Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Omix-ADA will give away a brand-new, fully equipped Anvil Blue ’14 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon at the Off-Road Success Center (Booth #34000) during the 2014 SEMA Show. | |
Omix-ADA to Give Away Fully-Loaded Jeep
Omix-ADA will use its Off-Road Success Center (Booth #34000) at the 2014 SEMA Show, November 6, as the host site for the giveaway of a fully loaded Jeep. SEMA Show visitors will have a chance to win a brand-new, fully equipped Anvil Blue ’14 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon as part of the company’s participation in this year’s Show. Forty semifinalists will be selected over the course of three days (November 4–6) leading up to the giveaway for the chance to start the Jeep using a temporary key they received after entering the contest.
The Off-Road Success Center will also exhibit a custom ’15 four-door Jeep Wrangler built for SEMA Cares, which is designed to raise awareness about the committee’s charitable efforts as it tours the United States. It will be outfitted with one of Omix-ADA’s exclusive Rugged Ridge restyling packages and later auctioned as part of SEMA Cares’ fundraising efforts in 2015.
Royal Purple Announces Las Vegas Bowl Sweepstakes
Royal Purple has announced the 2014 Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl Sweepstakes—a contest offering five fans a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl, December 20, and the opportunity to compete for the grand prize: a ’15 Subaru WRX STI.
Between October 7–November 30, fans can enter the sweepstakes by visiting any O’Reilly Auto Parts U.S. location and filling out an entry form, or by visiting RoyalPurpleLVBChallenge.com and completing an online entry form. Five winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl as semi-finalists for the grand prize.
On December 20, the five semi-finalists will compete in a quarterback simulator before the start of the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl, with the single highest scorer advancing to vie for the grand prize. At halftime, Royal Purple will bring the finalist on the field at Sam Boyd Stadium along with the Subaru WRX. The finalist will have one chance to throw a football and hit a moving target to win the car.
 Marc Muenster | |
Marc Muenster Joins Brake Parts as VP, Europe
Marc Muenster has joined Brake Parts Inc. (BPI) as vice president, Europe. In his new role, Muenster will manage and direct the execution of sales plans and initiatives from the Brake Parts offices in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Prior to joining Brake Parts Inc., Muenster was employed by Ferdinand Bilstein GmbH & Co. in Ennepatal, Germany, as a technical consultant manager, where he implemented an international strategy and was responsible for technical marketing and global team building. His previous experience also includes the position of category manager for Royer Deutschland GmbH in Schwelm, Germany.
Enerpulse Technologies Signs Distributor Agreement With Green Bridge Technologies
Enerpulse Technologies announced that it signed an exclusive Alternative Fuel Vehicle Distributor Agreement with Green Bridge Technologies LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, the exclusivity covers the mobile alternative-fuel market, which includes CNG, LPG, LNG and E85, for a period of five years in the North America and Caribbean markets. Lou Camilli, president of Enerpulse Technologies, says the company is excited about the opportunity to work with Green Bridge Technologies and their affiliates, a fleet solution provider throughout North America.
Green Bridge Technologies (GBT) partners have more than 80 years of global experience in alternative fuels and the fleet vehicle sector. GBT brings innovative technologies to dealers and fleets across North America that meet three critical criteria: practical and affordable, lead to significant cost savings and reduce emissions.
 The FMVSS-126-certified Rancho Dodge Ram competition radius arm suspension system (RS66453B) provides an additional 4.5-in. of lift and features extended-length, competition-style radius arms. | |
Rancho 2014 Ram 2500 Diesel Competition Radius Arm Suspension System Passes Federal Rollover Safety Test
The new Rancho competition radius arm suspension system for ’14 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD diesel trucks recently met all requirements of the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 126 – Electronic Stability Control Systems (FMVSS-126) test. Rancho also has released a new drop bracket sport system and a “Level It” kit for the diesel Dodge trucks.
The FMVSS-126-certified Rancho Dodge Ram competition radius arm suspension system (RS66453B) provides an additional 4.5 inches of lift and features extended-length, competition-style radius arms. The Rancho system was tested with 37-in. tires.
The new Rancho 4.5-in. drop bracket sport system (RS66452B)—available for ’14 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD diesel single-rear-wheel-drive trucks—fits up to 37-in. tires and was designed to help provide additional off-road durability and performance as compared to the original equipment. The kit features several Rancho-exclusive designed and fabricated components, including a forged pitman arm, radius arm drop brackets, steel sway bar spacers and track bar relocation brackets. The system also includes Rancho front coil springs. This new Rancho system is compatible with the vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control System.
 Chris Duke | |
Chris Duke Contributes Weekly to “The Drive With Alan Taylor”
Chris Duke is now a weekly contributor to “The Drive With Alan Taylor,” a nationally syndicated radio show hosted by award winning radio host Alan Taylor. Duke, who is the producer and host of “Motorz,” as well as a Craftsman Tool Advisor, will provide new product news, tips and insights into the industry. “This relationship with Alan has been a long time coming, so I’m extremely happy to be a part of his radio car show,” said Duke. Listeners can tune into “The Drive With Alan Taylor” every Saturday, from 6:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. (PST). Duke will be on for a half an hour at 8:00 a.m. (PST) on the ERN Live Network.
Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc. Hires Nick Scavuzzo
Gantt-Thomas and Associates Inc. has hired Nick Scavuzzo as vice president of national accounts. In this newly formed position, Scavuzzo will leverage his industry experience, training and education to enhance sales productivity, and offer increased value-added services to customers and vendor partners. Scavuzzo has a background that includes representing manufacturers to hardware and farm retailers, and product-management roles with companies such as Bass Pro Shops, Payless Cashways and Arrow Speed Warehouse. He is based in the company's Springfield, Missouri, office and showroom.
 DEI's new website features a dealer portal, which will allow dealers and distributors to place orders more efficiently. | |
DEI Launches New Powersports Website
Design Engineering (DEI) has launched an all-new powersports website, which was completely redesigned to include all the essential heat- and sound-control applications for the powersports customer. All product categories are focused specifically for powersports use, so visitors can explore solutions that are the right fit for the application.
The new site features a dealer portal, which will allow dealers and distributors to place orders more efficiently, a wrap calculator, an easy search function and full product information for DEI exhaust wraps, heat barriers, line and hose protection, thermal chemicals, tape products and more.
Bonnier Corp. Acquires The Promotion Co. Inc. – Family Events
Bonnier Corp. has acquired The Promotion Co. Inc. – Family Events, which has produced events such as the Geico Motorcycle Hot Bike Tour, the Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire, Lucas Oil Monster Truck Nationals, Lucas Oil 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals Series and many others for more than three decades. With the new purchase, Bonnier melds the assets and caters to a niche community of supporters that it hopes will grow revenue, profitability and the company.
The Promotion Co. – Family Events has been obtained in-tact through a stock purchase transaction, the terms of which were not disclosed. Sponsors, exhibitors, participants and key stakeholders will continue working with the same teams managing the upcoming 2015 event series. Bruce Hubley, founder of The Promotion Co. & Family Events, will continue work with Bonnier's events division and assist in expanding the events platform.
 Takaharu Fushimi | |
Takaharu Fushimi Named CEO of Yokohama Corp. of North America
Takaharu Fushimi, a managing corporate officer with Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC), has returned to the United States to assume the post of CEO for Yokohama Corp. of North America (YCNA). In this new appointment, Fushimi will be responsible for the strategic operations in North America and oversight of the multiple subsidiaries and business units responsible for sales and marketing, OE business and manufacturing.
This is Fushimi’s second assignment in the United States; he was CFO at one of YCNA’s subsidiaries, Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC), before returning to Yokohama’s global headquarters in Japan in 2007. He subsequently assumed various executive posts, including his most recent one as head of OE tire sales and marketing division for YRC. YCNA and YTC are headquartered in Fullerton, California.
WC Vision Announces Partnership With VP Racing Fuels
WC Vision has announced a five-year partnership with VP Racing Fuels as the Official Fuel Supplier of Pirelli World Challenge. Starting with the 2015 season, all race cars across all classes will run on VP Racing Fuels. The agreement, which runs through the 2019 season, includes a number of partner-marketing elements, including the VP Racing Fuels “Hard Charger” Award to be presented to the driver who gains the most positions during each race, and the VP Racing Fuels “Acceleration Cone,” an element that will be mentioned by commentators during each race broadcast. Additionally, VP Racing Fuels-branded checkered flags will be used at all series races.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.