Tray Smith, SEMA’s Aftermarket Restoration Marketing Organization (ARMO) chair, discusses why the council is valuable to the restoration market, how they help with licensing issues and how others can get involved.

Tray Smith, SEMA’s Aftermarket Restoration Marketing Organization (ARMO) chair, discusses why the council is valuable to the restoration market, how they help with licensing issues and how others can get involved.

Tray Smith, SEMA’s Aftermarket Restoration Marketing Organization (ARMO) chair, discusses why the council is valuable to the restoration market, how they help with licensing issues and how others can get involved.

By SEMA Editors

Ray Lipper

Ray Lipper, 2002 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee and founder of Center Line Wheel Corp., located in Santa Fe Springs, California, has passed away. 

Lipper built a name for himself and his company based on his background as a designer and engineer. He recognized the need for a stronger racing wheel and went to work creating numerous wheels for the industry.

Lipper produced some of the lightest and strongest one-piece wheels in the industry, from his first attempt, known as the Auto Drag, to his development of the technique for using a single blank that can be split and spun into a one-piece wheel.

Center Line is credited with being the first wheel manufacturing company to produce a modular aftermarket wheel for Harley-Davidson, and the first to develop and manufacture a wheel using a rotary forging process. Lipper and his engineers at Center Line also developed and produced the wheels for the Spirit of America land-speed record car.

Funeral information is not available at this time.

By SEMA Editors

Ray Lipper

Ray Lipper, 2002 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee and founder of Center Line Wheel Corp., located in Santa Fe Springs, California, has passed away. 

Lipper built a name for himself and his company based on his background as a designer and engineer. He recognized the need for a stronger racing wheel and went to work creating numerous wheels for the industry.

Lipper produced some of the lightest and strongest one-piece wheels in the industry, from his first attempt, known as the Auto Drag, to his development of the technique for using a single blank that can be split and spun into a one-piece wheel.

Center Line is credited with being the first wheel manufacturing company to produce a modular aftermarket wheel for Harley-Davidson, and the first to develop and manufacture a wheel using a rotary forging process. Lipper and his engineers at Center Line also developed and produced the wheels for the Spirit of America land-speed record car.

Funeral information is not available at this time.

By Kristopher Porter

The 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees were (L–R): Donnie Eatherly, Chris Thomson and Ed Pink.

As a SEMA member, you have the chance to nominate an exceptional candidate for the 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame, which honors outstanding individuals in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity and accomplishments have significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

When making your confidential nomination, please provide a brief statement that explains why the individual deserves this prestigious award. Feel free to mention previous accomplishments and notable industry contributions. This will help the Hall of Fame Committee choose the most deserving candidates.

Before submitting your nomination, take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website and the award criteria as well as prior inductees. Last year’s Hall of Fame inductees were Donnie Eatherly from P&E Distributors Inc., Ed Pink from Ed Pink Racing Engines, and Chris Thomson from TMG Performance Group.

Submit your nomination for the 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame before the March 8 deadline.

To learn more, visit www.sema.org/hof or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Kristopher Porter

The 2018 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees were (L–R): Donnie Eatherly, Chris Thomson and Ed Pink.

As a SEMA member, you have the chance to nominate an exceptional candidate for the 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame, which honors outstanding individuals in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity and accomplishments have significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

When making your confidential nomination, please provide a brief statement that explains why the individual deserves this prestigious award. Feel free to mention previous accomplishments and notable industry contributions. This will help the Hall of Fame Committee choose the most deserving candidates.

Before submitting your nomination, take a moment to review the SEMA Hall of Fame website and the award criteria as well as prior inductees. Last year’s Hall of Fame inductees were Donnie Eatherly from P&E Distributors Inc., Ed Pink from Ed Pink Racing Engines, and Chris Thomson from TMG Performance Group.

Submit your nomination for the 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame before the March 8 deadline.

To learn more, visit www.sema.org/hof or contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By Chad Simon

The SEMA Cares ’67 Chevrolet Camaro custom coupe brought in $165,000 to benefit Childhelp, January 17, at the 48th annual Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The car was purchased by singer/songwriter Ray J.

The WD-40 SEMA Cares ’67 Chevrolet Camaro was sold to singer/songwriter Ray J last weekend at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, raising $165,000 to benefit Childhelp.

This year’s build project, which has been underway for nearly a full calendar year, was sponsored by WD-40, and received several contributions from SEMA-member companies, including:

• Art Morrison Enterprises: Front and rear subframes, Corvette C6 suspension, Detroit Speed engineering steering rack, 9-in. rearend housing, front and rear sway bars.
• Auto Custom Carpets: Trunk lid cover, trunk carpet, interior carpet, sound deadeners, floor mats.
• Baer Brakes: 6P Baer calipers, drilled and slotted rotors, brake master cylinder.
• BGR Motorsports: Engine wiring.
• DEI Powersports: Heat shielding products, interior sound deadening.
• Distinctive Industries and Road Wire Leather Interiors: Seats and custom interior paneling.
• LGE-CTS: Paint and body service.
• MagnaFlow: Custom exhaust.
• NRG Innovations: Deep-dish suede steering wheel, carbon-fiber quick-release hub adaptor.
• Rotofab: Carbon-fiber plenum cover, LS3 engine covers.

(L–R): Ray J (buyer), RD Whittington (Luxury Auto Collection owner), Craig Jackson (Barrett-Jackson CEO), Yvonne Fedderson (Childhelp founder), Sara O'Meara (Childhelp founder), Michael Medoro (Childhelp), Shannon Edwards (WD-40), Mike Spagnola (SEMA), and Luis Morales (SEMA Garage).

View the complete list of contributors.

The WD-40 SEMA Cares Camaro was originally displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show to celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the Camaro and SEMA Show. It carried the 50th anniversary SEMA Show logo on its front fenders.

Afterwards, the car returned to the SEMA Garage, where it was completely torn down to its last nut and bolt and transformed into a restomod by the SEMA Garage team.

“The car was successful due to the efforts of so many manufacturers who came together for a great cause,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president, OEM and product development programs. “Craig Jackson at Barrett-Jackson agreed to wave all commissions so that 100% of the money went to SEMA Cares.”

According to Spagnola, the car is cleaner than the original engine from an emissions standpoint, yet packs three times the horsepower (461 hp at the rear wheels).

To date, the sale of WD-40-sponsored builds have raised more than $1 million for Childhelp. Through Barrett-Jackson, SEMA Cares and the SEMA Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness program have raised more than $2.5 million.

Over the weekend, Barrett-Jackson raised a total of $9.6 million with help from celebrities and auto manufacturers. It was the largest amount raised at one auction in the company’s 48-year history. To date, Barrett-Jackson has raised more than $114 million for charity.

“As a company that was built on giving back to the community, this is a significant milestone worth celebrating,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We’re so grateful for the countless wonderful people and companies, from OEM partners to celebrities, who have joined us on this phenomenal journey. Giving back is the heartbeat of Barrett-Jackson and the collector car community.”

Founded in 1959 by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, the purpose of Childhelp has been prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Since its establishment, Childhelp has grown to become one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations.

By Chad Simon

The SEMA Cares ’67 Chevrolet Camaro custom coupe brought in $165,000 to benefit Childhelp, January 17, at the 48th annual Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The car was purchased by singer/songwriter Ray J.

The WD-40 SEMA Cares ’67 Chevrolet Camaro was sold to singer/songwriter Ray J last weekend at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, raising $165,000 to benefit Childhelp.

This year’s build project, which has been underway for nearly a full calendar year, was sponsored by WD-40, and received several contributions from SEMA-member companies, including:

• Art Morrison Enterprises: Front and rear subframes, Corvette C6 suspension, Detroit Speed engineering steering rack, 9-in. rearend housing, front and rear sway bars.
• Auto Custom Carpets: Trunk lid cover, trunk carpet, interior carpet, sound deadeners, floor mats.
• Baer Brakes: 6P Baer calipers, drilled and slotted rotors, brake master cylinder.
• BGR Motorsports: Engine wiring.
• DEI Powersports: Heat shielding products, interior sound deadening.
• Distinctive Industries and Road Wire Leather Interiors: Seats and custom interior paneling.
• LGE-CTS: Paint and body service.
• MagnaFlow: Custom exhaust.
• NRG Innovations: Deep-dish suede steering wheel, carbon-fiber quick-release hub adaptor.
• Rotofab: Carbon-fiber plenum cover, LS3 engine covers.

(L–R): Ray J (buyer), RD Whittington (Luxury Auto Collection owner), Craig Jackson (Barrett-Jackson CEO), Yvonne Fedderson (Childhelp founder), Sara O'Meara (Childhelp founder), Michael Medoro (Childhelp), Shannon Edwards (WD-40), Mike Spagnola (SEMA), and Luis Morales (SEMA Garage).

View the complete list of contributors.

The WD-40 SEMA Cares Camaro was originally displayed at the 2016 SEMA Show to celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the Camaro and SEMA Show. It carried the 50th anniversary SEMA Show logo on its front fenders.

Afterwards, the car returned to the SEMA Garage, where it was completely torn down to its last nut and bolt and transformed into a restomod by the SEMA Garage team.

“The car was successful due to the efforts of so many manufacturers who came together for a great cause,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president, OEM and product development programs. “Craig Jackson at Barrett-Jackson agreed to wave all commissions so that 100% of the money went to SEMA Cares.”

According to Spagnola, the car is cleaner than the original engine from an emissions standpoint, yet packs three times the horsepower (461 hp at the rear wheels).

To date, the sale of WD-40-sponsored builds have raised more than $1 million for Childhelp. Through Barrett-Jackson, SEMA Cares and the SEMA Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness program have raised more than $2.5 million.

Over the weekend, Barrett-Jackson raised a total of $9.6 million with help from celebrities and auto manufacturers. It was the largest amount raised at one auction in the company’s 48-year history. To date, Barrett-Jackson has raised more than $114 million for charity.

“As a company that was built on giving back to the community, this is a significant milestone worth celebrating,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We’re so grateful for the countless wonderful people and companies, from OEM partners to celebrities, who have joined us on this phenomenal journey. Giving back is the heartbeat of Barrett-Jackson and the collector car community.”

Founded in 1959 by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, the purpose of Childhelp has been prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Since its establishment, Childhelp has grown to become one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations.