Part of the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference includes a tour of local shops and the opportunity to meet with buyers from throughout the region.

SEMA manufacturing members have the opportunity to meet pre-vetted buyers from throughout the Middle East at the third SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference being held in the United Arab Emirates, March 11–14, 2014.

Motorsports and vehicle personalization have a strong and growing base throughout the region, and a quick drive around Dubai or Abu Dhabi would surprise any gearhead with the wide variety of customized vehicles traveling the roads. Off-roading is also extremely popular throughout the region, with SUVs and pickup owners heading into the desert.

The cost to participate in the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference is $3,000, with the U.S. Department of Commerce providing a $1,000 grant to defray costs for qualified companies.

The complete excursion to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will include a tour of local shops and the opportunity to meet with buyers from throughout the region. Last year’s event—which sold out—included buyers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt.

For more information or to register, visit SEMA.org/MiddleEast. Questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The shooters at KGP Photography caught the next Hyundai Genesis undisguised at a video shoot, providing a showroom-ready look at Hyundai's flagship sedan before its likely debut a few weeks from now.

Hyundai has released some sketches of the revamped Genesis, but these are the first shots that provide a complete, 360-degree look at the new design in a real-world setting. The Genesis captured in these photos is fully badged-out as a Genesis G380 HTRAC (denoting the car's new AWD system). The HTRAC system uses an electronic torque-split system that varies depending on road conditions, or via various driving modes that can vary the torque sent to each axle.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography caught the next Hyundai Genesis undisguised at a video shoot, providing a showroom-ready look at Hyundai's flagship sedan before its likely debut a few weeks from now.

Hyundai has released some sketches of the revamped Genesis, but these are the first shots that provide a complete, 360-degree look at the new design in a real-world setting. The Genesis captured in these photos is fully badged-out as a Genesis G380 HTRAC (denoting the car's new AWD system). The HTRAC system uses an electronic torque-split system that varies depending on road conditions, or via various driving modes that can vary the torque sent to each axle.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography caught the next Hyundai Genesis undisguised at a video shoot, providing a showroom-ready look at Hyundai's flagship sedan before its likely debut a few weeks from now.

Hyundai has released some sketches of the revamped Genesis, but these are the first shots that provide a complete, 360-degree look at the new design in a real-world setting. The Genesis captured in these photos is fully badged-out as a Genesis G380 HTRAC (denoting the car's new AWD system). The HTRAC system uses an electronic torque-split system that varies depending on road conditions, or via various driving modes that can vary the torque sent to each axle.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

2013 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES AWARDS CEREMONY CLIPS FEATURED ON NHRA.COM: Fans of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series can watch highlights from the 2013 awards ceremony, which took place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in West Los Angeles. Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcyle), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock), John Force (Funny Car) and Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and other honorees are featured on clips on YouTube. Visit the NHRA web site for more information.

2014 SEASON OPENING TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Tickets for the 54th annual NHRA Winternationals are now available for purchase. The event takes place February 6–9 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and is the start to the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. New paint schemes, new drivers with different teams and the promise of a new season will fill the pits. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-884-6472 or by visiting www.NHRATix.com.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS TICKETS ON SALE: The classic duel in the desert, the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, will be held February 21–23 and tickets are now on sale to the general public. The event will be held at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (formerly Firebird International Raceway) outside of Phoenix, and always proves to be an early season proving grounds for teams as they look to refine their off-season changes. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-884-6472 or visiting www.NHRATix.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014: The 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series kicks-off at one of the most historic facilities on the NHRA circuit—Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014. Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) will attempt to defend their 2013 wins and start the season off on a positive note.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, February 21–23: For the 30th season, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races into the Valley of the Sun for the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, February 21–23. The venerable facility located south of Phoenix has seen many historic performances over the years. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) recorded wins at the track in 2013 and will once again attempt to get early season victories.


HE SAID, SHE SAID

“This is my fifth visit, and every year, I look forward to the opportunity to thank our troops in person for everything they do for our country. Really, it’s a big deal and an incredible honor. We bring a little bit of home to them and thank them for all that they have done and continue to do for us. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

—Pro Stock racer Jason Line, who, along with teammate Greg Anderson, Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec and Dan Runte of the Summit Racing/Bigfoot monster truck, are visiting troops in the Middle East. Summit Racing Equipment and Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) are making the trip possible for a fourth year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3: Number of first-round losses NHRA Pro Stock world champ Jeg Coughlin was dealt during his entire 2013 Pro Stock world championship season. This is the third time Coughlin has posted just three first-round losses in a full season of racing. He first accomplished this in 1999 when he finshed second in the points. He also only lost three first-round apperances in 2000—the year of his first Pro Stock world championship.

DID YOU KNOW…

LEVONAS NAMED AS NHRA 6 DIVISION DIRECTOR: Matt Levonas has been named director of NHRA’s Northwest Division. In his new position, Levonas will conduct and oversee drag-racing activities at the 19 NHRA-member facilities in the Northwest Division, providing consultation to all track operators in the division, as well as supervising development of new racetrack activity. Levonas has been involved in motorsports for most of his life, growing up in a racing family. In 2002, he joined NHRA’s West Central Division (Division 5) certification team. He also spent two years working in a variety of positions at Bandimere Speedway near Denver before joining the West Central Division full-time as a division services coordinator in 2006.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead NHRA’s Northwest Division,” said Levonas. “The division has a great amount of history and tradition, and I look forward to continuing the Division 6 legacy within NHRA and helping to grow the sport of drag racing in the Pacific Northwest. I hope to make the NHRA experience more enjoyable for everyone in Division 6—competitors, sponsors, track operators and fans.”

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

2013 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES AWARDS CEREMONY CLIPS FEATURED ON NHRA.COM: Fans of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series can watch highlights from the 2013 awards ceremony, which took place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in West Los Angeles. Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcyle), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock), John Force (Funny Car) and Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and other honorees are featured on clips on YouTube. Visit the NHRA web site for more information.

2014 SEASON OPENING TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Tickets for the 54th annual NHRA Winternationals are now available for purchase. The event takes place February 6–9 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and is the start to the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. New paint schemes, new drivers with different teams and the promise of a new season will fill the pits. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-884-6472 or by visiting www.NHRATix.com.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS TICKETS ON SALE: The classic duel in the desert, the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, will be held February 21–23 and tickets are now on sale to the general public. The event will be held at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (formerly Firebird International Raceway) outside of Phoenix, and always proves to be an early season proving grounds for teams as they look to refine their off-season changes. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-884-6472 or visiting www.NHRATix.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014: The 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series kicks-off at one of the most historic facilities on the NHRA circuit—Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014. Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) will attempt to defend their 2013 wins and start the season off on a positive note.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, February 21–23: For the 30th season, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races into the Valley of the Sun for the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, February 21–23. The venerable facility located south of Phoenix has seen many historic performances over the years. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) recorded wins at the track in 2013 and will once again attempt to get early season victories.


HE SAID, SHE SAID

“This is my fifth visit, and every year, I look forward to the opportunity to thank our troops in person for everything they do for our country. Really, it’s a big deal and an incredible honor. We bring a little bit of home to them and thank them for all that they have done and continue to do for us. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

—Pro Stock racer Jason Line, who, along with teammate Greg Anderson, Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec and Dan Runte of the Summit Racing/Bigfoot monster truck, are visiting troops in the Middle East. Summit Racing Equipment and Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) are making the trip possible for a fourth year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3: Number of first-round losses NHRA Pro Stock world champ Jeg Coughlin was dealt during his entire 2013 Pro Stock world championship season. This is the third time Coughlin has posted just three first-round losses in a full season of racing. He first accomplished this in 1999 when he finshed second in the points. He also only lost three first-round apperances in 2000—the year of his first Pro Stock world championship.

DID YOU KNOW…

LEVONAS NAMED AS NHRA 6 DIVISION DIRECTOR: Matt Levonas has been named director of NHRA’s Northwest Division. In his new position, Levonas will conduct and oversee drag-racing activities at the 19 NHRA-member facilities in the Northwest Division, providing consultation to all track operators in the division, as well as supervising development of new racetrack activity. Levonas has been involved in motorsports for most of his life, growing up in a racing family. In 2002, he joined NHRA’s West Central Division (Division 5) certification team. He also spent two years working in a variety of positions at Bandimere Speedway near Denver before joining the West Central Division full-time as a division services coordinator in 2006.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead NHRA’s Northwest Division,” said Levonas. “The division has a great amount of history and tradition, and I look forward to continuing the Division 6 legacy within NHRA and helping to grow the sport of drag racing in the Pacific Northwest. I hope to make the NHRA experience more enjoyable for everyone in Division 6—competitors, sponsors, track operators and fans.”

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

2013 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES AWARDS CEREMONY CLIPS FEATURED ON NHRA.COM: Fans of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series can watch highlights from the 2013 awards ceremony, which took place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in West Los Angeles. Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcyle), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock), John Force (Funny Car) and Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and other honorees are featured on clips on YouTube. Visit the NHRA web site for more information.

2014 SEASON OPENING TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Tickets for the 54th annual NHRA Winternationals are now available for purchase. The event takes place February 6–9 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and is the start to the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. New paint schemes, new drivers with different teams and the promise of a new season will fill the pits. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-884-6472 or by visiting www.NHRATix.com.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS TICKETS ON SALE: The classic duel in the desert, the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, will be held February 21–23 and tickets are now on sale to the general public. The event will be held at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (formerly Firebird International Raceway) outside of Phoenix, and always proves to be an early season proving grounds for teams as they look to refine their off-season changes. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-884-6472 or visiting www.NHRATix.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014: The 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series kicks-off at one of the most historic facilities on the NHRA circuit—Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 6–9, 2014. Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) will attempt to defend their 2013 wins and start the season off on a positive note.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, February 21–23: For the 30th season, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races into the Valley of the Sun for the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, February 21–23. The venerable facility located south of Phoenix has seen many historic performances over the years. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) recorded wins at the track in 2013 and will once again attempt to get early season victories.


HE SAID, SHE SAID

“This is my fifth visit, and every year, I look forward to the opportunity to thank our troops in person for everything they do for our country. Really, it’s a big deal and an incredible honor. We bring a little bit of home to them and thank them for all that they have done and continue to do for us. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

—Pro Stock racer Jason Line, who, along with teammate Greg Anderson, Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec and Dan Runte of the Summit Racing/Bigfoot monster truck, are visiting troops in the Middle East. Summit Racing Equipment and Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) are making the trip possible for a fourth year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3: Number of first-round losses NHRA Pro Stock world champ Jeg Coughlin was dealt during his entire 2013 Pro Stock world championship season. This is the third time Coughlin has posted just three first-round losses in a full season of racing. He first accomplished this in 1999 when he finshed second in the points. He also only lost three first-round apperances in 2000—the year of his first Pro Stock world championship.

DID YOU KNOW…

LEVONAS NAMED AS NHRA 6 DIVISION DIRECTOR: Matt Levonas has been named director of NHRA’s Northwest Division. In his new position, Levonas will conduct and oversee drag-racing activities at the 19 NHRA-member facilities in the Northwest Division, providing consultation to all track operators in the division, as well as supervising development of new racetrack activity. Levonas has been involved in motorsports for most of his life, growing up in a racing family. In 2002, he joined NHRA’s West Central Division (Division 5) certification team. He also spent two years working in a variety of positions at Bandimere Speedway near Denver before joining the West Central Division full-time as a division services coordinator in 2006.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead NHRA’s Northwest Division,” said Levonas. “The division has a great amount of history and tradition, and I look forward to continuing the Division 6 legacy within NHRA and helping to grow the sport of drag racing in the Pacific Northwest. I hope to make the NHRA experience more enjoyable for everyone in Division 6—competitors, sponsors, track operators and fans.”

By SEMA Editors

	A ’67 Chevrolet Nova built by Chris Holstrom and owned by Phil Mitchell of Puyallup, Washington, took Best in Show at the 2013 Gran Turismo Awards.

On the evening of Wednesday, November 6, the Gran Turismo Awards put on its 11th annual award ceremony at the Haze Nightclub inside the Aria in Las Vegas. Held during the SEMA Show, the 2013 GT Awards sought to find the best cars from five different categories (Best Truck or SUV, Hot Rod, Domestic Automobile, Asian Import and European Import) by calling on experts from the automotive media and industry professionals.

In addition to the five categories, a People’s Choice award was introduced for the first time this year where fans had the opportunity to vote on their favorite car by liking posts on Gran Turismo’s Facebook page.

Host C.J. Wilson—the all-star pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and owner of a Mazda race team and dealership—revealed all six category winners, as well as the overall Best in Show.

For Best Truck or SUV, Matt Farah from the "Drive" channel on YouTube and "Smoking Tire" selected the ’65 Ford Econoline back-up pickup owned by Dave Shuten. It’s called a back-up pickup because it’s a truck with its driveline turned around. It will do a wheelie going backwards.

Alexander Stoklosa and Michael Simari from Car and Driver teamed up as judges for Best Domestic Automobile and picked the Factory Five 818R. The 818R is a track-purpose kit car that uses a turbocharged Subaru motor.

For Best Asian Import, Jonathan Wong from Super Street magazine picked a ’14 Scion FR-S with a 2JZ engine swapped in from a Supra turbo. Built by the aftermarket company Greddy, the small Scion now makes 750 wheel hp.

Alex Bernstein from European Car was on deck for Best European Import. He chose an ’01 VW GTI-RS from 034 Motorsport that has been converted to rear-wheel drive and makes 900 wheel hp.

Ryan Friedlinghaus from the car customization shop West Coast Customs picked a ’67 Chevrolet Nova built by Chris Holstrom and owned by Phil Mitchell of Puyallup, Washington, for Best Hot Rod. The Nova is equipped with a supercharged LS9 engine out of a ’12 Corvette ZR1 that makes 700 hp. The overall clean execution of modern engine in a classic chassis helped the Nova take the Best in Show honors as well. Look for it as a playable vehicle in an upcoming version of Gran Turismo.

As for the People’s Choice, the fans picked a ’14 Chevy Corvette Stingray owned by Octavio Villafana. The C7 Vette features a custom widebody painted in a brilliant blue.

Visit www.gran-turismo.com/us for more information.