Despite amendments drafted by SEMA to ensure that the bill would not hurt legitimate historic vehicle owners, the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee will not move forward with legislation that originally threatened to further limit the use of these cars. It’s likely that House lawmakers will set the bill aside for a summer study. The Senate will follow suit. SEMA has committed to bill sponsor Delegate Kirill Reznik that it will continue to participate in efforts to help enact a version of the bill next year that will allow these vehicles continued eligibility for the historic class upon their 20th year; not require collector insurance policies and retain the “occasional use” provision. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A bill that originally provided a fair cap on property taxes paid by owners of antique and classic motor vehicles was amended and approved by the West Virginia State Legislature March 10 with a new $5,000 assessed value for all of these cars. The previous version of the bill contained an assessed value provision of $1,000, which meant that the maximum actual property tax paid by antique or classic motor vehicle owners would only be about $30 per year.

Under the version that was approved by the entire Legislature March 10, and sent to the governor for his consideration, the actual maximum tax paid would be $150. This bill now only benefits antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth more than $5,000. It would penalize antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth less than $5,000. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A bill that originally provided a fair cap on property taxes paid by owners of antique and classic motor vehicles was amended and approved by the West Virginia State Legislature March 10 with a new $5,000 assessed value for all of these cars. The previous version of the bill contained an assessed value provision of $1,000, which meant that the maximum actual property tax paid by antique or classic motor vehicle owners would only be about $30 per year.

Under the version that was approved by the entire Legislature March 10, and sent to the governor for his consideration, the actual maximum tax paid would be $150. This bill now only benefits antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth more than $5,000. It would penalize antique and classic vehicle owners whose cars are worth less than $5,000. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation that originally threatened to provide localities with the authority to raise from $100 to $500 the amount charged for an annual license tax for vehicles that do not display current license plates was approved by the Virginia State Legislature and now has been sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Additional amendments to the bill drafted by SEMA will now totally exempt from the license tax all vehicles and parts cars that are stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair. Vehicles stored within a structure would remain exempted from the tax. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation that originally threatened to provide localities with the authority to raise from $100 to $500 the amount charged for an annual license tax for vehicles that do not display current license plates was approved by the Virginia State Legislature and now has been sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Additional amendments to the bill drafted by SEMA will now totally exempt from the license tax all vehicles and parts cars that are stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair. Vehicles stored within a structure would remain exempted from the tax. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

	SEMA Board of Directors elections are taking place in May. Pictured above is SEMA's current Board of Directors.

Eleven individuals will be running for seats on the SEMA Board of Directors. With the election taking place in May, the candidates are vying for five open seats within three categories. Candidates and categories are as follows:

Distributor/Retailer Category (2 open seats):

• Jim Bingham, Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc. (incumbent)
• Tom Brooks, Truckin’ Thunder Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing

Services Category (1 open seat):

• Luanne Brown, eTool Developers (incumbent)
• Bob Moore, J&B Service (incumbent)
• Bill Holland, Holland Communications

Manufacturer’s Category (2 open seats):

• John Hotchkis, Hotchkis Performance (incumbent)
• Adrian Murray, Painless Performance (incumbent)
• Tim Watts, Superlift Suspension Systems (incumbent)
• Tracie Nunez, Advanced Clutch Technology Inc.
• Russell Stephens, MSD Performance

Photos and backgrounds of all of the candidates will be posted on www.sema.org in early May.

Election materials, including online voting instructions, will be sent to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies in early May. Voting will close in mid-June.

For more information about the 2012-2013 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Judi Ritchie at judir@sema.org, 909-978-6671, or Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org, 909/978-6689.

	SEMA Board of Directors elections are taking place in May. Pictured above is SEMA's current Board of Directors.

Eleven individuals will be running for seats on the SEMA Board of Directors. With the election taking place in May, the candidates are vying for five open seats within three categories. Candidates and categories are as follows:

Distributor/Retailer Category (2 open seats):

• Jim Bingham, Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc. (incumbent)
• Tom Brooks, Truckin’ Thunder Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing

Services Category (1 open seat):

• Luanne Brown, eTool Developers (incumbent)
• Bob Moore, J&B Service (incumbent)
• Bill Holland, Holland Communications

Manufacturer’s Category (2 open seats):

• John Hotchkis, Hotchkis Performance (incumbent)
• Adrian Murray, Painless Performance (incumbent)
• Tim Watts, Superlift Suspension Systems (incumbent)
• Tracie Nunez, Advanced Clutch Technology Inc.
• Russell Stephens, MSD Performance

Photos and backgrounds of all of the candidates will be posted on www.sema.org in early May.

Election materials, including online voting instructions, will be sent to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies in early May. Voting will close in mid-June.

For more information about the 2012-2013 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Judi Ritchie at judir@sema.org, 909-978-6671, or Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org, 909/978-6689.

	The Terminator/GT500 Shootout will bring together some of the fastest Cobras and GT500s in the U.S.

NMRA to Host VMP Tuning Terminator/GT500 Shootout at Maryland Event
The NMRA has announced that VMP Tuning will sponsor a special Terminator/GT500 Shootout at the NMRA Maryland event that will take place at Maryland International Raceway May 4–6, 2012. The Terminator/GT500 Shootout will bring together some of the fastest Cobras and GT500s in the U.S. to compete in a heads-up winner-take-all format at the newest NMRA Keystone Automotive event on the schedule.

VMP Tuning put up the cash for the Terminator/GT500 class:

• $400 Win + Contingency + Acrylic Award
• $200 Runner Up + Contingency + Plaque
• $100 Semis
• $50 Quarters

Posi Performance will give away a custom supercharger port job—a $700 value. An award will be given away to each of the competitors who run closest to 9, 10, 11 and 12 seconds.

	Aeromotive Fuel Systems will sponsor an LSX Top Qualifier award at the first two Chevrolet Performance LSX Challenge Series events.

Aeromotive to Present LSX Top Qualifier Awards
NMCA has announced that Aeromotive Fuel Systems will sponsor an LSX Top Qualifier award at the first two Chevrolet Performance LSX Challenge Series events. The first LSX series event will take place at the Ross Racing Pistons NMCA season opener in Bradenton, Florida, March 15–18, 2012, and the second LSX event will take place at the Chevy High Performance (All-GM) Nationals in Commerce, Georgia, June 1–3, 2012. Aeromotive will give away the following awards as a part of their LSX Top Qualifier Program:

• Drag Radial – $300 Product Certificate
• All Motor – $300 Product Certificate
• Real Street – $300 Product Certificate
• LSX Rumble – $150 Product Certificate
• 5th-Gen Camaro Challenge – $150 Product Certificate

The top qualifiers for the LSX Rumble Class and the 5th-Gen Camaro Challenge class will be the competitor who ran closest to their index in the first round of qualifying. Aeromotive will add an extra $100 to each racer's product certificate if they have an Aeromotive product on their race car. To be eligible for the Aeromotive LSX Top Qualifier program, racers must have an Aeromotive decal on their race car.

	Three-time winner Lyonel Kent returns to ALARA at Sebring. Photo: Al Merion

Kent Rejoins ALARA Line-Up for Playboy MX-5 Cup Opener at Sebring
ALARA Racing has announced the return of three-time SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup race winner Lyonel Kent to the team for the season opening doubleheader at Sebring International Raceway, March 14–16, as part of the American Le Mans Series 60th Anniversary Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring.

After a year absence from the series, Kent hopes for a repeat performance of his last Playboy MX-5 Cup race at the 2010 season finale at Miller Motorsports Park. Kent, who will drive the No. 12 ALARA Racing Mazda MX-5, ended the season with a pair of podium finishes, including a dominant race win in the final race of the season.

Kent joins an ALARA Racing lineup that already includes veteran drivers Ara Malkhassian in the No. 11 ALARA Racing MX-5, Tim Probert (No. 26 ALARA Racing MX-5) and Harrison Williams (No. 00 Albrecht & Associates/Morgan Keegan MX-5). The veteran trio is joined by series rookie Brent Mosing (driving the No. 10 Frank’s International machine piloted last season by his brother, Jeff).

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels Returns as 2012 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Sponsor
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has returned to the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) as a 2012 series sponsor. Through this program, Mickey Thompson will provide Baja tires and track-side support to racers and continue to work collaboratively with teams in the Super-Lite, Pro-Lite Unlimited and Pro-Buggy Unlimited classes to test and prove their off-road tire products. The company also plans to introduce the Baja Pro tire developed for the Pro 2 and Pro 4 Unlimited racing classes planned for introduction at the season opener.

Jacob Person and Drew Britt, who competed in the Super Lite class and earned several podium finishes throughout the season on Mickey Thompson ATZ Plus tires, were also recognized for 2011 series success.

	The Terminator/GT500 Shootout will bring together some of the fastest Cobras and GT500s in the U.S.

NMRA to Host VMP Tuning Terminator/GT500 Shootout at Maryland Event
The NMRA has announced that VMP Tuning will sponsor a special Terminator/GT500 Shootout at the NMRA Maryland event that will take place at Maryland International Raceway May 4–6, 2012. The Terminator/GT500 Shootout will bring together some of the fastest Cobras and GT500s in the U.S. to compete in a heads-up winner-take-all format at the newest NMRA Keystone Automotive event on the schedule.

VMP Tuning put up the cash for the Terminator/GT500 class:

• $400 Win + Contingency + Acrylic Award
• $200 Runner Up + Contingency + Plaque
• $100 Semis
• $50 Quarters

Posi Performance will give away a custom supercharger port job—a $700 value. An award will be given away to each of the competitors who run closest to 9, 10, 11 and 12 seconds.

	Aeromotive Fuel Systems will sponsor an LSX Top Qualifier award at the first two Chevrolet Performance LSX Challenge Series events.

Aeromotive to Present LSX Top Qualifier Awards
NMCA has announced that Aeromotive Fuel Systems will sponsor an LSX Top Qualifier award at the first two Chevrolet Performance LSX Challenge Series events. The first LSX series event will take place at the Ross Racing Pistons NMCA season opener in Bradenton, Florida, March 15–18, 2012, and the second LSX event will take place at the Chevy High Performance (All-GM) Nationals in Commerce, Georgia, June 1–3, 2012. Aeromotive will give away the following awards as a part of their LSX Top Qualifier Program:

• Drag Radial – $300 Product Certificate
• All Motor – $300 Product Certificate
• Real Street – $300 Product Certificate
• LSX Rumble – $150 Product Certificate
• 5th-Gen Camaro Challenge – $150 Product Certificate

The top qualifiers for the LSX Rumble Class and the 5th-Gen Camaro Challenge class will be the competitor who ran closest to their index in the first round of qualifying. Aeromotive will add an extra $100 to each racer's product certificate if they have an Aeromotive product on their race car. To be eligible for the Aeromotive LSX Top Qualifier program, racers must have an Aeromotive decal on their race car.

	Three-time winner Lyonel Kent returns to ALARA at Sebring. Photo: Al Merion

Kent Rejoins ALARA Line-Up for Playboy MX-5 Cup Opener at Sebring
ALARA Racing has announced the return of three-time SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup race winner Lyonel Kent to the team for the season opening doubleheader at Sebring International Raceway, March 14–16, as part of the American Le Mans Series 60th Anniversary Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring.

After a year absence from the series, Kent hopes for a repeat performance of his last Playboy MX-5 Cup race at the 2010 season finale at Miller Motorsports Park. Kent, who will drive the No. 12 ALARA Racing Mazda MX-5, ended the season with a pair of podium finishes, including a dominant race win in the final race of the season.

Kent joins an ALARA Racing lineup that already includes veteran drivers Ara Malkhassian in the No. 11 ALARA Racing MX-5, Tim Probert (No. 26 ALARA Racing MX-5) and Harrison Williams (No. 00 Albrecht & Associates/Morgan Keegan MX-5). The veteran trio is joined by series rookie Brent Mosing (driving the No. 10 Frank’s International machine piloted last season by his brother, Jeff).

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels Returns as 2012 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Sponsor
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has returned to the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) as a 2012 series sponsor. Through this program, Mickey Thompson will provide Baja tires and track-side support to racers and continue to work collaboratively with teams in the Super-Lite, Pro-Lite Unlimited and Pro-Buggy Unlimited classes to test and prove their off-road tire products. The company also plans to introduce the Baja Pro tire developed for the Pro 2 and Pro 4 Unlimited racing classes planned for introduction at the season opener.

Jacob Person and Drew Britt, who competed in the Super Lite class and earned several podium finishes throughout the season on Mickey Thompson ATZ Plus tires, were also recognized for 2011 series success.

VerticalScope Purchases www.mautofied.com
VerticalScope Inc. has purchased the website www.mautofied.com from online web publishing company Mautofied Inc. According to a recent release, the website, www.mautofied.com, allows users to search for modified and customized automobiles, light trucks and motorcycles by features, as well as by make, model and year. Marx Group Advisors represented Mautofied and provided sell side strategic advisory services. The assets purchased by VerticalScope include the site www.mautofied.com as well as all domain names and related intellectual property. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Quarter Mile Foundation Adds 25 New Interviews of Drag Racing Veterans
The Quarter Mile Foundation has gathered 25 new interviews of drag racing veterans for its Project 1320 documentary film series covering the history of drag racing and the parallel growth of the performance aftermarket. The new interviews, conducted during the NHRA Winternationals and Gatornationals, included the following:

Bob Brandt		Walt Barbin
Austin Coil		Ron Colson
Don Edwald		Bob Frey
Larry Griffith		Joan Gwynn
Tommy Ivo		Mike Kuhl
Roland Leong		Jack McCormack
Mike Lewis		Sonny Messner
Ray Motes		Paula Murphy
Larry Potnack		Don Prieto
Jerry Ruth		Ed Schartman
Greg Sharp		Don Schumacher
Junior Thompson		Al Turner
R.C. Williams

The Mobility Express Group Added to Vantage Mobility International Dealer Network
Vantage Mobility International (VMI) named The Mobility Express Group a VMI Select Dealer for Central Florida. The VMI Select Dealer Network is a national group of leading companies that specialize in selling wheelchair-accessible vans and other mobility products.

High School Car Show to Benefit Automotive Technology Program
Bonita High School in La Verne, California, will hold the Auto Shop Car Show on Saturday, March 24, from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. The show will be held at the Bonita campus, 3102 D Street, and general admission is free. Proceeds from the car show benefit the Bonita High School Automotive Technology Program. The school is currently accepting vehicle registrations and vendor/club booth are available. For additional information and registration details, visit https://sites.google.com/site/bhsautoshow.

	King Engine Bearings hired new sales manager J. Michael Flynn (left) to take over for Ron Ruppert (right), who will now serve as product manager for the company.

King Engine Bearing Hires J. Michael Flynn; Ron Ruppert Transitions to Product Manager
King Engine Bearings named J. Michael Flynn as its new sales manager. He takes over for Ron Ruppert, who will now serve as product manager for the company. Flynn comes to King Engine Bearings from ACL Distribution Inc. where he was technical sales manager from 2004 to 2012. Ruppert has been King's sales manager since 2005. In his new role as product manager, he will be responsible for product management, inventory management and sales assistance. In the area of product development, he will work closely with the company's sales, marketing and engineering team to balance product and customer requirements.

Atlas Copco Donates Equipment to Support Rock Hill, South Carolina, High School
Atlas Copco Compressors donated a compressor unit and dryer to the Applied Technology Center that is part of the Rock Hill School District in South Carolina. The Applied Technology Center recently received a $50,000 grant from the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The grant provides the school with much-needed equipment, tools and other supplies, including an Atlas Copco LS15-175 air compressor and a FX5 dryer, as part of the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover. The Applied Technology Center was selected for the award from more than 70 schools.

Lunati/PowerTV Launch The Great Cam Giveaway
Lunati has teamed up with PowerTV to reward 30 fans with a camshaft of their choice through the Lunati Great Cam Giveaway. The giveaway will be conducted through both the Lunati Facebook page and the fan pages for all the PowerTV sites, including StreetLegalTV, StangTV, LsxTV, VetteOnline, RodAuthority, DragZine and OneDirt. During the first week of the promotion, Lunati will give away six camshafts, followed by two cam giveaways a week for the following three months. The first step to winning the contest is to “like” Lunati on Facebook. Then watch for contest details, which will be announced every Monday on Lunati’s page and on PowerTV pages. To like Lunati, go to www.facebook.com/theracerscompany or type Lunati into the Facebook search bar.

John Abreu Named Territory Manager for Tire Group International
John Abreu was appointed Tire Group International's new territory manager for Puerto Rico and Columbia. According to Tire Group International, Abreu has worked in the auto industry for more than 10 years, including five years at General Motors as fixed operations manager.