By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate version of a bill to amend the California law governing “Made in U.S.A.” labeling will be considered in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, May 12, 2015. An identical assembly version was approved by committee and is now on the floor of the assembly for a vote by all members.  

Under current law, the standard in California for designating products as “Made in U.S.A.” is different and more onerous than the standard established by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC allows manufacturers to display the “Made in U.S.A.” designation on products that are “all or virtually all” made in the United States. California has put in place a different standard requiring the product and all its subcomponents be entirely or substantially produced in the United States in order to be labeled as “Made in U.S.A.” This bill would resolve this discrepancy. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion.

As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you on the SEMA Action Network's (SAN) website, or register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion.

As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you on the SEMA Action Network's (SAN) website, or register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion.

As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you on the SEMA Action Network's (SAN) website, or register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion.

As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you on the SEMA Action Network's (SAN) website, or register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) will be celebrated this year on July 10, 2015. At the request of SEMA, this “holiday” has been marked each year since 2010 by a U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” As in years past, a wide range of automotive events will be held to commemorate the occasion.

As this annual event continues to grow worldwide, states, provinces, counties and cities are following suit with their own recognition. SEMA encourages participation throughout the month of July to honor the classics of the past and the future.

Celebrate the hobby your way!

• Attend an official vehicle-inspired event.
• Host your own gathering or club meeting.
• Promote a “holiday sale” at your business.
• Drive your special ride, new or old, whatever the destination.

Plan and submit your July event at no cost or locate an event near you on the SEMA Action Network's (SAN) website, or register your event now. Participating organizers will be awarded a copy of the congressional resolution for display at each registered event.

By Becca Butler

	Whether your goal is to meet new buyers, increase brand awareness or network within the industry, the best and easiest way to reach it is to have a plan for the Show.

Exhibitors who plan and prepare in advance are sure to get the greatest return on their SEMA Show investment. Whether your goal is to meet new buyers, increase brand awareness or network within the industry, the best and easiest way to reach your goals is to have a plan. To help exhibitors stay on track, utilizing all of the tools and resources SEMA has to offer, the monthly checklist below outlines what every exhibitor should be doing this month:

• Select/Confirm Booth Location: This is the month exhibitors select their actual booth location. Exhibitors who submitted their applications before the April 6 deadline will have an assigned date/time as to when they will select their booth space. Exhibitors who submitted an application after the April 6 deadline will select their space after the Priority Booth Space Selection Process concludes toward the end of the month. Know when you are scheduled to select your space and plan accordingly.

• Revisit Your Budget: Once you confirm your booth location, you can firm up your budget to map out the nitty-gritty. Knowing exactly where your booth is and how it fits into the overall floorplan will allow you to determine costs for carpet, electrical, signage, etc. Use the exhibitor Budget Checklist to outline expenses and ensure you stay within your budget. Exhibitors can find all of the information regarding booth products, services and their cost in the Exhibitor Services Manual.

• Promote Your Booth: Don’t wait until the SEMA Show arrives in November to let buyers know you will be exhibiting. Start promoting your participation as soon as you have your booth location and booth number. Share the news on your website and social media sites and begin preparing press releases. Use the hashtag #SEMA2015, join and participate in the SEMA Show Exhibitor LinkedIn Group and post releases on the SEMA Online Media Center.

• Register Staff: Secure exhibitor badges for your company personnel using the online exhibitor registration form. Complimentary badges are provided to exhibitors based on the size of the exhibit space and can be ordered quickly and easily by the primary contact at the exhibiting company. Additional badges beyond the complimentary allotment can be purchased, while badges for contractors, vendors (such as those providing installation/dismantling services, exhibit builders, sound and lighting companies, production or promotion companies, florists, computer rental companies, etc.) and contest winners are available in other categories.

• Schedule Reminders: Discounted advance rates are available for a number of services, including lead-retrieval rentals, booth catering, exhibit accessory rentals and more. Save money by getting your orders in before the deadlines. Because the deadlines vary, enter these dates on your calendars now and set reminder notices for yourself. As the Show gets closer and things become more hectic, these dates will be key for exhibitors and their success. Deadlines can be found in the Exhibitor Services Manual.

Already done? Ensure you’ve also completed April’s checklist and keep a look out for next month’s list. To learn about all of the resources available for exhibitors, contact sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289. Companies interested in exhibiting can still sign up online.

By Becca Butler

	Whether your goal is to meet new buyers, increase brand awareness or network within the industry, the best and easiest way to reach it is to have a plan for the Show.

Exhibitors who plan and prepare in advance are sure to get the greatest return on their SEMA Show investment. Whether your goal is to meet new buyers, increase brand awareness or network within the industry, the best and easiest way to reach your goals is to have a plan. To help exhibitors stay on track, utilizing all of the tools and resources SEMA has to offer, the monthly checklist below outlines what every exhibitor should be doing this month:

• Select/Confirm Booth Location: This is the month exhibitors select their actual booth location. Exhibitors who submitted their applications before the April 6 deadline will have an assigned date/time as to when they will select their booth space. Exhibitors who submitted an application after the April 6 deadline will select their space after the Priority Booth Space Selection Process concludes toward the end of the month. Know when you are scheduled to select your space and plan accordingly.

• Revisit Your Budget: Once you confirm your booth location, you can firm up your budget to map out the nitty-gritty. Knowing exactly where your booth is and how it fits into the overall floorplan will allow you to determine costs for carpet, electrical, signage, etc. Use the exhibitor Budget Checklist to outline expenses and ensure you stay within your budget. Exhibitors can find all of the information regarding booth products, services and their cost in the Exhibitor Services Manual.

• Promote Your Booth: Don’t wait until the SEMA Show arrives in November to let buyers know you will be exhibiting. Start promoting your participation as soon as you have your booth location and booth number. Share the news on your website and social media sites and begin preparing press releases. Use the hashtag #SEMA2015, join and participate in the SEMA Show Exhibitor LinkedIn Group and post releases on the SEMA Online Media Center.

• Register Staff: Secure exhibitor badges for your company personnel using the online exhibitor registration form. Complimentary badges are provided to exhibitors based on the size of the exhibit space and can be ordered quickly and easily by the primary contact at the exhibiting company. Additional badges beyond the complimentary allotment can be purchased, while badges for contractors, vendors (such as those providing installation/dismantling services, exhibit builders, sound and lighting companies, production or promotion companies, florists, computer rental companies, etc.) and contest winners are available in other categories.

• Schedule Reminders: Discounted advance rates are available for a number of services, including lead-retrieval rentals, booth catering, exhibit accessory rentals and more. Save money by getting your orders in before the deadlines. Because the deadlines vary, enter these dates on your calendars now and set reminder notices for yourself. As the Show gets closer and things become more hectic, these dates will be key for exhibitors and their success. Deadlines can be found in the Exhibitor Services Manual.

Already done? Ensure you’ve also completed April’s checklist and keep a look out for next month’s list. To learn about all of the resources available for exhibitors, contact sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289. Companies interested in exhibiting can still sign up online.

By Becca Butler

	Whether your goal is to meet new buyers, increase brand awareness or network within the industry, the best and easiest way to reach it is to have a plan for the Show.

Exhibitors who plan and prepare in advance are sure to get the greatest return on their SEMA Show investment. Whether your goal is to meet new buyers, increase brand awareness or network within the industry, the best and easiest way to reach your goals is to have a plan. To help exhibitors stay on track, utilizing all of the tools and resources SEMA has to offer, the monthly checklist below outlines what every exhibitor should be doing this month:

• Select/Confirm Booth Location: This is the month exhibitors select their actual booth location. Exhibitors who submitted their applications before the April 6 deadline will have an assigned date/time as to when they will select their booth space. Exhibitors who submitted an application after the April 6 deadline will select their space after the Priority Booth Space Selection Process concludes toward the end of the month. Know when you are scheduled to select your space and plan accordingly.

• Revisit Your Budget: Once you confirm your booth location, you can firm up your budget to map out the nitty-gritty. Knowing exactly where your booth is and how it fits into the overall floorplan will allow you to determine costs for carpet, electrical, signage, etc. Use the exhibitor Budget Checklist to outline expenses and ensure you stay within your budget. Exhibitors can find all of the information regarding booth products, services and their cost in the Exhibitor Services Manual.

• Promote Your Booth: Don’t wait until the SEMA Show arrives in November to let buyers know you will be exhibiting. Start promoting your participation as soon as you have your booth location and booth number. Share the news on your website and social media sites and begin preparing press releases. Use the hashtag #SEMA2015, join and participate in the SEMA Show Exhibitor LinkedIn Group and post releases on the SEMA Online Media Center.

• Register Staff: Secure exhibitor badges for your company personnel using the online exhibitor registration form. Complimentary badges are provided to exhibitors based on the size of the exhibit space and can be ordered quickly and easily by the primary contact at the exhibiting company. Additional badges beyond the complimentary allotment can be purchased, while badges for contractors, vendors (such as those providing installation/dismantling services, exhibit builders, sound and lighting companies, production or promotion companies, florists, computer rental companies, etc.) and contest winners are available in other categories.

• Schedule Reminders: Discounted advance rates are available for a number of services, including lead-retrieval rentals, booth catering, exhibit accessory rentals and more. Save money by getting your orders in before the deadlines. Because the deadlines vary, enter these dates on your calendars now and set reminder notices for yourself. As the Show gets closer and things become more hectic, these dates will be key for exhibitors and their success. Deadlines can be found in the Exhibitor Services Manual.

Already done? Ensure you’ve also completed April’s checklist and keep a look out for next month’s list. To learn about all of the resources available for exhibitors, contact sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289. Companies interested in exhibiting can still sign up online.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	A new video display board is being assembled in Turn 3.

Road America Invests Millions to Improve Race Day Experience

Road America is investing in four new networked high-definition LED video display boards. Currently, one video board is in place in Turn 5, and the additional video boards will be permanently placed in Turn 1, Turn 3, Turns 7 and 8, and Turn 12. For thousands watching from the stands and around the revered racetrack, the video display boards will deliver views of the on-track action. In addition to the new video boards, the four-mile racetrack was resurfaced in several areas, including Turns 5, 6, 8 and 14. There were no changes to the width of the racing surface. Road America's first event is quickly approaching, as racing vehicles from around the world will compete at the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) Spring Vintage Weekend, May 15–17.

DEI Sponsors First-Ever Circle Track Great American Racing Series

Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) has announced sponsorship of Circle Track’s inaugural 2015 Great American Racing Series (GARS). This series of six races is being billed as an affordable, high-purse, oval-track race series for cars that are essentially street stocks. Drivers will compete for a purse of $30,000 per race with the winner receiving $5,000. The champion will win $10,000 and a one-day test session of a full-bodied NASCAR-style stock car at Daytona International Speedway.

Developed with a mix of paved and dirt oval tracks in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, the GARS series kicks off May 9 at the Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana. Two dirt races and four paved races are planned with the final event scheduled October 4 at the Memphis International Raceway. The top 15 finishers of each qualifying race will compete in the feature race, which is expected to be 75 laps for tracks greater than ½-mile and 100 laps for ½-mile-and-under tracks.

Design Engineering is one of a 10 financial GARS sponsors and a proponent of grassroots motorsports. DEI also provides a product sponsorship program for avid racers and project builders under the company’s Team DEI program.

	Don Walsh Jr. in the Precision Turbo & Engine ’14 Camaro scored the No. 1 position for the Pro Mod class.

PTE Camaro Wins NHRA Pro Mod Race at Houston

Don Walsh Jr. raced to victory April 26, in the Precision Turbo & Engine ’14 Camaro at the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway, presented by the Real Pro Mod (RPM) Association. Walsh had a qualifying run of 5.860 at 247.25 mph to score the No. 1 position for the class. Walsh was also the recipient of the Quick Drive Racing #1 Qualifier award.

ALM Endurance Race Series Schedule Announced

The schedule for the ALM Endurance Race Series at the Autobahn Country Club has been announced. This year's ALM Enduro Series consists of three races culminating with the ALM 12 Hour Enduro at the Autobahn—the longest in the Midwest. The schedule will start with a 3.5-hour race on the Autobahn's South track, June 13. The second race is a five-hour event September 19. The premier event will be the final, 12-hour, full-course competition, with the practice session scheduled for October 31, and the race on November 1.

	Patrick Clark won his first-ever Pro 2 race last Friday.

Patrick Clark Takes Home His First Pro 2 Win

Rounds 3 and 4 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series took place last Friday on the outskirts of Phoenix at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Patrick Clark maneuvered his #25 Budweiser-Chevy Pro 2 into a pole position for round 4. The final race of the night was the Pro 2s where Clark lined up on the pole next Bryce Menzies. Clark held his line and by the end of lap one he was out front. A full-course caution brought the trucks back together halfway through the race. At the restart, Clark held off Menzies once again and continued his run toward the checkered flag. Clark led the race from start to finish and won his first-ever Pro 2 race. Clark now sits sixth in points. The next race weekend will take place May 30–31 in Lake Elsinore, California, for rounds 5 and 6.

Royal Purple Launches The Royal Treatment Sweepstakes

Royal Purple has launched The Royal Treatment Sweepstakes, offering one race fan the opportunity to meet famed Indy 500 and sports car racing driver Townsend Bell and attend the Lone Star Le Mans race as a guest VIP pit crew member of Scuderia Corsa at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, September 19, 2015. Until May 31, race fans can enter the sweepstakes at www.GetTheRoyalTreatment.com.