By Juan Torres

Jay Leno will kick off the 2021 SEMA Show as the featured guest of the New Products Breakfast, Tuesday, November 2. Taking place before the SEMA Show floor officially opens that same day, the New Products Awards Breakfast is akin to an opening ceremony for the four-day event, where automotive innovation, technology and advancement take center stage.

As the featured guest of the New Products Breakfast, Leno will inspire and motivate show attendees as the best new product award winners are announced.

“Leno is an automotive expert whose high energy and passion represents that of the industry’s,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Like the exhibitors at the SEMA Show, Leno pushes the boundaries and continually raises the bar. We’re thrilled to have him join us for the opening breakfast of what is likely to be one of the most iconic SEMA Shows ever.”

Tickets to the New Products Breakfast are available to all SEMA Showgoers at no cost by visiting www.semashow.com/banquet. If you are already registered for the Show, please proceed to your exhibitor dashboard to RSVP for this and other events offered during the week of the Show. Tickets are free to all credentialed attendees, but must be reserved in advance as seating is limited.

In addition to a sit-down breakfast served beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, the event includes announcements and introductions of the best new product winners. Awards are presented in 16 categories and will be showcased in the New Products Showcase throughout the week of the SEMA Show. The New Products Showcase, voted on by buyers and media as the No. 1 SEMA Show destination, includes exhibitors’ new and featured products displayed in a single location. All exhibitors may enter an unlimited number of products into the Showcase, with the first entry offered at no cost.

The SEMA Show takes place November 2–5, in Las Vegas, with the Show floor opening at 9:00 a.m. More than 1,300 exhibiting companies are set to participate throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. To date, more than 40,000 buyers have signed up to attend.

Make your free reservation for the New Products Awards Breakfast.

By SEMA Editors

It’s been two years since the sights of the parade of custom vehicles from behind the walls of the trade-only SEMA Show; Formula DRIFT competitors narrowly missing the cement drift box barriers; flames shooting from the chrome headers of vintage dragsters; the smells of nitrous and burning rubber; and the sounds of squealing tires, high-revving engines, the cheering crowd and rocking bands.

SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after-party, is back in-person and in Las Vegas. This year the event will take place at the new LVCC West Hall parking lot.

Credentialed 2021 SEMA Show attendees can access the event for free with their badge. Enthusiasts can access the event by purchasing one of two ticket types—a previously offered SEMA General Admission Ticket or the all-new SEMA Friday Experience that gives the ticket holder Friday access to the SEMA Show and to SEMA Ignited.

SEMA Ignited General Admission Ticket

View hundreds of cars and trucks as they parade out of the Las Vegas Convention Center, drifting by Formula DRIFT, food, music and much more.

What You Get: Includes entry to SEMA Ignited, Friday, November 5, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Price: $20 if purchased online or at the SEMA Ignited Ticket Office on Friday, November 5.

SEMA Friday Experience Ticket

For the first time ever, SEMA is offering a limited number of enthusiasts entry into the trade-only SEMA Show through the purchase of the SEMA Friday Experience ticket. The SEMA Show offers an attendee experience like no other trade show on the planet. It’s the best place to see the newest automotive performance products and to discover the latest product and vehicle trends.   

What You Get: Includes Friday entry into the SEMA Show from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and SEMA Ignited from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5.

Important Restrictions: Each person must pick up their own ticket. You may not send anyone else in your place. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please be prepared to show a valid government-issued photo ID when picking up your ticket. The name on your photo ID must match the name on this confirmation. No one under the age of 16, including infants, is allowed access to the exhibits. No exceptions. Show management does not provide childcare services on-site. Use of a school-issued ID to prove age is not acceptable unless it provides a date of birth. Tickets CANNOT be reproduced, transferred or resold. No day of purchases will be permitted.

Price: $90. No on-site ticket purchases will be permitted.

Purchase tickets now!

For more information, visit www.semaignited.com.

By SEMA Editors

A performance by Light Balance—a hi-tech neon and LED show with elements of acrobatic and dance choreography—will entertain all those attending the 2021 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, taking place Thursday, November 4, at the nearby Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. Hosted by Jarod DeAnda and Kevin Oeste, the annual event is the industry’s premier celebration, and follows three full days of activity at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is where the automotive specialty-equipment market’s excellence and achievements are celebrated. Held annually, the event is the industry’s single largest gala attended by automotive icons, professionals, supporters and celebrities. Winners of the SEMA Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, WD of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year will be announced at the event. Tributes will be made to this year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees: Jessi Combs, Rick Love, Bob

Moore and Carl Schiefer. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, formal sit-down dinner, a performance by Light Balance and comedy by Adam Ferrara. Attendees will also have the opportunity to watch the top two SEMA Launch Pad finalists compete live on stage and vote for their favorite product.

All SEMA Show exhibitors qualify to obtain a limited number of free tickets to the banquet based on their booth size. All Showgoers are also able to purchase banquet tickets at www.semashow.com/banquet. If you are already registered for the Show, please proceed to your exhibitor dashboard to RSVP for this and other events offered during the week of the Show.

The 2021 SEMA Show takes place November 2–5, 2021, in Las Vegas. The annual trade-only show brings manufacturers of automotive parts and accessories together with industry buyers from all over the world.

By SEMA Editors

It’s not too late to enter a product(s) in the New Products Showcase—the No. 1 reason buyers attend the SEMA Show. The first product is always free; however, additional products are now $150 per product category.

Enter your new products now!

Exhibitors must check-in their products themselves by bringing the product with them to the Show or shipping the product to the Freeman warehouse in advance. All entries must be personally checked-in at Booth #31255 located in Upper South Hall EAST during the following hours:

• Saturday, October 30: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 31: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Note: products checked in after 10:00 a.m. will not be judged)

Entry Fees:

• The first product entered in one category in the New Products Showcase is FREE!
• Additional $150 per product category.
• Entries submitted on-site will be accepted on a space availability basis.

For more information on New Products Showcase display guidelines, visit www.SEMAShow.com/esm.

Exhibitor Product Pick Up

Exhibitors can pick up their product displays on Friday, November 5, 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Only hand-carry items, or items that can be moved with a two-wheel cart can be moved on the Show floor until 4:00 p.m.

Instead of returning to the New Products area on Friday, exhibitors have the option to have products packaged and shipped back by UPS. Exhibitors can arrange for UPS return shipping during check-in, or at one of the UPS locations on the Show floor. UPS return shipments must be arranged through the Official SEMA Show UPS Store to take advantage of this service.

Exhibitors are encouraged to take advantage of the this opportunity to enter at least one product in the Showcase. Not only does the Showcase provide exhibitors with an additional avenue to reach new buyers away from their booth displays, products that meet the new product criteria may qualify to receive additional benefits, including eligibility for a SEMA Show New Product Award.

For more information on New Products Showcase display guidelines, visit www.SEMAShow.com/esm.

By SEMA Editors

The official 2021 SEMA Show mobile app is now available for download from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or via the QR code below.

A great tool to maximize your time at the Show, the official SEMA Show app contains detailed exhibitor information, interactive floorplans and up-to-date event and education information—all from the convenience of your mobile device. This year, the SEMA Show app will feature a scanning function that will allow attendees to quickly capture product and exhibitor information from feature vehicles on display throughout the Show as well as the ability to scan and save products from the New Products Showcase. The app puts the entire SEMA Show in your pocket.

2021 SEMA Show mobile app features include:

• Interactivity: Users can receive detailed information about feature vehicles displayed throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. By simply scanning a vehicle’s QR code, located on a feature vehicle sticker attached to the vehicle during check-in, the app will display the vehicle’s year, make and model; information on the exhibitor displaying the vehicle; and a list of products used on the vehicle. The app also allows users to access a list of exhibitors from 2019 and any saved product information.
• Turn-By-Turn Directions: Find the quickest route from one place to another without the need of a GPS or data service. Simply enter an exhibitor name or room nearest to you and where you want to go, and the app will provide directions.
• My Schedule: Create a schedule to keep track of the events you wish to attend.
• New Products Showcase: View all of the products entered into the New Products Showcase, complete with detailed information and photos, exactly where within the Showcase the product is displayed, and directions to the exhibitor’s booth on the Show floor.
• Product Scanner: Use your smartphone as a scanner at the New Products Showcase to create a list and map of the scanned products.
• Maps: View floorplans of all SEMA Show halls and how/where they connect to make passage from hall to hall as easy as possible.
• Exhibitors: Look up all 2021 SEMA Show exhibitors by name, Show section or product category.
• Events, Celebrity Appearances and Speakers: See lists of all the events, seminars, conferences, celebrity appearances and speakers, including day, time and location.
• Social Media: Keep up with the feeds of the official SEMA Show social media accounts, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
• Ground Transportation: Find the best way to arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Obtain information on the Las Vegas Monorail, rideshare and hotel shuttles, including pickup locations.
• SEMA eNews: Stay up to date with the latest news before, during and after the Show.

For more information about the 2021 SEMA Show, taking place November 2–5, in Las Vegas, visit www.semashow.com.

  By Jason Catullo

There’s still time to register for next week’s SEMA Show. The price is now $90, and domestic attendees can pick up their badges on-site.

The Las Vegas Convention Center’s (LVCC) halls are nearly full of exhibits, but booth space is still being reserved, and more exhibitors are expected to secure space until the Show opens on November 2.

Attendees planning on joining the industry at the 2021 SEMA Show can see who's exhibiting and where through the updated floorplan. If you have not yet registered for the SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, visit www.SEMAShow.com/attendee to register.

For 2021, the Show will include exhibit space in the LVCC’s newly constructed West Hall, a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. facility completed in January. The new facility includes exhibitors from the Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, and Truck, SUV & Off-Road sections.

Earlier in June, the visitors of the World of Concrete convention were the first to use the new hall, and the event marked the first large-scale convention and tradeshow to be held in Las Vegas in 15 months.

In addition to the new hall, the newly constructed Loop—a high-speed, people-mover system that runs 40 ft. under the LVCC—will transport visitors between South, Central and West Halls. The World of Concrete successfully used the system to shuttle visitors through the 200-acre convention center.

For more information on the 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Richard Hail

The 2021 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is heating up. There’s less than a week to go before the judges begin the difficult process of choosing the Top 40 and then the Top 12. It’s impossible to highlight the more than 240 entries we’ve received, so we’ve chosen a few that stand out.

Jason Ludwin, ’36 Ford Sedan

Ludwin lifted the sedan and widened the wheel arches by a few inches to house the big 35-in. tires. He added front and rear aftermarket Wrangler bumpers from Body Armor; each one housing with a winch from Mile Marker and WARN Industries, respectively. Hidden beneath the running boards are Rock Slide step sliders. The flathead V8 was exchanged for an L33, a high-output 5.3L Chevy small block running a FiTech fuel-injection system.

The original dash was retained, and hydro dipped so that it would match the wood steering wheel. A few modern amenities were also added including a tilt steering column and floor shifter, both from Summit Racing. The factory sunroof was also kept with an updated retractable ragtop.

Erin Flaherty, ’74 Ford Bronco

Flaherty widened the fenders so they could clear the massive BFGoodrich KM2 Mud-Terrain T/A tires, which are paired to King Prerunner coil-over racing shocks. Moving under the hood reveals the Ford 289 that Flaherty rebuilt himself, which is bolted to a C4 automatic transmission. The K&N air filter and FILTERWEARS pre-filter are a dead giveaway that this truck isn’t just a show pony.

The cab features numerous mods, including a DOM roll cage, Winters Performance Sidewinder shifter, Corbeau seats with G-FORCE racing harnesses and more. A thumb switch inside the cab operates the adjustable aluminum wing that creates down force on the track.

Walter Palencia, ’19 Hyundai Veloster N

Starting up front, Palencia introduced a Velossa Tech BIG MOUTH Ram Air Snorkel and paired it to a SXTH Element Engineering intake. The 2.0L turbo’s fourth stroke exits through an XFORCE exhaust system.

Toyo Proxes Sport rubber is wrapped around the Drifz 315 wheels with Cquence brake rotors to shorten the stops. The carbon-fiber side skirts, front lip, diffuser and rear spoiler are from Adro while VIS Racing was used for the carbon fiber hood. A purple iridescent wrap by KPMF perfectly complements the carbon-fiber pieces.

Peter Filippo, ’20 BMW M2

Filippo swapped the original 3.0L twin-turbo inline six with a 6.2L V8 from the SRT Hellcat, which was solid-mounted to the chassis. He also rebuilt the tensioner so that it’s only running water pump to free up some space and power.

StopTech ultra-lightweight six- and four-piston calipers bring the forged 18x10 BimmerWorld wheels to a quick stop. Tucked behind the carbon fiber fenders is a four-wheel adjustable MCS suspension.

Five Star Racecar Bodies reproduced all the windows in a durable polycarbonate for lightweight, track-ready performance. Behind the windshield, the custom fabrication continues. The HEMI pushed into the cockpit and required a house-built extended steering column, which also meant the pedal box, Sparco seat and shifter had to be moved back. The custom roll cage came from the team at TC Design.

Sammi Frazier, ’73 Datsun 240Z

Up front, Frazier cut pockets into the quarter panels and the edges were trimmed for the bumper to recess into the front of car.  A BRE rear spoiler with some custom mods was added in addition to a “Fairlady R” badge. A set of Bogart Racing Wheels were refinished and painted in-house and fit snugly beneath the flared fenders.

A modified LS2 combined with a Speedmaster intake boasting individual throttle bodies topped with velocity stacks sits beneath the stock hood. Inside, the lush burgundy interior combines Garrett leather with Alcantara and black accents. White faced Classic Instruments gauges stand out from the custom-wrapped dash.

Chase Coffman, ’67 Chevrolet Corvette

The chassis is fabricated in-house where they introduce internal structuring inside the frame rails to give needed strength to the body. The entire body was stripped so all the flaws could be corrected, the firewall was smoothed out and the gaps were narrowed.
The powertrain includes a GM LS427 featuring custom-machined billet valve covers and specially designed headers by Ultimate Headers. A TREMEC five-speed is bolted up to the small block helping to route the 570 ponies to the rear wheels.

The all-custom interior will feature a widened dash, touchscreen controls, LED accent lighting throughout, custom-fabricated seats and leather and suede touch surfaces. A coat of custom mixed Spies Hecker paint by Axalta will finish off the second-gen Vette.

Qualified industry personnel will be able to see the competition unfold live during the SEMA Show, November 2–5. The general public is welcome to attend SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after-party, where they will also see the winning vehicles, as well as hundreds of SEMA Show cars and trucks parading out of the Las Vegas Convention Center following the close of the SEMA Show. SEMA Ignited will also feature Formula DRIFT cars in action, vintage dragsters, food trucks, music and much more.

Register today!

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host several Q&A discussions with some of SEMA’s most active leaders throughout SEMA Show week.

Located in the Members Lounge, South 49031 next to the Global Tire Expo, each interview will feature experts in their field discussing the industry’s hot topics, and what SEMA’s and WTC’s current initiatives are.
 

Located in the Members Lounge, South 49031 next to the Global Tire Expo, each interview will feature experts in their field discussing the industry’s hot topics, and what SEMA’s and WTC’s current initiatives are.

RSVP for The Stage sessions, which include:

Meet the new SEMA Board – November 2, at 11:00 a.m.
Moderator: Todd Steen, Jackson Marketing Group
Speakers: Brian Reese, Driven Lighting Group; Larry Montante, Keystone Automotive Operations; and Kyle Flicker, Driven Racing Oil

Meet the WTC Team – November 2, at 3:30 p.m.
Moderator: Steve Swanson, The Carlstar Group LLC
Speakers: Todd Steen, Jackson Marketing Group; Mike Lusso, Hennessy Industries; and Tyson Boyer, Dill Air Control Products

Five Things You Need to Launch a Product – November 3, at 11:00 a.m.
Moderator: Todd Steen, Jackson Marketing Group
Speakers: Eric Morley, Blue C, and Kathryn Reinhardt, 4WP Factory

Regulations and Stipulations – November 3, at 4:00 p.m.
Moderator: Tyson Boyer, Dill Air Control Products
Speakers: Stuart Gosswein, SEMA, and Roy Littlefield, Tire Industry Association (TIA)

Impact of Wheel Changes on ADAS Vehicles – November 4, at 11:00 a.m.
Moderator: Mike Lusso, Hennessy Industries  
Speakers: Kaleb Silver, Hunter Engineering Co.

eCommerce, Direct to Consumer Strategies – November 4, at 4:00 p.m.
Moderator: Todd Steen, Jackson Marketing Group
Speakers: Michael Welch, TireBuyer.com, and Steve Braun, Edelbrock Group

While you are there, be sure to check out the Global Tire Expo in Lower South Hall that will feature exhibitors displaying tires for passenger cars, trucks and off-the-road (OTR), equipment, recyclers, retreaters, suppliers and affiliated organizations. Lower South Hall is also home to the Wheels & Accessories area, where Show attendees will find exhibitor displays of wheels and accessories for cars, trucks and racing.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA members at the 2021 SEMA Show will be able to easily charge their electronic devices and grab a bite to eat by visiting any one of three SEMA Member Lounges. Available only to SEMA members, the Member Lounges are conveniently located throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center: North Hall Room N251, West Hall Booth #85065, and Lower South Hall Booth #49091. Each Member Lounge offers rooms for small group meetings, access to a computer with a printer, charging stations and “Grab ‘N Go” concessions where members can purchase cold sandwiches and food any time during Show hours. The Member Lounge in N251 will also serve hot lunches from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. daily.

The Member Lounges are conveniently located throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center: North Hall Room N251, West Hall Booth #85065, and Lower South Hall Booth #49091.

The Member Lounge is a benefit available to SEMA business member companies. To learn about other member benefits, stop by Member Central, located outside of N251 on the second floor above the Grand Lobby, where the SEMA membership team will be on-site and ready to answer questions and share details about the association’s exclusive market research, year-round education program, product development resources, data support and more.

To learn more, contact SEMA’s Membership Director AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

By Fredy Ramirez

Hemmings is auctioning an ’81 Chevrolet Suburban dubbed “Big Green.” The Suburban traveled across the country to be improved into a vehicle capable of being driven daily.

“We surveyed our readers and watchers, and the number-one thing they wanted to see from us was road trip content,” said President and Publisher of Hemmings Motor News Jonathan Shaw. “Originally the show was going to take place on the West Coast, but we had so much support for our cause that it’s spread to the entire United States.”

After being picked up from GR Auto Gallery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Suburban made its way to Lansing, Michigan, where racer Kevin Wesley and son Parker helped change the first of many parts: the alternator. After the alternator seemed to function properly, a 500-mile journey followed to Rockford, Tennessee. There, more improvements began with Silver Sport Transmissions.

The team at Silver Sport swapped the old four-speed manual transmission for a Tremec TR4050 five-speed and a 205 transfer case. Of course, taking on a challenge like that doesn’t come without some speed bumps, so Big Green hit the road again.

This time, its journey would take it 400 miles to Memphis for the installation of an Edelbrock fuel injection system. The Suburban received ProFlo 4 electronic fuel injection, an intake manifold, a distributor and plug wires, valve covers and an air cleaner as well as a digital dash at the Comp Cams facility.

“The EFI system and the transmission alone allowed us to travel at modern highway speeds while at the same time improving our fuel economy by over 35%,” Shaw said.

The next stop took Big Green to Fort Worth, Texas, to receive an air conditioning system from Old Air Products. The A/C proved to work well as Big Green made its way from Texas to California for stops at SEMA headquarters, Air Flow Research and Classic Industries.

Air Flow Research provided new heads for the 350 V8 Quadrajet-carbureted engine. Classic Industries donated a dash pad, an instrument bezel, a headliner, door seals, a steering wheel and a new vinyl floor mat. At SEMA headquarters, Kathryn Reinhardt from the SEMA Board of Directors talked about how and when Big Green will be auctioned off for charity.

“All of us here at Hemmings, along with our SEMA partners, have put a lot of time and effort into this old truck to make it something special,” Shaw said. “Thus, we hope the next owner won’t see it as a collector vehicle but instead as a wonderful old truck that can log another 100,000 miles and then be kept on the road for decades to come.”

The Suburban is currently being auctioned on Hemmings own auction site and will conclude during SEMA week on November 3, at 6:00 p.m. (EST).

Learn more about ”Big Green.”