By Kyle Cheng

At the beginning of April, SEMA conducted a survey of industry professionals to see how the virus was affecting their businesses. Approximately 87% of the industry at that time stated that they were affected short-term but would get through it or that it was business as usual. Now that restrictions are starting to lift, how can SEMA help you and your company?

SEMA is conducting a new survey to identify ways we can support the industry as we move back toward full operations. We appreciate any feedback you’ve already provided and your continued input will help us identify additional ways we can help. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback in this new short survey.

As always, we’re here to help, so please do not hesitate to contact any of us on the SEMA team if you have specific questions or if there is anything we can do for you or your business.

According to SEMA’s April 2020 survey, 70% of respondents were impacted short-term, but believed they would get through it.

By Kyle Cheng

At the beginning of April, SEMA conducted a survey of industry professionals to see how the virus was affecting their businesses. Approximately 87% of the industry at that time stated that they were affected short-term but would get through it or that it was business as usual. Now that restrictions are starting to lift, how can SEMA help you and your company?

SEMA is conducting a new survey to identify ways we can support the industry as we move back toward full operations. We appreciate any feedback you’ve already provided and your continued input will help us identify additional ways we can help. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback in this new short survey.

As always, we’re here to help, so please do not hesitate to contact any of us on the SEMA team if you have specific questions or if there is anything we can do for you or your business.

According to SEMA’s April 2020 survey, 70% of respondents were impacted short-term, but believed they would get through it.

In recent years, racing has come under increasing threat from burdensome laws and regulations. Current world events have only amplified their impact. As the motorsports industry adapts, PRI is pleased to offer a hotline for track promoters in need of assistance. Through the phone number and email address listed on this webpage, PRI’s expert Government Affairs team is standing by to help you navigate local, state, and federal rules, and keep race tracks running.

In recent years, racing has come under increasing threat from burdensome laws and regulations. Current world events have only amplified their impact. As the motorsports industry adapts, PRI is pleased to offer a hotline for track promoters in need of assistance. Through the phone number and email address listed on this webpage, PRI’s expert Government Affairs team is standing by to help you navigate local, state, and federal rules, and keep race tracks running.

By Ashley Reyes

During the Live webinar, you will be able to tap into the expertise and get answers to your questions from CEO and founder of the Brainzooming Group Mike Brown, who will address how businesses can instill confidence in their audiences and effectively protect the health of their staff and consumers.

When social distancing ends, there will be a need to engage with employees and customers in ways that incorporate both previous and new strategies. As businesses prepare to open their doors, meeting expected safety standards and ensuring a comfortable social environment will be a top priority.  

Learn new strategies on “Engaging and Re-Engaging Your Most Important Audience” during next week’s webinar, Tuesday, May 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

During the Live webinar, you will be able to tap into the expertise and get answers to your questions from CEO and founder of the Brainzooming Group Mike Brown, who will address how businesses can instill confidence in their audiences and effectively protect the health of their staff and consumers.

“As the social distancing landscape evolves, businesses are expected to take an eager approach to improving their operations and performance,” said AJ Carney, SEMA senior manager, education. “By participating in this webinar, attendees will be provided with the essential steps needed in order to prepare for a successful return.”   

Preregister now for “Engaging and Re-Engaging Your Most Important Audience”, taking place May 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Participants who preregister and attend a webinar may qualify to win a subscription to Brown’s “Strategy for Success: Strategic Planning Made Simple.” The 11-module e-course includes targeted video lessons, downloaded guides and turn-key exercises, valued at $549. This resource is designed to eliminate trial-and-error and quickly implement an innovative approach to strategy and create effective strategic plans that you can put into action right away.

By Ashley Reyes

During the Live webinar, you will be able to tap into the expertise and get answers to your questions from CEO and founder of the Brainzooming Group Mike Brown, who will address how businesses can instill confidence in their audiences and effectively protect the health of their staff and consumers.

When social distancing ends, there will be a need to engage with employees and customers in ways that incorporate both previous and new strategies. As businesses prepare to open their doors, meeting expected safety standards and ensuring a comfortable social environment will be a top priority.  

Learn new strategies on “Engaging and Re-Engaging Your Most Important Audience” during next week’s webinar, Tuesday, May 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

During the Live webinar, you will be able to tap into the expertise and get answers to your questions from CEO and founder of the Brainzooming Group Mike Brown, who will address how businesses can instill confidence in their audiences and effectively protect the health of their staff and consumers.

“As the social distancing landscape evolves, businesses are expected to take an eager approach to improving their operations and performance,” said AJ Carney, SEMA senior manager, education. “By participating in this webinar, attendees will be provided with the essential steps needed in order to prepare for a successful return.”   

Preregister now for “Engaging and Re-Engaging Your Most Important Audience”, taking place May 26, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Participants who preregister and attend a webinar may qualify to win a subscription to Brown’s “Strategy for Success: Strategic Planning Made Simple.” The 11-module e-course includes targeted video lessons, downloaded guides and turn-key exercises, valued at $549. This resource is designed to eliminate trial-and-error and quickly implement an innovative approach to strategy and create effective strategic plans that you can put into action right away.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing Moves to St. Louis

The Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing presented by HPJ Performance has been moved to World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis (Madison, Illinois) the weekend of July 30–August 2, 2020. The relocation of the Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing Presented by HPJ Performance to World Wide Technology Raceway has been one of several adjustments to both the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals sanctioning bodies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the schedule has been revamped a few times. The race season resumes June 25–28, at Atlanta Dragway (Commerce, Georgia) for the Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals. The two tours move in unison over to World Wide Technology Raceway just outside of St. Louis for the Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing Presented by HPJ Performance July 30–August 2. Almost a month later, both organizations will head to Ohio for the Nitrous Supply NMRA/NMCA All-American Nationals August 27–30 at the premier Summit Motorsports Park (Norwalk, Ohio).

Reigning XC1 Pro ATV champion Walker Fowler led the charge with another first-place finish.

Yamaha GNCC University Registration Opens as Racing Returns

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA has announced registration for the rescheduled Yamaha Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) University is now open. All off-road racers and riders are invited to hone their skills with hands-on help from some of the greatest male and female off-road racers of all time. Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia will once again host the Yamaha GNCC University, September 23–25, followed by a full weekend of racing. Interested riders can register by calling the resort at 877-441-4386 or find more information online at www.GNCCRacing.com. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis with 80 openings evenly split between ATV and motorcycle disciplines.

While the 2020 racing season has been on hiatus up until this past weekend, Yamaha-supported riders got back to racing at “The Bulldog” GNCC in Washington, Georgia. Reigning XC1 Pro ATV champion Walker Fowler led the charge with another first-place finish—his fourth-straight of the season. After Fowler, rounding out the top XC1 Pro ATV positions were YFZ450R bLU cRU competitors Cole Richardson, Hunter Hart, Brycen Neal and John Glauda Jr., second through fifth respectively. On Sunday, Becca Sheets took the WXC win and overall for the morning race, continuing her perfect season on a Yamaha. AmPro Yamaha Racing’s Rachael Archer rounded out the WXC podium in third, while Layne Michael and Mike Witkowski also scored podium finishes in the afternoon race in the XC1 Open Pro and XC2 250 Pro classes, respectively.

“Edge of Your Seat Moments Presented by RECARO” Debuts

IMSA and Recaro have partnered to kick off a weekly YouTube series on the IMSA Official channel, entitled “Edge of Your Seat Moments Presented by RECARO.” Each installment will feature maneuvers from the 2019 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama season and new moments will be featured every Wednesday. The series kicked off with a couple of bold moves from the 2019 season-opening weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.

NHRA Announces Revised Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Schedule; JEGS Sportsnationals Added at New England Dragway

After suspending racing in early March, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is poised to make a return this weekend, along with a full slate of events across all seven divisions between June and November. The series will return to action this weekend at Texas Motorplex with a Top Alcohol-only regional event. Action will intensify early June at Atlanta Dragway and Tulsa Raceway Park as all categories restart their season. In addition to the full slate of Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events, a JEGS SPORTSnationals event has been added at New England Dragway, August 21–22. This is in addition to the JEGS SPORTSnationals “double header” at National Trail Raceway, July 16–19. Competitors attending the JEGS SPORTSnationals events will have an opportunity to earn national championship points and a grade point. Due to the abbreviated season, the championship structure for national, regional and divisional points has been adjusted. For more information and to view the events schedule, visit the NHRA website.

Steve Huff piloted an electric vehicle, clocking in with an elapsed time of 7.52 seconds at 201.07 mph.

EV Race Car Breaks 200 MPH At Tucson Dragway

An electric vehicle piloted by Steve Huff has surpassed 200 mph at Tucson Dragway, breaking drag-racing legend Don Garlits’ record for the quickest electric vehicle in the quarter-mile, previously set at Palm Beach International Raceway with an elapsed time of 7.235 seconds at 189.04 mph. The run clocked in with an elapsed time of 7.52 seconds at 201.07 mph. The four-wheel electric dragster named “Current Technology” runs a purpose-built lithium polymer battery, features an e-Spec Racecars custom chassis, and makes 2,400 hp and 2,000 lb.-ft. of torque, according to Huff’s website. The build also features AEM Performance Electronics components, and AEM reps on hand also helped increase power by 10%, contributing to the historic run. Watch the record-setting run.

Firestone Grand Prix Of St. Petersburg Set As 2020 INDYCAR Season Finale

The 2020 NTT INDYCAR Series champion will be crowned Sunday, October 25, at the rescheduled Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, making this the 16th consecutive year that an INDYCAR event will take place in the streets of the Florida city. The original date for the event, Sunday, March 15, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be the first time the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will serve as the series finale, as the event traditionally has started the season. This year, INDYCAR will open its season on June 6, at Texas Motor Speedway.

For more racing news, visit the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) website.

SEMA has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to administer the 2020 SEMA Board of Directors election. To assure your election-specific broadcast email arrives safely in your inbox on May 12, 2020, simply add the following email address as an approved sender: noreply@directvote.net.