Sales of automotive specialty-equipment products continue to climb, with sales in 2012 reaching $31 billion, according to the 2013 SEMA Annual Market Report. The figure represents a 4% increase over the previous year, and marks the third consecutive year of growth.

The Hot Rod Power Tour is nearing its 20th birthday (this year’s running in June swings from Texas to North Carolina), but the roots of long-distance hot-rod hauling go back much further than that.

SEMA invites industry professionals to the second stop of the 2013 Town Hall tour. Members and prospective members will be gathering at Bestop Inc. in Broomfield, Colorado, Wednesday, June 26, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

FORCE AND SCHUMACHER LOOK FOR SUCCESS AT BRISTOL DRAGWAY: 15-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force and seven-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher both are looking for continued success at Bristol Dragway during the upcoming Ford Thunder Valley Nationals June 14–16. Force has three wins at...

Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Automotive Lift Institute, Petty's Garage, Motorz, University of the Aftermarket Foundation, and more.

At Bully Dog's third NHRDA event of the season—BD Truckin' Nationals—in Mission, British Columbia, driver Nick Adamson qualified with a 12.113-second quarter-mile in the Super Diesel class. He earned a 60-ft. time of 1.6 seconds and a quarter-mile of 12.004 to beat out his closest opponent Ryan...

Doug Evans of Source Interlink Media has been elected the Chairman-elect of SEMA and joins two newly elected Board members to help lead the association for the 2013–2015 term.

The fourth annual Council Cup will once again pit council against council in the name of SEMA Cares' charities.