Hear from SEMA Cares Chairman Rich Barsamian on the partnership that SEMA Cares has had over the years with Victory Junction to help raise money for children with chronic illness.

By Linda Spencer

The SEMA Export Fair will provide an opportunity to discuss strategies for overcoming challenges that cost time and money, including identifying the right mix of products based on the vehicles on the road in a targeted market; the most cost-effective and expedient way to get your products to overseas customers; getting paid; and protecting your trademarks, patents and copyrights.

The second annual SEMA Export Fair, taking place at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, July 25–26, will create an opportunity to exchange best practices and discuss strategies for overcoming challenges that cost time and money. These include identifying the right mix of products based on the vehicles on the road in a targeted market; the most cost-effective and expedient way to get your products to overseas customers; getting paid; and protecting your trademarks, patents and copyrights. The day-and-a-half-long program will provide an opportunity to participate in roundtables and seminars featuring seasoned exporters, top overseas buyers and other key stakeholders. In addition, attendees can participate in 20-minute private, confidential meetings with IPR attorneys to learn how to take the appropriate steps to protect their patents and trademarks.  

Who Should Attend?

Representatives from companies that want to grow their businesses through exporting. The program is designed for both current exporters and those new to selling abroad.

Registration fees are $95 per person and $75 for a second person from the same company. The event is limited to the first 100 participants.  

View the flyer.

Register now!

For more information visit www.sema.org/sef or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

The SEMA Export Fair will provide an opportunity to discuss strategies for overcoming challenges that cost time and money, including identifying the right mix of products based on the vehicles on the road in a targeted market; the most cost-effective and expedient way to get your products to overseas customers; getting paid; and protecting your trademarks, patents and copyrights.

The second annual SEMA Export Fair, taking place at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, July 25–26, will create an opportunity to exchange best practices and discuss strategies for overcoming challenges that cost time and money. These include identifying the right mix of products based on the vehicles on the road in a targeted market; the most cost-effective and expedient way to get your products to overseas customers; getting paid; and protecting your trademarks, patents and copyrights. The day-and-a-half-long program will provide an opportunity to participate in roundtables and seminars featuring seasoned exporters, top overseas buyers and other key stakeholders. In addition, attendees can participate in 20-minute private, confidential meetings with IPR attorneys to learn how to take the appropriate steps to protect their patents and trademarks.  

Who Should Attend?

Representatives from companies that want to grow their businesses through exporting. The program is designed for both current exporters and those new to selling abroad.

Registration fees are $95 per person and $75 for a second person from the same company. The event is limited to the first 100 participants.  

View the flyer.

Register now!

For more information visit www.sema.org/sef or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

SEMA has partnered with regional car shows this year to highlight builders 27 years old or younger and send six of them to the 2017 SEMA Show.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

SEMA has partnered with regional car shows this year to highlight builders 27 years old or younger and send six of them to the 2017 SEMA Show.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

SEMA has partnered with regional car shows this year to highlight builders 27 years old or younger and send six of them to the 2017 SEMA Show.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

SEMA has partnered with regional car shows this year to highlight builders 27 years old or younger and send six of them to the 2017 SEMA Show.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Warren Kosikov

SEMA Promotes Warren Kosikov to Senior Director of OE Relations

SEMA has promoted Warren Kosikov to senior director of OE relations, and will serve as the primary conduit between the association and OEs. Kosikov will oversee and coordinate SEMA Garage measuring sessions and all OE-related activities for the SEMA/PRI Shows and magazines, including booth, sponsorship and advertising sales. This streamlined approach will provide increased customer service and more consistency to SEMA’s OE partners. Kosikov will also oversee business development for the garage tools that are offered to members. He will report directly to Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM and product development programs.

Chapman Returns to VP Racing Fuels to Serve as Independent Sales Representative

VP Racing Fuels Inc. has welcomed the return of Tommy Chapman as an independent sales representative in support of VP-South, a region that encompasses Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. Chapman will be responsible for developing and servicing customer accounts while also providing technical consulting on race fuels and VP’s StayWet track conditioner. He’ll also be involved in activating VP’s marketing and promotional programs. Chapman started his career in 1957 as a full-time drag racer, ultimately winning the Georgia State Championship. He continued racing part-time while working for the U.S. Treasury Department as a criminal investigator for 25 years before retiring in 1990. In 1992, Chapman joined VP Racing Fuels as its regional manager-South, where he stayed until retiring again in 2010.

United Engine & Machine Co.’s new logo.

United Engine & Machine Introduces New UEM Pistons Branding

United Engine & Machine Company has introduced a new corporate logo. Known as United Engine & Machine Co. since its founding in Fresno, California, in 1922, the original flying lady logo was designed by Vatinia Sulprizio—the founder’s sister—of the 1937 catalog cover. The original logo has undergone changes and updates over the years, and in June 2017, a new corporate logo was introduced. The new logo features bold, prominent UEM letters, reflecting the company's usage of the UEM acronym. The UEM fonts are surrounded by flowing graphics, emulating the lands of a piston, and supporting the UEM letters. The company’s name, United Engine & Machine Pistons, capture the striking new logo.

Power Automedia Sets Record Highs for Magazine Traffic With Almost 2 Million Visitors in April 2017

Power Automedia’s drag-racing magazine, Dragzine.com, reached more than 600,000 visitors and almost 1 million article reads. Other titles continued their success while producing content that gets read month after month as a resource for modifying vehicles. Some of Power Automedia’s highlighted magazines for the month of April 2017:

• Dragzine: 800,000 page views (+78%) and 695,000 visitors (+148%)
• LSX Magazine: 246,000 page views (+67%) and 219,000 visitors (+115%)
• Chevy Hardcore: 198,000 page views (+50%) and 170,000 visitors (+61%)
• Corvette Online: 97,000 page views (+85%) and 85,000 visitors (+123%)
• Engine Labs: 327,000 page views (+64%) & 289,000 visitors (+107%)
• OffRoad Xtreme: 105,000 page views (+66%) and 91,000 visitors (+74%)

Summit Racing Equipment’s Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Winters Retires, Al Noe Promoted

After 15 years of service, Summit Racing Equipment’s Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Winters retired June 2. Effective June 5, Al Noe has been promoted to chief marketing officer. In his new position Noe will provide leadership and direction for all marketing activities. As such, he is responsible for the following departments and their respective managers: advertising, business development, catalog production, costing and pricing, events and motorsports, internet marketing and purchasing.

Caliber Collision employees celebrate the opening of the company’s 500th location in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Caliber Collision Opens 500th Location

Caliber Collision Centers celebrated a major milestone in the company’s history with the opening of its 500th location in Ft. Worth, Texas, last week. Caliber Collisions’ 500 centers are located across 17 states and the District of Columbia.

Tri-State Enterprises Named AAM Member of the Year

The AAM Group honored Tri-State Enterprises as the 2017 Member of the Year at its Annual Membership Meeting last month in St. Louis. Each year, AAM makes this selection based on five key metrics of member participation: active participation, growth as a percentage, marketing participation, participation in group buys, and product line compliance. Tri-State owner Tristan Taylor accepted AAM’s custom trophy and an exclusive painting commissioned from automotive artist Jim Caswell on behalf of his company. The AAM meeting also saw awards given to the individual winners in each of the aforementioned categories. Recipients included Midwest Wheel (Active Participation), Toys for Trucks (Growth as a Percentage), Competition Specialties Inc. (Marketing Participation), Tri-State Enterprises (Participation in Group Buys), and Earl Owen Company (Product Line Compliance).

Colin Smith

Motorsport Network Hires NASCAR Digital Media Executive as Group CEO

Former NASCAR Digital Media Vice President Colin Smith will join the Miami-based Motorsport Network as the company’s new chief executive officer. He joins Motorsport Network after spending the past five years at NASCAR Digital Media. After initially overseeing the transition of NASCAR’s digital rights back in-house and building their end-to-end consumer platform, he then spent the past three years running NASCAR’s digital business. This included overseeing the brand’s website, mobile platform, subscription products, professional services, content, distribution, digital marketing and e-commerce. Prior to joining NASCAR Digital Media, Smith spent 15 years with Raycom Media/Raycom Sports working on U.S. collegiate sports in research, television syndication and distribution and digital business strategy. With 27 global editions of Motorsport Network’s websites, social media channels and magazines edited by local experts, Smith will oversee continued expansion of the brand.

David M. Karpatkin

King Engine Bearings Appoints Operations Manager

King Engine Bearings has announced that David M. Karpatkin has been appointed operations manager. He has more than 20 years’ experience in various industries, most recently as a district manager for ADT Security. He has also held key positions in sales, management and operations.

4 Wheel Parts Opens Boise, Idaho, Location

4 Wheel Parts revealed its brand-new Boise, Idaho, location with a family-friendly grand-opening celebration last weekend, where the retailer officially unveiled its 79th North American location.

CURT Group Acquires UWS

CURT Group has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire United Welding Services (UWS) from Thule Inc. Headquartered in Perry, Florida, UWS is a manufacturer of storage solutions and truck accessories for professional tradesmen and truck enthusiasts. The transaction is expected to close in June 2017. This acquisition complements CURT Group’s expanding brand portfolio and truck accessory product lines. In addition to a full line of towing and truck accessory products, CURT Group will be able to offer UWS customers an expanded distribution network. The expansive network of warehouses located throughout the United States and Canada will make UWS products more accessible.

America’s Car Museum is celebrating its fifth anniversary June 3.

America’s Car Museum Shifts Into Fifth Year

America’s Car Museum (ACM)—a four-story, 165,000-sq.-ft. facility located in the heart of the Tacoma, Washington, Museum District—is celebrating its fifth anniversary at the Wheels & Heels Annual Gala on June 3. Since opening its doors June 2, 2012, ACM has hosted visitors from all 50 states and 47 countries, housed 815 vehicles (including cars, motorcycles and boats) and conducted more than 600 museum tours. In 2016, ACM became a part of America’s Automotive Trust, a not-for-profit aimed at securing a vibrant future for the collector-car industry and honoring America’s motoring legacy for generations to come. America’s Automotive Trust was formed in 2016 with four founding member entities: ACM, the RPM Foundation, Club Auto and the Concours Club. The organization recently completed its second cross-country winter journey to the North American International Auto Show with a trio of vintage vehicles from the ACM collection and held enthusiast gatherings in many cities along the way. In addition to the June 3 fifth-year celebration, ACM will offer discounted admission on every fifth day of the month throughout the year, discounts for membership and additional items for existing members.

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.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Don Garlits

Don Garlits Named Grand Marshal of 2017 Hemmings Motor News Great Race Presented by Hagerty

Great Race officials have announced that legendary drag racer “Big Daddy” Don Garlits has been named as grand marshal of the 2017 Hemmings Motor News Great Race presented by Hagerty. This year’s event will begin in Jacksonville, Florida, Saturday, June 24, and make its way north along sections of the old Dixie Highway, to the finish line in Traverse City, Michigan, Sunday, July 2. The Great Race is a time-speed-endurance rally, which tests the limits of drivers, navigators and their classic vehicles. Only ’72-and-earlier vehicles are permitted to participate in the Great Race, and vehicles as early as ’16 will make the 2,300-mile trek from Florida to Michigan vying to win a piece of the $150,000 purse. The start of the Great Race in Jacksonville is free to the public, as the racers line up on Main Street in the historic Springfield section of downtown Jacksonville. The festivities kick off at 8:00 a.m., and Garlits will wave the green flag at 10:30 a.m.

General Tire has renewed its partnership with the Best in the Desert (BITD) off-road racing series in a multi-year agreement.

General Tire Renews Best in the Desert Sponsorship

General Tire has renewed its partnership with the Best in the Desert (BITD) off-road racing series in a multi-year agreement. General Tire originally partnered with BITD in 2009 and will continue its role as “The Official Tire” of the series and title sponsor of the crown jewel race event, “Vegas to Reno,” held every August.

Mickey Thompson Tires to Sponsor Top Fuel Harley Series

NHRA officials have announced that Mickey Thompson Tires has signed a multi-year agreement to become the series sponsor of the Top Fuel Harley motorcycle category. The series will race at the upcoming NHRA New England Nationals, NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and the NHRA Northwest Nationals. Starting with the 2018 season, points will be earned at each of the eight events towards a series championship. Bonuses will be awarded to the top three finishers for the Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series. Riders will compete for a share of $97,000 in total awards between year-end prize money and the eight races next year.

Tanner Foust won last Saturday and led much of last Sunday’s final before a wheel failure ended his bid for a perfect weekend.

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Team Makes Three Podium Finishes in Red Bull Global Rallycross at Thompson Speedway

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross mounted a successful effort at rounds 3–4 of the 2017 Red Bull Global Rallycross championship, earning a trio of podium finishes over the doubleheader weekend. Tanner Foust was the class of the field for much of the event, winning last Saturday and leading much of last Sunday’s final before a wheel failure ended his bid for a perfect weekend. Scott Speed found himself in recovery mode for much of the weekend, earning a pair of second-place finishes in two come-from-behind races. Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross will be back in action for the international leg of its season with another doubleheader weekend in Ottawa, Canada, June 17–18.

B. Force, Hagan, Enders Earn Victories at NHRA New England Nationals

Brittany Force raced to the Top Fuel victory last Sunday afternoon at the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway. Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) also notched victories in their respective categories at the ninth of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Force earned the fourth victory of her career and first of the season with a pass of 3.716 seconds at 328.62 mph in her Monster Energy dragster to defeat Antron Brown who ran a 3.728 at 327.98 in his Matco Tools dragster in the final round. Force now sits at sixth in the points standings and is the fifth Top Fuel winner of the season. Hagan powered to the 25th victory of his career and third of the season with a 3.897 pass at 332.59 in his MOPAR Express Lane Dodge Charger Funny Car to defeat Courtney Force who ran a 3.927 at 332.34 in her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro. Two-time Pro Stock world champion Enders secured her 22nd career victory and first since the fall Las Vegas event in 2015 with a 6.534 at 213.16 in her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro to defeat rookie Tanner Gray who ran a 6.550 at 212.06 in his Gray Motorsports Chevy Camaro. Enders now sits at sixth in the standings and is the seventh different Pro Stock winner of the season. The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at the NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, June 8–11.

Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis battled his way to victory at Wall Speedway in New Jersey.

Formula DRIFT Round 4: Aurimas Bakchis Fights His Way to Victory

Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Wall Speedway in New Jersey for the fourth event of the season, where Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis in the Falken Tire/Drifz Wheels Nissan 240 battled his way to victory. The Final 4 pitted Michael Essa in the Achilles Tire/Essa Autosport BMW M3 against Kristaps Bluss in the HGK/Mast/Motul/Wisefab BMW E46 on one side of the bracket. The battle of the BMWs went to the 2013 champion Essa as he took advantage of a mistake by his opponent. Bakchis was set to face off against Matt Coffman in the Nexen Tire/Coffman Racing Nissan 240, but after failing to repair his vehicle within the allotted five minutes Coffman had to bow out, giving Bakchis the win. In the final battle, Essa faced off against Bakchis, with the first run being a competitive outing. The second battle ended as Essa’s tire debeaded off the bank, and Bakchis’ motor gave out just as he crossed the finish line. Bluss rounded out the podium in third place for the second consecutive event. The action continues to Round 5: True North at Autodrome St-Eustache in Montreal, Canada, July 15–16. 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Don Garlits

Don Garlits Named Grand Marshal of 2017 Hemmings Motor News Great Race Presented by Hagerty

Great Race officials have announced that legendary drag racer “Big Daddy” Don Garlits has been named as grand marshal of the 2017 Hemmings Motor News Great Race presented by Hagerty. This year’s event will begin in Jacksonville, Florida, Saturday, June 24, and make its way north along sections of the old Dixie Highway, to the finish line in Traverse City, Michigan, Sunday, July 2. The Great Race is a time-speed-endurance rally, which tests the limits of drivers, navigators and their classic vehicles. Only ’72-and-earlier vehicles are permitted to participate in the Great Race, and vehicles as early as ’16 will make the 2,300-mile trek from Florida to Michigan vying to win a piece of the $150,000 purse. The start of the Great Race in Jacksonville is free to the public, as the racers line up on Main Street in the historic Springfield section of downtown Jacksonville. The festivities kick off at 8:00 a.m., and Garlits will wave the green flag at 10:30 a.m.

General Tire has renewed its partnership with the Best in the Desert (BITD) off-road racing series in a multi-year agreement.

General Tire Renews Best in the Desert Sponsorship

General Tire has renewed its partnership with the Best in the Desert (BITD) off-road racing series in a multi-year agreement. General Tire originally partnered with BITD in 2009 and will continue its role as “The Official Tire” of the series and title sponsor of the crown jewel race event, “Vegas to Reno,” held every August.

Mickey Thompson Tires to Sponsor Top Fuel Harley Series

NHRA officials have announced that Mickey Thompson Tires has signed a multi-year agreement to become the series sponsor of the Top Fuel Harley motorcycle category. The series will race at the upcoming NHRA New England Nationals, NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and the NHRA Northwest Nationals. Starting with the 2018 season, points will be earned at each of the eight events towards a series championship. Bonuses will be awarded to the top three finishers for the Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series. Riders will compete for a share of $97,000 in total awards between year-end prize money and the eight races next year.

Tanner Foust won last Saturday and led much of last Sunday’s final before a wheel failure ended his bid for a perfect weekend.

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Team Makes Three Podium Finishes in Red Bull Global Rallycross at Thompson Speedway

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross mounted a successful effort at rounds 3–4 of the 2017 Red Bull Global Rallycross championship, earning a trio of podium finishes over the doubleheader weekend. Tanner Foust was the class of the field for much of the event, winning last Saturday and leading much of last Sunday’s final before a wheel failure ended his bid for a perfect weekend. Scott Speed found himself in recovery mode for much of the weekend, earning a pair of second-place finishes in two come-from-behind races. Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross will be back in action for the international leg of its season with another doubleheader weekend in Ottawa, Canada, June 17–18.

B. Force, Hagan, Enders Earn Victories at NHRA New England Nationals

Brittany Force raced to the Top Fuel victory last Sunday afternoon at the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway. Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) also notched victories in their respective categories at the ninth of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Force earned the fourth victory of her career and first of the season with a pass of 3.716 seconds at 328.62 mph in her Monster Energy dragster to defeat Antron Brown who ran a 3.728 at 327.98 in his Matco Tools dragster in the final round. Force now sits at sixth in the points standings and is the fifth Top Fuel winner of the season. Hagan powered to the 25th victory of his career and third of the season with a 3.897 pass at 332.59 in his MOPAR Express Lane Dodge Charger Funny Car to defeat Courtney Force who ran a 3.927 at 332.34 in her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro. Two-time Pro Stock world champion Enders secured her 22nd career victory and first since the fall Las Vegas event in 2015 with a 6.534 at 213.16 in her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro to defeat rookie Tanner Gray who ran a 6.550 at 212.06 in his Gray Motorsports Chevy Camaro. Enders now sits at sixth in the standings and is the seventh different Pro Stock winner of the season. The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at the NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, June 8–11.

Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis battled his way to victory at Wall Speedway in New Jersey.

Formula DRIFT Round 4: Aurimas Bakchis Fights His Way to Victory

Formula DRIFT Black Magic Pro Championship presented by BlackVue Dash Cameras returned to Wall Speedway in New Jersey for the fourth event of the season, where Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis in the Falken Tire/Drifz Wheels Nissan 240 battled his way to victory. The Final 4 pitted Michael Essa in the Achilles Tire/Essa Autosport BMW M3 against Kristaps Bluss in the HGK/Mast/Motul/Wisefab BMW E46 on one side of the bracket. The battle of the BMWs went to the 2013 champion Essa as he took advantage of a mistake by his opponent. Bakchis was set to face off against Matt Coffman in the Nexen Tire/Coffman Racing Nissan 240, but after failing to repair his vehicle within the allotted five minutes Coffman had to bow out, giving Bakchis the win. In the final battle, Essa faced off against Bakchis, with the first run being a competitive outing. The second battle ended as Essa’s tire debeaded off the bank, and Bakchis’ motor gave out just as he crossed the finish line. Bluss rounded out the podium in third place for the second consecutive event. The action continues to Round 5: True North at Autodrome St-Eustache in Montreal, Canada, July 15–16.