Hurst SEMA Camaro auction underway

SEMA, Chevy, eBay and Hurst have teemed up to auction off a Hurst-tuned Camaro with the proceeds going to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, "a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket."

The winner of the auction will not only receive an all expense paid trip to this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas, but also gets the very first Hurst Camaro. The car features a nice array of aftermarket upgrades, and you can view the auction here.

PRESS RELEASE

Hurst/SEMA Camaro Auction

In a nutshell, SEMA, in cooperation with Chevrolet, eBay Motors and Hurst Performance Vehicles, announced that it will auction a special pre-production HURST/Camaro prior to the 2009 SEMA Show. The proceeds are to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

This very special HURST/Camaro is serial #3 and is the first HURST/Camaro to be offered to the public. This 445 Horsepower beauty is finished in Hurst's best bad-boy colors; brilliant black with honest-to-goodness real painted silver and red stripes. Hurst hardware could pass for art; especially the massive 20" polished forged aluminum HURST T-2 wheels, a Hurst Billet/Plus short-throw shifter with a special red anodized HARD-DRIVE® billet pistol-grip shift handle, a Hurst AIR-SPEED® rear deck spoiler. The Eibach suspension and Magnaflow stainless performance exhaust system deliver more attitude and performance to match the looks of this stellar performance machine. The interior has a personalized HURST/Camaro dash plaque and logo embroidered floor mats. Signatures from the Hurst Executive Team, Linda Vaughn and "Doc" Watson will be on the car and documentation is provided to complete the car's provenance guaranteeing that it is truly one-of-a-kind.

The winning bidder gets:

HURST/CAMARO EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

HURST Billet/Plus HARD-DRIVE™ with red anodized aluminum shift handle
HURST 20" polished forged wheels with black and red center cap "H" logos
BFG KDW Performance tires
HURST AIR-SPEED™ Rear Deck Spoiler
HURST Exterior logo graphics: red and black "H" logos
HURST Silver and Red body graphics
HURST/Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust system
HURST/Eibach Suspension
HURST embroidered logo Floor mats
HURST/CAMARO personalized "SEMA Special" interior identification badge
Certificate of Authenticity confirming that this is serial #3 HURST/Camaro
Vehicle signatures from the Hurst Executive Team, Linda Vaughn and "Doc" Watson
HURST logo car cover

SEMA EXPERIENCE FOR TWO INCLUDES:


Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3 - 6
Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show Banquet on November 5
Two (2) passes to the 2009 SEMA Show eBay Party at the Bellagio on November 4
Two (2) nights at the Las Vegas Hilton during the SEMA Show
An American Airlines flight voucher worth $1000
Transportation to and from the airport, hotel and SEMA Show
Two (2) SEMA Show t-shirts
A photo opportunity with industry celebrity and former spokes model for Hurst Shifter, Linda Vaughn

Yenko to make a comeback?

It's been 45 years since Don Yenko used GM's COPO (Central Office Production Order) program to build his first hot rod, the Yenko Stinger Corvair. But it's not the Corvair that Yenko is famous for, rather the Nova's and Camaro's he built with the sole purpose of dragstrip (and street light) domination.

And now General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) owner Jeff Leonard has just taken control of the Yenko name and brand with the promise of new product. Now seems as good a time as any, with American muscle cars alive and kicking.

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ON IT'S 45th ANNIVERSARY - THE YENKO NAME IS ALIVE AND WELL

Avid Car Collector and Yenko Enthusiast Recaptures Yenko Magic with Possible New Yenko Models, Fresh Product Lines

Westminster, Calif. – (October 14, 2009) As the 45th Anniversary of the Yenko legacy draws near, General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) announced today its ownership of the classic trademark and its plans to revitalize the brand.

To jump start this effort, Yenko owner, enthusiast and GMCI CEO Jeff Leonard, is consulting with several notable limited production vehicle companies in the automotive industry on possible new Yenko project cars as well as upcoming Yenko product lines.

GMCI will also launch a brand-new online home for the Yenko brand in the upcoming weeks, where owners and enthusiasts can find information about upcoming cars and products, access historical information about the brand, register to be a part of the site's forums and much more.

"The muscle car era has made a huge comeback this year and we expect this trend to grow," said Leonard. "The Yenko name is very much a part of that magnificent history and we plan to resurge its magic and its historical significance. Through GMCI's efforts, Don Yenko's name will be kept alive with the highest degree of integrity and respect."

Growing up in Detroit in the shadow of the famous Woodward Avenue during the muscle era heyday, Leonard always had a keen interest in Detroit muscle culture. As a muscle car enthusiast and owner of an original 1968 Yenko Camaro, Leonard shares the enthusiasm and excitement of many towards owning a unique piece of Yenko history.

Originally, the 60s era Yenko car was a special order vehicle, available only through Don Yenko Chevrolet in Canonsburg, PA. Don Yenko used the Central Office Production Order (COPO) program, a program GM used for fleet vehicles like police cars, taxi cabs, etc. to special order the most powerful vehicles available.

Yenko modified his first vehicle, the Chevrolet Corvair, in 1965 for the Sports Car Club of America racing team. Yenko later went on to build the Yenko Super Camaro, Yenko Deuce, Yenko Chevelle, Yenko Super Nova, Yenko Vega Stinger and the Yenko Camaro Turbo Z among the fastest SCCA racing cars ever produced.

Mustang for NASCAR Nationwide Series revealed!

The people have been calling for it, as the masses have grown tired of seeing four door family cars that all look the same running around NASCAR tracks. And now Ford is taking the first step of reintroducing muscle cars to NASCAR by bringing it's Mustang to the Nationwide Series.

Ok, so no car in NASCAR really "is" the actual car, just a body with lots of stickers to make it resemble one. And this isn't the big leagues or even Busch. But it is a step in the right direction.

The first new Mustang to see action will be the No. 16 Con-way Freight Mustang driven by Colin Braun for Roush Fenway Racing.

PRESS RELEASE

FORD, ROUSH FENWAY RACING, AND CON-WAY FREIGHT UNVEIL NEW 2010 NATIONWIDE MUSTANG

Truck Series 2008 Rookie of the Year Colin Braun Will Drive the No. 16 Con-way Freight Mustang

CONCORD, N.C., October 13, 2009 – A new era of Mustang racing rolled out here today, piloted by an All-American driver and with a returning sponsor familiar to loyal NASCAR fans.

Three major events were rolled into one today as Ford teamed up with Roush Fenway Racing and Con-way Freight to unveil the No. 16 Con-way Freight Mustang with driver Colin Braun at Roush Fenway Racing headquarters in Concord, N.C.

Ford announced in July that Mustang, the iconic pony car that has raced for all 45 years of its existence, would compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series beginning in July 2010 when a limited rollout of NASCAR's new car begins at Daytona International Speedway. Today marked the first time the NASCAR Mustang was seen in public.

Braun, 21, a native of Ovalo, Texas, will make the move from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he was the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year, to a full-time Nationwide program next season, along with Con-way Freight, which has been his sponsor for the last two years. Roush Fenway and Con-way Freight recently agreed on a contract extension to remain as a primary sponsor for 18 Nationwide races within the organization.

"I'm so happy that Con-way Freight decided to move up with me to the Nationwide Series for 2010," Braun said. "They have been a great sponsor for the past two years in the truck series so it means a lot to me that they will continue to support me in the future. I'm also looking forward to driving a Mustang next year. I've always thought they are such incredible cars, but have never owned one. Maybe when I win my first race the guys at Ford will want to give me one of my own."

Mustang has a storied history in motorsports and can claim more than 2,000 professional race wins worldwide. Its iconic standing in the auto industry aside, Mustang brings a breath of fresh air and new sense of excitement to the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

"This truly marks the start of the next era of Mustang racing," said Brian Wolfe, director, Ford North America Motorsports. "We fully expect this Mustang, with drivers like Colin behind the wheel, to start to enjoy the kind of success so many other Mustang racing programs have enjoyed throughout the last four decades.

"Mustang is a proud and historic brand for Ford. This is a car born to race, and NASCAR is the next logical step for its racing pedigree."

Braun and Con-way Freight have had good success together and are experiencing a breakout season in 2009. Braun started the season by capturing his first of his three poles to date in the season-opening race at Daytona, and followed that up with his first NASCAR win, which came at Michigan International Speedway in June. He finished 13th in the point standings last year and currently sits seventh with five races remaining this season.

"We're excited to help unveil the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Mustang, and to announce Con-way Freight's first-ever sponsorship in the Nationwide Series," said John G. Labrie, president, Con-way Freight. "The opportunity to continue working with Ford, Roush Fenway Racing and Colin Braun is a great one for us. Colin's talent on the track and competitive spirit remind us of our more than 20,000 employees and the commitment they bring to their jobs every day. All of us at Con-way Freight look forward to supporting Colin all the way to another Rookie of the Year win in 2010."

Con-way Freight's first venture into racing took place in 2005. In 2006, the company rebranded and changed its name, and a racing sponsorship provided an ideal opportunity to build awareness of the Con-way Freight brand in an entertaining and exciting way for both customers and employees.

"Through the first five years of Con-way Racing, we saw that the program was a huge win for Con-way Freight and our customers, so we made the decision to move forward with a new affiliation with Ford, Roush Fenway Racing and Colin Braun," said Bill Wynne, vice president of marketing, Con-way Freight. "We've seen tremendous rewards from those relationships, and that's why we're here today to announce a new era of Con-way Racing action in the NASCAR Nationwide Series."

Mustang currently competes professionally in the NHRA Funny Car and Pro Stock divisions and places like the Grand-Am KONI Challenge, SCCA World Challenge, and the Mustang Challenge Series. In addition, thousands of Mustangs see action by grassroots racers at road courses and drag strips all across America.

"I have been a Mustang owner and enthusiast for many years myself so this is an exciting day to see this car racing in NASCAR," said car owner Jack Roush. "My teams have won several road racing championships over the years in Mustangs, and I look forward to winning more with Colin, Carl (Edwards) and Ricky (Stenhouse, Jr.). With the continued support of Ford and Con-way Freight we plan to give Colin the opportunity for his second Rookie of the Year title in NASCAR, and ultimately a Nationwide Series championship."