Emcee Dave McClelland hosts proceedings at the 2007 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.
The annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser serves to not only thank the association's outgoing Board members and welcome those newly elected, but also to announce the newest inductees into the SEMA Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are Raymond Bleiweis, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Corky Coker and Robert Cook—an elite group of industry innovators and pioneers who have played a key role in the automotive specialty-equipment market.
This year's event is further underscored by a program of charitable fundraising activities that includes a golf tournament, the Pinewood Drag Race and a silent auction.
Proceeds from all fundraising benefits SEMA's two chosen charities, Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Childhelp aids victims of child abuse and originally began receiving support from wheel manufacturers in 1994 and now garners significant contributions from a wide range of industry businesses.
Victory Junction Gang Camp, founded in 2004 by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, has received support from the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance and others in the industry. Victory Junction uses camping experiences in its racing-themed facilities to enrich the lives of children who suffer from chronic medical conditions or illnesses.
The golf tournament begins at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, at the Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine, California. SEMA council members are among those refining their game to challenge for the Council Cup Perpetual Trophy, a friendly competition among councils to prove who has the better hackers.
A special "Council Package" price of $2,000 (a $300 discount) is available for Council Cup competitors. The package includes four rounds of golf at the tournament and dinner for four at the annual gala banquet and charity auction, to be held that evening at the Irvine Hyatt Hotel. At least one active council member must participate in the golf tournament foursome to be eligible for this special pricing offer.
Any foursome consisting of two or more active council members will automatically be entered in the Council Cup Challenge representing their council (be sure to indicate on your registration form which council you are representing). The package includes four rounds of golf at the tournament and dinner for four at the Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, to be held that evening at the Irvine Hyatt Hotel.
To register for the golf tournament, click here for the registration form.
The Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser will also feature the inaugural SEMA Pinewood Drag Race Sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing. The checkered flag will drop prior to the SEMA Hall of Fame recognition and fundraising activities. According to Race Director Mike Spagnola, the inaugural event will feature three race classes: Stock, Modified and Unlimited.
Those interested in building a Pinewood Drag Race car with the children from Childhelp can join SEMA for a special trip to The Village of Childhelp West in Beaumont, California, where participants can help the kids sand, paint and assemble cars that will run in the Pinewood Drag Race. Contact Mike Spagnola at mike@streetsceneeq.com for details.
For further information about the race and its rules, click here.
Finally, SEMA will host a live and silent auction prior to the Banquet, with auction items ranging from sports memorabilia (Brett Favre has autographed a football for the occasion) to a 2006 Victory motorcycle owned and donated by Kyle Petty. Stay tuned to SEMA eNews for a full listing of items in future issues.
Tickets and details for the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, including schedule of activities, golf tournament entries and auction donation forms, are available at www.sema.org/gala or by contacting Lisa Moreno at lisam@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 105.
Donations to the Silent Auction include:
Kyle Petty's 2006 Victory Jackpot motorcycle, donated by Kyle Petty
Brett Favre-autographed Wilson football, donated by Rick Rollins
Greer-Black Dragster 1:6 detailed replica
