AUSTIN, TX (4-28-26) The dB Drag Racing Association (dBDRA) has officially released the schedule and qualification requirements for the 2026 Finals. The upcoming season finale events will feature locations in both Europe and North America, providing a premier place for elite competitors to showcase their builds.

NORTH AMERICAN FINALS

• Dates: October 3–4, 2026
• Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN

In a continued collaborative effort to support the car audio community, dBDRA, IASCA, and ISPLL will host their 2026 Finals concurrently at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This partnership brings three premier sanctioning bodies together under one roof, providing a unified venue for the top SPL competitors.

By co-locating these season finales, the organizations offer a centralized destination that highlights the full spectrum of the sport—from music-focused builds to extreme, custom high-SPL vehicles. This co-location streamlines logistics for competitors participating in multiple organizations and creates a high-impact environment for industry sponsors and fans. The expansive space at the Fairgrounds ensures a professional atmosphere, giving competitors the ultimate environment to hit the lanes and put their builds to the test.

• Satellite Locations: A satellite venue is planned for Alberta, Canada. The dBDRA will assess the need for additional venues based on participation levels.
• Sponsorships: Companies interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities may contact: marketing@termpro.com or call 512-377-1055.

EURO FINALS

• Dates: September 19–20, 2026
• Location: Montichiari, Italy

The dB Drag Racing Euro Finals will be held in conjunction with the Festival dei Motori at the Centro Fiera del Garda. This venue offers an exceptional environment for competitors, sponsors, and enthusiasts to gather for the final European event of the season.

Sponsorship/Booths: Companies interested in securing a booth or exploring sponsorship opportunities may contact the event coordinators directly:

• Maxx Grassi: maxx@b2audio.it
• Yiannis Lekkas: prez@dbdragracing.gr
• Bine Zupan: bine.zupan@gmail.com

FINALS QUALIFICATIONS

To earn a spot in the lanes at either of the 2026 Finals, competitors must meet the following criteria:

• POINTS: 50 points are required for each specific format in which a competitor intends to compete.
• MEMBERSHIP: Competitors must hold a valid 2026 dB Drag Racing membership.
• DB DRAG RACING FORMAT: A certified score (2X or 3X) is required in the specific vehicle being used for the Finals.
• ADDITIONAL FORMATS: For Top Dog, Bass Race, Freestyle, and Psychlone, competitors must compete in at least one Multi-Point Event during the 2026 season.
• EXTREME DIVISION: The 50-point requirement is waived for Extreme classes; however, the vehicle must have a certified score (2X or 3X) on record for the season.

Palm Beach FL (4-27-2026) The ZW-FMV is a BCM-connected, plug-and-play module that allows installers to activate multiple flash patterns through the vehicle’s OEM lighting system, delivering a clean, factory-integrated solution without complex wiring.

Installed directly at the Body Control Module (BCM) with a simple power and ground connection, the ZW-FMV enables fast, efficient installs while maintaining OEM integrity. Flash patterns are easily controlled using the high-beam lever, with additional activation options including a push button or upfitter wire trigger for fleet and commercial applications.

The ZW-FMV is available now through ZZ2 and authorized dealers.

For ordering, dealer inquiries, or support, contact your ZZ2 sales representative or visit:

Enhance the driving experience by adding convenience and safety features that your customers will love.

STILLWATER, OK (04.24.26) – The 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) will soon take place in Atlanta June 1-5.  North America’s highest achieving skilled career and technical education students will participate in the premier showcase SkillsUSA Competition.  Students are currently competing at the regional and state levels to earn a coveted spot to compete at NLSC.  

Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater, OK recently hosted the 2026 SkillsUSA – Mobile Electronics Installation state contest.  The contest was attended by twenty-one students who are enrolled in automotive technology programs in high school and vocational schools all over Oklahoma.  Students competed in various contests which included soldering, Ohm’s law applications, amplifier tuning, and customer service.  Only two competitors will advance to the national contest: the top performing high school student and top performing post-secondary student.    

Kicker has been a major sponsor for SkillsUSA for over four years and contributes funds, equipment, course development, and volunteers.  Aaron Malin, Kicker Tech Force Global Training Manager, said, “We are constantly being reminded by our retail partners that skilled technicians are in high demand and hard to find.  SkillsUSA is a great organization that provides leadership, resources, and context to engage young people.” 

Mobile electronics professionals from manufacturers, rep firms, and retailers will be on hand to serve as judges and mentors for the national contest in Atlanta.  “We are still in need of funds for this year’s event. [Approximately $9,000]” said Chris Jack, Technical Chair for SkillsUSA – Mobile Electronics Installation. “If you could please scan the QR code below [or https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-train-future-car-audio-installers] and send just $50.00 we can make it.” 

Members of the industry are also encouraged to support SkillsUSA at the local and state levels.  “GET INOLVED!  Contact local trade and tech schools and see what you can do to be helpful.  Donating money is good, but working with excitement is the magic”, said Malin. 

For more information about SkillsUSA – Mobile Electronics Installation you can contact Chris Jack at 310-866-2454, or Bryan Gary at 806-922-1822. 

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (04.24.26) – Demand more from your audio with V-DRIVE POWER! VU Meter technology is placed directly on top of every V-DRIVE amplifier, allowing for convenient tuning for capturing the best sound from your Crunch car audio installation. Selectable logo
illumination modes raise your amplifier game.

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. Deeper sound output meets richer listening gains. Control innovative power with V-DRIVE!

For more info, click here.

HOUSTON, TX (04.23.26) – “The training was hosted by Firstech and we had the pleasure of having Joshua Woodie, who is the National Trainer, do a deep dive on everything Firstech has to offer. The rep principal, Hector Mena from Momentum Marketing, and the Firstech Western Regional Gabe Schmidt were also in attendance” Amir Dhanani related.

“The training had a great turnout with about 70 attendees and everyone was engaged all the way through. We even had some raffles at the end to finish on a high note.”

Distributors are in a unique position in today’s 12vol marketplace. Offering top brands, supporting dealers with prompt delivery and engaging shows and factory training is very important.

With strong locations in Dallas and Houston SSR is doing a great job.

For more see 12voltnews.com.

DIAMOND BAR, CA(04.23.26) – SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) today announced a strategic optimization of its media resources, highlighted by the launch of a new SEMA News digital resource page. This move reflects a broader realignment of the Association’s publishing efforts to better serve an industry that moves faster than a traditional print cycle allows.

By realigning a portion of its editorial resources toward high-growth digital platforms, SEMA is doubling down on its ability to provide real-time value to its members. This transition represents a modern shift in how the Association tells the industry’s stories, ensuring that SEMA remains the most agile, relevant, and influential voice in the aftermarket.

“Our goal is to meet our members exactly where they are with the information they need,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA Vice President, Sales. “While we are increasing our digital velocity to match the pace of the market, we remain committed to the high-quality, long-form journalism our members value. By adjusting our publishing schedule and realigning some of our resources, we can provide the best of both worlds: immediate news online and deep-dive analysis in our print publications.”

A Multi-Platform Approach to Industry News
The cornerstone of this expansion is the new digital hub at www.semanews.com. While SEMA continues to produce its respected magazines and in-depth long-form content on a more strategized schedule, the new digital-first focus ensures that critical news – such as legislative updates and business trends – are delivered without delay.

The shift focuses on the expansion of SEMA’s digital ecosystem, including:

• Semanews.com: The new centralized digital content webpage, launching today (with PRInews.com currently in development).
• SEMA News & PRI News: Enhanced weekly electronic newsletters providing a direct line to industry developments.
• Optimized Magazine Strategy: Continued production of high-value print editions and long-form editorial content, delivered on a quarterly schedule that complements the digital news cycle.
• Daily Digital Updates: New content and curated highlights published every day.

This launch will focus on helping SEMA members and aftermarket professionals integrate these new digital resources into their regular business habits.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 SEMA Show
This digital evolution also serves as an additional information source leading up to the 2026 SEMA Show, held Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas. As the world’s premier automotive aftermarket trade event, the SEMA Show will leverage the new digital hub to provide exclusive “road to the show” and other coverage.

Attendee and buyer registration opens on May 4; to sign up for notifications, visit here. For more information, visit www.semashow.com.

NEW YORK, NY (04.22.26) – SiriusXM has announced the launch of two new channels in collaboration with ABC News, further expanding its lineup of premium news and storytelling content. ABC News Live (ch. 796) is available starting today on the SiriusXM app, with 20/20 True Crime (ch. 794) launching in the coming weeks.

The ABC News Live channel delivers around-the-clock coverage of breaking news across the United States and around the globe. As a 24/7 streaming news channel, it keeps listeners informed on the latest developments in politics, weather, health, business, and more, offering real-time updates, analysis and context from ABC News’ trusted journalists.

20/20 True Crime will be a nonstop destination for gripping, in-depth storytelling from 20/20 and ABC News. The channel will feature award-winning narrative podcasts, full episodes of 20/20, installments of 20/20: The After Show, and curated cases from the 20/20 True Crime Vault. From headline-making investigations to unforgettable mysteries, listeners can dive into the stories, twists, and reporting that bring the truth to light.

In addition to the new channels, two ABC News programs will soon be available on SiriusXM’s P.O.T.U.S. radio channel (ch. 124). The venerable Sunday morning program This Week with George Stephanopoulos, alongside the award-winning Start Here Weekend newscast, can be heard by SiriusXM subscribers both in their cars and on-the-go, bringing expanded access to trusted political reporting and analysis.

This Week with George Stephanopoulos is ABC News’ pre-eminent Sunday public affairs program, anchored by George Stephanopoulos, and co-anchored by Martha Raddatz and Jonathan Karl. The show features newsmaker interviews, in-the-field reporting, and panel discussions offering unique coverage and perspectives on the major domestic and global stories driving the news each week.

Start Here Weekend, hosted by Brad Mielke, dives deeper into the stories driving headlines through in-depth conversations with ABC News correspondents, experts, and newsmakers. With an engaging and accessible style, Start Here Weekend helps listeners expand their understanding of the week’s biggest stories.

Starting this weekend, This Week can be heard on P.O.T.U.S. every Sunday at 2pm ET, with Start Here Weekend available on Saturdays at 9am and 6pm ET.

Both the 20/20 True Crime and ABC News Live channels will be available to listeners across North America on the SiriusXM app and in vehicles equipped with SiriusXM with 360L. Access to the SiriusXM app is included with most SiriusXM subscriptions.

Visit www.siriusxm.com for more.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (04.22.26) – BRUTUS BRL amplifiers set the bar in amplifier innovation and audio performance. With cutting-edge amplification technology and a modern chassis footprint, the ALL-NEW BRUTUS BRL amplifier series is engineered to maximize power efficiency while providing raw, clean power to drive subwoofers and speakers to their full potential performance.

Every BRUTUS BRL amplifier is innovated with a built-in VU Meter — while Ultra-Fi MOSFETS are designed for high output power and thermal dissipation through a proprietary coupling method. BRL amplifiers feature a Class-D chipset, making them more efficient and allowing for a wide frequency range. Dominate your audio setup with BRL.

To learn more, click here.

Overland Concept from the SEMA Garage to debut at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

LOS ANGELES (April 20, 2026) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), in collaboration with Acura, today revealed a one-of-one 2026 Acura MDX Type S Overland Concept, showcasing how modern OEM platforms can be thoughtfully reimagined through purposeful aftermarket upgrades to support off-road and overland adventure – without sacrificing daily comfort and refinement.

Designed and built at the SEMA Garage in Los Angeles, the MDX Type S Overland Concept showcases the innovation and technical expertise of SEMA-member companies. By pairing Acura’s high-performance SUV architecture with cutting-edge aftermarket components, the build demonstrates a growing shift in the enthusiast market: the desire for “go anywhere” capability without sacrificing refined “daily driver” performance.

“This project is a perfect example of SEMA’s mission in action — bringing OEMs and the aftermarket together to explore what’s possible,” said Luis Morales, SEMA’s Director of Vehicle Technology & Product Development. “The 2026 Acura MDX Type S Overland Concept shows how the aftermarket can responsibly and creatively expand vehicle capability while retaining the refinement and performance consumers expect from a premium OEM.”

Redefining the Modern Adventure Vehicle
Built on the performance-focused foundation of the 2026 Acura MDX Type S, the vehicle was transformed into an adventure-ready, overland-capable concept through the integration of off-road wheels and tires, functional lighting, cargo solutions, and camping equipment. The build is intended as a design and engineering exercise — not a production vehicle — to inspire enthusiasts and demonstrate fitment, function, and integration across a modern OEM platform.

Multiple SEMA-member aftermarket brands contributed components to the project, including:

• Baja Designs – XL Linkable Light Bar and Squadron Pro Ditch Lights
• Black Rhino – Voll Wheels (18×8.5 ET25)
• Falken – WildPeak A/T4W Tires (275/65R18)
• Inspired Overland – Overland Stargazer Duo Rooftop Tent
• NoLo Designs – Ditch Light Brackets
• Prinsu – Roof Rack
• RiG’d – UltraSwing Spare Tire Carrier

Each component was selected to support off-road durability, overland utility, and cohesive visual integration — illustrating how aftermarket innovation can extend vehicle capability beyond its original design intent.

Built at the SEMA Garage
The vehicle was assembled at the SEMA Garage–Los Angeles, SEMA’s OEM-agnostic facility dedicated to aftermarket testing, product development, and advanced vehicle technology. The Garage provided the tools, expertise, and environment necessary to develop and validate aftermarket solutions on the MDX Type S platform.

“Builds like this help SEMA and our members better understand new vehicle platforms and develop real-world solutions,” said Morales. “It benefits the aftermarket, OEMs, and ultimately the enthusiast.”

Public Debut at California’s 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
The 2026 Acura MDX Type S Overland Concept will make its public debut in the Acura display at the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, where attendees will have the opportunity to see the one-off build up close.

The SEMA Show: Where Aftermarket Trends Take Shape
At the 2025 SEMA Show, one standout trend was the growing number of performance-focused vehicles being outfitted for off-road and adventure use — a signal that enthusiasts increasingly want builds that don’t fit neatly into a single category. While the MDX Type S isn’t a supercar, this concept reflects the same go-anywhere mindset, translated into a premium SUV platform that many enthusiasts can realistically picture using every day.

Registration for the 2026 SEMA Show opens May 4, 2026. The Show remains the place where the industry gathers to spot what’s next across trucks, SUVs, off-road, performance, and lifestyle-driven builds.

For more information on SEMA, the SEMA Garage, and OEM partnership programs, visit www.sema.org. For more information on the SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.

Relaunched off-road advocacy organization to reach new audience of enthusiasts and businesses at premier gathering of overlanding community

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 17, 2026) – The Off-Road Business Association, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), is pleased to announce its sponsorship and participation as an exhibitor at Overland Expo West 2026, bringing its renewed advocacy focus to an expanded audience of the off-road community’s most passionate, innovative, and committed enthusiasts and businesses. Additionally, ORBA is excited to announce that Overland Expo has joined the organization as a Platinum-level member.

• Stop by ORBA’s exhibitor lounge at Overland Expo West 2026, May 15-17 in Flagstaff, Ariz., where the organization’s leadership will host scheduled sessions on land-use issues and the benefits of ORBA membership and preview the 2026 Overland Expo Industry Report.

“ORBA is thrilled to be a sponsor and participant of Overland Expo West 2026, one of our community’s premier events for off-road and overland companies, as well as enthusiasts,” said Sean P. Holman, ORBA Interim Executive Director. “Attending Overland Expo West 2026 will be a unique opportunity to help further develop the relationships that will help to make our federal and state advocacy a success. We are equally excited to have Overland Expo join our growing membership roster, adding a significant consumer-facing organization to our ranks of advocates. At Overland Expo West 2026, our new leadership team will be meeting with our fellow enthusiasts, talking about the issues that impact our lifestyle, and growing our ability to be a voice for all off-roaders. We are looking forward to getting to know many of the faces that make up our much-loved off-road community.”

“Overland Expo has long served as a gathering place for the overland industry and enthusiast community, and partnering with ORBA and SEMA is a natural extension of that role,” said Emily Boden, Show Director at Overland Expo. “ORBA’s work ensures that businesses and enthusiasts alike have a voice in protecting access and opportunity, and we’re excited to support their expanded advocacy efforts at Overland Expo West 2026.”

Additionally, Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA Senior Vice President for Public and Government Affairs, will be a panelist during the popular Women Who Wander networking brunch, providing insights into efforts to advocate at the state and federal levels for motorized access to public off-road spaces.

BACKGROUND
ORBA, a membership-based organization, recently announced a robust relaunch with a broadened advocacy strategy, enhanced research capabilities, and a renewed commitment to coalition-based action to protect the future of the off-road industry and enthusiast community.

As part of its relaunch, ORBA outlined several priority initiatives already underway:

• Protecting access to public lands
• Supporting federal legislation that preserves motorized access to outdoor spaces
• Continuing the ecologic partners collaboration
• Launching regional economic impact reports
• Expanding coalitions and partnerships
• Stewardship and education

With new tools, deeper partnerships, and a renewed focus on collaboration, ORBA is positioning itself to be a more effective advocate for businesses, enthusiasts, and the lands that make off-road recreation possible. ORBA has also upgraded the membership benefits to include regular communications, sponsored brand content across ORBA and SEMA Action Network digital channels and access to consumer research tools, and more.

Join ORBA and support off-road recreation today at www.offroadbusiness.org.