Soaring gas prices caused the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to raise the standard business-mileage deduction by 8 cents to 58.5 cents for all business miles driven between July 1 and December 31, 2008. 

It is unusual for the IRS to make a mid-year adjustment. The mileage calculation also includes all other aspects of buying and operating a vehicle such as depreciation, insurance, and tires. Businesses and individuals who use their car for business have the option of using the standard rate in lieu of keeping records of their actual expenses.

The adjusted 2008 standard rate of 58.5 cents per mile applies to the use of automobiles (including vans, pickups and panel trucks) for business purposes. 

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein: stuartg@sema.org.

ON THE MOVE: It appears Mark Martin will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season and join Hendrick Motorsports, replacing Casey Mears in the No. 5 Sprint Cup machine. Martin would share the ride with another driver. As well, Aric Almirola will move into the ride he currently shares with Martin at DEI full time.

DIED: Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Scott Kalitta, 46, died Saturday from injuries suffered in a violent crash during a Funny Car qualifying run at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. The remainder of the event was completed in his honor. A public memorial service will be held Thursday in Norwalk, Ohio, where the NHRA competes this weekend.

DONATION: Iowa Corn Indy 250 winner Dan Wheldon and his teammate, fourth-place finisher Scott Dixon, donated their winnings to the flood relief effort in the state of Iowa. The donation is approximately $60,000.

A MEETING: Representatives of 11 engine manufacturers will participate in a manufacturer’s roundtable at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week. The idea is to discuss possible engine regulations that would be put into place for the 2011 IndyCar Series season.

POWER RANKINGS: With his 11th NASCAR victory and fifth Sprint Cup Series triumph of the season Sunday at Infineon Raceway, Kyle Busch returned to the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings. The National Speed Sport News Power Rankings are published weekly in the 74-year-old motorsports publication.

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

SCOTT KALITTA MEMORIAL SERVICE SET: A public memorial service to celebrate the life of Scott Kalitta will be held Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m., at Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center, 350 Shady Lane Dr., Norwalk, OH 44857. The Kalitta family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School and B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe). For more information on those programs, including addresses and contact information, visit www.nhra.com. Kalitta, 46, died Saturday, June 21, from multiple injuries suffered in a high-speed racing accident during the fourth round of qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey.

KALITTA MOTORSPORTS PLANS TO COMPETE IN NORWALK EVENT: Following the tragic death of teammate, family member and friend Scott Kalitta, the remaining Kalitta Motorsports drivers, Doug Kalitta, Dave Grubnic and Hillary Will, along with their teams, will compete this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 26–29 in Norwalk, Ohio.
    “We’re a race team, and that’s what we do,” said Jim Oberhofer, Kalitta Motorsports general manager. “Scott was a drag racer to the core, and he would want us to compete in Norwalk, so we’re going to go racing this weekend. Our thoughts will of course be with his wife, Kathy, and his sons, Corey and Colin, and [Father] Connie, but we feel it’s the right thing to do.”

SCHUMACHER, WILKERSON, ANDERSON, ELLIS WIN IN SOMBER SETTING AT ENGLISHTOWN: In a day overshadowed by the loss of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, Tony Schumacher, Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson and Chip Ellis won in their perspective categories at the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey, this past weekend.
    For Schumacher, his first win in 12 years of competition at the famed track and 46th career win (moving him within six of Joe Amato for the most all-time wins in the category) was a difficult one in view of the situation surrounding the event. “Today’s race was extremely tough to get through from an emotional standpoint,” said Schumacher. “But we managed to take car of business like Scott would have wanted us to.”
    Wilkerson’s win in Funny Car was his third in four final round appearances this season. It also strengthened his lead in the point standings over second-place Ashley Force by 132. Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson picked up his third win of the season and 54th at the event, while Chip Ellis found the winner’s circle for the first time in over two years in Pro Stock Motorcycle. For more on the event, including driver quotes and reactions from the day, visit www.nhra.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, JUNE 26–29: Heading back to Norwalk for the second annual event, drivers in all four categories have a chance to build up the points needed before the end of the regular season. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Mike Ashley (Funny Car); Dave Connolly (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, JULY 11–13: The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series returns to the Mile-High city for the beginning of the Western Swing and 50th anniversary of Bandimere Speedway. Defending event winners include Rod Fuller (Top Fuel); Jack Beckman (Funny Car); Allen Johnson (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

SCHUCK’S AUTO SUPPLY NHRA NATIONALS, PACIFIC RACEWAYS, JULY 18–20: The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series heads to the northwest for the second race on the famed Western Swing. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Jack Beckman (Funny Car); and Dave Connolly (Pro Stock).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

REMEMBERING A CHAMPION:

“Scott was great! I just loved being around him.”—Brandon Bernstein

“Scott was a racer’s racer, and we were, of course, thinking about him and his family and team all day long. He would’ve wanted everybody out here racing.”—Melanie Troxel

“Even though it was tough to race today, I know Scott would have kicked me in the butt and said, ‘Suck it up; quit being a wimp.’”—Ron Capps

“As far as I’m concerned, Scott Kalitta was already a legend, and he’ll be one forever because he was a champion on the track and a champion off it.”—Del Worsham

For more driver quotes, visit the Scott Kalitta special section on www.nhra.com.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2-18-20: The career statistics for Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta. Two consecutive world championships in Top Fuel (1994, 1995), 18 wins (17 in Top Fuel, 1 in Funny Car) and 20 No. 1 qualifiers (19 in Top Fuel, 1 in Funny Car).

DID YOU KNOW…

…that Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta finished within the top five in the POWERade Point Standings six times and in the top ten 10 times in his 26 year career.

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

Dura Automotive Systems announced that on an interim basis, Dura’s current audit committee chairman Nick Preda will assume CFO responsibilities for the company. The move was made after the departure of former CFO Tim Trenary. Dura also announced that it will soon begin the search process for a permanent CFO.

Falken Tire Corp. promoted Bruce Ware to vice president of sales. Ware had been serving as the company’s executive director of corporate accounts. In his new position, Ware is responsible for all of Falken’s sales activities in North America.

The team at A.R.E. announced that they made a stop at Toyota’s manufacturing facility in San Antonio during the 2008 A.R.E. National Dealer Meeting. A.R.E. brought the 2007 Tundra WorkForce along for the trip. The project Tundra WorkForce is a Toyota image vehicle that A.R.E. designed and built to promote the Tundra’s status as the ultimate workhorse for industrious truck owners.

Left to Right: Bryan Baker, A.R.E. director of marketing; Larry Zimmerer, Toyota national fleet/commercial/accessory marketing manager; and Todd Hoffman, A.R.E. vice president of sales and marketing.

Sea Ray Boats announced that Sony Electronics will provide stereo head units for Sea Rays complete 2009 line of vessels. Sony is also a major sponsor of Sea Ray's AquaPalooza, a large boating party set for the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri this July.    

Click the logo to visit HRIA's website.

A Message From HRIA Chair-Elect Dennis Overholser

Fellow Council Leaders:

HRIA has purchased two Pinewood cars for the upcoming Pinewood Drag Race at the Gala. Each committee person has chipped in with a donation, and two committee members are building the cars. After the races the cars will be donated to the two charities—one for each charity—for the kids to enjoy. I challenge each of you to do the same: To not only help the kids with a cash donation, but the more cars we can give them, the more fun they can have in the future.

Dennis Overholser,
HRIA Chair-Elect

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News
Read HRIA's column featured in the May/June issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about HRIA, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

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Filler for eNews

SEMA Show exhibitors: Get some extra company exposure at the 2008 SEMA Show by offering your products to builders through the SEMA Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. Included each week in SEMA eNews, the list is accessed by hundreds of builders seeking the pieces that add extra flair to their project vehicles. Product placement opportunities such as this are so beneficial that many exhibitors offer products for free or at a greatly reduced rate.

Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are:

>> PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July, 9–11, 2008, Mexico City
>> 2008 Aftermarket eForum, July 14–16, 2008, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago
>> SEMA Internet Symposium, July 25, Irvine, California
>> SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Friday, July 25, Irvine, California
>> SEMA Show 2008, November 4–7, 2008, Las Vegas  

Maximize your SEMA Show return on investment by utilizing the tips presented in the SEMA Webinar, "SEMA Show: Money Well Spent for Your Business."

Whether your company is new to the SEMA Show or a longtime exhibitor, Chuck Swartz (CEM/Chairman, ConvExx Show Management) has the insight and information needed to get the most out of your SEMA Show investment. Schwartz has managed the SEMA Show for the past 27 years, and his recent webinar presentation, “SEMA Show: Money Well Spent for Your Business,” shows exhibitors how to create a Show gameplan and budget, attract media attention and generate new business.

Below are some excerpts from the presentation. To download this valuable SEMA webinar in its entirety, visit www.sema.org/webinar and access the link on the right-hand side of the page.    

• One of the main points emphasized by Schwartz was to get a good return on investment by completing all of the preparation for the Show on time. This includes securing a hotel room, shipping freight on time, obtaining lead retrieval rentals, ordering food service and more. “If you do everything on schedule, you’ll save money,” he said.  
  
  
• Schwartz pointed out that each company must establish its own Show objectives. Determine what your company would like to accomplish at the Show—announce a product launch, introduce a new company, strengthen your brand, or find new customers.
  
  
• “Today, the reality is that not many companies make actual sales at the Show,” said Schwartz. “Even the bigger buyers—performance WDs, aftermarket chains—don’t make many purchases at the Show. There are some sales made throughout the Show, but don’t count on it.” Schwartz has witnessed the change in the business aspects of the Show over the years and the evolution of how to measure a company’s return on investment. “What’s important is to get leads, make contacts and network,” he said. Another benefit of the Show often overlooked by companies is the opportunity to meet with existing customers. Schwartz explained, “Customer retention is vital to your company. The reality is that it's more expensive to retain a new customer than it is to keep an old one.”

The SEMA Show is set for Tuesday–Friday, November 4–7, in Las Vegas. For complete SEMA Show information, visit www.SEMAShow.com. 

SEMA's Webinar Program
The SEMA webinar program brings the world-class business seminars featured during the SEMA Show Education Week 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.

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, a true 21st century sports car, will be the official vehicle of the 2008 SEMA Show. 
 
Held Tuesday–Friday, November 4–7, 2008, in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show is the world’s leading automotive accessories trade show.
 
“The influence that the Camaro has had on the automotive industry and vehicle personalization is undeniable,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Since the car was introduced in 1967, enthusiasts have fallen in love with the Camaro. It’s simply a great example of the passion and excitement that comes from this industry.”
 
After 35 years of continuous production, the Camaro was taken off the assembly line in 2002. Chevrolet introduced a concept version of the popular vehicle in early 2006, announcing later that year that a new generation of the Camaro would be forthcoming. That vehicle is set to debut in 2009.
 
“We are so excited about the return of the Camaro,” said Ed Peper, North America vice president, Chevrolet. “The Camaro brings technology and great design to consumers early next year, we are looking forward to bringing this much anticipated vehicle to the Show in Las Vegas.”
 
General Motors, through several of its vehicle brands, including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Saturn, is a longtime supporter of the SEMA Show. The automaker has exhibited at the event since 1996 and also demonstrates a strong commitment to vehicle personalization by collaborating in numerous SEMA programs that make it easier and more cost-effective for its members to develop products for their vehicles. These programs allow SEMA members to obtain vehicles in advance of the public, access confidential drawings and data on new vehicles and be recognized for their creativity and design achievements.
 
“We could not be more pleased to be working with the General Motors family at the SEMA Show,” said MacGillivray. “The automaker has a long and deep history with our industry, and it’s evident through the vehicles that they manufacture.”
 
Also at the 2008 SEMA Show will be a dozen of the world’s leading automakers, where thousands of display vehicles will be outfitted with custom wheels and tires, mobile electronics, performance products, accessories and more. Each year, more than 130,000 industry professionals attend the event, which is open exclusively to automotive professionals. Additional details about and registration for the 2008 SEMA Show are available at www.SEMAShow.com.
 
Produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the SEMA Show is the premier automotive accessories trade event in the world. The event serves the $38.1 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry, which allows drivers to personalize and enhance their vehicle’s appearance, performance, comfort, convenience, safety and fun.

Visit www.SEMAShow.com or www.sema.org for more information.