Compiled by SEMA Editors
EnerSys recently supported Riverside Poly High School as they raced to a first-place finish in the Solar Cup 2017 competition. |
EnerSys Powers Riverside Poly High School to Solar Cup 2017 Championship
EnerSys recently supported Riverside Poly High School as they raced to a first-place finish in the Solar Cup 2017 competition. The Solar Cup 2017 competition took place May 19–21 at Lake Skinner in Winchester, California. The Riverside Poly High School used ODYSSEY Extreme Series batteries to surpass 42 other high-school teams and capture their second consecutive Solar Cup Championship. Eight ODYSSEY PC1100 batteries were installed in the team’s eco-boat, a solar-powered electric boat that measures approximately 16 ft. long and weighs about 250 lbs. Solar Cup is a high-school education program in which teams of students from throughout Southern California build and race solar-powered boats. The seven-month program culminates in a three-day competition at Lake Skinner in Temecula Valley. Through the program, students learn about conservation of natural resources, electrical and mechanical engineering, problem-solving and more.
Galpin Motors’ Bert Boeckmann Presented With Ford’s First Dealer Hall of Fame Award
Southern California’s Galpin Motors has announced its chairman and CEO Bert Boeckmann was presented with Ford Motor Company’s first Dealer Hall of Fame award in recognition of his lifetime of achievement, outstanding performance and inspirational leadership. Additionally, Galpin Ford received more than 12 additional awards, including being recognized as the No. 1 volume Ford dealer for a record 27 years in a row. Boeckmann joined Galpin in 1953 as a salesman, and by 1957 at the age of 26, he was general manager of the company. By 1968, he became president and majority stakeholder.
George Poteet’s GTP ’32 Ford Tudor, built by Alan Johnson and his team at Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop won Goodguys 2017 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year. |
Roadster Shop’s yellow ’69 Camaro named “Inferno” took home the Goodguys 2017 PPG Street Machine of the Year award. Photo credit: Jeremy Cliff |
GPT ’32 Ford Sedan Wins Street Rod of the Year, Inferno Camaro Wins Street Machine of the Year at Goodguys 20th PPG Nationals
George Poteet’s GTP ’32 Ford Tudor, built by Alan Johnson and his team at Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop, won Goodguys 2017 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year two weeks ago in Columbus, Ohio. The sedan gave Poteet his second Goodguys Street Rod of the Year title. Nearly every aspect of the car was done with purposeful design, with input coming from artists Eric Black, Eric Brockmeyer and Jimmy Smith. Johnson’s Kinmont-style disc brakes were used fore and aft, with a Winters quick-change rearend. It all rolls on 16- and 18-in. magnesium wheels wrapped in Firestone rubber from Coker. Keith Dorton at Automotive Specialties Racing Engines was commissioned to build a 312ci Y-block Ford producing more than 450 hp. The vintage Ford mill was detailed, dressed in custom valve covers and fitted with a custom Hilborn fuel-injection system. Bowler Transmissions built the Tremec five-speed transmission, and the sheetmetal is covered in a PPG black finish. Custom gauges from Classic Instruments were crafted to resemble watch faces.
In addition, Roadster Shop’s yellow ’69 Camaro named “Inferno” took home the Goodguys 2017 PPG Street Machine of the Year award for owners John and Nicki Wilkus of Lakeville, Minnesota. The first-gen street fighter features a hand-formed hood, firewall, dash, cowl and rear spoiler, as well as recessed grooves on the rear roof line, which flow into the back glass. The Camaro is powered by a naturally aspirated GM LT1 prepped by Texas Speed good for 680 crank hp. Handling features a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis and one-off Greening Auto Co. center-lock wheels. Inside, the cockpit is a masterful leather interior by Jeremy Carlson’s Avant Garde Design that includes a bucket full of house-machined Roadster Shop parts and trim pieces. Inferno turned in a hot lap of 36.995 on the AutoCross track during the Goodguys 20th PPG Nationals weekend, which was the second fastest lap of the competition. Award criteria mandates all Street Machine of the Year contestants make a run through the cones.
More than 200 people attended Car Guys for United Way, including legendary designer Chip Foose and car-care expert Barry Meguiar. |
3M Auto Hosts Car Guys for United Way, Raising More Than $40,000 to Benefit the Twin Cities Community
3M Auto hosted hundreds of car enthusiasts at the AutoMotorPlex in Chanhassen, Minnesota, June 23–24, for Car Guys for United Way—a charity car show and live auction to benefit United Way. More than 200 people attended the show, including legendary designer Chip Foose and car-care expert Barry Meguiar, both of whom met with fans throughout the event. Proceeds from ticket sales and the live auction raised more than $40,000 in donations throughout the two-day event. Many attendees brought with them their personalized show cars, including a combination of American muscle and high-end European cars. An original Ford GT40 and a custom Rauh-Welt Begriff Porsche were just two of more than 100 cars on display. 3M partnered with United Way in an effort to support Minnesota and the Twin Cities Community, where 3M was founded more than 100 years ago.
4 Wheel Parts Opens 80th Location
4 Wheel Parts has opened its newest retail store on 6771 Boone Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The Brooklyn Park location represents its 80th in North America, continuing the company’s expansion goal of 100 North American locations by the year 2020. The store will hold its official Grand Opening Celebration, Saturday, July 22, at 9:00 a.m. The free Grand Opening event will feature special one-day discounts, installation specials and multiple giveaways throughout the day.
TEN: The Enthusiast Network Appoints Reed Morales to Sales Director of Automotive Aftermarket Events
TEN: The Enthusiast Network has announced a new addition to its Automotive Events Group with the appointment of Reed Morales as sales director of automotive aftermarket events. In his new role, Morales will manage sponsorship, sales and service for three aftermarket lifestyle events: the HOT ROD Power Tour, the Original Super Chevy Show, the Car Craft Summer Nationals and 20-plus automotive events produced by TEN annually. Morales comes to TEN having previously sold and directed sales for several worldwide industry events, most recently at the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., and before that, at SEMA and Performance Racing Industry (PRI).
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.