In the wake of the cancellation of the NOPI Nationals and the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s decision to forego any type of auto sound competition at the drag event they will be producing on NOPI’s dates, IASCA announces its plans for its competition season finale formally and formerly known as the “World Finals”.

With suggestions and input from its membership base, industry proponents and various international affiliates, the newly designated IASCA North American Championships will be held annually at the Spring Break Nationals, starting with the 2008 Championships being held at SBN in March 2009. “We have given this careful consideration” says Paul Papadeas, President of IASCA and SBN EXPO Group. “On many levels this makes perfect sense. SBN is a well attended car audio focused event that serves consumers and trade participants and soundoff competitors from both factions.

The newly expanded Ocean Center has enough space to host a regular TKE IASCA competition that anyone can enter, the Invitational IASCA North American Championships, the Tuner Jam car show and exhibits from both car audio manufacturers and automotive aftermarket suppliers all under one roof.

Also planned for 23rd annual SBN is an IASCA Worldwide Summit bringing industry and our international affiliations together for trainings, and to discuss the marketing phenomenon called soundoff and its effectiveness around the world. With all activities at SBN focused into one venue, instead of being scattered about on the beachside and parking lots, we’re able to deliver a more concentrated marketing message to the end users than ever before.

Renaming the IASCA Finals to the “IASCA North American Championships” may take getting used to for some. The action will give due respect to the rest of the IASCA world and their autosound challenge efforts. Our ultimate goal one day soon will be to realize a true world class competition event.

Another prospect for the invitational will be something that has eluded soundoff competition for years; prize money for the winners. We plan to return at least 50% of all invitational entry fees back to the winners and, if sponsorship and attendance of the event is strong, this number could increase dramatically. “It’s time to focus on what pulled us out of the slump almost 20 years ago; Soundoffs were a great marketing tool then and the same holds true today. The only difference is our approach, focus and control of its growth” cites Papadeas.
Expect more information from IASCA and SBN within the next few weeks. Stay tuned to iasca.com.

Source:
http://www.iasca.com/blogs/iasca/archive/2008/07/16/08-iasca-finals-news.aspx

Second Skin Audio has issued a press release here
http://www.secondskinaudio.com/news-events.php?id_news=29

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.’s $3.3 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. will mean millions of subscribers will be able to receive programming from both services, while executives say it will create huge cost savings for the industry.

Federal regulators formally approved the merger of the nation’s only two satellite radio operators Friday.

“I think it’s going to be, in the end, a good thing for consumers and be in the public interest,” Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin told The Associated Press. “Consumers will enjoy a variety of programming at reduced prices and more diversified programming choices.”

Subscribers will not have to buy new radios to receive a mix of programming from both services, according to the companies. But if they want to pursue a special pay-per-channel a la carte option, they will need new sets.

The FCC voted 3-2 to approve the buyout, with the tiebreaker coming Friday night from Republican commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate.

Tate had insisted that the companies settle charges that they violated FCC rules before she would approve the deal. The companies agreed this week to pay $19.7 million to the U.S. Treasury for violations related to radio receivers and ground-based signal repeaters.

The long-running regulatory review was watched closely by exasperated investors anxious for a resolution as well as 18 million-plus satellite radio customers with questions about what impact the merger would have on their service.

The approval was a major blow for the land-based radio industry, which lobbied hard against the buyout. It was also opposed by consumer groups, various members of Congress and state attorneys general, all of whom argued a satellite radio merger would hurt consumers and was not in the public interest.

“They kept each other on their toes,” Democratic commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said of the two companies. “I hope they keep their edge and don’t become a fat and happy monopoly.”

Adelstein voted against the buyout as did fellow Democrat Michael Copps. Joining Martin and Tate in approving the deal was Republican commissioner Robert McDowell.

The companies said the combination would create hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings and lead to greater choice in programming for subscribers and flexible pricing options.

Tate released a statement Friday night praising the commission’s decision to punish the companies for rules violations before acting on the merger and supporting pro-consumer conditions imposed on the deal.

Under the terms of the consent decree, XM will pay $17.5 million and Sirius will pay $2.2 million to resolve interference complaints and violations related to land-based signal repeaters the companies operate to deliver programming.

The final merger agreement did not require the combined company to include a chip in its radios that will allow customers to receive digital signals from land-based radio stations, which would have helped the land-based radio industry.

Tate, who was lobbied intensely by the industry in the final weeks, said she “could not in good conscience support a government-mandated requirement on the backs of American consumers at this time.”

Martin said the agreement is nearly identical to what he circulated among other commissioners when he first recommended approval for the deal more than a month ago.

The companies first applied for permission to combine in March 2007. The Justice Department approved the deal in March of this year without conditions, saying the companies don’t really compete because customers must buy equipment that is exclusive to either XM or Sirius, and subscribers rarely switch providers.

DOJ also agreed with the companies’ argument that they compete with other forms of audio entertainment, including digital radio, Internet-based radio stations and even devices like Apple Inc.’s iPod.

FCC approval faced a steeper climb because the companies were prohibited from combining under terms of their licenses. The agency struggled to come up with a way to show that allowing a satellite radio monopoly was in the public interest.

The companies voluntarily agreed to a set of conditions, including a three-year price cap and an 8 percent set-aside of “full-time audio channels” for public interest and minority programming. They will also adopt an “open radio” standard that may lead to a greater variety of features in radios and greater competition among manufacturers.

Sirius and XM also have promised to include a limited “a la carte” offering that would be available within three months of the close of the deal and allow listeners to pay only for the channels they want to receive.

© 2008 The Associated Press.

We’ve confirmed with NOPI’s public relations that NOPI Nationals and the summer/fall 2008 events have been canceled.

IASCA is diligently working on a new location for the IASCA World Finals. (click here)

Here is the release from NOPI announcing their latest news for 2008.

“It is with great regret that NOPI Motorsports, LLC has suspended operations for the summer and fall 2008. This will include NOPI Drag Racing Series, NOPI Drift Series and the NOPI NATIONALS Motorsports Supershow. The company is undergoing an organizational restructuring in light of severe adverse affects of a disappointing spring season. The economy and unfavorable weather resulted in underperformance of all spring events. Michael Meyers, president of NOPI Motorsports, reports that NOPI Motorsports is working with its clients and sponsors to minimize the uncertainty going forward. This is a reflection of the economic times in which we currently live. The countrywide economic and industry downturn has caused a slowdown and tightening of belts. This affects everyone and companies, at all levels, and NOPI Motorsports is no different.
(Nopi Press Release)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5E9mjI3y1E#

FloridaSPL.com has been cited as the ‘Florida car audio enthusiasts website’ and excerpts have been used in the Herald Tribune and on SNN News 6 TV.

For more information on this proposed law, check out the following:

Turn up the tunes and lose your ride
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Article Here

Is seizing noisy cars too much?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Article Here

SNN News 6 TV
April 22, 2008
Video Here

 Click here for Pioneer’s press release.

EAST COAST:
Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis IN

WEST COAST:
Mojave Crossing Event Center, Laughlin, NV

For more information, view Db Drag’s Announcement here

Also, our other friends at AudioJunkies.com have posted tons of pictures in 5 parts.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

For the first time in many years, Sound Quality competitors have the chance to win cash prizes. We have over $5,000.00 in prizes, including $3,000.00 for the final event. (The Actual Prizes will increase as we add competitors and sponsors.)

This is your chance to win $250.00 for each of those classes for a total purse available at SBN of $500.00!!!!

For more information, visit  http://caraudionationals.com