The spy photogs at Brenda Priddy & Company snapped what looks like a minor-model change for the Lexus GS, including a new front bumper and reshaped air intakes. Priddy also expects Lexus will add a new grille and redesign the head and taillights. This mid-cycle update will be its first freshening, with a major change expected in 2011.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has upgraded the side-impact protection standard for new cars and trucks. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214 will now require that test vehicles be slammed sideways into a pole to determine how well they protect occupants. Although NHTSA does not dictate how to construct vehicles that will comply with the test’s performance requirements, most automakers are expected to install airbags. Since the rule requires protection for a wide range of adult sizes, both torso and head-curtain airbags are expected to be utilized. 

The new rule will be phased in over a four-year period starting in 2009. The deadline for most vehicles will be September 1, 2012. There is, however, a one-year extension for vehicles weighing between 8,500—10,000 pounds. Automakers had already agreed to a voluntary industry standard in 2003 that required most cars to have head-protecting airbags by 2009. Nevertheless, NHTSA felt compelled to go beyond the voluntary approach since a federal safety standard triggers mandatory compliance and recall responsibilities. About 84% of model-year 2006 vehicles already have side airbags.  

When NHTSA issued its proposed rule in 2004, SEMA recommended in comments to the agency that it require manufacturers to provide all service information necessary to install equipment that will work in conjunction with vehicle airbags. NHTSA responded that it does not anticipate any marketplace problems and encouraged the auto industry to continue working together to share such information.

For a copy of the rule, click here.

For further information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

HEAD WEST: The Champ Car World Series has announced a return to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca next season. The event does not add a race to the schedule, as it will replace the San Jose Grand Prix, which has run in the streets of San Jose the past two years. A date for the race has not been announced.

CHAMP ON THE MOVE: Dario Franchitti secured the IndyCar Series championship last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, but the Scottish driver is reportedly heading to NASCAR and will drive the No. 40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Sprint Cup Series next season.

AGREEMENT: AT&T, NASCAR and Sprint Nextel reached an agreement that will allow Richard Childress Racing to run AT&T logos on its car, but the deal is contingent on AT&T being out of the sport by the end of the 2009 season.

RETIRING: Noted NASCAR team owner Robert Yates will retire at the end of the season, handing the keys to his race team to his son Doug. David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil will wheel the Yates entries next season.

STICKING AROUND: Thanks to an offer from rival team owner Ken Black to fly him to 10 events next season, four-time NHRA champion Gary Scelzi has decided to nix plans to take a sabbatical from drag racing and will return to the Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car camp full time next season.

MAKES: Joe Gibbs Racing officially announced its switch from Chevrolet cars to the Toyota Camry for the 2008 NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series campaigns.

SHORT TRACK ACES: Jimmy Owens won the prestigious World 100 dirt-late-model race at Eldora Speedway, while Joey Saldana picked up the victory in the Gold Cup Race of Champions winged-sprint-car race at Chico, California. Todd Shute was the big winner at the IMCA Super Nationals.

NUMBER ONE: Tony Schumacher remained at the top of the NSSN Power Rankings, but Indy Racing League champion Dario Franchitti jumped to second in the countdown.

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NEWS NUGGETS

ASHLEY FORCE DELIVERS FOR NHRA ON LENO: Funny Car rookie Ashley Force looked like a seasoned veteran during her appearance with car enthusiast Jay Leno on The Tonight Show Monday night. The daughter of NHRA icon John Force, who was back at the Tonight Show studios 11 years after his own appearance with Leno in 1996, was poised beyond her 24 years as she followed up Everybody Loves Raymond and 'Til Death star Brad Garrett with her own five-minute segment filled with race highlights and plenty of laughs. She joked about her accident in Seattle: "You know when you have a really bad day at work ... " Click here http://www.nhra.com/content/news/24045.htm to read more about her appearance and view the photo of the Force family with Jay Leno.

QUALIFY OR BUST: With qualifying no longer a foregone conclusion-four Countdown drivers DNQ'd at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals-and the stakes having been ratcheted up significantly by the aforementioned Countdown, the pressure has never been greater on driver performance on Fridays and Saturdays at NHRA POWERade Series races.
    There are even big consequences for drivers who DO qualify-remember Doug Herbert made it into the Countdown by only three points over Dave Grubnic-so qualifying position may be as important for some drivers as simply qualifying.

NHRA FAN BASE PROPELS FORCE TO 'AOL'S HOTTEST ATHLETE' TITLE: AOL's Hottest Athlete contest is done and the winner is NHRA POWERade Series rookie Ashley Force. In a testament to the viral power of the NHRA fan base-there were 285,586 click-throughs from nhra.com to the contest on aol.com-she plowed through Danica Patrick and Jenny Finch en route to the women's title, and then trounced Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to win the overall title.

FOR MIKE ASHLEY, U.S. NATIONALS A WIN-WIN-WIN SITUATION: Funny Car driver Mike Ashley won the biggest race on the POWERade Series circuit, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, and moved up from sixth place in the standings to second place. Yet there was a still-greater moment for him on Labor Day 2007.
    Mike was driving a Chip Foose-designed car, with dozens of colorful handprints and two footprints on the hood, that paid tribute to the loss absorbed by friends Donnie and Hollie Faulkner, whose child Erik Blake was stillborn on May 24, 2007.
    The car will be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction January 12-20, with the proceeds going to the Erik Blake Faulkner Foundation, which will aid parents dealing with a similar loss.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O'REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS, MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK, SEPTEMBER 14-16: Doug Kalitta, John Force, Kurt Johnson and Andrew Hines look to defend their 2006 titles at this second event in the Countdown to Four.

O'REILLY NHRA FALL NATIONALS, TEXAS MOTORPLEX, SEPTEMBER 20-23: The third of four races in the Countdown to Four, defending event winners include Brandon Bernstein, Robert Hight, and Richie Stevens Jr. Also, for the first time since 2000, the Pro Stock Motorcycle's will return to compete at Texas Motorplex.

TORCO RACING FUELS NHRA NATIONALS, VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK, OCTOBER 5-7: The Countdown to Four fields will be set when the POWERade Series returns to the East Coast, where Cory McClenathan, 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.

.INSIDE THE NUMBERS
40: That's the number of career wins for both Tony Schumacher and Larry Dixon. The 40 wins are tied for 10th most all-time in POWERade Series history and second most on the all-time Top Fuel wins list (Joe Amato, 52).

DRIVERS TELL ALL
FUNNY CAR DRIVER RON CAPPS, CURRENTLY ON THE BUMP (FOURTH PLACE), AFTER LEADING IN POINTS MOST OF THE SEASON, ON THE COUNTDOWN: Capps was a first-round loser at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the first race of the four-race playoff that will halve the field of eligible championship contenders from eight to four, and that dropped him from first to fourth place:
    "I still love the concept of the Countdown. I'm looking forward to these next three races because I love the format and the pressure of the Countdown. You have to have a level of confidence without being cocky in this sport, because you can be humbled so quickly. Right now it's a pivotal time for everybody, because with three races left to get into the top four, pressure is the word of the day. And every run is going to be very important. I think it's going to bring the best out in everybody and I really look forward to getting further up in that top four."

Creative Material Technologies Ltd. hired Bob Motyka to the company’s marketing team. In addition to his marketing role, Motyka will also provide application training for the company nationwide.

Bob Motyka

Penray hired Matt Zahradka as its Eastern regional sales manager for the company’s automotive division. In this position, Zahradka is responsible for regional and private label sales assignments. Prior to joining Penray, Zahradka held a private-label sales position with Airosol Company. 

Matt Zahradka

Six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson will serve as the Grand Marshal of the inaugural GM Performance Parts LSX Shootout, October 11—14, at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee. Johnson will also be available for an autograph session at the GM Performance Parts Power Shop and hand out trophies to the winners.

AVM Industries appointed Ken Parman to director of sales for the company’s aftermarket products division. Parman's 20 years in the automotive aftermarket was spent with AP Parts, R&B Automotive and ITC. In this new role, he is charged with identifying new markets for the existing gas-charged lift support product category, as well as exploring and developing new, complementary product categories.

Lauren Manufacturing appointed Falon Jones to polymer engineer. Jones will be responsible for mixing rubber formulations and running compound trials that focus on current and new development and customer requirements. The company also named Heather Rogers market manager for its Containers and Emerging Market Unit. Rogers’s responsibilities include researching market conditions and trends with the purpose of providing information on new and existing markets. Rogers is also responsible for customer-relationship development within the Containers and Emerging Market Unit.

                 
Falon Jones                                                           Heather Rogers

The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

A message from ARMO Vehicles Sub-committee Chairman, Marshall Giorgi:

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

• HRIA has announced its educational lineup for the council's Education Day program, February 28, 2008, at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. Working with SEMA’s Education Department, the HRIA was able to secure the services and talents of two notable keynote speakers: Bob Negen of WhizBang! Training, and Dan Martens of MISIX Inc.—both SEMA Show favorites. A survey of council members identified a strong desire and interest in learning more up-to-date techniques to market their business, products or services. Understanding about marketing a brand was another hot topic of interest.
  
  Education Day consists of two keynote speaker seminars and 35 technical seminars.
  
  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
  
  Seminar #2
  Understanding Your Brand and How it Can Work for You
  12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. — White River Ballroom
  Keynote speaker: Dan Martens, MISIX Inc.
  
  NEW FOR 2008: Everybody needs nourishment, and what better way to kill two birds with one stone than to have lunch and listen to a great speaker at the same time!
  
  Technical seminars, better known as manufacturer workshops, will begin at 8:45 a.m. with five seminars running concurrently. A total of 35 workshops throughout the day makes this one of the most desirable educational days available for members. Exhibitors of the Hotrod & Restoration trade show are invited to promote and demonstrate the technical applications of their products by conducting these manufacturer workshops/technical seminars. Approved and final technical seminars will be publicized in SEMA-related materials and in Hotrod and Restoration-related materials. All topics must be technical in nature. Marketing sessions will not be permitted.
  
  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)

• The DVD “Why Paint Colors Vary?” This valuable resource is now available. TORA members now have a valuable new tool that will help educate consumers about the challenges of the paint-color-matching process. Available for dealers and installers to play in their waiting areas, the video is presented in a professional format and brings a consistent message on why paint colors vary. The TORA “Why Paint Colors Vary?” DVD is available to TORA council members free of charge (or $49.95 for non-TORA members). Other tools available from TORA are the CHMSL and altered-height CDs. For details or to place an order, contact Staci Bostock at 909/396-0289, ext. 104, or e-mail stacib@sema.org.

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

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

SEMA and the MRC cordially invite you to participate in the SEMA/MRC Interactive Town Hall Dinner, a new component of the SEMA MRC Rep Conference that is designed specifically for manufacturers, WDs and reps. The MRC Rep Conference Town Hall Interactive Dinner takes place immediately following the close of the PWA Conference on Wednesday, September 26, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the famed MRC sponsored cocktail hour. Dinner service will begin at 6:20 p.m., and the Town Hall discussion will begin at 7:00 p.m., lasting until 9:00 p.m.

The Town Hall is a unique interactive discussion that will explore the expectations the manufacturer, warehouse distributor and manufacturers' rep all have in an agency or rep servicing a satellite warehouse location. 

• Join leading manufacturers and WDs in uncovering the best way to address sales training for WDs.
• Discover new ways to introduce new products, ultimately leading to more sales.
• Go home with practical solutions to your biggest challenges.

Reserving your seat is easy, click here to download a copy of the registration form. To learn more about the MRC Rep Conference, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at mrc@sema.org or call 909/396-0289, ext. 134.

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

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)

• You are invited to find out where the youth market is headed by attending SCC's Youth Focus Panel during the NOPI Nationals, Saturday, September 15, 4:30 p.m.—6:00 p.m., at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Infield Media Center. The event features dozens of young consumers speaking candidly about their hobby. This is where you'll discover what they really think and want from the automotive specialty-equipment market.
  
  To RSVP or if you have any questions about the Focus Group, Contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• Richard Schroeder: A special online forum has been created in honor of the late Richard Schroeder, who passed away August 13 after a brief bout with cancer. The forum is located at http://schrodo.com; click on forums. Schroeder was a charter member of the Import Performance Committee, which is now known at the Sport-Compact Council. To learn more about Schroeder’s life and passion for motorsports, visit his website at http://www.schrodo.com.  
  
  

To learn more about the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@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, 5:00–7:00 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. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28.
  
  

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

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• 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 WTC Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28.

• 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, 5:00–7:30 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. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28, 2007.


• 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

As the foundation of the automotive specialty-equipment industry, hot rods and customs remain an integral part of the SEMA Show. In addition to hundreds of booths showcasing custom and specialty parts, tires and accessories for hot rods, visitors to Hot Rod Alley will be treated to some of the most creative and artistic vehicles on display, and they will be able to talk directly with representatives from the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), a SEMA council dedicated to preserving and promoting the hot-rod industry.

To view all of the companies exhibiting in Hot Rod Alley of the 2007 SEMA Show click here. To view all of the sections and exhibitors of the 2007 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Exhibitors, don't forget to let us know of any celebrity autograph sessions or booth appearances by contacting Lisa Schafer at lisas@sema.org. The following personalities are scheduled to appear at the 2007 SEMA Show:

-Kenny Youngblood, motorsports artist
Superchips (Booth #24213),
Tuesday—Thursday (9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.); Friday (9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.)

-Daytona Dayton, automotive radio personality
Line-X (Booth TBD)
Tuesday—Friday (time TBD)

-Kevin Levrone, bodybuilder
Line-X (Booth TBD)
Tuesday—Friday (time TBD)

-Mike Ciochetti, Jr., NASCAR driver
Line-X (Booth TBD)
Tuesday—Friday (time TBD)

-Boyd and Jo Coddington, star of American Hot Rod, SEMA Hall of Famer
AMSOIL (South Hall, Upper Level)
Thursday, 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

-John and Ashley Force; Robert Hight, Force Racing Team, NHRA
NHRA (Booth #22331)
Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.

-Funkmaster Flex, radio and television personality, car show impresario
BP Lubricants/Castrol (Booth #21021)
Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.—12 p.m.

You are invited to find out where the youth market is headed by attending Sport Compact Council's (SCC) Youth Focus Panel during the NOPI Nationals, Saturday, September 15, 4:30 p.m.—6:00 p.m., Atlanta Motor Speedway, Infield Media Center. The event features dozens of young consumers speaking candidly about their hobby. This is where you'll discover what they really think and want from the automotive specialty-equipment market.

To RSVP or if you have any questions about the Focus Group, Contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. For more information on the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc.