NEWS NUGGETS

Lucas	Hight	Edwards	Krawiec

NEW FACES IN WINNER’S CIRCLE AT PRESTIGIOUS TIRE KINGDOM NHRA GATORNATIONALS: Three of the four winners in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series professional categories at the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com were first-time winners at the historic event. Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) can now add “Gatornationals event winner” to their resumes, and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) can add “three-time Gatornationals champ” and “quickest rider in the two-wheel class” to his. To drivers and fans alike, the Gatornationals is easily one of the most prestigious events on tour, making the winners’ triumphs exceptionally special.

NHRA ORIGINALS T-SHIRTS NOW AVAILABLE IN BOYS SIZES: The NHRA Originals T-shirts that have been available in men’s sizes at various stores, including Walmart and Target, are now available in boys sizes XS-XXL at select Walmarts across the country in California, Florida, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS IN ST. LOUIS: Tickets for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, September 28–30 at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis, are on sale. The inaugural event is the third of six races in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. The track is selling full event and individual event reserved and general-admission tickets as well as RV packages; to buy tickets, log on to GatewayMsp.com or call 618-215-8888 or 855-RACETIK (855-722-3845).

COMING ATTRACTIONS

SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, March 30–April 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first of two stops of the season in Sin City for the fourth race of the season. Defending event winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com. For media credentials, contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS, zMAX DRAGWAY, April 13–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first of two stops of the season in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the only four-wide national event. Winners from 2011 are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-455-FANS (3267) or log on to CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com. For media credentials, please contact Media Relations Manager Alex Baca at abaca@nhra.com.

O’RIELLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY, April 27–29: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first stop of the season in the Lone Star State for the sixth race of the season. Winners from 2011 are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Jeff Arend (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281-383-RACE (7223) or log on to RoyalPurpleRaceway.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID	INSIDE THE NUMBERS
FROM PILOT TO PASSENGER: Top Fuel driver Antron Brown got to experience some circle-track action last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway when he did a ride-along with NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. Brown then returned the favor when he took the wheel of the two-seater Super Comp dragster at zMAX Dragway and showed Truex what NHRA Drag Racing is like. Said Brown after his ride, “It was incredible; it was unreal. He was mat to the floor right at the first turn. It was one of the rides of all rides; I was in awe because I’m usually the one driving. I’ve always had respect for these guys, but now I have a whole new meaning for NASCAR.”	0 for 9: Since winning in Las Vegas in October 2010, Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher is 0–9 in final-round appearances. This is the longest that the seven-time champ has ever gone without a win; he was 0–8 in finals before winning his first Top Fuel event in 1999. Although he is 0–9, he has been to two final rounds in 2012 and holds the Top Fuel point lead.

DID YOU KNOW

… Rookie Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria, who earned her first round-win at the 43rd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville coming off a DNQ at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, will be heading to NASCAR country this weekend for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Tequila Patron team plans to start its Toyota Camry on the race track during pre-race ceremonies on both Saturday and Sunday. The crew will also be doing demos of what it does each weekend when it tears down and rebuilds the 7,000-hp nitro-burning engine in 75 minutes or less.

The 2012 brochure for the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) is now available for download at the newly redesigned website www.globalsymposium.org. GAAS 2012 is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, May 16 and 17 at the Hyatt Regency near Chicago.

The annual two-day GAAS brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the worldwide automotive aftermarket and influencing its future.

This year's brochure highlights the 25 speakers and panelists featured, as well as the GAAS 2012 theme: “One Industry, Endless Opportunities.” GAAS chairman Dennis Welvaert said the GAAS steering committee felt the 2012 program should include content that focuses on all the steps in the aftermarket supply chain in North America.

"We want manufacturers, resellers, program groups, parts stores and installers to hear from their customers and suppliers as to the critical things that are affecting the business," explained Welvaert. "We also want to discuss critical issues like the quality of aftermarket parts, how to tackle the parts proliferation issue and how we can best use things like social media and the Internet to market products more successfully."

Welvaert added, "In addition, we will have a review of the economy and the megatrends that will affect the industry for the next several years. This will help all attendees plan better for the future."    

Members of the associations that sponsor GAAS are eligible for discounted registration fees of $200 off regular rates when they register by Friday, April 13, 2012. A complete list of registration fees is available at www.globalsymposium.org/registration.shtml.

For more information, visit www.GlobalSymposium.org or call 301-654-6664.

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket. Polk is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. GAAS is made possible through the generous support of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.

The 2012 brochure for the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) is now available for download at the newly redesigned website www.globalsymposium.org. GAAS 2012 is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, May 16 and 17 at the Hyatt Regency near Chicago.

The annual two-day GAAS brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the worldwide automotive aftermarket and influencing its future.

This year's brochure highlights the 25 speakers and panelists featured, as well as the GAAS 2012 theme: “One Industry, Endless Opportunities.” GAAS chairman Dennis Welvaert said the GAAS steering committee felt the 2012 program should include content that focuses on all the steps in the aftermarket supply chain in North America.

"We want manufacturers, resellers, program groups, parts stores and installers to hear from their customers and suppliers as to the critical things that are affecting the business," explained Welvaert. "We also want to discuss critical issues like the quality of aftermarket parts, how to tackle the parts proliferation issue and how we can best use things like social media and the Internet to market products more successfully."

Welvaert added, "In addition, we will have a review of the economy and the megatrends that will affect the industry for the next several years. This will help all attendees plan better for the future."    

Members of the associations that sponsor GAAS are eligible for discounted registration fees of $200 off regular rates when they register by Friday, April 13, 2012. A complete list of registration fees is available at www.globalsymposium.org/registration.shtml.

For more information, visit www.GlobalSymposium.org or call 301-654-6664.

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket. Polk is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. GAAS is made possible through the generous support of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.

Despite amendments drafted by SEMA to ensure that the bill would not hurt legitimate historic vehicle owners, the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee will not move forward with legislation that originally threatened to further limit the use of these cars. It’s likely that House lawmakers will set the bill aside for a summer study. The Senate will follow suit. SEMA has committed to bill sponsor Delegate Kirill Reznik that it will continue to participate in efforts to help enact a version of the bill next year that will allow these vehicles continued eligibility for the historic class upon their 20th year; not require collector insurance policies and retain the “occasional use” provision. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Despite amendments drafted by SEMA to ensure that the bill would not hurt legitimate historic vehicle owners, the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee will not move forward with legislation that originally threatened to further limit the use of these cars. It’s likely that House lawmakers will set the bill aside for a summer study. The Senate will follow suit. SEMA has committed to bill sponsor Delegate Kirill Reznik that it will continue to participate in efforts to help enact a version of the bill next year that will allow these vehicles continued eligibility for the historic class upon their 20th year; not require collector insurance policies and retain the “occasional use” provision. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A bill that originally provided a fair cap on property taxes paid by owners of antique and classic motor vehicles was amended and approved by the West Virginia State Legislature March 10 with a new $5,000 assessed value for all of these cars. The previous version of the bill contained an assessed value provision of $1,000, which meant that the maximum actual property tax paid by antique or classic motor vehicle owners would only be about $30 per year.

Under the version that was approved by the entire Legislature March 10, and sent to the governor for his consideration, the actual maximum tax paid would be $150. This bill now only benefits antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth more than $5,000. It would penalize antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth less than $5,000. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A bill that originally provided a fair cap on property taxes paid by owners of antique and classic motor vehicles was amended and approved by the West Virginia State Legislature March 10 with a new $5,000 assessed value for all of these cars. The previous version of the bill contained an assessed value provision of $1,000, which meant that the maximum actual property tax paid by antique or classic motor vehicle owners would only be about $30 per year.

Under the version that was approved by the entire Legislature March 10, and sent to the governor for his consideration, the actual maximum tax paid would be $150. This bill now only benefits antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth more than $5,000. It would penalize antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth less than $5,000. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation that originally threatened to provide localities with the authority to raise from $100 to $500 the amount charged for an annual license tax for vehicles that do not display current license plates was approved by the Virginia State Legislature and now has been sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Additional amendments to the bill drafted by SEMA will now totally exempt from the license tax all vehicles and parts cars that are stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair. Vehicles stored within a structure would remain exempted from the tax. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation that originally threatened to provide localities with the authority to raise from $100 to $500 the amount charged for an annual license tax for vehicles that do not display current license plates was approved by the Virginia State Legislature and now has been sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Additional amendments to the bill drafted by SEMA will now totally exempt from the license tax all vehicles and parts cars that are stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair. Vehicles stored within a structure would remain exempted from the tax. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

	SEMA Board of Directors elections are taking place in May. Pictured above is SEMA's current Board of Directors.

Eleven individuals will be running for seats on the SEMA Board of Directors. With the election taking place in May, the candidates are vying for five open seats within three categories. Candidates and categories are as follows:

Distributor/Retailer Category (2 open seats):

• Jim Bingham, Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc. (incumbent)
• Tom Brooks, Truckin’ Thunder Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing

Services Category (1 open seat):

• Luanne Brown, eTool Developers (incumbent)
• Bob Moore, J&B Service (incumbent)
• Bill Holland, Holland Communications

Manufacturer’s Category (2 open seats):

• John Hotchkis, Hotchkis Performance (incumbent)
• Adrian Murray, Painless Performance (incumbent)
• Tim Watts, Superlift Suspension Systems (incumbent)
• Tracie Nunez, Advanced Clutch Technology Inc.
• Russell Stephens, MSD Performance

Photos and backgrounds of all of the candidates will be posted on www.sema.org in early May.

Election materials, including online voting instructions, will be sent to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies in early May. Voting will close in mid-June.

For more information about the 2012-2013 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Judi Ritchie at judir@sema.org, 909-978-6671, or Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org, 909/978-6689.