Applications for the 2015 SEMA Launch Pad, Presented by YEN will be accepted through July 3, 2015. For more information, and to apply, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad.

Amanda Gubbins

SEMA’s Launch Pad competition, now entering its third year, is designed to give automotive innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs under the age of 40 an industry platform for their budding businesses. Applicants from SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) first submit a video introduction to their product or service. A task force of peers carefully evaluates each submission to narrow down the top 10, who advance to a social media voting round. Ultimately, the final five pitch their business plans at the SEMA Show, where a judging panel selects the winner of a comprehensive prize package.

Shawn Chartier participated in the 2014 competition and took his business into the top 10. Custom Offsets LLC is an online gallery of vehicle photos, showcasing custom-wheel installation options for different makes and models.

“People can come out to our website and add their vehicle, but they’ve got to add all of the specs of the wheel sizes, the tire sizes, the suspension information, if they did any modifications as far as trimming and all of that,” Chartier explained. “And we made it so that people can very quickly use filters and search that entire gallery.”

Nearly a year ago, when Chartier applied for Launch Pad, the website included about 2,000 vehicles. He recalls that the site averaged 1,000 views per day. Users also had the option to purchase the wheels and tires through the website, which netted about $100,000 each month. Today, Custom Offsets has greatly increased all of those numbers: 5,000 vehicles, 10,000 daily site visits and $500,000 in sales each month.

Chartier attributes much of this growth and credibility to the Launch Pad competition. In the early days, he saw online chatter questioning if the company was real or not.

“We put the SEMA logo on our website immediately when we became members because we were just really proud to get to the point where we could show that we were a legitimate business, and that we were here to stay. And putting that in front of people, we started to see those questions go away because it just helped establish that we were legitimate,” he said.

While Custom Offsets did not make it to the final round of the competition, Chartier says the experience was worth it for the feedback he gained. Each of the top 10 contestants was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion with the judges following the live competition, allowing them to learn from industry veterans.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work and keep working on selling wheels and tires and keep working on improving the website—but sometimes you’ve got to step back and also play CEO. Think about where the business is going in the next one to three years and who we want to be when we grow up,” said Chartier.

Chartier also competed in “Shark Tank,” and hopes there will be more competitions in store for Custom Offsets in the future—experiences, he says, keep the company thinking about the big picture.

Applications for the 2015 SEMA Launch Pad, Presented by YEN will be accepted through July 3, 2015. For more information, and to apply, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. For more information, contact Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.

The automotive aftermarket owes quite a bit to hot rodders. While, technically, the industry existed prior to the street scene of the ’50s, it was hot rodders who sparked the explosion of innovative performance and appearance products that now characterize the heart and soul of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

They made tinkering with, modifying and personalizing cars cool, catapulting the industry into the $33-billion powerhouse it is today. And although the industry has since grown and broadened to encompass a dizzying array of products and trends in countless categories, hot rodding has hardly faded from the scene.

The automotive aftermarket owes quite a bit to hot rodders. While, technically, the industry existed prior to the street scene of the ’50s, it was hot rodders who sparked the explosion of innovative performance and appearance products that now characterize the heart and soul of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

They made tinkering with, modifying and personalizing cars cool, catapulting the industry into the $33-billion powerhouse it is today. And although the industry has since grown and broadened to encompass a dizzying array of products and trends in countless categories, hot rodding has hardly faded from the scene.

The automotive aftermarket owes quite a bit to hot rodders. While, technically, the industry existed prior to the street scene of the ’50s, it was hot rodders who sparked the explosion of innovative performance and appearance products that now characterize the heart and soul of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

They made tinkering with, modifying and personalizing cars cool, catapulting the industry into the $33-billion powerhouse it is today. And although the industry has since grown and broadened to encompass a dizzying array of products and trends in countless categories, hot rodding has hardly faded from the scene.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

HOT STREAK HAS CRAMPTON EXCITED FOR RETURN TO TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS: Richie Crampton has enjoyed a tremendous start to his NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel career, which includes winning the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award as NHRA’s top rookie in 2014. Two more wins have followed in the early stages of 2015 in Crampton’s 10,000hp Lucas Oil dragster, but every breakout story must have a beginning, and Crampton’s first trip to the spotlight came at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Crampton picked up his first Top Fuel victory last year in Englishtown—a moment made even more special because he became the 100th different Top Fuel winner in NHRA history in the process. Those good vibes, coupled with a stellar start to 2015, have Crampton eager for this weekend’s 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals.

"Coming off of a win in Topeka and going back to the place where I won my first event and became No. 100 on that list is pretty awesome," Crampton said. "It’s hard to keep that momentum rolling when you win a race, so I’m excited to get there and see how we go."

TASCA READY FOR RETURN AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS: With his Rhode Island base, Bob Tasca III has always considered himself “an all-New England kid,” so there was no way he was going to miss competing in his backyard at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping. Tasca’s Mustang Funny Car will fly the colors of PPG as the primary sponsor for the race.

"For NHRA fans in New England, this is the race of the year, and I’m thrilled to be racing in the New England national event," said Tasca, who made his 2015 debut at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in March. "There are so many Tasca/Ford fans in New England that my family did not want to let them down. I have so many great memories racing in Epping; my goal is to make a few more."

ENGLISHTOWN TV SCHEDULE ADJUSTED: The television schedule for the Toyota NHRA Summernational at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park has been adjusted. To find out the new air times on ESPN2, visit www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"We have been running very fast in qualifying and even on race day. For whatever reason, either it was on the starting line or downtrack, we haven’t had the consistency needed to follow through with those quick runs. It’s starting to pick up a little bit though, so I have a good feeling about these next couple of races. Considering the fact that we’re already eight races into the season, now it definitely matters. We have got to pick up the pace and get a win."

—Alexis DeJoria on the start to the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. DeJoria and her team, led by crew chief Tommy DeLago, have posted impressive moments this season but have yet to pick up a race win. DeJoria has raced strong in qualifying and has qualified fourth on three occasions and was seventh in Topeka, clocking a 3.994-second run.

Inside the Numbers

49: Number of wins Antron Brown has in his Mello Yello Drag Racing Series career, 33 in Top Fuel and 16 in Pro Stock Motorcycle. With the 49 career victories, the 2012 Top Fuel world champion is on the verge of becoming just the 10th driver to earn 50 wins. The 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals at venerable Old Bridge Township Raceway Park takes place June 4–7, and Brown, a Chesterfield, New Jersey, native, couldn’t think of a better location to earn the milestone victory in his 10,000hp Matco Tools dragster.

"I can’t even believe I’ve won 49 races," said Brown. "There wouldn’t be a better place for me to get my 50th Wally than at Englishtown. That’s where it all started for me. I remember riding my dirt bike there and watching my dad and uncle race at Englishtown. There are so many great memories there. I’ve been so blessed to be with our Matco Tools/U.S. Army team. All my family will be out at Englishtown and sharing that moment with them would be more than I could ask for."

Did You Know

SPORTSNATIONALS WINNERS CROWNED: Justin Lamb and Bernie Polvadore won for the second week in a row at Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway, grabbing the wins at this weekend’s JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Lamb, who won in both Comp Eliminator and Super Stock at last weekend’s Lucas Oil divisional, outran former national champion Alan Ellis to capture the Comp trophy again. Lamb, Henderson, Nevada, drove his ’10 Cobalt to an 8.075-second lap at 149.48 mph, and Ellis ran 8.300, 108.80 for the runner-up finish.

View the complete 2015 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

HOT STREAK HAS CRAMPTON EXCITED FOR RETURN TO TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS: Richie Crampton has enjoyed a tremendous start to his NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel career, which includes winning the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award as NHRA’s top rookie in 2014. Two more wins have followed in the early stages of 2015 in Crampton’s 10,000hp Lucas Oil dragster, but every breakout story must have a beginning, and Crampton’s first trip to the spotlight came at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Crampton picked up his first Top Fuel victory last year in Englishtown—a moment made even more special because he became the 100th different Top Fuel winner in NHRA history in the process. Those good vibes, coupled with a stellar start to 2015, have Crampton eager for this weekend’s 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals.

"Coming off of a win in Topeka and going back to the place where I won my first event and became No. 100 on that list is pretty awesome," Crampton said. "It’s hard to keep that momentum rolling when you win a race, so I’m excited to get there and see how we go."

TASCA READY FOR RETURN AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS: With his Rhode Island base, Bob Tasca III has always considered himself “an all-New England kid,” so there was no way he was going to miss competing in his backyard at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping. Tasca’s Mustang Funny Car will fly the colors of PPG as the primary sponsor for the race.

"For NHRA fans in New England, this is the race of the year, and I’m thrilled to be racing in the New England national event," said Tasca, who made his 2015 debut at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in March. "There are so many Tasca/Ford fans in New England that my family did not want to let them down. I have so many great memories racing in Epping; my goal is to make a few more."

ENGLISHTOWN TV SCHEDULE ADJUSTED: The television schedule for the Toyota NHRA Summernational at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park has been adjusted. To find out the new air times on ESPN2, visit www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"We have been running very fast in qualifying and even on race day. For whatever reason, either it was on the starting line or downtrack, we haven’t had the consistency needed to follow through with those quick runs. It’s starting to pick up a little bit though, so I have a good feeling about these next couple of races. Considering the fact that we’re already eight races into the season, now it definitely matters. We have got to pick up the pace and get a win."

—Alexis DeJoria on the start to the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. DeJoria and her team, led by crew chief Tommy DeLago, have posted impressive moments this season but have yet to pick up a race win. DeJoria has raced strong in qualifying and has qualified fourth on three occasions and was seventh in Topeka, clocking a 3.994-second run.

Inside the Numbers

49: Number of wins Antron Brown has in his Mello Yello Drag Racing Series career, 33 in Top Fuel and 16 in Pro Stock Motorcycle. With the 49 career victories, the 2012 Top Fuel world champion is on the verge of becoming just the 10th driver to earn 50 wins. The 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals at venerable Old Bridge Township Raceway Park takes place June 4–7, and Brown, a Chesterfield, New Jersey, native, couldn’t think of a better location to earn the milestone victory in his 10,000hp Matco Tools dragster.

"I can’t even believe I’ve won 49 races," said Brown. "There wouldn’t be a better place for me to get my 50th Wally than at Englishtown. That’s where it all started for me. I remember riding my dirt bike there and watching my dad and uncle race at Englishtown. There are so many great memories there. I’ve been so blessed to be with our Matco Tools/U.S. Army team. All my family will be out at Englishtown and sharing that moment with them would be more than I could ask for."

Did You Know

SPORTSNATIONALS WINNERS CROWNED: Justin Lamb and Bernie Polvadore won for the second week in a row at Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway, grabbing the wins at this weekend’s JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Lamb, who won in both Comp Eliminator and Super Stock at last weekend’s Lucas Oil divisional, outran former national champion Alan Ellis to capture the Comp trophy again. Lamb, Henderson, Nevada, drove his ’10 Cobalt to an 8.075-second lap at 149.48 mph, and Ellis ran 8.300, 108.80 for the runner-up finish.

View the complete 2015 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

HOT STREAK HAS CRAMPTON EXCITED FOR RETURN TO TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS: Richie Crampton has enjoyed a tremendous start to his NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel career, which includes winning the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award as NHRA’s top rookie in 2014. Two more wins have followed in the early stages of 2015 in Crampton’s 10,000hp Lucas Oil dragster, but every breakout story must have a beginning, and Crampton’s first trip to the spotlight came at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Crampton picked up his first Top Fuel victory last year in Englishtown—a moment made even more special because he became the 100th different Top Fuel winner in NHRA history in the process. Those good vibes, coupled with a stellar start to 2015, have Crampton eager for this weekend’s 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals.

"Coming off of a win in Topeka and going back to the place where I won my first event and became No. 100 on that list is pretty awesome," Crampton said. "It’s hard to keep that momentum rolling when you win a race, so I’m excited to get there and see how we go."

TASCA READY FOR RETURN AT NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS: With his Rhode Island base, Bob Tasca III has always considered himself “an all-New England kid,” so there was no way he was going to miss competing in his backyard at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping. Tasca’s Mustang Funny Car will fly the colors of PPG as the primary sponsor for the race.

"For NHRA fans in New England, this is the race of the year, and I’m thrilled to be racing in the New England national event," said Tasca, who made his 2015 debut at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in March. "There are so many Tasca/Ford fans in New England that my family did not want to let them down. I have so many great memories racing in Epping; my goal is to make a few more."

ENGLISHTOWN TV SCHEDULE ADJUSTED: The television schedule for the Toyota NHRA Summernational at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park has been adjusted. To find out the new air times on ESPN2, visit www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"We have been running very fast in qualifying and even on race day. For whatever reason, either it was on the starting line or downtrack, we haven’t had the consistency needed to follow through with those quick runs. It’s starting to pick up a little bit though, so I have a good feeling about these next couple of races. Considering the fact that we’re already eight races into the season, now it definitely matters. We have got to pick up the pace and get a win."

—Alexis DeJoria on the start to the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. DeJoria and her team, led by crew chief Tommy DeLago, have posted impressive moments this season but have yet to pick up a race win. DeJoria has raced strong in qualifying and has qualified fourth on three occasions and was seventh in Topeka, clocking a 3.994-second run.

Inside the Numbers

49: Number of wins Antron Brown has in his Mello Yello Drag Racing Series career, 33 in Top Fuel and 16 in Pro Stock Motorcycle. With the 49 career victories, the 2012 Top Fuel world champion is on the verge of becoming just the 10th driver to earn 50 wins. The 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals at venerable Old Bridge Township Raceway Park takes place June 4–7, and Brown, a Chesterfield, New Jersey, native, couldn’t think of a better location to earn the milestone victory in his 10,000hp Matco Tools dragster.

"I can’t even believe I’ve won 49 races," said Brown. "There wouldn’t be a better place for me to get my 50th Wally than at Englishtown. That’s where it all started for me. I remember riding my dirt bike there and watching my dad and uncle race at Englishtown. There are so many great memories there. I’ve been so blessed to be with our Matco Tools/U.S. Army team. All my family will be out at Englishtown and sharing that moment with them would be more than I could ask for."

Did You Know

SPORTSNATIONALS WINNERS CROWNED: Justin Lamb and Bernie Polvadore won for the second week in a row at Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway, grabbing the wins at this weekend’s JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Lamb, who won in both Comp Eliminator and Super Stock at last weekend’s Lucas Oil divisional, outran former national champion Alan Ellis to capture the Comp trophy again. Lamb, Henderson, Nevada, drove his ’10 Cobalt to an 8.075-second lap at 149.48 mph, and Ellis ran 8.300, 108.80 for the runner-up finish.

View the complete 2015 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

	Voting for SEMA's council and network Select Committees will close tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

Ballots for SEMA's council and network Select Committees are due tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. (PDT). SEMA has collaborated with Association Voting to facilitate the election process. Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail containing the online ballot information from announcement@associationvoting.com on May 18, 2015.

Each Select Committee works together with the general membership to develop programs, services and benefits that support the group's vision. These volunteers also work with the association's leadership to provide strategic direction for the markets they represent. Committee members serve two-year terms (three terms maximum) and act as individuals, not as company representatives.

Election winners will be announced mid-June, with the individuals beginning their terms July 1, 2015.

Questions? Contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692.

	Voting for SEMA's council and network Select Committees will close tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

Ballots for SEMA's council and network Select Committees are due tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. (PDT). SEMA has collaborated with Association Voting to facilitate the election process. Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail containing the online ballot information from announcement@associationvoting.com on May 18, 2015.

Each Select Committee works together with the general membership to develop programs, services and benefits that support the group's vision. These volunteers also work with the association's leadership to provide strategic direction for the markets they represent. Committee members serve two-year terms (three terms maximum) and act as individuals, not as company representatives.

Election winners will be announced mid-June, with the individuals beginning their terms July 1, 2015.

Questions? Contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to prohibit the sale of motor fuel with an ethanol mixture died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill recognized that ethanol fuels cause problems with fuel pumps, fuel gauges and other engine performance issues, especially over a period of time when the vehicle is not used. Current high-performance specialty parts along with pre-model-year ’01 cars and parts may be most susceptible to corrosion. The measure also acknowledged that ethanol has been shown to decrease fuel mileage. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.