By SEMA News Editors

Joe Rode, a seasoned professional in the performance boating industry and a contributor to Speedboat Magazine, has launched "Powerboat Talk," a podcast devoted to discussing high-performance boats. With a focus on interviewing influential people in the world of fast boats, the show aims to become the go-to destination for performance boating enthusiasts.

With more than three decades of experience in the marine and automotive aftermarket, Rode has wide-ranging knowledge about the individuals and parts that help boats go fast. 

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have had a career in such an exciting industry. I've met so many fascinating people along the way, and I want to learn more about them, listen to their stories, and share them with other fast boat enthusiasts like myself," Rode said.

"Powerboat Talk" can be found on YouTube, popular podcast apps and powerboattalk.com.

Report: Racing Simulator Market Projected to Reach $1.1 Billion by 2030

The racing simulator market is projected to grow from $500 million in 2024 to $1.1 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 15.6%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. 

The growth of the racing simulator market is mainly driven by the rising e-sports tournaments and leagues, inclination towards professional motor racing events, constant advancement in simulation technology, rising affordability and easy accessibility. Further, the inclusion of virtual reality and AI technology in racing simulators and a growing focus on professional training and recreational gaming would prompt the development of the racing simulator market globally.

The report is available for download as a PDF through the Market and Markets webpage here.

Got racing industry news? Releasing a new product? Contact editors@performanceracing.com.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

While the engines have quieted, the reverberations of the 2024 Motorsports Day at the West Virginia Capitol persist. 

Held on February 23, the event brought together industry professionals, elected officials, and state agencies, serving as a platform for collaboration, education and the celebration of motorsports' significant contributions to the Mountain State. 

Left to Right: Erik Hubbard, Back Roads of Appalachia; Delegate Gary Howell; AK Whatley, Chaos Motorsports; Delegate Wayne Clark; Maria Whatley, Chaos Motorsports.

In the State Capitol Rotunda, more than 30 businesses and vendors, including SEMA and PRI, showcased the diverse landscape of West Virginia's motorsports scene. Meanwhile, outside the Capitol, more than 30 racing vehicles displayed the pinnacle of motorsports engineering and design. Notably, Chaos Motorsports' AK Whatley received legislative recognition for completing the grueling 2024 King of the Hammers event. 

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in open discussions and networking, fostering collaboration and identifying avenues for growth with government officials and peers. 

"Participating in West Virginia Motorsports Day is vital for SEMA and PRI," said Christian Robinson, SEMA senior director of state government affairs and grassroots. "It afforded us direct connections with industry-driving businesses. Through events like these, we can foster collaboration, advocate for the future of motorsports, and celebrate its positive impact on communities in West Virginia." 

By Laura Pitts

PRI Senior Editor/Social Media Manager Christen D'Alessandro attended the 24 Hours of LeMons at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California, last weekend, and she's giving PRI News readers an exclusive peek into what it was like to cover--and participate in!--the budget endurance road racing series designed for cars bought and race-prepped for just $500.

D'Alessandro attended to capture content from the iconic race for PRI's hundreds of thousands of social-media followers, but little did she know that she would be recruited to drive behind the wheel of a race car before the weekend would wrap.

"This was my first time at a 24 Hours of LeMons event, but I had heard about them and thought it was a great concept, so I wanted to check one out. My goal was to capture video and photo content from the event for PRI's social channels and PRI Magazine, but to my surprise, I ended up driving in the race! The guys from the Flavor Town team who were driving the K24 Mini sponsored by Permatex let me borrow the proper safety gear and hop in the car for about 30 minutes on the second day of racing.

"It was such an amazing experience! I was super nervous because I have no prior racing experience, but once I got out there and felt more comfortable with the course after a couple of laps, I pushed it a bit harder and actually did okay. The car finished the race, which is a win in itself with budget endurance racing."

See more of D'Alessandro's first-hand insights below, and be sure to follow PRI on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn.

The 24 Hours of LeMons holds various events throughout the United States each year, and the premise behind this one was to purchase and build a car for just $500 maximum (safety gear not included). However, they are fairly loose with enforcing the rules, and teams can even "bribe" the judges during tech inspection to look the other way (all part of the fun of the race). It's a very grassroots style of racing, which is the main appeal. You don't have to spend a bunch of money or be an experienced racer to participate in these events. Nearly anyone can dip their toe in the water and try it out… and once they get a feel for it, they might want to continue racing and move up the ladder.

This event is an endurance race but doesn't actually last 24 hours. They raced seven hours on Saturday, and then another seven hours on Sunday, but reversed the track and drove it backward the second day. The fun thing about this event is that everyone has a theme for their car and team, so the visuals are awesome. The series lets you dress up your car however you want, so you get some clever-looking race cars.

My main takeaway from the 24 Hours of LeMons is that anyone can participate and get their racing fix without breaking the bank. I'm still on a high from being in the race car last weekend and feel like I'm a real race car driver now!

And I'll end with this: You should follow PRI on social media because we offer a wide variety of motorsports content. Many race fans have their favorite series that they love (i.e. NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA), but PRI puts in our best efforts to cover those popular motorsports as well as other niche markets. And I think all racing fans/gearheads can appreciate all types of motorsports, even if it's not their favorite to watch. At PRI, we highlight our manufacturers and exhibitors as well, and what better way to do that than to show all the types of race engines that use their products? Follow PRI on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn.

By Ashley Reyes 

World-renowned athlete, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tim Tebow shared his mission-possible life message with attendees of the 2023 SEMA Show as part of the trade-only event's professional development experience.

Video highlights of his keynote presentation are now available on YouTube, offering valuable insights for living a life of significance and reaching your goals.

Tebow is best known as a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick and a former professional baseball player, but he is also the poster of success as an entrepreneur and The New York Times best-selling author. Tebow is passionate about his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF), which has a mission to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. 

Tebow's keynote was part of a comprehensive SEMA Show Education program that was focused on leadership and year-round skill development. His message aims to inspire individuals to find their mission and create a purposeful life that counts. Topics covered in the video include showing up with the right mindset, why having extreme passion matters, the significance of having the right people and team, and how to keep perspective on what is important.

Watch Tebow's video now and stay tuned for additional seminar highlights from the 2023 SEMA Show as they are released throughout the coming weeks at semashow.com/education-videos.

By Ellen McKoy

Amy Kurr knew little about cars, until she bought her first ride. The '86 Chevy Caprice Classic captured enthusiasts' attention in her suburban Minneapolis hometown, sparking her interest in vintage vehicles and the TLC it takes to maintain them.

"I was intrigued by the mechanical and chemical work that went into maintaining antique vehicles," said Kurr, whose passion for science dates to childhood experiments fabricating plastic bugs and candles with an Easy Bake Oven. Experience as a high school athlete and first responder furthered her understanding of safety risks caused by parts failures and polymer degradation. 

Those interests led to a Bachelor of Science degree in materials engineering at Iowa State and a Master of Science degree from Case Western. Now a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, her research centers on engineering science and technology.

"My focus is on electrical cables, the impact of high temperatures on cables, the potential for degradation and the flammability aspects to ensure these components function properly with electrical vehicle batteries," she noted.

Although the university's corporate partnerships afford research access to various industries, including automotive, SEMA wasn't on Kurr's radar until an advisor suggested applying for a scholarship.

"I was surprised I hadn't heard about SEMA until grad school," said Kurr. "I was excited to receive the scholarship but more excited about attending the Show. I knew it would be beneficial."

An Immersive Experience

For starters, Kurr contacted Chris Standifer, SEMA project manager, recognition programs. He connected her to Scorpion EV's Karen Salvaggio, a member of the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN). 

"Karen opened my mind. I learned about ETTN. She helped me connect with Luis [Morales] and Ben [Kaminsky] at the SEMA Garage. In October, Ben gave me a tour of the Detroit Garage, which helped me understand how SEMA helps the aftermarket."

At the Show, Kurr hit the ground running. From the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) Gear-Up Girl event and ETTN Lunch-N-Learn to EV-centric seminars, the Future Leaders Network (FLN) Reception and the SEMA Banquet, Kerr took advantage of every opportunity to network and engage.

"Everyone was supportive and welcoming," said Kurr. "The energy and passion were inspiring. Even before I went to the Show, I had a sense of community. Chris and the Student Program made sure we got connected.

"I would have applied for the scholarship even if it was just an invitation to the Show. The scholarship is free money, but the selling point is the networking and the contacts you make that far outweigh the dollar value. There are 160,00 people at the Show--you can find your people and make your own community."

Limited Time Remains to Apply for a SEMA Scholarship

The 2024 SEMA Scholarship application period for students pursuing careers in the automotive or performance parts industries closes this Friday, March 1, at sema.org/scholarships. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund supports career development and access to the automotive industry by offering financial awards of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of industry leaders and innovators.

For more information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit sema.org/scholarships prior to the Friday, March 1, deadline.

The SEMA Scholarship program is seeking passionate individuals to volunteer as a SEMA Scholarship judge. Signups are open now at this link and close on March 22.

The SEMA Scholarship program supports career development and access in the automotive industry, offering financial assistance of up to $5,000 to students preparing for careers in the automotive field.

Sign up by March 22 to review scholarship applications and assist with selecting award winners.

Volunteer judges play a crucial role, reviewing scholarship applications and assisting with selecting deserving award winners. In addition to making a meaningful impact, volunteers get the opportunity to read inspiring stories from passionate students who are eager to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket.

Volunteer hours are flexible and can be performed around the volunteer's schedule. Judging begins on April 3 and continues until May 13. Learn more and apply to volunteer here. To learn more about the SEMA Scholarship program, visit sema.org/scholarships.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) is hosting an online General Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 7, at 10:00 a.m. PST/1:00 p.m. EST.

Open to aftermarket professionals aged 39 and under, the meeting will be the ideal time to hear about FLN's current priorities for members, which include upcoming networking events, member resources and the 2024 Professional Development Program. Attendees will connect with the select committee, discover volunteer opportunities and walk away with new ways to grow their network.

FLN membership is open to all SEMA business member employees aged 39 and under at no cost. All current and prospective members are encouraged to attend, as it's a great way to connect with a thriving network and explore opportunities for career advancement.

Register here.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The Kansas House of Representatives has approved SEMA-supported legislation to ensure consumers' choice of vehicle power plants and fuel by preventing a state agency, county or city from limiting access to internal combustion engines. 

The House Federal and State Affairs Committee recently held a hearing for the House's version of the bill (HB 2783), where it passed with overwhelming support. Following a vote by the full House, the bill received quick approval and now awaits consideration by the Kansas Senate. 

Kansas lawmakers passed a similar resolution last year, but this year's bill will codify this into law.  

SEMA believes that Kansans, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. This effort promotes consumer choice, fosters innovation and protects jobs. The Senate's version of the bill (SB 471) awaits consideration by the Committee on Federal and State Affairs. 

Use this link to send a letter to lawmakers supporting this pro-industry legislation. 

For more information, please contact Colby Martin at SAN@sema.org. 

By Ashley Reyes 

Aftermarket companies and industry professionals still have time to access future engineers and students looking to jumpstart their careers in the automotive specialty-equipment industry by signing up now for one of two upcoming career fairs held at the SEMA Garage. 

Participating businesses will share their expertise with university students interested in careers in the automotive specialty-equipment industry.

Hosted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), the career fairs will take place at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, and SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan, on March 16, from 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in their respective time zones. Participating businesses will share their expertise with university students who are actively building vehicles for SAE Collegiate Design Competitions, help them explore career opportunities and inspire them in their career paths.

Attending the event is free for SEMA members and is a great chance for businesses to connect face-to-face with potential candidates, put your company name out in the industry and network with other aftermarket businesses and industry professionals. The SEMA Garage team will also provide a tour of its facility showcasing the state-of-the-art equipment used to assist SEMA members with product development. Lunch will be provided.

Register your company at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

Register your company at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is hosting an online General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. PST/3:00 p.m. EST.

Automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers are invited to attend the event to hear new updates from the network. Attendees will learn about upcoming education opportunities focused on emerging vehicle trends and new technology, discover open volunteer positions in the industry and hear the network's plans for the 2024 SEMA Show. There will also be an open discussion, connecting ETTN select committee leaders and members-at-large.

ETTN membership is free to automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers who are employed by a SEMA-member company. All current and prospective members are encouraged to attend, as it's a great way to tap into career and business resources.

Secure your spot here.