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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #313

It was such a pleasure to interview some of the heads of the automotive aftermarket industry at the Shell Pioneering Performance “Live on Stage” Experience. We begin this episode with the Chairman of the Board for SEMA, Wade Kawasaki, who shares that this was the biggest show yet. He discusses SEMA’s focus as they selected vendors for this epic event. Then, we hit the stage with Hagerty Classic Cars’ Vice President of Content, Larry Webster, who explains their classic car insurance and web series Barn Find Hunter. Next, Amy Jo Osborn, President of the Austin Hatcher Foundation, reports updates on the work they are doing with the help of charities from the automotive industry to assist the children and families affected by pediatric cancer. We end the hour with some insight from Alan about entrepreneurship in the automotive industry. Don’t miss our last set of interviews from the Shell Pavilion. Listen now.

• [00:00:00] Biggest and Busiest SEMA Show Yet
• [00:06:29] SEMA: Work from Behind-the-Scenes
• [00:12:30] Video Series from Hagerty Classic Cars
• [00:19:53] Insuring Over 1-Milling Classic Autos
• [00:26:22] Automotive Hobby Enriches Lives
• [00:35:54] Automotive Industry Built by Entrepreneurs

Discover more about segments and guests below…

[00:00:00] Biggest and Busiest SEMA Show Yet

This year the 1.2 million square-feet of the 2017 SEMA Show was bustling with roughly 20,000 aftermarket buyers. Wade Kawasaki, Chairman of the Board of SEMA, shares his excitement over this epic event. Every year the show gets bigger, but at the same time the board has to work diligently to make sure every vendor is as relevant as possible. The show has evolved since its beginning, and they have even created SEMA Ignited, which has a parade and a track where the general public can watch these custom rides show off their power. Wade is also the President of Coker Tire Group, and he fills us in on their booths at SEMA. Find out more about this automotive aftermarket heaven.

[00:06:29] SEMA: Work from Behind-the-Scenes

The automotive industry faces some pretty large topics on a state and federal level and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) does a lot more than throw one large event each year. Behind-the-scenes, SEMA has an office in Washington D.C. that monitors bills as they come through so they can make sure the auto industry is not affected negatively. Currently, they are working on the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act which will remove language from the Clean Air Act that could stop builders from turning a street car into a race car. These topics are important when it comes to the future of the automotive aftermarket industry. Stay informed with us now.

[00:12:30] Video Series from Hagerty Classic Cars

From Barn Find Hunter to Redline Rebuilds, Hagerty Classic Cars is putting their best foot forward in the video series world. Larry Webster, Vice President of Content for Hagerty Classic Cars, tells us about the work they are doing to put out stunning videos for the automotive enthusiast. He even shares a rough engine rebuild that didn’t go exactly as planned on a Facebook Live airing, which shows the authenticity of these builds. Alan shares a hilarious story of a build he did with nine guys in the late ‘70s. Then, Larry tells us about a barn find that turned out to be an opossum nest. Larry also thanks Shell for their support which allows Hagerty and others in the industry to teach the next generation about the car hobby. Are you craving some automotive knowledge?

[00:19:53] Insuring Over 1-Million Classic Autos

Classic car collectors are a special breed of auto lover and many spare no expense for these prized rides. Larry Webster, Vice President of Content for Hagerty Classic Cars, explains that they insure over 1-million classic cars that are specifically not driven every day. These cars are in a category all their own and deserve special treatment. Its Larry’s job to help create a media arm for Hagerty that can entertain, inform, and connect this car hobby. We also hear about some of Larry and Alan’s favorite cars from SEMA this year and reminisce about the event in years past. Hear about Barn Find Hunter and more from Hagerty Classic Cars.

[00:26:22] Automotive Hobby Enriches Lives

Sadly, every year many children and their families are affected with pediatric cancer. There are those out there trying to help this cause in a big way, and Amy Jo Osborn of the Austin Hatcher Foundation is here to spread the word. After suffering the loss of their child ten years ago, Amy and her husband created the foundation. It is their goal to offer support and therapy to the children undergoing chemo and the families that are by their sides. With help from charities through SEMA, IMSA, and many more, the car hobby is taking it to the next heartfelt level. Brain training in Hatch’s Garage helps children with memory loss and aid them in preserving their fine motor and dexterity skills – all which are compromised by chemo. Learn more about the Austin Hatcher Foundation now.

[00:35:54] Automotive Industry Built by Entrepreneurs

Great ideas come from great leaders and that is exactly how the automotive industry was built. Alan talks with us about his experience at the LA Auto Show, where he hosted a symposium of thought leadership; it got Alan to thinking about entrepreneurs in this hobby. Karl Benz, Henry Ford, Ferdinand Porsche, Ettore Bugatti, David Dunbar Buick – just to name a few, are people who have changed the course of the automotive industry forever. A newer name to this group of leaders, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has surely changed the future of mobility forever, even though some don’t agree with his unorthodox methods. The evolution of this industry continues to blow our minds. Listen in for more now.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

• Special Guest: Wade Kawasaki | Board of Directors Chair-elect, SEMA
• Special Guest: Larry Webster | Vice President of Content, Hagerty Classic Cars
• Special Guest: Amy Jo Osborn | President, Austin Hatcher Foundation

Episode Credits:

• Program Host: Alan Taylor
• Producer: Dave Milligan
• Production Assistant: Joanne Bolden
• Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
• Copy Editor: Jess Baumgardner

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

• Austin Hatcher Foundation
• Barrett-Jackson
• Brembo
• Bridgestone
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Go RVing
• Haynes Manuals
• Katzkin
• Patriot Outreach
• Shell
• Subaru
• The Little Rock Foundation

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This episode was produced by Entertainment Right Now (ERN). If you found value in this episode, and you’d like to hear more, leave us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a beat. Your feedback helps us to reach more enthusiasts around the world! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please leave a comment below or e-mail us at info@ernlive.com.