Mike Cooper of Spankys Hot Rods works on his miniature custom pinewood car for the HRIA Builder's Challenge.

Some of the nation’s best hot-rod and custom-car builders will create unique pinewood race cars to participate in the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, presented by eBay Motors. The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Builder's Challenge allows these selected hot-rod builders to create one-of-a-kind miniature custom cars to be raced and then auctioned to benefit the Childhelp and Victory Junction children's charities.

Participants include:

• B Rod Or Custom
• BS Industries
• Bubba's Rods & Customs 
• Fast Lane Hot Rods 
• Goodguys Rod & Custom Association
  
• Goolsby Customs
• Greening Auto Co.
• Hollywood Hot Rods 
• Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle 
• Johnny's Auto Trim 
• Kaucher Kustoms
• Lokar Inc. 
• No Joke Upholstery
• Performance Coachworks
• Rich Evans Designs
• Ringbrothers
• Spankys Hot Rods
• Spitzer Concepts
• Strange Motion
• Street Vizions

The rules for the race are very liberal, allowing the builders to apply all of their skills to create these miniature hot rods. After the Pinewood Races at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California, July 27, the cars will be put on display at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, October 30–November 2, 2012.

You can own one of these collectible cars by bidding on them on eBay, October 30–November 8. Stayed tuned to SEMA eNews for more updates on the HRIA Builder's Challenge. Check out the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races website for more information.

Held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races, presented by eBay Motors, take place at 12:00 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. There is no better location for Pinewood Drag Races than Pomona—home of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and Auto Club Raceway.  

Proceeds from the races benefit the Childhelp and Victory Junction charities. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood drag race car is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today.