By SEMA News Editors

Mishimoto

Marketing Coordinator in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania

This position is responsible for supporting the efforts of the marketing team to carry out campaigns, direct-to-consumer initiatives and business-to-business support. Duties include researching market trends, generating and presenting reports, creating campaigns and executing marketing events.

Power Automedia

Senior Managing Director in Temecula, California

The available leadership role in the Power Automedia content team will lead content operations and project management and report to the vice president of content. The new role will be pivotal in ensuring the execution of the company's content strategies, a constant flow of content across all channels and platforms and meeting sales, sponsorship and partnership obligations.

BluePrint Engines

Vice President of Operations in Kearney, Nebraska

BluePrint Engines is seeking a vice president of operations to develop and implement a full-scale manufacturing strategy and lead transformation initiatives across manufacturing and operations. The position requires experience and expertise in lean practices, sales, inventory, operations planning and supply-chain management.

QA1

Strategic Account Manager in Lakeville, Minnesota

Responsible for driving sales growth through strategic analysis, market research and relationship building, this position requires exceptional analytical skills, deep understanding of sales processes and an ability to identify customer needs.

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA offers several resources to help Show exhibitors maximize ROI, including the upcoming Freeman Show Services webinar for SEMA Show exhibitors on Tuesday, September 17, at 11 a.m. PDT/2 p.m. EDT. (Register via Zoom here). The virtual event will give participants an opportunity to learn more about connecting with dedicated buyers, influencers, dealers and more automotive professionals.

In the virtual webinar, current SEMA exhibitors can speak directly with SEMA Show staff to discover everything needed to plan for your Show like a pro. Join Craig Gaibler, director of customer experience of SEMA official partner Freeman, as he shares how to access Freeman online and learn about its services offered, plus the shipping and material handling options available to get your products and booth items to Vegas. Of course, the webinar will also cover SEMA Show information, money-saving pointers and on-site tips, and the Q&A session following the presentation will help exhibitors find the answers to their pre-Show questions.

If you are an exhibitor of the SEMA Show and want to save time and money and maximize ROI from your experience, don't miss this information-packed presentation on Tuesday, September 17! 

Register via Zoom here.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

As the 2024 election season approaches, we would like to extend a special invitation to you for an exclusive Election Watch Party and Reception at this year's SEMA Show. This event is hosted by the SEMA and PRI PAC (Political Action Committee), a critical initiative dedicated to supporting lawmakers who champion the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries. 

Date: Tuesday, November 5 

Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. PST

Location: The Ambassador Suite, Room 2915, Westgate Hotel (next to the LVCC) 

Suggested Contribution: $200 per person; includes an open bar and catering.  

Access: All guests should proceed to the central elevators in the Westgate Hotel Lobby. A security guard will take you to the 29th floor. 

To RSVP or upgrade your entire SEMA Show experience with an annual PAC membership, contact Alicia Steger at semapac@sema.org. Unable to attend? You can still support PAC efforts by contributing online.  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

What is the SEMA & PRI PAC? 

The SEMA and PRI PAC pools contributions from SEMA members like you to support lawmakers who understand and advocate for our industry. By contributing to the PAC, you help ensure that our industry's voice is heard in Washington, D.C., and that we can continue to protect the rights of automotive enthusiasts and businesses.

To learn more, visit www.semapac.com.  

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

As the 2024 election season approaches, we would like to extend a special invitation to you for an exclusive Election Watch Party and Reception at this year's SEMA Show. This event is hosted by the SEMA and PRI PAC (Political Action Committee), a critical initiative dedicated to supporting lawmakers who champion the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries. 

Date: Tuesday, November 5 

Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. PST

Location: The Ambassador Suite, Room 2915, Westgate Hotel (next to the LVCC) 

Suggested Contribution: $200 per person; includes an open bar and catering.  

Access: All guests should proceed to the central elevators in the Westgate Hotel Lobby. A security guard will take you to the 29th floor. 

To RSVP or upgrade your entire SEMA Show experience with an annual PAC membership, contact Alicia Steger at semapac@sema.org. Unable to attend? You can still support PAC efforts by contributing online.  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

What is the SEMA & PRI PAC? 

The SEMA and PRI PAC pools contributions from SEMA members like you to support lawmakers who understand and advocate for our industry. By contributing to the PAC, you help ensure that our industry's voice is heard in Washington, D.C., and that we can continue to protect the rights of automotive enthusiasts and businesses.

To learn more, visit www.semapac.com.  

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

As the 2024 election season approaches, we would like to extend a special invitation to you for an exclusive Election Watch Party and Reception at this year's SEMA Show. This event is hosted by the SEMA and PRI PAC (Political Action Committee), a critical initiative dedicated to supporting lawmakers who champion the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries. 

Date: Tuesday, November 5 

Time: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. PST

Location: The Ambassador Suite, Room 2915, Westgate Hotel (next to the LVCC) 

Suggested Contribution: $200 per person; includes an open bar and catering.  

Access: All guests should proceed to the central elevators in the Westgate Hotel Lobby. A security guard will take you to the 29th floor. 

To RSVP or upgrade your entire SEMA Show experience with an annual PAC membership, contact Alicia Steger at semapac@sema.org. Unable to attend? You can still support PAC efforts by contributing online.  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

What is the SEMA & PRI PAC? 

The SEMA and PRI PAC pools contributions from SEMA members like you to support lawmakers who understand and advocate for our industry. By contributing to the PAC, you help ensure that our industry's voice is heard in Washington, D.C., and that we can continue to protect the rights of automotive enthusiasts and businesses.

To learn more, visit www.semapac.com.  

By SEMA News Editors

NASCAR Studios Launches New Shows to Debut for Playoffs

NASCAR Studios is launching three new shows to provide fans with additional entertainment and insight throughout the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

NASCAR's partnership with TNT Sports gets a head start before 2025 broadcast rights begin with the new weekly studio show "NASCAR Inside the Playoffs," hosted by veteran broadcasters Shannon Spake and Steve Letarte, along with Dylan 'Mamba' Smith. A rotating cast of current and former drivers will join each week, beginning with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch in the first two episodes. Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR reporter for The Athletic, will join to cover breaking news. The show debuts on Thursday, September 5, on truTV and Max.

"NASCAR Daily," hosted by Spake, will air Monday through Friday on YouTube and podcast platforms, balancing breaking news with regular guest appearances and recurring segments.

The third new addition, the "Drop the Jack" podcast, will feature Smith and a slate of pit crew members from across the series. The weekly show will appear on YouTube and podcast platforms on Thursdays.

All three shows will be produced at the new NASCAR Productions home in Concord, North Carolina.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

6 New Members Highlight 2024 National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame Class

The National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame will induct six new members to its Class of 2024: Harry Conklin, Bob East, Bobby East, Junior Knepper, Ken Schrader and Jimmy Sams.

In addition, longtime Indianapolis Speedrome promoter John Stiles will be recognized with the inaugural National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame Founder's Award.

The announcement was made during the recent USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame is headquartered.

The six inductees will be honored during the 40th annual luncheon and induction ceremony on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Fair Meadow Hall at the Tulsa Fairgrounds in Oklahoma, as part of the celebratory events surrounding the Chili Bowl Nationals indoor midget race.

For more information, including inductee bios, visit the announcement on the USAC website here.

SCCA Announces 2024 'Spirit of the Sport' and 'Perseverance Award' Winners

The SCCA has announced the winners of the 2024 Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award and Dick Berger Perseverance Award.

The announcement was made ahead of the 51st running of the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships in Lincoln Airpark in Lincoln, Nebraska.

David Nolan has been selected for the Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award, which recognizes Solo community members who bring the spirit of fun to their fellow participants. The recipient is chosen annually by the previous three winners of the award, which is named in honor of the inaugural recipient: Exalted Grand Shepherd Roger E. Johnson. 

Robert Chrismas, meanwhile, was selected for the Dick Berger Perseverance Award, which recognizes someone who is undaunted by limited success over many National Championship events but keeps coming back to enjoy the camaraderie and community and hopes for a trophy in the competition. Past Dick Berger Perseverance Award recipients include Phil Alspach, Francis "Frank" Miller, and Roger H. Johnson.

For more information, visit the SCCA announcement here.

By SEMA News Editors

BluePrint Engines

GM Small-Block Compatible 327ci Performance Crate Engines

BluePrint Engines has launched a new range of GM small-block compatible 327ci performance crate engines. Features include 350 hp, polished aluminum ribbed valve covers and air cleaner, steel crank and rods, hydraulic roller cam and more.

blueprintengines.com.

American Powertrain

ProFit HD 4WD Kits for Dodge Ram 1500 5-Speed

The TREMEC transmission distributor has introduced a new ProFit HD 4WD Kit for '93-'01 Dodge Ram 1500 five-speed trucks featuring a 600 lb/ft of torque capacity TR-4050 TREMEC transmission. The kit is a direct-replacement transmission for the factory Dodge five-speed NV3500. Equipped with a 6.16-in. first gear and .76-in. fifth gear, the kit allows for low-RPM cruising, higher torque capacity and improved and fuel-efficient highway driving.

americanpowertrain.com.
 

Releasing a new product? Contact editors@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Fuel injection characteristics strongly impact emissions, efficiency and power for all types of engines. This is most pronounced in diesel engines since combustion is coupled with the spray, but is also significant in spark-ignited engines using both liquid or gaseous fuels. In all cases, the most significant pathway to this impact is through fuel-air mixture effects.

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. PDT/4:00 p.m. EDT, the SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) will host a new webinar "Visualizing Fuel Injection Spray Characteristics that Impact Engine Efficiency, Emissions and Performance," that will be led by Dr. Paul Puzinauskas and Dr. Joshua Brittle, both associate professors at the University of Alabama. This live session will help attendees gain an understanding of state-of-the-art experimental injection characterization techniques and how their output can be used to optimize injection design and operational properties.

As emissions restrictions tighten and the need to validate changes to aftermarket products prior to sale increases, the methods highlighted in this session can be useful for providing guidance without the need for full prototyping of an engine with new injection hardware for both diesel and gasoline applications. The presentation will cover multiple optical techniques used at the University of Alabama to document and quantify liquid spray penetration, liquid-to-vapor evaporation, and fuel vapor-air mixing, as well as ignition and sooting behavior of diesel sprays. By understanding these characteristics, attendees can gain insight into optimization efforts of injector design and placement, as well as injection operational parameters such as injection pressure and timing.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Katlin Weber, purchasing manager and site leader at T Sportline, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member. 

Weber was nominated for a spotlight feature by her colleague, Brian Reese. Get to know Weber through Reese's interview with SEMA News below. 

SEMA News: How has Weber contributed to the company? 

BR: Katlin is our senior leader at the Downey, California, location. She makes the business run and has a very strong sense of the business, what needs to happen, how to make good decisions and how to coach the team.  

SN: How has Weber shown leadership in the industry or business? 

BR: Katlin leads the team in Downey. She was elevated to site manager when one of our partners moved to Texas, and the team welcomed Katlin as the leader. 

SN: Tell us a success story that you can share about Weber. 

BR: Katlin has proven to be a jack of all trades. While she manages purchasing, she's an executive thinker who is comfortable figuring out any challenge. 

SN: How many years has Weber been in the industry? 

BR: Three to five years.  

SN: What quality do you admire most about Weber and why? 

BR: Katlin tackles all challenges with a smile. Our company is growing fast and faces chaos and change daily. Katlin is smart enough to figure out how to make things work, and smile while doing it. 

SN: Why do you think Weber is a role model in the industry? 

BR: Katlin is a strong and talented woman. She is capable of thinking and making decisions in the best interest of the company, which is why she has our trust. 

Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website. 

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers Polish, the industry's premier vehicle competition, will feature an expanded Young Guns program this year that will provide the Top 10 finalists in the class the opportunity to experience showcasing their builds on-stage. (Want to enter your build? Visit semabattleofthebuilders.com).

Prior to this year, industry experts serving as judges would determine the Top 10 and Top 3 finalists in each class, including Young Guns. Now, after the Top 10 Young Guns finalists are named, each will showcase their vehicle on-stage, and the finalists will vote to select the Top 3 builds that will advance to the final round of judging with finalists from the other Battle of the Builder categories.

"We're continually looking for ways to support young talent and foster the future growth of the automotive aftermarket industry," SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera. "By expanding the Battle of the Builders competition format to provide Young Guns competitors their own on-stage judging round, we will shine a light on more of these young customizers."

The Young Guns category, open to builders 29 years and younger at the time of the SEMA Show, was introduced in 2016 to bring national exposure to up-and-coming builders in the industry. Additionally, beginning September 7-8 and continuing throughout the month, Young Guns competitors can be selected by the judges to participate in one or more virtual Golden Ticket events for the chance to win a prize package that includes transportation of their build to the SEMA Show along with travel and hotel accommodations.

Now in its 11th year, SEMA Battle of the Builders provides an international platform for SEMA Show builders to showcase their ingenuity. The competition recognizes class champions in four categories--Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and Young Guns--and one of these four is crowned the overall Battle of the Builders champion.

Judges review all qualifying applications, including vehicle descriptions and photos, before walking the SEMA Show floor to review builds in person and selecting the Top 10 finalists in each category. The finalists are then narrowed down to the Top 3 in each category, including the Top 3 Young Guns selected via the new competition format, and these 12 finalists become the judges and choose the winner from each category and the overall champion.

"The automotive aftermarket will unite at the SEMA Show to showcase the hottest parts and latest technology, making it the perfect venue to highlight these amazing builds and emerging talent within the industry," said SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. "The Battle of the Builders program is another example of how the SEMA Show enables attendees to stay at the forefront of recent trends shaping the aftermarket and create industry connections that will set them up for future success."

The 2024 SEMA Show, taking place November 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the place to discover new products and trends, make new business connections, strengthen existing ones, and help professionals take their careers and their businesses to the next level. Attendees can maximize their ROI by registering now and taking advantage of housing and travel discounts. Registration is $60 for qualified attendees who register by Friday, September 27. To learn more or to register to attend the 2024 SEMA Show, visit semashow.com.

For more information about the SEMA Battle of the Builders and the Young Guns program, visit semabattleofthebuilders.com.