By SEMA Editors

Phil and Jeremy Gerber’s ’67 Chevelle made it into the SEMA Battle of the Builders Top 10.

Phil and Jeremy Gerber of The Roadster Shop have been modifying cars to a certain extent since they were kids, but only during the last 15 years have they built cars professionally. Their detailed craftsmanship has resulted in two of their cars being named to the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders Top 5, two Goodguys Street Machine of the Year Awards, multiple Top 5 Goodguys Terrific 12 Awards, a Detroit Autorama Great 8 finalist, and multiple GM Design Awards.

At this year’s SEMA Show, the brothers entered three cars into the Battle of the Builders competition, and one of them, a ’67 Chevelle, made it into the Top 10. In addition to making custom tucked bumpers and refining the original factory trim, they installed a roadster chassis and added a supercharged 860hp Wegner Motorsports LS3A engine that has enabled the car to be raced at speeds exceeding 150 mph.

The Gerbers are proud of their builds and improve their craft each time. “I’m proud of being able to build high-end show cars that can run and drive and perform at a top level and are not just trailer queens,” said Phil Gerber.

Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and stories of the 2016 Battle of the Builders competition will be showcased in an hour-long TV special that will air February 6, 2017, on the Velocity Network, so mark your calendars, set your DVR and tell your friends not to miss the show. For more information, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By SEMA Editors

Phil and Jeremy Gerber’s ’67 Chevelle made it into the SEMA Battle of the Builders Top 10.

Phil and Jeremy Gerber of The Roadster Shop have been modifying cars to a certain extent since they were kids, but only during the last 15 years have they built cars professionally. Their detailed craftsmanship has resulted in two of their cars being named to the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders Top 5, two Goodguys Street Machine of the Year Awards, multiple Top 5 Goodguys Terrific 12 Awards, a Detroit Autorama Great 8 finalist, and multiple GM Design Awards.

At this year’s SEMA Show, the brothers entered three cars into the Battle of the Builders competition, and one of them, a ’67 Chevelle, made it into the Top 10. In addition to making custom tucked bumpers and refining the original factory trim, they installed a roadster chassis and added a supercharged 860hp Wegner Motorsports LS3A engine that has enabled the car to be raced at speeds exceeding 150 mph.

The Gerbers are proud of their builds and improve their craft each time. “I’m proud of being able to build high-end show cars that can run and drive and perform at a top level and are not just trailer queens,” said Phil Gerber.

Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and stories of the 2016 Battle of the Builders competition will be showcased in an hour-long TV special that will air February 6, 2017, on the Velocity Network, so mark your calendars, set your DVR and tell your friends not to miss the show. For more information, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

This is the ’19 Toyota Supra, caught rocking less camo and revealing more of its FT1 design cues.

Toyota is reintroducing its Supra sports car through a collaboration with BMW and its Z4 roadster replacement, the Z5. While the two companies are expected to share the front-engine rear-drive underpinnings, Toyota is likely to use a hybrid-electric powertrain for its sports car.

The Supra’s looks should be derived from the FT-1 concept shown in 2014. Expect it to be a coupe only, while BMW will most likely offer a roadster variant.

Expected to be built in Austria by Magna Steyr, the Supra should appear sometime in 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Toyota Supra, caught rocking less camo and revealing more of its FT1 design cues.

Toyota is reintroducing its Supra sports car through a collaboration with BMW and its Z4 roadster replacement, the Z5. While the two companies are expected to share the front-engine rear-drive underpinnings, Toyota is likely to use a hybrid-electric powertrain for its sports car.

The Supra’s looks should be derived from the FT-1 concept shown in 2014. Expect it to be a coupe only, while BMW will most likely offer a roadster variant.

Expected to be built in Austria by Magna Steyr, the Supra should appear sometime in 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Toyota Supra, caught rocking less camo and revealing more of its FT1 design cues.

Toyota is reintroducing its Supra sports car through a collaboration with BMW and its Z4 roadster replacement, the Z5. While the two companies are expected to share the front-engine rear-drive underpinnings, Toyota is likely to use a hybrid-electric powertrain for its sports car.

The Supra’s looks should be derived from the FT-1 concept shown in 2014. Expect it to be a coupe only, while BMW will most likely offer a roadster variant.

Expected to be built in Austria by Magna Steyr, the Supra should appear sometime in 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Toyota Supra, caught rocking less camo and revealing more of its FT1 design cues.

Toyota is reintroducing its Supra sports car through a collaboration with BMW and its Z4 roadster replacement, the Z5. While the two companies are expected to share the front-engine rear-drive underpinnings, Toyota is likely to use a hybrid-electric powertrain for its sports car.

The Supra’s looks should be derived from the FT-1 concept shown in 2014. Expect it to be a coupe only, while BMW will most likely offer a roadster variant.

Expected to be built in Austria by Magna Steyr, the Supra should appear sometime in 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Toyota Supra, caught rocking less camo and revealing more of its FT1 design cues.

Toyota is reintroducing its Supra sports car through a collaboration with BMW and its Z4 roadster replacement, the Z5. While the two companies are expected to share the front-engine rear-drive underpinnings, Toyota is likely to use a hybrid-electric powertrain for its sports car.

The Supra’s looks should be derived from the FT-1 concept shown in 2014. Expect it to be a coupe only, while BMW will most likely offer a roadster variant.

Expected to be built in Austria by Magna Steyr, the Supra should appear sometime in 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Toyota Supra, caught rocking less camo and revealing more of its FT1 design cues.

Toyota is reintroducing its Supra sports car through a collaboration with BMW and its Z4 roadster replacement, the Z5. While the two companies are expected to share the front-engine rear-drive underpinnings, Toyota is likely to use a hybrid-electric powertrain for its sports car.

The Supra’s looks should be derived from the FT-1 concept shown in 2014. Expect it to be a coupe only, while BMW will most likely offer a roadster variant.

Expected to be built in Austria by Magna Steyr, the Supra should appear sometime in 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Toyota Supra, caught rocking less camo and revealing more of its FT1 design cues.

Toyota is reintroducing its Supra sports car through a collaboration with BMW and its Z4 roadster replacement, the Z5. While the two companies are expected to share the front-engine rear-drive underpinnings, Toyota is likely to use a hybrid-electric powertrain for its sports car.

The Supra’s looks should be derived from the FT-1 concept shown in 2014. Expect it to be a coupe only, while BMW will most likely offer a roadster variant.

Expected to be built in Austria by Magna Steyr, the Supra should appear sometime in 2018.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Rancho Announces Official Sponsorship of Jeep Jamboree USA Program in 2017

Tenneco’s Rancho performance suspension and shock brand will return as the official sponsor of one of North America’s top adventure Jeep excursion and event organizations—Jeep Jamboree USA (JJUSA)—for its 2017 adventure program. Through the Rancho partnership, participants in Jeep Jamboree events will be eligible for several Rancho product giveaways and contests, have a chance to experience Rancho products firsthand on designated Jeep Jamboree routes and learn more about event-specific Rancho offers.

Raybestos Presents ’69 Mustang to Vincent Cerra

Vincent Cerra (third from the right), is the winner of the Raybestos Mustang.

Raybestos announced that Vincent Cerra of Cerra Automotive in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, is the winner of the Raybestos Mustang. The car was presented to Cerra during the 2016 SEMA Show. Modifications to the Mustang include a G-Machine Chassis, the Ford Performance Coyote engine, Silver Sport transmission, and Vintage Air and Dakota Digital instrumentation.

Kooks Headers and Exhaust Earns Export Achievement Certificate

Recent efforts by Kooks Headers and Exhaust to export performance products to new markets have gained national attention. The company has been awarded the Export Achievement Certificate from the United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, in recognition of recent accomplishments in opening and expanding its aftermarket exhaust market in the Middle East. Kooks was recommended for the award by SEMA, and company officials accepted the certificate from Andres Castrillon, automotive team leader, International Trade Administration, during the 2016 SEMA Show. Kooks Headers and Exhaust has been exporting to the Middle East for more than 10 years. However, with the recent help of international sales manager Jack Tese, the company has increased its distribution to the area significantly. During the SEMA Show, Kooks also received a Global Media Award from the country of Brazil for its new ’16 Chevy Camaro headers and green catted system.

PPG hosted veterans from Paralyzed Veterans of America in its 2016 SEMA Show booth.

PPG Salutes Paralyzed Veterans of America at 2016 SEMA Show

PPG hosted veterans from Paralyzed Veterans of America in its booth at the 2016 SEMA Show. Based in Washington, D.C., the nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing disabled veterans—from as far back as World War II—and their families with everything they need to live full and productive lives. With paralyzed veterans composing the group’s board of directors, the organization understands the many challenges and obstacles its members face. Booth visitors waiting to meet elite painters had a chance to write thank-you notes to Paralyzed Veterans of America members in appreciation of their service to the nation. Monetary donations were also welcome and more than $3,100 was raised for the organization. PPG contributed to the cause with two pieces of original art—renditions of stylized “Salute to Color” postage stamps created by PPG painters Jeff Matauch and Frank Ramos—that Paralyzed Veterans of America can auction to raise funds. Paralyzed Veterans also had the opportunity to make the public aware of the many services it provides through its 34 chapters across the country. Special attention was given to the group’s “Wheels Helping Warriors” fundraising vehicle donation program, which provides the organization with significant financial support.

VP Racing Fuels Launches New Website

VP Racing Fuels has redesigned its website, according to Chris Wall, chief marketing officer for VP Racing Fuels. “Between our 70+ blends of race fuel and the new product lines we’ve launched in the last several years, customers sometimes had difficulty finding the product information they were looking for,” Wall said. “Our new platform is clearly segmented between product lines and applications so it will be easy for customers to zero in on the most appropriate VP product to meet their needs, whether it’s race fuel for their dirt bike, a small-engine fuel for their chain saw or a fuel-system cleaner for their street car.”

McCullough Public Relations Named Agency of Record for Baja Designs

McCullough Public Relations Inc. has been named the official public relations agency of record for Baja Designs of San Marcos, California. McCullough Public Relations will assist the Baja Designs management team in expanding the brand’s presence, utilizing a wide range of strategic, focused marketing programs and marketing communications initiatives.

Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P. Creates Authorized Distributor Program for Qualified Lubricants Distributors in United States

Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P.—an independent producer of specialty hydrocarbon and fuels products—has announced the creation of an Authorized Distributor Program for qualified lubricant distributors to provide the opportunity for authorized distributors to actively market all of Calumet’s premium-branded products: Bel-Ray, Quantum, Royal Purple and TruFuel. The Calumet Authorized Distributor Program includes a volume rebate incentive, business-development fund, and comprehensive marketing and technical support. Among other features, the Calumet Authorized Distributor Program will provide distributors with additional earned funding to support and grow their businesses and the brand awareness for all premium Calumet brands.

DENSO Expands Aftermarket Technical Training Program

DENSO Products and Services Americas Inc. is adding three new training classes to its selection of automotive repair courses. The classes expand DENSO’s Technical Training Program, developed to ensure technicians have the diagnostic and troubleshooting expertise to repair vehicles efficiently and correctly the first time. The following classes are joining DENSO’s roster in 2017: Advanced Circuit & Electrical Testing, Evaporative Emissions Systems, and Ford Engine Performance. With these new seminars, DENSO offers a total of 42 classes under its Technical Training Program.

Women in Auto Care Announce 2016 Scholarship Winners

Women in Auto Care, formerly the Car Care Council Women’s Board, presented Summer Miller with the Kathleen Schmatz Scholarship for $10,000 as part of the Women in Auto Care scholarship program. Miller is a student in automotive technology at Brookhaven College in Decatur, Texas.

This year, Women in Auto Care gave away $60,000 in scholarships to young women, including:

High School

• $5,000 – Mindy Brown, Greenville Technical College 
• $2,500 – Claire Choinacky, Indiana University
• $2,500 – Delaney McAvoy, Automotive Training Center
• $1,000 – Leah Carron, University of Maine, Orono
• $1,000 – Winter Stringham, Universal Technical Institute
• $1,000 – Sabrina Alatto, Universal Technical Institute
• $1,000 – Kylie Concelman, Community College of Allegheny County
• $1,000 – Ryan Falk, Washington State University

Post-Secondary

• $5,000 – Becky Babcox Scholarship – Jacqueline Hower, Northwood University
• $5,000 – Continental Scholarship – Grace Cameron, Northwood University 
• $5,000 – Sarah Spoto, University of Rochester
• $2,500 – Babcox Media Scholarship –  Rachel Berbert, Chipola College
• $2,500 – Laura Bulvas, College of Dupage   
• $2,500 – Kelly Callender, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
• $2,500 – Sarah Bako, West Chester University
• $2,500 – Allison Washington, Ohio State University
• $2,500 – Shannon Holsten, State Technical College of Missouri
• $2,500 – Tara Rodgers, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
• $2,500 – Ellen Donabedian, Michigan State University

For more information on Women in Auto Care, visit www.womeninautocare.org.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.