By SEMA Editors

This year’s best presented, truly off-road-capable truck, Jeep or SUV on display at the Show was the Daystar Products ’41 Dodge Powerwagon “Bootlegger,” as deemed by a panel of off-road industry experts in a ceremony held at the Pro Comp/Transamerican Auto Parts SEMA Show booth.

Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP) named Daystar Products’ ’41 Dodge Powerwagon, called “Bootlegger,” the winner in its second annual Life is Better Off-Road SEMA Show vehicle-build competition. Selected by a panel of off-road industry experts, the award recognizes a truly off-road-capable truck, Jeep or SUV on display at the SEMA Show.

Hosted by Motocross, Supercross and off-road racing champion Ricky Johnson, the event featured a panel of judges that included some of the most distinguished names in off-road vehicle engineering and development, fabrication, journalism and motorsports. They included short-course off-road racing Pro Lite and Pro 2 Division champion Brian Deegan, DIY fabricator and racer Bill Caswell, celebrated Trophy Truck developer and builder Rick Geiser, content director for the Truck Trend Network Sean P. Holman, and editor and publisher for 4 Wheel Parts’ Off-Road Adventures (ORA) magazine Craig Perronne.

Mark Turner of Daystar Products wanted to employ a bootlegger theme throughout the build and chose copper because it was the prime metal commonly used to make bootlegger stills. The engine sports a copper radiator hose and copper air intake, while the firewall was changed to copper then covered with dynamite.

The powerwagon’s supercharged power, racing transmission, custom driveshafts and longer leaf springs made it stand out as supremely off-road capable in a field of entries ranging from Rubicons to Titan XDs. Completed in 50 days, the Bootlegger was driven to Tennessee for Whiskey & Wheeling with Xtreme Off-Road Adventure, then shipped to Alaska for wheeling, where it was driven on a glacier.

The Bootlegger’s build list includes:

• Edelbrock LS3 6.2L supercharged engine
• Daystar Products engine and transmission mounts
• G2 Axle & Gear gears
• Optima batteries
• Skyjacker leaf springs
• Interco Super Swamper tires

Entries were submitted up until just days before the 2016 SEMA Show began, and 10 semi-finalists were selected based on criteria such as off-road reliability and capability, quality of craftsmanship, real-world functionality and overall vehicle presentation. From this field, one truck/SUV and one Jeep were chosen as finalists.

The 10 Semi-Finalists were:

• Daystar Products Dodge Powerwagon Bootlegger
• Fab Fours Chevrolet Colorado Kymera
• Westin Snyper 2-Door JK
• Hellwig Titan XD
• PIAA JK Unlimited
• High Country Complete Customs
• Addictive Desert Designs Springfield Armory Ford F-150
• Addictive Desert Designs Titan XD
• BruiserConversions JK
• Truck Guru Chevrolet Colorado Long Travel

The Bootlegger will receive a professional photoshoot and a cover feature and multi-page vehicle spotlight in ORA magazine. Additionally, the Daystar Products vehicle will be recognized across the spectrum of Transamerican social media and digital channels, including a promotional email campaign, an invitation to be displayed in feature locations at TAP-sponsored events, trade shows, Truck & Jeep Fests, along with the benefits of extensive partner media coverage of the award. The semi-finalists will also be included in the full media campaign and receive ribbons in recognition of their accomplishment.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Each year, SEMA provides awards to a number of deserving students currently pursuing degrees ranging from accounting to mechanical engineering, with goals of becoming professionals in the automotive industry. The awards range from $2,000–$3,000, with $5,000 going to the top student.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Each year, SEMA provides awards to a number of deserving students currently pursuing degrees ranging from accounting to mechanical engineering, with goals of becoming professionals in the automotive industry. The awards range from $2,000–$3,000, with $5,000 going to the top student.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Each year, SEMA provides awards to a number of deserving students currently pursuing degrees ranging from accounting to mechanical engineering, with goals of becoming professionals in the automotive industry. The awards range from $2,000–$3,000, with $5,000 going to the top student.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

NHRA SEASON TO REMEMBER WILL HAVE ITS DRAMATIC CONCLUSION AT THE AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS: A season of record-setting excitement will come to a dramatic conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 10–13, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California—the birthplace of NHRA Drag Racing. All four pro classes in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series—Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle—will compete, while Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will crown the 2016 World Champions in a last-race showdown to cap a spectacular season of on-track performances for the fastest motorsport on the planet.

CAPPS ON VERGE OF FIRST FUNNY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP: Almost everything has gone according to plan for Ron Capps during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, and now the Funny Car standout is on the verge of clinching his first career world title. Predicting it would take a finish of the semifinals or better at each of the NHRA’s six playoff races, Capps has done just that at the first five stops and takes an 86-point lead over Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan into historic Auto Club Raceway in Pomona for the Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 10–13. On the precipice of that elusive first world championship, Capps, whose 50 wins are the most in NHRA history for a driver without a title, is enjoying the moments and build-up heading to what would be the biggest highlight in his career.

“I’m just trying to stay busy, and we just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” said Capps, who has finished second on four different occasions (1998, 2000, 2005, 2012). “As close as we’ve been before, you don’t want to take anything for granted, so we just have to keep going. You can tell and feel that there’s a lot of excitement, but it boils down to you just have to keep staying busy and stay in your normal mode. But there’s no doubt Pomona is going to be a lot of fun.”

TOP TWO FUNNY CARS OF 50 YEARS ANNOUNCED AT NHRA SEMA BREAKFAST: The two finalists for the 50 years of Funny Car celebration were announced at the NHRA SEMA Breakfast in Las Vegas last Wednesday. The iconic ’73 Chevy Vega driven by “Jungle Jim” Liberman and the ’96 Castrol Pontiac Firebird driven by John Force were selected by the fans as the top two legendary machines. The winner will be announced at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, November 10–13.

He Said, She Said

“I underwent a series of cognitive tests, and the doctors diagnosed me with a full-blown concussion that required me to step away from the seat for the time being. It takes two weeks for these symptoms to subside, and even then, because of the trauma from the concussion, it would be unsafe for me to race this weekend. To go out and get behind the wheel of a 10,000hp race car with its high G-forces and the possibility of tire shake, would just be too traumatic for my head in its sensitive state. I’ve never been a quitter and never will be, but I must accept my fate and sit this last race out.”

—Funny Car racer Alexis DeJoria, who will miss the season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals this weekend due to a concussion suffered at the event in Las Vegas. Veteran Jeff Arend will fill in for DeJoria during the race weekend.   

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of points separating the three racers in Pro Stock Motorcycle battling for the 2016 world championship. Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson teammates Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec are tied for the points lead, while Jerry Savoie and his White Alligator Racing Suzuki are in third, trailing by three. The three riders are linked together as Savoie’s powerplant is built by the Vance & Hines shop in Brownsburg, Indiana.

“At one point in time, 15 out of 16 motorcycles qualified were running Vance & Hines engines. It definitely is something that we take pride in, we look forward to and no matter who it is that beats us, if they've got a Vance & Hines engine, they’re a team guy in any aspect of it,” said Krawiec. ”We do take pride in it when every individual goes out there and does well. And to be quite honest, we try to help out some of the guys when they’re maybe struggling a little bit or not going down the right road. We do what we can to make sure that they have the best equipment under them and can get the job done.”

Did You Know

SCHOOL OF AUTOMOTIVE MACHINISTS & TECHNOLOGY NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN EXPANDS TO FIVE EVENTS IN 2017: The School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown returns for the 2017 season with an event added to the schedule. These series of events have seen increased car counts at races across the country and rabid interest from fans of the series. The first School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown race of the year will take place at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway, March 16–19. They will then race at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, April 28–30, and the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, June 22–25. The competitors of the School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown will take center stage during their fourth race of the year at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, August 30–September 4. The fifth event will take place at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, September 29–October 1.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

NHRA SEASON TO REMEMBER WILL HAVE ITS DRAMATIC CONCLUSION AT THE AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS: A season of record-setting excitement will come to a dramatic conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 10–13, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California—the birthplace of NHRA Drag Racing. All four pro classes in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series—Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle—will compete, while Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will crown the 2016 World Champions in a last-race showdown to cap a spectacular season of on-track performances for the fastest motorsport on the planet.

CAPPS ON VERGE OF FIRST FUNNY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP: Almost everything has gone according to plan for Ron Capps during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, and now the Funny Car standout is on the verge of clinching his first career world title. Predicting it would take a finish of the semifinals or better at each of the NHRA’s six playoff races, Capps has done just that at the first five stops and takes an 86-point lead over Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan into historic Auto Club Raceway in Pomona for the Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 10–13. On the precipice of that elusive first world championship, Capps, whose 50 wins are the most in NHRA history for a driver without a title, is enjoying the moments and build-up heading to what would be the biggest highlight in his career.

“I’m just trying to stay busy, and we just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” said Capps, who has finished second on four different occasions (1998, 2000, 2005, 2012). “As close as we’ve been before, you don’t want to take anything for granted, so we just have to keep going. You can tell and feel that there’s a lot of excitement, but it boils down to you just have to keep staying busy and stay in your normal mode. But there’s no doubt Pomona is going to be a lot of fun.”

TOP TWO FUNNY CARS OF 50 YEARS ANNOUNCED AT NHRA SEMA BREAKFAST: The two finalists for the 50 years of Funny Car celebration were announced at the NHRA SEMA Breakfast in Las Vegas last Wednesday. The iconic ’73 Chevy Vega driven by “Jungle Jim” Liberman and the ’96 Castrol Pontiac Firebird driven by John Force were selected by the fans as the top two legendary machines. The winner will be announced at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, November 10–13.

He Said, She Said

“I underwent a series of cognitive tests, and the doctors diagnosed me with a full-blown concussion that required me to step away from the seat for the time being. It takes two weeks for these symptoms to subside, and even then, because of the trauma from the concussion, it would be unsafe for me to race this weekend. To go out and get behind the wheel of a 10,000hp race car with its high G-forces and the possibility of tire shake, would just be too traumatic for my head in its sensitive state. I’ve never been a quitter and never will be, but I must accept my fate and sit this last race out.”

—Funny Car racer Alexis DeJoria, who will miss the season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals this weekend due to a concussion suffered at the event in Las Vegas. Veteran Jeff Arend will fill in for DeJoria during the race weekend.   

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of points separating the three racers in Pro Stock Motorcycle battling for the 2016 world championship. Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson teammates Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec are tied for the points lead, while Jerry Savoie and his White Alligator Racing Suzuki are in third, trailing by three. The three riders are linked together as Savoie’s powerplant is built by the Vance & Hines shop in Brownsburg, Indiana.

“At one point in time, 15 out of 16 motorcycles qualified were running Vance & Hines engines. It definitely is something that we take pride in, we look forward to and no matter who it is that beats us, if they've got a Vance & Hines engine, they’re a team guy in any aspect of it,” said Krawiec. ”We do take pride in it when every individual goes out there and does well. And to be quite honest, we try to help out some of the guys when they’re maybe struggling a little bit or not going down the right road. We do what we can to make sure that they have the best equipment under them and can get the job done.”

Did You Know

SCHOOL OF AUTOMOTIVE MACHINISTS & TECHNOLOGY NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN EXPANDS TO FIVE EVENTS IN 2017: The School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown returns for the 2017 season with an event added to the schedule. These series of events have seen increased car counts at races across the country and rabid interest from fans of the series. The first School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown race of the year will take place at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway, March 16–19. They will then race at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, April 28–30, and the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, June 22–25. The competitors of the School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown will take center stage during their fourth race of the year at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, August 30–September 4. The fifth event will take place at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, September 29–October 1.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

NHRA SEASON TO REMEMBER WILL HAVE ITS DRAMATIC CONCLUSION AT THE AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS: A season of record-setting excitement will come to a dramatic conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 10–13, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California—the birthplace of NHRA Drag Racing. All four pro classes in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series—Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle—will compete, while Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will crown the 2016 World Champions in a last-race showdown to cap a spectacular season of on-track performances for the fastest motorsport on the planet.

CAPPS ON VERGE OF FIRST FUNNY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP: Almost everything has gone according to plan for Ron Capps during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, and now the Funny Car standout is on the verge of clinching his first career world title. Predicting it would take a finish of the semifinals or better at each of the NHRA’s six playoff races, Capps has done just that at the first five stops and takes an 86-point lead over Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan into historic Auto Club Raceway in Pomona for the Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 10–13. On the precipice of that elusive first world championship, Capps, whose 50 wins are the most in NHRA history for a driver without a title, is enjoying the moments and build-up heading to what would be the biggest highlight in his career.

“I’m just trying to stay busy, and we just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” said Capps, who has finished second on four different occasions (1998, 2000, 2005, 2012). “As close as we’ve been before, you don’t want to take anything for granted, so we just have to keep going. You can tell and feel that there’s a lot of excitement, but it boils down to you just have to keep staying busy and stay in your normal mode. But there’s no doubt Pomona is going to be a lot of fun.”

TOP TWO FUNNY CARS OF 50 YEARS ANNOUNCED AT NHRA SEMA BREAKFAST: The two finalists for the 50 years of Funny Car celebration were announced at the NHRA SEMA Breakfast in Las Vegas last Wednesday. The iconic ’73 Chevy Vega driven by “Jungle Jim” Liberman and the ’96 Castrol Pontiac Firebird driven by John Force were selected by the fans as the top two legendary machines. The winner will be announced at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, November 10–13.

He Said, She Said

“I underwent a series of cognitive tests, and the doctors diagnosed me with a full-blown concussion that required me to step away from the seat for the time being. It takes two weeks for these symptoms to subside, and even then, because of the trauma from the concussion, it would be unsafe for me to race this weekend. To go out and get behind the wheel of a 10,000hp race car with its high G-forces and the possibility of tire shake, would just be too traumatic for my head in its sensitive state. I’ve never been a quitter and never will be, but I must accept my fate and sit this last race out.”

—Funny Car racer Alexis DeJoria, who will miss the season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals this weekend due to a concussion suffered at the event in Las Vegas. Veteran Jeff Arend will fill in for DeJoria during the race weekend.   

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of points separating the three racers in Pro Stock Motorcycle battling for the 2016 world championship. Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley Davidson teammates Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec are tied for the points lead, while Jerry Savoie and his White Alligator Racing Suzuki are in third, trailing by three. The three riders are linked together as Savoie’s powerplant is built by the Vance & Hines shop in Brownsburg, Indiana.

“At one point in time, 15 out of 16 motorcycles qualified were running Vance & Hines engines. It definitely is something that we take pride in, we look forward to and no matter who it is that beats us, if they've got a Vance & Hines engine, they’re a team guy in any aspect of it,” said Krawiec. ”We do take pride in it when every individual goes out there and does well. And to be quite honest, we try to help out some of the guys when they’re maybe struggling a little bit or not going down the right road. We do what we can to make sure that they have the best equipment under them and can get the job done.”

Did You Know

SCHOOL OF AUTOMOTIVE MACHINISTS & TECHNOLOGY NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN EXPANDS TO FIVE EVENTS IN 2017: The School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown returns for the 2017 season with an event added to the schedule. These series of events have seen increased car counts at races across the country and rabid interest from fans of the series. The first School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown race of the year will take place at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway, March 16–19. They will then race at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, April 28–30, and the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, June 22–25. The competitors of the School of Automotive Machinists & Technology NHRA Factory Stock Showdown will take center stage during their fourth race of the year at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, August 30–September 4. The fifth event will take place at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, September 29–October 1.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Royal Purple will host NHRA drag racers and Royal Purple-sponsored drivers Cade Poe, Sergeant Scott Graham and Tim Wilkerson in its Mobile Marketing Unit at the NHRA World Finals in Pomona, California.

Royal Purple to Host Drag Racing Outperformers at NHRA World Finals, November 10–13

Royal Purple will host NHRA drag racers and Royal Purple-sponsored drivers Cade Poe, Sergeant Scott Graham and Tim Wilkerson in its Mobile Marketing Unit at the NHRA World Finals in Pomona, California, November 10–13. The display, located in the NHRA Midway, will feature Poe and Graham alongside their dragsters, an autograph session with Wilkerson and a meet-and-greet session between the three drivers celebrating their outperforming talents in keeping with Royal Purple’s standard of excellence.

Shell will become the Bondurant Racing School’s official automotive lubricant and fuel supplier.

Bondurant Racing School to Be Powered by Pennzoil and Shell V-Power Nitro+ Premium Gasoline

Bondurant Racing School has announced that Shell will become its official automotive lubricant and fuel supplier. The Bondurant Racing School has made the switch to Pennzoil and Shell V-Power NiTRO+ to help students reach the next level of performance and maintain engine reliability throughout their driver instruction and racing program experience. Pennzoil with PurePlus Technology will be provided to the Bondurant Racing School to offer vehicles complete protection, including cleaner pistons, better fuel economy, horsepower protection, wear protection and extreme temperature performance.

Charlene Bower and Kaleigh Hotchkiss Ladies Co-Driver Challenge Team Wins Inaugural Rebelle Rally

After seven days, Charlene Bower and Kaleigh Hotchkiss finished with the highest points winning the inaugural Rebelle Rally in the BFGoodrich Tires Jeep JK built by Impulse Offroad. This was the third event of the Ladies Co-Driver Challenge where Hotchkiss was selected for the navigation seat out of 91 original entrants. The Rebelle Rally event went through two states, 12 counties, two national parks, five BLM agencies and four legendary OHV areas. Historically, 36 vehicles started and finished with 72 women from 19 states and four countries traversing 1,200-plus miles across the Western desert. The team started mid-pack after day one, but worked their way up the rankings to tie for first at the end of day five.  At the end of day six, they were ahead by three points and by the end of day seven they separated themselves to a lead of 30 points while in the Glamis Sand Dunes, taking the win. The Rebelle Rally is the third event in the Ladies Co-Driver Challenge. After a long and rigorous vetting process Marcie Hricziscse was chosen for the first event in June, Monster Energy Trail of Missions presented by BFGoodrich Tires. Then, Bower went to BFGoodrich Tires 36 Hours of Uwharrie with winner Kristen Endres. The third event was the all-girls Rebelle Rally with Hotchkiss.

A fight for the Touring lead featured Michael Shawhan in the BTM Motorwerks BMW 330i followed by Karl von Beckmann in the Hawk/CCI/Sparta BMW M3 and Gary Sheehan in the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Photo credit: Richard Pochop

Makishima and Shawhan Win in United States Touring Car Championship at Sonoma

Doug Makishima won the Super Touring class of the United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) at Sonoma, while Michael Shawhan won the Touring class. Larry Bani won the Sportsman class and Daniel Akhromtsev won the GT battle. At the start, it was Brad McClure in the BTM Motorwerks Porsche 911 that took the lead with Makishima giving chase in the SanDisk/MCS BMW M3 followed by Roger Eagleton in the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels BMW M3. While the trio was battling for the Super Touring, behind them was a great fight for the Touring lead with Shawhan in the BTM Motorwerks BMW 330i followed by Karl von Beckmann in the Hawk/CCI/Sparta BMW M3 and Gary Sheehan in the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis Coupe. In the Sportsman class, Bani took the lead at the start with a great launch in the GoGoGear.com/Konig Wheels BMW M3 over Thomas Pitre in the Pitre Racing Acura Integra. At the end, it was Bani over Pitre by 0.2 seconds. The GT class was dominated by Akhromtsev’s Domport Auto Body BMW M3, but last year’s champion Beau Borders was coming on strong in the Hawk/CCI/GM Performance Chevy Camaro, who ended up finishing in second place. 

VP Racing Fuels Achieves ISO 9001:2008 Certification

VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced its Elmendorf, Texas-based manufacturing facility has been awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification. ISO 9001:2008 is the title of a document issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that outlines the standards an organization must maintain in their quality system for ISO 9001:2008 certification, according to Anna Crowder, VP’s quality control manager.

By SEMA Editors

Before there was a SEMA Show, there was an association—a loosely knit group of speed-equipment manufacturers who came together with a common interest. It was the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association’s shared obstacles to building their businesses that brought them together, and the foundation of the industry was born.

The marketplace that evolved at previous trade expos was defined by “The High Performance & Custom Trade Show,” held under the cold, damp Dodger Stadium grandstands in 1967.

Booths were simple: a card table, a few chairs, some pipe and drape. One of the 100 exhibitors that year was Valley Head Service, and the booth was manned by Larry Ofria, pictured above. It was the second year in business for Valley Head Service, whose early activities included porting cylinder heads for the likes of Carroll Shelby, Mickey Thompson and Smokey Yunick.

By SEMA Editors

Before there was a SEMA Show, there was an association—a loosely knit group of speed-equipment manufacturers who came together with a common interest. It was the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association’s shared obstacles to building their businesses that brought them together, and the foundation of the industry was born.

The marketplace that evolved at previous trade expos was defined by “The High Performance & Custom Trade Show,” held under the cold, damp Dodger Stadium grandstands in 1967.

Booths were simple: a card table, a few chairs, some pipe and drape. One of the 100 exhibitors that year was Valley Head Service, and the booth was manned by Larry Ofria, pictured above. It was the second year in business for Valley Head Service, whose early activities included porting cylinder heads for the likes of Carroll Shelby, Mickey Thompson and Smokey Yunick.