Proof at last that the Panamera range will not end the Porsche success story is the new "baby" Cayenne, likely to be called the Roxster, says spy shooter Brenda Priddy. Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking is dead serious about launching the company’s fifth model Priddy says, and grabbed the pictures to prove it as the small ute—Porsche's answer to BMW's X3—was leaving the company's Stuttgart headquarters.  

Following the successful Cayenne, built with partner Volkswagen, the new Roxster may use components of Audi’s all-new Q5. It might also herald Porsche’s entry into the diesel segment. Without an oil-burner in this class, failure in Europe is almost guaranteed.

By providing SEMA manufacturing members the ability to perform a vehicle measuring session from their desktops, the SEMA Technology Transfer program proves that member companies can cut production costs while delivering a higher-quality product.

SEMA’s Technology Transfer program offers members computer-aided design (CAD) data sourced directly from the OEMs. CAD allows engineers to draw their designs on a computer in a simulated three-dimensional environment. Prior to the development of that technology, engineers had to develop and draft their designs on blueprint paper, defining their creations in two dimensions. That medium made it difficult to share plans with supplier partners and inform all parties of any changes made to the design. Instead, today’s engineers can design a component on CAD software, such as Solidworks, Unigraphics or CATIA, save the design in a shareable format and release it electronically to any partners.
    
“Members who have used this program once come back again and again because designing their products any other way without the data from the Tech Transfer program makes little business sense to them,” said SEMA Vehicle Product Data Analyst Oscar Muñoz, who oversees operations for the program.

The program allows members to reduce development-cycle costs because of the time saved in locating and measuring a vehicle. There is also less expense in materials and time spent in producing prototypes. Members who use this program can also put their products on the market faster than their competitors.

“Before this program, the design process was much longer, and the end result was not as accurate,” said Ryan D. Zwicker of Vintage Air Inc. “This is a very valuable service for us and others in our industry. Having access to accurate CAD data allows us to develop products that not only look good, but perform well and install easily.”
    
One concern that manufacturers face when physically measuring a vehicle is something known as tolerance stacking. In producing some 600,000 trucks, for example, slight variances could occur due to wear on equipment, changes in temperature or deflection of the components after assembly. A tonneau cover could be built based on the measurements of a truck that was slightly larger than the average, creating a loose-fitting product.

CAD alleviates the problem of tolerance stacking since the design file contains the exact measurements to which the component is to be made—known as nominal tolerances—without any of the tolerance stacking we discussed earlier. The CAD data can also be used to test-fit the product and check for potential interference with the surrounding parts. Members can add more advanced software tool sets that further enhance production and development efforts, including Finite Element Analysis (material strength testing), Kinematics and Dynamics (which simulate the product in motion), Manufacturing (CNC/machining tool-path simulation) and Mold Design (tool design and optimization).

The Technology Transfer program provides the most accurate data available for current production vehicles and a backlog of components dating back to model-year 2002. SEMA’s database contains information on more than 40,000 components received to date, including engine, suspension, steering, body, drivetrain and interior parts and assemblies. SEMA’s partnerships with Chrysler, Ford, GM and Scion allow the association to submit requests for data on an ongoing basis.

“For a small aftermarket company such as ours, time and man-hours are precious commodities,” said Chad Jones of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. “When developing a new product, many man-hours can be involved in simply assembling an engine or other vehicle components to determine the validity of a new design. With access to CAD models, such as engines, drivetrains, suspension and related components, we are able to develop new products on the computer utilizing these models without the added cost of labor.”

For more information, visit www.sema.org/techtransfer. You can also contact Oscar Muñoz or Gary Pis at Techtransfer@sema.org or call 909/396-0289.

To read the full report on SEMA’s Technology Transfer program, click www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?id=59520.

For more original SEMA market research, visit www.sema.org/research.

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CHEVY THUNDER: Chevrolet officials introduced a new Chevy midget racing engine last week. The “repackaged” powerplant features an inline four-cylinder aluminum block and has two valves per cylinder. The unit is already in use by Tony Stewart Racing and will be available to other teams in the coming weeks.

ON THE POLE: IndyCar Series veteran Scott Dixon became the first New Zealand native to win the pole for the Indianapolis 500, turning in a four-lap average at 226.366 miles per hour at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

HE’S BACK: Tracy Hines returned to victory lane for the first time since missing the majority of the 2007 season with injuries suffered in an ATV accident. He won the USAC National Sprint Car Series event at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway.

EXTENSION: The Performance Racing Industry Trade Show will remain at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando through at least 2016 after an agreement signed last week.

LATE RIDE: IndyCar Series veteran Jeff Simmons will drive a second A.J. Foyt Enterprises entry at Indianapolis and hopes to make the field this weekend. Darren Manning is the team’s regular driver.

HIRED: Longtime IndyCar crew chief Larry Curry has gone to work for Roth Racing and will oversee the cars wheeled by team owner Marty Roth and veteran racer John Andretti at the Indianapolis 500.

POWER RANKINGS: With his eighth NASCAR victory of the season and third in the Sprint Cup Series, 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.

NEWS NUGGETS

RETURN TO THUNDER VALLEY; NHRA POWERade SERIES DRIVERS LOOK TO BUILD PRECIOUS POINTS IN BRISTOL: The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series returns to Bristol Dragway for the eighth annual O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals this weekend, for the eighth of 24 stops in 2008. For Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin, Bristol was the spot, one year ago, where he began his march to the championship, picking up his first of four wins en route to his third POWERade Series world championship.
    This year, drivers competing in three professional categories hope to find the same success as Coughlin did and build up enough points to keep themselves within the top 10 in the point standings before the final regular season race, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Drivers sitting on the bubble looking to break in to the top 10 include Morgan Lucas in Top Fuel, Mike Neff in Funny Car and Ron Krisher in Pro Stock.

NHRA DRIVERS CAN THANK LOCAL RACERS FOR THE CHANCE TO RACE AT NHRA CIRCLE TRACK CHALLENGE: Though Funny Car driver Jack Beckman currently sits on the pole for the NHRA Circle Track Challenge this Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway, it’s not his impressive skills on the half-mile oval that got him there. Thanks to the generosity of local short track drivers, Beckman, along with 15 other NHRA POWERade Series drivers, will have the opportunity to team up with street stock car owners in the NHRA Circle Track Challenge, taking place Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, just following qualifying for the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
    NHRA drivers will race the street stock cars for the first segment of the event, then switch seats with local car owners, who will compete in the final segment. Fans visiting the track’s website can still vote to determine the lineup for the Saturday night event. For more information, visit www.bristoldragway.com.

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 on Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m.–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, click here.

FUNNY CAR TUNER WEST JOINS BECKMAN’S VALVOLINE TEAM: Former Funny Car owner/driver turned tuner Johnny West has been named crew chief of the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T driven by Jack Beckman. West replaces Rick Cassel as crew chief and will join forces with tuner Tommy Delago on the Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car. West has worked with drag racing greats such as Roland Leong, Doug Herbert, Scott Kalitta, Don Prudhomme, Clay Millican, and Kenny Bernstein.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY, MAY 16–18: The NHRA POWERade Series heads back to the Thunder Valley of Bristol, Tennessee, for the eighth running of the event. Defending event winners include Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); and Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock). 

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).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS: In his NHRA blog, Pro Stock driver Max Naylor discusses some of the funnier points of a visit he made to Dalmatia Elementary School in Dalmatia, Pennsylvania, and how a simple label on a toolbox can create a pretty funny experience. “The biggest joke of the day was to walk past the tool drawer labeled ‘tap and die,’” said Naylor. “You guessed it. (The kids) tapped the drawer and said ‘didn’t die!’”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3: The most wins by a single driver, Doug Kalitta, at Bristol Dragway. Kalitta also holds the track record for speed at 331.53 mph (April 2006). Kalitta hopes to add a fourth win at the track and first win of the season this weekend.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that Bristol Dragway opened in 1965 under NHRA sanction. NHRA left Bristol in 1967 and in 1999, after a 32-year absence and an $18 million facelift, NHRA POWERade Drag Racing returned to Bristol Dragway for the inaugural NHRA All-Star event. In 2001, Bristol Dragway hosted the inaugural Thunder Valley Nationals, the first NHRA National event held there in 34 years.

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

Magnadyne Corporation appointed Jonathan Joseph as its newest account director. Joseph is responsible for seeking new clients and building new account relationships in Magnadyne’s wireless products division. He joins Magnadyne following a successful career in the wireless communications industry, most recently as product manager for Superior Communications.

Jonathan Joseph

Hobart Brothers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc., announced that it created the fourth in an ongoing series of free educational welding posters that address the 10 most common welding problems and their likely causes and solutions. Using color diagrams and concisely written explanations, the poster is a handy reference tool for both professional and educational welding environments.
    The problems discussed apply to MIG, FCAW, SMAW and TIG welding.  The posters are available free of charge by contacting the Hobart Brothers Information Center at 888/462-2789 or e-mail the company fulfillment center at databs@mindspring.com.

FARO Technologies Inc. acquired an exclusive license from Dimensional Photonics International Inc., a leading provider of high-speed, high-accuracy digital shape scanners, for global rights to develop, manufacture and sell the company’s technology and products. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.  For additional information on DPI, visit www.faro.com/dpi-3d.

CGS Motorsports announced that it is creating a SEMA Show vehicle for Ford that will be showcased at the 2008 SEMA Show. CGS is upfitting a new '09 Ford Flex, designed by Sean Smith of SS Designs and named “ReFlex.” The vehicle will feature custom paint by DuPont Refinishes with paint preparation by 3M, 22-inch one-off Bonspeed wheels, Pirelli Tires, custom leather from Roadwire, door solenoids by SPAL, suede interior of Keyston Bros., and a custom sound system by Kicker featuring a Clarion navigation headunit.
    ReFlex will feature a one-off body kit, and Sean Smith and the design team at CGS will clay up the body kit until it looks just the way they envisioned it. The CGS team is also designing and building handmade chrome moldings to separate the two-tone paint scheme (www.cgsmotorsports.com).

“ReFlex,” designed by Sean Smith of SS Designs.

Championship Off Road Racing (CORR) announced that VP Racing Fuels is the Official Trackside Service Provider for the third consecutive year. The agreement calls for VP to provide C12, C14, C14 Plus, C16 and Late Model Plus racing fuels at all CORR events. In addition, VP's Motorsport 93 has been named as the spec fuel for CORR’s Trophy Kart classes. VP has also posted a generous contingency program for all classes, as well as special pricing at the events.

In an effort to curb illegal street racing, WyoTech, the Official Technical School of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), partnered with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Sacramento Raceway to promote Race the Strip, Not the Street, a series of drag races at Sacramento Raceway. Held each Wednesday evening from February 2008 through November 2008, Race the Strip, Not the Street allows drag racing within the safe confines of an NHRA-sanctioned racetrack. For more information on Race the Strip, Not the Street events at Sacramento Raceway, visit www.sacramentoraceway.com

Illumaware LLC announced that it officially released version 2.0 of Evokat ACES, its online electronic catalog. The company reports that more than 50 new features were added to the cataloging tool, including:

• Increased data-processing speed by a factor of tenfold, stemming from the introduction of a new Vehicle Research component.
• Simplified navigation capabilities that better meet the research requirements of Catalog Managers.
• The ability to map multiple parts to multiple vehicles at the same time.
• An Analyze My Catalog feature that runs data against the latest ACES standard for Unmapped Records, Conflicting Records and Specific Condition Errors. Catalog Managers now know the “health” of their catalog at all times. The manager’s team can correct these problems online themselves. Only “good” records that meet the current ACES standard can be sent to Channel Partners.
• A large library of Channel Partners from Illumaware’s free Data Network allow Catalog Managers to send their Legacy, ACES, PIES, Year/Make/Model and Custom reports out in real time with a click of a button.

Greg Raymond of JBA Performance Exhaust stated, “It becomes obvious that this application is robust and well thought out when training only takes 30 minutes. My team was impressed and put at ease when they realized that maintaining our data was so intuitive. Illumaware is on the cutting edge of what the industry has desperately needed for several years.”

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

>> SEMA Washington Rally, May 14–15, 2008, Washington, D.C.
>> SEMA Webinar: Online Testing for Higher Profits/Lower Costs - Test the Effectiveness of Your Online Marketing, May 15, 10:00 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: 10 Simple Things You Can Do to Your Website Today to Improve Your Results Tomorrow, May 22, 10:00 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: SEMA Show: Money Well Spent for Your Business!, June 12, 10:00 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: Best Practices & the Future of Email as a Marketing Tool, June 19, 10:00 a.m. (PST)
>> 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  

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