News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Why You’ll Want to Tune In to the New “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV Special

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:56

By Rachel Tatum

Kyle Tucker was crowned the winner of the fifth-annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition for his ’69 Chevy Camaro.

Go behind the scenes of SEMA Show 2018, the world’s most prestigious automotive event, in the all new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” television special, premiering Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Motor Trend TV Network. Now in its fifth year, the competition and the program have evolved to be more exciting and impressive than ever before. Here’s what’s new and different about the upcoming program:

Featuring Future Stars

Several young, up-and-coming builders are featured. The "SEMA: Battle of the Builders" television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns

The SEMA: Battle of the Builders television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns program.

program. In addition to young builders (age 27 and younger) with vehicles sponsored by SEMA Show exhibitors, 14 young builders from throughout the country were discovered and given the opportunity to showcase their cars and talents at the 2018 SEMA Show. They competed alongside the other contestants in the most recent Battle of the Builders competition.

Celebrity Social Media Judges

Some of today’s most recognized social influencers participated as judges in this year’s Battle of the Builders competition. Sarah Raegan Greenwood (Sarah-n-Tuned); Emelia Hartford (@ms.emelia); Jack Milne (DURTYMAX, JACK); Chris Petruccio (Krispy Media); Chris Steinbacher (B is to Build); and Dustin Williams (@dustinw) collaborated to select the top Young Guns from the competition.

Category Winners

This year’s competition names the Top Four winners, with one winner representing each category. So the competition included a winner in the hot rod category, as well as a winner in the truck/off road category, the sport compact category and the Young Guns category. It’s the most diverse vehicle builders’ competition yet.

Mark your calendars and tune in to Motor Trend TV on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT for the premiere of the new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders.”

Why You’ll Want to Tune In to the New “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV Special

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:56

By Rachel Tatum

Kyle Tucker was crowned the winner of the fifth-annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition for his ’69 Chevy Camaro.

Go behind the scenes of SEMA Show 2018, the world’s most prestigious automotive event, in the all new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” television special, premiering Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Motor Trend TV Network. Now in its fifth year, the competition and the program have evolved to be more exciting and impressive than ever before. Here’s what’s new and different about the upcoming program:

Featuring Future Stars

Several young, up-and-coming builders are featured. The "SEMA: Battle of the Builders" television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns

The SEMA: Battle of the Builders television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns program.

program. In addition to young builders (age 27 and younger) with vehicles sponsored by SEMA Show exhibitors, 14 young builders from throughout the country were discovered and given the opportunity to showcase their cars and talents at the 2018 SEMA Show. They competed alongside the other contestants in the most recent Battle of the Builders competition.

Celebrity Social Media Judges

Some of today’s most recognized social influencers participated as judges in this year’s Battle of the Builders competition. Sarah Raegan Greenwood (Sarah-n-Tuned); Emelia Hartford (@ms.emelia); Jack Milne (DURTYMAX, JACK); Chris Petruccio (Krispy Media); Chris Steinbacher (B is to Build); and Dustin Williams (@dustinw) collaborated to select the top Young Guns from the competition.

Category Winners

This year’s competition names the Top Four winners, with one winner representing each category. So the competition included a winner in the hot rod category, as well as a winner in the truck/off road category, the sport compact category and the Young Guns category. It’s the most diverse vehicle builders’ competition yet.

Mark your calendars and tune in to Motor Trend TV on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT for the premiere of the new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders.”

Industry Jobs

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:48

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

Mark Your Calendars

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:45

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

Time Running Out to Access the Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:41

By SEMA Editors

SEMA members are invited to contact Stephanie Martinez at 909-978-6728 to schedule measuring appointments for the '19 Toyota Corolla hatchback.

The '19 Toyota Corolla hatchback is available at the SEMA Garage through January 8, 2019. SEMA members are invited to contact Stephanie Martinez at 909-978-6728 to schedule measuring appointments.

For 2019, Toyota constructed the Corolla to be lower, wider and shorter than previous models. The hatchback features a 2.0L Dynamic Force engine with direct injection, four inline cylinders and a six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT).

The Toyota Corolla hatchback was part of a recent SEMA Measuring Session that also featured the '20 Corolla sedan and ’19 Yaris.

Time Running Out to Access the Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:41

By SEMA Editors

SEMA members are invited to contact Stephanie Martinez at 909-978-6728 to schedule measuring appointments for the '19 Toyota Corolla hatchback.

The '19 Toyota Corolla hatchback is available at the SEMA Garage through January 8, 2019. SEMA members are invited to contact Stephanie Martinez at 909-978-6728 to schedule measuring appointments.

For 2019, Toyota constructed the Corolla to be lower, wider and shorter than previous models. The hatchback features a 2.0L Dynamic Force engine with direct injection, four inline cylinders and a six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT).

The Toyota Corolla hatchback was part of a recent SEMA Measuring Session that also featured the '20 Corolla sedan and ’19 Yaris.

Don’t Miss January’s Three-Vehicle Measuring Session

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:31

Don’t Miss January’s Three-Vehicle Measuring Session

The SEMA Garage and SEMA International invite members to a measuring session featuring the ’19 RAM, ’18 Nissan Patrol Y61 Safari and ’16 Australian-Spec Ford Ranger.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-2018-nissan-patrol-international-2016-ford-ranger-2019-domestic-dodge-ram-measuring-tickets-53614607735

Don’t Miss January’s Three-Vehicle Measuring Session

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:31

Don’t Miss January’s Three-Vehicle Measuring Session

The SEMA Garage and SEMA International invite members to a measuring session featuring the ’19 RAM, ’18 Nissan Patrol Y61 Safari and ’16 Australian-Spec Ford Ranger.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-2018-nissan-patrol-international-2016-ford-ranger-2019-domestic-dodge-ram-measuring-tickets-53614607735

Take Advantage of the Upgraded Stratasys 3-D Printer at the SEMA Garage

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:20

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Garage has upgraded its 3-D printer’s hardware to run Stratasys’ new material: Nylon 12 CF.

For the past several years, the SEMA Garage has successfully provided SEMA members with a wide range of rapid-prototype (3-D printed) materials, ranging from the standard ABS plastic to high-performance ULTEM 9085. These rapid prototypes have proven their purpose through multiple applications, including tooling, fitment, molds, one-off designs and limited testing runs.

However, some members have voiced their desire to push the limits of plastic rapid prototypes into a more durable testing application. Thus, the SEMA Garage has upgraded its 3-D printer’s hardware to run Stratasys’ new material: Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber (Nylon 12CF), which is comprised of a blend of Nylon 12 resin and chopped carbon fiber. This combination provides the highest flexural strength, stiffness-to-weight ratio, and is one of the strongest materials in the fused deposition modeling (FDM) material portfolio.

This new material will generate firm yet lightweight rapid prototypes for SEMA members, and allow them to undergo higher durability testing. Nylon 12CF will follow the same uniform process set for previous materials, in which members only pay for the cu.-in. amount of material that is required for the job.

“From a product-development standpoint, the goal of the SEMA Garage is to provide members with access to the latest technology,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA senior director of OE relations. “This investment in carbon-fiber 3-D printing does just that by allowing members to rapid prototype using this strong, lightweight material, which is ideal for durability testing. The SEMA Garage is committed to continuous improvement of technologies available to its members and is proud to offer this new service.”

For more information, contact Warren Kosikov, or visit the SEMA Garage website.

Take Advantage of the Upgraded Stratasys 3-D Printer at the SEMA Garage

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 09:20

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Garage has upgraded its 3-D printer’s hardware to run Stratasys’ new material: Nylon 12 CF.

For the past several years, the SEMA Garage has successfully provided SEMA members with a wide range of rapid-prototype (3-D printed) materials, ranging from the standard ABS plastic to high-performance ULTEM 9085. These rapid prototypes have proven their purpose through multiple applications, including tooling, fitment, molds, one-off designs and limited testing runs.

However, some members have voiced their desire to push the limits of plastic rapid prototypes into a more durable testing application. Thus, the SEMA Garage has upgraded its 3-D printer’s hardware to run Stratasys’ new material: Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber (Nylon 12CF), which is comprised of a blend of Nylon 12 resin and chopped carbon fiber. This combination provides the highest flexural strength, stiffness-to-weight ratio, and is one of the strongest materials in the fused deposition modeling (FDM) material portfolio.

This new material will generate firm yet lightweight rapid prototypes for SEMA members, and allow them to undergo higher durability testing. Nylon 12CF will follow the same uniform process set for previous materials, in which members only pay for the cu.-in. amount of material that is required for the job.

“From a product-development standpoint, the goal of the SEMA Garage is to provide members with access to the latest technology,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA senior director of OE relations. “This investment in carbon-fiber 3-D printing does just that by allowing members to rapid prototype using this strong, lightweight material, which is ideal for durability testing. The SEMA Garage is committed to continuous improvement of technologies available to its members and is proud to offer this new service.”

For more information, contact Warren Kosikov, or visit the SEMA Garage website.