By SEMA Editors

Keenen LaCour won the first SEMA Young Guns Regional title at TX2K in Houston with his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo8.

Steven Nadaskai earned a trip to the 2019 SEMA Show by winning the Young Guns title at the Formula Drift event in Long Beach, California.

SEMA’s search for young vehicle builders moves on to Atlanta, as the SEMA Young Guns Regional Program joins Formula DRIFT at Road Atlanta, May 11.

The stop marks the third in a nine-city tour where top young vehicle builders will win all-expenses-paid trips for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, including transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature vehicle spot at the Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is the automotive industry’s premier vehicle competition, with participants featured at the SEMA Show, in magazines and on television. Open exclusively to builders with vehicles on display at the SEMA Show, the competition expanded in 2017 to provide exposure for a limited number of rising young builders. This year’s program includes partnerships with nine venues, with one winner from each venue awarded a Golden Ticket into the competition.

“The level of craftsmanship and amount of talent that we are seeing from the young builders is amazing,” said Ira Gabriel, SEMA vice president of marketing, PR and communications. “We’re encouraged and optimistic that this is going to be the best group of Young Guns competitors yet.”

Keenen LaCour won the first competition at TX2K with his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo8, and Steven Nadaskai won the competition at Formula DRIFT with his ’11 Volkswagen GTI. Both builders will compete in SEMA Battle of the Builders at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5–8.

A third builder will be selected at Formula DRIFT’s event in Atlanta on May 11. Vehicles from 10 young builders will be on display at the Formula DRIFT competition as they compete for a chance to advance to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition in Las Vegas.

“Supporting and energizing young car enthusiasts is an ongoing initiative and priority,” said Jim Liaw, Formula DRIFT president. “We know there is a lot of great talent in the Atlanta area and can’t wait to see what we get.”

Participants for the Atlanta competition will be selected from qualified applicants who enter at www.semayoungguns.com. For additional details, visit the website or contact marketing@semaignited.com.

By SEMA Editors

Keenen LaCour won the first SEMA Young Guns Regional title at TX2K in Houston with his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo8.

Steven Nadaskai earned a trip to the 2019 SEMA Show by winning the Young Guns title at the Formula Drift event in Long Beach, California.

SEMA’s search for young vehicle builders moves on to Atlanta, as the SEMA Young Guns Regional Program joins Formula DRIFT at Road Atlanta, May 11.

The stop marks the third in a nine-city tour where top young vehicle builders will win all-expenses-paid trips for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, including transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature vehicle spot at the Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is the automotive industry’s premier vehicle competition, with participants featured at the SEMA Show, in magazines and on television. Open exclusively to builders with vehicles on display at the SEMA Show, the competition expanded in 2017 to provide exposure for a limited number of rising young builders. This year’s program includes partnerships with nine venues, with one winner from each venue awarded a Golden Ticket into the competition.

“The level of craftsmanship and amount of talent that we are seeing from the young builders is amazing,” said Ira Gabriel, SEMA vice president of marketing, PR and communications. “We’re encouraged and optimistic that this is going to be the best group of Young Guns competitors yet.”

Keenen LaCour won the first competition at TX2K with his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo8, and Steven Nadaskai won the competition at Formula DRIFT with his ’11 Volkswagen GTI. Both builders will compete in SEMA Battle of the Builders at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5–8.

A third builder will be selected at Formula DRIFT’s event in Atlanta on May 11. Vehicles from 10 young builders will be on display at the Formula DRIFT competition as they compete for a chance to advance to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition in Las Vegas.

“Supporting and energizing young car enthusiasts is an ongoing initiative and priority,” said Jim Liaw, Formula DRIFT president. “We know there is a lot of great talent in the Atlanta area and can’t wait to see what we get.”

Participants for the Atlanta competition will be selected from qualified applicants who enter at www.semayoungguns.com. For additional details, visit the website or contact marketing@semaignited.com.

By SEMA Editors

Keenen LaCour won the first SEMA Young Guns Regional title at TX2K in Houston with his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo8.

Steven Nadaskai earned a trip to the 2019 SEMA Show by winning the Young Guns title at the Formula Drift event in Long Beach, California.

SEMA’s search for young vehicle builders moves on to Atlanta, as the SEMA Young Guns Regional Program joins Formula DRIFT at Road Atlanta, May 11.

The stop marks the third in a nine-city tour where top young vehicle builders will win all-expenses-paid trips for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, including transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature vehicle spot at the Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is the automotive industry’s premier vehicle competition, with participants featured at the SEMA Show, in magazines and on television. Open exclusively to builders with vehicles on display at the SEMA Show, the competition expanded in 2017 to provide exposure for a limited number of rising young builders. This year’s program includes partnerships with nine venues, with one winner from each venue awarded a Golden Ticket into the competition.

“The level of craftsmanship and amount of talent that we are seeing from the young builders is amazing,” said Ira Gabriel, SEMA vice president of marketing, PR and communications. “We’re encouraged and optimistic that this is going to be the best group of Young Guns competitors yet.”

Keenen LaCour won the first competition at TX2K with his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo8, and Steven Nadaskai won the competition at Formula DRIFT with his ’11 Volkswagen GTI. Both builders will compete in SEMA Battle of the Builders at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5–8.

A third builder will be selected at Formula DRIFT’s event in Atlanta on May 11. Vehicles from 10 young builders will be on display at the Formula DRIFT competition as they compete for a chance to advance to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition in Las Vegas.

“Supporting and energizing young car enthusiasts is an ongoing initiative and priority,” said Jim Liaw, Formula DRIFT president. “We know there is a lot of great talent in the Atlanta area and can’t wait to see what we get.”

Participants for the Atlanta competition will be selected from qualified applicants who enter at www.semayoungguns.com. For additional details, visit the website or contact marketing@semaignited.com.

By SEMA Editors

Keenen LaCour won the first SEMA Young Guns Regional title at TX2K in Houston with his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo8.

Steven Nadaskai earned a trip to the 2019 SEMA Show by winning the Young Guns title at the Formula Drift event in Long Beach, California.

SEMA’s search for young vehicle builders moves on to Atlanta, as the SEMA Young Guns Regional Program joins Formula DRIFT at Road Atlanta, May 11.

The stop marks the third in a nine-city tour where top young vehicle builders will win all-expenses-paid trips for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, including transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature vehicle spot at the Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is the automotive industry’s premier vehicle competition, with participants featured at the SEMA Show, in magazines and on television. Open exclusively to builders with vehicles on display at the SEMA Show, the competition expanded in 2017 to provide exposure for a limited number of rising young builders. This year’s program includes partnerships with nine venues, with one winner from each venue awarded a Golden Ticket into the competition.

“The level of craftsmanship and amount of talent that we are seeing from the young builders is amazing,” said Ira Gabriel, SEMA vice president of marketing, PR and communications. “We’re encouraged and optimistic that this is going to be the best group of Young Guns competitors yet.”

Keenen LaCour won the first competition at TX2K with his ’03 Mitsubishi Evo8, and Steven Nadaskai won the competition at Formula DRIFT with his ’11 Volkswagen GTI. Both builders will compete in SEMA Battle of the Builders at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5–8.

A third builder will be selected at Formula DRIFT’s event in Atlanta on May 11. Vehicles from 10 young builders will be on display at the Formula DRIFT competition as they compete for a chance to advance to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition in Las Vegas.

“Supporting and energizing young car enthusiasts is an ongoing initiative and priority,” said Jim Liaw, Formula DRIFT president. “We know there is a lot of great talent in the Atlanta area and can’t wait to see what we get.”

Participants for the Atlanta competition will be selected from qualified applicants who enter at www.semayoungguns.com. For additional details, visit the website or contact marketing@semaignited.com.

By Kristen Fregoso

The 2019 SEMA council elections kicked off this week. Members of the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), the Truck & Offroad Alliance (TORA) and the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) are invited to vote for their respective select committee leaders.

The elected select committee of each council serves as the volunteer leadership for the group. Because these elected volunteers are in tune with their markets and have the drive needed to influence change, they are entrusted to direct SEMA resources toward building solutions, benefits and opportunities that help companies succeed and prosper.

More About the Council Voting Process

• Ballots have been sent to the primary contact for each council membership, who will vote on behalf of the member company.
• Voting instructions will be included in announcement emails.
• Each company gets one vote per council membership.
• All votes are confidential.
• Primary contacts will receive a confirmation receipt once they have cast their votes.
• Make a difference in the future of our industry. Submit your vote by May 8 at 5:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Member Services Operations Specialist Kristen Fregoso at kristenf@sema.org or 909-978-6681.

By Kristen Fregoso

The 2019 SEMA council elections kicked off this week. Members of the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), the Truck & Offroad Alliance (TORA) and the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) are invited to vote for their respective select committee leaders.

The elected select committee of each council serves as the volunteer leadership for the group. Because these elected volunteers are in tune with their markets and have the drive needed to influence change, they are entrusted to direct SEMA resources toward building solutions, benefits and opportunities that help companies succeed and prosper.

More About the Council Voting Process

• Ballots have been sent to the primary contact for each council membership, who will vote on behalf of the member company.
• Voting instructions will be included in announcement emails.
• Each company gets one vote per council membership.
• All votes are confidential.
• Primary contacts will receive a confirmation receipt once they have cast their votes.
• Make a difference in the future of our industry. Submit your vote by May 8 at 5:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Member Services Operations Specialist Kristen Fregoso at kristenf@sema.org or 909-978-6681.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will exclude 21 product types from the 25% tariffs imposed July 6, 2018, on $34 billion worth of products from China. The USTR exclusions are primarily for non-automotive applications.

Products subject to the Chinese tariffs cover 818 separate Harmonized Tariff Code listings, including miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools, measurement and medical devices. The 21 product types granted exclusions range from motor vehicle gear-shift switch assemblies (8536.50.9065) to roller machines for cutting paper and fabric, water oxidizers, ratchet winches, stainless-steel steering wheels for watercraft and ball bearings of a width not exceeding 30 mm.

In related news, negotiations to reach an accord on U.S./China trade disputes continue. As part of the “Americans for Free Trade” Coalition, SEMA joined with 150 other organizations in supporting U.S. goals while urging President Trump to remove the recently imposed tariffs. The Coalition recommended:

• The full and immediate removal of all recently imposed tariffs, including U.S. tariffs and China’s retaliatory tariffs as part of a final deal.
• A deal that levels the playing field for U.S. companies by achieving meaningful changes to address China’s unfair trade practices that put American technology, innovation and intellectual property at risk.
• Avoidance of any enforcement mechanism that would trigger further tariffs.
• Clarity on how the tariff exemption process will be carried out in the event of a deal.
• An economic assessment by the Administration examining the costs of tariffs for American businesses and consumers.

View a copy of the letter.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will exclude 21 product types from the 25% tariffs imposed July 6, 2018, on $34 billion worth of products from China. The USTR exclusions are primarily for non-automotive applications.

Products subject to the Chinese tariffs cover 818 separate Harmonized Tariff Code listings, including miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools, measurement and medical devices. The 21 product types granted exclusions range from motor vehicle gear-shift switch assemblies (8536.50.9065) to roller machines for cutting paper and fabric, water oxidizers, ratchet winches, stainless-steel steering wheels for watercraft and ball bearings of a width not exceeding 30 mm.

In related news, negotiations to reach an accord on U.S./China trade disputes continue. As part of the “Americans for Free Trade” Coalition, SEMA joined with 150 other organizations in supporting U.S. goals while urging President Trump to remove the recently imposed tariffs. The Coalition recommended:

• The full and immediate removal of all recently imposed tariffs, including U.S. tariffs and China’s retaliatory tariffs as part of a final deal.
• A deal that levels the playing field for U.S. companies by achieving meaningful changes to address China’s unfair trade practices that put American technology, innovation and intellectual property at risk.
• Avoidance of any enforcement mechanism that would trigger further tariffs.
• Clarity on how the tariff exemption process will be carried out in the event of a deal.
• An economic assessment by the Administration examining the costs of tariffs for American businesses and consumers.

View a copy of the letter.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will exclude 21 product types from the 25% tariffs imposed July 6, 2018, on $34 billion worth of products from China. The USTR exclusions are primarily for non-automotive applications.

Products subject to the Chinese tariffs cover 818 separate Harmonized Tariff Code listings, including miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools, measurement and medical devices. The 21 product types granted exclusions range from motor vehicle gear-shift switch assemblies (8536.50.9065) to roller machines for cutting paper and fabric, water oxidizers, ratchet winches, stainless-steel steering wheels for watercraft and ball bearings of a width not exceeding 30 mm.

In related news, negotiations to reach an accord on U.S./China trade disputes continue. As part of the “Americans for Free Trade” Coalition, SEMA joined with 150 other organizations in supporting U.S. goals while urging President Trump to remove the recently imposed tariffs. The Coalition recommended:

• The full and immediate removal of all recently imposed tariffs, including U.S. tariffs and China’s retaliatory tariffs as part of a final deal.
• A deal that levels the playing field for U.S. companies by achieving meaningful changes to address China’s unfair trade practices that put American technology, innovation and intellectual property at risk.
• Avoidance of any enforcement mechanism that would trigger further tariffs.
• Clarity on how the tariff exemption process will be carried out in the event of a deal.
• An economic assessment by the Administration examining the costs of tariffs for American businesses and consumers.

View a copy of the letter.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will exclude 21 product types from the 25% tariffs imposed July 6, 2018, on $34 billion worth of products from China. The USTR exclusions are primarily for non-automotive applications.

Products subject to the Chinese tariffs cover 818 separate Harmonized Tariff Code listings, including miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools, measurement and medical devices. The 21 product types granted exclusions range from motor vehicle gear-shift switch assemblies (8536.50.9065) to roller machines for cutting paper and fabric, water oxidizers, ratchet winches, stainless-steel steering wheels for watercraft and ball bearings of a width not exceeding 30 mm.

In related news, negotiations to reach an accord on U.S./China trade disputes continue. As part of the “Americans for Free Trade” Coalition, SEMA joined with 150 other organizations in supporting U.S. goals while urging President Trump to remove the recently imposed tariffs. The Coalition recommended:

• The full and immediate removal of all recently imposed tariffs, including U.S. tariffs and China’s retaliatory tariffs as part of a final deal.
• A deal that levels the playing field for U.S. companies by achieving meaningful changes to address China’s unfair trade practices that put American technology, innovation and intellectual property at risk.
• Avoidance of any enforcement mechanism that would trigger further tariffs.
• Clarity on how the tariff exemption process will be carried out in the event of a deal.
• An economic assessment by the Administration examining the costs of tariffs for American businesses and consumers.

View a copy of the letter.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.