By Katie Hurst

Comstock High School was one of five high schools that participated in the 2019 SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program. The students built an ’04 Jeep Wrangler Sahara.

The SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program is expanding to 10 builds for the 2019–2020 school year. As partners in this program, 10 high-school auto-shop classes will customize third-generation Toyota 4Runners and Jeep Wrangler TJs. The program aims to bridge the gap between industry and auto-shop students to foster the next generation of hobbyists and the automotive aftermarket workforce.

Through this hands-on build program, students will expand their real-world auto-tech skills by working with aftermarket products while being introduced to a new career path to pursue their passion for customization. The builds will begin in January, and students will complete their builds by the end of the school year.

Aftermarket companies can support this effort through parts donations and/or mentorship opportunities. Sponsors will have their product(s) installed on the vehicle(s) and receive recognition through the build website and in SEMA build promotions.

Sponsoring the SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program is not only giving high-school students a build experience of a lifetime, it’s also allowing them to open their minds to the possibilities of what can be accomplished using aftermarket products.

If you’re interested in supporting one or more of the student vehicle builds, please fill out the product donation form. If you’re interested in mentoring a school, please contact SEMA youth engagement programs manager Katie Hurst.  

Learn more and check out last year’s builds.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

2020 Southeast Conference U.S. Majors Tour Schedule Released

All but two race weekends on the Southeast Conference 2020 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) U.S. Majors Tour schedule are three-day events.

The Southeast Conference 2020 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) U.S. Majors Tour competition calendar has been released. A total of six weekends, 12 races in all, make up the schedule, January through June.

All but two race weekends on the Southeast Conference schedule are again three-day events. Two-day events are slated for June at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Roebling Road. Three events on the Southeast Conference schedule will also again be Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour dates that offer a heightened experience for both competitors and race fans.

The calendar is subject to change, but the current 2020 U.S. Majors Tour Southeast Conference schedule is as follows:

• January 3-5: Homestead-Miami Speedway; Homestead, Florida
• January 10-12: Sebring International Raceway; Sebring, Florida
• March 20-22: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta; Braselton, Georgia
• April 10-12: VIRginia International Raceway; Alton, Virginia (Dual Southeast/Northeast Conference Event)
• June 6-7: Charlotte Motor Speedway; Concord, North Carolina
• June 27-28: Roebling Road; Bloomingdale, Georgia

Schedules for other SCCA U.S. Majors Tour Conferences will be published as they are finalized.

Ampudia Bros. Blast to Overall and SCORE Trophy Truck Win in BFGoodrich Tires 52nd SCORE Baja 1000

Brothers Alan and Aaron Ampudia won the overall and SCORE Trophy Truck title last Sunday in the BFGoodrich Tires 52nd SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts. They split the driving in their No. 10 Monster Energy Papas & Beer Ford Raptor built by ID Design to a winning time of 16 hours, 10 minutes and 36 seconds while averaging 49.48 mph. This year’s race was held over a rugged 800.50-mile race course over the Northern part of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, starting and finishing in Ensenada, Baja California Norte. The race will be televised on a delayed basis as a one-hour special on ABC TV’s World of X Games programming, January 4, 2020. Produced by SCORE in association with BCII TV, announcers will be Hall of Fame racers Cameron Steele and Ricky Johnson. The Ampudia brothers became just the third team of Mexican Nationals to win the race. Joining the Ampudia brothers on the podium were 2019 Dakar Rally champions Nasser Al-Attiyah/Toby Price and Luke McMillin/Larry Roeseler.

For complete results visit the SCORE International website.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published nine draft research test procedures to assess the performance of certain types of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). NHTSA has requested public comments on whether the procedures adequately, objectively, and practically assess the system performance in a test track environment. The procedures are intended for better understanding the technology. They are not indications that NHTSA intends to establish ADAS regulations or incorporate the technology into the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) at this time.  

There are eight draft test procedures. For light vehicles, these include:

1. Active Parking Assist (APA) 
2. Blind Spot Detection (BSD) 
3. Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) 
4. Intersection Safety Assist (ISA) 
5. Opposing Traffic Safety Assist (OTSA) 
6. Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) 
7. Rear Automatic Braking 
8. Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) 

For heavy vehicles, these include:

     9. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).   

Public comments are due January 21, 2020. Access the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's nine draft research test procedures.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published nine draft research test procedures to assess the performance of certain types of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). NHTSA has requested public comments on whether the procedures adequately, objectively, and practically assess the system performance in a test track environment. The procedures are intended for better understanding the technology. They are not indications that NHTSA intends to establish ADAS regulations or incorporate the technology into the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) at this time.  

There are eight draft test procedures. For light vehicles, these include:

1. Active Parking Assist (APA) 
2. Blind Spot Detection (BSD) 
3. Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) 
4. Intersection Safety Assist (ISA) 
5. Opposing Traffic Safety Assist (OTSA) 
6. Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) 
7. Rear Automatic Braking 
8. Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) 

For heavy vehicles, these include:

     9. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).   

Public comments are due January 21, 2020. Access the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's nine draft research test procedures.

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

Artificial intelligence has made it ridiculously easy to auto-generate marketing videos with story lines, special effects, cool transitions, soundtracks and narration.

Artificial intelligence has made it ridiculously easy to auto-generate marketing videos with story lines, special effects, cool transitions, soundtracks and narration.

By SEMA Washington, D.C, Staff

Beginning December 1, all motor vehicles 20 years old or older will be exempt from emissions testing in North Carolina. The change stems from a 2017 regulatory reform bill.

Currently, 22 of the state’s 100 counties require vehicles model year 1996 or newer to undergo an annual emissions inspection. New cars under three years of age will also remain exempt from such an inspection.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C, Staff

Beginning December 1, all motor vehicles 20 years old or older will be exempt from emissions testing in North Carolina. The change stems from a 2017 regulatory reform bill.

Currently, 22 of the state’s 100 counties require vehicles model year 1996 or newer to undergo an annual emissions inspection. New cars under three years of age will also remain exempt from such an inspection.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Larry Fisher

Larry Fisher, executive director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum, passed away last Friday evening at Loma Linda Medical Center. Fisher began his work with the museum in 2012 and made a host of improvements during his tenure. NHRA, the NHRA Motorsports Museum and the entire racing community extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends. 

“Larry made many contributions to the museum including building greater awareness of its mission and improving the educational elements of museum programs,” said Tom McKernan, chairman of the NHRA Motorsports Museum board. “His love and commitment for the museum and motorsports history as well as his robust experience will be greatly missed. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with his family during this difficult time.”

By Fredy Ramirez

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) is “data central” for hundreds of specialty parts brands, representing millions of part numbers and tens of millions of vehicle applications. Created by SEMA, the SDC is the definitive, industry-owned and -operated centralized data repository, complete with a comprehensive set of online data management tools.

The product releases below are from SEMA members who are also part of the SDC at the the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level. Learn more about the SDC at www.semadatacoop.org.

SDC members are invited to submit new-product press releases for consideration to editors@sema.org.

Heidts Independent Rear Suspension Heidts has released a bolt-on independent rear suspension for the '67–‘72 and ‘73–‘87 Chevy C-10. The kit is designed to work with both longbed and shortbed applications and a longbed-to-shortbed conversion. The kit is engineered to allow for a wide tire and lower ride height without sacrificing ride quality while providing improved handling. 800-841-8188 www.heidts.com PN BX-603
Mishimoto Performance Aluminum Radiator Mishimoto introduces a performance aluminum radiator for the ’14–‘19 Chevrolet Corvette. The radiator’s all-aluminum design features a 2-in.-thick core sporting two rows of coolant channels and an increase in fin surface area by 135%. It is designed to get a 5° F drop in outlet temperatures throughout the powerband. The all-aluminum end tanks are engineered for durability and performance gains. 877-466-4744 www.mishimoto.com PN MMRAD-C7-14
Flowmaster FlowFX Cat-Back Exhaust System Flowmaster announces the release of new a stainless-steel performance exhaust system for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The system is designed with a 3-in. mandrel-bent tube flowing into the FlowFX "straight through" performance muffler. The mandrel-bent tailpipe exits behind the passenger-side rear tire and is finished off with a 4.50-in. black ceramic-coated exhaust tip embossed with the Flowmaster logo. 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN 717912
Hooker Blackheart Dual Through-Crossmember Exhaust System Hooker Blackheart releases a 304 stainless-steel LS/LT engine swap exhaust system for the ’67 — ‘72 Chevy/GMC C10. The system is designed to be compatible with rear-mounted fuel tanks, wide rear wheels/tires and specific aftermarket rear panhard/track bars. The exhaust is engineered to fit with coil-spring rear suspensions only (stock or aftermarket). 866-464-6553 www.holley.com PN BH13195