By Carr Winn

At SEMA’s recent Installation Gala, attendees paid tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. Voice of the NHRA Dave McClelland was the emcee for the night and jokingly told the crowd that some people think tonight, “…is about installing car parts, and then having a fancy dinner.”   

As the laughter subsided, McClelland explained that the real reason everyone was gathered was to reflect on the career of three remarkable individuals entering the Association’s Hall of Fame—Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham. In addition, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize the outgoing and newly elected members of the SEMA Board.

The night also included some charity fundraising in the form of grudge matches on the Pinewood Drags racetrack. The races are now an annual event during the Installation Gala and there are several classes, including Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and campers attending Victory Junction built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95. A special thanks to all Pinewood racercar sponsors, and congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Pinewood races. Here’s a look at the leaderboard. 

Pinewood Drag Races Results

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities and events from the 2015 SEMA Installation Gala. To all who attended, thank you for your generous support of our industry and of the SEMA Cares charities. If you were unable to go, make it a priority not to miss out next year!

After a morning meeting, the 2015-2018 SEMA Board of Directors assembled in the courtyard for a photo shoot.		The Pinewood Drags is a charity fundraiser, but it’s also a race and that means competitors are subject to tech inspections after each run.
Voice of the NHRA Dave McClelland addressed the crowd, explaining that the Millennium Biltmore Hotel was among the most elegant locations to ever host the SEMA Installation Banquet.		SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Joel Ayres provided the commentary during the Pinewood Drags finals. At the control lever was Victory Junction’s Kinsley Parsons.
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) posed for a photo with three SEMA Board Chairman. From his left, Chair-elect Wade Kawasaki, Coker Tire; Immediate Past Chairman Nate Shelton, Driven Performance Brands; and Chairman of the Board Doug Evans, Luken Communications.		SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Joel Ayres has received many accolades throughout his career both in celebration of his hard work and his devotion to helping others through charity.
SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Jim Bingham dedicated his life to two things, his loving family and the automotive aftermarket. Beyond running a successful group of retail stores he has also inspired high school students to join our industry via the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge.		SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Dennis Gage is part musician, part scientist and part celebrity. Known for hosting “My Classic Car” on television, Gage and his signature mustache have been a mainstay in car culture for decades.

By Carr Winn

At SEMA’s recent Installation Gala, attendees paid tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. Voice of the NHRA Dave McClelland was the emcee for the night and jokingly told the crowd that some people think tonight, “…is about installing car parts, and then having a fancy dinner.”   

As the laughter subsided, McClelland explained that the real reason everyone was gathered was to reflect on the career of three remarkable individuals entering the Association’s Hall of Fame—Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham. In addition, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize the outgoing and newly elected members of the SEMA Board.

The night also included some charity fundraising in the form of grudge matches on the Pinewood Drags racetrack. The races are now an annual event during the Installation Gala and there are several classes, including Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and campers attending Victory Junction built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95. A special thanks to all Pinewood racercar sponsors, and congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Pinewood races. Here’s a look at the leaderboard. 

Pinewood Drag Races Results

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities and events from the 2015 SEMA Installation Gala. To all who attended, thank you for your generous support of our industry and of the SEMA Cares charities. If you were unable to go, make it a priority not to miss out next year!

After a morning meeting, the 2015-2018 SEMA Board of Directors assembled in the courtyard for a photo shoot.		The Pinewood Drags is a charity fundraiser, but it’s also a race and that means competitors are subject to tech inspections after each run.
Voice of the NHRA Dave McClelland addressed the crowd, explaining that the Millennium Biltmore Hotel was among the most elegant locations to ever host the SEMA Installation Banquet.		SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Joel Ayres provided the commentary during the Pinewood Drags finals. At the control lever was Victory Junction’s Kinsley Parsons.
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) posed for a photo with three SEMA Board Chairman. From his left, Chair-elect Wade Kawasaki, Coker Tire; Immediate Past Chairman Nate Shelton, Driven Performance Brands; and Chairman of the Board Doug Evans, Luken Communications.		SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Joel Ayres has received many accolades throughout his career both in celebration of his hard work and his devotion to helping others through charity.
SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Jim Bingham dedicated his life to two things, his loving family and the automotive aftermarket. Beyond running a successful group of retail stores he has also inspired high school students to join our industry via the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge.		SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Dennis Gage is part musician, part scientist and part celebrity. Known for hosting “My Classic Car” on television, Gage and his signature mustache have been a mainstay in car culture for decades.

By Carr Winn

At SEMA’s recent Installation Gala, attendees paid tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. Voice of the NHRA Dave McClelland was the emcee for the night and jokingly told the crowd that some people think tonight, “…is about installing car parts, and then having a fancy dinner.”   

As the laughter subsided, McClelland explained that the real reason everyone was gathered was to reflect on the career of three remarkable individuals entering the Association’s Hall of Fame—Joel Ayres, Dennis Gage and Jim Bingham. In addition, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize the outgoing and newly elected members of the SEMA Board.

The night also included some charity fundraising in the form of grudge matches on the Pinewood Drags racetrack. The races are now an annual event during the Installation Gala and there are several classes, including Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and campers attending Victory Junction built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95. A special thanks to all Pinewood racercar sponsors, and congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Pinewood races. Here’s a look at the leaderboard. 

Pinewood Drag Races Results

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities and events from the 2015 SEMA Installation Gala. To all who attended, thank you for your generous support of our industry and of the SEMA Cares charities. If you were unable to go, make it a priority not to miss out next year!

After a morning meeting, the 2015-2018 SEMA Board of Directors assembled in the courtyard for a photo shoot.		The Pinewood Drags is a charity fundraiser, but it’s also a race and that means competitors are subject to tech inspections after each run.
Voice of the NHRA Dave McClelland addressed the crowd, explaining that the Millennium Biltmore Hotel was among the most elegant locations to ever host the SEMA Installation Banquet.		SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Joel Ayres provided the commentary during the Pinewood Drags finals. At the control lever was Victory Junction’s Kinsley Parsons.
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) posed for a photo with three SEMA Board Chairman. From his left, Chair-elect Wade Kawasaki, Coker Tire; Immediate Past Chairman Nate Shelton, Driven Performance Brands; and Chairman of the Board Doug Evans, Luken Communications.		SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Joel Ayres has received many accolades throughout his career both in celebration of his hard work and his devotion to helping others through charity.
SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Jim Bingham dedicated his life to two things, his loving family and the automotive aftermarket. Beyond running a successful group of retail stores he has also inspired high school students to join our industry via the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge.		SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Dennis Gage is part musician, part scientist and part celebrity. Known for hosting “My Classic Car” on television, Gage and his signature mustache have been a mainstay in car culture for decades.

	The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies, their products and location at the Show.

By Jason Catullo

The deadline to update exhibitor information for the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory is August 28.

The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies and their products. In addition, more than two-thirds of Show buyers say the directory is a useful tool for navigating the Show. 

To review or update your company information, please follow the instructions below.

1. Go to SEMA Show Directory Update
2. Select your company from the list
3. Enter your company password: (your password is nine numerical digits followed by the letter "O")
4. Click "login"

Additional Show Directory Update instructions are available at www.SEMAShow.com/show-directory-instructions.

Contact Brendan Gillespie at brendang@sema.org for more information.

While updating their listing, exhibitors should ensure that they select the applicable product categories. Only an exhibitor’s product category will be included in the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory.

	The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies, their products and location at the Show.

By Jason Catullo

The deadline to update exhibitor information for the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory is August 28.

The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies and their products. In addition, more than two-thirds of Show buyers say the directory is a useful tool for navigating the Show. 

To review or update your company information, please follow the instructions below.

1. Go to SEMA Show Directory Update
2. Select your company from the list
3. Enter your company password: (your password is nine numerical digits followed by the letter "O")
4. Click "login"

Additional Show Directory Update instructions are available at www.SEMAShow.com/show-directory-instructions.

Contact Brendan Gillespie at brendang@sema.org for more information.

While updating their listing, exhibitors should ensure that they select the applicable product categories. Only an exhibitor’s product category will be included in the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory.

	The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies, their products and location at the Show.

By Jason Catullo

The deadline to update exhibitor information for the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory is August 28.

The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies and their products. In addition, more than two-thirds of Show buyers say the directory is a useful tool for navigating the Show. 

To review or update your company information, please follow the instructions below.

1. Go to SEMA Show Directory Update
2. Select your company from the list
3. Enter your company password: (your password is nine numerical digits followed by the letter "O")
4. Click "login"

Additional Show Directory Update instructions are available at www.SEMAShow.com/show-directory-instructions.

Contact Brendan Gillespie at brendang@sema.org for more information.

While updating their listing, exhibitors should ensure that they select the applicable product categories. Only an exhibitor’s product category will be included in the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory.

	The SEMA Political Action Committee helps support members of Congress who understand the market’s positive impact on the American economy.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Whether it’s the law or the people that make laws, things in our nation’s capital are always changing. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while others determine the future of our industry. SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) helps you keep pace by supporting the Congressional car guys and gals who have our industry’s back.

By law, SEMA itself cannot use its funds to contribute to lawmakers and political candidates. However, SEMA PAC allows members to pool their resources to speak in one voice. The more people who join, the greater our ability to impact change.

“We are pleased to report that more people are supporting the PAC than ever before. To show our appreciation, we’ve published the inaugural SEMA PAC Honor Roll. Visit www.SEMAPAC.com, or check us out on Facebook, to see who made the grade or add your name to the list.”

To learn more, contact SEMA PAC & Congressional Relations Manager Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

	The SEMA Political Action Committee helps support members of Congress who understand the market’s positive impact on the American economy.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Whether it’s the law or the people that make laws, things in our nation’s capital are always changing. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while others determine the future of our industry. SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) helps you keep pace by supporting the Congressional car guys and gals who have our industry’s back.

By law, SEMA itself cannot use its funds to contribute to lawmakers and political candidates. However, SEMA PAC allows members to pool their resources to speak in one voice. The more people who join, the greater our ability to impact change.

“We are pleased to report that more people are supporting the PAC than ever before. To show our appreciation, we’ve published the inaugural SEMA PAC Honor Roll. Visit www.SEMAPAC.com, or check us out on Facebook, to see who made the grade or add your name to the list.”

To learn more, contact SEMA PAC & Congressional Relations Manager Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

	The SEMA Political Action Committee helps support members of Congress who understand the market’s positive impact on the American economy.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Whether it’s the law or the people that make laws, things in our nation’s capital are always changing. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while others determine the future of our industry. SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) helps you keep pace by supporting the Congressional car guys and gals who have our industry’s back.

By law, SEMA itself cannot use its funds to contribute to lawmakers and political candidates. However, SEMA PAC allows members to pool their resources to speak in one voice. The more people who join, the greater our ability to impact change.

“We are pleased to report that more people are supporting the PAC than ever before. To show our appreciation, we’ve published the inaugural SEMA PAC Honor Roll. Visit www.SEMAPAC.com, or check us out on Facebook, to see who made the grade or add your name to the list.”

To learn more, contact SEMA PAC & Congressional Relations Manager Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.