For more information on the Tailgate Throwdown and to purchase tickets, visit: www.hmn.com/tailgatethrowdown.
Hemmings has announced the dates for its inaugural Tailgate Throwdown— a weekend full of on-road and off-road activities for new and classic trucks and SUVs, taking place at NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, Friday-Saturday, March 31-April 1. Hemmings invites all automotive enthusiasts to enjoy a variety of events and activities, including drag racing, autocross, dirt racing and trail rides. The truck show portion will be open to all years, makes, and models of trucks, including lifted trucks, lowered trucks, and everything in between.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.hmn.com/tailgatethrowdown.
Turn 14 Distribution Announces PowerStop as Winner of 2022 Supplier of the Year Award
Turn 14 Distribution has awarded PowerStop with its Supplier of the Year Award for 2022. The Supplier of the Year Award is presented annually to Turn 14 Distribution’s leading supplier to recognize its merit in the industry and its role in the supply chain. Turn 14 Distribution takes all aspects of its relationship into account with a special focus on sustainable long-term relationships. PowerStop received the Supplier of the Year Award for its excellence in support for a streamlined supply chain, ease of managing promotional opportunities and dedication to a robust and long-term supplier-distributor partnership.
“Each year, we review performance metrics, including sales revenue, profit per inventory dollar, and profit percentage, along with relationship strength, to determine the recipient of our Supplier of the Year award. The increased level of support PowerStop has provided us, along with the company's ability to leverage inventory despite supply chain issues in the past year, has resulted in substantial growth which exceeded our expectations. We truly appreciate our partnership with PowerStop and look forward to future success” said Mike Malloy, director of purchasing, Turn 14 Distribution.
Jeep and JPP by Mopar Concepts Head to 2023 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab
The Jeep brand is headed back to Moab, Utah, for the 57th annual Easter Jeep Safari, scheduled for April 1–9. For more than five decades, thousands of enthusiasts and Jeep brand loyalists have gathered to take part in one of the largest off-road gatherings in the world, hosted by Moab’s Red Rock 4-Wheelers club.
A new collection of concept vehicles will be unveiled and driven aggressively during the annual event. The Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar design teams are creating several one-of-a-kind, rock-crawling vehicles that will take four-wheeling to the next level, according to the manufacturer.
Several “trail markers” leading up to the event will provide clues for what’s in store for this year’s Easter Jeep Safari lineup. The first Jeep and JPP sketches hint at two of the new concept vehicles, including one 4xe electrified Jeep SUV set to conquer Moab’s tumultuous backcountry trails in absolute silence and further highlight the Jeep brand’s vision of accomplishing zero-emissions freedom.
Hyundai Launches Third-Annual Women in STEM Scholarship
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Hyundai Motor America has announced that applications for its third-annual Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship are now open. Since launching the scholarship in 2020, Hyundai has provided $150,000 USD to the next generation of women leaders, helping to close the gender gap in STEM fields such as engineering, mobility and autonomous driving. For 2023, five female STEM students will receive a scholarship in the amount of $10,000 USD each.
Recipients must be high-school seniors or undergraduate students who identify as female, reside in the United States and plan to pursue or are pursuing a STEM-related field of education. Eligible students can apply for the award by writing an essay of 500 words or more on how they think the future of mobility can be improved to better serve communities and enhance quality of life through STEM-related solutions.
Applications are open now until June 30, 2023. More information can be found here.
American Honda Motor Company Partners With I-CAR
The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) has announced that American Honda Motor Company enhanced its partnership with I-CAR. The transition to I-CAR's learning management system will support technicians with streamlined training easily accessible in one platform alongside all other I-CAR courses. It also enables those repair facilities that currently have a Gold Class training subscription to complete their Honda network training requirements with no additional fees.
The online courses will be available at I-CAR.com soon for both the Honda/Acura Certified Collision Network, including 1,800 repair centers, and all collision-repair professionals, in alignment with I-CAR’s vision “that every person in the collision-repair industry has the information, knowledge and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.”
Lubrication Specialties Hires New Digital Marketing Manager and Field Marketing Rep
Lubrication Specialties (LSI) has announced the addition of Ben Haws as the company’s new digital marketing manager and Chris Lane as Hot Shot’s Secret’s new field marketing representative.
Haws recently joined Lubrication Specialties to develop and oversee both paid and unpaid digital marketing campaigns to ensure strong SEO, awareness, engagement and sales of the company’s flagship Hot Shot’s Secret performance brand. Collaborating with the company’s brand manager and marketing director, Haws will develop strategies to build brand loyalty solicited from both new and returning users for multiple markets. He will also work to increase educational opportunities for Hot Shot’s Secret’s dealer network and fleets. Haws has 10 years of experience in digital media production and marketing.
Lane is Hot Shot’s Secret’s new field marketing representative who is working directly with and reporting to Hot Shot’s Secret Director of Branding and Promotions Kyle Fischer. In this new position, Lane will create programs that will drive brand loyalty and develop strategies to increase brand awareness at consumer and trade events.
AWE Launches Full ACES and PIES Data Program
AWE has completed an 18-month project to convert all data into the ACES and PIES format for “easy importing and updating across its global network of dealers.” The brand worked with the data team at PDM Automotive, which serves as the backbone of AWE’s data, acting as its data warehouse. AWE’s new website also features the new application side of the data.
“AWE has undergone a significant transformation, moving from legacy spreadsheets to becoming proficient users of PDM’s product information management platform. Utilizing PDM’s technology not only creates operational efficiencies, it enables fast and accurate data refreshes and provides more robust product and application data to AWE’s website. The result is a better consumer experience,” stated Tayler Edwards, director of account management at PDM Automotive.
AWE’s data can now be seen and utilized by approved partners, dealers and distributors. The premium exhaust brand’s data is now standardized with key attributes. AWE data can be obtained by either signing up for an account at PDM Automotive or applying to become an AWE dealer here.
’35 Voisin C25 Aerodyne and ’64 Ferrari 250 LM Named Best in Show at The Amelia Concours d'Elegance
A ’64 Ferrari 250 LM and ’35 Voisin C25 Aerodyne were named Best in Show at The Amelia Concours d'Elegance.
A ’35 Voisin C25 Aerodyne and a ’64 Ferrari 250 LM were crowned Best in Show at The Amelia Concours d'Elegance. Known to many as “the racers' concours,” the 2023 event honored that tradition by hosting some of the most accomplished competition cars and drivers at the Golf Club of Amelia Island and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Central to the weekend's festivities was the celebration of The Amelia’s 2023 honoree: four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports Jeff Gordon.
The Aerodyne was Voisin’s “Car of the Future,” an automobile that sought to capitalize upon the public’s growing fascination with streamlining and aerodynamics. It was first shown in October 1934 at the 28th Paris Salon de l’Automobile and was considered avant-garde, even in an era of progressive design. In the spring of 1935, Voisin displayed this special Aerodyne at the Lyon Fair and at the concours d'elegance at the Place Bellecour. With its two-tone paint, low faired-in headlights, high beltline, skirted rear fenders, and power, retractable roof, this Aerodyne cut a profile unlike anything else. In total, 28 C25s were produced; including six Aerodynes, four of which survive.
The Best in Show Concours de Sport was awarded to a ’64 Ferrari 250 LM displayed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum of Indianapolis. Entered by Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team (NART), American Masten Gregory partnered with future world champion Jochen Rindt of Austria for the unexpected win. The pair completed 347 laps of the 8.365-mile circuit, averaging 120.944 mph over 24 hours. This victory was the last time a Ferrari won overall at Le Mans. In the years after its 1965 victory, this 250 LM competed at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1966 and 1968. It returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968 and 1969, before its final race at the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona, where it finished seventh. Shortly after its final race, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum acquired the Ferrari 250 LM.
Tread Lightly! Announces UTV Offroad Adventures Newest Official Partner
Tread Lightly! has announced UTV Offroad Adventures its newest official partner. As an official partner of Tread Lightly!, UTV Offroad Adventures will support Tread Lightly!’s mission to protect off-road trail access and public lands through stewardship projects and responsible recreation education. UTV Offroad Adventures offers panoramic guided tours of Arizona side-by-side and off-road trails for enthusiasts and beginners.
Pennzoil Partners With Rebelle Rally
The Rebelle Rally has announced a new relationship with motor oil brand Pennzoil. The official announcement took place at the Pennzoil 400, presented by Jiffy Lube NASCAR Cup Series race. In its eighth year, the Rebelle Rally has become a competition known for its challenging nature and unique format. The 2,500-km rally pushes teams of two piloting stock manufacturer vehicles, not racecars through eight days of competition across California and Nevada’s remote terrain. The competition tests vehicles, products and individuals to the highest level. Pennzoil will support the rally, collaborative mechanics program and the training arm of Rebelle known as Rebelle U.
In addition to rally support, Pennzoil will be the presenting partner of Rebelle U—the training arm of the Rebelle with courses in driving, navigating and supporting education that open doors for a future of adventure. The long-standing program conducts both in-person and online training classes. The mission is to establish a strong platform for a lifetime of success in both rallying and vehicle adventure, and build key skills for all levels. The curriculum has been developed over 15 years and features top-notch, highly skilled instructors with decades of coaching experience.
Eastman Performance Films Recognizes Advanced Film Solutions as the 2020 LLumar SelectPro National Dealer of the Year
Advanced Film Solutions Inc. was recognized as Eastman Performance Films LLumar SelectPro 2020 National Dealer of the Year. Advanced Film Solutions provides high-performance window film solutions for the greater Tampa Bay, Orlando and Sarasota, Florida, regions.
“2020 was a challenging year for many family owned businesses,” said Mike Feldman, president of Advanced Film Solutions. “Our team of consultants, installation experts and customer service pulled together to meet the COVID obstacles and economic concerns.”
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.