Here’s the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo testing near the company’s test center in Weissach, Germany. The car is scheduled for a production reveal in the coming 10 months.

Confirmed for production almost two years ago, the Cross Turismo will essentially be a wagon-bodied version of the Taycan four-door coupe, similar to how the Panamera and Panamera Sport Turismo are sold side-by-side.

The wagon's powertrain should be similar to that used in the concept shown at last year's Geneva Motor Show, which put out around 600hp from its dual-motor electric setup, good for a 0–60 sprint in 3.5 seconds.

Like its performance statistics, the Taycan Cross Turismo’s driving range should be impressive too, with projected range for the concept rated at 310 miles.

It’s believed the Taycan twins will be offered in several trim grades offering different states of tune—like Teslas. At the moment, the names being thrown out are Carrera, Carrera S and Turbo. Rear and all-wheel drive are expected to be offered, too.

Both the coupe and wagon are part of the company’s plans to invest 6 billion Euros into electric mobility solutions by 2022.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpidBilde

By Ashley Reyes

Watch the Top Five Finalists from the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad, powered by Young Executives Network (YEN) competition pitch their products to a panel of established industry experts in the newly released video, now available on the SEMA Launch Pad website. Since 2013, the competition has concluded in front of a live audience at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For the first time, the competition was filmed and recorded to provide viewers an opportunity the see and hear from the Top Five competitors, as well as feedback and discussions from the judges about the pitches.

Watch as competitors lament over their presentations, and find out what the judges were really thinking.    

Hosted by industry celebrity Aaron Kaufman, and judged by Daryl Sampson of Turn 14 Distribution, Dan Kahn of Kahn Media, Jonathan Mill of Alloy Studios, Melanie White of Hellwig Products, and Brian Reese of The Retrofit Source, the 45-minute program is inspiring, and highlights the innovation and ingenuity that young entrepreneurs have. Whether it’s the Impulse-Emergency Brake Light from Frontlane Inc., the ExoShield from Alchemy, the Stowaway Door from BeachComber Offroad, the Universal Truck Bed Mount from Dirt Dynamix, or the Mobile App from REVER, this year’s competition included a diverse range of products that will go on to continue advancing the specialty-equipment aftermarket.   

“Being able to see the finalists, the excitement in their eyes, the drive and passion is what makes this contest so exciting and worthwhile,” said Launch Pad Task Force Chair Jonathan Barber. “On behalf of YEN, a big thank you to the judges and Aaron Kaufman for another successful event.”

To learn more about the Launch Pad competition, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.   

By Ashley Reyes

Watch the Top Five Finalists from the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad, powered by Young Executives Network (YEN) competition pitch their products to a panel of established industry experts in the newly released video, now available on the SEMA Launch Pad website. Since 2013, the competition has concluded in front of a live audience at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For the first time, the competition was filmed and recorded to provide viewers an opportunity the see and hear from the Top Five competitors, as well as feedback and discussions from the judges about the pitches.

Watch as competitors lament over their presentations, and find out what the judges were really thinking.    

Hosted by industry celebrity Aaron Kaufman, and judged by Daryl Sampson of Turn 14 Distribution, Dan Kahn of Kahn Media, Jonathan Mill of Alloy Studios, Melanie White of Hellwig Products, and Brian Reese of The Retrofit Source, the 45-minute program is inspiring, and highlights the innovation and ingenuity that young entrepreneurs have. Whether it’s the Impulse-Emergency Brake Light from Frontlane Inc., the ExoShield from Alchemy, the Stowaway Door from BeachComber Offroad, the Universal Truck Bed Mount from Dirt Dynamix, or the Mobile App from REVER, this year’s competition included a diverse range of products that will go on to continue advancing the specialty-equipment aftermarket.   

“Being able to see the finalists, the excitement in their eyes, the drive and passion is what makes this contest so exciting and worthwhile,” said Launch Pad Task Force Chair Jonathan Barber. “On behalf of YEN, a big thank you to the judges and Aaron Kaufman for another successful event.”

To learn more about the Launch Pad competition, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.   

By Ashley Reyes

Watch the Top Five Finalists from the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad, powered by Young Executives Network (YEN) competition pitch their products to a panel of established industry experts in the newly released video, now available on the SEMA Launch Pad website. Since 2013, the competition has concluded in front of a live audience at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For the first time, the competition was filmed and recorded to provide viewers an opportunity the see and hear from the Top Five competitors, as well as feedback and discussions from the judges about the pitches.

Watch as competitors lament over their presentations, and find out what the judges were really thinking.    

Hosted by industry celebrity Aaron Kaufman, and judged by Daryl Sampson of Turn 14 Distribution, Dan Kahn of Kahn Media, Jonathan Mill of Alloy Studios, Melanie White of Hellwig Products, and Brian Reese of The Retrofit Source, the 45-minute program is inspiring, and highlights the innovation and ingenuity that young entrepreneurs have. Whether it’s the Impulse-Emergency Brake Light from Frontlane Inc., the ExoShield from Alchemy, the Stowaway Door from BeachComber Offroad, the Universal Truck Bed Mount from Dirt Dynamix, or the Mobile App from REVER, this year’s competition included a diverse range of products that will go on to continue advancing the specialty-equipment aftermarket.   

“Being able to see the finalists, the excitement in their eyes, the drive and passion is what makes this contest so exciting and worthwhile,” said Launch Pad Task Force Chair Jonathan Barber. “On behalf of YEN, a big thank you to the judges and Aaron Kaufman for another successful event.”

To learn more about the Launch Pad competition, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.   

Tire Knowledge Segment 101, Powered by WTC.

Tire Knowledge Segment 101, Powered by WTC.

By Ashley Reyes

D&P Classic Chevy is the latest SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Member Spotlight company. In this week’s feature, SEMA speaks with company owner Darryl Nance, as he shares his story about the build that introduced him to the business side of car building and resto mod work, and what projects his company is working on in 2020.

Having built, upgraded and worked on thousands of classic cars and restomods for more than 30 years, D&P Classic Chevy’s numerous satisfied customers and media coverage has grown. Enthusiast magazines regularly feature D&P build cars while popular television programs, such as “Overhaulin’”, “Rides,” and “Chop Cut Rebuild,” have chronicled the shop’s magic.  

SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop? How did you start?  

Darryl Nance: It started in the early ’70s. I built a ’31 Model A in my driveway and eventually got married in that car! My wife (Peggy), whose family were successful farmers in Minnesota in the late ’50s, moved to California in a ’56 Bel Air—still her favorite car today. Meanwhile, I grew up turning wrenches in Southern California and cruising Van Nuys Blvd. on weeknights and weekends. There were also cruises on Hawthorne, very close to where the Beach Boys (and Peggy) grew up. The rest is history.

D&P Classic Chevy is a family-owned business.

I worked at Pep Boys during the day and worked in my garage at home. In the mid-’70s, I entered a career in law enforcement and worked for almost 20 years—all along still working on cars every minute I was off work. One day, a gentleman approached me to do a ’56 Bel Air frame-off restoration. In those days, frame off meant he had to call his buddies to come over and lift the body off the frame and place it on saw horses in his driveway. There were no lifts or rotisseries back in those days. The car brought in really good money back in that day and I started to acquire car parts at every swap meet I could attend. I then built Peggy her ’56 Bel Air Convertible. From there, I started selling parts via mail order. I liked the parts business but saw the real opportunity in building and restoring cars. The rest, they say, is history. Our builds are made to be driven and enjoyed. It’s our goal to have our customers drive our builds to car shows, not trailer them. They are built to be enjoyed.

D&P is particularly skilled in the art of “modernization.” I believe that some of the most popular vehicles ever built were GM products from the ’50s and ’60s. While the style of these cars is timeless, their mechanicals are rudimentary by today’s standards, lacking the advancement of a half-century of automotive progress.       

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?  

DN: The breakthrough moment was seeing what people were willing to pay for good work. The ’56 Bel Air frame off was my introduction to the business side of car building and resto-mod work. I was doing GM musclecar and classic modernization back in the ’70s. Today, they call it “resto-mod.” That is where I started.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2020?

DN: At any point in time we have 40-50 projects in our shop. I’m going to be 65 soon and our two sons are deep into the business. I will soon start to have a little fun and enjoy life a bit, maybe only working four or five days a week rather than six or seven. I still love the business and will slowly turn it over to my boys to carry on the tradition and D&P legacy.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?  

DN: Pick your focus and immerse yourself in the area of the business that most interests you. If it’s diesel, learn everything you can about diesel. If it’s Jeep/off-road, do the same. There is no wrong answer. Once you know the area, then find every opportunity to educate yourself in that area. Even if it means volunteering so you can learn. Do it.  Work hard, live it and breathe it. Just focus on your area.   

By Ashley Reyes

D&P Classic Chevy is the latest SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Member Spotlight company. In this week’s feature, SEMA speaks with company owner Darryl Nance, as he shares his story about the build that introduced him to the business side of car building and resto mod work, and what projects his company is working on in 2020.

Having built, upgraded and worked on thousands of classic cars and restomods for more than 30 years, D&P Classic Chevy’s numerous satisfied customers and media coverage has grown. Enthusiast magazines regularly feature D&P build cars while popular television programs, such as “Overhaulin’”, “Rides,” and “Chop Cut Rebuild,” have chronicled the shop’s magic.  

SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop? How did you start?  

Darryl Nance: It started in the early ’70s. I built a ’31 Model A in my driveway and eventually got married in that car! My wife (Peggy), whose family were successful farmers in Minnesota in the late ’50s, moved to California in a ’56 Bel Air—still her favorite car today. Meanwhile, I grew up turning wrenches in Southern California and cruising Van Nuys Blvd. on weeknights and weekends. There were also cruises on Hawthorne, very close to where the Beach Boys (and Peggy) grew up. The rest is history.

D&P Classic Chevy is a family-owned business.

I worked at Pep Boys during the day and worked in my garage at home. In the mid-’70s, I entered a career in law enforcement and worked for almost 20 years—all along still working on cars every minute I was off work. One day, a gentleman approached me to do a ’56 Bel Air frame-off restoration. In those days, frame off meant he had to call his buddies to come over and lift the body off the frame and place it on saw horses in his driveway. There were no lifts or rotisseries back in those days. The car brought in really good money back in that day and I started to acquire car parts at every swap meet I could attend. I then built Peggy her ’56 Bel Air Convertible. From there, I started selling parts via mail order. I liked the parts business but saw the real opportunity in building and restoring cars. The rest, they say, is history. Our builds are made to be driven and enjoyed. It’s our goal to have our customers drive our builds to car shows, not trailer them. They are built to be enjoyed.

D&P is particularly skilled in the art of “modernization.” I believe that some of the most popular vehicles ever built were GM products from the ’50s and ’60s. While the style of these cars is timeless, their mechanicals are rudimentary by today’s standards, lacking the advancement of a half-century of automotive progress.       

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?  

DN: The breakthrough moment was seeing what people were willing to pay for good work. The ’56 Bel Air frame off was my introduction to the business side of car building and resto-mod work. I was doing GM musclecar and classic modernization back in the ’70s. Today, they call it “resto-mod.” That is where I started.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2020?

DN: At any point in time we have 40-50 projects in our shop. I’m going to be 65 soon and our two sons are deep into the business. I will soon start to have a little fun and enjoy life a bit, maybe only working four or five days a week rather than six or seven. I still love the business and will slowly turn it over to my boys to carry on the tradition and D&P legacy.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?  

DN: Pick your focus and immerse yourself in the area of the business that most interests you. If it’s diesel, learn everything you can about diesel. If it’s Jeep/off-road, do the same. There is no wrong answer. Once you know the area, then find every opportunity to educate yourself in that area. Even if it means volunteering so you can learn. Do it.  Work hard, live it and breathe it. Just focus on your area.   

By SEMA Editors

Dean Williams, 49, lost his battle with cancer, Monday, October 19. He was a dedicated employee at Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) for 17 years and served in many important roles, including a part of the company’s senior management team as purchasing manager.

Williams is survived by his wife Tristin and their five-year-old daughter Violet. 

Due to COVID-19, no formal services are planned. In honor of Williams’ memory, ACT’s employees and friends created a GoFundMe account to show their love by donating to Violet’s future.

ACT has paid tribute to Williams on its website by sharing a few fun times, video clips and photos.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Joins iRacing as Executive Director

iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations has announced that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will officially join iRacing as an executive director and part of its management committee. The NASCAR Hall of Famer, two-time Daytona 500 winner, and two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion will have a hand in numerous aspects of iRacing, from partner and community relations to user experience and development of the platform’s stock car offerings. Additional responsibilities that Earnhardt Jr. will take on in his new role at iRacing include eSports, strategy, marketing, partnerships and licensing.

ProMedia Launches New Event Production Division

ProMedia Events & Publishing has announced ProMedia Productions, a new division for the sanctioning body and media company. The new brand is a for-hire event production and logistics group offering complete, turnkey motorsports event management. ProMedia Productions is responsible for handling the drag racing segments of Holley LS Fest and Holley MoParty and is currently in talks with other specialty drag racing events for 2021 and beyond. ProMedia Productions allows companies to focus on their core business while developing live events. The events will carry the moniker “Powered by NMCA” to let racers and fans know there will be a high level of professionalism and organization. Additionally, ProMedia Productions can handle gate management, racer and spectator parking, advance and same-day ticketing, marketing, and media relations.

Formula DRIFT is implementing new requirements that all PRO category competition vehicles participating in the Irwindale Speedway rounds, November 20–22, will run LED under-car lighting.

Formula DRIFT Implements Type S Under-Car LED Lighting for All PRO Championship Night Events

Formula DRIFT is implementing new requirements that all PRO category competition vehicles participating in the Irwindale Speedway rounds, November 20–22, will run LED under-car lighting. This will apply to all future night-time rounds going into the 2021 season. As part of the new rule, Formula DRIFT will require a minimum of 5-ft. of LED lighting to be installed on both the left and right side of the car. Drivers are permitted to add more lighting if they wish. LED Lighting will be provided by TYPE S to all PRO category teams, free of charge, unless they currently have LED under-car lighting. The requirement will be added to the 2020 Formula DRIFT rule book. TYPE S will also be the presenting sponsor of the event. Formula DRIFT will additionally integrate TYPE S LED lighting equipment into elements of the drift course and track facilities as an added spectator experience.

Costa Mesa, California-based TYPE S recently signed a multi-year deal with Formula DRIFT, which sees the company introduced as the official vehicle lighting, dash cam and jump starter of the series. As part of its commitment to Formula DRIFT, TYPE S is introducing a new Pro Series exterior LED lighting kit specifically designed for the teams. It was co-developed with partners Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea DeNofa.

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Releases 2021 Schedule

Officials have released the 2021 schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where NHRA's top Sportsman competitors battle for national, regional, and divisional championships. Celebrating its 20th year, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series begins 2021 at Orlando Speed World Dragway on February 4-6, and concludes at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on November 4-7. The series also announced several doubleheader events, including races at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio; Texas Motorplex in Dallas; Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka; Yellowstone Dragstrip in Acton, Montana.; Sonoma Raceway in Northern California; and Mission Raceway, Mission, British Columbia, Canada. View the complete schedule.

Yokohama Tire Named Title Sponsor of the 2021 Yokohama Drivers Cup USA

Yokohama Tire announced it is partnering with Competent Motorsport for another season of racing. Starting in 2021, Yokohama will be the title sponsor and exclusive tire provider of the Yokohama Drivers Cup USA—an eight-race series featuring Porsches and Ferraris in separate run groups. The races will take place at venues such as Circuit of the Americas, Laguna Seca, Sonoma Raceway and Road America. Yokohama and Competent were partners on the Drivers Cup series in 2007 and reunited in 2020 for the Porsche Sprint Trophy USA West, which will no longer be a series in the U.S. next year. The races will feature multiple generations of Porsche GT3 Cup Cars, GT3 Rs and Cayman GT4, as well as Ferrari F430, F458 and F488 competing against each other.

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