Motovicity Distribution Adds Susan Ozimek VP of Purchasing and Category Management
Motovicity Distribution hired Susan Ozimek as vice president of purchasing and category management. Ozimek was recently COO for the Lighting Supply Co., where Motovicity says her strategic direction and systems and technology upgrades doubled sales and profit revenues. According to Motovicity, Ozimek will bring focus to vendor relations and product management to support the company's business and customer-satisfaction goals.
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Motorsports veteran Todd Snyder will serve as the director of competition for the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup.
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Todd Snyder Named Director of Competition SCCA Pro MX-5 Cup
SCCA Pro Racing hired motorsports veteran Todd Snyder will serve as the director of competition for the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. Snyder has been involved in the motorsports industry for nearly 30 years, competing as a driver in the open-wheel Indy Light series and has competed regularly in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Challenges races over the past five seasons. As director of competition, Snyder will be responsible for providing coaching and oversight to drivers, including reviewing all on-track activity and assisting race officials with decisions throughout an event weekend.
Hedges & Co. Launches Part-Specific Research
SEMA member Hedges & Company announced that it now offers downloadable, part-specific research reports—which includes reports on automotive enthusiasts' buying behavior and brand perceptions—through its new Market Research Store at www.HedgesCompany.com. The reports are based on research compiled from surveys sent to more than 100,000 automotive enthusiasts. Both types of reports show data in an easy-to-read graph format with bullet point summaries of key findings. "The online store offers our new part-specific BuyerZoom and BrandZoom research reports. We've made it easier for aftermarket business owners and managers to get this valuable consumer research on specific products without the time and expense of fielding their own study," said Julie Hedges, president of Hedges & Company.
International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Honorees
The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, based at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida, announced the 2012 class of honorees. They are: Bob Brandt, John Mazmanian, Don Moody, Ray Motes, Mike Kuhl, Carl Olson and Ed Schartman. In addition, popular West Coast race promoter/marketer Bill Doner will also be honored as the recipient of the 2012 "Founder’s Award." The ceremony and dinner takes place at the Hilton/University of Florida Conference Center on Thursday, March 8, during the NHRA Gatornationals weekend. More details are available at www.garlits.com.
Infineon Names Michael Re Ticket Operations Manager
Infineon Raceway named Michael Re as ticket operations manager. Re has more than 25 years of ticketing experience, and will manage all aspects of ticket operations and services at the raceway, including policies and procedures related to ticket sales, pricing and allocation. The raceway also says that Re will coordinate accounting procedures on behalf of the ticketing department, oversee the maintenance of the ticketing system and will oversee customer-service functions.
2011 Hot Rod Speed Parts Hall of Fame Inductees
The Mickey Thompson Sportsman Pro tire was among five legendary speed parts selected for induction into the Hot Rod Magazine Speed Parts Hall of Fame for 2011. According to Hot Rod, the company revolutionized the tire business in the early '60s with innovative, low-profile rubber and created the tire that changed the world of street cars with the Sportsman Pro. The other newly added parts to the Hot Rod Speed Parts Hall of Fame are Center Line Auto Drag wheels, General Motors Performance Parts ZZZ HO crate engine, Deist Safety Drag Parachutes, and Speedmasters Inc. Aluminum Small-Block Chevy Heads. Read more about the Hot Rod Magazine Hall of Fame and its 2011 inductees.
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The WyoTech-branded motorcycle, built by Orange County Choppers on the "American Chopper" TV show with the help of WyoTech students, will visit several events across the country through July 2012. |
Student-Built WyoTech Motorcycle Tour Dates, Locations Announced
The WyoTech-branded motorcycle, built by Orange County Choppers on the "American Chopper" TV show with the help of WyoTech
students, will visit several events across the country through July
2012. The bike made its debut January 27 at the Pittsburgh Autorama, and
the remaining stops include: World of Wheels, February 10–12, North Birmingham, Alabama; Detroit Autorama, February 24–26, Detroit; Bike Week, March 9–18, Daytona Beach, Florida; DUB Show, March 25, Anaheim, California; WyoTech-Sacramento Car Show, May 5, Sacramento, California; WyoTech/NSRA Car Show, May 19, Laramie, Wyoming; Ford/AAA Students Skills Finals, June 10–12, Dearborn, Michigan; Thunder in the Valley, June 21–22, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; SkillsUSA Competition, June 23–27, Kansas City, Missouri; and California State Fair, July 12–15, Sacramento. More information on the bike and tour are available at www.wyochopper.com.
Granatelli Motor Sports Named Title Sponsor of NMCA West Coast Mustang Madness
Granatelli Motor Sports announced that the company is the title sponsor of the NMCA's West Coast Mustang Madness series—an all-new, four-race series that caters to the West Coast Mustang drag-racing scene. The races are set for Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, California, April 20–22; Famoso Dragway, Bakersfield, California, June 22–24; Speed World Dragway, Phoenix; September 28–30; Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, California, October 19–21. "The NMCA WEST Street Car Series sponsorship is a natural for us since are roots run deep in the Mustang drag racing arena," stated J.R. Granatelli, owner of Granatelli Motor Sports Inc. "Additionally, we’ll enhance an already strong connection with racers, both who know and use Granatelli and those who aren’t familiar with what we offer. We strongly believe racing is the best way to engage racers and support them in their endeavors."
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| Truck Trend magazine highlights the SEMA Show's Top 25 Best New Products for trucks and SUVs in its April 2012 issue. |
Truck Trend Magazine Highlights the SEMA Show's Top 25 Best New Products
Following the 2011 SEMA Show, Truck Trend magazine selected the SEMA Show's Top 25 Best New Products for trucks and SUVs. The complete article, written by Allyson Harwood for the April 2012 issue of Truck Trend, and available online, features Truck Trend’s favorites.
The complete list is as follows:
- Escort Live!, Escort/Beltronics Radar Detectors
- Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Mickey Thompson Classic Big-Rig Wheel
- BD Diesel Performance, Cam Caster Adjuster Kit
- Extreme Outback Products, Extreme Outback Compressor
- Monster Hooks Inc., Monster Hook
- Mac's Custom Tie Downs, Trail D-Vise
- Daystar Products International, Daystar Cam Can
- Go Rhino! Products, Dominator D4
- Vortech Engineering, Vortech Raptor Supercharger
- Superchips, Superchips Vivid PAQ
- American Force Wheels, American Force 8/10-Lug Adapter
- Weld Racing LLC, Weld Wheels
- Bestop Inc., Bestop TrekStep
- Extang Corp., Extang EnCore Tonneau
- PullRite, Superrail Mounting Kit
- Las Vegas Tool LLC, Easy Puller
- Rugged Ridge, Rugged Ridge Dual Battery Relay Kit
- Optima Batteries, Optima Batteries Digital 1200 Battery Charger
- Hi-Lift Jack Co., Hi-Lift Off-Road Base
- BOLT Locks
- Warn Industries Inc., Warn PullzAll
- Dynatrac Products Co., Dynatrac Free Spin HD Hub Conversion
- Banks Power, Banks Brake
- Cargo Ease Inc., Cargo Ease Ramp
- SnowBear Ltd., StrongBox Trailer