The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for Chair-Elect, two seats in the Manufacturer category and one seat in the Manufacturers’ Representative category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chair-elect (one open seat)
• Manufacturer (two open seats)
• Manufacturers’ Representative (one open seat)

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board-member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 3, 2019. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process; our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the nominating committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for Chair-Elect, two seats in the Manufacturer category and one seat in the Manufacturers’ Representative category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chair-elect (one open seat)
• Manufacturer (two open seats)
• Manufacturers’ Representative (one open seat)

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board-member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 3, 2019. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process; our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the nominating committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Paint Shop Manager: Cinema Vehicle Services LLC is hiring a paint shop manager to identify all areas in need of prepping for buffing/sanding or any other repairs before proceeding to paint application; mix to specified color using standard formulas, color charts and factory recommended specifications; and sand, mask, blend and polish finish. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in the auto or truck repair and paint industry and five years of management experience.

Mechanical Design Engineer: Cognito Motorsports is hiring a mechanical engineer or design engineer to lead and assist in the development of new aftermarket suspension-related products for passenger trucks, SUVs and UTVs. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills in addition to a comprehensive knowledge of engineering topics, including strength of materials, fatigue behavior, stresses, fits and interference and weld joint design. A bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent and a minimum of four years’ related design experience in a manufacturing environment are required.

Audi Performance Sales and Customer Service Manager: JH Motorsports Inc. is hiring an Audi Performance sales and customer service manager to oversee the sales and customer service departments. This position will be responsible for building and training a sales team, driving sales, managing and attending events and assisting with new product releases. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Audi/VW/Porsche cars and parts, good overall mechanical aptitude, an ability to understand how automotive parts and systems work and experience in sales and customer service.

Vehicle, Wheel and Tire Technician: DriveRightData is hiring a vehicle, wheel and tire technician. This position is focused around performing specialized wheel testing services and gathering vehicle-related data to maintain the company’s databases. Necessary training will be given. The ideal candidate will have experience with wheel and tire fitments on a variety of vehicles, from luxury cars to large passenger trucks and knowledge of lift kits. The ability to mount tires, check air pressures and willingness to learn how wheels should be mounted on specialist machinery for physical tests are required. This position will involve heavy lifting and requires the ability to follow strict guidelines to ensure the DriveRightData’s high standards are enforced in all activities.

Sales Coordinator: Method Race Wheels is hiring a sales coordinator responsible for facilitating and responding to inbound electronic communication from existing and potential customers, facilitating orders and following up on order timelines electronically. This position will make a continual effort to respond to customers as quickly as possible and make an effort to remain up to date on all the products and services offered. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• PRI Trade Show, December 6–8, 2018, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Performance Industry Reception, December 7, 2018, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• 2019 SEMA Middle East and Australia Overview Conference Call, December 12, 2018
• MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 22–24, 2019, Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North, Santa Ana, California
• SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, March 26–31, 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• SEMA Australia Business Development Conference, May 9–13, 2019, Melbourne, Australia
• Collector Car Appreciation Day, July 12, 2019
• 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8, 2019, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

The RPM Act needs your support.

The RPM Act needs your support.

The RPM Act needs your support.

The RPM Act needs your support.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

The Toyo Tires/Flying Lizard Motorsports team won its fourth consecutive overall victory at the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill presented by Hawk Performance last Sunday.

Toyo Tires/Flying Lizard Motorsports Wins Record Fourth 2018 NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill Presented by Hawk Performance

The Toyo Tires/Flying Lizard Motorsports team won its fourth consecutive overall victory at the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill presented by Hawk Performance last Sunday. The team overcame a broken axle just after the start of the race on Saturday and powered on to the checkered flag at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Northern California. The team now holds the most overall titles in the 16-year history of 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Nearly 50 teams competed in seven classes in the endurance race that started Saturday at 11:00 a.m., and concluded at noon on Sunday.

Edelbrock has announced an enhanced partnership with Pat Musi Racing Engines that will cater to the hardcore drag-racing market.

Edelbrock Partners with Pat Musi Racing Engines to Power New Crate Engine Program

Edelbrock has announced an enhanced partnership with Pat Musi Racing Engines that will cater to the hardcore drag-racing market. At the center of the partnership is a new crate engine program created specifically for drag racers, which features the Musi 632 Top Sportsman/Top Dragster engine. Besides the complete engine available from Pat Musi Racing Engines, individual components are also available directly from both Edelbrock and Musi as part of the program. Available components include 12-degree cylinder heads and Victor Musi Big-Block Chevy 24-degree CNC cylinder heads, a Super Victor II CNC intake manifold and a Big Victor 2 Spread-Port Tall Deck intake manifold. Edelbrock is also continuing its support of Pat Musi’s 27-year-old daughter Lizzy Musi in the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) Pro Nitrous ranks as a primary sponsor of Musi and her Pro Nitrous ’18 Dodge Dart. The official unveiling of the partnership will take place in the Edelbrock booth (#1713), Friday, December 7, at 1:00 p.m. (EST) at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, held at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

Cris Vandagriff

Sonoma Speed Festival Brings HMSA and Vandagriff on Board

Sonoma Speed Festival Owner Jeff O’Neill and General Manager Ryan Turri have tabbed veteran vintage racing expert Cris Vandagriff and the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA) to sanction and oversee all competition for the new event.

MacCachren Wins SCORE Trophy Truck points, W. Matlock Tops Overall and Pro UTV FI in 2018 SCORE World Desert Championship

Veteran champion desert racer Wayne Matlock drove solo for the entire 1,802.68 miles to become the first UTV racer to win the SCORE Overall Point season championship, capturing the title in the four-race 2018 SCORE World Desert Championship. Tied in the SCORE overall points race for 2018 with eventual SCORE Trophy Truck season point champion Rob MacCachren entering November’s season-ending 51st SCORE Baja 1000, Matlock capped his season with his solo drive to the 2018 SCORE Overall and his Pro UTV FI class. A night of champions will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the San Diego Air and Space Museum at Balboa Park. The evening will salute the champions of the 2018 SCORE World Desert Championship, honor the 2018 SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year award winners and recognize the 43 winners of the 2018 SCORE Milestone awards. For more information and complete results, visit the SCORE website.

2018 champions: J.R. Todd, NHRA Funny Car World champion; Matt Smith, NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion; Joey Logano, NASCAR champion; and Mike Janis, E3 Pro Mod Drag Racing Series champion.

Four MAHLE-Sponsored Racers Achieve Fastest MPH Recorded for NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Competition

In 2018, MAHLE-sponsored racers came out on top with four racers titled champions. They include Joey Logano, who won the 2018 NASCAR championship with a MAHLE-sponsored Roush Yates-built engine. In NHRA series racing, MAHLE-sponsored racer J.R. Todd with Kalitta Racing won the NHRA Funny Car World Championship. Matt Smith not only clinched the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship at the finals in Pomona, but also recorded the fastest MPH ever recorded at 201.22 MPH. In a final five-second run against Ricky Smith at the E3 Pro Mod Drag Racing Series eliminations in Las Vegas, MAHLE-sponsored racer Mike Janis won his first Pro Mod Championship.

AJ Flick Wins Chili Bowl Opportunity

Mt Baker Vapor and Landon Simon Racing have officially named Pennsylvania driver AJ Flick winner of the MBVDirt campaign’s grand prize—a free ride at the 2019 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Flick will pilot the second entry out of the LSR stable beside driver and team owner Landon Simon.

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