By Richard Hail

	The “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special re-airs Thursday, February 13, at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on A+E Networks’ FYI.

Set a reminder and tune in to A+E FYI for the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special, airing Thursday, February 13, at 10:00 p.m. (EST). Viewers will see interviews with top builders as they prepare to debut their vehicles in front of more than 162,000 industry professionals. Find out their secrets to standing out among nearly 300 of the most unique vehicle builds in the world and get a sneak peek inside the halls of the exclusive trade-only SEMA Show.

The competition, which features some of the best vehicle builders across the globe, honors and recognizes the talent and craftsmanship of those with vehicles displayed at the 2019 SEMA Show. For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special, visit HISTORY On Demand, A+E Networks’ FYI or download the HISTORY App for your iOS or Android device.

For more information about the SEMA Battle of the Builders program, point your browser to www.semabotb.com or www.semayoungguns.com.

By Richard Hail

	The “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special re-airs Thursday, February 13, at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on A+E Networks’ FYI.

Set a reminder and tune in to A+E FYI for the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special, airing Thursday, February 13, at 10:00 p.m. (EST). Viewers will see interviews with top builders as they prepare to debut their vehicles in front of more than 162,000 industry professionals. Find out their secrets to standing out among nearly 300 of the most unique vehicle builds in the world and get a sneak peek inside the halls of the exclusive trade-only SEMA Show.

The competition, which features some of the best vehicle builders across the globe, honors and recognizes the talent and craftsmanship of those with vehicles displayed at the 2019 SEMA Show. For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special, visit HISTORY On Demand, A+E Networks’ FYI or download the HISTORY App for your iOS or Android device.

For more information about the SEMA Battle of the Builders program, point your browser to www.semabotb.com or www.semayoungguns.com.

By Richard Hail

	The “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special re-airs Thursday, February 13, at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on A+E Networks’ FYI.

Set a reminder and tune in to A+E FYI for the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special, airing Thursday, February 13, at 10:00 p.m. (EST). Viewers will see interviews with top builders as they prepare to debut their vehicles in front of more than 162,000 industry professionals. Find out their secrets to standing out among nearly 300 of the most unique vehicle builds in the world and get a sneak peek inside the halls of the exclusive trade-only SEMA Show.

The competition, which features some of the best vehicle builders across the globe, honors and recognizes the talent and craftsmanship of those with vehicles displayed at the 2019 SEMA Show. For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special, visit HISTORY On Demand, A+E Networks’ FYI or download the HISTORY App for your iOS or Android device.

For more information about the SEMA Battle of the Builders program, point your browser to www.semabotb.com or www.semayoungguns.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Team Nitto drivers Josh Blyler, Erik Miller and Marcos Gomez swept the podium at the 2020 Nitto King of the Hammers race in Johnson Valley, California.

Team Nitto Tire Sweeps Podium at 2020 King of the Hammers

Nitto Tire U.S.A. has announced that Team Nitto drivers Josh Blyler, Erik Miller and Marcos Gomez have swept the podium at the 2020 Nitto King of the Hammers race in Johnson Valley, California. The King of the Hammers race marks the beginning of the 2020 Ultra4 Racing series. In the race’s unlimited 4400 class, drivers pilot custom race buggies through a course that includes both high-speed desert running and technical rock crawling. This year marks both Blyler’s first win at King of the Hammers and the second time that Nitto Tire has swept the podium, with the last sweep taking place in 2017. Taking second place was longtime Team Nitto driver and two-time King of the Hammers winner Miller with Nitto driver Gomez securing the podium sweep with a third-place finish.

2020 Contingency Program from Champion Racing Oil

Champion Racing Oil is promoting its 2020 Racing Contingency Program—a marketing tool designed to link regional and national racers in most sanctioned racing events in North America. The program includes series like the All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC), American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), World of Outlaws (WoO), United States Auto Club (USAC) and the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA), among others. Champion provides contingency cash pay-outs for first-place wins, and will help to boost awareness with racer results through media channels and by creating testimonials with Champion products. Racers can apply for the Champion Racing Oil Contingency Program now through June 30.

Jesse Haines won the 4600 class at the 2020 King of the Hammers’ Every Man Challenge in his Mahindra ROXOR.

Jesse Haines Wins at King of the Hammers With His ROXOR

Off-road racer and fabricator Jesse Haines won the 4600 class at the 2020 King of the Hammers’ Every Man Challenge in his Mahindra ROXOR. This year, only 38 of the 122 vehicles that took the green flag would reach the finish line. Haines started 110th in the field, but was able to move up and finish 19th overall and first in class. The 4600 class has the most restrictive rules at King of the Hammers, requiring the factory engine, stock frame, full body, single shock, and 35-in.-tall DOT-approved tires.

For the third straight time, Doug Kalitta took home a national event win at the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals.

Kalitta, Beckman and Coughlin Start the Season With Wins at 60th Annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals

For the third straight time, Doug Kalitta took home a national event win at the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com. Last Sunday’s win marks Kalitta’s 48th career win, placing him fifth in wins on the all-time Top Fuel list. Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) also took home event wins in their respective categories, marking the first time in NHRA history that the winners from the Auto Club Finals also took home wins at the Winternationals. Top Fuel veteran Kalitta went 3.698 seconds at 330.23 mph in his Mac Tools dragster to defeat JFR’s Austin Prock in the final round at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

In Funny Car, Beckman picked up the win in the finals over John Force after going 3.837 seconds at 333.33 in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. Coughlin took home the event win over Jason Line with a 6.522-second pass at 210.80. The Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues on February 21–23, at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass.

Exhibitors interested in getting a jump on SEMA Show planning for 2020 can reserve booth space now.

Exhibitors interested in getting a jump on SEMA Show planning for 2020 can reserve booth space now.

The SEMA Hall of Fame pays tribute to those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills and an incomparable dedication to industry affairs and progress.

By Lindsay Bianco

Nominations for the 2020 SEMA Hall of Fame are now being accepted. SEMA members have the opportunity to recognize and honor a member of the automotive industry whose leadership and dedication have helped to build the current $44.6 billion specialty-automotive market.  

Members can submit their nominations up until the deadline, March 16.

To help the Hall of Fame Nomination Committee choose the most deserving nominees, the association requests that members provide a brief statement that explains why the individual deserves the prestigious honor.

Previous accomplishments, industry contributions and community involvement are all examples of background information that contribute to the committee's final decisions. 

The SEMA Hall of Fame was created in 1969 and is the association’s highest recognition, established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, industriousness and accomplishments have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

The 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees were Bob Chandler, Bruce Crower and Marla Moore (featured on the 2019 August cover of SEMA News magazine to the right).

Learn more about all of the SEMA Hall of Fame inductees at www.SEMAHOF.com.

The SEMA Hall of Fame pays tribute to those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills and an incomparable dedication to industry affairs and progress.

By Lindsay Bianco

Nominations for the 2020 SEMA Hall of Fame are now being accepted. SEMA members have the opportunity to recognize and honor a member of the automotive industry whose leadership and dedication have helped to build the current $44.6 billion specialty-automotive market.  

Members can submit their nominations up until the deadline, March 16.

To help the Hall of Fame Nomination Committee choose the most deserving nominees, the association requests that members provide a brief statement that explains why the individual deserves the prestigious honor.

Previous accomplishments, industry contributions and community involvement are all examples of background information that contribute to the committee's final decisions. 

The SEMA Hall of Fame was created in 1969 and is the association’s highest recognition, established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, industriousness and accomplishments have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

The 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees were Bob Chandler, Bruce Crower and Marla Moore (featured on the 2019 August cover of SEMA News magazine to the right).

Learn more about all of the SEMA Hall of Fame inductees at www.SEMAHOF.com.

By Kristopher Porter

The WTC open meeting will feature a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

Members of the wheel and tire industry will gather at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, for an industry discussion, Wednesday, February 19, from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

On the agenda is a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

This is membership’s opportunity to let SEMA’s Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) know what other challenges and opportunities they see in the wheel and tire industry. By participating in this open meeting, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond.  

The meeting will include a networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC-member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and WTC are invited to attend the event.

Register today to save your seat and submit discussion topics.

For more information about WTC or this event, contact SEMA Director of Councils and Networks Bryan Harrison.

By Kristopher Porter

The WTC open meeting will feature a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

Members of the wheel and tire industry will gather at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, for an industry discussion, Wednesday, February 19, from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

On the agenda is a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

This is membership’s opportunity to let SEMA’s Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) know what other challenges and opportunities they see in the wheel and tire industry. By participating in this open meeting, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond.  

The meeting will include a networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC-member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and WTC are invited to attend the event.

Register today to save your seat and submit discussion topics.

For more information about WTC or this event, contact SEMA Director of Councils and Networks Bryan Harrison.