Reflections on SEMA, APPEX and Oh Yeah Motorsports

Whew . . . Finally back from SEMA/AAPEX and the NHRA Finals . . . My bet is everyone had a great show, but 95% believe as I do that it is just getting TOO BIG. To those of you that I saw, it was great to see you . . . to those of you that I missed, my apologies, as it was not intentional. I felt a lot like a politician, did a lot of waving . . .

SEMA filled up all three halls at the Los Vegas Convention Center, and AAPEX had the Sands Convention Center filled to the rafters. While most companies did good business, the sheer volume of the event made it very probable that many opportunities were lost. The two floors of the South Hall alone could make for their own show . . . did anyone actually ever make it to the back wall?

Net net . . . while it's a great event, it's become too large . . . something has to give. Either split up the shows, make it Sunday to Saturday, do something, because if it doesn't change, I foresee a backlash from attendees and exhibitors alike. Stepping down off of my soap box now . . .

Sixteen business days until the start of the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis! As usual, I'll be staying at the Omni Severin beginning Wednesday, Dec. 3. Keep your eyes open for a great special show offer from Head Start for hats and tees. I'll be sending out the offer with this weekend's newsletter . . . don't miss it!

By the way, this newsletter will go bi-weekly after this weekend, until the start of the 2004 racing season.

Here's what went round the track this weekend:

NASCAR @ Rockingham - The Winston Cup Pop Secret 400 was won by Bill Elliott, in the Dodge Dealer's Dodge. By finishing 4th, Matt Kenseth and his DeWalt Ford clinched the last Winston Cup Championship (next year it becomes Nextel Cup if you haven't heard) and the first ever for Roush Racing. In last Saturday's Busch Series Target House 200, Busch Whacker Jamie McMurray, driving the Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts Dodge, beat Busch rookie Martin Truex Jr., to the line. Six Busch drivers; Brian Vickers, David Green, Ron Hornaday, Scott Riggs & Bobby Hamilton, Jr. have a mathematical chance of winning the championship at the final event, the Ford Championship Weekend in Homestead, FL. Should be the race of the weekend!

NHRA @ Pomona Dragway - The AAA Auto Club of Southern California Nationals were the backdrop for this past weekend's heroics. While all of the major four wheel championships were already decided, it was still a wild event. Kenny Bernstein, driving the Budweiser King Top Fuel Dragster for the last time, again, beat Scott Kalitta. In Funny Car, Del Worsham, driving the CSK Firebird, defeated Cory Lee in a wild one . . . Worsham redlights, but Lee crosses the centerline . . . so Worsham wins with the lesser of the two evils! In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson, piloting the Vegas General Pontiac Grand Am, set the National win record by defeating Kurt Johnson again, completing a dream season . . . 12 national wins.

Did you know that over 125 Aftermarket and Race Product companies have joined the ranks of Head Start customers this year? Want to ask some of them why? Ask for references! If you're not asking us to bid on your hats, you're probably paying too much for lesser quality hats!

It's not JUST a hat, it's a STATEMENT!

It's not just a brand, it's YOUR BRAND!

It's getting hats ON TIME and at the RIGHT PRICE!

It's not about us, it's about YOU, and YOUR CUSTOMERS!

Head Start Licensed Products, THE headwear people . . . We're Customercentric!

Head Start Licensed Products . . . Five countries, six factories, 6500 employees!

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YOU!

Remember, " . . . Everybody has one head, nobody has one hat!"

Have a great week!