SEMA members can watch a new video that highlights evolutions in the product development process, specifically on prototyping tools, by visiting the SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology (ETTN) Facebook page.

The video features Heath Moore, managing director of Harrop Engineering, and includes an insightful discussion on new technologies that have enabled faster product development, including what tools are must-haves for the development of new products. 

Watch now and gain insight into:

• How to overcome product development obstacles.
• What tools are being used for reverse engineering.
• New technologies that have changed the product development landscape.
• How metal 3D printing changes the industry.
• New software that was not available several years ago.

The information shared will help SEMA members learn about new technologies and methods to reduce costs and improve development time.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host a virtual Coffee and Conversation networking event on Thursday, February 1, at 9:00 a.m. PST. The online gathering will bring together SEMA members to openly discuss opportunities and challenges facing the wheel and tire market. During the discussion, participants will share their expertise, grow their network, and create valuable business connections in the wheel and tire space.  

The online gathering will bring together SEMA members to openly discuss opportunities and challenges facing the wheel and tire market.

"The WTC Coffee and Conversation event is a great way to meet people, network within our industry and discuss topics that affect us all. It has been very informative, and I take part in every discussion that I can," said past participant Brian J. Doyle of Tire Service International.   

Discussion topics will be available to start the conversation, but attendees are encouraged to also bring a topic that impacts their business personally. 

Sign up now to start growing your network! 

By SEMA News Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings nationwide. Below are some of the latest postings.

DPI Off-Road Brands

Marketing Brand Manager in Phoenix, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; or Remote

DPI Off-Road Brands is seeking an experienced marketing brand manager to lead and execute marketing strategies for ToyTec Lifts and Daystar Products. The ideal candidate will be a passionate off-road enthusiast with an understanding of social media, community engagement and influencer collaboration.

Internet Brands/RacingJunk.com

Account Executive in North Adams, Massachusetts

Internet Brands is looking for a digital sales representative for its auto classifieds division. This position is responsible for prospecting and cold-calling potential advertisers; creating relationships with automotive aftermarket agency representatives, retailers, dealers and manufacturers; working with account management to implement ad campaigns; monitoring ad delivery and more.

SD Wheel 

Marketplace Manager (Hybrid or Remote)

The marketplace manager will oversee strategy development and online marketplace operations with the goal of attracting and retaining users, driving sales and ensuring a positive user experience. This position will also be responsible for data analysis, monitoring the competitive landscape, establishing and maintaining vendor relationships, and more.

By SEMA News Editors

QA1 Acquires Speedtech Performance USA

QA1 has acquired substantially all of the assets of Speedtech Performance USA, a Utah-based provider of chassis and suspension solutions for the pro-touring and restomod markets.

Speedtech Performance offers a range of chassis and subframes for muscle cars and trucks designed to improve handling and cornering on the track or street, the company said.

“We look forward to building on the innovation, products and brand that has been created at Speedtech Performance,” said Melissa Scoles, president and CEO of QA1. “We are excited to leverage their proven expertise to expand full chassis solutions to our customers.”

Blake Foster and Roger Maniscalco co-founded SpeedTech Performance USA in 2004, and brought the company to St. George, Utah, in 2012. The Speedtech Performance brand will continue operating out of its St. George, Utah, facility with its existing team and Maniscalco will remain with the company to lead the sales and marketing efforts for the brand.

For more information, visit qa1.net.

Scott Steinhardt Named President of Stertil-Koni USA

Heavy-duty vehicle lift manufacturer Stertil-Koni USA has named Scott Steinhardt as company president.

Scott Steinhardt joined Stertil-Koni in 2022 and was named general manager of the company in 2023.

Steinhardt, who joined Stertil-Koni as vice president of sales in 2022 and was named general manager in 2023, brings more than 28 years of industry sales, marketing and distributor management experience to the role.

Steinhardt succeeds Dr. Jean DellAmore, Stertil-Koni USA's first president, who served in that capacity since the company's launch in 1987. DellAmore was recently appointed president of Nussbaum North America, an automotive vehicle lift company that is also part of the Stertil Organization.

For more information, visit stertil-koni.com.

Tunerbrands.com Acquires DC Sports, Southern Style Offroad

Tunerbrands.com, a provider of aftermarket services and parts, has acquired SouthernStyleOffroad.com, a manufacturer of off-road vehicle accessories and DCSports.com, a provider of performance sports cars.

The acquisitions diversify the Turnerbrands.com product range, the company said in a statement, reinforcing its commitment to becoming a central hub in the automotive aftermarket industry. 

The company is also actively seeking opportunities to acquire additional brands.

For more information, visit tunerbrands.com.

By SEMA News Editors

Industry Mourns Loss of Legends

The motorsports industry is mourning the loss of several notable figures, including NASCAR Cup Series champion Cale Yarborough, who passed away at the age of 84.

Cale Yarborough. Image Courtesy of NASCAR.

Yarborough, a four-time Daytona 500 winner and a five-time victor in the Southern 500, won his three Cup Series titles consecutively from 1976-78 and is tied for sixth on the Cup Series' all-time wins list with 83 victories.

A 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee, Yarborough led more than 31,500 laps in his career and became the first to qualify for a race at an average speed of over 200 mph at Daytona in 1984.

In addition, Gil de Ferran, winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500 and two IndyCar Series championships, passed away on December 29 near his home in Florida. He was 56.

Gil de Ferran. Image courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In addition to his 2003 victory, the Brazilian won consecutive IndyCar Series championships in 2000 and 2001 and earned CART Rookie of the Year honors in 1995.

Ending his IndyCar career with 12 victories and 21 poles, de Ferran also set the closed-course land speed record with a lap of 241.428 mph at California Speedway in 2000. The record still stands today.

And legendary NHRA team owner Roland Leong, known for his Top Fuel and Funny Cars emblazoned with the name "The Hawaiian" in tribute to his birthplace, passed away on December 29. He was 79.

Roland Leong. Image courtesy of NHRA.

As a team owner and tuner, Leong won the 1965 Winternationals and U.S. Nationals with Don Prudhomme behind the wheel and repeated in both events in 1966 with new driver Mike Snively.

In 1969, Leong switched to Funny Cars, winning the Winternationals in 1970 and 1971 with drivers Larry Reyes and Butch Maas.

Scag Power Equipment Forms NHRA Factory Team

Scag Power Equipment will increase its presence in NHRA Drag Racing through the formation of its new, multi-car factory team and the acquisition of Maynard Ashley Racing and Maynard Wilkerson Racing.

The team will debut as a three-car organization at the 2024 NHRA Gatornationals.

The team will make its debut at the 2024 NHRA Gatornationals, March 7-10, in Gainesville, Florida, fielding the Scag Wilkerson Racing Funny Car (driver to be announced), the Scag Top Fuel car run by Justin Ashley and the Mike Green/Tommy DeLago-led team and the Versatran Funny Car driven by Dave Richards.

The company is also expanding its involvement with Elite Motorsports in the Pro Stock category by sponsoring Jeg Coughlin Jr. for the 2024 season. 

Additionally, Scag Power Equipment is continuing as the Official Outdoor Power Equipment Provider of the NHRA.  

For more information, visit nhra.com.

Pit+Paddock to Sponsor Yoshihara, Wittmer in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

Pit+Paddock, the Pennsylvania-based marketing agency, will sponsor a new IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge effort that will be campaigned by Montreal Motorsports Group and driven by Daijiro "Dai" Yoshihara and Karl Wittmer.

Dai Yoshihara (left) and Karl Wittmer will pilot the Pit+Paddock-backed Montreal Motorsports Group FL5 Civic Type R TCR.

Yoshihara recently completed his first full season of professional road racing, and pairs with Wittmer, a Canadian National Champion and IMSA veteran, behind the wheel of a new FL5 Civic Type R TCR.

"MMG is thrilled about this new partnership with Pit+Paddock," said Benjamin Distaulo, team manager and co-owner. "We are looking forward to turning our preparation and hard work into reality and are confident that our Civic Type Rs will be competitive throughout the 2024 IMPC season with our determined drivers."

"IMSA is the premier North American racing series and, in partnership with the capable team at MMG, we look forward to competing with Dai and Karl in the Pit+Paddock FL5 Civic Type R TCR," said Daryl Sampson, vice president of business development and marketing.

For more information, visit pitpad.com.

Xtreme Outlaw-POWRi Challenge Series Sets 10-Race 2024 Schedule

The Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series and POWRi National Midget League have renewed their partnership for the 2024 season with 10 co-sanctioned races in the second iteration of the Xtreme Outlaw-POWRi Challenge Series.

The series will award a $2,500 check to the champion, as well as cash prizes for the top five finishers in the season-long standings.

The Challenge Series begins in April at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois, and will conclude in September at Highland Speedway in Highland, Illinois.

For more information, visit xtremeoutlawseries.com.

For additional racing news, visit the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) website. 

By Ashley Reyes

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) will host a Roundtable Discussion at the 2024 Grand National Roadster Show, in which top hot-rod builders will share their industry insights and expertise. The Roundtable Discussion will take place on Friday, February 2, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. PST in Building 9.

SEMA members are invited to attend the event to engage with Rick Love (Vintage Air), as he moderates an informative and lively discussion between speakers Jason Slover (Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Parts), Brian Brennan (In the Garage Media), Jimmy Shine (Shine Speed Shop), and Roy Brizio (Roy Brizio Street Rods).

Attendees will hear and learn from the panelists as they swap their favorite builder stories, discuss their starts in the industry and reflect on lessons learned throughout their careers. The first 50 attendees will also receive a gift.

Secure your seat here.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN), SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) are hosting a networking mixer at King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California. The event will take place on Thursday, February 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PT inside the VIP tent.

RSVP for SEMA's networking mixer at King of the Hammers to grow your professional network.

Members of each of the four councils and networks are invited to the mixer to grow their professional networks and gain new industry resources that can help their careers and businesses. The event will include networking and comradery, as well as the chance to meet each group's Select Committee members, who will share ways to get involved in the industry through volunteering. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.

Prospective members are also invited to attend, as it's a great way to introduce yourself and learn what council and network membership has to offer. RSVP for the event here.

By SEMA News Editors

Nominations are now open for the 2024 SEMA Board of Directors. SEMA members are invited to recommend industry leaders to serve the association online by Friday, January 5.  

The following seats are open for the 2024 election:

• Manufacturer (two open seats) 
• Distributor/Retailer (two open seats) 
• Service (one open seat) 

"A strong SEMA Board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. As a member of the association, we are currently seeking your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need your help to bring them to the attention of the nominating committee."

Submit your nomination form here. Be sure to include brief information about the nominee's qualifications, including background, experience and achievements.

Note: your SEMA business membership must be active and in good standing to be eligible.

By SEMA News Editors

Priority media registration may have passed, but reporters, journalists and content creators who would like to participate in the 2024 SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference can still register to attend here.

Taking place in person on January 30–February 1, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Anaheim South in Garden Grove, California, the Media Trade Conference is the best way for journalists to take part in more than 40 quality one-on-one meetings, as well as build connections at networking events and social activities. There is no fee for media and the event includes complimentary lunch.

Register to meet one-on-one with racing and performance parts manufacturers.

Media can attend one, two or all three days to meet with company representatives who are prepared to discuss their newest product lines, important updates within their company and the latest industry trends. It is the best and most efficient way for media to obtain editorial content to share with their audience.

For questions or more information, click here or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.

By SEMA News Editors

Kreider Family Purchases Robison Racing Products

The Kreider family, a New Jersey-based family with ties to the racing industry and current USAC Silver Crown racer Mike Haggenbottom, has purchased Robison Racing Products. The company will begin operating under a new name, Robison Race Products by Kreider Manufacturing, following the acquisition.

The company's former owner, Gerry Robison, passed away in November 2023.

The new company will relocate from its former headquarters in Dublin, Pennsylvania, to the Kreider's 3,300-sq.-ft. machine shop in Whitehouse, New Jersey. Jeff Kreider, a CNC machinist with 35 years of experience serving the aerospace, military and medical industries, and Dawn Kreider, sister of Mike and John Haggenbottom, will helm the operation. The couple's children, Roxanne, Julia and Jared, will also assist in operations.

The company will launch a website at a later date.

Tread Lightly! Announces Ambassador of the Year

Jerry Bain, the 2023 Ambassador of the Year for Tread Lightly!

Tread Lightly! has named Jerry Bain of West Virginia as its 2023 Ambassador of the Year.

The organization recognized Bain for helping organize the first-ever "Tread Lightly! Day West Virginia," an event created to motivate volunteers across the state to clean up trash from recreation sites.

As chairman of the Country Roads Coalition, Bain organized volunteers, brought together crucial stakeholders and coordinated with the Division of Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Protection to select sites.

For the full announcement, visit treadlightly.org.