Emcee Dave McClelland hosts proceedings at the 2007 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

The annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on Friday, July 25, serves to not only thank the association's outgoing Board members and welcome those newly elected, but also to announce the newest inductees into the SEMA Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are Raymond Bleiweis, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Corky Coker and Bob Cook—an elite group of industry innovators and pioneers who have played a key role in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

This year's event is further underscored by a program of charitable fundraising activities that includes the Pinewood Drag Race Sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing and a silent auction.

Proceeds benefit SEMA's two chosen charities, Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Childhelp aids victims of child abuse and originally began receiving support from wheel manufacturers in 1994. It now garners significant contributions from a wide range of industry businesses.

Victory Junction Gang Camp, founded in 2004 by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, has received support from the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance and others in the industry. Victory Junction uses camping experiences in its racing-themed facilities to enrich the lives of children who suffer from chronic medical conditions or illnesses.

Tickets and details for the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, including a schedule of activities and auction donation forms, are available at www.sema.org/gala or by contacting Lisa Moreno at lisam@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 105.

Charity Auction
Finally, SEMA will host a live and silent auction during the banquet, with auction items ranging from sports memorabilia to a 2006 Victory motorcycle owned and donated by Kyle Petty. To donate an item, contact Tricia Ward at triciaw@sema.org. Some of the items include:

Kyle Petty's 2006 Victory Jackpot motorcycle (CLICK HERE to view live online auction). Donated by Kyle Petty Charity Ride.

Gibson Les Paul Custom electric guitar with Motor Trend-branded pearl-inlaid ebony fretboard. The guitar features a one-piece mahogany neck, mahogany body, carved maple top and Gibson 490R and 498T humbucker pickups. Includes Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case. One of only 15 Motor Trend-branded Les Paul Customs made. Donated by Motor Trend.

Original reproduction go kart—'93 Camaro, Official Pace Car of the 77th Indy 500. Donated by Mark Vogt, Classic Industries, on behalf of ARMO.

Brett Favre-autographed Wilson football. Donated by Rick Rollins.

Peyton Manning-autographed Wilson football. Donated by Motorola.

Lawrence Taylor-autographed Wilson football. Donated by Motorola.

Jimmy Johnson-autographed Wilson football. Donated by SEMA.

Trick Your Truck Package, including accessories from Mickey Thompson, Superlift Suspension Systems, Rampage Products, Bushwacker and more.

Greer Black Dragster replica, 1:6 scale and over 28 inches long. Donated by GMP Die Cast.

2x8 advertising space for one year on the guardwall of Virginia Motorsports Park's dragstrip, home of the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals. Donated by Virginia Motorsports Park.

HPI Racing Wheely King 4x4 R/C monster truck, featuring 4WD drivetrain, long-travel suspension and a high-torque 540 motor (click here for more details). Also offered in the auction are the E10 R/C drift car and Subaru Impreza precision diecast. Donated by HPI Racing.

General Mills "Salute to Petty" Hot Wheels diecast cars, case signed by Richard Petty. Donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp.

12-band Maximum Performance digital radar/laser detector with full-color Extreme Bright DataGraphix display. Donated by Cobra Electronics.

A signed copy of How to Wire Your Hot Rod by author Dennis Overholser. Donated by Dennis Overholser of Painless Performance.

Motorola T305 portable Bluetooth hands-free kit. Donated by Motorola.

Accura 1 Digital Tyre Inflation Gauge. Donated by PCL Air Technology.

(6) Clean Breeze Truck Screens. Donated by Clean Breeze Truck Screens.

Floorshift Tilt column (2-inch diameter, 32-inch length), polished stainless steel universal joints, Water Fall steering wheel, Water Feel steering wheel adapter, 18-inch stainless steel shaft. Donated by Flaming River Industries.

GT Toolboxes Model 111 Toolbox Hutch, size 26 x 66 x 33 with 58,375 cu in volume. Donated by GT Toolboxes.

Pilot GPS Navigation system, featuring 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD, 12,000,000 points of interest, visual- and voice-prompt turn-by-turn navigation with auto map zoom. Donated by Pilot Automotive.

Thermal Flex high-performance silicone hose (winning bidder contacts Thermal Flex for desired sizes and colors). Donated by Thermal Flex.


GPI (Great Plains Industries) Bulk Oil transfer pump, 115v and 16 quarts-per-minute flow rate. Includes hose, nozzle and suction pipe (intended use: dispensing non-flammable fluids, such as waste oil, hydraulic fluids, antifreeze and oil-based solvents). Mounts directly to tanks or barrels. Donated by GPI.


Two-piece Race Ramps. Strong, lightweight with a textured surface, and with all of the features of the 56-inch design in convenient two-piece package. Donated by Race Ramps–Brute Industries.

2006 Budweiser/Lucas Oil TF Team crew uniform shirt signed by Kenny and Brandon Bernstein. Donated by Kenny Bernstein Racing.

40th Anniversary Summit Racing Equipment leather jacket. Donated by Summit Racing Equipment.

 

Charlie 1 Horse Hat personally worn and autographed by Richard Petty. Donated by Petty Enterprises.

Cycling jersey autographed by Tim Johnson, reigning U.S. Cyclocross Champion. Donated by LEER, Truck Accessories Group.

Pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. Donated by Joel Ayres.

Stuhrling Apocalypse Skeleton 160A Men's watch with manual self-winding mechanical movement, stainless steel case and 22mm tapered silicon rubber strap.


Wireless remote controlled searchlight. Donated by Golight Inc. 

'55 Chevy neon clock. Donated by Southern Speed & Custom.

"The Morning Rush Hour" framed print. Donated by 1-800-EveryRim.com.

Original pencil drawing of a post-war-styled hot rod going flat out on dry lake bed. Used as cover art of SEMA News magazine, May 2008. Donated by artist Colby Martin.

Large painting of Wally Parks from the 2007 SEMA Show Banquet. Donated by SEMA.

Large engine painting from the 2007 SEMA Show Banquet, painted by Jean Francois Rider. Donated by SEMA.

"They Call It Detroit"— limited-edition print, framed, numbered and signed by Ken Eberts. Donated by Ken Eberts, Robert Larivee Sr. and Hot Rod Heritage Fine Arts.

(3) framed and signed Bonneville salt flats photos with (3) certificates for one year of advertising (468x60 banner) on partsdepartment.tv website. Donated by Parts Department TV.

Racing poster from the 1980 Indy 500, framed and signed by Vince Granatelli. Donated by Hayward, Tilton & Rolapp Insurance Associates Inc.

Hot rod and custom car artwork and design, framed. Donated by Kaucher Kustoms.


Original painting by Christine Breeze of Breeze Art Scottsdale. Donated by Childhelp.

The Ultimate "My Classic Car" Gift Pack: Premium "My Classic Car" goods, including a set of (6) Matchbox cars, DVD sets of 2006 and 2007 episodes, Legendary Fords DVD, autographed photo of Dennis Gage and more. Donated by Bradley David Productions.

Certificate for five-hour Performance Driving Course. Check www.bondurant.com for details. Donated by Bob Bondurant High Performance School of Driving.

Gift certificate for 50% off Borla stainless steel exhaust products. Donated by Borla Performance Industries.

(4) Saturday Top Eliminator Club tickets (TEC) and (1) TEC parking pass for either the 2008 Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals or the 2009 Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, VIP tour and a ride in the Full Throttle Express. Donated by NHRA.

(4) tickets to Los Angeles Dodgers game (vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, August 2, 7 p.m.) at Dodger Stadium. Preferred parking included. Donated by Joe Sebergandio/Motor Media Inc.

A family or individual portrait sitting plus one 16x20 canvas wall portrait. Also, a family or individual portrait sitting plus one 11x14 canvas wall portrait. Donated by Bradford Renaissance Portraits.

(2) tickets to "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Donated by SEMA Cares committee.

(2) complimentary dinners at Benihana at the Las Vegas Hilton. Donated by the Las Vegas Hilton.

(2) complimentary dinners at Casa Nicola Restaurant. Donated by Las Vegas Hilton.

(2) nights for two at Cibolo Creek Ranch, Big Bend, Texas. Meals included. Donated by Leer Truck Accessories Group/Cibolo Creek Ranch.

Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas—3-day/2-night package. Donated by Planet Hollywood.

Get Your Empties First at the 2008 SEMA Show certificate. Donated by Freeman.

Other items include:

• Package for two to the 2009 Childhelp Drive the Dream Gala, including dinner, drinks and entertainment, (2) VIP passes to the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction (January 11–18), and (2) nights stay at Marriott in Scottsdale, Arizona. Donated by Childhelp.

• (2) Half-hour golf lessons with pro Scott Miller at North Ranch Country Club, Westlake Village, California. Donated by Scott Miller/PGA.

• (2) daily tickets to any two days of the 2008 Chevron World Challenge Event (December 18–21, 2008) at Sherwood Country Club. For more details, click here. Donated by Joe Reda, Tiger Woods Foundation.

• (4) Safe-T-Boost, The Intelligent Booster Cable System, units. Donated by Autoeffex.com.

• Certificate for a World Class Driving Experience for a driver and passenger (restrictions apply). List of likely cars includes Audi R8, Ferrari F430 and Mercedes SLR McLaren. Donated by Source Interlink Media.

• Certificate for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, applicable to any Driving Experience, Ride-Along, or souvenir purchase at any of 23 tracks nationwide. For more info, visit www.1800bepetty.com. Donated by Petty Enterprises.

• SPEEDcat Express—allows manufacturers to create and present e-commerce-compliant data to consumers directly through Digital Performance's Shopping Guide Network. Donated by Digital Performance.

• One single-angle custom illustration of a vehicle done on 14x17-inch heavyweight paper and shipped in a protective tube (shipping included). Donated by Cars By Chris.

• University of Miami visor autographed by Jimmy Johnson. Donated by Greg Parker.
  

• (2) reserved NASCAR tickets to O'Reilly 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway (August 20, 2008). Donated by Dave Ferrato.

• (2) reserved NASCAR tickets to Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway (August 22, 2008). Donated by Dave Ferrato.

• (2) reserved NASCAR tickets to Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway (August 23, 2008). Donated by Dave Ferrato.

• (2) Pinewood Derby Cars. Donated by Hot Rod Industry Alliance.

The checkered flag for SEMA's inaugural Pinewood Drag Race Sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing drops tomorrow! More than 80 children from Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp, the two charities SEMA is supporting through the fundraising activities of the Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, have built race cars sponsored by generous patrons.

There's still time to make a donation to this great display of industry spirit, innovation and friendly competition! CLICK HERE.

STOCK
Matt Agosta, Steele Rubber Products
Jim Barber, C.A.R.S
Tom Brooks, Truckin' Thunder
Ronald DiVincenzo, Cap World
Donnie Eatherly, P&E Distributors
Cameron Evans, Red Line Synthetic Oil
Dennis Gage, "My Classic Car"
Eric Hoffend, Freeman
Bob Johnston, Auto Etc. Neon
Kevin Kelley, DuPont Coating Solutions
Kelly Kneifl, TruXedo/Extang
Peter MacGillivray, SEMA
Sam Mandlin, Egge Machine Co. Inc.
Alise Miner, SEMA Business Technology Committee
Alise Miner, SEMA, Alise and the Postettes
Dennis Overholser, HRIA/Las Vegas Rod & Custom
Dennis Overholser, HRIA/Vintage Air
David Stutts, Hot Rod Air
Tony Thacker, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
Andy Wadhera, Cal Trend Automotive Products

MODIFIED
Joel Ayres, Truck Accessories Group
Brian Breslin, Bowdoin Marketing
Russ Deane, Trainum, Snowden & Deane
Franco Ganino, Alliant Insurance Services
Joey Granatelli, Granatelli Motor Sports
Chris Kersting, SEMA
John McLeod, Classic Instruments
Dan Peterson, Gotta Show Products
Bob Price, Prairie Wolf Partners
Adan Reinosa, Pareto Point Industries
Robert Rice, Cotton Fever
David Stutts, Hot Rod Air
Alex Tainsh, TrimParts
David Toyota, New Zealand Australian Companies
Dave Williams, Rampage Products
Trish Yunick, Carbon Press

UNLIMITED
Jim Cozzie, Zoom Performance Products
Eric Hoffend, Freeman
Steve Kelley, Extang
Jerry McNair, CMTC
Scott O'Toole, Motor State Distributing
Jeff Pressman, ConvExx
Margaret Restuccia, Daddy's Girlz
Jim Spoonhower, SEMA
David Stutts, Hot Rod Air
Bob West, Westin Automotive
Mitch Williams, Pilot Automotive
Mike Spagnola, Street Scene Equipment

TEAM OWNERS
Joe Britt, Gotcha Racing
Luanne Brown, eTool Developers
Martin Brown, GAHH
Jason Cenora, 281 Motorsports
Irv Cohen, MRC Select Committee
Robert Colvin, Experient
Laurel Dasher, MSD Performance
Rich Dwyer, K&N Engineering
Carlos Estevez, Pervo Paint Company
Chris Fairless, R&R Marketing
Michael Fiore, Fellers
Ron Funfar, Hedman Hedders
Ira Gabriel, Motor Trend
Mark Gibbs, Mother Truckers
John Iannotte, MRC Select Committee Council
Wade Kawasaki, Avanche Corp.
Steve Keyes, Volkswagen of America
Myles Kovacs, DUB Publishing
Brad Kurtz, Transportation Management Services
Jonathan Lamas, About.com Mustangs
Thomas Malloy
Jim Marino, Wes-Coast Marketing
Pat McFarland, Hypertech
Ron McMillan, Catering Solutions
Casey Meints, Campways Truck Accessory World
Bill Miller, SEMA
Ralph Miser, All American Canopies
Tony Napoli, American Speed Center
Bill Perry, Bill Perry & Associates
Rick Rollins, Rollins Performance Marketing/Consulting
Hartmut Schroeder, Snugtop
Harry Schwartz, Schwartz Event Group
Rich Sherman, Automotive Enterprises
Mark Toebben, DCi
Greg Underkoffler, Phase One/Ad One
Van Woodell, Weathers Auto Supply
Todd Yeoman, American Technology Components
Kim Ziebell, Bushwacker

RACE SPONSORS
Debbie Fragola, Fragola Performance Systems
Brad Kurtz, Transportation Management Services
Jennifer Lyons, Mechanix Wear
Harry Schwartz, Schwartz Event Group

DONORS
Kevin Kojian, CMTC
Colby Martin, SEMA
Sarah Rodriguez, Childhelp
Meredith Shrimanker-West, Victory Junction Gang Camp

For further information about the race and its rules, click here or contact Race Director Mike Spagnola at mike@streetsceneeq.com for details.

Planning and preparing for the 2008 SEMA Show is now just a click away. The Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM), one of the most valuable and essential resources for SEMA Show exhibitors, is available and accessible online. In previous years, one hard copy was sent to each exhibiting company's Show contact.

This year, all eligible staff members will be able to access relevant Show information from the electronic manual, which allows exhibitors to enter the New Products Showcase, apply to conduct a press conference, update directory listings, display a feature vehicle, arrange for booth carpet, electricity, food and beverages, announce a celebrity guest appearance, and more.

The online ESM is available by clicking here. Hard copies are also available upon request. For a hard copy, contact the Show Management Exhibitor Services Department at 702/450-7662 or exhibit-SEMA@convexx.com.

Important:  All the forms for all contractors, SEMA and Show Management are available under the “FORMS & BROCHURES” link located in the left column of the online services manual. If this is your first time using Freeman online and you intend to order products or services from Freeman, click on the LOGIN link to register.

If you do not receive an e-mail notification by July 25, contact Show Management at 702/450-7662, ext. 120. If you misplaced your Freeman Online password, contact Freeman Exhibitor Services Department at 702/407-4696.

Local automotive manufacturers find it increasingly difficult to meet global quality standards while generating adequate financial results. A partnership between Cerritos College and its automotive aftermarket industry partners, including SEMA, California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), is designed to assist the regional aftermarket industry—primarily composed of small companies with limited resources—in developing world-class quality products, manufacturing techniques and improved financial results.

The program is designed to improve automotive manufacturing in two specific areas. First, compliance with new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) global quality specifications required by OEMs, including General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler, as well as import manufacturers. The second objective is to reduce the skill gap between the existing workforce and the skill sets required in the global marketplace.

The project provides continual skill set upgrades for both incumbent and prospective workers through a Career Pathway certificate program. Classes include:

Product Development in a Global Economy: This course will introduce students to product development in a global economy. Students will learn about identifying customer needs, generating specifications, selecting concepts, selecting a fabrication or procurement process, generating a prototype and testing the product. Emphasis will be placed on the lean product development system model and how to integrate suppliers, either local or global, into the product development process.

Innovation Using Rapid Prototyping: This course will introduce students to the technology of rapid prototyping used in automotive aftermarket innovations. Additive and subtractive technologies will be introduced. The focus of the class will be on performance, suspension, lighting, interior and exterior style products used in the automotive field. Students will also learn about how to import and export models from and to rapid prototyping software packages. Digital point-to-point and laser triangulation scanning in 3D will also be introduced in this class.

Advanced Tooling and Materials for New Product Development: This course will introduce students to the tooling and materials used in new-product development. Students will learn about metallic and non-metallic materials used in the design of tooling. Emphasis will be placed on the lean development of tooling and how to integrate suppliers to reduce overall cost of product development.

Productivity in Automotive Aftermarket Manufacturing: This course will introduce students to productivity issues in new-product development for the automotive aftermarket. Students will learn about proper process selection used in the design of new products. Emphasis will be placed on the lean development of tooling and how to integrate suppliers to reduce overall cost of product development.

Electronic Systems and Integration in Automotive Aftermarket: This course will introduce students to electronic systems and integration in automotive aftermarket products. Students will learn about the role of electronics in sound, light, instrumentation, wheels, security, exhaust, fuel and emissions systems. Emphasis will be placed on understanding existing vehicle systems and how to integrate newly designed components.

Quality Systems for Automotive Industries ISO 16949: This course is a survey of ISO16949, the quality standard used in automotive industries. Students will learn about the relationship of ISO16949 with other quality systems and the importance of registration. Emphasis will be placed on how to implement the standard and recognizing how auditors interpret the standard.

Ultimately, the project is designed to improve the financial and operating results of automotive manufacturing by providing a world-class standard of product innovation, manufacturing and quality workforce skill sets that will improve revenues and contain costs.

Follow the “How do I register for a class” link at: http://cms.cerritos.edu/npd. The first two classes offered in the series are NPD 101 (Innovation Using Rapid Prototyping) and NPD 103 (Advanced Tooling and Materials for New Product Development). Classes will start the week of August 18, 2008.

For more information, contact Nick Real at yreal@cerritos.edu, or call 562/860-2451, ext. 2925.

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

As part of SEMA’s Aftermarket Survival Webinar Series, last Thursday’s webinar, entitled “Leverage Your Company’s Strengths in a Difficult Market” presented by Mike Madden, demonstrated how members do not need to invest in new product development in order to overcome economic challenges and market shifts, but can instead use existing tools at hand.

Madden presented a process for financial improvement built on product innovation, which can include changes in product description, slight product changes and the development of different distribution channels.

“Product innovation doesn’t have to be radical,” Madden said. “It can be evolutionary. It’s sometimes nothing more than finding better ways to describe your products to customers that communicates more clearly the benefit that they will receive, or more clearly the reason they should believe that they will actually get the benefit that you talk about.”

Madden also advised members to put out a quality product as soon as it is possible in order to get revenues flowing.

“Never delay to produce and put on the market a gold-plated product with all the bells and whistles,” Madden said. “If you can build a quality product right now, get it out there, start the revenues flowing.”

At the same time, he stated the importance of staged releases of product improvements.

“The obvious truth here is that small, continuous, evolutionary product modification can benefit total revenues over the life of a product. It may also extend the product life cycle over a much longer period of time.”

For an audio or a PDF download of this webinar, along with an archive of past webinars, click here. Also, don’t miss these upcoming webinars:

Thursday, July 31, 2008 - “Highly Effective Low-Cost Marketing Strategies,” 10:00 a.m. (PDT)
Thursday, August 14, 2008 – “Inventor Management: Mark It Down, Move It Out, Make More Money,” 10 a.m. (PDT)

Filler for eNews

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, expected to debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, will likely use S-Class styling cues, including a more sculpted wide-frame grille and wedge-shaped profile, according to automotive spy photographer Brenda Priddy. Internally named "W212," the E-Class will get the usual V6/V8 options, along with a naturally aspirated 6.3L, 500-plus horsepower V8 mill in the E63 AMG variant pictured here.

Priddy says that driver assistance appears to be a major theme for W212, with lane-departure warnings, eye-movement monitor, road-condition sensors and stability control to account for crosswinds, camber changes and tire wear among the anticipated features.