By Ashley Reyes

New to the 2021 SEMA Show is SEMA Member Central—a convenient place to learn about the association and discover how membership can help businesses be more successful. There will be so much to do and see during the four-day SEMA Show, but here’s why a visit to Member Central should be on your list of things to do:

• With the SEMA Membership staff on hand, visitors will be able get all their questions answered firsthand from the team who works day-to-day on providing benefits to members. Stop by to meet and talk with AJ Carney, SEMA membership director, and Tim Johnson, SEMA membership manager.
• View the entire list of on-demand webinars, as well as upcoming scheduled live webinars, that are available to help members learn new business skills.
• Find out how you can easily download free market research, filled with new data and stats to help you better target your customers, understand the vehicle landscape and prepare for future changes.
• Discover cost-saving benefits that can directly impact your company—including UPS shipping discounts and business insurance solutions.
• Learn about niche-specific networks and councils where you can connect with others who share common goals, interests and challenges throughout the year.
• Access comprehensive services to help your company expand worldwide through SEMA’s international resources.
• Find out how you can access exclusive tools and resources to assist you with product development through the SEMA Garage—including OEM-provided CAD/CAM drawings (technology transfer), measuring sessions and 3-D printing or rapid prototyping.
• Get your questions answered on how you can defend your automotive rights whenever they are in jeopardy through SEMA Individual Membership.
• Learn how to obtain direct ownership of your product data and have it configured and stored in the accepted industry ACES and PIES standards.
• Discover resources available for connecting automotive employers and candidates, as well as assisting future and current automotive professionals pay off their student loans.

SEMA Member Central will be open throughout the SEMA Show. In addition to meeting with the SEMA Membership Team to learn about the benefits and resources, exhibitors will be able to pick up their complimentary tickets to the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

While Congress was out of session for a large portion of the past few weeks, U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has been busy meeting with his constituents. Rep. McHenry recently visited Hotchkis Sport Suspension in Mooresville, North Carolina, for a tour and meeting with local members of the motorsports parts industry. As the Congressman for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, which stretches from Mooresville up to the Virginia border, Rep. McHenry represents the heart of race country. Congressman McHenry is the lead sponsor of H.R. 3281, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act) and is a passionate advocate for racing.

 John Hotchkis, owner of Hotchkis Performance, led Rep. McHenry and industry guests on a tour of the facility, where his employees produce car, truck and SUV suspension handling kits, including fabricated trailing arms and caster/camber plates, coil springs, anti-sway bars and strut tower braces. After the tour, Rep. McHenry spoke with industry members about the RPM Act and other key issues he’s been working on that impact the racing industry.

“Thanks to John Hotchkis for hosting me for a tour and a terrific discussion on my legislation designed to protect the motorsports community, the RPM Act. Thank you to SEMA for organizing this discussion and advocating on behalf of the motorsports community. It was great to see so many leaders in racing showing support for their colleagues and for the sport.”

To send a letter to your lawmakers asking them to support the RPM Act, go to saveourracecars.com. A letter has already been drafted. It takes less than a minute to fill in your contract information, which ensures that your letter is sent to your U.S. Representatives and Senators. For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Industry icons and veterans narrowed the list of contenders for the SEMA Launch Pad competition down to five finalists, who will go on to compete for the grand prize during the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 2–5. The SEMA Launch Pad is the automotive aftermarket’s premier product-pitching competition designed to encourage automotive entrepreneurship and help inventors launch new products into the marketplace.

Now in its ninth year, the 2021 SEMA Launch Pad expanded to include more prize packages and the largest grand prize to date, valued at up to $100,000. The competition also included a record high number of applications, reaching nearly 200.

The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad was chronicled for the first time through a five-episode streaming series that debuted on the SEMA YouTube Channel. Through the series, viewers witnessed 15 semifinalists—whose products will all be on display at the 2021 SEMA Show—present their products to a panel of judges made up of industry veterans Chip Foose (Foose Design), Jared Hare (Addictive Desert Designs), Myles Kovacs (DUB) and Alex Parker (Redline Detection). The five selected to advance to the next round taking place at the 2021 SEMA Show are:

Jonathan Hurley, Owner, ToolBox Widget
Product: ToolBox Widget – Modular tool organizers that allow a mechanic to connect as many tool organizers together as needed, making them customizable to the mechanic.

Brendan McGrath, CEO, Dyme Performance Systems Inc.
Product: Rattlesnake Toolkit – Toolkit that can measure the exact length and angle of a hose assembly down to the millimeter, significantly reducing time and cost.

Kevin Robinson, President, TRAC LLC
Product: TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart – Tool designed to simply lift and remove a wheel from a vehicle during service. The tool is designed to reduce workplace injuries while increasing productivity.

Tom Sawarynski, Owner, Off-Road Research
Product: Smart Cap Module (SCM) – Allows any aftermarket shock absorber with a bridge or remote-mounted reservoir to broadcast damper position to an external module or modules.

Dustin Woolf, Owner, Woolfpack Racing
Product: Natural Nitrous – Stand-alone refrigerated system for the air induction of the motor. It lowers the air charge and dehumidifies the moisture, which increases horsepower because there are dense oxygen atoms in the cylinder. It also lowers emissions because of the complete burn of the fuel.

“Not only did we receive more applications than ever before, but the quality of the applications is impressive,” said Ted Wentz, SEMA Board Member and chair of the SEMA Launch Pad Task Force. “The products represent such a variety and spectrum of items that support vehicle customization.”

As one of the judges, Parker—whose company, Redline Detection, won the Manufacturer of the Year award in 2020—said, “These entrepreneurs are absolute rock stars. It’s been an honor to learn about their businesses and heartbreaking to have to send so many of them home. The top five finalists reflect the best innovators in our industry: They are smart, hardworking, and passionate about their products.”

To watch the video in which the judges selected the five finalists, or to learn more about SEMA Launch Pad, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA is governed by a Board of Directors who volunteer their time to lead and guide the association. While professional staff is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the programs and services, SEMA Board members provide direction and play a critical role in shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Kyle Fickler

SEMA Showgoers will have the opportunity to meet Kyle Fickler, SEMA Board Chair-Elect/Treasurer and Director of Sales and New Business Development at Driven Racing Oil; and new SEMA Board Members Brian Reese, CEO of Driven Lighting Group; and Larry Montante, Vice President, Category Management at Keystone Automotive Operations, as they join the first of six interviews taking place at the SEMA Show Stage in the Members Lounge, South #49031.

Brian Reese

Powered by the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC), “The Stage: Meet the new SEMA Board” will take place on Tuesday, November 2, at 11:00 a.m. The interview will be moderated by WTC Chair Todd Steen of Jackson Marketing Group and be a candid discussion on what SEMA’s current initiatives are.

Larry Montante

To RSVP and view the full list of The Stage, Powered by WTC sessions including “Meet the WTC Team,” “Five Things You Need to Launch a New Product” and more, click here. 

Compiled by SEMA Editors

DeJoria, Salinas and Sampey Pick Up Wins at NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Alexis DeJoria powered to her first win in more than four years, rolling to the victory in Funny Car last Sunday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Mike Salinas (Top Fuel) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won in their respective categories at the 18th of 20 races during the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and the fifth race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. DeJoria qualified No. 1 for the first time since 2016, and went 3.921 seconds at 327.66 mph in her 11,000-hp Bandero Premium Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry in the final round to beat J.R. Todd, who went 3.939 at 326.22. Todd jumped to third in points and pulled to within 83 points of Ron Capps with two races remaining in the 2021 season. Capps’ lead over Matt Hagan is just one point.

In Top Fuel, Salinas picked up his second straight victory at Bristol Dragway, once again beating points leader Steve Torrence in the final round. Torrence ran into issues right off the starting line and Salinas’ run of 3.845 at 245.05 in his 11,000-hp Scrappers Racing dragster was enough to give Salinas his third career victory. By advancing to the championship round, Torrence also opened up a 73-point lead on Brittany Force heading to the last two races.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Sampey scored her second victory in the Countdown to the Championship. In an all-female final round, Sampey beat Karen Stoffer on a holeshot on her Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, as her run of 6.773 seconds at 196.85 held up. It gave Sampey her 45th career victory and second this season, as she pulled within 25 points of Matt Smith, who also holds a 56-point lead against Steve Johnson heading to the final two events.

The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action October 29–31. with the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Turn 14 Distribution-Sponsored Formula DRIFT Driver Dai Yoshihara Announces Retirement

After 18 years of competing as a driver in the Formula DRIFT championship, Turn 14 Distribution driver Daijiro Yoshihara has announced his retirement from the series. Daijiro, who is known by his fans as Dai, participated in 128 events, stood on the podium 28 times and won eight events. The defining moment for him was when he secured his 2011 Formula DRIFT Championship. Although Dai is retiring from the Formula DRIFT series as a driver, he will pursue other opportunities as a professional driver and brand ambassador, along with other business ventures.

AP Racing Announced as Technical Partner to Bahrain Raid Xtreme

AP Racing has become a technical partner to Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX). The team’s car, the Prodrive Hunter, has been re-designed by UK-based motorsport specialists, Prodrive, to meet new FIA T1+ cross country regulations and will compete at the 44th running of the Dakar Rally, which will take place in Saudi Arabia in January 2022.

Alongside bespoke billet monobloc calipers, AP Racing is supplying its latest D drive Ø355 disc assemblies, the all-new pull type pedal box with master cylinders and its Ø184mm cerametallic clutch for the updated Hunter T1+. The program has already seen success this year, culminating in the team setting eight out of a possible 11 fastest sector times at the Baja Aragon event in July. The Hunter has now been revised with bigger tires, more suspension travel and a wider track, to meet the new T1+ regulations, devised to balance the performance of the two- and four-wheel drive cars.

World Champion Walkner Crowned on Desert Sands of Rallye du Maroc

The Red Bull Desert Wings squad are celebrating yet another world title at the 2021 Rallye du Maroc as Austrian biker Matthias Walkner of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing secured his second FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship. Second place at Rally Kazakhstan and a win at the Silk Way Rally had put Walkner on the verge of reclaiming the World Championship he first won in 2015. The KTM Factory biker arrived in Morocco knowing a podium finish could wrap up the championship in his favor with a race to spare. Walkner was joined at the finish by teammates Kevin Benavides (ARG) and Toby Price (AUS) who also put in plenty in valuable kilometers ahead of next January’s Dakar while Sam Sunderland (GBR)—the fourth Red Bull KTM Factory Racing biker—withdrew on Stage Four while feeling unwell.

Australian Daniel Sanders’ third place gave GasGas Factory Racing their first-ever World Championship podium finish. Sanders will race next month's Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge aiming to secure a runners-up result in the 2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship in a remarkable debut season for the best placed rookie at the 2021 Dakar. The Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team will be back in action at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge next month.

F1 Releases 23-Race Calendar for 2022

Formula 1 has announced a record-breaking 23 Grand Prix schedule for 2022, which opens in Bahrain on March 20, and closes in Abu Dhabi on November 20. The new Miami Grand Prix, set for May 8, joins the United States Grand Prix—set for October 23 at the Circuit of The Americas—on the calendar. Like 2021, F1 will not visit China, but will return “as soon as [pandemic] conditions allow.” Next season will also usher in the new 2022 F1 car, which is designed “specifically to promote better racing” with the potential for more overtakes. The vehicle was originally slated to be released during the 2021 season but was delayed due to the pandemic. For the complete schedule, visit here or formula1.com.

Neuville Holds on for Win at FIA World Rally Championship/RallyRACC – Rally de España

Thierry Neuville stormed to his second FIA World Rally Championship victory of the season with a commanding display at RallyRACC – Rally de España last Sunday afternoon. The Belgian took control of the penultimate round with eight straight fastest times in his Hyundai i20 across the middle of the three-day asphalt rally to secure back-to-back Spanish victories by 24.1 seconds.

Second place for Elfyn Evans in a Toyota Yaris means the fight for the 2021 drivers’ title goes to a final-round decider in Italy next month. He headed Dani Sordo’s i20 by 11.2 seconds and trails teammate Sébastien Ogier by 17 points. A maximum 30 remain available. Sordo, who won all four of Sunday’s special stages, demoted Ogier and claimed the final podium place. Neuville and Sordo’s 1-2 in the bonus points-paying Power Stage means the fight between leader Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai Motorsport for the 2021 manufacturers' crown will also go to the last round. The final round at FORUM8 ACI Rally Monza will take place on November 18–21.

Tony Stewart Racing Joins NHRA With Pruett, Hagan

Tony Stewart, the championship-winning race car driver, is joining the NHRA as a team owner in 2022. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) will field two full-time entries—one in Funny Car for 39-time event winner Matt Hagan and one in Top Fuel for nine-time event winner Leah Pruett, who is engaged to Stewart. TSR will make its NHRA debut during the 2022 season opener on February 17–20, at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Racer Applications Now Available for SCORE Baja 1000

Online racer entry applications are available through Friday for November’s internationally-televised season-ending BFGoodrich Tires 54th SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts, the final round of the four-race 2021 SCORE World Desert Championship. Starting and finishing under strict BioSecurity health and safety protocols in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and in La Paz, Baja California Sur, race-week activities and the race itself will be held November 15–20. It will be a 1,227-mile race down Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

Racer entry applications are available at www.SCORE-International.com under “Race Info” on the SCORE Baja 1000 page. Questions should be directed to SCORE Registration and Membership Director Audreonna Garcia at 775-852-8907 or via email at registration@score-international.com. Online racer entry applications will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. (PDT), Friday, October 22.

65 Events, High Purses for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2022

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) has announced the 2022 schedule, with a groundbreaking lineup that includes 65 feature events at 35 different venues across 18 states. Of those, 17 events will offer a top prize of more than $20,000—including 11 marquees that pay $50,000 or more to the winner. In addition, next year’s Lucas Oil National Champion will receive $150,000; second place will earn $75,000; third place garners $50,000. The year-end points fund for the Top-12 in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will total more than $500,000.

The Series will head to new venues in 2022, including:

• Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania, June 23–25, for the 16th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by Big River Steel
• Davenport, Iowa’s quarter-mile oval on July 6
• I-70 Motorsports Park in Odessa, Missouri, on July 14
• Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota, on July 19

For the first time since 2013, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will return to West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, West Virginia, June 3–4. For the complete 2022 schedule, visit the series website.

J.J. Hickle Wins the 48th Devil’s Bowl Winter Nationals

Three trips to the Devil's Bowl Speedway in 2021 and three trips to Victory Lane later, J.J. Hickle added his name to the list of winners at the 48th running of the Devil's Bowl Winter Nationals and Lanny Edward Memorial with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network. For complete results, visit www.ascsracing.com.

The final two rounds of the 2021 season are next, with Blake Hahn and Hickle only 52 points apart. The championship will be settled at the COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires on Friday, October 22, and Saturday, October 23, at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tickets and event information are online at www.i-30speedway.com. The race will be shown exclusively on FloRacing.com.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

A hybrid version of the Chevrolet Corvette has been caught at the German Nürburgring. The new hybrid Corvette is expected to be called the Corvette E-Ray, trademarks for which were discovered as far back as 2015.

The prototype features a new wide-body design that will also be shared with the Corvette Z06—but lacks the Z06’s quad exhaust-pipe layout at the rear. The Z06 will debut this fall as a ’23 model, and the hybrid Corvette will likely break cover sometime in 2022, also as a ’23 model. It is expected to serve as the replacement for the Corvette Grand Sport.

It isn’t clear what powertrain the hybrid Corvette will run, but rumors point to a single motor powering the front axle and the Stingray’s 6.2L V8 powering the rear axle. Peak output is expected to fall between 600 and 650 hp, and we could even see plug-in capability, which would mean a small electric range will be possible.

A more potent hybrid system with an electric motor also at the rear axle is expected to be reserved for a future Corvette Zora flagship.

Yes, more electrification is coming to the Corvette lineup. There are even plans to launch a fully electric Corvette, a model whose existence has been mentioned by Corvette fan President Joe Biden on multiple occasions. Considering General Motors plans to have all its light vehicles powered by electricity by 2035, it’s possible the C9 Corvette will go the full-electric route.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

A hybrid version of the Chevrolet Corvette has been caught at the German Nürburgring. The new hybrid Corvette is expected to be called the Corvette E-Ray, trademarks for which were discovered as far back as 2015.

The prototype features a new wide-body design that will also be shared with the Corvette Z06—but lacks the Z06’s quad exhaust-pipe layout at the rear. The Z06 will debut this fall as a ’23 model, and the hybrid Corvette will likely break cover sometime in 2022, also as a ’23 model. It is expected to serve as the replacement for the Corvette Grand Sport.

It isn’t clear what powertrain the hybrid Corvette will run, but rumors point to a single motor powering the front axle and the Stingray’s 6.2L V8 powering the rear axle. Peak output is expected to fall between 600 and 650 hp, and we could even see plug-in capability, which would mean a small electric range will be possible.

A more potent hybrid system with an electric motor also at the rear axle is expected to be reserved for a future Corvette Zora flagship.

Yes, more electrification is coming to the Corvette lineup. There are even plans to launch a fully electric Corvette, a model whose existence has been mentioned by Corvette fan President Joe Biden on multiple occasions. Considering General Motors plans to have all its light vehicles powered by electricity by 2035, it’s possible the C9 Corvette will go the full-electric route.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

Showgoers booking through onPeak—the SEMA Show housing partner—receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip.

onPeak not only offers discounted nightly rates for SEMA Show participants, but also offers reduced resort fees so you can save even more on your stay.

Looking for a quiet, no-frills hotel stay? There are a number of non-casino properties that are offering discounted rates for SEMA Show guests. Check these out and book with onPeak today:

When making your hotel reservations through the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging page, you are receiving the most affordable and convenient hotel options through our partnership with onPeak—the only official hotel provider for the 2021 SEMA Show. All negotiated rates provided by onPeak include resort fees and will allow you to change or cancel your reservation without any financial penalties.

More information about the SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, is available on www.SEMAShow.com.

By John Santos

Exhibitors are excited to make their announcements at the 2021 SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, in Las Vegas. Below is the official press conference schedule as of September 15:

Monday, November 1

• 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m: SEMA Vehicle Reveal featuring the SEMA Award Presentation (outside the Grand Central Lobby entrance)

Tuesday, November 2

• 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m: New Products Breakfast; breakfast will be served (Paradise Event Center, located in the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino)
• 10:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m: Toyota Motor North America Press Conference (Booth #24800)
• 10:30 a.m.–10:50 a.m: Ford Motor Company – Reveal (Booth #22200)
• 11:00 a.m.–11:20 a.m: 4WP Factory, Unveiling ’21 Ford Bronco (Booth #58141)
• 11:30 a.m.–11:50 a.m: Red Line Oil, Advance Technology Vehicle Reveal (Booth #22419)
• 1:00 p.m.–1:20 p.m: Lexus Press Conference (Booth #21803)
• 1:30 p.m.–1:50 p.m: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Top 40 Finalists (SEMA Central)
• 2:30 p.m.–2:50 p.m: OPTIMA Batteries, Q&A with Mike Rowe (Booth #20323)
• 3:30 p.m.–3:50 p.m: Redline Detection, OEM Chooses Redline for Essential Tool Program (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)
• 4:00 p.m.–4:20 p.m: Formula DRIFT Holdings LLC, 2022 Schedule and Announcements (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)

Wednesday, November 3

• 9:00 a.m.–9:20 a.m: Eaton Corp., New Builds with Eaton (Booth #23063)
• 9:30 a.m.–9:50 a.m: CTEK Power Inc., Changing Battery Care Forever (Booth #24213)
• 10:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m: Quadratec Inc., YJL Jeep Debut, Wholesale Program & New Products (Booth #55167)
• 10:30 a.m.–10:50 a.m: Classic Recreations, World’s First Carbon Fiber Bodied Shelby Cobra (Booth #23793)
• 11:30 a.m.–11:50 a.m: HEXIS Group: Who We Are and What We Do (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)
• 1:00 p.m.–1:20 p.m: CTEK Power Inc., Changing Battery Care Forever (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)
• 1:30 p.m.–1:50 p.m: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Top 12 Finalists (SEMA Central)
• 2:00 p.m.–2:20 p.m: Truck Hero Partnerships and Announcements (Booth #70120)

Thursday, November 4

• 9:00 a.m.–9:20 a.m: JM3 Oil Filter Wrench – Reinvented (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)

Friday, November 5

• 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Top 12 Judging (North Hall, BOTB Stage)
• 2:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Top 4 Finalists Announced (North Hall, BOTB Stage)
• 3:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Winner Announced (Silver Drive)

Returning for its eighth year, Toyo Tires will unveil more than 35 world-debut vehicles and two crowd-stopping art installations at the SEMA Show’s Toyo Tires Treadpass—a popular destination for SEMA Show attendees.

The Treadpass will showcase the largest concentration of world-debut vehicles and is located between the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The art installations, one by conceptual artist and designer Joshua Vides and the other featuring Audi builds by Ken Block and Brian Scotto of Hoonigan, will be the centerpiece of the Toyo Tires outdoor booth in front of the South Hall entrance (booth #84160). Attendees will also have a chance to collect limited-edition Leen Customs pins in both locations.

Thirty-two vehicles will make their world-debuts in the Toyo Tires Treadpass, including a 1,000whp ’94 Mazda RX-7, a ’72 Chevy K5 Blazer with chopped doors and an iconic ’82 DeLorean DMC 12. Read on for a short preview of each then see them during the SEMA Show in the Toyo Tires Treadpass.

In front of South Hall, attendees will witness the black-and-white art of Joshua Vides. He has applied his signature style to a range of mediums from shoes to cars and has worked with major brands such as BMW, Fendi, Converse and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Vides’ new project with Toyo Tires will showcase his own BMW E30 M3 on Toyo Proxes Sport A/S tires.

Adjacent to the Joshua Vides display, Ken Block and Brian Scotto will reveal all-new Audi builds featuring art by Ricardo Gonzalez aka “Itsaliving.” Block will display an Audi Sport Quattro Tribute built by LCE in Germany and Scotto will unveil an Audi Coupe Quattro—a project car he bought in 2004.

Toyo Tires will bring back its limited-edition pins in collaboration with Leen Customs. The 10 pins featuring new Toyo Tires vehicles will be distributed at designated times during the show. Schedules for the pins will be available at both the Toyo Tires Treadpass and display in front of South Hall.

Preview of New Vehicle Builds at 2021 SEMA Show

Here are a few of the vehicles that Show attendees will be able to view in the Toyo Tires Treadpass.

’72 Chevy K5 Blazer

Built by Ben Craven and his team at Craven Performance, this ’72 Chevy K5 Blazer was commissioned by a client as a tribute to their late mother, Trina. Craven and his team wanted to take this first-generation Blazer and turn it into a reliable beach cruiser or street screamer that you can have a blast with, without drifting too far from its intended use.

The build showcases the boxed factory frame and eight-lug axles with custom chopped doors that align level with the rear bed sides, giving the Blazer subtle and clean lines. The dual spare tire carrier was also removed to continue with the clean classic look of this K5. The interior features their all-out center console that ties into a floating center console for the rear passengers, keeping the cabin lines as clean as the exterior. The Blazer will be riding on Toyo Open Country M/T tires.

’21 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab RST

Legendary Concepts in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, builds modern-day vehicles based on legendary vehicle personalities, partnering with Saleen for this year’s SEMA build, which is a modern interpretation of the famous “Smokey & The Bandit” Trans Am in a street-truck format.

The base vehicle is a ’21 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab RST, and is a complete build including a bespoke widebody kit, aero and styling, wheels and interior. The L83 5.3L engine is blueprinted and built out to a supercharged 700 hp.

The built engine is paired with an all-new Magnuson DI supercharger. The exterior takes on a transformation with a widebody kit and aerodynamics that are perfectly suited for this type of performance truck. The vehicle features Monoblock eight-piston 4D brakes supplied by Brembo, a Magnaflow exhaust and Toyo Proxes ST III tires.

’82 DeLorean DMC 12

Tim Moceri is debuting one of the most iconic cars ever built and his personal dream car, the ’82 DeLorean DMC 12. For more than 18 years, Moceri has been building and racing cars, fine-tuning his craft and creating his own style by taking bits and pieces from all forms of motorsports and incorporating them in his builds.

His main goal with the DeLorean was to take the ’80s styling and turn it up a notch, from the clear Ferrari F40 inspires rear engine cover to the one-off custom wide body kit designed by Khyzyl Saleem, and an IMSA-inspired twin-turbo layout that hangs out of the back of the car. The DeLorean will sit on Toyo Proxes R888RTM tires.

Lexus LC 500 Convertible

Gordon Ting will be debuting a Lexus LC 500 Convertible, his 18th SEMA project build that will showcase his influences in performance and styling while reinforcing form and function.

The build will feature a prototype carbon-fiber tonal cover and custom titanium exhaust from Artisan Spirits, race-spec front and rear brake kit by Brembo, and a height adjustable suspension by KW. The Lexus will be riding on forged 21-in. wheels by Titan-7 and Toyo Proxes Sport tires.

’86 Nissan 300zx

Brandon Miller is debuting a ’86 Nissan 300zx, the most ambitious project he has ever undertaken, a full ground up build. For more than 20 years, Miller has used his passion as a car enthusiast to modify vehicles, building amazing relationships with people along the way.

The Nissan 300zx will feature a naturally aspirated RB28, a bold choice that has stayed true to Miller’s original vision for the car. Other modifications include a one-off titanium header/exhaust built by Billy Freed at Freed Engineering, one-off carbon kevlar stacks by Niklas Hagen at HN Engineering and a shaved engine bay and paint by Paul “Seamus” Rogers. Installed on the car is a s14 subframe swap by Mike Poore and the Racing Service Watanabe R types sourced from The Lonely Driver Company. The Nissan 300sx will sit on Toyo Proxes R1RTM tires.

’94 Mazda RX-7

Jonathan Grunwald and his Mazda RX-7 will debut this year, marking eight years and 14 consecutive SEMA build collaborations between himself, TRMNL Racing, and Toyo Tires. Since age 25, Grunwald has debuted the latest works of Varis, Overtake, TRA Kyoto, TCP Magic, & Rays Wheels via special projects with Toyo Tires.

This year’s TCP Magic USA Heritage 7 Mazda RX-7 will represent a culmination of Grunwald’s passion for Mazda tuning and motorsports. The build will feature a 1,000whp 20B Bridgeport 3-roto engine built by Garage Life and Lucky 7 Racing, a Garrett Motion G42-1450 turbocharger, HGT billet six-speed sequential transmission and a Haltech elite engine management system. The RX-7 has a KW bespoke motorsport suspension and rides on Toyo Proxes R1R tires.

The vehicles mentioned above represent just a small preview of the 35 cars and trucks that will be displayed by Toyo Tires at the 2021 SEMA Show. To learn more about the tires which help complete these builds, visit toyotires.com.