Don "The Snake"Prudhomme (left) is one of six drag racing legends speaking at the annual NHRA Breakfast at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Six of NHRA’s greatest legends will be featured at the 2009 SEMA Show, as the NHRA highlights the “50th Anniversary of the Winternationals” during its annual NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served.

The legendary drivers who will be featured during the NHRA Breakfast include “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, voted the No. 1 drag racer of all time in 2001; three-time Top Fuel world champ Shirley Muldowney; four-time Funny Car world champ Don “The Snake” Prudhomme; Pro Stock dominator Bob Glidden; Pro Stock pioneer Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins; and 14-time Funny Car world champ John Force.

Bob Frey, the voice of NHRA, will emcee the NHRA Breakfast.

The group will discuss their memories of the historic Winternationals, the much-heralded traditional season-opening event for NHRA that takes place at famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California every February. The 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals will be held February 11-14, 2010.

Following the breakfast, NHRA will conduct a special one-hour autograph session with the legendary drivers in the Grand Lobby that will include a vehicle display of cars that have special ties to the Winternationals. NHRA and SEMA will provide a limited supply of special 50th Anniversary Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals posters for those who attend the autograph session.

The special Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals cars scheduled to be on display during the SEMA Show include:

• Don Garltis’ Swamp Rat V (winner of the 1963 Winternationals in Top Fuel)
• Don Prudhomme’s Hot Wheels Ramp Truck and vintage ‘Cuda Funny Car
• John Force vintage Funny Car
• Bob Glidden’s 1987 Ford Thunderbird Pro Stock car
• The renowned Stone, Woods & Cook 1941 Willys
• The world famous Freight Train, the twin-engine dragster driven by Bob Muravez (aka Floyd Lippencott Jr.) to a Winterntionals victory in Top Gas in 1963
• Kenny Bernstein’s 1980 Budweiser King Funny Car

Tickets for the NHRA Breakfast are free for all SEMA Show attendees and can be requested through www.SEMAShow.com in the Seminars & Special Events section of the website.

Don "The Snake"Prudhomme (left) is one of six drag racing legends speaking at the annual NHRA Breakfast at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Six of NHRA’s greatest legends will be featured at the 2009 SEMA Show, as the NHRA highlights the “50th Anniversary of the Winternationals” during its annual NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served.

The legendary drivers who will be featured during the NHRA Breakfast include “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, voted the No. 1 drag racer of all time in 2001; three-time Top Fuel world champ Shirley Muldowney; four-time Funny Car world champ Don “The Snake” Prudhomme; Pro Stock dominator Bob Glidden; Pro Stock pioneer Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins; and 14-time Funny Car world champ John Force.

Bob Frey, the voice of NHRA, will emcee the NHRA Breakfast.

The group will discuss their memories of the historic Winternationals, the much-heralded traditional season-opening event for NHRA that takes place at famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California every February. The 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals will be held February 11-14, 2010.

Following the breakfast, NHRA will conduct a special one-hour autograph session with the legendary drivers in the Grand Lobby that will include a vehicle display of cars that have special ties to the Winternationals. NHRA and SEMA will provide a limited supply of special 50th Anniversary Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals posters for those who attend the autograph session.

The special Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals cars scheduled to be on display during the SEMA Show include:

• Don Garltis’ Swamp Rat V (winner of the 1963 Winternationals in Top Fuel)
• Don Prudhomme’s Hot Wheels Ramp Truck and vintage ‘Cuda Funny Car
• John Force vintage Funny Car
• Bob Glidden’s 1987 Ford Thunderbird Pro Stock car
• The renowned Stone, Woods & Cook 1941 Willys
• The world famous Freight Train, the twin-engine dragster driven by Bob Muravez (aka Floyd Lippencott Jr.) to a Winterntionals victory in Top Gas in 1963
• Kenny Bernstein’s 1980 Budweiser King Funny Car

Tickets for the NHRA Breakfast are free for all SEMA Show attendees and can be requested through www.SEMAShow.com in the Seminars & Special Events section of the website.

Don "The Snake"Prudhomme (left) is one of six drag racing legends speaking at the annual NHRA Breakfast at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Six of NHRA’s greatest legends will be featured at the 2009 SEMA Show, as the NHRA highlights the “50th Anniversary of the Winternationals” during its annual NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served.

The legendary drivers who will be featured during the NHRA Breakfast include “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, voted the No. 1 drag racer of all time in 2001; three-time Top Fuel world champ Shirley Muldowney; four-time Funny Car world champ Don “The Snake” Prudhomme; Pro Stock dominator Bob Glidden; Pro Stock pioneer Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins; and 14-time Funny Car world champ John Force.

Bob Frey, the voice of NHRA, will emcee the NHRA Breakfast.

The group will discuss their memories of the historic Winternationals, the much-heralded traditional season-opening event for NHRA that takes place at famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California every February. The 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals will be held February 11-14, 2010.

Following the breakfast, NHRA will conduct a special one-hour autograph session with the legendary drivers in the Grand Lobby that will include a vehicle display of cars that have special ties to the Winternationals. NHRA and SEMA will provide a limited supply of special 50th Anniversary Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals posters for those who attend the autograph session.

The special Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals cars scheduled to be on display during the SEMA Show include:

• Don Garltis’ Swamp Rat V (winner of the 1963 Winternationals in Top Fuel)
• Don Prudhomme’s Hot Wheels Ramp Truck and vintage ‘Cuda Funny Car
• John Force vintage Funny Car
• Bob Glidden’s 1987 Ford Thunderbird Pro Stock car
• The renowned Stone, Woods & Cook 1941 Willys
• The world famous Freight Train, the twin-engine dragster driven by Bob Muravez (aka Floyd Lippencott Jr.) to a Winterntionals victory in Top Gas in 1963
• Kenny Bernstein’s 1980 Budweiser King Funny Car

Tickets for the NHRA Breakfast are free for all SEMA Show attendees and can be requested through www.SEMAShow.com in the Seminars & Special Events section of the website.

Don "The Snake"Prudhomme (left) is one of six drag racing legends speaking at the annual NHRA Breakfast at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Six of NHRA’s greatest legends will be featured at the 2009 SEMA Show, as the NHRA highlights the “50th Anniversary of the Winternationals” during its annual NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served.

The legendary drivers who will be featured during the NHRA Breakfast include “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, voted the No. 1 drag racer of all time in 2001; three-time Top Fuel world champ Shirley Muldowney; four-time Funny Car world champ Don “The Snake” Prudhomme; Pro Stock dominator Bob Glidden; Pro Stock pioneer Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins; and 14-time Funny Car world champ John Force.

Bob Frey, the voice of NHRA, will emcee the NHRA Breakfast.

The group will discuss their memories of the historic Winternationals, the much-heralded traditional season-opening event for NHRA that takes place at famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California every February. The 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals will be held February 11-14, 2010.

Following the breakfast, NHRA will conduct a special one-hour autograph session with the legendary drivers in the Grand Lobby that will include a vehicle display of cars that have special ties to the Winternationals. NHRA and SEMA will provide a limited supply of special 50th Anniversary Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals posters for those who attend the autograph session.

The special Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals cars scheduled to be on display during the SEMA Show include:

• Don Garltis’ Swamp Rat V (winner of the 1963 Winternationals in Top Fuel)
• Don Prudhomme’s Hot Wheels Ramp Truck and vintage ‘Cuda Funny Car
• John Force vintage Funny Car
• Bob Glidden’s 1987 Ford Thunderbird Pro Stock car
• The renowned Stone, Woods & Cook 1941 Willys
• The world famous Freight Train, the twin-engine dragster driven by Bob Muravez (aka Floyd Lippencott Jr.) to a Winterntionals victory in Top Gas in 1963
• Kenny Bernstein’s 1980 Budweiser King Funny Car

Tickets for the NHRA Breakfast are free for all SEMA Show attendees and can be requested through www.SEMAShow.com in the Seminars & Special Events section of the website.

Don "The Snake"Prudhomme (left) is one of six drag racing legends speaking at the annual NHRA Breakfast at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Six of NHRA’s greatest legends will be featured at the 2009 SEMA Show, as the NHRA highlights the “50th Anniversary of the Winternationals” during its annual NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served.

The legendary drivers who will be featured during the NHRA Breakfast include “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, voted the No. 1 drag racer of all time in 2001; three-time Top Fuel world champ Shirley Muldowney; four-time Funny Car world champ Don “The Snake” Prudhomme; Pro Stock dominator Bob Glidden; Pro Stock pioneer Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins; and 14-time Funny Car world champ John Force.

Bob Frey, the voice of NHRA, will emcee the NHRA Breakfast.

The group will discuss their memories of the historic Winternationals, the much-heralded traditional season-opening event for NHRA that takes place at famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California every February. The 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals will be held February 11-14, 2010.

Following the breakfast, NHRA will conduct a special one-hour autograph session with the legendary drivers in the Grand Lobby that will include a vehicle display of cars that have special ties to the Winternationals. NHRA and SEMA will provide a limited supply of special 50th Anniversary Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals posters for those who attend the autograph session.

The special Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals cars scheduled to be on display during the SEMA Show include:

• Don Garltis’ Swamp Rat V (winner of the 1963 Winternationals in Top Fuel)
• Don Prudhomme’s Hot Wheels Ramp Truck and vintage ‘Cuda Funny Car
• John Force vintage Funny Car
• Bob Glidden’s 1987 Ford Thunderbird Pro Stock car
• The renowned Stone, Woods & Cook 1941 Willys
• The world famous Freight Train, the twin-engine dragster driven by Bob Muravez (aka Floyd Lippencott Jr.) to a Winterntionals victory in Top Gas in 1963
• Kenny Bernstein’s 1980 Budweiser King Funny Car

Tickets for the NHRA Breakfast are free for all SEMA Show attendees and can be requested through www.SEMAShow.com in the Seminars & Special Events section of the website.

Don "The Snake"Prudhomme (left) is one of six drag racing legends speaking at the annual NHRA Breakfast at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Six of NHRA’s greatest legends will be featured at the 2009 SEMA Show, as the NHRA highlights the “50th Anniversary of the Winternationals” during its annual NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served.

The legendary drivers who will be featured during the NHRA Breakfast include “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, voted the No. 1 drag racer of all time in 2001; three-time Top Fuel world champ Shirley Muldowney; four-time Funny Car world champ Don “The Snake” Prudhomme; Pro Stock dominator Bob Glidden; Pro Stock pioneer Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins; and 14-time Funny Car world champ John Force.

Bob Frey, the voice of NHRA, will emcee the NHRA Breakfast.

The group will discuss their memories of the historic Winternationals, the much-heralded traditional season-opening event for NHRA that takes place at famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California every February. The 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals will be held February 11-14, 2010.

Following the breakfast, NHRA will conduct a special one-hour autograph session with the legendary drivers in the Grand Lobby that will include a vehicle display of cars that have special ties to the Winternationals. NHRA and SEMA will provide a limited supply of special 50th Anniversary Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals posters for those who attend the autograph session.

The special Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals cars scheduled to be on display during the SEMA Show include:

• Don Garltis’ Swamp Rat V (winner of the 1963 Winternationals in Top Fuel)
• Don Prudhomme’s Hot Wheels Ramp Truck and vintage ‘Cuda Funny Car
• John Force vintage Funny Car
• Bob Glidden’s 1987 Ford Thunderbird Pro Stock car
• The renowned Stone, Woods & Cook 1941 Willys
• The world famous Freight Train, the twin-engine dragster driven by Bob Muravez (aka Floyd Lippencott Jr.) to a Winterntionals victory in Top Gas in 1963
• Kenny Bernstein’s 1980 Budweiser King Funny Car

Tickets for the NHRA Breakfast are free for all SEMA Show attendees and can be requested through www.SEMAShow.com in the Seminars & Special Events section of the website.

Don "The Snake"Prudhomme (left) is one of six drag racing legends speaking at the annual NHRA Breakfast at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Six of NHRA’s greatest legends will be featured at the 2009 SEMA Show, as the NHRA highlights the “50th Anniversary of the Winternationals” during its annual NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served.

The legendary drivers who will be featured during the NHRA Breakfast include “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, voted the No. 1 drag racer of all time in 2001; three-time Top Fuel world champ Shirley Muldowney; four-time Funny Car world champ Don “The Snake” Prudhomme; Pro Stock dominator Bob Glidden; Pro Stock pioneer Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins; and 14-time Funny Car world champ John Force.

Bob Frey, the voice of NHRA, will emcee the NHRA Breakfast.

The group will discuss their memories of the historic Winternationals, the much-heralded traditional season-opening event for NHRA that takes place at famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California every February. The 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals will be held February 11-14, 2010.

Following the breakfast, NHRA will conduct a special one-hour autograph session with the legendary drivers in the Grand Lobby that will include a vehicle display of cars that have special ties to the Winternationals. NHRA and SEMA will provide a limited supply of special 50th Anniversary Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals posters for those who attend the autograph session.

The special Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals cars scheduled to be on display during the SEMA Show include:

• Don Garltis’ Swamp Rat V (winner of the 1963 Winternationals in Top Fuel)
• Don Prudhomme’s Hot Wheels Ramp Truck and vintage ‘Cuda Funny Car
• John Force vintage Funny Car
• Bob Glidden’s 1987 Ford Thunderbird Pro Stock car
• The renowned Stone, Woods & Cook 1941 Willys
• The world famous Freight Train, the twin-engine dragster driven by Bob Muravez (aka Floyd Lippencott Jr.) to a Winterntionals victory in Top Gas in 1963
• Kenny Bernstein’s 1980 Budweiser King Funny Car

Tickets for the NHRA Breakfast are free for all SEMA Show attendees and can be requested through www.SEMAShow.com in the Seminars & Special Events section of the website.

The recent PRO Long Range Planning meeting featured representatives from Ford, GM and Chrysler discussing each OEM's parts and accessories divisions and their roles and relationships with the specialty-equipment industry.

The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), a SEMA council dedicated to the prosperity of the restyling segment of the specialty-equipment industry, held its annual Long Range Planning (LRP) meeting on June 18–19, in Detroit. A highlight of the meeting was a panel discussion with seven representatives from Ford, GM and Chrysler. All of the panelists represented the OEM parts and accessory divisions, and the discussion centered on the OEM’s relationship with the aftermarket.

On the panel were:

Ford Motor Company

• Warren Nally, Manager-Aftermarket Support Group
• Jim Abraham, Licensed Accessories Manager-Vehicle Personalization
• Kevin Powell, Director-Product & Program Development

GM

• Jeff Edwards, Director GM Accessories
• Sandor Piszar, Senior Sales and Marketing Manager GM Accessories

Mopar

• Tom Dailey, Manager-Accessory Product Planning
• Doug Johnson, Product Planner, Cross Vehicle and Electronic Accessories

PRO members in attendance acknowledged the get together as groundbreaking in establishing relationships between the automakers and the restyling industry. Each of the automakers have a slightly different approach to their company’s interaction with the aftermarket. The opportunity to hear first hand from the people who manage the programs was invaluable.

“Having seven executives from GM, Ford and Chrysler participate in the PRO LRP this year demonstrates how we all can gain by an open dialogue,” said Bill North, business development manager, car and light truck division of Webasto Product North America and a member of the PRO Select Committee. “The insight gained by industry members who attended this event was priceless as we all obtained a new understanding of the current dynamic within the accessory divisions of each car company. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with these car companies, and they have all pledged to participate with us again.”

The OEM representatives talked openly about how they see themselves fitting into the aftermarket.

“This was the first time I attended a SEMA PRO event. I was thoroughly impressed with the organization, knowledge and candor of members I was able to interact with,” said Jim Abraham of Ford Vehicle Personalization. “Forums like this enable a dialogue that is mutually beneficial to both the auto manufacturer and the auto aftermarket companies alike.”

PRO members were quick to discuss the SEMA ProPledge warranty program with the OEM representatives as an indicator of how dedicated the Restyling Industry is in pursuit of quality.

“As a veteran restyler, I would say the recent PRO Long Range Planning Meeting stood out as one of the most productive in recent memory,” said Joey Johnston of Tops & Trends Inc. and a PRO Select Committee member. “The ability for PRO members to interact directly with a panel of senior OE[M] managers from Chrysler, Ford and GM was groundbreaking. PRO members and the OE[M] panel openly discussed opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for each. OE[M] panel members welcomed the new SEMA ProPledge initiative as a step in the right direction, thereby helping ensure customers have access to quality aftermarket products and installations.”

“As a representative of the OE[M] vehicle personalization and accessories world, I see the ProPledge program as a value-add and an impressive selling feature because it helps to reinforce the quality and peace-of-mind philosophy that the automotive aftermarket is capable of delivering,” said Ford’s Jim Abraham.

The recent PRO Long Range Planning meeting featured representatives from Ford, GM and Chrysler discussing each OEM's parts and accessories divisions and their roles and relationships with the specialty-equipment industry.

The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), a SEMA council dedicated to the prosperity of the restyling segment of the specialty-equipment industry, held its annual Long Range Planning (LRP) meeting on June 18–19, in Detroit. A highlight of the meeting was a panel discussion with seven representatives from Ford, GM and Chrysler. All of the panelists represented the OEM parts and accessory divisions, and the discussion centered on the OEM’s relationship with the aftermarket.

On the panel were:

Ford Motor Company

• Warren Nally, Manager-Aftermarket Support Group
• Jim Abraham, Licensed Accessories Manager-Vehicle Personalization
• Kevin Powell, Director-Product & Program Development

GM

• Jeff Edwards, Director GM Accessories
• Sandor Piszar, Senior Sales and Marketing Manager GM Accessories

Mopar

• Tom Dailey, Manager-Accessory Product Planning
• Doug Johnson, Product Planner, Cross Vehicle and Electronic Accessories

PRO members in attendance acknowledged the get together as groundbreaking in establishing relationships between the automakers and the restyling industry. Each of the automakers have a slightly different approach to their company’s interaction with the aftermarket. The opportunity to hear first hand from the people who manage the programs was invaluable.

“Having seven executives from GM, Ford and Chrysler participate in the PRO LRP this year demonstrates how we all can gain by an open dialogue,” said Bill North, business development manager, car and light truck division of Webasto Product North America and a member of the PRO Select Committee. “The insight gained by industry members who attended this event was priceless as we all obtained a new understanding of the current dynamic within the accessory divisions of each car company. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with these car companies, and they have all pledged to participate with us again.”

The OEM representatives talked openly about how they see themselves fitting into the aftermarket.

“This was the first time I attended a SEMA PRO event. I was thoroughly impressed with the organization, knowledge and candor of members I was able to interact with,” said Jim Abraham of Ford Vehicle Personalization. “Forums like this enable a dialogue that is mutually beneficial to both the auto manufacturer and the auto aftermarket companies alike.”

PRO members were quick to discuss the SEMA ProPledge warranty program with the OEM representatives as an indicator of how dedicated the Restyling Industry is in pursuit of quality.

“As a veteran restyler, I would say the recent PRO Long Range Planning Meeting stood out as one of the most productive in recent memory,” said Joey Johnston of Tops & Trends Inc. and a PRO Select Committee member. “The ability for PRO members to interact directly with a panel of senior OE[M] managers from Chrysler, Ford and GM was groundbreaking. PRO members and the OE[M] panel openly discussed opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for each. OE[M] panel members welcomed the new SEMA ProPledge initiative as a step in the right direction, thereby helping ensure customers have access to quality aftermarket products and installations.”

“As a representative of the OE[M] vehicle personalization and accessories world, I see the ProPledge program as a value-add and an impressive selling feature because it helps to reinforce the quality and peace-of-mind philosophy that the automotive aftermarket is capable of delivering,” said Ford’s Jim Abraham.

The last time Brenda Priddy sent us spy photos of the VW R20 development car, it was a regular-looking Golf with diesel badges. This time, Priddy says she’s caught Volkswagen testing a real Golf R20 prototype.

With the Golf R32 offering “only” 250 horsepower (this is a hatchback, after all), VW is feeling some heat from class competitors, a situation the R20 is meant to address. Unlike the R32, the new R20 will feature Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection, which should be tuned to produce around 270 horsepower. This same motor is found in the Audi TT-S and S3.

Priddy says the R20's 0-60 times should be in the low- to mid-five-second range and will reach a top speed of 155 MPH.

Judging from the photos, the exterior will carry over many of the new GTI's styling traits. But the R20 will also include more aggressive front and rear ends, larger air intakes, center-mounted dual exhaust, and sportier wheels.

Initially the R20 will only be offered as a three-door hatchback, but a five-door model is a definite possibility, Priddy says. Watch for the R20’s debut later this year.