Compiled by SEMA Editors

The Red Bull Global Rallycross season finale will be held at The LINQ Promenade during the 2014 SEMA Show.

Tickets Still Available for Red Bull Global Rallycross Las Vegas

Tickets for the Global Rallycross Las Vegas finals, Wednesday, November 5, are still available online and will also be for sale onsite at the 2014 SEMA Show. Use your SEMA discount code, or show your credential at the time of purchase to receive 30% off tickets. Enter code "SEMAVEGAS" at checkout when visiting www.rbgrclv.com.

Held in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, which is the host venue, presenting sponsor and event partner, the action will take place at The LINQ Hotel & Casino during the 2014 SEMA Show.

For the first time in series history, four drivers enter the finale with a chance at the championship: Ken Block, winner of the 2013 Las Vegas race; former Formula 1 stars Scott Speed and Nelson Piquet Jr.; and defending GRC Lites champion Joni Wiman. The four championship-eligible drivers have combined for four victories, 16 podiums and eight poles so far in 2014. All four drivers are within 30 points of one another entering the final race, meaning that the best finisher among them in Las Vegas will likely take home the season-long championship.

Other drivers planning to compete include 2012 Las Vegas winner Tanner Foust; multiple X Games gold medalists Brian Deegan and Bucky Lasek; current GRC Lites champion Mitchell DeJong; and Sverre Isachsen, winner of the series’ most recent race at DirtFish Rally School in Snoqualmie, Washington.

The parking lot adjacent to The LINQ Promenade and at the base of the High Roller—the world’s tallest observation wheel—will be transformed into a high-octane motorsports playground, featuring dirt, asphalt and tabletop jumps signature to the series.

Loren Healy took the 4400 “Unlimited Class” West and East title and Nitto Tire Ultra4 National Championship win in Reno, Nevada.

Nitto Tire's Loren Healy Claims Overall 2014 Ultra 4 4400 Unlimited Class Points Title

Nitto Tire performed well in the eight-race 2014 Ultra4 Series this year with its team of drivers. Loren Healy claimed the overall 2014 Ultra4 4400 “Unlimited Class” points title. Driving a new-this-year Jimmy’s 4x4 IFS buggy won at the Nitto Tire National Championships, October 18, at the Wild West Motorsports Park in Reno, Nevada. Healy won his fourth event out of seven this year, beginning with his 2014 King of the Hammers crown win, his second such win. In the Unlimited 4400 Class, Nitto drivers Erik Miller and Jason Blanton joined Healy in the Top 10. Mel Wade Sr. took second in 4400 Stock, Mel Wade Jr. claimed the UTV Sportsman series title and Mike Bou took home Ultra4 “Rookie of the Year Award” in 4400.

Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Named Finalist for 2014 Museum Collection of the Year Award

The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing has been informed by Great Britain’s International Historic Motoring Awards selection committee that it has been “short listed” (named as a finalist) for the Museum Collection of the Year Award for 2014.

The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is among five automotive museums or collections selected for the award's finalist group. The Museum was nominated by the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame for the depth of the collection’s historic drag-racing vehicles, including those built and raced by Don Garlits, plus the supporting exhibits of important memorabilia and technological advances made across the sport’s history.

The Museum Collection of the Year Award is connected to the International Historic Motoring Awards—an annual automotive event, which honors a number of individuals and groups for contributions and achievements in several categories. The winners will be honored at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London, November 20, 2014. On November 22, Garlits will be inducted into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame at the Savill Court Hotel at Windsor Great Park, near Windsor, Surrey.

Brian Deegan clinched the Pro 2 Unlimited Championship last weekend in Lake Elsinore, California.

Deegan Clinches Sixth LOORRS Championship

A busy weekend on the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series in Lake Elisnore, California, led to many successes for Brian Deegan and his line of #38 trucks. As the Pro 2 points leader, Deegan was in a position to clinch his title in Round 15. Pro 2 was the final event of the evening and Deegan was running third on lap one. The #38 RockstarEnergy Drink/Makita Power Tools Ford moved into second, and by the final lap he tried to take the lead from Carl Renezeder, but Rob MacCachren moved past Deegan. Deegan finished the event in third, which continued his perfect record of podium finishes in Pro 2 for the 2014 season. It was also enough to clinch the Pro 2 Unlimited Championship. This marks Deegan’s third Pro 2 Championship in four years.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

VANDERGRIFF TO RETIRE FROM COCKPIT, ADDS CONNOLLY TO TWO-CAR TEAM: Bob Vandergriff Jr. confirmed that he will not be driving a Top Fuel dragster in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Series and will start his new direction solely as the team owner with a pair of dragsters driven by three-time Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon and 25-time NHRA Pro Stock winner Dave Connolly. The two Bob Vandergriff Racing dragsters will be sponsored by C&J Energy Services; crew chiefs will remain Kurt Elliott and Mike Guger.

"It's no secret that I've been planning on exiting the driver seat," Vandergriff said. "With the increasing demands of running the business, that time has come. I'm excited about my new role and it's actually recharged my batteries. I'm thrilled about the new direction for BVR. We have a three-time world champion in Larry Dixon and I've been able to hire someone who I consider one of the best natural drivers in the sport, Dave Connolly, to take over for me."

ENDERS-STEVENS HAS HER EYES ON THE PRIZE: Erica Enders-Stevens, the driver of the Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, is second in points trailing Jason Line by 35 points. If she were to win the championship, she would be the first female to win a Pro Stock world championship. Enders-Stevens, who has four wins this season—which ties a career best—five No. 1 qualifying positions and only one first-round loss, took part in a national teleconference to talk about her season and her hopes for the remainder of the Countdown to the Championship. For more on this story, visit www.NHRA.com.

J. FORCE FOCUSED FOR LATEST CHALLENGE IN LAS VEGAS: When the outlook has been at its most challenging for NHRA Funny Car icon John Force over the years, that has often brought out the very best in the 16-time and reigning world champion. After the departure of longtime crew chief Jimmy Prock last Wednesday with only two races remaining in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, that famed rallying response will be put to the test one more time for Force. He enters the 14th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in second place, 36 points behind rival Matt Hagan. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) joined Force as winners of this event last year. The race will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

"We’re going to come out swinging," Force said. "I’ll have a good race car [in Vegas], you can count on that. The rest is where Lady Luck takes us. I always believed that if you stand up and you fight, you do the best you can, and with a little help from the good Lord and the people around you, you'll be OK. If you win, that’s great. That’s the icing on the cake. But if you lose and you gave it everything you got, you still won. John Force needs to get up and rally himself and his team, whether new or old, and that’s what I plan on doing."

He Said, She Said

“We have to take it one lap at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. It's important to go out there on Friday and get our weekend started off right and make a good, solid lap. Dickie (Venables, crew chief) is so focused on our team and our car right now. These guys are hungry, they have a lot to prove. Dickie always has great game plan and he's a smart racer. I have all of the confidence in the world in him and my guys and me as a driver. I can't wait to crawl back into my race car. To be honest, there's not that much pressure on us. Everyone expects John (Force) to win this thing. We just have to go out there and do our thing and not worry about anyone else. We have the team that is capable of doing that.”

—Points leader Matt Hagan on the final two races of the 2014 season and his 36-point lead over John Force. In the first four races of the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, Hagan has raced to two wins, one runner-up finish and one quarterfinal finish. Hagan has three wins this season but has yet to win at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of career wins Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Andrew Hines has at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His most recent win at the facility came at the fall event in 2009 and his other wins came in 2006 and 2007 at the fall event. Hines leads the points by 25 over his teammate Eddie Krawiec. Hines, a three-time world champion has raced to five wins this season and two runner-up finishes. In the four NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship events this season he has recorded one win, one runner-up, and two semi-final appearances.

Did You Know

CIRCLE K RENEWS SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA WINTERNATIONALS: Circle K has renewed its title sponsorship of the NHRA Winternationals. The season-opening event for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is scheduled for February 5–8 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. The Circle K NHRA Winternationals is where NHRA race teams unveil their new cars, sponsors and paint schemes and begin their quest to win NHRA world championship titles. "The Circle K NHRA Winternationals is one of the most popular and highly anticipated races of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season," said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. "Circle K has a great presence throughout Southern California and has proved to be a terrific partner in activating throughout the marketplace."

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

VANDERGRIFF TO RETIRE FROM COCKPIT, ADDS CONNOLLY TO TWO-CAR TEAM: Bob Vandergriff Jr. confirmed that he will not be driving a Top Fuel dragster in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Series and will start his new direction solely as the team owner with a pair of dragsters driven by three-time Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon and 25-time NHRA Pro Stock winner Dave Connolly. The two Bob Vandergriff Racing dragsters will be sponsored by C&J Energy Services; crew chiefs will remain Kurt Elliott and Mike Guger.

"It's no secret that I've been planning on exiting the driver seat," Vandergriff said. "With the increasing demands of running the business, that time has come. I'm excited about my new role and it's actually recharged my batteries. I'm thrilled about the new direction for BVR. We have a three-time world champion in Larry Dixon and I've been able to hire someone who I consider one of the best natural drivers in the sport, Dave Connolly, to take over for me."

ENDERS-STEVENS HAS HER EYES ON THE PRIZE: Erica Enders-Stevens, the driver of the Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, is second in points trailing Jason Line by 35 points. If she were to win the championship, she would be the first female to win a Pro Stock world championship. Enders-Stevens, who has four wins this season—which ties a career best—five No. 1 qualifying positions and only one first-round loss, took part in a national teleconference to talk about her season and her hopes for the remainder of the Countdown to the Championship. For more on this story, visit www.NHRA.com.

J. FORCE FOCUSED FOR LATEST CHALLENGE IN LAS VEGAS: When the outlook has been at its most challenging for NHRA Funny Car icon John Force over the years, that has often brought out the very best in the 16-time and reigning world champion. After the departure of longtime crew chief Jimmy Prock last Wednesday with only two races remaining in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, that famed rallying response will be put to the test one more time for Force. He enters the 14th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in second place, 36 points behind rival Matt Hagan. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) joined Force as winners of this event last year. The race will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

"We’re going to come out swinging," Force said. "I’ll have a good race car [in Vegas], you can count on that. The rest is where Lady Luck takes us. I always believed that if you stand up and you fight, you do the best you can, and with a little help from the good Lord and the people around you, you'll be OK. If you win, that’s great. That’s the icing on the cake. But if you lose and you gave it everything you got, you still won. John Force needs to get up and rally himself and his team, whether new or old, and that’s what I plan on doing."

He Said, She Said

“We have to take it one lap at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. It's important to go out there on Friday and get our weekend started off right and make a good, solid lap. Dickie (Venables, crew chief) is so focused on our team and our car right now. These guys are hungry, they have a lot to prove. Dickie always has great game plan and he's a smart racer. I have all of the confidence in the world in him and my guys and me as a driver. I can't wait to crawl back into my race car. To be honest, there's not that much pressure on us. Everyone expects John (Force) to win this thing. We just have to go out there and do our thing and not worry about anyone else. We have the team that is capable of doing that.”

—Points leader Matt Hagan on the final two races of the 2014 season and his 36-point lead over John Force. In the first four races of the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, Hagan has raced to two wins, one runner-up finish and one quarterfinal finish. Hagan has three wins this season but has yet to win at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of career wins Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Andrew Hines has at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His most recent win at the facility came at the fall event in 2009 and his other wins came in 2006 and 2007 at the fall event. Hines leads the points by 25 over his teammate Eddie Krawiec. Hines, a three-time world champion has raced to five wins this season and two runner-up finishes. In the four NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship events this season he has recorded one win, one runner-up, and two semi-final appearances.

Did You Know

CIRCLE K RENEWS SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA WINTERNATIONALS: Circle K has renewed its title sponsorship of the NHRA Winternationals. The season-opening event for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is scheduled for February 5–8 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. The Circle K NHRA Winternationals is where NHRA race teams unveil their new cars, sponsors and paint schemes and begin their quest to win NHRA world championship titles. "The Circle K NHRA Winternationals is one of the most popular and highly anticipated races of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season," said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. "Circle K has a great presence throughout Southern California and has proved to be a terrific partner in activating throughout the marketplace."

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

VANDERGRIFF TO RETIRE FROM COCKPIT, ADDS CONNOLLY TO TWO-CAR TEAM: Bob Vandergriff Jr. confirmed that he will not be driving a Top Fuel dragster in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Series and will start his new direction solely as the team owner with a pair of dragsters driven by three-time Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon and 25-time NHRA Pro Stock winner Dave Connolly. The two Bob Vandergriff Racing dragsters will be sponsored by C&J Energy Services; crew chiefs will remain Kurt Elliott and Mike Guger.

"It's no secret that I've been planning on exiting the driver seat," Vandergriff said. "With the increasing demands of running the business, that time has come. I'm excited about my new role and it's actually recharged my batteries. I'm thrilled about the new direction for BVR. We have a three-time world champion in Larry Dixon and I've been able to hire someone who I consider one of the best natural drivers in the sport, Dave Connolly, to take over for me."

ENDERS-STEVENS HAS HER EYES ON THE PRIZE: Erica Enders-Stevens, the driver of the Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, is second in points trailing Jason Line by 35 points. If she were to win the championship, she would be the first female to win a Pro Stock world championship. Enders-Stevens, who has four wins this season—which ties a career best—five No. 1 qualifying positions and only one first-round loss, took part in a national teleconference to talk about her season and her hopes for the remainder of the Countdown to the Championship. For more on this story, visit www.NHRA.com.

J. FORCE FOCUSED FOR LATEST CHALLENGE IN LAS VEGAS: When the outlook has been at its most challenging for NHRA Funny Car icon John Force over the years, that has often brought out the very best in the 16-time and reigning world champion. After the departure of longtime crew chief Jimmy Prock last Wednesday with only two races remaining in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, that famed rallying response will be put to the test one more time for Force. He enters the 14th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in second place, 36 points behind rival Matt Hagan. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) joined Force as winners of this event last year. The race will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

"We’re going to come out swinging," Force said. "I’ll have a good race car [in Vegas], you can count on that. The rest is where Lady Luck takes us. I always believed that if you stand up and you fight, you do the best you can, and with a little help from the good Lord and the people around you, you'll be OK. If you win, that’s great. That’s the icing on the cake. But if you lose and you gave it everything you got, you still won. John Force needs to get up and rally himself and his team, whether new or old, and that’s what I plan on doing."

He Said, She Said

“We have to take it one lap at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. It's important to go out there on Friday and get our weekend started off right and make a good, solid lap. Dickie (Venables, crew chief) is so focused on our team and our car right now. These guys are hungry, they have a lot to prove. Dickie always has great game plan and he's a smart racer. I have all of the confidence in the world in him and my guys and me as a driver. I can't wait to crawl back into my race car. To be honest, there's not that much pressure on us. Everyone expects John (Force) to win this thing. We just have to go out there and do our thing and not worry about anyone else. We have the team that is capable of doing that.”

—Points leader Matt Hagan on the final two races of the 2014 season and his 36-point lead over John Force. In the first four races of the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, Hagan has raced to two wins, one runner-up finish and one quarterfinal finish. Hagan has three wins this season but has yet to win at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of career wins Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Andrew Hines has at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His most recent win at the facility came at the fall event in 2009 and his other wins came in 2006 and 2007 at the fall event. Hines leads the points by 25 over his teammate Eddie Krawiec. Hines, a three-time world champion has raced to five wins this season and two runner-up finishes. In the four NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship events this season he has recorded one win, one runner-up, and two semi-final appearances.

Did You Know

CIRCLE K RENEWS SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA WINTERNATIONALS: Circle K has renewed its title sponsorship of the NHRA Winternationals. The season-opening event for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is scheduled for February 5–8 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. The Circle K NHRA Winternationals is where NHRA race teams unveil their new cars, sponsors and paint schemes and begin their quest to win NHRA world championship titles. "The Circle K NHRA Winternationals is one of the most popular and highly anticipated races of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season," said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. "Circle K has a great presence throughout Southern California and has proved to be a terrific partner in activating throughout the marketplace."

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

	SEMA-member buyers attending the Show have access to special perks through the Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program.

• Exclusive Access to the MBR Lounge: Located in the SEMA Members Lounge in the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Room N251, the MBR Lounge offers complimentary coffee and a place to take a break Tuesday through Friday during Show hours.

• Dedicated MBR Taxi Lines: Available in the Gold Lot and Silver Lot #4 from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday, and 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. on Friday.

• Reserved Seating: Best seats for the New Products Breakfast, featuring the SEMA Award Press Conference (Tuesday), and the NHRA Breakfast (Wednesday). Tickets are required and space is limited. Plan to arrive early!

• Free drink ticket at SEMA Ignited: Held at The LINQ High Roller from 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, pick up your drink ticket at the Information Center at SEMA Ignited. Limited availability/must arrive early. One ticket per person.

	SEMA-member buyers attending the Show have access to special perks through the Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program.

• Exclusive Access to the MBR Lounge: Located in the SEMA Members Lounge in the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Room N251, the MBR Lounge offers complimentary coffee and a place to take a break Tuesday through Friday during Show hours.

• Dedicated MBR Taxi Lines: Available in the Gold Lot and Silver Lot #4 from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday, and 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. on Friday.

• Reserved Seating: Best seats for the New Products Breakfast, featuring the SEMA Award Press Conference (Tuesday), and the NHRA Breakfast (Wednesday). Tickets are required and space is limited. Plan to arrive early!

• Free drink ticket at SEMA Ignited: Held at The LINQ High Roller from 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, pick up your drink ticket at the Information Center at SEMA Ignited. Limited availability/must arrive early. One ticket per person.

	SEMA-member buyers attending the Show have access to special perks through the Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program.

• Exclusive Access to the MBR Lounge: Located in the SEMA Members Lounge in the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Room N251, the MBR Lounge offers complimentary coffee and a place to take a break Tuesday through Friday during Show hours.

• Dedicated MBR Taxi Lines: Available in the Gold Lot and Silver Lot #4 from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday, and 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. on Friday.

• Reserved Seating: Best seats for the New Products Breakfast, featuring the SEMA Award Press Conference (Tuesday), and the NHRA Breakfast (Wednesday). Tickets are required and space is limited. Plan to arrive early!

• Free drink ticket at SEMA Ignited: Held at The LINQ High Roller from 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, pick up your drink ticket at the Information Center at SEMA Ignited. Limited availability/must arrive early. One ticket per person.

	SEMA-member buyers attending the Show have access to special perks through the Member Buyer Rewards (MBR) program.

• Exclusive Access to the MBR Lounge: Located in the SEMA Members Lounge in the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Room N251, the MBR Lounge offers complimentary coffee and a place to take a break Tuesday through Friday during Show hours.

• Dedicated MBR Taxi Lines: Available in the Gold Lot and Silver Lot #4 from 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday, and 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. on Friday.

• Reserved Seating: Best seats for the New Products Breakfast, featuring the SEMA Award Press Conference (Tuesday), and the NHRA Breakfast (Wednesday). Tickets are required and space is limited. Plan to arrive early!

• Free drink ticket at SEMA Ignited: Held at The LINQ High Roller from 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, pick up your drink ticket at the Information Center at SEMA Ignited. Limited availability/must arrive early. One ticket per person.

By SEMA Editors

	John Keane

John Michael Keane, “JK,” 76, of Ashland, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, Wednesday, October 22, at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was the devoted husband of 47 years to Anna (Interrante) Keane of Ashland, formerly of Chelsea, who survives him.

Born in Boston, Keane was the son of the late Mary (Shea) and James F. Keane of Jamaica Plain. He was an avid car racing fan, driver, sponsor and owner, and was a member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA), NASCAR, and the Hundred Club.

A born entrepreneur and salesman, Keane started his long career selling high-performance auto parts and later became the owner of New England Speed Equipment in Allston, Massachusetts. He loved to work and did so tirelessly at the business he and his son started, Marine Engines in Holliston, Massachusetts.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Rich Barsamian

Advanced Clutch Technology Announces the Return of Rich Barsamian as Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) has announced that Rich Barsamian has returned to ACT as vice president of sales and marketing. In this position, Barsamian will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to grow ACT's product business through sales and marketing. He was formally ACT's national sales manager. Barsamian, an industry veteran with many years in the automotive and performance aftermarket, brings a wealth of experience and relationships at every level, from warehouse distributor to chain retailers and mail order/Internet companies. He resigned his position as vice president, sales and marketing at GT Performance, and also worked as national sales manager for Edelbrock. Barsamian is also active in the SEMA community and serves as chairman of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Select Committee.

RacingJunk.com has partnered with WELD Racing to give away a ’14 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab and a trip to the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas to one lucky winner.

WELD Racing Teams Up With RacingJunk.com to Give Away a Customized 2014 Chevrolet Silverado at the SEMA Show

WELD Racing has teamed up with RacingJunk.com to create a year-long promotion and contest to mark the website’s 15-year anniversary. At the 2013 PRI Show in Indianapolis, RacingJunk.com announced a partnership with WELD Racing to give away a ’14 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab and a trip to the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas to one lucky winner. The truck has been modified with aftermarket components and has spent the past year traveling around the country, appearing at shows and events, such as the Charlotte Auto Fair, Hot Rod Power Tour, NASCAR Coke 600, NHRA 4-Wide Nationals and the Knoxville Nationals. The truck will make its final stop at the 2014 SEMA Show, where it will appear in the WELD Racing booth #24957 for the duration of the Show.

Modifications and upgrades to the truck include WELD Racing wheels, Mickey Thompson tires, a Magnaflow exhaust system, a Magnuson supercharger installed by JHR Performance, A.R.E. tonneau cover, Dupli-Color bed armor system, a lift kit from Rough Country Suspension Systems and additional support from AED Performance. In late September, a winner was chosen from the tens of thousands of entries and arrangements were made to fly that person to Las Vegas. Wednesday, November 5, RacingJunk.com staff will hand over the keys to the winner, who will officially be announced at a ceremony at the WELD Racing booth held from 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

	Kyle Fickler

Aeromotive Welcomes Back Kyle Ficker

Aeromotive Inc. has appointed Kyle Fickler as director of business development. Fickler will oversee all sales reps, product training and OE business. Fickler was employed at Aeromotive Inc. for eight years prior to leaving to serve as vice president of sales at WELD Racing—a position he held for six years. Fickler currently sits on the SEMA Board of Directors after serving as SEMA’s Motorsports Parts Manufacturer Council (MPMC) chairman. Fickler also serves on the NHRA Performance Aftermarket Advisory Council (PAAC).

Fickler’s first active role as Aeromotive director of business development will be at the 2014 SEMA Show, where he will have the opportunity to sit down with Aeromotive reps, distributors and enthusiasts.

Royal Purple Relaunches Corporate Homepage

Royal Purple has relaunched its corporate homepage, RoyalPurple.com, with a new format and fresh look. The new landing page was designed to be more reflective of the events and initiatives supported by Royal Purple. Information on sponsored series, teams and racers, events, such as The Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl, and Royal Purple Truck and Trailer program can all be accessed in a one-page scrolling format. The site acts as a central feed for the latest posts to the brand’s Twitter and Instagram pages.

Jen Martin

The Hybrid Shop (THS) Appoints Jen Martin as New Marketing Director

The Hybrid Shop (THS) has announced that it has selected Jen Martin as marketing director. Martin brings more than 10 years of marketing and business-development experience to her new position. In her new role, Martin will oversee all of the organization's day-to-day marketing activities and planning and implementing strategic marketing projects and campaigns to support and expand the company's ongoing growth.

One of her first official duties in her new role at THS is accompanying the team to the upcoming 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. THS will host an invitation-only Hybrid Training Day event for shop owners, November 3, at Ted Weins Auto Service in Las Vegas, and will attend the event, November 4–7 in booth #10218, Tools & Equipment, North Hall. THS will also host a Hybrid Celebration Party at the Boombox at Marquee Nightclub, Wednesday, November 5.

	Mitch Kelly from Kelly and Sons of Bellflower, California, will reveal a ’70 Chevrolet Camaro in the Ron Francis Wiring booth (#25075) at the 2014 SEMA Show.

Kelly and Sons Custom to Be Revealed at the Ron Francis Wiring Booth at 2014 SEMA Show

Mitch Kelly from Kelly and Sons of Bellflower, California, will reveal a ’70 Chevrolet Camaro, Tuesday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the Ron Francis Wiring booth (#25075) at the 2014 SEMA Show. The ’70 Camaro pro-touring resto rod has undergone a complete transformation. Nearly every surface has received custom treatment with only a few small parts remaining unmodified. Some of the main features include a Lingenfelter supercharged 700hp LSA motor. This is attached to a 6L90 transmission with paddle shift. Detroit Speed provides the running gear, with Ron Francis Wiring complete electrical.

RealTruck Announces 2014 SEMA Vendor Awards Winners


After judges scored more than 50 nominations received for the 2014 SEMA Vendor Awards, five winners were selected, with one winner per category. Created in 2013, the RealTruck Vendor Awards honors companies that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the areas of communication, problem solving and support, while producing superior products and delivering more to RealTruck and its customers. The awards series highlights companies that stood out during the September 2013 to August 2014 period.

Most Valuable Partner: ACCESS
Rookie of the Year: Willmore Manufacturing Inc.
Customer Service Master: TruXedo
Data Geek of the Year: Husky Liners
Vendor of the Year: Lund International

	Dominick Wycoff

Dominick Wyckoff Joins Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels as Vice President of Business Development

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has announced the selection of Dominick Wycoff as vice president of business development reporting to company President Chris Barbara. Wycoff has more than 17 years of experience in the automotive industry as a former senior executive with Terry’s Tire Town of Ohio.

EnerSys Offers 20 Percent Discount at the SEMA Show for ODYSSEY Battery Orders

EnerSys (booth #24875) has announced that it will offer a 20-percent discount on ODYSSEY battery orders placed during the 2014 SEMA Show. SEMA Show attendees who visit the booth will receive a promo code to use at online checkout. The offer is only valid to attendees who obtain the code.

In addition to the 20-percent discount offer, booth features will include special guest appearances by: Spencer Massey (Don Schumacher Racing Top Fuel driver), Tuesday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; “Horny” Mike (co-host on History Channel’s “Counting Cars”), Tuesday, November 4, from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.; Rutledge Wood (co-host on History Channel’s “Top Gear”), Tuesday, November 4, from 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.; Tanner Foust (a three-time U.S. rallycross champion, four-time X Games gold medalist and two-time Formula Drift champion), Wednesday, November 5, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Richard Petty (NASCAR Hall of Famer) and Wood, Wednesday, November 5, from 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.; Brad Keselowski (NASCAR champion in the Cup and Nationwide series for Team Penske), Thursday, November 6, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; and Brian Deegan (Motocross Legend, 2013 LOORRS Pro Light Champion and 2013 DirtSport’s Driver of the Year), Thursday, November 6, from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

Additionally, featured booth vehicles include Wood’s ’53 Plymouth Suburban Wagon, ULTRA4 Racing and 2014 King of the Hammers No. 4706 Spec Class car and two motorcycles that were built by the crew at Count’s Kustoms—the one-of-a-kind hot-rod and chopper customization/restoration shop, known from the television show “Counting Cars.”

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