Advanced Accessory Concepts Retains Marketing, Sales Services of R&R Marketing Consultants for Premium Motorsports Brands

Advanced Accessory Concepts (AAC), manufacturer of premium motorsports brands, has announced a new partnership with R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. (RRMCI). RRMCI will work with AAC and their Trigger Wireless Accessory Control Systems, AFN 4x4, Allied Expedition and Allied Powersports brands in several marketing and sales initiatives in the automotive aftermarket. 

With this new partnership, AAC and their brands joins a list of automotive aftermarket manufacturers represented by R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. The Kansas City-based firm provides a variety of business services, including prospecting, market strategy and planning, sales calls and pipeline inventory management.

EGR USA Names Michael Timmons Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Aftermarket Division; Hires Martin & Co. as Agency of Record

Automotive aftermarket and truck accessory leader Mike Timmons has been selected to serve as the new vice president of sales and marketing, aftermarket division for EGR USA.

Timmons, as the former executive vice president for AXC Inc., was a key member of the leadership team responsible for creating a new brand and building customer loyalty for AXC fender flares and truck accessories, developed pricing policies and pricing structures for all sales channels, and strengthened customer service. Recognized for his business development skills, he managed all content creation, social media platforms, email strategies, promos and coordinated rep agency sales efforts. Entrenched in truck aftermarket accessory experience, Timmons also formerly worked for Truck Hero Inc., now branded as RealTruck, as vice president of Jeep and off-road. There, he implemented effective new sales and product development strategies to grow key accounts—growing their top and bottom-line business for multiple brands. Timmons was hired in June and will work remotely from his home in Washougal, Washington.

In other news, EGR recently named Martin & Company as agency of record. Martin & Company, a Nashville-based marketing firm that specializes in the automotive aftermarket will assist with both B2B and B2C branding, communications, events and marketing strategies and provide trade show support for the 2022 SEMA Show.

Dakotal Digital Acquires W.I.D.E. Contact Brand

Dakota Digital Inc. has announced that it has agreed to purchase the W.I.D.E. Contact brand of products. Developed in 1995 by Dave Kopser, the W.I.D.E. Contact brand of door contacts has become a staple in the custom vehicle market. Dakota Digital has been a distributor of these products since the inception, using the trade name of Magnum Shooters, but has since purchased the product line completely. The acronym of W.I.D.E. Contact summarizes the idea of Wires in Doors Eliminated, allowing the user to showcase a tidy door jamb location, while maintaining electronic connections for up to five conductors with the door closed. The W.I.D.E. Contact models are offered in a range of number of contacts, both with and without pin switches for dome-light activation.

Carlisle Chrysler Nationals Weekend Sets New Show Car Record

This year’s Carlisle Chrysler Nationals event (July 15–17) at the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Fairgrounds set a new Showfield mark for the second straight year, topping 3,000. Special guests included Cristy Lee, Herb McCandless, Paul Rossi, the Ramchargers, Golden Commandos, Miss Direct Connection 1984, Claudia Abel and more. A handful of cars were unveiled at the stage of the State of the Hobby Address, including one from ExoMod; a ’68 Charger carbon-fiber body, positioned atop a brand new ’21 Challenger Hellcat Redeye. In the autocross shootout, a modified Jeep Cherokee topped a Dodge Viper on the final run of the night. Saturday included an all-new rolling burnout and donut contest. Trucks and cars of all eras participated, culminating in a win by a Massachusetts attendee and his ’69 Charger.

The 2023 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals will be held July 14–16, and include displays focused on the Malaise Era, High School Mopars and more. Visit CarlisleEvents.com for more information.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

Press releases can be an easy and effective way for exhibitors to generate buzz about their 2022 SEMA Show news. In addition to sending it out to targeted journalists, exhibitors are encouraged to post their Show-related news and announcements to the SEMA Show Online Media Center—a destination where media go to obtain exhibitor-related news and information regarding the latest products, hottest vehicles and activities at the upcoming Show.

Exhibitors are encouraged to post their Show-related news and announcements to the SEMA Show Online Media Center.

Exhibitors can post releases at no cost, and attach photos and select the market segments that are relevant to their news. Whether exhibitors are announcing new products, a booth demonstration, vehicle unveiling or celebrity appearance, there are best practices when drafting a release and posting in the SEMA Online Media Center to get maximum exposure. Here are some tips for exhibitors to keep in mind:

• Have a strong headline: Make it concise and compelling to grab the attention of your reader.
• Stick to the facts: Avoid embellishing or opinions. Reporters are looking for news and will not report on the “best” or “greatest” products. They will, however, report on products that result in specific outcomes.
• Tag your Show category: The Online Media Center allows exhibitors the ability to select which show categories their news falls under. Journalists can then filter press releases by their market segment.
• Include a photo: Editors like to run photos with their news stories. Many editors will only use releases that have photos. JPEGs are preferred, and print publications will insist on high-resolution 300-dpi images.
• Write like an editor: Most publications follow the Associated Press (AP) format. Become familiar with this style of writing to help you craft your message in a way that makes it easy to read and easy to use.
• Include your contact info: Whether you’re inviting your reader to an event or introducing your new product, make sure you include your SEMA Show booth number and media contact information should a journalist have any questions or want to drop by your booth.

To learn more about the media opportunities available to SEMA Show exhibitors, visit the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2022 SEMA Show can lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rate now by booking in the SEMA Show Block.

Making hotel reservations in the Block provides you with the most affordable and convenient options for a wide range of hotels located on and off the Strip.

Many SEMA Show hotels, such as The LINQ Hotel & Casino, offer reduced resort fees for Showgoers.

All of the hotels available through the SEMA Show Block come with a low-price guarantee. To help ensure that your price remains the lowest, SEMA will price-match lower advertised rates, even after your reservations are set. Whether you're looking for your favorite place to stay, or for a hotel within close proximity to the Show, you can book with confidence knowing you will get the rooms you need at the the most affordable price available.

The SEMA Show also provides shuttle service to and from the Show for the hotels listed that are not within walking distance to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There are more than 45 hotels available in the block. For more information on the hotels listed below, including rating, price per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

See below for the list of hotels offering discounted nightly resort fees.

Note: Rates listed on the onPeak website do not include the resort fee (except for Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World and Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World. Daily resort fee is included in the nightly rates).

Book your hotel now!

To reserve your booth for the 2022 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By Juan Torres

Fifteen entrepreneurs and small-business leaders recently gathered at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, to pitch their automotive-related products for a chance to win prizes, cash and business support as part of the 10th annual SEMA Launch Pad competition.

From left, Jared Hare, Myles Kovacs, Chip Foose and Alex Parker recently listened to product pitches from the 15 semifinalists in this year's SEMA Launch Pad competition at the SEMA Garage.

The 15 semifinalists who were chosen from a vast array of applicants presented impressive sales pitches, interactive demonstrations, amazing product innovations and answered tough questions from four massively successful industry leaders serving as this year’s Launch Pad judging panel: Chip Foose (Foose Design), Jared Hare (Addictive Desert Designs), Myles Kovacs (TIS Wheels) and Alex Parker (Redline Detection). The judges spent hours carefully listening, learning and evaluating the diverse products that included custom accessories and tools, performance aftermarket products, tire kits, retrofit kits and mobile apps for the automotive community. Products also included those targeting the growing electric vehicle (EV) community and demands related to advanced driver assist systems (ADAS).

“This year’s SEMA Launch Pad competition is fierce,” said Launch Pad judge Parker. “The judges were blown away by the level of innovation, creativity and sheer grit that these competitors brought. Their passion and their products are so inspirational, and each of these competitors should be very proud.”

The 2022 SEMA Launch Pad semifinalists who recently pitched their products are:

• Fabian Araujo, COO, Armadillo Designs Inc.

Armadillo Shell: Camper shell with a retractable roof aimed primarily at the construction industry and for outdoor enthusiasts.

• Andrew Auble, President/Co-founder, GlueTread

Sidewall Repair Kits: Kit that allows consumers to repair the sidewall of their off-road tires without removing the tire from the vehicle.

• Robert Carale, Founder, Airflex Tire Inflator Systems

Automatic Tire Inflator: An aftermarket adapter system that can be installed between a rotor and a wheel to allow air from an onboard compressor to inflate and deflate tires while a vehicle is moving.

• Jesse Freeman, CEO, True Blue Motorsport

6-Speed Automatic Transmission Retrofit Kit: System used to retrofit older-model RWD and 4WD vehicles with small transmission tunnels with a 6-speed automatic.

• Dustin Golat, Co-owner, GolaTTaylor Tools

Thread Wizard: Tool that removes all grime, dirt, surface rust and fouling from a bolt in a fraction of the time when compared to traditional methods.

• Jake Hamann, Founder and CEO, Autix Automotive Inc.

Autix: Platform dedicated to highlighting not just a vehicle, but the owner behind the wheel, their unique story and a curated value metric for their specialty ride.

• Jacob Hawksworth, CEO, Hypercraft

HyperPack: Modular EV battery pack system that allows builders to easily configure a custom high-voltage battery system for their electric vehicle project.

• Conrad Mohr IV, CEO, ACME HPL

ACME Big Stick Traction Enhancement Module: Rear suspension module that rearranges factory IRS into a four-link suspension for better traction and adjustability on Dodge/Mopar performance vehicles.

• Susan Pieper, Founder and CEO, DMOS Collective Inc.

Stealth and Delta Car Shovels: Premium indestructible shovels that are easy to stow and mount on various vehicle racks and platforms.

• Frank Terlep, Co-founder and CEO, Auto Techcelerators LLC

Test Drive CoPilot Technology Platform: System designed to help properly perform, document, and invoice for ADAS safety system verification testing, dynamic calibrations, seat belt function tests and more.

• Irvin Vance, Founder, Vance Product Design LLC

Quick Lift Engine Stand: Tool that gives users the ability to lift an engine without the use of an engine crane for inspection, repair or modifications.

• Daniel Whittington, Owner, VenomAire LLC

Smart Air Intakes: Air intake that uses a patented Force Air Induction (FAI) technology to improve air intake stability for volumetric efficiency.

• Andrew Wiess, President, ROV LLC

Truck Trolley: Roller tray accessory that improves the convenience and accessibility of truck beds by allowing users access to items that would normally be a challenge to reach.

• Kevin Robinson, President, TRAC LLC

TRAC Tire Jack: Tool designed to make removing or installing a wheel/tire from a vehicle safer, simpler and easier.

• Kai Tan, CEO, RevMatch LLC

RevMatch Smartphone App: Digital app that allows gearheads the ability to manage vehicle projects from end-to-end with real-time parts data and inspirational content—all in the palm of their hands.

Each semifinalist will receive a one-year SEMA membership, a complimentary booth in the SEMA Launch Pad Pavilion at the 2022 SEMA Show in November, as well as other items totaling to a prize package valued at $4,000. Five finalists, who will be announced later this year, will advance to pitch their products at the 2022 SEMA Show, where they will compete for a grand prize that includes free advertising space in SEMA News, use of the services from the SEMA Garage, discounts on SEMA Data and thousands of dollars in cash for a total value of up to $92,000.

The competition will be featured in a nationwide TV special airing after the SEMA Show. To learn more about SEMA Launch Pad, including details on the 15 semifinalists, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.

 Feature Vehicle Applications are due Friday, July 29.

  Each year, the SEMA Show displays hundreds of vehicles throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of the Show’s Feature Vehicle Program.

All vehicles on display are sponsored by an exhibiting company, allowing manufacturers to expand their footprint at the SEMA Show beyond their booth.

All vehicles on display are sponsored by an exhibiting company, allowing manufacturers to expand their footprint at the SEMA Show beyond their booth.

Each vehicle accepted will also be featured in the SEMA Show app, which displays each vehicle’s image, make, model, year, color, the products used as part of the build, the builder’s name and the name and booth number of the sponsoring exhibiting company.  

When completing the Feature Vehicle application, you may also select the option of having your vehicle enrolled for consideration in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. The competition is judged by industry experts with top honors presented to individuals who have demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks and SUVs.

Submit your Feature Vehicle Application by the July 29 deadline.  

For any additional questions on submitting your Feature Vehicle application contact Maurice O’Connell at mauriceo@sema.org.

Click here for a complete list of SEMA Show deadlines.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Awards Gala, taking place on July 29, in Anaheim, California, is a celebration of the volunteers and pioneers who have helped build today's $50-billion specialty-equipment industry. Among those to be honored at this year’s Gala are incoming and outgoing board members, and 2022 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Walker Evans, Jack Roush and “Gene” Winfield.

A limited number of tickets are still available for the prestigious SEMA Awards Gala. Get you tickets at www.sema.org/gala.

“The SEMA Awards Gala is a great opportunity for the industry to come together at mid-year to connect in person and have meaningful conversations in an intimate setting,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola.

The SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags, a cherished Gala tradition, will also return to offer industry participants the chance to sponsor a child-built pinewood racecar or challenge industry colleagues in head-to-head competition. The SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags fundraiser runs in conjunction with the Gala. If you’d like to sponsor a race car or challenge colleagues, visit www.sema.org/semacares.

The races, which are run throughout the Friday reception and into the evening.

Tickets for the gala are available at www.sema.org/gala.

Immediately following the gala, there is a private SEMA PAC reception scheduled. For more information, contact Samantha Large at samanthal@sema.org or 202-796-2252.

  Exhibitors of the 2022 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.

The list, which will be updated in SEMA eNews, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2022 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2022 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2022 SEMA Show.

View the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

By Ashley Reyes

Automakers have been creating high-performance vehicles for decades. The Big Three U.S. manufacturers have been a particularly dominant source for the aftermarket community.

SEMA members are invited to join a Facebook and Instagram live chat on Wednesday, July 27, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), where three performance builders—each of whom focuses on a different brand—will share their expert opinions on where the industry is going, and why they choose to work with the OEMs that they do. Featuring Brian Tooley, Brian Tooley Racing; Sujal “Skip” Patel, partner at Demon Performance; and Joe Irwin, Fast Forward Race Engines, the live chat will dive into the unique characteristics of each of the Big Three OEMs and include live interactive questions and answers from the group.

Live Chat Location: SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) Facebook page and Instagram live (@ettn_sema). Sign up for live chat reminders here.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule to update the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for rear underride guards on trailers and semi-trailers. The final rule requires rear-impact guards with sufficient strength and energy absorption to protect occupants of passenger vehicles in multiple crash scenarios. The guards should be able to withstand a rear underride crash of 35 mph, up from 30 mph, which matches the current Canadian standard.

According to NHTSA, 94% of trailers and semitrailers already meet the new standard. Used trailers are not required to be retrofitted with compliant rear-impact guards. The rule takes effect January 11, 2023, with a compliance deadline of July 15, 2024.

To view the final rule click here.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

The upcoming National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, will provide visitors with the chance to participate in high-powered education sessions featuring top manufacturers in the hot-rod and auto-restoration segments.

HRIA Education Days participants will join manufacturers as they share details about their products and systems through face-to-face educational seminars.

By signing up for HRIA Education Days, August 4–5, participants will join manufacturers as they share details about their products and systems through face-to-face educational seminars. Attendees will learn valuable tips, connect directly with the manufacturers and learn about important processes for working on various hot-rod projects.

Also taking place at the Kentucky Expo Center is an HRIA open meeting and social on August 3, at 3:30 p.m. in room B101. Open to current HRIA members and businesses in the hot-rod market, the meeting will feature the HRIA select committee, which will be on-site as they share updates on the council’s latest initiatives and answer questions about the resources that are available. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

The 2022 schedule includes 12 seminars, six seminars per day, each presented by a different manufacturer. This year’s presenting manufacturers and topics are:

• Flaming River: Steering Systems & Solutions
• Vintage Air: The Basics of Hot Rod and Muscle Car Air Conditioning
• Heidts: How to Choose the Best Suspension for Your Hot Rod
• Hushmat & ZyCoat: Heat is the Enemy of Speed, Performance & Comfort
• Driven Racing Oil: Oil & Storage: Preserving Your Engine
• Wilwood Brakes: Brake System Basics
• Ididit: Advancements in Push Start Ignitions and Installing a Safe Steering System
• Wizard: Automotive Detail and Ceramic Coating
• RideTech: Air Suspension Basics
• Inland Empire: Power Train Vibrations and How to Cure Them
• Borgeson: The Hook Up: Steering Linkage Connections & Components
• Powermaster: Alternators & Starters—Install it Right the First Time

For the full list of Education Days sessions and to RSVP, click here.