SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Staff Learns About Member Businesses and How to Serve Them Better

The first stand-alone outreach event was held at the San Diego Automotive Museum in San Diego, California. Nils Forssman and Kim Tremelling of member company Truck Covers USA, pictured above with chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee Joel Ayres (left), worked alongside Franco Ganino of Alliant Insurance Services and Greg McDowell of Mitchell International in putting the mixer together. Member companies that attended were encouraged to showcase their project vehicles.

Over the past few years, SEMA has sought to reach out to its members in order to hear what they have to say about their businesses and how the association may better serve them, especially during tough economic times. Attending industry events, including warehouse distributor shows, gave the SEMA staff an opportunity to spend time with members from various industry segments and job functions. Staffers also wanted to look for other ways to efficiently connect with members, so they decided to test a few stand-alone outreach events in targeted geographical areas. The first regional event in May was a member-driven mixer at the San Diego Automotive Museum in San Diego, California.

We have benefited greatly from SEMA over the years, and we felt that this would be a great opportunity to get the local automotive community involved,” said Nils Forssman of Truck Covers USA. “We knew that our local SEMA members could share valuable information and help one another, and that SEMA membership in our region would grow. Also, there would be an awareness of what an advantage SEMA could be for local businesses. Many non-members and even members are not really aware of all the benefits membership brings, so they do not take full advantage of the opportunities. This event provided an opportunity for SEMA members to share information and helped others network and exchange useful information. We definitely would encourage other SEMA members to do the same in their regions.”

The second regional outreach event was held in August and was set in one of the most member-concentrated regions of the country, northern Ohio. The one-day event began with an educational program at the Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. The program included a presentation by Internet marketing expert Brian Offenberger, CEO of AfterMarketer Club, who shared his successful strategies for online marketing, advertising and more. The workshop was co-sponsored by the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) and the Street Performance Council (SPC) and covered topics that ranged from online marketing in the specialty-equipment industry and search-engine optimization for beginners to maximizing return on investment in social media and Google AdWords.

	The second regional outreach event was held in northern Ohio. The one-day event began with an educational program at the Summit Motorsports Park and included a presentation by Internet marketing expert Brian Offenberger, CEO of AfterMarketer Club, who shared his successful strategies for online marketing and advertising and more.

The event also included an opportunity for a personalized website review by Offenberger to address each company’s specific needs and goals. That segment was followed by a lunch break for networking with MPMC, SPC and SEMA staff. The cost for the complete program was only $25 per person and included the Internet marketing workshop, personalized session with Offenberger and networking luncheon. Following the workshop, the competitive among the attendees adjourned to the track for some bracket racing, and all were invited to a mixer in downtown Cleveland.

The success of the Ohio mixer can be attributed to the outreach efforts by SEMA Ambassadors Ed Burgy of Mr. Gasket, Ray Ott of Auto Trim of Cleveland, MPMC Chairman Bill Floyd of RideTech (Air Ride Technologies) and Bob Scheid of Fidanza Engineering, who was directly responsible for bringing out local business service providers; his state representative, Mark Schneider; Anne Hill, regional director from Ohio Governor Ted Strickland’s office; Jenn Ruggles, regional economic development director for the Ohio Department of Development; and Michael Cutter, vice president at First Merit Bank (the largest bank in the Cleveland area), provider of equipment finance and leasing services for local and national businesses.

“I feel [that these regional events] will give SEMA members a greater feeling of ownership of their association, plus getting needed knowledge (and networking support) in these trying times,” said Steve Cole of member company WriteWords in Medina, Ohio. “The format was great, the knowledge imparted and shared was necessary and very timely, and the networking interaction helped everyone understand that they were not alone in facing today’s challenges.”

SEMA would like to expand this regional networking program and is actively searching for other areas where member companies might like to participate. The staff is looking for ideas about educational programs, venues and speakers who can help member companies with local, national or even international business opportunities. If you have any ideas and would like to help organize a networking mixer in your region, please contact Monica Terlouw, SEMA’s director of member outreach, by calling 909/396-0289, x150.

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Adjusting Expectations and Riding the Cycle

By Jim Barber

ARMO Chairman Jim Barber reminds all council members and guests to attend the council’s reception on Tuesday, November 3, and the ARMO open meeting on Wednesday morning, November 4, while at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Help celebrate company and individual accomplishments and make your voice heard.

I know that this statement is repeated every year, but it is hard to believe that it’s time for the SEMA Show. While SEMA reports that the Show is down slightly, the association also reports that booth registration and attendance levels mirror 2004 numbers. I remember 2004 as being a great year.

Speaking of years past, a growing consensus believes that our industry will not return to the levels we experienced during the 2006/2007 peak years (by some reports, industry business peaked in early 2008). This is being referred to as the “New Normal.” I first learned of this term during the SEMA State of the Association meeting held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Banquet.

Since attending that meeting, I have been giving a lot of thought to that term and how it relates to my business and our industry as a whole. The term suggests that we readjust and plan our businesses to a New Normal when the recession ends and that we adjust our minds and businesses to lower expectations than during the peaks of several years ago. This means that we need to shelve our thoughts of returning to those days of fast-paced, double-digit growth. What does this mean for the members of ARMO? It means that we need to look at our individual businesses, adjust accordingly, and perhaps reconcile our minds to the fact that we may not see those record numbers again—or at least for a long time. On the surface, this sounds quite simple. However, I believe that execution is the key. For some, adjusting to this level will mean survival; for others, it may mean the difference between having a profit and not having a profit.

I believe that ARMO’s portion of the automotive aftermarket is young. Sure, we have member companies that have been around for more than 30 years. However, our explosive growth has come during the last 10 years. I also believe that ARMO member companies have experienced our first business cycle. If you subscribe to the theory that all businesses are cyclical, ARMO member companies have entered their first down cycle. The good news is that many members are reporting increased sales and inquiries, meaning that we may be at the bottom of the cycle or perhaps beginning to rise from the bottom. Others feel that what we are experiencing now is a false bubble and sales numbers will remain down through 2010. My opinion? We need to understand and accept that our industry has grown to the point where we have become cyclical, recognize this fact and adjust our business plans to ride the cycle.

Changing Gears

Barber also encourages all ARMO members to drop by the council booth while at the Show. The booth will be located in the North Hall adjacent to Hot Rod Alley in the Restoration section of the SEMA Show. Learn about ARMO while you take a break to rest your feet or meet with a new vendor, customer or supplier.

I encourage all of you attending the SEMA Show to visit the ARMO booth. It will always be staffed with a Select Committee member. Why do we take time to staff the booth? To make ourselves available to our members, to answer your questions, to hear your concerns and, most importantly, to hear your suggestions about how you want your council to grow through new programs or new directions. Please take the time to stop by and speak with us. Also, some may not realize that the ARMO booth is also for your use. Consider it an oasis from the Show floor where you may take a break to sit and relax or to schedule a sit-down meeting with a potential new vendor, customer or supplier.

Finally, please remember our Tuesday-night (November 3) reception during the Show. It is ARMO’s chance to shine, to recognize and reward individuals, companies and events of the past year. It is the one time a year when we get to relax and spend time with other members, talk with them and, yes, have a couple of cocktails and eat some good food. The reception committee, led by Alex Tainsh and Sandy Patterson, has done another excellent job this year of putting on a great reception.

We hold our open meeting on Wednesday morning after the reception, and I encourage all of you to attend. The individuals of the Select Committee will give updates on various task forces and projects they are working on as well as provide an open forum for any new business you may want to discuss or bring to the attention of the group.

Have a great SEMA Show, and please make your presence known at the booth, the ARMO reception and our open meeting.

I and the entire Select Committee look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!  

 

 

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Adjusting Expectations and Riding the Cycle

By Jim Barber

ARMO Chairman Jim Barber reminds all council members and guests to attend the council’s reception on Tuesday, November 3, and the ARMO open meeting on Wednesday morning, November 4, while at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Help celebrate company and individual accomplishments and make your voice heard.

I know that this statement is repeated every year, but it is hard to believe that it’s time for the SEMA Show. While SEMA reports that the Show is down slightly, the association also reports that booth registration and attendance levels mirror 2004 numbers. I remember 2004 as being a great year.

Speaking of years past, a growing consensus believes that our industry will not return to the levels we experienced during the 2006/2007 peak years (by some reports, industry business peaked in early 2008). This is being referred to as the “New Normal.” I first learned of this term during the SEMA State of the Association meeting held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Banquet.

Since attending that meeting, I have been giving a lot of thought to that term and how it relates to my business and our industry as a whole. The term suggests that we readjust and plan our businesses to a New Normal when the recession ends and that we adjust our minds and businesses to lower expectations than during the peaks of several years ago. This means that we need to shelve our thoughts of returning to those days of fast-paced, double-digit growth. What does this mean for the members of ARMO? It means that we need to look at our individual businesses, adjust accordingly, and perhaps reconcile our minds to the fact that we may not see those record numbers again—or at least for a long time. On the surface, this sounds quite simple. However, I believe that execution is the key. For some, adjusting to this level will mean survival; for others, it may mean the difference between having a profit and not having a profit.

I believe that ARMO’s portion of the automotive aftermarket is young. Sure, we have member companies that have been around for more than 30 years. However, our explosive growth has come during the last 10 years. I also believe that ARMO member companies have experienced our first business cycle. If you subscribe to the theory that all businesses are cyclical, ARMO member companies have entered their first down cycle. The good news is that many members are reporting increased sales and inquiries, meaning that we may be at the bottom of the cycle or perhaps beginning to rise from the bottom. Others feel that what we are experiencing now is a false bubble and sales numbers will remain down through 2010. My opinion? We need to understand and accept that our industry has grown to the point where we have become cyclical, recognize this fact and adjust our business plans to ride the cycle.

Changing Gears

Barber also encourages all ARMO members to drop by the council booth while at the Show. The booth will be located in the North Hall adjacent to Hot Rod Alley in the Restoration section of the SEMA Show. Learn about ARMO while you take a break to rest your feet or meet with a new vendor, customer or supplier.

I encourage all of you attending the SEMA Show to visit the ARMO booth. It will always be staffed with a Select Committee member. Why do we take time to staff the booth? To make ourselves available to our members, to answer your questions, to hear your concerns and, most importantly, to hear your suggestions about how you want your council to grow through new programs or new directions. Please take the time to stop by and speak with us. Also, some may not realize that the ARMO booth is also for your use. Consider it an oasis from the Show floor where you may take a break to sit and relax or to schedule a sit-down meeting with a potential new vendor, customer or supplier.

Finally, please remember our Tuesday-night (November 3) reception during the Show. It is ARMO’s chance to shine, to recognize and reward individuals, companies and events of the past year. It is the one time a year when we get to relax and spend time with other members, talk with them and, yes, have a couple of cocktails and eat some good food. The reception committee, led by Alex Tainsh and Sandy Patterson, has done another excellent job this year of putting on a great reception.

We hold our open meeting on Wednesday morning after the reception, and I encourage all of you to attend. The individuals of the Select Committee will give updates on various task forces and projects they are working on as well as provide an open forum for any new business you may want to discuss or bring to the attention of the group.

Have a great SEMA Show, and please make your presence known at the booth, the ARMO reception and our open meeting.

I and the entire Select Committee look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!  

 

 

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Adjusting Expectations and Riding the Cycle

By Jim Barber

ARMO Chairman Jim Barber reminds all council members and guests to attend the council’s reception on Tuesday, November 3, and the ARMO open meeting on Wednesday morning, November 4, while at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Help celebrate company and individual accomplishments and make your voice heard.

I know that this statement is repeated every year, but it is hard to believe that it’s time for the SEMA Show. While SEMA reports that the Show is down slightly, the association also reports that booth registration and attendance levels mirror 2004 numbers. I remember 2004 as being a great year.

Speaking of years past, a growing consensus believes that our industry will not return to the levels we experienced during the 2006/2007 peak years (by some reports, industry business peaked in early 2008). This is being referred to as the “New Normal.” I first learned of this term during the SEMA State of the Association meeting held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Banquet.

Since attending that meeting, I have been giving a lot of thought to that term and how it relates to my business and our industry as a whole. The term suggests that we readjust and plan our businesses to a New Normal when the recession ends and that we adjust our minds and businesses to lower expectations than during the peaks of several years ago. This means that we need to shelve our thoughts of returning to those days of fast-paced, double-digit growth. What does this mean for the members of ARMO? It means that we need to look at our individual businesses, adjust accordingly, and perhaps reconcile our minds to the fact that we may not see those record numbers again—or at least for a long time. On the surface, this sounds quite simple. However, I believe that execution is the key. For some, adjusting to this level will mean survival; for others, it may mean the difference between having a profit and not having a profit.

I believe that ARMO’s portion of the automotive aftermarket is young. Sure, we have member companies that have been around for more than 30 years. However, our explosive growth has come during the last 10 years. I also believe that ARMO member companies have experienced our first business cycle. If you subscribe to the theory that all businesses are cyclical, ARMO member companies have entered their first down cycle. The good news is that many members are reporting increased sales and inquiries, meaning that we may be at the bottom of the cycle or perhaps beginning to rise from the bottom. Others feel that what we are experiencing now is a false bubble and sales numbers will remain down through 2010. My opinion? We need to understand and accept that our industry has grown to the point where we have become cyclical, recognize this fact and adjust our business plans to ride the cycle.

Changing Gears

Barber also encourages all ARMO members to drop by the council booth while at the Show. The booth will be located in the North Hall adjacent to Hot Rod Alley in the Restoration section of the SEMA Show. Learn about ARMO while you take a break to rest your feet or meet with a new vendor, customer or supplier.

I encourage all of you attending the SEMA Show to visit the ARMO booth. It will always be staffed with a Select Committee member. Why do we take time to staff the booth? To make ourselves available to our members, to answer your questions, to hear your concerns and, most importantly, to hear your suggestions about how you want your council to grow through new programs or new directions. Please take the time to stop by and speak with us. Also, some may not realize that the ARMO booth is also for your use. Consider it an oasis from the Show floor where you may take a break to sit and relax or to schedule a sit-down meeting with a potential new vendor, customer or supplier.

Finally, please remember our Tuesday-night (November 3) reception during the Show. It is ARMO’s chance to shine, to recognize and reward individuals, companies and events of the past year. It is the one time a year when we get to relax and spend time with other members, talk with them and, yes, have a couple of cocktails and eat some good food. The reception committee, led by Alex Tainsh and Sandy Patterson, has done another excellent job this year of putting on a great reception.

We hold our open meeting on Wednesday morning after the reception, and I encourage all of you to attend. The individuals of the Select Committee will give updates on various task forces and projects they are working on as well as provide an open forum for any new business you may want to discuss or bring to the attention of the group.

Have a great SEMA Show, and please make your presence known at the booth, the ARMO reception and our open meeting.

I and the entire Select Committee look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!  

 

 

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Adjusting Expectations and Riding the Cycle

By Jim Barber

ARMO Chairman Jim Barber reminds all council members and guests to attend the council’s reception on Tuesday, November 3, and the ARMO open meeting on Wednesday morning, November 4, while at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Help celebrate company and individual accomplishments and make your voice heard.

I know that this statement is repeated every year, but it is hard to believe that it’s time for the SEMA Show. While SEMA reports that the Show is down slightly, the association also reports that booth registration and attendance levels mirror 2004 numbers. I remember 2004 as being a great year.

Speaking of years past, a growing consensus believes that our industry will not return to the levels we experienced during the 2006/2007 peak years (by some reports, industry business peaked in early 2008). This is being referred to as the “New Normal.” I first learned of this term during the SEMA State of the Association meeting held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Banquet.

Since attending that meeting, I have been giving a lot of thought to that term and how it relates to my business and our industry as a whole. The term suggests that we readjust and plan our businesses to a New Normal when the recession ends and that we adjust our minds and businesses to lower expectations than during the peaks of several years ago. This means that we need to shelve our thoughts of returning to those days of fast-paced, double-digit growth. What does this mean for the members of ARMO? It means that we need to look at our individual businesses, adjust accordingly, and perhaps reconcile our minds to the fact that we may not see those record numbers again—or at least for a long time. On the surface, this sounds quite simple. However, I believe that execution is the key. For some, adjusting to this level will mean survival; for others, it may mean the difference between having a profit and not having a profit.

I believe that ARMO’s portion of the automotive aftermarket is young. Sure, we have member companies that have been around for more than 30 years. However, our explosive growth has come during the last 10 years. I also believe that ARMO member companies have experienced our first business cycle. If you subscribe to the theory that all businesses are cyclical, ARMO member companies have entered their first down cycle. The good news is that many members are reporting increased sales and inquiries, meaning that we may be at the bottom of the cycle or perhaps beginning to rise from the bottom. Others feel that what we are experiencing now is a false bubble and sales numbers will remain down through 2010. My opinion? We need to understand and accept that our industry has grown to the point where we have become cyclical, recognize this fact and adjust our business plans to ride the cycle.

Changing Gears

Barber also encourages all ARMO members to drop by the council booth while at the Show. The booth will be located in the North Hall adjacent to Hot Rod Alley in the Restoration section of the SEMA Show. Learn about ARMO while you take a break to rest your feet or meet with a new vendor, customer or supplier.

I encourage all of you attending the SEMA Show to visit the ARMO booth. It will always be staffed with a Select Committee member. Why do we take time to staff the booth? To make ourselves available to our members, to answer your questions, to hear your concerns and, most importantly, to hear your suggestions about how you want your council to grow through new programs or new directions. Please take the time to stop by and speak with us. Also, some may not realize that the ARMO booth is also for your use. Consider it an oasis from the Show floor where you may take a break to sit and relax or to schedule a sit-down meeting with a potential new vendor, customer or supplier.

Finally, please remember our Tuesday-night (November 3) reception during the Show. It is ARMO’s chance to shine, to recognize and reward individuals, companies and events of the past year. It is the one time a year when we get to relax and spend time with other members, talk with them and, yes, have a couple of cocktails and eat some good food. The reception committee, led by Alex Tainsh and Sandy Patterson, has done another excellent job this year of putting on a great reception.

We hold our open meeting on Wednesday morning after the reception, and I encourage all of you to attend. The individuals of the Select Committee will give updates on various task forces and projects they are working on as well as provide an open forum for any new business you may want to discuss or bring to the attention of the group.

Have a great SEMA Show, and please make your presence known at the booth, the ARMO reception and our open meeting.

I and the entire Select Committee look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!  

 

 

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Today’s Stars and Cars Are the Descendants of Those Who Came Before

By Eric Saltrick

Hot rodding is at the very core of every form of racing. Behind every racing and high-performance innovation is a hot rodder trying to make his or her car go faster. The hot rodders of today are simply following in the footsteps of racing legends of the past.

SEMA recently hosted the annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California. As part of the festivities, a variety of activities provided association members 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 Races 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 from Victory Junction Camp and autographed by professional racers, automotive legends and entertainment celebrities. With more than 70 cars on display, all forms of racing and hot rodding were well represented.

The lineup of small wooden cars were emblazoned with the signatures of some of the greatest drivers of the earlier generation, such as Mario Andretti, Don Prudhomme and Bobby Allison, as well as racing stars of today, including Helio Castroneves, Tony Schumacher and Kasey Kahne. The lineup of autographed cars also included those signed by icons of hot rodding, such as Craig Breedlove, Carroll Shelby and Andy Granatelli. They were on display alongside pinewood entries carrying the autographs of today’s newest hot-rod celebrities, such as Chip Foose, Ryan Friedlinghaus and Stacy David.

Looking over the tables of autographed pinewood cars, one could not help but notice the common thread among all of the racing legends and superstars. Regardless of the form of racing, they are all hot rodders!

Johnny Rutherford, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 (1974, 1976 and 1980), was one of the dozens of racing stars, past and present, who autographed Pinewood Derby cars that were auctioned off at the recent SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California.

At the very core of every form of racing is hot rodding. Behind every racing and high-performance innovation is a hot rodder trying to make his or her car go faster. And for every automotive accessory that hits the market, there are hot rodders working to make their rides look better. The hot rodders of today are simply following in the footsteps of racing legends of the past.

Is there really a big difference between Craig Breedlove speeding across the salt flats at Bonneville and John Force scorching down a quarter-mile dragway? Where would today’s stock car superstars be without the history of hot rodders such as Marvin Panch and Tiger Tom Pistone. If not for Janet Guthrie’s courage to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, would the doors to hot rodding have been opened for Danica Patrick?

The history and future of hot rodding will forever be tied to racing. For today’s hot rodders, it is important that we remember our roots. If you don’t know names such as Muldowney, Garlits, Rutherford, Yunick, Holman-Moody, St. James and Wood, you really need to. These are the individuals who brought hot rodding into the living rooms of the American public during the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. As hot rodders, we owe a great deal to their dedication and accomplishments.

HRIA members are active in preserving the history of hot rodding as well as securing its future. We support local racing and hot-rodding events. Through our HRIA Youth Awareness program, we introduce teenagers to the hot-rod industry. We build and race our own cars. The annual HRIA awards reception at the SEMA Show recognizes both the legends of hot rodding and the future innovators of our industry. Hot rodding and the HRIA have a very bright future. But sometimes it’s important to remember our past—including our roots in racing.

 

 

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Today’s Stars and Cars Are the Descendants of Those Who Came Before

By Eric Saltrick

Hot rodding is at the very core of every form of racing. Behind every racing and high-performance innovation is a hot rodder trying to make his or her car go faster. The hot rodders of today are simply following in the footsteps of racing legends of the past.

SEMA recently hosted the annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California. As part of the festivities, a variety of activities provided association members 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 Races 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 from Victory Junction Camp and autographed by professional racers, automotive legends and entertainment celebrities. With more than 70 cars on display, all forms of racing and hot rodding were well represented.

The lineup of small wooden cars were emblazoned with the signatures of some of the greatest drivers of the earlier generation, such as Mario Andretti, Don Prudhomme and Bobby Allison, as well as racing stars of today, including Helio Castroneves, Tony Schumacher and Kasey Kahne. The lineup of autographed cars also included those signed by icons of hot rodding, such as Craig Breedlove, Carroll Shelby and Andy Granatelli. They were on display alongside pinewood entries carrying the autographs of today’s newest hot-rod celebrities, such as Chip Foose, Ryan Friedlinghaus and Stacy David.

Looking over the tables of autographed pinewood cars, one could not help but notice the common thread among all of the racing legends and superstars. Regardless of the form of racing, they are all hot rodders!

Johnny Rutherford, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 (1974, 1976 and 1980), was one of the dozens of racing stars, past and present, who autographed Pinewood Derby cars that were auctioned off at the recent SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California.

At the very core of every form of racing is hot rodding. Behind every racing and high-performance innovation is a hot rodder trying to make his or her car go faster. And for every automotive accessory that hits the market, there are hot rodders working to make their rides look better. The hot rodders of today are simply following in the footsteps of racing legends of the past.

Is there really a big difference between Craig Breedlove speeding across the salt flats at Bonneville and John Force scorching down a quarter-mile dragway? Where would today’s stock car superstars be without the history of hot rodders such as Marvin Panch and Tiger Tom Pistone. If not for Janet Guthrie’s courage to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, would the doors to hot rodding have been opened for Danica Patrick?

The history and future of hot rodding will forever be tied to racing. For today’s hot rodders, it is important that we remember our roots. If you don’t know names such as Muldowney, Garlits, Rutherford, Yunick, Holman-Moody, St. James and Wood, you really need to. These are the individuals who brought hot rodding into the living rooms of the American public during the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. As hot rodders, we owe a great deal to their dedication and accomplishments.

HRIA members are active in preserving the history of hot rodding as well as securing its future. We support local racing and hot-rodding events. Through our HRIA Youth Awareness program, we introduce teenagers to the hot-rod industry. We build and race our own cars. The annual HRIA awards reception at the SEMA Show recognizes both the legends of hot rodding and the future innovators of our industry. Hot rodding and the HRIA have a very bright future. But sometimes it’s important to remember our past—including our roots in racing.

 

 

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Today’s Stars and Cars Are the Descendants of Those Who Came Before

By Eric Saltrick

Hot rodding is at the very core of every form of racing. Behind every racing and high-performance innovation is a hot rodder trying to make his or her car go faster. The hot rodders of today are simply following in the footsteps of racing legends of the past.

SEMA recently hosted the annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California. As part of the festivities, a variety of activities provided association members 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 Races 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 from Victory Junction Camp and autographed by professional racers, automotive legends and entertainment celebrities. With more than 70 cars on display, all forms of racing and hot rodding were well represented.

The lineup of small wooden cars were emblazoned with the signatures of some of the greatest drivers of the earlier generation, such as Mario Andretti, Don Prudhomme and Bobby Allison, as well as racing stars of today, including Helio Castroneves, Tony Schumacher and Kasey Kahne. The lineup of autographed cars also included those signed by icons of hot rodding, such as Craig Breedlove, Carroll Shelby and Andy Granatelli. They were on display alongside pinewood entries carrying the autographs of today’s newest hot-rod celebrities, such as Chip Foose, Ryan Friedlinghaus and Stacy David.

Looking over the tables of autographed pinewood cars, one could not help but notice the common thread among all of the racing legends and superstars. Regardless of the form of racing, they are all hot rodders!

Johnny Rutherford, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 (1974, 1976 and 1980), was one of the dozens of racing stars, past and present, who autographed Pinewood Derby cars that were auctioned off at the recent SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California.

At the very core of every form of racing is hot rodding. Behind every racing and high-performance innovation is a hot rodder trying to make his or her car go faster. And for every automotive accessory that hits the market, there are hot rodders working to make their rides look better. The hot rodders of today are simply following in the footsteps of racing legends of the past.

Is there really a big difference between Craig Breedlove speeding across the salt flats at Bonneville and John Force scorching down a quarter-mile dragway? Where would today’s stock car superstars be without the history of hot rodders such as Marvin Panch and Tiger Tom Pistone. If not for Janet Guthrie’s courage to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, would the doors to hot rodding have been opened for Danica Patrick?

The history and future of hot rodding will forever be tied to racing. For today’s hot rodders, it is important that we remember our roots. If you don’t know names such as Muldowney, Garlits, Rutherford, Yunick, Holman-Moody, St. James and Wood, you really need to. These are the individuals who brought hot rodding into the living rooms of the American public during the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. As hot rodders, we owe a great deal to their dedication and accomplishments.

HRIA members are active in preserving the history of hot rodding as well as securing its future. We support local racing and hot-rodding events. Through our HRIA Youth Awareness program, we introduce teenagers to the hot-rod industry. We build and race our own cars. The annual HRIA awards reception at the SEMA Show recognizes both the legends of hot rodding and the future innovators of our industry. Hot rodding and the HRIA have a very bright future. But sometimes it’s important to remember our past—including our roots in racing.

 

 

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Today’s Stars and Cars Are the Descendants of Those Who Came Before

By Eric Saltrick

Hot rodding is at the very core of every form of racing. Behind every racing and high-performance innovation is a hot rodder trying to make his or her car go faster. The hot rodders of today are simply following in the footsteps of racing legends of the past.

SEMA recently hosted the annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California. As part of the festivities, a variety of activities provided association members 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 Races 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 from Victory Junction Camp and autographed by professional racers, automotive legends and entertainment celebrities. With more than 70 cars on display, all forms of racing and hot rodding were well represented.

The lineup of small wooden cars were emblazoned with the signatures of some of the greatest drivers of the earlier generation, such as Mario Andretti, Don Prudhomme and Bobby Allison, as well as racing stars of today, including Helio Castroneves, Tony Schumacher and Kasey Kahne. The lineup of autographed cars also included those signed by icons of hot rodding, such as Craig Breedlove, Carroll Shelby and Andy Granatelli. They were on display alongside pinewood entries carrying the autographs of today’s newest hot-rod celebrities, such as Chip Foose, Ryan Friedlinghaus and Stacy David.

Looking over the tables of autographed pinewood cars, one could not help but notice the common thread among all of the racing legends and superstars. Regardless of the form of racing, they are all hot rodders!

Johnny Rutherford, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 (1974, 1976 and 1980), was one of the dozens of racing stars, past and present, who autographed Pinewood Derby cars that were auctioned off at the recent SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser in Pasadena, California.

At the very core of every form of racing is hot rodding. Behind every racing and high-performance innovation is a hot rodder trying to make his or her car go faster. And for every automotive accessory that hits the market, there are hot rodders working to make their rides look better. The hot rodders of today are simply following in the footsteps of racing legends of the past.

Is there really a big difference between Craig Breedlove speeding across the salt flats at Bonneville and John Force scorching down a quarter-mile dragway? Where would today’s stock car superstars be without the history of hot rodders such as Marvin Panch and Tiger Tom Pistone. If not for Janet Guthrie’s courage to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, would the doors to hot rodding have been opened for Danica Patrick?

The history and future of hot rodding will forever be tied to racing. For today’s hot rodders, it is important that we remember our roots. If you don’t know names such as Muldowney, Garlits, Rutherford, Yunick, Holman-Moody, St. James and Wood, you really need to. These are the individuals who brought hot rodding into the living rooms of the American public during the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. As hot rodders, we owe a great deal to their dedication and accomplishments.

HRIA members are active in preserving the history of hot rodding as well as securing its future. We support local racing and hot-rodding events. Through our HRIA Youth Awareness program, we introduce teenagers to the hot-rod industry. We build and race our own cars. The annual HRIA awards reception at the SEMA Show recognizes both the legends of hot rodding and the future innovators of our industry. Hot rodding and the HRIA have a very bright future. But sometimes it’s important to remember our past—including our roots in racing.

 

 

SEMA Member News - November/December 2009

Charitable Booth Display, New Home for the Reception

 

The TORA booth has been redesigned for the 2009 SEMA Show, but some things won’t change. In addition to the beautiful vehicles on display, SEMA staff and TORA Select Committee members will be on hand to answer questions and sign up new members throughout the course of the Show, and many of the helpful TORA member-benefit presentations will also be available.

SEMA Show 2009 attendees are invited to stop by the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) booth # 30073 located in the South Hall. The booth has a completely new layout but will once again be highlighted by three TORA member-company vehicles. Each of the three vehicle owners will make a $1,000 donation to benefit the SEMA Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp charities.

“This is becoming an TORA tradition,” said TORA Chairman Kelly Kneifl of TruXedo. “Even in good times, I’m impressed by the ease with which companies make that $1,000 donation. To see it continue in light of current economic conditions, however, is inspiring.”

Perhaps the donations come easily because members can readily see where the money goes. Over the past two years, proceeds from the display vehicles have helped TORA purchase Pinewood Derby tracks and equipment for Childhelp and Victory Junction facilities. The tracks have entertained hundreds of children who are neglected or suffer from chronic or terminal illness.

In addition to the beautiful vehicles on display, SEMA staff and TORA Select Committee members will be on hand to answer questions and sign up new members throughout the course of the Show. Many of the helpful TORA member-benefit pieces will also be available, such as CDs with content regarding altered vehicle heights, center high-mounted stop light wiring, paint matching and webinars as well as reference sheets for keyless entry and truck bed dimensions.

“The booth has been redesigned for this year so that TORA members can have a place to meet and greet with colleagues,” said Kneifl. “We’re on an end row island, which makes it easy to locate and convenient to traffic coming and going through South Hall. We encourage everyone to come by and get acquainted—or reacquainted, as the case may be.”

TORA Reception Gets New Home

Anne Johnson accepted TORA Hall of Fame honors from Kelly Kneifl (left) and Ron DiVincenzo at the 2008 Spring Expo. For 2009, TORA will present the Retailer of the Year, the Chairman’s Award and the Hall of Fame induction at a relocated reception, which will be held in the Renaissance Hotel—much closer to most member companies’ exhibit spaces.

The annual TORA industry reception, to be held this year on Wednesday, November 4, from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m., is moving to the Renaissance Hotel. The TORA hopes the proximity to South Hall will encourage greater attendance.

“The Hilton has been a marvelous venue for our reception for many years,” said TORA Chair-Elect George Lathouris. “We appreciate all they’ve done for us. However, a brand-new opportunity presented itself this year in the form of the Renaissance Hotel, and the TORA Select Committee felt strongly that it was perfect timing to change things up a bit. The Hilton ballrooms and South Hall where the truck accessories manufacturers display are about as far apart as any two points in the convention center property can be. Attendance at the reception has always been good, but we’re betting we see some new faces this year simply because we’ve eliminated that long trek.”

Along with a new location, the reception will also include the presentation of the annual TORA awards, including the Retailer of the Year, the Hall of Fame inductee and the Chairman’s Award.

As with the Professional Restylers Organization, without the spring event for 2009, our awards were left without a home,” said Kelly Kneifl. “The SEMA Show reception was a logical alternative. We felt that part of the success of our reception at the Show had been the fact that it is truly a networking and social affair, with minimal podium time. Incorporating the awards into the program in a manner that affords adequate respect while keeping presentation length to a minimum will be a small challenge. But TORA members thrive on challenge—especially our Select Committee—so I have no doubt that the changes will all be positive and that the annual TORA industry reception will continue to bring value to all attendees.”

TORA West Coast Long-Range Planning a Success

The annual TORA Long-Range Planning (LRP) meeting was held on Thursday, July 30, in Pasadena, California. The date and location were chosen because of their proximity to the annual SEMA Installation Banquet and the Council Summit.

We knew that holding the meeting in California would be an experiment,” said TORA Chairman Kelly Kneifl. “The LRP has always been in the Midwest or East Coast, even in the Truck Cap Accessory Alliance days. But without a spring event or a truck-specific event, this was the only activity at which members might be present and, thus, be able to combine two trips into one. Given the economy, it’s difficult to assess if the change brought more or fewer attendees. However, the meeting itself was successful. We deviated from the typical LRP format and conducted a SWOT [strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats] analysis on the industry and on the council. The day-long discussion was very animated, and I don’t think there was a single wallflower in the entire group. The Select Committee is still evaluating the results and coming up with some action plans for the future.”