HOBBS, NM (02.27.22) – The AMA KICKER Arenacross 14-City 2023 Series raced into the Lea Country Event Center in Hobbs NM on Friday, February 24th. KICKER showcased products in the lobby and racers were flying high on the track for an enthusiastic crowd.
The Lea County Event Center in Hobbs NM
“The KICKER displays set up in the lobby area under the tent attracted eyeballs throughout the evening. The KICKER display actually overlooked the track” Lorin Morrell, who orchestrated the event, related.
As the Champ Kyle Peters and others surveyed the track during the pre-race track walk the KICKER is shown in the background.
Lorin Morrell (R) snapped this selfie as Bobby Crawford and his girlfriend Kalya Gamez arrived and put on their VIP lanyards.
Continuing Morrell related “The new pre-race Pit Party once again attracted attendees to arrive early for the event. We had a special guest arrive for the Pit Party. Bobby Crawford from JD Glassworks in Lubbock TX made the 100 mile trip with his girlfriend Kalya Gamez. They were VIP guests and joined crowd members for the Pit Party walking the track, meeting riders and checking out their rides.
Crawford offered “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to attend a KICKER Arenacross event that was so close to Lubbock. The drive was just over 100 miles. The event was terrific. There was so much excitement in the stands and Lorin welcomed us with VIP treatment. We made it back to Lubbock at a reasonable hour and I was back at the store Saturday afternoon.” JD Glassworks is a longtime Top KICKER dealer and specializes in ultra custom work in the Lubbock marketplace.
Once the racing began riders were flying high over the mounds and navigating the tight turns on the track through the race segments. During breaks between races Wes Kain was on the PA mic encouraging crowd members to wave their checkered flags. As a special offer Kain awarded KICKER Personal Audio headphones to the best flag wavers.
Riders navigate a tight turn on the track.
During the breaks in racing there were also KICKER T-Shirt tosses. Inside on wrapped T-Shirt there was a certificate for a KICKER Bullfrog. As the evening concluded the lucky crowd member brought the certificate to the KICKER display in the lobby and picked up his Bullfrog prize.
Wes Kain, PA announcer, hands a KICKER prize to the winner of a checkered flag waving contest.
Off-roading and outdoor activities are very big in this part of the U.S. The KICKER PowerBar grabbed attention along with truck and marine products under the KICKER tent. The KICKER brand is well known in the area and several visitors at the display mentioned they had been running KICKER products for years in their rides.
Concluding Morrell related “The KICKER AMA Arenacross series got off to a great start in Albany followed by successful events in Loveland, Prescott, Guthrie with 2 events, Reno and Denver before Hobbs. Next up is Amarillo on March 3rd. Each event added excitement to the 2023 Series and showcased that KICKER is Livin’Loud.”
Lorin Morrell presents the KICKER Bullfrog prize to the winner of the T-Shirt toss contest…shown with his winning certificate in hand.
The AMA KICKER Arenacross was definitely Livin’Loud in Hobbs.
POOLE, UK (02.27.23) – Celsus UK are delighted to announce their appointment as the Morel distributor for the Israel based company’s car audio product line in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Morel design, engineer and manufacturer market-leading handcrafted loudspeaker products from their headquarters in Ness Ziona, south of Tel-Aviv in Israel. Their product’s quality and performance are revered in the 12volt industry and are the equipment of choice for any celebrities and musicians.
Celsus will give Morel a greater presence in the UK market through their experienced network of in-car specialist installers, vehicle upgraders and boat builder partners.
“We are extremely excited to represent Morel, we have long admired the company’s products. Business is all about people, with Morel we believe we have a partner that will help us deliver amazing products to our customers and have real enjoyment along the way. The brand’s sound is exceptional and we cannot wait to grow together.” Said Paul Baker, Celsus UK Managing Director
The award winning Virtus Nano Carbon slim line speakers and flagship Supremo line stand out in the portfolio, alongside the most recent addition of the Integration direct-fit audio for BMW putting the brand at the pinnacle of this category. With an extensive product development roadmap, the future for lovers of music and audiophile-grade equipment is bright.
Nir Paz, Morel Hifi Sales Director adds “Celsus is a perfect fit for Morel and we are very privileged to have them join our family. They are some of the most genuine people I have met in the industry, and their excellent track record developing some of the best brands in the UK and Europe is a testament to their ability to forge meaningful relationships with dealers.
Producing some of the most innovative and best sounding speakers in the world is not enough if you can’t build a solid support system… and that is a Celsus specialty! We have done wonderful things in the UK market in recent years and I am confident that with Celsus amazing team we will take Morel to the next level. “
Inventory will be available late March in Celsus’ Poole based warehouse facility and in the specialist retailer network shortly after. Contact Celsus for details of your closest retailer to arrange a demonstration.
SHREVEPORT, LA (02.27.23) – It’s the 12volt Central Studios 12volt 6-Pack. As the 12volt Central Studios works to deliver fresh industry news each day of the week the 12volt 6-Pack is a way for 12volt industry members to catch up on news from the day as they refresh in evening after a busy.
Utilizing the 12volt STP Tool industry members on the road could highlight their day’s activities in the 12volt 6-Pack.
The 12volt STP Tool was created in 2020 for members of the 12volt industry to txt their news to the 12volt Central Studios. Snap and Txt an image to 318 465 0844. PRESTO… your positive news could be delivered to members of the 12volt industry. On Instagram and Facebook @12voltnews there are over 10,000 followers on each platform. Those followers are dedicated members of the 12volt industry.
Check out this 12Volt 6-Pack. Action from The KICKER Arenacross in Hobbs NM, Team Nutz in Pittsburg, Synergy Marketing and MTX in Houston, RPM and PowerBass on the road in Richmond VA, Kenwood 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel winner in Pasco WA and KICKER at the LoneStar ThrowDown in Conroe TX.
Use the 12voltSTP Tool to showcase your company’s brand and positive activities. Snap an image and Txt to 318 465 0844…PRESTO!
SHREVEPORT LA (02.25.23) WTF…Win This Friday. INOV8AUDIO won the JBL prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 216 on Friday morning, February 24th.
The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. The weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is now spinning in Year 5.
The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 216th time on Friday morning February 24th. The Wheel landed on the JBL space and the INOV8AUDIO slip was drawn from the jar. An Instagram post of the winning slip was posted. A video of the wheel spin was also posted.
We reached out by telephone to the winning retailer in Houston TX. Owner Roland Longoria very happy to hear the news. His store specializes in custom car audio, interiors and custom fabrication. They will have several customer’s vehicles at the LoneStar ThrowDown in Conroe TX this weekend.
Spinning out a winner each Friday, a lucky 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.
12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, PowerBass, CRUX, JBL, RDV Automotive, Kenwood, JVC, SD Lighting, Nakamichi and Maximum Power. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.
Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC, Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA, Audio Depot in Arlington TX, Audio Security in Houston TX, Earmark Car Audio and Marine in Lewisville TX, Audio Jam in Bear DE, Stereo City Ontario, Ontario CA, Audio By Art, San Antonio TX, Code Zero Customs in Tulsa OK, Ken’s Car Tunes in Mobile AL, Soundz Plus in Naperville IL, Markland Designs in Lithonia GA, Electronics Plus in Salinas CA, Xtreme Autosports in Santa Clarita CA, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Texas Dreamz Customs in Spring TX, Wired Electronics in Linden NJ and Intense Car Audio in OKC, OK, Underground Auto in Sarasota FL, Car Toys Tulsa in Tulsa OK, Real Audio in Erie PA, Go Autosound in Union NJ, DFM Stereo in Ukiah CA, Impact Tint and Audio in Tyler TX, Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX, Redline Audio and Performance In Spindale NC, Car Audio Land in San Diego CA, Audio X Custom Car Audio in Florence AL, River Oaks Car Stereo in Houston TX, American Radio Orlando in Sanford FL, Illustrious Customs in Woodbridge VA, Remote Start Pros in Lawrence MA, HiPro Audio in Victoria TX, AudioPlanetNY in Huntington Station NY, Endless Possibilities in Aurora IL, Audio Finesse in Santa Monica, Drive Customs in San Luis Obispo CA, Custom Works, Noblesville IN, AtoZ Detail in West Haven CT, Cars 843 in Charleston SC, CarTunes Atlanta in Atlanta GA, Mobile Concepts in Garwood NJ, Duke’s Car Stereo in Flint MI, Infinity Auto Sound, King Car Audio in Norwalk CT, PopTronics in Baltimore MD, Sanford Sound in Sanford ME, Angelvip2474 in Draper UT, Dynamic Car Audio in Baltimore MD, Hi-Pro Audio in Victoria TX, Car Stereo Max in Houston, Pro Audio Center in Richland MS, Rhodes Off-Roads in Farmington MO, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Class A Sounds in Athens OH. Just Audio Video in North Providence RI, CT_Custom in Philadelphia, Audio Solutions in Florence MS and The Audio Shop RC in Rapid City SD, DG Motorsportz in High Point NC, ST Mobile in Texarkana TX, AR Custom OC in Orange CA, Temecula Mobile Sound in Temecula CA, Unique Auto Sound in Lindenhurst NY, D’s Garage in Corona CA and DS2 Mobile Solutionz in Tomball TX, C G Car Audio in Kissimmee FL, California Audio in West Valley City UT and The Action Audio Store in Wethersfield CT, Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, Electronics Depot Car Audio in Altamonte Springs FL. Car Audio Garage in Pearland TX, Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City FL, J H Audio in Bowling Green VA, The Car Audio Shop StL in High Ridge MO, Anthonys Car Stereo in North Highlands CA, Flynn Audio in Middleton WI, Living Loud Car Audio in Pelham AL, Trail Star Audio in Minnesota, On The Spot Audio in Pennsauken NJ, Animated Car Audio in Essex MD, West Coast Car Audio in Citrus Heights CA, Modified Auto Sound in East Alton IL, Star Car Audio in Hermiston OR, VapeNAudio in Clovis CA, SoundWorks in Millersville MD Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, J A Custom Audio in Houston TX Jose Electronics in North Hills CA, Sound Proof Car Stereo in Douglasville GA, Auto Additions in Springfield IL, Elite Car Audio in Hollywood CA, Masters Car Stereo in Greenville SC, Audio Plus in Eden NC, Seismic AutoSound in Novato CA, Car Audio Addicts in Pittsburgh PA and AudioKing Tinting in Yakima WA, Arias Tint and Alarms in Duncanville TX, Odeh Car Audio in Gadsden AL, 12volt Specialist in Newark DE, Cutting Edge Audio in San Diego CA, Southern Auto Fab in Lafayette LA, California Sound in Fontana CA, Big Boyz Toyz in Florence SC, 740 Audio in Athens OH and 12volt Outfitters in Hollywood FL., High Quality Auto Sound, Lawrence MA, Custom Car Stereo SC in Spartanburg SC, Zier Box in Dallas TX, Maximum in Manville NJ, Audio Car Stereo in Miami FL, Mach 1 Audio in Washington MO, Doren Car Stereo in Queens Village NY, Side-x-Side Audio in South Charleston WV, Sound Concept in Nanuet NY, Pda Road Gear in Littleton CO and A-Plus Audio and Tinting Newington CT, Audio Electronics in Indianapolis IN, Tint and Sound in Frederick MD, Tint World Wilmington DE, VIP Autoworks in Mentor OH, All Out Audio in Killeen TX, Yong’s Audio in Indianapolis IN, Custom Audio Concepts in Lima OH, Clear Vibrations in Quakertown PA, The Outlaw Garage in Columbia TN, Xpert Car Audio in Layton UT, No Doubt Window Tint in Ardmore OK, San Diego Car Stereo in San Diego CA, Smart Audio in Lawrence MA, Car Audio One in Chula Vista CA, Audio Excellence in Orlando FL, Ultimate Sounds 1 in Wilmington NC, King Kong Custom Audio in Albuquerque NM. Manny’s Customs in Stockton CA, OD Car Audio in Pasco WA and Car Tunes on Line in Largo FL.
Congratulations to all.
WTF… Where’s the Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel… on Friday, March 3rd.
EAST WENATCHEE, WA (02.24.23) – IASCA Worldwide creates a new SPL format called ‘Demo Boxing’. Based on the popular IASCA Bass Boxing rules, Demo Boxing comprises of two classes; Wall and No Wall. Competition determines the top two qualifiers in each class who battle against each other in a final 90 second round to generate the highest average SPL over that time frame. The highest average 90 second score will be the Event Champion.
“Demo Boxing is a simple and fun format designed to allow competitors to show off their systems to an audience and compete for awards and CAP points.” said IASCA President Travis Chin. “As the world of car audio competition evolves, IASCA Worldwide’s goal is to bring positive, challenging and fun competition formats to car audio enthusiasts and competitors and entertainment for all those involved.”
Travis Chin, IASCA President
The format offers competitors the option to compete with any or all doors and windows open, whichever works best to increase their average SPL number over the time frame.
Demo Boxing will make its debut at SoundCheck Customs in Lafayette, IN on March 26th, 2023. Subsequent events are scheduled for April 1st, 2023 at Kollars Kallout in Niceville, FL. and Sight & Sound Audio Connections in Centralia, WA on April 16th.
For more information on IASCA Worldwide and the IASCA Demo Boxing, visit iasca.com or contact President Travis Chin at travis@iasca.com.
POOLE, UK (02.24.23) – Celsus UK, European distributor for Dynamat noise and heat control materials, have chosen Avant Denmark A/S as representation in the Danish market.
The appointment will greatly strengthen Dynamat’s presence in the Danish market ensuring that consumers can benefit from the world’s best performing in-vehicle sound proofing and heat insulation materials. Dynamat is world renowned as setting the standard for damping materials in vehicles and the chosen products are high profile car restorers and car audio enthusiast alike.
Pictured L-R: Thomas Schaarup – Purchaser, Avant A/S, Mike Keenan – European Sales Manager, Celsus UK, Lasse Thorbøll Juhl – Purchasing Manager, Avant A/S
“We are very happy to welcome Mads and his team at Avant to the Dynamat family. Their passion for their work, knowledge of the market and their impressive operation gives me confidence we will achieve great things as our relationship develops in the coming years,” said Mike Keenan, European Sales Manager for Celsus UK.
With over 30 years of successful installations Dynamat® Xtreme® is the perfectly balanced automotive sound damping material. These five key features– adhesion, thickness, effectiveness, ease of installation and American made – are designed to work together to create the perfectly balanced sound damping material which leads the way in performance.
Mads Lund Jakobsen, Customer & concept manager for Avant Denmark A/S added, “It is with great pleasure that Avant Denmark A/S adds the Dynamat range of market-leading sound isolation and noise/vibration reduction to our product portfolio. The brand will complement our high-end car hifi products from Alpine, JVC and Sony, strengthening Avant Denmark as the total supplier of high-end car audio solutions. Dynamat will be sold through our varied multi-channel distribution network with a few specially selected brand stores in which the end-consumer can see, hear and feel the quality of the Dynamat products.”
Commenting on the appointment Mike Good, President of Dynamat Inc said, “The Dynamat team and I are very excited to welcome Avant Denmark on board! We very much look forward to a long and successful partnership in the Danish market. At Dynamat we have an unapologetic focus on quality and making your vehicle a better vehicle, and it gives me great pleasure to know that Danish car enthusiasts can experience this through Avant A/S.”
DIAMOND BAR, CA (02.24.23) – The supply-chain issues that impacted the United States over the past few years largely peaked and are starting to recover.
According to the new “2023 SEMA Future Trends – January 2023” report, supply-chain issues are expected to improve in 2023, but it will take time to return to pre-pandemic levels, especially with supplies that affect the automotive sector like semiconductors (or chips).
According to the SEMA study:
The specialty-equipment industry has been affected. More than 90% of companies have been moderately or severely impacted by supply-chain issues. Most expect things to normalize by the end of 2023 or into 2024. Ports are less congested. Container ports in the United States, like in Los Angeles or Long Beach, are no longer as congested with container ships waiting for berths. As a result, prices have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Trucking is improving nationwide. Demand for cross-country hauling by truckers has eased and the number of trucks available to ship things has increased. Prices have also dropped from their record highs. Semiconductor, or chip, shortages continue. Shortages, most notably for the automotive sector, continue to linger. Average lead delivery times for chips decreased but remain high, at approximately 25.5 weeks as of October 2022.
For an in-depth analysis on how port congestion has eased, projections for supply-chain improvement by manufacturer / distributor / retailer, and prices for shipping by truck, download the “SEMA Future Trends – January 2023” for free at www.sema.org/research.
TULSA, OK (02.23.22) – The 59th Darryl Starbird National Rod and Custom Car Show filled the Tulsa Expo Square February 16th thru 19th. Car Toys Tulsa, the Trophy Sponsor, took a large 20′ x 40′ booth up front to highlight custom demo vehicles and products.
The Trophy Sponsorship included a custom plaque that will be featured in the store.
Charles Stewart, Car Toys owner, stated “Car Toys has been exhibiting at the Darryl Starbird show for years. On Saturday alone the attendance was reported to have topped 20,000. Total attendance topped 35,000 for the show’s run. There were other shows happening at the fairgrounds and a friend told me it took him over 30 to find a place to park. Our booth, as the Trophy Sponsor, was right up front so attendees checked us out when they entered and were leaving the event. Also as a sponsor we received a lot of play over the PA system during the show”.
The Car Toys Tulsa booth at the Starbird Show was in a prime spot by the entrance.
Car Toys Tulsa also received visibility on the heavy local radio and TV news coverage schedule that aired in the Tulsa area.
A special demo vehicle in the booth was Mark Adams’ Prius that was an entry in a recent Sony ES Build contest. Car Toys Tulsa did the extreme custom installation and the Car Toys Tulsa entry finished in the Top 10 entries from across the U.S.
The Mark Adams’ Prius placed in the Top 10 in a National Sony Installation contest. Car Toys Tulsa did the extreme custom installation.
The Car Toys Tulsa pick up and motorcycle demos, both loaded with Rockford Fosgate kept attendees in the booth experiencing the amazing systems.
Stewart added “Mark was in the booth all day each day of the show. During the event he did well over 100 demos for event attendees. Our loaded pickup and motorcycle in the booth also kept show goers in our booth to experience the maxed out Rockford Fosgate systems in those demos.”
Charles Stewart holds one of the hundreds of custom koozies they passed out at the event.
Concluding Stewart added “We got a ton of exposure for Car Toys plus a large number of very positive leads and scheduled appointment in the store. Five members of the Car Toys staff rotated in the booth during the show and really pitched in. We had the store open too so our staff members had a lot to handle. On Sunday everyone was in the booth and did great job as we finished the event and moved out. We definitely look forward to the 2024 Starbird show.”
A big 12volt News hat’s off to Car Toys Tulsa for participating at a major consumer event.
LAS VEGAS, NV (02.24.23) – “The AIMEXPO was the best one I have attended. The Powersports industry used to have a huge show in Indianapolis that went away years ago. AIMEXPO has moved around from Orlando to Columbus, OH to Las Vegas and I have been to most of them. This was larger and I think they sold out of space in the upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendance was running double last year” Scott Hochmuth, Real Performance Marketing Principal, related.
The AIMEXPO took place on the upper level of the South Hall at the LVCC.
The new JBL Rally Bar grabbed a lot of attention along with Infinity Kappa products in the booth.
Continuing, “I was there along with our SC/FL rep Joe Stelmack and our Mid-Atlantic rep John Gray. We bounced from booth to booth all through the show running to meet with dealers and learning more about the product lines on the AIMEXPO show floor.”
The AIMEXPO ran from Wednesday to Friday February 7th-9th. The 12volt footprint was about a 50-50 footprint in 12Volt Audio and Powersports along with a nice cross-section in the Powersports and Marine Audio segment. RPM had six lines there including JBL that had booths and met with four more RPM lines that were there but were not showing. Overall a very successful trip.
Apparel is a growing category with motorcycle and Powersports enthusiasts.
E-Bikes is a growing category and RPM is seeing interest in the marketplace.
Concluding, Hochmuth relayed, “Overall it was a very successful trip, We had a helmet line, a clothing line, three e-bike lines, and JBL showing the new Rallybar to Powersports dealers for the first time. None of them have heard a soundbar with that kind of sound quality and low-frequency response. Pre-orders have been brisk. Expected to ship in Q2.”
The JBL booth staff and RPM team capped a busy day at the event with a dinner. (LtoR) Joe Stelmack-RPM, Fred Isensee-JBL, Troy Carter-Vanevery Marketing, John Gray-RPM, Scott Hochmuth-RPM, Jon Kluiter-VMC Pros and Shawn Spedding-JBL.
RESEDA, CA (02.23.23) – Crux has released a radio replacement with SWC & Digital Camera Retention for select 2018 – up Dodge, Fiat, Jeep & Ram Vehicles. The SWRCR-59LV radio replacement interface retains steering wheel controls and digital camera retention.
Features: – Retains factory features in select Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and RAM vehicles while functioning with an aftermarket radio. – Retains Steering Wheel Controls via built-in, pre-programmed interface. – Provides accessory power (2A Max). – Retains factory backup camera (composite and LVDS) – Retains factory Aux input in select vehicles – Retains factory analog amplifier on select vehicles – Retains factory SWC phone button functionality in select vehicles. – EIA color coded wiring for easy installation.
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