Posts Tagged ‘ SEMA ’

SEMA Accepting Applications for 2012 Scholarship Program

By Ashley Smissen , December 14, 2011 in News & Events

SEMA has announced that it’s now accepting applications for the 2012 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund provides scholarships ranging from $1,000–4,000 to students looking to further their education in the automotive industry.

The fund started in 1984 and has since awarded more than $1.5 million in financial awards to more than 600 students that are studying for careers in the automotive aftermarket or related fields.

“Paying for a high-quality education is a challenge for many people, particularly in today’s tough economy,” said Jamie Eriksen, SEMA education director. “SEMA is pleased to play a part in helping students prepare for careers in our industry. The specialty-equipment industry is innovative, dynamic and holds many opportunities for the next generation.”

In order to be eligible for a SEMA Memorial Scholarship, students must apply, provide college transcripts and letters of recommendation. The scholarship is a one-time award that doesn’t have to be paid back, according to SEMA. Awards are granted to eligible applicants based on academic achievements, work experience, community involvement, essay content and recommendations.

Ed Pink-Built Engine Raises Money For SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund

By Ashley Smissen , November 29, 2011 in Engine & Drivetrain, News & Events

A special high-performance engine built by famed engine builder Ed Pink recently sold at auction for $8,200 to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, SEMA has announced. The fund provides assistance to students seeking careers in the automotive industry.

The engine was blueprinted and assembled by Pink and his technicians at Ed Pink Racing Engines and featured no factory-stock parts. It was based on the small-block Ford design and was made up of components donated by SEMA member manufacturers.

The engine included components from Dart, COMP Cams, Scat, ARP, Milodon, ATI, Crane Cams, Moroso, Fel-Pro, Champion, Edelbrock, Speed Pro, Joe Gibbs Driven, Manley Performance, Powermaster, Mahle, Total Seal and Hedman Exhaust. It produced 404 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 403 lb. /ft. of torque on the dyno under SAE testing parameters, according to a press release from SEMA.

Live From the 2011 SEMA Show: Cool Car Gallery

By Ashley Smissen , November 2, 2011 in News & Events, Photo Galleries

The 2011 SEMA Show has officially begun! Hotrod & Restoration will be posting coverage from Las Vegas all this week, showcasing the amazing display cars, new product demonstrations and more.

Here are just a few of the many eye-catching cars located outside of the SEMA Show exhibit halls.

(All photos by Ashley Smissen)

Tags: 2011 Events, 2011 SEMA Show, Cool Cars, Photo Galleries, SEMA, SEMA Show

SEMA Announces New Product Showcase Award Winners

By Devlin Smith , November 2, 2011 in News & Events

SEMA has announced the winners of the New Products Showcase Awards, held Tuesday at the 2011 SEMA Show. The event recognizes the most cutting-edge automotive products either on the market or about to hit the market. This year, nearly 2,000 new products were submitted for consideration, according to the association.

Criteria that ranked high on the judges’ selection for the New Product Showcase Awards included superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability, according to the association.

The 2011 New Product Award Winners are:

Best Engineered New Product

Winner: Baer Brake Systems, Full Floating Rear End Conversion
Runner Up: Aeromotive Inc., Camaro Stealth Fuel System
Runner Up: Fuelab, Electronic Fuel Pressure Regulator

SEMA SAN Names 10 Worst Automotive Bills of 2011

By Ashley Smissen , October 25, 2011 in News & Events

Each year, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) releases a list of the best and worst automotive bills to come out of state legislatures. The list is published in SAN’s monthly newsletter, Driving Force.

The following are the bills that were proposed in 2011 that would have been the most detrimental to the industry, according to SAN. None of these bills were enacted into law; however, according to the published story, they may be reintroduced in future sessions.

1. West Virginia H.B. 2190: The bill would have qualified vehicles with exhaust systems that were deemed too loud by a police officer to be guilty of “disturbing the peace,” a crime that carries a fine up to $1,000 per occurrence, six months in jail or both.

2. Arkansas H.B. 1252: The bill would have allowed cities to remove an inoperable vehicle from private property if the vehicle is deemed a “nuisance” under a local ordinance.

SEMA-Member Companies Donate Parts for Charity Engine Build

By Ashley Smissen , October 18, 2011 in Engine & Drivetrain, News & Events

A group of SEMA-member companies have donated products for a small-block Ford engine build. The engine will be auctioned off on eBay in conjunction with the 2011 SEMA Show. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The engine will be assembled and dyno-tested at Ed Pink Racing Engines in Van Nuys, California.

The 347-cid engine is based on the Ford small-block design, and its foundation is a Dart 302 block and Pro 1 aluminum heads. The engine will be constructed entirely out of aftermarket components, according to SEMA. It will have 9.5:1 compression and is estimated to be able to produce over 400 horsepower on pump gas.

Companies that have donated part for the charity project include ARP, ATI, Champion, Comp Cams, Crane Cams Ignitions, Dart, Edelbrock, Fel-Pro, Hedman, Joe Gibbs Driven, Mahle, Manley, Milodon, Moroso, Powermaster, Scat, Speed-Pro and Total Seal.

New Car Show & Parade to Take Place After the SEMA Show

By Ashley Smissen , August 29, 2011 in News & Events

A 1934 Ford Roadster is shown leaving the 2010 SEMA Show.

SEMA announced that a car show and parade have been added to the events lineup for the 2011 SEMA Show.

“When the Show ends at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, magic happens as the display vehicles are driven out of the Las Vegas Convention Center,” show organizers said in a statement. “Over the years, this exodus has become an unofficial parade—an extension of the Show that hundreds of industry professionals and the people of Las Vegas line the streets to witness.”

Now an official event, the parade will also include awards, giveaways, entertainment and enhanced seating for those who want to view the exit of the vehicles.

After the parade, a car show will be held in the Gold Lot across from the Convention Center. Highlights of this show will include VIP interviews, special sponsor awards, showstoppers and commentary from host Joe Sebergandio.

Bill to Expand Use of Antique Vehicles Signed Into Illinois Law

By Ashley Smissen , August 17, 2011 in News & Events

SEMA announced that Legislation H.B. 3256, an Illinois bill that expands the use of antique vehicles, was signed into law on Tuesday by Governor Pat Quinn.

Under the new law, antique vehicles and replicas will be able to be driven without limitation during the warmer months of the year (April 1-Oct. 31). During the time period of Nov. 1-March 31, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration. The new law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

The state of Illinois defines an antique vehicle as “a motor vehicle that is more than 25 years of age, a bonafide replica or a fire-fighting vehicle more than 20 years old which is not used as fire-fighting equipment,” according to SEMA.

Top Builders Participate in Charity Pinewood Drag Races

By Ashley Smissen , August 4, 2011 in News & Events, Rod Shops

Derek White of Street Vizions built the winning Pinewood Drag Race car.

Many of the industry’s top builders used their talents to build cars for the annual SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races, held July 29 in Long Beach, California, in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

Sponsored by eBay Motors, the Pinewood Drag Races featured four race classes, with all proceeds from the race benefiting the Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp USA children’s charities.

The annual Builder’s Race was perhaps the most-anticipated race of the event. Derek White of Street Vizions took home first prize with a time of 2.939 seconds. Coming in second was the car designed by Rich Evans of Rich Evans Designs, which came in at 2.985 seconds.

SEMA Action Network Asks for Industry Assistance to Save Bonneville Salt Flats

By Ashley Smissen , August 3, 2011 in News & Events

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is seeking assistance from the hot rod and racing communities to help save the Bonneville Salt Flats, a site that has been instrumental to the history of the industry.

Racers have been going to the Bonneville Salt Flats, located in Utah, since 1914 to set land speed records.

“In addition to its professional racing programs, Bonneville remains at the heart of every racer’s dreams,” representatives from SAN said in a press release. “For decades, the Salt Flats have decreased in size, strength and thickness because salt has been removed by an adjoining potash mining operation.”

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been put in charge of preserving the Salt Flat, according to SAN. However, multiple BLM studies have found that the salt is being removed but not being adequately replaced by the mining company. Still, the Salt Flats continue to be reduced. Once measuring 96,000 acres in size, the Salt Flats now stretch across only 30,000 acres.

SAN is urging members of the industry to contact BLM Director Robert Abbey to inform him of the importance of the Salt Flats.