Do you need a private conference room at the SEMA Show in which to conduct business and meet with potential clients?

Complimentary conference meeting space is available in the Grand Lobby Mezzanine Members Lounge (near the North and Central Halls). With the exception of non-exhibiting manufacturers, these rooms are available exclusively to SEMA, TIA and SCRS members. Rooms can accommodate up to 10 people for a maximum of one hour. Meeting times begin and end on the hour:

Monday, October 31–Thursday, November 3  
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Friday, November 4
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Rooms can be reserved by the October 7 deadline for two nonconsecutive, one-hour time slots per day. Rooms can still be reserved onsite, but based on availability. Visit the Exhibitor Manual, scroll down and click on "Members Lounge Media Room Reservation."

For more information, contact Tricia Hanisko at 702/450-7662, ext. 247 or thanisko@ConvExx.com.

Upcoming Deadlines:

The team of pros at Brenda Priddy & Co. just spied the latest from Acura: An upscale sedan riding on the Civic platform and due to arrive as early as the ’13 model year.

Priddy's sources speculate that the TSX will be discontinued after the ’13 model year, and the slot in the lineup will be replaced with a civic-based sedan with a familiar name—possibly Integra. Or possibly RSX. The shooters report that they have heard rumors of both.

The sedan, as shown here in pre-production prototype form, will arrive first, with a coupe and possible convertible to follow a year later.

Although riding on the Civic platform, Priddy says that this is not a rebadged Honda. The Integra/RSX will be larger than its Civic cousin and have unique styling and sheetmetal.

Photos courtesy of Brenda Priddy & Co.

The team of pros at Brenda Priddy & Co. just spied the latest from Acura: An upscale sedan riding on the Civic platform and due to arrive as early as the ’13 model year.

Priddy's sources speculate that the TSX will be discontinued after the ’13 model year, and the slot in the lineup will be replaced with a civic-based sedan with a familiar name—possibly Integra. Or possibly RSX. The shooters report that they have heard rumors of both.

The sedan, as shown here in pre-production prototype form, will arrive first, with a coupe and possible convertible to follow a year later.

Although riding on the Civic platform, Priddy says that this is not a rebadged Honda. The Integra/RSX will be larger than its Civic cousin and have unique styling and sheetmetal.

Photos courtesy of Brenda Priddy & Co.

SEMA Member News—September/October 2011

WTC Welcomes New Select Committee Members

Kelly Austin of Ultra Wheel Co. believes in volunteering and has served on the WTC Select Committee for the last eight years—two of them as chairman.	Hank Feldman of Performance Plus Tire adds extensive retail experience to the WTC as he enters his first term.

Select Committees are elected by the members of their councils to serve two-year terms. They participate in monthly conference calls and meetings that are held at various trade events throughout the year. Each Select Committee member volunteers for at least 20 hours throughout the year, and some volunteer even more. Some share their experience and vision; some provide creative solutions to challenges their member companies face; others get their hands dirty and get it done. Each Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) Select Committee member is supported by his or her company in the council’s efforts. For that we say “thank you” to those companies!

Hank Feldman is president of Performance Plus Tire, a 40-year-old family business in Long Beach, California. Feldman has spent his entire career with the business. He has extensive knowledge in the retail tire and custom wheel industry, bringing a different perspective to the council. He is creative and a forward thinker, with lots of enthusiasm and great ideas. He decided to get involved in order to ensure that the retail segment of the industry was represented and to help the WTC develop a stronger voice within SEMA.

“The council must address some of the current challenges we face in keeping our products relevant and exciting to the younger generation that seems to be fixated with iPods and iPads,” he said. “I would also like to see more training specific to the custom
wheel industry.”

In his free time, Feldman enjoys running, boating, spending time with family, community service and, as a self-professed workaholic, working at Performance Plus Tire.

Bob Riegel (foreground) of Bridgestone/Firestone is a past Select Committee member and was a founding member of the group that developed the SEMA Z5 certification program.

Bob Riegel of Bridgestone/Firestone is a past Select Committee member and was a founding member of the group that developed the SEMA Z5 certification program. Riegel has been in the automotive industry (both OE and aftermarket) for more than 35 years and has been with Bridgestone for 20. In addition to the tire industry, Riegel has been involved with various Porsche programs, ranging from dealership parts marketing at Stoddard Imported Cars to serving as district parts manager for Porsche Cars North America.

“Working within a SEMA council allows me to give something back and target industry members who look for advice,” he said.

With renewed support from his employer, Riegel plans to participate at more meetings and intends to further expand the education experience of members to help them take better care of their retail customers while growing profitable businesses. He is a self-confirmed under-the-nails gearhead who feels fortunate to earn a living within the industry that also fuels his hobby.

Riegel participated in the SCCA PRO rally as an organizer and competitor but grew up on the short tracks of the Midwest. He has recently been restoring a vintage Fiat Spider, mostly for touring with the Chicagoland Fiat/Lancia club.

Riegel has been married for 20 years and, together with his wife, has nurtured a growing enjoyment of local wines discovered during their travels.

Kelly Austin of Ultra Wheel Co. has worked in the wheel and tire industry for the better part of 25 years. Over that time, Austin has worked at many levels of the wheel business (retail through manufacturing) and attributes his success in and understanding of the wheel and tire segment to that experience. Austin believes in volunteering and has served on the WTC Select Committee for the last eight years—two of them as chairman.

“I hope to be able to continue to contribute to WTC and help other companies as SEMA has helped me,” he said.

Austin feels that the WTC communicates the best industry information on the highest level and helps improve the industry overall. He enjoys sports, racing and being with family in his spare time.

SEMA Member News—September/October 2011

WTC Welcomes New Select Committee Members

Kelly Austin of Ultra Wheel Co. believes in volunteering and has served on the WTC Select Committee for the last eight years—two of them as chairman.	Hank Feldman of Performance Plus Tire adds extensive retail experience to the WTC as he enters his first term.

Select Committees are elected by the members of their councils to serve two-year terms. They participate in monthly conference calls and meetings that are held at various trade events throughout the year. Each Select Committee member volunteers for at least 20 hours throughout the year, and some volunteer even more. Some share their experience and vision; some provide creative solutions to challenges their member companies face; others get their hands dirty and get it done. Each Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) Select Committee member is supported by his or her company in the council’s efforts. For that we say “thank you” to those companies!

Hank Feldman is president of Performance Plus Tire, a 40-year-old family business in Long Beach, California. Feldman has spent his entire career with the business. He has extensive knowledge in the retail tire and custom wheel industry, bringing a different perspective to the council. He is creative and a forward thinker, with lots of enthusiasm and great ideas. He decided to get involved in order to ensure that the retail segment of the industry was represented and to help the WTC develop a stronger voice within SEMA.

“The council must address some of the current challenges we face in keeping our products relevant and exciting to the younger generation that seems to be fixated with iPods and iPads,” he said. “I would also like to see more training specific to the custom
wheel industry.”

In his free time, Feldman enjoys running, boating, spending time with family, community service and, as a self-professed workaholic, working at Performance Plus Tire.

Bob Riegel (foreground) of Bridgestone/Firestone is a past Select Committee member and was a founding member of the group that developed the SEMA Z5 certification program.

Bob Riegel of Bridgestone/Firestone is a past Select Committee member and was a founding member of the group that developed the SEMA Z5 certification program. Riegel has been in the automotive industry (both OE and aftermarket) for more than 35 years and has been with Bridgestone for 20. In addition to the tire industry, Riegel has been involved with various Porsche programs, ranging from dealership parts marketing at Stoddard Imported Cars to serving as district parts manager for Porsche Cars North America.

“Working within a SEMA council allows me to give something back and target industry members who look for advice,” he said.

With renewed support from his employer, Riegel plans to participate at more meetings and intends to further expand the education experience of members to help them take better care of their retail customers while growing profitable businesses. He is a self-confirmed under-the-nails gearhead who feels fortunate to earn a living within the industry that also fuels his hobby.

Riegel participated in the SCCA PRO rally as an organizer and competitor but grew up on the short tracks of the Midwest. He has recently been restoring a vintage Fiat Spider, mostly for touring with the Chicagoland Fiat/Lancia club.

Riegel has been married for 20 years and, together with his wife, has nurtured a growing enjoyment of local wines discovered during their travels.

Kelly Austin of Ultra Wheel Co. has worked in the wheel and tire industry for the better part of 25 years. Over that time, Austin has worked at many levels of the wheel business (retail through manufacturing) and attributes his success in and understanding of the wheel and tire segment to that experience. Austin believes in volunteering and has served on the WTC Select Committee for the last eight years—two of them as chairman.

“I hope to be able to continue to contribute to WTC and help other companies as SEMA has helped me,” he said.

Austin feels that the WTC communicates the best industry information on the highest level and helps improve the industry overall. He enjoys sports, racing and being with family in his spare time.

The vehicles featured in the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Builder's Challenge during July's SEMA Pinewood Drag Races will soon be made available for auction through eBay. Proceeds raised through the auction will benefit Childhelp and the Victory Junction Camp. But before these carefully crafted masters of the metal dragstrip find new homes, SEMA eNews talked to builders to uncover their motivation for making these pinewood cars special.

All of the vehicles featured in the Builder's Challenge will be on display in the HRIA booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. New builders and their vehicles will be included each week in SEMA eNews. Featured this week are John Martin of Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop, Mike Spitzer of Spitzer Enterprises and Mike Cooper of Spanky's.

	John Martin from Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop had this rendering in mind for the past 14 years.

John Martin, Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



John Martin: My reason for participating started with a conversation with John Menzler who told me about the cause, which I thought was great; anything to help kids. I feel that getting kids into cars is one of the very best things for them.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



John Martin: I did not get to race as a kid. My father was also sick with MS, so my brothers and I worked to support the family. I understand the tough times of having a sick family member, so I love to see kids having fun.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?



John Martin: I've had this rendering for about 14 years and wanted to build the real car for myself or a customer someday. I thought it would be cool to use it as the pinewood car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?



John Martin: The biggest challenge was getting it proportioned.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know? 



John Martin: The bidders can start by buying the pinewood, then we could build them the real car. Wouldn't that be cool?

	Spitzer's build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case.

Mike Spitzer, Spitzer Concepts

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



Mike Spitzer: Just for the fun of doing the project and to know that the proceeds benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction Camp.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



Mike Spitzer: I helped my son when he was in Pinewood Derby.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build? 



Mike Spitzer: I have always loved Bonneville and the Lakesters and Streamliners.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build? 



Mike Spitzer: The build time; with so many customer projects in the shop, everyone here wanted to be part of the HRIA build as well.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Spitzer: The build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case. I also want them to know that their bids will help kids at Childhelp and Victory Junction.

	The Pinewood build from Spanky's is made of 100% steel.

Mike Cooper, Spanky's Hot Rods

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant?

Mike Cooper: Eric Saltrick gave me information about the race and called me a few weeks later and asked if our shop would like to participate. I said "you bet," and the rest is history.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger?

Mike Cooper: Yes, as a Cub Scout I did race Pinewood derby. I always loved that time of year when it came around. I made it through Scouts and reached the rank of Eagle Scout. When my son got into Scouts, he raced Pinewood derby and also reached the rank of Eagle Scout. That is a great program for young kids.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?

Mike Cooper: The building of the car triggered lots of great memories for me. I wanted to build a car that looked like something you would see roll out of our shop, but at the same time, look like a race car. I didn't build it thinking it would win the race, but win the heart of someone with deep pockets who would help the kids. I felt like I had already won when I was asked to build a car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?

Mike Cooper: The major challenge in completing the car was picking a car to build. I called Brent Gill of Brent Gill Designs in Tampa, Florida, and told him of this fullsize car that was stuck in my head for many years now. I gave him the details and our shop colors and asked if he would put the info on paper. In a few weeks he sent me the rendering drawing and I started the build. I knew I had to build the car from steel and use what I had in my shop. No mail order or store-bought parts; keep it simple and cool. The car is all steel with a wooden firewall. It was hard to stop working on it. I set a date to stop and ship the car and stuck to it. 



SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Cooper: The car is 100% steel and the body was shaped with the same tools in the shop that I use to build fullsize cars. The frame was built first, then the body was built around the frame. It's all handmade, no CNC parts. The frame and body unbolt from each other just as the fullsize version does. The vehicle includes handmade aluminum racing seats cut from the same sheet as our fullsize seats. The car was painted with the same PPG paint in our paint booth with the same spray guns we use on our fullsize builds. I would say I have 40 to 60 hours in the car and box. I also have a framed rendering of the car from Brent Gill that goes with it at auction.

All of the HRIA Builder's Challenge vehicles will be on display in HRIA's council booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. More details on the auction will be available in upcoming issues of SEMA eNews. For more information, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.

The vehicles featured in the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Builder's Challenge during July's SEMA Pinewood Drag Races will soon be made available for auction through eBay. Proceeds raised through the auction will benefit Childhelp and the Victory Junction Camp. But before these carefully crafted masters of the metal dragstrip find new homes, SEMA eNews talked to builders to uncover their motivation for making these pinewood cars special.

All of the vehicles featured in the Builder's Challenge will be on display in the HRIA booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. New builders and their vehicles will be included each week in SEMA eNews. Featured this week are John Martin of Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop, Mike Spitzer of Spitzer Enterprises and Mike Cooper of Spanky's.

	John Martin from Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop had this rendering in mind for the past 14 years.

John Martin, Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



John Martin: My reason for participating started with a conversation with John Menzler who told me about the cause, which I thought was great; anything to help kids. I feel that getting kids into cars is one of the very best things for them.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



John Martin: I did not get to race as a kid. My father was also sick with MS, so my brothers and I worked to support the family. I understand the tough times of having a sick family member, so I love to see kids having fun.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?



John Martin: I've had this rendering for about 14 years and wanted to build the real car for myself or a customer someday. I thought it would be cool to use it as the pinewood car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?



John Martin: The biggest challenge was getting it proportioned.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know? 



John Martin: The bidders can start by buying the pinewood, then we could build them the real car. Wouldn't that be cool?

	Spitzer's build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case.

Mike Spitzer, Spitzer Concepts

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



Mike Spitzer: Just for the fun of doing the project and to know that the proceeds benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction Camp.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



Mike Spitzer: I helped my son when he was in Pinewood Derby.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build? 



Mike Spitzer: I have always loved Bonneville and the Lakesters and Streamliners.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build? 



Mike Spitzer: The build time; with so many customer projects in the shop, everyone here wanted to be part of the HRIA build as well.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Spitzer: The build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case. I also want them to know that their bids will help kids at Childhelp and Victory Junction.

	The Pinewood build from Spanky's is made of 100% steel.

Mike Cooper, Spanky's Hot Rods

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant?

Mike Cooper: Eric Saltrick gave me information about the race and called me a few weeks later and asked if our shop would like to participate. I said "you bet," and the rest is history.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger?

Mike Cooper: Yes, as a Cub Scout I did race Pinewood derby. I always loved that time of year when it came around. I made it through Scouts and reached the rank of Eagle Scout. When my son got into Scouts, he raced Pinewood derby and also reached the rank of Eagle Scout. That is a great program for young kids.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?

Mike Cooper: The building of the car triggered lots of great memories for me. I wanted to build a car that looked like something you would see roll out of our shop, but at the same time, look like a race car. I didn't build it thinking it would win the race, but win the heart of someone with deep pockets who would help the kids. I felt like I had already won when I was asked to build a car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?

Mike Cooper: The major challenge in completing the car was picking a car to build. I called Brent Gill of Brent Gill Designs in Tampa, Florida, and told him of this fullsize car that was stuck in my head for many years now. I gave him the details and our shop colors and asked if he would put the info on paper. In a few weeks he sent me the rendering drawing and I started the build. I knew I had to build the car from steel and use what I had in my shop. No mail order or store-bought parts; keep it simple and cool. The car is all steel with a wooden firewall. It was hard to stop working on it. I set a date to stop and ship the car and stuck to it. 



SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Cooper: The car is 100% steel and the body was shaped with the same tools in the shop that I use to build fullsize cars. The frame was built first, then the body was built around the frame. It's all handmade, no CNC parts. The frame and body unbolt from each other just as the fullsize version does. The vehicle includes handmade aluminum racing seats cut from the same sheet as our fullsize seats. The car was painted with the same PPG paint in our paint booth with the same spray guns we use on our fullsize builds. I would say I have 40 to 60 hours in the car and box. I also have a framed rendering of the car from Brent Gill that goes with it at auction.

All of the HRIA Builder's Challenge vehicles will be on display in HRIA's council booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. More details on the auction will be available in upcoming issues of SEMA eNews. For more information, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.

The vehicles featured in the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Builder's Challenge during July's SEMA Pinewood Drag Races will soon be made available for auction through eBay. Proceeds raised through the auction will benefit Childhelp and the Victory Junction Camp. But before these carefully crafted masters of the metal dragstrip find new homes, SEMA eNews talked to builders to uncover their motivation for making these pinewood cars special.

All of the vehicles featured in the Builder's Challenge will be on display in the HRIA booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. New builders and their vehicles will be included each week in SEMA eNews. Featured this week are John Martin of Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop, Mike Spitzer of Spitzer Enterprises and Mike Cooper of Spanky's.

	John Martin from Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop had this rendering in mind for the past 14 years.

John Martin, Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



John Martin: My reason for participating started with a conversation with John Menzler who told me about the cause, which I thought was great; anything to help kids. I feel that getting kids into cars is one of the very best things for them.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



John Martin: I did not get to race as a kid. My father was also sick with MS, so my brothers and I worked to support the family. I understand the tough times of having a sick family member, so I love to see kids having fun.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?



John Martin: I've had this rendering for about 14 years and wanted to build the real car for myself or a customer someday. I thought it would be cool to use it as the pinewood car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?



John Martin: The biggest challenge was getting it proportioned.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know? 



John Martin: The bidders can start by buying the pinewood, then we could build them the real car. Wouldn't that be cool?

	Spitzer's build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case.

Mike Spitzer, Spitzer Concepts

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



Mike Spitzer: Just for the fun of doing the project and to know that the proceeds benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction Camp.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



Mike Spitzer: I helped my son when he was in Pinewood Derby.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build? 



Mike Spitzer: I have always loved Bonneville and the Lakesters and Streamliners.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build? 



Mike Spitzer: The build time; with so many customer projects in the shop, everyone here wanted to be part of the HRIA build as well.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Spitzer: The build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case. I also want them to know that their bids will help kids at Childhelp and Victory Junction.

	The Pinewood build from Spanky's is made of 100% steel.

Mike Cooper, Spanky's Hot Rods

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant?

Mike Cooper: Eric Saltrick gave me information about the race and called me a few weeks later and asked if our shop would like to participate. I said "you bet," and the rest is history.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger?

Mike Cooper: Yes, as a Cub Scout I did race Pinewood derby. I always loved that time of year when it came around. I made it through Scouts and reached the rank of Eagle Scout. When my son got into Scouts, he raced Pinewood derby and also reached the rank of Eagle Scout. That is a great program for young kids.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?

Mike Cooper: The building of the car triggered lots of great memories for me. I wanted to build a car that looked like something you would see roll out of our shop, but at the same time, look like a race car. I didn't build it thinking it would win the race, but win the heart of someone with deep pockets who would help the kids. I felt like I had already won when I was asked to build a car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?

Mike Cooper: The major challenge in completing the car was picking a car to build. I called Brent Gill of Brent Gill Designs in Tampa, Florida, and told him of this fullsize car that was stuck in my head for many years now. I gave him the details and our shop colors and asked if he would put the info on paper. In a few weeks he sent me the rendering drawing and I started the build. I knew I had to build the car from steel and use what I had in my shop. No mail order or store-bought parts; keep it simple and cool. The car is all steel with a wooden firewall. It was hard to stop working on it. I set a date to stop and ship the car and stuck to it. 



SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Cooper: The car is 100% steel and the body was shaped with the same tools in the shop that I use to build fullsize cars. The frame was built first, then the body was built around the frame. It's all handmade, no CNC parts. The frame and body unbolt from each other just as the fullsize version does. The vehicle includes handmade aluminum racing seats cut from the same sheet as our fullsize seats. The car was painted with the same PPG paint in our paint booth with the same spray guns we use on our fullsize builds. I would say I have 40 to 60 hours in the car and box. I also have a framed rendering of the car from Brent Gill that goes with it at auction.

All of the HRIA Builder's Challenge vehicles will be on display in HRIA's council booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. More details on the auction will be available in upcoming issues of SEMA eNews. For more information, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.

The vehicles featured in the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Builder's Challenge during July's SEMA Pinewood Drag Races will soon be made available for auction through eBay. Proceeds raised through the auction will benefit Childhelp and the Victory Junction Camp. But before these carefully crafted masters of the metal dragstrip find new homes, SEMA eNews talked to builders to uncover their motivation for making these pinewood cars special.

All of the vehicles featured in the Builder's Challenge will be on display in the HRIA booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. New builders and their vehicles will be included each week in SEMA eNews. Featured this week are John Martin of Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop, Mike Spitzer of Spitzer Enterprises and Mike Cooper of Spanky's.

	John Martin from Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop had this rendering in mind for the past 14 years.

John Martin, Johnny's Auto Trim & Rod Shop

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



John Martin: My reason for participating started with a conversation with John Menzler who told me about the cause, which I thought was great; anything to help kids. I feel that getting kids into cars is one of the very best things for them.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



John Martin: I did not get to race as a kid. My father was also sick with MS, so my brothers and I worked to support the family. I understand the tough times of having a sick family member, so I love to see kids having fun.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?



John Martin: I've had this rendering for about 14 years and wanted to build the real car for myself or a customer someday. I thought it would be cool to use it as the pinewood car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?



John Martin: The biggest challenge was getting it proportioned.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know? 



John Martin: The bidders can start by buying the pinewood, then we could build them the real car. Wouldn't that be cool?

	Spitzer's build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case.

Mike Spitzer, Spitzer Concepts

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant? 



Mike Spitzer: Just for the fun of doing the project and to know that the proceeds benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction Camp.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger? 



Mike Spitzer: I helped my son when he was in Pinewood Derby.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build? 



Mike Spitzer: I have always loved Bonneville and the Lakesters and Streamliners.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build? 



Mike Spitzer: The build time; with so many customer projects in the shop, everyone here wanted to be part of the HRIA build as well.

SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Spitzer: The build includes custom aluminum wheels and a carbon-fiber carrying case. I also want them to know that their bids will help kids at Childhelp and Victory Junction.

	The Pinewood build from Spanky's is made of 100% steel.

Mike Cooper, Spanky's Hot Rods

SEMA eNews: Why did you decide to get involved and become a HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge participant?

Mike Cooper: Eric Saltrick gave me information about the race and called me a few weeks later and asked if our shop would like to participate. I said "you bet," and the rest is history.

SEMA eNews: Did you race Pinewood when you were younger?

Mike Cooper: Yes, as a Cub Scout I did race Pinewood derby. I always loved that time of year when it came around. I made it through Scouts and reached the rank of Eagle Scout. When my son got into Scouts, he raced Pinewood derby and also reached the rank of Eagle Scout. That is a great program for young kids.

SEMA eNews: What was the inspiration for your build?

Mike Cooper: The building of the car triggered lots of great memories for me. I wanted to build a car that looked like something you would see roll out of our shop, but at the same time, look like a race car. I didn't build it thinking it would win the race, but win the heart of someone with deep pockets who would help the kids. I felt like I had already won when I was asked to build a car.

SEMA eNews: What was the major challenge in completing the build?

Mike Cooper: The major challenge in completing the car was picking a car to build. I called Brent Gill of Brent Gill Designs in Tampa, Florida, and told him of this fullsize car that was stuck in my head for many years now. I gave him the details and our shop colors and asked if he would put the info on paper. In a few weeks he sent me the rendering drawing and I started the build. I knew I had to build the car from steel and use what I had in my shop. No mail order or store-bought parts; keep it simple and cool. The car is all steel with a wooden firewall. It was hard to stop working on it. I set a date to stop and ship the car and stuck to it. 



SEMA eNews: What are the details of the build that you would like potential bidders to know?

Mike Cooper: The car is 100% steel and the body was shaped with the same tools in the shop that I use to build fullsize cars. The frame was built first, then the body was built around the frame. It's all handmade, no CNC parts. The frame and body unbolt from each other just as the fullsize version does. The vehicle includes handmade aluminum racing seats cut from the same sheet as our fullsize seats. The car was painted with the same PPG paint in our paint booth with the same spray guns we use on our fullsize builds. I would say I have 40 to 60 hours in the car and box. I also have a framed rendering of the car from Brent Gill that goes with it at auction.

All of the HRIA Builder's Challenge vehicles will be on display in HRIA's council booth at the 2011 SEMA Show. More details on the auction will be available in upcoming issues of SEMA eNews. For more information, contact Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.