The SEMA Show: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Learning Experience

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SEMA Member News—November/December 2013

The SEMA Show: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Learning Experience

 

Long-time SEMA Scholarship Committee member Bill Holland (left) of Holland Communications Inc. spearheads the SEMA Scholarship Engine Project program. He is shown here with Ed Pink of Ed Pink Racing Engines, which has performed the machining, assembling and dyno-testing work on the engines for the past several years.
Long-time SEMA Scholarship Committee member Bill Holland (left) of Holland Communications Inc. spearheads the SEMA Scholarship Engine Project program. He is shown here with Ed Pink of Ed Pink Racing Engines, which has performed the machining, assembling and dyno-testing work on the engines for the past several years. 

  
The SEMA Show Student Program offers educators and students the opportunity to attend the annual SEMA Show. The program is designed for “qualified and motivated students.” The primary objective is to provide unique learning experiences that integrate the student’s field of study with actual business and trade-show opportunities in the automotive aftermarket industry. Students who participate in the program will:
  • Have an increased understanding of SEMA, its role in the automotive aftermarket industry and the market segments that make up the specialty-equipment industry.
  • Gain awareness of the diversity and depth of the automotive aftermarket.
  • Expand awareness of the SEMA Show and Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week.
  • Gain information about potential careers in the aftermarket industry.
  • Establish a network of key industry contacts and potential future employers.

In order to provide both students and faculty with the most valuable experience while at the Show, the SEMA Education Institute has tailored a specific schedule of programs within the Las Vegas Convention Center that include:

Monday, November 4, 2013

  • Student Welcome Lunch. Provides required orientation covering SEMA resources and the SEMA Show.
  • Behind-the-Scenes: SEMA Show floor tours.
  • Gear-up Girl Networking Event: Sponsored by the SEMA Businesswoman’s Network, this event connects female students with industry-leading female professionals.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

  • SEMA Education Partner Luncheon. Provides SEMA and school representatives with a chance to openly discuss educational opportunities, challenges and partnerships.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

  • SEMA Scholarship Winners Pit-Stop. Provides a forum to connect SEMA scholarship recipients with industry professionals while recognizing them for their accomplishments.

For more details on the Student Program and to learn how a school can participate, contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org.

ENGINEering the Future: SEMA Scholarship Engine Project Is a Win-Win Deal!

The SEMA Scholarship Committee is always looking for means to raise money to fund additional scholarships and to also spread the word about the program, endeavoring to attract quality applicants. In recent years, both goals have been met though a unique promotion that features a high-performance engine built entirely from products supplied by SEMA-member companies and auctioned on eBay. Much of the media coverage that results from the builds also contains information on the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF) and how young people interested in pursuing careers in the industry can apply for scholarships (which range between $1,000–$5,000) for universities, two-year colleges and trade schools. The SMSF also has a loan-forgiveness program wherein employees of any SEMA-member company can apply for assistance in repaying student loans. Details can be found at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Launched two years ago, the SEMA Scholarship Engine Project has enjoyed support from nearly two dozen manufacturers (who are also Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council members) and the talents of noted engine-building company Ed Pink Racing Engines (EPRE). EPRE, named “Performance Engine Builder of the Year” by Engine Builder magazine, performed the machining, assembling and dyno-testing work at its impressive facility in Van Nuys, California. Spearheading the project from inception through the builds was long-time Scholarship Committee member Bill Holland of Holland Communications Inc., while Anson Tse of eBay was responsible for the auctions.

The first year saw a 347ci small-block Ford engine go on the auction block, while a 405ci small-block Chevy was built this past year. Both engines featured Dart SHP iron blocks and SHP aluminum cylinder heads.

A new twist was added to the program last year in that the winning bidder would have a hand in how the engine was configured. The displacement, compression ratio, camshaft type and specs were decided at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in a meeting between buyer Rod Johnson and Ed Pink Racing Engines personnel Ed Pink and General Manager Frank Honsowetz. The engine, which put out more than 450 hp and had a very wide torque band, is slated to go into a ’55 Chevy pickup.

The SEMA Scholarship Committee wishes to thank ARP, ATI, Champion, COMP Cams, Clevite, Crane, Dart, Edelbrock, FAST, Fel-Pro, Hedman, Holley, Joe Gibbs Driven, Mahle, Manley, March, Milodon, Moroso, PowerMaster, SCAT and Total Seal for their participation.

Thanks also go to Engine Builder magazine (Babcox Media), Super Chevy magazine (Source Interlink Media) and www.EngineLabs.com (Power Automedia) for providing extensive coverage of the build.

Stay tuned for details on the 2013/2014 SEMA Scholarship Engine program.