By SEMA Editors
SEMA Show exhibitors can get a free vehicle daily wipe-down, sponsored by Mothers Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners. This free service is limited to the first 200 applicants. The deadline to sign up is October 3, and only one vehicle per exhibitor is eligible. For more information or to apply, visit the SEMA Show website, go to the "Exhibitor Manual," then navigate to "Vehicles/Car Display – Opportunities" and look for the "Vehicle Wipedown Application."
By SEMA Editors
SEMA Show exhibitors can get a free vehicle daily wipe-down, sponsored by Mothers Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners. This free service is limited to the first 200 applicants. The deadline to sign up is October 3, and only one vehicle per exhibitor is eligible. For more information or to apply, visit the SEMA Show website, go to the "Exhibitor Manual," then navigate to "Vehicles/Car Display – Opportunities" and look for the "Vehicle Wipedown Application."
By SEMA Editors
 Through SEMA Housing Services, several hotels have reduced or waived their resort fees. | |
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SEMA Housing Services still has the lowest rates for the most popular hotels in Vegas, but booking deadlines start later this month, after which, rates will increase. Exhibitors: Make your reservations now to ensure that you get the right hotel for your needs.
Companies booking hotels via other methods are reminded to closely read the fine print. Many services will offer one rate up front, but visitors end up paying a much higher rate.
When booking through SEMA Housing Services, the rate is guaranteed. The price listed is the rate Showgoers pay. In many cases, daily resort fees have either been waived altogether or have been drastically reduced and already added to the nightly rate displayed.
Book your rooms online through SEMA Housing Services today, or call 212 532-1660 (Monday–Friday, from 9 a.m.–7:00 p.m. [EDT]) while reduced rates are still available.
By SEMA Editors
| Through SEMA Housing Services, several hotels have reduced or waived their resort fees. | |
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SEMA Housing Services still has the lowest rates for the most popular hotels in Vegas, but booking deadlines start later this month, after which, rates will increase. Exhibitors: Make your reservations now to ensure that you get the right hotel for your needs.
Companies booking hotels via other methods are reminded to closely read the fine print. Many services will offer one rate up front, but visitors end up paying a much higher rate.
When booking through SEMA Housing Services, the rate is guaranteed. The price listed is the rate Showgoers pay. In many cases, daily resort fees have either been waived altogether or have been drastically reduced and already added to the nightly rate displayed.
Book your rooms online through SEMA Housing Services today, or call 212 532-1660 (Monday–Friday, from 9 a.m.–7:00 p.m. [EDT]) while reduced rates are still available.
By SEMA Editors
| Through SEMA Housing Services, several hotels have reduced or waived their resort fees. | |
|
|
SEMA Housing Services still has the lowest rates for the most popular hotels in Vegas, but booking deadlines start later this month, after which, rates will increase. Exhibitors: Make your reservations now to ensure that you get the right hotel for your needs.
Companies booking hotels via other methods are reminded to closely read the fine print. Many services will offer one rate up front, but visitors end up paying a much higher rate.
When booking through SEMA Housing Services, the rate is guaranteed. The price listed is the rate Showgoers pay. In many cases, daily resort fees have either been waived altogether or have been drastically reduced and already added to the nightly rate displayed.
Book your rooms online through SEMA Housing Services today, or call 212 532-1660 (Monday–Friday, from 9 a.m.–7:00 p.m. [EDT]) while reduced rates are still available.
By SEMA Editors
 New to the SEMA Show, the “OPTIMA Street Car Alley” will be located between the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the LVH) and the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall. Photo courtesy of Optima Batteries. | |
OPTIMA Batteries, in partnership with SEMA, has announced the debut of an all-new vehicle display area at the 2014 SEMA Show. The area will showcase the invited competitors of the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational. For the first time in its seven-year history, the invitational will take place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nearly 100 vehicles this year—the largest number of vehicles to ever compete for the title of Ultimate Street Car.
The “OPTIMA Street Car Alley” will be located between the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the Las Vegas Hotel) and the Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall. OPTIMA will still maintain the indoor Show display, and some creative promotions incorporating both the indoor and outdoor areas will be announced leading up to the Show. Additionally, the season-ending episode of the popular MAVTV series “OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car” will be filmed throughout SEMA Show week and over the weekend during the Ultimate Street Car Invitational event. A three-day format will kick off at the close of the SEMA Show on Friday, November 7, and conclude Sunday, November 9, when spectators at the track can watch as the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car is crowned.
“We are anticipating a great response to our new OPTIMA Street Car Alley display at this year’s SEMA Show,” said Cam Douglass, director of marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “With so much interest in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational event and 'OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car' television series, this creative new display gives Show attendees the chance to preview all of the competing vehicles in one easy-to-find location. We can’t wait to see what kind of crowd the OPTIMA Street Car Alley will draw.”
Spectator tickets to the seventh annual OPTIMA Invitational will be available for purchase online. Anyone wanting to watch the competition in person can purchase their tickets online before the start of the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational.
To see some of the action and excitement now, check out video clips from past events on the OPTIMA Batteries YouTube page, visit the OPTIMA Invitational website to see driver profiles and news or visit the OPTIMA Batteries Facebook page.
By SEMA Editors
| New to the SEMA Show, the “OPTIMA Street Car Alley” will be located between the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the LVH) and the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall. Photo courtesy of Optima Batteries. | |
OPTIMA Batteries, in partnership with SEMA, has announced the debut of an all-new vehicle display area at the 2014 SEMA Show. The area will showcase the invited competitors of the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational. For the first time in its seven-year history, the invitational will take place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nearly 100 vehicles this year—the largest number of vehicles to ever compete for the title of Ultimate Street Car.
The “OPTIMA Street Car Alley” will be located between the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the Las Vegas Hotel) and the Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall. OPTIMA will still maintain the indoor Show display, and some creative promotions incorporating both the indoor and outdoor areas will be announced leading up to the Show. Additionally, the season-ending episode of the popular MAVTV series “OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car” will be filmed throughout SEMA Show week and over the weekend during the Ultimate Street Car Invitational event. A three-day format will kick off at the close of the SEMA Show on Friday, November 7, and conclude Sunday, November 9, when spectators at the track can watch as the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car is crowned.
“We are anticipating a great response to our new OPTIMA Street Car Alley display at this year’s SEMA Show,” said Cam Douglass, director of marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “With so much interest in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational event and 'OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car' television series, this creative new display gives Show attendees the chance to preview all of the competing vehicles in one easy-to-find location. We can’t wait to see what kind of crowd the OPTIMA Street Car Alley will draw.”
Spectator tickets to the seventh annual OPTIMA Invitational will be available for purchase online. Anyone wanting to watch the competition in person can purchase their tickets online before the start of the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational.
To see some of the action and excitement now, check out video clips from past events on the OPTIMA Batteries YouTube page, visit the OPTIMA Invitational website to see driver profiles and news or visit the OPTIMA Batteries Facebook page.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Steve Baur | |
ProMedia LLC Hires Steve Baur as New Editor of Fastest Street Car Magazine
ProMedia LLC has announced the addition of Steve Baur as the new editor of Fastest Street Car (FSC) magazine. He is replacing Evan Perkins, who is leaving the FSC editor position to pursue an opportunity as the editor of a new online road-racing magazine.
With more than 13 years of experience as an associate and technical editor at TEN: The Enthusiast Network (formerly known as Source Interlink Media), Baur brings a wealth of experience in producing quality content for automotive enthusiast publications. He's provided articles and photography for titles such as Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords, Mustang Illustrated, High-Performance Pontiac, GM High Tech Performance, and Modified Mustangs & Fords, where he served as editor for four years. Baur's work has also appeared in Truckin', Super Chevy, Car Craft, Modified, Race Pages, FSC, and Summit Racing's blog, "On All Cylinders."
"I grew up around drag racing, as my dad campaigned a ’69 Camaro in F/Gas and a ’77 Vega in the Mid-America Pro Gas class around northeastern Ohio," said Baur when asked about his passion for drag racing. "We both made our first passes down Thompson Drag Raceway in Thompson, Ohio, and we've both been drag racing ever since. I've been covering ProMedia races for more than a decade now, and I am looking forward to working with the talented people who put on such exciting events."
The Florida-based writer/photographer will oversee all of the editorial components related to NMCA's official publication, FSC magazine. Baur will also attend NMCA events to coordinate the live reporting for each race.
 Pulstar's updated website provides consumers with explanations about the technology employed in its line of sparkplugs. | |
Pulstar Launches New Website
Enerpulse Technologies, makers of Pulstar with PlasmaCore sparkplugs, has announced the release of a new and improved website at www.Pulstar.com. Pulstar’s updated website provides consumers with explanations about the technology employed in its Pulstar sparkplug. The technology section describes how pulsed power is used to create energy-dense plasma that excites the fuel mixture to improve engine performance.
The updated website also gives access to independent evidence backing the brand's performance enhancing claims. Consumers are introduced to peer-reviewed technical papers from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), which discuss the benefits of Pulstar sparkplug technology in automotive engines. A test results page showcases independent third-party testing, examining Pulstar’s ability to ignite fuel mixtures under difficult conditions and demonstrating its faster more complete burn. Also available is a video from AVL testing laboratories that captures the Pulstar plasma-forming pulse and efficient burn.
RealTruck.com Celebrates Official Reopening of Fargo Office
On Friday, August 15, RealTruck.com celebrated the official reopening of its Fargo, North Dakota, office location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo (FMWF) Chamber of Commerce. A truck-accessory retailer based out of Jamestown, North Dakota, the e-commerce company has responded to a need for more space to support it's ever-growing employee base.
The company was founded in November 1998 in a basement in Spokane, Washington. Shortly after RealTruck's establishment, CEO Scott Bintz moved the business to his home state of North Dakota, relocating to Jamestown in May 2000. In October 2010, RealTruck opened an office in Fargo as the company was growing rapidly and there was a need to create more specialized positions.
"We wanted to remain competitive when it came to the workforce," said Bintz. "Fargo offers such a wealth of talent and we had to take advantage of that. Between Jamestown and Fargo, we have been able to source a number of talented, hard-working, and innovative individuals."
The first Fargo office was 2,800 sq.-ft. By early 2014, there were 18 employees and a need to create even more positions. The new office boasts 7,700 sq.-ft. of floor space and can accommodate RealTruck's rapid growth.
Torklift International Raises Employee Wages to $15
Full-time employees at Torklift International were provided a pay raise to a minimum of $15 per hour effective the first week of September. “It adds hundreds of thousands of dollars to the bottom line,” said Torklift International General Manager Jay Taylor during a company meeting.
In light of two major issues affecting Washington state, Torklift International made the wage increase decision. Following suit of the $15 minimum wage increase initiative set forth in Seattle for fast-food workers, Torklift decided to review its wage program. Additionally with the legalization of marijuana going into affect in Washington state, far fewer potential job candidates are able to pass a drug test during their interview screening. Torklift International has a drug-free policy and employees are subject to random drug tests. If a job candidate is unable to pass a drug test, they are not eligible for hire. During the past several months as more and more marijuana store fronts are opening, the fail rate of prospective new employees is 70 percent. The new hiring wage increase is critical to be competitive in the job market, according to the company.
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.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
 The next NACAR race at Irwindale is September 13, featuring the Lucas Oil Late Models (twin races), Pick Your Part Super Late Models, Super Stocks, South West Tour Trucks, INEX Legend Cars and the Seidner's Collision Centers Skid Plate Cars. |
Irwindale Night of Destruction 2 Race Results
Results from the second of three "2014 Season Nights of Destruction" held at Irwindale Speedway over Labor Day weekend included:
NASCAR Super Stocks – 30 laps
1) 99 Henry Miles, Palmdale
2) 18 Craig Rayburn, Simi
3) 01 Greg Crutcher, Covina
Compact Car Enduro – 15 laps + 15 laps
1) 28 Jim Smith/Gary Smith
2) 7 Robert Rice/Jimmy Altman
3) 81 Val Cummings/Tony Cummings
Open Comp – 30 Laps
1) 40 Jerry Toporek, Venice
2) 27 Jeff Williams, Newbury Park
3) 5 Randy Hannah, Ridgecrest
Seidner's Collision Center Skid Plate Cars – 20 laps
1) 33 Sean Brennan, Yorba Linda
2) 28 Jim Smith, Orange
3) 16 Robbie Salcido
Compact Car Demolition Derby
1) 14 Adam Ditto, Monrovia
2) 3 Kenny Soysvrt, Canoga Park
3) 2x Shayla Zins, Santa Clarita
Trailer Race – 20 laps
1) 00 Jeffrey Best, Valencia
2) 7 Robert Rice, Hawthorne
3) 28 Rick Barkat
Daigo Saito Wins Inaugural Formula Drift Canada Competition
Scion presents Formula DRIFT Canada presented by Falken entered Autodrome St. Eustache last weekend for the first time to a record-breaking drift crowd. Daigo Saito took the inaugural competition victory.
The competition had 21 entries. The Top 16 was composed of eight FD Pros from the United States, Japan, Norway, Hong Kong and Ireland and eight Canadian regulars. The 2014 Formula DRIFT Championship season continues to Round 6: Throwdown at Texas Motor Speedway, September 12–13.
 NMCA WEST ProCharger Street Outlaw racer Eric Gustafson has issued a "First in the Sixes" challenge to all racers in the class. | |
NMCA WEST Racer Puts $1k Bounty on the Line
NMCA WEST ProCharger Street Outlaw racer Eric Gustafson has issued a "First in the Sixes" challenge to all racers in the class. The California racer recently wrote, "With two races left to go, we thought we would have a little fun. Coast Packing Co. and their sponsored race team, R&E Racing, are putting up $1,000 to the first NMCA WEST Street Outlaw car to run sixes."
When asked how and why he came up the idea, Gustafson said he wanted to challenge other racers in the class to step up. "I know there are several racers who are capable of running in the sixes. I thought tossing in $1,000 might draw attention to what many of my fellow racers are capable of. I know I need to be on my game to reach the six-second zone, and while many consider me among the favorites to go in the sixes, I am certainly not alone. It's time for all of us to get off our asses and run the number. Vegas at night might just give us the air to do it in as could Fontana in the fall," he added.
Gustafson says he hopes other racers and manufacturers will match his challenge in hopes of sweetening the pot even more. If he wins, Gustafson said he will donate the initial $1,000 from Coast Packing Co. to a charity.
For more information about the upcoming 3rd Annual NMCA WEST Muscle Car Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, visit www.NMCAdigital.com/Vegas or call 714-444-2426.
 Tickets for the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, taking place November 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are now available for purchase online. | ||
2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets for the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, taking place November 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are now available for purchase online. The OPTIMA Invitational will bring together a diverse field of 100 competitors—the largest number of competing vehicles in the event’s seven-year history. The 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational field is based on the results of its national series of OPTIMA Invitational Qualifying events and the corresponding MAVTV network series called, "OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car." Each ticket costs $30. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. with competition events beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located 15 minutes north of downtown Las Vegas, is easily accessible for attendees of the SEMA Show.
Compiled by SEMA Editors
| The next NACAR race at Irwindale is September 13, featuring the Lucas Oil Late Models (twin races), Pick Your Part Super Late Models, Super Stocks, South West Tour Trucks, INEX Legend Cars and the Seidner's Collision Centers Skid Plate Cars. |
Irwindale Night of Destruction 2 Race Results
Results from the second of three "2014 Season Nights of Destruction" held at Irwindale Speedway over Labor Day weekend included:
NASCAR Super Stocks – 30 laps
1) 99 Henry Miles, Palmdale
2) 18 Craig Rayburn, Simi
3) 01 Greg Crutcher, Covina
Compact Car Enduro – 15 laps + 15 laps
1) 28 Jim Smith/Gary Smith
2) 7 Robert Rice/Jimmy Altman
3) 81 Val Cummings/Tony Cummings
Open Comp – 30 Laps
1) 40 Jerry Toporek, Venice
2) 27 Jeff Williams, Newbury Park
3) 5 Randy Hannah, Ridgecrest
Seidner's Collision Center Skid Plate Cars – 20 laps
1) 33 Sean Brennan, Yorba Linda
2) 28 Jim Smith, Orange
3) 16 Robbie Salcido
Compact Car Demolition Derby
1) 14 Adam Ditto, Monrovia
2) 3 Kenny Soysvrt, Canoga Park
3) 2x Shayla Zins, Santa Clarita
Trailer Race – 20 laps
1) 00 Jeffrey Best, Valencia
2) 7 Robert Rice, Hawthorne
3) 28 Rick Barkat
Daigo Saito Wins Inaugural Formula Drift Canada Competition
Scion presents Formula DRIFT Canada presented by Falken entered Autodrome St. Eustache last weekend for the first time to a record-breaking drift crowd. Daigo Saito took the inaugural competition victory.
The competition had 21 entries. The Top 16 was composed of eight FD Pros from the United States, Japan, Norway, Hong Kong and Ireland and eight Canadian regulars. The 2014 Formula DRIFT Championship season continues to Round 6: Throwdown at Texas Motor Speedway, September 12–13.
| NMCA WEST ProCharger Street Outlaw racer Eric Gustafson has issued a "First in the Sixes" challenge to all racers in the class. | |
NMCA WEST Racer Puts $1k Bounty on the Line
NMCA WEST ProCharger Street Outlaw racer Eric Gustafson has issued a "First in the Sixes" challenge to all racers in the class. The California racer recently wrote, "With two races left to go, we thought we would have a little fun. Coast Packing Co. and their sponsored race team, R&E Racing, are putting up $1,000 to the first NMCA WEST Street Outlaw car to run sixes."
When asked how and why he came up the idea, Gustafson said he wanted to challenge other racers in the class to step up. "I know there are several racers who are capable of running in the sixes. I thought tossing in $1,000 might draw attention to what many of my fellow racers are capable of. I know I need to be on my game to reach the six-second zone, and while many consider me among the favorites to go in the sixes, I am certainly not alone. It's time for all of us to get off our asses and run the number. Vegas at night might just give us the air to do it in as could Fontana in the fall," he added.
Gustafson says he hopes other racers and manufacturers will match his challenge in hopes of sweetening the pot even more. If he wins, Gustafson said he will donate the initial $1,000 from Coast Packing Co. to a charity.
For more information about the upcoming 3rd Annual NMCA WEST Muscle Car Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, visit www.NMCAdigital.com/Vegas or call 714-444-2426.
Tickets for the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, taking place November 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are now available for purchase online. | ||
2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets for the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, taking place November 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are now available for purchase online. The OPTIMA Invitational will bring together a diverse field of 100 competitors—the largest number of competing vehicles in the event’s seven-year history. The 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational field is based on the results of its national series of OPTIMA Invitational Qualifying events and the corresponding MAVTV network series called, "OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car." Each ticket costs $30. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. with competition events beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located 15 minutes north of downtown Las Vegas, is easily accessible for attendees of the SEMA Show.