SEMA News is looking for information on products for four specific vehicles. Manufacturers who offer parts or systems for the 2008 Nissan Titan, 2008 Cadillac CTS, 2008 Hummer H2 SUV or 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid are encouraged to notify SEMA News. E-mail company name, product name and description, company website URL and a high-resolution photo of the product to stevec@sema.org. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 19, 2007.

The following information and photos are courtesy of the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co.

We were originally told that BMW's new X6 would be a direct rival to the Mercedes CLS, but now that the concept has been introduced, we can see that it's definitely not.

BMW also made us believe the new V5—also referred to as the F5 and even RFK—would be Munich's answer to the Mercedes R-Class, but again, this appears to be false information.

Early spy shots of the RFK now reveal it's a true fastback, allowing more headroom than in the X6, while being significantly smaller than the Mercedes R-Class. The more car-like approach seen on this prototype seems better suited to BMW's values than a fullsize van, but it could easily be considered a sport van or—like the others in the marketplace—a crossover.

V5? F5? RFK? Whatever it's called, we're expecting this RWD Spartanburg-built crossover to share engines with the 5 Series and offer optional all-wheel-drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing to clarify the performance and test requirements of the brake hose standard, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 106. The NHTSA revised the standard in 2004 to make it consistent with the most current requirements adopted by the Society for Automotive Engineering (SAE). The changes take effect on December 20, 2007, and relate to hydraulic, vacuum, and air brake hoses, plastic air brake tubing and end fittings. For further information:

Link to the NHTSA’s response to requests for reconsideration and correction of typos:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-19467.pdf

Link to the NHTSA’s proposed rule: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-19474.pdf

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

NEWS NUGGETS

SCELZI, CAPPS MAKE COUNTDOWN TO ONE WITH FINAL ROUND APPEARANCE: On a day when only the top four in the point standings would advance to the final two-race shootout for POWERade world championships, Funny Car teammates Ron Capps and Gary Scelzi, sitting fifth and sixth in the point standings, knew they had to have spectacular finishes at the second annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Virginia. And that is exactly what they did. With both drivers facing off in the final round of Funny Car, Gary Scelzi grabbed the ‘Wally,’ but both drivers grabbed a spot in the Countdown to the Championship’s championship round, The Countdown to One. Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta, though not in the championship hunt, also had the day he’d been hoping for, picking up his first win of the season in his first final round appearance since Memphis 2006. In Pro Stock, Dave Connolly continued his dominance in historic fashion, grabbing his fifth race win in a row and sweeping the Countdown to Four playoff round. Connolly ties Greg Anderson for the second-longest winning streak in class history. Bob Glidden holds the number one spot with nine wins in a row, set back in 1978–1979.

COUNTDOWN TO ONE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS SET IN ALL PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES: After an amazing playoff battle between the top eight drivers in the point standings in each professional category, the field was set for the next round in the Countdown to the Championship, the Countdown to One. After the amazing battles seen this past weekend at the second annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals in Richmond, Virginia, the top four drivers in Pro Stock, Funny Car and Top Fuel were set and will advance to the two-race shootout for the POWERade world series championships starting October 25–28, at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and finishing up the next week, November 1–4, at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California. Please see the top four drivers below. For more information on the inaugural season of the Countdown to the Championship, click here. NOTE: The Pro Stock Motorcycle fields were set at the previous race, the 22nd annual O’Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex in Dallas.

TOP FUEL

FUNNY CAR

PRO STOCK

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

PARKS FAMILY ANNOUNCES UPCOMING TRIBUTES TO LATE NHRA FOUNDER, WALLY PARKS: The family of the late NHRA founder, Wally Parks, who died September 28, announced the first of what is expected to be several tributes to the motorsports legend, beginning at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion and at the Automobile Club NHRA Finals. A short tribute will be held at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion at the Auto Club of Southern California Raceway in Bakersfield, California, October 12–14. NHRA also will have a special trackside ceremony honoring Parks on Sunday, November 4, prior to the final round of eliminations at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. For more information on these events, please view our website at www.nhra.com.

TOP FUEL RACERS READY FOR $100,000 BONUS IN TECHNICOAT SHOOTOUT: Tony Schumacher will start from the No. 1 position in the Technicoat Top Fuel Shootout on October 27 during the seventh annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The all-star race-within-a-race bonus event, which awards $100,000 to the winner, showcases the eight Top Fuel drivers who accumulated the most qualifying points during the 2007 Technicoat Top Fuel Shootout series. The series began with the 2006 ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas and ended at the 2007 Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park near Richmond, Virginia, this past weekend. Other racers who have earned a position in the Technicoat Shootout include three-time winner Larry Dixon, 2004 winner Dave Grunbic, three-time runner-up Cory McClenathan, 2002 runner-up Brandon Bernstein, 2006 runner-up Rod Fuller, Melanie Troxel and J.R. Todd.

FORCE EMBARKS IN A MORE INTENSE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM IN DALLAS: Funny Car legend John Force will remain at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas for an undetermined amount of time as he begins a more intense physical therapy program to recover from injuries suffered during a quarterfinal crash at the O’Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, September 23. Faced with the knowledge that he can’t put weight on a badly broken left ankle for at least 60 days and realizing that his severely damaged right knee and foot simply would not hold him up, Force decided to go with the wishes of orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Zehr and orthopedic traumatologist Dr. Alan Jones and remain at Baylor. Leading Auto Club 2007 Road to the Future rookie of the year candidate Ashley Force, who did not compete in this past weekends Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals in Richmond, Virginia, because safety modifications to her Ford Mustang that were mandated by her father after his crash could not be completed in time, is expected to be back in the driver's seat for the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals.

CATERPILLAR NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF NHRA: NHRA announced this past weekend that one of the most recognizable names in the corporate world, Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), will become an official sponsor of NHRA beginning in 2008. As part of the official status with NHRA, CAT will have display space at all 23 events on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series circuit. CAT also will participate in NHRA’s Youth & Education Services (YES) program, presented by the U.S. Army. “These races provide a venue for our dealers to meet one-on-one with these drag racing and engine enthusiasts who are also prospective employees,” said Bill Mayo, vice president of Caterpillar’s North American Commercial Division. 

GAINESVILLE RACEWAY TOWER-COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES: Construction on a new VIP tower is racing along at Gainesville Raceway, home of the annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals. The old tower was razed in June, and construction began shortly thereafter. A state-of-the-art control tower will house track offices, race-control operations and a spacious media center.

PERSONETT PICKS UP THIRD CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP IN SPORT COMPACT FALLNATIONALS: Pro RWD Brad Personett picked up the win and his third consecutive championship in the process this past weekend at the NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. Champions in three of the four East Region Sportsman classes (UrbanRacer.com, Sport FWD, Sport RWD and BFGoodrich Tires Street Stock) were also crowned at the event.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA SPORT COMPACT WORLD FINALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 20–21: The best drivers in the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Series will gather at the famous Auto Club Raceway in Pomona for the final event of the 2007 Sport Compact Season.

ACDELCO LAS VEGAS NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, OCTOBER 25–28: The Countdown to One begins with the Top four in each professional category battling it out for POWERade World Championships. The 2007 Technicoat Top Fuel Shootout also will take place at the event, pitting the top drivers in Top Fuel battling against each other for $100,000 and bragging rights.

AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, NOVEMBER 1–4: In the final race of the season, the top four drivers in each professional category will all be fighting for the POWERade World Championship. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher, John Force, Greg Anderson, and Craig Treble.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

113: The number of points 2005 Funny Car champion Gary Scelzi picked up with his win in Richmond, Virginia, which propelled him from sixth place, sitting out of the Countdown, to second place, secured in the Countdown to One and only 10 points behind first place Tony Pedregon. With the two-race shootout just three weeks away, Scelzi is in prime position to win his second POWERade Funny Car Championship.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

FUNNY CAR DRIVER JACK BECKMAN ON JUST MISSING THE FIELD FOR THE COUNTDOWN TO ONE: Heading into the second annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals in Richmond, Virginia, this past weekend, Funny Car driver Jack Beckman was sitting in the third spot, one spot ahead of the cutoff point for the Countdown to One and 25 points ahead of fifth-place driver and teammate Ron Capps. But after a quarterfinal loss, Beckman could only watch as fellow teammates Capps and Gary Scelzi made it to the final round at Richmond, bumping him from third to fifth place in the standings, only 12 points out of the Countdown to One and his hopes of a POWERade world championship. “You always want to control your destiny,” Beckman said. “You always want it decided on the race track with you strapped in the car. To have to sit there for two rounds is agonizing. It’s tough to put a good spin on this right now. We’ll race for fifth now instead of first.”

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.  

THE ROCK: Race car driver Andy Hillenburg, who operates the Fast Track Driving School, paid $4.4 million to buy North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham at auction last week. Hillenburg hopes to bring racing back to the track in a variety of forms as soon as November 2008.

FINISHED: The International Race of Champions, which ran races for championship winning drivers in identically prepared cars from 1973–2006, has met its end through the lack of sponsorship and commitment from car manufacturers.

NEW RIDE: After two seasons with Gillet Evernham Motorsports, Scott Riggs will move to the Haas CNC Racing team for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup campaign.

STOCK-CAR MAN: IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti was officially announced last week as the driver of the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates No. 40 for the 2008 season. Two days later, he made his stock-car racing debut, finishing 17th in the ARCA race at Talladega, Alabama. Meanwhile, former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve made his Nextel Cup debut at Talladega and finished 21st after qualifying sixth. Both drivers are former Indy 500 winners.

FULL CONTROL: Dennis Huth has acquired all rights to the American Speed Association from former owner Steve Dale.

THE CHAMP: Veteran stock-car racer Steve Carlson earned the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly racing title for the first time in his career.

HE’S BACK: Nelson Philippe will return to the Champ Car World Series, driving the final two races of the season in Australia and Mexico City for Conquest Racing.

A BEST: Davey Blaney’s third-place finish behind Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson Sunday at Talladega, Alabama, was the best for Toyota in its maiden season of Nextel Cup competition.

NUMBER ONE: With his 18th World of Outlaws triumph of the season at Princeton Speedway in Minnesota, Donny Schatz remained atop the NSSN Power Rankings for the second-straight week. NHRA Pro Stock driver Dave Connolly, who has won five straight, jumped to second.

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.

The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) named John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. Inc., as the chairman of AIAM's board of directors. Mendel succeeds outgoing chairman Jim Press, formerly president of Toyota Motor North America Inc., who recently joined Chrysler LLC as a senior executive. Prior to his current position at American Honda, Mendel was senior vice president for automobile operations, responsible for product planning, advertising, marketing, public relations and distribution for both Honda and Acura Automobile Divisions.

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced that Norman (Norm) Affleck, retired president, chairman and CEO of Big O Tires, is one of the inductees into the 2007 Tire Industry Hall of Fame. Affleck was a founding member of Big O Tires Inc. and the first president of the company—a position that he held for more than 22 years. Under his management, he recruited many franchisees, helped Big O Tires become a leader in retreading, developed a unique warranty program, instituted the private brand tire line and created the Speed Lane concept still used at all Big O Tires stores. The Hall of Fame Inductions are set for Tuesday, October 30, in Las Vegas, prior to the opening of the SEMA Show.

Pirelli Tire North America announced that Gaetano (Guy) Mannino left his post as president of the company after a 25-year career with the tiremaker. Hugh Pace, who was recently installed as chairman and CEO of Pirelli, will assume leadership for all business and commercial operations in addition to his current executive role. Mannino had been the company’s president since 2002, and oversaw the company’s relocation to Rome, Georgia, and the development of its automated MIRS tire plant. 

PPG Industries named two longtime PPG executives to vice president posts. Charles Kahle II, director, coatings research and development, was appointed vice president, coatings research and development. Kahle joined PPG in 1987 as a research associate in coatings after earning his doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of Illinois. Also, Vincent Morales, director, investor relations, was appointed vice president, investor relations. Morales joined PPG in the corporate controller’s office in 1985. Morales had served as director, internal financial reporting, prior to taking on his current position in 2004.

Submit items for Movers and Shakers to eNews@sema.org.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

SEMA Show Open Meeting
Monday, October 29, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S219 (on the Skybridge)
 
Guest Speaker: Daniel Smith, Associate Administrator for Enforcement, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
 
Topic
As the chief enforcement officer for the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mr. Smith will lead a discussion on regulatory restrictions of critical importance to companies that source products from other countries: importers. Participants will be provided with authoritative guidance on how importers share all of the same obligations and responsibilities as manufacturers, including the application of measures that self-certify products covered by NHTSA safety standards. It is incumbent on all wheel and tire manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and shop owners to attend what is being praised by industry experts as a very timely seminar. Mr. Smith will discuss the NHTSA’s enforcement activity as the regulations apply to wheels and tires, such as compliance with FMVSS No. 139 (passenger and light-truck tires) and FMVSS No. 138 (tire-pressure monitoring systems), emphasizing its importance to all companies doing business in the tire and wheel industry.
 
To RSVP or if you have any questions about the WTC Open Meeting, contact Arlene Wood at 909/396-0289, ext. 110, or arlenew@sema.org.

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the wheel and tire industries’ top companies and also have a good time? Become a sponsor of the WTC Reception during the 2007 SEMA Show. The reception is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all WTC members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the WTC Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

To learn more about the WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

All ARMO-member companies, branch offices and individuals are invited to attend the events the council has scheduled for SEMA Show week.

ARMO Functions at the SEMA Show

ARMO Industry Awards Reception, with emcee Dennis Gage, host of "My Classic Car"
Date: Tuesday, October 30
Time: 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Location: Ballroom C, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel

ARMO Open General Membership Meeting
Date: Wednesday, October 31
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Location: CR 1–3, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel

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

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

During SEMA Show week, all HRIA members are invited to celebrate and honor exceptional industry individuals during the HRIA Industry Awards Reception, Wednesday, October 31, 5:30 p.m., in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Ballrooms A & B.

Seminar #1
Maximum Bang for Your Marketing Bucks—How to Bring a Flood of New Customers for Little or No Money
7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.—White River Ballroom
Keynote speaker: Bob Negen, WhizBang! Training

To download an application form, visit www.sema.org/hria. For more information on SEMA educational opportunities, visit www.sema.org/education.

To learn more about the HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)

To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

Here is a breakdown of MRC's activities for the rest of the year:

SEMA Show 2007
General Membership Meeting & Awards Ceremony—Presentation of the Hall of Fame and STAR Awards
Date: Sunday October 28
Location: Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Pavilion 6
Time: 4 p.m.–6 p.m.

Rep Center for MRC Reps Only
Date: Sunday, October 28–Friday, November 5
Location: Center Hall, Room C104 (Front of building)

Rep Center Hours
Sunday: Noon–4 p.m.
Monday: Thursday–8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

To reserve a meeting room, contact Nancy Lund to confirm availability at mrc@sema.org or 909/396-0289. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to download sponsorship form.

Breakfast with the Interns
Date: Thursday, November 1, 2007
Location: Room S233, South Hall
Time:  7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. 

Long Range Planning Open Meeting – PRI Show
Date:  Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Location: Orlando, Florida – Hotel and Room TBD
Time:  8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

To learn more about the MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

• The 11th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is set for Tuesday, January 22–Thursday, January 24, 2008, at the Embassy Suites Hotel LAX South in Los Angeles. For more information on the MPMC Media Trade Conference, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

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

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

To learn more about the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the industries’ top companies and also meet new people? Become a sponsor of the SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN during the 2007 SEMA Show. The breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all SBN members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the SBN Networking Breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org. 

• Get expert advice on a business-related problem. The SEMA Mentoring Program, Powered by the SBN, is available to all employees of SEMA-member companies. Ask a one-time question or be matched with an established leader. Visit www.sema.org/mentoring for details.

• SBN has sponsorship opportunities available for its annual breakfast held in conjunction with the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For information, visit www.sema.org/images/pdf/2007SBNBreakfastSponsorshipAgreement.pdf.

To learn more about the SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• The annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by YEN, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2006. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers in automotive-related fields. SEMA members and Show exhibitors interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction are encouraged to visit the SEMA Silent Auction website at www.sema.org/silentauction or the YEN SEMA Silent Auction website at www.semasilentauction.com.

• Would you like to gain more exposure for your company among our industry’s rising young executives? Would you like to enjoy a fun evening getting to know these future industry leaders? Become a sponsor of the Young Executives Network Reception! The reception is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton, Ballrooms E—G. The reception will have a '50s theme. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all YEN members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the YEN Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. 

• Did you know that the YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

To learn more about the YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Filler for eNews

In addition to finding manufacturers showcasing products for musclecars, vintage and classic vehicles, visitors to the Restoration Marketplace will be treated to many finely crafted restored vehicles.

To view all of the exhibitors in Restoration Marketplace, click here.

Filler for eNews