SEMA News—March 2013
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fast Facts
National Business Media Inc. (NBM) has acquired Hotrod & Restoration magazine as well as its accompanying trade show and website from Bobit Business Media. Terms of the transaction were not released. NBM publishes Performance Business, Restyling and RV PRO business-to-business magazines, among others. Travis Weeks, publisher/producer of Hotrod & Restoration, will maintain his role with the publication and the trade event. Now in its 15th year, the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show is an annual business event held in Indianapolis. The 2013 show is scheduled for March 14–16. National Business Media, Broomfield, CO; 303-469-0424. Bobit Business Media, Torrance, CA; 310-533-2400.
ProMedia added Dave Werremeyer to its event staff as technical and communications director for the NMRA, NMCA and NMCA West event series. Werremeyer comes to ProMedia after an extensive career at ProCharger, where he served as motorsports operations coordinator for the past eight years. ProMedia, Santa Ana, CA; 714-444-2426.
Ray Datt has joined the Marx Group Advisors as vice president. He is the president of the strategic- and business-planning company RD & Associates. Datt becomes a member of the Marx Group Advisors advisory board and will serve as a consultant for mergers and acquisitions in Canada and the United States. He is the former president of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA). Upon his retirement from AIA in 2007, Datt formed RD & Associates Inc., located in Oakville, Ontario.
Skyjacker Suspensions announced that the concrete has been poured and the building is underway for the expansion of its facilities to create additional warehouse and manufacturing space. Skyjacker said that the additional 14,000 sq. ft. ensure that the company will continue to be an innovator in the suspension market, offering new applications and product lines. Skyjacker Suspensions, West Monroe, LA; 318-388-0816.
Classic Industries celebrated its 35th anniversary with a display of the company’s latest project, a supercharged ’56 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible called Open Air, along with the rest of its extensive restomod collection at the 2013 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California. Open Air debuted at the 2012 SEMA Show and is featured on the upcoming season of Speed TV’s Emmy-nominated “Chop Cut Rebuild.” It is the sixth of a multi-vehicle project series that includes the ’69 Camotion Camaro, ’66 Innovation Nova, ’64 Sweet Imotion Impala, ’53 Classic Industries Shop Truck and ’72 Twisted Plymouth Duster. Classic Industries, Huntington Beach, CA; 714-847-6887.
Holley Performance Products’ HP EFI engine control unit will come as standard equipment on all of Chevrolet Performance’s COPO Camaro factory-built race cars in 2013, marking the third Holley-brand product to make it onto the COPO Camaro. Holley’s Hi-Ram intake manifold was standard equipment on all ’12 naturally aspirated COPO Camaros, and Earl’s-brand transmission coolers were on all ’12 COPO Camaros as well. All three products will be used on ’13 COPO Camaros. Holley Performance Products, Bowling Green, KY; 270-782-2900.
Hypertherm announced that JoAnn Bortles was named the company’s national automotive spokesperson. Bortles will help Hypertherm educate people about the benefits of using Powermax plasma systems and make public appearances at a variety of automotive conferences and shows, including the SEMA Show and the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show. Bortles, who participates in speaking opportunities across the country, will also byline articles for automotive, trade and national media outlets. Hypertherm, Hanover, NH; 603-643-3441.
World-renowned collector and businessman Peter Mullin was elected chairman of the board of directors at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Joining him as vice chair are Bruce Meyer, one of the museum’s most ardent supporters, and David Sydorick, a long-time board member. According to the museum, Mullin will lead sweeping changes in preparation for the museum’s 20th anniversary. His task is to raise awareness about the museum on a national and international platform and educate tomorrow’s automotive and design enthusiasts. Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, CA; 323-930-2277.
The Carroll Shelby Foundation donated $25,000 to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in honor of the late Carroll Shelby. The foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides medical support for children at home and around the world as well as educational opportunities for young adults who want to advance their automotive trade skills.
Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced the all-new, no-cost Goodguys Junior Membership Program. To sign up, interested juniors can visit www.good-guys.com, click on the “Read The Latest Gazette” link, create a user name and password, and they’re ready to go. Goodguys Junior members receive free access to the monthly Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette digital magazine at www.good-guys.com or on iPhones, Android-based smartphones or tablets; a Goodguys Exclusive Sticker Pack; and additional special offers and promotional notifications. Goodguys Junior members must enroll for their memberships at www.good-guys.com/new-digital-gazette. Note: The process requires a one-time e-mail and address signup for access.
Source Interlink Media hired Scott Burgess as Detroit editor for Motor Trend. Burgess will be Motor Trend’s Motor City expert, responsible for covering everything from vehicle launches to press briefings as well as identifying and analyzing industry trends. He will report directly to Motor Trend’s Editor-in-Chief Edward Loh. Burgess has been a Detroit-based journalist for eight years, covering the auto industry for organizations that include The Detroit News, AOL Autos and Autoblog, where he worked as an editor, reporter and critic. Source Interlink Media, El Segundo, CA; 310-531-9900.
