Learn the basics of standardized retail product eCataloging formats and sections of the data standards (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard and Product Information Exchange Standard) in easy-to-understand layman’s terms during the SEMA webinar, "Business Efficiency 101: Using Product Information to Increase Sales, Boost Image and Reduce Costs".  

Sponsored by the SEMA Business Technology Committee (BTC), the webinar features presenter Scott O'Toole demonstrating the importance of accurate product eCataloging information and the problems that inaccurate information can cause for your specialty parts and accessories business.

What: "Business Efficiency 101: Using Product Information to Increase Sales, Boost Image and Reduce Costs"
When: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PST)
Presenter: Scott O’Toole, Manager, Product Pricing and PIES Compliance, Motor State Distributing

Click here to register for this webinar.

SEMA's Webinar Program: The SEMA webinar program brings the world-class business seminars featured during the SEMA Show right to your desktop. Different business-building sessions are constantly added to the program, offering members the latest insight and practices from today’s leading speakers.

All SEMA webinars are conducted live and are open to all employees of SEMA-member companies free of charge. To participate, all you need is a computer with Internet access and a telephone. All previous SEMA webinars are available for download by clicking here. To view upcoming presentations that you can attend via telephone and Internet, click here.

Are you a recent college graduate with outstanding student loans working for a SEMA-member company? If so, SEMA can help you pay back those student loans through the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program. In 2008, 100% of all loan forgiveness applicants received a minimum of $1,000 toward their student loans. To learn more about the qualifications and to apply online for the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program, go to www.SEMA.org/LoanForgiveness.  

The deadline is April 1, 5:00 p.m. (PST).

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators.

For more information on the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or e-mail member@sema.org.

Last week’s SEMA webinar highlighted “The Specialty-Equipment Automotive Company of the Future: Guideposts for Strategic Planning” (Phase I) study prepared by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). SEMA and CAR developed the study to provide members with guideposts or insights for business planning, whether it is strategic, tactical or operational.

The session was moderated by John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology, and featured speakers Brent Smith, CAR assistant director of manufacturing, engineering and technology, and Richard Wallace, CAR senior project manager.

The goal of the study was to identify vehicle-manufacturer strategies, technology trends and federal policies that will drive SEMA members into the coming decade. The study was constructed by collecting information and insight from the entities that will help shape the industry’s future—the car companies, suppliers, vehicle dealers and specialty-equipment market suppliers.

Here are some findings from the study highlighted during the session: 

• CAR estimates that much less than 1% of the specialty-equipment market is direct to the assembly plant.
• Less than 5% of specialty-equipment sales are through new-car dealers.
• Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly interested in the specialty-equipment market, however, they are not sure what to make of it.
• Most vehicle manufacturers are focusing their performance, chassis and appearance specialty-equipment strategies on small cars, specialty cars and light trucks. There is uncertainty if this would translate into other segments.
• Vehicle manufacturers will continue to nurture in-house performance brands.
• There is an increasing—but still somewhat limited—trend for vehicle manufacturers to design their vehicles for accessorization.
• The traditional dealership model is changing; they can no longer rely on warranty work and vehicle sales to maintain strong revenues.
• SEMA should offer pathways for members to establish and grow relationships with vehicle manufacturers and OE suppliers.
• Current SEMA programs (Measuring Sessions, Technology Transfer) were highlighted as means to continue to increase the communication between vehicle manufacturers and specialty-equipment suppliers.

Most vehicle manufacturers have identified that the specialty-equipment industry can deliver products that carmakers can’t. The current economic climate and structural changes experienced by vehicle manufacturers have led to a willingness for them to go outside of the box. For example, Smith explained that vehicle manufacturers Ford and Chrysler have expressed interest in bringing specialty-equipment companies on board early in product development.

"Vehicle manufacturers are looking to create lasting relationships, and they want a way to identify specialty-equipment suppliers with interest, capability and track record to partner with," said Smith. Vehicle manufacturers indicated that one of the first steps needed to make specialty-equipment partnerships more commonplace would be to develop some form of certification as a starting point.

The webinar covers the complete findings from the study, which includes the emergence of connected-vehicle technology trends and the potential impact of the legislative and regulatory environment on the specialty-equipment industry.   

To download the audio and PDF of this webinar, visit www.sema.org/webinar.

SEMA's Webinar Program: The SEMA webinar program brings the world-class business seminars featured during the SEMA Show right to your desktop. Different business-building sessions are constantly added to the program, offering members the latest insight and practices from today’s leading speakers.

All SEMA webinars are conducted live and are open to all employees of SEMA-member companies free of charge. To participate, all you need is a computer with Internet access and a telephone. All previous SEMA webinars are available for download by clicking here. To view upcoming presentations that you can attend via telephone and Internet, click here.

Spy photographer Brenda Priddy says that although Chevrolet still doesn’t have any Camaro convertible pictures on its consumer sites, this pre-production ragtop recently making the rounds in Australia is a no-brainer for North America. Productions delays may bump it to a 2011 model, though.

Spy photographer Brenda Priddy says that although Chevrolet still doesn’t have any Camaro convertible pictures on its consumer sites, this pre-production ragtop recently making the rounds in Australia is a no-brainer for North America. Productions delays may bump it to a 2011 model, though.

The elections are over, and Congress intends to make changes to a health care system that has left 27 million small-business owners, employees and dependents without insurance. SEMA is working on Capitol Hill to find answers, but we need your feedback on possible solutions. 

SEMA urges you to take an electronic survey on options for improving access to health care coverage. It only takes a few minutes to complete. All responses must be received by Friday, January 30.

• Should employer-based health care remain the model for coverage?
• What are the best ways to reduce premium costs but maintain high quality?
• Which tax incentives would help small businesses provide affordable coverage to workers?

Click here to take the SEMA Health Care Survey.

The United States Senate passed legislation to add more than 2 million acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The “wilderness” designation is consequential since no mechanized activity is permitted on such lands. The issue is of keen interest to off-roaders and the SEMA-member companies that market products to those groups. 

The legislation bundles more than 160 separate initiatives that had been introduced in Congress in recent years. The bill would designate wilderness in nine states and establish several new national parks, monuments and conservation areas. The House of Representatives is expected to quickly ratify the legislation and send it to President Obama for his signature.

Noteworthy areas gaining wilderness designation would include:

• 190,000 acres in and around Joshua Tree National Park (CA)
• 470,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains (CA)
• 90,000 acres within the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
• 210,000 acres in and around Dominguez Canyon (CO)
• 250,000 acres within Rocky Mountain National Park (CO)
• 517,000 acres in the Owyhee-Bruneau Canyonlands in exchange for 190,000 acres of nearby Bureau of Land Management lands for OHV recreation and other activities (ID)
• 11,000 acres within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI)
• 16,000 acres for the Sabinoso wilderness (NM)
• 130,000 acres around Mt. Hood (OR)
• 30,000 acres in the Oregon Badlands (OR)
• 260,000 acres in and around Zion National Park in exchange for 140,000 acres for OHV recreation and other activities, including designation of the “High Desert Off-Highway Vehicle Trail” (UT)
• 40,000 acres in the Jefferson National Forest (VA)
• 37,000 acres in the Monongahela National Forest (WV)

Some roads and trails were excluded from the wilderness designations and therefore remain available to the OHV enthusiast. Nevertheless, SEMA expressed concern that lawmakers were moving too quickly since not all roads and trails received protection. For more information, contact Brian Duggan at briand@sema.org.

THE KING’S NAME: Gillett Evernham Motorsports principals announced that in part because of its recent agreement with Petty Holdings, the company will be renamed Richard Petty Motorsports. The team will field four NASCAR Sprint Cup entries this season for drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, Reed Sorenson and A.J. Allmendinger.

THE MONSTER: Monster Energy will sponsor Ricky Carmichael in 14 NASCAR Camping World races for Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) this season. As well, KHI announced that Swedish Match’s Longhorn brand will back Carmichael’s KHI teammate, Ron Hornaday, in 10 races.

FIVE TIMES: Sammy Swindell earned a record fifth Chili Bowl Nationals victory this past weekend at the 23rd annual indoor event held at Tulsa (Oklahoma) Expo Raceway inside the QuikTrip Center.

CUTTING BACK: RE/MAX is cutting back its support of the ARCA RE/MAX Series at the end of the 2009. RE/MAX will continue as a presenting sponsor of the stock car series that it has sponsored since 2001.

MAZDA MEN: Dyson Racing will field a pair of Mazda-powered entries in the American Le Mans Series this season, with Chris Dyson and Guy Smith pairing in the No. 16 and Butch Leitzinger and Marino Franchitti sharing the wheel of the No. 20.

PART-TIME MONEY: Sarah Fisher Racing has signed a four-race sponsorship contract with Dollar General for the 2009 IndyCar Series season.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

NEWS NUGGETS

NHRA ANNOUNCES FAN-RELIEF PROGRAM IN 2009: NHRA announced this past week several fan-relief programs for the 2009 season, including general-admission tickets for a reduced price, the admittance of children 12 and under for free and a military-appreciation offer. The fan-relief program will be available at all NHRA company-owned facilities in Pomona, California, Gainesville, Atlanta and Indianapolis, as well as at additional participating national event tracks.

The program will begin with the season-opening race, the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals, while details on subsequent events will be announced after the season opener.

“We want to let our fans know that we understand these are difficult times, and we value their loyalty to the sport,” said Tom Compton, NHRA president. For more information on the NHRA fan-relief program or for tickets to the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals, visit www.nhra.com or call 800/884-NHRA (6472).

SUPER COMP CHAMP LANGDON TAPPED TO DRIVE SECOND LUCAS TOP FUEL DRAGSTER: Two-time Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world champion Shawn Langdon will team up with Top Fuel pilot Morgan Lucas as he makes the jump from Sportsman to Pro for the 2009 season. Langdon enters the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing series in the Lucas Oil/Dixie Choppers dragster tuned by crew chief John Stewart.

Aside from Langdon’s two Super Comp titles in 2007 and 2008, he also won Junior Dragster national titles in 1997 and 1999 at ages 14 and 16. Over his racing career, Langdon has competed in Top Alcohol dragster, Super Comp, Super Gas, Stock, Super Stock and Junior dragsters.

“This is definitely an exciting time,” said Langdon. “I’ve got lots of nervous energy right now. I know it’s going to be a big step up, and I’m really lucky to have Morgan as my teammate because he’ll be there to bounce things off of as I learn to drive these things.” Both drivers will test this coming weekend at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, where Langdon hopes to earn his Top Fuel license.

BEARD JOINS DON SCHUMACHER RACING AS TEAM MANAGER: NHRA Full Throttle Series team Don Schumacher Racing has announced that famed tuner Lee Beard will join as team manager for the 2009 season. Beard will oversee the operations of each of the six Full Throttle teams (Two Top Fuel dragsters, three Funny Cars and one Pro Stock Motorcycle) under the DSR umbrella, as well as the in-house research and development programs at the DSR facility in Indiana.

Beard returns to DSR where he had originally worked as crew chief for the Whit Bazemore driven Funny Car from 2001 to 2005. Beard has served as a crew chief for various teams since 1976 and more recently was the tuner for the Matco Tools dragster driven by Antron Brown.

“Certainly Don Schumacher has put together the premier organization in drag racing, with his excellent facility, research and development programs and the top-of-the-line sponsors that he has acquired,” said Beard. “So, being in upper-level management of this premier team is certainly a very exciting move for me.”

NATIONAL DRAGSTER TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF PUBLICATION: National Dragster, the official newsweekly of NHRA, will celebrate its 50th year of publication in 2009 with a series of retrospective articles on the publication’s history and evolution since its debut in February 1960. The first retrospective will be presented in the February 6 issue, which will also feature National Dragster's preview of the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.

NHRA began its own publication efforts in 1955 with the introduction of Drag Link, a small quarterly bulletin sent to its members to keep individuals and groups posted on items of interest.

The publication was rechristened Tie Rod shortly after and remained in publication until 1960, when National Dragster was developed to fill, in NHRA founder Wally Parks’ words, “a growing need for a publication devoted expressly to factual, interesting and informative coverage of activities and accomplishments that take place year-round within this fast-growing sport.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS

KRAGEN O’REILLY NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, FEBRUARY 5–8: The 2009 NHRA Full Throttle season gets underway in sunny Southern California as drivers in three professional categories begin their bid for the NHRA Full Throttle world championship. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800/884-6472 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS, FIREBIRD RACEWAY, FEBRUARY 20–22: The 2009 NHRA Full Throttle series makes its second stop of the season in the warm desert of Phoenix, Arizona. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Jack Beckman (Funny Car); and V Gaines (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 602/268-0200 or visit www.ticketforce.com.  

ACDELCO NHRA GATORNATIONALS, GAINESVILLE RACEWAY, MARCH 12–15: The Pro Stock Motorcycle category opens its 2009 season at the Gatornationals, annually one of the most popular stops on the NHRA Full Throttle Series tour. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Matt Guidera (Pro Stock Motorcycle. For tickets, call 800/884-6472 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

LEARNING AS HE GOES: Funny Car rookie Matt Hagan got a small taste of what life will be like behind the wheel of his BrakeSafe Rear-End Collision Avoidance System Dodge Charger this past week during a test session held at Palm Beach International Raceway in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“I learned so much this weekend from talking to all the guys. Tommy (DeLago, crew chief) is helping me out with my driving, and I’m bouncing stuff off of him and everybody else. I’m just trying to act like a sponge to absorb all the knowledge that’s floating around here.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4.50: That’s the time required for a driver to become licensed in the Top Fuel category. Drivers must make two runs of 4.50 seconds at 240 mph or faster down the 1,000-foot racing surface in order to receive a license to compete in the top class in the NHRA Full Throttle series. Many rookie drivers will be looking to hit those numbers during testing at Firebird International Raceway this weekend in Phoenix, in hopes of earning their license.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that NHRA Senior Graphic Designer Tommy Walker will be a contestant on the popular television game show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" The episode airs Friday, January 23, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on FOX.

Have you moved on? Up? Know someone who has? Let us know: editors@sema.org.

Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing has signed a multiyear agreement with 3-G Sports to provide media relations for the new NHRA team. 3-G Sports Founder and President Rob Goodman will manage all media relations for the team. Prior to founding 3-G Sports in 2004, Goodman worked in sports marketing at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company as the manager of media relations focusing on the NHRA, NASCAR and PGA TOUR sponsorships.

The Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing team will field a Top Fuel dragster driven by Larry Dixon and a Funny Car driven by Del Worsham in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

Nick Moncure

MBRPinc Performance Exhaust hired Nick Moncure as national sales manager. Moncure will collaborate with all warehouse distributors and dealers, factory sales representatives and manufacturers’ representatives on behalf of MBRPinc. Moncure was most recently with AEM Power. He can be reached at nmoncure@mbrp.com. 

StreetFire.net recently added key editorial and marketing staff members John Naderi, Ricky Chu and Michael Robleto to expand its in-house content and premium-channel partnerships. Naderi, Chu and Robleto are charged with creating editorial features and establishing additional premium-channel partnerships that will enhance the end user's experience.

Chu is taking on the editor role alongside Naderi, bringing a more technical angle with his experience as special project editor for Super Street magazine and editor for Project Car. Robleto will head up sales and marketing. Naderi, Chu and Robleto first worked together at Super Street magazine and more recently at RiceBoyTV.com.

The National Biodiesel Board named Jessica Robinson as its senior communications specialist to enhance the organization's communications efforts in promoting the widespread benefits of biodiesel. Robinson has been involved in the communications industry for more than a decade, most recently serving as press secretary for Missouri Governor Matt Blunt. Robinson has worked in radio and television news stations in New Mexico, Missouri and Florida.

OnCars hired Steve Rousseau and Jeff Zwart to its automotive media team. Former Group Publisher of Motor Trend and Automobile magazines Steve Rousseau was named executive vice president of sales, and Jeff Zwart was selected as the company’s new creative consultant. Zwart will also continue his current role as a action director with @radicalmedia.com.

For the second consecutive year, Lance Cunningham Ford in Knoxville, Tennessee, was named the top dealer for ROUSH Performance. ROUSH Performance has more than 475 dealers across the United States and Canada. The top dealer for 2008 was tabulated by calculating the overall sales for ROUSH new and demo vehicles, high-performance parts and propane trucks and kits.

The 2009 Mecum Kissimmee Auction, January 22–24, in Kissimmee, Florida, will offer 21 selected cars from noted General Motors collector Bob McDorman. The Bob McDorman collection offered by Mecum Auction at Kissimmee is made up of one-of-a-kind, low-mileage, low-serial-number vehicles. The entire collection may be viewed at www.mecum.com. 

Students from Ohio Technical College with their restored 1978 Ford LTD police cruiser.

Students enrolled in the Collision Repair and Refinishing Program at Ohio Technical College recently restored a '78 Ford LTD Cleveland Police Cruiser to prepare it for display at the Cleveland Police Museum. The list of improvements include repairing all body damage and trim; removing the vinyl top and bringing back the original hard top; and replacing the front grille, rear bumper guards, speedometer, light bar, siren and switch panels.

Students also replaced the front headlights with red lenses and installed original-era hubcaps. For more information on the cruiser, visit www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org.

Veteran marketing communications specialist Steve Cole launched the marketing communications firm WRITEWords. Across a career of more than 30 years in the automotive aftermarket, Cole has served as a trade publication editor, edited house organs for motorsports sanctioning bodies and served in corporate marketing communications and public relations positions. WRITEWords offers an alternative to full-time staffing to produce marketing support materials.

Have you moved on? Up? Know someone who has? Let us know: editors@sema.org.