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Mass production and mass markets are giving way to increased vehicle personalization and customization, and automakers are looking for products, processes and partners to help them create accessory-friendly vehicles for fragmenting market segments.

Contributions for the Council Cup-Cash for Kids golf tournament recently came from an unusual source: industry non-golfers.

Hot Rod Air Vice President and Hot Rod Industry Alliance Chairman David Stutts explains that while searching for HRIA members near California who were planning to attend the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, John Menzler of Comp Performance Group decided to step up with a contribution NOT to play. The idea took root almost as a gag, Stutts says.

“I sent John’s e-mail around to other select committee members,” Stutts says, “and I started getting a few hundred bucks here and there from other companies almost as a side joke.” Stutts adds that the non-golfers have helped raise about $400–500 so far.

Additionally, nearly all the SEMA councils have formed teams to challenge for the Council Cup. The Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) has even formed an affiliate team, the "SAC" Team, made up of members from Shur-Co., American Technology Components and Cap World.

Nissan Project-Vehicle Proposal Deadline

SEMA Show Exhibitors: The deadline to submit a project-vehicle proposal to Nissan is this Friday, June 15. For details on what the proposal should include and additional information, access the proposal form located here.  

For more information on project-vehicle programs, contact Bill Wolf at billw@sema.org. 

Nissan Measuring Session

Manufacturers: SEMA and Nissan North America have set a measuring session for Tuesday–Wednesday, June 19–20. The session will feature four 2008 Nissan vehicles—the Versa five-door hatchback, the Sentra and Sentra SE-R sedans and the all-new Altima Coupe.

Each company will get 60 minutes with the vehicles, and cameras are permitted. The session will take place at:

• The Westside Group
  527 Van Ness
  Torrance, CA 90501 

To participate, members must register by Friday, June 15.

Measuring sessions provide manufacturers the opportunity to get hands-on with production vehicles that have yet to hit the street. Many participating manufacturers use measuring sessions to attain vehicle measurements and ready products in time for the vehicles’ public releases. 

To register, e-mail your name(s), company name, address, phone number to measuringsession@sema.org. Questions? Contact Bill Wolf (billw@sema.org)  or Sandy Conolly (sandyc@sema.org) at 909/396-0289, ext. 177 or ext. 155, respectively.

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The polished, curvaceous styling of Toyota’s FJ Cruiser belies its competence as an off-road machine with ample clearance and agility in the rough. Its popularity on the American highways is arguably due to its styling, power and interior quality. But many buyers, especially younger car shoppers, may be unaware of Toyota’s reputation for building, even breaking wide open, the adventure-ute segment, a segment that could best be described as hardy off-road vehicles in medium-size packages.

Toyota introduced the world to its own version of the Range Rover with its Land Cruiser, an adventure ute that can be found everywhere from the South American Pampas to the Beverly Hills suburbs. And the 4Runner was one of the hottest burning coals in what became the SUV inferno of the 90’s. 

Between May 10-June 8, fans of Toyota’s rugged machines spent a combined $446,462 on parts and accessories for the FJ Cruiser, 4Runner and Land Cruiser via online auction, according to data from Terapeak, a developer of market-focused research software that monitors online sales and auctions. Newest among those vehicles, the FJ accounted for a little less than 20% of the total, while the bulk of sales went toward the 4Runner, a vehicle in production since 1984. The remainder—approximately $77,000—went to Land Cruiser enthusiasts.

Exterior parts, led by bumpers, mirrors and grilles, proved the most profitable category for 4Runners, accounting for $46,500 of the $284,400 grand total in sales (amounts rounded to the nearest $100). Interior parts—dash, floor mats and trim pieces—followed, with tail-, corner-  and headlights, and other lighting accessories comprising $24,000 worth of transactions. The Land Cruiser follows almost identical patterns to the 4Runner.

The FJ Cruiser, on the other hand, accounted for $85,000 in sales, with exterior parts forming the bulk of that category—specifically grilles, towing and hauling products, and moldings/trim. Wheel and tire packages followed in sales amount ($17,200), with interior parts—trim pieces, floor mats and cargo nets, trays and liners—the third most profitable category.

Terapeak's Motors P&A Research provides sellers with access to comprehensive research on the past year of online auction data and allows users to get in-depth research reports on the competition and themselves. More at www.terapeak.com/motors. 

According to Brenda Priddy & Co., photographer Neal McDaniel was stopped at a red light when he looked in his rear-view mirror and spotted a huge vinyl-clad SUV followed by a Toyota Tundra. There was no question in McDaniel's mind that the SUV was an early Tundra-based Sequoia prototype.

The 2009 Sequoia will grow in size to compete with Tahoe-sized family utes and will likely offer the same 4.7L and 5.7L engines that the Tundra currently offers.

We'll probably see the Sequoia's first public introduction next year at the Chicago Auto Show, with sales starting in the fall of 2008.

Photo Credit: Neal McDaniel for Brenda Priddy & Co.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) moved to a new location on May 31.  The old address was "400 Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC  20590."  The new address is:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, D.C.  20590

The NHTSA's phone numbers are unchanged.  If you have any questions, contact Stuart Gosswein at StuartG@sema.org.

BREAK THROUGH: Formula One rookie Lewis Hamilton won the Canadian Grand Prix, becoming the first black driver to win a Formula One event. The British racer leads the World Driving Championship standings entering Sunday’s annual U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

MILESTONE: Newman-Haas-Lanigan Racing posted its 100th Champ Car World Series triumph Sunday at Portland International Raceway. Three-time series champion Sebastien Bourdais was at the wheel for the team, which was started by Paul Newman and Carl Haas in 1983 and added new partner Mike Lanigan this year.

LAID TO REST: The racing community said its goodbyes to longtime NASCAR head man Bill France on Thursday, June 7. France died June 4 after a long battle with cancer.

THREE FOR: Tony Stewart Racing drivers Levi Jones and Ricky Stenhouse swept the three USAC National Sprint Car Series races last weekend, with Jones taking two victories.

FINED: NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Kurt Busch was fined $100,000 and docked 100 points for hitting Tony Stewart’s race car on pitlane during the June 4 race at Dover, Delaware. The penalty dropped Busch six spots in the standings.

BACK ON TOP: With a victory in the rain-shortened NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race, Jeff Gordon returned to the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings. Gordon has four victories this season.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

NEWS NUGGETS

DIXON, SCELZI, COUGHLIN AND HINES END UP IN WINNER’S CIRCLE IN CHICAGO: Larry Dixon tied legend Kenny Bernstein with his 39th career Top Fuel win Sunday, beating points-leader Rod Fuller with a 4.579 at 322.11-mph run to capture the title at the 10th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Dixon was joined in the winner’s circle by Funny Car driver Gary Scelzi, who beat event runner-up and teammate Ron Capps to grab his 35th career win; Pro Stock driver Jeg Couglin, who knocked off defending series champion Jason Line; and defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Andrew Hines, who collected his first win of 2007 over runner-up Matt Smith.

K.J. DOWNS STANFIELD FOR $50,000 KING DEMON CROWN PRIZE: Veteran Pro Stock racer Kurt Johnson became the first four-time winner of the King Demon Crown Saturday, pocketing the $50,000 top prize of the special event by beating surprise finalist Greg Stanfield at Route 66 Raceway. Aside from Johnson’s top prize of $50,000, Stanfield earned $10,000 for his runner-up finish, while Greg Anderson and fellow semifinalist Allen Johnson were awarded $3,000 each. Dave Connolly, Vieri Gaines, Jason Line and Mike Edwards each took home $2,500 for making the field.

POINTS STANDINGS SHIFT AFTER CHICAGO: It was a big championship points week in Chicago for many drivers as many big names failed to qualify for the event. Top Fuel pilot and points leader heading into the event Brandon Berstein collected his second DNQ of the season and gave up the points lead to event runner-up “Hot” Rod Fuller. Entering the event second in points in the Funny Car class, driver Robert Hight earned his first career DNQ, giving points-leader and event runner-up Ron Capps a 140 point cushion. In the Pro Stock category second-place points driver Dave Connolly was bumped to third place by teammate and event winner Jeg Coughlin, while Pro Stock Motorcycle points-leader Matt Smith kept his points lead with a runner-up finish in Chicago.

HUNT WINS DOOR-TO-DOOR FINAL AT NORTHEAST SPORT COMPACT NATIONALS: Pro FWD driver Jason Hunt grabbed his second win of the season and fifth career win in a thrilling race against fellow competitor Gary Gardella at the Northeast NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at Atco, New Jersey. Hunt crossed the finish line first with a time of 7.47 seconds to Gardella’s 7.49. Other event winners include Modified driver Ken Scheepers, Hot Rod racer Stephanie Eggum, Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor driver Jeremy Lookofsky and Pro RWD driver Boris Rojas.

DIVISION 1 CLAIMS SECOND STRAIGHT JEGS ALLSTARS TITLE: Led by strong performances by Top Alcohol Funny Car kingpin Frank Manzo and Competition star Sal Biondo, the team from the Northeast Division (Division 1) successfully defended its overall team title in the 23rd annual Jegs Allstars competition. Individual winners besides Manzo and Biondo include Craig Abbott (Div. 4) in Super Street, Michael Iacono (Div. 1) in Super Stock, Russ Linke (Div. 1) in Stock, Spencer Massey (Div. 4) in Top Alcohol Dragster, Ron Erks (Div. 4) in Super Comp and Ed Olpin (Div. 7) in Super Gas. 
 
COMING ATTRACTIONS

PROCARE RX NHRA SUPERNATIONALS, ENGLISHTOWN, NEW JERSEY, OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK, JUNE 21–24: The legendary dragstrip will host its 38th NHRA POWERade Series race and this one will carry more meaning than ever as the first-ever Countdown to the Championship nears the final stages of the regular season and drivers on the bubble scurry for every last point needed to secure a spot in the Top 8.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, NORWALK, OHIO, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, JUNE 28–JULY 1: The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will make its first appearance at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Catch all your favorite Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers as they battle it out at this Inaugural event.

O’REILLY NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, JULY 6–8: Rescheduled from its original mandate due to track surface conditions, this favorite stop for drivers never fails to produce an exciting weekend for racing. Defending event winners include Doug Kalitta, Ron Capps and Jason Line.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

143: The number of points separating Funny Car defending champion John Force, currently 17th in the points standings, from his teammate, daughter and rookie driver Ashley Force, currently in seventh place. The 117 points separate the defending champion Force from the eighth place and eventual cut off spot in the Countdown to the Championship format. The eighth place spot is currently held by driver Del Worsham.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

FUNNY CAR DRIVER ASHLEY FORCE ON HER ENGINE EXPLOSION IN CHICAGO: After a wild ride during qualifying at the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Funny Car driver Ashley Force talks about her fiery ride created by a supercharger explosion on her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. “I remember thinking we were getting down the track pretty well, (especially) since everyone else was having trouble. We were getting to the end and then ‘boom!’ I screamed because it scared me. I wasn’t expecting it.”

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.