By Chad Simon

Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, on July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, on July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

Jessi Combs and Jarod DeAnda served as the evening’s emcees. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2017—GiGi Carleton, Robert E. Petersen Foundation; Doug Evans, Bonnier Corp.; and Barry Meguiar, Meguiar’s. (Read more about the 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees.)

The festivities kicked-off with the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. In addition to the Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes, the races include the Council Cup and Industry Cup Challenge. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize the efforts of outgoing Board of Directors officials and welcome the incoming Board. They included:

• Wade Kawasaki of Coker Tire, Chairman of the Board (incoming)
• Tim Martin of K&N Engineering, Chair-Elect (incoming)
• Nate Shelton of Driven Performance Brands, Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary (outgoing)
• Doug Evans of Bonnier Corp., Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary (incoming)
• John Johnson of The Spartan Group, Treasurer (outgoing)
• Peter Lehman of Granite Creek Capital Partners LLC, Treasurer (incoming)
• James Lawrence of Power Automedia (incoming)
• Greg Adler of Transamerican Auto Parts (re-elected)

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Council Cup

1st Place: SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)
2nd Place: Young Executives Network (YEN)
3rd Place: Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: WeatherTech
2nd Place: Truckin’ America
3rd Place: Holmes Enterprises

Stock Class

1st Place: Keystone Automotive Operations 
2nd Place: Bodyguard Truck Accessories
3rd Place: Manke Trucking

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products
2nd Place: Ian Lehn, BOOSTane
3rd Place: Jessi Combs, RAD

Industry Cup Challenge (member category represented)

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 seconds
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 seconds
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 seconds
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 seconds
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 seconds

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities from the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala.

Guests enjoyed live music during the reception.	The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation and Gala, raised money for charities supported by SEMA Cares.
The Gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (left) and Jarod DeAnda (right).	SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomed attendees to the annual Installation and Gala.
SEMA Cares Chairman Rich Barsamian encouraged guests to sponsor a Pinewood car to help raise money for children’s charities.	SEMA Board of Directors Chairman Wade Kawasaki was formally introduced to Installation and Gala attendees.
Outgoing SEMA Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary Nate Shelton (second from left) was recognized for his contributions.	Chris Kersting, Wade Kawasaki and Doug Evans welcomed SEMA Board of Directors Chair-Elect Tim Martin (second from left).
James Lawrence (second from left) was welcomed as a new SEMA Board member.	New SEMA Board officer Peter Lehman (second from left) assumed the role of treasurer.
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Doug Evans.	2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee GiGi Carleton.
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Barry Meguiar.	The 2017–2018 SEMA Board of Directors.

By Chad Simon

Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, on July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, on July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

Jessi Combs and Jarod DeAnda served as the evening’s emcees. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2017—GiGi Carleton, Robert E. Petersen Foundation; Doug Evans, Bonnier Corp.; and Barry Meguiar, Meguiar’s. (Read more about the 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees.)

The festivities kicked-off with the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. In addition to the Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes, the races include the Council Cup and Industry Cup Challenge. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize the efforts of outgoing Board of Directors officials and welcome the incoming Board. They included:

• Wade Kawasaki of Coker Tire, Chairman of the Board (incoming)
• Tim Martin of K&N Engineering, Chair-Elect (incoming)
• Nate Shelton of Driven Performance Brands, Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary (outgoing)
• Doug Evans of Bonnier Corp., Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary (incoming)
• John Johnson of The Spartan Group, Treasurer (outgoing)
• Peter Lehman of Granite Creek Capital Partners LLC, Treasurer (incoming)
• James Lawrence of Power Automedia (incoming)
• Greg Adler of Transamerican Auto Parts (re-elected)

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Council Cup

1st Place: SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)
2nd Place: Young Executives Network (YEN)
3rd Place: Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: WeatherTech
2nd Place: Truckin’ America
3rd Place: Holmes Enterprises

Stock Class

1st Place: Keystone Automotive Operations 
2nd Place: Bodyguard Truck Accessories
3rd Place: Manke Trucking

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products
2nd Place: Ian Lehn, BOOSTane
3rd Place: Jessi Combs, RAD

Industry Cup Challenge (member category represented)

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 seconds
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 seconds
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 seconds
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 seconds
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 seconds

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities from the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala.

Guests enjoyed live music during the reception.	The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation and Gala, raised money for charities supported by SEMA Cares.
The Gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (left) and Jarod DeAnda (right).	SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomed attendees to the annual Installation and Gala.
SEMA Cares Chairman Rich Barsamian encouraged guests to sponsor a Pinewood car to help raise money for children’s charities.	SEMA Board of Directors Chairman Wade Kawasaki was formally introduced to Installation and Gala attendees.
Outgoing SEMA Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary Nate Shelton (second from left) was recognized for his contributions.	Chris Kersting, Wade Kawasaki and Doug Evans welcomed SEMA Board of Directors Chair-Elect Tim Martin (second from left).
James Lawrence (second from left) was welcomed as a new SEMA Board member.	New SEMA Board officer Peter Lehman (second from left) assumed the role of treasurer.
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Doug Evans.	2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee GiGi Carleton.
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Barry Meguiar.	The 2017–2018 SEMA Board of Directors.

By Chad Simon

Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, on July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, on July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

Jessi Combs and Jarod DeAnda served as the evening’s emcees. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2017—GiGi Carleton, Robert E. Petersen Foundation; Doug Evans, Bonnier Corp.; and Barry Meguiar, Meguiar’s. (Read more about the 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees.)

The festivities kicked-off with the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. In addition to the Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes, the races include the Council Cup and Industry Cup Challenge. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize the efforts of outgoing Board of Directors officials and welcome the incoming Board. They included:

• Wade Kawasaki of Coker Tire, Chairman of the Board (incoming)
• Tim Martin of K&N Engineering, Chair-Elect (incoming)
• Nate Shelton of Driven Performance Brands, Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary (outgoing)
• Doug Evans of Bonnier Corp., Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary (incoming)
• John Johnson of The Spartan Group, Treasurer (outgoing)
• Peter Lehman of Granite Creek Capital Partners LLC, Treasurer (incoming)
• James Lawrence of Power Automedia (incoming)
• Greg Adler of Transamerican Auto Parts (re-elected)

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Council Cup

1st Place: SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)
2nd Place: Young Executives Network (YEN)
3rd Place: Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: WeatherTech
2nd Place: Truckin’ America
3rd Place: Holmes Enterprises

Stock Class

1st Place: Keystone Automotive Operations 
2nd Place: Bodyguard Truck Accessories
3rd Place: Manke Trucking

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products
2nd Place: Ian Lehn, BOOSTane
3rd Place: Jessi Combs, RAD

Industry Cup Challenge (member category represented)

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 seconds
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 seconds
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 seconds
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 seconds
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 seconds

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities from the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala.

Guests enjoyed live music during the reception.	The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation and Gala, raised money for charities supported by SEMA Cares.
The Gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (left) and Jarod DeAnda (right).	SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomed attendees to the annual Installation and Gala.
SEMA Cares Chairman Rich Barsamian encouraged guests to sponsor a Pinewood car to help raise money for children’s charities.	SEMA Board of Directors Chairman Wade Kawasaki was formally introduced to Installation and Gala attendees.
Outgoing SEMA Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary Nate Shelton (second from left) was recognized for his contributions.	Chris Kersting, Wade Kawasaki and Doug Evans welcomed SEMA Board of Directors Chair-Elect Tim Martin (second from left).
James Lawrence (second from left) was welcomed as a new SEMA Board member.	New SEMA Board officer Peter Lehman (second from left) assumed the role of treasurer.
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Doug Evans.	2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee GiGi Carleton.
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Barry Meguiar.	The 2017–2018 SEMA Board of Directors.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Driven Performance Brands Acquires APR Performance

Driven Performance Brands has announced the acquisition of APR Performance from Mangrove Equity Partners LP. APR is a designer and manufacturer of performance software tuning solutions and highly engineered hardware products, including turbo systems and air intake, exhaust and suspension components for Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen vehicles.

Sean Lannoo

TPMS Training Specialist Sean Lannoo Nominated for TIA Board of Directors

Continental Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket has announced that Sales Technical Training Specialist Sean Lannoo has been nominated for the Tire Industry Association’s (TIA) 2017 Board of Directors. Lannoo is one of 14 industry professionals who have been nominated for the position. TIA members will select four candidates to serve three-year terms on the board. The election has commenced and will be completed September 1, 2017.

Denso Earns 2017 Subaru Excellence in Partnership Award

DENSO International America, Inc. (DIAM) has received an Excellence in Partnership Award from Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. (SIA) for exceptional quality, delivery performance and cost program participation. Each year, SIA rates suppliers to monitor, maintain and improve the highest product and service quality standards. Excellence in Partnership Awards recognize top-performing suppliers meeting the criteria. In order to receive an Excellence in Partnership Award, suppliers must demonstrate strong performance in each rating criteria. That includes excelling in product quality, meeting production and delivery schedules and reaching cost program goals. This is the second consecutive year Subaru has awarded DENSO its Excellence in Partnership award. The award recognizes quality work across DENSO’s facilities in North America.

Hunter University is a free, comprehensive online self-study program for technicians and industry professionals to enhance training in alignment fundamentals, performance tire service and road-force balancing techniques.

Hunter Engineering Offers Hunter University Online Self-Study Program

Hunter Engineering is offering Hunter University—a free, comprehensive online self-study program for technicians and industry professionals to enhance training in alignment fundamentals, performance tire service and road-force balancing techniques. Hunter University’s eLearning courses allow students to learn at their own pace and are designed for students at all levels. Courses can also be used as an integral supplement to instructor-led training courses. In-depth information, detailed graphics, video and modular segments assist the participant in expanding their knowledge base at a self-determined level. Three courses are available: Introduction to Vehicle Alignment, Rolling Smooth, and Heavy-Duty Truck and Trailer Alignment. Each course is divided into modules, and students can exit and re-enter at the same point in the module if using the same computer.

GCommerce Awarded Patent for Exclusive EDI Acknowledgement Solution

GCommerce was recently awarded a United States patent for a method to provide an electronic functional acknowledgement of a document exchange, even when the trading partner’s system is incapable of producing the acknowledgement. Primary inventor Jason Popillion is the chief technology officer for GCommerce and a member of the leadership team for the Technology Standards Committee of the Auto Care Association. Electronic document interchange (EDI) depends on acknowledgement of message receipt, or confirmations, between business systems to signal that critical documents, such as purchase orders and invoices, were received by the other party. These messages, called EDI 997s, cannot always be generated by the trading partner, so they rely on a third party, facilitating the message exchange, to produce and send the 997. While a 997 from a third party works technically, it is not an assurance that the message was received and acknowledged by the actual trading partner. Message failure and errors can still occur with the associated disruption to business processes. Popillion was joined as inventor named in the patent by Sireesha Suryadevara, senior software engineer for GCommerce, Michael Hilty and Andrew Kirpalani, both formerly of GCommerce.

Flow Dry Technology has acquired the assets of Elliott Manufacturing Company (EMC) in a deal that combines the two Brookville, Ohio-based manufacturers.

Flow Dry Technology Acquires Assets of Elliott Manufacturing Company

Flow Dry Technology has acquired the assets of Elliott Manufacturing Company (EMC) in a deal that combines the two Brookville, Ohio-based manufacturers. Founded in 1973 by Milton Sr. and Anna Elliott, the family-owned company has been Flow Dry’s supplier of quality plastic injection molded parts since 1986. EMC’s material expertise includes engineering-grade thermoplastics, filled nylons and molded rubber, among others. The company manufactures a wide variety of plastic-injection molded parts and partial and complete assemblies for the automotive, aerospace, medical and consumer products industries.  

Superchargers Online Becomes First Eaton Authorized Service Center

Superchargers Online has been named as the first EATON Authorized Service Center in North America. This new designation allows Superchargers Online to offer repair and rebuild services utilizing EATON factory parts for OEM and aftermarket EATON-based hybrid-roots superchargers. This new designation enables Superchargers Online to rebuild or repair EATON superchargers for a fraction of the cost of a new replacement, giving vehicle owners, dealership service centers and repair shops a more cost-effective option. Superchargers Online currently offers rebuild and repair services for EATON hybrid-roots superchargers, including those manufactured and sold by Magnuson Superchargers, Edelbrock, SLP and Roush. All superchargers sent in for rebuild receive a thorough inspection, disassembly and cleaning before brand-new original EATON bearings, couplers, oil and rotor packs are installed. Once complete, all superchargers are tested on a supercharger dyno and inspected once more before shipping. The typical turnaround time on a repair is two business days from the customer’s approval of the work, and Superchargers Online will soon launch a core/exchange program for its most popular applications to offer an even quicker option for its customers.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

Show management has already begun developing the official SEMA Show press conference schedule.

The application deadline to host a press conference at the 2017 SEMA Show has passed, and Show management has already begun developing the official schedule. Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an email confirming that their applications have been received.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement on the official schedule. Companies will hear of their application status by mid-August, and dates/times will be assigned by the first week of September.

If you did not receive a confirmation email or have questions regarding press conferences at the SEMA Show, contact pr@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

Show management has already begun developing the official SEMA Show press conference schedule.

The application deadline to host a press conference at the 2017 SEMA Show has passed, and Show management has already begun developing the official schedule. Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an email confirming that their applications have been received.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement on the official schedule. Companies will hear of their application status by mid-August, and dates/times will be assigned by the first week of September.

If you did not receive a confirmation email or have questions regarding press conferences at the SEMA Show, contact pr@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

Show management has already begun developing the official SEMA Show press conference schedule.

The application deadline to host a press conference at the 2017 SEMA Show has passed, and Show management has already begun developing the official schedule. Exhibitors who submitted an application should have received an email confirming that their applications have been received.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement on the official schedule. Companies will hear of their application status by mid-August, and dates/times will be assigned by the first week of September.

If you did not receive a confirmation email or have questions regarding press conferences at the SEMA Show, contact pr@sema.org.

This is the ’19 Shelby GT350 caught running the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford will update the GT350, following the facelifted ’18 Mustang line and the upcoming GT500. But this heavily camouflauged prototype was caught testing with the Porsche 911 GT3, suggesting a boost in performance abilities.

The GT350 already comes with a 5.2L V8 with 526hp, but Ford could upgrade that a bit. A six-speed manual is likely to remain the only transmission. Settings from the Track Package or GT350R may also make their way onto the standard car. New styling tweaks will also be part of the update.

Expect to see the ’19 GT350 next spring.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Shelby GT350 caught running the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford will update the GT350, following the facelifted ’18 Mustang line and the upcoming GT500. But this heavily camouflauged prototype was caught testing with the Porsche 911 GT3, suggesting a boost in performance abilities.

The GT350 already comes with a 5.2L V8 with 526hp, but Ford could upgrade that a bit. A six-speed manual is likely to remain the only transmission. Settings from the Track Package or GT350R may also make their way onto the standard car. New styling tweaks will also be part of the update.

Expect to see the ’19 GT350 next spring.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Shelby GT350 caught running the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford will update the GT350, following the facelifted ’18 Mustang line and the upcoming GT500. But this heavily camouflauged prototype was caught testing with the Porsche 911 GT3, suggesting a boost in performance abilities.

The GT350 already comes with a 5.2L V8 with 526hp, but Ford could upgrade that a bit. A six-speed manual is likely to remain the only transmission. Settings from the Track Package or GT350R may also make their way onto the standard car. New styling tweaks will also be part of the update.

Expect to see the ’19 GT350 next spring.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde