NEWS NUGGETS

MOTORSPORTS’  FASTEST COUPLE—TROXEL AND JOHNSON JR.—TO COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER IN 2008: Top Fuel pilot Melanie Troxel and Funny Car driver Mike Ashley announced this past week in Indianapolis that Troxel will drive a second Funny Car in Ashley’s Gotham City Racing stable in 2008. The announcement means that Troxel and husband, Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr., will compete head-to-head in the Funny Car class in 2008. Troxel is in the process of completing her Funny Car license.

DEFENDING EVENT CHAMPION SCHUMACHER PICKS UP SIXTH WIN AT U.S. NATIONALS; ASHLEY, CONNOLLY, TREBLE EACH COLLECT THEIR FIRST WIN IN INDIANAPOLIS: 2006 defending event winner Tony Schumacher jumped into the NHRA playoff points lead Monday with his sixth Mac Tools U.S. Nationals’ victory in the last eight years. Schumacher posted a 4.575-second run over SkyTel dragster pilot Larry Dixon, whose runner-up finish moved him to second in the point standings. Mike Ashley defeated defending event winner Robert Hight to collect his first U.S. Nationals win and move himself into the second spot in the point standings in Funny Car. In Pro Stock, Dave Connolly played spoiler to Greg Anderson’s hopes of grabbing six U.S. Nationals’ titles in a row by posting a 6.710-second run and defeating the defending event winner by .0088 seconds. In Pro Stock Motorcycle Craig Treble knocked off current points leader Matt Smith to collect his first U.S. Nationals win and move up to the second spot in the point standings.

“FAST JACK” GRABS $100,000 SKOAL SHOWDOWN WIN AT INDIANAPOLIS: Jack Beckman defeated Ron Capps in an all-Don Schumacher Racing Final to grab $100,000 and his first Skoal Showdown win at the special event held Sunday at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Beckman got the win-light over three-time Skoal Showdown champion Capps by one-hundredth of a second, running a 4.950 to Capps 4.976.

HINES WINS RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE FOR THIRD TIME IN FOUR YEARS: Andrew Hines knocked off Chip Ellis Saturday night in Indianapolis to collect $25,000 and his third Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle in four years. Hines powered his Vance and Hines Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson to a 7.005-second run at 189.31 mph. Ellis earned $10,000 for his runner-up finish in the event.

24TH NATIONAL EVENT ADDED TO POWERade SERIES 2008 SCHEDULE: NHRA announced it will add an event to the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule, expanding it to 24 national events. It is the first addition to the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule since 2000. The newest event, which will be announced in the near future, will be held September 11–14, 2008, moving the O’Reilly NHRA Mid South Nationals in Memphis, Tenn., to Sept. 26–28, 2008. In addition, NHRA announced that the Pro Stock Motorcycle catergory will expand to 17 races in 2008, with the addition of the to-be-announced event in the fall. To access the full schedule, click here. 

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.

.INSIDE THE NUMBERS

51: Points separating Funny Car driver Robert Hight, who is currently first in the point standings, from fourth-place and cutoff point driver Ron Capps. Capps had held a lead of 78 points over then second-place driver Hight, before the move into the Countdown Playoff at Indianapolis when the points were reset.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

FUNNY CAR DRIVER AND TEAM OWNER JOHN FORCE ON THE ERIC MEDLEN PROJECT: This past week heading into the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, John Force Racing (JFR) announced its creation of The Eric Medlen Project (TEMP), a 48,000-square-foot building adjacent to the existing JFR shop in Indianapolis that will be the home of the upcoming Funny Car of the Future that JFR plans to build in the near future. Along with the announcement of TEMP, a life-size bronze statue of the late Medlen was revealed outside the main building, memorializing Medlen’s emotional win in Sonoma two years ago. In creating The Eric Medlen Project, Force said his goal was to secure the legacy of its namesake, enhance race-car safety in all forms of motor racing and sustain the JFR racing dynasty. “Our purpose is to show everyone that all of us at John Force Racing will never forget Eric Medlen and the impact he had on us,” said Force.

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

CANCELLED: The Champ Car World Series round scheduled for the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, December 2 was officially cancelled after organizers could not generate enough corporate support to hold the event.

CHANGES: The Indy Car Series is planning several changes for its series and cars next year, including the introduction of a paddle-shift system and the possible implementation of power steering for road-racing events.

PORSCHE POWER: Porsche’s Cayenne engine will make its debut in the Grand American Rolex Series in the series finale at Miller Motorsports Park. The engine will power The Spirit of Daytona Fabcar wheeled by Guy Cosmo and Marc-Antoine Camirand.

INTERESTING DOUBLE: The ARCA RE/MAX Series completed an interesting Labor Day weekend double Monday. The series raced on the 1.25-mile superspeedway at Gateway International Raceway Friday, with rookie Bryan Clauson getting his first victory and hit the dirt Monday at the Duquoin (Illinois) State Fairgrounds. Ken Schrader was the winner at the one-mile dirt track.

A FUNNY CAR: Top Fuel drag racer Melanie Troxel will make the move to the Funny Car division next season, wheeling a second car out of Evan Knoll’s stable as a teammate to U.S. Nationals winner Mike Ashley.

NEW OWNERS: Arizona Diamondbacks executives Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel have purchased a controlling interest of the Hall of Fame Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team owned by Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.

TRAGEDY: Twenty-seven-year-old sprint-car racer Billy Kimmel was killed in a violent crash Sunday night at Pennsylvania’s Williams Grove Speedway.

NUMBER ONE: Tony Schumacher used his sixth U.S. Nationals Top Fuel triumph to take advantage of a sub-par week by all of the drivers in the NSSN Power Rankings and jumped to the top of the standings. Lewis Hamilton ranks 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. http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D

Dennis Overholser, executive vice president and co-founder of Painless Performance, was presented the Individual of the Year Award at the 38th National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Overholser has served as a volunteer for NSRA, served on the SEMA Board of Directors, the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Select Committee and is the current chair-elect of SEMA’s Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).

IPC Global Solutions named aftermarket veteran Sean Stanic as vice president and general manager, aftermarket. Stanic, who most recently was vice president sales and marketing, independent aftermarket for Siemens VDO, brings more than 20 years of experience to IPC, where he will be responsible for all sales, marketing and aftermarket development. Stanic, a member of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) board of directors and government affairs committee, is also a member of the Automotive Sales Council.

  
Sean Stanic

KICKER/Soundgate announced that it shipped four KICKER-induced P.A. towers to Oklahoma State University (OSU) head football coach Mike Gundy as part of the team’s preparation for their nationally televised football game at Georgia. The KICKER towers contained a total of 12 speakers, three amplifiers and enough power to push 9,000 watts of the Georgia fight sound across the OSU turf, simulating the real-world noise of the intense Georgia crowd.

Vantage Marketing Global Inc. hired Hubert Bradley as manager, product management and technical services. Bradley brings with him 27 years of experience, most recently with Kemparts LLC as product services manager. The company stated that Bradley’s addition to the firm will boost the firm’s efforts in research and product development specific to the North American market.

Registration for the inaugural Redline: Time Attack! Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is open. The Championships event is open to all makes and models of vehicles (maximum entry capacity of only 100 vehicles) and is the only officially-sanctioned Time Attack Championship accessible to the general public. Details: www.RedlineTimeAttack.com or call 661/992-4384.

GKS Inspection Services opened an office in Taiwan—GKS Inspection Services Taiwan Pvt. LTD. "GKS Taiwan is an important part of our strategy of becoming the global leader in the 3D laser scanning and dimensional inspection services industry," said Armando Alonso, GKS vice president. "GKS Taiwan broadens our scope of coverage in Asia while also giving us entry into the fast-growing Taiwanese manufacturing industry. We can now seamlessly provide metrology and reverse-engineering services to multinational companies who have operations in Taiwan."

Bridgestone's Turanza EL42 tires were selected by Lexus as original equipment for the automaker’s LS 600h L luxury hybrid sedan, which is billed as the world’s first full V8, AWD hybrid vehicle.  

The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

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 – 6 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.
  
  
• 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.  
  
  
• Get Connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking—a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes you can meet someone new in the automotive industry; you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

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

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

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

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

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, Indiana. 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.

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.
  
  
• Get connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking—a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes you can meet someone new in the automotive industry; you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, 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.

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. 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.
  
• Get Connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking—a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes you will meet someone new in the automotive industry; you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, 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.

Online media registration is open for the 2008 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference. Taking place January 22–24, 2008, this event is where editors and reporters meet with leading manufacturers of motorsports parts and accessories. With 100 manufacturers exhibiting at the 2008 event, the conference will be the largest in its 11-year history.

Media can choose to participate for a single day, or they may maximize their opportunity to take part in up to 42 private, uninterrupted meetings by participating all three days. Attendance is open only to qualified media representatives. To register, visit http://www.sema.org/MPMCconference/MediaRegister.aspx or contact Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org, 909/396-0289, ext. 130.

Today's vehicles are more reliable and are remaining on the road longer than ever before. As a result, consumer demand for car care and related accessories is skyrocketing. Find out what's new in the car-care business.

The Car Care & Accessories section of the 2007 SEMA Show features more than 150 companies, and you'll discover what's new with waxes, paint prep, buffer, vacuums, coolants, grease, rust-proofing, tire sealants and more.

To view all of the companies exhibiting in the Car Care & Accessories section of the 2007 SEMA Show click here. To view all of the sections and exhibitors of the 2007 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

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

>> SEMA Webinar: Correlating Parts Service to Customer Wants and Needs, September 13, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: The Future of Inventory Control-RFID, September 20, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> MRC Rep Conference, September 26–27, Phoenix
>> SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, Las Vegas
>> MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 22–24, 2008, Los Angeles
>> SEMA Washington Rally, May 14–15, 2008, Washington, D.C.
>> PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July 9–11, 2008, Mexico City

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:

The newest classifieds under Positions Wanted include:

The newest classifieds under For Sale include:

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.

Automotive enthusiasts are most interested in musclecars, street rods, customs and restored vehicles, according to SEMA market research. So who are these enthusiasts? The following is a short excerpt from the 2006 Hot Rod Industry Report, which provides demographic data on this group:

SEMA’s latest Automotive Lifestyles survey was launched in June 2006. It was sent to subscribers of 21 different Primedia publications, including Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Popular Hot Rodding, and Rod & Custom. Some of the questions provide some useful demographic information. One of the questions read, “Please rate your LEVEL OF INTEREST in the following vehicle types.” The results for some of these categories are provided in the table below.
 

A total of 80% indicated an interest in musclecars; 70% indicated an interest in street rods and customs; and 74% indicated an interest in restored vehicles. Of those who said they were very interested in musclecars, 97.2% were male and 2.8% were female. Of those who said they were very interested in street rods and customs, 96.8% were male and 3.2% were female. And of those who indicated they were very interested in restored vehicles, 96% were male and 4% were female. It is interesting to look at the age demographics. The numbers are spread rather evenly across the board. This is very promising because it shows that people of all ages have an interest in pre-'73 vehicles, indicating that the younger generations will help carry hot rodding into the future. The data is represented in the following table.   

The Automotive Lifestyles survey was sent to subscribers of several Primedia magazines. The age demographics were sliced based on the magazine to which the respondents subscribe. In this case, the 40–58 age group makes up the largest proportion, with nearly 53%. However, these numbers do not take into account those people who buy the magazines off the shelf each month.

Another question in the Automotive Lifestyles survey asked respondents to indicate their highest level of education. Again, for the purpose of this report, only those respondents who indicated they were very interested or somewhat interested in musclecars, street rods and customs and restored vehicles are included.

It's interesting to note that the age demographics for those interested in each of the three categories are nearly identical. The numbers also mirror the age demographics of the magazine subscribers.

SEMA members can receive a complementary copy of the full-length 2006 Hot Rod Industry Report as another benefit to being a SEMA member. The report is filled with valuable facts and figures that about the ever-growing hot-rod industry, and you may download the report by visiting www.sema.org/research. 

Source: SEMA Research & Information Center

Light-truck product sales have grabbed an even bigger slice of the specialty-equipment industry pie in the last decade, rising 5.5% from 1996–2006, according to SEMA Market Research in its recent Light-Truck Market Update.

Even as the industry has grown, the light-truck market has increased its market share from 28.5% in 1996 to 33.9% last year. The actual sales figure more than doubled in that period, from $5.03 billion to $12.45 billion.

This is good news despite recent declines in new and used light-truck sales. This hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from modifying, though, particularly when it comes to accessory and appearance parts, a category that comprised 62.6% of light-truck accessory sales, according to SEMA research.

To read the entire Light-Truck Market Update from SEMA News, click here.

For greater insight into the specialty-equipment market, join SEMA and access timely, original research. Visit www.sema.org/research for more, including the entire 2006 Light-Truck Accessorization Report.