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Participate in the next SEMA webinar on June 5, "Managing Your Cash Flow During Challenging Times," to learn budgeting and cash-flow management tips that will help you develop a realistic plan for a slowing economy.

Title: Managing Your Cash Flow During Challenging Times

When: Thursday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

Presenter: Tom Shay, CSP, Profits Plus

Introduction by: Eric Breslow, Chairman, SEMA Sport-Compact Council

Sponsored by: SEMA Sport-Compact Council

You may have mastered making a profit in your business, but is the cash always there to drive it? Small-business expert Tom Shay shows you how to accurately project the cash and inventory needs of your business for the coming year by utilizing your previous profit and loss statements and an Excel chart. Attend this session and be prepared to create your plan of success for 2009. Here is what you will learn during Tom’s presentation:

• How to create an effective operating budget (it is far easier than you may think)
• Why a budget should not be the only planning tool to manage your business
• The difference in historical and projectionary cash-flow management
• Why every business should utilize a cash-flow chart

Webinar participants are invited and encouraged to ask questions during the live Q&A session at the conclusion of the webinar. Get the feedback you need through this unique opportunity to speak directly to Tom Shay and pick up some tips that apply to your business.

To join this webinar on June 5, click here.

The SEMA webinar “Use Online Testing for Higher Profits/Lower Costs - Test the Effectiveness of Your Online Marketing” featured several tips designed to test the elements of your marketing strategy to identify what doesn’t work before your company wastes resources for undesirable results.

Presenter Brian Offenberger of BizGrowth Search Engine Solutions says that testing is important and allows you to generate the maximum amount of return on the minimum amount invested. “Testing will help you learn what your customer wants, but more importantly, it is also an effective way to learn what customers are willing to pay for.”

One effective and simple tactic to use when evaluating your online marketing is A/B or split testing, where one variable is tested to discover what works the best (i.e., black or blue font in a headline). 

He suggests to begin testing the aspects of your marketing directly impact you bottom line. The most common elements to test are:

• Ad Copy
• Promotional Offers
• Landing-Page Design
• E-mail Marketing Messaging and Subject Lines

“It is very important that you test your ad copy,” says Offenberger. I worked for clients where all we did was change one word of the ad copy. That one word change resulted in a 3000% better response.” 

The webinar expands the types of testing beyond one variable to include tactics for multivariate approach, the testing of multiple combinations of elements. The entire audio and Power Point presentation is available for download by clicking here.

Although it’s a year away, the freshened 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-class is showing its new face, caught here by spy photographer Brenda Priddy. Highlights include a new front fascia with a sculpted bumper and fog lamps, new side-view mirrors with more stylish turn signals and slightly modified headlamp layout.

Priddy says this model also features LED daytime running lights fitted to the outer edges of the fog lamps, although it's unclear if this will be a feature in all markets. A slightly re-designed rear bumper rounds out the facelift. Engine choices, however, will remain unchanged.

Kia Motors America is now accepting project-vehicle proposals for companies seeking to build a Kia-themed project vehicle for the 2008 SEMA Show, November 4–7, in Las Vegas. Kia's vehicles offered through the program include the Rio, Rondo, Sportage and all-new Borrego. 

The deadline to submit project-vehicle proposals to Kia is May 27, 2008.

Kia Proposal Guidelines

Submissions should include:

1. Vehicle/Project Theme: Include target market or description of intended customer. 

2. Modification Plan: A list of specific vehicle modification and system upgrades, including partnered sources if appropriate. 

3. Promotion Plan: A proposed list of intended events, trade shows, publications, etc., where the vehicle will be promoted. Availability for the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, is required. Please state where the vehicle will be displayed at the SEMA Show and who will sponsor the vehicle if it is placed in a feature spot. A booth space is strongly preferred.

4. Illustrations: Two copies of the proposal and rendering on 8½ x 11 paper are required. The color rendering should illustrate front and side appearance (composite 3/4-views are acceptable) with the intended color and graphic scheme. If the interior will be significantly modified, an interior sketch is recommended as well. An electronic file in PDF format is also required.

5. Schedule: A proposed reporting process to communicate project status to KMA is also requested.

SEMA members interested in developing a Kia Motors America project vehicle for the 2008 SEMA Show are encouraged to prepare a Project Description Plan and submit it to:

Steve Hirashiki  
Kia Motors America    
111 Peters Canyon Road   
Irvine, CA 92606-1790
E-mail:  shirashiki@kiausa.com
Fax: 949/468-4905

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Proposals for new wilderness areas in the Southwestern portion of the country were approved by the House Natural Resources Committee. The bills were modified from their original versions to incorporate several technical changes at the request of federal officials and various stakeholders.

By law, wilderness areas generally prohibit roads and the use of motorized vehicles. The issue is consequential to SEMA members as off-roaders will have less riding areas in the region and potentially less demand for OHV equipment. Currently there are more than 20 other wilderness bills pending before Congress. 

Among the bills approved by the House was a proposal that would expand federal protection to 190,000 acres of Southern California desert and forest by creating four new wilderness areas and increasing the size of six existing areas. In addition, it would add about 5,000 acres to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Under the bill, 41,000 acres of Joshua Tree National Park would be labeled "potential wilderness" until the National Park Service settles property claims, at which point they would become true wilderness areas. 

A second California proposal creating a wilderness area in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park was also approved by the House Natural Resources Committee. The bill would designate approximately 70,000 acres in the Mineral King Valley as wilderness. The area was added to the National Park system in 1978 after the Walt Disney Co. attempted to build a ski area there. The current proposal would also add an additional 43,500 acres to an existing wilderness area within the park.

After several months of negotiations, the Committee also approved a bill creating the Sabinoso Wilderness Area in northeast New Mexico. Through continued discussions with the Bureau of Land Management and other stakeholders, the amount of land in the proposal was reduced from 19,880 acres to 15,995 acres.

SEMA continues to support land-use decisions that allow local communities and government authorities to participate in the decision-making process. Within that context, SEMA supports the conservation of land and protection of wildlife together with appropriate, regulated use of motorized vehicles on federal lands.

Details: Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released three new management plans covering two national monuments and millions of acres in a remote area of northern Arizona. The proposal, compiled in a single environmental impact statement, covers 2.8 million acres of federal land from north of the Grand Canyon to the Utah border.

Specifically, the plans allow for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on more than 1,700 miles of existing trails and dirt roads in the monuments and across other portions of the management area. This is significant to SEMA members whose products or services are used by enthusiasts as these roads and trails will be remain accessible for OHV use.

All three plans will outline how the areas will be managed for development, mineral recovery and off-highway vehicle recreation for the next 20 years. The 3,000-page document is based on public input and ongoing collaboration with 10 different agencies and tribes in the area. For the most part, the plans emphasize minimal "human influence and use" in more remote areas and greater use near local communities or in areas that are already seeing significant use.

Copies of the management plans can be accessed online at www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/planning/strip/reports/asfo_ROD.html.

For further details, contact Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org.

NEW PROMOTER: Andretti Green Promotions has purchased the assets of the former Grand Prix Association of Toronto and will present the popular Canadian race as an IndyCar Series event next season.

DEBUT: Toyota’s new USAC Silver Crown engine will debut in Friday night’s Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It will run in the 6-R Racing entry piloted by Brian Tyler.

AWARD WINNER: Bishop Steering Technology received the annual BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

DRAGS: Melanie Troxel became the second female to win an NHRA Funny Car event and one of 14 drivers to have won a national event in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Meanwhile, Dave Connolly collected Chevrolet’s 150th NHRA Pro Stock triumph.

NO. 60: The Little 500 sprint-car race, a 500-lap event on a quarter-mile track at Anderson Speedway in Indiana, celebrates its 60th running on Saturday night.

POWER RANKINGS: NASCAR driver Kyle Busch remained at 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.

TROXEL EARNS FIRST FUNNY CAR WIN; SCHUMACHER AND CONNOLLY JOIN HER ON PODIUM IN BRISTOL: Becoming the first woman and the 14th driver overall to win in both nitro categories, Melanie Troxel joined an elite group of drivers when she defeated Mike Neff for her first Funny Car win. Despite not winning a single round of eliminations in three races and not qualifying for four races, Troxel made history, joining Ashley Force as the second woman to win in the ultra-competitive category.
    In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher earned his category leading third win of the season. This kept him atop the point standings ahead of former Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Antron Brown. Pro Stock’s Dave Connolly kept his tremendous return to racing going. He won his first race of the season in only his third race. Connolly defeated Greg Stanfield to move from 18th to 14th in the points. He is only 83 points out of the coveted top 10.

NHRA STARS TO VISIT COCA-COLA 600 TO PROMOTE NHRA CAROLINAS NATIONALS: Several of NHRA’s elite drivers, including defending NHRA POWERade Series world champions Jeg Coughlin and Matt Smith, and John Force Racing’s John Force and Mike Neff, will attend next week’s Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR event to promote the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway @ Concord. The NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway @ Concord, September 11–14, will be the 19th of 24 events in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Series and the first event in the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs. For more information on the visit click here.

TROXEL AND JOHNSON TO VISIT AARWBA MEDIA AT INDY: Melanie Troxel, who just drove her Funny Car to a win in Bristol, Tennessee, and her Funny Car racing husband, Tommy Johnson Jr., will be meeting with the media during the annual AARWBA Breakfast on Saturday, May 24. The two will be interviewed by ESPN2 announcer Paul Page.

KALITTA PROVES HE CAN TURN CIRCLES IN NHRA CIRCLE TRACK CHALLENGE: Participating in his second circle track race of the season, Doug Kalitta earned his second win at the NHRA Circle Tack Challenge on Saturday. Kalitta, who started ninth in the 15-car field of NHRA all-stars, took the lead from Pro Stock racer Allen Johnson on lap 10 of a total 12 laps.
    “I tell you it was tough out there,” Kalitta said. “I had to work hard out there, but I had a lot of fun. I really appreciate the fact that I had the opportunity to do this.”
    Kalitta’s other win on a circle track came earlier in the season in Las Vegas. For more information about his win, click here.

BROWNSBURG TEAMS TO OPEN SHOP DOORS TO PUBLIC: Building off of a successful event last year, the Brownsburg Motorsports Network will hold its second annual Open House Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. NHRA race teams located in Brownsburg, Indiana, such as John Force Racing, Don Schumacher Racing, David Powers Motorsports and Gotham City Racing will participate in this event that allows fans and media the opportunity to visit the shops of some of the top teams in NHRA POWERade Drag Racing. The event will also include a silent auction of racing items with the proceeds going to local youth programs. For more information on this event, visit www.nhra.com.

LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS TO SPONSOR LUCAS OIL SUPERNATIONALS: NHRA has announced that Lucas Oil Products will be the title sponsor of the 2008 Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, June 19–22. Lucas Oil Products has sponsored many events through the years in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Currently, the company sponsors the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota.
    Along with their sponsorship of the two races, Lucas Oil flies its colors on the Top Fuel dragster driven by Morgan Lucas, the Pro Stock car of Larry Morgan and the Pro Stock Motorcycle of Hector Arana.
    “NHRA is pleased to have Lucas Oil Products as the title sponsor of the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president, sales and marketing, NHRA. “We appreciate Lucas Oil’s deep involvement with NHRA racing from the sportsman through the professional ranks. To have them involved with the race in New Jersey is tremendous.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, MAY 30–JUNE 1: Entering the ninth race of the NHRA POWERade Series, drivers will look to gain precious points in their quest to qualify for the Countdown to 1. Defending event winners include: Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel); Mike Ashley (Funny Car); and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). 

TORCO RACING FUELS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, JUNE 5–8: The NHRA POWERade Series heads to “The Windy City” for the 10th race of the season and second half of the regular season Countdown to 10. Defending event winners include: Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Gary Scelzi (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). 

LUCAS OIL NHRA SUPERNATIONALS, OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK, JUNE 19–22: The drivers of the NHRA POWERade Series return to this historic track in New Jersey. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Craig Treble (Pro Stock Motorcycle).  

HE SAID, SHE SAID
 
HUNGER GETS YOU THE WIN: “We were hungry,” Dave Connolly said after his first win of 2008. “We definitely wanted to get our first 2008 race win, and I’m glad we were able to get it in Bristol. It’s kind of a home race for us, and we won it in front of a lot of friends.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

1: The number of times that women have raced against each other in Funny Car eliminations. This was accomplished on Sunday in the quarterfinals when Melanie Troxel defeated Ashley Force. The first time women raced against each other in eliminations was 36 years ago when Shirley Muldowney raced against Lucille Lee in a Top Fuel final in Columbus, Ohio.

DID YOU KNOW…
 
…that when Heartland Park Topeka opened in 1989, it was the first major motorsports facility built in North America since 1968. It now offers a 2.5-mile Grand Prix road course, a 1.625-mile Club Course, a 1.75-mile stock car road course, a state-of-the-art quarter-mile dragstrip, a nine-tenths-mile off-road dirt course, a three-eighths-mile dirt oval, numerous test track configurations and a paddock for more than 600 race cars.
 
For more information, visit www.nhra.com.