A white paper describing the findings of Phase I of the SEMA Data Pool Pilot Program, facilitating the synchronization of standardized product information in industry-standard formats between a group of SEMA manufacturers and their warehouse distributor trading partners, has been published at www.sema.org/btc.

Phase I of the program acquired product-data requirements from a small number of warehouse distributors (aka receivers) via a survey and assisted a group of parts suppliers (aka manufacturers) to gather, cleanse and format their product information in a standardized format. Upon completion of that step, product data between the two was compared and synchronized utilizing the services of a broad group of aftermarket data-service companies.

Among the findings of the study:

• Data requirements were acquired and compared from four of the top warehouse distributors in the industry and a set of required product data fields was developed.
• The product information of six of the manufacturers was validated to the accepted industry standard.
• Three of the six manufacturers validated their application data.
• Five instances of complete product information synchronization between suppliers and distributors were accomplished.
• A number of necessary changes to the standards have been identified and suggested to the standard's body.

For more information on the SEMA Data Pool Pilot Program, contact Alan Dicker at aland@sema.org.

Although heavily wrapped, this is reportedly the prototype for the 2010 Mustang hiding mid-cycle facelift details, including new front and rear fascias with a new grille, headlights and taillights, says spy photographer Brenda Priddy. This prototype's interior, Priddy says, was also well wrapped and yielded no clue to cabin enhancements and upgrades.

"Our shooter stumbled upon this prototype when he made a wrong turn, and found the mule during a U-turn, accounting for the lack of sharpness in the photos," Priddy says.

As for engine options, the bloggers at NewCarPark.com report that the new pony will offer a 5.8L and 6.2L BOSS V8 to keep it in league with the forthcoming Camaro and Challenger. Entry-level options should include the same 3.5L Duratec V6 from the Taurus, while the wild card may be the TwinForce V6 that appeared in the Lincoln MKR concept car, a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 reportedly outputting up to 400hp.

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NEWS NUGGETS

ALL BROWN WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS IS HIS DRIVER’S LICENSE: Antron Brown shocked POWERade Series faithful when the popular Pro Stock Motorcycle rider announced he’d be behind the wheel of one of the sport’s most powerful machines in 2008: the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster. Brown’s gotten in a few training passes since trading two wheels for four, and he’ll continue testing in Gainesville, Florida, this week.

“I’m real anxious and can’t wait to get started with our test session,” Brown said. “I’m excited to work with our new crew at the race track. I feel we have an all-star cast of crew members led by Lee Beard. We’re having a great time at the shop, but we really want to fire up this Matco Tools dragster. Our goal is to get my Top Fuel license and make some really consistent laps in the dragster.”

Maybe Atlanta-based Top Fuel driver Bob Vandergriff Jr. will give him some pointers. The driver of the UPS dragster tests in Florida this month.

NORM FROSCHER MEDIA CENTER, TOWER TAKE SHAPE: Speaking of Gainesville Raceway, new pictures have been released of the control tower under construction at the NHRA-owned track, one of the most popular events on the POWERade Series tour. The tower will house a state-of-the-art media center, named for Froscher, a long-time sportswriter. See the latest here. 

SCELZI, C. PEDREGON ADD STRAIGHT-LINE FLAVOR TO CHILI BOWL: There’s no doubt Gary Scelzi and Cruz Pedregon will represent the NHRA POWERade Series well at the 22nd annual Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Oklahoma, January 12. But can they outrun the likes of NASCAR’s Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Jason Leffler and J.J. Yeley?

“I’m trying to get some experience because the last time I was at the Chili Bowl (for the Ford Focus celebrity race in 2003) I had 30 minutes of experience, so now I probably have three hours of experience,” said Scelzi, who owns a USAC pavement car and the USAC dirt car driven by 17-year-old Michael Faccinto. “I just want to go out there and have a good time. I don’t want to get upside down. I just want to see if I can hold my own against a bunch of these guys.”

NHRA 2007 YEAR IN REVIEW DVDs AVAILABLE: The NHRA Countdown to the Championship 2007 Year in Review, featuring 120 minutes of highlights and bonus features on Wally Parks and Eric Medlen, is available for order at http://www.nhradvd.com. For more on the DVD and remaining shipping options, visit www.nhra.com/content/news/25860.htm.  

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NITRO BLAST OFF, LAS VEGAS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, JANUARY 18–20: The elite teams of the NHRA POWERade Series will begin making preparations for competition in 2008 at this first of three optional showcase pre-season test sessions.

NATIONAL TIME TRIALS, PHOENIX, FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, JANUARY 25–27: Pre-season action moves from Nevada to Arizona as the professional teams continue to tweak off-season changes at this second of three optional test sessions.

LAST-CHANCE TEST SESSION AND PONTIAC PRO STOCK SHOWDOWN, LAS VEGAS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, FEBRUARY 1–3: This aptly named test session is the final of three optional events that allow professional drivers to test their machines before formal competition opens for 2008. The 200-mph NHRA Pro Stock cars also will race for bragging rights in the annual Pontiac Pro Stock Showdown.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS WINTERNATIONALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, FEBRUARY 7–10: Kick-off the 2008 NHRA POWERade Series Countdown to the Championship at the historic track where last year’s winners included J.R. Todd, Gary Scelzi and Greg Anderson.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

WANNA BE A HOLIDAY CHAMP? EAT YOUR POTATOES: The latest installment to NHRA.com’s Quarter-Mile Cuisine by Nicky Morse, team chef for 2007 NHRA POWERade Series Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin, can get you in top form in no time.

“We still cook some of the traditional meals at the house during Christmastime, but times change,” Morse said. “People do not live in the kitchen anymore. I remember my mom, grandma and aunts cooking for days just to get everything ready. Christmas Eve dinner was really special.” For more, check the recipe out here: Christmas Potatoes.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

31: Days until the first test session of the NHRA POWERade Series 2008 season, the Nitro Blast Off at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For more information, contact the track at 702/644-4444.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

EUROPEAN DRAG RACING CHAMP’S PLANS FOR NHRA TOUR, AS TOLD BY CREW CHIEF: Top Fuel driver Urs Erbacher, one of the latest drivers from across the pond to take on the POWERade Series’ best, has hired veteran tuner Wayne Dupuy to lead his team in 2008 with an eye on an expanded schedule here. Erbacher plans to compete in the first five POWERade Series events before going back to compete in the six-race FIA in England, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany.

Dupuy helped the Switzerland-based team with their NHRA debut in 2007. “We got along good and we’ve been talking ever since,” Dupuy told NHRA.com. “His crew guys all speak English so it was pretty easy communicating with them. I think the experience of racing on some different tracks over there can only help me in the long run. It’s certainly going to be a unique experience.”

MIDGET MADNESS: Anderson (Indiana) Speedway, long the home of the annual Little 500 sprint-car race, has scheduled a 400-lap midget race for its quarter-mile asphalt oval. The event is scheduled July 26 and is expected to pay $7,000 to the winner.

TOP DOGS: Donny Schatz, Jon Stanbrough and Gary Wright were voted the Drivers of the Year by the respective North American 410, Non-winged and 360 Sprint Car Polls. The combined polls also awarded the Outstanding Contribution to the Sport Award to longtime USAC media director Dick Jordan.

PROMOTED: Lowe’s Motor Speedway issued promotions to longtime employees Lauri Wilks, Roger Slack and Scott Cooper. Wilks is vice president of management and administration, while Slack will serve as vice president of events. Finally, Cooper was promoted vice president of communications.

NEW SPONSOR: NASCAR announced Camping World as the new title sponsor for the NASCAR East and West Series, with the divisions renamed the NASCAR Camping World Series. As well, NASCAR extended its sponsorship agreement with Whelen for the Whelen NASCAR Modified Series and the Whelen Southern Modified Series.

TV: The IRL IndyCar Series will return to ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 television in 2008.

SPEED DEMON: Rookie James Buescher turned the fastest lap during three days of ARCA RE/MAX Series testing at Daytona International Speedway.

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

OnSight Solutions hired Douglas R. Dowdy as its director of franchise sales. In this newly created position, Dowdy is responsible for all of the company’s franchise sales and support. Dowdy's background includes 18 years of sales, sales management, franchising and customer service experience.

Douglas Dowdy

Emily White-Keating was hired by Big O Tires as its vice president of marketing. Most recently a senior vice president of marketing and advertising for Sports Authority, White-Keating comes to Big O Tires with 20 years of successful retail marketing experience.

CSK Auto announced that after a brief leave of absence, Brian Woods has re-joined CSK Auto as executive vice president merchandising. Prior to his employment with CSK Auto, Woods served as executive vice president and general merchandising manager of CompUSA from 2003 to 2007.

Scosche Industries won the 2008 CES Innovations Award for its new BlueLife Do-it-Yourself Bluetooth Car Kit. According to Kas Alves, vice president sales and marketing, Scosche Industries, “Scosche is an award-winning innovator of car-audio accessories, and we continue advancements in car-audio technology with our BlueLife Bluetooth wireless products. We are pleased to offer the next generation of in-car integration with our new BlueLife Bluetooth Plug-n-Play kit.” 

Voodoo Ride named Velocity Sales of Southhampton, Pennsylvania, as its sales representatives in the mid-Atlantic region. “Voodoo Ride is poised for rapid growth, so it was important for us to partner with a rep firm that really knows and understands the industry,” said Chris Ferraro, president, CEO and co-founder of Voodoo Ride. “As we grow, we are looking for long-lasting, mutually beneficial business relationships. We are pleased that Velocity Sales is going to be our partner going forward."

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

HRIA's Long-Range Planning Meeting is set for 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Friday, January 11, at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, Las Vegas. Open to all members eager to engage in discussions about the needs of the hot-rod industry, the meeting is the ideal venue to learn what the council is planning for the future, current council programs and help shape the group's direction for the upcoming year. For more information, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

HRIA Seminar Workshop Lineup for the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show

Located in the Indiana Convention Center on Thursday, February 28, 2008, all SEMA members are encouraged to participate in the workshops at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show that focus on product use, tips and techniques. Click here to access additional information and a registration form, or contact Jan Desma (jand@sema.org) at 909/396-0289, ext. 134.

For more information about HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

For more information about ARMO, visit www.sema.org/armo or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Manufacturers' Rep Council (MRC)

For information about MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

For information about MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

For information about TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

For information about PRO, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

For information about SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

For information about WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

For information about SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

For information about YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

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

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities at www.sema.org/classifieds. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enable the employee to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more. The newest classified listings posted under Positions Available include:

• Mechanical Designer/Drafter, Suwanee, Georgia
• Office Assistant, Anaheim, California
• District Sales Manager, Compton, California
• Marketing Manager, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Regional Accessory Manager, Miami, Florida

SEMA members: Have a job opening that you need filled? Members are invited to post classified ads on www.sema.org/classifieds free of charge. Categories available are: Positions Available, Positions Wanted, Rep Opportunities, WD Opportunities, For Sale, Items Wanted, Business Opportunities and Internships. Visit the site for details.