By Della Domingo

Many editors say that the Media Center bins and New Products Showcase are among their top resources for information.

When asked how they find new products at the SEMA Show, editors from leading publications consistently cite the New Products Showcase.
 
“I find products to feature from the SEMA New Products Showcase and on the SEMA website,” says Johnny Hunkins, editor of Popular Hot Rodding.
 
Drew Hardin, editor Muscle Car Review, agrees. “At the Show, have examples of new products in the New Products area, and have press materials available in the media room.”
 
The New Products Showcase provides editors with a quick overview of the products that are featured at the Show. The Showcase includes a category for previously introduced products, as well as one for all-new products, making it available and relevant to every SEMA Show exhibitor. There is no cost for the first product category submission, provided that the submission is entered before the early registration deadline and received online.
 
As an added benefit, all products in the Showcase are shot by professional photographers in a studio setting. The images are provided to media throughout the year. However, exhibitors may also obtain the professional, studio-quality images for their marketing and PR use.
 
Other ways to attract editors' attention and increase media coverage include:

• Post press releases on the SEMA Show website. The online press center serves as the single, primary location for media to obtain Show news and information.

• Place press materials in the available Media Center bins. Many editors say that the bins are among their top resources for information.

• At the Show, have new products displayed in your booth. While you also want to have your products in the New Products Showcase, you don’t want to request that media go look for your product.

• Have press release materials ready when the media show up in your booth. Don’t forget to alert all booth staff as to where the press materials are located so that if the marketing/PR people are unavailable, someone can hand the press materials to the reporter without asking him/her to come back later.

• Consider putting your press materials on a USB drive. Editors overwhelmingly noted that USB drives are ideal because they are small enough to fit in one’s pocket and allow them to begin working on their stories immediately after the Show.

• Don’t ignore the media at your booth. One editor notes that a common mistake he sees exhibitors make is letting key product people leave the booth to surf the Show. “It means when I come by to talk to someone knowledgeable, they aren’t there. The Show is too big and too busy, so chances are I’m not coming back.”

	Chris Corbett has joined Wes-Coast Marketing's field team and will be based in the Pacific Northwest region.

Chris Corbett Joins Wes-Coast Marketing Field Team
Wes-Coast Marketing Inc. announced that Chris Corbett has joined the Wes-Coast field team and will be based in the Pacific Northwest region. With more than 22 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, distribution and sales, Corbett will help to oversee the Northwest and Canada territories. His background of companies include TJM Products, LightForce Lighting, DirtSports magazine, TrailReady, Randy’s Ring & Pinion and Central 4Wheel Drive. “I’m extremely happy to join the Wes-Coast Marketing Team and get back to my automotive roots in the Pacific Northwest where I grew up," said Corbett. "Jim Marino and his crew have an amazing reputation and I couldn’t be happier to join this winning team."

Automotive aftermarket tool supplier Ken-Tool has hired Stephen Vyn as product line specialist.

Ken-Tool Names Stephen Vyn Product Line Specialist
Stephen Vyn has recently joined automotive aftermarket tool supplier Ken-Tool as product line specialist. Vyn will work with end-user customers to learn of their everyday tire- and vehicle-servicing needs. He will also help to find and develop new products, improve current products to identify solutions to these problems and assist with product marketing. Vyn's previous experience includes the steel industry for two northeast Ohio companies, CND Industries Inc. (Canton, Ohio) and Ryco Steel (Massillon, Ohio).  

Bilstein to Give Away Custom Vehicle, Trip to the SEMA Show
Bilstein announced a new contest through which enthusiasts have a chance to win one of three customized vehicles and a trip to Las Vegas for the 2013 SEMA Show. Participants will vote from now until August 1 for their choice of vehicle between a classic Ford Mustang GT, an off-road-worthy Ford F-150 truck or a sporty BMW 335i. Once they vote, participants will also have the chance to select the parts to be installed on the vehicle, which will come from the leading aftermarket brands in the industry. Enthusiasts can enter for a chance to win until October 7, and Bilstein will tally the votes and build the fan favorite for the sweepstakes winner. The winner will be announced on or before October 11.

	KYB Americas Corp.'s vice president Mike Fiorito (right) was named the 2012 Federated Auto Parts Vendor Hall of Fame inductee.

Mike Fiorito Inducted Into Federated Auto Parts Vendor Hall of Fame
KYB Americas Corp.'s vice president Mike Fiorito was named the 2012 Federated Auto Parts Vendor Hall of Fame inductee. Fiorito began his aftermarket career in 1981 with Parker Hannifin’s Edelmann Division. He joined Brake Parts Inc. in 1988 and held a variety of sales and marketing positions before being promoted to vice president of key accounts. Following the company’s sale to Affinia, Fiorito served as vice president of sales for the Affinia Under Vehicle Group. In 2006, he joined KYB as director of business development before assuming his current position of vice president. The Federated Vendor Hall of Fame recognizes one individual each year who demonstrates dedication to excellence, helping make a difference for Federated and its members.

Perfect Equipment hired John Palacios as director of OEM sales.

Davy Jones Joins Team PDG for the 25 Hours Of Thunderhill
Ex-Benneton Formula 1 driver and former winner of The 24 Hours Of Le Mans, Davy Jones, has agreed to be a Team Prototype Development Group (PDG) driver for this year's 25 Hours Of Thunderhill event in December. The agreement was reached after Jones was testing with PDG in early June. After achieving respectable lap times, Jones and team owner Richard Migliori struck a deal for 2013. Scheduled for December 7–8, The 25 Hours Of Thunderhill is North America’s longest automotive endurance race.  

John Palacios Hired as Perfect Equipment Director of OEM Sales
Perfect Equipment hired John Palacios as director of OEM sales. Palacios most recently served as Federal-Mogul Corp.’s customer director for its General Motors North America account. He will be based in Detroit and work with all OEM accounts for the company. “We value our long-term OEM partners,” said Jeff Waechter, president and CEO of Perfect Equipment. “We continue to develop our strategies and our team in order to deliver world-class products and service.”

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Last year, the Old Salem Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America joined thousands who honored Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Members in attendance drove from Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, to the Virginia Transportation Museum in Roanoke and then on to Floyd, Virginia. Take advantage of the resources available through the SEMA Action Network (SAN) to help celebrate this year’s CCAD, July 12, 2013.

This year, many states and local governments have adopted similar commemorations to mark this celebration.

Alex Tainsh, ARMO chairman, said, “Collector Car Appreciation Day is the opportunity for everyone involved in this great American hobby to show off their cars and celebrate new traditions. Businesses and car clubs across the country will be hosting car shows and cruises. More events are being held to commemorate this special day each year.”

All automotive enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in this year’s celebration by planning or attending events in their community. Through its grassroots hobbyist organization—the SEMA Action Network (SAN)—SEMA is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate the day. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events should contact SAN Director Colby Martin at 909-978-6721 or san@sema.org. If you are unable to celebrate July 12, SAN encourages events to be scheduled throughout the month of July.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Last year, the Old Salem Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America joined thousands who honored Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Members in attendance drove from Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, to the Virginia Transportation Museum in Roanoke and then on to Floyd, Virginia. Take advantage of the resources available through the SEMA Action Network (SAN) to help celebrate this year’s CCAD, July 12, 2013.

This year, many states and local governments have adopted similar commemorations to mark this celebration.

Alex Tainsh, ARMO chairman, said, “Collector Car Appreciation Day is the opportunity for everyone involved in this great American hobby to show off their cars and celebrate new traditions. Businesses and car clubs across the country will be hosting car shows and cruises. More events are being held to commemorate this special day each year.”

All automotive enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in this year’s celebration by planning or attending events in their community. Through its grassroots hobbyist organization—the SEMA Action Network (SAN)—SEMA is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate the day. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events should contact SAN Director Colby Martin at 909-978-6721 or san@sema.org. If you are unable to celebrate July 12, SAN encourages events to be scheduled throughout the month of July.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Last year, the Old Salem Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America joined thousands who honored Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Members in attendance drove from Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, to the Virginia Transportation Museum in Roanoke and then on to Floyd, Virginia. Take advantage of the resources available through the SEMA Action Network (SAN) to help celebrate this year’s CCAD, July 12, 2013.

This year, many states and local governments have adopted similar commemorations to mark this celebration.

Alex Tainsh, ARMO chairman, said, “Collector Car Appreciation Day is the opportunity for everyone involved in this great American hobby to show off their cars and celebrate new traditions. Businesses and car clubs across the country will be hosting car shows and cruises. More events are being held to commemorate this special day each year.”

All automotive enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in this year’s celebration by planning or attending events in their community. Through its grassroots hobbyist organization—the SEMA Action Network (SAN)—SEMA is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate the day. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events should contact SAN Director Colby Martin at 909-978-6721 or san@sema.org. If you are unable to celebrate July 12, SAN encourages events to be scheduled throughout the month of July.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Last year, the Old Salem Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America joined thousands who honored Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Members in attendance drove from Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, to the Virginia Transportation Museum in Roanoke and then on to Floyd, Virginia. Take advantage of the resources available through the SEMA Action Network (SAN) to help celebrate this year’s CCAD, July 12, 2013.

This year, many states and local governments have adopted similar commemorations to mark this celebration.

Alex Tainsh, ARMO chairman, said, “Collector Car Appreciation Day is the opportunity for everyone involved in this great American hobby to show off their cars and celebrate new traditions. Businesses and car clubs across the country will be hosting car shows and cruises. More events are being held to commemorate this special day each year.”

All automotive enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in this year’s celebration by planning or attending events in their community. Through its grassroots hobbyist organization—the SEMA Action Network (SAN)—SEMA is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate the day. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events should contact SAN Director Colby Martin at 909-978-6721 or san@sema.org. If you are unable to celebrate July 12, SAN encourages events to be scheduled throughout the month of July.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Last year, the Old Salem Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America joined thousands who honored Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Members in attendance drove from Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, to the Virginia Transportation Museum in Roanoke and then on to Floyd, Virginia. Take advantage of the resources available through the SEMA Action Network (SAN) to help celebrate this year’s CCAD, July 12, 2013.

This year, many states and local governments have adopted similar commemorations to mark this celebration.

Alex Tainsh, ARMO chairman, said, “Collector Car Appreciation Day is the opportunity for everyone involved in this great American hobby to show off their cars and celebrate new traditions. Businesses and car clubs across the country will be hosting car shows and cruises. More events are being held to commemorate this special day each year.”

All automotive enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in this year’s celebration by planning or attending events in their community. Through its grassroots hobbyist organization—the SEMA Action Network (SAN)—SEMA is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate the day. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events should contact SAN Director Colby Martin at 909-978-6721 or san@sema.org. If you are unable to celebrate July 12, SAN encourages events to be scheduled throughout the month of July.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Last year, the Old Salem Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America joined thousands who honored Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Members in attendance drove from Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, to the Virginia Transportation Museum in Roanoke and then on to Floyd, Virginia. Take advantage of the resources available through the SEMA Action Network (SAN) to help celebrate this year’s CCAD, July 12, 2013.

This year, many states and local governments have adopted similar commemorations to mark this celebration.

Alex Tainsh, ARMO chairman, said, “Collector Car Appreciation Day is the opportunity for everyone involved in this great American hobby to show off their cars and celebrate new traditions. Businesses and car clubs across the country will be hosting car shows and cruises. More events are being held to commemorate this special day each year.”

All automotive enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in this year’s celebration by planning or attending events in their community. Through its grassroots hobbyist organization—the SEMA Action Network (SAN)—SEMA is maintaining a list of scheduled events to commemorate the day. Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events should contact SAN Director Colby Martin at 909-978-6721 or san@sema.org. If you are unable to celebrate July 12, SAN encourages events to be scheduled throughout the month of July.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Walt Arfons in 1965. Photo credit: Akron Beacon Journal

Walt Arfons Passes Away
Walt Arfons, a mechanical engineer and champion drag racer credited for building the first jet-engine dragster, died of pneumonia, June 4, at a hospital in Akron, Ohio. He was 96.

Arfons was born Walter Charles Stroud, December 10, 1916, in Muncie, Indiana. He grew up in Akron and took his stepfather’s surname, Arfons. He and his younger brother Art were among the best-known drivers during drag racing’s early years in the ’50s and ’60s. They were pioneers in achieving land-speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in western Utah.

The brothers learned how to use and assemble machinery at their father’s feed and hardware store in Akron during the Great Depression. They built cars from spare parts and, after World War II, they bought planes to work on. They participated in their first drag race in 1952; however, a reckless rivalry on the track later created turmoil between the brothers. They didn’t talk for years and became professional foes.

Art, who died in 2007, held three land-speed records; however, Walt was credited with introducing jet propulsion systems into motorsports and finding ways to make motorsports safer.

Walt bought a surplus military jet at auction, but the engine’s manual was classified. So in his shop, he assembled a new car around the plane’s turbo-jet engine by trial and error. He used parachutes to stop the car.

A later configuration of the jet-powered car—named the Wingfoot Express after the Goodyear logo—broke a land-speed record by reaching 413 mph over one mile, October 2, 1964, at Bonneville. Three days later, Art broke the record by going 434 mph in another jet-powered car.

In the late ’60s, Chrysler wanted Walt to install jet engines on some of their cars, and he hired several drivers to race them on the Funny Car circuit. He retired from motorsports by the early ’70s.

Walt is survived by his wife Gertrude, son Terry, daughter Patricia Stiff, sister Lou Wolfe, eight grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Another son Craig attempted to break a speed record on water in 1989 when his jet-powered hydroplane crashed on Lake Jackson in Sebring, Florida, killing him.

Leffler Program Established by USAC Benevolent Foundation
The USAC Benevolent Foundation has announced a $10,000 grant in the memory of the late USAC racing champion Jason Leffler, who lost his life last Wednesday night in a racing accident in New Jersey.
 
The 501-3C-designated Foundation will also accept additional donations earmarked for usage by Leffler's son Charlie Dean and his mother Allison. A designated cap amount to be announced by the Board of Directors of the Foundation will also result in additional dollar-for-dollar matching funds for this purpose.
 
All contributions earmarked for the Leffler program, which may include the Charlie Dean Leffler Education Fund, may be directed to the USAC Benevolent Foundation, c/o Executive Director Bill Marvel, 4910 W. 16th Street Speedway, Speedway, IN 46224. Marvel may be reached at 859-749-0646 or billmarvel@gmail.com. Donations should be earmarked for this program.

	Mazda's Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long took the win last weekend at Mid-Ohio.

Mazda Wins at Mid-Ohio
Mazda's Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long took the win last weekend at Mid-Ohio. Long had won the pole position and the team led the bulk of the race. Similar to the races in Georgia and Michigan, it was a three-way battle for most of the race with a Porsche Cayman splitting the two Mazdas. Joel Miller and Tristan Nunez in the #00 VISITFLORIDA RACING Mazda6 scored third-place points after an oil leak took them off-track late in the race. After six races, Mazda is now four points behind Porsche for the Grand-Am GX Manufacturers Championship. The two SpeedSource cars are second and third in team points, while Miller is second among drivers—14 points behind Jim Norman. There are six races remaining to determine the champions, including September 7–8, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The next race is the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, June 30, at Watkins Glen.

Jimmie Johnson took the win at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Party in the Poconos 400.

Castroneves Earns First IndyCar Win of 2013, Jimmie Johnson Takes Third Pocono Win
Team Penske’s No. 3 car, driven by Helio Castroneves, captured the team’s first IZOD IndyCar Series victory of the season at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, June 8. The win gave Castroneves a 22-point lead in the series championship standings. Castroneves led the final 132 laps to earn his fourth career victory on the track. In a separate venue, at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Party in the Poconos 400, Jimmie Johnson continued his 2013 season with another win. Leading for 128 out of the 160 laps, Johnson won from the pole, taking his third win for this track as well as for the season.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Walt Arfons in 1965. Photo credit: Akron Beacon Journal

Walt Arfons Passes Away
Walt Arfons, a mechanical engineer and champion drag racer credited for building the first jet-engine dragster, died of pneumonia, June 4, at a hospital in Akron, Ohio. He was 96.

Arfons was born Walter Charles Stroud, December 10, 1916, in Muncie, Indiana. He grew up in Akron and took his stepfather’s surname, Arfons. He and his younger brother Art were among the best-known drivers during drag racing’s early years in the ’50s and ’60s. They were pioneers in achieving land-speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in western Utah.

The brothers learned how to use and assemble machinery at their father’s feed and hardware store in Akron during the Great Depression. They built cars from spare parts and, after World War II, they bought planes to work on. They participated in their first drag race in 1952; however, a reckless rivalry on the track later created turmoil between the brothers. They didn’t talk for years and became professional foes.

Art, who died in 2007, held three land-speed records; however, Walt was credited with introducing jet propulsion systems into motorsports and finding ways to make motorsports safer.

Walt bought a surplus military jet at auction, but the engine’s manual was classified. So in his shop, he assembled a new car around the plane’s turbo-jet engine by trial and error. He used parachutes to stop the car.

A later configuration of the jet-powered car—named the Wingfoot Express after the Goodyear logo—broke a land-speed record by reaching 413 mph over one mile, October 2, 1964, at Bonneville. Three days later, Art broke the record by going 434 mph in another jet-powered car.

In the late ’60s, Chrysler wanted Walt to install jet engines on some of their cars, and he hired several drivers to race them on the Funny Car circuit. He retired from motorsports by the early ’70s.

Walt is survived by his wife Gertrude, son Terry, daughter Patricia Stiff, sister Lou Wolfe, eight grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Another son Craig attempted to break a speed record on water in 1989 when his jet-powered hydroplane crashed on Lake Jackson in Sebring, Florida, killing him.

Leffler Program Established by USAC Benevolent Foundation
The USAC Benevolent Foundation has announced a $10,000 grant in the memory of the late USAC racing champion Jason Leffler, who lost his life last Wednesday night in a racing accident in New Jersey.
 
The 501-3C-designated Foundation will also accept additional donations earmarked for usage by Leffler's son Charlie Dean and his mother Allison. A designated cap amount to be announced by the Board of Directors of the Foundation will also result in additional dollar-for-dollar matching funds for this purpose.
 
All contributions earmarked for the Leffler program, which may include the Charlie Dean Leffler Education Fund, may be directed to the USAC Benevolent Foundation, c/o Executive Director Bill Marvel, 4910 W. 16th Street Speedway, Speedway, IN 46224. Marvel may be reached at 859-749-0646 or billmarvel@gmail.com. Donations should be earmarked for this program.

	Mazda's Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long took the win last weekend at Mid-Ohio.

Mazda Wins at Mid-Ohio
Mazda's Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long took the win last weekend at Mid-Ohio. Long had won the pole position and the team led the bulk of the race. Similar to the races in Georgia and Michigan, it was a three-way battle for most of the race with a Porsche Cayman splitting the two Mazdas. Joel Miller and Tristan Nunez in the #00 VISITFLORIDA RACING Mazda6 scored third-place points after an oil leak took them off-track late in the race. After six races, Mazda is now four points behind Porsche for the Grand-Am GX Manufacturers Championship. The two SpeedSource cars are second and third in team points, while Miller is second among drivers—14 points behind Jim Norman. There are six races remaining to determine the champions, including September 7–8, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The next race is the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, June 30, at Watkins Glen.

Jimmie Johnson took the win at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Party in the Poconos 400.

Castroneves Earns First IndyCar Win of 2013, Jimmie Johnson Takes Third Pocono Win
Team Penske’s No. 3 car, driven by Helio Castroneves, captured the team’s first IZOD IndyCar Series victory of the season at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, June 8. The win gave Castroneves a 22-point lead in the series championship standings. Castroneves led the final 132 laps to earn his fourth career victory on the track. In a separate venue, at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Party in the Poconos 400, Jimmie Johnson continued his 2013 season with another win. Leading for 128 out of the 160 laps, Johnson won from the pole, taking his third win for this track as well as for the season.