“It’s a fantastic honor to be distinguished among so many impressive minority-owned enterprises in this city,” said Santiago Morales, CEO of Maxiforce. “We have always strived to understand the needs of our customers in both the United States and around the world, and we believe these awards underscore the importance of such efforts.”
Specializing in engine parts for John Deere, Cummins B & C and Perkins engines for 15 years, Maxiforce has established itself as a major player in the industry. The company prides itself on servicing a multitude of clients with extensive inventory, immediate shipping and most importantly, an innovative and personalized technical support system.
Maxiforce recently expanded its operations to the west coast with the opening of a new warehouse, which has enabled service to the entire United States in three days or less.
For information visit www.maxiforce.com.
Drag Racing Legend Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme
Wins Shav Glick Award
Drag racing icon Don “The Snake” Prudhomme has won the 8th Annual Shav Glick Award, which recognizes distinguished achievement in motor racing by a Californian. Previous winners include Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby, Wally Parks, Parnelli Jones, J.C. Agajanian and Rick Mears.
The award, named in honor of longtime Los Angeles Times motorsports journalist Shav Glick, was presented by Glick and Ed Justice from Justice Brothers in the winner’s circle at California Speedway in Fontana prior to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Auto Club 500 February 25.
Prudhomme started drag racing at the young age of 19 while he made his living working in a body shop. In the early ’60s he raced at Riverside Raceway, San Fernando Valley Raceway and the famous Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach.
“The Snake” earned his nickname because of his lightning fast starting line launches. In 1962 he took his first Top Fuel win, and by 1965 became a full-time racer, winning both the Winternationals and U.S. Nationals during the same season. Overall “The Snake” won 389 of 589 rounds of competition in NHRA events. In 1994 Prudhomme became a team owner, and since has achieved 18 national event wins as well as being inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.
This is the first year that the award has been sponsored by Justice Brothers, a California-based manufacturer of additives and lubricants. For information, visit www.justicebrothers.com.
EPA Proposes Emissions Standards
For Future Non-Road Small Engines
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new rules that would reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx), hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from non-road engines rated below 25 horsepower, including lawn and garden equipment, utility vehicles, generators and a variety of other construction, farm and industrial equipment. The proposal would further require emissions reductions from spark-ignition engines used in marine vessels, including outboard engines, personal watercraft and stern drive/inboard engines.
The EPA proposal would require non-road engines to meet a 10 gram per kilowatt hour (g/kW-hr) for Class I engines starting in the 2012 model year, and 8g/kW-hr for Class II engines starting in the 2011 model year. For spark-ignition engines used in marine generators, EPA is proposing a more stringent Phase 3 CO emissions standard of 5g/kW-hr.
Standards for marine engines above 40kW are 16g/kW-hr for HC and NOx and 200g/kW-hr for CO.
For engines below 40 kW, the standards increase gradually based on the engines maximum power. In the case of stern drive and inboard marine engines, the proposed standards would be 5g/kW-hr for HC and NOx and 75 g/kW-hr for CO starting with the 2009 model year. Stern drive and inboard marine engines above 373 kW with high-performance characteristics would need to meet a proposed CO standard of 350 g/kW-hr.
Similar to standards already put into effect in California, the proposal would require the installation of catalytic converters on the small non-road engines. Although many engine manufacturers had argued in California that installation of the converters would cause fire safety issues, a study on the potential safety hazards of using converters on small engines, completed in March 2006, failed to demonstrate any safety-related issues.
EPA estimates that by 2030, the proposed standards would result in a reduction of 630,000 tons of volatile organic hydrocarbon emissions, 98,000 tons of NOx emissions and 6,300 tons of direct particulate matter emissions. The agency also expects an annual reduction of 2.7 million tons of carbon monoxide emissions.
All comments on the proposed rule must be submitted to EPA by Aug. 3, 2007. For additional information on this proposal, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/equip-ld.htm#phase3.
Diesel Association 2007 Convention To Help ‘Chart the Course’ For Future
With the theme “Charting The Course,” the Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS) will hold its 2007 International Convention & Tradeshow Wednesday, July 11, through Sunday, July 15, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, CA.
“The 2007 Convention and Tradeshow features outstanding speakers presenting on a wide-range of relevant topics,” said Tom Folmar, ADS President and CEO of South East Power Systems of Orlando Inc., Orlando, FL. “In addition to the technical seminars, the Convention also features several manufacturing seminars that contain a wealth of vital industry information.”
Topics and speakers at this year’s event include:
Allen Schaeffer, The Diesel Technology Forum: “Hot Topics on Clean Diesel;”
Antonio Salas, Performance Automotive Techniques: “2007 Diesel Training and New Technology;” and
John Curtis, Ph.D: “Charting the Course: Drawing Your Roadmap to Success!”
The convention program includes seminars by diesel manufacturers on the latest technology and equipment. Featured manufacturers include Cummins Inc., Delphi Diesel Aftermarket, Denso Sales California Inc., Robert Bosch Corp. and Robert Bosch Workshop Equipment Division, Stanadyne Corp., and more.
This year’s program includes the “Get Acquainted Reception” on Wednesday, July 11, and displays and exhibits of the latest technological developments at the Tradeshow. The Tradeshow on Saturday morning is free to additional employees of ADS service members who have two representatives registered for the Convention at the regular rate. The employees can visit the show and talk directly with manufacturers and service providers to learn more about the latest developments in diesel service.
The ADS convention concludes with the Convention grand finale at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. Featuring a pirate theme, ADS members and guests can network with other Convention attendees during this informal poolside reception.
For more information and registration materials, contact Rosemary Hall at ADS, 816-361-6588 or [email protected]. Convention details also are at the ADS Web site, www.diesel.org.
ADS is a non-profit, international trade association with over 750 members in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and 56 other countries. Its primary focus is on the service and technology of diesel fuel injection, governor and turbocharger systems.
NEWS IN BRIEF
After 25 years working with Superflow, Harold Bettes has formed Power
Technology Consultants in order to continue to serve the aftermarket with his expertise in engines, airflow and flowbenches as well as dynamometer systems and test facility design considerations. His Web site is www.powertechnologyconsultants.com or phone number is (719) 260-7129
Interstate-McBee LLC, an international supplier and manufacturer of engine parts, fuel injection and gaskets for the heavy-duty diesel and gas industry, recently opened a new inventory warehouse near Los Angeles that is five times larger than the company’s former California warehouse, allowing Interstate-McBee to better serve its West Coast customers. For information visit www.interstate-mcbee.com.
Caterpillar has completed the purchase of Eurenov S.A.S. (Eurenov), a Europeaon remanufacturer of engines, transmissions and components. Eurenov operates its primary facility in Chaumont, France, and has another facility in Radom, Poland. For information, visit www.cat.com.
NEWS EXTRA’S
Federal-Mogul Promotes Burkhart, Hermiz; Felicelli to Retire
Federal-Mogul Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Maria Alapont has announced the promotion of Ramzi Hermiz to senior vice president, worldwide Aftermarket Products and Services (APS). He will continue to serve as a strategy board member and corporate officer. Jay Burkhart has been named senior vice president, global Aftermarket. He will serve as a strategy board member, corporate officer and will report to Hermiz.
According to Alapont, “Ramzi and Jay bring a wealth of global automotive expertise and a deep understanding of the aftermarket industry. These organizational changes will reinforce our drive for leading technology and innovation, world-class customer satisfaction and sustainable global profitable growth.”
The company also announced the retirement of Joseph Felicelli, former executive vice president, APS.
“I would also like to thank Joe Felicelli for his contributions to the development of the Federal-Mogul aftermarket business and extend our best wishes for him and his family,” Alapont said.
Hermiz was previously senior vice president, Sealing Systems. Before that he was vice president of Federal-Mogul’s European Aftermarket. Hermiz joined Fel-Pro in 1990, which was acquired by Federal-Mogul in 1998, where he held several leadership positions of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure.
He earned a master’s degree in business administration from DePaul University in Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.
Burkhart was vice president, global marketing and brand strategy, APS. He joined Federal-Mogul in 1998 as vice president of marketing for North America. Prior to joining Federal-Mogul, Burkhart was vice president of marketing for the Cooper Automotive division of Cooper Industries and vice president of worldwide marketing, for Tenneco Automotive.
He earned a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Cincinnati.
For more information about Federal-Mogul, go to: www.federal-mogul.com.
Federal-Mogul Corporation Announces Organizational Appointments
Federal-Mogul Corporation Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jose` Maria Alapont announces the following organizational appointments. Rainer Jueckstock is named senior vice president, Powertrain Energy, reporting directly to Alapont. He continues to serve as a corporate officer and member of the Federal-Mogul Strategy Board (FMSB).
Gerard Chochoy is named senior vice president, Powertrain Bearings and Sealings, reporting directly to Alapont. He continues to serve as a corporate officer and member of the FMSB.
Rene Dalleur is named senior vice president, Vehicle Safety and Protection. He continues to be a corporate officer and member of the FMSB.
“The global automotive expertise and business leadership of Rainer, Gerard and Rene will fully support this new structure and reinforce our drive for leading technology and innovation, world-class customer satisfaction and sustainable global profitable growth,” Alapont said.
Jueckstock was senior vice president, Powertrain. He joined Federal-Mogul in 1990 and has held various positions in the Company, including senior vice president, Pistons, Rings and Liners, and vice president, Rings and Liners. Previously, he held several leadership positions of increasing responsibility. He earned a degree in engineering from the Military College at Zittau, Germany.
Chochoy most recently was senior vice president, Global Development. Prior to joining Federal-Mogul in 2007, he was executive vice president of the automotive seating group at Faurecia, based in Paris. Previously, he was the executive vice president of operations at NEC Computer International, and was group vice president of wiper systems at Valeo. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Paris Dauphine University, France.
Dalleur was senior vice president, global friction products. He joined Federal-Mogul in 1998. Previously, he was vice president, Sealing Systems, ignition and wipers, Europe. He earned a diploma in management and a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Louvain, Belgium.
Record Number of Teams to Participate in 2007 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown
Participation in the eighth annual Clevite Engine Builder Showdown – now called the MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown – presented by MAHLE Clevite Inc., is expected to be the highest since the competition was first held in 2000.
Nineteen teams from 10 NASCAR engine shops will compete in building and successfully running a NEXTEL Cup 357-cubic-inch Ford engine in the shortest time possible.
The final round of competition, to be held The winning team receives the prestigious Randy Dorton Memorial Trophy plus a total cash prize of $26,000. The runners-up receive a total of $9,000. Overall, the competition awards a total prize package of over $50,000.
Competing at this year’s Showdown:
Penske Racing: Kelley Thacker and Chris Moroch
Ganassi Racing: Mike Lanci and Jesse Hardee; Brad Thrower and Todd Hamm
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.: Joe London and Mark Purvis; Bill Brunker and Shawn Redwine
Bill Davis Racing: Robert Scott and Matt Flogel
Toyota Racing Development: Mike DiMascio and Ben Morris
Arrington Manufacturing: Chris Seidle and Chris Martin
Roush Yates Engines: Randy Ping and Mike Kasch; David Hamm and Kent Mashburn; Jim Snyder and Mike Robinson; Trey Davis and Mike Buttrick
Pro Motor Engineering: Dennis Borem and Darrell Hoffmann
Hendrick Motorsports: Mike Maiwald and Shane Parsnow; Kevin Webber and Scott Vester; Jay Wiles and Jason Ingle
Richard Childress Racing: Greg Gunnell and Wes Adams; Ken Swanson and Timmy Petty; Freddie Turza and Cameron Brown
The MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown is a tiered, four-round competition that highlights the knowledge, skills and speed of professional engine builders who assemble the special performance engines for NASCAR teams. In each round of the competition, the goal is to build a successfully running engine in the shortest time possible.
The first round of the Showdown is a timed elimination round in which each team builds against the clock in order to qualify for the quarter-finals. During the quarter, semi-finals and finals, the qualifying teams face each other in a head-to-head competition with the fastest team advancing to the next round.
Defending Champions, Shane Parsnow and Mike Maiwald of Hendrick Motorsports posted a record build time of 16 minutes, 54 seconds last year. They will return to defend their title in this year’s Clevite Engine Builder Showdown.
The elimination rounds for the 2007 event are scheduled for May 1-3 and the semi-finals on May 22. The final round is on May 23. All rounds are hosted by the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, NC.
“Looking at our roster of contestants, this year’s Showdown promises to be especially exciting,” said Bill McKnight, who is responsible for brand development at MAHLE Clevite Inc. “We will have the unique opportunity to see in action many of the most accomplished engine builder teams from NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series as they battle for the top prize.”
In building the Showdown engines, the NASCAR teams use such MAHLE Clevite engine parts as Clevite bearings, Perfect Circle piston rings and Victor Reinz gaskets – all of which are official NASCAR Performance Products.
McKnight added, “Our work for NASCAR plays a significant role in determining the design, engineering and quality of our performance engine parts for enthusiasts.”
