By Ashley Reyes
The Industry Cup Challenge, a beloved SEMA tradition that unites automotive passion with friendly competition and philanthropy, is returning to the SEMA Leaders and Legends Gala pre-banquet reception in Universal City, California, on Friday, July 25, steps from Universal Hollywood. Join the challenge here!
Each year, the Industry Cup Challenge takes charitable giving to the next level, offering SEMA member companies the opportunity to sponsor and race a pinewood derby car in thrilling downhill action for a good cause. The money raised from the races will benefit the three SEMA Cares partners: the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer; Childhelp for the prevention and treatment of child abuse; and the Victory Junction camp for children with serious medical conditions.
Small Cars, Big Impact: How it Works
The Industry Cup Challenge features competitors in five different categories: Warehouse distributions, manufacturers, media, sales rep agencies, and service providers. Companies from each category will race to be number one in their division. The winners of each category will then race head-to-head to be crowned the 2025 Industry Cup Challenge champion—trophy immorality and bragging rights are included! (If a sponsoring company cannot attend the Gala, a SEMA Cares volunteer will race the company's pinewood car on their behalf for the chance to win)
The winning company will then take home the Industry Cup Challenge trophy with their company name engraved on it among past winners. In a Stanley Cup-style tradition, the trophy will be returned next year, giving the winner a chance to defend their title.
Ready to Race?
Sponsoring a pinewood derby car is a great way to create a meaningful impact beyond the automotive industry and improve the lives of children in need. The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.
Join the challenge here!
To purchase tickets for the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala, the prestigious celebration set to honor the 2025 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees and recognize incoming and outgoing members of the SEMA Board of Directors, visit sema.org/gala.
