By Linda Spencer

More than 1,000 people attended the 2014 SEMA International Happy Hour last Wednesday, November 5, in Las Vegas. This annual evening networking event brings together exhibitors with international resellers and wholesalers.

At the event, Rick Trudo, CEO of SCT Performance, received the first SEMA International Ambassador Award in recognition of his success in leading the company to growing its export business and serving as a role model and mentor to the industry. SCT has aggressively sought to diversify its international customer base and has participated in every SEMA overseas trip to China, the Middle East and Russia. In recognition of its growing international sales, SCT won a U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award in 2012.

In addition, several SEMA-member companies won the Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award. They included: aFe Power, Champion Oil, Lingenfelter, Magnaflow, Magnuson Products LLC, Penda Corp., Rigid Industries and Transamerican Wholesale.

To view all of the pictures from the event, visit www.SEMAPhotos.com.

More than 1,000 people attended the 2014 SEMA International Happy Hour.	Ken Lingenfelter and Mike Copeland of Lingenfelter pose with U.S. Department of Commerce official Chandra Brown. Lingenfelter is one of eight recipients of the 2014 Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award presented at the SEMA Show.
SCT Performance CEO Rick Trudo (right)—winner of the first SEMA International Ambassador award—poses with SEMA Chairman of the Board Nate Shelton.	Representatives of some of the winners of the Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award pose for photos with Deputy Assistant Secretary Chandra Brown (black dress center), SEMA Director of International and Government Affairs Linda Spencer and Elizabeth Couch from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

By SEMA Editors

	Team Autometer from Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center finished with an average time of 19:28:20, and will travel to the PRI Show next month to compete for the national championship.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) has announced the results from the “Showdown at SEMA.” This year, 18 teams traveled to the SEMA Show, and 15 will go to the PRI Show, December 11–13, in Indianapolis, for playoff competition. A dual championship will feature the top two winners from the SEMA Show traveling to the PRI Show to take on the top two winners from PRI for the national championship.

HROT launched in 2008 at the Race & Performance Expo in St. Charles, Illinois, with five teams competing for the national championship. The organization first received funding in 2009—the same year the national championship moved to the SEMA Show. In 2014, nearly 50 specialty-equipment companies sponsored 110 teams from 65 high schools, and 33 teams qualified for the national championship.

Teams of five students were judged based on how quickly they could disassemble and reassemble a small-block Chevrolet engine with aftermarket components. This process is completed four times; the worst time is thrown out and the other three are averaged. Teams that average less than 35 minutes at regional events automatically qualify to compete for the championship.

The results from the 2014 SEMA Show:

By SEMA Editors

	Team Autometer from Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center finished with an average time of 19:28:20, and will travel to the PRI Show next month to compete for the national championship.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) has announced the results from the “Showdown at SEMA.” This year, 18 teams traveled to the SEMA Show, and 15 will go to the PRI Show, December 11–13, in Indianapolis, for playoff competition. A dual championship will feature the top two winners from the SEMA Show traveling to the PRI Show to take on the top two winners from PRI for the national championship.

HROT launched in 2008 at the Race & Performance Expo in St. Charles, Illinois, with five teams competing for the national championship. The organization first received funding in 2009—the same year the national championship moved to the SEMA Show. In 2014, nearly 50 specialty-equipment companies sponsored 110 teams from 65 high schools, and 33 teams qualified for the national championship.

Teams of five students were judged based on how quickly they could disassemble and reassemble a small-block Chevrolet engine with aftermarket components. This process is completed four times; the worst time is thrown out and the other three are averaged. Teams that average less than 35 minutes at regional events automatically qualify to compete for the championship.

The results from the 2014 SEMA Show:

By Della Domingo

	Kyle Tucker, with his ’69 Chevy Camaro, was the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ winner.
	Event organizers estimated that more than 10,000 individuals attended SEMA Ignited.

With his ’69 Chevy Camaro, Kyle Tucker was the winner of the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ competition. The announcement was made last week at SEMA Ignited, a new event designed to celebrate the builders and showcase products from the trade-only SEMA Show.

Tucker competed in the SEMA Battle of the Builders™ along with more than 125 vehicles customizers from throughout the country. Editors from leading auto magazines—Sam Du from Super Street, David Freiburger from Hot Rod and Fred Williams from Petersen’s 4Wheel & Off Road—selected the top-10 finalists for the competition. The finalists then became the judges to determine who would ultimately be named the winner of the competition.

Mike and Jim Ring, Jeff Kinsey and Kyle Tucker were announced as the top three competitors during SEMA Ignited, where producers were filming for a nationwide television special currently scheduled to air on the Velocity Network, March 8, 2015. The one-hour show will highlight innovations in vehicle customization and raise consumer awareness for the aftermarket industry. The TV show will profile Tucker as the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ winner, along with other competitors, to showcase the talent, creativity and craftsmanship involved with vehicle customization. While the SEMA Show is a trade show that is not open to the general public, SEMA Ignited was open to consumers and provided them with a chance to preview new automotive accessories on many of the vehicles that were on display during the 2014 SEMA Show week. Organizers estimate that more than 10,000 individuals attended SEMA Ignited.

2014 SEMA Battle of the Builders™ Participants

Top-10 Finalists:

• Bobby Alloway, ’37 Chevy Coupe
• Gordon Aram, ’78 Ford Mustang II
• Mike and Jim Ring, ’66 Chevy Chevelle
• Dale Dondel, ’14 Ford Raptor Pre-Runner
• Rick Dore, ’48 Jaguar
• Jeff Kinsey, ’32 Ford 4-Door Sedan
• Troy Ladd, ’32 Ford Roadster
• Larry McRae, Jeep JK
• Steve Strope, ’67 Ford Black Ops Fairlane
• Kyle Tucker, ’69 Camaro

The top 10 builders’ cars were lined up beside the main stage.		Mike and Jim Ring, Jeff Kinsey and Kyle Tucker were announced as the top three competitors during SEMA Ignited, where producers were filming for a nationwide television special currently scheduled to air on the Velocity Network, March 8, 2015.
This season's final episode of “Overhaulin’” also was filmed during SEMA Ignited.		The High Roller provided the perfect backdrop for the SEMA Ignited Event.

Entire List of SEMA Battle of the Builders™ Participants

By Della Domingo

	Kyle Tucker, with his ’69 Chevy Camaro, was the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ winner.
	Event organizers estimated that more than 10,000 individuals attended SEMA Ignited.

With his ’69 Chevy Camaro, Kyle Tucker was the winner of the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ competition. The announcement was made last week at SEMA Ignited, a new event designed to celebrate the builders and showcase products from the trade-only SEMA Show.

Tucker competed in the SEMA Battle of the Builders™ along with more than 125 vehicles customizers from throughout the country. Editors from leading auto magazines—Sam Du from Super Street, David Freiburger from Hot Rod and Fred Williams from Petersen’s 4Wheel & Off Road—selected the top-10 finalists for the competition. The finalists then became the judges to determine who would ultimately be named the winner of the competition.

Mike and Jim Ring, Jeff Kinsey and Kyle Tucker were announced as the top three competitors during SEMA Ignited, where producers were filming for a nationwide television special currently scheduled to air on the Velocity Network, March 8, 2015. The one-hour show will highlight innovations in vehicle customization and raise consumer awareness for the aftermarket industry. The TV show will profile Tucker as the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ winner, along with other competitors, to showcase the talent, creativity and craftsmanship involved with vehicle customization. While the SEMA Show is a trade show that is not open to the general public, SEMA Ignited was open to consumers and provided them with a chance to preview new automotive accessories on many of the vehicles that were on display during the 2014 SEMA Show week. Organizers estimate that more than 10,000 individuals attended SEMA Ignited.

2014 SEMA Battle of the Builders™ Participants

Top-10 Finalists:

• Bobby Alloway, ’37 Chevy Coupe
• Gordon Aram, ’78 Ford Mustang II
• Mike and Jim Ring, ’66 Chevy Chevelle
• Dale Dondel, ’14 Ford Raptor Pre-Runner
• Rick Dore, ’48 Jaguar
• Jeff Kinsey, ’32 Ford 4-Door Sedan
• Troy Ladd, ’32 Ford Roadster
• Larry McRae, Jeep JK
• Steve Strope, ’67 Ford Black Ops Fairlane
• Kyle Tucker, ’69 Camaro

The top 10 builders’ cars were lined up beside the main stage.		Mike and Jim Ring, Jeff Kinsey and Kyle Tucker were announced as the top three competitors during SEMA Ignited, where producers were filming for a nationwide television special currently scheduled to air on the Velocity Network, March 8, 2015.
This season's final episode of “Overhaulin’” also was filmed during SEMA Ignited.		The High Roller provided the perfect backdrop for the SEMA Ignited Event.

Entire List of SEMA Battle of the Builders™ Participants

By Della Domingo

	Kyle Tucker, with his ’69 Chevy Camaro, was the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ winner.
	Event organizers estimated that more than 10,000 individuals attended SEMA Ignited.

With his ’69 Chevy Camaro, Kyle Tucker was the winner of the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ competition. The announcement was made last week at SEMA Ignited, a new event designed to celebrate the builders and showcase products from the trade-only SEMA Show.

Tucker competed in the SEMA Battle of the Builders™ along with more than 125 vehicles customizers from throughout the country. Editors from leading auto magazines—Sam Du from Super Street, David Freiburger from Hot Rod and Fred Williams from Petersen’s 4Wheel & Off Road—selected the top-10 finalists for the competition. The finalists then became the judges to determine who would ultimately be named the winner of the competition.

Mike and Jim Ring, Jeff Kinsey and Kyle Tucker were announced as the top three competitors during SEMA Ignited, where producers were filming for a nationwide television special currently scheduled to air on the Velocity Network, March 8, 2015. The one-hour show will highlight innovations in vehicle customization and raise consumer awareness for the aftermarket industry. The TV show will profile Tucker as the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ winner, along with other competitors, to showcase the talent, creativity and craftsmanship involved with vehicle customization. While the SEMA Show is a trade show that is not open to the general public, SEMA Ignited was open to consumers and provided them with a chance to preview new automotive accessories on many of the vehicles that were on display during the 2014 SEMA Show week. Organizers estimate that more than 10,000 individuals attended SEMA Ignited.

2014 SEMA Battle of the Builders™ Participants

Top-10 Finalists:

• Bobby Alloway, ’37 Chevy Coupe
• Gordon Aram, ’78 Ford Mustang II
• Mike and Jim Ring, ’66 Chevy Chevelle
• Dale Dondel, ’14 Ford Raptor Pre-Runner
• Rick Dore, ’48 Jaguar
• Jeff Kinsey, ’32 Ford 4-Door Sedan
• Troy Ladd, ’32 Ford Roadster
• Larry McRae, Jeep JK
• Steve Strope, ’67 Ford Black Ops Fairlane
• Kyle Tucker, ’69 Camaro

The top 10 builders’ cars were lined up beside the main stage.		Mike and Jim Ring, Jeff Kinsey and Kyle Tucker were announced as the top three competitors during SEMA Ignited, where producers were filming for a nationwide television special currently scheduled to air on the Velocity Network, March 8, 2015.
This season's final episode of “Overhaulin’” also was filmed during SEMA Ignited.		The High Roller provided the perfect backdrop for the SEMA Ignited Event.

Entire List of SEMA Battle of the Builders™ Participants

By Della Domingo

	Kyle Tucker, with his ’69 Chevy Camaro, was the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ winner.
	Event organizers estimated that more than 10,000 individuals attended SEMA Ignited.

With his ’69 Chevy Camaro, Kyle Tucker was the winner of the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ competition. The announcement was made last week at SEMA Ignited, a new event designed to celebrate the builders and showcase products from the trade-only SEMA Show.

Tucker competed in the SEMA Battle of the Builders™ along with more than 125 vehicles customizers from throughout the country. Editors from leading auto magazines—Sam Du from Super Street, David Freiburger from Hot Rod and Fred Williams from Petersen’s 4Wheel & Off Road—selected the top-10 finalists for the competition. The finalists then became the judges to determine who would ultimately be named the winner of the competition.

Mike and Jim Ring, Jeff Kinsey and Kyle Tucker were announced as the top three competitors during SEMA Ignited, where producers were filming for a nationwide television special currently scheduled to air on the Velocity Network, March 8, 2015. The one-hour show will highlight innovations in vehicle customization and raise consumer awareness for the aftermarket industry. The TV show will profile Tucker as the first-ever SEMA Battle of the Builders™ winner, along with other competitors, to showcase the talent, creativity and craftsmanship involved with vehicle customization. While the SEMA Show is a trade show that is not open to the general public, SEMA Ignited was open to consumers and provided them with a chance to preview new automotive accessories on many of the vehicles that were on display during the 2014 SEMA Show week. Organizers estimate that more than 10,000 individuals attended SEMA Ignited.

2014 SEMA Battle of the Builders™ Participants

Top-10 Finalists:

• Bobby Alloway, ’37 Chevy Coupe
• Gordon Aram, ’78 Ford Mustang II
• Mike and Jim Ring, ’66 Chevy Chevelle
• Dale Dondel, ’14 Ford Raptor Pre-Runner
• Rick Dore, ’48 Jaguar
• Jeff Kinsey, ’32 Ford 4-Door Sedan
• Troy Ladd, ’32 Ford Roadster
• Larry McRae, Jeep JK
• Steve Strope, ’67 Ford Black Ops Fairlane
• Kyle Tucker, ’69 Camaro

The top 10 builders’ cars were lined up beside the main stage.		Mike and Jim Ring, Jeff Kinsey and Kyle Tucker were announced as the top three competitors during SEMA Ignited, where producers were filming for a nationwide television special currently scheduled to air on the Velocity Network, March 8, 2015.
This season's final episode of “Overhaulin’” also was filmed during SEMA Ignited.		The High Roller provided the perfect backdrop for the SEMA Ignited Event.

Entire List of SEMA Battle of the Builders™ Participants

By SEMA Editors

Metal, music and skateboarding inspired two new Scion cars now on display in SEMA booth #20313. Scion debuted the Scion x Slayer Mobile Amp tC for heavy-metal-band Slayer, and the Scion x Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB for pro skateboarder Riley Hawk at this year’s SEMA Show.

Frequently cited for its deep influence on other metal bands, Slayer has a look, sound and approach all its own. The band’s aggressive style carries into the tC sports coupe’s exterior look and band-inspired details. Inside, the vehicle has been transformed into a multimedia machine with amps, towers of speakers, a custom mixer and a 32-in. monitor for media playback. Mike Vu of MV DESIGNZ lead the build process.

Beyond his skateboarding career, Hawk is a rock-’n’-roll aficionado with an appreciation for ’70s style. His xB ride combines those three passions through its high-end sound system, space for skateboards and classic orange and yellow striped paint job. Details such as bubble windows, interior wood-grain paneling, an 8-track player and requisite shag carpet make it a rolling, retro hangout spot.

The build was led by Scott Kanemura of KMA Productions. While the SEMA Show is not open to the public, there will be opportunities to see the Slayer tC and Skate Tour xB at Scion events later in
the year.

Both project vehicles join a diverse collection of modified Scions at SEMA, including three FR-S sport coupes designed by media partners as part of the 10th annual Scion Tuner Challenge. “SEMA is the ultimate opportunity to look at Scion vehicles through a new lens,” said Doug Murtha, vice president of Scion. “We’re looking forward to showing fans what Riley Hawk and the members of Slayer envisioned for the tC and xB and encourage fans to imagine for themselves.” To follow other Scion SEMA content, visit www.scion.com/blog as well as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

By SEMA Editors

Metal, music and skateboarding inspired two new Scion cars now on display in SEMA booth #20313. Scion debuted the Scion x Slayer Mobile Amp tC for heavy-metal-band Slayer, and the Scion x Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB for pro skateboarder Riley Hawk at this year’s SEMA Show.

Frequently cited for its deep influence on other metal bands, Slayer has a look, sound and approach all its own. The band’s aggressive style carries into the tC sports coupe’s exterior look and band-inspired details. Inside, the vehicle has been transformed into a multimedia machine with amps, towers of speakers, a custom mixer and a 32-in. monitor for media playback. Mike Vu of MV DESIGNZ lead the build process.

Beyond his skateboarding career, Hawk is a rock-’n’-roll aficionado with an appreciation for ’70s style. His xB ride combines those three passions through its high-end sound system, space for skateboards and classic orange and yellow striped paint job. Details such as bubble windows, interior wood-grain paneling, an 8-track player and requisite shag carpet make it a rolling, retro hangout spot.

The build was led by Scott Kanemura of KMA Productions. While the SEMA Show is not open to the public, there will be opportunities to see the Slayer tC and Skate Tour xB at Scion events later in
the year.

Both project vehicles join a diverse collection of modified Scions at SEMA, including three FR-S sport coupes designed by media partners as part of the 10th annual Scion Tuner Challenge. “SEMA is the ultimate opportunity to look at Scion vehicles through a new lens,” said Doug Murtha, vice president of Scion. “We’re looking forward to showing fans what Riley Hawk and the members of Slayer envisioned for the tC and xB and encourage fans to imagine for themselves.” To follow other Scion SEMA content, visit www.scion.com/blog as well as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

	Representatives from Transamerican Wholesale and Superchips congratulate Ron Rogers (third from left) of Redlands Motorsports in Redlands, California, for winning a customized Jeep JK.

By SEMA Editors

Superchips and Transamerican Wholesale gave away a fully customized brand-new ’14 Jeep JK two-door at the 2014 SEMA Show, November 6, in Las Vegas.

The contest gave jobbers the opportunity to vote on the parts they most want to win for the build. Months leading up to the Show, Superchips and Transamerican Wholesale posted a new category with four manufacturer part options. The parts that received the most votes were installed on the Jeep. The nine qualifying drawings occurred electronically each month and again at the SEMA Show.

The lucky winner of the Jeep is Ron Rogers of Redlands Motorsports in Redlands, California.