SEMA Steps Up To Defend Diesel Enthusiasts

First, a quick nod to inventor and mechanical engineer Rudolph Diesel, who was born on this day in 1858. He would undoubtedly be astounded at what the auto industry has achieved using the engine concept that he created.

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On Monday The Drive published an informative article about the advocacy role SEMA is playing on behalf of diesel tuners and performance businesses as they battle the EPA. The reason this article by James Gilboy is important is because most small businesses lack the resources to fight a legal battle against the unlimited resources of the government. 

The article begins as a news account regarding Arizona diesel truck tuner Gear Box Z (GBZ), which has been in the crosshairs for what the EPA considers an "emissions defeat devices." The reason SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Assn.) got involved is because the definition of what is unacceptable to the agency has been expanding in recent years, even though no new laws were created. Things which were fine before are being fined now. 

Case in point: Freedom Diesel Performance of Bradenton, Florida, was put out of business by a seven million dollar fine, and others are being needled as well.

The New York Times story in January served notice that the EPA meant business in its efforts to crack down on "emissions defeat devices" but SEMA points to changes that took place 5 years ago with regard to the interpretation of aspects of the Clean Air Act that were once applied more narrowly. Until then dedicated off-roaders and racers were exempt. 

SEMA is not fighting the EPA in order to make polluting legal. Rather, they are attempting to be pro-active regarding the continued infringement of rights for enthusiasts and give greater clarity to the law. Gilboy writes:

GBZ was attributed in the EPA's Jan. 3, 2020 filing with Arizona's U.S. District Court as a source of "EGR Delete Hardware," "Exhaust Replacement Pipes," "DPF Emulators," and "Defeat Tune Products" from Jan. 1, 2015, to April 24, 2017. The first two products on that list remain available on GBZ's site at the time of publishing. In the company's listing for said "Exhaust Replacement Pipes," GBZ notes that they are intended for race vehicles.

In December 2019 SEMA approached Congress to introduce legislation titled Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. This act sought to bring greater clarity to what is and is not acceptable. After passing through a House Committee the legislation has not been forwarded to the floor of Congress.

Several years ago there were efforts in California to outlaw the street rod culture because they were built in the years before contemporary emissions mandates were in effect. SEMA conducted a study that demonstrated how one maritime transport craft idling in a California port for one day produces more emissions than all the street rods in California would produce in a whole year. 

This advocacy role is invaluable for the industry and its enthusiast constituents because who else has the time and money to conduct these kinds of studies and gather this information. SEMA is thus an important ally for small businesses in the automotive aftermarket as well as for the enthusiast consumers who rely on them.

We encourage you to read the full story here at The Drive.
Here's Why SEMA Is Joining a Diesel Tuner's Fight Against the EPA

https://www.thedrive.com/news/39698/heres-why-sema-is-joining-a-diesel-tuners-fight-against-the-epa

Education Schedule Announced for SEMA360

SEMA360 is this year's virtual alternative to the annual SEMA Show which has been the heartbeat of the Automotive Aftermarket for more than half a century. Yes, it's a bummer that we're not going the Vegas this year. There are so many highlights. The New Products Showcase, Builders Showcase, 10 miles of Manufacturers' displays, networking opportunities plus the educational tracks.

This week the seminar schedule was firmed up and finally announced. You can go to this page and see the full schedule, or you can go to this page to download a PDF of the schedule.

SEMA360 is taking place the first week of November, the usual week of their annual event. The show floor traditionally opens on Tuesday, but the seminars start Monday beginning with a Keynote opening. Monday's activities include seminars on selling and growing your business as well as interviews with industry leaders at a place called The Stage. Virtual, of course.

Tuesday begins with what's sure to be an informative Racing and Performance Forum that gives clues to where things are headed as we move into the future.

Other topics during the week include marketing strategies, classic cars and restoration, emissions compliance, how to add vehicle wraps to your business, and much more.

Follow the links above to get the full scope of the week's activities.

Rat Rod Selected For Hot Wheels Immortality

When I was in college a friend of mine went to Utah and came back driving a 1949 Nash. That's a car you don't see every day, though if you watch old movies that take place in the early 50s you'll catch 'em. We were in the East so it was quite a haul. The primary feature for my friend was that the car had no rust. Utah is dry.

This memory came to mind when I read this story about Greg Salzillo's Rat Rod that had been selected at last year's SEMA to become a Hot Wheels toy. In his case it's a 1957 Nash Metropolitan. Salzillo's custom car shop, Speedtech Performance, is also located in Utah. St. George in the Southwest corner, to be specific, just North of the Grand Canyon. It's a beautiful part of the world in any direction. And the best part, for a car builder like Salzillo, Highway 95 gives him a straight shot to Las Vegas and on to the City of Angels.

I think it's cool the way Hot Wheels, a company whose reputation was built around toys for boys, is an active participant in SEMA, the world where grown up boys live out their childhood dreams. (Reminder: Registration is open for Virtual SEMA 2020.)

The article I saw had been written by Hollie Stark. It begins, "On a sunny mid-week morning, a 1957 Nash Metropolitan sits outside Speedtech Performance, a renowned custom car and aftermarket suspension and chassis shop on River Road in St. George."

Not everyone knows what rat rods are, so Stark makes sure to describe that specific category for non-enthusiasts. Classic car collectors try to re-create their dream 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s cars, spending oodles of dollars to win awards if possible. There are people who will spend a million dollars, or two, on a single car. 

The rat rod scene became the "poor man's playhouse." That is, the goal was creativity, imagination and straight up fun. Hence Salzillo names his car the "Nashole" and dresses it up with massive white sidewalls. The color scheme matches that classic Sixties turquoise and sour cream white that was popular 60 years ago.

In actuality, the only real relationship between the Nashole and a Nash is the body. Everything else from the Nash was removed and the body was placed on a custom chassis with a small block Chevy engine. 

No, it's not even a diesel, and it shouldn't even be featured on the Blue Flame Diesel site here, but it's cool. Follow the links below to find some classy Diesel Rat Rods.

You can read the full article here. 

RAT ROD RELATED

Katastrophic Success: 1931 Fordor with Diesel Cummins Engine

Pinterest wall with page full of Diesel Rat Rod Ideas

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The photo was used without permission. My aim is to draw attention to the original story where there are scads of additional photos. 

The 2020 PRI Trade Show at Indy Has Been Cancelled

Over the past three decades Indianapolis has become a vibrant center for trade shows and conventions. According to an Indy Star story the lost revenue due to cancelled events is estimated to be more than a half billion dollars this year. To the city's credit they are already visioning the bounceback and preparing for the future with optimism.

One of the latest trade shows now cancelled is a favorite for diesel enthusiasts, the 2020 PRI Trade Show that was scheduled for December. SEMA announced this week that the Performance Racing Industry event has been cancelled.  According to this story on Racer.com:

The announcement comes after months of work with the Visit Indy team, the Indiana Convention Center staff, and other Indianapolis officials on developing a plan for a safe and productive show. Though a full complement of health and safety guidelines would have followed, mounting uncertainty related to the Coronavirus resulted in “an environment that would not be conducive to a productive trade show,” the PRI release states.

“It is with great disappointment that we announce that the 2020 PRI Trade Show will not take place,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer. “Our goal is to always do what is best for the motorsports industry, and PRI will continue to lead with business solutions for an ever-changing future.”

It's unfortunate, and must have been a tough decision to make. The impact will be felt by motorsports parts manufacturers, resellers, racetracks, race teams, sanctioning bodies, media, and racers themselves.

On a positive note for those who had made deposits for booth space, PRI will be refunding.

Here's hoping for better outcomes in 2021.

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Photo courtesy Creative Commons.