SEMA News—November 2012

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

	Formula Drift Holdings President and Co-founder Jim Liaw, along with Kenji Sumino (GReddy Performance Products), Steve Hatanaka (Scion) and Ken Gushi (Formula Drift Pro Driver), recently talked to the classmates of Liaw’s daughter at her school in Huntington Beach, California.

Formula Drift Holdings President and Co-founder Jim Liaw, along with Kenji Sumino (GReddy Performance Products), Steve Hatanaka (Scion) and Ken Gushi (Formula Drift Pro Driver), recently talked to the classmates of Liaw’s daughter at her school in Huntington Beach, California. Liaw and his friends also brought with them the all-new Formula Drift pro competition spec ’13 Scion FR-S. The students learned about seat belts and how important it is for race car drivers—as well as kids—to buckle up when in a car; how helmets protect race car drivers, bicyclists and skateboarders; the child car seat and how the seat is made for safety, similar to the ones used by race car drivers; and overall safety and how to be safe wherever they go and whatever they do. Formula Drift Holdings, Huntington Beach, CA; 562-901-2600.

CargoGlide announced that several national and international distributors have recently signed on to carry the company’s line of bed-slide solutions for pickups, vans and SUVs. Recently added distributors include USA’s Nelson Truck Equipment, Titan Truck, TPM Distributing, Adanac Inc. (Montreal, Quebec) and Truck Tops UK. CargoGlide, St. George, UT; 239-340-9605.

Shelby American has added retail veteran and longtime Shelby enthusiast Jer Gervasi as vice president for its Shelby Performance Parts division. The company also announced that Keith Criswell joined Shelby American as wholesale manager for Shelby Performance Parts to focus on expanding wholesale and dealer segments. Gervasi will oversee product development, operations, parts sales and customer service. Gervasi previously managed operations at several different Guitar Center retail locations, where he drove sales and improved customer service that contributed to the company’s previous decade of success. During the past five years at Drake Automotive Group, Criswell managed millions of dollars in wholesale parts accounts and was responsible for a substantial growth of sales. Shelby American, Las Vegas, NV; 702-942-7325.

The grand-prize winner of “The Gut Check Challenge” produced by Bosch was Mike Collins of Jourdanton, Texas. Collins selected a classic 4x4 at the Mecum Auto Auction in Monterey, California.

Classic Instruments received the Manufacturer of the Year Award at the National Street Rod Association’s Street Rod Nationals show in Louisville, Kentucky. The award is given to a company that has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of street-rodding. Classic Industries announced that it is very pleased to be recognized for its efforts and involvement with the automotive community and looks forward to continuing to serve the industry for years to come. Classic Instruments, Boyne City, MI; 231-582-0461. National Street Rod Association, Memphis, TN; 901-452-4030.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced that Paul Bailey was named the NHRA South Central Division director. Bailey spent the past 20 years working as a full-time staff member at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, an NHRA member track in Division 1. During his tenure, he was responsible for all facets of the facility, from starter to tech inspection and from race coordinator to track preparation. Most recently, he was responsible for developing and executing domestic motorsports enthusiast events. Bailey began his new role as Division 4 director on October 1. NHRA, Glendora, CA; 626-914-4761.

Edelbrock LLC has acquired SX Performance LLC, which was an affiliate of Essex Industries Inc. The acquisition includes all manufacturing equipment, raw materials, current and future product designs and any existing inventory. Edelbrock will also continue to support all existing SX Performance customers. The entire operation has already transitioned from St. Louis, Missouri, to Edelbrock’s facility in Torrance, California. According to Edelbrock, the company is very familiar with SX Performance, as it has been manufacturing all of Edelbrock’s electric Quiet Flo fuel pumps, inline fuel pumps and regulators since 2003. The acquisition is intended to reduce production lead times, allow Edelbrock to become more price competitive and raise quality to even higher standards in the fuel delivery and component marketplace. Edelbrock LLC, Torrance, CA; 310-781-2222.

The grand-prize winner of “The Gut Check Challenge” produced by Bosch was Mike Collins of Jourdanton, Texas. Collins selected a classic 4x4 at the Mecum Auto Auction in Monterey, California.

The grand-prize winner of “The Gut Check Challenge” produced by Bosch was Mike Collins of Jourdanton, Texas. Collins selected a classic 4x4 at the Mecum Auto Auction in Monterey, California. He won his bid on a restored ’77 International Scout 4x4, with Bosch contributing $25,000 toward the purchase. “The Gut Check Challenge” was an online contest held from June 6 through July 18 on the Bosch Facebook page. The challenge was designed to test the contestants’ automotive know-how and sparkplug knowledge through a series of multiple-choice questions followed by a final round of three write-in questions.

As a way of acknowledging the important and diverse roles that women play in the industry—both in purchasing decisions and in key professional roles throughout the marketplace—Covercraft launched the “Covers for Causes” program in support of breast cancer awareness. The program includes a special pink version of the popular NOAH car cover fabric made by Kimberly-Clark and a pink version of the UVS100 Windshield Heat Shield. Both products are custom patterned and feature a silk-screened “Covers for Causes” logo. The company will contribute a percentage of its profits from the sales of these products to breast cancer research programs. Additional information is available at www.covercraft.com/pinkribbon. Covercraft, Pauls Valley, OK; 405-238-9651.

Chris Duke, host of “Motorz” was named the host of the new eHow Auto Center series that debuted on September 24. The eHow Center provides how-to tips and instructions for auto repair and maintenance. “Chris was a natural pick for the eHow Auto Center series because he has a great presentation style and he shares our passion for do-it-yourself automotive care using common tools and proven techniques,” stated William Deloney, producer and director, eHow Auto Center. “He has a great way of explaining how to complete each project with confidence, covering the tools and safety rules, while also making sure he identifies the projects that are better left to the professionals.” Duke Networks, San Diego, CA; 858-935-7300.

Galpin Auto Sports has signed an agreement with Shelby American to become the only authorized Shelby Mod Shop in the western United States.

Galpin Auto Sports has signed an agreement with Shelby American to become the only authorized Shelby Mod Shop in the western United States. Galpin Auto Sports can now upgrade the performance and styling of any Shelby car, and the work is endorsed by Shelby American. Any modifications performed will be documented in the Shelby Registry that chronicles the entire life of a Shelby vehicle. Galpin Auto Sports, Van Nuys, CA; 818-922-3800. Shelby American, Las Vegas, NV; 702-942-7325.

The Car Guy Nation ’13 Scion FR-S “Road to SEMA” project car will be a feature vehicle at the SEMA Show, with the assistance of Borla Performance. The FR-S will include specialty-equipment parts from Borla Performance, Eibach Springs, TSW, Disc Brakes Australia, Airaid, Hawk Performance, Braille Battery, Race Ramps and more, with an interior re-covered by Katzkin Leather. Car Guy Nation, White Plains, NY; 914-358-9832.

Tire Group International appointed Bill Hirst as vice president of program sales for the its domestic division. According to the company, Hirst, a 33-year industry veteran and brings a vast amount of experience in the passenger, light-truck, truck, industrial, agricultural and OTR tire segments. Previously, Hirst spent eight years at TBC Corp. as executive vice president of sales for key brands, such as Sumitomo. Tire Group International, Miami, FL; 305-696-0096.

Phil Burke of Considine Sales & Marketing has announced his retirement after more than 40 years in the automotive industry.

Phil Burke of Considine Sales & Marketing has announced his retirement after more than 40 years in the automotive industry. Considine reported that Burke spent his career servicing his accounts and manufacturers with integrity and a sense of humor—character traits that the team at Considine had come to respect and love. Burke’s immediate plans for his retirement are to travel and spend time with his family. Considine Sales & Marketing, Highland, MI; 248-889-7887.

Truck cover manufacturer, A.R.E., has opened a new facility in Dundee, Ohio, to handle aluminum fabrication operations for the company’s line of aluminum truck covers. The company says that the 70,000-sq.-ft. facility is designed to increase productivity while maintaining quality, safety, cleanliness and organization. In addition, the Dundee facility also features a state-of-the-art, water-based paint system that is environmentally friendly and offers OE-quality finishes for truck covers. A.R.E., Massillon, OH; 330-830-7800.

Source Interlink Media announced that it has acquired CarDomain Network Inc., a provider of online content for automotive enthusiasts. Joining Source Interlink Media’s portfolio of automotive brands are the websites CarDomain.com, StreetFire.net and Autoholics.com. “The addition of CarDomain to our portfolio demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in a digital platform that complements our industry-leading automotive media brands,” said Michael L. Sullivan, chief executive officer of Source Interlink Companies Inc. Source Interlink Media, El Segundo, CA; 310-531-9900.