Readers may recall that the current EPA interpretation of the Clean Air Act does not allow any motor vehicle designed for street use—car, truck or motorcycle—to be converted into a dedicated racecar. This issue came to SEMA’s attention in 2015, when the EPA took the position that converted vehicles must remain emissions-compliant, even if they are no longer driven on public streets or highways. Although the EPA did not finalize the proposed rule, the agency still maintains that modifying the emissions system of a motor vehicle to convert it for racing is illegal. Manufacturing, selling and installing race parts for converted vehicles would also be a violation. Most recently, the EPA also announced that enforcement against performance tuning and parts is a top priority for 2020.

For several years now, SEMA and our industry members have been working to build the industry’s most comprehensive and useful digital product data resource. The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) now houses, updates and distributes product data for more than 480 active brands. And industry companies—both suppliers and resellers—are joining the SDC at an unprecedented pace. There is no single reason why, but a culmination of several factors that make the SDC increasingly vital to the industry. If you haven’t gotten on board, now’s the time.

The origins of the SEMA trade association say a lot about the strong tradition of volunteerism that guides the association today. From its founding in 1963 and for years thereafter, the association had no paid staff. The benefits provided were entirely the work of board volunteers.

With just four weeks to go, we can report that the 2019 SEMA Show is going to be an outstanding opportunity for industry buyers and sellers to do business. As in past years, exhibitor participation is stretching the limits of the facility. The Las Vegas Convention Center floorplan is packed with a remarkable array of companies representing every industry segment—and emerging new trends within those segments.