By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) members are invited to meet Katie Lyon—this year’s SBN Jessi Combs Rising Star award recipient—as she joins the SBN for a Facebook live chat on December 1, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).

In 2019, the SBN re-named its annual “Rising Star” award to the “Jessi Combs Rising Star” award to honor the legacy of one of the industry’s most beloved professional racers, metal fabricators and the fastest woman on four wheels. The award recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in the advancement of her career in the automotive aftermarket. Lyon—who will receive her bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University in May 2022—will share her career goals and challenges, as well as what inspires about a future in the specialty-equipment market.  

Lyon has interned for companies, such as TD Industries and Tesla Motors, and has served as a product manager and safety engineer for the SAE International Student Chapter. She is also a 2021 SEMA Education scholarship award recipient and will talk about her experience with the scholarship process, how it has helped her and what future applicants need to know.

Location: SBN Facebook page.

By Ashley Reyes

Automotive Concepts is making their business and talents known.

The restyling shop from New Hope, Minnesota, won the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Cup Challenge Fan Favorite Award for their customized ’21 Ford Bronco Stallion Edition. The competition, which takes place at the SEMA Show, recognizes automotive restylers for their talents and promotes accessorization of new-model vehicles, particularly to dealers.

Automotive Concepts won the SEMA PRO Cup Challenge Fan Favorite Award for their customized ’21 Ford Bronco Stallion Edition.

Among seven competing vehicles, the ’21 Ford Bronco was chosen by SEMA Showgoers for featuring a restyling package with wide consumer appeal.  

“My entire dealership was impressed with the quality of the build, from the leather, tires, flares, and overall execution,” said Mike Nelson, who—as general sales manager at Metropolitan Ford—collaborated with Automotive Concepts on the winning package.

“The first person that saw it bought it and frankly we could have charged a lot more for it. Now that we have seen how well the Stallion Edition complements the Bronco, we will be doing more with Automotive Concepts.”

In addition to inspiring dealers to incorporate accessorized Bronco Stallions into their offerings, the PRO Cup Challenge inspired the entire restyling community to work more with dealers. “I can’t express enough how valuable it is as a Restyler to be able to see a build like the Stallion Edition by Automotive Concepts—and be able to bring that package back home to our dealers to replicate,” said Cristina Jorge, SEMA PRO select committee member and vice president of Specialty Automotive Treatments. “With the proven popularity the Stallion package has as the Fan Favorite winner, this will be a home run for all restylers and dealers to replicate in their market.”

The winning package, which can be replicated for less than $12,500 and completed in less than 40 hours, includes a ReadyLift 2-in. suspension lift, 18-in. Black Rhino wheels and TOYO Tires, a Go Rhino Roof Top Rack with Pro Rac Crossbars, two LED fog light kits, a Katzkin leather interior with embroidery, Go Rhino Black Vertex running boards, an exterior body graphics package, a Llumar paint protection film/hood and fenders, RoughCountry rear door Flip Table, Air Design fender flairs, an Air Design hood scoop, Champion heated seats and a Brandmotion FullVUE camera system.

Affordable and easy to replicate restyling packages were also featured by PRO Cup Challenge competitors Auto Image, ’21 Ford F-150; Integrity Customs, ’21 Jeep Gladiator; On The Rocks 4x4, ’21 Chevrolet Silverado; City Kia/Vaccar Co., ’21 Kia Sorento; and Crush Customs, ’21 Kia Telluride. DPS Automotive was named PRO Challenge winner by a panel of judge for their accessorized ’22 Volkswagen Atlas.

“Our team of technicians took a lot of pride in the execution of the Ford Bronco Stallion Edition,” said Dino Perfetti, president at Automotive Concepts. “The excitement that the new Ford Bronco has created made this a must-have vehicle for us to compete with. Our partnering dealership, Metropolitan Ford in Eden Prairie Minnesota, put their trust in us to deliver this award-winning package design.”

To learn more about PRO, visit www.sema.org/PRO.

By Ashley Reyes

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea—a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
This year is no exception. While there are many organizations that support certain causes and issues, only one works hand-in-hand with SEMA and select charities that best reflect the values of the automotive industry and children in need; that organization is SEMA Cares.  

Below are five ways SEMA members can support SEMA Cares this GivingTuesday, November 30. Through their support, participants will join the industry to help fight pediatric cancer through the Austin Hatcher Foundation, child abuse through Childhelp and children with serious medical conditions and illnesses through Victory Junction.

Give the gift of a build-at-home pinewood drag car. Give the gift of a toy car just in time for the holidays, and all for a good cause. Donate and receive a kit, which includes a pre-shaped pinewood car or truck body, wheels, axles and weights. The wooden car or truck can be built at home, then decorated by adding paint, stickers or other design elements. The stock kit includes a pinewood vehicle body (car or truck available), wheels, axles and weight set.

Donate and receive a kit, which includes a pre-shaped pinewood car or truck body, wheels, axles and weights.

Sport your automotive passion. The SEMA Cares lapel pin is worth a thousand words. With its one-of-a-kind design of a single-seater pinewood car, the pin represents the best of automotive passion, youthful spirit and charitable giving. The pewter-like finish blends automotive grit with style making a statement wherever you wear it.

Display a celebrity-autographed pinewood on your shelf. Noteworthy industry celebrities have partnered with SEMA Cares to autograph pinewood drag cars that are now available for purchase. Add it as a cool staple piece to your shelf or gift it to an industry fan! Available for purchase are pinewoods signed by NASCAR Champion Joey Logano, drag-racing star Leah Pruett, television personality Aaron Kaufman, Formula DRIFT racer Vaughn Gittin Jr., racing legend Mario Andretti, NHRA Champion John Force and Formula DRIFT racer Justin Pawlak.

SEMA members can simply give back with a cash donation.

Make a direct donation. SEMA members can simply give back with a cash donation. One hundred percent goes directly to a SEMA Cares partnering charity.

Become a volunteer. While cash donations are incredibly significant, there are ways SEMA members can help others in need beyond financial donations. SEMA Cares hosts and assists with various sponsored events throughout the year and offers members the opportunity to help behind-the-scenes or work directly with the community members and charitable organizations.  

To learn more about SEMA Cares and how to support this GivingTuesday, visit www.sema.org/sema-cares.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) named John Rastetter as this week’s WTC spotlight volunteer. Rastetter is a tire information ambassador at Tire Rack—a retailer and distributor of tires and wheels for the automotive aftermarket.

Get to know Rastetter in his interview with SEMA below.

SEMA: What led you to obtaining a career in the wheel and tire industry?

John Rastetter: Participating in Autocrossing showed me how important tires are. This led me to working for BFGoodrich and managing one of their company stores. I later relocated to Akron, Ohio, and was promoted to become a member of the BFG Performance Team.

SEMA: How has being a WTC volunteer or member impacted your professional career?

JR: It has introduced me to the leaders of multiple companies and has given me the opportunity to help sales representatives take better care of their customers.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the wheel and tire segment?

JR: Don’t be afraid to commit and get started. People may not always believe what you say, but they will always believe what you do. Your genuine interest and growing experience will help open doors for you throughout your career.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

JR: I live only 10 minutes from Road Atlanta, so I’m often attending road races or area car shows. I am also a coach for Tire Rack Street Survival teen driving schools.

Fill out a WTC spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the wheel and tire segment of the automotive aftermarket. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on WTC’s social media, SEMA eNews and future WTC member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

Media registration for the 2022 MPMC Media Trade Conference is now available at www.sema.org/mtc.

The annual event which caters to reporters, journalists, freelancers and those seeking one-on-one interviews with motorsports manufacturers is set for January 25–27, 2022, and will take place entirely online. The 2021 event was also held entirely online and was so overwhelmingly successful that members voted to host the 2022 entirely online again.

By signing up at www.sema.org/mtc, journalists will be able to prioritize the exhibitors they would like to meet with and will receive the best possible schedule. Priority is given to media who sign up before December 15, 2021, and who are attending all three days of the event.

Sign up and get more details by visiting www.sema.org/mtc or contact pr@sema.org.

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

• Mountain Top
• Performance Distributors
• Powertrax
• Road Comforts
• Superchips
• TransGo
• Turbosmart USA
• USA Standard Gear
• Voodoo 13
• Whiteline

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

R&D Mechanic
Gale Banks Engineering is hiring an R&D mechanic to develop improved or new designs for automotive engines, modify existing engines on production vehicles and direct building, modification and testing of vehicle engines. Candidates must have a high-school diploma or GED and a minimum of three years of experience tearing down, designing, installing, building and testing automotive engines.

Retail Sales Associate
Northridge 4x4 is hiring a retail sales associate responsible for selling products and services to customers in-person and over the phone via applying their knowledge of sales principles and products to increase company revenue.  The goal is for them to evaluate the customer’s needs and recommend the best product to meet that need.  This position provides high-quality customer service to external customers by responding to inquiries about products, services, pricing and other related questions.  Retail sales representatives work under general direction and supervision. Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and zero to 6 months of work-related experience; a background in sales is a plus.

Cost Accountant
MW Company is hiring a cost accountant to serve as a business support person to the plant and financial management team. This position is responsible for production cost analysis and control, including cost accounting, bill of material audits and maintenance, time studies, standard costs and physical inventory accuracy. The jr. cost accountant collaborates with manufacturing to understand issues and how they affect the financial results as well as educating team members on cost drivers and variances. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting and more than three years of hands-on cost accounting experience in a manufacturing environment using standard cost.

Dear SEMA Member:

A strong SEMA Board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. As a member of the Association, we are currently seeking your recommendation for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Manufacturers (3 open seats)
• Manufacturers Rep (1 open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, please include brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Sincerely,

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President & CEO

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

By Della Domingo

Racers, race teams, engine builders and motorsports businesses still have time to secure credentials for the 2021 PRI Trade Show. Available online at www.pri2021.com/attend, credentials will provide access to all three days of the event taking place December 9–11, 2021, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

The 2021 PRI Trade Show will be held December 9–11, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

In addition to discovering new products and meeting manufacturers of motorsports products, attendees of this year’s PRI Show have the opportunity to join the newly created PRI Membership Program. Launched earlier this year, the inaugural program is designed to build, promote and protect the motorsports industry for years to come.

The $40 annual fee for PRO Members includes entrance to the 2021 PRI Trade Show, discount on PRI merchandise, 12 issues of the digital PRI Magazine, a subscription to the weekly PRI enewsletter, posting access to the PRI Jobs Board, a membership card, welcome packet, stickers and support for the “Save Our Racecars” initiative.

“PRI has made significant strides in becoming more politically active to help protect the racing industry,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, PRI president. “We’re pleased to be able to provide to the industry a mechanism that allows them to unite and join in this effort. PRI Membership is a simple yet highly effective way to make a positive impact and safeguard the future of motorsports.”

At the 2021 PRI Trade Show, PRO members—as well as Champion and Founding Members—will have access to several exclusive areas and benefits, including:

Admission to the Members Lounge during all Show days and hours

• The ideal location to take a break during the show, meet with other members, charge their phones or laptops or grab a quick bite to eat.

Admission to attend the Save Our Racecars Rally, Friday, December 10, 5:00 p.m.

• The first-ever event includes complimentary hors d’ouvres, drinks and will include special guest appearances and activities.

Discount at the PRI Gear Store

• Enjoy 10% off all merchandise from the PRI Gear Store.

Founding members are also invited to the Founding Members Reception, Thursday, December 9, 6:00 p.m.

• After a busy first day of the PRI Trade Show, the Founding Members Reception is the ideal place to unwind and connect with other founding members.

PRI Trade Show attendees who registered for the complimentary credentials can upgrade to become PRO members during the Show, and will receive the benefits afforded to all PRI members.

The 2021 PRI Show marks the motorsports industry’s first and largest in-person business gathering since the pandemic. Exhibitors will showcase the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, and trailers, available for the racing industry in a single location. PRI encompasses all forms of motorsports and attracts attendees from all 50 states and all over the world, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers and media.

To learn more about the PRI Show, visit performanceracing.com/tradeshow. To register for the 2021 PRI Trade Show, visit www.pri2021.com/attend.