Racing goes green

A new conference is being held to
address how the high-performance motorsports business is connecting with
today's advancements in green automotive applications.

"The Race Goes Green" is a one-day business event taking place at the
Long Beach Convention Center on the opening day of the Toyota Grand Prix
of Long Beach, Thursday, April 16, 2009. Industry leaders will reveal
new technologies that are making it possible for today's race cars and
other high-performance vehicles to be more fuel- and energy-efficient.

"The event is about how today's cars and trucks can be both 'cool' and
'green'," said John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology.
"Through new vehicle technology and advanced engineering, horsepower and
green power are able to coexist."

Waraniak is among the featured presenters of the conference. He will be
joined by SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting, AutoNation CEO Mike
Jackson, Pete Spence, group vice president technical director, Toyota
Racing Development USA, Don Taylor from the National Hot Rod Association
(NHRA), Herb Fishel, former GM Motorsports executive, and others.

"Participants will leave with a good understanding of what green vehicle
technologies exist, and the emerging business opportunities this
presents," said Waraniak. "Equally important is the opportunity that
attendees will have to meet and network with senior executives and
decision makers from major automakers and motorsports companies."

The conference is presented by SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market
Association, and the Motorsports Industry Association (MIA). Both
organizations represent companies in the motorsports industry and seek
to provide members with timely and relevant news to help their
businesses grow and succeed.