2026 dB Drag Racing Euro Finals Wrap-Up

MONTICHIARI, ITALY (09.24.26) – The 2026 dB Drag Racing Euro Finals brought two days of intense car audio competition to Montichiari, Italy. Some of the loudest and largest builds were in the lanes at Centro Fiera del Garda, in conjunction with Festival dei Motori car show. For those unfamiliar with dB Drag Racing, it is a competition where competitors compete against one another with their car stereo systems.

Attendees traveled from across Europe to push their systems to the ultimate test in pursuit of being becoming the 2026 Euro Finals champion. With 78 entries across five formats of competition, the exhibit hall was jam packed with activity all weekend long.

Wayne Harris on site at the Euro Finals.

And the scores were impressive. Team GZ Pezi Frank of Germany recorded the highest score of the weekend with an incredible 184.3 dB in the Extreme division of competition. Several World Records were also set during the event, making this year’s Euro Finals a memorable weekend for competitors, spectators and car audio enthusiasts.

2026 EURO FINALS CHAMPIONS

dB DRAG RACING

Street Stock 1K
Nemanja Veselinovic — North Macedonia

Pro Stock 2K
Team LW Audio Nymans — Sweden

Pro Stock 5K
Team Livin Loud – Pavel — Czech Republic

Pro Stock Wall 5K
Team Legend — Italy

Pro Stock NL
Team Raf — Italy

Super Street NW
dB Team Praskaton Rozy — Slovenia

Super Street 1-2
Team Koukakis Terra — Greece

Super Street 3-4
Team Ground Zero – Chris — Germany

Super Street 5+
Team Nikolaidis — Greece

Super Street X
Team Ground Zero Gregory — France

Extreme NL
Team GZ Pezi Frank — Germany

BASS RACE

120.0–129.9 dB
Riddler Autoshow Dvc — Italy

130.0–139.9 dB
Alessio Barrovecchio — Italy

140.0–149.9 dB
Team Performance – Gavras — Greece

150.0–159.9 dB
Team Ground Zero – Gregory — France

TOP DOG

Gabriele Boccolucci Hifi Car — Italy

PSYCHLONE

Demo No Wall
Squalo Autoshow Dvc — Italy

Demo Wall
Team Takers – Kingpin — USA

Demo Extreme
Team Ivo Pennacchi — Italy

FREESTYLE

1K NW
Nemanja Veselinovic — North Macedonia

5K NW
Team LW Audio Nymans — Sweden

5K Wall
Team Baudio Gasper — Slovenia

NL
Team Powermusic – Junior — Greece

NW
Giorgio Martelli — Italy

Wall
Cristian Gradassi

INTERNATIONAL JUDGES & STAFF

The Euro Finals brought together an international team of judges and staff representing several countries, adding experience from across the global dB Drag Racing community.

Yiannis Lekkas — Greece
Bine Zupan — Slovenia
Maxx Grassi — Italy
Ray Choy — Canada
Vlad Vana — Romania
Lorena — Italy
Alessandro Murabito — Italy
Feiyunn Choy — Canada
Wayne Harris — USA
Celise Harris — USA

A huge thank you to everyone who traveled to Montichiari and put in the time and effort required to run a Finals event. From judging to event operations and everything happening behind the scenes, the staff played a critical role in making the weekend happen.

THANK YOU TO THE 2026 EURO FINALS SPONSORS

The 2026 Euro Finals would not be possible without the companies that continue to support the competitors and the sport.

FOR-X
Ground Zero
B² Audio
GS Audio
Term-LAB
TRF Audio
DSZ Sound of Emotion

Thank you for supporting dB Drag Racing and the competitors who put their time, money and countless hours into their builds.

A special thank you also goes to Festival dei Motori and Centro Fiera del Garda for providing an outstanding facility and giving us the opportunity to bring the Euro Finals to Montichiari, Italy.

COMPLETE EVENT RESULTS:

https://www.termpro.com/asp/officialevent.asp?EventID=22258&Method=1

SoundSkins Global Partners with ABT Electronics as an Authorized Dealer

CERRITOS, CA (09.24.26) – SoundSkins Global, a leading innovator in high-performance sound dampening and insulation solutions for the 12V and automotive industries, is proud to announce ABT Electronics as an authorized SoundSkins dealer. The full SoundSkins product line is now available to purchase and have professionally installed at ABT, both at its
Glenview, Illinois showroom and online at abt.com.

Family owned and operated since 1936, ABT Electronics is the largest independent single-store retailer of electronics and appliances in the United States. Its Vehicle Technology Department performs every installation in house, working on everything from daily drivers to exotics, RVs, boats, and powersports vehicles.

The partnership covers the complete SoundSkins catalog: vehicle-specific pre-cut sound deadening kits, universal sound deadening and insulation materials like SoundSkins Pro, Classic, Heat Shield, Wavy Foam and more, and vehicle-specific and universal SoundSkins enclosures. Every SoundSkins kit is cut to fit an exact vehicle, which removes the measuring, trimming, and guesswork from a sound deadening install and delivers consistent, repeatable coverage.

“ABT has spent nearly 90 years earning its customers’ trust by doing things the right way, including keeping installation in house,” said Dennis Garcia, COO at SoundSkins Global. “That is exactly the kind of retailer we want representing SoundSkins. Their team can now offer a cleaner, faster sound deadening solution backed by real fitment.”

For more information about SoundSkins Global and its product lineup, visit www.soundskinsglobal.com.

Pioneer’s New Dash Cam Adds Emergency Location Sharing to Sharp Dual-Channel Recording

LOS ANGELES, CA (09.24.2026) – Pioneer introduces the VREC-Z410DC, a 3K dual-channel dash cam engineered to give drivers sharper footage and greater confidence behind the wheel. Alongside 3K WDR front and Full HD rear recording, the Dual-Channel Dash Cam (VREC-Z410DC) introduces a dedicated “Send Location” button, allowing drivers to instantly share their GPS location with trusted contacts in the event of an accident or emergency. 

“Drivers already trust Pioneer dash cams to capture what happens on the road; the VREC-Z410DC takes that a step further,” said Larry Rougas, EVP & Chief Revenue Officer at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “With the ‘Send Location’ button, we’re giving drivers a fast, simple way to reach the people who matter most in an emergency, without adding another subscription to their lives. Paired with sharp dual-channel recording and seamless smartphone integration, the VREC-Z410DC reflects the same engineering discipline we bring to every product we build.” 

EASY EMERGENCY RESPONSE AT THE PRESS OF A BUTTON 

Pioneer’s Dual-Channel Dash Cam’s (VREC-Z410DC) signature “Send Location” button does more than share a location. Pressing it locks and protects the current footage while drafting a UNDER EMBARGO until Sept. 22, 2026 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET 

text message with the driver’s GPS coordinates to a preset emergency contact through the free Pioneer ai-sense™ app. Once a phone is paired over Bluetooth and an emergency contact is set, the feature works right out of the box, with no subscription required. 

If an impact occurs before the button can be pressed, the built-in G-sensor automatically locks the current recording to prevent important footage from being overwritten. 

SMARTPHONE INTEGRATION MEETS PREMIUM VIDEO CAPTURE 

Among the few dash cams in its class to support Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, the Dual-Channel Dash Cam (VREC-Z410DC) lets drivers adjust settings and start recordings directly from their vehicle’s touchscreen. Camera controls are also available through Pioneer’s free ai-sense™ app, making setup and ongoing management simple from a smartphone. 

Its 5MP front sensor records crisp 3K WDR video through a 144-degree wide-angle lens, capturing details like license plates and road signs in both bright daylight and low-light conditions. The Full HD rear camera provides continuous rear cove

rage, while built-in GPS logs speed, route, and location data with every recording for a complete record of each drive. 

DESIGNED TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY 

Designed to mount discreetly behind the rearview mirror, the Dual-Channel Dash Cam (VREC-Z410DC) maintains a clean, low-profile appearance without obstructing the driver’s view. Its compact design blends into the vehicle interior, quietly recording every trip without distraction. 

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY 

The Pioneer Dual-Channel Dash Cam (VREC-Z410DC) is available beginning September 22, 2026, exclusively through Best Buy, both in-store and online, for $219.99. 

High-res imagery and video of the Dual-Channel Dash Cam are available here, and for more information, visit usa.pioneer.com

Elite Car Stereo Filled The BUS At The Sand Sport Super Show

COSTA MESA, CA (09.23.26) – The Sand Sport Super Show 2026 by all accounts was a record setter with a wide range of products showcased in vendor booths and nonstop activity from enthusiast. KICKER had a very large presence at the SSSS and the Elite Car Stereo CHUG BUS was spotlighted in the large KICKER booth area.

The CHUG BUS set next to the KICKER Booth.

The Elite Car Stereo CHUG BUS in reality was a traditional yellow school bus now with so many upgrades from body wrap to aftermarket upgrades in the interior and exterior that made the CHUG BUS and experience to remember. A large array of KICKER Car Audio products were placed inside, outside and underneath the CHUG BUS.

Elite CarStereo owner JT Pina has been working on the school bus project for 10 years. In the beginning, the school bus was a project of a friend who attended a lot of the events around the area and utilized it to take friends to concerts and events. Through the years that friend wanted to do all kinds of upgrades from sound to lighting and much more. Each year JT would be making upgrades that his friend was looking to make… more speakers, more amplifiers, more batteries and battery chargers that would allow the CHUG BUS rock for a full day.

The full body wrap on the CHUG BUS highlights the product categories ELITE offers with an American flag in the background.
Attendees lined up to enter the CHUG BUS.

A few years ago, JT actually acquired the bus from his friend and then the upgrades went into high gear and the school bus became the CHUG BUS that is utilized for store promotions including community parades and events along with store events.

Recently, KICKER’s Steve Irby was in the territory for meetings and making dealer stops. When Steve saw the CHUG BUS it was an instant decision to invite the CHUG BUS to be a part of the KICKER set up at the Sand Sport Super Show. The plan was set for that to happen.

Inside all is Livin’Loud with KICKER gear.
Once events are over it’s time for the CHUG BUS to come home.

JT related, “Once we set up on one side of the KICKER booth and when the gates opened the CHUG BUS was an instant magnet. People stopping at the KICKER booth to check out demos and the XRV migrated to the CHUG BUS. When families were walking through the area, their children all of a sudden started running to the CHUG BUS and were followed by their parents. Traffic inside the CHUG BUS was non-stop!”

The first two days of this week, following the SSSS event, our phones have been ringing off the hook and customers stopping at our store to make arrangements for system conversations we had at the event” JT concluded.

KICKER participates in many consumer events across the country that engage with enthusiast for car, bike, powersports and marine enthusiast. Over the next 10 years young people at this year‘s SSSS will be running into Elite Car Stereo in Redlands CA.

For more see kicker.com and elitecarstereo.com

Record 88 Aftermarket Brands Earn SEMA Data Excellence Awards

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.23.26) – SEMA Data, the automotive aftermarket industry’s largest product data repository, has honored 88 brands with SEMA Data Excellence Awards, marking the highest number of honorees in the program’s history.

Each year, the SEMA Data Excellence Awards Program recognizes brands that go above and beyond to provide retailers and resellers with the complete, accurate, and timely product information they need to sell with confidence. The awards are based on each company’s SEMA Data Scorecard, which recognizes manufacturers across Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers, with Gold and Platinum denoting Data Excellence.

“Great product data turns a part number into a product that can be found, understood, and sold,” said SEMA Vice President of Technology, Data and Strategic Initiatives Gigi Ho. “We are proud to honor the brands that are doing the work to provide resellers with the accurate, comprehensive information they need to power their systems, point of sale, and eCommerce stores.”

Last year, SEMA Data raised the bar for Data Excellence by significantly updating its Data Scorecard. Requirements across all award levels were strengthened to better reflect what resellers need to successfully onboard, merchandise, and sell products across today’s distribution and eCommerce channels.

Bronze establishes the foundational data needed to set up and identify products. Silver builds on that foundation with richer information to support selling and distribution. Gold requires 100% completion of key product data fields, while Platinum recognizes brands that meet additional qualitative standards for the quality and usability of their content.

Maintaining high-quality product data requires ongoing attention and continuous improvement. Manufacturers work closely with the SEMA Data team to identify errors, fill content gaps, and enhance the overall quality of their data.

One company that exemplifies this commitment at the Platinum level is Eibach, whose data management efforts are led by Business Analytics Specialist Jared Reyes.

“Product data is the foundation behind everything we do,” said Reyes. “It doesn’t matter how good your product is if you can’t get the information to your customers in a useable format. While product data may not be the glamorous side of the business, it creates a foundation for long-term consistency and makes you look at your brand from a new perspective. The initial feedback from customers has been positive, and we are seeing an increase in downloads each week.”

This year more than half of SEMA Data Excellence honorees achieved Platinum status, a milestone worth celebrating.

“High-quality product data is becoming part of how brands operate every day, not simply something they work toward for an award,” Ho said. “Ultimately, that means better data flowing throughout the industry to the retailers, resellers, and consumers who rely on it.”

Award winners will be celebrated during the SEMA Data Users Meetup on Monday afternoon, Nov. 2, the day before the official start of the 2026 SEMA Show. To learn more about SEMA Data, visit www.semadata.org.

The 2026 SEMA Data Excellence Award honorees are listed below by tier.

BIG BASS. Shallow Space. Make Your Audio Sound ELITE.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (09.23.26) – Turn your sound ELITE through shallow subwoofer performance. HEW shallow subwoofers deliver BIG BASS PUNCH innovated through shallow subwoofer size that can fit anywhere your car audio install demands. HEW subwoofers feature a unique cone design and high-excursion capabilities that allow accurate low details and deeper, consistent bass blast.

With a sleek, low-profile design, HEW ELITE subwoofers deliver deep, resonant bass while fitting easily into compact spaces such as under seats, in small trunk spaces, or behind panels. Choose from eitherthe HEW12D4S (12-inch)HEW10D4S (10-inch), or HEW8D4S (8-inch) subwoofer models. LEVEL UP your bass to ELITE!

To learn more, click here.

🚨 STOLEN BUILD: Need Your HELP!

SHREVEPORT, LA (09.22.26) – Our custom Whiskey Biz build that was on display at the SDI booth at the Sand Sports Super Show, was stolen from our semi trailer while it was headed home from the show.

What to look for: 2026 Polaris Ranger XD1500 with a chopped custom cage and custom paint

Where: Empty lot next to the Chevron station in Newberry Springs, CA

When: Early morning of Monday, 9/21, between roughly midnight and 8 AM while the driver was asleep in the cab.

This is a one-of-a-kind build, so it should be easy to spot. If you’ve seen it, or hear anything about it on the road, in the dunes, online, or anywhere else, please reach out.

Barstow Sheriff’s Department: (760) 256-4838
Or contact SuperATV or Whiskey Biz directly

Please SHARE this post far and wide. The UTV community looks out for each other, and every share gets us closer to bringing it home.

Shreveport office 800-699-0947

For more see hilifter.com

ZZ2 Introduces the NEW Bike2Play+ 7″ Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Display

BOCA RATON, FL (09.22.26) – ZZ2, a leader in vehicle integration and connectivity solutions, announces the launch of the NEW Bike2Play+ 7″, expanding its popular Bike2Play lineup with a larger 7-inch HD touchscreen and new features designed for motorcycles, powersports vehicles, and outdoor adventures.

Riders no longer have to rely on mounting an expensive smartphone directly to their handlebars for navigation, music, calls, and other essential apps. The new Bike2Play+ 7″ delivers Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through a larger, purpose-built touchscreen designed for the riding environment.

The new model features ZZ2’s fast and responsive zOS Linux-based operating system, IP65 water and dust resistance, Bluetooth helmet connectivity, secure universal mounting, and a highly requested addition: a dedicated 3.5mm audio output for greater flexibility when integrating with compatible motorcycle audio systems.

Riders can also choose the Bike2Play+ 7″ DVR Edition, which adds two Full HD 1080p front and rear cameras with continuous ride recording and support for up to 256GB Micro SD storage. From Harley-Davidson and touring motorcycles to adventure bikes, ATVs, UTVs, Can-Am vehicles, scooters, e-bikes, golf carts, and marine applications, Bike2Play+ is designed to bring modern connectivity to virtually any adventure.

The new Bike2Play+ 7″ is available now through ZZ2 to add to your lineup.

Click to learn more.

Boost the Audio Experience with JL Audio M200 Marine Speakers and Subwoofers from Garmin

OLATHE, KS (09.22.26) – PRNewswire – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), the world’s largest* and most innovative marine electronics manufacturer, today announced JL Audio® M200 marine speakers and subwoofers, a stunning new audio series that blends a fresh design with high-performance sound to boost the onboard experience. Engineered to withstand harsh boating environments, the speakers are available in 6.5- and 7.7-inch sizes, offering clear, immersive sound, while the 10-inch subwoofer produces deep, powerful, clear bass. The M200 series speakers and subwoofers feature vibrant LED illumination in a wide variety of colors so boaters can personalize the look of their audio system to match their boat.

“With the JL Audio M200 series, we’re offering boaters a powerful onboard audio solution with crystal-clear sound, modern styling and customizable lighting – all at an exceptional value. Designed to keep the party going year after year, these speakers and subwoofers deliver the performance, durability and versatility to enhance any day on the water.”
–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales & Marketing

Featuring a 1-inch edge-driven silk dome tweeter with a neodymium magnet, the JL Audio M200 speakers provide a smooth and warm sound with power handling up to 60 watts RMS. The standard cutout size and mounting hole make it easy to retrofit the boat. The 10-inch subwoofer is constructed with an injection molded polypropylene cone and rubber surround and an optimized motor system to deliver minimal distortion, excellent low-frequency, and 250-watts RMS power handling.

RGB lighting allows boaters to customize the look of their M200 series audio system to complement their onboard style. When paired with a Garmin Spectra™ or Garmin Lumishore® light control module (sold separately), boaters can access advanced lighting control from a compatible chartplotter or ActiveCaptain® app. Both the speakers and subwoofers offer white or gray grilles to match the boat’s interior and maintain the premium look of other M-series speakers, including the M6 and M3.

Built from marine-grade materials and finishes with corrosion-resistant connections, the JL Audio M200 series provides high-performance audio all season long, withstanding salt and sun exposure.

The JL Audio M200 series is available now with suggested retail prices ranging from $199.99 to $349.99. To learn more, visit garmin.com/marine/audio.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin and its brands – JL Audio and Fusion – are committed to developing and delivering world-class audio entertainment solutions, including high-performance stereos, speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers and other audio components for the marine, car, RV, powersports and home markets. For more information, visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, or follow our blog. 

* Based on 2025 sales.

SOURCE JL Audio via PRNewswire

KICKER Was Once Again Livin’Loud At The Sand Sports Super Show

COSTA MESA, CA (09.21.26) – KICKER Performance Audio showcased multiple UTVs and vehicles at the world’s biggest sand show – the Sand Sports Super Show. The Orange County Fair & Event Center hosted the colossal event September 18-20 on the Center’s 150-acre grounds. KICKER’s display area was by the East entrance of the event grounds, anchored by the KICKER XRV and its Boom Room, which blasted 40,000 watts of epic sound all weekend long.

At set up demo vehicles led to the XRV.

The Sand Sports Super Show opened to the public Friday afternoon, and all was set in the expansive KICKER booth that stretched more than a football field. Enthusiasts stopped throughout the weekend to check out a wide selection of vehicles available for live demos.

Once the gates opened the KICKER booth was busy every day.

Lorin Morrell rolled in from Lake Havasu with the KICKER pickup and trailer. “There is nothing that compares to the Sand Sports Super Show to showcase the latest for UTV enthusiasts. From aftermarket mobile electronics upgrades, to lift kits, to wheels, to graphics… it’s all here. Once again this year KICKER led the pack with audio upgrades and eye appeal” Morrell relayed.

The Chug Bus from local retailer ELITE Car Stereo drew a crowd throughout the event.

Jeremy Wynn, KICKER Events & Promotions Manager, added, “It was another great year at the Sand Sports Super Show. Traffic in the booth was up from previous years, which resulted in a lot of good consumer interactions. The temp was in the 70s, making the show days very enjoyable under a blue sky. Overall, it was truly a great event as we continue to grow the KICKER brand in the Powersports community.”

For more information, visit kicker.com and sandsportssupershow.com.