SEMA News highlights the automotive aftermarket industry's top-tier talent who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program.

SEMA News is searching for the best young talent in the automotive aftermarket industry…and we need your input.

We're asking for help finding upcoming industry leaders age 35 or younger. They might be working anywhere in the automotive aftermarket business, including manufacturing and design, retail, events and media, or distribution.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.

Know someone? Nominate a candidate for 35 Under 35.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org. 

Nominations are due May 30, 2014. 

By SEMA Editors

The Show management team continues to reach out to exhibitors participating in the Priority Space Draw for the 2014 SEMA Show. Similar to a jigsaw puzzle, the Show’s floorplan is divided into 12 sections, with booth space for more than 2,000 companies.
 
Beginning May 19, companies with three seniority points or less will get a call from the Show management team. Space in ideal locations is still available and exhibitors are encouraged to review the Show’s floorplan prior to their scheduled call with Show management.

Once exhibitors select their booth space, they can begin to utilize a vast array of tools SEMA offers to help companies realize the highest possible return on their SEMA Show investment. To get started, exhibitors can visit www.semashow.com/esm.

The 2014 SEMA Show, which takes place November 4–7, in Las Vegas, is on pace to attract more than 130,000 industry professionals, including 60,000 buyers, from all over the world. As a trade-only show, manufacturers exhibit at the Show to unveil new products and connect with buyers to do business.

Manufacturers interested in exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth or e-mail sales@sema.org for information.

About the Priority Selection Process

Prior to May 5, confirmation e-mails were sent to 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors verifying participation in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing. The e-mails were sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application and include the assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the SEMA Show floorplan.

By SEMA Editors

The Show management team continues to reach out to exhibitors participating in the Priority Space Draw for the 2014 SEMA Show. Similar to a jigsaw puzzle, the Show’s floorplan is divided into 12 sections, with booth space for more than 2,000 companies.
 
Beginning May 19, companies with three seniority points or less will get a call from the Show management team. Space in ideal locations is still available and exhibitors are encouraged to review the Show’s floorplan prior to their scheduled call with Show management.

Once exhibitors select their booth space, they can begin to utilize a vast array of tools SEMA offers to help companies realize the highest possible return on their SEMA Show investment. To get started, exhibitors can visit www.semashow.com/esm.

The 2014 SEMA Show, which takes place November 4–7, in Las Vegas, is on pace to attract more than 130,000 industry professionals, including 60,000 buyers, from all over the world. As a trade-only show, manufacturers exhibit at the Show to unveil new products and connect with buyers to do business.

Manufacturers interested in exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth or e-mail sales@sema.org for information.

About the Priority Selection Process

Prior to May 5, confirmation e-mails were sent to 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors verifying participation in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing. The e-mails were sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application and include the assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the SEMA Show floorplan.

By SEMA Editors

The Show management team continues to reach out to exhibitors participating in the Priority Space Draw for the 2014 SEMA Show. Similar to a jigsaw puzzle, the Show’s floorplan is divided into 12 sections, with booth space for more than 2,000 companies.
 
Beginning May 19, companies with three seniority points or less will get a call from the Show management team. Space in ideal locations is still available and exhibitors are encouraged to review the Show’s floorplan prior to their scheduled call with Show management.

Once exhibitors select their booth space, they can begin to utilize a vast array of tools SEMA offers to help companies realize the highest possible return on their SEMA Show investment. To get started, exhibitors can visit www.semashow.com/esm.

The 2014 SEMA Show, which takes place November 4–7, in Las Vegas, is on pace to attract more than 130,000 industry professionals, including 60,000 buyers, from all over the world. As a trade-only show, manufacturers exhibit at the Show to unveil new products and connect with buyers to do business.

Manufacturers interested in exhibiting at the upcoming event can visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth or e-mail sales@sema.org for information.

About the Priority Selection Process

Prior to May 5, confirmation e-mails were sent to 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors verifying participation in the 2014 SEMA Show Priority Booth Space Drawing. The e-mails were sent to the “exhibitor contact” that was listed on the space application and include the assigned dates and times (with a one-hour time range), along with important information about the process and a link to the SEMA Show floorplan.

By SEMA Editors

	“Car Crazy” host Barry Meguiar will provide highlights from the floor of the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas on the Velocity channel.

Join Velocity channel’s “Car Crazy” and host Barry Meguiar for highlights from the floor of the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Coverage includes some of the latest and greatest trends in automotive styling and performance from the specialty-equipment market. The episode airs Monday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. (EDT).

By SEMA Editors

	“Car Crazy” host Barry Meguiar will provide highlights from the floor of the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas on the Velocity channel.

Join Velocity channel’s “Car Crazy” and host Barry Meguiar for highlights from the floor of the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Coverage includes some of the latest and greatest trends in automotive styling and performance from the specialty-equipment market. The episode airs Monday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. (EDT).

By SEMA Editors

	“Car Crazy” host Barry Meguiar will provide highlights from the floor of the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas on the Velocity channel.

Join Velocity channel’s “Car Crazy” and host Barry Meguiar for highlights from the floor of the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Coverage includes some of the latest and greatest trends in automotive styling and performance from the specialty-equipment market. The episode airs Monday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. (EDT).

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Allan Lewis will compete in the TA class. Photo credit: John Thawley

Trans Am Series Heads to Canada, Ron Fellows Set for Return
Ron Fellows will return for his 100th Trans Am start as an entrant and part track owner next week at Round 4 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship—a part of the Castrol Victoria Day Speedfest Weekend. Competing in the TA class in the No. 6 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, Fellows will race alongside Doug Peterson—driver of the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette and defending TA Champion. Peterson currently leads the TA class in points with 94. Joining Peterson will be Tony Ave, Amy Ruman, Cliff Ebben, Simon Gregg, Allan Lewis, Andrew Romocki and Marc Steenbakkers.

TA2 will also be featured over the course of the weekend, with defending TA2 champion Cameron Lawrence looking to get the No. 1 Trick Titanium Chevrolet Camaro back atop the podium after a disappointing stint at Road Atlanta. TA3 American Muscle will feature current points leader Todd Napieralski in the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/Backstreet Performance/Chevrolet Performance Chevrolet Camaro, two-race winner Dean Martin in the No. 52 Rehagen Racing Ford Mustang, defending champion Chuck Cassaro in the No. 76 StackData/Aeromotive/Metallica Ford Mustang, and Ernie Francis Jr., Fernando Seferlis and Rob Bodle.

Round 4 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship begins Thursday, May 15, with an official practice session from 3:50 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. (EDT). The action will continue Friday at 10:30 a.m. with another practice session, followed by qualifying later in the afternoon at 2:40 p.m. The 100.8-mile, 41-lap Trans Am race, featuring 34 entries across all three classes, commences Saturday, May 17, at 1:40 p.m.

Bruce Douglass, sitting in the Victor Davis-owned #13 sprint car, has won the first three PAS Senior Sprint Car mains of 2014. Photo credit: Doug Allen

Douglass and Williams Stay Perfect at Perris Auto Speedway
Bruce Douglass and Trent Williams won the Perris Auto Speedway (PAS) Senior Sprint and PAS Young Gun Sprint Car main events last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway. Douglass' win was his third in a row to start the season while Williams made it two straight to open the campaign in the Young Guns. Bill Badger came from 11th to finish second behind Douglass with Jesse Denome third. Steve Brown came home in the fourth spot with defending champion Rick Hendrix of Palmdale fifth.

Team Falken Stands in Fifth Place With Justin Pawlak in Formula D Championship
After Round 2 at Road Atlanta, Falken team member Justin Pawlak is in fifth place overall. Though eventual event winner Vaughn Gittin Jr. defeated Pawlak in the Top 16 Round, the match between the two was deemed the “battle of the weekend” as the drivers went through two hard-fought “One More Time” rounds just as rain blanketed the track. Round 3 of the 2013 Formula Drift Championship will take place May 30–31 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in South Florida.

Sarah Burgess

Sarah Burgess Moves to Red Bull Global Rallycross in 2014
Sarah Burgess will switch from drifting to competing in the Red Bull Global Rallycross in 2014. She will also have the factory support from Chevrolet. Burgess and the team at BMI Racing are currently in the midst of building her new competition car—a Chevrolet Sonic running the 2.0L Ecotec. WyoTech—the automotive technical college that was Burgess' main sponsor in 2013—will continue to work with her in this new chapter of her racing career.

Burgess' season will start at the X-Games in Austin, Texas, in June, and will continue on at each of the rounds across the country. Follow her schedule throughout 2014 on her Facebook page.

Mobil 1 Racing Joins World of Outlaws and DIRTcar as Official Technology Partner
Mobil 1 has been named the “Official Racing Oil of the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar” as a part of a new technology partnership. The partnership not only expands ExxonMobil’s presence and leadership in motorsports, but will also enable a deeper technological connection between Mobil 1’s engineering team, dirt track teams, racers and engine builders. Mobil 1 Racing oils will be featured at all World of Outlaws events, including the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, Late Model Series, DIRTcar Summer Nationals and Super DIRTcar Series. Since 2011, Tony Stewart Racing has served a technology partner for Mobil 1 inside the World of Outlaws. The team fields a roster of the sport’s top champions including five-time Sprint Car champion Donny Schatz and 20-time Sprint Car champion Steve Kinser.

Three-Time Defending GRC Championship Team Olsbergs MSE Welcomes Kobalt Tools for 2014
Three-time Global Rallycross championship team Olsbergs MSE has announced Kobalt Tools as the primary sponsor for its 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross campaign with driver Patrik Sandell. Champion rally driver Sandell, who is returning to rallycross for a second year after a successful debut season with Ford and Olsbergs MSE, will pilot the Kobalt Tools OMSE Ford Fiesta ST in the series, which opens May 17–18 in Barbados. Joining Sandell on the team in 2014 is Joni Wiman, who will pilot the Red Bull/Bluebeam OMSE Ford Fiesta ST in the championship.

The #1178 Banning Motorsports car finished the Best In The Desert Silver State 300 in second place.

Banning Motorsports Gets Pushed to the Lomits at the BITD Silver State 300
Banning Motorsports' three cars finished in top spots at this years Best In The Desert Silver State 300 just north of Las Vegas. Steve Melton was behind the wheel in the #1178 Banning Motorsports car and a smooth start to the race would see them gaining positions on the class leader. Just after pit 1, Melton would take over the class lead and pass the car to son, Hayden Melton with a large lead. Ryan Marley drove the car to a second-place finish. The #1588 Unlimited car driven by Bryan Folks and co-rider Bradley Mcfarlin and Rick Graff and co-rider Tim Sullivan finished in 10th place in the 1500 class. Team owner Lee Banning Sr., Gary Williams Jr. and co-rider Chris Godfrey drove the #1023 car across the finish for fifth place. The #1023 car will maintain their third-place position in points.

VARTA Powersports Batteries Sponsors Jagged X Racing Team
VARTA AGM powersports batteries has announced its co-sponsorship with the Jagged X Racing Team for the 2014 racing season. Jagged X Racing will be participating in five UTV competitions with the SCORE World Desert Championship series and six off-road races in the Best in the Desert series.

Night of Destruction This Weekend at Irwindale Speedway
The first of three Nights of Destruction will take place this Saturday night at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California, with smash-up racing events featuring Trailer Racing, Demolition Derby, Skid Plate Racing and two-driver Enduro racing. Gates open at 4:00 p.m., and the first race starts at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.irwindaleeventcenter.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Allan Lewis will compete in the TA class. Photo credit: John Thawley

Trans Am Series Heads to Canada, Ron Fellows Set for Return
Ron Fellows will return for his 100th Trans Am start as an entrant and part track owner next week at Round 4 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship—a part of the Castrol Victoria Day Speedfest Weekend. Competing in the TA class in the No. 6 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, Fellows will race alongside Doug Peterson—driver of the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette and defending TA Champion. Peterson currently leads the TA class in points with 94. Joining Peterson will be Tony Ave, Amy Ruman, Cliff Ebben, Simon Gregg, Allan Lewis, Andrew Romocki and Marc Steenbakkers.

TA2 will also be featured over the course of the weekend, with defending TA2 champion Cameron Lawrence looking to get the No. 1 Trick Titanium Chevrolet Camaro back atop the podium after a disappointing stint at Road Atlanta. TA3 American Muscle will feature current points leader Todd Napieralski in the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/Backstreet Performance/Chevrolet Performance Chevrolet Camaro, two-race winner Dean Martin in the No. 52 Rehagen Racing Ford Mustang, defending champion Chuck Cassaro in the No. 76 StackData/Aeromotive/Metallica Ford Mustang, and Ernie Francis Jr., Fernando Seferlis and Rob Bodle.

Round 4 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship begins Thursday, May 15, with an official practice session from 3:50 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. (EDT). The action will continue Friday at 10:30 a.m. with another practice session, followed by qualifying later in the afternoon at 2:40 p.m. The 100.8-mile, 41-lap Trans Am race, featuring 34 entries across all three classes, commences Saturday, May 17, at 1:40 p.m.

Bruce Douglass, sitting in the Victor Davis-owned #13 sprint car, has won the first three PAS Senior Sprint Car mains of 2014. Photo credit: Doug Allen

Douglass and Williams Stay Perfect at Perris Auto Speedway
Bruce Douglass and Trent Williams won the Perris Auto Speedway (PAS) Senior Sprint and PAS Young Gun Sprint Car main events last Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway. Douglass' win was his third in a row to start the season while Williams made it two straight to open the campaign in the Young Guns. Bill Badger came from 11th to finish second behind Douglass with Jesse Denome third. Steve Brown came home in the fourth spot with defending champion Rick Hendrix of Palmdale fifth.

Team Falken Stands in Fifth Place With Justin Pawlak in Formula D Championship
After Round 2 at Road Atlanta, Falken team member Justin Pawlak is in fifth place overall. Though eventual event winner Vaughn Gittin Jr. defeated Pawlak in the Top 16 Round, the match between the two was deemed the “battle of the weekend” as the drivers went through two hard-fought “One More Time” rounds just as rain blanketed the track. Round 3 of the 2013 Formula Drift Championship will take place May 30–31 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in South Florida.

Sarah Burgess

Sarah Burgess Moves to Red Bull Global Rallycross in 2014
Sarah Burgess will switch from drifting to competing in the Red Bull Global Rallycross in 2014. She will also have the factory support from Chevrolet. Burgess and the team at BMI Racing are currently in the midst of building her new competition car—a Chevrolet Sonic running the 2.0L Ecotec. WyoTech—the automotive technical college that was Burgess' main sponsor in 2013—will continue to work with her in this new chapter of her racing career.

Burgess' season will start at the X-Games in Austin, Texas, in June, and will continue on at each of the rounds across the country. Follow her schedule throughout 2014 on her Facebook page.

Mobil 1 Racing Joins World of Outlaws and DIRTcar as Official Technology Partner
Mobil 1 has been named the “Official Racing Oil of the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar” as a part of a new technology partnership. The partnership not only expands ExxonMobil’s presence and leadership in motorsports, but will also enable a deeper technological connection between Mobil 1’s engineering team, dirt track teams, racers and engine builders. Mobil 1 Racing oils will be featured at all World of Outlaws events, including the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, Late Model Series, DIRTcar Summer Nationals and Super DIRTcar Series. Since 2011, Tony Stewart Racing has served a technology partner for Mobil 1 inside the World of Outlaws. The team fields a roster of the sport’s top champions including five-time Sprint Car champion Donny Schatz and 20-time Sprint Car champion Steve Kinser.

Three-Time Defending GRC Championship Team Olsbergs MSE Welcomes Kobalt Tools for 2014
Three-time Global Rallycross championship team Olsbergs MSE has announced Kobalt Tools as the primary sponsor for its 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross campaign with driver Patrik Sandell. Champion rally driver Sandell, who is returning to rallycross for a second year after a successful debut season with Ford and Olsbergs MSE, will pilot the Kobalt Tools OMSE Ford Fiesta ST in the series, which opens May 17–18 in Barbados. Joining Sandell on the team in 2014 is Joni Wiman, who will pilot the Red Bull/Bluebeam OMSE Ford Fiesta ST in the championship.

The #1178 Banning Motorsports car finished the Best In The Desert Silver State 300 in second place.

Banning Motorsports Gets Pushed to the Lomits at the BITD Silver State 300
Banning Motorsports' three cars finished in top spots at this years Best In The Desert Silver State 300 just north of Las Vegas. Steve Melton was behind the wheel in the #1178 Banning Motorsports car and a smooth start to the race would see them gaining positions on the class leader. Just after pit 1, Melton would take over the class lead and pass the car to son, Hayden Melton with a large lead. Ryan Marley drove the car to a second-place finish. The #1588 Unlimited car driven by Bryan Folks and co-rider Bradley Mcfarlin and Rick Graff and co-rider Tim Sullivan finished in 10th place in the 1500 class. Team owner Lee Banning Sr., Gary Williams Jr. and co-rider Chris Godfrey drove the #1023 car across the finish for fifth place. The #1023 car will maintain their third-place position in points.

VARTA Powersports Batteries Sponsors Jagged X Racing Team
VARTA AGM powersports batteries has announced its co-sponsorship with the Jagged X Racing Team for the 2014 racing season. Jagged X Racing will be participating in five UTV competitions with the SCORE World Desert Championship series and six off-road races in the Best in the Desert series.

Night of Destruction This Weekend at Irwindale Speedway
The first of three Nights of Destruction will take place this Saturday night at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California, with smash-up racing events featuring Trailer Racing, Demolition Derby, Skid Plate Racing and two-driver Enduro racing. Gates open at 4:00 p.m., and the first race starts at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.irwindaleeventcenter.com.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA celebrated its 50th anniversary at last year's banquet. Chris Kersting, president and CEO, will honor this year's hall of fame inductees at the Installation Gala, Friday, July 18, 2014, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California.

Nile Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred Offenhauser will receive the industry’s highest honor and be inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame—an elite group of leaders who shaped and inspired the $31 billion automotive specialty-equipment market.

The new members will be recognized as part of the festivities during the SEMA Installation Gala, Friday, July 18, 2014, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California. Those attending the banquet will hear how the four newest Hall of Fame members contributed to the industry and the association that began 50 years ago. The inductees include one of the association’s founding members, along with three former SEMA Person of the Year winners.

Nile Cornelison: Having been involved in the industry as a machinist, drag racer, retail store owner and warehouse distributor (WD), Cornelison's diverse background—coupled with his passion and innovativeness—made him uniquely qualified to lead the industry in what was unchartered territory. In 1982, the industry veteran founded Direct Communications Inc.—now better known as DCi—bridging the communications gap between the jobber/retailer, WD, manufacturer and consumer. Later, he introduced the industry's first dealer locator service via telephone and, for the past 17 years, has been helping the industry build markets through in-store and online electronic cataloging, revolutionizing how the industry does business today.

Cornelison was named SEMA Person of the Year in 1982 and served as chairman of the Educational Services Committee, which created the SEMA Show Educational seminars that attract thousands of attendees and the Innovations Day concept featuring the OEM manufacturers. Innovations Day paved the way for the more formal sharing of advance OEM information with SEMA manufacturers taking place today. During his eight years on the board of directors, Cornelison spearheaded SEMA's first research initiative, the SEMA Market Study; the "Show-Within-a-Show" concept, which became the SEMA Show's New Products Showcase; and other first-time initiatives.

Jim Cozzie: Cozzie served as SEMA chairman of the board in 2008–2009, a period that many describe as one of the industry’s most challenging economic times. The 2004 SEMA Person of the Year winner used his foresight and knowledge to help SEMA do more than simply persevere through the recession. During this time, the association developed its strategic focus on vehicle technology and expanded efforts to help U.S. manufacturers find opportunities in overseas markets. As a key executive at RTM Productions and Brenton Products, Cozzie continues to amplify the industry’s message through the programs they produce.

John Menzler: Described as a person who loves the work but hates the awards, Menzler dedicated his life to his job and the industry. He was among SEMA’s most active and passionate volunteers, having been involved on several SEMA councils and committees, including charity projects to aid abused and chronically ill children. Menzler was instrumental in establishing a number of valuable SEMA programs, including the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Day. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 67. During his prolonged battle with cancer, Menzler continued to inspire and encourage industry colleagues, family and friends. Inspirational thoughts and motivational messages that he called “Mornings With Menzler” were sent out regularly—often from his hospital bed. Such actions were typical of the man who was named 2011 SEMA Person of the Year and 2010 SEMA Mentor of the Year.

Fred C. Offenhauser: Offenhauser began his career in the industry in the ’30s when he went to work for his uncle, who bears the same name—Fred H. Offenhauser. In 1944, Fred C. was inspired to start his own company and launched Offenhauser Sales Corp. He began making aluminum intake manifolds, which were sold in every speed shop and distributed by most major distributors over the years. The mass distribution made it possible for thousands of racers to modify their engines and increase performance in ways that were not available elsewhere.

Fred C. was among the original charter members when SEMA was founded in 1963. Although the innovator passed away in 1992, his company continues to manufacture and sell intake manifolds and operates out of the same building that the company has resided in since the mid-’50s.

The SEMA Hall of Fame’s four newest members join 143 previously inducted industry icons and innovators who have already been enshrined in the SEMA Hall of Fame. To partake in the celebration where the inductees will be honored and recognized, visit www.sema.org/galatickets or contact Jamie Eriksen at jamiee@sema.org, 909-978-6737. For more information about the SEMA Hall of Fame, visit www.sema.org/hof.