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.

MAHLE Motorsport Announces New Presenting Event Sponsorship for the Scoggin Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals

MAHLE Motorsport has announced it will be this year’s presenting event sponsor for the Scoggin Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals. The All-Star Nationals is being held April 21–24, in a new location at the Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. This four-day event, the second for the year, is one of only two events where both NMRA and NMCA racers come together to compete for titles in multiple categories—Pro Mod, X275, Xtreme Street/Renegade Radial Classes and Index racing. The event is billed as the ultimate street car bash in the southeast, where the fastest musclecar drag racers and quickest NMRA Ford racers prove their mettle with record setting performances on the same track.

In addition to the weekend-long race events, there is show and shine for domestics and Manufacturer’s Midway where enthusiasts and builders can meet face to face with automotive experts, including MAHLE Motorsport, which will have a booth at the event. For a full list of details go to www.nmcadigital.com. For more information about the Scoggin Dickey Parts Center NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals Presented by MAHLE Motorsport or to purchase tickets, click here.

Cliff Flannery Purchases Crandon International Raceway

Crandon International Raceway management has announced that the historic facility in Crandon, Wisconsin, and all its assets have been purchased by Cliff Flannery, the longtime track president. Since opening in 1984, the 400-plus acre track located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin has hosted some of the largest off-road races in the sport, including June’s Forest County Potawatomi Brush Run and Labor Day’s massive Polaris World Championship Off-Road Races. The most recent Polaris World Championship drew a record crowd of nearly 65,000 people at its 52nd anniversary running. The venue also serves as home to the annual Red Bull Crandon World Cup, held each Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and is scheduled to feature the AMSOIL Champ Off-Road and Ultra4 Racing series in 2022. Crandon Office Manager Tina Kulaf will remain in her role of managing the track’s business operation. Additionally, Promoter Marty Fiolka and his California-based TRG Rennsport group will continue their roles in event promotion and execution, sponsorship, marketing, content, and public relations. For more information, visit crandonoffroad.com.

Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Announces 2023 Induction Class

The 35th Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Celebration presented by Toyota Racing will be held in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 6–7, 2023.

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) has announced its 2023 induction class, which will be honored during the 35th Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Celebration presented by Toyota Racing, in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 6–7, 2023.

The Class of 2023 includes:

• “Father of the Corvette and Corvette racing,” the late Zora Arkus-Duntov (Sports Cars)
• Longtime USAC official and safety pioneer, the late Henry Banks (Historic)
• America’s successful enduro racer, Dick Burleson (Motorcycles)
• Air racer, the late Art Chester (Aviation)
• one of NASCAR’s most innovative crew chiefs, Ray Evernham (Stock Cars)
• Early NASCAR fan favorite, the late Fonty Flock (Historic)
• One of the NHRA’s 50 Greatest All-Time Drivers, Darrell Gwynn (Drag Racing)
• Land-speed record-setter, the late Ab Jenkins (Speed Records)
• Two men who revolutionized race track emergency services, Drs. Stephen Olvey and Terry Trammell (Open Wheel)

MSHFA President George Levy announced the new induction class with 2015 MSHFA inductee and road racer Tommy Kendall during Stand 21 Racing Goes Safer seminar at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. For more information, visit mshf.com.

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

The SEMA Board of Directors elections are just around the corner, so now is the time to ensure you vote and be informed about your candidates.

Each member company is able to cast one ballot. Your company’s primary contact should have received an email from SEMA requesting them to fill out a brief form to confirm we have the appropriate person to complete the ballot for your company. It’s important that those forms are completed and returned as soon as possible.

The SEMA Board of Directors Candidates webpage is available to learn more about your candidates. The page includes their photos, bios, questionnaires and social-media links so you can learn more about them and their platforms.  

Ballots will be sent on May 10 from the SEMA election coordinator <mailto:noreply@directvote.net>, so ensure you receive your ballot by adding the email to your contacts list.