Delivering Up-to-Date Information to America’s Car Clubs and Enthusiasts www.semasan.com

NOVEMBER 2008

Adding Force to the Hobby Dynamic Father, Daughter Racing Team Get in Front of the Camera in Support of the Hobby

n addition to sharing a competitive racing spirit and a legend- ary last name, NHRA racers Ashley and John Force Ihave another common bond—their support for the collector car hobby. The dynamic duo put their passion for the hobby into action by filming a commercial for the SEMA Action Network (SAN). The ad promotes the SAN’s proactive approach in working with lawmakers from across the country to protect the rights of automo-

tive enthusiasts. s Continued on page 2 Adding Force to the Hobby Continued from page 1 s

Complementing the collection of racing trophies, 14-time NHRA Champion John Force also has quite a few collector vehicles on display at his racing facility; two of those vehi- cles—a ’57 Ford Thunderbird and ’65 —were used in the filming. As an up-and-coming racer in the Funny Car Series, Ashley added her insight to a younger genera- tion of enthusiasts who are getting involved in the hobby. A collection of classic Fords served as a perfect backdrop for a commercial featuring NHRA Funny “I would like to thank everyone at John Car racers Ashley and John Force. As long-time Force Racing for their continued support of the supporters of the hobby, the duo encourage enthusi- SAN,” said SAN director Jason Tolleson. “As an asts to become more involved in legislative issues by joining the SAN. avid fan of NHRA and the John Force team, it was a great experience to work with them.” The ad will debut at the 2008 SEMA Show and will soon be available to car clubs and hobbyists to view on the SAN website at www.semasan.com.

Kudos to the Crew

pecial thanks to the Sfilm crew from The Loyalty Inc. for their Robert Haight, another member of the John Force continued support of the Racing team, also got in front of the camera to film SEMA Action Network. a commercial for Racers Against Street Racing (RASR). The SEMA-sponsored program was established to promote safe and legal racing at tracks across the country.

CAUCUS CORNER Attention Car Clubs, Event Organizers and Enthusiasts: Put SAN on Your Mailing List! ach month Driving Force will E feature members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership e like to know what’s going on with SAN clubs and enthu- Caucus. The SEMA-supported Wsiasts across the country; what charity events you’re involved caucus is a bipartisan group of in; when and where the rod runs, car shows, trail rides, rallies and state lawmakers whose common tech meetings are held; and what legislative and regulatory issues thread is a love and appreciation concern club members and individual enthusiasts. for automobiles. One of the best ways to keep us abreast of what’s going on and Here is its newest member: what’s important to the vehicle hobbies nationwide is for us to receive your club newsletters and updates. Please consider placing SEMA on your mailing list. NEW MEXICO You can send correspondence to Attn: Jason Tolleson, SEMA, State Senator Clinton Harden 1317 F St. NW, Ste. 500, Washington, DC, 20004-1105 or via e-mail at [email protected]. * For a complete list of Caucus members, visit www.semasan.com

2 DRIVING FORCE NOVEMBER 2008 OFF-ROAD NEWS HEY, THAT’S MY CAR!

Defending OHV Access to Slick Suburban

Public Lands 1952 Chevy Suburban Owner: Gregory Benfield he SAN submitted com- Lenoir, North Carolina ments to federal lawmak- Ters defending continued ’ve always had use of off-highway vehicles a soft spot for (OHV) on federal lands in the I Chevys, especially Eastern Sierra and Northern early-’50s trucks. San Gabriel region in Southern The first one I built California. The SAN opposes was a Pro Street ’54 legislation (H.R. 6156) to des- while I was in the ignate as “wilderness” 475,000 Navy stationed in acres of the federal lands Florida. It was nice located in Mono, Inyo and to look at, but it Counties. OHVs wasn’t much of a driver. would be denied access to the After retiring from the Navy and moving back to my hometown of land since motorized recreation is not permitted in wilderness areas. Lenoir, North Carolina, I began working on a ’52 Suburban. The previ- The bill was the topic of a hearing by a panel of the U.S. House of ous owner had installed a 350 and a Nova disc brake front clip. However, Representatives Natural Resources Committee. it had been sitting for some time, and the engine wouldn’t run. A once The SAN recommended an alternative approach that would pro- over with the sand blaster showed how much more work it needed. tect our nation’s natural wonders and motorized recreation. The SAN I had to replace the firewall and windshield posts, the inside lip recommended that the bill specifically protect OHV use on “cherry- around the side windows and about 10 inches from the bottom of stemmed” routes. These routes are often old roads, trails or paths the body almost all of the way around. I welded and smoothed all the formerly used for mining, logging or agricultural operations. The vents, hood seams and door handles; removed the rain gutters; and SAN also recommended the use of less restrictive land designations frenched the headlights. I replaced what was left of the rear rocker for portions of the land, such as a “Backcountry Recreation” desig- panel with a homemade roll pan with frenched LED taillights. The rear nation proposed by the Blue Ribbon Coalition (www.sharetrails. doors are a mix of modified barn doors with homemade hidden hinges org/backcountry). The SAN recommended continued access to the and the top part of clam-shell doors. Furnace Creek Road. After all this was done, I bolted the finished body back onto the frame and got to work under the hood. I installed a General Motors Performance Parts 350 with an Edelbrock manifold, a Holley carbure- tor, Hooker headers, Crane cams, a 700-R4 transmission and a Nova DRIVE THE VOTE HOME! 10-bolt rearend and springs. It’s got 17x7 and 17x9 Cragar S/S wheels and BFGoodrich G Force Exercise Your Right to Support Those Who tires. I installed TPI gauges, Support Our Hobby an “It’s A Snap” wiring har- ness and a power window kit. ur hobby has much at stake in this election. On November 4, I finished it up with a tangier O2008, voters will elect thousands of state and local leaders, orange and stone white paint 11 governors, 435 members of Congress, 35 Senators and a new job, and now this five and a half president. Each and every one of these elected officials has the abil- year project is complete. Now ity to positively or negatively shape legislation affecting our hobby. it’s time for the next one. SAN members are urged to exercise their right to vote and support pro-hobby candidates.

Election Day—November 4 Check With Your County Office for Voter Have your car or truck featured in a future issue of Driving Force. Information and Poll Locations Submit your high-resolution photos online at www.semasan.com

NOVEMBER 2008 DRIVING FORCE 3 NOVEMBER 2008

NOVEMBER 2008 SAN CLUB EVENTS Alabama November 2, Port Charlotte Illinois Oregon 16th Annual Harvest November 14–16, Dothan Fest Show November 2, Grayslake November 15, Albany 8th Annual Automotive Sponsor: Royal Palm Skip’s Show & Swap Meet 31st Annual Indoor Swap-’N’-Cruisin Chapter AACA Information: www.skipsusa. Auto Swapmeet Information: www.swapncrusin. Information: 941/456-1676 com or 630/340-4744 Sponsor: Enduring A’s com or 866/277-3962 Chapter, MAFCA November 22–23, Rosemont November 7–8, Pinellas Park Information: 541/926-3972 33rd Annual Car Show Chevy Vettefest Arizona Information: www.chevyvette & Swap Meet Pennsylvania November 8, Tucson Sponsor: Florida West fest.net or 248/373-1700 Cops and Rodders Coast Region AACA November 2, Riegelsville Information: www.copsand Information: http://local.aaca. Maryland Fall Roll Out Car Show rodderstucson.org or Information: http://riegelsville org/fwcr or 727/595-7554 November 1, Glen Burnie 520/434-0437 kiwanis.org/html/fall_roll_out. 5th Annual Jalopyrama November 9, Dade City html or 610/847-0801 November 14–16, Scottsdale 20th Annual Pasco Bug Jam Sponsor: The Rusty 11th Southwest Nationals Information: www.pascobug Nuts H.R.G. November 9, Media Information: www.good-guys. jam.com or 352/567-6678 Information: www.jalopyrama. Salute to Troops com/events/eventDetails. com/Home.html Sponsor: Delco Cruisers Car aspx?eventid=08-629 or or 443/562-8130 Club of Delaware County, PA 925/838-9876 November 9, Sarasota Information: www.delco November 1–2, Ocean City 26th Annual Florida Fall cruisers.com Packard Meet Atlantic Coast Dream California Machines “Toys for Big Boys” Sponsor: Florida Packard Club Texas November 7–9, Trona Information: http://clubs. Information: www.oceancity 23rd Annual Panamint hemmings.com/clubsites/ carshows.com/truckin.php November 7–8, Bastrop Valley Days floridapackardclub/activities. or 302/436-0183 Veteran’s Weekend Car Show Sponsor: California html or 941/371-0070 Sponsor: Bastrop Area Association of 4WD Clubs Nevada Cruisers Car Club November 13–16, Zephyrhills Information: www.cal4wheel. Information: www.bastrop 24th Annual Fall AutoFest November 7–8, Logandale com/index.php?option=com_ areacruisers.com/events.html Information: www.zephyrhills 28th Hump N Bump content&view=article&id= or 512/303-6775 auction.com/index.php Trail Rides 63&Itemid=92 or or 813/258-6726 Sponsor: Vegas Valley November 27–30, Houston 626/280-0308 4-Wheelers 49th Annual AutoRama November 14–16, November 7, Blythe Information: http://vv4w.org/ Information: www.autorama. Fort Walton Beach 9th Annual Show-N-Shine humpnbump.asp com/casi/show/houston.html 2008 Southern Trans Am Sponsor: Nostalgics Car Show or 936/344-9441 Regional Show Information: 760/921-2085 Information: http://starsfl.org/ North Carolina British Columbia, November 8–9, Pleasanton index.html or 850/863-9516 November 1, Shelby 19th Autumn Get-Together Canada November 16, Sarasota Hog Happnin’ Bikes & Information: www.good-guys. 17th Annual Super Sunday Cars Barbecue November 2, Vancouver com/events/eventDetails. Sponsor: Mustang Club Information: www.hoghappnin. 25th Annual Kruise for Kids aspx?eventid=08-804 of West Central Florida com or 704/739-7760 Sponsor: Greater Vancouver or 925/838-9876 Information: www.mustang Car Club Council November 16, Fresno clubofwestcentralflorida.org Information: www.kruisefor Fresno Auto Swap Meet or 941/371-1942 kids.com or 604/521-3021 Information: www.ryans November 27–30, Daytona promotions.com or 35th Annual Turkey Run 209/356-0436 Sponsor: Daytona Beach CHECK OUT THESE EARLY Street Rods DECEMBER 2008 EVENTS Florida Information: www.turkeyrun. November 1–2, Ocala com or 386/767-9070 California Maryland 21st Annual Mopar With December 6, Folsom December 6–7, Timonium Big Daddy Georgia 21st Annual Gold Country East Coast Indoor Nationals Sponsor: Florida Mopar November 1, McDonough Toy Run Information: www.eastcoast Association 9th Annual USO Charity Information: www.cal4wheel. indoornats.com Information: www.florida Car Show com/hilanders/toy.html moparassociation.com Sponsor: Camaro/ or 916/849-4018 or 813/986-0990 Firebird Association Information: http://atlantacfa. com/forum/portal.php or 404/395-0623

NOVEMBER 2008 DRIVING FORCE 4 NOVEMBER 2008 CLUB SPOTLIGHT s LOBBY FOR THE HOBBY Continued from page 6 10 Tips to Effectively Lobby Your Lawmakers Getting involved in the politi- cal process and staying vigilant are the best ways you can help keep the automotive hobby thriving and protect it from unfair laws and restrictions. The following As seen here with California Assem- are some tips that will allow you blyman Mike Villines (right), devel- oping a positive relationship with to most effectively lobby your lawmakers will help to ensure the elected officials: continued strength of the hobby. Develop and Maintain Relationships With Your Legislators 1 and Their Staff: Make contact and develop productive relation- ships with individual legislators. Chaired by club member and former Marine Mike Gallela, the club set up a program to send care packages to U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Educate Legislators About Your Hobby and Your Issues: 2 Educate your legislator about what your business does, who it the room was filled with 100 enthusiasts ready to get the club up and employs and who buys your products and services. running. From that, the “Delco Cruisers” was officially born. At that meeting, it was decided that it would be an all-inclusive club Maintain a Positive Attitude: Try to develop a positive relation- with no restrictions as to year, make or model of vehicle. The club would 3 ship with your legislator. The next time a hobby-related issue provide members with an alternative to life’s troubles and offer them comes up that could affect you, that same legislator may be needed to a place to relax with other car enthusiasts. However, the club would be support your cause. much more than that. It would be involved within the community and support worthwhile causes. Be Informed: Stay up-to-date with SAN legislative alerts, news- Since then, the club has assisted the American Cancer Society’s Relay 4 paper articles and hearing notices. for Life and hosted an annual Holiday Cruise for the Kids and other numerous community events. Recently, Carl set up an Adopt a Soldier’s Get Involved With the Community: Support local chari- Unit drive, and club members have donated funds for packages that are 5 ties and fundraisers as it will demonstrate to local residents and sent to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. politicians that your car club or organization is a positive force in To further this effort, the club will host the Salute the Troops car the community. show on November 9 from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Rose Tree Park in Media, Pennsylvania. Military officials from all branches will be in Invite Officials to Participate in Your Events: Give legislators attendance in what will become an annual event honoring our service 6 a platform to reach an audience of constituents. men and women. In just two short years, the Delco Cruisers club has truly made their Team Up With Other Clubs: To add strength in numbers and mark. As president of the club, Carl states that through the support of 7 ensure that your interests are represented, partner with other clubs the club, which now has or car club councils in your area. over 240 members, he is proud to be a “cruiser.” Rally Support Behind Pro-Hobby Legislators: Encourage For more informa- 8 hobby-friendly lawmakers to join the State Automotive Enthusi- tion on the club and its ast Leadership Caucus. upcoming Salute the Troops show, visit www. Spread the Word: Tear off this page of Driving Force, and take delcocruisers.com. 9 it to your next club meeting or cruise night or post it on an online forum.

Register to Vote: Exercise your right to support pro-hobby Continuing their support 10 candidates. Constituents are an elected official’s number for our Armed Forces, the one priority. Without you and your vote of support, these officials Delco Cruisers will host the Salute the Troops car show would not be in office; so make sure you are registered, and get out on November 9 in Media, and vote. Pennsylvania.

5 DRIVING FORCE NOVEMBER 2008 NOVEMBER 2008

INSIDE

Adding Force to the Hobby • Caucus Corner • Off-Road News • Drive the Vote Home! • Hey, That’s My Car! • November 2008 SAN Club Events • Lobby for the Hobby • Club Spotlight

www.semasan.com

Media, Pennsylvania. Media,

visit www.semasan.com visit

A row of collector cars from members of the Delco Cruisers add to the charm of a nostalgic theatre in in theatre nostalgic a of charm the to add Cruisers Delco the of members from cars collector of row A

information, regulatory and legislative more For

202/783-6007

Washington, D.C. 20004-1105 D.C. Washington,

1317 F St., NW, Ste. 500 Ste. NW, St., F 1317

Monique Dao Monique Web Content Manager Content Web

Kari Sakata Kari Production Coordinator Production

Mariciel Fuller Mariciel Senior Graphic Designer Graphic Senior

Carr Winn Carr Managing Editor Managing

Janet Francisco Lee Francisco Janet Group Operations Manager Operations Group

Jason Tolleson Jason Editor Editor

Matthew Pearson Matthew Editorial Director Director Editorial

s Continued on page 5 page on Continued

PUBLICATION STAFF PUBLICATION knowing that a club could be built up from this group. However, within a few short minutes, minutes, short few a within However, group. this from up built be could club a that knowing

ing was scheduled to start, there were only five people in the room. Carl remained positive positive remained Carl room. the in people five only were there start, to scheduled was ing

Jim McFarland Jim

- meet the before minutes few A meeting. organization first its and club new a of formation the

Technical Consultant Technical

In late 2006, he ran ads in local newspapers announcing announcing newspapers local in ads ran he 2006, late In

Mark Hill Mark

The easiest way to fix this was to start a car club. car a start to was this fix to way easiest The

Research Coordinator Research

realized that there weren’t too many events in his area. area. his in events many too weren’t there that realized

Jason Tolleson Jason

cruise nights for his next ride and the parts to go with it, he he it, with go to parts the and ride next his for nights cruise

Government and Public Affairs Manager Affairs Public and Government A

hobby. While searching through car shows and and shows car through searching While hobby.

Brian Duggan Brian

Nathans decided it was time to get back into the the into back get to time was it decided Nathans

Director of Congressional Affairs Congressional of Director

fter a forty-year break from street rodding, Carl Carl rodding, street from break forty-year a fter

Stuart Gosswein Stuart

Director of Regulatory Affairs Regulatory of Director Pennsylvania Club Supports Those Home and Abroad and Home Those Supports Club Pennsylvania

Steve McDonald Steve

Cruisers Who Care Who Cruisers

Vice President of Government Affairs Government of President Vice

AFFAIRS OFFICE AFFAIRS CLUB SPOTLIGHT CLUB

GOVERNMENT SEMA