Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Illumaware, FMI Automotive, B.R.A.K.E.S., LeMay Museum, Maradyne High Performance Fans, Strattec and more.

LANGDON, C. FORCE, NOBILE TAKE SEASON-OPENING WINS: Courtney Force raced to victory in Funny Car last Sunday at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) also were winners at...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will now permit tire factory scraps and blemished tires (off-specification tires) to be burned as fuel rather than treated as solid waste.

In his State of the Union Address, President Obama urged Congress to enact comprehensive tax reform legislation designed to simplify the tax code, close loopholes and lower business tax rates.

Legislation to require the issuance of a single motor-vehicle license plate for attachment at the rear of the vehicle was introduced in the Texas House Of Representatives.

Legislation has been introduced in Hawaii to reduce annual registration fees and state vehicle weight tax for antique motor vehicles.

SEMA-supported legislation has been introduced in West Virginia to exempt motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, trucks and tractors that are older than 25 years from personal property taxes.

Legislation containing a SEMA-drafted amendment to totally exempt from the license tax all vehicles and parts cars stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair was approved by the Virginia State Legislature and will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment...

The deadline for members to submit their SEMA Hall of Fame nominations is Friday, March 22, 2013.