By Richard Hail

Brandon Henness’ LS-swapped Z was more than seven years in the making and boasts custom-fabricated components, tons of metal fabrication and upgrades throughout.

Brandon Henness of Westport, Washington, and his ’72 Datsun 240Z took home the final Golden Ticket in the Young Guns Online Fan Vote. The 27-year-old Henness won by a mere 36 votes in the public competition (October 5-25).

The LS-swapped Z was more than seven years in the making and boasts custom-fabricated components, tons of metal fabrication and upgrades throughout. Henness rebuilt the entire powertrain, the suspension and the interior. This 240z is truly one-of-a-kind.

“We moved the regional qualifiers online this year which opened up the field to a broader group of young builders that typically wouldn’t be able to make it to an in-person event,” said Ira Gabriel, SEMA vice president of marketing, PR and communications. “This years’ SEMA360 platform allows us to host the Battle of the Builders competition in a virtual format where we can still recognize these Young Guns for their talent and creativity.”

Now in its third year, the Young Guns Online Fan Vote was assembled from 15 runner-up contestants that were selected from 12 regional automotive events. Henness and eleven other Regional winners will now take part in the Young Guns category at the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition that includes more than 330 entries from all over the globe.

The winner of the Young Guns category and the Battle of the Builders competition will be announced during SEMA360 which takes place November 2-6, 2020. The 12 Young Guns competitors will also have their vehicles displayed at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

For more information, visit www.semayoungguns.com and www.sema360.com.

By Richard Hail

Brandon Henness’ LS-swapped Z was more than seven years in the making and boasts custom-fabricated components, tons of metal fabrication and upgrades throughout.

Brandon Henness of Westport, Washington, and his ’72 Datsun 240Z took home the final Golden Ticket in the Young Guns Online Fan Vote. The 27-year-old Henness won by a mere 36 votes in the public competition (October 5-25).

The LS-swapped Z was more than seven years in the making and boasts custom-fabricated components, tons of metal fabrication and upgrades throughout. Henness rebuilt the entire powertrain, the suspension and the interior. This 240z is truly one-of-a-kind.

“We moved the regional qualifiers online this year which opened up the field to a broader group of young builders that typically wouldn’t be able to make it to an in-person event,” said Ira Gabriel, SEMA vice president of marketing, PR and communications. “This years’ SEMA360 platform allows us to host the Battle of the Builders competition in a virtual format where we can still recognize these Young Guns for their talent and creativity.”

Now in its third year, the Young Guns Online Fan Vote was assembled from 15 runner-up contestants that were selected from 12 regional automotive events. Henness and eleven other Regional winners will now take part in the Young Guns category at the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition that includes more than 330 entries from all over the globe.

The winner of the Young Guns category and the Battle of the Builders competition will be announced during SEMA360 which takes place November 2-6, 2020. The 12 Young Guns competitors will also have their vehicles displayed at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

For more information, visit www.semayoungguns.com and www.sema360.com.

By Richard Hail

More than 40 influencers have been granted a VIP backstage pass to cover SEMA360 special guests and events.

From builders to racers to photographers, the list of Social Media Correspondents covering SEMA360 was assembled from a pool of talented individuals from across the industry. More than 40 influencers have been granted a VIP backstage pass and you’re invited to follow along with them.

The correspondents will cover special guests and events like, the live keynote Q&A powered by OPTIMA Batteries featuring Mike Rowe, who is best known as creator and host of the hit TV series “Dirty Jobs,” along with industry icon Tanner Foust. And don’t miss out on the play-by-play commentary showcasing the industry’s first virtual 24-hour build, featuring Ryan Friedlinghaus and his crew from West Coast Customs. The West Coast Customs Experience will stream live from the floor of their shop in Burbank, California, and can only be seen on SEMA360.

Do you want to discover more than 330 of the latest creations from top shops like Foose Design, past winners from Battle of the Builders, and first-time garage builders? Then follow along to see what’s hot this year in the SEMA360 Builder Showcase. Is education on your mind? Our team of influencers will be in the front row to share the conversation coming from interviews and seminars featuring special guests, industry icons and professional builders.

If you aren’t at SEMA360 this year, the only way to see this exclusive content is to follow along with the SEMA Social Media Correspondents. And if you are at SEMA360, they’ll cover anything you missed. Stay in the know and follow your favorites for everything SEMA360-related and beyond.

The 2020 SEMA Social Media Correspondents

Connecting buyers and manufacturers from around the world, SEMA360 will feature new product debuts, feature vehicles, and industry-leading educational sessions. Through the Social Media Correspondent (SMC) Program, these niche influencers will curate and create original and relevant content for SEMA360. SEMA360 takes place online November 2-6. Follow all the action and join the conversation at #SEMA360.

By Richard Hail

More than 40 influencers have been granted a VIP backstage pass to cover SEMA360 special guests and events.

From builders to racers to photographers, the list of Social Media Correspondents covering SEMA360 was assembled from a pool of talented individuals from across the industry. More than 40 influencers have been granted a VIP backstage pass and you’re invited to follow along with them.

The correspondents will cover special guests and events like, the live keynote Q&A powered by OPTIMA Batteries featuring Mike Rowe, who is best known as creator and host of the hit TV series “Dirty Jobs,” along with industry icon Tanner Foust. And don’t miss out on the play-by-play commentary showcasing the industry’s first virtual 24-hour build, featuring Ryan Friedlinghaus and his crew from West Coast Customs. The West Coast Customs Experience will stream live from the floor of their shop in Burbank, California, and can only be seen on SEMA360.

Do you want to discover more than 330 of the latest creations from top shops like Foose Design, past winners from Battle of the Builders, and first-time garage builders? Then follow along to see what’s hot this year in the SEMA360 Builder Showcase. Is education on your mind? Our team of influencers will be in the front row to share the conversation coming from interviews and seminars featuring special guests, industry icons and professional builders.

If you aren’t at SEMA360 this year, the only way to see this exclusive content is to follow along with the SEMA Social Media Correspondents. And if you are at SEMA360, they’ll cover anything you missed. Stay in the know and follow your favorites for everything SEMA360-related and beyond.

The 2020 SEMA Social Media Correspondents

Connecting buyers and manufacturers from around the world, SEMA360 will feature new product debuts, feature vehicles, and industry-leading educational sessions. Through the Social Media Correspondent (SMC) Program, these niche influencers will curate and create original and relevant content for SEMA360. SEMA360 takes place online November 2-6. Follow all the action and join the conversation at #SEMA360.

By SEMA Editors

The automotive specialty equipment industry typically gathers during the first week of November for the SEMA Show. Although the in-person event is not taking place this year, the industry will connect online through SEMA360. Taking place November 2-6, at www.sema360.com, the trade-only online emarketplace is set to include more than 650 manufacturing companies and thousands of attendees from throughout the world.



Like the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, SEMA360 will include live activities throughout the week, including a 24-hour vehicle build by Ryan Friedlinghaus and the West Coast Customs crew, a press conference from Toyota, appearances from celebrities and more. The stars of the week, however, have always been and continue to be the manufacturers and their new products, including 2,200 that will be included in the New Products Showcase and those that will be featured on the 330 project vehicles in the SEMA360 Builders Showcase.



Despite the consumer appeal of the SEMA Show, both the annual in-person event and the SEMA360 online event are trade-only and focus on helping businesses with new products and skills. Since the first SEMA Show in 1967 under the grandstands of Dodgers Stadium, small manufacturers have been able to launch their businesses to a worldwide audience of professional resellers, buyers and media. The SEMA Show has maintained its allure for small mom-and-pop shops exhibiting alongside established manufacturers and major automakers, and SEMA360 will continue that tradition. More than 100 participating manufacturers have never exhibited at the SEMA Show before. They help make up the 650-plus manufacturers representing every market segment of the automotive aftermarket.


From motorsports, hot rods and restoration, to off-road, restyling and collision repair, SEMA360 represents a $46.2 billion industry. Attendees include buyers, distributors and resellers from big box stores, as well as speed shops, installers, restylers, jobbers, and online retailers. Nearly 30% of the SEMA360 attendees are from outside of the United States, giving manufacturers greater opportunities to expand their markets.



“This will be the first time in more than 50 years that the SEMA Show will not take place in person,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We’re pleased and excited to bring the industry together to connect and do business through SEMA360. The online platform is making it possible for the industry to celebrate SEMA Week during the first week of November. Manufacturers and buyers will be connecting and interacting, and they’ll be making history.”



The 650 Manufacturer Showcases, more than 2,200 new products and 30 education seminars are available only to those registered for SEMA360. Login credentials are required, and will be sent to participants who are registered and approved. For more information or to sign up, visit www.sema360.com.

By SEMA Editors

The automotive specialty equipment industry typically gathers during the first week of November for the SEMA Show. Although the in-person event is not taking place this year, the industry will connect online through SEMA360. Taking place November 2-6, at www.sema360.com, the trade-only online emarketplace is set to include more than 650 manufacturing companies and thousands of attendees from throughout the world.



Like the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, SEMA360 will include live activities throughout the week, including a 24-hour vehicle build by Ryan Friedlinghaus and the West Coast Customs crew, a press conference from Toyota, appearances from celebrities and more. The stars of the week, however, have always been and continue to be the manufacturers and their new products, including 2,200 that will be included in the New Products Showcase and those that will be featured on the 330 project vehicles in the SEMA360 Builders Showcase.



Despite the consumer appeal of the SEMA Show, both the annual in-person event and the SEMA360 online event are trade-only and focus on helping businesses with new products and skills. Since the first SEMA Show in 1967 under the grandstands of Dodgers Stadium, small manufacturers have been able to launch their businesses to a worldwide audience of professional resellers, buyers and media. The SEMA Show has maintained its allure for small mom-and-pop shops exhibiting alongside established manufacturers and major automakers, and SEMA360 will continue that tradition. More than 100 participating manufacturers have never exhibited at the SEMA Show before. They help make up the 650-plus manufacturers representing every market segment of the automotive aftermarket.


From motorsports, hot rods and restoration, to off-road, restyling and collision repair, SEMA360 represents a $46.2 billion industry. Attendees include buyers, distributors and resellers from big box stores, as well as speed shops, installers, restylers, jobbers, and online retailers. Nearly 30% of the SEMA360 attendees are from outside of the United States, giving manufacturers greater opportunities to expand their markets.



“This will be the first time in more than 50 years that the SEMA Show will not take place in person,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We’re pleased and excited to bring the industry together to connect and do business through SEMA360. The online platform is making it possible for the industry to celebrate SEMA Week during the first week of November. Manufacturers and buyers will be connecting and interacting, and they’ll be making history.”



The 650 Manufacturer Showcases, more than 2,200 new products and 30 education seminars are available only to those registered for SEMA360. Login credentials are required, and will be sent to participants who are registered and approved. For more information or to sign up, visit www.sema360.com.

By Della Domingo

Marketing GVP Ed Laukes will address SEMA360 participants on Monday, November 2, at 9:30 a.m. (PST).

Just because SEMA has gone “virtual” this year, doesn’t mean great announcements still can’t be made on the new SEMA360 platform. Indeed, on November 2, at 9:30 a.m. (PST), Ed Laukes, GVP for Toyota Marketing, will let everyone know what’s in store for Toyota’s 2020 SEMA program.

“Of course, I’d rather be talking from the SEMA Show floor in Las Vegas, but I’m really excited everyone will be tuning in from afar,” said Laukes. “When SEMA decided to go virtual, we knew we wanted to be a part of it.”

Toyota has long been the gold standard in the industry for its quality, durability and reliability, so it’s no surprise that Toyota would be a reliable SEMA partner regardless of what twists and turns the road had in store.

Tune in live Monday, November 2, at 9:30 a.m. (PST) on the Media Center tab or on Toyota’s Showcase on SEMA360. You won’t want to miss it!

By Della Domingo

Marketing GVP Ed Laukes will address SEMA360 participants on Monday, November 2, at 9:30 a.m. (PST).

Just because SEMA has gone “virtual” this year, doesn’t mean great announcements still can’t be made on the new SEMA360 platform. Indeed, on November 2, at 9:30 a.m. (PST), Ed Laukes, GVP for Toyota Marketing, will let everyone know what’s in store for Toyota’s 2020 SEMA program.

“Of course, I’d rather be talking from the SEMA Show floor in Las Vegas, but I’m really excited everyone will be tuning in from afar,” said Laukes. “When SEMA decided to go virtual, we knew we wanted to be a part of it.”

Toyota has long been the gold standard in the industry for its quality, durability and reliability, so it’s no surprise that Toyota would be a reliable SEMA partner regardless of what twists and turns the road had in store.

Tune in live Monday, November 2, at 9:30 a.m. (PST) on the Media Center tab or on Toyota’s Showcase on SEMA360. You won’t want to miss it!

By Della Domingo

Dozens of the 650-plus manufacturers participating in SEMA360 are offering exclusive discounts and specials to attendees taking part in the event, November 2-6, at www.sema360.com.

To have your company's SEMA360 discounts and other specials promoted in SEMA eNews, submit information here: www.sema360.msc-digital.us/press-release/.

Here are the most recent submissions:

• Blud Lubricants is offering special pricing on products designed for professional level racing and includes suspension fluids, auto and moto engine oils, gear oils, differential fluid, chain lube, 2 stroke pre-mix, automatic transmission fluids, power steering fluid and a variety of cleaning products.
• Performance Electronics is offering a discount on all Performance Electronics ECUs, wire harnesses, digital displays, PE-wideband and apparel.

Manufacturer Showcases and their specials are only available on SEMA360. Attendees who are registered and approved will receive their SEMA360 login and have access to all Manufacturer Showcases, the New Products Showcase with 2,200 products, Builders Showcase with 330 vehicles, industry education and more. Registration and details about the event are available at www.sema360.com.

Participating manufacturers who have special SEMA360 discounts, or who would like to promote their SEMA360 plans and be included on the list above, are invited to submit their information here.

By Della Domingo

Dozens of the 650-plus manufacturers participating in SEMA360 are offering exclusive discounts and specials to attendees taking part in the event, November 2-6, at www.sema360.com.

To have your company's SEMA360 discounts and other specials promoted in SEMA eNews, submit information here: www.sema360.msc-digital.us/press-release/.

Here are the most recent submissions:

• Blud Lubricants is offering special pricing on products designed for professional level racing and includes suspension fluids, auto and moto engine oils, gear oils, differential fluid, chain lube, 2 stroke pre-mix, automatic transmission fluids, power steering fluid and a variety of cleaning products.
• Performance Electronics is offering a discount on all Performance Electronics ECUs, wire harnesses, digital displays, PE-wideband and apparel.

Manufacturer Showcases and their specials are only available on SEMA360. Attendees who are registered and approved will receive their SEMA360 login and have access to all Manufacturer Showcases, the New Products Showcase with 2,200 products, Builders Showcase with 330 vehicles, industry education and more. Registration and details about the event are available at www.sema360.com.

Participating manufacturers who have special SEMA360 discounts, or who would like to promote their SEMA360 plans and be included on the list above, are invited to submit their information here.