By Matt Kennedy

The new “SEMA Retail Landscape Report” dives into the ways in which retailers are facing and adapting to a range of business challenges.

The specialty-automotive aftermarket industry has always been driven by adaptation and innovation. It’s not just the products that are constantly changing, either; the ways specialty parts are bought and sold are also evolving over time. Today, the independent retailers that sell our industry’s products to consumers are dealing with a business environment that’s changing just as much as the parts they carry.

The new “SEMA Retail Landscape Report” dives into the ways in which retailers are facing and adapting to a range of business challenges. Increased online competition, and its effect on consumer expectations and behavior, are certainly key shifts with a widespread impact on retail. But there’s more to it than just the growth of online sales. Retailers, and companies looking to understand specialty-automotive retail, can use the report to gain insight into strategic questions, including:

• What is the current state of affairs for specialty automotive retail?
• How do retailers feel the industry and customer base have changed?
• How can small retailers stand out from bigger, cheaper competitors?
• Where are there opportunities for retailers to become more efficient? 
• What factors do retailers think will shape the industry going forward?

To learn more, download the “SEMA Retail Landscape Report,” now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators.

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2020 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund for students preparing for careers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, including accounting, sales, marketing and engineering.

“Our goal is to encourage, inspire and support the future leaders of the automotive aftermarket industry,” said SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall. “By providing financial support to promising students, we can successfully open doors of opportunity to those working towards a career in our field.”

The program also grants loan forgiveness awards for employees of SEMA-member companies who have completed a program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

Applications for the program will be open until March 1, 2020.

Those chosen as scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where they will be recognized during an awards luncheon.

To view eligibility requirements, visit www.sema.org/scholarships.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators.

SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2020 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund for students preparing for careers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, including accounting, sales, marketing and engineering.

“Our goal is to encourage, inspire and support the future leaders of the automotive aftermarket industry,” said SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall. “By providing financial support to promising students, we can successfully open doors of opportunity to those working towards a career in our field.”

The program also grants loan forgiveness awards for employees of SEMA-member companies who have completed a program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

Applications for the program will be open until March 1, 2020.

Those chosen as scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where they will be recognized during an awards luncheon.

To view eligibility requirements, visit www.sema.org/scholarships.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Bahrain International Circuit Extends NHRA Worldwide Network Agreement

NHRA has announced that the Bahrain International Circuit, which currently boasts a vibrant drag racing community and numerous events, has extended its NHRA Worldwide Network agreement. NHRA Worldwide Network is designed to enable drag racing facilities around the world to conduct events under the NHRA banner. As part of the NHRA Worldwide Network, Bahrain International Circuit will be able to use the specially-designed “Worldwide Drag Racing” NHRA oval for broad promotional purposes and will be able to draw on NHRA’s decades of experience and history. The track will have access to various departments within NHRA and may also request training at the track site. The track can also participate in any of NHRA’s Division Tech Seminars, SFI certification and training seminars, and emergency response training seminars. The worldwide rules adopted by FIA for drag racing originate from NHRA’s Rulebook. Members of the commission meet annually to develop the rulebook and discuss drag racing on a global basis. Currently, organized series are conducted in Europe and Australia.

(L–R): Brian Norko, Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd, Shawn Langdon and Chad Head at NGK Kalitta Motorsports sponsorship announcement during the 2019 SEMA Show.

NGK Joins Kalitta Motorsports as Official Spark Plug

Kalitta Motorsports and NGK Spark Plugs have announced an exclusive multi-year partnership beginning in 2020, which will see every race car in the Kalitta Motorsports stable use NGK Spark Plugs in all NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. More than one year in the making, product, engineering and testing teams from NGK Spark Plugs and Kalitta Motorsports have worked together to develop designs to maximize the performance and durability of a spark plug that can withstand the conditions of a nitro-fueled engine. The 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will begin with the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, February 6–9, and will be broadcast on FS1.

At the 2019 Haltech World Cup Finals, Tony Hobson’s ProCharger-equipped, SBF-powered Mustang took the X275 vs. Hot Rod class win.

AEM-Equipped Racers Take 3 Class Wins and Set New Coyote All-Motor Record at World Cup Finals
At the 2019 Haltech World Cup Finals, Tony Hobson’s ProCharger-equipped, SBF-powered Mustang scored a 6.73 at 195.19 mph for the X275 vs. Hot Rod class win. West Coast team TB Motorworx, led by Aweis Adde, in their Honda B-Series powered Integra faced off against Teddy Weaver and his AEM-equipped ’01 Ford Mustang in the All Motor Class finals, where Weaver rolled the beams and red-lighted, allowing Adde to coast to a win in the finals. In the Super Street class, Patrick Pelchat and his 2JZ-powered MKIII Toyota Supra beat Jason Hunt through the traps in the finals with an 8.356 at 166.89 mph despite getting the automatic win when Hunt red-lighted. Michael Washington reset the Ford Coyote All-Motor ET record in qualifying for the True Street class with an 8.594 at 152.88 mph in his PureEvil Fox-Body Mustang. This car was the first eight-second all-motor Coyote and is poised to be the first to go sub-8.50s.

By SEMA Editors

Hellwig Products (booth #33127) debuted its “Attainable Adventure” ’19 Ford Ranger at the Ford booth #22000. The Ranger is an overland exploration vehicle equipped with two Specialized electric mountain bikes. The all-new Ranger XLT was an attractive platform, with its affordable base price and economical EcoBoost engine. 

The truck was built by Old Steel Fabrication in Leona Valley, California, and is outfitted for overland travel with a Stage 5 suspension system from Icon Vehicle Dynamics; bed rack and awning from Yakima; and a Tepui Hybox rooftop tent. For better traction, the Ranger is equipped with 35-in. Falken Wildpeak M/T tires around 17-in. ICON Alloys Compression wheels. A set of Bushwacker fender flares provide adequate tire coverage, and Addictive Desert Designs front and rear bumpers, a T-Rex X-Metal Grille and a Rigid Industries light bar were installed to create an aggressive appearance. The paint experts at LGE-CTS Motorsports gave the Ranger a retro paint job to set the build apart.

The Ranger is intended to spend much of its time off the grid, so a Trail Kitchen bed-mounted kitchen and ARB fridge were installed on a BedSlide for easy access. A RIGd hitch swing is used to mount the Specialized bikes. Daystar Fuel Cans and a Krazy Beaver Shovel round out the bed-mounted necessities. A GoalZero Yeti 1400 portable power station and solar panels are used to power auxiliary electronics and charge the bikes.

Hellwig Products debuted its “Attainable Adventure” ’19 Ford Ranger, which is now on display at the Ford Motor Co. booth #22200.

By SEMA Editors

Hellwig Products (booth #33127) debuted its “Attainable Adventure” ’19 Ford Ranger at the Ford booth #22000. The Ranger is an overland exploration vehicle equipped with two Specialized electric mountain bikes. The all-new Ranger XLT was an attractive platform, with its affordable base price and economical EcoBoost engine. 

The truck was built by Old Steel Fabrication in Leona Valley, California, and is outfitted for overland travel with a Stage 5 suspension system from Icon Vehicle Dynamics; bed rack and awning from Yakima; and a Tepui Hybox rooftop tent. For better traction, the Ranger is equipped with 35-in. Falken Wildpeak M/T tires around 17-in. ICON Alloys Compression wheels. A set of Bushwacker fender flares provide adequate tire coverage, and Addictive Desert Designs front and rear bumpers, a T-Rex X-Metal Grille and a Rigid Industries light bar were installed to create an aggressive appearance. The paint experts at LGE-CTS Motorsports gave the Ranger a retro paint job to set the build apart.

The Ranger is intended to spend much of its time off the grid, so a Trail Kitchen bed-mounted kitchen and ARB fridge were installed on a BedSlide for easy access. A RIGd hitch swing is used to mount the Specialized bikes. Daystar Fuel Cans and a Krazy Beaver Shovel round out the bed-mounted necessities. A GoalZero Yeti 1400 portable power station and solar panels are used to power auxiliary electronics and charge the bikes.

Hellwig Products debuted its “Attainable Adventure” ’19 Ford Ranger, which is now on display at the Ford Motor Co. booth #22200.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Battle of the Builders includes submissions from veteran builders and newer customizers, representing an elite group of individuals who demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks and SUVs.

The Top 12 finalists were announced earlier in the week, and they will serve as judges to crown the ultimate winner, who will be named during tonight's SEMA Ignited.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Battle of the Builders includes submissions from veteran builders and newer customizers, representing an elite group of individuals who demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks and SUVs.

The Top 12 finalists were announced earlier in the week, and they will serve as judges to crown the ultimate winner, who will be named during tonight's SEMA Ignited.

By SEMA Editors

NORRA Mexican 1000 racer Ned Bacon and the Baja ROXOR—owned and customized by Bacon himself—are in the ROXOR outdoor display (booth #61040) talking to guests about their adventures and the performance customizations of this Baja ROXOR racer.

Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) is showcasing customization possibilities for its ROXOR off-road vehicle with new concepts on display at two ROXOR booths—one inside and one outside—including The Marshal and the Coastal Cruiser concepts. The Marshal is a four-wheel-drive ROXOR with a twist on the yesteryear street rod taken to a variety of off-road terrains. The Coastal Cruiser ROXOR incorporates woodworking with Detroit steel and a couple of pucks of surf wax.

Also joining the concepts is a production ROXOR finished with the exclusive ROXliner material designed to provide a durable finish. The ROXbox option is on display, providing an ample cargo area for hauling gear and tools.

The ROXOR capabilities expansion is on display outside with the new RBT 2000 trailer and new ROXpower module. The RBT 2000 uses a ROXOR bed, made from the ROXOR body, bolted to a tow axle for expanded capacity. The ROXpower is a new plug-n-play power supply module that installs under the dash and can provide power to dozens of additional accessories. Joining The Marshal at the indoor display (booth #37005) is the Mossy Oak Gamekeeper ROXOR outfitted for the  outdoorsman.

Showing what the ROXOR does on the trail is NORRA Mexican 1000 racer Ned Bacon and the Baja ROXOR—owned and customized by Bacon himself. Bacon and navigator Brian Lutz are in the ROXOR outdoor display (booth #61040) talking to guests about their adventures and the performance customizations of this Baja ROXOR racer.

For model year 2020, dealers and customers can expect to see new optional features and accessories, an all-new grille design and four new standard color options with more than 450 custom color options available.

By SEMA Editors

Joe Schubeck, pictured above, and three other Vintage Top Fuel Dragsters owners will fill the air with a pleasant aroma from their Nitro-fueled engines as well as tall flames from the exhaust stacks at SEMA Ignited after party.

The official SEMA Show after party, SEMA Ignited, will include four beautifully restored dragsters from the ’60s that will fire their engines at dusk during in a static display to produce distinctive, thunderous sounds only heard from Nitro-fueled engines.

SEMA Hall of Fame member and professional drag race driver Joe Schubeck will display and start his original Top Fuel Dragster that he drove in competition more than 55 years ago. He will be accompanied by three other Top Fuel Dragsters, all champions of their day, including Hall of Famer Harry Hibler, who will fire up the Tony Nancy Top Fuel Dragster restored and owned by John and Sally Neas from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Also joining Schubeck and Hibler is the Astro Top Fuel Dragster, owned and restored by Bill Pitts from Los Angeles, and the Green Dragon Top Fuel Dragster, owned and restored by Butch Bowers from Renton, Washington.

All credentialed Showgoers are invited to come see the flames dance from the exhaust stacks and hear that special sound that embodies pure power, even at idle, and catch the aroma that some people like to call their “nitro fix.”

When the cars shut off, the first 100 spectators to approach the race table and present their business card will receive a free hand-out containing photographs of the same four cars, along with a DVD with the sights and sounds of the 2018 Nitro dragster presentation.