By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference, the aftermarket's premier conference for establishing connections between motorsports parts manufacturers and media professionals, is relocating from Los Angeles, California, to Orlando, Florida, in 2025. 

Unlike a traditional trade show where exhibitors meet with buyers and resellers, the Media Trade Conference is focused on private 30-minute meetings between manufacturers and media. Manufacturers take part in more than 40 meetings over a span of three days and gain valuable connections with journalists, editors, writers, podcasters, content creators and social-media influencers.  

"In the beginning, print media was primarily based in Southern California," said MPMC Chair-Elect Brian Bohlander of Old World Industries. "Now, with the influx of social-media influencers, as well as other media outlets, this move will help bring together additional East Coast media, new manufacturers and, potentially, international media."  

Historically known for its "speed-dating" format, the MPMC Media Trade Conference makes it easy for manufacturers to share detailed information about their products, changes in their company, and plans for the racing season. Journalists use the content collected to publish in their channels year-round.  

"Next year's Media Trade Conference will be right in the middle of several major motorsports events happening in Florida in late January," added Bohlander. "This should encourage more media and manufacturers from the East Coast that are already sending representatives to these events to participate."

In addition to private meetings, the event will continue to provide participants with opportunities to further their connections through networking events scheduled throughout the week. 

"The MPMC Media Trade Conference is committed to facilitating meaningful connections in a focused and targeted environment," said MPMC Director Marcy Yanus. "We look forward to the continued networking, collaboration and business growth that will result from this unique event."   

To learn more about the Media Trade Conference, visit sema.org/MTC.

By SEMA News Editors

As a result of the recent '24 Toyota Tacoma measuring session, the SEMA Garage Tech Transfer program is now offering a wide variety of 3D scan data of the new Tacoma model. The data accounts for various trim models, such as TRD Pro, TRD 4x4 and Trailhunter.

SEMA Tech Transfer members now have access to this data, ranging from individual components to the complete vehicle, including (but not limited to):

• Full exterior
• Frame sections
• Suspension
• Brake assemblies
• Wheels
• Exhaust system
• Air intake
• and much more.

To gain access to this data, please visit semagarage.com/techtransfer. 

For more information, contact engineeringservices@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

California has introduced SEMA-opposed legislation to require new vehicles to be equipped with speed governors starting in model-year '27. Speed governors, also known as intelligent speed limiters, use GPS technology to limit vehicle speed. If enacted into law, new vehicles would not be able to travel more than 10 mph above the speed limit.   

The legislation would require speed governors in all new vehicles by model year '27.

Currently, devices that prevent vehicles from exceeding a certain speed are not required. Among other issues, this proposal makes broad assumptions about real-world circumstances. This one-size-fits-all approach fails to recognize the diversity of driving experiences and the individual responsibility that automotive enthusiasts take seriously. 

Use this link to tell lawmakers to oppose mandatory speed limiters. 

For more information, please contact Colby Martin at SAN@sema.org. 

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA News highlights new products from industry companies when available. To have your product considered for upcoming issues, send product press releases to editors@sema.org.

AST Suspension and MOTON Suspension

Honda Civic Type R (FL5) Adjustable Coilover Kits

AST Suspension has expanded its offerings for the Honda Civic Type R with three new adjustable coilover kits, ranging from street use to on-track applications. MOTON has also added to its product lineup with two-way and three-way, motorsports-focused kits.

The products are available through Turn 14 Distribution, the exclusive U.S. distributor for AST and MOTON.

ast-suspension.com.

Centerforce

Billet Steel Flywheels for Gen III and IV LS V8 Engines

Centerforce has released its new billet steel flywheel for LS-swap applications. The new flywheel is designed for pairing a Gen III or IV LS engine to a pre-LS manual transmission. Each kit includes the pilot bearing and comes pre-drilled with pressure plate bolt patterns.

centerforce.com.

By SEMA News Editors

Hankook Tire Appoints New North American Sales Executives

Hankook Tire has named Kyuwang (Ken) Cho as vice president of U.S. passenger car and light truck sales, and K.C. Jensen as vice president of passenger car and light truck sales.

Cho will oversee sales for the full passenger car and light truck market segments from the company's North American headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. Jensen will focus on sales activities in the West region as vice president of passenger car and light truck sales. He will also lead strategic projects aligned with Hankook’s growth plans in the United States, the company said.

For more information, visit hankooktire.com.

ESAB Launches Future Fabricators Scholarship Program

ESAB, a Maryland-based provider of welding and cutting products, has launched its Future Fabricators Program. The new program offers 12 scholarships of $5,000 each that are awarded through the American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation.

ESAB’s Future Fabricators Program was developed for aspiring welders and fabricators to provide tools, equipment, scholarships, training and educational materials to technical and trade education programs from high schools to four-year welding engineering programs across North America. The scholarships support students working toward welding certifications and associate’s and baccalaureate welding degrees.

The application deadline for the 2024 National AWS Foundation scholarships is March 1.

To apply, visit scholarship.aws.org.

For more information, visit esab.com.

Got company news? Releasing a new product? Contact editors@sema.org.

Jeep is preparing to launch its first global battery-electric vehicle (BEV), the all-electric Jeep Wagoneer S, which will be sold in the United States beginning in the fall of 2024 and then in markets around the world.

Offered exclusively as a BEV, the Jeep Wagoneer S offers standard 4xe capability with all-terrain management, Jeep brand-focused technology and impressive performance credentials, including 600 hp and a 0-60-mph time of around 3.5 seconds. Driven by aerodynamic efficiency, its exterior design is marked by a reimagined, LED-lit, seven-slot grille.

The new Jeep Wagoneer S is part of the Jeep brand’s ongoing global electrification initiative. Stellantis is aiming to become a carbon net-zero corporation by 2038 as outlined in the company's Dare Forward 2030 long-term strategic plan. 

For more information, visit jeep.com. 

By SEMA News Editors

Tony Kanaan, Juan Pablo Montoya Elected to IMS Hall of Fame

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum announced that Indianapolis 500-winning drivers Tony Kanaan and Juan Pablo Montoya have been elected to join the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.

Tony Kanaan (left) and Juan Pablo Montoya. Image courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be formally celebrated at the Induction Ceremony and Dinner held on May 23 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The drivers were selected from a ballot of 14 nominees by a national panel of more than 150 journalists, participants and historians. 

For more information, visit imsmuseum.org.

Michael Printup Named COO of Parella Motorsports Holdings

Michael Printup has been named the COO of Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH). In his new role, Printup will oversee operations of the Trans Am Series and Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA).

John Clagett (left) and Michael Printup.

Printup joined PMH last year and has been serving as president of SVRA since July. He previously spent nearly three decades working for NASCAR, most notably in the role of president of Watkins Glen International.

Printup will replace John Clagett, who served as president and CEO of the Trans Am Race Company for 13 years. Clagett has been affiliated with the Trans Am Series for 31-plus years, previously holding the role of vice president of SCCA Pro Racing and liaison to the Trans Am Council, and as the series’ executive director through two ownership transitions. 

For more information, visit gotransam.com.

Got racing industry news? Releasing a new product? Contact editors@performanceracing.com.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

We are excited to invite you to the SEMA and PRI Washington Rally, taking place in Washington, D.C., May 8-9, 2024. The Washington Rally provides an opportunity for SEMA and PRI member companies to come together and advocate on behalf of the specialty-automotive aftermarket and motorsports-parts industries with members of Congress. Click here to register for the event. 

By attending the Washington Rally, you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and their staff, discuss critical issues and advocate for policies that will benefit our industry. Your participation will help ensure that our industry's concerns are heard and that we can continue to innovate and grow. 

Whether it's protecting the right to repair and modify vehicles with advanced technology, combating vehicle technology mandates that limit consumer choice or protecting motorized access to federal government lands, there are many issues facing SEMA and PRI members in the nation's capital. With the 2024 presidential election heating up and the balance of power in both the House and Senate up for grabs, it's more important than ever for SEMA and PRI members to come to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the industry! 

SEMA and PRI have a limited number of rooms available at the Royal Sonesta Washington, D.C., Capitol Hill for $409 per night, plus tax. A link to book a room will be provided upon completing the registration form. 

Below is a list of 2024 Washington Rally events (all times ET): 

Wednesday, May 8, 2024  

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. -- SEMA-PRI PAC Reception* -- Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, Sapphire Room and Terrace -- Penthouse level 

*A PAC contribution is required to attend in the suggested amount of $250 per individual. If you have already contributed to the SEMA and PRI PAC in 2024, this event may be complimentary as a part of your PAC Membership Benefits. Please contact PAC Manager Alicia Steger at alicias@sema.org if you have any questions. 

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. -- Washington Rally Congressional Dinner -- Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, Crown Ballroom -- Penthouse level 
 

Thursday, May 9, 2024 

7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. -- Breakfast and Welcome Briefing -- Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, Crown Ballroom -- Penthouse level 

9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. -- Meetings with Congressional Representatives -- House & Senate Office Buildings 

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. -- Cars at the Capitol Event -- Southwest side of the U.S. Capitol on Maryland Avenue (across from the Botanical Garden) 

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. -- Congressional Luncheon -- Capitol Hill Club, Eisenhower Room 

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. -- Meetings with Congressional Representatives -- House and Senate Office Buildings 

For more information on the Washington Rally, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org. 

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

We are excited to invite you to the SEMA and PRI Washington Rally, taking place in Washington, D.C., May 8-9, 2024. The Washington Rally provides an opportunity for SEMA and PRI member companies to come together and advocate on behalf of the specialty-automotive aftermarket and motorsports-parts industries with members of Congress. Click here to register for the event. 

By attending the Washington Rally, you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and their staff, discuss critical issues and advocate for policies that will benefit our industry. Your participation will help ensure that our industry's concerns are heard and that we can continue to innovate and grow. 

Whether it's protecting the right to repair and modify vehicles with advanced technology, combating vehicle technology mandates that limit consumer choice or protecting motorized access to federal government lands, there are many issues facing SEMA and PRI members in the nation's capital. With the 2024 presidential election heating up and the balance of power in both the House and Senate up for grabs, it's more important than ever for SEMA and PRI members to come to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the industry! 

SEMA and PRI have a limited number of rooms available at the Royal Sonesta Washington, D.C., Capitol Hill for $409 per night, plus tax. A link to book a room will be provided upon completing the registration form. 

Below is a list of 2024 Washington Rally events (all times ET): 

Wednesday, May 8, 2024  

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. -- SEMA-PRI PAC Reception* -- Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, Sapphire Room and Terrace -- Penthouse level 

*A PAC contribution is required to attend in the suggested amount of $250 per individual. If you have already contributed to the SEMA and PRI PAC in 2024, this event may be complimentary as a part of your PAC Membership Benefits. Please contact PAC Manager Alicia Steger at alicias@sema.org if you have any questions. 

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. -- Washington Rally Congressional Dinner -- Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, Crown Ballroom -- Penthouse level 
 

Thursday, May 9, 2024 

7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. -- Breakfast and Welcome Briefing -- Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, Crown Ballroom -- Penthouse level 

9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. -- Meetings with Congressional Representatives -- House & Senate Office Buildings 

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. -- Cars at the Capitol Event -- Southwest side of the U.S. Capitol on Maryland Avenue (across from the Botanical Garden) 

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. -- Congressional Luncheon -- Capitol Hill Club, Eisenhower Room 

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. -- Meetings with Congressional Representatives -- House and Senate Office Buildings 

For more information on the Washington Rally, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org. 

By Ashley Reyes  

The SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) named COBB Tuning as the council’s newest member spotlight company.   

Get to know the business’s story in the SEMA News interview with COBB Tuning’s Kirstin Backes (sales and marketing, trucks), below.   

SEMA News: Describe your business. What does the company do and how does the company do it? 

Kirstin Backes: COBB Tuning is a pioneering automotive performance company. Our focus lies in pushing boundaries through innovative tuning solutions and complementary parts. We provide advanced engine management and performance accessories that enhance power, handling and efficiency.  

Through cutting-edge technology and expert calibrations, we optimize vehicle performance while maintaining reliability and staying on the right side of emissions regulations. COBB enables enthusiasts to unlock their vehicles' full potential, from turbocharged sports cars to daily drivers and off-road trucks. 

SN: How did the business get started and what were the biggest hurdles? 

KB: COBB Tuning was founded in Rockwall, Texas, by Trey Cobb in 1999. COBB started as a performance shop in the back of Trey's dad's tire shop and saw a few evolutions (and a few cross-country moves) along the way.  

COBB had virtually no funding, was a distributor of other brands' products and had brick-and-mortar stores before finally settling into our sweet spot. Today, we're proud to engineer and manufacture performance tuning products made for both professional use by the performance shops that make our industry spin, and the driveway DIYers that make it fun. 

In 1999, the roots of the company were strongly planted in the Subaru market; like most people in the business, Trey wanted to support the cars he loved to drive and race. We're grateful for those roots and the strong footing they gave us, but we've expanded well beyond Subaru in the years since. 

These days, we're stoked to serve a huge range of applications, from sport compacts to euro and domestic performance, all from our home base in Austin, Texas. 

SN: What was your breakthrough moment? 

KB: The most consequential breakthrough for COBB over the last 20-plus years was the introduction of the Accessport in 2004. The Accessport is a handheld ECU tuning device, and it quite literally put horsepower in the hands of drivers and tuners. We've gone through a few revisions and have a newer version than we did back in 2004, but the Accessport is still critical to the success of COBB today. 

SN: Tell us about a particular project, product or build you are proud of. 

KB: It's not a singular project, but working with the SEMA Garage and obtaining nearly 200 Executive Orders (EOs) has been a ton of work, and we're proud to be leading the charge in the industry when it comes to emissions-compliant performance. 

SN: What does MPMC mean to your company? 

KB: MPMC holds immense significance for COBB Tuning. As a proud MPMC member, we see it as a crucial platform for us to collaborate with fellow aftermarket manufacturers. It's a forum where we share insights, innovations, and industry trends, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to pushing automotive boundaries.  

MPMC facilitates networking and knowledge exchange, allowing us to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies and solutions. MPMC enhances our ability to deliver top-tier performance products, continually evolving to meet enthusiasts' demands. It’s the same spirit of partnership and progress that defines COBB Tuning's commitment to driving excellence. 

SN: What is one thing you could say that MPMC could do to help a new or growing business in the motorsports industry? 

KB: MPMC can play a vital role in nurturing new and growing businesses in the motorsports industry. One impactful step they could take is to facilitate mentorship programs. Pairing established industry leaders with emerging companies would offer invaluable guidance, sharing firsthand insights on navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. This direct knowledge transfer could expedite learning curves, fostering innovation and growth.  

By fostering these meaningful connections, MPMC can empower the next generation of motorsports businesses to flourish, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic future for the entire aftermarket community. COBB Tuning believes that mentorship within MPMC would be a game-changer for businesses aiming to make their mark. 

SN: What do you want others to know about your company? 

KB: At COBB Tuning, we want others to recognize us as more than just an automotive performance company. We're innovators, enthusiasts and pioneers, driven by a passion for pushing limits. Our commitment to delivering cutting-edge tuning solutions goes hand-in-hand with a deep respect for quality, reliability and customer satisfaction.  

With a legacy of transformative products like the Accessport, we've elevated driving experiences worldwide. Our collaboration within MPMC underscores our dedication to advancing the entire motorsports industry. COBB Tuning strives to empower enthusiasts, redefine performance and shape the future of automotive aftermarket. 

Fill out an MPMC member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the motorsports industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on MPMC's social media, SEMA News and future MPMC member updates.