SEMA-member manufacturers will receive a list of buyers in advance of the September one-on-one meetings in China.

Sign up now for the SEMA China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) China Business Development Conference taking place in Beijing, China, from September 7–10, 2011.

For one low cost, this package includes:

• Day-long one-on-one meetings with pre-vetted distributors and retailers.
• A complete list of confirmed buyers along with contact information, pre-trip.
• Hotels, meals and in-country transportation to events.
• Networking events, including dinner at the Great Hall of the People at a gathering of top government and business leaders involved in the automotive industry.
• VIP access to the CIAPE Show.

For more information contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

The 2011 SEMA International Buyers’ Guide is provided to all international buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show.

Sign up for a free listing in the 2011 SEMA International Buyers' Guide using this online form. Beat the early September deadline to include your company in this directory, which is provided to international buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show and year-round at major overseas trade shows. This benefit is available only to 2011 SEMA Show exhibitors.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The 2011 SEMA International Buyers’ Guide is provided to all international buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show.

Sign up for a free listing in the 2011 SEMA International Buyers' Guide using this online form. Beat the early September deadline to include your company in this directory, which is provided to international buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show and year-round at major overseas trade shows. This benefit is available only to 2011 SEMA Show exhibitors.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The 2011 SEMA International Buyers’ Guide is provided to all international buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show.

Sign up for a free listing in the 2011 SEMA International Buyers' Guide using this online form. Beat the early September deadline to include your company in this directory, which is provided to international buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show and year-round at major overseas trade shows. This benefit is available only to 2011 SEMA Show exhibitors.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Tony Bartholomew

Bob Hirsch, president of the Aftermarket Foundation, has announced the election of three new members to the Aftermarket Foundation Board. They include: Tony Bartholomew, vice president of professional sales at O’Reilly Auto Parts; Brent Windom, vice president of marketing and product development at Uni-Select; and Murray Sullivan, director of business development at the National Pronto Association.

“On behalf of the entire board, I am very pleased to welcome these three high-caliber executives to the board of the foundation”, stated Hirsch. “We already have a very strong Board and the addition of Tony Bartholomew, Murray Sullivan and Brent Windom will further strengthen our board and broaden its reach within our industry sector. We thank them for their willingness to serve for the common good of the less fortunate in our industry.

To the foundation's motto, ‘We take care of our own,’ he added: “These new board members have demonstrated tremendous capability and achievement in their respective careers to date, and we know that the foundation will benefit from their skill and commitment as we continue ‘taking care of our own.’”

Since 1959, the Aftermarket Foundation has assisted individuals and families of the automotive aftermarket industry that have fallen on hard times due to an unexpected death, catastrophic injury, serious illness or financial hardship. Board members are called upon to assist in the fundraising efforts of the foundation and also identification of those in need.

Tony Bartholomew

Bob Hirsch, president of the Aftermarket Foundation, has announced the election of three new members to the Aftermarket Foundation Board. They include: Tony Bartholomew, vice president of professional sales at O’Reilly Auto Parts; Brent Windom, vice president of marketing and product development at Uni-Select; and Murray Sullivan, director of business development at the National Pronto Association.

“On behalf of the entire board, I am very pleased to welcome these three high-caliber executives to the board of the foundation”, stated Hirsch. “We already have a very strong Board and the addition of Tony Bartholomew, Murray Sullivan and Brent Windom will further strengthen our board and broaden its reach within our industry sector. We thank them for their willingness to serve for the common good of the less fortunate in our industry.

To the foundation's motto, ‘We take care of our own,’ he added: “These new board members have demonstrated tremendous capability and achievement in their respective careers to date, and we know that the foundation will benefit from their skill and commitment as we continue ‘taking care of our own.’”

Since 1959, the Aftermarket Foundation has assisted individuals and families of the automotive aftermarket industry that have fallen on hard times due to an unexpected death, catastrophic injury, serious illness or financial hardship. Board members are called upon to assist in the fundraising efforts of the foundation and also identification of those in need.

 

Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew.

Subaru Driver David Higgins Wins 2011 Rally America National Championship
Subaru of America Inc.'s Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins has won the 2011 Rally America National Championship with a 2nd overall finish at the season finale—the New England Forest Rally—this past weekend. In a hotly contested season, Higgins and his co-driver Craig Drew piloted their BFGoodrich Tires-shod ’11 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car to three victories and two 2nd overall finishes in the six-event Rally America National Championship. The 2011 driver’s title is the third for Higgins in the USA having won the SCCA ProRally Championship in 2002 and 2003. Higgins also won the British Rally Championship in 2004.

Higgins joined Subaru Rally Team USA at the start of the 2011 season, replacing longtime Subaru team driver Travis Pastrana who had earned the Rally America National Championship from 2006 through 2009. A season-long rivalry quickly ensued between Higgins and Canadian rally ace Antoine L’Estage—the defending Rally America Champion and Canadian Rally Champion. Higgins and L’Estage were at each other’s heels at every rally with the rivalry coming to a dramatic head last month at the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally, where Higgins came from behind late in the event to beat L’Estage by 1.3 seconds.

The victory last month in Pennsylvania earned Higgins enough of a points lead over L’Estage that Higgins only needed to finish fourth or better at the New England Forest Rally this past weekend to secure the driver’s title. A tactical fight ensued in New England with Higgins maintaining a 2nd overall position behind L’Estage while driving just fast enough to keep the chasing pack comfortably behind him.

In addition to three event victories and the driver’s title in the Rally America series, Higgins recently won the reborn Mt. Washington ‘Climb to the Clouds’ Hillclimb. He smashed the course record by more than 30 seconds, driving the same Subaru STI he utilized in the Rally America Championship. Higgins has little time to celebrate; earlier this month he was invited to compete at ESPN Summer X Games 17 in Los Angeles. He will compete in both the Rally Car Racing and RallyCross competitions taking place on July 30–31.

Present in this photograph are the Baer Brake Systems' team, Centerforce team, Doug Dwyer of Power TV Media, Mike Santa Cruz of NMRA/NMCA and newly elected SEMA board members, John Hotchkis and Steve Wolcott.

Todd Gartshore's Life Honored at NMRA/NMCA West Coast Shootout
A moment of silence for Todd Gartshore was held at the NMRA/NMCA West Coast Shootout event on July 9 at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, while the Centerforce Camaro made a lap around the autocross displaying a checkered flag. Gartshore, co-owner of Baer Brake Systems and a major supporter of SEMA and the performance aftermarket for decades, passed away just prior to this event where he planned to participate in Baer's Speed-Stop-Challenge. Many of Gartshore's best industry friends were on hand at this event as part of a special Racers Against Street Racing promotion where media and manufacturers raced with street-type racers to promote taking racing off the streets and putting it on the track where it belongs. A special picture of Gartshore was displayed all weekend where friends could write a special message in his memory. The picture was presented to the Baer Brake Systems team at the event and will be on display at their headquarters in Arizona.

The Chrisman Legacy: Always Faster
This exciting new title, written by Tom Madigan and published by the EJJE Publishing Group, is a “must have” for any drag-racing fan. Only 1,000 hardbound numbered copies will be available, and each contains hundreds of exciting and historic photographs, the majority of which have never been seen by the public. This limited-edition and large-format book, on high-quality gloss paper, allows for impressive racing photo spreads, both in color and black and white.

The Chrisman Legacy is full of historical facts and has quotes from several prominent drag-racing legends.

The Chrisman Legacy is full of historical facts and has quotes from several prominent drag-racing legends. There will be 200 “Winner’s Circle” numbered editions, signed by Tom Madigan, Art Chrisman and the publisher Ed Justice Jr. These will be beautifully bound with a rich black cover, with copper foil imprint, showing the three legendary Chrisman racecars. The additional 800 “Qualifier” copies include a colorful dust jacket and an 8x10-inch black and white photo of the Hustler 1 dragster. These will be numbered 201 to 1,000.

Tom Madigan is the recipient of the coveted Motor Press Guild’s “Dean Batchelor” award, while Ed Justice Jr. has grown up in the automotive world and wants to publish books that might have not been published, due to the current state of the publishing world. Art Chrisman is world famous.

The “Winners Circle” version retails for $150 plus shipping and insurance, while the “Qualifier” retails for $50 plus shipping and insurance. To order, visit www.thechrismanlegacy.com.

 

 

Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew.

Subaru Driver David Higgins Wins 2011 Rally America National Championship
Subaru of America Inc.'s Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins has won the 2011 Rally America National Championship with a 2nd overall finish at the season finale—the New England Forest Rally—this past weekend. In a hotly contested season, Higgins and his co-driver Craig Drew piloted their BFGoodrich Tires-shod ’11 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car to three victories and two 2nd overall finishes in the six-event Rally America National Championship. The 2011 driver’s title is the third for Higgins in the USA having won the SCCA ProRally Championship in 2002 and 2003. Higgins also won the British Rally Championship in 2004.

Higgins joined Subaru Rally Team USA at the start of the 2011 season, replacing longtime Subaru team driver Travis Pastrana who had earned the Rally America National Championship from 2006 through 2009. A season-long rivalry quickly ensued between Higgins and Canadian rally ace Antoine L’Estage—the defending Rally America Champion and Canadian Rally Champion. Higgins and L’Estage were at each other’s heels at every rally with the rivalry coming to a dramatic head last month at the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally, where Higgins came from behind late in the event to beat L’Estage by 1.3 seconds.

The victory last month in Pennsylvania earned Higgins enough of a points lead over L’Estage that Higgins only needed to finish fourth or better at the New England Forest Rally this past weekend to secure the driver’s title. A tactical fight ensued in New England with Higgins maintaining a 2nd overall position behind L’Estage while driving just fast enough to keep the chasing pack comfortably behind him.

In addition to three event victories and the driver’s title in the Rally America series, Higgins recently won the reborn Mt. Washington ‘Climb to the Clouds’ Hillclimb. He smashed the course record by more than 30 seconds, driving the same Subaru STI he utilized in the Rally America Championship. Higgins has little time to celebrate; earlier this month he was invited to compete at ESPN Summer X Games 17 in Los Angeles. He will compete in both the Rally Car Racing and RallyCross competitions taking place on July 30–31.

Present in this photograph are the Baer Brake Systems' team, Centerforce team, Doug Dwyer of Power TV Media, Mike Santa Cruz of NMRA/NMCA and newly elected SEMA board members, John Hotchkis and Steve Wolcott.

Todd Gartshore's Life Honored at NMRA/NMCA West Coast Shootout
A moment of silence for Todd Gartshore was held at the NMRA/NMCA West Coast Shootout event on July 9 at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, while the Centerforce Camaro made a lap around the autocross displaying a checkered flag. Gartshore, co-owner of Baer Brake Systems and a major supporter of SEMA and the performance aftermarket for decades, passed away just prior to this event where he planned to participate in Baer's Speed-Stop-Challenge. Many of Gartshore's best industry friends were on hand at this event as part of a special Racers Against Street Racing promotion where media and manufacturers raced with street-type racers to promote taking racing off the streets and putting it on the track where it belongs. A special picture of Gartshore was displayed all weekend where friends could write a special message in his memory. The picture was presented to the Baer Brake Systems team at the event and will be on display at their headquarters in Arizona.

The Chrisman Legacy: Always Faster
This exciting new title, written by Tom Madigan and published by the EJJE Publishing Group, is a “must have” for any drag-racing fan. Only 1,000 hardbound numbered copies will be available, and each contains hundreds of exciting and historic photographs, the majority of which have never been seen by the public. This limited-edition and large-format book, on high-quality gloss paper, allows for impressive racing photo spreads, both in color and black and white.

The Chrisman Legacy is full of historical facts and has quotes from several prominent drag-racing legends.

The Chrisman Legacy is full of historical facts and has quotes from several prominent drag-racing legends. There will be 200 “Winner’s Circle” numbered editions, signed by Tom Madigan, Art Chrisman and the publisher Ed Justice Jr. These will be beautifully bound with a rich black cover, with copper foil imprint, showing the three legendary Chrisman racecars. The additional 800 “Qualifier” copies include a colorful dust jacket and an 8x10-inch black and white photo of the Hustler 1 dragster. These will be numbered 201 to 1,000.

Tom Madigan is the recipient of the coveted Motor Press Guild’s “Dean Batchelor” award, while Ed Justice Jr. has grown up in the automotive world and wants to publish books that might have not been published, due to the current state of the publishing world. Art Chrisman is world famous.

The “Winners Circle” version retails for $150 plus shipping and insurance, while the “Qualifier” retails for $50 plus shipping and insurance. To order, visit www.thechrismanlegacy.com.

 

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Hess Motorsports Inc., located in Anaheim Hills, California, is hiring a service-oriented sales professional with automotive performance experience. Familiarity with exotic and modern musclecars is preferred, yet a positive, solution-centered attitude is required. Successful candidates will possess strong people skills and demonstrable attention to detail. A track record of client retention is desired.
• Coker Tire Co. in Orange County, California, is seeking a production manager to oversee production process, schedule and prioritization. Candidates must have automotive steel wheel manufacturing experience and be familiar with stamping, machining and welding operations. 
• EGR Inc., located in Ontario, California, is hiring a temporary inside telephone salesperson to generate and follow up on leads for the launch of a new aftermarket product. The candidate must have sales experience and strong telephone communication skills.
• American Eagle Wheel Corp., located in Pennsauken, New Jersey, is hiring a sales manager with exceptional communication skills and strong sales experience. The successful candidate must have proven sales performance in New Jersey and the surrounding markets and previous successful automotive sales experience.
• Spyder, located in City of Industry, California, is hiring a sales representative who will focus on auto parts chain stores, online stores and e-commerce players. The successful candidate must have five to seven years of related sales management experience and/or training, experience working with an auto chain store or online e-commerce and basic computer skills. Route sales experience and/or an automotive background is a plus.

For more job listings, click here.

“Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.” – Abraham Lincoln

Believe it or not, the award season is officially upon us. The council awards' call for nominations will go live starting the week of July 26 and remain open through August 12, 2011. Please keep an eye out for the “call for nominations” e-mail that will provide you with the process, criteria and nomination information. SEMA and the councils strongly encourage all qualifying members to participate in this worthy process.

Every year during the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the councils host their Industry Awards and Recognition Receptions to honor those who have made significant contributions to their respective industry throughout the year and to recognize those individuals who, through their body of work, have helped reshape our industry.

As we look to the future, it is important that we pause and thank those who have lead by example and those who have paved the path to a better tomorrow. Please contact Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org with any questions.

Get involved; it matters.