This is the ’17 Ford F-350, caught in base XL trim with the 8-ft. bed. Ford has revealed most of its ’17 F-series lineup, but this bad boy was left in the cold.

Call this the Contractor's Special, because this version of the F-350 should be a fixture among the set using pickups for construction, repair and other projects—a market Ford has had a lock on for years.

Like the new four-door Super Duty trucks, the F-350 gets styling more in line with the F-150 that was shown nearly two years ago. It shares a cab with that model, too, meaning more space inside the truck for people. But the big news is a revised structure with high-strength steel and, of course, an aluminum body. Payload figures will be up, which is probably most important in the version of the truck seen here.

Expect to see the first F-350s by the middle of 2016.

Photo credit: Brian Willaims, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Ford F-350, caught in base XL trim with the 8-ft. bed. Ford has revealed most of its ’17 F-series lineup, but this bad boy was left in the cold.

Call this the Contractor's Special, because this version of the F-350 should be a fixture among the set using pickups for construction, repair and other projects—a market Ford has had a lock on for years.

Like the new four-door Super Duty trucks, the F-350 gets styling more in line with the F-150 that was shown nearly two years ago. It shares a cab with that model, too, meaning more space inside the truck for people. But the big news is a revised structure with high-strength steel and, of course, an aluminum body. Payload figures will be up, which is probably most important in the version of the truck seen here.

Expect to see the first F-350s by the middle of 2016.

Photo credit: Brian Willaims, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 Ford F-350, caught in base XL trim with the 8-ft. bed. Ford has revealed most of its ’17 F-series lineup, but this bad boy was left in the cold.

Call this the Contractor's Special, because this version of the F-350 should be a fixture among the set using pickups for construction, repair and other projects—a market Ford has had a lock on for years.

Like the new four-door Super Duty trucks, the F-350 gets styling more in line with the F-150 that was shown nearly two years ago. It shares a cab with that model, too, meaning more space inside the truck for people. But the big news is a revised structure with high-strength steel and, of course, an aluminum body. Payload figures will be up, which is probably most important in the version of the truck seen here.

Expect to see the first F-350s by the middle of 2016.

Photo credit: Brian Willaims, SpiedBilde

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NMRA Announces New Index Class for 2016

The NMRA competition department has announced a new index class for the 2016 season. With a working title of “Ford Muscle,” this new championship class will debut at the season opener in Bradenton, Florida, March 3–6, at the 22nd Annual NMRA Spring Break Shootout presented by Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords magazine. However, the name of the class has not been decided. The NMRA team is asking for help in naming this new class. Suggestions will be accepted until December 13, and NMRA racers and fans will decide with a vote the following week. Name the new NMRA championship index class.

Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch Wins 2015 Sprint Cup Championship

Even after a serious crash the day before the February Daytona 500, which required months of rehabilitation and 11 missed races, Kyle Busch won the 2015 Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup began in September and started with 16 drivers, included 10 races, three elimination rounds and a four-way battle for the NASCAR Championship that included 43 contenders in the final event.

DIESEL Motorsports Partners with Performance Business Media

Performance Business Media, a full-service advertising agency specializing in motorsports, has announced a newly forged partnership with DIESEL Motorsports, as the official advertising agency for the only sanctioning body of diesel drag racing and sled pulling in the United States.

VP Racing Fuels Partners With StayWet to Promote Track Conditioner

VP Racing Fuels has announced an agreement with Dane Miller, developer of StayWet, to produce, market and distribute a track-conditioning product for dirt-track racing. As part of the agreement, Miller will license use of the product name and formula to VP and will be employed by VP for two years to help introduce and promote the product and train VP personnel.

According to Miller, the mission of StayWet track conditioner is “all about the show and improving the experience of drivers and spectators alike.” The mission is accomplished through improved soil compaction, soil adhesion and reduced dust. By improving cohesion of the soil molecules to keep them more compactly grouped and resistant to shearing, StayWet prevents holes and ruts from forming on the track. StayWet’s enhanced adhesion serves to make the track surface sticky so tires can grip the racing surface better. The net effect is a quantum improvement in track performance. VP also intends to promote a second soil treatment product formulated for road construction, cement plant and landfill applications. While keeping dust controlled, this version is designed to keep ground packed for a longer duration for heavy equipment mobility.

2016 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction Dinner Presenters Named

Some of drag racing’s most illustrious personalities have been tabbed to present members of the “Class of 2016” to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame (IDRHoF). The event will be held at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites in Gainesville, Florida, the evening of Thursday, March 17, 2016. Included in the cast of presenters are three Top Fuel dragster World Champions and a Funny Car World Champion.

Ray Goodman will be a co-presenter to his friend and driver Preston Davis and International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) six-time Top Fuel World Champion Clay Millican. Inductee Jack Doyle will be presented by IDRHoF member Roger Gustin. The late Marvin Miller’s presentation will be handled by Steve Gibbs, who will present Miller’s son Steve. Two-time NHRA/Mello Yellow World Top Fuel Champion Antron Brown will present Mark Oswald, who has served as a co-crew chief for both of Brown’s championships. Presenting Briton Dennis Priddle will be Don Garlits—founder/CEO/curator of the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. Early Funny Car legend Gaspar Ronda will be presented by 2012 NHRA/Mello Yellow World Top Fuel Champion Jack Beckman. The Founder’s Award will be presented by Garlits and long-time nominating committee member Harry Hibler to Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood for his life-long dedication to the sport.

The honorees are selected by a committee of veteran drag-racing and performance industry figures. The selection committee consists of: Gibbs (retired vice president, NHRA), Hibler (president, Zircon Corp.), Ted Jones (Masters Entertainment, retired president, IHRA) and Greg Sharp (curator, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum). Garlits carries a tie-breaker vote for the selection committee, if required.

Race Your LS for a Chance to Win a ’69 Camaro RS/SS Roller Vehicle

The National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) has announced a partnership with Real Deal Steel to offer LS and modern-LT racers the chance to win a custom-built ’69 Camaro RS/SS roller vehicle. All 2016 Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series class racers who finish the season in the Top-10 in their respective classes will be eligible to win. With five classes to choose from, each eligible racer has a 1:50 chance to take home the ’69 Camaro RS/SS. The Real Deal Steel/NMCA ’69 Camaro RS/SS roller features products from some of the leading performance manufacturers in the United States, including an all-steel GM licensed ’69 Camaro body complete with exterior sheet metal from Auto Metal Direct and prep from All Bare Media Blasting. Chris Alston’s Chassisworks supplied the performance front frame clip, while the shortened rear end was handled by Moser Engineering. Mickey Thompson provided the tires, which are mounted on Weld Racing wheels, which offer a glimpse of the Wilwood Engineering brakes. Steering needs are covered by an ididit column topped off with an AutoPro USA/Volante custom wheel. Finally, a Chevrolet Performance Connect & Cruise 480hp LS3 crate engine system complete with a Super Magnum T56 6-speed transmission was supplied by Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center.

For more information on the Real Deal Steel/NMCA ’69 Camaro RS/SS roller vehicle giveaway, including complete contest rules, sponsor information and more, log on to www.NMCAdigital.com/69camaro. 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NMRA Announces New Index Class for 2016

The NMRA competition department has announced a new index class for the 2016 season. With a working title of “Ford Muscle,” this new championship class will debut at the season opener in Bradenton, Florida, March 3–6, at the 22nd Annual NMRA Spring Break Shootout presented by Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords magazine. However, the name of the class has not been decided. The NMRA team is asking for help in naming this new class. Suggestions will be accepted until December 13, and NMRA racers and fans will decide with a vote the following week. Name the new NMRA championship index class.

Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch Wins 2015 Sprint Cup Championship

Even after a serious crash the day before the February Daytona 500, which required months of rehabilitation and 11 missed races, Kyle Busch won the 2015 Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup began in September and started with 16 drivers, included 10 races, three elimination rounds and a four-way battle for the NASCAR Championship that included 43 contenders in the final event.

DIESEL Motorsports Partners with Performance Business Media

Performance Business Media, a full-service advertising agency specializing in motorsports, has announced a newly forged partnership with DIESEL Motorsports, as the official advertising agency for the only sanctioning body of diesel drag racing and sled pulling in the United States.

VP Racing Fuels Partners With StayWet to Promote Track Conditioner

VP Racing Fuels has announced an agreement with Dane Miller, developer of StayWet, to produce, market and distribute a track-conditioning product for dirt-track racing. As part of the agreement, Miller will license use of the product name and formula to VP and will be employed by VP for two years to help introduce and promote the product and train VP personnel.

According to Miller, the mission of StayWet track conditioner is “all about the show and improving the experience of drivers and spectators alike.” The mission is accomplished through improved soil compaction, soil adhesion and reduced dust. By improving cohesion of the soil molecules to keep them more compactly grouped and resistant to shearing, StayWet prevents holes and ruts from forming on the track. StayWet’s enhanced adhesion serves to make the track surface sticky so tires can grip the racing surface better. The net effect is a quantum improvement in track performance. VP also intends to promote a second soil treatment product formulated for road construction, cement plant and landfill applications. While keeping dust controlled, this version is designed to keep ground packed for a longer duration for heavy equipment mobility.

2016 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction Dinner Presenters Named

Some of drag racing’s most illustrious personalities have been tabbed to present members of the “Class of 2016” to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame (IDRHoF). The event will be held at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites in Gainesville, Florida, the evening of Thursday, March 17, 2016. Included in the cast of presenters are three Top Fuel dragster World Champions and a Funny Car World Champion.

Ray Goodman will be a co-presenter to his friend and driver Preston Davis and International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) six-time Top Fuel World Champion Clay Millican. Inductee Jack Doyle will be presented by IDRHoF member Roger Gustin. The late Marvin Miller’s presentation will be handled by Steve Gibbs, who will present Miller’s son Steve. Two-time NHRA/Mello Yellow World Top Fuel Champion Antron Brown will present Mark Oswald, who has served as a co-crew chief for both of Brown’s championships. Presenting Briton Dennis Priddle will be Don Garlits—founder/CEO/curator of the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. Early Funny Car legend Gaspar Ronda will be presented by 2012 NHRA/Mello Yellow World Top Fuel Champion Jack Beckman. The Founder’s Award will be presented by Garlits and long-time nominating committee member Harry Hibler to Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood for his life-long dedication to the sport.

The honorees are selected by a committee of veteran drag-racing and performance industry figures. The selection committee consists of: Gibbs (retired vice president, NHRA), Hibler (president, Zircon Corp.), Ted Jones (Masters Entertainment, retired president, IHRA) and Greg Sharp (curator, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum). Garlits carries a tie-breaker vote for the selection committee, if required.

Race Your LS for a Chance to Win a ’69 Camaro RS/SS Roller Vehicle

The National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) has announced a partnership with Real Deal Steel to offer LS and modern-LT racers the chance to win a custom-built ’69 Camaro RS/SS roller vehicle. All 2016 Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series class racers who finish the season in the Top-10 in their respective classes will be eligible to win. With five classes to choose from, each eligible racer has a 1:50 chance to take home the ’69 Camaro RS/SS. The Real Deal Steel/NMCA ’69 Camaro RS/SS roller features products from some of the leading performance manufacturers in the United States, including an all-steel GM licensed ’69 Camaro body complete with exterior sheet metal from Auto Metal Direct and prep from All Bare Media Blasting. Chris Alston’s Chassisworks supplied the performance front frame clip, while the shortened rear end was handled by Moser Engineering. Mickey Thompson provided the tires, which are mounted on Weld Racing wheels, which offer a glimpse of the Wilwood Engineering brakes. Steering needs are covered by an ididit column topped off with an AutoPro USA/Volante custom wheel. Finally, a Chevrolet Performance Connect & Cruise 480hp LS3 crate engine system complete with a Super Magnum T56 6-speed transmission was supplied by Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center.

For more information on the Real Deal Steel/NMCA ’69 Camaro RS/SS roller vehicle giveaway, including complete contest rules, sponsor information and more, log on to www.NMCAdigital.com/69camaro. 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

QA1 won in the manufacturing category for its nanosilica-infused resin for use in performance automotive carbon-fiber driveshafts.

QA1 Carbon-Fiber Driveshafts Win Award for Composites Excellence

QA1 won the Materials and Process Innovation Award from the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) during the 2015 Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) in Dallas. CAMX, produced by ACMA and the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), is a conference for composite material products, solutions, networking, business and advanced industry thinking. During CAMX, ACMA presents its Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE) to companies that implement innovation in three categories: composites design, manufacturing or market growth. QA1 won in the manufacturing category for its nanosilica-infused resin for use in performance automotive carbon-fiber driveshafts. They partnered with 3M to develop their Matrix Resin, which allows for redesign of composite structures, eliminating weight while improving strength and stiffness, according to QA1.

PopUp Towing Products Signs a National Sponsorship with the National High School Rodeo Association

PopUp Towing Products has signed an agreement with the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) to be the official towing product of the NHSRA. PopUp Towing Products commitment to the NHSRA includes not only association support but also support in scholarships to junior-high and high-school rodeo athletes.

eTool Developers Launches New Website

eTool Developers has launched a new website at www.eToolDevelopers.com.

eTool Developers, an online-solutions company specializing web development, information management, and Internet commerce systems, has launched a new website at www.eToolDevelopers.com.

“As a company that builds unique websites and other digital solutions for the aftermarket industry, we want our website to be representative of our work, our creativity and our versatility,” stated Luanne Brown, company owner and founder. “The website helps showcase the unique ways we help our customers save time, energy, and money by providing solution-driven technology and user-friendly digital tools.”

WELD Will Hold Technical Seminar During 2015 PRI Show

WELD will present a free technical seminar on “Modern Wheel Design and Process” during the 2015 PRI Show in Indianapolis. The December 10 event will take place from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. at the Indiana Convention Center, Room 114.

“Our seminar will help race builders and tuners understand the wide range of materials, designs and styles available as they go about the challenging job of choosing the right wheel for their performance needs,” said Chris Bovis, vice president of marketing for WELD. “There is definitely a science behind wheel technology, and our goal is to inform participants about all the criteria they should consider to make the best selection.”

Bovis says the components of wheel technology to be covered include weight, strength, quality and total value received over the life of the wheel. The seminar will be led by Keith Kern, general manager of WELD’s CCW Forged Performance division, with additional industry experts. Pirelli World Challenge racer Shea Holbrook, WELD brand ambassador and co-owner of Shea Racing, will host the seminar and take questions from the audience. The WELD PRI Booth #1139 will include several race car displays featuring the company’s ultra-high-performance forged wheels.

L-R: Mike Braun, Thom Bernheisel, Nick Gramelspacher, Greg Bernheisel, Cody Ziegler and Jim Considine.

Considine Sales & Marketing Receives Rep of the Year Award From Meyer Distributing

Considine Sales & Marketing has received the Rep of the Year Award from Meyer Distributing. Located in the Midwest, Considine Sales & Marketing is a manufacturing representative firm that has been in business for more than 44 years, providing sales, service, product placement, jobber calls and training to the automotive aftermarket. Criteria for the award includes jobber calls; communication between manufacturers and Meyer; sales visits with Meyer inside sales reps; participation in vendor days, marketing and promotions; and overall support of Meyer and efforts to increase sales.

Anell Lynn Completes Guinness World Record Attempt

After travelling more than 53,000 miles across the country in one year, motorcyclist Danell Lynn has completed her Guinness World Record-breaking attempt on Avon tires. When she set out on her ’06 Triumph Bonneville for a trip she dubbed, “One Woman, One Bike, One Year,” September 19, 2014, Lynn knew this would be a life-changing journey.  Lynn’s Guinness World Record attempt—in the category of “longest journey by motorcycle in a single country”—was achieved by riding through the 48 contiguous United States. The most recent Guinness World Record in this category was set in 2014—a 23,760-mile run. Lynn’s trip totaled 53,800 miles and has now been submitted to Guinness World Records for confirmation of the new record.

Lou Lobsinger Jr.

Lou Lobsinger Jr. Joins Al Serra Automotive

Serra Automotive has announced the appointment of Lou Lobsinger Jr. as the company’s new OEM and aftermarket accessories specialist. Lobsinger will work with all of the brands on the Al Serra Auto Plaza to launch a new accessories program.

“I’m elated to be a part of such a well-known and reputable company,” Lobsinger says. “Once we’ve dialed in the metrics and really studied the numbers, we’ll be more aggressively marketing accessories to new and used car buyers,” he adds. 

Lobsinger joins Serra Automotive after 13 years with Specialty Auto Parts USA Inc. in Warren, Michigan, and most recently with NEXT Advisory Group Inc. He currently writes for several automotive magazines, including Performance Business, and is the automotive correspondent for “NBC 25 Today.”

CTDA/1-800EveryRim New Year Luncheon

The California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA), with 1-800Everyrim – OEM Wheels as event host, will hold its fourth annual luncheon (CTDA/1-800EveryRim New Year Luncheon), January 21, 2015, at The Dal Rae Restaurant in Pico Rivera, California. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) will be represented by Vice President Tom Formanek of Stellar Industries. SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) Chairman Joe Findeis of The Ultimate Wheel & Tire Plus Sizing Guide will also speak, and CTDA President Carol Dellabalma will serve as emcee. Yokohama Tire and Federated Insurance are committed as Gold sponsors with Pirelli as a Silver sponsor.

“Our generous sponsors help allow for our luncheon to get better every year, and it’s so cool that for the third year in a row we will have both TIA and SEMA represented!” said CTDA board member and event host Billy Eordekian.

Prior to the luncheon, attendees will be able to tour the 1-800EveryRim – OEM Wheels warehouse. The event is free to all tire-related industry vendors and tire dealers. Those interested in attending or sponsoring should contact Eordekian.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Team ARP from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, emerged as the number-one seed heading into the PRI Show with a 17:20 average time.

Future engine technology and innovation will be on display again at the 28th annual PRI Trade Show, so it only seems appropriate that future engine builders and technicians also will take center stage with the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship.

For the second consecutive year, the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow competition has been split into a Dual Championship format with qualifying teams competing in semi-final championships at both the recently completed SEMA Show and the PRI Trade Show at the Indiana Convention Center, December 10–12. The top four teams from the SEMA Show and PRI Show will then face off twice on the afternoon of Friday, December 11, and then compete once more on Saturday. The team with the best average time will be crowned the 2015 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge National Champion.

“Hot Rodders of Tomorrow has become one of the most popular events during Race Industry Week,” said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “It’s amazing to see high-school students fully take apart and put together an engine in less than 17 minutes. Even more important, the scholarships provided to every competitor can change a young person’s life. This is an incredible program that provides a terrific entry into the sport, while also helping to develop the sport’s future innovators.”

The challenge is the premier engine-build competition for young automotive talent. Six-person teams of automotive technology students from high schools across the country compete to disassemble and reassemble a small-block engine with aftermarket components in the fastest time.

More than 150 teams from across the nation have competed in 12 qualifying events in eight different states to work their way toward the championship with $3.8 million worth of scholarships available to competitors. Four teams have already advanced from the SEMA competition with Team ARP from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, emerging as the number-one seed. They not only won the SEMA Dual Championship with a 17:20 average time, but also set the new national record of 16:11.

Burton Center for Arts and Technology from Virginia earned last year’s Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Championship at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Approximately 1,200 racing industry suppliers will occupy 3,200 booths, while exhibiting the latest developments in auto-racing technology. Buyers from throughout the United States and 70 countries from around the globe are expected to attend the PRI Show.

For additional information on the 2015 PRI Trade Show, or hotel and travel information, visit www.pri2015.com.

By SEMA Editors

Team ARP from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, emerged as the number-one seed heading into the PRI Show with a 17:20 average time.

Future engine technology and innovation will be on display again at the 28th annual PRI Trade Show, so it only seems appropriate that future engine builders and technicians also will take center stage with the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship.

For the second consecutive year, the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow competition has been split into a Dual Championship format with qualifying teams competing in semi-final championships at both the recently completed SEMA Show and the PRI Trade Show at the Indiana Convention Center, December 10–12. The top four teams from the SEMA Show and PRI Show will then face off twice on the afternoon of Friday, December 11, and then compete once more on Saturday. The team with the best average time will be crowned the 2015 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge National Champion.

“Hot Rodders of Tomorrow has become one of the most popular events during Race Industry Week,” said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “It’s amazing to see high-school students fully take apart and put together an engine in less than 17 minutes. Even more important, the scholarships provided to every competitor can change a young person’s life. This is an incredible program that provides a terrific entry into the sport, while also helping to develop the sport’s future innovators.”

The challenge is the premier engine-build competition for young automotive talent. Six-person teams of automotive technology students from high schools across the country compete to disassemble and reassemble a small-block engine with aftermarket components in the fastest time.

More than 150 teams from across the nation have competed in 12 qualifying events in eight different states to work their way toward the championship with $3.8 million worth of scholarships available to competitors. Four teams have already advanced from the SEMA competition with Team ARP from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, emerging as the number-one seed. They not only won the SEMA Dual Championship with a 17:20 average time, but also set the new national record of 16:11.

Burton Center for Arts and Technology from Virginia earned last year’s Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Championship at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Approximately 1,200 racing industry suppliers will occupy 3,200 booths, while exhibiting the latest developments in auto-racing technology. Buyers from throughout the United States and 70 countries from around the globe are expected to attend the PRI Show.

For additional information on the 2015 PRI Trade Show, or hotel and travel information, visit www.pri2015.com.

By SEMA Editors

Team ARP from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, emerged as the number-one seed heading into the PRI Show with a 17:20 average time.

Future engine technology and innovation will be on display again at the 28th annual PRI Trade Show, so it only seems appropriate that future engine builders and technicians also will take center stage with the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship.

For the second consecutive year, the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow competition has been split into a Dual Championship format with qualifying teams competing in semi-final championships at both the recently completed SEMA Show and the PRI Trade Show at the Indiana Convention Center, December 10–12. The top four teams from the SEMA Show and PRI Show will then face off twice on the afternoon of Friday, December 11, and then compete once more on Saturday. The team with the best average time will be crowned the 2015 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge National Champion.

“Hot Rodders of Tomorrow has become one of the most popular events during Race Industry Week,” said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “It’s amazing to see high-school students fully take apart and put together an engine in less than 17 minutes. Even more important, the scholarships provided to every competitor can change a young person’s life. This is an incredible program that provides a terrific entry into the sport, while also helping to develop the sport’s future innovators.”

The challenge is the premier engine-build competition for young automotive talent. Six-person teams of automotive technology students from high schools across the country compete to disassemble and reassemble a small-block engine with aftermarket components in the fastest time.

More than 150 teams from across the nation have competed in 12 qualifying events in eight different states to work their way toward the championship with $3.8 million worth of scholarships available to competitors. Four teams have already advanced from the SEMA competition with Team ARP from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, emerging as the number-one seed. They not only won the SEMA Dual Championship with a 17:20 average time, but also set the new national record of 16:11.

Burton Center for Arts and Technology from Virginia earned last year’s Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Championship at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Approximately 1,200 racing industry suppliers will occupy 3,200 booths, while exhibiting the latest developments in auto-racing technology. Buyers from throughout the United States and 70 countries from around the globe are expected to attend the PRI Show.

For additional information on the 2015 PRI Trade Show, or hotel and travel information, visit www.pri2015.com.

By SEMA Editors

Team ARP from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, emerged as the number-one seed heading into the PRI Show with a 17:20 average time.

Future engine technology and innovation will be on display again at the 28th annual PRI Trade Show, so it only seems appropriate that future engine builders and technicians also will take center stage with the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship.

For the second consecutive year, the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow competition has been split into a Dual Championship format with qualifying teams competing in semi-final championships at both the recently completed SEMA Show and the PRI Trade Show at the Indiana Convention Center, December 10–12. The top four teams from the SEMA Show and PRI Show will then face off twice on the afternoon of Friday, December 11, and then compete once more on Saturday. The team with the best average time will be crowned the 2015 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge National Champion.

“Hot Rodders of Tomorrow has become one of the most popular events during Race Industry Week,” said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “It’s amazing to see high-school students fully take apart and put together an engine in less than 17 minutes. Even more important, the scholarships provided to every competitor can change a young person’s life. This is an incredible program that provides a terrific entry into the sport, while also helping to develop the sport’s future innovators.”

The challenge is the premier engine-build competition for young automotive talent. Six-person teams of automotive technology students from high schools across the country compete to disassemble and reassemble a small-block engine with aftermarket components in the fastest time.

More than 150 teams from across the nation have competed in 12 qualifying events in eight different states to work their way toward the championship with $3.8 million worth of scholarships available to competitors. Four teams have already advanced from the SEMA competition with Team ARP from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, emerging as the number-one seed. They not only won the SEMA Dual Championship with a 17:20 average time, but also set the new national record of 16:11.

Burton Center for Arts and Technology from Virginia earned last year’s Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Championship at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Approximately 1,200 racing industry suppliers will occupy 3,200 booths, while exhibiting the latest developments in auto-racing technology. Buyers from throughout the United States and 70 countries from around the globe are expected to attend the PRI Show.

For additional information on the 2015 PRI Trade Show, or hotel and travel information, visit www.pri2015.com.