By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	Delegate Gary Howell and the West Virginia State Capitol building in Charleston.

At a gathering of state lawmakers during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell was named chairman of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. Howell was appointed to the post after the November 5 election of New York Assemblyman Bill Reilich to the office of City Supervisor in Greece, New York. Reilich had served in the role for six years and will continue as chairman emeritus.


Supported by SEMA, the caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love for automobiles. To date, almost 600 state legislators from all 50 states have joined the group. The caucus serves to raise the motor-vehicle hobby’s profile in state legislatures across the country, and in the eyes of the public. Many of these lawmakers have sought to preserve and expand the hobby by improving existing motor-vehicle statutes and regulations.
 
As a SEMA member and owner of Howell Automotive in Keyser, West Virginia, Howell immediately demonstrated his desire to get involved in keeping the laws in his state hobby-friendly when he joined the caucus in 2011 upon his election to the West Virginia House of Delegates. He has worked extensively in the motorsports industry, raced both stock cars and drag cars, built winning race cars and award-winning show cars, and designed racing parts. He has also hosted a syndicated radio show, written automotive magazine articles and served as a technical expert on automotive TV shows.
 
“I have been a strong advocate of SEMA-model legislation that helps car enthusiasts enjoy their hobby in a safe and responsible manner,” Howell said. “I have worked to remove the tax burden on low-income car collectors, sponsored a bill to implement an objective exhaust noise testing program and crusaded against increased ethanol blends in gasoline.”   
 
Howell sits on the West Virginia House of Delegate’s Roads and Transportation Committee in order to further help protect the rights of motor vehicle enthusiasts. In addition, his current advocacy efforts are sensitive to the needs of small businesses—the catalyst for the U.S. economic engine. Despite his busy legislative schedule, Howell still finds time to fit in personal "car stuff" and enjoys driving his Dodge SRT-4, which won Car and Driver's 2005 SuperFour Challenge in the front-wheel-drive class. His dream car is a black ’71 GTX, 426 Hemi four-speed.
 
“Those that don't share our love of the automobile are often unaware of the unintended effect of many of the bills,” Howell remarked. “That is the role of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, and I welcome this chance to serve as chairman. As its past leader, Assemblyman Reilich has set the bar very high and established a solid foundation to build upon. Together, the Caucus will continue to ensure the voices of the auto enthusiasts are heard nationwide.”

By SEMA Editors

	SEMA's Consumer Segmentation Report will assist members in identifying and understanding their target consumers within the overall specialty-equipment industry.

Knowledge can be the difference between you and your competition. The SEMA Market Research team works hard to provide you with the information needed to maintain a prosperous business. A variety of market research reports are available to SEMA members, most at no charge.

For instance, the Consumer Segmentation Report is designed to help you understand your target consumers within the larger universe of the specialty-equipment industry. Having a better understanding of who is interested in your products makes it is easier to target and reach those specific individuals. It’s all about helping you expand your customer base.

Stay informed about the latest sales trends, consumer needs and economic fluctuations impacting your industry and company so you can make better business decisions. See what reports are available to you.

By SEMA Editors

	SEMA's Consumer Segmentation Report will assist members in identifying and understanding their target consumers within the overall specialty-equipment industry.

Knowledge can be the difference between you and your competition. The SEMA Market Research team works hard to provide you with the information needed to maintain a prosperous business. A variety of market research reports are available to SEMA members, most at no charge.

For instance, the Consumer Segmentation Report is designed to help you understand your target consumers within the larger universe of the specialty-equipment industry. Having a better understanding of who is interested in your products makes it is easier to target and reach those specific individuals. It’s all about helping you expand your customer base.

Stay informed about the latest sales trends, consumer needs and economic fluctuations impacting your industry and company so you can make better business decisions. See what reports are available to you.

By SEMA Editors

	The 2013 Best GM Vehicle is a ’72 Chevrolet Camaro, built by Steve Strope.

General Motors presented its Chevrolet Design Awards during the 2013 SEMA Show. Bestowed annually, the awards recognize specialty-equipment companies for creativity and innovation, as well as performance styling and product design.

GM designers and judges scoured the Show beginning opening day to locate the best GM-influenced project vehicles and display cars. GM presents awards in 13 categories, including the top honor of Best GM Vehicle of the Show. The 2013 Best GM Vehicle is a ’72 Chevrolet Camaro, built by Steve Strope and featured in the HRE booth.

2013 Chevrolet Design Award Winners

By SEMA Editors

	The 2013 Best GM Vehicle is a ’72 Chevrolet Camaro, built by Steve Strope.

General Motors presented its Chevrolet Design Awards during the 2013 SEMA Show. Bestowed annually, the awards recognize specialty-equipment companies for creativity and innovation, as well as performance styling and product design.

GM designers and judges scoured the Show beginning opening day to locate the best GM-influenced project vehicles and display cars. GM presents awards in 13 categories, including the top honor of Best GM Vehicle of the Show. The 2013 Best GM Vehicle is a ’72 Chevrolet Camaro, built by Steve Strope and featured in the HRE booth.

2013 Chevrolet Design Award Winners

By SEMA Editors

	The 2013 Best GM Vehicle is a ’72 Chevrolet Camaro, built by Steve Strope.

General Motors presented its Chevrolet Design Awards during the 2013 SEMA Show. Bestowed annually, the awards recognize specialty-equipment companies for creativity and innovation, as well as performance styling and product design.

GM designers and judges scoured the Show beginning opening day to locate the best GM-influenced project vehicles and display cars. GM presents awards in 13 categories, including the top honor of Best GM Vehicle of the Show. The 2013 Best GM Vehicle is a ’72 Chevrolet Camaro, built by Steve Strope and featured in the HRE booth.

2013 Chevrolet Design Award Winners

By SEMA Editors

	The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) reports having met with more than 140 different companies in its booth at the Show last week.

In just its second year at the SEMA Show, and just a little more than 18 months since its founding, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) reports having met with more than 140 different companies in its Show booth last week. Those meetings, described as "very productive" by SDC CEO Jon Wyly, resulted in approximately 40 new members with many other strong prospects expected to join by the first of the year.  

"The meetings were just terrific," said Director of Membership Jim Graven, "and enthusiasm for our data management solutions was very high."

In addition, Bob Castle, the SDC's vice president of IT and eBusiness, reported that "not only has our technology solution (PIMS) gained many daily users, but we also received great feedback for future enhancements and features that will make the SDC the most comprehensive and easy-to-use data management solution available."

Founded in March 2012, the SEMA Data Co-op is industry owned and operated, serving the product data management needs of the SEMA marketplace with outstanding online tools, a centralized data repository and top-quality assistance from top data experts.  

For more information or to join the SDC as a supplier or receiver of product data, contact Jim Graven at 888-958-6698 ext. 4 or via e-mail at JimG@SemaDataCoop.org.

By SEMA Editors

	The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) reports having met with more than 140 different companies in its booth at the Show last week.

In just its second year at the SEMA Show, and just a little more than 18 months since its founding, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) reports having met with more than 140 different companies in its Show booth last week. Those meetings, described as "very productive" by SDC CEO Jon Wyly, resulted in approximately 40 new members with many other strong prospects expected to join by the first of the year.  

"The meetings were just terrific," said Director of Membership Jim Graven, "and enthusiasm for our data management solutions was very high."

In addition, Bob Castle, the SDC's vice president of IT and eBusiness, reported that "not only has our technology solution (PIMS) gained many daily users, but we also received great feedback for future enhancements and features that will make the SDC the most comprehensive and easy-to-use data management solution available."

Founded in March 2012, the SEMA Data Co-op is industry owned and operated, serving the product data management needs of the SEMA marketplace with outstanding online tools, a centralized data repository and top-quality assistance from top data experts.  

For more information or to join the SDC as a supplier or receiver of product data, contact Jim Graven at 888-958-6698 ext. 4 or via e-mail at JimG@SemaDataCoop.org.

By SEMA Editors

	The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) reports having met with more than 140 different companies in its booth at the Show last week.

In just its second year at the SEMA Show, and just a little more than 18 months since its founding, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) reports having met with more than 140 different companies in its Show booth last week. Those meetings, described as "very productive" by SDC CEO Jon Wyly, resulted in approximately 40 new members with many other strong prospects expected to join by the first of the year.  

"The meetings were just terrific," said Director of Membership Jim Graven, "and enthusiasm for our data management solutions was very high."

In addition, Bob Castle, the SDC's vice president of IT and eBusiness, reported that "not only has our technology solution (PIMS) gained many daily users, but we also received great feedback for future enhancements and features that will make the SDC the most comprehensive and easy-to-use data management solution available."

Founded in March 2012, the SEMA Data Co-op is industry owned and operated, serving the product data management needs of the SEMA marketplace with outstanding online tools, a centralized data repository and top-quality assistance from top data experts.  

For more information or to join the SDC as a supplier or receiver of product data, contact Jim Graven at 888-958-6698 ext. 4 or via e-mail at JimG@SemaDataCoop.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Team Falken Tire will upgrade to the new ’14 Porsche 911 RSR, which is based off of the newest generation 911 street car.

Team Falken Tire Announces Plans to Compete in 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
After months of speculation, Falken Tire Corp. has announced plans to continue competition in American sportscar racing in the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. The GT team will compete in 10 of the 11 races open to the GTLM class of the 2014 calendar with the exception of the season opening race, the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Previously running ’08, ’10 and ’12 versions of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire will upgrade to the new ’14 Porsche 911 RSR, which is based off of the newest generation 911 street car. The team was given the opportunity to test privately before Petit Le Mans. Among a field of factory based-teams, the Falken team will be one of few privateer teams in the GTLM class. The first race for the GTLM team will be the 12 Hours of Sebring, March 15, 2014.

Formula Drift Announces 2014 Championship Schedule
Last week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Formula Drift officials announced their 2014 event schedule. For the 11th consecutive year, Irwindale Speedway will host a championship round of the international competition—this year on October 10–11. Round 7 at Irwindale will be the 2014 stateside finale after a cross-country tour that begins in Long Beach in early April.

Formula Drift 2014 Schedule:

January 18–19 – Formula Drift Thailand

March – Latin America Demo (Honduras)

March 22 – Source Interlink Tech Day

April 4–5 – Formula Drift Round 1 Long Beach

April 11–12 – Motegi Super Drift Challenge

May 9–10 – Formula Drift Round 2 Road Atlanta

May 30–31 – Formula Drift Round 3 Florida (Hearing a venue change)

June 20–21 – Formula Drift Round 4 Wall Speedway

July 11–12 – Formula Drift Round 5 Evergreen Speedway

August 30–September 1 – Canada Demo (Autodrome St. Eustache)

September 12–13 – Formula Drift Round 6 Texas Motor Speedway

October 10–11 – Formula Drift Round 7 Irwindale Speedway

TBA – Formula Drift Australia

TBA – Formula Drift Malaysia

TBA – Formula Drift Thailand (Q4)

For more information, contact Formula Drift at www.formuladrift.com.

	Brad McClure scored his fourth win of the season at Buttonwillow Raceway. Photo credit: Reza Arsham

McClure Wins at Buttonwillow in Touring and One Step Closer to Winning the Championship
Brad McClure is now one step closer to winning his first Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) after scoring his fourth win of the season at Buttonwillow Raceway. Daniel Akhromstev made it to the top step of the podium scoring his first win in the PTF Motorsport/Domport Auto Body BMW M3. Last Saturday, McClure did a lap of 2.00.766 to grab the provisional pole in his GoGoGear.com/UTI/BTM Motorwerkes BMW M3. Dave Brown's Hawk Brakes/ Competition Clutch BMW M3 scored his fifth second-place finish of the season and is now in second place in points. In the GT class, Akhromstev won but he spent most of the race being chased by the CT Engineering/ Supertech Honda S2000 of Andrie Hartanto. The two were bumper to bumper most of the race as Hartanto started on pole, dropped to fourth and fought back to finish in second. Finishing a strong third was the Performance Technic BMW M3 of Sean Yepez.