By Ashley Reyes

Hot Rod Specialties, Indianapolis company owner Brad Denney is no stranger to building and owning various types of musclecars and street rods. What was once a hobby turned into a rewarding career when he took ownership of the company in 2017.

In this week’s HRIA member spotlight, Denney tells us about the company’s NSRA Nationals-featured ’41 Willy’s Outlaw, what new exciting projects he is currently working on and changes that he sees in the industry.

SEMA: Tell us the story of your business. How did you start?

Brad Denney: I started getting the hot-rod bug back in the early ’70s. I was 14 in 1975 and my first car was a ’67 RS Camaro. One day it started smoking, so my older brother and I pulled the engine, rebuilt it and put headers and a new exhaust on it. That is where this all started. Over the last 40 years, I have owned more than 200 musclecars and street rods. I had a day job running a commercial painting business but was always working nights and weekends in my garage with my son. Three years ago, a buddy of mine was running a hot-rod shop, but had some personal problems that caused him to sell. I bought the business assets from him. We came up with a name and started a new shop in the same location. My son and my buddy Wade joined me, and the rest is history.

We currently have eight full time employees: Wade Sellers, Kenneth Denney, Kelly Yohler, Jarrod Firkins, Tony Spears, Jess Spears, Ron Barker and Mike Bowman who help our business thrive. They deserve just as much credit as I do.  

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?

BD: If I had to pick one it would be a ’41 Willy’s Outlaw body that we did. We put a blown fuel-injected Hemi in it, and we took it as a feature vehicle at NSRA Nationals in Louisville in 2018. We exhibited the car out in the lobby, and I feel like we talked to every person at Louisville that year.    

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2020 and what projects are you working on?  

Brad Denney’s ’41 Willy’s Outlaw featured a blown fuel-injected Hemi, and was a feature vehicle at NSRA Nationals in Louisville in 2018.

BD: We currently have 10,000 sq. ft. of workspace. The custom interior shop is about 1,000 sq. ft. and the body shop is about 2,000 sq. ft. The rest is divided up between our fabrication, assembly and mechanical areas. We are quickly seeing the need to expand our number of employees and our square footage with our current workload and an ever-growing wait list for everything from minor repairs to full builds. We are also beginning to expand our part sales.

It’s been tough to try and work in the shop and sell parts online and to local customers, but we have gotten to a point where we are going to be able to expand that area as well. The ’41 Willy’s is back in the shop. The blown Hemi was just too much for the street, so the owner decided he wanted us to swap it out for an 800-hp blown LS from Don Hardy.

We have a ’29 Pontiac that I watched being built next door to my wife’s (then girlfriend) house back in the ’70s. I watched the original build and now we are doing the re-build. We also have three other full builds going and an average of 10 other cars at any given time for smaller projects.

SEMA: What changes are you seeing in the industry?

BD: We see the Pro-Touring thing continuing to grow. I am sort of old-school, and I see more and more of the later ’70s Camaros and Mustangs coming in. I have also seen more trucks and square bodies beginning to be more popular. I hope to turn this business over one day to my son Kenneth and continue the legacy. I want him to keep it going and he is totally on board.

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

BD: You must have the passion. If you don’t, don’t try to fake it, you can’t.

SEMA News—September 2020

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Maintenance Backlog on Federal Lands: The U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a SEMA-supported bill that is critically important to revitalizing America’s outdoor recreation industry. The GAOA would dedicate $9.5 billion over the next five years to addressing the maintenance backlog on federally owned lands by creating a national parks and public land legacy restoration fund. The bill would also appropriate $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to help fund the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and several other federal agencies as they rebuild and improve trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. Addressing deferred maintenance on public lands will create jobs, revitalize communities and provide Americans with access to open spaces. SEMA and 30 other national associations that comprise the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable joined forces to support the bill. The GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel drives, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats. The House is expected to pass the GAOA and President Trump has signaled support and intent to sign it into law.

COVID-19 Liability Protections: SEMA and a diverse coalition of trade associations have called on Congress to enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protections for businesses. There is a growing need for businesses to be protected from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic.

The business community supports tort reform that would provide rational safe harbors during the current emergency and period of recovery. While not shielding companies from all liability, it would provide tailored protection as businesses act in good faith to follow available guidelines for protecting workers. Six states have laws or executive orders in place that limit business liability or provide businesses with protections against lawsuits arising from Coronavirus, including Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah. In the absence of national liability protections, many businesses have pursued general liability waivers.

PPP Flexibility Act: Lawmakers updated the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide businesses with more flexibility on the use of loan funds. Enactment of the PPP Flexibility Act reduced the amount of funds required to be spent on payroll costs from 75% to 60% for loans that are forgiven. The payroll calculation includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits, and state and local taxes.

Funds may also be used for mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. The law extended the covered period that qualifies for loan forgiveness, giving employers up to 24 weeks from the date the PPP loan was received or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first, to use the forgivable amount of the loan. PPP loans have a 1% interest rate on any amount not forgiven.

Pennsylvania—Motorsports: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued updated business guidance allowing outdoor recreation facilities (including motorsports) to resume operation based on conditions set forth in the state’s Reopen Pennsylvania plan. The Pennsylvania legislature previously introduced a bill to allow outdoor recreational activities, including professional and amateur motorsports, to resume immediately under certain conditions. The bill currently awaits a final vote in the House of Representatives.

STATE UPDATE

Illinois—Motorsports: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that spectator sports facilities, including racetracks, could reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue’s capacity beginning June 26. The SEMA-supported Illinois Motorsports Coalition (IMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across Illinois, previously submitted an eight-step plan to Governor Pritzker to allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Kansas—End of Legislative Session: A pair of SEMA-supported bills in Kansas failed to pass the Senate prior to the adjournment of the legislative session after being approved by the House of Representatives.

• Military Vehicles: The Senate failed to pass legislation to allow for the registration and on-road use of surplus military vehicles. Currently, only antique military vehicles more than 35 years old can be registered for road use.
• Antique Vehicles: The Senate Transportation Committee failed to consider a bill to amend the definition of an antique vehicle to allow alterations to the major component parts.

New Mexico—Motorsports: The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition, a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico, submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motor-sports to safely resume statewide.

SEMA News—September 2020

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Maintenance Backlog on Federal Lands: The U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a SEMA-supported bill that is critically important to revitalizing America’s outdoor recreation industry. The GAOA would dedicate $9.5 billion over the next five years to addressing the maintenance backlog on federally owned lands by creating a national parks and public land legacy restoration fund. The bill would also appropriate $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to help fund the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and several other federal agencies as they rebuild and improve trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. Addressing deferred maintenance on public lands will create jobs, revitalize communities and provide Americans with access to open spaces. SEMA and 30 other national associations that comprise the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable joined forces to support the bill. The GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel drives, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats. The House is expected to pass the GAOA and President Trump has signaled support and intent to sign it into law.

COVID-19 Liability Protections: SEMA and a diverse coalition of trade associations have called on Congress to enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protections for businesses. There is a growing need for businesses to be protected from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic.

The business community supports tort reform that would provide rational safe harbors during the current emergency and period of recovery. While not shielding companies from all liability, it would provide tailored protection as businesses act in good faith to follow available guidelines for protecting workers. Six states have laws or executive orders in place that limit business liability or provide businesses with protections against lawsuits arising from Coronavirus, including Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah. In the absence of national liability protections, many businesses have pursued general liability waivers.

PPP Flexibility Act: Lawmakers updated the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide businesses with more flexibility on the use of loan funds. Enactment of the PPP Flexibility Act reduced the amount of funds required to be spent on payroll costs from 75% to 60% for loans that are forgiven. The payroll calculation includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits, and state and local taxes.

Funds may also be used for mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. The law extended the covered period that qualifies for loan forgiveness, giving employers up to 24 weeks from the date the PPP loan was received or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first, to use the forgivable amount of the loan. PPP loans have a 1% interest rate on any amount not forgiven.

Pennsylvania—Motorsports: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued updated business guidance allowing outdoor recreation facilities (including motorsports) to resume operation based on conditions set forth in the state’s Reopen Pennsylvania plan. The Pennsylvania legislature previously introduced a bill to allow outdoor recreational activities, including professional and amateur motorsports, to resume immediately under certain conditions. The bill currently awaits a final vote in the House of Representatives.

STATE UPDATE

Illinois—Motorsports: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that spectator sports facilities, including racetracks, could reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue’s capacity beginning June 26. The SEMA-supported Illinois Motorsports Coalition (IMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across Illinois, previously submitted an eight-step plan to Governor Pritzker to allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Kansas—End of Legislative Session: A pair of SEMA-supported bills in Kansas failed to pass the Senate prior to the adjournment of the legislative session after being approved by the House of Representatives.

• Military Vehicles: The Senate failed to pass legislation to allow for the registration and on-road use of surplus military vehicles. Currently, only antique military vehicles more than 35 years old can be registered for road use.
• Antique Vehicles: The Senate Transportation Committee failed to consider a bill to amend the definition of an antique vehicle to allow alterations to the major component parts.

New Mexico—Motorsports: The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition, a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico, submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motor-sports to safely resume statewide.

SEMA News—September 2020

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Maintenance Backlog on Federal Lands: The U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a SEMA-supported bill that is critically important to revitalizing America’s outdoor recreation industry. The GAOA would dedicate $9.5 billion over the next five years to addressing the maintenance backlog on federally owned lands by creating a national parks and public land legacy restoration fund. The bill would also appropriate $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to help fund the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and several other federal agencies as they rebuild and improve trails, roads, docks, campgrounds and more. Addressing deferred maintenance on public lands will create jobs, revitalize communities and provide Americans with access to open spaces. SEMA and 30 other national associations that comprise the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable joined forces to support the bill. The GAOA would benefit many SEMA members in the off-road market (four-wheel drives, ATVs and UTVs) in addition to companies producing and selling wheels/tires, suspension, power and other equipment to help tow RVs and boats. The House is expected to pass the GAOA and President Trump has signaled support and intent to sign it into law.

COVID-19 Liability Protections: SEMA and a diverse coalition of trade associations have called on Congress to enact temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability protections for businesses. There is a growing need for businesses to be protected from unfair lawsuits when operating under applicable public health guidelines. The threat of liability exposure and frivolous lawsuits are a deterrent for companies seeking to operate or reopen their facilities in the wake of the pandemic.

The business community supports tort reform that would provide rational safe harbors during the current emergency and period of recovery. While not shielding companies from all liability, it would provide tailored protection as businesses act in good faith to follow available guidelines for protecting workers. Six states have laws or executive orders in place that limit business liability or provide businesses with protections against lawsuits arising from Coronavirus, including Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah. In the absence of national liability protections, many businesses have pursued general liability waivers.

PPP Flexibility Act: Lawmakers updated the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide businesses with more flexibility on the use of loan funds. Enactment of the PPP Flexibility Act reduced the amount of funds required to be spent on payroll costs from 75% to 60% for loans that are forgiven. The payroll calculation includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits, and state and local taxes.

Funds may also be used for mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. The law extended the covered period that qualifies for loan forgiveness, giving employers up to 24 weeks from the date the PPP loan was received or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first, to use the forgivable amount of the loan. PPP loans have a 1% interest rate on any amount not forgiven.

Pennsylvania—Motorsports: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued updated business guidance allowing outdoor recreation facilities (including motorsports) to resume operation based on conditions set forth in the state’s Reopen Pennsylvania plan. The Pennsylvania legislature previously introduced a bill to allow outdoor recreational activities, including professional and amateur motorsports, to resume immediately under certain conditions. The bill currently awaits a final vote in the House of Representatives.

STATE UPDATE

Illinois—Motorsports: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that spectator sports facilities, including racetracks, could reopen to fan attendance at 20% of a venue’s capacity beginning June 26. The SEMA-supported Illinois Motorsports Coalition (IMC), a group comprised of racing facilities across Illinois, previously submitted an eight-step plan to Governor Pritzker to allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Kansas—End of Legislative Session: A pair of SEMA-supported bills in Kansas failed to pass the Senate prior to the adjournment of the legislative session after being approved by the House of Representatives.

• Military Vehicles: The Senate failed to pass legislation to allow for the registration and on-road use of surplus military vehicles. Currently, only antique military vehicles more than 35 years old can be registered for road use.
• Antique Vehicles: The Senate Transportation Committee failed to consider a bill to amend the definition of an antique vehicle to allow alterations to the major component parts.

New Mexico—Motorsports: The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition, a group comprised of racing facilities across New Mexico, submitted a SEMA-supported plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motor-sports to safely resume statewide.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA announced today that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place November 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.

“Creating a platform where the industry can gather and discover new products and trends has always been a SEMA priority,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA360 is the ideal solution to bring the industry together, at a time when we’ve all been kept apart. The platform allows qualified buyers to interact with manufacturers, see innovative new products, check out top SEMA Show builds, and take in industry-leading educational offerings."

Show organizers gathered input from industry members who registered concerns with typical “virtual trade show” solutions. The result is SEMA360, a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers. With a focus on helping the industry grow their businesses, participating resellers will have access to product offerings and demonstrations, and manufacturer personnel.

“The industry made it clear there is a void to fill,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “SEMA360 addresses that need by leveraging SEMA’s exclusive buyer database to connect manufacturers with resellers.”

Key features of SEMA360 include:

• A simplified platform for manufacturers to showcase their new products and innovations
• Efficient interaction between manufacturers and resellers for quality business exchange
• SEMA vehicle reveals from world-class builders
• Industry-leading education focused on professional development and new strategies
• SEMA’s unrivaled media contacts amplifying news, products, and innovations to a world-wide audience

Manufacturer applications for SEMA360 will open September 3, at a SEMA-member rate of $495, and a nonmember rate of $1,495. Attendee registration, which opens mid-September, will be free to qualifying buyers who are SEMA members, and $25 to non-members. Qualifying media will be able to register at no cost.

To learn more about the SEMA360 or to register, visit www.sema360.com.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA announced today that it is offering an online marketplace to allow manufacturers and resellers in the specialty automotive segment to connect and conduct business. Taking place November 2-6, SEMA360 was created after industry members expressed a need for a viable marketplace solution in the absence of the 2020 SEMA Show.

“Creating a platform where the industry can gather and discover new products and trends has always been a SEMA priority,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA360 is the ideal solution to bring the industry together, at a time when we’ve all been kept apart. The platform allows qualified buyers to interact with manufacturers, see innovative new products, check out top SEMA Show builds, and take in industry-leading educational offerings."

Show organizers gathered input from industry members who registered concerns with typical “virtual trade show” solutions. The result is SEMA360, a simplified platform where SEMA will help manufacturers create a straightforward brand presence that will reach quality domestic and international buyers. With a focus on helping the industry grow their businesses, participating resellers will have access to product offerings and demonstrations, and manufacturer personnel.

“The industry made it clear there is a void to fill,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “SEMA360 addresses that need by leveraging SEMA’s exclusive buyer database to connect manufacturers with resellers.”

Key features of SEMA360 include:

• A simplified platform for manufacturers to showcase their new products and innovations
• Efficient interaction between manufacturers and resellers for quality business exchange
• SEMA vehicle reveals from world-class builders
• Industry-leading education focused on professional development and new strategies
• SEMA’s unrivaled media contacts amplifying news, products, and innovations to a world-wide audience

Manufacturer applications for SEMA360 will open September 3, at a SEMA-member rate of $495, and a nonmember rate of $1,495. Attendee registration, which opens mid-September, will be free to qualifying buyers who are SEMA members, and $25 to non-members. Qualifying media will be able to register at no cost.

To learn more about the SEMA360 or to register, visit www.sema360.com.

By Ashley Reyes

Rose Kawasaki

SEMA members are invited to participate in a Facebook Live Chat featuring the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network’s (SBN) 2015 Athena Woman of the Year and Vice President of Exports International LLC Rose Kawasaki, September 2 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).  

Interested in learning how you can maximize your SBN membership? During this live chat, Kawasaki will discuss and answer questions on how SBN members can activate their membership benefits and volunteer, even through this time of social distancing.

A former SBN chair, Kawasaki has more than 33 years of international export experience and has volunteered endless hours to promote programs that benefit and mentor young women coming into the industry. Her dedication to the success and growth of the network, including her leadership as Vehicle Build Task Force chair in the groundbreaking “SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women” in 2012, earned her recognition as SBN Athena Woman of the Year in 2015.

Get your questions ready and tune into the SBN Facebook Page on September 2.

By Ashley Reyes

Rose Kawasaki

SEMA members are invited to participate in a Facebook Live Chat featuring the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network’s (SBN) 2015 Athena Woman of the Year and Vice President of Exports International LLC Rose Kawasaki, September 2 at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).  

Interested in learning how you can maximize your SBN membership? During this live chat, Kawasaki will discuss and answer questions on how SBN members can activate their membership benefits and volunteer, even through this time of social distancing.

A former SBN chair, Kawasaki has more than 33 years of international export experience and has volunteered endless hours to promote programs that benefit and mentor young women coming into the industry. Her dedication to the success and growth of the network, including her leadership as Vehicle Build Task Force chair in the groundbreaking “SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women” in 2012, earned her recognition as SBN Athena Woman of the Year in 2015.

Get your questions ready and tune into the SBN Facebook Page on September 2.

SEMA members are invited to discover how others are pivoting during the pandemic and utilizing technology to move the industry forward following the economic downturn by taking part in a free virtual event on September 4, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

SEMA members are invited to discover how others are pivoting during the pandemic and utilizing technology to move the industry forward following the economic downturn by taking part in a free virtual event on September 4, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).