Compiled by SEMA Editors

The Spring Break Shootout race features some of the fastest street-style Mustangs in the land.

Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords to Join NMRA to Feature Spring Break Shootout

The NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals has announced that Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords will once again join forces with the NMRA to feature the Spring Break Shootout race at the NMRA Ford Nationals event at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida, March 3–6, 2016. This event, which Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords started back in 1995, features some of the fastest street-style Mustangs in the land competing for the honor of Spring Break Shootout champion. The Muscle Mustangs Spring Break Shootout class regularly attracts more than 120 True Street cars competing for a top-16 spot to qualify for the Shootout.

Wilwood Renews Contingency Sponsorship With USMTS, Title Sponsorship of Redline Time Attack Series Through 2016 Season

Wilwood Disc Brakes has extended its contingency sponsorship with the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) through the 2016 season. This will mark the second year for Wilwood as the USMTS Lucky 7 Award contingency sponsor. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will provide a $50 product certificate to the seventh-place finisher at each USMTS event. Additionally, one winner will be drawn randomly from all of the drivers who finished seventh throughout the year to receive a complete Wilwood brake kit.

Wilwood also has extended its title sponsorship of the Redline Time Attack Series through the 2016 season. Redline Time Attack is a California-based motorsport series dedicated to providing the most exciting sports-car and tuner-based road-racing events. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will be named title sponsor of the Redline Time Attack Series and various series-owned festivals, including Subiefest, Nissfest, Mitsufest and Mazfest. In addition, Wilwood will have exhibit space and provide product certificates to be raffled off at each festival.

WELD Announces Continued Support for Drag Racing Through Its 2016 NHRA Contingency Program

WELD continues its longtime support for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) by announcing its 2016 NHRA contingency program. This year WELD will pay contingency on the latest and most technically advanced WELD Racing wheels: Delta-1, Black Draglite, Full Throttle and TT63. Competitors who use these contingency specific categories of WELD Racing wheels and display the brand’s decal on their race cars during the 2016 season are eligible for contingency payouts.

The Tequila Patrón ESM Ligier-Honda JSP2, shared by Pipo Derani, Johannes van Overbeek, Scott Sharp and Ed Brown, took the overall win by 26 seconds in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Honda, Tequila Patrón ESM Wins the Rolex 24

Tequila Patrón ESM prevailed last Sunday in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, scoring Honda's first overall victory at the famed event and the first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship win for the new Honda HR35TT twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The ESM Ligier-Honda JSP2, shared by Pipo Derani, Johannes van Overbeek, Scott Sharp and Ed Brown, took the overall win by 26 seconds ahead of the Wayne Taylor Racing Dallara-Corvette DP driven by Jordan and Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli and Rubens Barrichello, after a see-saw battle throughout the nighttime hours with multiple contending teams. The ESM entry utilizes the production-based 3.5L Honda HR35TT V6 engine, developed for competition by HPD from the Honda “J35” series of passenger vehicle V6 engines, with improvements including twin turbochargers. Key production-based components include the block and cylinder heads, direct-injection fuel system, valvetrain components, drive-by-wire throttle, alternator, sensors and fasteners. The 2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship resumes Saturday, March 19, with another endurance racing classic—the 64th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

The #44 Magnus Racing Audi R8 LMS won the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The Audi R8 LMS Wins the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona in its U.S. Race Debut

The #44 Magnus Racing Audi R8 LMS won the 24-hour classic. In one of the closest finishes in endurance racing, owner/driver John Potter and drivers Andy Lally, Marco Seefried and Audi factory driver Rene Rast took the checkered flag after driving 703 laps with only a 3.048-second lead ahead of the second-place car. The Audi R8 LMS, which shares 50% of its parts with the ’17 Audi R8 production car, won its U.S. racing debut.

Jiffy-tite Signs Endorsed Product Sponsorship With DIESEL Motorsports

Jiffy-tite finalized an endorsed product sponsorship deal with DIESEL Motorsports, making the Lancaster, New York, company the official quick-connect fluid fitting sponsor for all events of the 2016 DIESEL Motorsports season.

The Craftsman Brand Returns to Motorsports as Title Sponsor of the World of Outlaws

Sears and the Craftsman brand have announced the return of Craftsman tools as a major presence in motorsports, becoming the title sponsor of the World of Outlaws. The three-year agreement, which begins immediately, renames the two premier series in dirt-track racing to the “World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series” and “World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series.” This is the first time the two top series in grassroots motorsports have shared a title sponsor. Through its relationship with the World of Outlaws, the Craftsman brand will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Craftsman Club by giving its members the chance to earn free tickets to series events, as well as Craftsman gear and other great prizes. The deal is one of the largest agreements in grassroots racing and connects the Craftsman brand with both sprint-car and late-model fans at nearly 140 events across the United States and Canada.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

On March 1, 2016, the SEMA Garage will host a first-of-its-kind measuring session on the all-new ’17 Audi R8. Starting at $164,000, the 540hp naturally aspirated V10 Audi R8 represents the pinnacle of performance and engineering for the Audi brand. For SEMA members who support this niche category, don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity to get hands-on with the new Audi. Modest disassembly will be permitted, including wheels, brakes, suspension and limited interior component. Photography and scanning will also be permitted. Audi will also have an accessory marketing rep on hand to answer any questions.

By SEMA Editors

(L-R): Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham were inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2015.

It’s that time of year for SEMA Hall of Fame nominations. As a SEMA member, you have the opportunity to nominate a person for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame—an award established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website, SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame form by March 11.

If you have any questions, contact Marcela Ortega at marcelao@sema.org or 909-978-6744.

By SEMA Editors

(L-R): Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham were inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2015.

It’s that time of year for SEMA Hall of Fame nominations. As a SEMA member, you have the opportunity to nominate a person for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame—an award established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website, SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2016 SEMA Hall of Fame form by March 11.

If you have any questions, contact Marcela Ortega at marcelao@sema.org or 909-978-6744.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit MPMC's website

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient.

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com Named 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award Recipient

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient during last week’s Media Appreciation Reception at the 2016 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC). The reception took place last Tuesday evening after exhibiting manufacturers spent the day in private one-on-one meetings with media to showcase their products.

The Robert E. Petersen award is named in honor of the man to whom the motorsports industry owes so much, and is presented to an individual from the media who has made a positive impact on the industry and MPMC during the previous calendar year. The MPMC general membership was called upon to nominate and eventually vote for an outstanding member of the media.

BangShift.com prides itself on having some of the most up-to-date and comprehensive motorsports coverage around. Reynolds writes, produces video and publishes a large collection of content that appears on the site. BangShift.com also produces live streaming from motorsports events around the country. Reynolds faithfully attends the MTC every year, and this year, he volunteered his time to be a part of a Media Advisory Task Force for the MPMC. On the Task Force, he provides input to the council on coming media trends and how to keep the MTC, and the MPMC, relevant in a changing media landscape.

Reynolds joins the previous Robert E. Petersen Award Winners:

• 2004: Jeff Smith
• 2005: David Freiburger
• 2006: Dick Berggren
• 2007: Ed Zinke
• 2008: Bill Middaugh
• 2009: Karl Fredrickson
• 2010: Steve Wolcott
• 2011: James Lawrence
• 2012: Jim Ryan
• 2013: KJ Jones
• 2014: John DiBartolomeo

Back to Top 

Attend WTC General Membership Meeting

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. This event is a chance for WTC members to work with council members to determine the focus and direction of the group for this year and beyond.

On the agenda are discussions of upcoming retailer education and consumer engagement resources in development by the council, as well as new sources of vehicle technical information available through SEMA. There will also be an open discussion on other challenges and opportunities in the wheel and tire industry.

The meeting will include a continental breakfast and networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and the WTC are invited to attend the event. Remote members are invited to participate in the discussion through our GoToMeeting portal.

RSVP to save your seat and submit discussion topics: click here.

For more information on WTC, contact Council Liaison Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696 or claytond@sema.org.

Back to Top

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit MPMC's website

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient.

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com Named 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award Recipient

Chad Reynolds of BangShift.com was named the 2015 Robert E. Petersen Award recipient during last week’s Media Appreciation Reception at the 2016 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC). The reception took place last Tuesday evening after exhibiting manufacturers spent the day in private one-on-one meetings with media to showcase their products.

The Robert E. Petersen award is named in honor of the man to whom the motorsports industry owes so much, and is presented to an individual from the media who has made a positive impact on the industry and MPMC during the previous calendar year. The MPMC general membership was called upon to nominate and eventually vote for an outstanding member of the media.

BangShift.com prides itself on having some of the most up-to-date and comprehensive motorsports coverage around. Reynolds writes, produces video and publishes a large collection of content that appears on the site. BangShift.com also produces live streaming from motorsports events around the country. Reynolds faithfully attends the MTC every year, and this year, he volunteered his time to be a part of a Media Advisory Task Force for the MPMC. On the Task Force, he provides input to the council on coming media trends and how to keep the MTC, and the MPMC, relevant in a changing media landscape.

Reynolds joins the previous Robert E. Petersen Award Winners:

• 2004: Jeff Smith
• 2005: David Freiburger
• 2006: Dick Berggren
• 2007: Ed Zinke
• 2008: Bill Middaugh
• 2009: Karl Fredrickson
• 2010: Steve Wolcott
• 2011: James Lawrence
• 2012: Jim Ryan
• 2013: KJ Jones
• 2014: John DiBartolomeo

Back to Top 

Attend WTC General Membership Meeting

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host its annual long-range planning meeting and industry discussion Wednesday, February 10, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. This event is a chance for WTC members to work with council members to determine the focus and direction of the group for this year and beyond.

On the agenda are discussions of upcoming retailer education and consumer engagement resources in development by the council, as well as new sources of vehicle technical information available through SEMA. There will also be an open discussion on other challenges and opportunities in the wheel and tire industry.

The meeting will include a continental breakfast and networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and the WTC are invited to attend the event. Remote members are invited to participate in the discussion through our GoToMeeting portal.

RSVP to save your seat and submit discussion topics: click here.

For more information on WTC, contact Council Liaison Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696 or claytond@sema.org.

Back to Top