By Becca Butler

SEMA Show vehicle builders will take center stage in the third annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition taking place following the close of the 2016 SEMA Show. Introduced in 2014 to recognize and celebrate proven vehicle builders in all market segments, including hot rod, off-road and sport compact, the SEMA Battle of the Builders is considered to be the ultimate builder competition and is still accepting applications.

As in previous years, candidates for top honors will be selected and announced during the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The competition will also be televised nationwide on the Velocity Network. New for 2016 is a special recognition program for builders under the age of 35. Participants who enter and qualify as a “Young Gun” will receive additional exposure through their participation in the overall competition.

“The Young Guns Program allows us to shine the spotlight on up-and-coming builders who have demonstrated that they can compete with industry veterans and icons,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “These young builders, just like all the builders from the SEMA Show, have already proven themselves simply by having a vehicle at the SEMA Show. There is no question that they are amazing builders. The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition allows us to celebrate their talents and share them with the rest of the world.”

Industry experts RJ deVera, David Freiburger and Fred Williams are confirmed as judges for the competition. They will narrow the list of entries down to the Top 10, who will be announced during the week of the SEMA Show. The 10 finalists will then take over and evaluate one another’s vehicles, before the ultimate winner is announced Friday, November 4, at SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party that is open to the general public.

For details on last year’s competition and winner, or to enter the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

The 2016 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas. Online registration for the Show, available now through October 14, is $40.

The 2015 SEMA Show gathered more than 170,000 individuals together to do business. The annual Show features manufacturers representing all segments of the industry highlighting their latest product innovations—from wheels, tires, mobile electronics, restyling kits and paint, to exhaust kits, engine upgrades, suspension components, interior products and much more.

The 2016 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas. Online registration for the Show, available now through October 14, is $40.

The 2015 SEMA Show gathered more than 170,000 individuals together to do business. The annual Show features manufacturers representing all segments of the industry highlighting their latest product innovations—from wheels, tires, mobile electronics, restyling kits and paint, to exhaust kits, engine upgrades, suspension components, interior products and much more.

Before he became the first man to set land-speed records above 500 and 600 mph in the mid ’60s, Craig Breedlove was a hot rodder, like many other young Southern Californians in the ’50s and early ’60s. He raced at dragstrips, on the dry lakes and at the Bonneville Salt Flats, where he would later make history in the Spirit of America and Sonic I jet cars. Photos of him with various cars showed up in Hot Rod magazines of the era, including a three-page feature on this “triple-threat” ’34 Ford coupe that was photographed by Petersen lensman Eric Rickman for the magazine’s September 1960 issue.

Before he became the first man to set land-speed records above 500 and 600 mph in the mid ’60s, Craig Breedlove was a hot rodder, like many other young Southern Californians in the ’50s and early ’60s. He raced at dragstrips, on the dry lakes and at the Bonneville Salt Flats, where he would later make history in the Spirit of America and Sonic I jet cars. Photos of him with various cars showed up in Hot Rod magazines of the era, including a three-page feature on this “triple-threat” ’34 Ford coupe that was photographed by Petersen lensman Eric Rickman for the magazine’s September 1960 issue.

Before he became the first man to set land-speed records above 500 and 600 mph in the mid ’60s, Craig Breedlove was a hot rodder, like many other young Southern Californians in the ’50s and early ’60s. He raced at dragstrips, on the dry lakes and at the Bonneville Salt Flats, where he would later make history in the Spirit of America and Sonic I jet cars. Photos of him with various cars showed up in Hot Rod magazines of the era, including a three-page feature on this “triple-threat” ’34 Ford coupe that was photographed by Petersen lensman Eric Rickman for the magazine’s September 1960 issue.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.

The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.

The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.