SEMA News—March/April 2013

	The SEMA Data Co-op, which is nearly 350 specialty-parts and accessories companies strong, has completed its beta phase and has entered production mode with the newly developed Product Information Management System.

SEMA Data Co-op Completes Beta Phase,Production System Launched

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has completed its beta phase and has entered production mode with the newly developed Product Information Management System (PIMS). All beta participants have been successfully migrated into the new system, with full PIES functionality and ACES file handling in place.

Additionally, the SDC’s exclusive “ACES Mapper,” which enables users to easily define fitment and application information for each product via an easy-to-use web interface, was recently added to the PIMS. This integration completed the industry’s only state-of-the-art data management do-it-yourself tool set. Nearly 350 specialty-parts and accessories companies are currently participating in the SDC, with more being added daily, and no special knowledge or expertise is required to get started.

To learn how companies can take control of product data using the SDC’s exclusive tools and training, contact SDC Director of Membership Jim Graven at 888-958-6698 x4, or e-mail jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org.

SEMA News—March/April 2013

	The SEMA Data Co-op, which is nearly 350 specialty-parts and accessories companies strong, has completed its beta phase and has entered production mode with the newly developed Product Information Management System.

SEMA Data Co-op Completes Beta Phase,Production System Launched

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has completed its beta phase and has entered production mode with the newly developed Product Information Management System (PIMS). All beta participants have been successfully migrated into the new system, with full PIES functionality and ACES file handling in place.

Additionally, the SDC’s exclusive “ACES Mapper,” which enables users to easily define fitment and application information for each product via an easy-to-use web interface, was recently added to the PIMS. This integration completed the industry’s only state-of-the-art data management do-it-yourself tool set. Nearly 350 specialty-parts and accessories companies are currently participating in the SDC, with more being added daily, and no special knowledge or expertise is required to get started.

To learn how companies can take control of product data using the SDC’s exclusive tools and training, contact SDC Director of Membership Jim Graven at 888-958-6698 x4, or e-mail jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org.

SEMA News—March/April 2013

	The SEMA Data Co-op, which is nearly 350 specialty-parts and accessories companies strong, has completed its beta phase and has entered production mode with the newly developed Product Information Management System.

SEMA Data Co-op Completes Beta Phase,Production System Launched

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has completed its beta phase and has entered production mode with the newly developed Product Information Management System (PIMS). All beta participants have been successfully migrated into the new system, with full PIES functionality and ACES file handling in place.

Additionally, the SDC’s exclusive “ACES Mapper,” which enables users to easily define fitment and application information for each product via an easy-to-use web interface, was recently added to the PIMS. This integration completed the industry’s only state-of-the-art data management do-it-yourself tool set. Nearly 350 specialty-parts and accessories companies are currently participating in the SDC, with more being added daily, and no special knowledge or expertise is required to get started.

To learn how companies can take control of product data using the SDC’s exclusive tools and training, contact SDC Director of Membership Jim Graven at 888-958-6698 x4, or e-mail jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org.

	The Select Committee Members of SEMA's councils and network groups—seen here are the 2012 SEMA Installation Banquet—are volunteers that work with the membership to develop the strategic direction for the council and the market they represent.

By SEMA Editors

The elections for SEMA's councils and member networks are currently in full swing, and voting will close at 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, June 7. For more information or questions regarding the SEMA Council Elections, contact Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org.

Each council and network available to members through SEMA are governed by an elected volunteer body of SEMA members known as a Select Committee. Each council's Select Committee works together with the council or network membership at large to develop programs, services and benefits that support the vision and overall direction of the group. The Select Committee also works with the Association's leadership and Board of Directors to provide strategic direction for the market that they represent, as well as updates and insights on the segment and the businesses within.      

Select Committee members serve two-year terms (three terms maximum) and act as individuals, not as company representatives. These volunteers are entrusted to direct association resources in such a manner that reflects the membership and addresses the current and future issues that will impact specialty-equipment companies.

Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail from announcement@associationvoting.com with the details needed to vote. To cast a vote, members should visit www.associationvoting.com/sema and enter the following log-in information when prompted:

Last Name: {LastName}
Ballot Number: {MemberNumber}

Questions? Contact Arlene Wood at 909-978-6689 or e-mail arlenew@sema.org.

	The Select Committee Members of SEMA's councils and network groups—seen here are the 2012 SEMA Installation Banquet—are volunteers that work with the membership to develop the strategic direction for the council and the market they represent.

By SEMA Editors

The elections for SEMA's councils and member networks are currently in full swing, and voting will close at 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, June 7. For more information or questions regarding the SEMA Council Elections, contact Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org.

Each council and network available to members through SEMA are governed by an elected volunteer body of SEMA members known as a Select Committee. Each council's Select Committee works together with the council or network membership at large to develop programs, services and benefits that support the vision and overall direction of the group. The Select Committee also works with the Association's leadership and Board of Directors to provide strategic direction for the market that they represent, as well as updates and insights on the segment and the businesses within.      

Select Committee members serve two-year terms (three terms maximum) and act as individuals, not as company representatives. These volunteers are entrusted to direct association resources in such a manner that reflects the membership and addresses the current and future issues that will impact specialty-equipment companies.

Members eligible to vote should have received an e-mail from announcement@associationvoting.com with the details needed to vote. To cast a vote, members should visit www.associationvoting.com/sema and enter the following log-in information when prompted:

Last Name: {LastName}
Ballot Number: {MemberNumber}

Questions? Contact Arlene Wood at 909-978-6689 or e-mail arlenew@sema.org.

Do you have a big personality and a sense of humor to match? Are you a fan of shows such as "American Restoration," "Pawn Stars" and "American Pickers?" Are people constantly telling you that you should be on television? Are you obsessed with all things vintage?

If so, show producers want to hear from you.

The producers of History Channel's TV shows “American Restoration” and “Pawn Stars” are currently working on several projects and are looking for big, funny characters who are into all things vintage—specifically collectors, painters and restorers—and live in and around Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

	The current SEMA Board of Directors.

By SEMA Editors

Materials for this year’s SEMA Board of Directors election have been mailed to the primary contacts at all eligible SEMA-member companies. The voting period runs May 15–June 11, 2013.

Votes must be cast by the member’s designated primary contact. The new or reelected Board members will be selected from the eight candidates who are currently vying for four open seats.

For the election, candidates submited a questionnaire that clearly states the issues they feel are critical to the industry. For the first time, the questionnaires are available to the SEMA electorate to help members make a well-informed decision and select the leadership they feel will make a positive impact on the Association and industry.

In addition, detailed biographies for each candidate are also available online and include career experience, personal insights and an explanation of primary goals in running for a seat on the SEMA Board. View candidate photos, questionnaires and background information online at www.sema.org/bod13.

For more information about the 2013–2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Arlene Wood at ArleneW@Sema.org or call 909-978-6689.

	The current SEMA Board of Directors.

By SEMA Editors

Materials for this year’s SEMA Board of Directors election have been mailed to the primary contacts at all eligible SEMA-member companies. The voting period runs May 15–June 11, 2013.

Votes must be cast by the member’s designated primary contact. The new or reelected Board members will be selected from the eight candidates who are currently vying for four open seats.

For the election, candidates submited a questionnaire that clearly states the issues they feel are critical to the industry. For the first time, the questionnaires are available to the SEMA electorate to help members make a well-informed decision and select the leadership they feel will make a positive impact on the Association and industry.

In addition, detailed biographies for each candidate are also available online and include career experience, personal insights and an explanation of primary goals in running for a seat on the SEMA Board. View candidate photos, questionnaires and background information online at www.sema.org/bod13.

For more information about the 2013–2016 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Arlene Wood at ArleneW@Sema.org or call 909-978-6689.

SEMA News—May 2013

HERITAGE
By Drew Hardin
Photo Courtesy Petersen Archive

Chevy’s Little Giant

Traco (a contraction of Travers’ and Coon’s last names) was founded in 1957 after the pair served as mechanics for Bill Vukovich during his Indy 500 wins in 1953 and 1954. Their customer list read like the proverbial who’s who of racing legends of the day, including Bruce McLaren, A.J. Foyt, Lance Reventlow, Zora Arkus-Duntov and Dan Gurney. Penske first worked with Traco when he was racing Corvettes at Daytona and Sebring, and he used Traco engines in the Sunoco Trans-Am Camaros as well as his later Trans-Am Javelins.

“Jim, Frank and Traco enjoy a reputation as being among the foremost builders of Chevy engines in the realm of high performance today, and a look at the record tells why,” Swaim wrote. “During the past [1967] season, Traco-powered Camaros terrorized the Trans-American sedan racing circuit, taking home all the marbles at Kent, Washington, Marlboro, Virginia and Las Vegas.”

So, how did Travers and Coon make all that power out of the little Chevy engine? Swaim’s highly detailed story ran six pages, getting into minute detail about the 327 block’s prep, the various components that went into the engine (ForgedTrue pistons, Perfect Circle rings, Engle cam and pushrods, Hedman headers, a Holley carb on the stock intake, plus Traco’s own parts), and the care Traco’s mechanics took in assembling the engine.

“Jim Travers maintains that the most important factor in building a competition engine is straightforward careful workmanship,” wrote Swaim. “This means that every tolerance and clearance is checked and double checked to ensure that it is correct. An engine is only as reliable as the parts that go into it, so all stock components are Magnafluxed and checked for quality before they ever go into a Traco engine.”

SEMA News—May 2013

HERITAGE
By Drew Hardin
Photo Courtesy Petersen Archive

Chevy’s Little Giant

Traco (a contraction of Travers’ and Coon’s last names) was founded in 1957 after the pair served as mechanics for Bill Vukovich during his Indy 500 wins in 1953 and 1954. Their customer list read like the proverbial who’s who of racing legends of the day, including Bruce McLaren, A.J. Foyt, Lance Reventlow, Zora Arkus-Duntov and Dan Gurney. Penske first worked with Traco when he was racing Corvettes at Daytona and Sebring, and he used Traco engines in the Sunoco Trans-Am Camaros as well as his later Trans-Am Javelins.

“Jim, Frank and Traco enjoy a reputation as being among the foremost builders of Chevy engines in the realm of high performance today, and a look at the record tells why,” Swaim wrote. “During the past [1967] season, Traco-powered Camaros terrorized the Trans-American sedan racing circuit, taking home all the marbles at Kent, Washington, Marlboro, Virginia and Las Vegas.”

So, how did Travers and Coon make all that power out of the little Chevy engine? Swaim’s highly detailed story ran six pages, getting into minute detail about the 327 block’s prep, the various components that went into the engine (ForgedTrue pistons, Perfect Circle rings, Engle cam and pushrods, Hedman headers, a Holley carb on the stock intake, plus Traco’s own parts), and the care Traco’s mechanics took in assembling the engine.

“Jim Travers maintains that the most important factor in building a competition engine is straightforward careful workmanship,” wrote Swaim. “This means that every tolerance and clearance is checked and double checked to ensure that it is correct. An engine is only as reliable as the parts that go into it, so all stock components are Magnafluxed and checked for quality before they ever go into a Traco engine.”