Audi’s million-dollar prototype RS8 may have crashed and burned at the Nurburgring, but that won’t diminish the appetite that Audi – and Porsche – enthusiasts have for performance parts and accessories.

Between May 4-June 2, fans of the German performance marques spent a combined $2,323,774 on parts and accessories via online auction, according to data from Terapeak, a developer of market-focused research software that monitors online sales and auctions.

Porsche enthusiasts outspent their Audi counterparts by $631,022, predominately buying interior and exterior parts, and wheel and tire combinations. Wheel and tire sales proved most profitable, accounting for $359,621. Interior parts sold the most volume however, chief among them steering wheels, dash, and trim pieces. Exterior parts – mostly car covers, hardtops and bumpers – followed, totaling $227,848 of sales.

Audi enthusiasts largely covet Xenon headlamps, with the overall lighting and lamps category selling the most volume and accounting for $105,212 of total sales. Like the Porsche market, wheels for Audi models topped the sales numbers at $275,326 and enthusiasts spent $84,547 on exterior parts, including grilles, spoilers and wings, and antennas.

Terapeak's Motors P&A Research provides sellers with access to in-depth 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.  

Filler for eNews

Audi hasn’t confirmed its plans for this uber high-performance machine, but this million-dollar prototype recently spotted testing at Germany’s Nurburgring points to the even hotter version of Audi’s much-anticipated R8. And hotter is the key word, as this prototype later ended up in a ball of flame, leaving only the frame, wheels and rollbar intact.

According to the writers at Edmunds’ Inside Line, the car could come badged as an RS8 or R8-RS, but whatever its name, it’s likely to carry a version of the 5.2L V10 currently found in the S6 and S8 sedans. The expected 500 horsepower is enough to separate the new Audi from its sedan siblings without threatening its corporate partner, the Lamborghini Gallardo, says Inside Line. The Audi super coupe should go on sale next year.

A version of SEMA-model legislation to create a registration category for replica motor vehicles was approved by the Nevada State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jim Gibbons. Under the bill, replicas are defined as vehicles manufactured after 1968 to resemble vehicles manufactured before 1968. Replicas will be exempted from all emissions inspection requirements applicable to other vehicles in the state.  Registration as a replica vehicle will be open to 100 such vehicles each year and use will limited to occasional transportation and other hobby-related activities. Titles for these vehicles would list both the year of assembly and the model year that the body of the vehicle replicates.  The new law becomes effective July 1, 2007. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on an energy bill during the week of June 11 that includes a provision to dramatically raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards. If enacted into law, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would be required to increase the combined CAFE standards for passenger cars and light trucks by 4% a year through 2030, to a combined average of 52 mpg. The current standards are 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 for light trucks, SUVs and minivans. 

SEMA urges you to contact your two Senators (below) in opposition to arbitrary CAFE increases contained in the energy bill fuel economy and in support of reasonable increases that take into account technological feasibility, safety, jobs and consumer choice.  SEMA is working with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in this effort.  SEMA and the automakers believe NHTSA, rather than Congress, has better expertise in establishing balanced and realistic CAFE standards.

Time is of the essence so your message should be e-mailed to your Senators.  SEMA has made the process very simple:

1. Find your two Senators below (listed by state) and click on the link. The link will either send you to their webmail or automatically create an e-mail. 

2. Cut and paste the pre-written letter into an e-mail.  Please feel free to personalize the letter.

3. Send an e-mail to Stuart Gosswein (stuartg@sema.org) in SEMA's D.C. office letting us know you have added your voice to the cause.

Sample E-Mail

[DATE]

The Honorable [FULL NAME]
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
 
Dear Senator [Last Name]:
 
I am writing to urge you to oppose the arbitrary CAFE increase contained in S. 1419 and, instead, urge you to vote for technologically feasible increases that preserve consumer safety and choice.

I am contacting you on behalf of  [COMPANY NAME]  and its  [INSERT NUMBER]  employees.  [Company name] is located in  [city and state], and  [indicate nature of business, e.g., manufacture engine parts, sell automotive components in retail stores or service trucks and automobiles].  The company is also a member of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a trade association that has over 7,000 member companies and represents the $36.7 billion specialty-automotive industry headquartered in Diamond Bar, California.

Our company values fuel economy—but we also value many other attributes that come with a new automobile such as safety, passenger and cargo room, performance, towing, hauling capacity and more.  Our industry produces many of the products that provide all of these attributes, including better fuel economy.  We believe CAFE decisions are best made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since experts at this federal agency can balance fuel economy with other issues, such as jobs, consumer choice and safety. 

I urge you to support an alternative to this extreme legislation that will significantly increase fuel economy in a realistic fashion, while also mandating an increased production of automobiles that run on alternative fuels like ethanol, biodiesel and other bio fuels, and encouraging more gas stations to offer these alternative fuels.

I urge you support consumer choice and vote for the better fuel economy alternative.

Sincerely,

[NAME, TITLE]
 

United States Senate

Alabama
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Web Form: sessions.senate.gov/email/contact.cfm  

Shelby, Richard C.- (R - AL)
E-mail: senator@shelby.senate.gov

Alaska
Murkowski, Lisa- (R - AK)
Web Form: murkowski.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Web Form: http://stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.EmailSenatorStevens

Arizona
Kyl, Jon- (R - AZ)
Web Form: kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

McCain, John- (R - AZ)
Web Form: http://mccain.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm?ID=64

Arkansas
Lincoln, Blanche L.- (D - AR)
Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html

Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Web Form: pryor.senate.gov/contact/

California
Boxer, Barbara- (D - CA)
Web Form: http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm
Feinstein, Dianne- (D - CA)
Web Form: feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Colorado
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Web Form: allard.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Salazar, Ken- (D - CO)
Web Form: salazar.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Connecticut
Dodd, Christopher J.- (D - CT)
Web Form: http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3128&cat=Opinion
Lieberman, Joseph I.- (ID - CT)
Web Form: lieberman.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm?regarding=issue

Delaware
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Web Form: biden.senate.gov/contact/emailjoe.cfm

Carper, Thomas R.- (D - DE)
Web Form: carper.senate.gov/aemail.htm

Florida
Martinez, Mel- (R - FL)
Web Form: martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactIn...
Nelson, Bill- (D - FL)
Web Form: billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Georgia
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Web Form: chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...
Isakson, Johnny- (R - GA)
Web Form: isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Hawaii
Akaka, Daniel K.- (D - HI)
Web Form: akaka.senate.gov/email.cfm
Inouye, Daniel K.- (D - HI)
Web Form: inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html

Idaho
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Web Form: http://craig.senate.gov/webform.cfm
Crapo, Mike- (R - ID)
Web Form: crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Illinois
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Web Form: durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Obama, Barack- (D - IL)
Web Form: obama.senate.gov/contact/

Indiana
Bayh, Evan- (D - IN)
Web Form: http://bayh.senate.gov/LegForm.htm

Lugar, Richard G.- (R - IN)
E-mail: senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov

Iowa
Grassley, Chuck- (R - IA)
Web Form: grassley.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Web Form: harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Kansas
Brownback, Sam- (R - KS)
Web Form: brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Web Form: roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInf...

Kentucky
Bunning, Jim- (R - KY)
Web Form: bunning.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Web Form: mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Louisiana
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Web Form: landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Vitter, David- (R - LA)
Web Form: vitter.senate.gov/?module=webformIQV1

Maine
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Web Form: collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=Contact...

Snowe, Olympia J.- (R - ME)
Web Form: snowe.senate.gov/contact.htm

Maryland
Cardin, Benjamin L.- (D - MD)
Web Form: cardin.senate.gov/contact/

Mikulski, Barbara A.- (D - MD)
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/mailform.html

Massachusetts
Kennedy, Edward M.- (D - MA)
Web Form: kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm

Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Web Form: kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/email.html

Michigan
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)\
Web Form: http://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Stabenow, Debbie- (D - MI)
Web Form: stabenow.senate.gov/email.htm

Minnesota
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Web Form: coleman.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

Klobuchar, Amy- (D - MN)
Web Form: klobuchar.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Mississippi
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Web Form: cochran.senate.gov/contact.htm

Lott, Trent- (R - MS)
Web Form: lott.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

Missouri
Bond, Christopher S.- (R - MO)
Web Form: bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

McCaskill, Claire- (D - MO)
Web Form: mccaskill.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Montana
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Web Form: baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

Tester, Jon- (D - MT)
Web Form: tester.senate.gov/Contact/
 
Nebraska
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Web Form: hagel.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Nelson, E. Benjamin- (D - NE)
Web Form: bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Nevada
Ensign, John- (R - NV)
Web Form: ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm

Reid, Harry- (D - NV)
Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm

New Hampshire
Gregg, Judd- (R - NH)
Web Form: gregg.senate.gov/sitepages/contact.cfm

Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Web Form: www.sununu.senate.gov/webform.html

New Jersey
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Web Form: lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/

Menendez, Robert- (D - NJ)
Web Form: menendez.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

New Mexico
Bingaman, Jeff- (D - NM)
E-mail: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov

Domenici, Pete V.- (R - NM)
Web Form: domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm

New York
Clinton, Hillary Rodham- (D - NY)
Web Form: http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm?subj=issue

Schumer, Charles E.- (D - NY)
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm

North Carolina
Burr, Richard- (R - NC)
Web Form: burr.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Web Form: dole.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.C...

North Dakota
Conrad, Kent- (D - ND)
Web Form: conrad.senate.gov/webform.html

Dorgan, Byron L.- (D - ND)
E-mail: senator@dorgan.senate.gov

Ohio
Brown, Sherrod- (D - OH)
Web Form: brown.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Voinovich, George V.- (R - OH)
Web Form: voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact....

Oklahoma
Coburn, Tom- (R - OK)
Web Form: http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorCoburn.Home

Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Web Form: inhofe.senate.gov/contactus.htm

Oregon
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Web Form: gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm

Wyden, Ron- (D - OR)
Web Form: wyden.senate.gov/contact.html

Pennsylvania
Casey, Robert P., Jr.- (D - PA)
Web Form: casey.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Specter, Arlen- (R - PA)
Web Form: specter.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo.Home

Rhode Island
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Web Form: reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm

Whitehouse, Sheldon- (D - RI)
Web Form: whitehouse.senate.gov/contact.cfm

South Carolina
DeMint, Jim- (R - SC)
Web Form: demint.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Web Form: lgraham.senate.gov/index.cfm?mode=contact

South Dakota
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Web Form: johnson.senate.gov/emailform.cfm

Thune, John- (R - SD)
Web Form: http://thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

Tennessee
Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Web Form: alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Corker, Bob- (R - TN)
Web Form: corker.senate.gov/Contact/index.cfm

Texas
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Hutchison, Kay Bailey- (R - TX)
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/contact.html

Utah
Bennett, Robert F.- (R - UT)
Web Form: http://bennett.senate.gov/contact/email_opinion.cfm
Hatch, Orrin G.- (R - UT)
Web Form: hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Offices.Contact

Vermont
Leahy, Patrick J.- (D - VT)
E-mail: senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov

Sanders, Bernard- (I - VT)
Web Form: sanders.senate.gov/comments/

Virginia
Warner, John- (R - VA)
Web Form: warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Webb, Jim- (D - VA)
Web Form: webb.senate.gov/contact/

Washington
Cantwell, Maria- (D - WA)
Web Form: cantwell.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Murray, Patty- (D - WA)
Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

West Virginia
Byrd, Robert C.- (D - WV)
Web Form: byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Web Form: rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm

Wisconsin
Feingold, Russell D.- (D - WI)
Web Form: feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html

Kohl, Herb- (D - WI)
Web Form: kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html

Wyoming
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Web Form: enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInform...

DIED: Bill France Jr., the man who guided stock-car racing from a Southern sport to national prominence, died Monday following a long illness. France, the son of NASCAR founder William H.G. France, was 74 years old. France was president of NASCAR from January 1972 through November 2000.

SALE PENDING: HD Partners, a group headed by entrepreneur Eddy Hartenstein has entered into an agreement with the National Hot Rod Association to purchase the assets of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, forming NHRA Pro Racing. The $121 million transaction, which could take months to finalize, will include the professional racing series, four race tracks owned by NHRA and other associated assets.

HALL OF FAMERS: Shane Carson, Jerry Daniels, Kenny Jacobs, Hal Minyard, Earl Gaerte, Ken Coles, Emmett Hahn, Bayliss Levrett, Joe Jagersberger, Glen Niebel, Rajo Jack and Bill White were inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

COURTSHIP: A new track, Pacific Northwest Motorsports Park in Boardman, Oregon, is hoping to attract the International Speedway Corporation, which previously investigated building a track in Washington state, to build Oregon International Speedway on its site.

SUSPENDED: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Tyler Walker has been suspended indefinitely for violating NASCAR's substance-abuse policy.

STILL NO. 1: Donny Schatz remained atop the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings after third, fifth, and sixth-place finishes in three World of Outlaws sprint-car races. NASCAR Nextel Cup Series point-leader Jeff Gordon is 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.

NEWS NUGGETS

HD PARTNERS ANNOUNCES PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF NHRA PRO RACING: HD Partners Acquisition Corporation and the NHRA announced last Wednesday, May 30, the signing of a definitive agreement under which HD Partners will acquire all of NHRA’s Professional racing assets, including the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, together with a broad set of rights to commercialize the NHRA brand.  Details can be found on the web at http://www.nhra.com/content/news/20723.htm.

COUNTDOWN UPDATE: The Pro Stock class is renowned for its razor-thin margins of victory at the quarter-mile pole, and it’s no different at the halfway mark of the inaugural Countdown to the Championship. If the 17-race regular season ended today, it’d be a sad, sad day for Mike Edwards who finds himself one point below the cutline. Vieri Gaines currently holds the eighth position with 360 points and Edwards has 359. Fortunately for Edwards, there are still nine more races between now and August 19, when the field of eligible championship contenders will be set at eight (following the Toyo Tires Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania). Whit Bazemore also moved into the Top eight  this week, replacing Bob Vandergriff’s UPS team, which dropped from 7th to 10th place after a first-round loss. 

THERE’S A NEW LEADER IN TOWN: Brandon Bernstein’s torrid 2007 continued in Topeka, Sunday, as the pilot of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster claimed his third win of the season to move into first place in the Top Fuel standings. He also improved to 15-5 in final rounds in his career, an impressive .750 winning percentage. 

I WANNA BE LIKE MIKE: The power of positive thinking has long been one of Mike Ashley’s trademarks, and after knocking on the door for a season and a half, the New Yorker knocked down the door to the winner’s circle Sunday at the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals. The driver of the Skull Gear/Torco Racing Fuels Dodge Charger Funny Car earned the first win of his 35-race POWERade Series career in his third trip to the finals. 

NHRA DRIVERS GET DOWN AND ‘DIRT’Y: Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon will be testing their dirt-racing skills against some of the best NASCAR drivers this Wednesday, June 6, at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. They will be participating in the Nextel Prelude to the Dream charity race, which raises money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Tony Stewart Foundation. Said Capps: “I know our NHRA POWERade Drag Racing fans are all going to be tuning in to see how well we do.” Added Pedregon: “I know that Capps and I will try to turn a few fans our way. I hope, when the dust settles, they’ll say, ‘Hey, those NHRA drag racers sure can turn left on dirt’.”  This is the third time that Capps will be participating in the race, which will be telecast by HBO for Pay-Per-View. In the previous two events, he has finished ninth and fourth while driving the dirt late-model stock cars for 30 laps. Pedregon is a veteran of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, but he’s never raced in the Nextel Prelude to the dream. 

COMING ATTRACTIONS

TORCO RACING FUELS NHRA ROUTE 66 NATIONALS, JOLIET, ILLINOIS, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, JUNE 7–10: NHRA legend John Force holds the track record here (4.665 seconds) and he has won three of his NHRA-record 122 races at the spectacular raceway, which hosted its first NHRA POWERade Series race in 1998.
 

NORTHEAST NHRA SPORT COMPACT NATIONALS, ATCO, NEW JERSEY, ATCO RACEWAY, JUNE 9–10: Defending champions at the popular stop on the Sport Compact circuit are: Brad Personett (Pro RWD), Bryan Jimenez (Pro FWD), Jorge Lazcano (Modified), Ron Lummus (Hot Rod) and Norris Prayoonto (Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor). 

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. 

.INSIDE THE NUMBERS

56: Much has been made of John Force’s DNQ at Las Vegas that broke a string of 396 consecutive races of successfully qualifying into the Field of 16. To put in perspective just how impressive that was, consider that this past weekend, arguably the most consistent team in Funny Car over the past couple of years had its own streak end when Ron Capps’ Brut Dodge Funny Car failed to qualify. His streak, the next-longest at the time in Funny Car at 56, was one-eighth that of Force's; he was 15 years away from catching Force’s mark.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

NHRA FOUNDER WALLY PARKS (A FORMER DRIVER): In an open letter from the NHRA founder about the proposed acquisition of NHRA Pro Racing by HD Partners: “We now have an exceptional opportunity to do something that will open up new vistas of potential for all of drag racing. As it has been structured, NHRA could find it difficult to secure the resources essential to taking the professional side of our sport to the next level. The transaction we have announced today enables the POWERade Drag Racing Series and all related activities to be appropriately funded for unlimited growth.”

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

Egge Machine Co. announced that Shirley Hooper was appointed to director of sales and marketing, effective immediately. Since Ernie Silvers’ appointment as CEO in August of 2005, Egge Machine Company has undergone rapid growth. Hooper, first hired in November 2005 as administrative/marketing assistant, brings 14 years of marketing and sales experience to Egge Machine Company. "Shirley brings tremendous talent and ability to address any concerns her new position may bring, and I know she will be successful," said Silvers.

Raider Industries made several staff changes. Don Waite, who has more than 20 years of sales experience, was hired to handle sales for the East Canadian and Northeast US territories. Odette Grant was promoted from customer service representative to customer service supervisor and will now direct task assignments to a team of customer service reps and supervise the customer service department. Raider also hired Laurie Laverdure as a sales representative. Laverdure brings to the table over 7 years of customer service experience with a number of those years being spent in the truck accessory industry.

Beck/Arnley hired Anna Marsh as its new marketing coordinator. Marsh will work on promotional programs, tradeshow and event planning, marketing materials and website maintenance.

The COMP Performance Group purchased Inglese from Total Performance Inc. Previously branded as Inglese Induction Systems, the company is best known for its classic Weber carbureted induction systems and high-performance aluminum intake manifolds.

Hagerty Insurance announced that it is the exclusive automotive insurance sponsor of AutoWorld Radio, hosted by Bob Long. Hagerty offers collector car insurance, financing and roadside assistance. The company will have a monthly 20-minute segment on AutoWorld featuring relevant discussions, insight and tips regarding collector cars. 

Thule reported that its acquisition of Case Logic is closed after the approval of relevant anti-trust authorities. The transaction was originally announced in April.

The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

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 Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• MPMC members have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the select committee as their eyes, ears and voice.

Nominees for 2007 MPMC Select Committee Election

• Rich Barsamian, Grant Products International Inc. – Incumbent
• Ed Burgy, CORSA Performance – Incumbent
• Billy Carroll, Wilson Manifolds
• Bob Engel, Auto Meter Products Inc.
• Kyle Fickler, Aeromotive Inc.
• Geoffrey Gerko, Mr. Gasket Performance Group
• Joe Hige, Turbonetics Inc.
• Ryan Hunter, SCE Gaskets Inc. – Incumbent
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. – Incumbent
• Dan Qualls, Total Seal Inc.
• Bob Ritzman, B&M Racing & Performance Products Inc. – Incumbent
• Todd Ryden, MSD Ignition – Incumbent
• John Sonnefeldt, Eaton Performance Products

Election ballots were mailed to all MPMC members in May. Member are encouraged to check their inboxes for numbered ballots. The deadline to submit ballots is Friday, June 15. Your vote and voice is important to the forward motion of the MPMC. Vote now!

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289 ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

The following council members are the candidates for the ARMO Select Committee elections. There are six open seats for this year’s election. For information and how to vote, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

ARMO Select-Committee Candidates

• Melvin Benzaquen, Classic Restoration Enterprises, Inc.
• Todd Bidwell, Parts Unlimited, Inc. (Incumbent)
• Ken DeVries, Trader National Publishing
• Steven Moskowitz, Antique Automobile Club of America, Inc.
• Roger Niehaus, Auto Custom Carpets, Inc. (Incumbent)
• Sandy Patterson, Primedia (Incumbent)
• Curt Patterson, AMAA (Incumbent)
• Jim Vinarski, Carlisle Productions Inc. (Incumbent)
• Mark Vogt, Classic Industries/OER

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

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The following council members are the candidates for the HRIA Select Committee elections. There are six open seats for this year’s election. For information and how to vote, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

HRIA Select-Committee Candidates

• Del Austin – Street Thunder magazine (Incumbent)
• Tommy Daniels – Yearwood Speed & Custom (Incumbent)
• Dick Dixon – Automotive Education Alliance, Inc.
• Mike Kinney – Las Vegas Rod & Custom
• Rick Love – Vintage Air Inc. (Incumbent)
• Bob Millard – Championship Auto Shows
• Ross Ortman – Dakota Digital Inc. – (Incumbent)
• Brian Reese – Comp Performance Group
• Eric Saltrick – Steele Rubber Products
• Janeen Webb - Primedia

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 Perricone at 909/396-0289, ext. 104, or e-mail stacip@sema.org.

To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org.

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

• MRC members should mark their calendars for the following upcoming council activity:
  
  2007 MRC Rep Conference
  September 26–27, 2007
  Phoenix, Arizona

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)

Members of the SCC have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the select committee as their eyes, ears and voice.

Nominees for 2007 SCC Select Committee Election

• Ross Berlanga, KTC Media Group
• Ed Burgy, CORSA Performance – Incumbent
• Jim Liaw, Formula Drift
• Kirk Miller, AEM – Incumbent
• Ahad Mirza, Auto Meter Products
• Oliver Rachlein, Eibach Springs Inc.
• Albert Reda, Vibrant Performance
• Brian Reese, Competition Cams Inc.
• Malen Reger, Motovicity Distribution – Incumbent
• Gary Rubio, Performance Motorsport Inc.
• Richard Schroeder, Eagle Vista Productions – Incumbent
• Tyler Tanaka, Turbonetics, Inc. – Incumbent
• James Yim, K&N Engineering Inc.

Election ballots were mailed to all SCC members in May. Members are encouraged to check their inboxes for numbered ballot. The deadline to submit ballots is Friday, June 15. Your vote and voice is important to the forward motion of the SCC. Vote now!

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289 ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

• Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology, was elected chairman-elect of the SCC. Nuñez will start her role on July 1 when current chairman-elect, Eric Breslow, Power Slot/Power Performance Group, takes over as SCC chairman.

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

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• George Gillespie, Safety Compliance Engineer responsible for OVSCs tire-related standards, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), delivered a presentation at the 2006 SEMA Show regarding NHTSA's enforcement activity relative to tires for passenger vehicles and trucks. Gillespie provided overview and status of the agency's recent initiatives to increase tire safety, including compliance and enforcement actions for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (FMVSS No. 138) and passenger and light-truck tires (FMVSS No. 139). He also discussed the current increased enforcement to address concerns related to imported tires. SEMA members can now get a copy of Gillespie's PowerPoint presentation by contacting 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)

Members of the SBN have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the select committee as their eyes, ears and voice.

Nominees for 2007 SBN Select Committee Election

• Emily Bailey, Racemark International
• Savitri Dhiman, Wheel to Wheel Powertrain
• Melissa Lawrence, Power TV Media
• Kristine Lindahl, ARP
• Nancy Loetfering, TD3 Products
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. - Incumbent
• Kristy Neukam, Meyer Distributing
• Linn Remling Mills, Street Thunder Magazine
• Jan Sica, Vince Sica and Associates
• Kathryn Wakeford, TEN Magazine
• Trina Wilson, Direct Communications

Election ballots were mailed to all SBN members in May. Members are encouraged to check their inboxes for numbered ballots. The deadline to submit ballots is Friday, June 15. Your vote and voice is important to the forward motion of the SBN committee. Vote now!

If you have any questions, please 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.

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

Young Executives Network (YEN)

Members of the Young Executives Network have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the select committee as their eyes, ears and voice.

Nominees for 2007 YEN Select Committee Election

• Mike Bolio, Scafidi-Bolio & Associates
• Ashley Chalk, Daytona International Speedway – Incumbent
• Casey Coker, Coker Tire Company
• S. Kellie Colf, Eaton Detroit Spring – Incumbent
• Zac Compton, Classic Instruments Inc.
• Jamie Cook, Wangs International/Pilot Automotive
• Bob Engel, Auto Meter Products Inc.
• Jason Fink, Advantage Truck Accessories, Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing – Incumbent
• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas – Incumbent
• Derrick Johnston, Alliance Sales
• Brett Kinsfather, K&N Engineering, Inc. – Incumbent
• Greg Parker, P&E Distributors, Inc. – Incumbent
• Shawn Pitts, Considine Sales & Marketing
• Eric Saltrick, Steele Rubber Products
• Douglas Schriefer, Barry Grant, Inc.
• Melanie White, Hellwig Products
• Robert Wityczak, Grant Products International Inc.
• Mandi Woodell, Weather Auto Supply – Incumbent

Election ballots were mailed to all YEN members in May. Members are encouraged to check their inboxes for numbered ballots. The deadline to submit ballots is Friday, June 15. Your vote and voice is important to the forward motion of the YEN committee. Vote now!

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289 ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

• Did you know that the annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by the SEMA Young Executives Network, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in 2006? If you are interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

• Did you know that YEN has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the YEN for free. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.

• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas, was selected for the YEN Silent Auction Task Force Chairman. Hennings will assume the position when the current chairman, Dave Williams, Rampage Products, finishes his term with the YEN Select Committee in July. The SEMA Silent Auction, that is managed by the YEN, has raised more than $100,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in the past three years. If you are interested in participating in the SEMA Silent Auction on any level, visit www.sema.org/yen for additional information.

• Did you know that YEN sponsors networking events and mixers at most of the major trade shows and conferences? If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEMA Young Executive’s Network, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

• Becoming involved in SEMA at an early age will help you work your way to the top. Did you know that current SEMA Chairman of the Board, Mitch Williams, was once a member of YEN? If you are interested in becoming a YEN member, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

• Lance Packard, Painless Performance, was elected YEN chairman-elect. Packard will assume the position when current chair-elect, Laurel Dasher, Uni-Marketing LLC, takes over as YEN chairman on July 1.

• 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.