By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) named Flaming River Industries as the council’s newest company spotlight member. Company President Jeanette Ladina shares their story and the projects they are working on in 2022.  

SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop. How did you start?

Jeanette Ladina: Flaming River Industries Inc. was founded in 1987 with a vision to offer quality steering systems for street rods, musclecars, classics and trucks. Our products use all-new parts to ensure that we can maintain quality standards, improve the original design and offer long-range product availability as well as lifetime serviceability.  

Tilt steering columns, power rack and pinions, steering shafts and billet accessories are all made right here at Flaming River by a talented group of car enthusiasts. Our promise to customers is to provide the best-quality products and service possible.  

I started working with Flaming River through the local high school co-op office program in 1987 and became an owner in 1990. We built a Berea, Ohio, manufacturing facility in 2000, which continues to evolve and allows us to build products in-house and develop new products to meet customer demand.

SEMA: What was your company’s breakthrough moment?

JL: Our breakthrough moment was manufacturing the Mustang II manual rack-and-pinion in response to the numerous requests we had received at SEMA. This would be similar to the version of our Pinto rack-and-pinion and it could be used in the growing hot-rod market.

Then from there, we started to manufacture stainless-steel tilt steering columns from all-new parts specifically for the custom market, which was the next milestone. Patented cradle kits that allow rack-and-pinions to be added to classic, vintage, and musclecars, as well as the development of an all-new power rack-and-pinion, further expanded the business. And, finally accomplishing ISO 9001:2015 quality standard registration reinforced our commitment to quality.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2022 and what projects are you working on?

JL: We are continually working on new products. One of our focuses this year is to adapt the Microsteer electronic power-assist unit to a variety of steering columns making a bolt in installation possible for a variety of vehicles.

The next project is our growth in custom tilt steering columns. Since we make everything in-house, we can build a column to a certain size with a wire slot in a specific location and even powdercoat to any color in the RAL deck, and go on to produce it in a very timely manner.

Finally, the VDog continues to be a popular product we are offering to solve the 90-degree angle steering linkage situation at the firewall for LS motor swaps. It is a variable angle gear that won an award for SEMA Best New Product.

SEMA: Tell us about a build you are proud of.

JL: Hard Candy is our ’32 Roadster that was built in collaboration with Dominator Motorsports. It features our electric power-steering roadster column, a split axle and is showcased in our catalog and is featured at a number of trade shows. Our ’70 El Camino was built by the Flaming River team to develop a musclecar key column and cradle kit with power rack-and-pinion.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?

JL: This Industry is an exciting place to get involved. It is important to make connections, develop your talents and continue to learn and grow. SEMA and HRIA provide excellent opportunities to do this. As you pursue your own adventure, remain 100% committed to your goals.  

Fill out an HRIA member spotlight form to highlight how your company is contributing to the hot-rod industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on HRIA’s social media, SEMA News and future HRIA member updates.

By Rachel Tatum

Autumn Reine (@autumn_reine) will join SEMA Young Guns followers for an Instagram “Ask Me Anything,” Tuesday, April 19, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (PDT).

Reine is a professional welder and fabricator, incorporating those skills into her personal automotive projects. She has also created a YouTube channel called “Wrench & Chill” that features her dream car—a ’74 Datsun 240 Z named “CrayZ.” Her vision is to make CrayZ into a reliable street car that can compete and do long-distance driving while sharing the build process with others through social media. She enjoys making content showing fabrication techniques, handy tools, companies they recommend and love working with and industry news.

SEMA continues to actively recruit automotive influencers for the SEMA Social Media Correspondent program. Apply now to be considered.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA, along with the Auto Care Association, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Consumer Access to Repair (CAR) Coalition, applaud U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) for co-sponsoring the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair’ Act (REPAIR Act). Introduced in February 2022 by U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) to provide consumers rights to their vehicle’s repair and maintenance data and safeguard a free and fair repair market, the REPAIR Act (H.R. 6570) is the only federal right to repair legislation that addresses this critical need in the automotive industry.

Rep. Davidson is an automotive industry alumnus who ran his family business: a small-batch machining and fabricating business which was transformed into a high-volume contract fabrication and injection molding manufacturer during his tenure.

“SEMA and the specialty automotive aftermarket appreciate Representative Davidson standing up for free and fair competition for consumers looking to service, repair or modify their vehicle,” said Daniel Ingber, vice president, government and legal affairs, SEMA. “The bi-partisan REPAIR Act must be passed to protect access to vehicle systems, tools and information necessary for independent repair and modification services for millions of consumers.”

“By prohibiting vehicle owners from accessing and sharing data they generate, manufacturers stop consumers from accessing third-party repair shops,” said Davidson. “American vehicle owners have a right to control their data, and a right to access third-party repair shops, tools and parts. This bill would end manufacturers’ anti-competitive practices and restore consumer property rights.”

“Thanks to Congressman Davidson, the bill is now a bi-partisan effort,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “We thank the representative for recognizing that consumers deserve the right to choose where they get their vehicle repaired. In a time where Americans rely on their vehicles more than ever and are keeping their vehicles longer due to economic uncertainty, we hope that other legislators follow suit.”

“AASA applauds Rep. Davidson for joining Rep. Rush on this critical legislative push,” said Paul McCarthy, president and CEO, AASA. “The consumer’s ability to continue to have choice in where to repair, service and maintain their vehicles is at stake. The bipartisan support from this bill, as we saw with the bipartisan-supported ‘Nixing the Fix’ report from the FTC, speaks to the fact that this automotive right to repair effort is not partisan; it is to support consumers, competition and free markets. Without action, consumers will face rising costs and fewer options. We look forward to working with both representatives on this important effort.”

“The CAR Coalition applauds Rep. Davidson for co-sponsoring the REPAIR Act,” CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka said. “This bipartisan legislation is critical to protecting the rights of consumers in the post-collision auto-repair market. It is also crucial to ensuring the security and accessibility of vehicle data. As the cost of cars and repairs rise, consumers need more choices, not fewer, when it comes to repairing their own vehicles. The CAR Coalition looks forward to working with Rep. Davidson and Rep. Rush to advance the REPAIR Act on behalf of consumers across the country.”

Automotive aftermarket companies can urge legislators in their district to also co-sponsor the bill by visiting autocareadvocacy.org/take-action-tell-congress-support-right-to-repair, aftermarketsuppliers.org/repairact, carcoalition.com or semasan.com.

By Ashley Reyes

Knowing how to identify and professionally analyze combustion events, such as knocks, preignition, rev-limiter tuning and broken crankshafts is crucial to obtaining peak engine performance.

Join Gary Patterson, R&D engineer at Roush Yates Engines, during a SEMA webinar on April 19, at 1:00 pm (PDT), to discover the tools that are available to help measure cylinder pressure, how to identify the data in real-time and what actions to take as a result of the data. Whether it’s calibration optimization or valve-timing optimization, the modifications can make a difference in overall engine performance.

Geared toward automotive engineers, programmers and product developers, the webinar will cover:

• Cylinder Pressure Measurements: What equipment it takes to acquire data, what the raw data looks like and examples of good versus bad data.
• Data Interpretation: How to interpret the data to quickly optimize ignition timing, and understanding valve timing tradeoffs.
• Abnormal Events: Examples of abnormal events such as knocks, preignition, examples of good and bad rev limiter tuning, detecting a broken crankshaft during a test and stopping the test before damaging the engine block.
• Other Indicating System Uses: Other types of measurements indicating systems (i.e., fuel-rail pressure oscillations, crankshaft torsion and bending).

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

Holley LS Fest has become the go-to event for fans of GM’s high performance do-it-all LS engine platform. This year, Holley is bringing LS Fest West back to Las Vegas Motor Speedway just outside of Las Vegas.

The SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) is hosting a mixer for its members inside the Optima Booth on Thursday, April 21, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

The event is the ideal time for members to grow and expand their professional network. Attendees will network with industry friends in a relaxed environment, learn about resources available to council members, and connect directly with the MPMC select committee.

Lean more about the event and RSVP here.

By Ashley Reyes

As America’s workforce evolves and more employees continue to work remotely, workers are burning out and struggling. Resignations are at an all-time high and employees are seeking better work-life balance. Discover how the busiest people avoid burning out and ways to create an environment of calmness in the workplace by taking part in the newest offering from the SBN Virtual Education Webinar Series, “Creating a Work Life Balance,” April 21, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).

Ann Swayka of AirPro Diagnostics will serve as moderator as she is joined by Lee Jordon, chief people officer with DataBrains, who is also an adjunct professor of kinesiology and integrative wellness, and a nationally board-certified health and wellness coach.

Attendees will learn:

• Why work-life balance is essential to both employees and employers.
• How to instill a culture of work-life balance in your company.
• How to keep balance when stress increases.
• How to become a role model.

Attendees will engage in a Q&A with the speaker and participate in virtual breakouts to share how they reinforce work-life balance in their own careers.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

As the popularity of electric vehicles grows, experts are taking a closer look at the true environmental impact these cars have—from production to operation to disposal. Manufacturers of both alternative-fuel vehicles and traditional internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are evaluating the net-zero impact and what the future looks like.

Join Dr. Robert Freerks, consultant in fuels and lubricants at RLF Enterprises, April 20, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), as he compares EVs to conventional ICE vehicles and explores the readiness of the U.S. electric grid to support widespread adoption of EV use throughout the country.

In just one hour, you will learn about the following:

• Equivalent emissions of an EV based on energy production mix across the United States.
• Environmental impact of EV and battery production.
• Ability of the current electric grid to support widespread EV adoption.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) members are invited to join the network for a Virtual Happy Hour, April 21, from 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m (PDT).  

The event is the ideal time for FLN members to meet and socialize while expanding and growing their professional network. Attendees will hear from FLN leadership and discover what new resources and programs are available, before breaking out into small groups where they will meet and get to know other FLN members from throughout the country.

Industry professionals 39 years of age or younger who are not currently FLN members but are interested in getting more involved in the industry and networking are invited and encouraged to attend, as it is a great way to introduce yourself and learn how FLN can help support and grow members’ careers.

Register here.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Do you want members of Congress to pass bills that protect our automotive freedoms and enable the specialty automotive aftermarket to thrive? If the answer is yes, now is the time to get involved with SEMA efforts to connect industry businesses with their members of Congress.

U.S. Representative Jake Ellzey (R-TX, center) visits Summit Racing’s Arlington, Texas distribution and order fulfillment center.

Whether in Washington, D.C., or state capitals around the country, public policy battles are won by organized interests that have relationships with lawmakers. The organizations that shape public policy are comprised of businesses and individuals who know their lawmakers. More importantly, their lawmakers know them.

SEMA members have hosted members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators at their businesses for more than 20 years. These visits have been integral to developing meaningful relationships with lawmakers that help them to understand our industry so that they can advocate for policies that defend and grow it. If you would like to get to know your members of Congress, we stand ready to help!

Braden Liberg (left), Edelbrock’s director of compliance and calibration engineering; Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), the lead Republican co-sponsor of the RPM Act; and Todd Belcher, Edelbrock’s general manager of east operations (right), pose for a picture after the Congressman’s meeting with Edelbrock employees.

The first step in developing these relationships is to introduce yourself and invite them to your business. SEMA staff will draft up an invitation, send it to your lawmakers, coordinate the visit by providing a briefing prior to the event and manage day-of logistics in coordination with you and your company. Our government relations team is ready to do the heavy lifting! If you’d like to host your elected officials, please email Eric Snyder, SEMA’s director of congressional affairs, at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Biden Administration announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will issue a temporary waiver to allow for the summertime sale of gasoline with up to 15% ethanol (E15). Currently, E15 cannot be sold between June 1 and September 15 due to fuel-volatility concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog. The agency will review the waiver every 20 days to determine if it is necessary for it to remain in place.  

Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in older automobiles that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials and in certain specialty high-performance equipment installed on newer vehicles. SEMA opposes the expansion of E15 gasoline as a lack of clear labeling on gas pumps does not provide sufficient protection to guard against misfuelling.

Under the Trump Administration, the EPA issued a ruling to permanently allow year-round sale of E15; however, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found this ruling unlawful. The Biden Administration says this decision is based on its authority to pursue a temporary emergency action.

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