By SEMA Editors
 Chris Forsberg unveiled a ’75 Datsun 280Z that he built over the last year with the help of partners, such as RAD Industries and K&N. |
 JDM Legends provided a full restoration of a ’72 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-X, including several GT-R styling cues and upgrades, an L20 engine with Weber carbs and Watanabe wheels. |
 Calvin Chan of Ravspec accepted the award on Phil Barone’s behalf for his ’93 Mazda RX-7, which features rare RE-Amemiya bodywork with Porsche front-end conversion from Japan, a Lamborghini paint job and new Advan wheels. |
For the second year in a row, Samuel Du, editor-in-chief of Super Street magazine, and RJ de Vera, customer engagement leader for Meguiar’s, combined decades of Japanese and European aftermarket experience to nominate the top three cars for the 2016 Super Street Awards at the 2016 SEMA Show. After four days, more than 1,500 vehicles and around 100,000 visitors of the SEMA Show, the 2016 Super Street Awards were presented to Phil Barone with his ’93 Mazda RX-7, Ginash George with his ’72 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-X, and Best of Show went to Chris Forsberg and his ’75 Datsun 280Z.
While several trophies are presented at the SEMA Show, the Super Street Awards, presented by Meguiar’s are the only awards that address the large and expanding community of today’s young and savvy tuner enthusiasts. The Super Street Award was created in 2015 to fill this gap, and honor builders that deserve as much respect and attention as the rest of the automotive aftermarket.
The criteria for the award is based on factors such as overall style, execution, cleanliness and attention to detail. The ultimate goal is to recognize vehicles that make excellent use of themes and employ parts that work well together, not necessarily the most funded or powerful builds.
Last year’s winner included Ryan Basseri and his Honda Integra Type R (Best of Show), Dominic Le and his ’75 Datsun Sunny Truck “Hakotora” and Mike Burroughs with his BMW E28 5-Series “Rusty Slammington.” The Super Street Award, presented by Meguiar’s is given to a vehicle owned, built and driven by an enthusiast that exemplifies the core of the Super Street and Meguiar’s passionate communities. The 2016 Super Street Awards at the SEMA Show went to the following:
Best of Show
Chris Forsberg, ’75 Datsun 280Z (S30)
Booth: K&N Engineering
Forsberg became the first three-time Formula DRIFT champion last October, and at the 2016 SEMA Show, he unveiled a Datsun 280Z that he has built over the last year with the help of partners, such as RAD Industries and K&N. Every inch of the Z has been modified, including the custom CarbonSignal G-Nose body kit and dashboard, RB25DET engine swap and the strengthened chassis, which was updated to handle the stresses of high-speed drifting.
Top Honors
Ginash George, ’72 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-X (Hakosuka)
Booth: Eneos Oil
George is an active member of a popular Chicago-based website JDM Chicago, and has been an affluent participant in the aftermarket community. After falling in love with the original Skyline during a trip to Japan in 2008, he connected with Utah-based company JDM Legends to source a limited-edition Skyline 2000 GT-X. While not a GT-R, the 40-year-old car was a rarity, and JDM Legends provided a full restoration. They have included several GT-R styling cues and upgrades, an L20 engine with Weber carbs, Watanabe wheels and more.
Phil Barone, ’93 Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)
Booth: Central Hall
Barone is a hardcore Mazda rotary enthusiast from New York. He has owned several RX-7 projects in the past, but considers this his latest and greatest build. He has called on help from tuning companies, including Ravspec, to get this FD to the high level it is today. The engine is a ported 13B rotary with BorgWarner turbo upgrade, top-mount intercooler setup with several other performance modifications. The Mazda’s most striking feature is its exterior, which features rare RE-Amemiya bodywork with Porsche front-end conversion from Japan, a Lamborghini paint job and new Advan wheels. Calvin Chan of Ravspec accepted the award on Barone’s behalf.