Thu, 11/13/2014 - 16:03

By SEMA Editors

  popp
Danny Popp and his ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 claimed the 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational victory.
  

After two days of competition and challenges from past champions and newcomers alike, Danny Popp and his ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 claimed the 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational victory. Popp also won the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational in 2011, and his name will now be engraved on the traveling trophy for another year after a close win (less than one point) over Brandon Ranvek’s ’06 Mitsubishi Evo. Betim Berisha took third overall driving a ’11 Porsche 911TT.

A total of 103 vehicles ultimately competed in the event, held for the first time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the weekend of November 8–9. They faced a series of competitive driving events over the weekend, including the Wilwood Speed Stop Challenge and the Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross during the day on Saturday. Later that evening, competitors faced public roads on the Detroit Speed Road Rally Challenge, which ended with the Showtime Motorsports participant reception at the new Shelby American headquarters in Las Vegas.

The high-speed BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge took place on the 2.4-mile road course all day Sunday. The road-course action was paced by the Red Line Oil Camaro, which set a baseline lap time for all the competitors to challenge. Driven by experienced road-racing champion and OPTIMA PowerPro Brand Ambassador James Clay, the ’14 Roadster Shop Camaro was then put to work as a camera car, following the competitors as they ran the course and capturing the excitement for television. Each vehicle’s overall quality and craftsmanship was reviewed by the group of judges during the Lingenfelter Performance and Design Challenge, which required two days to complete.

When scores were finalized at the end of the last day, Popp had acquired more points than any other competitor. While Popp was named the overall winner, the individual event winners included:

Wilwood Speed Stop Challenge

First Place: ’06 Mitsubishi Evo RS (Brandon Ranvek)
Second Place: ’11 Porsche 911TT (Betim Berisha)
Third Place: ’12 Porsche 911 Turbo S (Larry Woo)

Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross

First place: ’06 Mitsubishi Evo RS (Brandon Ranvek)
Second place: ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Danny Popp)
Third place: ’65 Chevrolet Corvette (Brian Hobaugh)

BF Goodrich Hot Lap Challenge

First place: ’03 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Danny Popp)
Second place: ’10 Chevy Camaro (Ryan Mathews)
Third place: ’13 Chevrolet Camaro (Bryan Johnson)

Lingenfelter Performance and Design Challenge

First place: ’64 Buick Riviera (JF Launier)
Second place: ’59 Chevrolet Corvette (Alan Palmer)
Third place: ’64 Chevrolet Corvette (Dan Livezey)

The 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational event will be broadcast on the MAVTV Network on November 21, at 8:00 p.m. (EST). The 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational was presented by K&N Filters. This year’s event sponsors were BFGoodrich, Detroit Speed, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Ridetech, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Snap-On tools, Jet-Hot Coatings, Red Line Oil, Showtime Motorsports and the MAVTV Network.

Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:33

Compiled by SEMA Editors

  millen
Dave McMullen of EnerSys presents Red Bull GRC driver Rhys Millen with an oversized check during the post-race presentation ceremony following last week's Red Bull GRC Las Vegas event.
  

2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross Driver Rhys Millen Receives Extreme ODYSSEY Performer Award, Bonus Check

ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys, an official battery of Red Bull Global Rallycross (Red Bull GRC), presented Red Bull GRC driver Rhys Millen with a bonus check in the amount of $40,000 as part of the Extreme ODYSSEY Performer contingency award program. Dave McMullen, director of commercial marketing for specialty and UPS markets at EnerSys, awarded Millen with an oversized check during the post-race presentation ceremony following the Red Bull GRC Las Vegas event, Wednesday, November 5. As an official battery sponsor of Red Bull GRC, ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys has granted the top three finishing drivers at each race with a cash bonus and points award through the Extreme ODYSSEY Performer contingency award program. Millen, the driver with the most points toward the award at the end of the season, received an additional bonus.

foust
The Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle leads the way in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Tanner Foust Racing
 
  

Rockstar Energy Drink Driver Tanner Foust Named Rallycross Fan Favorite

Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust received the Global Rallycross "fan favorite" award to cap a successful 2014 racing season, and says he is looking forward to more rallycross next year in the new Volkswagen Beetle. Last Thursday night's awards ceremony in Las Vegas marked the conclusion of the 10-stop 2014 Global Rallycross Championship.

Foust and his Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross teammate Scott Speed opened the GRC season in Barbados last May in a pair of Volkswagen Polo rallycross cars that had been previously campaigned in Europe. Foust earned his first GRC win of the season in the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Polo at Round 4 in New York and this September made the switch to the brand-new Volkswagen Beetle. He drove that car to its first heat race win on its Los Angeles debut.

The final race of the 2014 Global Rallycross season took place last Wednesday night in Las Vegas on a temporary track built outside The LINQ Hotel and Casino under the view of the High Roller observation wheel. For the first time, the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team brought out both of the team's new Beetles.

At last week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Foust unveiled the Tanner Foust Racing Eneos RWB Beetle, which represents collaboration between the Volkswagen rallycross driver and famed Porsche tuners Rauh-Welt Begriff.

  wiman
Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST driver Patrik Sandell battled hard in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Olsbergs MSE
  

Joni Wiman Wins Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship

Olsbergs MSE Ford driver Joni Wiman is the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross champion. The Red Bull/Bluebeam Ford Fiesta ST driver emerged the winner in a tough championship battle that came down to a thrilling season finale in Las Vegas last Wednesday night. Wiman, who moved into the points lead after September's penultimate round, held off a trio of championship challengers on Wednesday to claim his first-ever Supercars title.

This year marked the rookie Wiman's first season of Supercars competition with Olsbergs MSE. A protégé of two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm, Wiman vaulted onto the rallycross scene last year with a dominant season in the GRC Lites category and was promoted into the top class of competition for 2014. He is the first Supercars driver ever to score the championship title and rookie of the year honors in the same season. It is the fourth-consecutive GRC title for the leading Olsbergs MSE Ford team, and the fourth series championship for manufacturer partner Ford.

International Drag Racing Hall of Fame 2015 Inductees Announced

The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame (IDRHOF), housed at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing (Ocala, Florida), has revealed its inductee class of 2015. This group marks the 25th anniversary of honoring significant individuals who contributed to the sport during their careers. The induction ceremony will take place in Gainesville, Florida, at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites, Thursday, March 12, 2015, immediately preceding the NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals. Bob Frey will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

The 2015 class of inductees is composed of a pair of Pro Stock legends, a colorfully successful Top Gas driver, two southeastern U.S. Funny Car drivers, a legendary crew chief and one of the legendary names of the Modified sportsman class. They include: Lee Edwards, the late Shirl Greer, Jerry Gwinn, Butch Leal, Bob Muravez, Bill Schultz, Jess Van Deventer and Dave Dunmore.

The honorees are selected by a committee of veteran drag racing and performance industry figures. The presenters will be named in the future.

 pawlak
WELD Racing has announced a new partnership with Justin Pawlak for the 2015 race season.
  

WELD Racing Announces Partnership With Formula Drift Driver Justin Pawlak

WELD Racing has announced a new partnership with Justin Pawlak (JTP) for the 2015 race season. JTP has competed in the professional Formula Drift series for a number of years with increased success each season. Piloting a ’14 Ford Mustang, JTP is a vocal supporter of “made-in-the-U.S.A.” brands and believes in supporting those companies whenever possible.

JTP will continue to race his ’14 Ford Mustang in the 2015 Formula Drift series, as well as other events throughout the country. The car will feature 18-in. WELD S77 wheels in staggered widths to accommodate the massive horsepower from the Roush-Yates supercharged Ford Racing Coyote engine.

Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:33

Compiled by SEMA Editors

  millen
Dave McMullen of EnerSys presents Red Bull GRC driver Rhys Millen with an oversized check during the post-race presentation ceremony following last week's Red Bull GRC Las Vegas event.
  

2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross Driver Rhys Millen Receives Extreme ODYSSEY Performer Award, Bonus Check

ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys, an official battery of Red Bull Global Rallycross (Red Bull GRC), presented Red Bull GRC driver Rhys Millen with a bonus check in the amount of $40,000 as part of the Extreme ODYSSEY Performer contingency award program. Dave McMullen, director of commercial marketing for specialty and UPS markets at EnerSys, awarded Millen with an oversized check during the post-race presentation ceremony following the Red Bull GRC Las Vegas event, Wednesday, November 5. As an official battery sponsor of Red Bull GRC, ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys has granted the top three finishing drivers at each race with a cash bonus and points award through the Extreme ODYSSEY Performer contingency award program. Millen, the driver with the most points toward the award at the end of the season, received an additional bonus.

foust
The Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle leads the way in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Tanner Foust Racing
 
  

Rockstar Energy Drink Driver Tanner Foust Named Rallycross Fan Favorite

Rockstar Energy Drink driver Tanner Foust received the Global Rallycross "fan favorite" award to cap a successful 2014 racing season, and says he is looking forward to more rallycross next year in the new Volkswagen Beetle. Last Thursday night's awards ceremony in Las Vegas marked the conclusion of the 10-stop 2014 Global Rallycross Championship.

Foust and his Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross teammate Scott Speed opened the GRC season in Barbados last May in a pair of Volkswagen Polo rallycross cars that had been previously campaigned in Europe. Foust earned his first GRC win of the season in the Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Polo at Round 4 in New York and this September made the switch to the brand-new Volkswagen Beetle. He drove that car to its first heat race win on its Los Angeles debut.

The final race of the 2014 Global Rallycross season took place last Wednesday night in Las Vegas on a temporary track built outside The LINQ Hotel and Casino under the view of the High Roller observation wheel. For the first time, the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team brought out both of the team's new Beetles.

At last week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Foust unveiled the Tanner Foust Racing Eneos RWB Beetle, which represents collaboration between the Volkswagen rallycross driver and famed Porsche tuners Rauh-Welt Begriff.

  wiman
Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST driver Patrik Sandell battled hard in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Olsbergs MSE
  

Joni Wiman Wins Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship

Olsbergs MSE Ford driver Joni Wiman is the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross champion. The Red Bull/Bluebeam Ford Fiesta ST driver emerged the winner in a tough championship battle that came down to a thrilling season finale in Las Vegas last Wednesday night. Wiman, who moved into the points lead after September's penultimate round, held off a trio of championship challengers on Wednesday to claim his first-ever Supercars title.

This year marked the rookie Wiman's first season of Supercars competition with Olsbergs MSE. A protégé of two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm, Wiman vaulted onto the rallycross scene last year with a dominant season in the GRC Lites category and was promoted into the top class of competition for 2014. He is the first Supercars driver ever to score the championship title and rookie of the year honors in the same season. It is the fourth-consecutive GRC title for the leading Olsbergs MSE Ford team, and the fourth series championship for manufacturer partner Ford.

International Drag Racing Hall of Fame 2015 Inductees Announced

The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame (IDRHOF), housed at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing (Ocala, Florida), has revealed its inductee class of 2015. This group marks the 25th anniversary of honoring significant individuals who contributed to the sport during their careers. The induction ceremony will take place in Gainesville, Florida, at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites, Thursday, March 12, 2015, immediately preceding the NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals. Bob Frey will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

The 2015 class of inductees is composed of a pair of Pro Stock legends, a colorfully successful Top Gas driver, two southeastern U.S. Funny Car drivers, a legendary crew chief and one of the legendary names of the Modified sportsman class. They include: Lee Edwards, the late Shirl Greer, Jerry Gwinn, Butch Leal, Bob Muravez, Bill Schultz, Jess Van Deventer and Dave Dunmore.

The honorees are selected by a committee of veteran drag racing and performance industry figures. The presenters will be named in the future.

 pawlak
WELD Racing has announced a new partnership with Justin Pawlak for the 2015 race season.
  

WELD Racing Announces Partnership With Formula Drift Driver Justin Pawlak

WELD Racing has announced a new partnership with Justin Pawlak (JTP) for the 2015 race season. JTP has competed in the professional Formula Drift series for a number of years with increased success each season. Piloting a ’14 Ford Mustang, JTP is a vocal supporter of “made-in-the-U.S.A.” brands and believes in supporting those companies whenever possible.

JTP will continue to race his ’14 Ford Mustang in the 2015 Formula Drift series, as well as other events throughout the country. The car will feature 18-in. WELD S77 wheels in staggered widths to accommodate the massive horsepower from the Roush-Yates supercharged Ford Racing Coyote engine.

Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:31

By SEMA Editors

  sinbad
Comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad provided the evening's laughs.
  

Celebrating the specialty-equipment market industry’s contributors and innovators, the 2014 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet—themed “Dream. Build. Drive.”—featured comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad, along with up-and-coming soul and R&B artist Curtis Harding, who provided entertainment throughout the night. Celebrity guest speakers included guitarist Billy Gibbons and Linda Vaughn.

In addition, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is more than $30 billion strong. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Nick Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred C. Offenhauser.

The annual celebration included an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

  • Person of the Year – Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology
  • GEN-III Innovator Award – Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
  • Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – KAM Marketing
  • WD of the Year – Motor State Distributing

The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to MacNeil Automotive. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2014 Person of the Year is Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products.

barsamianRich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year. music
Curtis Harding and his band offered up tunes throughout the evening.
gibbons
Guitar icon and car aficionado Billy Gibbons addressed the banquet crowd.
  vaughn
Linda Vaughn was another of the banquet's celebrity guests.
kersting
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomes banquet attendees.
 jeep
Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products was named 2014 PWA Person of the Year.
pwa
MacNeil Automotive was honored as the 2014 PWA Manufacturer of the Year.
 kam
KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
distributor
Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.
 braille
Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.
Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:31

By SEMA Editors

  sinbad
Comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad provided the evening's laughs.
  

Celebrating the specialty-equipment market industry’s contributors and innovators, the 2014 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet—themed “Dream. Build. Drive.”—featured comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad, along with up-and-coming soul and R&B artist Curtis Harding, who provided entertainment throughout the night. Celebrity guest speakers included guitarist Billy Gibbons and Linda Vaughn.

In addition, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is more than $30 billion strong. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Nick Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred C. Offenhauser.

The annual celebration included an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

  • Person of the Year – Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology
  • GEN-III Innovator Award – Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
  • Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – KAM Marketing
  • WD of the Year – Motor State Distributing

The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to MacNeil Automotive. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2014 Person of the Year is Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products.

barsamianRich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year. music
Curtis Harding and his band offered up tunes throughout the evening.
gibbons
Guitar icon and car aficionado Billy Gibbons addressed the banquet crowd.
  vaughn
Linda Vaughn was another of the banquet's celebrity guests.
kersting
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomes banquet attendees.
 jeep
Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products was named 2014 PWA Person of the Year.
pwa
MacNeil Automotive was honored as the 2014 PWA Manufacturer of the Year.
 kam
KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
distributor
Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.
 braille
Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.
Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:31

By SEMA Editors

  sinbad
Comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad provided the evening's laughs.
  

Celebrating the specialty-equipment market industry’s contributors and innovators, the 2014 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet—themed “Dream. Build. Drive.”—featured comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad, along with up-and-coming soul and R&B artist Curtis Harding, who provided entertainment throughout the night. Celebrity guest speakers included guitarist Billy Gibbons and Linda Vaughn.

In addition, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is more than $30 billion strong. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Nick Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred C. Offenhauser.

The annual celebration included an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

  • Person of the Year – Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology
  • GEN-III Innovator Award – Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
  • Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – KAM Marketing
  • WD of the Year – Motor State Distributing

The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to MacNeil Automotive. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2014 Person of the Year is Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products.

barsamianRich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year. music
Curtis Harding and his band offered up tunes throughout the evening.
gibbons
Guitar icon and car aficionado Billy Gibbons addressed the banquet crowd.
  vaughn
Linda Vaughn was another of the banquet's celebrity guests.
kersting
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomes banquet attendees.
 jeep
Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products was named 2014 PWA Person of the Year.
pwa
MacNeil Automotive was honored as the 2014 PWA Manufacturer of the Year.
 kam
KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
distributor
Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.
 braille
Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.
Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:31

By SEMA Editors

  sinbad
Comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad provided the evening's laughs.
  

Celebrating the specialty-equipment market industry’s contributors and innovators, the 2014 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet—themed “Dream. Build. Drive.”—featured comedian and SEMA Show crowd favorite Sinbad, along with up-and-coming soul and R&B artist Curtis Harding, who provided entertainment throughout the night. Celebrity guest speakers included guitarist Billy Gibbons and Linda Vaughn.

In addition, the banquet paid tribute to the newest members of the SEMA Hall of Fame—industry pioneers, volunteers and personalities who helped to pave the way and shape a specialty automotive marketplace that is more than $30 billion strong. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Nick Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred C. Offenhauser.

The annual celebration included an awards program where SEMA's Person of the Year, GEN-III Innovator Award, Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year honors were presented. The winners were:

  • Person of the Year – Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology
  • GEN-III Innovator Award – Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
  • Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year – KAM Marketing
  • WD of the Year – Motor State Distributing

The accolades continued throughout the evening as the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) announced the winners of two of its top honors—PWA Manufacturer of the Year and PWA Person of the Year. The PWA Manufacturer of the Year—which recognizes a manufacturer for outstanding contributions, dedication and support—was presented to MacNeil Automotive. PWA presents its Person of the Year annually in recognition of the commitment on an individual. The 2014 Person of the Year is Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products.

barsamianRich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year. music
Curtis Harding and his band offered up tunes throughout the evening.
gibbons
Guitar icon and car aficionado Billy Gibbons addressed the banquet crowd.
  vaughn
Linda Vaughn was another of the banquet's celebrity guests.
kersting
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomes banquet attendees.
 jeep
Jeep Worthan of Auto Meter Products was named 2014 PWA Person of the Year.
pwa
MacNeil Automotive was honored as the 2014 PWA Manufacturer of the Year.
 kam
KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
distributor
Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.
 braille
Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.
Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:14
By SEMA Editors

This year’s SEMA Awards for the top-trending vehicle models in four categories were announced on the opening day of the 2014 SEMA Show. The Ford Mustang was named Hottest Car, the Honda Fit took the Hottest Sport-Compact honors, the Chevrolet Silverado won Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler received the Hottest 4x4-SUV award.

“The SEMA Show has always been the annual event where the newest and most innovative products are seen first,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The SEMA Award celebrates the industry’s unique ability to identify and set the trends that influence consumers worldwide.”

The SEMA Award recognizes vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase the year’s coolest products. It also underscores the cooperative relationship between the automakers and SEMA-member companies.

“Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Award helps guide consumers toward the hottest-trending and most accessory-friendly vehicles on the market,” added Kersting. “Our Show exhibitors are industry visionaries who determine the winners of the SEMA Award. The booth space is a ballot, and the vehicles they choose to showcase in their booths are a vote. The most prominent models in each category are the winners.”

The 2014 SEMA Show features more than 2,400 exhibiting companies that manufacture thousands of products designed to improve performance, safety and convenience, as well as those that enhance appearance and comfort. While products are available for every make and model, exhibitors are investing more in the Ford Mustang, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Silverado and Jeep Wrangler than any other vehicles. Consumers, therefore, can expect to find great specialty products for accessorizing these vehicles.

To learn more about the SEMA Award winners and the products that are available for them, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.

stang
Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer receives the Hottest Car award for the ’15 Ford Mustang.
jeep
Pietro Gorlier, president and chief executive officer, MOPAR brand service, parts and customer care, Chrysler Group, accepts the Hottest 4x4-SUV award for the ’14/’15 Jeep Wrangler.
fit
Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division, receives the Hottest Sport Compact award for the ’15 Honda Fit.
chevy
Alan Batey, president of GM North America, global Chevrolet brand chief, accepts the Hottest Truck award for the ’14/’15 Chevrolet Silverado.
Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:14
By SEMA Editors

This year’s SEMA Awards for the top-trending vehicle models in four categories were announced on the opening day of the 2014 SEMA Show. The Ford Mustang was named Hottest Car, the Honda Fit took the Hottest Sport-Compact honors, the Chevrolet Silverado won Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler received the Hottest 4x4-SUV award.

“The SEMA Show has always been the annual event where the newest and most innovative products are seen first,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The SEMA Award celebrates the industry’s unique ability to identify and set the trends that influence consumers worldwide.”

The SEMA Award recognizes vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase the year’s coolest products. It also underscores the cooperative relationship between the automakers and SEMA-member companies.

“Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Award helps guide consumers toward the hottest-trending and most accessory-friendly vehicles on the market,” added Kersting. “Our Show exhibitors are industry visionaries who determine the winners of the SEMA Award. The booth space is a ballot, and the vehicles they choose to showcase in their booths are a vote. The most prominent models in each category are the winners.”

The 2014 SEMA Show features more than 2,400 exhibiting companies that manufacture thousands of products designed to improve performance, safety and convenience, as well as those that enhance appearance and comfort. While products are available for every make and model, exhibitors are investing more in the Ford Mustang, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Silverado and Jeep Wrangler than any other vehicles. Consumers, therefore, can expect to find great specialty products for accessorizing these vehicles.

To learn more about the SEMA Award winners and the products that are available for them, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.

stang
Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer receives the Hottest Car award for the ’15 Ford Mustang.
jeep
Pietro Gorlier, president and chief executive officer, MOPAR brand service, parts and customer care, Chrysler Group, accepts the Hottest 4x4-SUV award for the ’14/’15 Jeep Wrangler.
fit
Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division, receives the Hottest Sport Compact award for the ’15 Honda Fit.
chevy
Alan Batey, president of GM North America, global Chevrolet brand chief, accepts the Hottest Truck award for the ’14/’15 Chevrolet Silverado.
Thu, 11/13/2014 - 14:14
By SEMA Editors

This year’s SEMA Awards for the top-trending vehicle models in four categories were announced on the opening day of the 2014 SEMA Show. The Ford Mustang was named Hottest Car, the Honda Fit took the Hottest Sport-Compact honors, the Chevrolet Silverado won Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler received the Hottest 4x4-SUV award.

“The SEMA Show has always been the annual event where the newest and most innovative products are seen first,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The SEMA Award celebrates the industry’s unique ability to identify and set the trends that influence consumers worldwide.”

The SEMA Award recognizes vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase the year’s coolest products. It also underscores the cooperative relationship between the automakers and SEMA-member companies.

“Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Award helps guide consumers toward the hottest-trending and most accessory-friendly vehicles on the market,” added Kersting. “Our Show exhibitors are industry visionaries who determine the winners of the SEMA Award. The booth space is a ballot, and the vehicles they choose to showcase in their booths are a vote. The most prominent models in each category are the winners.”

The 2014 SEMA Show features more than 2,400 exhibiting companies that manufacture thousands of products designed to improve performance, safety and convenience, as well as those that enhance appearance and comfort. While products are available for every make and model, exhibitors are investing more in the Ford Mustang, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Silverado and Jeep Wrangler than any other vehicles. Consumers, therefore, can expect to find great specialty products for accessorizing these vehicles.

To learn more about the SEMA Award winners and the products that are available for them, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.

stang
Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer receives the Hottest Car award for the ’15 Ford Mustang.
jeep
Pietro Gorlier, president and chief executive officer, MOPAR brand service, parts and customer care, Chrysler Group, accepts the Hottest 4x4-SUV award for the ’14/’15 Jeep Wrangler.
fit
Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division, receives the Hottest Sport Compact award for the ’15 Honda Fit.
chevy
Alan Batey, president of GM North America, global Chevrolet brand chief, accepts the Hottest Truck award for the ’14/’15 Chevrolet Silverado.