Compiled by SEMA Editors

John Force (left), CEO of John Force Racing, with WELD President and CEO Norm Young at the John Force Racing Shop.

WELD Announces Multi-Year Sponsorship Agreement With John Force Racing

WELD has announced a new multi-year sponsorship agreement with John Force Racing. Norm Young, president and CEO of WELD, and John Force, CEO of John Force Racing, made the joint announcement during a news conference at the 2015 PRI Show in Indianapolis. Force has been using WELD Racing wheel products for nearly 25 years. WELD Ambassadors from John Force Racing include Force, Courtney Force, Brittany Force and Robert Hight.

SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience and Qualifying Premier to Air This Sunday on CBS Sports Network

Helped by a huge assist from Supercross Hall of Fame legendary co-driver Ricky Johnson, RPM Racing’s Justin Matney earned the first starting position in the featured SCORE Trophy Truck division for 48th annual Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000 at qualifying at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Part of the SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience at the Las Vegas Convention Center, both will be spotlighted during this Sunday’s premier telecast of the second annual event on the CBS Sports Network. The debut of the one-hour special will air on the CBS Sports Spectacular show at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, followed by multiple additional scheduled airings of the popular programming. The race itself, held in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, was the season-finale of the five-race 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship. The two-hour telecast of the 2015 Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000 race will first air next Sunday, December 27 at 9:00 p.m. (EST).

VP Racing Fuels’ Mad Scientist will compete on the 2016 Monster Jam tour and debut January 8.

VP Racing Fuels Unleashes “Mad Scientist” Monster Jam Truck

Feld Entertainment has announced that a brand-new Monster Jam truck—VP Racing Fuels’ Mad Scientist—will compete on the 2016 Monster Jam tour and debut January 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The truck’s design was inspired by VP Racing Fuels’ founder Steve Burns. Over VP’s 40-year history, Burns acquired the “Mad Scientist” nickname and a reputation as a virtual maniac in his passion for performance and winning. VP Racing Fuels’ Mad Scientist truck will be piloted by veteran Lee O’Donnell, who has been participating in Monster Jam events since 1999 and has competed at the Monster Jam World Finals many times.

Jonathan Gray will take the wheel of the PTE flagship ’14 Pro Mod Chevrolet Camaro for the 2016 NHRA race season.

Jonathan Gray New Driver of PTE Pro Mod Camaro for 2016 Season

Precision Turbo and Engine has announced that Jonathan Gray will take the wheel of the PTE flagship ’14 Pro Mod Chevrolet Camaro for the 2016 NHRA race season. The Camaro was previously driven by Don Walsh Jr. At the 2014 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Walsh was the number-one qualifier in NHRA Pro Mod, and the PTE Camaro earned the honor of being named “Best Engineered Car.” Walsh earned more top qualifier honors that year, and took home a runner-up finish at the NHRA Pro Mod season finale race in Las Vegas. In 2015, Walsh was the leader in qualifying several more times, the Pro Mod winner in Houston, and the runner-up in Englishtown, New Jersey. He finished out the 2015 season fifth overall in NHRA Pro Mod championship points. For the upcoming 2016 NHRA Pro Mod season, veteran NHRA Pro Stock racer Gray will take over driving duties of the PTE Camaro.

(L-R) Jack Korpela (moderator), Fred Miller, Fred Larsen, Bruce Larson, Geoff Stilwell, Eileen Daniels, Ron Hope, Bob Muravez and Floyd E. Lippencotte Jr.

Quarter Mile Foundation Interviews Seven British Drag-Racing/Performance Industry Pioneers

The Quarter Mile Foundation received a donation from Beech Underwriting to allow the filming of interviews of seven British pioneers of drag racing and the performance aftermarket prior to the Installation Gala Dinner of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame, November 21, 2015. The interviews took place at the famed Savill Court Hotel in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, United Kingdom. Interviewer John Price, long-time announcer at Santa Pod Raceway and presenter of many hot-rod shows and drag-racing-related TV programs in the UK, drew out some of the early history of drag racing in Great Britain, and how racers from the United States and aftermarket companies influenced the sport and assisted its transplantation into Britain and Europe.

The interviewees included: Stu Bradbury, longtime chief starter at the Santa Pod Raceway and chairman of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame; Russ Carpenter, developer of the Daimler Hemi engine to run on nitro; John Hobbs, drag bike rider who competed in ’60s and ’70s; Gary Page, a versatile racer who raced Altereds, Funny Cars and Top Fuel Dragsters from the ’70s to the present; Roy Phelps, founder of Santa Pod Raceway; Barry Sheavills, a diversified racer in the Altered, Top Methanol Dragster and Top Fuel Dragster classes; and Steve Trice, director of US Automotive.

The seven interviews added to the international history of the sport in the Foundation’s interview inventory. The inclusion of these seven interviews increased the total interviews collected to 240.

This is the Ford F-150, caught testing in Dearborn with a camo'd bed, Venturi exhaust tip and, of course, a new 3.0 V6 diesel engine.

Not wanting the fuel economy crown to go to the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel among full-size pickups, Ford is preparing to introduce a turbodiesel to the popular (and aluminum-bodied) F-150 line.

While logic might dictate Ford would use the 3.2L five-cylinder Power Stroke diesel that's been federalized for the Transit line of vans, insiders say the company will use the Lion V6. This 3.0L unit is basically what Jaguar Land Rover has just introduced to Americans in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6 models, with 254 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

The diesel is also slated to use the new 10-speed automatic that debuts in the ’17 Raptor. That may push its efficiency higher than the Ram's and into the 30 mpg territory, which would also beat the figures offered by the recently introduced Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon four-cylinder turbodiesels.

Expect the diesel F-150 to go on sale sometime after summer 2016, along with a recently announced hybrid F-150 in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the Ford F-150, caught testing in Dearborn with a camo'd bed, Venturi exhaust tip and, of course, a new 3.0 V6 diesel engine.

Not wanting the fuel economy crown to go to the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel among full-size pickups, Ford is preparing to introduce a turbodiesel to the popular (and aluminum-bodied) F-150 line.

While logic might dictate Ford would use the 3.2L five-cylinder Power Stroke diesel that's been federalized for the Transit line of vans, insiders say the company will use the Lion V6. This 3.0L unit is basically what Jaguar Land Rover has just introduced to Americans in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6 models, with 254 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

The diesel is also slated to use the new 10-speed automatic that debuts in the ’17 Raptor. That may push its efficiency higher than the Ram's and into the 30 mpg territory, which would also beat the figures offered by the recently introduced Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon four-cylinder turbodiesels.

Expect the diesel F-150 to go on sale sometime after summer 2016, along with a recently announced hybrid F-150 in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the Ford F-150, caught testing in Dearborn with a camo'd bed, Venturi exhaust tip and, of course, a new 3.0 V6 diesel engine.

Not wanting the fuel economy crown to go to the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel among full-size pickups, Ford is preparing to introduce a turbodiesel to the popular (and aluminum-bodied) F-150 line.

While logic might dictate Ford would use the 3.2L five-cylinder Power Stroke diesel that's been federalized for the Transit line of vans, insiders say the company will use the Lion V6. This 3.0L unit is basically what Jaguar Land Rover has just introduced to Americans in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6 models, with 254 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

The diesel is also slated to use the new 10-speed automatic that debuts in the ’17 Raptor. That may push its efficiency higher than the Ram's and into the 30 mpg territory, which would also beat the figures offered by the recently introduced Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon four-cylinder turbodiesels.

Expect the diesel F-150 to go on sale sometime after summer 2016, along with a recently announced hybrid F-150 in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the Ford F-150, caught testing in Dearborn with a camo'd bed, Venturi exhaust tip and, of course, a new 3.0 V6 diesel engine.

Not wanting the fuel economy crown to go to the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel among full-size pickups, Ford is preparing to introduce a turbodiesel to the popular (and aluminum-bodied) F-150 line.

While logic might dictate Ford would use the 3.2L five-cylinder Power Stroke diesel that's been federalized for the Transit line of vans, insiders say the company will use the Lion V6. This 3.0L unit is basically what Jaguar Land Rover has just introduced to Americans in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6 models, with 254 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

The diesel is also slated to use the new 10-speed automatic that debuts in the ’17 Raptor. That may push its efficiency higher than the Ram's and into the 30 mpg territory, which would also beat the figures offered by the recently introduced Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon four-cylinder turbodiesels.

Expect the diesel F-150 to go on sale sometime after summer 2016, along with a recently announced hybrid F-150 in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the Ford F-150, caught testing in Dearborn with a camo'd bed, Venturi exhaust tip and, of course, a new 3.0 V6 diesel engine.

Not wanting the fuel economy crown to go to the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel among full-size pickups, Ford is preparing to introduce a turbodiesel to the popular (and aluminum-bodied) F-150 line.

While logic might dictate Ford would use the 3.2L five-cylinder Power Stroke diesel that's been federalized for the Transit line of vans, insiders say the company will use the Lion V6. This 3.0L unit is basically what Jaguar Land Rover has just introduced to Americans in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6 models, with 254 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

The diesel is also slated to use the new 10-speed automatic that debuts in the ’17 Raptor. That may push its efficiency higher than the Ram's and into the 30 mpg territory, which would also beat the figures offered by the recently introduced Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon four-cylinder turbodiesels.

Expect the diesel F-150 to go on sale sometime after summer 2016, along with a recently announced hybrid F-150 in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the Ford F-150, caught testing in Dearborn with a camo'd bed, Venturi exhaust tip and, of course, a new 3.0 V6 diesel engine.

Not wanting the fuel economy crown to go to the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel among full-size pickups, Ford is preparing to introduce a turbodiesel to the popular (and aluminum-bodied) F-150 line.

While logic might dictate Ford would use the 3.2L five-cylinder Power Stroke diesel that's been federalized for the Transit line of vans, insiders say the company will use the Lion V6. This 3.0L unit is basically what Jaguar Land Rover has just introduced to Americans in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6 models, with 254 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

The diesel is also slated to use the new 10-speed automatic that debuts in the ’17 Raptor. That may push its efficiency higher than the Ram's and into the 30 mpg territory, which would also beat the figures offered by the recently introduced Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon four-cylinder turbodiesels.

Expect the diesel F-150 to go on sale sometime after summer 2016, along with a recently announced hybrid F-150 in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the Ford F-150, caught testing in Dearborn with a camo'd bed, Venturi exhaust tip and, of course, a new 3.0 V6 diesel engine.

Not wanting the fuel economy crown to go to the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel among full-size pickups, Ford is preparing to introduce a turbodiesel to the popular (and aluminum-bodied) F-150 line.

While logic might dictate Ford would use the 3.2L five-cylinder Power Stroke diesel that's been federalized for the Transit line of vans, insiders say the company will use the Lion V6. This 3.0L unit is basically what Jaguar Land Rover has just introduced to Americans in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Td6 models, with 254 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

The diesel is also slated to use the new 10-speed automatic that debuts in the ’17 Raptor. That may push its efficiency higher than the Ram's and into the 30 mpg territory, which would also beat the figures offered by the recently introduced Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon four-cylinder turbodiesels.

Expect the diesel F-150 to go on sale sometime after summer 2016, along with a recently announced hybrid F-150 in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This year the SEMA Board of Directors election has two seats open in the manufacturer category and one seat open in the manufacturer's representative category.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

As a member of the association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

For this year’s election, the following seats are open:

• Two seats in the Manufacturer category
• One seat in the Manufacturer's Representative category

Nominations for the 2016 SEMA Board of Directors are due Tuesday, January 5, 2016. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

This year the SEMA Board of Directors election has two seats open in the manufacturer category and one seat open in the manufacturer's representative category.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

As a member of the association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

For this year’s election, the following seats are open:

• Two seats in the Manufacturer category
• One seat in the Manufacturer's Representative category

Nominations for the 2016 SEMA Board of Directors are due Tuesday, January 5, 2016. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO