For the past several years, SEMA has been working to provide added value to participation in the annual industry trade show in Las Vegas. This past year, the association conducted a first-ever Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Program at the SEMA Show that was intended to promote new products beyond the walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and provide meaningful feedback to both exhibitor and attendee member companies.

From a promotional standpoint, the program had some significant impact. More than 2,700 photos, 210 videos and 3,000-plus tweets were sent by program participants to their personal networks, and SEMA became a top-10 Twitter trend on the day the program took place.

Access a copy of the report created from survey results as well as on-site focus groups that took place during the Show. The report is available for $299 for non-members and $99 for SEMA members.

Finally, the feedback from the Show floor, provided by way of social media, is still available at EnjoytheDrive for those who would like to learn what program participants had to say about their experience, what influences their buying preferences, new products, custom vehicles and trends from the 2009 SEMA Show.

For any other market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.

For the past several years, SEMA has been working to provide added value to participation in the annual industry trade show in Las Vegas. This past year, the association conducted a first-ever Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Program at the SEMA Show that was intended to promote new products beyond the walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and provide meaningful feedback to both exhibitor and attendee member companies.

From a promotional standpoint, the program had some significant impact. More than 2,700 photos, 210 videos and 3,000-plus tweets were sent by program participants to their personal networks, and SEMA became a top-10 Twitter trend on the day the program took place.

Access a copy of the report created from survey results as well as on-site focus groups that took place during the Show. The report is available for $299 for non-members and $99 for SEMA members.

Finally, the feedback from the Show floor, provided by way of social media, is still available at EnjoytheDrive for those who would like to learn what program participants had to say about their experience, what influences their buying preferences, new products, custom vehicles and trends from the 2009 SEMA Show.

For any other market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.

For the past several years, SEMA has been working to provide added value to participation in the annual industry trade show in Las Vegas. This past year, the association conducted a first-ever Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Program at the SEMA Show that was intended to promote new products beyond the walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and provide meaningful feedback to both exhibitor and attendee member companies.

From a promotional standpoint, the program had some significant impact. More than 2,700 photos, 210 videos and 3,000-plus tweets were sent by program participants to their personal networks, and SEMA became a top-10 Twitter trend on the day the program took place.

Access a copy of the report created from survey results as well as on-site focus groups that took place during the Show. The report is available for $299 for non-members and $99 for SEMA members.

Finally, the feedback from the Show floor, provided by way of social media, is still available at EnjoytheDrive for those who would like to learn what program participants had to say about their experience, what influences their buying preferences, new products, custom vehicles and trends from the 2009 SEMA Show.

For any other market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.

For the past several years, SEMA has been working to provide added value to participation in the annual industry trade show in Las Vegas. This past year, the association conducted a first-ever Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Program at the SEMA Show that was intended to promote new products beyond the walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and provide meaningful feedback to both exhibitor and attendee member companies.

From a promotional standpoint, the program had some significant impact. More than 2,700 photos, 210 videos and 3,000-plus tweets were sent by program participants to their personal networks, and SEMA became a top-10 Twitter trend on the day the program took place.

Access a copy of the report created from survey results as well as on-site focus groups that took place during the Show. The report is available for $299 for non-members and $99 for SEMA members.

Finally, the feedback from the Show floor, provided by way of social media, is still available at EnjoytheDrive for those who would like to learn what program participants had to say about their experience, what influences their buying preferences, new products, custom vehicles and trends from the 2009 SEMA Show.

For any other market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.

For the past several years, SEMA has been working to provide added value to participation in the annual industry trade show in Las Vegas. This past year, the association conducted a first-ever Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Program at the SEMA Show that was intended to promote new products beyond the walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and provide meaningful feedback to both exhibitor and attendee member companies.

From a promotional standpoint, the program had some significant impact. More than 2,700 photos, 210 videos and 3,000-plus tweets were sent by program participants to their personal networks, and SEMA became a top-10 Twitter trend on the day the program took place.

Access a copy of the report created from survey results as well as on-site focus groups that took place during the Show. The report is available for $299 for non-members and $99 for SEMA members.

Finally, the feedback from the Show floor, provided by way of social media, is still available at EnjoytheDrive for those who would like to learn what program participants had to say about their experience, what influences their buying preferences, new products, custom vehicles and trends from the 2009 SEMA Show.

For any other market research needs, visit www.sema.org/research.

JERSEY SIDE: There continues to be reports that Formula One is working on producing a United States Grand Prix. The latest story has the event being held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. While local officials acknowledge they have spoken to Ecclestone, a group known as Friends of Liberty State Park are already protesting the concept.

TIRES: Word is that Formula One teams will get to choose which manufacturer will supply tires for the series in 2011. However, the days of free tires are gone with teams being charged anywhere from $1.3 million (Avon-Cooper) to $4 million (Michelin) for the season.

KEY MAN: Former Indy 500-winning car owner Barry Green has agreed to work as race strategist for Paul Tracy and the KV Racing Technology team as the veteran open-wheel racer chases his first Indy victory May 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

AT THE TRACK: Indy Racing League founder and former Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George attended his first IRL event of the season at Kansas Speedway over the weekend, chatting with many, including his successor at the IRL, Randy Bernard.

PART-TIME: Popular Irish road racer Adam Carroll will drive some races for Andretti Autosport in the IZOD IndyCar Series later this season.

EXTENDED: Crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Alan Gustafson signed four-year contract extensions to remain at Hendrick Motorsports where Knaus works with Jimmie Johnson and Gustafson with Mark Martin.

FOUND: Eighteen-year-old Connecticut driver Dillon Moltz was selected as the winner of the inaugural Richard Petty’s Driver Search, which pitted 12 drivers against one another in various racing disciplines. Moltz earned a ride in the June 5 ARCA Racing Series event at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

JERSEY SIDE: There continues to be reports that Formula One is working on producing a United States Grand Prix. The latest story has the event being held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. While local officials acknowledge they have spoken to Ecclestone, a group known as Friends of Liberty State Park are already protesting the concept.

TIRES: Word is that Formula One teams will get to choose which manufacturer will supply tires for the series in 2011. However, the days of free tires are gone with teams being charged anywhere from $1.3 million (Avon-Cooper) to $4 million (Michelin) for the season.

KEY MAN: Former Indy 500-winning car owner Barry Green has agreed to work as race strategist for Paul Tracy and the KV Racing Technology team as the veteran open-wheel racer chases his first Indy victory May 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

AT THE TRACK: Indy Racing League founder and former Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George attended his first IRL event of the season at Kansas Speedway over the weekend, chatting with many, including his successor at the IRL, Randy Bernard.

PART-TIME: Popular Irish road racer Adam Carroll will drive some races for Andretti Autosport in the IZOD IndyCar Series later this season.

EXTENDED: Crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Alan Gustafson signed four-year contract extensions to remain at Hendrick Motorsports where Knaus works with Jimmie Johnson and Gustafson with Mark Martin.

FOUND: Eighteen-year-old Connecticut driver Dillon Moltz was selected as the winner of the inaugural Richard Petty’s Driver Search, which pitted 12 drivers against one another in various racing disciplines. Moltz earned a ride in the June 5 ARCA Racing Series event at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

JERSEY SIDE: There continues to be reports that Formula One is working on producing a United States Grand Prix. The latest story has the event being held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. While local officials acknowledge they have spoken to Ecclestone, a group known as Friends of Liberty State Park are already protesting the concept.

TIRES: Word is that Formula One teams will get to choose which manufacturer will supply tires for the series in 2011. However, the days of free tires are gone with teams being charged anywhere from $1.3 million (Avon-Cooper) to $4 million (Michelin) for the season.

KEY MAN: Former Indy 500-winning car owner Barry Green has agreed to work as race strategist for Paul Tracy and the KV Racing Technology team as the veteran open-wheel racer chases his first Indy victory May 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

AT THE TRACK: Indy Racing League founder and former Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George attended his first IRL event of the season at Kansas Speedway over the weekend, chatting with many, including his successor at the IRL, Randy Bernard.

PART-TIME: Popular Irish road racer Adam Carroll will drive some races for Andretti Autosport in the IZOD IndyCar Series later this season.

EXTENDED: Crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Alan Gustafson signed four-year contract extensions to remain at Hendrick Motorsports where Knaus works with Jimmie Johnson and Gustafson with Mark Martin.

FOUND: Eighteen-year-old Connecticut driver Dillon Moltz was selected as the winner of the inaugural Richard Petty’s Driver Search, which pitted 12 drivers against one another in various racing disciplines. Moltz earned a ride in the June 5 ARCA Racing Series event at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

JERSEY SIDE: There continues to be reports that Formula One is working on producing a United States Grand Prix. The latest story has the event being held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. While local officials acknowledge they have spoken to Ecclestone, a group known as Friends of Liberty State Park are already protesting the concept.

TIRES: Word is that Formula One teams will get to choose which manufacturer will supply tires for the series in 2011. However, the days of free tires are gone with teams being charged anywhere from $1.3 million (Avon-Cooper) to $4 million (Michelin) for the season.

KEY MAN: Former Indy 500-winning car owner Barry Green has agreed to work as race strategist for Paul Tracy and the KV Racing Technology team as the veteran open-wheel racer chases his first Indy victory May 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

AT THE TRACK: Indy Racing League founder and former Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George attended his first IRL event of the season at Kansas Speedway over the weekend, chatting with many, including his successor at the IRL, Randy Bernard.

PART-TIME: Popular Irish road racer Adam Carroll will drive some races for Andretti Autosport in the IZOD IndyCar Series later this season.

EXTENDED: Crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Alan Gustafson signed four-year contract extensions to remain at Hendrick Motorsports where Knaus works with Jimmie Johnson and Gustafson with Mark Martin.

FOUND: Eighteen-year-old Connecticut driver Dillon Moltz was selected as the winner of the inaugural Richard Petty’s Driver Search, which pitted 12 drivers against one another in various racing disciplines. Moltz earned a ride in the June 5 ARCA Racing Series event at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

Cartronics’ 2010 Chevy Carmaro prevailed over 11 other retail competitors to win the Pioneer Sound Build-Off competition.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. has announced that Cartronics is the winner of its fourth annual Pioneer Sound Build-Off competition. Cartronics’ 2010 Chevy Carmaro prevailed over 11 other retail competitors from across the nation who utilized Pioneer’s high-end Stage 4 car audio components. Cartronics won the grand prize of $10,000 and the title of 2010 Pioneer Sound Build-Off Champion.

Pit Bull Tires is sponsoring the Rally on the Rocks UTV event, taking place May 12-16. During the week-long rally, Pit Bull and High Point Hummer & ATV will host a trail run on Thursday May 13. The company invites anyone interested to RSVP to Scott McFarland at Scott@highpointhummer.com or contact High Point Hummer at 877/486-6833.

The deadline to register for Standards Testing Laboratories (STL) 2010 Tire Technology seminars at the company’s Massillon, Ohio, headquarters is May 21 for the June 8-10 class and October 1 for the October 19-21 class. The three-day seminars will feature a technical team of automotive and tire speakers from the engineering, chemistry and engineering mechanics/vehicle dynamics fields. Experts at STL will address topics including tire nomenclature, materials, compounding and manufacturing, tire and wheel design and construction, tire testing, evaluation and application. Interested parties can register at www.stllabs.com or call 800/833-8547 to request a form.

 

Tom Medley

Tom Medley, father of the “Stroker McGurk” hot rod cartoon, co-founder of the Street Rod Nationals and former publisher of Rod & Custom magazine, will be honored as the “Hot Rod Hero” of the Goodguys 24th West Coast Nationals, August 27-29 at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds.

A cartoonist, photographer and magazine publishing veteran, Medley joined Hot Rod magazine on its third issue in 1948 as “humor editor.” He was instrumental in creating Hot Rod's success, juggling cartooning—the Stroker McGurk cartoon—photography (innumerable cover shots), how-to articles, even advertising sales and design.

In the mid-'60s he took over as publisher of Rod & Custom, steering the book's editorial direction toward street rods and “vintage tin”—thus ushering in the modern era of street rodding.

In 1969, Medley and friend/writer Leroi “Tex” Smith organized the first Street Rod Nationals in Peoria, Illinois. Medley will be honored by his editorial peers during a special ceremony on the awards stage Saturday afternoon, August 28.