Nominations for the 2022 SEMA Hall of Fame class close March 18.

Induction to the Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association and honors the pioneers who have contributed to the growth of the automotive aftermarket over a long period of time.

“Our industry is fueled by nothing short of passionate and hard-working individuals. The SEMA Hall of Fame honors those whom without, our industry would not be what it is today,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership.

“The industry’s input in the selection process is an invaluable asset to the association in identifying deserving hall of fame inductees.”

Since its inception in 1969, 165 individuals have been inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame, including:

• Agosta, Matt (Steele Rubber Products)
• Airheart, Bob (Bob Airheart Sales)
• Alderson, Don (Muldoon Engineering)
• Amato, Joe (Keystone Automotive Warehouse)
• Appelgate, Brian (B&M Racing & Performance)
• Arias Jr., Nick (Arias Pistons)
• Arkus-Duntov, Zora (Chevorlet Motor Division)
• Ayres, Joel (Automtoive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation)
• Babcox, Tom (Babcox Publications)
• Baney, Lou (SEMA)
• Barnett, Don (Speed Warehouse)
• Barris, George (Barris Kustom Industries)
• Barsamian, Rich (Advanced Clutch Technology Inc.)
• Bartlett, John (Grant Piston Rings)
• Baskerville, Gray (Hot Rod Magazine)
• Belond, Sandy (Belond Mufflers)
• Bingham, Jim (Winners Circle Speed & Custom Inc.)
• Black, Keith (Keith Black Racing Engines)
• Bleiweis, Raymond (Rocket Industries)
• Blum, Charles R. (SEMA)
• Bobins, Chuck (CB Sales)
• Bolio, Steve (Scafidi-Bolio & Associates)
• Borick, Louis (Superior Industries)
• Borré, Dan (Keith Black Performance Inc.)
• Borré, Jim (Manik Motors)
• Brock, Ray (Petersen Publishing)
• Brothers, Paul "Scooter" (Competition Cams, Inc.)
• Brown, Ray (Superior Industries)
• Cahill, Robert (Chrysler Corp., Mopar Division)
• Campbell, Ben, Nighthorse (Senator)
• Card, Charley (Honest Charley's)
• Carleton, GiGi (Robert E. Petersen Foundation)
• Cepek, Dick (Dick Cepek Inc.)
• Chandler, Bob (Bigfoot 4x4 Inc.)
• Chapouris, Pete (SO-CAL Speed Shop)
• Chrisman, Art (Chrisman’s Auto Rod Specialist – CARS)
• Coddington, Boyd (Boyds Wheels)
• Coker, Corky (Coker Tires)
• Coleman, Ron (Competition Cams)
• Cook, Bob (Book Cook Sales)
• Cornelison, Nile (Direct Communications Inc.)
• Cozzie, Jim (Brenton Productions Inc.)
• Crane, Harvey J. (Crane Cams)
• Crower, Bruce (Crower Cams)
• Day, Dick (Petersen Publishing Co.)
• Deane, Russ (SEMA General Counsel)
• Deist, Jim (Deist Safety Equipment)
• Diamond, Murray (Plasticolor Molded Products)
• Douglass, Howard (Douglass Mufflers)
• Eatherly, Donnie (P&E Distributors Inc.)
• Economaki, Chris (National Speed Sport News)
• Edelbrock Jr., Vic (Edelbrock Corp.)
• Edelbrock Sr., Vic (Edelbrock Corp.)
• Elliott, Ed (Elliott-McMullen Advertising)
• Elliott, George (Argus Publishers)
• Evans, Doug (Bonnier Corporation)
• Faulk, Amy (Hypertech Inc.)
• Fishel, Herb (The Business of Motorsports)
• Foose, Chip (Foose Design)
• Foote, George (Karbelt Speed & Custom)
• Foulger, Donna Imrie (SEMA)
• France Sr., Bill (NASCAR)
• Funfar, Run (Hedman Manufacturing)
• Gage, Dennis (MadStache Inc.)
• Gaines, John (G&M Performance Parts)
• Garlits, Don (Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing)
• Garner, Willie (Trans-Dapt)
• Giampetroni, Angelo (Ford Motor Company)
• Goldberg, Harvey (Goldberg Marketing Inc.)
• Goldstein, Jack (Jack Goldstein & Associates)
• Granatelli, Andy (Consultant)
• Grant, Eric
• Halibrand, Ted (Halibrand Engineering)
• Harman, Kenny (Harman Collins Inc.)
• Harris, Jack (Rush Sales)
• Hart, C.J. (Lion's Drag Strip)
• Hart, Jack (NHRA)
• Hays, Bill (Centerforce Clutches)
• Hedman, Bob (Hedman Manufacturing)
• Heffington, Mark (Hypertech Inc.)
• Hibler, Harry (Nanotech Fuel Corp.)
• Hilborn, Stuart (Fuel Injection Engineering Co.)
• Hiltz, Stan (Thrush Mufflers)
• Holding, Dennis (Direct Parts Inc.)
• Hooker, Gary (Hooker Headers)
• Hrudka, Joe (Mr. Gasket Co.)
• Hurst, George (Hurst Shifters)
• Iskenderian, Ed (Isky Racing Cams)
• Kagan, Leo (Amco Manufacturing)
• Kawasaki, Wade (Coker Group)
• Keller, Bob (Turbonetics, Inc.)
• Kerr, Jim (Jim Kerr & Associates)
• Konblett, Sheldon (SC Performance)
• Kuhns, Arnold (SFI Foundation Inc.)
• Lahmann, Butch (American Specialty Equipment)
• Larivee Sr., Bob (Promotions Inc.)
• LeSage, Burke
• Leslie, Roy (Kenz & Leslie Accessories Ltd.)
• Light, Jerry (Speed Warehouse)
• Lipper, Ray (Center Line Wheel Corp.)
• Lohn, Els (Ansen Enterprises)
• Mallory, Boots (Mallory Ignition)
• Martin, Dick
• Maxwell, Dick (Chrysler Corporation)
• McClelland, Dave (Diamond P Sports)
• McFarland, Jim (AutoCom)
• McJannett, Bob (Performance Improvements)
• McMullen, Richard
• Meguiar, Barry (Meguiar’s)
• Menzler, John (COMP Performance Group)
• Moon, Dean (Moon Equipment Co.)
• Moore, Marla (Coker Tire)
• Moroso, Dick (Moroso Performance Products)
• Offenhauser, Fred (Offenhauser Equipment Corp.)
• Olson, Carl (SFI Foundation Inc.)
• Parks, Wally (NHRA)
• Patteri, Robert (Patteri Sales)
• Perry, Bill (Bill Perry and Associates)
• Petersen, Robert E. (Petersen Publishing)
• Piggins, Vince (Chevorlet Motor Division)
• Pink, Ed (Ed Pink Racing Engines)
• Pisano, Joe (Venolia Pistons)
• Prudhomme, Don (Don Prudhomme Racing)
• Raleigh, Don (Don's Speed Shop)
• Reed, Alan (IMARC)
• Richter, Roy (Cragar Industries)
• Rifchin, Marvin (M&H Tires)
• Roberts, Red (McLeod Industries)
• Rollins, Rick (Superchips, Inc.)
• Scafidi, John (Hurst Shifters)
• Schiefer, Paul (Schiefer Equipment Co.)
• Schubeck, Joe
• Schwartz, Chuck (ConvExx)
• Senter, Louis (Senter Engineering Corp.)
• Shedden, Tom (Cragar Industries)
• Shelby, Carroll (Shelby Automotives)
• Shelton, Nate (B&M Automotive Group)
• Sigman, Ben (Sigman-Pittman)
• Simmons, John (SECO Performance Centers)
• Simpson, Bill (Simpson Racing Products)
• Smith, Bill (Speedway Motors)
• Smith, Don (High Performance Distributors)
• Spar, Bob (B&M Automotive)
• St. Lawrence, Joe (RTM Studios)
• Stroppe, Bill (Bill Stroppe & Son)
• Thompson, Mickey (Mickey Thompson Enterprises)
• Thomson, Chris (TMG Performance Group)
• Towle, John (Performance Warehouse Association)
• Van Cleve, Charlie (Hedman/TD Performance)
• Van Cleve, Dick (Van Cleve & Associates)
• Vandergriff, Robert (Hedman/TD Performance)
• Vaughn, Jim (Mr. Phone)
• Vaughn, Linda (Hurst Performance Products)
• Warn, Thurston (Warn Industries)
• Weber, Harry (Weber Cams)
• Weiand, Joan (Weiand Industries)
• Weiand, Phil (Weiand Automotive Industries)
• Wells, Dick (SEMA)
• Winfield, Ed (Winfield Carburetors)
• Wirth, Jim (Wirth & Wirth Advertising)
• Woodell, Van (Weathers Auto Supply)
• Woomer, Steve (Competition Specialties)
• Worthan, Rolan “Jeep” (Auto Meter Products, Inc.)
• Xydias, Alex (SO-CAL Speed Shop)
• Yunick, Henry “Smokey”

In any given year, it’s not unusual for three or four people to earn induction. Nominations are open until March 18, 2022, and can be submitted here.

Questions can be directed to Chris Standifer, Project Manager-Recognition Programs, at chriss@sema.org, 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Head of Product Development
Enthusiast Auto Holdings is hiring a head of product development to provide the vision and direction for all in-house brands (IHBs), with a specific focus on new product development ideation, pipeline and roadmap development, improving time to market (TTM) and successful execution of the product roadmap (speed and quality). This position requires excellent organizational, coaching and development, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment. While the position resides in Wadsworth, Ohio, there may be some travel to banner companies. This position supervises a team of 20–30 across all banners and six total locations. 

Technical Service Associate
ProCharger is hiring a technical service associate to assist customers by answering their questions, taking orders and resolving technical issues promptly via the telephone and email. This position requires the ability and endurance to answer a high volume of calls while maintaining accuracy, good interpersonal skills and excellent telephone manners.

Vice President of Sales and Marketing
EGR Inc. is hiring a vice president of sales and marketing based in Ontario, California. This role will require a person who has had extensive experience in promoting products in the aftermarket, jobber network and digital and social media to achieve results. The candidate will both manage team members and interface with marketing support personnel. Candidates should have 10+ years of relevant marketing experience within automotive industry. Extensive travel will be required. 

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) named Classic Instruments as the council’s latest member spotlight company. In this week’s feature, Classic Instrument’s COO John McLeod shares the company’s current projects, and what advice he has for up-and-comers in the industry.

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

John McLeod: Classic Instruments was founded in 1977 by Frank and Shirley Hettick in Oregon. When they relocated the company to Boyne City, Michigan, I was a police officer and GM of a custom/restoration shop and used Classic Instruments in some of my builds. As the new owner, I started with one employee in the corner of the restoration company and slowly, with a focus on customer service and building quality parts and hiring quality people, continued to grow the company every day.

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?

JM: Breakthrough moment? I would say the first night after being the owner the company and sitting back and thinking how blessed I am.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2022 and what projects are you working on?

JM: Custom projects continue to raise the bar. Our customers continue to push our limits and we love it. On the catalog side, it is trucks. The world is truck crazy, and it is really cool!  

SEMA: Tell us about an aspect of your company you are proud of.

JM: Our employees are what I am most proud of and the friends I have made in the industry.

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

JM: Be willing to give up everything you have to get everything you want. Work hard, be honest, fair and consistent. Good things will come!

Fill out an HRIA-member spotlight form to highlight how your company is contributing to the hot-rod industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on HRIA's and media, SEMA News and future HRIA member updates.

The new “SEMA Battle of the Builders” television special re-airs tonight, March 10, on the A+E Networks’ fyi Channel at 8:00 p.m. (PST) and 11:00 p.m. (EST).

The one-hour program is hosted by Adrienne “AJ” Janic and Tanner Foust, and features special guest judges RJ DeVera (Meguiar’s), Cam Miller (HS Customs), Jeremiah Proffitt (Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers) and Kyle Kuhnhausen (Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts).

In addition to tuning in, please invite your friends and family to tune in as well. Watch the 30-second trailer below:

Visit www.semashow.com/botb for more information.

By Ashley Reyes

The government plays a critical role in any industry. Businesses are impacted by subsidies, taxes and regulations. Elected officials often determine future laws. The wheel and tire industry is not immune to the impact of government.

From tax credits for small businesses, to laws that impact the way wheel and tire products are made, distributed and marketed, and even the impact of U.S. EPA overreach, the wheel and tire industry is impacted by government actions. The current RPM Act is a perfect reason for you to understand how this affects the wheel and tire industry.  

WTC members are invited to learn how they can work with elected officials to help their businesses, and why it’s important to fight for the passage of the RPM Act now during this live webinar.

Christian Robinson, SEMA director of state government affairs and SEMA Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC), and John Hotchkis, president at Hotchkis Performance and chair of the SEMA PAC, will explain:  

• What the SEMA PAC is.
• How the SEMA PAC helps to ensure that elected officials support our industry.
• What the new SEMA Individual Membership is, and how it helps defend your automotive rights.
• The importance of bills like the RPM Act, and why it matters to wheel and tire companies.

While you’re busy managing your business, SEMA’s government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is advocating to protect the industry and your business. This webinar will guide you on state and federal regulations, and the opportunity to make your voice heard on relevant issues that may affect your business.

Register here.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed adding four more advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) technologies to its five-star safety rating program: lane-keeping support, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning and blind-spot intervention.

NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) already includes four ADAS technologies: forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support. The agency is also seeking to update and strengthen the testing procedures and performance criteria for the four ADAS technologies currently in NCAP. NHTSA intends to establish a 10-year roadmap for future updates. This includes technologies to address driver distraction, alcohol detection, seat belt interlocks, intelligent speed assist, driver monitoring systems and rear-seat child reminder assist.

NCAP is designed to help consumers learn about the safety of new vehicles, and these proposed updates will help the program “keep up with the pace of innovation in vehicle safety” said Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s Deputy Administrator. In turn, as NHTSA develops reliable test procedures, the agency may seek to create a performance-based safety standard to require installation of certain ADAS technology on new vehicles. SEMA is reviewing the proposed rule and will submit comments aimed at protecting consumers’ ability to modify their ADAS-equipped vehicles.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Four of SEMA’s leading groups—the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA), Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) and Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)—are hosting a cross-council/networking mixer during the Keystone BIG Show, March 25, from 3:15 p.m.–4.15 p.m. (CDT), at Zeppole’s restaurant inside the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

The cross-council/networking mixer will bring together industry friends and colleagues for a fun evening of networking and provide SBN, TORA, WTC and PRO members the ideal opportunity to strengthen their existing connections and make new contacts.  

The event will bring together industry friends and colleagues for a fun evening of networking and provide SBN, TORA, WTC and PRO members the ideal opportunity to strengthen their existing connections and make new contacts.  

“With the different councils and networks coming together, the mixer at the Keystone BIG Show is going to be one of the best gatherings we’ve ever had,” said SEMA Council Director Nicole Bradle. “Members of different industry segments will collaborate and learn from one another at this fun and productive event. It’s also a chance to share ideas and build long-lasting relationships with those who share the same automotive passion.”  

Registration, although not required, is encouraged so that event coordinators can plan accordingly.   

RSVP here.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance will host a trail run and off-roading event for SEMA members attending Easter Jeep Safari.

The trail run will take place April 14 along the scenic Behind the Rocks Tip Toe Trail and include a complimentary lunch and a briefing about proper land use from Tread Lightly.

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance will host a trail run and off-roading event for SEMA members attending Easter Jeep Safari.

Participants will meet in the morning at the Moab 4x4 Expo registration event space before proceeding to the trail head. The route offers exciting obstacles and great scenery and will conclude in the early afternoon.

Industry colleagues will reconnect in the evening for a TORA mixer hosted in conjunction with the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). This will be a great time strengthen and build new relationships and share stories from the trail ride earlier in the day.

Learn more and RSVP for the trail run and mixer here.

By Ashley Reyes

Car shows play a critical role in the hot-rod industry. As the spring car show seasons begins, hot-rod businesses must be prepared for the selling season.

Industry veterans will gather for a thought-provoking discussion about the state of car shows and consumer events, and how they are preparing for the upcoming season during the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) general membership meeting and panel discussion on March 18, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

The live meeting will feature Amy Fitzgerald of Cool Hand Customs as she leads a panel of hot-rod industry experts sharing:

• COVID’s impact on car shows and how are companies planning differently today, compared to two years ago.
• What social-media strategies work and don’t work when promoting events, products and services.
• What are the key factors for success.
• What is the importance of in-person events and how do companies keep customers engaged.

The meeting and discussion are open to all HRIA members and companies in the hot-rod industry, and is the ideal time to address industry concerns and learn from others in the market. A brief report on the council’s current initiatives will also be discussed.

Register here.