By SEMA Editors

	Exhibitors can reach more buyers through the pre-Show outreach opportunities available in the SEMA Show Daily by posting press releases to the SEMA Show Online Media Center by July 30.

While buyers at the SEMA Show often stop at booths that catch their eyes, 70% of buyers arrive at the SEMA Show with a plan and a list of exhibitors that they want to see.

One way exhibitors can get on a buyer’s list is to communicate their Show-related activities in the SEMA Show Daily. The official publication of the SEMA Show, the SEMA Show Daily is a printed magazine comprised of four issues. The first issue is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers about 30 days prior to the Show, while the other three are distributed onsite to Showgoers during the event.

Because the first issue is sent to buyers in advance of the Show, buyers refer to it when making their Show plans.

To have your news considered for the first issue of the publication:

• Post your press release on the SEMA Show Online Media Center.
• Post your release before July 30.

For maximum exposure, exhibitors may continue to post new releases before, during and after the SEMA Show. Journalists from throughout the world will continue to look to the Online Media Center for news. Separate releases may be submitted to promote products, vehicles, and celebrity appearances.

To read news from exhibitors, visit www.SEMAShow.com/press.

By SEMA Editors

	Exhibitors can reach more buyers through the pre-Show outreach opportunities available in the SEMA Show Daily by posting press releases to the SEMA Show Online Media Center by July 30.

While buyers at the SEMA Show often stop at booths that catch their eyes, 70% of buyers arrive at the SEMA Show with a plan and a list of exhibitors that they want to see.

One way exhibitors can get on a buyer’s list is to communicate their Show-related activities in the SEMA Show Daily. The official publication of the SEMA Show, the SEMA Show Daily is a printed magazine comprised of four issues. The first issue is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers about 30 days prior to the Show, while the other three are distributed onsite to Showgoers during the event.

Because the first issue is sent to buyers in advance of the Show, buyers refer to it when making their Show plans.

To have your news considered for the first issue of the publication:

• Post your press release on the SEMA Show Online Media Center.
• Post your release before July 30.

For maximum exposure, exhibitors may continue to post new releases before, during and after the SEMA Show. Journalists from throughout the world will continue to look to the Online Media Center for news. Separate releases may be submitted to promote products, vehicles, and celebrity appearances.

To read news from exhibitors, visit www.SEMAShow.com/press.

By SEMA Editors

	Exhibitors can reach more buyers through the pre-Show outreach opportunities available in the SEMA Show Daily by posting press releases to the SEMA Show Online Media Center by July 30.

While buyers at the SEMA Show often stop at booths that catch their eyes, 70% of buyers arrive at the SEMA Show with a plan and a list of exhibitors that they want to see.

One way exhibitors can get on a buyer’s list is to communicate their Show-related activities in the SEMA Show Daily. The official publication of the SEMA Show, the SEMA Show Daily is a printed magazine comprised of four issues. The first issue is mailed to 40,000 industry buyers about 30 days prior to the Show, while the other three are distributed onsite to Showgoers during the event.

Because the first issue is sent to buyers in advance of the Show, buyers refer to it when making their Show plans.

To have your news considered for the first issue of the publication:

• Post your press release on the SEMA Show Online Media Center.
• Post your release before July 30.

For maximum exposure, exhibitors may continue to post new releases before, during and after the SEMA Show. Journalists from throughout the world will continue to look to the Online Media Center for news. Separate releases may be submitted to promote products, vehicles, and celebrity appearances.

To read news from exhibitors, visit www.SEMAShow.com/press.

By SEMA Editors

"Speedy" Bill Smith

The performance automotive community lost a pioneering racer, hot rodder and entrepreneur when SEMA Hall of Famer “Speedy” Bill Smith, founder and owner of Speedway Motors, died May 30 at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska, just weeks before his 85th birthday.

A Lincoln native, Smith got hooked on cars early in life and began buying, fixing and selling Model Ts for profit as a teen. Soon after he was racing—first motorcycles, then cars—while attending classes at Nebraska Wesleyan University. After earning a degree in education, Smith followed his automotive passion and opened Speedway Motors in 1952, aided by a $300 loan from his wife Joyce.

A combination of passion, tenacity and innovation allowed Smith to grow a small 20x20 storefront into a flourishing mail-order business and manufacturing empire. During its 62 years in business, Speedway Motors has grown to become one of the largest manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the performance aftermarket. Working side-by-side with his wife and all four sons, Smith built what is recognized as "America’s Oldest Speed Shop."

Smith’s countless contributions to rodding and racing have been recognized by dozens of organizations, with Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement honors coming from the likes of SEMA, NSRA, Goodguys, IMCA and USAC. He actively supported organizations and sanctioning bodies that shared his mission to make rodding and racing safe, fun and affordable.

Fiercely competitive, Smith fielded hundreds of race cars through the decades, ranging from dragsters and NASCAR stockers to modifieds and sprints. Tiny Lund, Johnny Beauchamp, Bob Burdick, Lloyd Beckman, Jan Opperman and Doug Wolfgang are just a few of the 98 different drivers Smith employed. His most memorable racing successes include Opperman’s victory at the 1976 Hulman Classic and Wolfgang winning the 1978 Knoxville Nationals.

A desire to preserve racing history led Smith, Joyce and their sons to establish the Museum of American Speed in 1992. This world-class collection of racing engines, cars and automotive artifacts has allowed the Smith family to give back to the automotive community and share their profound love of racing and rodding with future generations.

Anyone who would like to share thoughts, memories and condolences are invited to send them via e-mail to forBill@SpeedwayMotors.com.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will now allow taxpayers to claim the “simplified” research and development (R&D) tax credit on amended tax returns. The Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) was created in 2006 to eliminate more complex calculations required under the original R&D tax credit, making it easier for small- and mid-size companies to take advantage of the program. The ASC allows businesses to compare their increased research activities against qualified expenses from the previous three tax years. The regular calculation methodology is more complicated and is based on a historic “base” period that can date back many years.

Under the new IRS rules, ASC calculations are no longer restricted to current returns but can also be applied to amended returns. Taxpayers may now revisit returns for taxable years still open to amendment (generally the previous three tax years) so long as the taxpayer has not previously claimed the credit using the regular credit calculation.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will now allow taxpayers to claim the “simplified” research and development (R&D) tax credit on amended tax returns. The Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) was created in 2006 to eliminate more complex calculations required under the original R&D tax credit, making it easier for small- and mid-size companies to take advantage of the program. The ASC allows businesses to compare their increased research activities against qualified expenses from the previous three tax years. The regular calculation methodology is more complicated and is based on a historic “base” period that can date back many years.

Under the new IRS rules, ASC calculations are no longer restricted to current returns but can also be applied to amended returns. Taxpayers may now revisit returns for taxable years still open to amendment (generally the previous three tax years) so long as the taxpayer has not previously claimed the credit using the regular credit calculation.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will now allow taxpayers to claim the “simplified” research and development (R&D) tax credit on amended tax returns. The Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) was created in 2006 to eliminate more complex calculations required under the original R&D tax credit, making it easier for small- and mid-size companies to take advantage of the program. The ASC allows businesses to compare their increased research activities against qualified expenses from the previous three tax years. The regular calculation methodology is more complicated and is based on a historic “base” period that can date back many years.

Under the new IRS rules, ASC calculations are no longer restricted to current returns but can also be applied to amended returns. Taxpayers may now revisit returns for taxable years still open to amendment (generally the previous three tax years) so long as the taxpayer has not previously claimed the credit using the regular credit calculation.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

	Tim Martin	Rick Trudo
Steve Wolcott	Greg Adler	Larry Pacey

Voting for the 2014 SEMA Board of Directors is now taking place online through Tuesday, June 10, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. SEMA has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to administer the Board of Directors 2014 election.

Election-specific broadcast emails were sent to eligible voting categories on May 14, from the email address, noreply@directvote.net. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details with ballots and links will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact in May.

Winners will be announced in June and formally inducted into the SEMA Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation Gala in July.

The following slate of candidates are vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Manufacturers Category (one open seat available)

• Tim Martin – COO, K&N Engineering Inc.
• Rick Trudo – President/CEO, SCT Performance LLC
• Steve Wolcott – President/CEO, ProMedia LLC

Distributor Retailer Category (one open seat available)

• Greg Adler – CEO, Transamerican Auto Parts
• Larry Pacey – President/CEO, National Performance Warehouse

For more information about the 2014–2017 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Judi Ritchie at 909-978-6671 or judir@sema.org.