By Ashley Reyes

Two Facebook Live Chats have been added to the SEMA Virtual Education calendar. Please save the dates for the following upcoming sessions, where you will hear innovative strategies, information and learnings from empowering professionals in industry segments such as human resources, digital marketing, emissions compliance, and more.   

For a comprehensive library of on-demand sessions that members can access anytime, visit www.sema.org/virtual-education.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 – Resume Do’s and Don’ts  

Series: Perfecting Your Job Search Series, powered by SBN
Track: Industry Segments, powered by SEMA Councils and Networks

Resumes typically provide the first impression of your qualifications to a prospective employer. With so many people looking for jobs, it’s important to know how to make your resume stand out. Learn the do’s and don’ts of creating a stand-out resume – including what to focus on, items to highlights, and what to leave out during the interview to make sure you get that call back.

Register here.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 – The Customer Journey: From Digital Onlooker to Repeat Buyer

Track: Marketing & Sales

Today’s customer journey is an ongoing blend of online and offline interactions. In this one-of-a-kind session, you’ll receive practical strategies on how to seamlessly navigate the entire sales process and walk away knowing how to attract customers through a 5-Star digital experience that matches the experience offered in your brick-and-mortar location.

Register here.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 – Facebook Live Chat with Josh Poulson

Track: Industry Talks

Join in a insightful discussion about what the next five years holds for the automotive restyling industry in this Facebook Live Chat featuring PRO Chair-Elect Josh Poulson of Auto Additions Inc. Poulson began his career with the company as a technician at the age of 16, and now has more than 20 years of experience managing Auto Additions as the company’s principal. You will have the opportunity to connect with peers in this live discussion.

Location: SEMA Association Facebook page

Thursday, February 25, 2021 – How To Take Your Digital Marketing to the Next Level    

Track: Marketing & Sales

Geared towards automotive professionals who have some experience in digital marketing and are looking to scale up their efforts and learn new strategies, this two-hour workshop will include group exercises and leave participants with specific tangible strategies that can be applied to their businesses immediately. Attendees will walk away with new businesses tactics to improve SEO, reach more customers and increase sales.

Register here.

Friday, February 26, 2021 – New Policy on Tampering and Defeat Devices Explained

Track: Legislative & Regulatory

Released in December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Tampering Policy replaces Mobile Source Enforcement Memo 1A (1974) and addresses civil enforcement of the Clean Air Act’s prohibitions on tampering and aftermarket defeat devices. Hear from industry experts and an EPA representative as they provide an overview of the new policy, and cover key issues on testing and policy benefits.

Register here.

Wednesday, March 3 – Facebook Live Chat with Laurel Dasher

Having worked in the industry her entire career, SEMA volunteer and vice president of sales and marketing at PDM Automotive Laurel Dasher has had to reinvent herself many times both professionally and personally. During this live Q&A, you will have the opportunity to ask questions as Dasher shares personal stories about overcoming change, both for personal growth and in response to the ever-changing environment in the industry.

Location: SBN Facebook page

Thursday, March 4 – Electric, Autonomous, Flying Cars and Other Unicorns

Passenger vehicles are increasingly becoming computers on wheels. Join SEMA Market Research as they look at current trends and forecasts for electric and alt fuel vehicles, how consumers view these vehicles and the impact they may have on our industry. You’ll hear how advanced driver assistance systems are leading the way to self-driving vehicles, the projection for autonomous vehicles, and a look at the state of shared mobility.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

From electric cars to autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels, the automotive industry continues to evolve. Join SEMA Director of Market Research Gavin Knapp as he discusses trends and opportunities in the electric and autonomous vehicle space during a webinar on March 4 at 11:00 a.m. PST.

During this 45-minute session, Knapp will share details on where the industry is at and what the data predicts for the future. He will forecast what’s in store for electric and alt fuel vehicles by looking at how consumers view these vehicles and the impact they have already had on our industry. You’ll also hear how advanced driver assistance systems and connected vehicles are leading the way to self-driving vehicles, the projection for autonomous vehicles, and a look at current state of shared mobility.

Participants will be able to engage in a chat with Knapp and get their questions answered live.

Register for “Electric, Autonomous, Flying Cars and Other Unicorns.”

Here’s a first look at a very early mule for the next-generation (S650) Ford Mustang.

Clearly based on the current S550 Mustang GT, the prototype is wearing light checkered camo on the front end along with a smorgasbord of parts from various current Mustang variants: the lower splitter and side skirts are from the new Mach 1, the dual-tip dual exhaust is an option on the GT and EcoBoost models, while the wheels are from the Mach 1 Handling Pack.

But what is possibly the most intriguing part is the execution of the rear brakes: while the “regular” Mustang GT features a small rear caliper mounted at the “back” of the rotor, this mule places a much larger caliper on the “forward” end of its rotor, with a small parking brake on the “back” of it. This configuration is not seen on any S550 Mustang model or variant. Sources hint that this new brake setup could be attributed to AWD; similar brake setups can be seen on the Charger GT AWD, BMW M850i, Infiniti Q50 Red Sport and others.

A set of cables entering the cabin from each wheel suggests data-collection practices. And based on engine and exhaust notes, this model clearly had a 5.0L Coyote V8 under the hood.

All of these things together suggest that we’re looking at an early (possible AWD) mule for the next-generation Mustang, expected for the 2023 model year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Turn 14 Distribution Hosts Ride & Drive at the 2021 King of the Hammers 

Last week at the Ultra 4 2021 King of the Hammers event, Turn 14 Distribution debuted its Ride & Drive Experience. The activation allowed attendees the opportunity to sample one of several partner-equipped vehicles for 30 minutes on the challenging terrain of the Johnson Valley desert.

G-Force Racing Gear Hires New Marketing Director

G-Force Racing Gear announced the hiring of Danilo Oliveira as the company's new director of marketing. Oliveira has worked in the motorsports industry since 2006. He has worked for OMP Racing and adidas Motorsport. Based in Miami, Florida, Oliveira will also handle G-Force Racing Gear's international sales.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibit at the 2021 SEMA Show to shine the spotlight on your company in front of tens of thousands of qualified buyers looking for the best that the specialty automotive market has to offer.

In addition to buyers, the Show also attracts thousands of traditional media and social media influencers, ready to let the rest of the world know about your products and applications, opening up even more sales opportunities well after the Show concludes.

Access SEMA's worldwide network and create more opportunities to sell. Be there to reconnect at the 2021 SEMA Show, Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, Las Vegas.

Reserve your spot for 2021 at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

For additional information about exhibiting at the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/exhibitor.

By SEMA Editors

Champion Oil Offers a Contingency Program for Off-Road Racing

Champion recently announced a Racing Contingency Program specifically for Off-Road Competition and Racing in North America.

The 2021 Champion Off-Road Competition and Racing Contingency Program includes: NORRA, GNCC, NORRS, CHAMP OFF-ROAD, Best in The Desert, CORR, SCORE, TORC, MAORA, World Series of Off-Road, Bonneville Off-Road, MORE, SNORE, Baja, King of the Hammers, Mint 400, UTV World Championship, AXCC, WORCS, plus other regional and national short-course, desert-type, rock-climbing, or hill-climbing events.

Champion’s 2021 contingency program supports race teams with cash pay-out awards. Racing teams and racers can apply for the Champion Racing Oil Contingency Program now through June 30.

PPG Announces Team Penske 2021 Sponsorship, Race Schedule

PPG announced that it is continuing its long-standing support of Team Penske by serving as a primary sponsor for numerous races throughout the 2021 season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The sponsorship marks PPG and Team Penske’s 37th year of working together, making it one of the longest-tenured partnerships in motorsports.

PPG again will be the primary sponsor of Austin Cindric’s No. 22 Ford Mustang in four NXS races, while Scott McLaughlin will drive the No. 3 PPG Dallara/Chevrolet for 10 INDYCAR SERIES events during the season.  

"We are excited about the newest racing opportunity in our partnership, as PPG teams up with the No. 3 team and Scott for his first full season competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES," said Roger Penske.

McLaughlin’s newly designed vehicle weighs only 1,650 pounds (748 kilograms), including driver weight, and features a 2.2L twin-turbo V6 engine capable of producing a top speed of 240 miles per hour (386 kilometers per hour).

Justin Ashley Racing Adds The Daily Crave Sponsorship

Continuing to expand his marketing program with healthy and on-trend brands, Justin Ashley Racing announced an associate sponsorship with California-based snack company, The Daily Crave. Beginning at the 52nd annual NHRA Gatornationals Ashley’s Strutmasters.com/Auto Shocker Top Fuel dragster will also feature The Daily Crave branding from a variety of their products.

The new marketing partner adds to Ashley’s growing list of sponsors as the second year driver makes a run at his first NHRA Top Fuel championship.

Ashley was instrumental in connecting The Daily Crave with current partner Menards, who will begin carrying various products throughout their 350 locations. Ashley will promote The Daily Crave products at events and on his popular social media channels.

Motul Named Official Motor Oil of the Trans Am Series

Motul joined the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli in a long-term partnership as the “Official Motor Oil” of the series. The partnership with Trans Am will grow Motul’s global programs that focus on sportscars and road racing.

Motul currently supports teams in international competitions such as: 24 Hours of Le Mans, Best in the Desert, FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Super GT, Formula Drift, World of Outlaws, Pikes Peak, Dakar, MotoGP, World Superbike, World MX, FIM Endurance World Championship, IOM TT, among others.

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli kicks off its 2021 season with Motul at Sebring International Raceway as part of the Sebring SpeedTour February 19-21.

GEARWRENCH to Sponsor Mother-Daughter Racing Team’s ARCA Menards Series West Journey

GEARWRENCH announced that the company is the official sponsor of Bridget Burgess and the BMI Racing team. Bridget, 19, has been driving ARCA West since 2019 with her mom Sarah Burgess, a former short-course off-road racer, as crew chief. Bridget's passion for everything that goes into driving—building, tuning, and repairing cars to deliver peak performance—was inspired by her mother.

It is that passion that made GEARWRENCH's 2021 ARCA Menards Series West sponsorship an easy decision for the company.

“They’re just relentless,” said Rena Fiorello, Director of Brand Management for GEARWRENCH. “The intensity that they bring is contagious and it makes them easy to root for, easy to get behind. We’re really looking forward to watching Bridget grow as a driver and helping her every step of the way.”

The upcoming nine-race ARCA Menards Series West season starts on March 12 and runs through November 11.

By SEMA Editors

Platinum status represents SDC manufacturers that have achieved the pinnacle of product data by putting in the extra effort to provide resellers with the most complete data sets available.

JMS
FuelMAX

FuelMAX features exclusive JMS digital technology that provides up to an 85% increase in fuel delivery from your OEM fuel pump. Providing the highest continuous voltage and amperage output without the noise, safely supporting up to 1000hp. Plug-and-play installation connects directly to your fuel pump driver module and activates via monitoring the pedal-position sensor, minimizing install time. User-adjustable voltage ramp-in/ramp-out rate allows elimination of fuel-pressure spikes for maximum control.

FuelMAX kits are shipped complete with everything you need for installation and are compatible with all 12- and 16-volt battery systems.

Website: www.jmschip.com
PN: FX7

Oracle Lighting
Dodge Challenger Dynamic ColorSHIFT Headlight Halo Kit

Oracle Lighting is proud to announce the launch of two new Dodge Challenger Dynamic ColorSHIFT Headlight Halo Kits.
Encased in a special polymer resin, Oracle Lighting’s surface mount halos are completely waterproof (they can function properly even when submerged underwater), and they easily install by attaching directly to the exterior of the headlight lens using a patent-pending system. Oracle Lighting also uses advanced LED chips that produce an impressively bright output while consuming less power. This simple process cuts down installation time from hours to just minutes.

Website: www.oraclelights.com
'08-'14 Challenger PN: 1292-33
'15-'21 Challenger PN: 3990-332

Road Comforts
All Weather Floor Mats

Road Comforts All Weather Floor Mats provide the ultimate custom-fit floor protection with a stylish look. Engineered to protect your vehicle's floor from mud, snow, slush, water and debris. It's thick and heavy duty, like what a floor mat should be.

Manufacturing car mats over 30 years, we have always kept to the highest standards of quality.

Website: www.roadcomforts.com

Tuffy Security Products
Console Safe for 2019-plus RAM Pickups

Tuffy Security Console Safe for '19 and newer RAM pickup models slides directly into the existing OEM center console and is concealed under the sliding OEM tray. An exclusive, weather-resistant lid support allows the lid to stay open while reaching into the console. The company’s Pin-Lock hinge design adds to the security of the console safe, which has 400 cubic inches of lockable storage space.

Minor drilling is required for a secure installation and all mounting hardware is included. Constructed of welded steel with a durable texture powder coated finish, it’s equipped with Tuffy’s patented Pry-Guard locking system, which consists of a 10-tumbler bitted security lock and accompanying key. The key can only be removed when the console is locked and must be removed in order to slide the OEM tray backward.  

Note: This item is not compatible with '19 RAM models with the Longhorn or Limited trim levels.

Website: www.tuffyproducts.com
PN: 354

By Ashley Reyes

As a 25-plus-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, SEMA volunteer and vice president of sales and marketing at PDM Automotive Laurel Dasher has had to reinvent herself many times both professionally and personally.

Members are invited to join the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network as they host a Facebook Live Chat featuring Dasher, March 3 at 12:00 p.m. PST. Dasher will discuss her journey of how she gripped her fear, called upon her village to build strength, and embraced the concept of reinventing herself over the years, most recently in the 2020/2021 challenging environment.

As a live Q&A, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in the conversation.

Location: SBN Facebook page.

By Ashley Reyes

Scott Wilkinson of Scotty’s Hubcaps is the latest company owner to be recognized by the SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) member spotlight program. In this week’s feature, Wilkinson shares the purchase that inspired him to launch his career in automotive restoration, and the advice that allowed him to stay in the industry nearly 20 years later.

SEMA: Did you ever consider another career or industry, and what made you choose automotive restoration?

Scott Wilkinson: Scotty’s Hubcaps was founded in 2002 with the purchase of a pile of hubcaps at a local auction. After selling a few sets of those hubcaps on e-Bay for a profit, I was hooked. This resulted in buyouts of hubcap piles and other dealer’s inventory all over the Northeast and Canada. Since 2002, Scotty’s Hubcaps has morphed from having a few piles of hubcaps to having over 27,000 wheel covers, hubcaps, center caps and trim rings in stock at all times.

SEMA: What’s the best advice you ever received? How has this advice helped you either professionally or personally?

SW: Keep your nose to the grind and be honest with every single thing you do. Being honest from day one is the main reason I am still here 20 years later, doing what I'm doing.

SEMA: If you could do one thing over from the course of your career, what would that be?

SW: I would have started doing this full time sooner.

SEMA: What keeps your passion going in this industry?

SW: I’ve always been into the classic vehicles since I was a child. I have a passion with up-cycling and making things look new again.

SEMA: What do you see as the biggest challenges for the restoration industry today, and where do you see the industry in 5 years?

SW: Getting inventory quick enough to meet the demands. It’s only going to get bigger and bigger, especially with the truck market.

Fill out an ARMO member spotlight form to highlight how your company is contributing to the automotive restoration industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on ARMO’s and media, SEMA eNews, and future ARMO member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

With 165 individuals inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame since its inception in 1969, the SEMA Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor reserved for few. Its members represent top contributors, leaders and influencers in what is now a $44.6 billion industry and spans across all seven continents in the world.

Nominations for the next SEMA Hall of Fame member, which are currently being accepted at www.sema.org/hof, may seem daunting, but it’s critical for organizers to obtain recommendations and details from the industry at large.

For the members who are inducted each year, the SEMA Hall of Fame is a meaningful accolade to recognize their significant contributions.

Joe St. Lawrence, 2020 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee, recalled getting the call informing him that he had been inducted. “I tried to act nonchalantly, but my heart was racing. I was shocked and I thought there were so many others more qualified. I could not believe it. It was the first time I ever experienced two emotions simultaneously -- joy and humility. When I got home, I started looking at all the names of those who make up the Hall of Fame. Those two emotions came back, and they do every time I’m reminded of the wonderful honor of being included in the SEMA Hall of Fame.”

Doug Evans, 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee, notes: “To be honored as a hall of fame member by that same group of peers, including some of my idols, is simply amazing. It took my breath away then and it still does to this day.”

He continued by saying “I think by recognizing the pioneers of our industry it shows our young people getting started that they are no different than the people they are honoring. We are all passionate people doing this because we love the industry and we love the people who are in it. They can make a big difference in the future just like the pioneers did if they keep those fires lit and pursue their passions with that same unbridled dedication to each other and the industry.

St. Lawrence’s and Evans’ thoughts are echoed by 1991 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Carl Olson: “Recognizing industry pioneers is so important because the performance aftermarket is really a people-oriented industry that started from very humble beginnings and has mushroomed into a driving force in the American economy. Both the true pioneers and those who have continued to lead the industry forward need to be recognized for their efforts, both as recognition of where it started and how it has grown into the behemoth it has become.”

The number of new, young people getting involved with cars and the industry again is what 2002 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Harry Hibler is most excited for, stating that nominating someone for the SEMA Hall of Fame can help provide another goal for the new folks becoming involved in it to reach for.

“A lot of the people who started businesses early in the development of this industry did so out of necessity for their own needs not with the intention of building a successful company … Another large portion of them did so with the hope of building a successful company. Between all of them, a giant industry was created that has supplied jobs for thousands, given purpose to a lot of young people’s lives and provided enjoyment to most of them. However, if the younger generation involved today does not know how this all came about, the work/effort it took to make it happen and who the people behind all of it were, they cannot fully appreciate what they are involved in.”

To learn more about the SEMA Hall of Fame or view a list of inductees and their bios, visit www.semahof.com or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.