SEMA News—August 2021

HERITAGE

Drag Decals

By Drew Hardin

Photography By Pat Brollier, Petersen Publishing Company Archive

In late 1958, the multi-talented illustrator and cartoonist Pete Millar created just the thing for racers who wanted to record their victories like a fighter pilot. These “easy-to-apply” Drag Decals, advertised in the “What’s New” department of the June 1959 issue of Hot Rod, were available in a choice of 15 different domestic cars “plus a new one for karts.” (A close look at the photo reveals a karting magazine in the back pocket of Millar’s trousers.)

According to Millar’s daughter, Robin, the Thunderbird in the photo was his, though it wouldn’t be for long. He had to sell it in 1959 because of his growing family.

“He had a wife, two daughters under the age of five, another on the way, and a German Shephard,” she said. “There wasn’t enough room for everyone. Something had to go, so the T-Bird went.”

Since Millar was using the T-Bird as a demonstrator, it made sense that its victims were a dozen Corvettes, as the two two-seaters were regularly pitted against each other in magazine shootouts of the day.

Petersen photographer Pat Brollier took this photo and several others in November 1958, though it would be several months before the ad ran in Hot Rod. This picture is an outtake; the ad in the magazine showed a close-up of the decals and Millar’s hands applying one.

This was a pivotal time for Millar. Though he worked as an engineer and a technical illustrator in the mid-’50s, what he really wanted to do was pursue his lifelong love of cartooning. In 1955, his first comic strip was published in Rod & Custom, featuring Arin Cee, an illustrated gearhead mascot for the magazine.

In 1959, he co-created CARtoons magazine with Carl Kohler. Millar would produce it out of his home until the magazine was taken over by Petersen Publishing Company in 1963. That led him to launch his own Millar Publishing Co. and DRAG Cartoons, the first of several drag-race cartoon magazines he would produce.

Millar may be best known for cartoons, but he also expressed his artistic talents as a fine artist, sculptor, illustrator and professional model maker. Millar passed away in 2003, but his work remains visible, thanks to several websites and Robin’s presence with Millar-themed merchandise at the California Hot Rod Reunion and other vintage drag-racing events.

SEMA News—August 2021

Ready for Launch:

New Ideas and Career Opportunities

By Chris Kersting

Ours is an industry built on imagination, fresh ideas and entrepreneurship, qualities that offer exciting opportunities. While the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas remains an obvious beacon for industry entrepreneurial activity, awareness of the scale and scope of innovation in the specialty automotive sector—and the opportunities it affords—has mostly been limited to the inner circle of our business community.

This year, an updated and significantly boosted SEMA Launch Pad program will expose our industry’s remarkable creative capabilities—and the business opportunities that arise because of them—to a much broader audience.

Originally the brainchild of the Young Executives Network (YEN), the Launch Pad program—in which participants pitch new products to a panel of iconic judges—quickly became an entertaining means of spotlighting emerging automotive professionals and their innovative insights.

Though it succeeded in offering compelling aspirational encouragement to a young audience, the program was not originally designed to generate exposure on a national scale. But the potential is there, and the enhanced SEMA Launch Pad is seeking to capture it.

Over the past few months, guided by a group of dedicated industry volunteers, efforts to scale up the program have intensified. One key aspect of the plan to make our industry more widely known is already in progress—capturing dramatic reality-style content that tells the human stories of the Launch Pad contestants, their backgrounds, hopes and aspirations as they pursue a life-changing opportunity. Currently, six episodes are planned for digital release this fall, leading up to the goal of engaging millions of viewers.

Already a diverse group of nearly 200 applicants have presented themselves, ready to compete for a generously expanded prize package that will extend deeper into the field than ever before. As they make their way chasing the American Dream, Launch Pad cameras will be rolling. Ultimately, there will be a dramatic showdown between finalists at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where a new Show feature, the Launch Pad Pavilion, will provide a focal point for all attendees and media. In addition to exposing our industry’s best and brightest innovators to the public, the SEMA Launch Pad will generate stories that will help construct a positive storyline for national media.

Along with creating greater industry awareness, the new SEMA Launch Pad program will serve to support other strategic priorities. Not least will be to help attract young workers and college graduates by providing a demonstration of the wide variety of career paths available in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. In addition, by acting as a showcase for entrepreneurship and innovation, an expanded Launch Pad will better support new product development while providing greater visibility for new companies in our industry.

FYI, the supercharged SEMA Launch Pad program will not be the only exciting, new aspect of the upcoming 2021 Show. This year’s Show will feature the new West Hall facility at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. showcase housing state-of-the-art exhibition and meeting space. Attendees will also be able to traverse the Show campus using a pioneering underground transportation system, spanning from the South Hall to the new West Hall, and designed to transport 4,400 riders per hour, per direction. These and other exciting features will provide an outstanding backdrop to the industry’s return to the world’s greatest gathering of automotive innovations and business opportunities—and all the more reason you need to be there!

You’ll be hearing more about SEMA Launch Pad participants and their ideas as we move closer to the Show. And starting this year, an audience of millions around the world will get a taste of our industry’s legendary inventive capability as well.

By Della Domingo

SEMA has announced the hiring of Benjamin Kaminsky as the new Detroit operations manager. Earlier this year, SEMA announced the purchase of a 45,000-sq.-ft. building in Detroit to be used as a second SEMA Garage. Kaminsky will be responsible for the overall management of SEMA Garage Detroit services and facilities to assist members with new product development and integration.

“Benjamin Kaminsky will be a great addition to our SEMA Garage team,” said Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM & product development programs. “He comes to SEMA with over 20 years of experience in the automotive and automotive aftermarket industry as an engineering and project manager having worked at both automakers and tier-one suppliers.”

Kaminsky will work closely with domestic and import OEMs, along with tier-level suppliers and testing facilities to ensure flow of information essential to the industry’s accurate development of new and innovative products. They will also collaborate to develop opportunities that will benefit SEMA-member manufacturers. Kaminsky’s experience will allow him to cultivate these relationships. Prior to joining SEMA, Kaminsky worked at General Motors as a senior design and release engineer. He oversaw the design, development, validation and release of Chevrolet Performance air intakes, exhausts and components for use in performance applications. He also worked closely with GM emissions compliance and legal groups to ensure engineering hardware development and release processes consistently delivered products that met and exceeded regulatory requirements.

Prior to GM, Kaminsky worked at Bosch Motorsport in a variety of roles, from senior technical engineer to hardware development manager. He managed a department of engineers to develop hardware components for the professional racing industry.

“With his experience and solid OEM and tier supplier relationships, Ben will help the SEMA Garage Detroit best serve our manufacturer members,” shared Spagnola.

The SEMA Garage Detroit will offer manufacturers access to advanced product-development tools and equipment, a state-of-the-art emissions testing lab, an ADAS research and development center and expert technicians who will help bring products to market at the SEMA Garage Detroit. The Detroit facility will give aftermarket parts manufacturers access to sophisticated resources that are typically accessible only to large-scale manufacturers. In addition to exclusive OEM measuring sessions, scanning services, advanced tools and equipment, a CARB-recognized emissions lab and a modern training center, the Detroit facility will include expanded services and offer new SEMA benefits through the ADAS Research and Development Center.

“Being part of SEMA Garage provides me the opportunity to combine my engineering background, project management skills and relationships to make a difference in the automotive and automotive aftermarket industry,” said Benjamin Kaminksy. “I look forward to working with SEMA manufacturer members and continuing my relationships with OEMs and tier suppliers.”

The SEMA Garage Detroit facility is scheduled to be open for members in early 2022. For more information, visit www.semagarage.com. 

  By SEMA Editors

Exhibiting at the SEMA Show and entering at least one product in the New Products Showcase puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry.

Entry Fees:

• The first product entered in one category in the New Products Showcase is free.
• Additional $75 per product category before October 8.
• After October 8, the cost is $150 per entry.
• No refunds provided after October 8.
• Entries submitted on-site will be accepted on a space availability basis.

Enter your new products now!

For more information on New Products Showcase display guidelines, visit www.semashow.com/esm.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Showgoers who want to stay close to monorail stations are encouraged to make their hotel reservations while rooms are still available.

With a quick look on the www.SEMAShow.com/travel homepage, Showgoers can see a list of hotels available along with the star rating, rate per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Here are six hotels in the SEMA Show block with easy monorail access:

• SAHARA
• Westgate
• Harrah’s/LINQ
• Flamingo
• Bally’s/Paris
• MGM Grand

Showgoers booking through the SEMA Show housing partner receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip.

When making your hotel reservations through the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging page, you are receiving the most affordable and convenient hotel options through our partnership with onPeak, the only official hotel provider for the 2021 SEMA Show. All negotiated rates provided by onPeak include resort fees and will allow you to change or cancel your reservation without any financial penalties.

More information about the SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, is available on www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

In partnership with American Honda Motor Co., the SEMA Garage will host a Measuring Session for the ’22 Honda Civic, August 16–20. The event will allow SEMA members to have a close-up experience with the all-new Civic sedan, which features:

• Touring Trim.
• 1.5L direct-injection turbo-charged four-cylinder engine.
• CVT drivetrain.
• Standard ADAS Honda SENSING technology.

This will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. In order to comply with state and local health guidelines, this event will require scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, all appointments will be time-limited and subject to approval by availability.

All registered attendees will be required to undergo an initial temperature check, wear face coverings and gloves and practice social distancing during their appointment.

Register now!

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Evergreen Cooperatives' Fund Acquires Assets of LED Accessory Producer Intellitronix

Evergreen Cooperatives—an internationally recognized nonprofit focused on revitalizing urban neighborhoods by preserving jobs that build middle-class wealth—has added to its growing portfolio of employee-owned businesses with the asset purchase of Intellitronix—a producer of LED automotive aftermarket digital and analog gauges. Terms of the deal were not released.

Intellitronix, a wholly owned subsidiary of the US Lighting Group, manufactures microprocessor-controlled LED products, energy-saving devices designed for the automotive electronic, marine and recreational vehicle markets. The company produces a wide range of automotive electronics, accessories and digital gauges sold and distributed internationally. All products are made in the USA at its own manufacturing facility near Cleveland, Ohio. The transaction benefits the remaining subsidiaries of the U.S. Lighting Group, which will now have additional capital to focus on new business opportunities, fuel growth, save existing jobs and ensure that manufacturing operations of those companies can remain in the Cleveland area.

Tri-State Enterprises Adds New Facility

Tri-State Enterprises, a wholesale distributor of automotive parts, automotive paint, mobile audio/electronics, and truck accessories, has announced the addition of a 492,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Arlington, Texas. This will be the largest facility for Tri-State Enterprises. The general manager will be Junior Calvert, who has more than 30 years of industry experience. The assistant general manager will be Scott Covelli, who has 25 years of experience. Along with this new building, Tri-State is adding new technologies to increase efficiencies and expanding its current line offerings.

Steve Reed Joins RWB as Wiseco Powersports Brand Manager

Race Winning Brands (RWB) has announced industry veteran Steve Reed as the powersports brand manager for Wiseco Performance Products. In his new position, Reed will play a vital role in developing existing initiatives and supporting Wiseco powersports growth through product management and development, business platform and partnership support, marketing initiatives and direct customer visits.

Reed comes to RWB with more than 22 years of experience in the powersports aftermarket. Reed has been driven by a passion for riding and racing dirt bikes since he was young, and began his powersports career in distribution before moving on to inside and international sales. Reed most recently gained experience in portfolio management for Tucker Rocky Distributing, where he managed 150+ brands within powersports distribution, being directly involved in consecutive off-road product portfolio launches while simultaneously maintaining long-established relationships. In related news, 2021 marks the 80th anniversary of Wiseco Performance Products.

WyoTech School Announces Growth Following New Ownership

WyoTech, the Laramie, Wyoming-based diesel- and automotive-related training school, has announced an increase in student enrollment following the purchase by WyoTech diesel alumnus Jim Mathis in 2018. When Mathis led the purchase of WyoTech in July 2018, the school had 12 students. Now, WyoTech boasts nearly 500 students from all 50 states and expects to have more than 1,000 by 2023, according to school officials. After the state of Wyoming approached him for the purchase in early 2018, Mathis announced plans to reinvigorate the school that gave him an excellent education and training. For more information, visit wyotech.edu.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The deadline to update exhibitor information for the printed 2021 SEMA Show Directory is August 20.

The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies and their products. In addition, more than two-thirds of Show buyers say the directory is a useful tool for navigating the Show.

Click here for more information about updating your SEMA Show Directory listing, or contact Maurice O’Connell at mauriceo@sema.org or 909-978-6660.

Click here for a complete listing of 2021 SEMA Show deadlines.

Here’s another look at the all-new ’23 Ford Ranger Raptor, this time though are the first shots of an LHD unit with an interesting soft bed topper.

Overall, the next-gen Ranger Raptor looks more substantial than the current model, with bolder proportions and stance. The front fascia will maintain the bold “FORD” lettering across the grille accompanied by a set of intricate C-shaped headlamps.

The cab and bed appear to be carryovers from the current model, which has been on sale in global markets since 2011. The prototype rides on a set of black wheels that appear to be fairly similar to the current design. A dual-exhaust setup can be seen at the rear, along with a camo’d rear suspension that hides a coil spring setup similar to the F-150 Raptor.

The ’23 Ranger is expected to launch near the end of the ’22 model year and will serve as the basis for an upcoming Volkswagen midsize pickup as a result of a collaboration agreement between Ford and VW announced in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s another look at the all-new ’23 Ford Ranger Raptor, this time though are the first shots of an LHD unit with an interesting soft bed topper.

Overall, the next-gen Ranger Raptor looks more substantial than the current model, with bolder proportions and stance. The front fascia will maintain the bold “FORD” lettering across the grille accompanied by a set of intricate C-shaped headlamps.

The cab and bed appear to be carryovers from the current model, which has been on sale in global markets since 2011. The prototype rides on a set of black wheels that appear to be fairly similar to the current design. A dual-exhaust setup can be seen at the rear, along with a camo’d rear suspension that hides a coil spring setup similar to the F-150 Raptor.

The ’23 Ranger is expected to launch near the end of the ’22 model year and will serve as the basis for an upcoming Volkswagen midsize pickup as a result of a collaboration agreement between Ford and VW announced in 2020.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde