SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

	The SEMA Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by eBay Motors highlights an afternoon of charitable giving and industry honors.

The second-annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by eBay Motors, rolls into Pasadena, California on August 1. The Drag Race is part of the SEMA Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser, a full day of industry honors and charitable giving beginning with the Show N’ Shine Car Show and culminating with the Installation Banquet honoring 2009 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Bill Perry, Rolan “Jeep” Worthan and Henry “Smokey” Yunick.

But it is the Pinewood Drag Race that captures most of the attention during the afternoon. Proceeds from race car sponsorships benefit children’s charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Approximately $40,000 was raised for the two organizations during last year’s inaugural races.

For this year’s race, children from Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp built 250 cars, assisted by SEMA committee members, staff and even the fabrication team from West Coast Customs.

As part of its commitment to the Pinewood Drag Race, the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) is sponsoring two cars.

"ARMO is proud to support the efforts of the Pinewood Derby competition," said Laura Bergan, chair-elect of ARMO. "Our Select Committee members have all chipped in together. We've purchased two cars, and even though we have many talented car builders among our membership, we've opted to let the kids have some fun by building and designing our cars," said Bergan. "After all, that's what this event is about—helping the kids!"

Interested in sponsoring a car? Members that sponsor a child’s car will be the team owner and will race it under the child’s name. To sponsor a child, visit www.sema.org/derby.

The Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by eBay Motors will be held 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on August 1, 2009, at the Pasadena Convention Center.

For questions about the Pinewood Drag Race and the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, contact Lisa Moreno at 909/396-0289, ext. 105 or lisam@sema.org.

	Established brands and first-time exhibitors make the SEMA Show a one-stop in the search for both classic and innovative products.

Joining an impressive list of growing first-time SEMA Show exhibitors is CFMOTO Powersports, a manufacturer specializing in scooters, motorcycles and liquid-cooled engines ranging from 50cc to 500cc. CFMOTO will be exhibiting in the new Powersports & Utility Vehicles section.

“While we have a great tradition of companies supporting the SEMA Show for more than 40 years, we are very pleased to welcome hundreds of new exhibitors each year,” says Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice-president of communications and events.

Priority space selections for 2009 SEMA Show exhibitors begin on Tuesday, June 16. Exhibitors were sent an email from Show Manager Chuck Schwartz earlier this week with their space selection day and time.

Exhibitors that did not receive their selection day and time and companies interested in exhibiting should contact Show Management at salesmgr@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

View a complete list of 2009 SEMA Show exhibitors here.

Follow this link to register for the 2009 SEMA Show.

Rifchin and M&H Tires was one of the first tire manufacturers to make slicks specifically for drag racing.

Marvin Rifchin, founder of M&H Tires and a pioneer in drag racing tire development, died June 3. He was 94.

Rifchin went head-to-head with industry giant Goodyear in the mid-1960s and held his own for many years, primarily because he was one of the first tire manufacturers to make slicks specifically for drag racing.

“As with so many of our industry’s pioneers, in the early days Marv was a typical ‘seat-of-the-pants engineer,’” said Dick Wells, NHRA board member.

Wells explains that Rifchin's rule was simple and straightforward: Try it. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, try a different approach, but don't give up. Racers in all parts of the country will not only recognize the M&H tire label, they’ll quickly recall the early days when they used the tires on race cars.

Rifchin’s entry into drag racing came after Top Fuel legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits tried a set of Rifchin's tires at a race in South Carolina. The early versions of the slicks were very narrow, but they worked. Garlits rode them to victory in the Top Eliminator class.

Wells recalls one of his favorite stories about Rifchin after the tire pioneer was presented with an NHRA “Wally,” the famous trophy, as an honoree at the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion.

“The ‘Wally’ trophy was packaged in a box, and when Marv flew home from the event, he put the box in the seat next to him on the airplane and strapped it in with the seat belt,” said Wells. “A flight attendant came by and told him he had to put the box in the overhead. With sad eyes, Marv innocently said to the flight attendant, ‘These are the ashes of my dear departed aunt….’ The attendant was sympathetic and understanding, very apologetic, and ‘Wally’ made the trip to Marv’s home in its own airline seat.”

Read more about Marvin Rifchin.