By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final targets for the amount of ethanol to be blended into gasoline in 2014, 2015 and 2016, while relying on expanded sales of E15 (gas that contains 15% ethanol) in order to meet the targets.  The EPA is required to set ethanol targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The law was intended to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil but has translated into ever-increasing corn production so that the ethanol byproduct can be blended into gasoline. Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles produced before 2001 that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials. 

SEMA is working to enact legislation to repeal the EPA regulation authorizing E15 sales, cap the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline at 10% and eliminate a mandate that 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol be blended into the U.S. fuel supply every year.  SEMA has joined with more than 50 other organizations from the auto, boat, food and energy industries to support passage of the legislation.  For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final targets for the amount of ethanol to be blended into gasoline in 2014, 2015 and 2016, while relying on expanded sales of E15 (gas that contains 15% ethanol) in order to meet the targets.  The EPA is required to set ethanol targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The law was intended to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil but has translated into ever-increasing corn production so that the ethanol byproduct can be blended into gasoline. Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles produced before 2001 that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials. 

SEMA is working to enact legislation to repeal the EPA regulation authorizing E15 sales, cap the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline at 10% and eliminate a mandate that 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol be blended into the U.S. fuel supply every year.  SEMA has joined with more than 50 other organizations from the auto, boat, food and energy industries to support passage of the legislation.  For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has created a new website resource to help the motorsports community understand state and federal law governing trailers and tow vehicles. The website provides guidance on how racing enthusiasts can avoid citations for a trailer that is too long, a trailer that is not properly registered with the DOT or for other related issues. The webpage divides the resource material into three sections: a comparison of state laws, folders containing laws/regulations for each individual state and an explanation of federal laws triggered by commercial activity or vehicle weight. The material is posted on the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) resources menu under “motorsports trailers.”

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has created a new website resource to help the motorsports community understand state and federal law governing trailers and tow vehicles. The website provides guidance on how racing enthusiasts can avoid citations for a trailer that is too long, a trailer that is not properly registered with the DOT or for other related issues. The webpage divides the resource material into three sections: a comparison of state laws, folders containing laws/regulations for each individual state and an explanation of federal laws triggered by commercial activity or vehicle weight. The material is posted on the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) resources menu under “motorsports trailers.”

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has created a new website resource to help the motorsports community understand state and federal law governing trailers and tow vehicles. The website provides guidance on how racing enthusiasts can avoid citations for a trailer that is too long, a trailer that is not properly registered with the DOT or for other related issues. The webpage divides the resource material into three sections: a comparison of state laws, folders containing laws/regulations for each individual state and an explanation of federal laws triggered by commercial activity or vehicle weight. The material is posted on the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) resources menu under “motorsports trailers.”

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has created a new website resource to help the motorsports community understand state and federal law governing trailers and tow vehicles. The website provides guidance on how racing enthusiasts can avoid citations for a trailer that is too long, a trailer that is not properly registered with the DOT or for other related issues. The webpage divides the resource material into three sections: a comparison of state laws, folders containing laws/regulations for each individual state and an explanation of federal laws triggered by commercial activity or vehicle weight. The material is posted on the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) resources menu under “motorsports trailers.”

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Jason Catullo

Several vehicles are available through the SEMA Garage to help meet the product-development needs for SEMA members. Whether it’s product fitment, vehicle measurements or emissions testing and compliance, the vehicles are accessible on site. All that members need to do is schedule an appointment to visit the garage and get hands-on with the vehicles.

The vehicles currently available are:

• ’05 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 2WD with 5.3L
• ’15 Ford Mustang w/ 2.3L EcoBoost
• ’15 Chevrolet Camaro with 6.2L

In addition to the vehicles above, there are plans to purchase a ’15 Ford Mustang with 5.0L before the end of the year.

The SEMA Garage facility includes an Emissions Compliance Center, a full mechanics’ bay, a tech center with laser metrology and 3D printing equipment, a photography studio and a conference center.

The SEMA Garage’s Emissions Compliance Center is designed to help members reduce the time needed to take a product from concept to market. The vehicles are part of the association’s effort to help specialty-equipment manufacturers with the entire Executive Order (EO) development process. Recently, The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a letter recognizing the SEMA Emissions Compliance Center as a Certification Ready Automotive Emissions Testing Laboratory, which helped make it possible for SEMA to assist in all aspects of securing CARB and federal EPA emissions compliance. 

“When it comes to product planning and development, one of the common obstacles for manufacturers is not having access to test vehicles,” said Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM and product development programs. “To add more value for members looking to test a prototype, check product fitments or secure and EO, we went out and purchased some vehicles popular within the market.”

For more information, visit www.semagarage.com. To schedule an appointment to access the vehicles at the SEMA Garage, e-mail Peter Treydte at petert@sema.org.

By Jason Catullo

Several vehicles are available through the SEMA Garage to help meet the product-development needs for SEMA members. Whether it’s product fitment, vehicle measurements or emissions testing and compliance, the vehicles are accessible on site. All that members need to do is schedule an appointment to visit the garage and get hands-on with the vehicles.

The vehicles currently available are:

• ’05 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 2WD with 5.3L
• ’15 Ford Mustang w/ 2.3L EcoBoost
• ’15 Chevrolet Camaro with 6.2L

In addition to the vehicles above, there are plans to purchase a ’15 Ford Mustang with 5.0L before the end of the year.

The SEMA Garage facility includes an Emissions Compliance Center, a full mechanics’ bay, a tech center with laser metrology and 3D printing equipment, a photography studio and a conference center.

The SEMA Garage’s Emissions Compliance Center is designed to help members reduce the time needed to take a product from concept to market. The vehicles are part of the association’s effort to help specialty-equipment manufacturers with the entire Executive Order (EO) development process. Recently, The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a letter recognizing the SEMA Emissions Compliance Center as a Certification Ready Automotive Emissions Testing Laboratory, which helped make it possible for SEMA to assist in all aspects of securing CARB and federal EPA emissions compliance. 

“When it comes to product planning and development, one of the common obstacles for manufacturers is not having access to test vehicles,” said Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM and product development programs. “To add more value for members looking to test a prototype, check product fitments or secure and EO, we went out and purchased some vehicles popular within the market.”

For more information, visit www.semagarage.com. To schedule an appointment to access the vehicles at the SEMA Garage, e-mail Peter Treydte at petert@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Webasto ’15 Edge Sport

Goolsby Customs ’69 Mustang

Ford Motor Company recognized the most significant design achievements at the 2015 SEMA Show with its Corporate Design Awards, which annually honor the Ford vehicles that make a significant contribution to vehicle design and stand apart from all others at the Show. Awards were presented for the most significant accomplishments in the categories of Best of Show, Best of Show on Ford Corporate Display Stand, Best Ford Heritage Vehicle, and Outstanding Achievement and Project Excellence.

Ford 2015 SEMA Show Award Winners By Category

Ford Design Awards

• Best Heritage Vehicle – ’33 Ford Coupe by Creative Concepts and Halabura Hotrods
• Best of Ford Show Stand – ’15 Mustang Convertible by MAD Industries
• Best of Show – ’40 Mercury by Rob Ida Design

Special Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Design

• Goolsby Customs, ’69 Mustang
• AIRDESIGN USA, ’15 F-150
• CGS Performance Products, ’15 Mustang Convertible
• MAD Industries, ’15 Explorer Sport
• Bojix Design, ’15 Mustang
• Leer, ’15 F-150
• TS Designs, ’15 Mustang Convertible
• Webasto, ’15 Edge Sport
• Roush, ’15 F-150

Ford Project Excellence Awards

• DRAGG, ’15 Mustang
• Rally Innovations, ’15 Focus ST
• MRT, ’15 F-150
• Galpin Auto Sports, ’15 F-150
• DSPORT, ’15 Fiesta ST

By SEMA Editors

Webasto ’15 Edge Sport

Goolsby Customs ’69 Mustang

Ford Motor Company recognized the most significant design achievements at the 2015 SEMA Show with its Corporate Design Awards, which annually honor the Ford vehicles that make a significant contribution to vehicle design and stand apart from all others at the Show. Awards were presented for the most significant accomplishments in the categories of Best of Show, Best of Show on Ford Corporate Display Stand, Best Ford Heritage Vehicle, and Outstanding Achievement and Project Excellence.

Ford 2015 SEMA Show Award Winners By Category

Ford Design Awards

• Best Heritage Vehicle – ’33 Ford Coupe by Creative Concepts and Halabura Hotrods
• Best of Ford Show Stand – ’15 Mustang Convertible by MAD Industries
• Best of Show – ’40 Mercury by Rob Ida Design

Special Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Design

• Goolsby Customs, ’69 Mustang
• AIRDESIGN USA, ’15 F-150
• CGS Performance Products, ’15 Mustang Convertible
• MAD Industries, ’15 Explorer Sport
• Bojix Design, ’15 Mustang
• Leer, ’15 F-150
• TS Designs, ’15 Mustang Convertible
• Webasto, ’15 Edge Sport
• Roush, ’15 F-150

Ford Project Excellence Awards

• DRAGG, ’15 Mustang
• Rally Innovations, ’15 Focus ST
• MRT, ’15 F-150
• Galpin Auto Sports, ’15 F-150
• DSPORT, ’15 Fiesta ST