SEMA News—January 2020

EVENTS

By Douglas McColloch

“SEMA: Battle Of The Builders” to Recap 2019 Competition

A+E’s FYI and HISTORY’s Drive Block to Air in 2020

The finalists for the 2019 Battle of the Builders were announced prior to SEMA Ignited, the SEMA Show’s annual after-hours party. The competition will be aired on A+E Network’s FYI and History Channel’s Drive block in January 2020.

Mike and Jim Ring of Ringbrothers of Spring Green, Wisconsin, captured the top prize at the sixth annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition at the 2019 SEMA Show, held November 5–8 in Las Vegas. The announcement was made at SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after-party designed to celebrate the builders and showcase products from the trade-only Show.

For the second year in a row, a ’69 Chevrolet Camaro beat more than 300 entrants in the internationally recognized competition. The top four finalists for 2019 were Jim and Mike Ring, with their ’69 Chevrolet Camaro in the Hot Rods category; Randy Borcherding with a ’55 Chevrolet Truck (Truck/Off-Road); Louie Shefchik and his ’68 Iso Rivolta (Sport Compact); and Young Guns winner Brad Swaney with his ’71 Chevrolet C-10. Each builder was recognized with a trophy in his respective class.

BOTB finalists’ vehicles were on display throughout SEMA Show week outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The four finalists of this years’ competition will be highlighted along with other featured builders in a new TV special, “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” scheduled to debut on A+E Networks’ FYI and History’s Drive Block. Visit www.SEMAShow.com/botb for information about show dates and times.

The 2019 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition included submissions from seasoned builders as well as new customizers representing an elite group of individuals who demonstrate extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks and SUVs. The Young Guns category (builders age 27 years and younger) continues to evolve and expand, providing the next generation of builders with an opportunity to get their vehicles into the Battle of the Builders competition.

The 12 finalist vehicles were judged one at a time, with every build detail scrutinized and reviewed by an expert panel.

After the top four vehicle class finalists were announced, they led a SEMA Cruise motorcade to the site of SEMA Ignited.

Mike and Jim Ring of Spring Green, Wisconsin, celebrated their win at Battle of the Builders 2019 alongside their ’69 Chevy Camaro.

Industry experts R.J. DeVera of Meguiar’s, Cam Miller of HS Customs, and Jeremiah Proffitt of Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers were the competition’s judges and narrowed down the field of nearly 300 entries to the top 10 in each category before selecting the top 12 builds overall. The top 12 finalists were:

Hot Rod

• Eric Peratt—’36 Ford Roadster
• Gary Corkell—’32 Ford Phantom
• Jim and Mike Ring—’69 Chevrolet Camaro

Sport Compact

• Edison Sarkisyan—’55 Porsche 550 Spyder
• Louie Shefchik—’68 Iso Rivolta
• TJ Russell—’91 Porsche 911

Truck/Off-Road

• Darin Smith—’72 Chevrolet
• C-10 Shortbed
• Erik Barnlund—’72 Ford Bronco
• Randy Borcherding—’55 Chevrolet Truck

Young Guns

• Brad Swaney—’71 Chevrolet C-10
• Kyle Ray—’88 BMW E30
• Luke Merrill—’40 Chevrolet Two-Door Sedan

The 12 finalists themselves then took over judging duties for the competition and named Ringbrothers the overall winner.

For more information about the 2019 Battle of the Builders competition or the SEMA Young Guns program, visit www.sema.org/botb, www.semayoungguns.com or SEMA’s YouTube channel.

By SEMA Editors

Gale Banks will be available to talk about identifying and adapting to new technology, entrepreneurship and racing.

SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) presents a Live Chat with American engineer, hot rodder, drag racer and entrepreneur Gale Banks, president and founder of Banks Power. He will be available to talk about identifying and adapting to new technology, entrepreneurship and racing.

Event: YEN Live Chat: Gale Banks—Identifying and Adapting to New Technology
Location: YEN Facebook Page
Date: January 8, 2020
Time: 12:00 p.m.–12:15 p.m. (PST), 1:00 p.m. (MST), 2:00 p.m. (CST), 3:00 p.m. (EST)

This Live Chat is an open Q&A where you will have a chance to communicate directly with Gale as he answers questions regarding how he successfully leads a company defined by innovation in technology.

Join the Live Chat on YEN’s Facebook Page, January 8, at 12:00 p.m. (PST), and come ready with questions to tap into Banks’ expertise.

By SEMA Editors

Gale Banks will be available to talk about identifying and adapting to new technology, entrepreneurship and racing.

SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) presents a Live Chat with American engineer, hot rodder, drag racer and entrepreneur Gale Banks, president and founder of Banks Power. He will be available to talk about identifying and adapting to new technology, entrepreneurship and racing.

Event: YEN Live Chat: Gale Banks—Identifying and Adapting to New Technology
Location: YEN Facebook Page
Date: January 8, 2020
Time: 12:00 p.m.–12:15 p.m. (PST), 1:00 p.m. (MST), 2:00 p.m. (CST), 3:00 p.m. (EST)

This Live Chat is an open Q&A where you will have a chance to communicate directly with Gale as he answers questions regarding how he successfully leads a company defined by innovation in technology.

Join the Live Chat on YEN’s Facebook Page, January 8, at 12:00 p.m. (PST), and come ready with questions to tap into Banks’ expertise.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.

U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5434, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2019 (RPM Act of 2019). The bipartisan RPM Act of 2019 protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete. SEMA is urging its members and all racing enthusiasts to contact their members of Congress and ask for them to support the bill. To send a letter to your members of Congress (it takes less than 30 seconds), visit www.sema.org/rpm.

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways. 

“SEMA looks forward to working with Congress to enact the RPM Act and make permanent the Clean Air Act’s original intention that race vehicle conversions are legal,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We thank Representatives McHenry and Ruiz for introducing a bipartisan bill that will protect racing and the businesses that produce, install and sell the parts that enable racers to compete."

The RPM Act is well positioned to become law in 2020. The bill cleared several major legislative hurdles in the previous Congress, including passage by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and hearings in the House and Senate. The bipartisan RPM Act included five other original sponsors: Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Bill Posey (R-FL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX).

H.R. 5434 is the House counterpart to the Senate’s version of the bill, S. 2602, which was introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and currently has 28 bipartisan cosponsors. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional. Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually. Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar.

U.S. Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5434, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2019 (RPM Act of 2019). The bipartisan RPM Act of 2019 protects Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete. SEMA is urging its members and all racing enthusiasts to contact their members of Congress and ask for them to support the bill. To send a letter to your members of Congress (it takes less than 30 seconds), visit www.sema.org/rpm.

The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use—including a car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar. This American tradition was unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even though they are no longer driven on public streets or highways. 

“SEMA looks forward to working with Congress to enact the RPM Act and make permanent the Clean Air Act’s original intention that race vehicle conversions are legal,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We thank Representatives McHenry and Ruiz for introducing a bipartisan bill that will protect racing and the businesses that produce, install and sell the parts that enable racers to compete."

The RPM Act is well positioned to become law in 2020. The bill cleared several major legislative hurdles in the previous Congress, including passage by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and hearings in the House and Senate. The bipartisan RPM Act included five other original sponsors: Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Bill Posey (R-FL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX).

H.R. 5434 is the House counterpart to the Senate’s version of the bill, S. 2602, which was introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and currently has 28 bipartisan cosponsors. 

Motorsports competition involves tens of thousands of participants and vehicle owners each year, both amateur and professional. Retail sales of racing products make up a nearly $2 billion market annually. Most of the vehicles raced on the estimated 1,300 racetracks operating across the U.S. are converted vehicles that the EPA considers to be illegal.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 44 products from the List 3 Chinese imports subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities, including:

• Light-emitting diode (LED) headlights, light bars and cube lights, of a kind designed to be mounted on off-road, all-terrain vehicles (described in statistical reporting number 8512.20.2040).
• Brake drums of grey cast iron for the motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705 (other than tractors for agricultural purposes), with an inside diameter of 38 cm or more but not over 42 cm (described in statistical reporting number 8708.30.5020).
• Brake discs of grey cast iron for the motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705 (other than tractors for agricultural purposes), with an outside diameter of 32 cm or more but not over 44 cm (described in statistical reporting number 8708.30.5030).
• Wheel hubs of cast iron, for off-road vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705, each weighing 2 kg or more but not exceeding 4 kg (described in statistical reporting number 8708.99.5300).

Click here for more information.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 44 products from the List 3 Chinese imports subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities, including:

• Light-emitting diode (LED) headlights, light bars and cube lights, of a kind designed to be mounted on off-road, all-terrain vehicles (described in statistical reporting number 8512.20.2040).
• Brake drums of grey cast iron for the motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705 (other than tractors for agricultural purposes), with an inside diameter of 38 cm or more but not over 42 cm (described in statistical reporting number 8708.30.5020).
• Brake discs of grey cast iron for the motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705 (other than tractors for agricultural purposes), with an outside diameter of 32 cm or more but not over 44 cm (described in statistical reporting number 8708.30.5030).
• Wheel hubs of cast iron, for off-road vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705, each weighing 2 kg or more but not exceeding 4 kg (described in statistical reporting number 8708.99.5300).

Click here for more information.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators.

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2020 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund for students preparing for careers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, including accounting, sales, marketing and engineering.

“Our goal is to encourage, inspire and support the future leaders of the automotive aftermarket industry,” said SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall. “By providing financial support to promising students, we can successfully open doors of opportunity to those working towards a career in our field.”

The program also grants loan forgiveness awards for employees of SEMA-member companies who have completed a program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

Applications for the program will be open until March 1, 2020.

Those chosen as scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where they will be recognized during an awards luncheon.

To view eligibility requirements, visit www.sema.org/scholarships.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators.

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2020 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund for students preparing for careers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, including accounting, sales, marketing and engineering.

“Our goal is to encourage, inspire and support the future leaders of the automotive aftermarket industry,” said SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall. “By providing financial support to promising students, we can successfully open doors of opportunity to those working towards a career in our field.”

The program also grants loan forgiveness awards for employees of SEMA-member companies who have completed a program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

Applications for the program will be open until March 1, 2020.

Those chosen as scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where they will be recognized during an awards luncheon.

To view eligibility requirements, visit www.sema.org/scholarships.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is requesting public comment on whether to update the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for tires to address new technologies. NHTSA is specifically requesting comments on the existing strength test, the bead unseating resistance test, and the tire endurance test.

The agency also wants feedback on the current use and relevance of some tire marking regulations. In addition to considering updates for new technologies, NHTSA will seek to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens. Comments due February 18, 2020.

Click here for more information.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.