By Fredy Ramirez

SEMA is gearing up for the 2019 Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition, set to take place during the SEMA Show, and the list of competitors keeps growing longer as November approaches. SEMA eNews will highlight several vehicles each week leading up to the Show. This week's featured builds include: Austin Haynes’ ’70 Chevrolet C10, Ross Nichols’ ’69 Ford F100, Justin Arnold’s ’67 Chevrolet C10 and Marty Fox’s ’67 Chevrolet C10.

Austin Haynes, ’70 Chevrolet C10

Haynes’ ’70 Chevrolet C10 has come a long way since he acquired it as a sophomore in high school. The frame-off restoration took him about six years to complete. With a clean stock look in the cockpit, the most notable changes aren’t just skin deep. The truck has been lowered by flipping the rear end and using drop spindles and lower coils on the front while the entire body has been smoothed over. The classic pickup is dressed in a Mandarin pearl finish. The powerplant under the hood is a 461 big block complemented by chrome and stainless-steel components.

Ross Nichols’ ’69 Ford F100

Justin Arnold’s ’67 Chevrolet C-10

Marty Fox’s ’67 Chevrolet C10

Ross Nichols, ’69 Ford F100
Scheduled to Appear: Mittler Brothers #20537

Jack’s Speed Show Owner Ross Nichols enters BOTB with a ’69 Ford F100. The build is powered by a Coyote 5.0 Twin Turbo engine that is engineered to produce 1800 hp. The build sits atop of a Lays frame and body rocker. The suspension features an MRC-fabricated IRS mandrel bent chassis with Mittler Brothers Hydroshox and Detroit Steel Wheels. Wildwood Brakes are tasked with bringing the vehicle to a stop, and Dakota Digital handles all the gauges.

Justin Arnold, ’67 Chevrolet C-10
Booth: Air Lift #23733

After competing in the 2016 BOTB, Justin Arnold returns with a Chevrolet C-10. The build’s profile features 3.5-in. chopped cab, a lower body line deleted, an upper body line added and a custom flush mount front windshield. The front end is custom-built with ’17 Camaro headlights, and the rear end features first-generation Colorado taillights. Underneath the stretched hood with ram air hood vents is a ’16 LT1 engine controlled by an 8L90 transmission.

Marty Fox, ’67 Chevrolet C10
Scheduled to Appear: Air Lift Company #23733

Marty Fox has been building vehicles since the age of 14. He enters BOTB with a ’67 Chevrolet C10, which he converted from a ’69 C10 by changing the front. The build is powered by a 383 Stroker motor with dual Fitech fuel injection and an All American billet serpentine. A 700R4 transmission controls the motor. The ride sits atop of an Air Lift suspension and USA Mags wheels. The C10’s interior features full custom Italian leather and an Autometer dash.

For more information, visit the SEMA Battle of the Builders website.  

By Zane Clark

With the vast majority of educations seminars being offered at no additional expense, SEMA Show Education offers employers a value-rich program by which to invest in professional development for their employees.

Business today is in a constant state of flux. In addition to evolving customer needs and emerging technologies, small business owners are expected to keep up-to-date on regulations, tax code and create business plans that lead to sustainability. In other words, owners and managers must go from working in the business to working on the business. Generally, the idea is entrepreneurs often get caught up on the day-to-day running of the business and don’t spend enough time dreaming, planning big goals and thinking about the future. SEMA Show Education offers Showgoers the opportunity to take a step back to prepare their businesses.

Featured below are five sessions sure to keep your business on track:

Determine Your Ideal Customer & Increase Profits!
Monday, November 4, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., in LVCC N252
Are you a victim of your own success? You have more customers than you can handle—some you like working with and maybe others not so much? Time for a business tune-up!

Business is Poker—How to Gain the Mental Edge and Bet on Yourself
Tuesday, November 5, from 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., in LVCC N256
Former boxing champion and poker player Christina Kwan will take you through an insightful journey of moves at the poker table that can effectively be applied in business. Whether you play cards or not, Kwan’s take on the lessons learned and how they help give you the mental edge might even get you inspired to take your seat at the table.

Is It Time to Sell Your Biz
Wednesday, November 6, from 10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m., in LVCC N252
It doesn’t matter whether you plan to sell your business next year or 10 years from now. The more important question is what is your business really worth today and how can you increase its value every year?

Entrepreneurship in the Automotive Aftermarket
Wednesday, November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., in LVCC N253
In this panel discussion, you will get to hear from and interact with industry professionals who have started and grown a business from absolutely nothing.

Competing With the Big Box
Thursday, November 7, from 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., in LVCC N256
You are well aware of all the advantages your competition has over you. Have you thought about your advantages over them? Join Tom Shay as we discuss the key to success being found in doing what they can’t and doing what they won’t.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview and register for the 2019 seminars.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By Zane Clark

With the vast majority of educations seminars being offered at no additional expense, SEMA Show Education offers employers a value-rich program by which to invest in professional development for their employees.

Business today is in a constant state of flux. In addition to evolving customer needs and emerging technologies, small business owners are expected to keep up-to-date on regulations, tax code and create business plans that lead to sustainability. In other words, owners and managers must go from working in the business to working on the business. Generally, the idea is entrepreneurs often get caught up on the day-to-day running of the business and don’t spend enough time dreaming, planning big goals and thinking about the future. SEMA Show Education offers Showgoers the opportunity to take a step back to prepare their businesses.

Featured below are five sessions sure to keep your business on track:

Determine Your Ideal Customer & Increase Profits!
Monday, November 4, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., in LVCC N252
Are you a victim of your own success? You have more customers than you can handle—some you like working with and maybe others not so much? Time for a business tune-up!

Business is Poker—How to Gain the Mental Edge and Bet on Yourself
Tuesday, November 5, from 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., in LVCC N256
Former boxing champion and poker player Christina Kwan will take you through an insightful journey of moves at the poker table that can effectively be applied in business. Whether you play cards or not, Kwan’s take on the lessons learned and how they help give you the mental edge might even get you inspired to take your seat at the table.

Is It Time to Sell Your Biz
Wednesday, November 6, from 10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m., in LVCC N252
It doesn’t matter whether you plan to sell your business next year or 10 years from now. The more important question is what is your business really worth today and how can you increase its value every year?

Entrepreneurship in the Automotive Aftermarket
Wednesday, November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., in LVCC N253
In this panel discussion, you will get to hear from and interact with industry professionals who have started and grown a business from absolutely nothing.

Competing With the Big Box
Thursday, November 7, from 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., in LVCC N256
You are well aware of all the advantages your competition has over you. Have you thought about your advantages over them? Join Tom Shay as we discuss the key to success being found in doing what they can’t and doing what they won’t.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview and register for the 2019 seminars.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By Zane Clark

With the vast majority of educations seminars being offered at no additional expense, SEMA Show Education offers employers a value-rich program by which to invest in professional development for their employees.

Business today is in a constant state of flux. In addition to evolving customer needs and emerging technologies, small business owners are expected to keep up-to-date on regulations, tax code and create business plans that lead to sustainability. In other words, owners and managers must go from working in the business to working on the business. Generally, the idea is entrepreneurs often get caught up on the day-to-day running of the business and don’t spend enough time dreaming, planning big goals and thinking about the future. SEMA Show Education offers Showgoers the opportunity to take a step back to prepare their businesses.

Featured below are five sessions sure to keep your business on track:

Determine Your Ideal Customer & Increase Profits!
Monday, November 4, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., in LVCC N252
Are you a victim of your own success? You have more customers than you can handle—some you like working with and maybe others not so much? Time for a business tune-up!

Business is Poker—How to Gain the Mental Edge and Bet on Yourself
Tuesday, November 5, from 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., in LVCC N256
Former boxing champion and poker player Christina Kwan will take you through an insightful journey of moves at the poker table that can effectively be applied in business. Whether you play cards or not, Kwan’s take on the lessons learned and how they help give you the mental edge might even get you inspired to take your seat at the table.

Is It Time to Sell Your Biz
Wednesday, November 6, from 10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m., in LVCC N252
It doesn’t matter whether you plan to sell your business next year or 10 years from now. The more important question is what is your business really worth today and how can you increase its value every year?

Entrepreneurship in the Automotive Aftermarket
Wednesday, November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., in LVCC N253
In this panel discussion, you will get to hear from and interact with industry professionals who have started and grown a business from absolutely nothing.

Competing With the Big Box
Thursday, November 7, from 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., in LVCC N256
You are well aware of all the advantages your competition has over you. Have you thought about your advantages over them? Join Tom Shay as we discuss the key to success being found in doing what they can’t and doing what they won’t.

Sign Up. Show Up. Preview and register for the 2019 seminars.

Contact SEMA’s Senior Director of Education Zane Clark for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Trump has postponed for two weeks a scheduled 5% increase in tariffs on Chinese goods as a gesture of good will in advance of resumed trade talks. The 25% tariffs already being imposed on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods will now be increased to 30% on October 15 rather than October 1. The subject goods have been divided into three separate groups. The so-called “List 1” and “List 2” goods are valued at $50 billion and include some miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools and measurement devices. “List 3” imports cover about $200 billion worth of goods, including most auto parts, from engines and metal fasteners to tires and brake pads. 

The tariffs are intended to be leverage for U.S. negotiators as they seek to negotiate six separate trade documents with China covering agriculture, services, non-tariff barriers, currency, intellectual property rights and forced technology transfers and cybersecurity. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Trump has postponed for two weeks a scheduled 5% increase in tariffs on Chinese goods as a gesture of good will in advance of resumed trade talks. The 25% tariffs already being imposed on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods will now be increased to 30% on October 15 rather than October 1. The subject goods have been divided into three separate groups. The so-called “List 1” and “List 2” goods are valued at $50 billion and include some miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools and measurement devices. “List 3” imports cover about $200 billion worth of goods, including most auto parts, from engines and metal fasteners to tires and brake pads. 

The tariffs are intended to be leverage for U.S. negotiators as they seek to negotiate six separate trade documents with China covering agriculture, services, non-tariff barriers, currency, intellectual property rights and forced technology transfers and cybersecurity. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Trump has postponed for two weeks a scheduled 5% increase in tariffs on Chinese goods as a gesture of good will in advance of resumed trade talks. The 25% tariffs already being imposed on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods will now be increased to 30% on October 15 rather than October 1. The subject goods have been divided into three separate groups. The so-called “List 1” and “List 2” goods are valued at $50 billion and include some miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools and measurement devices. “List 3” imports cover about $200 billion worth of goods, including most auto parts, from engines and metal fasteners to tires and brake pads. 

The tariffs are intended to be leverage for U.S. negotiators as they seek to negotiate six separate trade documents with China covering agriculture, services, non-tariff barriers, currency, intellectual property rights and forced technology transfers and cybersecurity. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

SEMA has released the 2019 SEMA Show press conference schedule.

SEMA has released the 2019 SEMA Show press conference schedule.

SEMA has released the 2019 SEMA Show press conference schedule.