By Linda Spencer

	Forty-two SEMA-member companies participated in the 2014 SEMA Middle East program. Pictured (far right) is Mike Copeland, vice president of Lingenfelter Per­formance Engineering.
	Last year, Rigid Industries LED Lighting—an LED light­ing manufacturer based in Gilbert, Arizona—participated in the SEMA Middle East trip for the first time. Paula Argiropou­los (center), is the company’s international sales manager.
	“I can’t think of a better way to investigate the potential of a market than an industry trip like this,” said Lake Speed Jr. (right), general manager of Driven Racing Oil. “It provided the perfect balance of shop vis­its, local market intelligence and interaction with buyers. The level of infrastructure, the passion about motorsports, the sophistica­tion of the speed shops we’ve visited—it’s every bit of what we have on Main Street USA. It’s not anything I could have under­stood without being here, feeling it and seeing it.”

Exhibitor registration for the fourth-annual SEMA fact-finding and networking visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now open. The 2015 Middle East Business Development Program, taking place March 24–28, will involve site visits, the chance to exhibit at an Abu Dhabi-based show, participating in an International Measuring Session and networking events.

The program—which includes exhibiting fees, hotels, meals, networking events and the chance to measure vehicles not sold in the United States—is designed to create opportunities for U.S. manufacturers to meet with pre-vetted buyers from the six Middle Eastern countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This political and economic alliance includes Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2014, resellers from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and India also attended. Thanks to a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. government can help qualified firms defray the costs.

To give prospective 2015 attendees an idea of what to expect, check out the 2014 trip report, which includes a list of last year’s exhibitors. More information can be found at sema.org/middleeast, or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org to set up a one-on-one briefing on the trip's features.

Six Facts about the region include:

• Demand for SEMA-type product is strong. According to a recent U.S. Department of Commerce report, greatest product demand areas include: 4WD accessories (for both on- and off-road use), classic car products, performance products, exterior upgrades and window film.

• Consumers in the region have deep pockets—The UAE and GCC have among the world’s highest per-capita disposable incomes, and thus, the funds to pursue their hobby. As more people have money to spend and the local economy continues to grow, consumer expenditure in the is expected to top Dh766 billion this year—up by 7% from 2013—according to Euromonitor International—a London-based market intelligence firm.

• Similar to the United States, the region's consumers seek large vehicles. The low cost of fuel combined with local tastes result in a vehicle park much like in the United States, with a significant share of the market taken by light trucks. For example, in 2013, slightly more than half of the vehicles sold in Saudi Arabia were light trucks (SUVs, pickups and minivans). In the UAE, this figure is 53%.

• The UAE is a regional hub with a number of distributors in that market selling within the GCC and beyond.

• Off-roading is a region-wide pastime. Learn what sort of products are needed given the conditions of a sandy terrain and extreme heat.

• It is said that the UAE spends more per capita on motorsports than anywhere else in the world. The Dubai Autodrome and the Yas Marina Circuit are within one hour’s distance of each other, and the Bahrain International Circuit is in nearby Bahrain. The Yas Circuit on Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi became the first drag-racing track outside the United States to be sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The Bahrain International Circuit followed in June 2011.

By SEMA Editors

Several big announcements from a number of the racing industry's leading manufacturers, sanctioning bodies and more will take place at the 27th annual PRI Trade Show, December 11–13, in Indianapolis.

View the complete listing of exhibitor press conferences scheduled.

NHRA News

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE RETURNS TO BRAINERD: After a two-year hiatus, Pro Stock Motorcycle will return to the pro category lineup at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) in 2015. With a storied history at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in central Minnesota, NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle teams will once again thrill fans at BIR with six-second runs at more than 190 mph at the penultimate regular season event.

PROCK, MEDLEN JOIN BECKMAN/DSR TEAM FOR 2015 MELLO YELLO SEASON: Don Schumacher Racing will pair two of its newest and most experienced hires, veteran crew chief Jimmy Prock and friend and co-worker John Medlen, with 2011 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series champion “Fast Jack” Beckman for a full assault on the 2015 championship.

"I feel like Santa made an early stop and left three wonderful gifts under the tree," said Beckman, who again will be driving a Dodge Charger R/T. "It's been a while since we started the season knowing we had funds for the entire season, and to find out Jimmy Prock was coming on board, I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be driving for him one day. Then the third gift was when Santa dropped John Medlen off. John and I have a very special history. I've emceed the Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity dinner for Sonoma Raceway the last two years and have become very close to John and his family."

RESURFACING UNDER WAY AT ZMAX DRAGWAY: Since its grand opening in 2008, officials at zMAX Dragway have prided themselves on creating the best drag-racing facility—with the best track surface—in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. After six years of NHRA national record performances and unparalleled fan entertainment, zMAX Dragway will resurface all four lanes in preparation for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, March 27–29, 2015. After consulting with experts from across the country, zMAX Dragway opted for what is ultimately best for the fans: a total repave of the racing surface that annually hosts two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. The project, which began this week, will include an entirely new concrete surface across all four racing lanes of “the Bellagio of Dragstrips,” from the starting line to 700 ft. downtrack, and asphalt from 700 ft. beyond the finish line.

He Said, She Said

"Can you believe that we’re in Africa? This is a place I never thought I would see, and what you see on TV doesn’t do it justice. We have done a lot and seen some really cool things on this trip but so far Ethiopia has blown it all away. When they told me about it I was a little apprehensive. But after that first trip, what you see and what you do—getting to meet the soldiers—you see how dedicated they are and how appreciative they are that we come to see them. But it’s their dedication to their job and country that allows us to race cars. It just blows me away and, from day one of that very first trip five years ago, I’ve been hooked. And now it’s something I look forward to all year, getting to come back to another Operation Appreciation tour. And now here we are. It’s been another mind-blowing experience so far."

—Four-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson on Operation Appreciation, which featured Anderson, teammate Jason Line, Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec, monster truck racer Dan Runte visiting U.S. troops across the globe.

Inside the Numbers

58: Number of days from December 10 until the start of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 5. The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series takes to the track on Thursday as racers will be chomping at the bit to shake off the winter rust at the opening event of the season. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock take to the track February 6 in pursuit of world championship glory as the 24-race schedule traverses coast to coast.

Did You Know

JUNIOR DRAG RACING LEAGUE CONFERENCE FINALS SET FOR 2015: The 2015 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League’s Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will return to Rocky Mountain Raceways near Salt Lake City and Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals will visit Utah’s scenic Rocky Mountain Raceways for the second straight season, July 16–18, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals will return to eastern Tennessee’s famed Thunder Valley, July 23–25.

NHRA News

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE RETURNS TO BRAINERD: After a two-year hiatus, Pro Stock Motorcycle will return to the pro category lineup at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) in 2015. With a storied history at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in central Minnesota, NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle teams will once again thrill fans at BIR with six-second runs at more than 190 mph at the penultimate regular season event.

PROCK, MEDLEN JOIN BECKMAN/DSR TEAM FOR 2015 MELLO YELLO SEASON: Don Schumacher Racing will pair two of its newest and most experienced hires, veteran crew chief Jimmy Prock and friend and co-worker John Medlen, with 2011 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series champion “Fast Jack” Beckman for a full assault on the 2015 championship.

"I feel like Santa made an early stop and left three wonderful gifts under the tree," said Beckman, who again will be driving a Dodge Charger R/T. "It's been a while since we started the season knowing we had funds for the entire season, and to find out Jimmy Prock was coming on board, I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be driving for him one day. Then the third gift was when Santa dropped John Medlen off. John and I have a very special history. I've emceed the Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity dinner for Sonoma Raceway the last two years and have become very close to John and his family."

RESURFACING UNDER WAY AT ZMAX DRAGWAY: Since its grand opening in 2008, officials at zMAX Dragway have prided themselves on creating the best drag-racing facility—with the best track surface—in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. After six years of NHRA national record performances and unparalleled fan entertainment, zMAX Dragway will resurface all four lanes in preparation for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, March 27–29, 2015. After consulting with experts from across the country, zMAX Dragway opted for what is ultimately best for the fans: a total repave of the racing surface that annually hosts two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. The project, which began this week, will include an entirely new concrete surface across all four racing lanes of “the Bellagio of Dragstrips,” from the starting line to 700 ft. downtrack, and asphalt from 700 ft. beyond the finish line.

He Said, She Said

"Can you believe that we’re in Africa? This is a place I never thought I would see, and what you see on TV doesn’t do it justice. We have done a lot and seen some really cool things on this trip but so far Ethiopia has blown it all away. When they told me about it I was a little apprehensive. But after that first trip, what you see and what you do—getting to meet the soldiers—you see how dedicated they are and how appreciative they are that we come to see them. But it’s their dedication to their job and country that allows us to race cars. It just blows me away and, from day one of that very first trip five years ago, I’ve been hooked. And now it’s something I look forward to all year, getting to come back to another Operation Appreciation tour. And now here we are. It’s been another mind-blowing experience so far."

—Four-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson on Operation Appreciation, which featured Anderson, teammate Jason Line, Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec, monster truck racer Dan Runte visiting U.S. troops across the globe.

Inside the Numbers

58: Number of days from December 10 until the start of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 5. The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series takes to the track on Thursday as racers will be chomping at the bit to shake off the winter rust at the opening event of the season. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock take to the track February 6 in pursuit of world championship glory as the 24-race schedule traverses coast to coast.

Did You Know

JUNIOR DRAG RACING LEAGUE CONFERENCE FINALS SET FOR 2015: The 2015 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League’s Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will return to Rocky Mountain Raceways near Salt Lake City and Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals will visit Utah’s scenic Rocky Mountain Raceways for the second straight season, July 16–18, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals will return to eastern Tennessee’s famed Thunder Valley, July 23–25.

NHRA News

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE RETURNS TO BRAINERD: After a two-year hiatus, Pro Stock Motorcycle will return to the pro category lineup at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) in 2015. With a storied history at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in central Minnesota, NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle teams will once again thrill fans at BIR with six-second runs at more than 190 mph at the penultimate regular season event.

PROCK, MEDLEN JOIN BECKMAN/DSR TEAM FOR 2015 MELLO YELLO SEASON: Don Schumacher Racing will pair two of its newest and most experienced hires, veteran crew chief Jimmy Prock and friend and co-worker John Medlen, with 2011 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series champion “Fast Jack” Beckman for a full assault on the 2015 championship.

"I feel like Santa made an early stop and left three wonderful gifts under the tree," said Beckman, who again will be driving a Dodge Charger R/T. "It's been a while since we started the season knowing we had funds for the entire season, and to find out Jimmy Prock was coming on board, I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be driving for him one day. Then the third gift was when Santa dropped John Medlen off. John and I have a very special history. I've emceed the Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity dinner for Sonoma Raceway the last two years and have become very close to John and his family."

RESURFACING UNDER WAY AT ZMAX DRAGWAY: Since its grand opening in 2008, officials at zMAX Dragway have prided themselves on creating the best drag-racing facility—with the best track surface—in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. After six years of NHRA national record performances and unparalleled fan entertainment, zMAX Dragway will resurface all four lanes in preparation for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, March 27–29, 2015. After consulting with experts from across the country, zMAX Dragway opted for what is ultimately best for the fans: a total repave of the racing surface that annually hosts two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. The project, which began this week, will include an entirely new concrete surface across all four racing lanes of “the Bellagio of Dragstrips,” from the starting line to 700 ft. downtrack, and asphalt from 700 ft. beyond the finish line.

He Said, She Said

"Can you believe that we’re in Africa? This is a place I never thought I would see, and what you see on TV doesn’t do it justice. We have done a lot and seen some really cool things on this trip but so far Ethiopia has blown it all away. When they told me about it I was a little apprehensive. But after that first trip, what you see and what you do—getting to meet the soldiers—you see how dedicated they are and how appreciative they are that we come to see them. But it’s their dedication to their job and country that allows us to race cars. It just blows me away and, from day one of that very first trip five years ago, I’ve been hooked. And now it’s something I look forward to all year, getting to come back to another Operation Appreciation tour. And now here we are. It’s been another mind-blowing experience so far."

—Four-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson on Operation Appreciation, which featured Anderson, teammate Jason Line, Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec, monster truck racer Dan Runte visiting U.S. troops across the globe.

Inside the Numbers

58: Number of days from December 10 until the start of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 5. The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series takes to the track on Thursday as racers will be chomping at the bit to shake off the winter rust at the opening event of the season. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock take to the track February 6 in pursuit of world championship glory as the 24-race schedule traverses coast to coast.

Did You Know

JUNIOR DRAG RACING LEAGUE CONFERENCE FINALS SET FOR 2015: The 2015 NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League’s Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will return to Rocky Mountain Raceways near Salt Lake City and Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, respectively. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals will visit Utah’s scenic Rocky Mountain Raceways for the second straight season, July 16–18, and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals will return to eastern Tennessee’s famed Thunder Valley, July 23–25.

By Carr Winn

CEO and Founder of West Coast Customs, Ryan Friedlinghaus talks with SEMA News about its all-new world headquarters in Burbank, California.

All-new episodes of West Coast Customs begin airing Sunday, November 23, on FOX Sports 2. For more information and for specific show times, visit www.westcoastcustoms.com.

The shooters at KGP Photography spotted this interesting Ford F-150 prototype—based on the all-new ’15 model—which had them wondering if a new F-150 "rock-crawler" might be under consideration.

This prototype is wearing proper manufacturer's M-plates, and starts out right, as it appears to be outfitted with the FX4 Off-Road performance package. The FX4 package can now be added across all model designations (instead of the stand-alone appearance package on previous F-150s), adding meaningful off-road aids, such as underbody skid plates, hill descent control and off-road-tuned shock absorbers. But this prototype seems to take things a step further, with a mysterious wheel and tire setup completely devoid of any external branding, or any designations for wheel or tire size. After a thorough Internet check of a wide array of off-road truck tires, the tread and sidewall design never appeared. The lack of any distinguishing, identifying characteristics seems to suggest that this might be a special tire being developed between an unnamed manufacturer and Ford Motor Co.  

While there are no size designations to reveal the tire's specifications, it seems clear that this is a small wheel, allowing a massive sidewall design, which would aid in something geared more toward serious off-roading. The first mules for the second-generation Raptors are wearing clearly labeled BFGoodrich All-Terrian T/A with a sidewall and tread design that looks more attuned to the Raptor's mission of high-speed, Baja-busting off-road jaunts. This prototype looks like it's spec'd out for something else entirely.

This prototype also has a unique exhaust treatment, with single side-exit exhaust tips routed to each side of the truck, aft of the rear wheels. The new exhaust setup looks like it could be created to allow for the best ground clearance, providing the most favorable approach and departure angles for optimum off-road effectiveness.

Ford representatives have remained mum on any details about the make up of this particular F-150. It's uncertain exactly what's in the works, but there are some very interesting anomalies on this prototype that suggest a new F-150 variant may be in the pipeline.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography spotted this interesting Ford F-150 prototype—based on the all-new ’15 model—which had them wondering if a new F-150 "rock-crawler" might be under consideration.

This prototype is wearing proper manufacturer's M-plates, and starts out right, as it appears to be outfitted with the FX4 Off-Road performance package. The FX4 package can now be added across all model designations (instead of the stand-alone appearance package on previous F-150s), adding meaningful off-road aids, such as underbody skid plates, hill descent control and off-road-tuned shock absorbers. But this prototype seems to take things a step further, with a mysterious wheel and tire setup completely devoid of any external branding, or any designations for wheel or tire size. After a thorough Internet check of a wide array of off-road truck tires, the tread and sidewall design never appeared. The lack of any distinguishing, identifying characteristics seems to suggest that this might be a special tire being developed between an unnamed manufacturer and Ford Motor Co.  

While there are no size designations to reveal the tire's specifications, it seems clear that this is a small wheel, allowing a massive sidewall design, which would aid in something geared more toward serious off-roading. The first mules for the second-generation Raptors are wearing clearly labeled BFGoodrich All-Terrian T/A with a sidewall and tread design that looks more attuned to the Raptor's mission of high-speed, Baja-busting off-road jaunts. This prototype looks like it's spec'd out for something else entirely.

This prototype also has a unique exhaust treatment, with single side-exit exhaust tips routed to each side of the truck, aft of the rear wheels. The new exhaust setup looks like it could be created to allow for the best ground clearance, providing the most favorable approach and departure angles for optimum off-road effectiveness.

Ford representatives have remained mum on any details about the make up of this particular F-150. It's uncertain exactly what's in the works, but there are some very interesting anomalies on this prototype that suggest a new F-150 variant may be in the pipeline.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography spotted this interesting Ford F-150 prototype—based on the all-new ’15 model—which had them wondering if a new F-150 "rock-crawler" might be under consideration.

This prototype is wearing proper manufacturer's M-plates, and starts out right, as it appears to be outfitted with the FX4 Off-Road performance package. The FX4 package can now be added across all model designations (instead of the stand-alone appearance package on previous F-150s), adding meaningful off-road aids, such as underbody skid plates, hill descent control and off-road-tuned shock absorbers. But this prototype seems to take things a step further, with a mysterious wheel and tire setup completely devoid of any external branding, or any designations for wheel or tire size. After a thorough Internet check of a wide array of off-road truck tires, the tread and sidewall design never appeared. The lack of any distinguishing, identifying characteristics seems to suggest that this might be a special tire being developed between an unnamed manufacturer and Ford Motor Co.  

While there are no size designations to reveal the tire's specifications, it seems clear that this is a small wheel, allowing a massive sidewall design, which would aid in something geared more toward serious off-roading. The first mules for the second-generation Raptors are wearing clearly labeled BFGoodrich All-Terrian T/A with a sidewall and tread design that looks more attuned to the Raptor's mission of high-speed, Baja-busting off-road jaunts. This prototype looks like it's spec'd out for something else entirely.

This prototype also has a unique exhaust treatment, with single side-exit exhaust tips routed to each side of the truck, aft of the rear wheels. The new exhaust setup looks like it could be created to allow for the best ground clearance, providing the most favorable approach and departure angles for optimum off-road effectiveness.

Ford representatives have remained mum on any details about the make up of this particular F-150. It's uncertain exactly what's in the works, but there are some very interesting anomalies on this prototype that suggest a new F-150 variant may be in the pipeline.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

Nicknamed The King, NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty stopped by to visit with Dennis Pittsenbarger, host of Discovery Channel’s “Highway to Sell,” to talk about the Petty’s Garage and Victory Junction.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world—annually drawing the industry’s brightest innovators and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets.

The 2015 SEMA Show will be held November 3–November 6. For more information on the 2015 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.