Tight European emissions laws mean buyers won't be offered the WRX model in some European countries when the hatch arrives here later this year. But we can now reveal the first pictures of a storming new STI variant. While dealers will get the first five-door Imprezas late this summer, the performance STI won't debut until October's Tokyo Motor Show. As a result, customers will have to make do with the entry-level car until the flagship arrives in 2008. The STI is powered by a tuned version of the 2.5L boxer engine, turbocharged to produce more than 300 bhp and around 400 Nm of torque.

 
It will be mated to Subaru's existing six-speed manual box, while a new automated manual, sourced from specialist firm Aisin, is expected to join the line-up when the latest Impreza is facelifted in 2009. That will ensure the hot STI can compete with its arch-rival, the Mitsubishi Evo X, which will get a paddleshift gearbox when it debuts next spring. The top Impreza gets a range of unique styling additions, including a specially developed bonnet, grille and a wide front bumper with big air intakes. Flared wheelarches house smart 18-inch alloys, which will hide the existing STI's Brembo brake system. Buyers can expect to see minor tweaks to the all-wheel-drive system, and engineers have also taken the opportunity to tune the handling, thanks to a more compact double wishbone rear suspension set-up. Inside, the new Impreza benefits from higher-quality trim, and the STI will also get a pair of supportive bucket seats up front to boost its sporty appeal.

Regulatory oversight of imported products has not kept pace with the increased volume of foreign goods coming into the United States. That was the conclusion of a government panel which is studying ways to improve safety measures both at the U.S. border and in cooperation with foreign governments and manufacturers. The panel recommended preventing problems by “building safety into manufacturing and distribution, intervening when risks were identified and responding quickly after an unsafe product made its way into the country." The draft report also called for “improved information-sharing, promotion of technological innovation and development of ‘a culture of collaboration’ among regulatory agencies and with foreign governments.” The expert panel is comprised of Bush Administration cabinet officials who were directed to identify generic import safety problems made apparent by recent shipments of tainted food and defective products from China. The panel will continue to expand upon their draft recommendations in the coming months.

With respect to automotive issues, Nicole Nason, the Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), recently observed that a current tire recall confirmed that the NHTSA already has enormous authority to block unsafe imports and require recalls of items in the U.S. marketplace. Under federal law, importers of vehicles or equipment produced abroad are considered to be the “manufacturer” of that product.  Manufacturers must self-certify that products covered by the NHTSA safety standards (lighting, brakes, tires, etc.) comply with agency rules.  Administrator Nason noted that “manufacturers have a legal duty to report to the NHTSA that a vehicle or equipment does not comply with the NHTSA’s standards or when they learn that a vehicle or equipment contains a defect and determine that the defect is safety-related. The manufacturers also have the duty to conduct a recall by notifying owners of the problem and offering to remedy the defect or noncompliance by repairing or replacing the vehicle or equipment or refunding the purchase price.”

As a direct result of the recall, the NHTSA has entered into an agreement with China on rapidly sharing information when there are future investigations. The NHTSA may also ask Congress to pass legislation giving it the authority to impose product testing and recordkeeping requirements on importers and, possibly, to require recall insurance.  For a copy of the draft report by the Import Safety Panel:  http://www.importsafety.gov/report/index.html.  For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

U.S. Rep. John Dingell, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced a plan to control global warming emissions by raising taxes on carbon-based fuels, such as gasoline. The proposal calls for a $.50 cents per gallon tax hike for gasoline, a tax of $50 on every ton of carbon released from coal and petroleum sources, and a phase-out of the mortgage tax deduction for homes bigger than 3,000 square feet.  "A carbon tax is going to carry with it a lot of pain," Dingell said. "Something's got to be done [about global warming], and the only way it can be done is by conservation, forcing a change in people's attitudes and a change in the way the business of the nation is done. ... Changing the economic and personal incentives are the way you do that."

There are no immediate plans for a vote on the legislation. Chairman Dingell is seeking to spur a national debate about controlling carbon dioxide (CO2) with carbon taxes along with a "cap and trade" system for emissions credits. He has also urged lawmakers to focus attention on reducing CO2 emissions rather than mandating arbitrary Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) hikes since the two issues are directly linked—CO2 is emitted when fossil fuels are burned, thus reduced CO2 tailpipe emissions means better fuel mileage. Conversely, Chairman Dingell does not believe government mandates, such as a significant CAFE hike, will succeed since they lack market forces used to change consumer behavior. For additional information about the carbon tax legislation, visit www.house.gov/dingell/carbonTaxSummary.shtml.

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

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the closure of approximately 100,000 acres in the Indian Creek Corridor of San Juan County, Utah. While OHV use will be permitted on existing roads and trails, all “cross-country” OHV activity within the designated area is prohibited. This closure will remain in effect until the BLM completes a review of its existing management plan for OHV use in San Juan County.    

Large-scale public land closures are consequential to SEMA members as they deny access to off-roaders and the equipment that they purchase for off-road use. SEMA has worked with the other land access groups on reasonable land use policies that protect motorized recreation and our nation’s natural wonders. Details: Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org.

NHRA FOUNDER WALLY PARKS DIES AT 94: Wally Parks, the driving force behind the formation of NHRA, died Friday, September 29, at the age of 94. It was Parks' vision, goals and unconditional commitment to the need for speed and side-by-side racing in a safer, more controlled environment that created what is today the world's largest motorsports governing body. "It is a sad day in the world of NHRA and the sport of drag racing," said Tom Compton, president of the NHRA. "Words simply can't describe the immeasurable impact Wally has had on the sport he created and the millions of people's lives he touched along the way. The name Wally Parks is synonymous with drag racing, and his vision and direction will guide the NHRA for years to come. Everyone in drag racing, and the industries formed to service the sport, will forever be indebted to Wally, his vision, his focus and his desire to create, build and grow NHRA." Parks, who founded NHRA in 1951, received countless awards in the motorsports world and played a pivotal role in the establishment of an entire industry devoted to speed and automotive aftermarket parts and accessories that today is a multibillion-dollar business. Yet Parks never implied that he did it all himself. His pride and joy, and where he spent most of his time in recent years while still serving on NHRA's board of directors, was The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif.  “Wally spent his lifetime doing what he loved,” said Dallas Gardner, chairman of the NHRA board of directors. “He marked the path and led the way for this incredible industry and the sport of drag racing. Wally was NHRA, and through his dream came a path to follow with lofty goals and ambition. He put the people in place and trusted in them. He has not abandoned us. He has left us with a road map that he knows will be followed.”

JOHN FORCE UPDATE: John Force, drag racing's most prolific winner with 125 NHRA POWERade tour victories and 14 Funny Car championships, who was injured in a high-speed crash two weeks ago at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas, is expected to be released from the hospital today or Tuesday. Once Force is released from Baylor, he will travel to Indianapolis to consult with his crew chiefs about chassis changes and with Dr. Terry Trammell, an orthopedist specializing in motor racing injuries.   Force's goal is to travel to Richmond, Virginia, for this week's Torco Racing Fuels Nationals to provide moral support for teammate Robert Hight, who is prominently in contention for the $500,000 POWERade championship.

POWERADE COUNTDOWN TO ONE WILL BE SET IN VIRGINIA: POWERade Countdown to One fields in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will be set during this weekend’s Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals at scenic Virginia Motorsports Park near Richmond, Virginia. There are several close battles to keep an eye on. Following the race, only the top four competitors in each pro category will be eligible to win world championships during a two-race shootout in Las Vegas and Pomona, California. In Top Fuel, Bob Vandergriff Jr. is 21 points behind Brandon Bernstein, who currently holds down the No. 4 cutoff position. In Funny Car, with fourth-place driver John Force on the sidelines recovering from injuries suffered in a high-speed crash at the last event, Jack Beckman, Ron Capps, Gary Scelzi and Mike Ashley are all battling for the final two spots in the top four.  In Pro Stock, Allen Johnson and Jeg Coughlin hold the third and fourth place spots, but Jason Line and Kurt Johnson are looking to crash the party.

AUTO CLUB ROAD TO THE FUTURE AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED: Five NHRA rookie racers, representative of three Pro categories, have been selected as nominees for the 2007 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award. The nominees for the prestigious award are, in alphabetical order, Ashley Force (Funny Car), Craig Hankinson (Pro Stock), Barry Henson (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Justin Humphreys (Pro Stock) and Matt Scranton (Pro Stock). The award, which recognizes the top rookie competitor in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series and offers a $20,000 prize and traditional trophy to the winner, will be presented during NHRA's annual championship awards ceremony Monday, November 5, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles.

TEAM JEGS CHEF GETS REALITY TV SHOW: The most accomplished chef in motorsports will bring his unique and rollicking blend of culinary and hot-rodding experiences to the small screen when FSN Ohio debuts "The Racing Chef" at 10 p.m. ET on October 8. The reality show follows the exploits of Team Jegs chef Nicky Morse as he crisscrosses the country for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, chasing down exotic ingredients and cooking up world-class cuisine for the Coughlin family and members of the Team Jegs racing crew. “It's a cooking show, a backstage racing pass and a travel adventure all in one—not to mention a rare personal glimpse into the Team Jegs racing experience,” said Don Lee of Horizons Companies, the Columbus, Ohio, company producing the show. The idea for the series was hatched by Lee and Morse, along with Scott Woodruff, director of media and motorsports marketing for Jegs. "As anyone that has ever met Chef Nicky knows, he's definitely one of a kind," Woodruff said. "His life revolves around food and creating new dishes, and he's so passionate about what he does that it really takes you into his little world. It's great entertainment. Because of his unique position with our race team, Nicky's become quite a celebrity in the racing markets we visit. He takes the sport of drag racing to audiences we may not normally reach, and because of his captivating personality and humor, he attracts new fans wherever we go. Our hope is that this TV show will expand the fan base even further. It's not only funny, it's interesting too, and I think it will appeal to men and women alike."

COUGHLIN BROTHERS WINNERS AT JEGS NORTHERN SPORTSNATIONALS: Hometown favorites Mike and John Coughlin were among winners at the Jegs Northern SportsNATIONALS at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio. Mike claimed the Top Sportsman victory while brother John earned the win in the Jegs Top Dragster Shootout. Other winners included Bill Baker (Stock); Doug Doll Jr. (Comp); Rock Running (Super Stock); Michael Sawyer (Super Gas); Karsten Blume (Super Comp); Jeff Hurst (Top Dragster); Charlie Westcott (Mopar Hemi Challenge); and Lynn Hoosigian (Super Street).

COMING ATTRACTIONS

TORCO RACING FUELS NHRA NATIONALS, VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK, OCTOBER 5–7: The Countdown to One fields will be set when the POWERade Series returns to the East Coast, where Cory McClenathan, the late Eric Medlen, and Jason Line won in 2006.

NHRA SPORT COMPACT FALLNATIONALS, OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK, OCTOBER 6–7: The drivers of the Xplod Series return to this historic track to fight for points that will lead to the year-end world championship. Look for records to fall in the cool fall weather. This also marks the last race for the Eastern Region Sportsman Championship.

ACDELCO LAS VEGAS NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, OCTOBER 25–28: The Countdown to One begins with the Top 4 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: The final race in the inaugural POWERade Countdown to the Championship will determine world champions in the four professional categories. The race usually provides great drama, such as Tony Schumacher’s thrilling record-breaking final round run to win the race and the Top Fuel championship last season. Other defending winners include John Force (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Craig Treble (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

.INSIDE THE NUMBERS

56: Wally Parks was 38 when he started the journey to build the NHRA as an opportunity to get hot-rod enthusiasts organized and take their competitions off public streets and onto safer, controlled dragstrips. Today his vision is 56 years old and going strong. He played an integral role in all 56 years of the development of what has become the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning organization. From its first sanctioned event in Pomona, California, in 1953, to its first national event in 1955 in Great Bend, Kansas, to today’s 23-race NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship that criss-crosses the United States and is televised on ESPN2, Parks was able to see his idea blossom beyond his wildest dreams. “When Barbara (Parks, wife) and I first started the NHRA, we never could have dreamed that it would grow and become what it is today,” Parks said in 2001 during NHRA’s 50th Anniversary celebration.  “We thank all of the drivers, team owners, sponsors, track operators, fans and NHRA employees that have dedicated a major part of their lives to achieve the current level of popularity associated with NHRA Drag Racing.”

DRIVERS TELL ALL

DON ‘THE SNAKE’ PRUDHOMME REMEMBERS WALLY PARKS: “I was always very close with Wally and Barbara as they both helped me tremendously in the early days of my career.  As a young kid starting out, they both really took me under their wing, giving me advice, and we had a special friendship. Both Wally and Barbara meant a whole lot to me.  I’ve said before that when I look back at all the people I’ve met, not just in racing, but in life in general, I always think of them as people that I really loved and admired. It’s like losing a member of your family, and it goes way beyond racing.  Wally’s vision and what he represented is what we are all about.”

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.  

DIED: Wally Parks, the man who founded the National Hot Rod Association and helped build drag racing into the sport it is today, died September 28. He was 94 years old…Dirt racing promoter Mike Swims lost his battle with cancer. He was 42.

NEW PLAN: The Indy Racing League IndyCar Series announced October 2 a new purse format for the series. The program, called IndyCar TEAM: Team Enhancement and Allocation Matrix, will award a minimum of $1.2 million to each car entered to compete the entire season. As a result the IRL will dissolve its existing purse structure.

RECOVERING: Injured Funny Car driver John Force continues his recovery from injuries suffered in a September 23 crash at the Texas Motorplex. Force is undergoing physical therapy and hopes to attend this weekend’s NHRA event at Virginia Motorsports Park to lend moral support to his team.

A DEBUT: Former Indy 500 and World Driving Champion Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to make his first NASCAR Nextel Cup Series start this weekend at Talladega (Alabama) Superspeedway. Villeneuve has only one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start to his credit, but did participate in last month’s test session at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

TEST TIME: The Indy Racing League announced a pair of upcoming off-season test sessions. The first will be October 3–4 at Iowa Speedway and the second October 12 on the road course at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.

NUMBER ONE: With his 17th World of Outlaws triumph of the season, which came in the $50,000-to-win National Open at Williams Grove Speedway, Donny Schatz returned to the top of the NSSN 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.

Denise Koeth joined Babcox Publications as managing editor for its Tire Review magazine. She will also serve as an assistant editor on Tire Review’s sister publication, Fleet Equipment magazine. A veteran reporter, Koeth started her career at the Barberton (Ohio) Herald and most recently worked for the Medina County Gazette. She graduated with honors from The University of Akron, earning a bachelor's degree in mass media communications. Koeth can be reached at 330/670-1234, ext. 274, or via e-mail at dkoeth@babcox.com.

The following are executive changes at Yokohama Tire Corp. Takao Oishi was named Yokohaama Tire Corp.’s executive vice president of operations. Oishi, who spent the past two years as president of Yokohama Europe, will be responsible for logistics, strategic marketing and operations. Kenichi Shirai was named the company’s chief advisor, strategic marketing. He will oversee product planning and strategic marketing. Iwao Shimomura was named senior director, corporate quality assurance. Shimomura will oversee tire development, technology and quality assurance.

KICKER announced that factory training and certification for the company’s amplifiers is now available online for all authorized KICKER dealers. The online format is in addition to the training that the company conducts across the country featuring factory product specialists.

Scosche Industries received the “Innovators Class of 2007” distinction from DigitalLife. Presented by Ziff Davis Media, DigitalLife Innovators honors industry leaders dedicated to educating consumers about what the digital lifestyle means to every aspect of life, from work and home to recreation.  

Send press releases for Movers and Shakers to eNews@sema.org.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• 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.

Popular blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd will perform at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, November 2, and all registered SEMA Show attendees can catch the concert for the reduced price of $25. The Mopar-lovin' six-stringer will himself attend the SEMA Show on November 1 and 2, and personally requested that Showgoers receive a discounted ticket price. Shepherd's latest project car, a '70 Duster, will be displayed in the Mopar Performance Booth.

Tickets can be purchased through the Ticketmaster website (www.ticketmaster.com) or by calling 866/448-7849. SEMA Show attendees will later receive the special event promo code for the discounted price.

With five albums, two Grammy nominations, two Billboard Music Awards, two Orville H. Gibson Awards, four straight #1 blues albums, a string of #1 rock singles and one film under his belt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd is a growing blues legend. Cracking into the music industry at age 16, his 1995 debut Ledbetter Heights has sold over a million copies, while follow-up Trouble Is... and third album Live On both earned Grammy nominations.

Shepherd's most recent project, a DVD/CD entitled TEN DAYS OUT; Blues from the Backroads, captures a 10-day portable recording and performing blitz with the most renowned artists to ever play the blues. Backed by Double Trouble (esteemed bandmates of the late Stevie Ray Vaughn) and produced by Jerry Harrison, Shepherd sat down with B.B. King, the late Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Hubert Sumlin, PInetop Perkins, and Honeyboy Edwards, to name just a few. Partial proceeds from the project are being donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to helping impoverished blues artists.

“I cut my teeth as a blues artist,” Shepherd says. "My first three records mixed my styles, and the last one, The Place You’re In, was a pretty heavy dose of rock and roll. So this became a perfect time to present a solid dose of the blues."

The album has no overdubs and no high-tech fixing.

“What happened is what you hear," Shepherd says. "We kept it as real as possible."

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