By Chad Simon
 About 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2019 SEMA Installation & Gala, themed “Recognizing Leaders and Legends,” at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California, on July 26, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers. |
About 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2019 SEMA Installation & Gala, themed “Recognizing Leaders and Legends,” at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California, on July 26, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.
Jessi Combs and Jarod DeAnda served as the evening’s emcees. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2019—Bob Chandler, Bigfoot 4x4; Bruce Crower, Crower Cams & Equipment Co.; and Marla Moore, Legendary Companies.
The festivities kicked off with the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp, Victory Junction and Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. In addition to the Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) class, the races included the Council Cup, People’s Choice, several different industry classes and Industry Cup Challenge. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95. This year, SEMA Cares raised a total of $43,355 for its three partner charities.
Shortly after the races ended, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting and Chairman of the Board Tim Martin took the stage to personally recognize the efforts of outgoing Board of Directors officials and welcome the incoming Board. They included:
Immediate Past Chair/Secretary:
- Doug Evans of Crower Cams & Equipment Co. Inc. (outgoing)
Treasurer:
- Peter Lehman of Granite Creek Capital Partners LLC (outgoing)
Board Members:
- Kyle Fickler, Aeromotive Inc. (outgoing)
- James Lawrence, Power Automedia (outgoing)
Chair-Elect:
- James Lawrence, Power Automedia (incoming)
Manufacturer’s Category:
- Kathryn Reinhardt of Pilot Automotive (incoming)
- Melanie White of Hellwig Products (incoming)
Treasurer:
- Kyle Fickler of Aeromotive Inc. (incoming)
Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:
Council Cup
First Place: ETTN
Second Place: ARMO
Third Place: SBN
Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)
First Place: James Holmes. Holmes Enterprises
Second Place: James Holmes. Holmes Enterprises
Third Place: Gregg Ovist, Geezup
People’s Choice
Gregg Ovist, Geezup
Unlimited:
First Place: Comp Performance Group
Second Place: Comp Performance Group
Third Place: Wes Mills, Mills Crafts
Stock:
First Place: Rebeca Olavarrieta, Roco 4x4—Average lap time: 2.6327
Second Place: Elena Gurganian, Piston Driven LLC—Average lap time: 2.6466
Third Place: Gregg Ovist, Geezup—Average lap time: 2.6616
Fourth Place: Car #6, Kevin Tanaka—Average lap time: 2.6592
Industry Cup Challenge
First Place Champion: PSKB Rep Firm, Bob Knight
Second Place: Car #13 Hellwig Products, Melanie White
Third Place: Car #1 All Pro Distributing, Mandi Woodell
Media Class: Motor Trend Network
Service Provider’s Class: E Tool Developers
Rep Agency Class: PSKB
Warehouse Distributor Class: All Pro Distributing
Manufacturer’s Class: Hellwig Products
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 from the 2019 SEMA Installation & Gala:
 The Gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (left) and Jarod DeAnda (right). |  SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomed attendees to the Installation & Gala. |
 New SEMA Board Chairman Tim Martin took the stage to personally recognize the efforts of outgoing Board of Directors officials and welcome the incoming Board. |  2019 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Bob Chandler. |
 The family of Bruce Crower, who passed away last week, accepted the SEMA Hall of Fame honor on his behalf. |  2019 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Marla Moore. |
 SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White encouraged guests to sponsor a Pinewood car to help raise money for children’s charities. |  Outgoing Immediate Past Chair/Secretary Doug Evans (second from right) of Crower Cams was recognized for his contributions. |
 Outgoing Treasurer Peter Lehman (second from right) of Granite Creek Capital Partners LLC was thanked for his service to the industry. |  Incoming Chair-Elect James Lawrence (second from right) of Power Automedia was welcomed to his new role on the SEMA Board of Directors. |
 Chris Douglas (second from right) of COMP Performance Group will continue his role on the SEMA Board of Directors. |  Kathryn Reinhardt (second from right) of Pilot Automotive was welcomed to the SEMA Board of Directors. |
 Les Rudd (second from right) of Bob Cook Sales will continue his role on the SEMA Board of Directors. |  Melanie White (second from right) of Hellwig Products was welcomed to the SEMA Board of Directors. |
 This year’s Pinewood Drag Races brought in a total of $43,355 for SEMA Cares charities. |  The 2019–2020 SEMA Board of Directors. |
