By SEMA Editors

Team Comp Cams from Burton Center for Arts and Technology in Virginia is this year’s Hot Rodders of Tomorrow national champion with an average time of 17:43.

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow 2016 season came to an exciting conclusion last weekend at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis.

After 43 teams qualified for the National Dual Championship, 20 teams went to compete at the SEMA Show and 23 teams traveled to the PRI Show. Starting Friday, December 9, the top four SEMA teams went head-to-head against the top four PRI teams in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championship Elite Eight. Each team competed three times, and had their times averaged to determine the overall winner.

Team Howards Cams—an all-girls team coached by Jill Arata from Belvidere North High School in Illinois—took fourth place in the Elite Eight finals at the 2016 PRI Show with an average time of 21:05. This was the first-ever all-girls team to make it to the Elite Eight.

With four out of the five teammates having competed in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge for the past four years, Team Fragola from Peach County High School in Georgia took third place with an average time of 19:12. Team Fragola also won the Parts Pro Perfect Engine award with the fastest time of 16:46. The award is earned when a team rebuilds the engine accurately and efficiently.

Coming in second place was Team Holley from Forsyth Central High School in Georgia with an average time of 18:50. Jacob Cochran from Team Holley stated, “I have learned leadership skills and how to work with new people. I have learned that communication is key to being productive as a whole. Hot Rodders of Tomorrow impacted my life experience as well. The friendships I have built with Hot Rodders have impacted my life greatly.”

In first place came Team Comp Cams from Burton Center for Arts and Technology in Virginia with an average time of 17:43. Chris Overfelt, Team Comp Cams coach, had previously won the 2014 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Championship. “This year, my team practiced hard to be accurate and quick,” Overfelt said. “During the Elite Eight competition, I was overwhelmed by being in such a tight group of times. I am very proud of my team and their effort to become the 2016 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National champion.”

Each team earned scholarship opportunities from Ohio Technical College, School of Automotive Machinists & Technology, University of Northwestern Ohio, and Universal Technical Institute.

By SEMA Editors

Team Comp Cams from Burton Center for Arts and Technology in Virginia is this year’s Hot Rodders of Tomorrow national champion with an average time of 17:43.

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow 2016 season came to an exciting conclusion last weekend at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis.

After 43 teams qualified for the National Dual Championship, 20 teams went to compete at the SEMA Show and 23 teams traveled to the PRI Show. Starting Friday, December 9, the top four SEMA teams went head-to-head against the top four PRI teams in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championship Elite Eight. Each team competed three times, and had their times averaged to determine the overall winner.

Team Howards Cams—an all-girls team coached by Jill Arata from Belvidere North High School in Illinois—took fourth place in the Elite Eight finals at the 2016 PRI Show with an average time of 21:05. This was the first-ever all-girls team to make it to the Elite Eight.

With four out of the five teammates having competed in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge for the past four years, Team Fragola from Peach County High School in Georgia took third place with an average time of 19:12. Team Fragola also won the Parts Pro Perfect Engine award with the fastest time of 16:46. The award is earned when a team rebuilds the engine accurately and efficiently.

Coming in second place was Team Holley from Forsyth Central High School in Georgia with an average time of 18:50. Jacob Cochran from Team Holley stated, “I have learned leadership skills and how to work with new people. I have learned that communication is key to being productive as a whole. Hot Rodders of Tomorrow impacted my life experience as well. The friendships I have built with Hot Rodders have impacted my life greatly.”

In first place came Team Comp Cams from Burton Center for Arts and Technology in Virginia with an average time of 17:43. Chris Overfelt, Team Comp Cams coach, had previously won the 2014 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Championship. “This year, my team practiced hard to be accurate and quick,” Overfelt said. “During the Elite Eight competition, I was overwhelmed by being in such a tight group of times. I am very proud of my team and their effort to become the 2016 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National champion.”

Each team earned scholarship opportunities from Ohio Technical College, School of Automotive Machinists & Technology, University of Northwestern Ohio, and Universal Technical Institute.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News  

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SIGNS MULTI-YEAR SPONSORSHIP TO BACK COURTNEY FORCE: Advance Auto Parts will be the major primary sponsor of Courtney Force’s Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. This multi-year sponsorship between Advance Auto Parts—a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America—and John Force Racing will begin with the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, and cover the winningest female Funny Car driver in NHRA history throughout the season.

“I am thrilled to be driving the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car starting in 2017,” said Courtney Force. “Last season, we made some big strides toward our first championship, and I am very confident in my team led by my crew chiefs, Dan Hood and Ronnie Thompson, that next season can be even better. I love the look of this red, yellow and black Camaro, and I can’t wait to get it into the winner’s circle.”

CHANDLER TO CONTINUE TO FUND DON SCHUMACHER RACING MAKE-A-WISH AND INFINITE HERO FUNNY CARS IN 2017: New Mexico philanthropist and drag-racing enthusiast Terry Chandler will continue to fund the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero Funny Cars at Don Schumacher Racing in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Chandler—the 2015 recipient of the NHRA Blaine Johnson Award for her dedication to helping others—has funded the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero Funny Cars at Don Schumacher Racing for the past three seasons. The two race programs are designed to raise awareness for foundations very dear to her heart.

TULSA, BRISTOL TO HOST 2017 JR. CONFERENCE FINALS EVENTS: The 2017 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will be held at Osage Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals will visit Oklahoma’s Osage Tulsa Raceway Park for the second time, June 15–16, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals will return to Eastern Tennessee’s famed Thunder Valley, July 20–22.

“The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Conference Finals showcase the future stars of NHRA Drag Racing, and we couldn’t be happier to have two top-notch facilities host these events,” said Eric Lotz, director of field marketing, NHRA. “These racetracks are full of tradition and take a lot of pride in being a part of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League. We cannot wait to return to Osage Tulsa Raceway Park and Bristol Dragway next year to again crown young champions.”

He Said, She Said

“The dream scenario is one of us is in the winner’s circle at every race. The KB Racing team dominated the field with their three cars this last season, and we did a pretty good job ourselves in ’14 and ’15, so we know it can be done. Our guys are really hungry to win again. I believe the move back to Chevrolet is by far the best one we could have made, and we plan to show everyone that beginning in February in Pomona.”

—Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders on her and teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s—a five time Pro Stock champ—move to Chevrolet Camaro's for the 2017 season.

Inside the Numbers

Gen 6: Name of the new Chevrolet Pro Stock Camaro SS that will race in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. The car debuted at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, and testing will begin later this month.

“Our goal was to minimize aerodynamic drag within the NHRA guidelines and incorporate as many design cues from the production car,” said John Mack, Chevrolet Camaro exterior design manager. “The result is a sleeker and more aerodynamic Camaro SS.”

Did You Know

PHOENIX, EPPING TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Tickets are now on sale for the 2017 NHRA Arizona Nationals, February 24–27, in Phoenix, and the NHRA New England Nationals, June 2–4, in Epping, New Hampshire. The NHRA Arizona Nationals—race two of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series—is held annually at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. The NHRA New England Nationals, held at historic New England Dragway, kicks off the important month-long East Coast swing in early June.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News  

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SIGNS MULTI-YEAR SPONSORSHIP TO BACK COURTNEY FORCE: Advance Auto Parts will be the major primary sponsor of Courtney Force’s Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. This multi-year sponsorship between Advance Auto Parts—a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America—and John Force Racing will begin with the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, and cover the winningest female Funny Car driver in NHRA history throughout the season.

“I am thrilled to be driving the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car starting in 2017,” said Courtney Force. “Last season, we made some big strides toward our first championship, and I am very confident in my team led by my crew chiefs, Dan Hood and Ronnie Thompson, that next season can be even better. I love the look of this red, yellow and black Camaro, and I can’t wait to get it into the winner’s circle.”

CHANDLER TO CONTINUE TO FUND DON SCHUMACHER RACING MAKE-A-WISH AND INFINITE HERO FUNNY CARS IN 2017: New Mexico philanthropist and drag-racing enthusiast Terry Chandler will continue to fund the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero Funny Cars at Don Schumacher Racing in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Chandler—the 2015 recipient of the NHRA Blaine Johnson Award for her dedication to helping others—has funded the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero Funny Cars at Don Schumacher Racing for the past three seasons. The two race programs are designed to raise awareness for foundations very dear to her heart.

TULSA, BRISTOL TO HOST 2017 JR. CONFERENCE FINALS EVENTS: The 2017 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will be held at Osage Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals will visit Oklahoma’s Osage Tulsa Raceway Park for the second time, June 15–16, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals will return to Eastern Tennessee’s famed Thunder Valley, July 20–22.

“The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Conference Finals showcase the future stars of NHRA Drag Racing, and we couldn’t be happier to have two top-notch facilities host these events,” said Eric Lotz, director of field marketing, NHRA. “These racetracks are full of tradition and take a lot of pride in being a part of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League. We cannot wait to return to Osage Tulsa Raceway Park and Bristol Dragway next year to again crown young champions.”

He Said, She Said

“The dream scenario is one of us is in the winner’s circle at every race. The KB Racing team dominated the field with their three cars this last season, and we did a pretty good job ourselves in ’14 and ’15, so we know it can be done. Our guys are really hungry to win again. I believe the move back to Chevrolet is by far the best one we could have made, and we plan to show everyone that beginning in February in Pomona.”

—Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders on her and teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s—a five time Pro Stock champ—move to Chevrolet Camaro's for the 2017 season.

Inside the Numbers

Gen 6: Name of the new Chevrolet Pro Stock Camaro SS that will race in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. The car debuted at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, and testing will begin later this month.

“Our goal was to minimize aerodynamic drag within the NHRA guidelines and incorporate as many design cues from the production car,” said John Mack, Chevrolet Camaro exterior design manager. “The result is a sleeker and more aerodynamic Camaro SS.”

Did You Know

PHOENIX, EPPING TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Tickets are now on sale for the 2017 NHRA Arizona Nationals, February 24–27, in Phoenix, and the NHRA New England Nationals, June 2–4, in Epping, New Hampshire. The NHRA Arizona Nationals—race two of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series—is held annually at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. The NHRA New England Nationals, held at historic New England Dragway, kicks off the important month-long East Coast swing in early June.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News  

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SIGNS MULTI-YEAR SPONSORSHIP TO BACK COURTNEY FORCE: Advance Auto Parts will be the major primary sponsor of Courtney Force’s Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. This multi-year sponsorship between Advance Auto Parts—a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America—and John Force Racing will begin with the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, and cover the winningest female Funny Car driver in NHRA history throughout the season.

“I am thrilled to be driving the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car starting in 2017,” said Courtney Force. “Last season, we made some big strides toward our first championship, and I am very confident in my team led by my crew chiefs, Dan Hood and Ronnie Thompson, that next season can be even better. I love the look of this red, yellow and black Camaro, and I can’t wait to get it into the winner’s circle.”

CHANDLER TO CONTINUE TO FUND DON SCHUMACHER RACING MAKE-A-WISH AND INFINITE HERO FUNNY CARS IN 2017: New Mexico philanthropist and drag-racing enthusiast Terry Chandler will continue to fund the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero Funny Cars at Don Schumacher Racing in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Chandler—the 2015 recipient of the NHRA Blaine Johnson Award for her dedication to helping others—has funded the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero Funny Cars at Don Schumacher Racing for the past three seasons. The two race programs are designed to raise awareness for foundations very dear to her heart.

TULSA, BRISTOL TO HOST 2017 JR. CONFERENCE FINALS EVENTS: The 2017 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will be held at Osage Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals will visit Oklahoma’s Osage Tulsa Raceway Park for the second time, June 15–16, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals will return to Eastern Tennessee’s famed Thunder Valley, July 20–22.

“The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Conference Finals showcase the future stars of NHRA Drag Racing, and we couldn’t be happier to have two top-notch facilities host these events,” said Eric Lotz, director of field marketing, NHRA. “These racetracks are full of tradition and take a lot of pride in being a part of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League. We cannot wait to return to Osage Tulsa Raceway Park and Bristol Dragway next year to again crown young champions.”

He Said, She Said

“The dream scenario is one of us is in the winner’s circle at every race. The KB Racing team dominated the field with their three cars this last season, and we did a pretty good job ourselves in ’14 and ’15, so we know it can be done. Our guys are really hungry to win again. I believe the move back to Chevrolet is by far the best one we could have made, and we plan to show everyone that beginning in February in Pomona.”

—Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders on her and teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s—a five time Pro Stock champ—move to Chevrolet Camaro's for the 2017 season.

Inside the Numbers

Gen 6: Name of the new Chevrolet Pro Stock Camaro SS that will race in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. The car debuted at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, and testing will begin later this month.

“Our goal was to minimize aerodynamic drag within the NHRA guidelines and incorporate as many design cues from the production car,” said John Mack, Chevrolet Camaro exterior design manager. “The result is a sleeker and more aerodynamic Camaro SS.”

Did You Know

PHOENIX, EPPING TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Tickets are now on sale for the 2017 NHRA Arizona Nationals, February 24–27, in Phoenix, and the NHRA New England Nationals, June 2–4, in Epping, New Hampshire. The NHRA Arizona Nationals—race two of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series—is held annually at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. The NHRA New England Nationals, held at historic New England Dragway, kicks off the important month-long East Coast swing in early June.

By Khesayc Chu Yang

The latest SEMA International Research report will highlight which global markets sold the most customizing-friendly vehicles in 2015, including the Toyota HiLux.

Through SEMA International Research, make/model data from 2002-2015 is now available free of charge to SEMA members. This data is based on SEMA calculations from IHS data, and can be used to find out the following information:

• Which global markets sold the most customizing-friendly vehicles in 2015, including the Mustang, Wrangler, HiLux, Ranger and F-150.
• Top-selling cars, SUVs and pickups for promising markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, China and many other markets.  

In total, 12 reports are available at SEMA International Research—all free of charge to SEMA members. 

For questions about data, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Khesayc Chu Yang

The latest SEMA International Research report will highlight which global markets sold the most customizing-friendly vehicles in 2015, including the Toyota HiLux.

Through SEMA International Research, make/model data from 2002-2015 is now available free of charge to SEMA members. This data is based on SEMA calculations from IHS data, and can be used to find out the following information:

• Which global markets sold the most customizing-friendly vehicles in 2015, including the Mustang, Wrangler, HiLux, Ranger and F-150.
• Top-selling cars, SUVs and pickups for promising markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, China and many other markets.  

In total, 12 reports are available at SEMA International Research—all free of charge to SEMA members. 

For questions about data, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Juan Torres

Several television specials featuring coverage from the 2016 SEMA Show are scheduled to premiere in the coming weeks.

Several television specials featuring coverage from the 2016 SEMA Show are scheduled to premiere in the coming weeks. Tune in and relive the excitement as the newest products and trends are featured on the following shows:

December 18, 8:30 a.m. – “Motorhead Garage” (Velocity Network)

Hosts John Gardner and Brian Lohnes attend the 50th annual SEMA Show to discover the latest performance and styling trends.

December 21, 7:00 p.m. – FOX Sports 50th Anniversary SEMA Show Special (FOX Sports 2)

Host Tore Dietrich will give viewers an inside look at all that SEMA has to offer during a one-hour SEMA Show TV special.

December 25, 8:30 a.m. – “Motorhead Garage” (Velocity Network)

The “Motorhead Garage” crew ends the year by checking out the latest innovations at the SEMA Show.

Mark your calendars, set your DVRs and tell your friends not to miss these shows.

By Juan Torres

Several television specials featuring coverage from the 2016 SEMA Show are scheduled to premiere in the coming weeks.

Several television specials featuring coverage from the 2016 SEMA Show are scheduled to premiere in the coming weeks. Tune in and relive the excitement as the newest products and trends are featured on the following shows:

December 18, 8:30 a.m. – “Motorhead Garage” (Velocity Network)

Hosts John Gardner and Brian Lohnes attend the 50th annual SEMA Show to discover the latest performance and styling trends.

December 21, 7:00 p.m. – FOX Sports 50th Anniversary SEMA Show Special (FOX Sports 2)

Host Tore Dietrich will give viewers an inside look at all that SEMA has to offer during a one-hour SEMA Show TV special.

December 25, 8:30 a.m. – “Motorhead Garage” (Velocity Network)

The “Motorhead Garage” crew ends the year by checking out the latest innovations at the SEMA Show.

Mark your calendars, set your DVRs and tell your friends not to miss these shows.

By SEMA Editors

Last year, nearly 40 SEMA-member companies traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of the fifth SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference. This year, California-based companies are eligible for a $1,500 grant to help defray the costs to participate.

The State of California STEP program (a federal-state trade initiative) has just confirmed that qualified California-based companies traveling with SEMA for the 2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference from March 28–April 1 are eligible for a $1,500 grant to help defray the costs to participate. These newly announced funds are in addition to the $900 being provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce for a total of $2,400 in grants. Subsidized slots are limited. 

To learn more about SEMA overseas trips, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org. Information regarding the SEMA Middle East trip is available online. For those who are not from California but want to find out if their state offers funds to participate in the Middle East trip, contact Linda Spencer.