Artist rendering of Crush Recovery. Photo: Keg Digital Garage
	Jeep Builder Dave Doetsch with ’12 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4 prior to its transformation as "Crush Recovery." Photo: Dave Doetsch

Dealers, jobbers, installers and other specialty-equipment industry enthusiasts attending the 2012 SEMA Show will be able to learn all about the dynamic Jeep and off-road lifestyle market through the new Off-Road Success Center, presented by OMIX-ADA/Rugged Ridge.

Located within the Truck, SUV & Off-Road section in booth #30147 at the 2012 SEMA Show, the center provides those interested in learning about the off-road market with a place to exchange ideas, learn new concepts for success and network with other like-minded people.

Check out the OMIX-Rugged Ridge video. When prompted, enter the password "sema."

A number of events and seminars will be held in the Off-Road Success Center, located in booth #30147 in the Upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center where other truck, SUV and off-road equipment is showcased.

One such event will be a social-media case study of legendary off-road enthusiast Dave Doetsch, builder of award-winning Jeepzilla and Black Widow, with online marketing expert, William Leake, CEO of Apogee Results. Doetsch will publicly unveil his latest project, "Crush Recovery," at the OMIX-ADA/Rugged Ridge Off-Road Success Center.

	The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino and The Plaza Hotel & Casino have undergone extensive renovations and have been added to the official block for this year's Show.

While many hotels around Las Vegas are filling up quickly, there are a few hotels still offering discounted rates through SEMA’s official housing website.  

New this year, SEMA has included two of the most luxurious hotels downtown in the official block, which means affordable options and complimentary shuttle transportation provided by SEMA from the hotels to the SEMA Show. Both properties have recently completed extensive renovations and expansions, providing quality hotels at deeply discounted prices.

• Golden Nugget: as low as $85 per night.
• Plaza Hotel: as low as $65 per night.

Meanwhile, on the Strip, SEMA still has rooms available at three different hotels each offering varied options that will fit whatever you prefer. From a luxurious, non-gaming property, to mega-resorts in the heart of the Strip, as well as a more economical option, there is something for everyone. Below are the remaining properties still available on the Strip:

• Circus Circus: As low as $65 per night.
• Planet Hollywood: As low as $150 per night.
• TI: As low as $153 per night.
• Trump: As low as $160 per night.
• Westin Casuarina: As low as $149 per night.

Also note that all rates shown on SEMA’s official housing site include any resort fees that many properties in Las Vegas now charge. When comparing prices, be sure to verify if a particular property charges a resort fee and what the fee may be. While it can significantly increase the final rate one pays, these fees include wireless Internet and fitness center access at most properties.

If you have any questions about booking your hotels for the SEMA Show, don’t hesitate to contact Travel Planners—SEMA’s Official Housing Bureau—at 800-221-3531or e-mail res@tphousing.com.

	The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino and The Plaza Hotel & Casino have undergone extensive renovations and have been added to the official block for this year's Show.

While many hotels around Las Vegas are filling up quickly, there are a few hotels still offering discounted rates through SEMA’s official housing website.  

New this year, SEMA has included two of the most luxurious hotels downtown in the official block, which means affordable options and complimentary shuttle transportation provided by SEMA from the hotels to the SEMA Show. Both properties have recently completed extensive renovations and expansions, providing quality hotels at deeply discounted prices.

• Golden Nugget: as low as $85 per night.
• Plaza Hotel: as low as $65 per night.

Meanwhile, on the Strip, SEMA still has rooms available at three different hotels each offering varied options that will fit whatever you prefer. From a luxurious, non-gaming property, to mega-resorts in the heart of the Strip, as well as a more economical option, there is something for everyone. Below are the remaining properties still available on the Strip:

• Circus Circus: As low as $65 per night.
• Planet Hollywood: As low as $150 per night.
• TI: As low as $153 per night.
• Trump: As low as $160 per night.
• Westin Casuarina: As low as $149 per night.

Also note that all rates shown on SEMA’s official housing site include any resort fees that many properties in Las Vegas now charge. When comparing prices, be sure to verify if a particular property charges a resort fee and what the fee may be. While it can significantly increase the final rate one pays, these fees include wireless Internet and fitness center access at most properties.

If you have any questions about booking your hotels for the SEMA Show, don’t hesitate to contact Travel Planners—SEMA’s Official Housing Bureau—at 800-221-3531or e-mail res@tphousing.com.

The first-ever AppRadio Hackathon presented by Pioneer Electronics at the 2012 SEMA Show will bring creative minds within the app developer community together with the Show's exhibitors.

Pioneer has tasked app developers to work non-stop to create the next big app to work with Pioneer’s AppRadio, an in-dash car stereo that controls compatible apps directly from its touchscreen.

The 69-hour event will span the length of the SEMA Show, beginning Tuesday, October 30, and concluding with an award presentation, Friday, November 2. Developers will work around the clock for a chance to take home more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. First-, second- and third-place winners will be awarded in three app categories, including:

• Social Networking Automotive Apps: Concept for In-Vehicle Social Networking Services (SNS)
• Location-Based Services (LBS) Apps: Concept for Geo-Fenced or Geo-Tagged Automotive Related Services 
• Automotive Accessory Apps: Concept incorporating one or more of SEMA exhibitor’s technology(s), products or services.

Does your company have a product, technology or service that would be enhanced with an app? If you would like a chance to have a developer create an app compatible with both your product and the Pioneer AppRadio, enter now to be a part of the Hackathon.   

If you are an app developer and would like more information and to register to participate in the Hackathon, visit www.pioneerhackathon.com.

The first-ever AppRadio Hackathon presented by Pioneer Electronics at the 2012 SEMA Show will bring creative minds within the app developer community together with the Show's exhibitors.

Pioneer has tasked app developers to work non-stop to create the next big app to work with Pioneer’s AppRadio, an in-dash car stereo that controls compatible apps directly from its touchscreen.

The 69-hour event will span the length of the SEMA Show, beginning Tuesday, October 30, and concluding with an award presentation, Friday, November 2. Developers will work around the clock for a chance to take home more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. First-, second- and third-place winners will be awarded in three app categories, including:

• Social Networking Automotive Apps: Concept for In-Vehicle Social Networking Services (SNS)
• Location-Based Services (LBS) Apps: Concept for Geo-Fenced or Geo-Tagged Automotive Related Services 
• Automotive Accessory Apps: Concept incorporating one or more of SEMA exhibitor’s technology(s), products or services.

Does your company have a product, technology or service that would be enhanced with an app? If you would like a chance to have a developer create an app compatible with both your product and the Pioneer AppRadio, enter now to be a part of the Hackathon.   

If you are an app developer and would like more information and to register to participate in the Hackathon, visit www.pioneerhackathon.com.

	Paul Brown

Pirelli World Challenge Champion Paul Brown Succumbs to Cancer
Champion race-car driver Paul Brown of Covina, California, passed away last Saturday morning after battling cancer. He was 43.

Highlighted by the 2011 Pirelli World Challenge GTS Drivers’ Championship, Brown started his racing career in 1992 in SCCA Club Racing. He made his first SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge start in 1993 at Des Moines, and would run another 41 races through the 2000 season before taking a hiatus from the series. After a handful of starts in 2008–2009, Brown returned for a full slate in with his Tiger Racing/Paul Brown Racing Ford Mustang Boss 302S in 2011.

At the season-opening round at St. Petersburg, Brown earned his first-career pole position and followed that with a win at Long Beach. Brown would win four more times in 2011 en route to a dominating Drivers’ Championship.

Following the season, Brown was diagnosed with an aggressive melanoma and began undergoing treatment. The team signed Justin Bell to drive the No. 50 Mustang for 2012 in Brown’s absence. With Bell unable to attend the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (Mosport) event in June due to a scheduling conflict, Brown returned to the driver’s seat for what would turn out to be the final time. Battling side effects from the cancer treatment, Brown raced to a pair of top-10 finishes, highlighted by a fourth-place run on Saturday.

Brown married fellow World Challenge driver Carol Hollfelder in 2005. The couple each came from a racing family. Brown’s father is renowned Mustang tuner Kenny Brown, and Hollfelder’s father, Tom, has been a fixture in North American vintage racing scene for many years and also previously competed in World Challenge. Outside of the driver’s seat, Brown managed the shop at Tiger Racing.

Service arrangements are not yet available.

	Justin Pawlak, piloting the Falken Tire Ford Mustang, qualified second at the Formula Drift season finale.

Team Falken Takes a Pair of Silvers
The Formula Drift season finale “Title Fight” held in Southern California’s “House of Drift,” Irwindale Speedway, saw Team Falken’s Vaughn Gittin Jr., yield to second place in this year’s Driver’s Championship, while teammate Justin Pawlak, also a contender for the overall win, earned second place in the night’s final round, losing to the 2012 champion, Daigo Saito.

Pawlak, piloting the Falken Tire Ford Mustang, qualified second, while Gittin Jr., was in ninth, with teammates Daijiro Yoshihara in 17th and Darren McNamara in 30th. Both Gittin Jr., and Pawlak advanced to the Top 16. However, after a lengthy “half-time,” Gittin Jr., was defeated by Pat Mordaunt while Pawlak advanced after defeating Ryan Tuerck. Competitor Saito took the win in the final round. Pawlak ended up in fourth in the 2012 Driver Championship while Defending Formula D Champion “Dai” Yoshihara finished in seventh.

Hotchkis Sport Suspension's new Scion FR-S project car clocked the quickest time of the day at 86Fest.

Hotchkis Clocks Fastest Time at 86Fest Autocross
At the famed Auto Club Speedway, Hotchkis Sport Suspension's new Scion FR-S project car clocked the quickest time of the day. 86Fest brought Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ owners together with fans of the original “AE86” Toyota Corolla (the new cars’ spiritual predecessor) for a car show and autocross competition. Team Hotchkis joined in on the festivities and competed in the autocross competition with its own FR-S project vehicle.



Driven by Hotchkis Chief Engineer Aaron Ogawa, the Hotchkis FR-S repeatedly produced quicker lap times that were seconds ahead of any FR-S or BRZ. According to Hotchkis, while the average FR-S/BRZ on stock tires could trip the lights at around 42 seconds, the more modified cars could do it in 38 to 40 seconds. The Hotchkis FR-S, however, was consistently completing laps in the 36-second range and set a best time of 35.58 seconds.



The car’s handling advantage stems from a combination of the new Hotchkis Sport Suspension package, which includes sport coil springs, front and rear adjustable sport sway bars with upgraded end links, front sport caster/camber plates and the front sport strut tower brace. For additional speed, the Hotchkis FR-S is also equipped with a PST carbon-fiber driveshaft, Magnaflow Exhaust and a Takeda cold air intake.



The Hotchkis FR-S and a complete Hotchkis Sport Suspension system will be on display in Hotchkis booth #21261 at the upcoming 2012 SEMA Show.

	Paul Brown

Pirelli World Challenge Champion Paul Brown Succumbs to Cancer
Champion race-car driver Paul Brown of Covina, California, passed away last Saturday morning after battling cancer. He was 43.

Highlighted by the 2011 Pirelli World Challenge GTS Drivers’ Championship, Brown started his racing career in 1992 in SCCA Club Racing. He made his first SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge start in 1993 at Des Moines, and would run another 41 races through the 2000 season before taking a hiatus from the series. After a handful of starts in 2008–2009, Brown returned for a full slate in with his Tiger Racing/Paul Brown Racing Ford Mustang Boss 302S in 2011.

At the season-opening round at St. Petersburg, Brown earned his first-career pole position and followed that with a win at Long Beach. Brown would win four more times in 2011 en route to a dominating Drivers’ Championship.

Following the season, Brown was diagnosed with an aggressive melanoma and began undergoing treatment. The team signed Justin Bell to drive the No. 50 Mustang for 2012 in Brown’s absence. With Bell unable to attend the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (Mosport) event in June due to a scheduling conflict, Brown returned to the driver’s seat for what would turn out to be the final time. Battling side effects from the cancer treatment, Brown raced to a pair of top-10 finishes, highlighted by a fourth-place run on Saturday.

Brown married fellow World Challenge driver Carol Hollfelder in 2005. The couple each came from a racing family. Brown’s father is renowned Mustang tuner Kenny Brown, and Hollfelder’s father, Tom, has been a fixture in North American vintage racing scene for many years and also previously competed in World Challenge. Outside of the driver’s seat, Brown managed the shop at Tiger Racing.

Service arrangements are not yet available.

	Justin Pawlak, piloting the Falken Tire Ford Mustang, qualified second at the Formula Drift season finale.

Team Falken Takes a Pair of Silvers
The Formula Drift season finale “Title Fight” held in Southern California’s “House of Drift,” Irwindale Speedway, saw Team Falken’s Vaughn Gittin Jr., yield to second place in this year’s Driver’s Championship, while teammate Justin Pawlak, also a contender for the overall win, earned second place in the night’s final round, losing to the 2012 champion, Daigo Saito.

Pawlak, piloting the Falken Tire Ford Mustang, qualified second, while Gittin Jr., was in ninth, with teammates Daijiro Yoshihara in 17th and Darren McNamara in 30th. Both Gittin Jr., and Pawlak advanced to the Top 16. However, after a lengthy “half-time,” Gittin Jr., was defeated by Pat Mordaunt while Pawlak advanced after defeating Ryan Tuerck. Competitor Saito took the win in the final round. Pawlak ended up in fourth in the 2012 Driver Championship while Defending Formula D Champion “Dai” Yoshihara finished in seventh.

Hotchkis Sport Suspension's new Scion FR-S project car clocked the quickest time of the day at 86Fest.

Hotchkis Clocks Fastest Time at 86Fest Autocross
At the famed Auto Club Speedway, Hotchkis Sport Suspension's new Scion FR-S project car clocked the quickest time of the day. 86Fest brought Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ owners together with fans of the original “AE86” Toyota Corolla (the new cars’ spiritual predecessor) for a car show and autocross competition. Team Hotchkis joined in on the festivities and competed in the autocross competition with its own FR-S project vehicle.



Driven by Hotchkis Chief Engineer Aaron Ogawa, the Hotchkis FR-S repeatedly produced quicker lap times that were seconds ahead of any FR-S or BRZ. According to Hotchkis, while the average FR-S/BRZ on stock tires could trip the lights at around 42 seconds, the more modified cars could do it in 38 to 40 seconds. The Hotchkis FR-S, however, was consistently completing laps in the 36-second range and set a best time of 35.58 seconds.



The car’s handling advantage stems from a combination of the new Hotchkis Sport Suspension package, which includes sport coil springs, front and rear adjustable sport sway bars with upgraded end links, front sport caster/camber plates and the front sport strut tower brace. For additional speed, the Hotchkis FR-S is also equipped with a PST carbon-fiber driveshaft, Magnaflow Exhaust and a Takeda cold air intake.



The Hotchkis FR-S and a complete Hotchkis Sport Suspension system will be on display in Hotchkis booth #21261 at the upcoming 2012 SEMA Show.

	Based on the Veloster, Hyundai's Velocity Concept features a host of additions, including HRE wheels, a lower body kit, a rear diffuser, an oversized rear wing, Brembo four-piston calipers and two-piece rotors, Blistein springs and Kumho tires.

Hyundai America's design and technical center has created a factory-tuner concept named "Velocity" based on its Veloster sport coupe. The Velocity concept will debut at the 2012 SEMA Show.

Hyundai says that Velocity maintains the silhouette of the original Veloster, but features a host of aggressive factory-racer design additions, including HRE wheels, a lower body kit, a rear diffuser, an oversized rear wing and #1 racecar design graphic.

"In creating Velocity, we were inspired to take the Veloster's original concept strengths to their fullest expression," said Chris Chapman, head of Hyundai's Irvine, California, design center. "Velocity gave out design and engineering teams license to take Veloster far beyond everyday production car limitations."

Hyundai reports that Velocity boasts more than 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.

In addition the the engine modifications, Velocity also features Brembo four-piston calipers and two-piece rotors, Blistein springs with monotube dampers, and Kumho Ecsta SPT 275/35R19 high-performance summer tires.

Watch the 2012 SEMA Show Hyundai Veloster "Velocity" Concept video.       

	Based on the Veloster, Hyundai's Velocity Concept features a host of additions, including HRE wheels, a lower body kit, a rear diffuser, an oversized rear wing, Brembo four-piston calipers and two-piece rotors, Blistein springs and Kumho tires.

Hyundai America's design and technical center has created a factory-tuner concept named "Velocity" based on its Veloster sport coupe. The Velocity concept will debut at the 2012 SEMA Show.

Hyundai says that Velocity maintains the silhouette of the original Veloster, but features a host of aggressive factory-racer design additions, including HRE wheels, a lower body kit, a rear diffuser, an oversized rear wing and #1 racecar design graphic.

"In creating Velocity, we were inspired to take the Veloster's original concept strengths to their fullest expression," said Chris Chapman, head of Hyundai's Irvine, California, design center. "Velocity gave out design and engineering teams license to take Veloster far beyond everyday production car limitations."

Hyundai reports that Velocity boasts more than 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.

In addition the the engine modifications, Velocity also features Brembo four-piston calipers and two-piece rotors, Blistein springs with monotube dampers, and Kumho Ecsta SPT 275/35R19 high-performance summer tires.

Watch the 2012 SEMA Show Hyundai Veloster "Velocity" Concept video.       

	Based on the Veloster, Hyundai's Velocity Concept features a host of additions, including HRE wheels, a lower body kit, a rear diffuser, an oversized rear wing, Brembo four-piston calipers and two-piece rotors, Blistein springs and Kumho tires.

Hyundai America's design and technical center has created a factory-tuner concept named "Velocity" based on its Veloster sport coupe. The Velocity concept will debut at the 2012 SEMA Show.

Hyundai says that Velocity maintains the silhouette of the original Veloster, but features a host of aggressive factory-racer design additions, including HRE wheels, a lower body kit, a rear diffuser, an oversized rear wing and #1 racecar design graphic.

"In creating Velocity, we were inspired to take the Veloster's original concept strengths to their fullest expression," said Chris Chapman, head of Hyundai's Irvine, California, design center. "Velocity gave out design and engineering teams license to take Veloster far beyond everyday production car limitations."

Hyundai reports that Velocity boasts more than 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.

In addition the the engine modifications, Velocity also features Brembo four-piston calipers and two-piece rotors, Blistein springs with monotube dampers, and Kumho Ecsta SPT 275/35R19 high-performance summer tires.

Watch the 2012 SEMA Show Hyundai Veloster "Velocity" Concept video.