Author: 12VoltNews

KICKER Wrapped the AMA ArenaCross Series in the Lazy E Arena with Marketing Pros and Quality Audio

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GUTHRIE, OK (02.25.26) – The 2026 KICKER AMA ArenaCross Series Finale drew a large crowd to the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie OK on Friday February 20th. Area KICKER rep firm Marketing Pros was on site and invited an area KICKER dealer Quality Audio to join them in the booth with Lorin Morrell.

“I have attended past KICKER ArenaCross events at the Lazy E Arena with one of our dealers. This year Randy Kirk had a chance to be on site and experience the way KICKER really connects with enthusiast and how Lorin Morrell makes all happen so smoothly. Stephanie and I really enjoy getting feedback directly from consumers. KICKER offers products for so many categories of rides on the road, trails and on the lakes. It’s so good to get consumers input.”

The stands at the Lazy E Arena were packed.

Marketing Pros Rick Dewey, along with his wife Stephanie, spent time in the KICKER booth that was very busy as all entering the Lazy E Arena passed by the KICKER booth on the way to their seats. Dewey invited area retailer Quality Audio to attend the event and Randy Kirk traveled from Choctaw OK to spend time in the booth and also see the exciting activity on the track at the KICKER ArenaCross event.

Lorin Morrell snapped this image with Stephanie and Rick Dewey from Marketing Pros in the booth.
“Attendees seeing and hearing this Kawasaki loaded with KICKER will remember it for a long time” Rick Dewey related. Photo by Phil Lambert.

Kirk related, “This was my first time to attend a KICKER ArenaCross and it was amazing. There was so much excitement throughout the arena. KICKER it’s a very strong brand in our store and it was great to connect with area consumers and put a big stack of business cards in people’s hands when they stopped by the booth. We have 2 businesses in our location. The second being Quality Diesel where we work on a lot of pickups of all sizes. Many leave with aftermarket automotive upgrades including KICKER gear.

Riders bunched in tight turns before flying over mounds ahead.
The Pro Pits were full for enthusiast to meet and talk with the riders.

Concluding “Spending time with Lorin Morrell and seeing all of the branding KICKER was doing to connect with consumers in the area. The track announcers did a great job and it was fun to see the young winner come to the KICKER booth to pick up his Bullfrog prize from the KICKER T-shirt toss. Rick and Marketing Pos provide a lot of support day in and day out for our store. The next time there’s an opportunity to attend an ArenaCross I will certainly plan to be there.”

“It was great having Rick in the booth again with an area KICKER dealer. In the Lazy E Arena all came together with KICKER, a top rep firm with Marketing Pros, a proactive retailer with Quality Audio and consumers. That certainly checked all the right boxes to drive business. All were Livin’Loud!” Lorin Morrell, Maddog_Media,r elated.

Stay tuned for info from next year’s KICKER AMA ArenaCross Series that will fill venues cross the US.

See more at kicker.com.

Wayne Harris to Feature Legendary “Terminator” Hearse During 2026 MasterTech Expo

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TEMPE, AZ (02.25.26) – Automotive audio pioneer Wayne Harris will feature his world-famous Terminator vehicle during a special live interview during MasterTech Expo 2026, held March 12-15, 2026 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Ariz., offering attendees a rare look into one of the most iconic builds in car audio history.

Open to all MasterTech attendees and exhibitors, the Terminator will be on hand and the featured session will take place March 12 from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM in the Delta AZ Ballroom.

Harris has been a driving force in the 12-volt automotive audio industry since the early 1980s. A designer, engineer, entrepreneur, and innovator, he has earned multiple Design & Engineering awards, he holds several patents for audio technology innovations, and was named one of the Top Ten Most Influential People in Car Audio from 1987–1992.

Originally built in the mid-1980s – well ahead of its time – the Terminator featured groundbreaking concepts including one of the first true symmetry-based system layouts, including six Power 1000 amplifiers and a rotating amplifier rack that redefined what was possible in mobile audio design. The vehicle pushed extreme power levels for its era and became a benchmark for competitive audio builds.

The Terminator Vehicle
The Terminator began life as a 1960 Cadillac hearse before Harris transformed it into one of the most legendary show vehicles in automotive audio history. Packed with massive subwoofers, multiple drivers, and staggering power output for the time, it helped shape early competition culture and left a lasting impression on anyone who experienced it in person.

Today, Harris has been carefully modernizing, refurbishing, and rewiring the Terminator, preserving its original spirit while ensuring it remains period-correct. Decades later, the vehicle remains a cultural icon, still talked about by competitors and enthusiasts who remember seeing – and hearing – it dominate early car audio events.

Live Interview & Walk-Through
Attendees will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear directly from Harris as he walks through the history, design philosophy, and technical innovation behind the Terminator.

The session will be hosted by Matt Schaefer and Gary Bell of the Old Fashion Podcast.

For anyone passionate about car audio history, innovation, and legendary builds, this is a moment not to be missed.

Register today at www.mastertechexpo.com.

Push Power to PRO LEVELS with Hifonics Colossus Mini Amplifiers

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LIBERTYVILLE, IL (02.25.26) – Hifonics Colossus Mini amplifiers create higher PRO POWER where you need it the most. The smallest size footprint of the Colossus family of amplifiers – Colossus Mini amplifiers are innovated with a sleek, bold design that blends into any car or vehicle interior.

Incorporating full-range Class-D chipsets (including the mono models) – all Colossus Mini amplifiers are compatible with a
wide range of drivers, especially pro-style speakers.

Feel BIGGER POWER in a Mini footprint.

To learn more, click here.

Code Zero Customs Was A Standout At The Starbird Show

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TULSA, OK (02.24.26) – Code Zero Customs had a major presence at the 2026 Starbird Rod and Custom Show in Tulsa. The event, the 63rd Annual, was held in the Tulsa Expo Center February 20th-22nd. This was the 10th year for Code Zero Customs to exhibit and the company’s 10th year to be an event sponsor. As part of the event sponsorship 2500 Code Zero Customs VIP Lanyards were provided to be worn on the show floor by attendees.

AudioControl, Memphis Audio and WavTech products were spotlighted in the booth.

Cody Landis, Code Zero Customs owner, related “Attendance this year was the best to date for us. Being on site up front with a 20 x 40 booth at the Starbird Show is always a real branding opportunity for our company. Attendees are serious automotive aftermarket enthusiasts and it’s a great way to showcase our brand, products and work to the right audience. Our Code Zero Customs apparel also grabbed attention.”

This sick ‘77 Chevy pickup owned by Chris Cortest from Kansas received custom door panels, custom dash and all the lighting by Code Zero Customs
2,500 custom lanyards were part of the sponsorship package.

Continuing “We started setting up on Wednesday for the Friday noon opening. Immediately we were seeing attendees in our booth. I talked with so many people about upgrades for their rides. Saturday was the same with the aisles packed and moving slowly. From our up front booth you could see there was always a line to get in the door.

Several Code Zero Customs project vehicles received awards at the show.

The Code Zero Customs booth area included a large tent set up to feature Audio Control, Memphis Audio and WavTech products. In the adjacent area a super slick custom 1977 Chevy Pickup project for Chris Cortest was showcased. Other project vehicles were close by with show trophies spotlighted.

“Showing great project vehicles by the booth really let attendees see the quality Code Zero Custom work Bobby, Jenny and I do. At the Starbird shows our goal is to put our brand in front of the right crowd. Attendees ask if we are local so they can come to the store to talk about projects on their vehicle. Every year we quote packages to members of the crowd and that turns into business at our store. This event was definitely terrific and we certainly look forward to the 2027 Starbird Show” Landis concluded.

Visit codezerocustoms.com for more.

SSR Distributors Sets 2026 Dallas Dealer Show For May 17

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DALLAS, TX (02.24.26) – “We are excited to officially invite you to participate in the SSR Distributors 2026 Dallas Dealer Show on Sunday, May 17, 2026” Tracy Farr, VP of Sales & Operations, related.

This will be our fifth annual Dealer Show, and we plan on making it bigger and more exciting than our previous four events. Each year, the momentum continues to grow, and 2026 will be no exception. We are targeting 175–200+ dealers in attendance, bringing together some of the strongest independent retailers in our region for a full day of networking, show specials, product education, and relationship building.

Our Dealer Show has become a key annual event for our dealers, and we would love for you to be part of it again this year.

Opportunities to Participate Include:

  • Booth space to showcase new and existing product lines (limited availability)
  • Show-only promotions
  • Dealer training sessions — let me know if you’re interested in hosting a training, and we will work to get it scheduled
  • Goodie bags for dealer registration — if you’re able to contribute items such as stickers, bags, shirts, hats, keychains, pins, or other giveaways, please ship them to:

SSR Distributors
Attn: Gary Durham
2880 Virgo Ln.
Dallas, TX 75229

In addition, we will be hosting two raffle drawings with dedicated raffle tables during the event. We will be requesting product donations to raffle off to attending dealers. Raffles are always a highlight of the show and a great way to generate excitement and brand visibility. We hope you will consider participating in this as well.

This is a prime opportunity to increase brand exposure, strengthen dealer relationships, and drive meaningful business in our territory.

Please let me know if you would like to reserve booth space, as availability is limited and will fill quickly. Once your invitation has been accepted, booth space details, show registration information, and hotel arrangements will be sent to you.

We truly value our partnership and look forward to building an even stronger 2026 together.

Contact Tracy@ssrdistributors.com or see https://ssrdistributors.com/

Meet Dan Bowman – A Consummate Sales Strategist and Devoted Business Catalyst

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(02.24.26) – With a career built on exceptional sales acumen and an enduring passion for automobiles, Dan represents the perfect balance of strategy and drive. His approach transforms every negotiation into an art form and every sale into a calculated success.

Join Dan as he shares proven techniques and forward-thinking strategies designed to help you unlock new levels of profitability, customer engagement, and long-term growth. Experience the synergy between strategic brilliance and automotive passion — and discover how to turn opportunity into achievement.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Day 1 – Attachments & Upsells: Master the art of value expansion and maximizing every customer interaction.
  • Day 2 – Diversified Revenue Streams: Learn how to build multiple pathways for sustained business growth.
  • Day 3 – Social Media & Marketing as a Sales Tool: Leverage modern platforms to amplify your reach and drive results.

Don’t miss this powerful three-day Sales Summit that will redefine how you sell, connect, and succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Register at www.cmaexpo.ca

The 2025/2026 AMA ArenaCross Series Wrapped Just 33 Miles From KICKER’s World HQ In Stillwater

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GUTHRIE, OK (02.23.26) – The 2026 KICKER AMA ArenaCross Series was Livin’Loud in the huge Lazy E Arena in Guthrie on Friday night February 20th for the Series Finale. The Lazy E Arena in Guthrie is a mere 33 miles from KICKER’s World HQ in Stillwater, OK.

The stands in the Lazy E Arena were filled.

On track the action was red hot and the attendees were Livin’Loud. Since KICKER’s HQ is so close there was a large turnout of nearly 200 KICKER team members and family in the VIP section. In addition KICKER dealer Quality Diesel from Choctaw OK was in the house along with Rick Dewey from the Marketing Pros rep firm.

This Kawasaki was Livin’Loud and bright with KICKER. Phil Lambert photo.
The Pro Pits were full.

“It was an amazing event with great action on track and a packed house that extended to the grand stand and VIP Area with many tables. Attendance estimate was nearly 5000 enthusiasts and some traveled from several hours away. The Lazy E Arena doors opened early for the long line that took 30 minutes to enter the arena. We had a KICKER tent and displays set up adjacent to the track area so virtually everyone who entered the Lazy E Arena had a chance to check out the KICKER setup. We had a selection of KICKER products for all to see. A Kawasaki loaded with KICKER and lights was on hand for all to checkout. As attendees entered by the booth we handed out hundreds of KICKER lanyards. Attendees asked Rick many questions and Stephanie handed out a ton of Quality Diesel cards” Lorin Morrell, Maddog Media, related.

Lorin Morrell presented the Bullfrog prize to the T-shirt toss winner.
Lorin snapped this selfie with Stephanie and Rick Dewey, Marketing Pros, in the KICKER booth.

The Pit Party got the action started on the track with enthusiasts walking the track and talking with riders and checking out their rides. In addition to the racing action on the track an air cannon fired KICKER T-shirts into the crowd during race breaks and track maintenance periods. A special KICKER T had a certificate wrapped inside for a KICKER BullFrog that was picked up at the KICKER display in the lobby.

25/26 KICKER ArenaCross Season Champion Ryan Breece racing for the win. Phil Lambert photo.
The 25/26 KICKER ArenaCross Season Champion Ryan Breece and his MCR Honda Race Team on the stage.

Concluding Morrell added “The AMA ArenaCross 2025-2026 wrapped on a high ‘Livin’Loud’ note in Guthrie. At previous events this year across the US enthusiasts have packed the stands with a high energy level and connected with the KICKER brand and
products that make their rides special.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

SEMA Statement on US Supreme Court Tariffs Decision

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WASHINGTON, DC (02.23.26) – In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling to strike down the Trump Administration’s tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) made the following statement:

“SEMA hopes this court decision enables the space to establish a transition period where American companies can reshore their operations, diversify their supply chains, and re-establish their domestic manufacturing capabilities. We encourage President Trump to continue to remove regulatory barriers that hamper the ability of small manufacturers to thrive domestically.”

BACKGROUND
Tariffs on automotive parts, as well as steel- and aluminum-derivative items, are not impacted by this legal decision. SEMA will continue to advocate for a level playing field for those who depend on domestically sourced raw materials.

The automotive aftermarket that SEMA represents has an annual economic impact of $337 billion, supporting more than 1.3 million American jobs.

The vast majority of SEMA member businesses, and of the broader automotive aftermarket, are small, domestic manufacturers who are committed to Made in America principles.

SEMA, in a previous letter to the Trump Administration, has urged the use of incentives that support American manufacturers as they transition their capabilities, including tariff exemptions for things like molds, tooling, and machinery brought back to the United States, as well as tax incentives to offset the associated costs.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.

Crunch Delivers Power You Can See and Performance You Can Feel

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LIBERTYVILLE, IL (02.23.26) – Patent pending VU Meter technology is placed directly on top of every V-DRIVE amplifier, allowing for convenient tuning for capturing the best possible sound from your Crunch car audio installation. Selectable logo illumination modes include switching between full constant red LED lights, VU Meter mode, or full off.

V-DRIVE amplifiers come in mono, 2-channel, and 4-channel configurations and feature clean and undistorted sound in a smaller space that takes audio to new levels of power for deeper output and richer listening gains.

To learn more, click here.

JEEP BEACH 2026 – A Must-Attend Industry Opportunity

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL (02.20.26) – Jeep Beach 2026 is gearing up to deliver one of the most powerful consumer engagement platforms in the country for the mobile electronics and aftermarket industries.

This city-wide, exclusively Jeep-centric series of events culminates in a two-day Consumer Expo on April 24–25 at the Daytona International Speedway. The infield will be filled with vendors and tens of thousands of highly engaged Jeep enthusiasts actively seeking products, upgrades, and installations.

For manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, Jeep Beach presents a rare opportunity:

  • Direct-to-consumer sales
  • Immediate brand exposure to a concentrated enthusiast market
  • Onsite installations within the iconic NASCAR Garages
  • Strong collaboration opportunities between vendors and their dealer networks
Jeeps are spotlighted in front of the DaytonaI International Speedway at a previous Jeep Beach event.

As a long-time dealer in the marketplace, Soundcrafters’ principal, Paul Papadeas, shares:
“Participating year after year has been an exceptionally positive experience. The Jeep Beach team is outstanding, and they work for a truly meaningful cause. The sales impact, brand exposure, and sheer volume of impressions are remarkable. In many ways, this event surpasses the industry impact we once experienced at Spring Break Nationals. Jeep Beach represents a real opportunity for the industry to move beyond the challenges of the past few years, re-engage dealer networks, and reenergize sales.”

Jeepers will be able to show their skills on these mounds on the infield of the Daytona Internation Speedway.

Vendor space is competitively priced relative to the nonstop foot traffic and high-intent audience. Beyond the business opportunity, Jeep Beach operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, having contributed over $5,000,000.00 to both Local and National Charities adding a meaningful philanthropic dimension to participation.

For brands looking to strengthen dealer relationships, increase market visibility, and generate immediate revenue in a high-energy environment, Jeep Beach 2026 is a strategic event to prioritize.

For additional information, visit www.jeepbeach.com.