SEMA/AAPEX 2024 what did it look like?

First I have to say when attending SEMA/AAPEX last year I predicted that the 2024 year would be a difficult year financially because of the election year. It showed at both shows as the attendance was down from previous years. Even with Covid years the attendance has not been the same as pre-Covid. With that being said it was still a good show for business.

SEMA seems to change every year moving further away from it's origin as a trade show for automotive aftermarket accessories and performance enhancements for OEM vehicles.  It has now become a car/truck entertainment show for auto consumer enthusiasts. A perfect show for and fueled by auto influencers and social media wannabes! Every where you go you see individuals shooting photos or videos with talking heads about the vehicles and booths at the shows.

Now you can see concerts beginning and ending for the SEMA show which is fun for the youth crowd but honestly after walking 6-7 miles a day looking at the show's products and visiting people at booths the last thing I want to do is stand another four hours watching music.

SEMA did bring some impressive bands into the show but I had business dinner meetings every night so going from 8am to 10 pm was enough for me! Maybe some of the young crowd can support the shows. I'm there to conduct business with the companies there to display their new products. What can the companies provide for our HD truck markets diesel or gas!

It is still a good industry show to attend if you want to see products! Yes, you now have to bypass many Asian companies who many do not event speak english. No problem, I just skip those segments and meet with the people I want to meet with based on a planned schedule of booths to visit. Do I possibly miss some? Yes, I do but still walk 6-7 miles a day visiting the two different shows.

SEMA did have a HUGE obstacle in front of them for this year and that was the construction on the convention center by the city. It was a mess in the front entrance and I had to finally ask how do you get into the show. This construction cut down on many of the vehicles displayed or displaced them to areas I don't normally visit. So a lot less vehicles on display this year!

The AAPEX show made a big move by putting most Asian companies in another building and adding more big name displays in the main show. The AAPEX show is ALL business with a proper dress code along with no vehicle displays. So minus the tire kickers wanting to look at vehicles, the show is business people talking business. 

Yes, the format is setup for the manufacturers to sell to large groups such as store chains, truck stops, service centers and chain garages! However, a shop owner can see a lot of product and talk business about the products without the excess crowds. Many of the same companies are now displaying at AAPEX.

The "Joe's Garage" downstairs is a nice setup to display items with seminars but not many shops there to hear it. I encourage shops attending SEMA to look at the AAPEX seminars in Joe's Garage, may be worth the short trip to the Sands.

Overall, I accomplished what I needed at the SEMA/AAPEX shows which is why I go every year! I can see everyone in one location plus see a few new manufacturers. We appreciate what both shows provide every year for our industry.

SEMA 2024 - what will I see this year? DIESEL Motorsports . . .

 I have been going to the SEMA/AAPEX Show since 1987, so I have seen so many changes over the years. What started out as a true automotive aftermarket trade show to a more modern automotive entertainment show.  Many have described the current SEMA show as a car/truck entertainment show, however many manufacturers are still there to sell their products.

The old shows would see many manufacturers selling and taking orders at the show for future fulfillment. Not so much in today's show but it is where you find new products and feature them.

On Monday I will be shooting photos of all of the unique trucks and cars that show on the outside of the show so those at home can see what great vehicles are made for this show. Tuesday I will arrive early and start shooting the vehicles inside and meeting with many of my sponsors. The remainder of the day I will search out new products to post so our shops can see new items they can sell. 

As more older companies have now been bought by investment companies they are all in one booth which makes it easier to view products. However, that means fewer booths and they need to fill the show so many new companies of foreign origin are placed in the show. 

Is it like the glory days of automotive in the 90s and early 2000s, no, but the automotive market has changed dramatically so it may never get back to those times. 

Is it still the best show in automotive aftermarket? Yes, it is and if you have never been you should plan to go at least once. Having gone every year I will drop some hints below of what to expect.

Hints:

• Wear comfortable shoes (you will walk 3-7 miles a day)

• Dress business casual (wear blue jeans and tshirts and most booths will ignore you)

• Take sinus clearing meds ( people from all over the world will be coughing and breathing in the same rooms)

• Bring lots of $$ (everything is $20) 

• Look for hotel room bargains ( near convention $300 a night, outside areas $150 per night)

• Long lines everywhere for Uber ( I rent a car, because I like to come and go easily)

• Parking is expensive if you want to get close (that is why you get close hotels to convention center)

• Food is expensive everywhere (gone are the Vegas $8.95 steak dinners or buffet)

• Watch your yourselves, do not go out alone or walk down dark streets (go in groups)

• Pace yourselves and take breaks (SEMA provides many break areas)

• After hours be careful and that is on you 

The AAPEX show is very different than SEMA, the same pass gets you in both shows. The AAPEX show there are no display of vehicles, just lots of parts and fluids displayed by companies. It is more business like and business dress is more appropriate for this show.

The AAPEX show has now moved all foreign companies into a separate building so most are names you are familiar with in the marketplace. This show is setup for more mass consumer markets such as part stores, truck stops and major wholesale stores.

Many of my sponsors are at the AAPEX show because they sell to the larger part stores and warehouses that make up our automotive aftermarket distribution. 

We used to call this show the hard parts/fluid show but not so much anymore! As a small shop can you buy their products? Yes, but most likely through a warehouse or industrial distributor. It is still good to find new products and fluids because they are major companies with products we use everyday.

The same hints above go for the AAPEX show, and they do have buses that go between each show. Do not try and walk over to it, it is quite the hike.

Do realize the blocks in Vegas equal about 4 of your local blocks, so when someone says oh it is just 4 blocks that way! You will be walking a while!

Look for my posts of vehicles and products this year! 

Still rebuilding at the local shops . . . is the industry NEXT? DIESEL Motorsports

 Going into the winter industry shows all of the manufacturers will be asking about the marketplace. As I predicted at last year's shows the economy not so stellar during the election year. I can go back more than 20 plus years and watch the trends and it has happened every election year. 

Why? Because both parties is to scare people so they vote for them!

Along with this atmosphere is a very concerned public who watches every dollar out the door. Which explains the whole rebuild scenario at our diesel shops.

It is still cheaper to rebuild drivetrain (motor/tranny) or make repairs than it is to buy a new truck along with high property taxes/monthly payment/insurance.

They just suck it up and say I can patch this one together and get another couple of years out of it. According to S&P Global average ownership is now 12.5 years for pickup truck or longer depending on the section of the country. Easily in the Midwest I would say 14-18 years in today's economy.

This trend keep our shops very busy with repairs and rebuilds for motors and transmissions! Any shop will have trucks in their yards, some waiting line to get worked on or many waiting on parts that are hard to find.

What does the customer want on their rebuilds? Stock/OEM or midlevel or high performance? 

Most are reporting mid-level rebuilds as an average. Rebuild them but make them just a step above OEM so it would last longer. If they are spending the monies to rebuild they want a superior product. The high performance does not fit the economy right now, possible changes next year depending on outcome of election.

The move to US built products have accelerated over the past year with many parts being re-tooled locally. The quality from foreign manufacturing is low quality and breaking because of inferior metals or assembly. Do US parts cost more? Yes, but our truck guys don't care if it will last for years and not months. 

However, hard to buy US when 80% of the replacement parts including OEM are manufactured offshore. So the struggle continues by local shops of finding parts so they can finish the jobs. I have been encouraging our sponsors and others to offer more internal parts used in rebuilding the drive-trains of these HD trucks. 

Anything fuel related, cooling, motor, transmission and suspension is a must to keep our trucks on the road. I'm seeing some great older trucks at the shows this year along with the lifted wheel/tire SEMA trucks too!

Thunder in Muncie Review 2024! DIESEL Motorsports

Since 2001 Thunder in Muncie was a delight this year with 70s temps and beautiful weather at the always fun Gaston Lion's Club Park in Indiana! I want to thank the crew at the Gaston Lion's Club Park along with the DM crew for putting on a laid back fun event with lots of families watching trucks in the show-n-shine show, truck dirt drags and the sled pull!

This park with 100 year old oak trees provides a perfect setting for the family friendly environment where the first ever diesel only event was held in 2001. The Lion's Club has managed the park since 1953 and has made vast improvements since they were closed down for COVID. The park now has new grandstands, new lights, new sound system, remodeled clubhouse and rebuilt track.

The track has new dirt that is modeled for circle dirt track, demolition derby, dirt drags, and sled pulling among many other activities. With their remodeled park is also new fencing and resurfaced areas for parking and vendors.

It makes for a perfect place to hold a truck show with fairground like settings for our yearly Thunder in Muncie event.

Yes, after being closed for a few years it is hard to find the right date and time to rebuild an event but in order to keep our diesel heritage DIESEL Motorsports has decided to invest the funds for this event. In the near future we have plans for the park.

We could have not asked for better weather for this event especially for August! The work crew with Gaston Lions Club Park made us a perfect venue for the truck show, dirt drags, and sled pull. Many trucks competed in all three activities with a small break during dinner hours (4-6pm) which gave everyone time to listen to local entertainment plus enjoyed the food prepared by the Lions Club.

The largest class for dirt drags and sled pulling was the street trucks which DIESEL Motorsports specializes in since that who buys our sponsor's products the most. It is fun to see many different street trucks and what people has done to their trucks for performance and longevity.

DIESEL Motorsports own Ceili Fields sang with the entertainment and the National Anthem before the sled pull. Ceili has been with us for 14 years starting at 17 years old as a DIESEL Motorsports girl, and now can do most every function. Many have seen her yearly at the PRI Show in Indianapolis in December.

Look for more announcements regarding this yearly event at the fall industry shows.

Winners are listed below along with some photos - more to come! Give us a couple of days it takes a while to process them.

Photo Link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set...

Thunder in Muncie 2024 Winners

Mothers Truck Show

Best of Show

Mason Wright – 1970 Suburban, Duraburb

Best Dodge

Jesse Buckler – 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, The Bandit

Best DMax/GMC

Nate Jackson – 2016 Chevy Dmax 2500

Best Ford

Kaeden Callahan – 1996 F350 XLT, “Shania”

Best Work Truck

Justin Hartzog – 1992 Dodge D250

Best Engine

Kade Gaither – 2006 GMC Dmax 2500, Triple Turbo

Best lifted Truck

Glen Losey – 2018 Ford F250, “KR”

Best SUV

Scott Johnson – 1988 Chevy Suburban 6.2, White Bull

Best Jeep

Cameron Bair – 2010 Jeep Wrangler Cummins Swap

Sled Pulling

3.0 Class

William Christepher – 1998 Dodge “Easy Money” – 309.32

Jordan Jackson – 1997 Dodge Ram “Billet Steel & Sex Appeal – 288.99

Gregg Temple – 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 “Resurrection” 281.23

2.6 Class

Brad Snowden – 1996 Dodge Ram “Adicted” 217.05

Open Class

Mason Wright – 2007 GMC Dmax 323.27

Evan Klink – 293.12

Carter Smith – 2002 Dodge Ram, Killer Diesel 254.99

Hot WS Class

Randy Malcolm – 2006 GMC 2500 309.82

Jacob Griffith – 2006 GMC Serria 275.41

Bob Thornburg – 2003 Chevy 2500 249.23

Dirt Drags (Koi)

Classes:

Hot Gas

1st Mike Helgesen

2nd Rod Heyes

3rd Brandon Mitchell

Mod Diesel

1st Zeb Rype

2nd Dale Clifford

3rd Johnny Tyger

Hot Street Diesel

1st Kenzey Scott

2nd Dustin

3rd Justin Gray

Workstock Diesel

1st Justin Gray

2nd Dustin

3rd Joey Pittman

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The ORIGINAL DIESEL ONLY EVENTS since 2001 - Thunder in Muncie! August 10th!

Back in 2001 diesel pickup trucks that have been enhanced for performance were not allowed on any drag strips or fairgrounds for racing and pulling. They were restricted to run down the streets in order to perform and compete. 

A local enthusiasts out of Albany Indiana saw an opportunity to bring them together for a first time to drag race, sled pull and show off their builds in one event - Thunder in Muncie! 

That was over 23 years ago and look where that insight has taken us in that short period of time? Trucks in 2001 with 400 hp was thought to be the top competitors, and now at 3000 hp with a norm of 1000 hp our diesel pickup trucks are now considered powerhouse motorsports.

Over the years the event has gone through some changes including the industry! However, the original concept is still instilled in the event of gathering at the original park to discuss our builds, race and pull at the Gaston Lion's Club Park in Indiana.

A beautiful 100 yr old fairgrounds has gone through some updates and was briefly closed during Covid but is now back open for our event!

What can you expect to see?

Truck show in the morning hours with gates opening 10am including diesel and gas trucks plus tractors. 

Dirt drags starting at 12 noon with all classes for trucks and UTVs racing on a 200 ft dirt track in front of the grandstands. 

Music and food (benefit for the local Lion's Club) from 4-6pm plus vendor booths to browse through!

Sled pulling starting at 6pm with local truck classes including some local tractor classes. 

A full day of trucks in one location with local food and entertainment at the original fairgrounds! Much has happened over the years in DIESEL Motorsports and it's tiem to come back to where it started to compare the trucks over the years.

East Coast Truck Nationals 2024 Review! DIESEL Motorsports

For the 15th year we have held this event at Numidia Dragway in PA! It has always been a drag race, sled pull, dyno competition, truck show and vendors at the track every year! The size every year has gone up and down depending on weather and the economy. This year was extremely hot with a not so good economy on the country. 

Many of the diesel shops have been hit by the EPA in the past 3 years so everyone is a bit leery about appearing out in public, however the same supporting shops showed up  this year as usual. DIESEL Motorsports always sees some great trucks at this event whether it's racing, pulling, dyno or the truck show - this year did not disappoint! Take some time to look through the photos.

Yes the crowd was not as big as previous ECDNs because of the extreme heat but many still came out because they know it is a fun event. We have done enough of these events to know when it's hot you just have to slow down and take it easy as to not stress people and machines out. 

Even with taking it easy we saw a lot of racing trucks break on runs down the track, the heat is hard on these 1500-2500 hp trucks. Talking to many of them as they picked up their winnings they all had fun and enjoyed seeing each other again after a long stretch.

A huge "Thank You" for all of those fans, competitors and crew who showed up this past Saturday for the 15th East Coast Truck Nationals at Numidia Dragway PA! All of the East Coast tracks surrounding us closed down for the day but not DIESEL Motorsports! Temps hit 96º with comfort index at 101º but we did have a nice breeze on top of the mountain. We originally held this event in the middle of July but moved it to June to get cooler weather - NOT! Hot weather did effect event and operations but we moved a bit slower and did not push items and everyone still had a great time with lots of truck action in all area of the track.

A BIG thank you to Numidia Dragway, the DiMinos and their staff for working through and helping us with this event. More thanks to DIESEL Motorsports crew, Suzet Martin, Interstate pullers/Forrester Farm Equipment for pulling track prep and of course the brave competitors!
Photos are under event photos on DM FB page, as you can see we had some great trucks diesel and gas in areas of competition. All I can say is we had a fun time and got to visit with a lot of people we only get to see once a year!

Photos - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.869078698586913&type=3

ECDN Winners

Racing

ET Bracket – Gas

1st – Bill Lamond

2nd – Michael Card

ET Bracket – Diesel

1st – Jake Bachman

2nd – Jake Spinosa

7.70 – Index

1st – Joey Lamond

2nd – David Hurst

6.70 – Index

1st – Dante Delaney

2nd – Dennis Harnish

Quick Diesel

1st – Andrew Kayhart

2nd – Chris Calkins

Show-N-Shine Truck Show

Best of Show Diesel

Mark Vandalia – BTK

1997 Ford F250

Best of Show Gas

William Jones

2000 Ford F-250

Best Vintage Ford – Ben Maurer – 2016 F-250 7.3L

Best Semis – Ben Maurer – 1986 Ford C7000 tilt Cab

Best Ford Diesel – Chuck Wood – 2024 F250

Best Ford Engine – Will Garber – 2012 F250

Best Ford Gas – Troy Mead – 1994 F150 XLT

Best Dmax – Jeremiah Zimmerman – 2008 Dmax

Best Dmax Modified – Brandon Bennett – Dmax

Best Chevy Vintage Gas – Josh Kalinewski – 1971 Chevy C-10

Best Vintage Dodge – Nicholas Garofalo – 1999 Ram 2500

Best Dodge – Nick Brawley – Brawley Brothers - 2011 Ram 2500

Best Modified Dodge – Ryan Magura – 2002 Ram 2500

Best Engine Dodge – Bryce Brawley – Brawley Brothers – 2006 Ram 3500

Best Rat Rod – Kip Whalen – 1936 Chevy Rat Rod

Sled Pulling

Wild Street

1st – Tom Hassler 312.55

2nd – Todd Young 311.08

3rd – Benny Stone 307.82

4th – Ross Harter 301.22

5th – Lula Henford 301.17

6th – Nick Harter 292.58

7th – Mitchell Paloshey 286.35

2.6 Class

1st – Andrew Kicak 345.16

2nd – Derrick Smith 337.89

3rd – Jesse Young 325.28

4th – Tom Hassler 323.02

Hot Work Stock

1st – Ross Harter 321.84

2nd – Nick Harter 290.76

2WD 6200 Truck

1st – Ian Erricker 316.64

2nd – Dale Forrester 150.27

Tractor 8500 Modified

1st – Jason Forrester 326.43

2nd – BJ Wilkins 310.06

3rd – Brad Peters 309.32

4th – Macey Kiskadda 267.42

5th – Scott Kiskaddon 208.19

6th – Logan Smith 206.24

7th – Vernon Zerby 195.93

8th – Vernon Zerby Z Unit 126.81

Tractor 7800

1st – Andy Forrester 336.62

2nd – Don Haley 336.37

3rd – Keerstie Robinson 334.52

4th - Jason Weikel 334.03

5th – Ian Erriker 319.75

Dyno Results

Highest HP – Jeremy Eckert – 1117.48

HP Dodge – Pecora – 759.63

HP Chevy/Dmax – Becker – 754.61

HP Ford – Scheib – 665.72

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Wapak Truck Festival 2024 Review!

 What a fun packed weekend in Wapakoneta Ohio at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds! Friday found DIESEL Motorsports setting up for the Friday night Dirt Drags and the burnout contest! The burnout contest was unbelievable what these guys put their trucks through on the concrete pad in front of thousands of people! The longest burn used up the entire pad to blow both tires.

Because they had so many entries in the burnout contest the dirt drags ran behind an hour but it gave us time to line up more trucks to run down the track. For the first time at the track it went great and the crowd loved the action on the 200 ft track! Winners are listed below in all of the classes.

Saturday found DIESEL Motorsports watching the parade of trucks going to the Truck Show with over 80 entries. The UNOH Diesel club had a great display and they brought over a dozen students from the diesel club to help us with the dirt drags and the tug-a-truck! Good to see the youth getting involved with truck motorsports.

The truck tugs started around 3pm with a large crowd watching from both grand stands. They ran well into the night with over 110 entries, the list of winners will be posted soon. The dyno ran some high power trucks with some high horsepower reports and a couple of exciting blowups from trucks.

The ATV/UTV races on the new built course offered some great entertainment before the tugs and truck show! So this was an action packed weekend in this little local county fairgrounds. Everyone had a great time whether you camped/RV or drove to the event the crowd was enthusiastic the entire weekend.

Until next year with even more fun motorsports activities planned.

Wapak Truck Festival 2024 Winners

Dirt Drags

Street Diesel Truck

1st – Logan Frey

2nd – Fred Painter

3rd – Gabe Koston

Street Gas Truck

1st – Bryson Smith

2nd – Nathan Buchman

3rd – Blake Davis

Modified Diesel Truck

1st – Lewie Latham

2nd – Zeb Rupe

3rd – Ashtin Frey

Modified Gas Truck

1st – Brandon Mitchell

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...

US 36 Horsepower Festival Spring review!

 This first show of the year has been held at this track for several years and we expanded it during covid since it remained open. Most of the activities surrounding the Kansas City area canceled all of it's events so the local clubs called me and wanted to bring their cars to our truck event.

The truck guys loved the mixed motorsports and it has been the same every year! Car and truck show along with drag racing plus food trucks and vendors at the event. It is like a county fair with motorsports.

The afternoon is filled with cars and trucks rolling in while they enjoy good food/drinks and visiting the vendors. A beautiful Spring day makes it relaxing for all those that attended.

Over 70 show vehicles and 1500 fans strolled through the drag strip looking at vehicles. All waiting for the drag racing that took place after 6pm, the normal classes ran from the track with many visiting vehicles! 

Over 100 vehicles raced down the track while 2000 plus watched from the stands during the evening hours.

DIESEL Motorsports wants to thank US 36 Dragway for cohosting this event with us along with our many sponsors and staff who help us all day long! Below are the winners!

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=DIESELMotorsports.US&set=a.842389767922473

Mothers Car/Truck Show

Trucks

Best of Show – Robert Jenkins, 1975 Chevy K20

Best Chevy – RJ Hallwell, 1979 Chevy El Camino

Best Dodge – Nick Hotzlev, 2013 Dodge Mega Cab

Best Ford – Terry Kruder, 1961 Ford F100 Unibody

Best Work Truck – Justin Shelman, 2002 Ram 2500

Best Import Truck – Aaron Despain, 2024 Toyota Tundra

Best Semi – Robert Jenkins, 1987 Freightliner COE

Cars

Best of Show – Dalton, Jordan, Myra Dreler, 1969 Chevy Impala

Best Ford – Ron Sells, 1968 Ford Fairlane

Best Chevy – Steven Beshears, 1965 Chevy Camaro

Best Pontiac – Andrew Schenkart, 1986 Fiero

Best Survivor – Ray Hallfwell, 1999 Corvette

Best Stealth Machine – Ryan Weidmeyer, 2011 Mustang GT

Best Jr Dragster – Abby Kerus, Jr Dragster

Best 70s – David Bloom, 1979 Corvette

Best Clean Machine – Steve Lamar, 1973 Chevy Nova

Best 50s - Roger Murray, 1954 Chevy Bel Aire

Best 80s – Kale Anno, 1983 Chevy Monte Carlo

Drag Racing

Sportsman

1. Brian Schroeder

2. Jeff Wakefield

Trophy

1. Ryan Skaggs

2. Brody Hendrix

JrDragster

1. James Sloan

2. Abby Kerns

Motorcycle

1. Todd Daily

2. Nickolas Myers

PRO

1. Hayden Webster

2. Dean Penn

Super Pro

1. Steve Rivera

2. Dean Penn

Truck ET

1. Austin Murphy

Truck HDS

1. Chris Caulkins

2. Vince Neiderhauser