FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(March 16, 2010)
Contact: Della Domingo
909/396-0289, x130
dellad@sema.org
-- ‘The Race Has Gone Green’ Conference to Connect Next Generation Green Racing Products to Profit-Making Business Opportunities --
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (March 16, 2010) – With vehicle technologies accelerating at an increasingly rapid pace and terms such as vehicle electrification, hybrids, gas direct injection (GDI) and clean diesels becoming synonymous with auto racing, SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association and the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), will host a conference dedicated to connecting members with some of the world’s leading innovators in next generation racing and performance. The conference will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif., April 16, 2010 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
“Commercialization and consumer acceptance of green performance technologies are the multipliers to achieving industry growth, increased sales and market share. Innovation doesn’t come from the discovery of technology but from being the first to use technology to meet consumer needs and wants,” said John Waraniak, SEMA vice president for vehicle technology.
‘The Race Has Gone Green Conference’ to be held during the Long Beach Grand Prix, will provide SEMA and MIA members with an exclusive opportunity to gain valuable information and insights from some of the world’s leading automakers, teams, drivers and organizations participating in the race, events and activities at the track.
The conference will include keynote presentations and panel sessions in which attendees will interact with the speakers. The outstanding grid of confirmed guest speakers includes the following:
David Brabham, 2009 American LeMans Series Champion, will discuss what it takes to race energy efficient vehicles and how racing will play an important role in the growing demand for energy efficient vehicles and products.
Scott Atherton, CEO American LeMans Series, will share his vision for the green future of motorsports.
Les McTaggart, Senior Technical Director, Izod IndyCar Series, will reveal the new engines, chassis and look of the 2011 IndyCar Series and the resulting new product opportunities.
Lord Drayson, UK Minister of Science, team owner and ALMS race driver, will explain the global energy, science and economic policies that will shape the future of green motorsports and its commercialization.
Peter Digby, Managing Director, Xtrac, a leading transmission supplier, will share what has made his company’s venture into green racing so successful.
Forrest Patterson, Technical Director, Michelin Green-X Challenge, a leading racing industry supplier, will explain how he’s translated green racing success into consumer product sales.
Jamie Allison, Director, Ford North America Motorsports, will tell us all about their ’34 Ford Hot Rod with a replacement displacement 400-hp 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 that easily rivals a typical hotrod’s 302 cubic inch V-8 or even similar sized modern V-8’s.
Robert Davis, Senior Vice President, Product Development and Quality for Mazda North American Operations, responsible for the company’s North American motorsport programs under the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development banner including involvement in the American LeMans Series, Grand Am GT, Continental Tire Challenge, Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 Championship, Playboy MX-5 Cup and partnerships with BP, Skip Barber, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and Patrick Dempsey. Robert will discuss how Mazda utilizes motorsports from an R&D perspective and integrates it into their ongoing Sustainable Zoom-Zoom initiative.
Mike Stewart, Leader, Motorsports Engineering Group, Honeywell Turbo Technologies, Garrett, will focus on how Garrett’s Aftermarket Group is developing specialty-equipment applications to increase fuel efficiency as well as performance and effectively demonstrating that green power and horsepower can coexist.
Steve Pruitt, Owner, Corsa Motorsports Ginetta-Zytek hybrid ALMS racer, who owns what The Wall Street Journal called “The World’s Baddest Hybrid”, will tell you all about his vehicle and performance program, and how he’s commercializing and selling his innovative kinetic energy recovery system (KERS).
Eric Cahill, Senior Director, Progressive Automotive X Prize, will provide attendees an insider’s view and update on one of the most innovative competitions designed to showcase and inspire a new generation of viable, safe, affordable and super fuel efficient vehicles that people want to buy.
Mike Cooperman, Senior Director of Marketing, J.D. Power Web Intelligence, will discuss the latest market research and major behavioral differences between Green Consumers and the average consumer and how those differences impact the auto industry, This groundbreaking research will focus on the intersection of green consumers and auto enthusiasts and define the size of this market and the messages that resonate with green consumers.
To sign up for the conference, anyone can visit www.SEMA.org/racegonegreen. There is a $275 fee for SEMA members and $375 for non-members which includes not only the conference and business networking opportunities but also a luncheon and paddock tour where attendees will meet and talk with team owners, drivers, crew chiefs and engineers on pit row.
About SEMA
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $31.85 billion specialty automotive industry of 7,144 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289, or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com.
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