Hear from industry experts on relevant topics at Keynote & Coffee.
To make attending the annual trade-only SEMA Show easy and affordable, SEMA works with a number of official partners to provide different price-point options. Showgoers can save money and stay within their budgets by following a few tips and tricks:
Register early. Showgoers who register before Friday, October 16, will pay the discounted rate of just $25 and have their badges mailed to them prior to the Show. The international attendee deadline for badges to be mailed in advance is September 19.
Book with Travel Planners. As the official housing partner of the SEMA Show, Travel Planners offers low-price guarantees and reduced or no resort fees for those who book through them. With rooms starting as low as $89 a night, visit SEMA's Travel & Lodging page to make your hotel accommodations today.
Use the Free Shuttle Service. SEMA provides free shuttle service to the Las Vegas Convention Center from select partner hotels. As a great alternative to taxi cabs, which can quickly add up, Showgoers who use the shuttle can take advantage of the opportunity to network with other Show attendees. Check the SEMA Show website in September for the official list of SEMA Show shuttles.
Attend Keynote & Coffee. Save yourself a few bucks and grab a free cup of coffee while hearing from industry experts on relevant topics. Happening Monday–Thursday, November 2–5, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. in Room N258, it’s a great way to start off each day at the Show. Register to attend.
Attend a Networking Event. In addition to Keynote & Coffee, there are a number of free receptions and events that allow you to mingle and network with other Showgoers while grabbing a bite to eat. For example, the New Products Breakfast, taking place Tuesday, November 3, at 7:30 a.m. at the Westgate Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, gives attendees a look at the hot products that will be on display at the Show. For more information and a complete list of the events happening at the Show visit the SEMA Show website.
The 2015 SEMA Show is taking place November 3–6 in Las Vegas. Learn more about what your SEMA Show badge gets you, or visit the SEMA Show website.
Register to attend before October 16 and pay the discounted rate of just $25.
The SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference gives SEMA-member manufacturers the opportunity to explore the potential for their products in the UAE and neighboring countries of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait.
Discover the Middle East market during the fifth SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 29–April 2, 2016, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Registration will open in November, so take advantage of the limited number of subsidized slots to meet with pre-vetted buyers from throughout the Middle East.
This event will give SEMA-member manufacturers the opportunity to explore the potential for their products in the UAE and neighboring countries of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait, where consumers seek out the latest and greatest new products to personalize their rides. They are eager for the newest American products for classic-car restoration, off-roading and street performance.
Forty-one SEMA-member companies participated in the 2015 event, featuring the first-ever overseas-based SEMA Garage, which included an all-day measuring session for vehicles popularly customized overseas but not sold in the United States. In addition to the measuring session, participating members exhibited in the trade-only SEMA section of the Custom Show Emirates, networked with pre-vetted buyers from 10 countries and attended a range of shop tours.
The SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference gives SEMA-member manufacturers the opportunity to explore the potential for their products in the UAE and neighboring countries of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait.
Discover the Middle East market during the fifth SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 29–April 2, 2016, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Registration will open in November, so take advantage of the limited number of subsidized slots to meet with pre-vetted buyers from throughout the Middle East.
This event will give SEMA-member manufacturers the opportunity to explore the potential for their products in the UAE and neighboring countries of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait, where consumers seek out the latest and greatest new products to personalize their rides. They are eager for the newest American products for classic-car restoration, off-roading and street performance.
Forty-one SEMA-member companies participated in the 2015 event, featuring the first-ever overseas-based SEMA Garage, which included an all-day measuring session for vehicles popularly customized overseas but not sold in the United States. In addition to the measuring session, participating members exhibited in the trade-only SEMA section of the Custom Show Emirates, networked with pre-vetted buyers from 10 countries and attended a range of shop tours.
With Derek West's win in Badlands, he now has a substantial lead in the Nitto National Series points.
West Wins in Badlands and Takes Lead in Nitto National Series
More than 40 ULTRA4 drivers braved the rain and mud to take part in the fourth annual RCV ULTRA4s at Badlands race. Derek West was the last driver to qualify, and beat Macy Higgins’ time by more than 6 seconds, earning him both the pole position in the main race and the Billet Rifle Hot Shot Award. West started on the pole and held the fastest lap times. By the end of the race, West would finish one lap ahead of Doug Jackson and two laps ahead of Chris May. In addition to the 4400s, the 4500s raced the identical track starting behind the ULTRA4s. In the 4500 class, 451 driver James Cantrell took first place. In the UTV race sponsored by Badlands with a $1,000 purse, Brian Strane took first place.
With West's win in Badlands, he now has a substantial lead in the Nitto National Series points. The next race in the ULTRA4 Nitto National Championship will be this weekend with the 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix, July 10–11. The next 4WD Hardware East Coast regional race is the Sturgis Off Road Blowout in Sturgis, Kentucky, July 31–August 1. For more information on ULTRA4 Racing, visit www.ultra4racing.com.
Chris “BoostedGT” Hamilton will sign autographs and race in the NMRA's first-ever Grudge Night.
Chris “BoostedGT” Hamilton from Discovery Channel's “Street Outlaws” Attending NMRA All-Ford World Finals
The NMRA has arranged for Chris “BoostedGT” Hamilton, No. 5 on the “Street Outlaws’’ 405 list, to sign autographs and race in the first-ever Grudge Night to be held after hours during the 17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals. This is the largest NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals event of the year, and it takes place at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the weekend of October 1–4, 2015. BoostedGT will sign autographs, hang out with racers and take pictures with NMRA's fans all day Saturday, October 3. BoostedGT races a Team Z Motorsports-built ’03 SVT Cobra with a Ford small-block that is pumped up by a Precision turbocharger. BoostedGT's Mustang is the first small-tire car to crack into the top half of the Street Outlaws list.
Irwindale Speedway NASCAR Results
Results from the NASCAR event at Irwindale Speedway, July 4, 2015:
Seidner's Collision Centers Late Models - Race 1 – 30 Laps
Trevor Huddleston
Riley Herbst
Toni McCray
NASCAR Mini Stocks – 35 Laps
Garrett Green
Robby Harryman
Aubree Porter
Pick Your Part Super Stocks – 35 Laps
Zack Green
Jimmy Sloan
Greg Crutcher
Seidner's Collision Centers Late Models – Race 2
Toni McCray
Trevor Huddleston
Mike Johnson
The next NASCAR race will be held Saturday, July 18, featuring Seidner's Collision Centers Late Models Twins, Pick Your Part Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Legend Cars, Bandoleros and the Figure 8 Skid Plate Race. Discount tickets available at www.irwindaleventcenter.com. The Saturday Night Drag Racing NHRA Street Legal "Test & Tune" Session will be held July 11.
With Derek West's win in Badlands, he now has a substantial lead in the Nitto National Series points.
West Wins in Badlands and Takes Lead in Nitto National Series
More than 40 ULTRA4 drivers braved the rain and mud to take part in the fourth annual RCV ULTRA4s at Badlands race. Derek West was the last driver to qualify, and beat Macy Higgins’ time by more than 6 seconds, earning him both the pole position in the main race and the Billet Rifle Hot Shot Award. West started on the pole and held the fastest lap times. By the end of the race, West would finish one lap ahead of Doug Jackson and two laps ahead of Chris May. In addition to the 4400s, the 4500s raced the identical track starting behind the ULTRA4s. In the 4500 class, 451 driver James Cantrell took first place. In the UTV race sponsored by Badlands with a $1,000 purse, Brian Strane took first place.
With West's win in Badlands, he now has a substantial lead in the Nitto National Series points. The next race in the ULTRA4 Nitto National Championship will be this weekend with the 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix, July 10–11. The next 4WD Hardware East Coast regional race is the Sturgis Off Road Blowout in Sturgis, Kentucky, July 31–August 1. For more information on ULTRA4 Racing, visit www.ultra4racing.com.
Chris “BoostedGT” Hamilton will sign autographs and race in the NMRA's first-ever Grudge Night.
Chris “BoostedGT” Hamilton from Discovery Channel's “Street Outlaws” Attending NMRA All-Ford World Finals
The NMRA has arranged for Chris “BoostedGT” Hamilton, No. 5 on the “Street Outlaws’’ 405 list, to sign autographs and race in the first-ever Grudge Night to be held after hours during the 17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals. This is the largest NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals event of the year, and it takes place at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the weekend of October 1–4, 2015. BoostedGT will sign autographs, hang out with racers and take pictures with NMRA's fans all day Saturday, October 3. BoostedGT races a Team Z Motorsports-built ’03 SVT Cobra with a Ford small-block that is pumped up by a Precision turbocharger. BoostedGT's Mustang is the first small-tire car to crack into the top half of the Street Outlaws list.
Irwindale Speedway NASCAR Results
Results from the NASCAR event at Irwindale Speedway, July 4, 2015:
Seidner's Collision Centers Late Models - Race 1 – 30 Laps
Trevor Huddleston
Riley Herbst
Toni McCray
NASCAR Mini Stocks – 35 Laps
Garrett Green
Robby Harryman
Aubree Porter
Pick Your Part Super Stocks – 35 Laps
Zack Green
Jimmy Sloan
Greg Crutcher
Seidner's Collision Centers Late Models – Race 2
Toni McCray
Trevor Huddleston
Mike Johnson
The next NASCAR race will be held Saturday, July 18, featuring Seidner's Collision Centers Late Models Twins, Pick Your Part Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Legend Cars, Bandoleros and the Figure 8 Skid Plate Race. Discount tickets available at www.irwindaleventcenter.com. The Saturday Night Drag Racing NHRA Street Legal "Test & Tune" Session will be held July 11.
Hosting a SEMA Show press conference can be an effective way to communicate your news to a large number of reporters.
Hosting a press conference at the 2015 SEMA Show can be an effective way to communicate your news to a large number of reporters. However, they do require a great deal of time and effort and should only be considered for news announcements that appeal to a wide variety of media outlets. If you’re interested in hosting a press conference, here are a few things you should know:
Exhibitors must submit an application by Friday, July 31, to be considered for an official SEMA Show press conference.
Submitting an application does not guarantee an official press conference slot, nor does it guarantee that the media will show up. Exhibitors should plan on doing outreach to invite targeted media to attend their individual press conferences.
Upon submitting an application, an automatic email will be sent to confirm that the application was received.
If any required field is not included on the application, it will give you an error message and not allow you to submit. (Required fields include: Exhibitor Contact, Exhibitor Email, PR Contact, PR Email, Title and Subject, Preferred Date/Time and the agreements listed in red).
Exhibitors will be notified of their status in mid-August and will receive their assigned press conference date/time by the first week of September.
Exhibitors can learn how to host a successful press conference by watching this video.
The deadline to apply is Friday, July 31. Applications are available on the SEMA Show website. If you do not receive the automatic email or have additional questions, please contact Becca Butler at beccab@sema.org or 909-978-6669.
For more information, contact your account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.
Hosting a SEMA Show press conference can be an effective way to communicate your news to a large number of reporters.
Hosting a press conference at the 2015 SEMA Show can be an effective way to communicate your news to a large number of reporters. However, they do require a great deal of time and effort and should only be considered for news announcements that appeal to a wide variety of media outlets. If you’re interested in hosting a press conference, here are a few things you should know:
Exhibitors must submit an application by Friday, July 31, to be considered for an official SEMA Show press conference.
Submitting an application does not guarantee an official press conference slot, nor does it guarantee that the media will show up. Exhibitors should plan on doing outreach to invite targeted media to attend their individual press conferences.
Upon submitting an application, an automatic email will be sent to confirm that the application was received.
If any required field is not included on the application, it will give you an error message and not allow you to submit. (Required fields include: Exhibitor Contact, Exhibitor Email, PR Contact, PR Email, Title and Subject, Preferred Date/Time and the agreements listed in red).
Exhibitors will be notified of their status in mid-August and will receive their assigned press conference date/time by the first week of September.
Exhibitors can learn how to host a successful press conference by watching this video.
The deadline to apply is Friday, July 31. Applications are available on the SEMA Show website. If you do not receive the automatic email or have additional questions, please contact Becca Butler at beccab@sema.org or 909-978-6669.
For more information, contact your account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.
NHRA’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, Peter Clifford, has been promoted to NHRA president.
NHRA Announces Promotion of Peter Clifford to President Upon Retirement of Tom Compton
From the NHRA
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has announced that Peter Clifford, the organization’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, has been promoted to president. Clifford succeeds Tom Compton, who announced his retirement from the NHRA following 15 years as president.
Dallas Gardner, chairman of the NHRA Board of Directors, made the announcement and introduced Clifford as president to NHRA employees assembled at the organization’s headquarters in Glendora, California.
“Peter Clifford will be an outstanding president of the NHRA,” Gardner said. “Peter’s faithful and effective service to all constituents of the NHRA family will ensure a spectacular new era for everyone who loves our sport, and he brings a passion for the NHRA that is unmistakable. Peter is most deserving of his new appointment, and we know he is more than up to the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.”
“I’m honored to accept the privilege and responsibility of leading the NHRA today and well into the future,” Clifford said. “I have an incredible passion for the sport and will bring a great work ethic to my new role, at or away from the track. My complete focus is to build our future. Our best stories are still to be told.”
As NHRA’s executive vice president and general manager, Clifford has had broad responsibilities across the entire organization. Clifford played a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic planning and the organization’s current growth initiatives. Clifford oversees NHRA’s owned racetracks and its relationships with its partner national event facilities and member tracks, publications, information technology, national event business, ticketing, customer service and human resources.
A member of the NHRA Board of Directors, Clifford also serves the organization as its chief financial officer. During his tenure with NHRA, Clifford has been the driving force behind the automation of systems within the company, including its IT functions, accounting and competition systems. He also has streamlined the business relationships between NHRA and its national event facilities.
Prior to joining NHRA in 1997 as vice president and chief financial officer, Clifford worked in finance and business planning with Hewlett-Packard, TNT Express Worldwide and Emcom. Clifford received his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a master’s of business administration in finance from the University of Southern California.
Gardner also thanked Compton for his years of service to the organization, which he joined in 1993 as vice president and chief financial officer.
“Today the NHRA announces Tom Compton’s retirement,” Gardner said. “The NHRA thanks Tom for leading it during 15 years of progress, growth and success.”
“Tom was named president in 2000 and since then has advanced our organization and sport in ways that will provide lasting benefit for our teams, drivers, sponsors and fans. Just as important, the NHRA has an immensely bright future with exceptional opportunities that we are ready to explore. As the NHRA embarks on its next chapter, we wish Tom and his family all the best.”
“This decision comes after much thought and careful consideration of my own interests, those of my family, and those of the NHRA itself,” Compton said. “The more than 22 years I spent helping to build the great team, strong partnerships and robust operations the NHRA now enjoys make this decision a difficult one.
“I want to thank everyone, including the NHRA, its partners, sponsors, track owners and operators, and all other NHRA-affiliated individuals and organizations for their generous and much-appreciated contributions to the success we’ve all enjoyed together. I am honored to have been an integral part of this collective effort, am proud of our collaboration and achievements, and am confident in the continued success of the NHRA in the years ahead.”
Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Route 66 Invitational to Be Held This Weekend
The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow’s (HROT) second-annual Route 66 Invitational will be held in Joliet, Illinois, July 10–12. This will be the last qualifying competition for the championships that take place at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3–6, and 2015 PRI Show in Indianapolis, December 10–12. Visit the HROT website for a full schedule of events.
Red Kap has added Matt Harris of 40 Cal Customs as the second builder to its growing stable of Craftsmen.
Red Kap Signs Matt Harris to New Series: The Craftsmen
Red Kap has selected Matt Harris of 40 Cal Customs as the second builder to be added to the growing stable of Red Kap Craftsmen—a video series profiling custom builders who embody the brand’s core values of heritage, craftsmanship and passion. Short, high-energy videos will each showcase a different builder. Viewers will hear their unique stories while seeing the high-performance works of art that earn these Craftsmen a place among this elite group.
Harris first burst onto the custom bike scene when he appeared on Discovery Channel’s “BikerLive” TV show. He won the show’s viewer poll, marking his introduction into the ranks of elite custom bike builders. During California’s world-famous “Born Free” event, he made another strong impression when he won the first round of “Hot Bike” magazine’s Speed and Style Fabrication Showdown. Harris also took home the 2015 Firestone Award, presented by Coker Tire.
Harris was selected to be profiled in The Craftsmen series because he is a builder true to his craft, a devoted family man and a hardworking entrepreneur who is passionate about living the American dream. He hails from Alcoa, Tennessee. Red Kap will continue to add more Craftsmen to this program in the months ahead. Each will be chosen based on authentic character, style and commitment. The Craftsmen series of videos will roll out beginning in August 2015.
Federal-Mogul Motorparts has launched its Garage Gurus regional training centers to provide technicians with a comprehensive, technical education platform.
Garage Gurus Network Expanding to Four Additional U.S. Markets
Federal-Mogul Motorparts next week will expand its Garage Gurus technical education network with the grand openings of regional training centers in Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas/Fort Worth and Rancho Dominguez, California. The company, a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp., launched the Garage Gurus network in April with training centers in Skokie, Illinois, Van Nuys, California, and the Bronx, New York.
Garage Gurus is a “Tech First” initiative designed to help repair professionals keep pace with the latest automotive technologies. Each Garage Gurus training center offers more than 100 courses taught by the company’s team of more than 100 ASE-certified “Gurus.” The network reaches thousands of additional repair professionals on the job through Web-connected “Gurus-On-The-Go” product technology vans. With the four grand openings next week, the Garage Gurus network will expand to seven major markets with combined reach to more than 45,000 automotive repair businesses. Eight additional Garage Gurus training centers are scheduled to open later this year.
ECS Tuning Announces Acquisition of Turner Motorsport
ECS Tuning LLC has announced the acquisition of Turner Motorsport LLC. ECS—a destination for European car enthusiasts—is distinguished by its proprietary products and parts catalog featuring more than 1.4 million SKUs for BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche and Volkswagen. ESC hopes the addition of Turner Motorsport will make it a premier destination for BMW parts online and enable both companies to offer a broader selection of high-quality engineered solutions and enhancements for the BMW marketplace.
Will Turner, founder of Turner Motorsport, confirmed that the Turner Motorsport Racing team will remain unchanged, with ECS and Turner Motorsport continuing as primary sponsors. Based in Wadsworth, Ohio, ECS is owned by Bertram Capital, the company founders and management.
RxSpeed Launches RxSpeed for Business
RxSpeed has announced the launch of RxSpeed for Business and its flagship Brand Dashboard—a secure login for manufacturers to access their product and pricing information. This cloud-based solution was designed to help companies manage their digital catalog while monitoring their online retailers and pricing. Manufacturers currently list products free of charge on RxSpeed.com and now have the ability to view their complimentary dashboard by verifying their contact information.
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.
Project vehicles can be an effective way for exhibitors to showcase their latest products and accessories.
Each year, more than 1,000 project vehicles are displayed at the SEMA Show. Whether inside an exhibitor’s booth or featured in another area of the Las Vegas Convention Center, project vehicles can be an effective way for exhibitors to showcase their latest products and accessories. If you’re an exhibitor planning on bringing a vehicle to this year’s Show, here are three important things you need to know:
All vehicles must be registered by a SEMA Show exhibitor. All vehicles at the SEMA Show must be sponsored by an exhibiting company as either a booth or feature vehicle. Applications for both are available in the Exhibitor Services Manual. Feature vehicle applications must include a digital photo or rendering of the vehicle, owner and driver information and completed payment information. More information on the Feature Vehicle Program and booth vehicles are available on the SEMA Show website.
You can participate in SEMA Battle of the Builders. If your vehicle is registered for the 2015 SEMA Show, you can participate in SEMA Battle of the Builders—a nationwide competition that brings together the best builders at the Show. The top 10 finalists will be announced at the SEMA Show, and the competition will culminate on a nationwide television special that will be filmed throughout the week. Builders can enter online.
You can be part of SEMA Ignited. All vehicles are invited to participate in SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after party. All vehicles will exit the SEMA Show during the SEMA Cruise on Friday, November 6, as they parade across the street. Vehicles will have the option to turn into the Gold Lot where SEMA Ignited will take place. Being part of SEMA Ignited gives exhibitors and vehicles additional exposure to the thousands of consumers and media in attendance.
For more information, contact your account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.
Project vehicles can be an effective way for exhibitors to showcase their latest products and accessories.
Each year, more than 1,000 project vehicles are displayed at the SEMA Show. Whether inside an exhibitor’s booth or featured in another area of the Las Vegas Convention Center, project vehicles can be an effective way for exhibitors to showcase their latest products and accessories. If you’re an exhibitor planning on bringing a vehicle to this year’s Show, here are three important things you need to know:
All vehicles must be registered by a SEMA Show exhibitor. All vehicles at the SEMA Show must be sponsored by an exhibiting company as either a booth or feature vehicle. Applications for both are available in the Exhibitor Services Manual. Feature vehicle applications must include a digital photo or rendering of the vehicle, owner and driver information and completed payment information. More information on the Feature Vehicle Program and booth vehicles are available on the SEMA Show website.
You can participate in SEMA Battle of the Builders. If your vehicle is registered for the 2015 SEMA Show, you can participate in SEMA Battle of the Builders—a nationwide competition that brings together the best builders at the Show. The top 10 finalists will be announced at the SEMA Show, and the competition will culminate on a nationwide television special that will be filmed throughout the week. Builders can enter online.
You can be part of SEMA Ignited. All vehicles are invited to participate in SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after party. All vehicles will exit the SEMA Show during the SEMA Cruise on Friday, November 6, as they parade across the street. Vehicles will have the option to turn into the Gold Lot where SEMA Ignited will take place. Being part of SEMA Ignited gives exhibitors and vehicles additional exposure to the thousands of consumers and media in attendance.
For more information, contact your account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.
