By SEMA Editors

The Wheel Group (TWG), the Ontario, California-based global aftermarket wheel, tire and automotive accessory supplier, has announced Dean Rossi as its new CFO. 

Rossi's career began at Arthur Andersen in New York City and continued at Deloitte. He later transitioned to IBM, where he served in a technical accounting role and specialized in acquisition diligence and business model evaluation, leading to his relocation to California. Rossi later moved to 4Over, a private founder-led printing distribution business where he built and led finance and accounting teams, successfully orchestrated acquisitions and ultimately facilitated the sale of the business.

"Dean's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for The Wheel Group. We're confident that his expertise will set the stage for unprecedented organic growth and supercharge our acquisition efforts. Together, we're poised to achieve remarkable success in our industry," said Wade Kawasaki, executive chairman of TWG.

For more information, visit thewheelgroup.com.

Ford Announces New Track School for Owners of the Seventh-Generation Mustang

Owners of the all-new, seventh-generation Ford Mustang will be able to enjoy a range of new experiences in 2024, from on-track driving courses led by some of the world's best high-performance driving instructors to new lifestyle events and an online portal to connect with Mustang owners from across the country.

"The Ford Mustang is all about two things: its community of passionate fans and racing. We're combining those qualities and giving owners the opportunity to learn some of the same skills our racing drivers will take to Daytona and Le Mans next year," said Matt Simpson, general manager for Enthusiast Vehicles. "And they'll do so alongside their fellow enthusiasts."

Mustang Dark Horse Track Attack at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be offered to owners of Mustang Dark Horse--the most track-capable and powerful 5.0 L V8 street-legal Mustang ever.

Boasting a near 3:1 attendee-to-instructor ratio, Mustang Dark Horse owners will receive personal attention on the skid pad, autocross and Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, and the experience comes included with the purchase of the Mustang Dark Horse (not including transportation and lodging).

In addition, Ford is offering a driving event at the Ford Performance Racing School at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which will give Mustang EcoBoost and Mustang GT owners the option to select from drift instruction, track driving, line-lock burnout classes, and more.

A new digital portal creates an online point of entry to the Mustang fandom, allowing owners to learn, engage and interact with fellow fans. A series of roving, cross-country events in 10 U.S. markets will include on major automotive, lifestyle and motorsports events. This will provide owners with an in-person opportunity to interact with other Mustang fans.

For more information, visit the Ford announcement or visit ford.com.

By SEMA Editors

Tickets are now available for SEMA Fest, the inaugural, two-day outdoor festival to be held Friday, November 3-Saturday, November 4, 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, that brings together automotive enthusiasts, the biggest names in music and the hottest automotive brands in a large-scale festival format. The prized SEMA Ignited event has evolved into a bigger and more exciting two-day event now known as SEMA Fest, which will give consumers a chance to participate in an automotive and music experience like none other! It's a must-attend event that's open to the public and features incredible automotive and motorsports activations the SEMA crowd is used to, like the following:

• Nitro Circus, the provider of some of the biggest and raddest events in action sports.
• Formula DRIFT, the high-skilled, high-powered sport of drifting.
• Ride With Us, the not-for-profit organization that spreads the thrill of motorcycle riding to the community.

Not only that, SEMA Fest is also headlined by world-class musical acts Imagine Dragons, Incubus, Wiz Khalifa, AJR, Third Eye Blind, Bush, Walk the Moon, Ludacris, The Struts, Badflower, Chase Matthew, Meg Meyers, Ayron Jones, Rome & Duddy, renforshort, Starcrawler, Dead Sara, Bones UK, Brooke Alexx, Paper Idol, The Foxies, Good Boy Daisy and Hot Crazy.

SEMA Fest, open to all ages of the public, will unite automotive enthusiasts with the aftermarket industry "in a high-octane and immersive festival-like celebration of car culture." The event will feature a full slate of automotive lifestyle events, including world-class drifting, motorsports competitions, freestyle motocross, off-road demonstrations, ride-and-drive activations, craft foods and a bustling consumer marketplace. 

Whether you're a diehard car enthusiast, a motorsports fan, a music lover or just like to have a good time, SEMA Fest is an event not to miss. 

The inaugural SEMA Fest marks the conclusion of SEMA Week, which kicks off with the 2023 SEMA Show on October 31–November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

SEMA Fest: Ticketing and Admission

Admissions to SEMA Fest can be purchased at five distinct levels:

• 2-Day General Admission (all ages): $179, which allows access to all General Admission areas, including the SEMA Fest Marketplace, motorsports activations, headlining talent on two stages, and food and beverages are available for purchase.
• 2-Day General Admission PLUS (all ages): $229, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admissions as well as access to mobile phone charging stations, upgraded restroom facilities, and limited paid lockers to secure your personal belongings.
• SEMA Show Friday Festival Experience (ages 16+): $299, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admission PLUS as well as access to the SEMA Show on Friday, November 3, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The Friday Festival Experience offers the ultimate bucket-list enthusiast experience like no other event on the planet. It's the best place to see the newest automotive performance products and discover the latest product and vehicle trends before anyone else.
• SEMA Fest VIP (all ages): $349, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admission PLUS admissions as well as exclusive access to a VIP viewing area with premium sightlines, VIP food and beverages for purchase and VIP washrooms.
• SEMA Fest VIP and SEMA Show Friday Package (ages 16+): $469, which includes access to all the features of SEMA VIP admissions as well as access to the SEMA Show floor on Friday, November 3, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Keep an eye out for more details on the SEMA Fest ticket rewards program. To purchase tickets and receive the latest SEMA Fest updates, visit semafest.com.

By the SEMA D.C. office

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has published a SEMA-opposed regulation that, if approved, would adopt California's latest motor-vehicle emissions laws through 2032 and require that 80% of new-vehicle sales be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) by that date. New Mexico has historically followed California's tailpipe laws. 

Click here to submit comments to NMED by November 13, 2023. 

SEMA believes that New Mexicans, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. The automotive industry is embracing new technology to make cars cleaner and more efficient, which includes hydrogen, new synthetic fuels, alternative fuels, and improvements to the internal combustion engine. The government should allow the market to continue to innovate all forms of technology that significantly reduce vehicle emissions.    

For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Students and faculty from automotive colleges and universities are invited to register for the 2023 SEMA Show Student Program, taking place November 1-2 at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The SEMA Show Student Program offers an experience unlike any other for students preparing for careers in automotive by offering a unique chance to witness the multi-billion aftermarket industry in action.  

In just a span of two days, students will be inspired to reach their career goals and participate in student networking opportunities, an all-female networking event and a networking breakfast where they will meet prospective employers and industry leaders from top companies in the automotive aftermarket. 

The deadline to apply is Friday, October 13. Students aged 18-20 must be represented and chaperoned by their school officials in order to attend. School officials can sign up their student group here. Students aged 21 and over can submit a professional student application at this link.

Industry members who would like to host a table at the Student Program Networking Breakfast on Thursday, November 2, can sign up here.

Questions can be directed to Chris Standifer, SEMA manager of recognition programs, at chriss@sema.org or 909-978-6692. 

By Kenny Wright

The SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) has opened nominations for its Hall of Fame and Robert E. Petersen Media Awards, which celebrate and acknowledge individuals who have made a significant contribution to the motorsports parts manufacturing segment of the aftermarket and/or to the MPMC. The Hall of Fame nominee should demonstrate unparalleled leadership and deserve recognition for their impact on the motorsports sector. Criteria include being a current or past employee of an MPMC member company who has made significant contributions to the motorsports parts industry for more than 10 years. In December, Hall of Fame inductees will be announced and recognized at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis. 

The Robert E. Petersen Media Award honors a member of the print, online or broadcast media who has made a substantial contribution to the motorsports industry within the past year and maintains an ongoing record of service and support to the motorsports market. To be considered for the award, the nominee must be an automotive or motorsports journalist with work published in print or online and must actively support the industry with positive content. 

The Robert E. Petersen Media Award winner will be announced and recognized during the MPMC Reception at the 2024 MPMC Media Trade Conference, which takes place January 30-February 1 at the Embassy Suites in Anaheim, California.

Nominations are due November 10, 2023. Don't miss your chance to pay tribute to exceptional individuals who drive positive change in motorsports. Nominate today!

By SEMA Editors

Join SEMA as we celebrate the specialty-equipment industry and those who have made innovative and significant contributions to it during the 2023 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet held on Thursday, November 2, at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It will be a night to remember as we unite generations of the industry representing past, present and future leadership during the annual gathering of the global SEMA community designed to connect, facilitate networking and create a platform to honor thought leaders.

Join your peers as we recognize the SEMA Person of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Content Creator of the Year and the Chairman's Service Award in the Westgate Paradise Events Center. Experience comradery, entertainment, award presentations, inspirational moments, live music and more. Tickets are now available online for $79 through Friday, September 29 After, tickets will be $99. Tickets will be mailed to attendees in mid-October; act now! 

SEMA Industry Awards Banquet Agenda

Westgate Paradise Events Center

Thursday, November 2

6 p.m. PDT: Cocktail reception sponsored by Fifth Third Bank Motorsports

7 p.m.-9 p.m. PDT: Dinner, awards ceremony and entertainment

To purchase tickets, visit here.

Exhibitors receive a complimentary ticket per 10x10 booth purchased (for a maximum of 10 tickets). Complimentary tickets will only be available for pick-up at the SEMA Member Lounge, outside of N251 on the second level of the LVCC above SEMA Central, from Sunday, October 29 at 9 a.m. through Thursday, November 2, at 12 p.m. (Tickets must be picked up during this time; those that did not receive tickets in the mail can also pick up at the kiosk).

In addition, a host table may be purchased for $2,000. Host companies receive a prime seating location and a 30-second commercial spot played during the banquet's spectacular program.

Celebrate with your team members and future stars of the industry during an event that will inspire industry professionals and the next generation of leadership to be legendary and make their mark on the industry. Purchase your tickets today!

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA FutureTech Studio, a new exhibit at the 2023 SEMA Show, will give attendees at the world's leading automotive trade show an opportunity to learn about what the future of vehicle propulsion may look like. Located in Central Hall, the SEMA FutureTech Studio will be part of the new EV & Future Propulsion section that evolved from the popular SEMA Electrified exhibit at recent SEMA Shows.

"The automotive aftermarket has always been at the forefront of vehicle innovation and technology, and this new section will help showcase how our industry is leading the way in the creation of new engine and fuel options," said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. "The FutureTech Studio is a visionary space designed to inspire and support innovation across all segments and vehicles."

Through various spotlights and showcases, the new immersive Show environment will feature parts and equipment that cater to the new technology, as well as vehicles that will highlight how these are employed. The exhibit will also include a SEMA Education stage, named FutureTech LIVE, where industry leaders will discuss different propulsion technology, including EV, hybrid, hydrogen, alternative fuels and other advancements in technology.

The SEMA FutureTech Studio will be part of the new EV & Future Propulsion section that evolved from the popular SEMA Electrified exhibit at recent SEMA Shows.

Additionally, the new EV & Future Propulsion area will include more than 15 exhibitor booths showcasing parts and tools that cater to this emerging technology and more than 75 vehicles will help highlight the future of automotive innovation.

"The FutureTech Studio will help attendees understand what's happening in the industry and how the industry is already pushing the creative envelope with new innovations, parts and services," said Luis Morales, SEMA director of vehicle technology. "The EV & Future Propulsion section embodies our commitment to featuring the latest and future trends at the SEMA Show, and it is a testament to SEMA's dedication to helping the community remain at the forefront of technological advancements."

The 2023 SEMA Show, taking place October 31-November 3, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the ultimate business gathering for the multi-billion specialty-automotive industry and is the place to discover the latest products and trends, connect with industry leaders and network with fellow aftermarket professionals. 

Register for the SEMA Show

SEMA Show management is dedicated to making the event as cost-effective as possible for all. Registration is $60 through Friday, September 29 and $120 after that date. 

Registering early allows attendees to take advantage of the best rates and receive all the necessary information for planning their SEMA Show experience. Early registration also ensures that attendees will receive their badges in the mail before this year's event. 

Get started on your road to the 2023 SEMA Show by registering today at SEMAShow.com/register! 

Download the SEMA Show App

It's never too early to start your SEMA Show plan. Create a customized schedule, view the floor plan and exhibitor list, browse education sessions, keynote addresses and other Show-related events with the SEMA app at SEMAShow.com/app. 

By Juan Torres

Exhibitors are gearing up for the 2023 SEMA Show and are sharing the new innovations, products, technology and automotive components they will feature in their booths, October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas. Buyers, attendees and media members looking to be up-to-date on news from exhibitors should regularly check the Online Media Center, which shares the latest news from exhibiting companies.

Below are some of the latest announcements you will find:  

• KECO Body Repair Products Poised for SEMA 2023. 
• Raket Designs to Exhibit at the 2023 SEMA New Product Showcase. 
• Metra Electronics Teams Up With Harman to Create New Motorcycle Audio Solutions. 
• Melbrio Unveils Cutting-Edge Automotive Aftermarket Accessories at SEMA Show. 
• Decontaminate Cars and Dissolve Iron Without the Stink. 
• Stinger Chemical Returns to SEMA 2023. 
• 3D Car Care Launches All New GLW Series Automotive Detailing Products. 
• Indestructible Lenses by mpower Silicone Lighting Changes the Game for Off-Road and Performance Vehicles. 

Exhibitor press releases can be found in the Online Media Center at semashow.com/press. All SEMA Show exhibitors are welcome to upload releases free of charge using this link.

Find all news from SEMA Show organizers at semashow.com/news.

By Ashley Reyes

Competition can be fierce in the fast-paced automotive aftermarket, so motorsports parts manufacturers can benefit by creating quality media partnerships that will connect them with the right customers.  

Taking place January 30-February 1, 2024, at the Embassy Suites-Anaheim South in Southern California, the 2024 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference is the ideal event for members to meet with media who can promote their brand to mass audiences.  

By registering to exhibit, manufacturers of racing and performance parts can meet with media in more than 40 private, 30-minute meetings during a span of three days. The meetings are held in private suites and provide a convenient way for manufacturers to share detailed information about their products or developments in their company. Attending media represent a range of outlets, from print, online, and video/television to radio, podcasts and social-media content creators. 

"Tailoring your media outreach is a great way to instill trust in your customers and makes them more likely to choose your brand over competitors," said MPMC Council Liason Marcy Yanus. "We're excited to host this iconic program that helps our members generate interest and excitement that can drive their business growth." 

Registration is open until September 30, 2023. Manufacturers can sign up to exhibit here, or send their questions to MPMC Council Liason Marcy Yanus at marcy@sema.org. 

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) has named Big Shot Rides LLC as the council's newest spotlight member. Get to know the story of the company in the SEMA News interview with Big Shot Rides' owner Chris Joerger below. 

SEMA News: Tell us the story of your shop. 

Chris Joerger: Big Shot Rides starts like almost every car enthusiast story. As a kid, I spent most weekends at Atco Raceway (in Atco, New Jersey, now permanently closed) and Englishtown Raceway (in Old Bridge, New Jersey) with a pit pass and a pen for getting autographs from my favorite drivers; then as an early teenager in a garage with a box of Craftsman tools and Chilton's book and had no clue what I was getting myself into. 

Fast forward to my 30s, I started Big Shot Rides from my home in a two-car garage in Davie, Florida. I got my first break building celebrities' cars early through a personal friend who hooked me up with some NFL players who started shipping me vehicles from all over the country. I quickly outgrew the space and went and signed my first lease in 2014 for a 5,000 sq. ft. shop.

It was a big mistake. I bit off way more than I could chew to get started. After we signed the lease and started the buildout for the new shop, we had to take a step back and relocate to a smaller 3,600 sq. ft. shop after a landlord-tenant lawsuit ensued due to a roof leak that kept us from opening for eight months.  

Heartbroken and broke--like digging in the couch for change broke--my dream shop was tainted with stress, anxiety and legal bills for my family and me. But we pushed forward in the new smaller space and got a chance in 2015 to bring two cars to the SEMA Show. Since then, we have had several cars showcased at SEMA, including our Ferrari 488 Novitc Widebody featured in the Forgiato booth in 2019. In 2022, we moved into a 6,000 sq. ft. facility and have restyled vehicles with eight-figure price tags. Although it was a very stressful start to my dream, my family has always given me the support I needed to keep pushing forward.

I do hope that new builders read this and understand nothing is ever easy, and many times almost seems impossible. But if you really want it, I mean really want it, nothing is impossible! Happy building!

SN: What was your breakthrough moment? 

CJ: Our breakthrough moment was when my wife kicked me out of the home garage because I had too many Lambos on the lawn. She told me to go get a shop, and it all started there. 

SN: Tell us about your business now and the projects that you are working on. 

CJ: [The year] 2023, like for all of us, seems like we are all learning how to walk again. The market has forever changed for us all and having to rethink our marketing strategies, operating cost, parts supply chains, investments and hiring have all been the struggles we face. 

I'm not saying that 2023 is all doom and gloom, but it really made me want to dig deeper into understanding not just building badass rides but understanding my industry more, hence why Big Shot Rides has finally become a member of SEMA this year. 

Currently, the shop had just invested in all new Hunter Engineering equipment and will be starting a wheel and tire division. We also will have our new online store up and running before the holidays. The shop is always growing, not just with new equipment but also with new craftsman and craftswomen who are truly dedicated to the art of building. 

SN: Tell us about a package/product that you are proud of. 

CJ: There are many proud builds and lots of SEMA builds, which are the holy grail, but one that really made not just me proud, but I got to share it with my entire family. In 2023, we built a custom Fanboni for the NHL Hockey team, the Florida Panthers. Not only was it a hit for the team and its fans, but its debut on the ice was also on my 43rd birthday. The Panthers gave us a box for us to invite the shop and my family to the Stanley Cup playoffs, where they showed highlights of the build on national TV and on the jumbotron for my whole family to see. It was a super proud and humble moment of where this all started. 

SN: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket? 

CJ: Never pass up an opportunity to get paid to learn something. I have always done things that I have never done before, and if I said no because I didn't know how, I would never have gained the experience and confidence I have now. Plus, who doesn't like money? 

Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on PRO's social media, SEMA News and future PRO-member updates.