By SEMA Editors

Whiteline USA announced that it will sponsor Jager Racing for the 2019 racing season.

Whiteline USA to Sponsor Jager Racing for 2019 Season

Whiteline USA announced that it will sponsor Jager Racing for the 2019 racing season. The company supports Jager Racing as the team campaigns their Subaru STI in the Global Time Attack racing series. Jager Racing will use Whiteline’s suspension components on the race car and will offer real world competition tested feedbacks as well as collaborating on future Whiteline suspension R&D efforts. Mark Jager of Jager Racing was the fastest Street Class, then Modified/Limited Class, and now Time Attack driver in North America. The Jager Racing’s 2006 Subaru STI, aka “Honey Badger” is one of the most successful and recognizable Time Attack vehicles campaigning in the GTA series.

SCCA Announces Marketing Department Changes

Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) has opened the New Year with some reorganization and staff additions within the marketing department at the national office in Topeka, Kansas. Heyward Wagner has been promoted to senior director of marketing and experiential programs. Jon Krolewicz has shifted to time trials program manager and Andie Albin to creative manager. Blair Deffenbaugh joins the national staff as marketing project manager and Courtney Rivers has been added as staffing coordinator for the Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack program. In his new role, Wagner will continue to oversee programs, such as SCCA Starting Line and Track Night in America, that convert motorsport enthusiasts into active SCCA participants. Additionally, he will focus on new programs, such as the Tire Rack Time Trials National Tour and Tire Rack Time Trials Nationals, as well as seek ways to grow awareness and exposure of Club activities through traditional and social media. Krolewicz will be hands-on with program development and provide support to SCCA regions seeking ways to implement time trials in their areas. Krolewicz previously helped grow Track Night in America and has an extensive background in both road racing and Time Attack. Albin, formerly digital marketing and communications coordinator, will now work to bring consistency and cohesiveness to visual elements within the SCCA brand in her new role as creative manager. Deffenbaugh will manage a wide variety of marketing projects. Rivers will help with staffing logistics for Track Night in America and has been tasked with seeking ways to streamline processes from online registration all the way to on-site check-in.

NHRA’s New “Unfinished Business” Competition to Feature Drag Racing Legends

Eight of the most beloved figures in the sport of NHRA drag racing will come together to compete in NHRA’s “Unfinished Business” event during the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Each of the eight NHRA Legends competing in the event will be revealed via social media in the weeks leading up to the Gatornationals. A new driver will be released twice a week, each week from now until January 31. When the drivers are revealed, NHRA will post images of each driver’s custom Toyota Camry, which will be distinctly wrapped to emulate looks inspired by some of the drivers’ favorite rides. Then fans will have the opportunity to vote for the first-round pairs they would like to see compete. Follow the hashtag #UnfinishedBusiness on NHRA’s social media pages and www.NHRA.com for updates on NHRA Unfinished Business. For more information, visit www.gainesvilleraceway.com.

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

By Rachel Tatum

Hosted by NHRA TV personality Brian Lohnes and ASE-certified instructor John Gardner, the three-part SEMA special features interviews, footage and coverage from the 2018 SEMA Show, held in Las Vegas.

Part two of “Motorhead Garage’s” SEMA special airs Friday, January 11, at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EST) on MAVTV.

Hosted by NHRA TV personality Brian Lohnes and ASE-certified instructor John Gardner, the three-part special features interviews, footage and coverage from the 2018 SEMA Show held in Las Vegas. Part two, airing January 11, features one of the SEMA Show’s iconic special events: The NHRA Breakfast. With Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein, Don Prudhomme and John Force, the breakfast is a favorite among SEMA Show attendees.

Part three airs the following week, Friday, January 18, at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EST).

Tune in and relive the excitement from the 2018 SEMA Show. Check your local listings to confirm air time and channel.

By Rachel Tatum

Hosted by NHRA TV personality Brian Lohnes and ASE-certified instructor John Gardner, the three-part SEMA special features interviews, footage and coverage from the 2018 SEMA Show, held in Las Vegas.

Part two of “Motorhead Garage’s” SEMA special airs Friday, January 11, at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EST) on MAVTV.

Hosted by NHRA TV personality Brian Lohnes and ASE-certified instructor John Gardner, the three-part special features interviews, footage and coverage from the 2018 SEMA Show held in Las Vegas. Part two, airing January 11, features one of the SEMA Show’s iconic special events: The NHRA Breakfast. With Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein, Don Prudhomme and John Force, the breakfast is a favorite among SEMA Show attendees.

Part three airs the following week, Friday, January 18, at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EST).

Tune in and relive the excitement from the 2018 SEMA Show. Check your local listings to confirm air time and channel.

By Juan Torres

Media who have signed up for the 2019 MPMC Media Trade Conference will receive their schedules via email Friday, January 11.

Media who have signed up for the 2019 MPMC Media Trade Conference will receive their schedules via email Friday, January 11. The event, taking place January 22–24, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, includes personalized schedules for journalists to meet privately with motorsports parts manufacturers. All media who have registered and received a confirmation before January 7, 2019, will receive their schedules January 11.

Media who have not yet registered can still do so at www.sema.org/mpmcmediaregister. Schedules will be filled as openings are available and provided to media on-site at the event.

Media with questions can visit www.sema.org/mtc or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.

Read more about the event.

By Juan Torres

Media who have signed up for the 2019 MPMC Media Trade Conference will receive their schedules via email Friday, January 11.

Media who have signed up for the 2019 MPMC Media Trade Conference will receive their schedules via email Friday, January 11. The event, taking place January 22–24, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, includes personalized schedules for journalists to meet privately with motorsports parts manufacturers. All media who have registered and received a confirmation before January 7, 2019, will receive their schedules January 11.

Media who have not yet registered can still do so at www.sema.org/mpmcmediaregister. Schedules will be filled as openings are available and provided to media on-site at the event.

Media with questions can visit www.sema.org/mtc or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.

Read more about the event.

Donnie Eatherly takes time during the 2018 SEMA Show to share what it’s like to be a newly inducted SEMA Hall of Fame member, how he got started in the business, why he joined SEMA and more.

Here’s a first look at the all-new Ford Escape (Kuga) virtually camo-free.

Starting up front, the new Escape carries a design that resembles the recently debuted Focus Active, with a similar grille mesh, side mirrors and a Ford badge placed on the tip of the nose. The similarities stop there though, as you get to the side of the Escape, you’ll notice a beltline that rises more gradually from the A-pillar to the C-pillar, and a rear door that looks similar to the outgoing one. In the back, Focus-esque taillights can be seen, along with a longer hatch that features a larger opening and a narrow rear bumper with dual exhaust openings.

The Escape should get power from Ford’s 1.5L Ecoboost three-cylinder as the volume engine, while the 2.0L Ecoboost four-cylinder will likely continue as the upscale engine offering. In Europe, the 1.5L three-cylinder is good for 180 hp and more than 200 lb.-ft. of torque. A new nine-speed automatic is expected to be the sole transmission in the next Escape. A hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain should also be part of the mix, considering the demise of the C-Max.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the all-new Ford Escape (Kuga) virtually camo-free.

Starting up front, the new Escape carries a design that resembles the recently debuted Focus Active, with a similar grille mesh, side mirrors and a Ford badge placed on the tip of the nose. The similarities stop there though, as you get to the side of the Escape, you’ll notice a beltline that rises more gradually from the A-pillar to the C-pillar, and a rear door that looks similar to the outgoing one. In the back, Focus-esque taillights can be seen, along with a longer hatch that features a larger opening and a narrow rear bumper with dual exhaust openings.

The Escape should get power from Ford’s 1.5L Ecoboost three-cylinder as the volume engine, while the 2.0L Ecoboost four-cylinder will likely continue as the upscale engine offering. In Europe, the 1.5L three-cylinder is good for 180 hp and more than 200 lb.-ft. of torque. A new nine-speed automatic is expected to be the sole transmission in the next Escape. A hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain should also be part of the mix, considering the demise of the C-Max.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the all-new Ford Escape (Kuga) virtually camo-free.

Starting up front, the new Escape carries a design that resembles the recently debuted Focus Active, with a similar grille mesh, side mirrors and a Ford badge placed on the tip of the nose. The similarities stop there though, as you get to the side of the Escape, you’ll notice a beltline that rises more gradually from the A-pillar to the C-pillar, and a rear door that looks similar to the outgoing one. In the back, Focus-esque taillights can be seen, along with a longer hatch that features a larger opening and a narrow rear bumper with dual exhaust openings.

The Escape should get power from Ford’s 1.5L Ecoboost three-cylinder as the volume engine, while the 2.0L Ecoboost four-cylinder will likely continue as the upscale engine offering. In Europe, the 1.5L three-cylinder is good for 180 hp and more than 200 lb.-ft. of torque. A new nine-speed automatic is expected to be the sole transmission in the next Escape. A hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain should also be part of the mix, considering the demise of the C-Max.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the all-new Ford Escape (Kuga) virtually camo-free.

Starting up front, the new Escape carries a design that resembles the recently debuted Focus Active, with a similar grille mesh, side mirrors and a Ford badge placed on the tip of the nose. The similarities stop there though, as you get to the side of the Escape, you’ll notice a beltline that rises more gradually from the A-pillar to the C-pillar, and a rear door that looks similar to the outgoing one. In the back, Focus-esque taillights can be seen, along with a longer hatch that features a larger opening and a narrow rear bumper with dual exhaust openings.

The Escape should get power from Ford’s 1.5L Ecoboost three-cylinder as the volume engine, while the 2.0L Ecoboost four-cylinder will likely continue as the upscale engine offering. In Europe, the 1.5L three-cylinder is good for 180 hp and more than 200 lb.-ft. of torque. A new nine-speed automatic is expected to be the sole transmission in the next Escape. A hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain should also be part of the mix, considering the demise of the C-Max.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde