The theme of the show is “Experience the Power, the Passion and the Performance.” Consumers will be able to see boats in action at Lake Mead, performance test new boats and test boats they purchased at the show.
Performance Marine Industry Expo is the result of ConvExx, producer of the internationally acclaimed SEMA show, teaming up with Chris Ayres, who has over 20 years involvement in the performance marine industry, representing manufacturers and producing successful marine events throughout the country, including the Poker Run West series of events.
Featuring the latest in performance boats, engines, drives, marine hardware, tow vehicles and related items of interest to trade buyers and consumers alike, the Expo will feature one-stop shopping at a single source for all performance boating desires. Race boats, Poker Run boats, performance pleasure boats and related performance equipment from world class companies will be on display and available for purchase. “Consumers will be able to meet representatives from leading marine manufacturers and purchase products directly from them. Pistons to power plants, the boats they power and everything related under one roof.” said Ayres.
On Sunday, April 6, Poker Run teams from across the country will hit the waters of Lake Mead for the PMI Champion’s Cup Poker Run. Teams will all be in their pit area adjacent to the convention center as part of the show before their run on Sunday. Leading performance boating magazines will also be involved in the Performance Marine Industry Expo, using the opportunity to conduct product testing on nearby Lake Mead beginning Monday, April 7.
Wally Parks, Founder And Driving Force of NHRA, Dies At Age 94
Wally Parks, the driving force behind the formation of NHRA, died September 28, at the age of 94.
“Today is a sad day in the world of NHRA and the sport of drag racing,” said Tom Compton, president of NHRA. “The name Wally Parks is synonymous with drag racing, and his vision and direction will guide NHRA for years to come. Everyone in drag racing, and the industries formed to service the sport, will forever be indebted to Wally, his vision, his focus and his desire to create, build and grow NHRA.”
It was Parks’ vision, goals and unconditional commitment to the need for speed and side-by-side racing in a safer, more controlled environment that created what is today the world’s largest motorsports governing body.
“Wally spent his lifetime doing what he loved,” said Dallas Gardner, chairman of the NHRA board of directors. “He marked the path and led the way for this incredible industry and the sport of drag racing. Wally was NHRA, and through his dream came a path to follow with lofty goals and ambition. He put the people in place and trusted in them. He has not abandoned us. He has left us with a road map that he knows will be followed.”
Parks, who founded NHRA in 1951, received countless awards in the motorsports world and played a pivotal role in the establishment of an entire industry devoted to speed and automotive aftermarket parts and accessories that today is a multibillion-dollar business. Yet Parks never implied that he did it all himself. His pride and joy, and where he spent most of his time in recent years while still serving on NHRA’s board of directors, was The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at Fairplex in Pomona, CA.
AMI Announces 2007 Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI), in conjunction with Babcox Publications, recently announced Kim Walker, owner and marketing director, Peak Automotive, Apex, NC, as the recipient of the “Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship.”
The scholarship recognizes a management-oriented member of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division. The recipient receives $1,000 to be applied toward expenses to attend AMI seminars offered during the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-3.
Walker has worked in the automotive service industry for three years and is currently working on completing the necessary requirements to earn the Institute’s Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. She is a member of ASA.
When not working in the shop, she contributes her time to various community and industry organizations, including serving on the Women’s Board of the Car Council and being an advisor for the Automotive Advice for Women by Women web site, Ask Patty.
“After having been an educator for 10 years, I believe in being a lifelong learner. As I entered the automotive industry when I became the marketing director for our business, I knew right away I had a lot of learning to do. I am honored to receive the Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship to assist me on my quest at becoming the best I can be in the automotive industry. I do not think there is anything out of my reach because only those who risk going too far find out just how far they can go,” said Walker.
For more information about the Institute please contact AMI at 800-272-7467, ext. 241, or visit the AMI Web site at www.amionline.org.
MAHLE Clevite Announces 18th Machinist of the Year Award Program
MAHLE Clevite Inc. has announced plans for the 2007 MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year Award competition and invites worthy candidates to participate.
Now in its 18th year, this nationwide award program is designed to recognize and honor an ASE-certified automotive engine machinist who is judged to be outstanding for his or her skills and contributions to the industry and the local community.
Bill McKnight, Head of Training and Motorsports for MAHLE Clevite says any automotive machinist who is ASE certified as a cylinder head specialist, cylinder block specialist, and/or engine assembly specialist can enter the MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year award competition.
The entry form and complete details on the MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year Award competition are available on MAHLE Clevite’s Web site: www.mahleclevite.com. The online entry form can be filled out and submitted right on the computer screen. Deadline for entries is October 31, 2007.
MAHLE Clevite will announce the winner of the 2007 MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year Award at the AERA Tech and Skills Regional Conference on November 10. The conference, hosted by MAHLE Clevite, will be held at the University of NW Ohio, located in Lima, OH.
NPR Opens New Kentucky Piston Ring Manufacturing Plant
NPR Manufacturing Kentucky, LLC (NMKY), a member of the NPR Group, has completed construction of its new Bardstown, KY, manufacturing plant and began producing pistons rings on September 1.
The nearly 200,000 sq. ft. factory, which was begun in May, 2006, actually was completed ahead of schedule. Nearly 150 employees will produce steel piston rings for gasoline and diesel engines, primarily for North American OE engine manufacturers. The company’s production goals are 18 million rings per year by 2010.
Kentucky state officials had earlier estimated that Nippon Piston Ring would pour close to $49 million into training workers, building the factory and opening it to operation.
Nippon Piston Rings was founded in 1934. The company employs more than 2,000 workers at more than 20 facilities in several Asian countries, as well as the United States and Mexico. For more information, visit www.npr.co.jp/english/index.html.
News In Brief
MAHLE Clevite Inc. has announced the appointment of Michael Tate to the position of general manager. In his new role, Tate will assume the management responsibilities for all North American Aftermarket activities for the MAHLE Group, which includes MAHLE Clevite Inc., MAHLE Clevite Canada, ULC and the Aftermarket division of MAHLE Componentes de Motores S.A. de C.V. Tate brings 26 years of aftermarket experience to MAHLE Clevite, most recently of SPX Service Solutions.
North American ATK, the largest private label engine remanufacturer in North America, has announced new ownership. Peter M. Butterfield, former President and Chief Executive Officer of KIA Motors America and Ton Versteeg, President and CEO of VEGE de Mexico and VEGE Motodis have purchased the company from the founding family. The new owners also announced the purchase of the Mexico division of VEGE Motoren, previously a Netherlands-based company. For information, contact: ATK North America, 800-421-3746.
Peterson Machine Tool has hired Dan Cavalieri as National Sales Manager and Tim Mieher as Inside Parts and Machine Sales. Cavalieri has 20 years of experience in the engine rebuilding industry and has specialized in direct sales of engine rebuilding equipment. He will concentrate not only on growing sales, but also strengthening Peterson’s focus on quality and customer service. Mieher’s background is also in the automotive industry, having worked in outside sales for a Production Engine Rebuilder for 27 years. For additional information, visit www.petersonmachine.com.
