By SEMA Editors

Legendary American racer, team owner and car constructor Dan Gurney, who won four F1 grand prix in addition to races in IndyCar, NASCAR, Trans-Am and Can-Am, and finished second twice at the Indianapolis 500, passed away. He was 86.

In 2016, Gurney (left) received the Peter Bryant Challenger Award. Photo credit: Ed Justice Jr.

Dan Gurney, the first driver to win in Formula One, IndyCar and NASCAR, died Sunday, January 14, of complications from pneumonia. He was 86. His wife, Evi, announced his death in a statement distributed by All American Racers Inc.

“With one last smile on his handsome face, Dan drove off into the unknown just before noon today,” said the statement signed by Evi Gurney, the Gurney family and AAR teammates. “In deepest sorrow, with gratitude in our hearts for the love and joy you have given us during your time on this earth, we say, ‘Godspeed.’”

During the ’60s, Gurney enjoyed considerable success overseas, including winning four Formula One World Championship Grand Prix events and sharing the winning car in the ’67 Le Mans 24 Hours with A.J. Foyt, plus the ’60 Nürburgring 1000-km with Stirling Moss.

But he also won at home, claiming seven United States Auto Club-sanctioned National Championship events in the late ’60s; five out of the six 500-mile NASCAR stock races held at the Riverside, California, road course between ’63–’68; numerous events in the SCCA Can-Am and Trans-Am series; and even the first professional road racing series ever conducted in the United States—the inaugural USAC Road Racing championship in ’58.

Gurney also drove in nine consecutive Indianapolis 500-mile races between ’62–’70—finishing second, second and third in the final three—and was the winning manufacturer three times.

Funeral arrangements are private, and the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Hoag Hospital Foundation in Newport Beach, California. Those who want to express their sentiments may write a note to eagleracingcarsusa@aarinc.com.

Gurney is survived by his wife Evi, sons Alex, Justin, Jimmy, Danny and Dan Jr., and eight grandchildren.

By Kyle Cheng

The “SEMA Jeep Wrangler Accessorizer Report” profiles owners of ’91–’17 Jeep Wranglers (TJ and JK) to help you understand the people who modify their Jeeps and make better decisions around your product, sales and marketing strategies.

Today, more than 60% of TJ and JK Wrangler owners modify their Jeeps with specialty-equipment parts. This translates to approximately 1.3 million customized vehicles in the United States. Additionally, 68% of Jeep accessorizers purchase their first accessory within three months of acquiring their vehicle.

Want to learn more about your business opportunity in the Wrangler market? Check out the “SEMA Jeep Wrangler Accessorizer Report” today. This report profiles owners of ’91–’17 Jeep Wranglers (TJ and JK) to help you understand the people who modify their Jeeps and make better decisions around your product, sales and marketing strategies.

This report also helps answer the following questions:

• How many Jeep Wrangler owners go off-roading?
• How often does an accessorizer work on his or her Jeep?
• Where do Jeep owners and accessorizers buy their parts? In store? Online?
• What are the demographics of these Jeep enthusiasts, owners and accessorizers?

To learn more and download the “SEMA Jeep Wrangler Accessorizer Report”, visit www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

The “SEMA Jeep Wrangler Accessorizer Report” profiles owners of ’91–’17 Jeep Wranglers (TJ and JK) to help you understand the people who modify their Jeeps and make better decisions around your product, sales and marketing strategies.

Today, more than 60% of TJ and JK Wrangler owners modify their Jeeps with specialty-equipment parts. This translates to approximately 1.3 million customized vehicles in the United States. Additionally, 68% of Jeep accessorizers purchase their first accessory within three months of acquiring their vehicle.

Want to learn more about your business opportunity in the Wrangler market? Check out the “SEMA Jeep Wrangler Accessorizer Report” today. This report profiles owners of ’91–’17 Jeep Wranglers (TJ and JK) to help you understand the people who modify their Jeeps and make better decisions around your product, sales and marketing strategies.

This report also helps answer the following questions:

• How many Jeep Wrangler owners go off-roading?
• How often does an accessorizer work on his or her Jeep?
• Where do Jeep owners and accessorizers buy their parts? In store? Online?
• What are the demographics of these Jeep enthusiasts, owners and accessorizers?

To learn more and download the “SEMA Jeep Wrangler Accessorizer Report”, visit www.sema.org/research.

Gaspar “Gas” Ronda, best known for drag racing a series of Mustangs during the early evolution of the Funny Car, passed away at the age of 91 in October.

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2018/01/sharp-dressed-man

Gaspar “Gas” Ronda, best known for drag racing a series of Mustangs during the early evolution of the Funny Car, passed away at the age of 91 in October.

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2018/01/sharp-dressed-man

SEMA Vice President of OEM and Product Development Programs Mike Spagnola elaborates on what the SEMA Garage does to help its members.

SEMA Vice President of OEM and Product Development Programs Mike Spagnola elaborates on what the SEMA Garage does to help its members.

SEMA Vice President of OEM and Product Development Programs Mike Spagnola elaborates on what the SEMA Garage does to help its members.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Board of Directors approved a new policy designed to provide more manufacturers with the opportunity to exhibit at the SEMA Show.

The SEMA Board of Directors approved a new policy designed to provide automotive parts manufacturers, particularly new manufacturers, with the opportunity to exhibit at the 2018 SEMA Show taking place Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, NV.

Companies that have previous participation in the Show with exhibit space sizes greater than or equal to 400 square feet may not increase their space-size request for 2018. Companies that have previously exhibited with less than 400 square feet may increase to a maximum size of 400 square feet. Companies with prior participation that were not in the 2017 Show may apply at the size they were the year they last officially participated. Show Management reserves the right to make changes to serve the best interest of the Show.

"For many exhibiting companies, the SEMA Show is among the most important selling opportunities of the year," said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. "The booth space policy promotes more diversity and provides a higher level of value for buyers."

MacGillivray said that Show organizers are committed to providing all qualified manufacturers with access to the marketplace. In addition to the new policy regarding booth space, organizers have heightened the screening process to ensure that buyers are meeting with qualified companies. The introduction of the new policy was made to accommodate the industry’s current growth rate and the number of new companies expressing interest in the Show.

The new growth policy is just one of several steps that SEMA has taken to create more value in the Show and promote industry innovation. For additional information, contact your SEMA Show sales rep, or email sales@sema.org. Details about the 2018 SEMA Show are available at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Board of Directors approved a new policy designed to provide more manufacturers with the opportunity to exhibit at the SEMA Show.

The SEMA Board of Directors approved a new policy designed to provide automotive parts manufacturers, particularly new manufacturers, with the opportunity to exhibit at the 2018 SEMA Show taking place Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, NV.

Companies that have previous participation in the Show with exhibit space sizes greater than or equal to 400 square feet may not increase their space-size request for 2018. Companies that have previously exhibited with less than 400 square feet may increase to a maximum size of 400 square feet. Companies with prior participation that were not in the 2017 Show may apply at the size they were the year they last officially participated. Show Management reserves the right to make changes to serve the best interest of the Show.

"For many exhibiting companies, the SEMA Show is among the most important selling opportunities of the year," said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. "The booth space policy promotes more diversity and provides a higher level of value for buyers."

MacGillivray said that Show organizers are committed to providing all qualified manufacturers with access to the marketplace. In addition to the new policy regarding booth space, organizers have heightened the screening process to ensure that buyers are meeting with qualified companies. The introduction of the new policy was made to accommodate the industry’s current growth rate and the number of new companies expressing interest in the Show.

The new growth policy is just one of several steps that SEMA has taken to create more value in the Show and promote industry innovation. For additional information, contact your SEMA Show sales rep, or email sales@sema.org. Details about the 2018 SEMA Show are available at www.SEMAShow.com.