pure EV as well. According to FCA's five-year business plan that was revealed in June 2018, there will be four Jeep nameplates that will offer a pure EV powertrain, at least globally. Wrangler could be among these four.

Expect an official debut by the end of 2019, most likely at the L.A. Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Falken’s Dan Fresh took first place in the 4500 Class at last weekend’s ULTRA4 Metalcloak Stampede.

Falken Tires Scores Wins in Ultra4 Metalcloak Stampede

Taking first place in the 4500 Class at last weekend’s ULTRA4 Metalcloak Stampede was Falken’s Dan Fresh, driving a Jeep Wrangler-based chassis built by SAVVY Off-Road. Driver Josh Atteberry and co-driver Jack Gessner took second in the 4600 Class, running a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Following right behind in the same class were driver Dawson Allington and co-driver Mark Allington, who took third. The next ULTRA4 event is scheduled April 12 at the US Gear Tear Down in Tennessee at Pittsburg, where top finishers in the 4400 Class also qualify for the 2020 King of the Hammers race.

Classic Instruments Signs on as 2019 Sponsor for NMCA Muscle Car Nationals

For the 2019 racing season, Classic Instruments will be a sponsor at the platinum level for the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals and will post contingency for those racing in the series. The season will consist of approximately six events, and Classic Instruments contingency requirements can be found on NMCA’s website. The NMCA Contingency Program is a cash program in all-domestic street-legal racing with more than 80 participating companies, 150 products and more than $3 million in total posted cash.

Red Line will outfit each Mustang GT in Skip Barber’s fleet with motor oil, transmission fluid, gear oil and brake fluid to ensure the cars are fully equipped to handle demanding race track conditions.

Red Line Synthetic Oil Partners With Skip Barber Racing School as Official Lubricant Supplier

Red Line Synthetic Oil has announced a partnership with motorsports training academy, the Skip Barber Racing School. Going forward, Red Line products will be the exclusive supplier of lubricants used by the school and also provide technical support. As the official lubricant supplier of the Skip Barber Racing School, Red Line will outfit each Mustang GT in Skip Barber’s fleet with motor oil, transmission fluid, gear oil and brake fluid to ensure the cars are fully equipped to handle demanding race track conditions. To signify the partnership, Skip Barber’s Mustang GTs will prominently feature Red Line’s logo on the vehicles.

E3 Announces NHRA Contingency Program for 2019

E3 spark plugs has announced a new NHRA Contingency Program for the 2019 race season targeting the sportsman racer.  Winners running select E3 products will receive $300 and the runners-up will receive $100. Contingency will be paid at all NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and JEGS All Stars events. The 2019 NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing series with 24 sanctioned events officially started February 7–10 at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California. The E3 contingency program went into effect for the 50th Annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals that was held March 14–17 at Gainesville Raceway in Florida.

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

By SEMA Editors

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

• Bestop
• CalTrend
• Dee Zee
• Fabtech
• Hurst
• Lund
• MSD
• ORACLE Lighting
• Rolling Big Power
• Voodoo Ride

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White recently visited the Austin Hatcher Foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to see first-hand their innovative cognitive program and evaluate the use of driving simulators for physical therapy.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer—a SEMA Cares charity—has launched an innovative program and study using driving simulators. The program allows pediatric cancer patients and their siblings to participate in fun, therapeutic activities while providing valuable information about children’s cognitive control skills. Driving simulators have been used around the world to improve the cognitive and executive function of intact and injured brains.

Some childhood cancer survivors develop learning problems, called cognitive impairments, as a result of the disease or cancer treatment. These problems affect cognitive control skills, such as focus, memory and hand-eye coordination.

“Cancer treatment is especially aggressive for young children, and we’re grateful that the survival rate has increased to 80%,” said Dr. April Nesin, clinical psychologist and project lead for the study. “However, because treatment occurs while children are still growing, some side effects may not show up until years later. In order to improve these learning problems, we’ll have participants complete rounds on the driving simulator that are intended to require action, multi-tasking and concentration.”

The driving simulator provides a real-world setting with full motion and sound, making it feel nearly identical to actually driving a car. Participants acquire and practice driving skills, then apply those skills in a racing video game format. “I’m very positive about the outcome of the study,” said Jonathan Myren, Austin Hatcher Foundation’s industrial arts director. “The kids love being on it because it’s fun, and they’re also experiencing a benefit to their memory, because there’s a lot of things you have to recall during the races. The goal is for them to learn from past mistakes and then try to improve, even as the levels become more challenging.”

SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White recently visited the Austin Hatcher Foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to see first-hand their innovative cognitive program and evaluate the use of driving simulators for physical therapy.

“They [the Foundation] purchased the driving simulator to help kids in the recovery process gain better motor control and hand-eye coordination,” White said. It was such a cool experience to see how our industry can help in healing. Plus, it’s a really fun way to work on healing therapy without it feeling like a chore.”

While entertaining, the study places a high demand on cognitive control skills, which provide an opportunity for childhood cancer patients to potentially improve more quickly, since they are naturally developing at a slower rate due to cancer treatment.

Research has shown that video games that involve action, multitasking and attention have been shown to improve reading and attention skills, working memory and brain processing.

“Through this program, we are able to apply a unique and fun therapy that has proven results in intact and injured brains. We feel this is a key part of the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission to erase the effects of childhood cancer and improve each child’s quality of life.” said Dr. Jim Osborn, medical director at the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

SEMA Cares provides a forum from which association members can act as a collective influence toward making a positive impact beyond the automotive community. The organization significantly improves the lives of many who need it by supporting the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, Childhelp and Victory Junction. 

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship. The Foundation provides services to children with cancer as well as their families through its four major divisions; Industrial Arts Therapy, Diversionary Therapy, Psycho-Oncology and Healthy Lifestyle Education.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White recently visited the Austin Hatcher Foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to see first-hand their innovative cognitive program and evaluate the use of driving simulators for physical therapy.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer—a SEMA Cares charity—has launched an innovative program and study using driving simulators. The program allows pediatric cancer patients and their siblings to participate in fun, therapeutic activities while providing valuable information about children’s cognitive control skills. Driving simulators have been used around the world to improve the cognitive and executive function of intact and injured brains.

Some childhood cancer survivors develop learning problems, called cognitive impairments, as a result of the disease or cancer treatment. These problems affect cognitive control skills, such as focus, memory and hand-eye coordination.

“Cancer treatment is especially aggressive for young children, and we’re grateful that the survival rate has increased to 80%,” said Dr. April Nesin, clinical psychologist and project lead for the study. “However, because treatment occurs while children are still growing, some side effects may not show up until years later. In order to improve these learning problems, we’ll have participants complete rounds on the driving simulator that are intended to require action, multi-tasking and concentration.”

The driving simulator provides a real-world setting with full motion and sound, making it feel nearly identical to actually driving a car. Participants acquire and practice driving skills, then apply those skills in a racing video game format. “I’m very positive about the outcome of the study,” said Jonathan Myren, Austin Hatcher Foundation’s industrial arts director. “The kids love being on it because it’s fun, and they’re also experiencing a benefit to their memory, because there’s a lot of things you have to recall during the races. The goal is for them to learn from past mistakes and then try to improve, even as the levels become more challenging.”

SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White recently visited the Austin Hatcher Foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to see first-hand their innovative cognitive program and evaluate the use of driving simulators for physical therapy.

“They [the Foundation] purchased the driving simulator to help kids in the recovery process gain better motor control and hand-eye coordination,” White said. It was such a cool experience to see how our industry can help in healing. Plus, it’s a really fun way to work on healing therapy without it feeling like a chore.”

While entertaining, the study places a high demand on cognitive control skills, which provide an opportunity for childhood cancer patients to potentially improve more quickly, since they are naturally developing at a slower rate due to cancer treatment.

Research has shown that video games that involve action, multitasking and attention have been shown to improve reading and attention skills, working memory and brain processing.

“Through this program, we are able to apply a unique and fun therapy that has proven results in intact and injured brains. We feel this is a key part of the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission to erase the effects of childhood cancer and improve each child’s quality of life.” said Dr. Jim Osborn, medical director at the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

SEMA Cares provides a forum from which association members can act as a collective influence toward making a positive impact beyond the automotive community. The organization significantly improves the lives of many who need it by supporting the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, Childhelp and Victory Junction. 

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship. The Foundation provides services to children with cancer as well as their families through its four major divisions; Industrial Arts Therapy, Diversionary Therapy, Psycho-Oncology and Healthy Lifestyle Education.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White recently visited the Austin Hatcher Foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to see first-hand their innovative cognitive program and evaluate the use of driving simulators for physical therapy.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer—a SEMA Cares charity—has launched an innovative program and study using driving simulators. The program allows pediatric cancer patients and their siblings to participate in fun, therapeutic activities while providing valuable information about children’s cognitive control skills. Driving simulators have been used around the world to improve the cognitive and executive function of intact and injured brains.

Some childhood cancer survivors develop learning problems, called cognitive impairments, as a result of the disease or cancer treatment. These problems affect cognitive control skills, such as focus, memory and hand-eye coordination.

“Cancer treatment is especially aggressive for young children, and we’re grateful that the survival rate has increased to 80%,” said Dr. April Nesin, clinical psychologist and project lead for the study. “However, because treatment occurs while children are still growing, some side effects may not show up until years later. In order to improve these learning problems, we’ll have participants complete rounds on the driving simulator that are intended to require action, multi-tasking and concentration.”

The driving simulator provides a real-world setting with full motion and sound, making it feel nearly identical to actually driving a car. Participants acquire and practice driving skills, then apply those skills in a racing video game format. “I’m very positive about the outcome of the study,” said Jonathan Myren, Austin Hatcher Foundation’s industrial arts director. “The kids love being on it because it’s fun, and they’re also experiencing a benefit to their memory, because there’s a lot of things you have to recall during the races. The goal is for them to learn from past mistakes and then try to improve, even as the levels become more challenging.”

SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White recently visited the Austin Hatcher Foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to see first-hand their innovative cognitive program and evaluate the use of driving simulators for physical therapy.

“They [the Foundation] purchased the driving simulator to help kids in the recovery process gain better motor control and hand-eye coordination,” White said. It was such a cool experience to see how our industry can help in healing. Plus, it’s a really fun way to work on healing therapy without it feeling like a chore.”

While entertaining, the study places a high demand on cognitive control skills, which provide an opportunity for childhood cancer patients to potentially improve more quickly, since they are naturally developing at a slower rate due to cancer treatment.

Research has shown that video games that involve action, multitasking and attention have been shown to improve reading and attention skills, working memory and brain processing.

“Through this program, we are able to apply a unique and fun therapy that has proven results in intact and injured brains. We feel this is a key part of the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission to erase the effects of childhood cancer and improve each child’s quality of life.” said Dr. Jim Osborn, medical director at the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

SEMA Cares provides a forum from which association members can act as a collective influence toward making a positive impact beyond the automotive community. The organization significantly improves the lives of many who need it by supporting the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, Childhelp and Victory Junction. 

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship. The Foundation provides services to children with cancer as well as their families through its four major divisions; Industrial Arts Therapy, Diversionary Therapy, Psycho-Oncology and Healthy Lifestyle Education.