By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

On Tuesday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m., SEMA PAC will host an exclusive reception at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

It’s election season and that means your elected officials have left Washington, D.C., to campaign in communities and states across the country until November. This is an ideal time to reach out to lawmakers and urge them to support the RPM Act before the end of the year.

What SEMA members can do this October:

Register to support the RPM Act at the 2016 SEMA Show: Headed to the 2016 SEMA Show? Stand up for your right to race by supporting SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) and the lawmakers who support you. On Tuesday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m., SEMA PAC will host an exclusive reception at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Open only to SEMA members who contribute to SEMA PAC, the event will feature:

• An open bar and premium catering.
• Door prizes, including a 55-in. HDTV and Apple iPad.
• Celebrity appearances.
• Networking opportunities with industry leaders, including SEMA Chairman Doug Evans.
• An RPM Act support station.

For more information or to RSVP, contact SEMA PAC and Congressional Relations Director Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

Request a meeting: Back at home? Contact your federal elected official's office and request a face-to-face meeting with the member or their staff in their district office. SEMA’s team in D.C. can provide background materials and talking points on why congress should support the RPM Act this year. Please email Christian Robinson if you’re interested in setting up a meeting.

Host a Tour of Your Business: Host a member of congress at your business, provide them with a tour of the facility and help your lawmaker better understand the motorsports industry and the issues that it faces. During the next several weeks when congress is not in session, lawmakers use their time to visit with local businesses and constituents, creating an ideal opportunity for your participation. Please email Christian Robinson if you’re interested in participating. Here’s an example of a tour hosted by SEMA-member PRO-FABrication earlier this year.

Attend a Town Hall: Many lawmakers have public town hall meetings throughout the year. The meetings serve as a way for elected officials to talk to constituents and potential voters. These forums are a good opportunity to educate your lawmakers about the motorsports community and industry and ask them to support for the RPM Act. You can sign up for emails and updates about your federal lawmakers’ town hall and public events schedule on their website. Please email Christian Robinson if you’re interested in receiving talking points and background materials.

Send a Letter: Can SEMA members rally to send 200,000 letters to congress? Continue our momentum by visiting www.SEMA.org/RPMAct and sending a letter through the RPM Act electronic letter-writing campaign. It only takes a minute and can make a huge impact in our effort to support the RPM Act!

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

On Tuesday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m., SEMA PAC will host an exclusive reception at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

It’s election season and that means your elected officials have left Washington, D.C., to campaign in communities and states across the country until November. This is an ideal time to reach out to lawmakers and urge them to support the RPM Act before the end of the year.

What SEMA members can do this October:

Register to support the RPM Act at the 2016 SEMA Show: Headed to the 2016 SEMA Show? Stand up for your right to race by supporting SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) and the lawmakers who support you. On Tuesday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m., SEMA PAC will host an exclusive reception at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Open only to SEMA members who contribute to SEMA PAC, the event will feature:

• An open bar and premium catering.
• Door prizes, including a 55-in. HDTV and Apple iPad.
• Celebrity appearances.
• Networking opportunities with industry leaders, including SEMA Chairman Doug Evans.
• An RPM Act support station.

For more information or to RSVP, contact SEMA PAC and Congressional Relations Director Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

Request a meeting: Back at home? Contact your federal elected official's office and request a face-to-face meeting with the member or their staff in their district office. SEMA’s team in D.C. can provide background materials and talking points on why congress should support the RPM Act this year. Please email Christian Robinson if you’re interested in setting up a meeting.

Host a Tour of Your Business: Host a member of congress at your business, provide them with a tour of the facility and help your lawmaker better understand the motorsports industry and the issues that it faces. During the next several weeks when congress is not in session, lawmakers use their time to visit with local businesses and constituents, creating an ideal opportunity for your participation. Please email Christian Robinson if you’re interested in participating. Here’s an example of a tour hosted by SEMA-member PRO-FABrication earlier this year.

Attend a Town Hall: Many lawmakers have public town hall meetings throughout the year. The meetings serve as a way for elected officials to talk to constituents and potential voters. These forums are a good opportunity to educate your lawmakers about the motorsports community and industry and ask them to support for the RPM Act. You can sign up for emails and updates about your federal lawmakers’ town hall and public events schedule on their website. Please email Christian Robinson if you’re interested in receiving talking points and background materials.

Send a Letter: Can SEMA members rally to send 200,000 letters to congress? Continue our momentum by visiting www.SEMA.org/RPMAct and sending a letter through the RPM Act electronic letter-writing campaign. It only takes a minute and can make a huge impact in our effort to support the RPM Act!

By Chad Simon

SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party that is open to consumers—will kick-off for the third time ever, Friday, November 4, immediately following the close of the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Leading up to the 2016 event, SEMA eNews will feature some of this year’s builders. In this week’s behind-the-scenes video, SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) participant Tom Longo of Derale Performance in Los Angeles talks about the ’66 Mercury Cyclone GT stock car that he will showcase at the SEMA Show. Longo details what makes this build unique, and how it is inspired by the ’60s vehicles that raced in NASCAR, while incorporating today’s modern technology to improve performance and ride. Showcasing Derale’s sponsors’ products along with its own, Derale’s concept for this vehicle is a “street-legal NASCAR” vehicle.

There were more than 27,000 registered attendees for the 2015 event—up 20% from the previous year. Held in the Gold Lot just steps away from the Las Vegas Convention Center, SEMA Ignited will feature automotive demonstrations, celebrity appearances, industry icons, food, music, cackle cars, Formula Drift action and a live taping of the 2016 BOTB competition that will premiere in early 2017 on the Velocity Channel. Vehicles from the SEMA Show will begin to parade out of the convention center around 4:00 p.m., and make their way to SEMA Ignited as thousands of fans line the streets of Las Vegas to catch a glimpse of the Show’s wildest rides.

Also for the third year, SEMA Ignited will serve as the backdrop for “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” hosted by Adrienne Janic and Chris Jacobs, during which the top three finalists will learn their fates. Last year, 220 of the world’s best builders entered the competition, but it was Bobby Alloway who walked away with the top prize.

For more information, visit the SEMA Ignited and SEMA Battle of the Builders websites.

By Chad Simon

SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party that is open to consumers—will kick-off for the third time ever, Friday, November 4, immediately following the close of the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Leading up to the 2016 event, SEMA eNews will feature some of this year’s builders. In this week’s behind-the-scenes video, SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) participant Tom Longo of Derale Performance in Los Angeles talks about the ’66 Mercury Cyclone GT stock car that he will showcase at the SEMA Show. Longo details what makes this build unique, and how it is inspired by the ’60s vehicles that raced in NASCAR, while incorporating today’s modern technology to improve performance and ride. Showcasing Derale’s sponsors’ products along with its own, Derale’s concept for this vehicle is a “street-legal NASCAR” vehicle.

There were more than 27,000 registered attendees for the 2015 event—up 20% from the previous year. Held in the Gold Lot just steps away from the Las Vegas Convention Center, SEMA Ignited will feature automotive demonstrations, celebrity appearances, industry icons, food, music, cackle cars, Formula Drift action and a live taping of the 2016 BOTB competition that will premiere in early 2017 on the Velocity Channel. Vehicles from the SEMA Show will begin to parade out of the convention center around 4:00 p.m., and make their way to SEMA Ignited as thousands of fans line the streets of Las Vegas to catch a glimpse of the Show’s wildest rides.

Also for the third year, SEMA Ignited will serve as the backdrop for “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” hosted by Adrienne Janic and Chris Jacobs, during which the top three finalists will learn their fates. Last year, 220 of the world’s best builders entered the competition, but it was Bobby Alloway who walked away with the top prize.

For more information, visit the SEMA Ignited and SEMA Battle of the Builders websites.

By Chad Simon

SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party that is open to consumers—will kick-off for the third time ever, Friday, November 4, immediately following the close of the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Leading up to the 2016 event, SEMA eNews will feature some of this year’s builders. In this week’s behind-the-scenes video, SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) participant Tom Longo of Derale Performance in Los Angeles talks about the ’66 Mercury Cyclone GT stock car that he will showcase at the SEMA Show. Longo details what makes this build unique, and how it is inspired by the ’60s vehicles that raced in NASCAR, while incorporating today’s modern technology to improve performance and ride. Showcasing Derale’s sponsors’ products along with its own, Derale’s concept for this vehicle is a “street-legal NASCAR” vehicle.

There were more than 27,000 registered attendees for the 2015 event—up 20% from the previous year. Held in the Gold Lot just steps away from the Las Vegas Convention Center, SEMA Ignited will feature automotive demonstrations, celebrity appearances, industry icons, food, music, cackle cars, Formula Drift action and a live taping of the 2016 BOTB competition that will premiere in early 2017 on the Velocity Channel. Vehicles from the SEMA Show will begin to parade out of the convention center around 4:00 p.m., and make their way to SEMA Ignited as thousands of fans line the streets of Las Vegas to catch a glimpse of the Show’s wildest rides.

Also for the third year, SEMA Ignited will serve as the backdrop for “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” hosted by Adrienne Janic and Chris Jacobs, during which the top three finalists will learn their fates. Last year, 220 of the world’s best builders entered the competition, but it was Bobby Alloway who walked away with the top prize.

For more information, visit the SEMA Ignited and SEMA Battle of the Builders websites.

By Chad Simon

SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party that is open to consumers—will kick-off for the third time ever, Friday, November 4, immediately following the close of the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Leading up to the 2016 event, SEMA eNews will feature some of this year’s builders. In this week’s behind-the-scenes video, SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) participant Tom Longo of Derale Performance in Los Angeles talks about the ’66 Mercury Cyclone GT stock car that he will showcase at the SEMA Show. Longo details what makes this build unique, and how it is inspired by the ’60s vehicles that raced in NASCAR, while incorporating today’s modern technology to improve performance and ride. Showcasing Derale’s sponsors’ products along with its own, Derale’s concept for this vehicle is a “street-legal NASCAR” vehicle.

There were more than 27,000 registered attendees for the 2015 event—up 20% from the previous year. Held in the Gold Lot just steps away from the Las Vegas Convention Center, SEMA Ignited will feature automotive demonstrations, celebrity appearances, industry icons, food, music, cackle cars, Formula Drift action and a live taping of the 2016 BOTB competition that will premiere in early 2017 on the Velocity Channel. Vehicles from the SEMA Show will begin to parade out of the convention center around 4:00 p.m., and make their way to SEMA Ignited as thousands of fans line the streets of Las Vegas to catch a glimpse of the Show’s wildest rides.

Also for the third year, SEMA Ignited will serve as the backdrop for “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” hosted by Adrienne Janic and Chris Jacobs, during which the top three finalists will learn their fates. Last year, 220 of the world’s best builders entered the competition, but it was Bobby Alloway who walked away with the top prize.

For more information, visit the SEMA Ignited and SEMA Battle of the Builders websites.

Here’s the ’18 Corvette ZR1, caught up close and personal. If the Z06 is the “Big Nasty,” then this should be called “The Bigger Nastier.”

The ZR1 is expected to return with more performance than the last iteration based on the C6. Power should come from a supercharged V8 posting in excess of 700 hp, routed through a manual transmission. It’s unlikely, however, the 10-speed automatic from the Z06 is destined for the ZR1.

Although this prototype doesn't have it, others have been seen with a large rear spoiler, and there is evidence an active aerodynamics package could be offered on the new ZR1 to keep its handling in check.

Expect to see the ZR1 sometime next year. It is also expected to live on for a few years after the launch of the next-generation Corvette.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s the ’18 Corvette ZR1, caught up close and personal. If the Z06 is the “Big Nasty,” then this should be called “The Bigger Nastier.”

The ZR1 is expected to return with more performance than the last iteration based on the C6. Power should come from a supercharged V8 posting in excess of 700 hp, routed through a manual transmission. It’s unlikely, however, the 10-speed automatic from the Z06 is destined for the ZR1.

Although this prototype doesn't have it, others have been seen with a large rear spoiler, and there is evidence an active aerodynamics package could be offered on the new ZR1 to keep its handling in check.

Expect to see the ZR1 sometime next year. It is also expected to live on for a few years after the launch of the next-generation Corvette.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s the ’18 Corvette ZR1, caught up close and personal. If the Z06 is the “Big Nasty,” then this should be called “The Bigger Nastier.”

The ZR1 is expected to return with more performance than the last iteration based on the C6. Power should come from a supercharged V8 posting in excess of 700 hp, routed through a manual transmission. It’s unlikely, however, the 10-speed automatic from the Z06 is destined for the ZR1.

Although this prototype doesn't have it, others have been seen with a large rear spoiler, and there is evidence an active aerodynamics package could be offered on the new ZR1 to keep its handling in check.

Expect to see the ZR1 sometime next year. It is also expected to live on for a few years after the launch of the next-generation Corvette.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s the ’18 Corvette ZR1, caught up close and personal. If the Z06 is the “Big Nasty,” then this should be called “The Bigger Nastier.”

The ZR1 is expected to return with more performance than the last iteration based on the C6. Power should come from a supercharged V8 posting in excess of 700 hp, routed through a manual transmission. It’s unlikely, however, the 10-speed automatic from the Z06 is destined for the ZR1.

Although this prototype doesn't have it, others have been seen with a large rear spoiler, and there is evidence an active aerodynamics package could be offered on the new ZR1 to keep its handling in check.

Expect to see the ZR1 sometime next year. It is also expected to live on for a few years after the launch of the next-generation Corvette.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde