As of January 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will limit volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from aerosol cans, such as spray paints, primers and clear coatings. The EPA rule is similar to a standard already established by California and subsequently adopted by Washington state and Oregon. The rule applies to manufacturers and distributors of aerosol products which are used for both industrial applications and by do-it-yourselfers.

The rule focuses on encouraging manufacturers to use less reactive VOC ingredients in their product formulas since certain chemicals are less likely to react with nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere to produce ground-level ozone. Toluene and xylene are the specific targets of the rule since they are highly reactive. According to the EPA, nearly 85% of the spray paints used in the United States are produced by three companies, and their aerosol coatings already comply with the California regulations.

Companies subject to the rule must inform the EPA every three years regarding the amount of VOCs in their products. Manufacturers that make limited quantities of aerosol spray paints containing VOCs (less than 7,500 kilograms/8.3 tons) on an annual basis are exempt from the regulation. Companies that have not previously manufactured or distributed aerosol paints in California have until January 2011 to comply with the EPA rule.

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

STAYING PUT: Surprising no one, Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith accepted $80 million worth of incentives from the city of Concord, North Carolina, Cabarrus County and the state of North Carolina, and proudly announced Lowe’s Motor Speedway would remain in Concord permanently.

JOINT VENTURE: Two of the most competitive teams in the Champ Car World Series will combine operations for the 2008 season. Forsythe Championship Racing owner Jerry Forsythe and RuSport owner Dan Pettit announced today that they will combine operations next season and run under the banner of Forsythe/Pettit Racing.

TURKEY TROT: Open-wheel driver Dave Darland added another gem to his resume when he dominated the 67th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix midget race at California’s Irwindale Speedway. Darland drove a Toyota owned by Steve Lewis.

WINNING DEBUT: Toyota debuted a new 360ci V8 sprint car engine during the Turkey Night Grand Prix, and Bobby Santos III drove it to victory lane. The engine will be available for sprint-car and USAC Silver Crown competition next season.

MORE CRATE ENGINES: UMP DIRTCar Racing will introduce crate engines for competition in 2008 with the introduction of the Pro Late Model class.

FINALISTS: National Speed Sport News named 10 finalists for the fifth annual Economaki Champion of Champions presented by Rockett Brand Racing Fuel. They are: Sebastien Bourdais, Jerry Coons Jr., Dario Franchitti, Steve Francis, Jon Fogarty/Alex Gurney, Ron Hornaday Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Donny Schatz and Tony Schumacher.

NUMBER ONE: Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson remained atop of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings.

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

LUCAS, TODD ENJOY THRILL RIDE COMPETING IN BAJA 1000: Lucas Oil racing teammates Morgan Lucas and J.R. Todd’s first appearance in the 40th annual SCORE Tecate Baja 1000 didn’t quite produce the finish they were looking for. After rolling their truck coming off a slippery corner and experiencing subsequent engine troubles, the Top Fuel drivers were only able to complete 175 miles of the famous 1,296 mile race. But every heart-pounding moment of the experience was far from lost in the drivers’ memories.
    “It was cool to say the least,” said Lucas. “We pulled up, and when the starter raised his hand to begin the countdown, I brought up the motor to around 4,000 rpm. And when he said '3-2-1,' bam! I dropped the clutch and probably had a .000 (reaction time) on the tree leaving out of there.” Todd and Lucas rode in the same Class 1 Lucas Oil Products/Torco Race Fuels Diablo Penhall/Chevy off-road vehicle, with Lucas driving and Todd navigating.
      
PRO STOCK’S RICHIE STEVENS AND DSR PART WAYS AFTER 2007 SEASON: Citing a 30% cutback in Mopar’s entire racing budget that has trickled down to the multicar racing operation, Don Schumacher Racing parted ways with Pro Stock driver Richie Stevens Jr. Schumacher informing Stevens that he would not be fielding his J&J Racing/Team Mopar Dodge Stratus in 2008 unless another sponsor shows up to fill the void. Overall in his career, Stevens has six event wins in 11 final rounds and earned three No. 1 qualifier awards.

JOHN FORCE DOING WELL AFTER SECOND SURGERY: Funny Car legend John Force traveled back to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Sunday, November 18, to remove casts on his left ankle and hand and for further surgery on his left hand following a semifinal round accident in Dallas in September. John Force Racing Marketing Coordinator Chad Light told National DRAGSTER Senior Editor Phil Burgess that the five pins originally placed in Force’s wrist were removed and that he was doing well following the surgery. Light also said that Force was fitted with an air boot cast and that he still will be on a non-weight bearing status for two to three weeks. For pictures, visit www.nhra.com/2007/dragster.asp.

TEAM OWNER DON SCHUMACHER PARTICIPATES IN NEW YORK PANEL DISCUSSION: Former racer and current team owner Don Schumacher will participate in a panel discussion on November 27 at the Motorsports Marketing Summit in New York City. Schumacher, who fields teams in four professional categories in the NHRA POWERade Series, will join other motorsports business leaders in the “Opportunities in Emerging Motorsports: Reaching New Markets and Demographics” discussion. Joining Schumacher in the discussion will be Robert Dingham of AMA, Roger Edmondson of Grand-Am, Ben Geisler of World of Outlaws, among others.

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 get their first whiff of the competition for 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 rides before formal competition opens for 2008. The 200-mph NHRA Pro Stock cars also will race for bragging rights in the annual 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.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

132: The number of POWERade Series wins, in 217 final-round appearances, split between Pro Stock father-son combo, Warren and Kurt Johnson, one of which came early this season in Phoenix with Kurt picking up his 36th career win. They are also the first father-and-son to compete in a professional final round (Atlanta, 1993).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

HERBERT HAPPY WITH COUNTDOWN PERFORMANCE: Battling back from as low as 16th in the point standings to make it into the first round of the Countdown playoffs, The Countdown to Four, with an amazing rain-delayed win in Reading, no driver is more supportive of the Countdown to the Championship than Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert.
    “I’m the poster child for the Countdown,” Herbert told NHRA.com Senior Editor Rob Geiger. “To me, that’s exactly what makes the Countdown exciting, the fact that just about any racer running full-time out there has a chance to make the playoffs. I’m a believer. The Countdown worked for us. I think it worked for everyone pretty much.”

DRIVERS TELL ALL

LUCAS ON THE “DANGERS” OF BAJA : Top Fuel teammates for 2008, Morgan Lucas and J.R. Todd had the opportunity to build on that teammate bond, competing as driver and navigator in the 40th annual SCORE Tecate Baja 1000. Lucas, who drove while Todd navigated, said that some of the most difficult parts of the race came not from the terrain, but from the fans attending the event.
    “We finally hit the open road, where we encountered everything from having to dodge fire pits and other booby traps people had set up to having rocks thrown at us. It was an unforgettable experience driving across terrain you couldn’t imagine.”

Tim Dietz, account manager and technical sales, Standards Testing Laboratories Inc. (STL), has been named chairman-elect to SEMA's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC). Dietz has been employed at STL for 18 years and holds a degree in Applied Science from Kent State University. He has been instrumental in the development of several tire and wheel test procedures for OEM and aftermarket manufacturers in the tire, wheel, tire sealant, motorcycle, ATV, axle, hub, aircraft, military, NASCAR, NHRA, agricultural, industrial, off-road and theme-park and people-mover industries. A member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Dietz will take over as chairman of the WTC in the fall of 2008.

KICKER/Soundgate hired Rick Gentry as the newest member of its sales team. Gentry will be the sales manager for KICKER’s new Home and Portable division, which will officially launch in 2008. Gentry has been involved in the mobile and pro audio industries for more than 25 years.

The Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.’s board of directors named Thomas Capo as a director of the company. Capo is an advisor on business, financial and investment strategy to various companies; serves as the chairman of the board for Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc.; and also serves as co-chairman of the board for Microheat Inc.

AIM added Chad Beeson to the company’s technical support department. Prior to joining AIM, Beeson was a shift manager for Winchester Auto Parts, an affiliate of Parts Plus. 

SCCA Pro Racing announced that the 2007 SCCA Pro Racing SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup will air on the SPEED channel in December. Each race will receive its own 30-minute broadcast starting at starting on Saturday, December 1, at 2:00 p.m. More information is available at www.mx-5cup.com.

Permatex Inc. named America Europe International and Timken Australia as co-recipients of the 2007 International Distinguished Partner Award. The companies were selected for their contributions to Permatex’s international sales growth. According to Permatex Director of Marketing Tony Battaglia, “This award recognizes a commitment to profitablility, consistent sales growth and long-term results.

NHRA announced that its 2008 National Hot Rod Reunion is set for the Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Father’s Day Weekend, June 13–15. Tony Thacker, executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, “Bowling Green is a historic place for many hot rodders, and Beech Bend Raceway’s covered grandstands and verdant background make a great venue for our event."

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

SCC is hosting a Jobber Focus Panel on riday, December 7, 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m., during the PRI Trade Show in Orlando. The meeting, open to all SEMA members, will cover the latest compact-performance trends and outline the current direction of the market. The meeting is set for the Orange County Convention Center, Meeting Room S331B (on the third level). To RSVP or for more information, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or e-mail paulm@sema.org.

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

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

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.

Manufacturers' Rep Council (MRC)

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

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

MPMC is hosting its annual Motorsports Sanctioning Body Panel breakfast meeting at the PRI Show in Orlando Florida, Saturday Dec 8. For more information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

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

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

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

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

For the latest council news, read the PRO column in SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about PRO, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Ellen McKoy at ellenm@sema.org.

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

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

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

Young Executives Network (YEN)

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

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:

Driven by strong demand for navigation and entertainment, sales in the mobile electronics market grew 10.6% in 2006 to $6.1 billion, up from $5.5 billion in 2005, according to SEMA research. Although audio systems still comprise the greatest share of the segment, navigation and entertainment systems, defined as systems integrating audio, video, DVD players, game consoles, etc., grew to 23.5% market share in 2006, or $1.4 billion in retail sales. That’s an 11.9% and $1.1 billion increase since 1999.

Navigation and entertainment systems, in some ways, mirror the growth of the segment overall, which has seen extraordinary growth in the past seven years. Since 1999, the mobile electronics market has averaged 12.5% growth per year—up $2.8 billion.

For comparison, as the mobile electronics market grew 10.6% last year, the whole performance parts and accessories market grew 7.12%. And consider that the 2007 SEMA Show featured 218 mobile electronics exhibitors (including 74 first-timers)—up from 199 the previous year.

"People want to bring their MP3 players, mobile phones, DVD players and videogame consoles in the car with them," says SEMA News mobile electronics editor Doug Newcomb. "While more automakers offer OEM mobile electronics solutions, the specialty-equipment market levels the playing field so that anyone can integrate portable electronics into their vehicle. Hence the mobile electronics market is showing significant growth. And with portable navigation becoming more affordable, it's also fueling this growth."

Note that in many instances state law governs when and in what manner certain in-vehicle mobile electronics can be used. For further insight into the mobile electronics market, read the "Mobile Electronics" market report prepared by the SEMA Research & Information Center in the December 2007 issue of SEMA News.

From April to June, the percentage of women who planned to purchase wheels, tires or suspension components rose from 10% to 17%, outpacing the purchase plans for men during the same period, according to SEMA research.

In April, 16% of male and 10% of female consumers surveyed by research firm TechnoMetrica said they planned to buy wheels, tires or suspension components. That number spiked to 20% for men and 12% for women in May. Men cooled on their purchase plans in June, dropping to 15%, while 17% of women said they planned to buy.

Overall, 16% of consumers said they planned to seek out wheels, tires or suspension components in the following three months. Contrast this with 9% who said they planned to buy accessories and appearance products, and 8% who planned on racing and performance product purchases.

"Our surveys have shown that while men tend to customize their vehicles for performance gains, women tend to look at vehicle customization as a form of self-expression," says SEMA research analyst Ty Michael. "It comes as no surprise that there is a growing number of women planning to buy wheels and tires for their vehicles."

The data, commissioned by SEMA from market research firm TechnoMetrica, comes from a nationally representative sample of about 1,000 consumers, representing approximately 100 million U.S. households.

For more insight into the planning and purchasing habits of enthusiasts, read the "2007 Trends and Forecasts Quarterly Update-Q2," available at www.sema.org/research.

Consumers say they are changing their driving habits, according to a recent Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) survey, with 90% saying they are driving less, 31% carpooling more and 30% purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles. Another 75% said they are better maintaining their vehicle (which could translate to more money spent on maintenance products).

AAIA surveyed 500 people during the beginning of November when the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline hovered around $3.06. Now that prices have shot up to $3.15 a gallon ($3.44 in California), will consumers continue allocating disposable income to automotive specialty equipment? Data from SEMA’s Automotive Lifestyles survey may provide answers.

A survey of automotive magazine subscribers and magazine website visitors during October and November (when the national average for a gallon of gasoline was as low as $2.81 and as high as $3.16) showed that nearly one in four would wait until prices rose another dollar before spending less on specialty equipment, while 18% said they'd hold out until gas rose another two dollars. An astounding 14% said that prices would have to surpass $4 before they'd cut their specialty-equipment spending.



Consumers were also asked to rate how they would allocate their extra spending cash as gas prices increased. A little more than one in three said that they would spend their money on custom automotive parts and accessories before going on vacations or spending money on music and portable electronics.
 


Consumers may alter their driving habits during times of rising prices at the pump, but it seems that for enthusiasts the desire to customize one's car or truck takes precedence.

For more information, contact the SEMA Research & Information Center at 909/396-0289, ext. 118. Check out of the research reports available online at www.sema.org/research.