By SEMA Editors

Bill Vukovich II, the 1968 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and a member of one of the race's most prominent families, has passed away. He was 79.

Vukovich was the son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bill Vukovich and the father of fellow Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Billy Vukovich III, as the Vukovichs were one of only five families to have three generations of drivers compete in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," joining the Unsers, Andrettis, Foyts and Brabhams.

California native Vukovich made 12 starts in the "500" between 1968-80 with six top-10 finishes. His best result was second in the rain-shortened race in 1973, driving the No. 2 Sugaripe Prune Eagle/Offy fielded by Jerry O'Connell.

In 1968, Vukovich qualified 23rd and steadily climbed to finish seventh as a rookie driving the No. 98 Wagner-Lockheed Shrike/Offy fielded by fellow Californian J.C. Agajanian. That performance earned Vukovich the Rookie of the Year award.

Vukovich was also a star on short tracks across America. He earned 23 USAC National Midget victories racing for such premier team owners as J.C. Agajanian.

In 1998, Vukovich was enshrined in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, joining his father. All three Vukovichs are also enshrined in their hometown in the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame.

For more information, visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announcement. 

Trick-Tools Partners With Transfluid, W.A.R. for NHRA Competition

Trick-Tools, the manufacturer of high-performance metal fabrication equipment and metal working tools, has partnered with NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle team White Alligator Racing (W.A.R.) and Transfluid, the global manufacturer of tube processing and tube bending machines. The partnership will support W.A.R. in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Series in 2023.

"Our long-lasting relationship with Trick-Tools made it easy to take advantage of the sponsorship opportunity. As a technically enthusiastic company with a major involvement in the racing and automotive industries, we have a natural affinity for motorsports. It's an outstanding field that requires technical excellence and teamwork--values that are also the foundation of our company. We are honored to be part of this racing family and look forward to an incredibly exciting season," said Yannick Bludau, CEO of Transfluid Tube Machinery.

For more information, visit trick-tools.com.

By SEMA Editors

Wilwood Engineering--the Camarillo, California-based designer and manufacturer of high-performance disc brakes and components--has appointed Robert Hemingway as its new director of engineering.

Hemingway will join the research & development (R&D)/engineering team and focus on Wilwood's ability to design and produce premium-quality brake components and systems utilizing the latest manufacturing and new material technologies.

"I am excited to join the iconic Wilwood Engineering team and lead the already successful research and development group into the future. Let's grab another gear and push the pedal to the floor as we begin the next chapter of what the best brake systems in the world are and will always be," said Hemingway.

With more than 10 years as an engineering hardware development professional in the automotive, aerospace and defense industry, Hemingway most recently served as a senior development engineer at Garrett Motion in Torrance, California, where he helped launch new products.

Prior experience includes a position with Honda Performance Development as the top-end development lead for racing categories from motocross to IndyCar.

For more information, visit wilwood.com.

By SEMA Editors

All-Midwest Sales, the provider of automotive aftermarket manufacturer's representation, will celebrate 55 years of servicing the industry in 2023.

Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Hinkley, Ohio, All-Midwest Sales features regional representative offices throughout the Midwest under the direction of Jim Morehouse, president of the company.

"We provide personal calls that offer additional attention to your needs. Quality representation does not cost money; it makes money," said Morehouse.

All-Midwest Sales serves as the "specialty automotive aftermarket connection" and provides the following:

• Principle Function: The manufacturer representative's principle function is to represent the contracted manufacturer in a manner that coincides with their needs and image while being the eyes and ears for the manufacturer to keep them in tune with today's market in the areas represented.
• Who Will Benefit: The manufacturers that will benefit most are the companies that want to penetrate the wholesale and retail distribution markets in the most timely and efficient manner.
• Services: The most significant service that a manufacturer rep agency can provide is the depth of knowledge of their particular market and the ability to place more personnel in the field than would be economically viable for the manufacturer. The manufacturer gets to utilize the services of personnel that concentrate on a particular geographic and market area.

The manufacturer's representative develops relationships with distributors by knowing the territory and providing up-to-date product information, giving them the knowledge to market the products they represent.

The relationships are further developed by periodic visits to keep the jobber informed and ensure that they have a reliable source for the products they represent. All this activity allows the representative to harvest feedback from the manufacturer they represent.

The manufacturer's representative is also an extension of the manufacturer and its various departments. From technical support to shipping to accounting, the manufacturer's representative will aid the manufacturer and free up their time to proceed with other projects as needed. 

For more information, visit allmidwestsales.com.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA business members can access new research that will help them better understand how aftermarket consumers buy, sell and use specialty equipment parts by downloading the 2023 SEMA Market Report.

The report--which provides an overview of the size and scope of the U.S. specialty-equipment market--focuses heavily on consumer behavior and includes data on how vehicles are used, how aftermarket parts and accessories are installed, as well as what types of parts are bought and types of vehicles that are owned (segmented by age).

"Understanding your customers is essential for business success," said SEMA Director of Market Research Gavin Knapp. "The consumer insights section of this report offers critical research that businesses can use to better connect with their audience and elevate their strategies."

According to the report, younger drivers continue to be a very important and engaged part of the automotive specialty-equipment market. Younger drivers are more likely to be enthusiasts than older drivers and often buy more complex performance parts or accessories to make extensive modifications to their vehicles.

Post-pandemic, the industry is seeing some shift back to in-store shopping, though this industry has maintained a relatively large share of online purchases for many years. Many people, particularly younger shoppers, are turning to the purchase-online, in-store pickup options that have become available. These options combine the benefits of shopping from home, while also giving customers the immediacy of store pickup and the option to have a part professionally installed.

Download the report at sema.org/market-research.   

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) has named Neil Ferguson, owner of SeatbeltPlanet.com, as the council's newest spotlight volunteer.

Get to know Ferguson in his interview with SEMA News, below. 

SEMA News: What inspired you to pursue a career in the restyling industry? 

Neil Ferguson: My business partner, Mike Bosley. 

SN: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? 

NF: It's a great community doing amazing things for the industry and their customers. 

SN: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket? 

NF: Jump in and get your hands dirty--literally and figuratively. It's the best way to learn and meet people. 

SN: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend? 

NF: '80s Porsche 911; playing golf, hopefully someday driving my 911 to the golf course! 

SN: What is the best advice you have ever received? 

NF: Treat people how you want to be treated. 

SN: What keeps you in the industry? 

NF: It's so much fun! Customers love their cars and it's fun to play a small part in helping them make it what they dream it will be. 

SN: Where can you be found on a Saturday? 

NF: Hanging out with my wife and our boys. 

Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates will be featured on PRO's social media, SEMA News and future PRO-member updates.

By the SEMA D.C. office 

Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) has published a SEMA-opposed regulation that, if approved, would require the state to adopt California’s latest motor vehicle emissions laws through 2032 but stop short of banning the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered cars beginning in 2035. Colorado has historically followed California’s tailpipe laws.  

Once an advocate for individual choice in automobile purchases, Colorado is now flip-flopping. While initially rejecting California's ban on new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, Colorado is now pushing for an 80% zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate by 2032. This change in direction raises concerns about consumer choice, affordability, and the future of the automotive aftermarket industry.

Colorado's mixed messaging on automotive regulations could severely impact your ability to choose the vehicles you love. SEMA believes that Coloradans, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. The automotive industry is embracing new technology to make cars cleaner and more efficient, which includes hydrogen, new synthetic fuels, alternative fuels, and improvements to the internal-combustion engine. The government should allow the market to continue to innovate all forms of technology that significantly reduce vehicle emissions.    

Click here to submit comments to Colorado's AQCC by October 3, 2023. 

For more information, please get in touch with Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By the SEMA D.C. office

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its final National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative (NECI) for 2024 through 2027, outlining its top enforcement priorities for the coming years. The EPA did not include "Stopping Aftermarket Defeat Device for Vehicles and Engines" on the NECI list. The agency returned enforcement of aftermarket parts to a standard "core" priority as it had been for many years until 2020.

"The EPA's decision to remove enforcement against aftermarket products from the NECI and return it to a standard priority is a recognition of our industry's commitment to emissions compliance and the progress we've made," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "I am proud of the investments SEMA has made to ensure our member companies are able to sell high-performance, emissions-compliant products that millions of automotive enthusiasts demand. SEMA looks forward to working with the EPA to provide aftermarket businesses with clear and consistent guidance regarding the types of modifications that are legal, as well as an effective certification program that companies can rely on."

The EPA proposed the NECI list of priorities in January for 2024 to 2027. Click here to read SEMA's official comment submitted earlier this year supporting the EPA's preliminary decision to remove "stopping aftermarket defeat devices for vehicles and engines" from the NECI. SEMA also worked with U.S. Representative Greg Pence (R-IN) and 12 bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives who sent a letter to the EPA in support of the agency moving on from its enhanced enforcement against aftermarket parts. 

About SEMA Garage

The SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California and Plymouth, Michigan, provide emissions testing facilities to help our members demonstrate that their products are emissions-compliant at an affordable cost. The CARB-recognized SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar has helped aftermarket businesses gain approval for over 600 Executive Orders (EO). SEMA staff perform all tests (except for evaporative emissions) required for companies to obtain a CARB EO for gasoline and diesel vehicles. Building on the success of these efforts in California, SEMA has developed a robust test program designed to meet the requirements of the EPA's most recent tampering guidance, branded "SEMA Certified-Emissions," which provides aftermarket businesses with another path to demonstrate emissions compliance. For more information about SEMA Garage services, please visit semagarage.com.

This story was originally published on August 22, 2023. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

By the SEMA D.C. office

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its final National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative (NECI) for 2024 through 2027, outlining its top enforcement priorities for the coming years. The EPA did not include "Stopping Aftermarket Defeat Device for Vehicles and Engines" on the NECI list. The agency returned enforcement of aftermarket parts to a standard "core" priority as it had been for many years until 2020.

"The EPA's decision to remove enforcement against aftermarket products from the NECI and return it to a standard priority is a recognition of our industry's commitment to emissions compliance and the progress we've made," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "I am proud of the investments SEMA has made to ensure our member companies are able to sell high-performance, emissions-compliant products that millions of automotive enthusiasts demand. SEMA looks forward to working with the EPA to provide aftermarket businesses with clear and consistent guidance regarding the types of modifications that are legal, as well as an effective certification program that companies can rely on."

The EPA proposed the NECI list of priorities in January for 2024 to 2027. Click here to read SEMA's official comment submitted earlier this year supporting the EPA's preliminary decision to remove "stopping aftermarket defeat devices for vehicles and engines" from the NECI. SEMA also worked with U.S. Representative Greg Pence (R-IN) and 12 bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives who sent a letter to the EPA in support of the agency moving on from its enhanced enforcement against aftermarket parts. 

About SEMA Garage

The SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California and Plymouth, Michigan, provide emissions testing facilities to help our members demonstrate that their products are emissions-compliant at an affordable cost. The CARB-recognized SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar has helped aftermarket businesses gain approval for over 600 Executive Orders (EO). SEMA staff perform all tests (except for evaporative emissions) required for companies to obtain a CARB EO for gasoline and diesel vehicles. Building on the success of these efforts in California, SEMA has developed a robust test program designed to meet the requirements of the EPA's most recent tampering guidance, branded "SEMA Certified-Emissions," which provides aftermarket businesses with another path to demonstrate emissions compliance. For more information about SEMA Garage services, please visit semagarage.com.

This story was originally published on August 22, 2023. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

By SEMA Editors

There are 10 weeks until the aftermarket industry converges in Las Vegas for the 2023 SEMA Show, October 31-November 3. As exhibitors gear up to connect with a projected 160,000 buyers, influencers, dealers and more automotive professionals, here's a list of key deadlines and checklists to keep the industry on track and on budget.

SEMA Show Deadlines List

This all-encompassing checklist provides a breakdown of all of the deadlines for booth orders, rentals, booth vehicle applications, celebrity appearance notifications and more key dates, which are also detailed below.

View the SEMA Show deadlines checklist.

Budget Checklist

This checklist allows exhibitors to keep track of all costs--like exhibit design, booth services, freight/material handling, labor and miscellaneous fees. Simply input the exhibiting company name for a personalized form.

View the SEMA Show budget checklist.

Upcoming Key Exhibitor Deadlines

Be sure to check out the complete list of deadlines for more dates. 

• August 25: Show Directory Advertising Space Reservations due.
• August 31: Show Directory Ad Materials due.
• September 1: Permit Application to Clark County: Hot Works.
• September 1: Permit Application to Clark County: Spraying & Dipping.
• September 1: Booth Design Notification (required for all exhibits 20x20 or larger).
• September 1: Hanging Sign Design Notification Form for Show Management.
• September 8: Celebrity Appearances Notification (to be included in printed Show material).
• September 8: Booth Vehicle Display Application due (for vehicles displayed in the booth).
• September 15: Sponsorship Artwork/Materials due to Freeman.
• September 18: Lead retrieval rental (advanced rate)--CompuSystems.
• September 26: Freight-Freeman Warehouse--first day to accept advance freight.
• September 28: Freeman Discount Deadline--Various Freeman services, including audio-visual and computers; carpet and booth cleaning order; credit card authorization/method of payment; electrical; accessories (advanced rate); furnishings (advanced rate); first-time exhibitor booth package; labor for hanging signage/banner; labor for installation/dismantle; payment authorization form; rental exhibit order (advanced rate); third party payment authorization; utilities; internet/telephone.
• September 29: Exhibitor registration is due for domestic guests (to receive badges in the mail) at semashow.com/register.
• October 6: New Products Entry (advanced rate).
• October 6: Products for Product-Vehicle Builders.
• October 6: Exhibitor Booth Insurance (if purchased from Risk-strategies/Buttine).
• October 6: EAC/Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor Application Form.
• October 6: EAC/Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor Proof of Insurance Deadline.

Placing Freeman orders before the Thursday, September 28 discount deadline, which offers prices up to 40% off regular rates on nearly all services, is one of the best ways to save ahead of the SEMA Show.

Don't forget that the Exhibitor Services Manual, accessed at semashow.com/esm, is a one-stop shop for all things related to exhibiting at the SEMA Show. It contains everything companies need to know to exhibit like a pro, including the deadline and budget checklists.

And now that you know these dates, exhibitors can also lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rates by booking in the official SEMA Show Block provided by OnPeak.

By SEMA Editors

Editors' Note: This story was originally published on August 22, 2023. For current SEMA Fest details, visit semafest.com.

Tickets are now available for SEMA Fest, the inaugural, two-day outdoor festival to be held Friday, November 3-Saturday, November 4, 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, that brings together automotive enthusiasts, the biggest names in music and the hottest automotive brands in a large-scale festival format. It's a must-attend event that's open to the public and features world-class musical acts Imagine Dragons, Incubus, Wiz Khalifa, AJR, Third Eye Blind, Bush, Walk the Moon, Ludacris, The Struts, Badflower, Chase Matthew, Buckcherry, Meg Meyers, Ayron Jones, Rome & Duddy, renforshort, Starcrawler, Dead Sara, Bones UK, Brooke Alexx, Paper Idol, The Foxies and Good Boy Daisy.

SEMA Fest, open to all ages of the public, will unite automotive enthusiasts with the aftermarket industry "in a high-octane and immersive festival-like celebration of car culture." The event will feature a full slate of automotive lifestyle events, including world-class drifting, motorsports competitions, freestyle motocross, off-road demonstrations, ride-and-drive activations, craft foods and a bustling consumer marketplace. 

Whether you're a diehard car enthusiast, a motorsports fan, a music lover or just like to have a good time, SEMA Fest is an event not to miss. 

"We are excited to open the gates for the inaugural SEMA Fest and welcome car and music lovers alike to enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival," said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. "Automotive enthusiasts the world over have been asking for years how they can be part of the SEMA Show experience, and we are delighted to include them in this brand-new extension of our popular trade show. This new event will be separate from the trade show, open to everyone and promises to be like nothing they've seen before."

The inaugural SEMA Fest marks the conclusion of SEMA Week, which kicks off with the 2023 SEMA Show on October 31–November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

SEMA Fest: Ticketing and Admission

Admissions to SEMA Fest can be purchased at five distinct levels:

• 2-Day General Admission (all ages): $179, which allows access to all General Admission areas, including the SEMA Fest Marketplace, motorsports activations, headlining talent on two stages, and food and beverage are available for purchase.
• 2-Day General Admission PLUS (all ages): $229, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admissions as well as access to mobile phone charging stations, upgraded restroom facilities, and limited paid lockers to secure your personal belongings.
• SEMA Show Friday Festival Experience (ages 16+): $299, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admission PLUS as well as access to the SEMA Show on Friday, November 3, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The Friday Festival Experience offers the ultimate bucket-list enthusiast experience like no other event on the planet. It's the best place to see the newest automotive performance products and discover the latest product and vehicle trends before anyone else.
• SEMA Fest VIP (all ages): $349, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admission PLUS admissions as well as exclusive access to a VIP viewing area with premium sightlines, VIP food and beverages for purchase and VIP washrooms.
• SEMA Fest VIP and SEMA Show Friday Package (ages 16+): $469, which includes access to all the features of SEMA VIP admissions as well as access to the SEMA Show floor on Friday, November 3, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Keep an eye out for more details on the SEMA Fest ticket rewards program. To purchase tickets and receive the latest SEMA Fest updates, visit semafest.com.

This story was originally published on August 22, 2023. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.