By SEMA News Editors

SEMA Show exhibitors can expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence through the exclusive Products for Project-Vehicle Builders program, which is now open at semashow.com/projectvehicle.

The Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list is designed for builders looking to collaborate and seek product offers straight from confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors.

Qualified builders interested in obtaining a product should contact exhibitors directly with the provided contact information. All product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder, with each project vehicle on display at the SEMA Show required to be supported by a current 2024 SEMA Show exhibitor.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2024 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form at semashow.com/projectvehicle.

Builders are encouraged to frequently check the 2024 Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list, as it is updated when submissions come in.

Note: Submissions appear on a first-come, first-served basis. For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2024 SEMA Show. For more information, contact Laura Pitts at projectvehicles@sema.org or call 949-373-9210. 

By SEMA News Editors

Goodyear Names Ryan Waldron Americas Business President

The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company announced that Ryan Waldron has been named president of the company's Americas business unit, reporting to CEO and President Mark Stewart. He succeeds Steven R. McClellan, who retired on April 1.

Waldron joined Goodyear in 2003 and served in leadership roles in finance and supply chain for multiple North America business areas. In 2012, he was named vice president, supply chain, logistics and procurement, then served as vice president, sales operations and strategy; vice president, business and process integration; and vice president, global off-highway businesses and chemical operations. Most recently, Waldron served as president of Goodyear's North America consumer business.

For more information, visit goodyear.com.

Tim Erdmann Named NHRA Vice President of Finance

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has named Tim Erdmann as its new vice president of finance.

Erdmann is based out of NHRA's San Dimas, California, office and has been the NHRA senior director of finance since 2020. He was hired by NHRA in 2019, first serving as an NHRA business manager.

As NHRA’s vice president of finance, Erdmann will oversee the organization's payroll, accounting, and finance departments.

For more information, visit nhra.com.

Got company news? Releasing a new product? Contact editors@sema.org.

By SEMA News Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings nationwide. Below are a few of the latest postings.

EGR USA

Product Development Manager in Ontario, California.

EGR USA is looking for a product development manager to join its global product development department to lead the U.S. team. This role will have responsibility for project managing new products from conception to production, working with product development team members across our global locations, and overseeing the entire product development lifecycle, from concept to production and sustained launch.

Oracle Lighting

Brand Strategist in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The aftermarket lighting manufacturer is seeking a brand manager/brand strategist to manage its social-media networks. The duties include creating and updating social-media schedules, replying to comments from subscribers or liking tagged photos and collaborating with other team members to determine how to market the brand and products by using social-media platforms. The brand strategist will also manage the ambassador and sponsorship program.

ARB

Northwest Sales Manager in Seattle, Washington, or Remote.

The northwest sales manager will play a key role in the success of ARB's North American business development strategy. This position is responsible for identifying, pursuing and securing new sales opportunities within the Northwest territory and advancing the annual sales goals of established dealer accounts. This position is eligible for remote work in either Washington or Oregon and will manage sales in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Western Canada.

By SEMA News Editors

IROC Plans Return at Lime Rock Park

IROC Holdings, the rights holder to the International Race of Champions (IROC) brand, will hold the first IROC event in nearly 20 years as part of the SpeedTour All-Star Race weekend at Lime Rock Park on July 19-20.

IROC (International Race of Champions) is a series that held races from 1973 to 2006, which brought together drivers from all forms of motorsport to race identical cars on historic tracks. NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Ray Evernham and former NASCAR Cup Series team owner and venture capitalist Rob Kauffman founded IROC Holdings and acquired the rights to the IROC brand earlier this year.

The IROC event at Lime Rock Park will feature original IROC race cars on track and on display throughout the weekend, including nearly every generation of IROC race cars, with many being driven by former IROC drivers. The IROC paddock will feature appearances by some of the original IROC racers, Q&A sessions, and IROC-branded merchandise.

IROC has also opened entry applications for anyone who owns IROC race cars and would like to display or drive in the event.

For more information, visit iroc-racing.com.

NASCAR Sets Format for All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway

NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports have announced details for the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race to be held on Sunday, May 19, at the newly paved North Wilkesboro Speedway.

The event will include two heat races to set the All-Star Race starting lineup, a 100-lap All-Star Open, and a 200-lap main event, which will debut several new features including a tire strategy element, a new Qualifying/Pit Crew Challenge format and pitting requirements.

The primary new element in the format centers around tire type and allotment. Potentially, three different tires will be utilized throughout the event weekend: a "prime tire" (the baseline tire), an "option tire" (slick tires, but made with the same rubber as the wet weather tire, making it a softer tire with more grip and faster wear) and "wet weather" (the wet weather tire only used if the track is wet). The 'Goodyear Eagle' lettering will be yellow on the prime tires, red on the option tires, and white on the wet-weather tires.

For more details, read the full announcement here.

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

By SEMA News Editors

With fresh activations and increased participation, the 2024 SEMA Show is slated to be one of the most productive to date.

"The SEMA Show is a great place to be because of the exposure that a brand gets worldwide. SEMA is an international show, and its audience reach is significant," said Edwin Pereza, sales manager Spyder Automotive. "It's not just the typical buyer at the SEMA Show; it's also the influencers, the media, the professionals, and the other vendors and exhibitors that are exhibiting as well. Working with everyone, coordinating cross-promotion will maximize a brand's exposure." 

SEMA Show's Central Hall, which houses the Racing & Performance product categories, is an attendee-favorite of the event, this year November 5-8, Las Vegas. As motorsports and high-performance applications often dictate the future of the automotive aftermarket, SEMA News sat down with key players in this space to find out just exactly what Showgoers can expect at this year's SEMA Show. 

Toyota told SEMA News the OEM would showcase its well-known, racing-inspired GR line vehicles at this year's SEMA Show. Seen here is the GR Cup Series GR86 seen at the 2023 event.

Toyota, one of several OEMs exhibiting at the SEMA Show, revealed plans to highlight the racing market with its own racing-inspired vehicles, the GR line. Consisting of the GR Supra, GR86 and GR Corolla, the GR badge emphasizes on-track performance and demonstrates the brand's recent focus on turbocharging, made possible through innovations in compressor wheels, electronic boost control and direct-injection systems, according to Toyota Vice President of Vehicle Marketing and Communications Jeff Buchanan. 

The GR line will be on display in the Toyota booth this year alongside the new Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Trailhunter overlanding brand and the new Associated Accessory Products (AAP) line of parts--all of which aim to provide the industry with a glimpse of the inspired creations and spark conversation, both at the SEMA Show and beyond.  

"The SEMA Show is a chance to show off our imagination," said Buchanan. "It's the place we can really color outside the lines and go places no one ever thought possible.  

"There's certainly a lot that happens live at SEMA for the people who attend, but we always see a great bounce for those tuning in from afar," he continued. "It's our goal at Toyota to have our SEMA Show display vibrate beyond the four walls of Central Hall."

In addition, the racing and performance markets will have plenty of new and returning products, vehicles and innovations to showcase at this year's SEMA Show. One exhibitor, BluePrint Engines, hopes to make a splash with several new initiatives for 2024 and some old favorites.  

According to Jason Bruce, wholesale sales manager for BluePrint, the company plans to have its new LS and Gen-III HEMI lines on display, as well as its popular 383 Small-Block Chevy and 347 Small-Block Ford engines.  

The new product lines, as well as the continued popularity of BluePrint's well-established slate of products, are made possible in part by the continued development of the industry around it, Bruce said. 

"The beautiful thing about the racing and performance markets is innovation is always occurring," he said. "We are seeing excellent innovation in electronic fuel injection, which has helped drive engine sales and fine-tune our customer's engines for their particular vehicle and performance needs." 

MagnaFlow Group plans to showcase its new suspension components at the SEMA Show through its Camburg brand.

MagnaFlow Group, another industry pillar slated to exhibit in Central Hall, is also planning to introduce a variety of new products across multiple segments, including new suspension components from its Camburg brand, acquired by MagnaFlow Group in 2022.  

The new product lines signal an expansion into uncharted territory for the company, according to Richard Waitas, senior manager and spokesperson for the group, but stays true to its expertise, history, and most importantly, its customers.  

"We feel that, as industry leaders, [we have] a responsibility to our consumers and fans to look beyond the product lines we have brought to market and seek out new opportunities, even looking into products outside our existing scope, but still inside of our race and performance lifestyle," Waitas said. "Within the MagnaFlow exhaust world, we've brought race-proven design to xMOD and combined it with 'No Drone Technology' so our customers could truly have the best of both worlds with race performance [and] daily-driver comfort." 

Spyder's Pereza told SEMA News that he can't fully divulge what will be in the brand's SEMA Show booth this year, but was able to tease some interesting new features that will be added to its LED headlights. 

"We're still working behind the scenes, but our LED headlights will have an aesthetic upgrade to what we have previously shown. We're also going to display our new designs so that customers can expect some nice upgrades in our booth," Pereza said. 

But the SEMA Show isn't just an opportunity to introduce new products; it also serves as a launching pad for new services, programs and initiatives, as well as an opportunity to grow brand awareness, network with dealers and examine how the market is evolving.  

CTEK, a provider of battery management solutions, is rolling out a new dealer program in 2024 and will have the SEMA Show platform to highlight its benefits alongside its solutions-based products. The program, called CTEK Ready, will see dealers fit each vehicle with a CTEK CONNECT EYELET accessory and accompanying sticker, enabling the salesperson to engage the customer in a conversation about the need for charging. 

CTEK President DuMelle sees the Show as more than just a venue to get the word out on the company's latest program. The annual gathering is also an unparalleled opportunity for exhibitors to learn from customers, clients and competitors. 

"The SEMA Show is a must-attend Show for CTEK," Bobbie DuMelle, president of CTEK said. "It is the biggest and best focus-group intel we can get, not to mention all of the networking opportunities and brand awareness." 

Borla Performance Industries aims to showcase not only its latest technologies but also its progress in the ever-changing racing and performance market it serves.  

"SEMA has evolved to become something more important for Borla than a platform to showcase our parts," said David Borla, chief marketing officer of Borla Performance Industries. "We're grateful to be a part of an industry that has such a rich history with such a bright future, and the SEMA Show is the center point of this beautiful and ongoing story. At our booth, buyers, media members and industry pros can expect to witness Borla's evolving role in this adventure series we call 'the aftermarket.'" 

That evolving role includes following a shift in the market, which Borla sees as a bigger distinction between the racing and performance segments. The change, he says, provide an opportunity to innovate.  

"Racing products can unapologetically be a lot more aggressive now, and enthusiasts are realizing there are no rules when it comes to cars not built to be driven on public roads. As a result, racing has now become an emerging market with a potential for huge growth," Borla said. "On the street performance side, 1,000-plus-hp cars are everywhere, and that dynamic has shifted the market to become less about power and more about aspects of car culture as a whole. Going fast in a straight line isn't as important to the performance enthusiast as it once was. You have to bring more than just power if you want to build something meaningful in street performance." 

On the racing side, Borla sees purpose-built race versions of production vehicles as one of the more important and exciting innovations as of late.

Indeed, the SEMA Show is a must-attend event for anyone interested in racing and performance, but there's much more to SEMA than just this product category. Keep an eye on SEMA News for previews of Central Hall's Hot Rod Alley and Restoration Marketplace, plus the other Halls that will be teeming with the latest products, services, innovations and collaborations.

Success in the automotive aftermarket starts with the SEMA Show. Reserve your booth here. For more information on exhibiting at the SEMA Show, visit semashow.com/exhibitor. 

On Monday, April 29, attendee and media registration opens, and the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual and additional exhibitor resources will go live online. 

SEMA Show organizers will conduct the booth plotting process from April 29 through May 15, after which the first iteration of the 2024 SEMA Show floorplan will be released.

Keep an eye on SEMA News and semashow.com for the latest deadlines, updates and opportunities for the 2024 SEMA Show.

By SEMA News Editors

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has announced a new initiative to support its 65th anniversary in 2024.

Since its establishment in 1959, AACF has been at the forefront of providing vital assistance to individuals and families facing unimaginable hardships. AACF has been there when industry members need it most, from natural disasters to catastrophic medical conditions and life-altering accidents.

To mark this significant occasion, AACF has announced the launch of its 65th anniversary fundraiser. The goal? To rally 1,000 generous donors to contribute just $65 each. With your valued support, AACF can continue its mission of making a positive impact in the lives of those in our industry who need it most.

Here are some exciting ways your company can get involved and be a part of this incredible celebration:

• Corporate donations: Showcase your commitment to corporate social responsibility by making a corporate donation to the AACF fundraiser. Your contribution will directly support the efforts in providing crucial assistance to individuals and families in need.
• Employee engagement: Encourage your employees to join in the festivities by participating in employee campaigns. Whether it's through matching gift programs or fundraising events, involving your team will not only strengthen employee morale, but also foster a sense of community and purpose within your organization. Some companies are having contests between departments to see who can get the most $65 donations. Winner gets a pizza party--just one idea.
• Social media challenges: Create social media challenges or campaigns that encourage employees to spread awareness about our anniversary fundraiser. Utilize these hashtags to amplify our message and reach a wider audience. #AACF65 #65YearsofSupport #AftermarketCharity.
• Invite your dealers and suppliers to join the cause.

"As AACF celebrates 65 years of compassion, resilience and impact, we invite your company to join us in honoring our legacy and shaping a brighter future for those in need. Together, let's make a difference and create lasting change in the lives of our industry family," said AACF in a release.

To donate, visit the AACF 65th anniversary donation page at bit.ly/3PDSBWT.

For more information, visit AftermarketCharity.org.

By SEMA News Editors

Lingenfelter, Paragon Performance Collaborate on First Supercharged C8 Corvette E-Ray

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, in partnership with Paragon Performance, has successfully supercharged and fully integrated the C8 Corvette's supercharged LT2 with the E-Ray Corvette's electric drive system.

The project came together when Paragon Performance, an authorized Lingenfelter installer, called the company about supercharging an E-Ray.

The world's first supercharged C8 Corvette E-Ray was tested in SEMA Garage Detroit.

Lingenfelter started the process of upgrading the E-Ray by installing a set of forged Lingenfelter by MAHLE C8 Corvette High Performance Drop-in Pistons, and a Lingenfelter C8 Valve Spring and Pushrod Upgrade. The engine returned to the car where it received the Lingenfelter MAGNUSON TVS2650 Stage 1 C8 Supercharger Package.

Additional modifications were made to the heat exchanger system, according to Lingenfelter. Normally the center tunnel area houses the reservoir tank for the system, however, in the E-Ray the battery for the EV system takes up the entire tunnel area, so a custom tank was fabricated.

For more background on the E-Ray, check out a recap video from Lingenfelter here.

Holley Names Jordon Musser SVP of Safety, Electronics Categories

Holley Performance Brands, the Bowling Green, Kentucky-based parts manufacturer, has named Jordon Musser as its new senior vice president of safety and electronics product categories.

Jordon Musser has been named the new senior vice president of safety and electronics product categories and will oversee Holley's portfolio of safety brands.

Musser will lead a team to develop and implement a strategic growth plan for Holley's portfolio of safety brands, including Simpson, Stilo, Hans and Racequip. He will oversee all aspects of these brands, including managing site locations, product development and manufacturing, quality and engineering. In addition, he will oversee all aspects of Holley's electronic parts brands, including Holley EFI, MSD, Edge, Superchips, ACCEL, AEM, DiabloSport, Range, Powerteq, Dinan and APR.

Musser most recently served as chief product officer and global head of research and development for Fluence Bioengineering.

For more information, visit holley.com.

By Ashley Reyes

One of the many perks of being a SEMA business member is the ability to access market research reports on the automotive specialty-equipment market for free. Designed to help industry members make more informed decisions for their businesses, the reports offer relevant and timely findings on pivotal topics such as emerging trends, how parts sales are doing, the current state of the market and growth opportunities for specific vehicle segments. 

Gain insight into key findings from SEMA's recently released reports below and then log in to your SEMA member portal at sema.org and go to "My Benefits" once logged in to access the following reports. 

"2024 SEMA Future Trends Report" 

The "2024 SEMA Future Trends Report" finds that sales of automotive specialty-equipment parts are projected to have increased about 1% in 2023. With the economy showing signs of strength and improvement towards the year's end, SEMA anticipates a similar stable growth trend heading into 2024, with a full return to normal annual sales growth of 3%-4% projected for 2025. 

Despite some uncertainty, most companies within the specialty-equipment industry are optimistic and expect sales to remain level or grow over the next year. A 23% growth in 2023 SEMA Show attendance over 2022 is a strong indicator that the industry is committed to introducing new products and expecting robust sales in the market. 

Download the "SEMA Future Trends" report to learn about the issues and outcomes that affected the industry in 2023 and how these areas are likely to affect the market in 2024 and beyond.

"SEMA State of the Industry Report – Fall 2023"

According to the "SEMA State of the Industry Fall 2023 Report," one-third of manufacturers report double-digit growth over the last year. Inflation continues to impact the industry, with more than half of manufacturers indicating their prices have increased in the last year (Nearly 90% of companies say that increased supplier costs are the key driving factor). New-vehicle sales continue to rebound from ongoing supply issues, high prices and rising interest rates, and are projected to exceed 16 million units in 2024.

Download the "SEMA State of the Industry – Fall 2023 Report" to learn about the current state of the automotive specialty equipment industry, including how businesses are doing, key industry trends and metrics, challenges and opportunities along with an outlook for 2024 and beyond.

"2023 SEMA Market Report"

The "2023 SEMA Market Report" finds that pickup parts are the biggest sellers in the industry, topping $15 billion in sales in 2022. The crossover (CUV) accessory market continues to grow, reaching 14% of specialty-equipment sales in 2022. Regarding consumers, younger people continue to be the most likely to accessorize and perform more upgrades; 50% percent of those modifying their vehicles are under the age of 40. In addition, 51% of accessorizors own a powersports or recreational vehicle, especially trailers, RVs and ATVs. 

Download the "SEMA Market Report" for an overview of the size and scope of the U.S. specialty-equipment market. You'll learn about how much consumers spent and where they shopped for specialty-automotive parts and accessories in 2022, as well as automotive trends and economic factors that influenced the market. 

Cora Jokinen of Torq-Masters Industries Inc. attested to the value of SEMA Market Research reports, stating, "The reports help us steer the ship. In other industries, you have to pay great sums to see reports like this. The SEMA Market Research Reports are a huge value and every business should be reading these reports." 

Don't wait; download your free reports by logging into your SEMA Member Portal at sema.org. If you need help accessing your exclusive portal, send us an email at members@SEMA.org. 

Have questions about SEMA Market Research? Contact SEMA Market Research Director Gavin Knapp at gavink@sema.org or 909-978-6712 or Market Research Manager Matt Byun at mattb@sema.org or 909-378-4861. 

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) welcomed more than 80 attendees to its 2024 Women's Leadership Forum last March in Austin, Texas.  

Themed "EVOLVE: Advancing the Future of Women in Leadership," the event empowered women in the automotive aftermarket industry to advance in their careers. Attendees gained essential leadership skills through inspiring keynotes and engaging instruction from top-tier leadership experts. 

The education seminars and workshops covered such topics as defining your individual roadmap, essential qualities of women who lead, how to lift up the next generation of women leaders and more. 

"All of the speakers and all of the topics helped to bring me self-awareness and a reinvigorated focus on personal motivation to be better," said Kira Daczjo of Universal Technical Institute. "Whether it is to be better as a leader, communicate better, approaching topics differently, choosing to not be a victim and working to overcome your own insecurities, the event was a space to share and gain empowerment with other women."  

"Work-life balance and intentionality are important when it comes to being a woman in business," said Celina Leggiere of Fox Factory, highlighting the impact of Ann Sheu's keynote, '2000 Free Days: 3 Mindset Shifts to Live a Radically Intentional Life.' "During her workshop, I was able to identify my values. This is something I had never done. Additionally, just being in the room with such powerful, like-minded and inspirational women impacted my mental health in great ways!" 

"The completion of the Women's Leadership Forum was a very emotional experience," added Elizabeth Bosley of Dee Zee Manufacturing. "The validation from complete strangers that I am smart enough, I am worthy and I am good enough was something I never realized I needed. I believe this will help me not only in my personal life but in my professional life as well."  

In addition to taking part in the two-day educational program, participants built business connections and friendships with other SBN members through dedicated networking events and received complimentary professional headshots.    

To learn more about the SBN Women's Leadership Forum, visit www.sema.org/sbn-wlf.  

By SEMA News Editors

Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Announces Class of 2025

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA), located in Daytona Beach, Florida, has revealed its 2025 Induction Class.

Revealed at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Class of 2025 includes Skip Barber, Miguel Duhamel, Carl Haas, Ed Iskenderian, Dale Jarrett, Tony Schumacher and Bill Stroppe. The Induction Celebration will be held at the MSHFA in Daytona Beach, on March 10-11, 2025.

For more information, visit mshf.com.

ASCS National Tour Updates Race Format

The American Sprint Car Series National Tour (ASCS) is updating its nightly race format for the 2024 season.

Now under the sanction of World Racing Group, located in Concord, North Carolina, the ASCS will utilize a format based on that used by the former All Star Circuit of Champions, according to the organization.

For all the details on the new nightly format, read the full announcement here. 

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