Tony Baumgartner (right) with Hurst Performance's Doc Watson.

Hurst Performance hired Tony Baumgartner to serve as the company’s new vice president of sales. Baumgartner brings more than 40 years of experience in automotive sales to Hurst’s highly skilled team. Baumgartner will lead Hurst’s initiatives to elevate its retail dealer network by signing on new Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet dealerships across the United States and into Canada.

Rick Egan was hired as company controller for Hotchkis Sport Suspension. Egan joins Hotchkis from Swift Engineering, where he was a part of the development of the historic 016.a chassis for the Champ Car Atlantic series and the "killer bee" unmanned aircraft systems for the U.S. Marines amongst other successes.

Rostra Precision Controls Inc. and Mobileye Inc. established a distribution agreement which provides Rostra customers with immediate access to Mobileye’s entire line of AWS systems and gives Mobileye access to Rostra’s port-installed accessory capabilities. The two companies report that the partnership provides the industry with a multitude of solutions in the collision-warning product category.

Precision Fleet Brakes signed a seven-year agreement with Air Liquide to supply liquid nitrogen to Precision’s cryogenic production center in Gardena, California. Cryogenic brake technology is a revolutionary way to treat brake rotors through the use of very low temperatures. Liquid nitrogen is an important component in this process as it is used to cool the rotors. Cryogenically processed brake components have an extended life of up to four times longer than original equipment.

Continental Tire is the title sponsor and official tire of the GRAND-AM Sports Car Challenge Road Racing series in 2010. The GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge features factory showroom high-performance race cars that push the performance of their vehicles at some of the most renowned tracks from in North America. The length of the sponsorship agreement in five years.

Maxzone is running a promotion from now until March 31, 2010, through which customers who purchase and install a qualifying number of DEPO lamps, fans and other products available from Maxzone receive a chance to win a Macy's gift card worth $10,000. For every 10 pieces of DEPO-brand product purchased, customers will receive one raffle ticket, and each raffle ticket is good for a shot a the $10,000 grand prize. The winners of the promotion will be announced May 2010 in conjunction with the Maxzone New Jersey-branch open house.

The Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Foundation announced that Roger Penske donated $25,000 toward the Brienne Davis Memorial Scholarship for one qualified female to attend UTI’s NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina. The Penske award is part of the Brienne Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund for women pursuing careers in the automotive industry. Davis, a UTI graduate and NASCAR Sprint Cup official, died tragically in 2008. More information about the scholarship is available on the UTI Foundation website at www.utifoundation.net.

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has received re-certification to the latest ISO 9001:2008 management system standards. The certificate acknowledges Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. for sales, warranty service and end-user technical support.

Standard Motor Products Inc. (SMP) announced that the recent sales of its European distribution business will have no effect on the sales and marketing efforts of the newly introduced Intermotor Brand. SMP will retain exclusive distribution rights of Intermotor in North, Central and South America.

Crane Cams and USARacing (USAR) have joined forces in a promotional program that will give a lucky race fan an S&S X-wedge motorcycle engine and an all-expenses paid trip to the 2010 USAR Awards Banquet. USAR schedule attendees can fill out an entry at each of the 16 events (one entry per person, per event). The contest is limited to licensed drivers or riders 18 years of age or older. Crane Cams has been involved with the USAR for a number of years, with Crane Cams HI-6 ignition systems used exclusively by competitors.

Deeza Chassis Parts has hired The Marx Group as the company's agency of record for public relations. The Marx Group will assist Deeza Chassis Parts with planning, research, writing, delivery and in representing the company to industry media.

	Ever considered going to Harvard Business School? Through the SEMA Educational Institute, it's easier than ever.

Just when you thought higher education was out of reach, the SEMA Education Institute (SEI), in cooperation with Harvard Business School Publishing, is offering Harvard Manage Mentor, an extensive online training opportunity taught by today's foremost business leaders, practitioners, and experts.

At this year's SEMA Show, attendees had the chance to enter to win the Harvard Manage Mentor program, a 42-module program covering daily management responsibilities ranging from running meetings to strategic planning, marketing, finance essentials and more.

The five lucky winners are:

Chad Ellington—Performance Cartel, Wellington, Florida
Carl Kazen—New England Tire Car Care Centers, Attleboro, Massachusetts
Becky Peters—McLeod Clutches, Lancaster, California
James Pipes—Pickem Up Truck Store, Hanford, California
Mike Widmaier—Black's Tire Service, Whiteville, North Carolina

Participants in the program can log on when it's convenient for them and take part in online training wherever they have access to the computer. Beyond the interactive activities and video clips, attendees will have access to downloadable forms and worksheets.

Have you ever considered the possibility of an education from Harvard Business School? It is now easier and more cost-effective than ever. 42 full hours of online business training from Harvard for SEMA members—for only $199! That's less than $5 per course! Do it now.

For more information and to purchase the courses, visitvisit http://www.sema.org/harvard-manage-mentor/overview.

SEMA recently hosted the annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California. As part of the festivities, a variety of activities provided association members with the opportunity to network with one another as well as raise money for two great charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction Camp. The events leading up to the banquet included the Pinewood Drag Race and the Show 'N Shine car show. In addition, HRIA members this year helped coordinate "The Starting Lineup," an auction of pinewood cars designed by kids and autographed by professional racers, automotive legends and entertainment celebrities. With more than 70 cars on display, all forms of hot rodding were represented.

Read more in the Hot Rod Industry Alliance's (HRIA) bimonthly newsletter in the November/December issue of SEMA Member News.