News and updates and from SEMA's councils and networks.

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, webinars and activities.

Racing News: Dave Despain Signs a Two-Year Contract With MAVTV; Toyo Tires Dakar Rally Blog Features Daily Race Coverage; and ProMedia Invests in Electrimotion Shutdown Transmitter for all NMRA, NMCA and NMCA WEST Events.

This Mini coupe, caught testing on the public roads of Germany by KGP Photography's shooter in Europe, is rumored to be running BMW's next-generation of electric car running gear, compared to the first Mini E effort that ran a sub-10-minute lap on the Nürburgring in the spring of 2010.

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: University of the Aftermarket Foundation, Brenton Productions, Premier Street Rod and more.

Racing icon Andy Granatelli passed away Sunday, December 29, at the age of 90. He was a pivotal force in the earliest days of the specialty-equipment industry, building a business out of selling speed equipment to new automotive enthusiasts who wanted to modify their cars.

New product announcements from SEMA member companies, including Astro Pneumatic Tool, Cloud-Rider Designs, BedRug, DefenderWorx and Escort.

Buyers from 135 countries descended on Las Vegas to meet with exhibitors at the 2013 SEMA Show and take part in numerous international programs. In fact, 25% of all buyers at the 2013 SEMA Show were from beyond U.S. shores, which was good news for exhibitors seeking to broaden their customer bases.

While often ballyhooed as a panacea for the wide variety computing screen sizes company websites must accommodate, one-size-fits-all websites are actually a trade-off that often end up being more trouble than they’re worth.