Last year, SEMA conducted Town Hall Meetings at member-company locations in Arizona, Texas, North Carolina and Washington.

The SEMA Town Hall Meeting program—a series of informal gatherings where members and potential members can network with local industry leaders and SEMA staff to share the challenges and opportunities facing their businesses—will return for 2012.

Last year’s Town Hall Meetings were conducted in Arizona, Texas, North Carolina and Washington. The face-to-face meetings not only offer networking opportunities to members, but also provide SEMA and its leadership with a broader perspective on the state of the entire industry through valuable member involvement and feedback.

Topics discussed during last year’s gatherings included key resources available to SEMA members; legislative and regulatory initiatives that may have a negative impact on specialty-equipment businesses; when to expand manufacturing operations and invest more in marketing and employees; and the initiatives in place to help bring younger people into the industry.

“The constructive dialogue and the enthusiasm that members have for this industry and their businesses combined to make the 2011 SEMA Town Hall series a success,” said SEMA Senior Director of Membership Development Monica Terlouw. “Our goals for the 2012 program are to build on last year’s accomplishments, continue to reach out to members and add further value to SEMA membership.”

Stay tuned to SEMA publications for locations and dates for the 2012 SEMA Town Hall meetings. Questions about SEMA membership or how to join? Contact Monica Terlouw at 909-978-6695.

 

	SEMA’s YouTube Channel features video clips from the 2011 SEMA Show, including all of the products in the 2011 SEMA Show’s Ideas Alive:

Looking for some great coverage of the 2011 SEMA Show?

The SEMA Channel on YouTube is where visitors can find video highlights of the products, companies and overall action that took place during the nation’s largest specialty-equipment trade event.

	Beginning in January, PowerBlockTV will provide more than 1,200 automotive TV shows online.

RTM Productions, producers of PowerBlockTV, announced that its new all-automotive online TV network will premiere starting January 7. According to the company, PowerBlockTV will offer car enthusiasts more than 1,200 automotive television shows and hundreds of tech tips for viewing online anywhere, anytime on connected TVs, PCs, tablets and smartphones.

“We’re airing complete half-hour episodes and hundreds of our short-form ‘Two Minute Tech’ how-to clips,” said Matt Hawkins, RTM’s vice president of marketing and new media. “Everything is searchable by project, vehicle, engine and product manufacturers featured in the shows. As the content streams, parts featured in the shows are listed below the player with ‘Buy Now’ links to advertisers.”

The network will debut with 600 episodes of its how-to series “Xtreme 4x4,” “HorsepowerTV,” “Trucks!,” “MuscleCar” and “Search & Restore” plus “Cars, Cars, Cars,” “Top Dead Center” and “Off-Road Action.” In the second quarter of the year, RTM will rollout an additional 500 episodes of programs: “Flashback Reports,” “Rod Projects” and Road Test magazine, plus an additional 100 new PowerBlock how-to episodes throughout 2012. The network will also feature new and encore programs from other automotive producers.

More information on PowerBlockTV is available at www.powerblocktv.com.

 

	’64 Styling Corvette once owned by Chevrolet General Manager Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudson

A ’64 Styling Corvette once owned by Chevrolet General Manager Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudson was featured in Mid America Motorworks booth #24297 at the 2011 SEMA Show. The fully restored Corvette provided attendees with a look at GM’s history. The ’64 Corvette was built specifically for Knudson with a variety of custom features, including Cadillac Fire Frost Blue paint over a specially prepared body surface. The car still retains the original 327-cid/365hp engine, drivetrain and all of the custom parts that were added in GM’s styling and engineering departments. Mid America Motorworks, Effingham, IL; 866-350-4543.

PowerTV has hired Jason Snyder as vice president of business development. He most recently served as the vice president of marketing for Edelbrock Corp. According to PowerTV, Snyder will help further grow its existing markets and improve and expand relationships with new companies in the automotive industry. PowerTV Media, Murrieta, CA.

Bosal North America Inc. has appointed John Tiger director of sales for its automotive carriers and protection systems division. Tiger is responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s new tow-hitch program, from start-up through application development, marketing and sales. He will also manage sales of the Bosal Windstop product line, which is supplied to both OE and aftermarket customers. Bosal North America, Budd Lake, NJ: 973-428-9822.

	Michael Tarquinio from Pittsburgh and his ’32 Ford roadster, Second Wind

Hot rodder Michael Tarquinio from Pittsburgh and his ’32 Ford roadster, Second Wind, won the Goodguys 2011 Gearstar Hot Rod of the Year title at the Goodguys 1st WIX Filters Speedway Nationals at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Along with his friends at G.I.S. Automotive, Tarquinio painted and assembled the car at his Pittsburgh shop last year for a January 2011 debut. The Goodguys/Gearstar Hot Rod of the Year competition requires that contestants drive a rigorous 150-mile reliability run as well as perform a burnout and blast down a dragstrip. For his victory, Tarquinio received a trip to November’s Goodguys 14th Southwest Nationals, in Scottsdale, Arizona, to display his car in the Champion’s Arena Presented by Street Rod Headquarters.

The Quarter Mile Foundation announced that aftermarket performance parts retailer Jegs has made a generous contribution to the foundation in support of the ongoing “Project 1320” documentary. “Jegs has always been a company which is known for its generosity and support of worthy charitable causes,” said Traci Hrudka, chairman of the Quarter Mile Foundation. “The Jegs organization, led by Jeg Coughlin Sr., has grown to become one of the leading retail entities in the automotive performance aftermarket.” Quarter Mile Foundation, Parma Heights, OH; 440-888-0088.

Federated Auto Parts announced that the annual “Get Dirty With Kennys” day of racing took place at Schrader’s I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri, on September 12. Four Federated Car Care Center members were chosen as winners of a sweepstakes and were accompanied on the trip by their respective Federated member representatives. The winners were Mike Bergeron of Mike’s Car Care in Lafayette, Louisiana; Kevin Krecklow of Mastertech Automotive in Vancouver, Washington; Bill Diaz of Bill’s Motor Works in Titusville, Florida; and Jon Massa of Advanced Auto Center in Redford, Michigan.

	Source Interlink Media, announced that Ira Gabriel has joined the management team at EasyCare

EasyCare and Motor Trend, part of Source Interlink Media, announced that Ira Gabriel has joined the management team at EasyCare as vice president and executive director for Motor Trend Certified Vehicles. In his new position, Gabriel will focus on the growth and success of Motor Trend Certified Vehicles, a program where consumers can purchase vehicles that have been thoroughly inspected, upgraded to carry additional consumer benefits provided by EasyCare and guaranteed. Gabriel began his career in 1988 at Petersen Publishing Co.. He held prominent positions in marketing, sales and management and became publisher of Motor Trend. Source Interlink Media, El Segundo, CA; 310-531-9900.

Cary Redman has joined the Midwestern direct sales team for Edelbrock. Edelbrock reports that Redman has more than 12 years of industry experience, most recently as a national sales manager for Mr. Gasket (Prestolite Performance) and as a territory and key account manager for Holley Performance Products from 1999–2003. Edelbrock, Torrance, CA; 310-781-2222.

Lucas Oil Products purchased control of cable TV network MAVTV as part of its ongoing expansion program. Lucas Oil announced that it will make a significant financial investment in MAVTV and has plans underway to improve programming quality and network value. Lucas Oil has been one of MAVTV’s key shareholders and strategic partners since its initial investment in the network in 2008. The Lucas Oil Studio family of programming produces more than 350 hours of motorsports and lifestyle TV programming annually.

Bestop sent two authorized dealers on a free trip to the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas as part of its “Win a Trip to SEMA”
program, which was started three years ago as an incentive for joining the Bestop authorized dealer program and as a way to say thanks to Bestop authorized dealers. Jones Jeep of Marble Falls, Texas, and Strong’s Truck Accessories of Riverside, California, each received round-trip airfare for two to Las Vegas, two night’s luxury accommodations, entrance into the 2011 SEMA Show and one night out with Bestop for dinner and entertainment. Bestop Inc., Broomfield, CO; 800-845-3567.

	PepBoys was inducted into the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous Cruisin’ Hall of Fame

PepBoys was inducted into the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous Cruisin’ Hall of Fame in the historical category at the California Theatre of Performing Arts on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The award honors individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to the American automotive landscape. Accepting the award for PepBoys was Sean Chidsey, the company’s divisional vice president of Southern California. PepBoys, Philadelphia, PA; 800-PEP-BOYS (737-2697).

Shurhold Industries recently joined Lauren Fix and the Car Care Council for a national television tour that coincided with Fall Car Care Month in October. During the tour, Fix explained the benefits of surface restoration to help maintain the value of a vehicle and increase pride of ownership. She also demonstrated the benefits of Shurhold’s lightweight dual-action polisher, which the company said is ideal for DIYers who want a professional finish for their vehicles, and explained the advantages of Buff Magic, Shurhold’s premier metal polish. Shurhold Industries, Palm City, FL; 772-287-1313.

The Carroll Shelby Foundation, along with Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. and Shelby American Inc., both wholly owned subsidiaries of Carroll Shelby International Inc., have teamed up with Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) to put enthusiasts in the driver’s seat of a special 2011 Shelby GT500 Super Snake “Need for Speed: Edition. The Shelby is featured on the cover and EA’s new Need for Speed The Run game, which will hit stores during the 2011 holiday season. Shelby American Inc. and Shelby American Motorsports built a special “real-life” one-off version. It features custom EA designs and true Shelby performance. The GT500 Super Snake “Need for Speed” Edition will be auctioned in late 2012 to generate funds for the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Shelby American, Las Vegas, NV; 702-942-7325.

	Sheryl Wilkerson has joined the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association

Sheryl Wilkerson has joined the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) as senior vice president of regulatory and government affairs. According to AAIA, the appointment of Wilkerson will help strengthen the company’s current staff and bolster its presence in Congress, regulatory agencies and the global marketplace. Wilkerson was previously president of Willow LLC, where she advised automotive, telematics, industry associations and wireless and technology companies on regulatory, government affairs, public safety and technology issues.

Tire Group International Inc. (TGI) has partnered with Transportation Resource Partners (TRP) and the McLarty Companies. “TGI is very excited about our future,” said Tony Gonzalez, CEO of TGI. “Our goal has always been to be the best at what we do. We have partnered with companies that share the very same ideals as part of their core and also share the vision for the growth of TGI. TRP, with its close association with the Penske organization, and McLarty are leaders in their industries and bring a vast amount of resources to our business. Their expertise in distribution and building businesses both in the USA and Latin America will help TGI take the next step in its rapid growth.”

Hot rodding’s “King of the Road,” Dave Schaub, journeyed through all 49 continental United States in his Brizio-built ’32 roadster in a record seven days, 14 hours and 21 minutes to raise funds for the kids of the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford University. It was the second trip through all 49 states for Schaub in the last two years. He left Maine early Saturday morning, September 10, and drove into Hyder, Alaska, after 8,680 miles on Saturday afternoon, September 17. He went through 542 gallons of gas and averaged 63.7 mph. He will discuss the journey, why he does it and what kind of a toll it takes on him and his hot rod during an exclusive live webcast.