SEMA News—April 2020

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

The SEMA Show: A Global Gathering, Part II

Factor 55 staff pictured with SEMA Vice President of Marketing Ira Gabriel (right) at the Global Media Awards presentation. “It is a wonderful opportunity to be chosen as a Global Media Awards winner selected from nearly 3,000 products that were featured at this year’s SEMA Show,” said Factor 55’s Justin Andrews (second from right). “We are truly honored and humbled to be chosen as one of these elite brands. We are so proud to be recognized by the media, the industry and our peers.”

The 2019 SEMA Show was once again the world’s epicenter of customizing, with exhibitors, trade buyers and media from 140 countries coming together to sell products, discover new trends and innovations, and network.

In recognition of the Show’s international appeal, SEMA hosted the 16th annual Global Media Awards (GMAs). Nearly 30 top enthusiast journalists hailing from 22 countries on six continents served on a panel, each selecting 10 products from the Show’s New Products Showcase that they felt would appeal to consumers in their home markets.

First-time SEMA Show exhibitor RSI SmartCap was the top vote-getter, winning nine GMAs. Other top award winners included another first-time exhibitor, The Bracketeer (six awards), which tied with Factor 55, a perennial GMA winner that has now garnered a total of 23 awards over the past eight years.

In our March issue SEMA News shared the insights of 24 journalist judges about their selections. This issue we continue our coverage with more GMA panel comments and insights.

NORWAY

Chet Kjetil Sveistrup, Amcar Magazine

Distinctive Industries, Early Bronco Assembled Rear Jump Seat With Storage Compartment: “We have seen an incredible increase in demand for early Broncos in recent years, especially in the United States. While Norway sometimes might be a year or two behind on such trends, they do come. With increased demand follows increased supplies of parts and accessories for everyone who restores or modifies classic SUVs such as the Bronco. The value of the first-generation Bronco has increased dramatically, and various suppliers such as Distinctive Industries now have a great lineup of accessories to offer, such as door panels, upholstery, seat foam, armrests and now this high-quality rear jump seat with an under-seat storage compartment. In a market with such a demand for everything Bronco, this is a great new addition.”

Griot’s Garage Inc., Foaming Metal Detailer: “Griot’s Garage has an impressive lineup of detailing products for paint, rubber, glass, interior, leather and also for metal. Foaming Metal Detailer is one of the latest products. It is made to be used on bare, painted or powdercoated metal or stainless steel. We are eager to try it out, especially to see how long-lasting it is. Our experience with other products from Griot’s Garage is very positive, and we hope this new product has the same long-lasting effect as Griot’s polish and wax products for paint. What caught our eye was in part the Griot name itself and the product quality Griot’s Garage is known for. While still not a top seller in Norway, the market for Griot’s products is definitely there.”

Hotchkis Sport Suspension, GM A-Body Front Suspension Kit: “This installer-friendly bolt-on suspension kit for common models, such as the Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Chevelle, Malibu and El Camino, as well as the Oldsmobile Cutlass and Pontiac GTO. It includes sway-bar sets, upper and lower control arms, complete with bushings and ball joints. This will increase ride and handling by leaps and bounds on these popular models, especially on curvy and narrow roads, which there are plenty of in Norway.”

Pareto Point Industries, FilterBooster: “Pareto Point Industries introduces the FilterBooster, a new product for advanced oil filtration. While there are hundreds of oil-treatment products and additives on the market, this little booster—designed to be installed inside a regular oil filter—is in many ways unique. It has the purpose of enhancing filtration and keeping the oil cleaner longer. For any market, and especially for the Norwegian market, where the price of an oil change is very steep, many car owners will often follow today’s long-range oil change intervals instead of the old “every 3,000 miles” rule. With the longer intervals, it is reassuring to know that you have a little booster inside your oil filter, increasing filtration and keeping your oil cleaner longer.”

Speedmaster, Small-Block Ford Downdraft EFI Manifold—Black: “Oh, what a beauty it is, this classic Weber-like EFI individual throttle-body unit. It provides the high state of tune and engine performance versatility of EFI while keeping all the show-off value and classic looks. What we like about these types of throttle bodies is that they are able to keep the advantages of EFI and you don’t need to cover it up under a massive air cleaner. For the Norwegian market, just like for the market in the United States, the number of people who trade their old carburetors for EFI increases at the same rate as the number of people who don’t know how to adjust a carburetor.”

Stoner Car Care, Invisible Glass Clean & Repel Washer Fluid Additive: “Ultra-concentrated Invisible Glass Clean & Repel Washer Fluid Additive mixed with your washer fluid improves driving visibility in wet weather. In Norway, where there are more rainy days than sunny days for months, it seems that you use more washer fluid than gasoline. Anything to get better visibility and help you reduce the volume of washer fluid is highly welcomed. For safer and more comfortable driving through rain, sleet and snow, this product is a perfect match for the Nordic market.”

Tire Stickers, Cerebrum Smart Tire Sensor: “The list of new high-tech products for any auto application grows longer and more advanced each year. Car tires, however, seem to have escaped this trend—until now. Cerebrum is a tire sensor that measures tire pressure, tire rubber temperature, tread depth and alignment variation. It comes in a four pack of reusable smart tire sensors, each with a rubber bonding adhesive to be glued inside each car tire. With the Cerebrum app (available in the App Store), it records user sessions, providing GPS path, pressure, temperature and accelerometer conditions—all meant to optimize tire performance. For the Norwegian market, which has its share of early adopters, this might be an interesting product to watch.”

TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart, TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart: “Heavy tires can take a toll on your back and knees. It is easy to imagine the benefits of this cart. For the Norwegian market, with its share of SUVs with heavy tires, not only does it help with regular tire rotation or tire changes but, more importantly, it makes it easier to change from regular summer tires to winter tires—something most Norwegians do twice a year in the fall and spring. This product would be helpful both for the average do-it-yourselfer and for professional shops.”

TSI Products Inc., Stratos Climate 5-in. Multi-Fit Under-Dash Heater Kit: “Rarely does a pre-manufactured solution or kit work just as well than a custom-made solution. This heater kit includes all components needed to complete installation in any car, UTV or boat. Any vehicle in Norway needs a heater 10 months of the year. In cases where the original heater was removed during restoration, this might be an easy and more economical solution. The same would be the case where the original unit simply does not do the job well enough and assistance is needed.”

Turbosmart, Gen-V eWG60 Power-Gate 60 Electronic: “The Gen-V WG60 Power-Gate60 is the largest in the Gen-V range. It is an external high-performing 60mm wastegate that can easily be configured. Turbosmart has a long list of advantages for this unit, such as best-in-class flow and thermal performance. What caught our interest on this improved version was better user configurability. We have noted the amount of individual control on previous models from Turbosmart, and this Gen-V eWG60 Power-Gate 60 Electronic is the best to date. For the Norwegian market, this is a product that will find its way to its target audience.”

PERU

Kike Pérez, Auto TV Peru

Pilot/RBP/Voodoo, Lunna 3-in-1 Seat Poncho: “I found the product very versatile and creative. It can be used in several ways and is suitable for all types of climates—to be cooler in the summer or to shelter in the winter. It’s also useful to always keep the car seat clean. I chose it because it seemed very useful, especially for people who work with their cars, such as taxi drivers. They always try in different ways to avoid the sun and are always putting things on their seats. This poncho is very useful in these cases, and they can also use it sometimes outside the car.”

RSI SmartCap, SmartKitchen: “I love how they have stored all the kitchen stuff in specific places, trying to save space at all times. For a camp, it is perfect because you do not have to look for all the kitchen implements inside a suitcase. This makes everything easy to get to or grab and also leaves you a lot of free space inside the vehicle to load everything you need to go camping. Peru has 1,900 miles of coastline where you can find many deserts with dunes of all sizes. That is why off-roading is very common. A lot of people go to camp at the beaches, and that is the reason why this product seems very suitable for desert trips, typical in Peru.”

SeaSucker, Off-Road Rescue Board Mount: “This element tries to save space in the vehicle in a very creative and simple way. I found very interesting the solution that gave the transport of this type of equipment for rescuing vehicles. Being off-road is very common in my country, and you can always see SUVs very loaded with things for the camps and the off-road implements that take up a lot of space.”

Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), SCRS Guide to Complete Repair Planning—Blueprint Optimization Tool: “I found this product quite complete and very well done. It can help the workshops that do not have much budget to buy machines or expensive systems. In Peru, there are many low-cost workshops where I am sure that this product would be ideal and required by this type of business.”

Switch-Pros by Off Road Engineering, RCR-Force 12 (Patent Pending): “This switch box looks great. The buttons are of very good quality and look very neat, with clear icons. It seems perfect to have all your controls ordered and good-looking. There are no cheap switches that take away that cool look, for example. Due to the large number of dunes in Peru, there are different degrees of difficulty, and it is common to see well-equipped vehicles. It is very likely that many people are looking for an implement like this.”

The A.T. Hotbox, A.T. Hotbox: “This product was very interesting because it is very simple but at the same time very useful. Many times when people go camping in their cars, they grill in the afternoon. Leftover food is usually wasted because there is no way to heat it later. With this product, that problem is over. You can also cook something extra while you grill. With the A.T. Hotbox you can heat everything you want without having to light a burner.”

Tire Stickers, Cerebrum Smart Tire Sensor: “I find very interesting all the tire information that this product can obtain. Improves driver safety and helps to better understand the behavior of tires in different situations. The most interesting thing is the track mode, where you can get information in shorter time intervals and angle information such as camber or caster, and it will be of great help to set up a race car. The track mode is ideal for Peru. Car racing has very little technology to measure car behavior. With Cerebrum, we could work very well to set up race cars.”

True Spike Lug Nuts, Fat Bullet Antenna: “This product was very simple, but that was what I liked. A bullet-shaped antenna with theft insurance, it is an ornament and at the same time it is safe. In Peru, there are many robberies of this type of equipment. Antennas do not last long. That is why I think that the anti-theft protector is suitable for the people of my country. Moreover, many taxi drivers like to brag about the new designs of their cars.”

Vais Technology, SEER (Smart Entry Exit Recognition): “With few cables and with a simple installation, you can have a system for not taking the key out of your pocket. With this, you no longer need a modern car to be able to have this type of technology. You also don’t have to pay for the most equipped version of the model you want to buy. Peru has a very old vehicle fleet. Moreover, new cars often do not arrive in the country in the most equipped versions, and you don’t even have the option to order this technology. That’s why I think this product is going to be a success.”

SOUTH AFRICA

Neeresh Harrichand, Speed and Sound

AutoMeter, InVision Digital Dash: “The InVision Digital Dash quickly caught my attention because it’s a simple and easy-to-install digital dash that allows you to replace several other gauges with one sleek, high-tech-looking screen that provides you with all the information you need. With the amount of crazy aftermarket mods I see back in South Africa, I’m certain that this will be very well accepted.”

Custom Wheel Solutions, Custom Steering Wheel: “Seeing this at the new-product awards was a breath of fresh air. Let’s face it: OEM steering wheels are straight-out boring, and you can’t really have a custom new-age car if it still has a bone-stock steering wheel. On the contrary, no one wants to replace their OEM steering, as there is nothing available on the market that allows you to retain your vehicle’s air bag. Until now, that is. Custom Wheel Solutions has seriously changed the game by being able to offer a service that allows users to have the best of both worlds.”

MechMan Alternators, 500-amp Alternator for GM Trucks and SUVs: “With the increasing technological advances in the car audio industry where amplifiers are becoming more and more powerful, so is the need for larger-than-normal current supply. MechMan certainly has outdone itself with this whopping 500A alternator, which is more than enough power to feed an array of amplifiers efficiently.”

Mirka USA, Aros Cordless Denibber: “If ever you’ve used an orbital sander, be it for woodwork or in an auto-body repair shop, you would agree that, while they are brilliant, it can become more of an inconvenience than anything else to pull out a chunky sander when you just need to touch up a little corner or sand something really tiny. The Mirka Aros Cordless Denibber makes it so much easier to remedy these challenges, as it’s tiny enough to fit in your pocket yet effective enough to get the job done right. Given that the battery lasts up to 16 hours and that it has a brushless motor, you could put it to work nonstop.”

SeatbeltPlanet.com, Ninja Harness: “I’ve seen a number of enthusiasts using daily drivers as track and drag cars on the weekends. As much as they’d like to kit their rides out with four-point harnesses, it does make it rather uncomfortable when using the car during the week. When I saw that the Ninja harness allows you to simply add a four-point harness to an existing safety-belt system, I figured that this could come in handy for everyone in South Africa who uses their daily rides to race over the weekend and needs that added support and safety when at the track.”

SounDigital/Ground Zero, 800.4 Evox: “I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing one of this company’s amplifiers in the past and was already blown away with just how much power they could put out from such a tiny footprint. Needless to say, when I saw the new SounDigital Evox, I was really taken aback at how much smaller their new range has gotten. What was even more impressive was that they’ve clearly made a few improvements as the new range now also sports a variable crossover.”

SP Tools USA, Flex-Head Torque Angle Pro: “Irrespective of what industry you’re in, from time to time, almost everyone needs to accurately fasten a bolt or nut to a certain torque setting. In South Africa, most of the torque wenches that I’ve seen have fixed heads, which can sometimes be a problem, especially when you’re working in tight spaces. SP Tools’ new Flex-Head Torque Angle Pro remedies that problem by allowing you to torque your bolt and nut at an angle. The fact that it has a digital screen for you to dial in your settings and that it alerts you with an audible sound and LED indication when it reaches the specified angle value is just a bonus.”

The Detail Guardz Premium Car Care Products, Dirt Lock Pad Washer System Attachment: “Being a detailing enthusiast myself, I’ve learned to appreciate a great product when I see one. What I noticed here was that this was actually two great products in one. This first is a proper high-quality polisher pad washer, which I’ve never seen before. The second is that it can be used to lock dirt at the bottom of your wash bucket, which also works very differently from anything I’ve ever seen in South Africa.”

Waxedshine, SQL Soundwave Speaker Strip Surround: “As simple as this product may seem, it’s actually quite cool. It is uncommon to find a foam product like this that allows you to add a barrier that seals your aftermarket speaker and the door card for added audio performance. These kinds of products are already pretty popular in South Africa, but what makes this product so different is its shape. Because of this shape, it allows you to bend the foam around a speaker without the foam losing its shape or form, which in turn helps provide better overall performance. For that reason. I believe that this product has a chance of doing well on African soil.”

XS Power Batteries, SuperBank Combo Kit: “Both the car audio and performance market in South Africa are pretty huge. In both market segments, consumers are constantly striving to not just get better current but also help reduce weight and physical volume where possible. XS Powers SuperBank combo kit allows you to do exactly that, so I think the demand in Southern Africa is already there.”

Vic Pardal, IgnitionTV

aFe Power, ’19 BMW M5 Carbon-Fiber Intake: “I loved the high-end finish on this intake, which complements the engine bay on an M5. The BMW M performance brand has a huge following in South Africa. Aftermarket bolt-on performance products are in high demand for these products and would be welcomed by BMW enthusiasts.”

AutoMeter, InVision Digital Dash: “All the important information and engine outputs are displayed neatly. Perfect for anyone retrofitting new-age technology on possibly ‘60s-and-older cars. One screen with all the vital info would suit the South African aftermarket needs. As with many engine swaps, sometimes it’s necessary to wire several aftermarket gauges to keep tabs on the engine. This has everything on one screen.”

DeatschWerks, 5.5L Triple DW400 Staged Surge Tank: “My favorite of my selections. This surge tank ticks all the right and much-needed boxes on any professional racing build. Creatively housing three pumps with all the right fittings for your fuel line needs. Love the black finish. The motorsports community of South Africa would love this. This product is a winner.”

DeatschWerks, DW400 Fuel Pump: “Small in size but great in performance. Reliability intertwined with high fuel pressure. A requirement for all performance-built cars. This product would do well in aftermarket tuning circles specializing in European performance models in South Africa, including RS3, M3 and GTI.”

Nabil Moustafa of the United Arab Emirates’ Strive Middle East talked at the SEMA International Happy Hour with some of the winning companies he selected as part of the Global Media Awards.

Icon Vehicle Dynamics, ’19–Up Ford Ranger 2.5 Series CDCV Coil-Over: “Ford Rangers are the second-best-selling trucks (Bakkie) in South Africa, with a huge following for aftermarket accessories. These coil-overs are perfect for our market, as South Africans in general love the outdoors and 4x4s. Really appreciated the quality finish and the ability to control dampening.”

Integrated Engineering, Carbon-Fiber Intake for Audi RS3 (’17+): “Clean, soft lines with great visual appeal. It’s a simple bolt-on product that complements the RS3 performance brand. VAG is huge in South Africa, and simple stage 1 performance upgrades are a must for any RS3 owner.”

Mahle Motorsports, Toyota Supra Drop-In BMW B58 3.0L: “Mahle Motorsports has always been associated with quality and performance, and this piston is no different. A great drop-in option if you’re rebuilding or upgrading your B58 for performance or planning to up the boost significantly.”

Nitrous Express, Stage 2 Boost Cooler Plate System for N54/N55 BMW Engines: “Water meth has become a standard upgrade for anyone looking to increase their boost on their N54/N55. With this plate, you’re able to inject into all six ports and increase the water/meth mix into your engine, thus allowing increases in performance tuning capabilities and preventing engine knock. With older BMWs falling out of the motor plan, the BMW 135i has become the popular choice for entry-level street to strip performance-minded individuals in South Africa.”

Turbonetics/Precision Turbo & Engine, Entry-Level Sportsman PT7675 Turbocharger: “Precision has great loyal customers in South Africa, and this would be a great addition to their catalogue. A great turbo for drag-racing enthusiasts with great services both locally and abroad.”

Yokohama Tire, Advan A052: “A phenomenal tire, whether you’re a weekend racer attending track days or a die-hard professional racer/drifter looking for the edge over your competition. This is the tire that will get you on the podium. Advan is already well represented in South Africa with an estimated 55% of circuit racing teams using Yokohama Advan on their race cars.”

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Nabil Moustafa, Strive Middle East

3D Billet Products, Hub Lights: “Having the light bulbs inside the rims is a really cool idea, and it can actually have high potential in our market, taking into consideration the love of personalization on each car.”

Antigravity Lithium Batteries, Lithium-Ion Auto Battery: “I work with many battery providers in our region, and they seem to have an issue with returned batteries. This will definitely help solve their problems.”

Retro Manufacturing, Daytona Radio: “Having a retro-mod radio with classic looks and modern and futuristic features is an excellent combination. I think it has potential in our markets, as lots of collectors are now looking to have today’s comfort and technology in their retro-looking cars.”

SeatbeltPlanet.com, Custom Printed Seat Belt Webbing: “Customization is all about individual styling, and in our region, you mostly see either a four-point seatbelt or a colored three-point seatbelt. Having the chance to customize it the way the owner would like will create a great opportunity for such a product.”

sPod, SourceLT: “Having the ability to create your own controller in the car and define what each button does is one of the best inventions out there—especially for off-roaders who wish to run several aftermarket options that are not usually in the OE control panel.”

Tire Stickers, Cerebrum Smart Tire Sensor: “Having this technology set up in cars that don’t have it is a great option. Markets such as Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Arab North Africa will be the perfect for such a product.”

TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart, TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart: “Physical strength has always been part of the tire-changing process, and now, with this easy-to-use product, physical strength is no longer needed. This will create opportunities for women in our region to be part of that industry and also will create effectiveness among male employees.”

United Pacific Industries Inc., Chrome Exterior Mirror With LED Turn Signal for ’66–’72 Chevy Passenger Cars: “Retro mods are becoming a big thing in our region, and everybody is looking for comfort in driving while still maintaining retro looks. This fits perfectly in that market.”

Vais Technology, SEER (Smart Entry Exit Recognition): “This is an option that should be available in every car. Most of its features are available but separately or not having the same full functionality and practicality—especially that everything is connected to your key. Depends on the price, but there may be a great opportunity for such a product.”

Victor Racing, SPT1 Intelligent Active Aero Wing: “A racing technology in an everyday car. People like to take their cars on tracks, but the limitation of the rear wing definitely doesn’t help. With this product, people can actually adjust the rear wing according to their need.”

Zlatko Mulabegovic, Top Performance

FiTech, Ultimate LS 2x4 EFI System: “EFI conversions and system upgrades are very popular with custom shops in our region, with a variety of brands and products represented in the Middle Eastern markets catering to the users of the full LS engines range. The comprehensive FiTech Ultimate LS 2x4 EFI System ticks many boxes, covering the popular applications. It is both a powerful weapon in the hands of a professional tuner and a beginner-friendly package, allowing even inexperienced users to take control of their engines. The sleek sheetmetal intake manifold delivers the goods and enhances the looks of the engine bay, thus providing extra clearance. The compatibility of the system with aftermarket cams and adaptability to GM truck engines makes it a perfect solution for a number of platforms. Finally, the single-pump surge tank eliminates fuel starvation under lateral G-forces and extreme angles, making it relevant for the Middle Eastern terrains and ideal for extreme off-road and desert use.”

RSI SmartCap employees Chris Le Sueur (bottom left); Guy Ralfe (bottom center); Rob Le Sueur (bottom right); Keith Pitout (top left); Andrew Campbell (top second left); Michael Voss, president (top third from left); Peter Voss (top second from right); and Dan Beaulaurier, vice president (top right) posed with SEMA Chairman-Elect James Lawrence (top row, third from right) of Power Automedia. RSI SmartCap was a first-time exhibitor from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and won nine global media awards. “The response we received from both the industry and the media blew us away,” said Dan Beaulaurier (top row, far right), vice president of RSI North America Inc. “Our entire team, both stateside and in South Africa, is feeling excited, humbled and very grateful for the recognition. It validates that the design innovation and products our team has worked so hard to bring to market are truly resonating with people and organizations we hold in very high regard.”

HKS USA Inc., Hipermax Touring Height-Adjustable Spring: “Toyota launched the exciting new Supra in the United Arab Emirates on September 22, 2019, marking the return of the glorious high-performance Grand Tourer, with close to a hundred units sold in the first batch. As with any new launch, all eyes are on the aftermarket, expecting new performance parts with anticipation. Japanese tuning giant HKS was among the first to jump on the Supra bandwagon, developing a number of go-fast parts before its competitors. The Hipermax Touring Height-Adjustable Spring set works with the original adaptive suspension system and offers height adjustability through its hybrid spring kit, which includes sport springs, a threaded adjustable sleeve, rear bump stops and rear shock dust boots. With the popularity of the new Supra, this product should be in high demand for those looking to improve the stance and handling of their vehicles.”

MSS Automotive UK, MSS Sport Springs With Rear Unique Middle-Located Adjuster Coupler Product: “Lowering springs are a quick and cost-effective fix when it comes to improving both the looks and handling of a car. For those car owners on a budget, springs are often the first upgrade they select. The only downside of lowering springs is the lack of height adjustability, making it impossible to dial in the perfect ride height. MSS Sport Springs feature a unique and innovative middle-located adjuster coupler that promises quick and easy height adjustment—a game changer when it comes to entry-level suspension upgrades. Ride height can be adjusted without removing the product, and the manufacturer claims increased grip levels with unchanged comfort and improved drivability. Cost-effective upgrades promising improved performance have been traditionally popular with those venturing into car customization, and our market is no exception.

Rennstand By Wuhan Robot Weld, Rennstand: “The Rennstand by Wuhan Robot Weld is a revolutionary workshop stand that changes the way cars are supported, with a four-post design that supports the car under its tires, offering increased clearance and access. Virtually any space can be converted into a makeshift workshop within minutes. Rennstand solves the problem of lifting, supporting and height adjusting a lifted car at the same jack point. In our market, this product should work for both large dealership workshops as well as smaller garages and individual users, addressing the issue of limited floor space in addition to the above-mentioned advantages.”

Restomod Air, Bantam A/C Kit With Remote Control: “Restomod Air has been synonymous with innovation in the field of air-conditioning systems and has had an increasing presence at the SEMA Show, with a whopping 11 new products on display this year. The one that caught our eye is the Bantam A/C kit with remote control. Aside from the cooling efficiency and compact size, this is one of the most significant features of an A/C system in the hot Middle Eastern weather, allowing the cooling of the vehicle to start even before the driver steps in, thanks to its Wi-Fi-based remote control. Despite the Bantam’s compact size, this kit packs a mighty punch and features the most efficient evaporator in the market and thus is backed by quality components that exceed OEM standards. Retrofitting such kits should allow the owners of classics to enjoy driving their prides even during prolonged warm-weather periods and extend the usability of classics in our region.”

RockJock 4x4 by John Currie Performance Group, Forged Antirock Sway Bar Arms: “The Antirock sway bar arms are designed to enhance off-road driving capabilities and to provide balanced performance of the front and rear suspension in rugged off-road conditions. They improve off-road traction by enabling increased suspension flex and by equalizing and distributing the weight of the vehicle over all four tires, contrary to the standard sway bars that only limit suspension flex, therefore affecting off-road traction and performance. Unlike traditional sway bars, the Antirock sway bar arms do not require disconnection. They are connected at all times, promising a more enjoyable transition from on-road to off-road. Available for most popular applications, they promise to change the way off-roaders perform in the rough at all levels, mild to extreme. With the immense popularity of dune bashing and rock crawling in our territory, this product should find its way onto the shelves of our local off-road shops.”

Specialty Auto Parts/Proform, Universal Slim-Fit Radiator System With 23-in. Hybrid Core: “Efficient engine cooling is paramount when building a performance machine in the hot Middle Eastern region, with summer temperatures soaring to extreme levels. Providing adequate cooling is often synonymous with reduced engine-bay clearance, thanks to an oversize radiator, radiator fans and shroud that clutter the front of the engine bay. Proform is changing the way we look at engine cooling with the introduction of its Slim-Fit radiator system, where the radiator, fans, shroud and thermostat can come together in a unified radiator system that is under 4-in. thick, looks great and is efficient. This revolutionary system is a preassembled and ready-to-fit unit for your custom V8 motor and comes with a thin radiator, a shroud, an electric fan with an adjustable thermostat, wiring harness and a radiator cap. Perfect for our region.”

sPod, BantamX: “The Bantam is a small, innovative eight-circuit expandable control system that provides a clean and safe way to power and control all 12-/24-volt accessories without the need to spend hours wiring them into your vehicle’s system. The compact-size Bantam is connected via an ethernet cable and does away with wires or the need to tap into the vehicle’s electrical system and thus is programmable to control dimming, strobe or flash. All aftermarket electrical accessories can now be controlled from one central point, using its touchscreen or an app. Bantam also acts as protection against over-current, overheat, reverse polarity and field collapse. These features make it a perfect device for off-roaders and campers who tend to overload their weekend rides with additional accessories, such as lighting, an audio system, speakers, navigation, fridges, showers and other convenience accessories and aids.”

The Bracketeer, UFEB1317/D Universal Car Fire Extinguisher Bracket: “Another mini revolution is the universal car fire extinguisher bracket developed and manufactured by The Bracketeer. This patented universal bracket simply drops down onto the front or rear side of the seat rails, providing an adequate location for the emergency extinguisher on both the driver and passenger sides. The clever design provides more than 30 different positions and mounting combinations, making it adaptable to virtually any vehicle found on our roads. Compatible with the majority of the industry-standard fire extinguishers, this universal car fire-extinguisher bracket is a must-have in every custom or off-road vehicle. Particularly important is the installation of fire extinguishers in our region, where extreme temperatures increase the hazard of fire, both in on-road and off-road driving. This bracket should become an industry standard, enabling every car owner to boost their vehicle safety and protection against fire.”

Wavian USA, Red Jerry Can, 20-Liter: “Extreme off-roading and camping are immensely popular in the whole of the Middle East, and both take place away from main roads and sometimes civilization, making it paramount to ensure sufficient fuel supplies while off-road. Keeping in mind the extremely hot climate in our region, safe storage of fuel is one of the precautions car owners need to keep in mind when preparing to venture off-road. Wavian Jerry Cans have been developed to deliver a safe, leak-free experience. They’re built of high-quality steel and feature a rust-proof internal lining, an internal breather pipe for splash-free pouring, a three-handle configuration for practicality, a leak-proof closure and a locking pin for the cap. These Jerry Cans work with both gasoline and diesel, making them the safe choice for any kind of off-roading experience in our region.”

UNITED KINGDOM

Mike Rysiecki, Auto Italia, Retro Ford & Performance Ford Cars Magazine

Chevrolet, ’20 Corvette High-Wing Spoiler and ’20 Corvette Visible Carbon-Fiber Ground Effects: “These two superbly engineered products enhance and individualize the new-model Corvette, making its aero characteristics more effective and its appearance even more arresting. U.K. buyers are awaiting the arrival of the ’20 Corvette with anticipation and will want to be able to select their own combination of performance and personalization accessories.”

Ford Motor Company, 5.0L Coyote Black Cammer-Style Coil-Covers: “Respect for heritage lies at the heart of every restomod build, and the classic Cammer-style covers bring that in an appropriately understated way. As the Coyote crate engine increases in popularity for resto-modified Fords in Europe, builders now have another option when it comes to dressing their powerplants for maximum nostalgia.”

Ford Motor Company, 5.0L/5.2L GT500 Aluminum Oil Pan and Pump Kit: “Owners looking to extract the most from their late-model Mustangs on track will appreciate the design and engineering that went into the development of this new product. Following Ford’s success in the British GT4 Championship, the current generation of Mustang is seen more frequently at track days in the UK as owners look to explore the upper reaches of its performance.”

Ford Motor Company, Ranger Bed Extender: “The nascent leisure-and-pleasure subsegment of the pickup market is emerging in the United Kingdom. This load bed extender is perfect for increasing its flexibility and versatility in both commercial- and domestic-use cases.”

Green Filter USA, Ford Ranger Diesel ’17–’19 #7365: “Recently awarded ‘Pickup Truck of the Year’ in Europe, the Ford Ranger is a perfect platform for those with an eye for customization and performance enhancement. The new clean-burning diesels are important because of their economy and improved social acceptance.”

R3 Performance Products, ’65–’70 Mustang Body Shell: “The R3 Mustang body shell is now licensed by both Ford and Gone in 60 Seconds owner Denice Halicki, thereby adding more authenticity for restorers looking to replicate the hero car. The “Eleanor” movie halo reaches around the world as builders look to create the most accurate reproductions.”

Roush Performance, Roush ’18–’20 Mustang Supercharger Kit, Phase 2 750 hp: “It’s not just how much horsepower and torque a supercharged engine can produce, it’s also about how it’s delivered. Roush’s long-standing reputation for usability and power means that ’18–’20 V8 Mustang owners now have access to the latest version of proven power addition from this trusted vendor.”

The Bracketeer, UFEB1317/D Universal Car Fire Extinguisher Bracket: “Some products just leap out and shout, ‘Here’s what you have been waiting for.’ The Bracketeer’s clever design and thoughtful engineering make this great product look simple. How did we get this far without it?”

The Original California Car Duster Company, The Original California Platinum-Series Super Duster: “Who would have thought that this already world-renowned detailing essential could be improved? The new 360-degree capability with longer reach make the Platinum Series Super Duster perfect for larger vehicles and hard-to-reach places. In addition, the new ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ prong-style wheel duster is perfect for keeping complex multi-spoke alloy wheels in pristine condition.”

VENEZUELA

Henry Pierini, AutoZulia International

Aeromotive Inc., Variable-Speed Brushless Fuel Pump: “It’s a fuel pump that is great for your car. It uses sensors to monitor the rotor angle and provides a more reliable phase change, producing more in capacitated torque and engine efficiency. With this product, the fuel-economy capacity in the vehicle, which is currently very relevant in our country, would be facilitated where access to hydrocarbons is quite limited.”

Antigravity Batteries, Lithium-Ion Auto Battery: “It is a last-generation drummer that offers a longer and safer life cycle. It has safety circuits to avoid overloads and protections against short circuits; maintains the temperature and cellular balance of it; and has an energy-saving mode. These features make it safer and more permanent. With this battery, our automotive park would be more durable and efficient.”

Cedar Electronics, Cobra Road Scout: “It’s a smart radar with long range to detect threats along the way and also capture high-resolution images and record in video everything that happened through your lens for 24 hours straight. It is a product that could be used for passive safety of the vehicle as it works as a backup, preserving images and videos in real time and in case of accidents and unforeseen events.”

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Discoverer EnduraMax: “It is a pneumatic for small and medium SUVs with technology, design and formula of pneumatics for off-road vehicles. Resists the extra wear of difficult roads that can damage tires and shorten their useful life. It offers good performance on roads, gravel or sand, providing excellent resistance. It’s a 30% mixed and 70% off-road tire. It is a very useful product in the local market, where the terrains are varied and the distances are extensive.”

Griot’s Garage Inc., Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax: “It is a high-performance sprayable body, formulated with polymer, liquid and a chemical fusion that forms a link with the paint to impart a layer of protection more solid than conventional waxes and sealants. Protects against oxidation, UV rays, stains, acid rain engraving and other environmental and chemical sources. It is an excellent product for automotive washing entrepreneurs, as it offers great potential for the car surface.”

Holley Performance, Amp’d Throttle Booster: “This product adjusts the throttle sensitivity of the vehicle, which reduces dead-pedal sensitivity while accelerating. Checks and controls the fuel level of the engine, giving access to more power according to the driver’s need. It is an innovative product that provides safety to the driver while traveling, especially over long distances.”

Keep It Klean, Revolution: “It is a reusable air filter cleaner that uses the power of centrifugal force to clean your filter until it leaves it flawless. It is able to clean, rinse and test reusable air filters in a simple and efficient way. It is another ideal product for automotive washing companies, as it would offer great effectiveness and guaranteed quality with only one product.”

Redline Detection, Dual-Purpose Diagnostic Leak Locator: “It is a device designed to test the integrity of EVAP systems, intake sockets, turbo systems, low and high pressure—all without dyes or contaminants, making it safe for vehicles and the environment. It allows the discovery of all kinds of faults in all kinds of vehicles, including in heavy trucks. Ideal product for mechanical workshops.”

Switch-Pros by Off Road Engineering, RCR Force 12: “It’s a 12-switch power supply system. A switch panel with active switch indicators to assist in 12 car functions. It has a capacity of 150A, controls 17 outputs and tolerates inductive loads. Programming options include attenuation memory, multiple output switches, and on-on-off. It would be a very useful product, especially in those vehicles that are not so modern.”

Tire Stickers, Cerebrum Smart Tire Sensor: “This product is the intelligent pneumatic solution that uses revolutionary sensor technology. It provides advanced pressure and temperature data for pneumatics, as well as depth, alignment and tread performance data to the operator through a convenient application. It is a really efficient product, because drivers can optimize the performance of the pneumatics of their vehicle, reduce fuel consumption and excessive carbon-dioxide emissions, eliminate premature wear of the pneumatics and receive critical safety alerts such as the priority of blowouts.”