The cruise-in will take place during the three-day
Chattanooga Motorcar Festival on Saturday,
October 16 from 5:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and will
feature hundreds of classic and collector cars in the
heart of downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Company CEO Wade Kawasaki and the team at Legendary Companies have announced the inaugural Legendary Charity Cruise-In, an exclusive car show held in conjunction with the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, Saturday, October 16, from 5:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. All proceeds from the Legendary Charity Cruise-In will go to the Fifty Plus Foundation in support of CHI Memorial Hospital and the NeuroScience Innovation Foundation to help their extraordinary efforts in neuroscience research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Legendary Charity Cruise-In offers participants a chance to showcase their collector vehicles in a premier location at the intersection of Riverfront Parkway and M.L.K. Blvd (875 West 9th Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennesee). The Cruise-In is just steps away from the Pace Grand Prix at the Bend where wheel-to-wheel will be happening featuring historic race cars, including open-wheel cars, CanAm cars, GT cars and more. Participants will receive a special ticket package, which includes entry for one collector vehicle and two spectator admission tickets that provide access to Saturday of the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, including access to the Grand Prix Paddock and Mecum Auctions.
Space is limited to 400 cars. The entry fee is a donation of $100—a special value to encourage enthusiasts to drive their collector vehicles and take part in the event. Interested participants are encouraged to register early via Eventbrite.
Phillip VanBuskirk
Aeromotive Hires Phillip Vanbuskirk as New National Sales Manager
Aeromotive has announced the hiring of its new national sales manager, Phillip VanBuskirk, as of July 8. VanBuskirk brings 16 years of aftermarket automotive sales experience to Aeromotive, formerly working as a performance parts specialists for both ProCharger and WELD Racing. In his new role, VanBuskirk will be responsible for all Aeromotive sales functions, including managing both internal and external sales, overseeing sales representative agencies and communicating and executing new sales objectives that align with company goals.
Atturo Tire Joins 2021 Woodward Dream Cruise as Gold Sponsor
Atturo Tire has committed to join the 2021 Woodward Dream Cruise—to be held August 21 in Michigan—as a Gold Level sponsor. Now in its 26th year, the Cruise runs along Metropolitan Detroit’s historic Woodward Avenue and is running through seven cities spanning a 16-mile route. More than 1.4 million people and 45,000 classic cars and hot rods attend annually, making it one of the largest events held in Michigan.
In addition to sponsoring the cruise, Atturo Tire will have several representatives, vehicles and their display trailer on-site in the Belle Tire parking lot located at 13 Mile and Woodward. Representatives will be available to answer any questions and help cruisers find the right Atturo Tire for their ride. This will be Atturo’s inaugural year attending and sponsoring the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop Purchases Walker Radiator Works
Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop has acquired the tooling, equipment and proprietary manufacturing techniques from Walker Radiator Works and will move forward as Johnson’s Radiator Works. Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop is committed to continuing the same standard of excellence set forth as each radiator will continue using the finest quality materials available, according to the company. The product line focus will be continuing on the legacy of Walker Radiator Works and developing into other markets for later-model car and truck applications.
Sara Correa. Photo
courtesy: Bridgestone
Americas
Sara Correa Named Chief Marketing Officer for Bridgestone
Bridgestone Americas has announced that Sara Correa has been appointed chief marketing officer, effective July 26. Correa succeeds Philip Dobbs, who has announced he will retire from Bridgestone in October after a transition period to onboard Correa into her new role. As CMO, Correa will be responsible for the company’s marketing “Center of Excellence” and focus on driving enhanced coordination and marketing activation for the company’s tire and solutions businesses in the United States and Canada. This will include overseeing all brand and digital marketing efforts for the Bridgestone and Firestone brands, the company’s sports and engagement platforms, corporate communications, research and insights and the company’s training initiatives. Correa holds nearly two decades of experience identifying, developing, and commercializing B2B technology-based solutions in complex global markets. She joins Bridgestone from TE Connectivity, a publicly-traded company providing connectors and sensors for the transportation, medical technology, energy and data communications sectors.
Will ”Mr. Clutch” Baty
McLeod Racing Welcomes Will “Mr. Clutch” Baty as Off-Road and R&D Specialist
McLeod Racing welcomes Will “Mr. Clutch”Baty as off-road and R&D specialist. Baty brings more than 30 years’ experience in research and development as well as engineering for the clutch and off-road markets. Baty will begin his journey with McLeod on July 26.
Brembo Opens First “Center of Excellence” in Silicon Valley
Brembo has announced its first “Center of Excellence” will be constructed in California’s Silicon Valley. The new facility, dubbed the “Brembo Inspiration Lab,” is expected to strengthen the company’s expertise in software development, data science and artificial intelligence. The Center of Excellence is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2021 and will serve as a reference for technological and commercial development. It will also “welcome talent from various industries” to further Brembo’s braking solutions, according to the company. The Silicon Valley location joins Brembo’s North American manufacturing hubs in Michigan, New Jersey and Monterrey, Mexico. Its North American headquarters and R&D center is located in Plymouth, Michigan.
Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum Opens to the Public
The Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum has announced its schedule for 2021. Opening to the public for the first time since January 2020, Lions will be opened initially on Saturdays with pre-purchased tickets only. Lions Automobilia is located in Los Angeles County and will adhere to required COVID-19 protocols at the time of reservation. The foundation is the home of the Spirit of Lions Drag Strip and Gallery, which features more than 30 showcases of Lions Racing Legends and several original race cars, including the Stone, Woods, and Cook Swindler II Willys, Jack Chrisman’s ’29 Model A and more.
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.
Exhibitors who have breaking news announcements that
will be of interest to a large number of media can utilize
press conferences during the 2021 SEMA Show.
Applications for SEMA Show exhibitors to be included in the official 2021 SEMA Show Press Conference Schedule are due Friday, August 6.
Exhibitors who have breaking news announcements that will be of interest to a large number of media can utilize press conferences during the 2021 SEMA Show by submitting a press conference application before the August 6 deadline. After submitting an application, exhibitors should receive an automatic email confirming that the application was received. Those who do not receive the automatic email may have experienced a technical problem and are encouraged to email pr@sema.org for assistance.
Because media are not required or obligated to attend press conferences, many exhibitors opt to utilize other tools for reaching media at the SEMA Show, including submitting a press release in the Exhibitor Online Media Center.
To learn more about press conferences, the online media center or other PR resources for SEMA Show exhibitors, contact pr@sema.org.
Click here for a complete listing of 2021 SEMA Show deadlines.
Ringbrothers were the winners of the 2019 SEMA Battle of the
Builders competition with their ’69 Camaro.
Applications for the 2021 SEMA Battle of the Builders are available now at www.semashow.com/botb. The competition described by Muscle Cars & Trucks as “the coolest automotive competition in the world,” the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is where top vehicle builders go to showcase their talents and craftsmanship. This year’s competition will mark the eighth year where SEMA Show vehicle builders will compete against one another.
All builders with vehicles displayed at the SEMA Show are invited to enter. Exhibitors are encouraged to have builders with whom they are working enter, as the program is a great way to highlight the products on the vehicles.
Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight
products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in
designated areas away from their company’s SEMA Show
booth.
The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2021 SEMA Show is July 30. Exhibitors planning a feature vehicle for the Show are encouraged to mark their calendars now to allow ample time to choose the best car to represent their brand and promote its appearance appropriately.
All feature vehicles must be approved and paid for by qualified exhibiting companies. Criteria for placement is based on how the exhibiting company’s products are showcased on the vehicle, whether the car has been featured in the SEMA Show previously, how complete the vehicle build is, and to what degree the vehicle captures all elements of the specialty-equipment market.
Each qualified exhibiting company is guaranteed placement for one feature vehicle. Additional vehicles will be prioritized by the exhibitors, using an electronic form that will be provided by SEMA Show management after July 30.
Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from their company’s SEMA Show booth. With unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.
With exhibits included in the LVCC’s newly constructed West Hall,
the entire SEMA Show floorplan will be optimized and offers room
for new features and enhancements for an improved overall
attendee experience.
The 2021 SEMA Space Allocation process was completed in late-June, with more than 1,700 companies selecting their booth locations at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The LVCC's halls are nearly full of exhibits, but booth space is still being reserved, and more exhibitors are expected to secure space until the Show opens on November 2.
Attendees planning on joining the industry at the 2021 SEMA Show can see who's exhibiting and where through the updated floorplan. If you have not yet registered for the SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, visit www.SEMAShow.com/attendee to register.
For 2021, the Show will include exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s newly constructed West Hall, a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. facility completed in January. The new facility includes exhibitors from the Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, and Truck, SUV & Off-Road sections.
Earlier in June, the visitors of the World of Concrete convention were the first to use the new hall, and the event marked the first large-scale convention and tradeshow to be held in Las Vegas in 15 months.
In addition to the new hall, the newly constructed Loop—a high-speed, people-mover system that runs 40 ft. under the LVCC—will transport visitors between South, Central and West Halls. The World of Concrete successfully used the system to shuttle visitors through the 200-acre convention center.
For more information on the 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
The 2021 SEMA Show Space Allocation process wrapped up earlier this week, and more than 1,700 companies are confirmed to exhibit, and many more are expected to sign on before the event takes place in November.
The SEMA Show floorplan is live, and buyers are currently examining the event's layout to see who will be there for 2021.
Companies that would like to exhibit at this year's SEMA Show to reconnect with customers and generate new business, can get started at www.SEMAShow.com.
Exhibiting at the SEMA Show puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry, including buyers looking for your products. This year's Show offers even more opportunities for exhibitors reach new buyers. SEMA Show management recently announced that buyer registration for the Show has started at the fastest pace they have seen in the event's 54-year history.
SEMA Show exhibitor Cometic Gaskets is ready to reunite with customers in person, and reach out to more buyers outside of the company's local region.
“We are most looking forward to face-to-face conversations and reconnecting with our customers old and new. Cometic is located in the midwest, and exhibiting at SEMA allows us to connect with our West Coast customers and industry segments, such as desert racing.”
Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor, and media—and everyone must qualify to receive a badge and attend.
SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.
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.
Product Compliance Manager Harbor Freight Tools is hiring a product compliance manager to identify industry best practices and work closely with internal key stakeholders in global sourcing, imports and trade compliance, legal, quality assurance, product development, supply chain, store operations and merchandising to develop and execute implementation plans. This position leads engagement with external parties, such as government entities, standards development organizations, trade associations, testing labs, certification agencies and outside counsel for assigned product categories. This role actively seeks continuous improvement opportunities to mitigate risk to the organization. A bachelor’s degree is preferred (technical or engineering), and a minimum of seven years of relevant experience is required.
Technical Support Specialist Derale Performance is hiring a technical support specialist to provide exceptional customer service with prompt, accurate and complete information for all communication; answer product and technical questions; and assist customers with order tracking, ETA requests, missing parts and warranty issues. Candidates must have basic to advanced knowledge of automotive cooling systems and the four-stroke internal combustion engine.
3D Engineering Tech MagnaFlow is hiring a 3D engineering techresponsible for transferring 3D scan data, providing CAD models and assisting the engineering team with a variety of technical tasks. Candidates should have working knowledge and an understanding of product development and engineering technologies, CAD experience (preferably Solidworks) and experience with 3D inspection or scan to CAD software.
Top row: US Representatives Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Mark Green (R-TN),
Mary Miller (R-IL), and Warren Davidson (R-OH). Bottom row: Don
Bacon (R-NE), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), James Comer (R-KY), and John
Curtis (R-UT).
Congressional support for the bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2021, H.R. 3281, rapidly expanded this week as a direct result of the letters that members of the motorsports parts industry, racers, and enthusiasts wrote to their lawmakers asking them to co-sponsor the bill. The RPM Act now has 90 bipartisan co-sponsors, as eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to publicly support the bill this week, including U.S. Representatives Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Mark Green (R-TN), Mary Miller (R-IL), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Don Bacon (R-NE), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), James Comer (R-KY), and John Curtis (R-UT).
SEMA government affairs staff had a chance to catch up with Rep. Bacon, who represents the Omaha metropolitan area, to thank him for cosponsoring the RPM Act. More than 1,300 of Rep. Bacon’s constituents have written the Congressman in 2021 about the RPM Act, and their requests were answered when he agreed to cosponsor the bill.
“The racing community is passionate about ensuring that Congress clarifies in federal law that it is legal to modify vehicles for racing,” said Rep. Bacon. “The RPM Act is critically important to preserving the right to race dedicated vehicles that started out as street-legal vehicles, on the track. This legislation is good policy and is strongly supported by my constituents.”
The RPM Act must be enacted into law to guarantee your right to modify street cars, trucks and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, and ensure that the industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete. It is imperative that lawmakers continue to be reminded of the importance of passing the RPM Act.
Click here to see the current list of RPM Act co-sponsors, and don’t forget to send a letter to your U.S. Representative asking them to support the bill and fight for it to become law.
For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
Atturo Tire Joins 2021 Woodward Dream Cruise as Gold Sponsor
Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop Purchases Walker Radiator Works
