SEMA is more than just one of the largest gatherings of Motorheads to bring out their kool rides and exhibitors with products, it’s about our Culture and how SEMA is at the forefront and is our defender when it comes to rules and regulations coming at us that impact our culture. As a shop owner this author took in many of the hundreds of classes on administration, management, future of our world, expert panels, trends, marketing and artificial intelligence just to name a few over the years. If you attend SEMA and have the opportunity, please take in classes as they are worth your time and can give you insights beyond your expectations. It is about networking, putting manufactures together with buyers. I got to increase my vendor pool dramatically and made new long-term friends I would get to see every year even though I talked to them on the phone all the time purchasing items and getting updates. Got to see many old friends this trip and it has become an annual tradition. Yes, it’s a trade show with over 2000 exhibitors showing you their new wares and your ability to get touchy feely with the items. The event now includes SEMA Fest, which is a celebration of music and car culture with music and more eye candy than you can take in. SEMA Battle of the Builders, this year presented by Mothers, brings together some of the world’s outstanding buildings to be named the best of the best. Being from this world myself, you should take do it at least once to appreciate hand built automotive art in full scale.
DAY ONE: This author usually spends three days at SEMA, which is about enough to see what I need to see. The event runs from Tuesday thru Friday starting with the Kickoff Breakfast, awards and new products awards, my favorite. The meal itself was worth getting there at 0700. We always meet new friends and see old friends. We were treated with Jay Leno interview as frosting on the Motorhead Breakfast Cake. The new product awards are always a hit, and we enjoy seeing where our automotive culture is headed with new products and technology. The coolest new product was a new battery with capacitors that you can turn off with your I Phone. After which the floor is opened up, and you get first glimpse of automotive eye candy of every imagination beyond your imagination.
Mr. Transmission at Hughes Performance was there with their team with products that we all use in our pride and joys. They brought their team and shared with fellow Motorheads their advice on available products from here in Arizona that work in our Arizona climate and conditions, not to mention heavy right foot!
Such a small world we live in. Since we live in Prescott, who did I run into but Danny Martinez working the Quarter Mile Foundation with Don Garlitz. Gary Kleckner brought out his Chevrado, wow what a ride and made us proud be from Prescott.
Our friends from Speedway Motors were there in force with their team. They are definitely our Partners in your Passion. Their team from Speedway was their non-stop answering questions and being a fellow Motorhead supporter and resource.
. I am amazed how much innovation is developing in our culture such as “Gyraline”, www.gyraline.com, which is a company that has developed an iPhone app and hardware that allows you to do Toe, Camber and Caster alignment with up to .05 Degree precision. This author will be getting one and will do a how to do article in a future issue. I am excited about this as it will enhance my builds, and the technology is so kool!
DAY TWO: Everywhere you look you see fresh iron over the top. The crowds are building up with less room to get around in the halls. Went thru tool heaven today and every imaginable tool was there for purchase, and you could even hold them and see which one fits your hand for the perfect eye hand coordination plus getting to that impossible bolt.
One of the goals this author is to look for new kool things. One of the first things that I found today was Arizona based, Scan Gauge by Linear Logic located in Mesa AZ. They specialize in automotive diagnostics and vehicle monitoring products of which “Scan Gauge” which gives real time vehicle monitors. The kool part will monitor, measure, track and diagnose i.e. trouble codes while you are driving. Real neat device, great for all vehicles including MoHos. For more information go to www.linear-logic.com
Got to meet those folks at Ace of Spades, a relatively new paint supply company. We are going to try their product on an upcoming project; will let you know how it works out. They have some kool colors out of the box and great service and help line.
DAY THREE: Today we had a different mission, new products showcase. For those out there who know me I have been going to SEMA almost for 2 decades, firstly as a Classic Car Fabrication Shop and now as Media for Roddin’AZ. Usually on the Thursday this writer takes in the “New Products”, yes, items new to our Motorhead culture. You would not believe the new items being developed for us consumers out there. It was located in the South Hall, at the very rear behind wheel and tires and yes, the room did smell fresh rubber and machined aluminum, almost a perfume to my senses. Today is different, we got to see the 1300 products that were entered across 15 showcase categories this year. A new product to fancy every taste for new kool Motorhead Stuff.
Friday, SEMA is open to the public for paid entry. Back this year for the third time, SEMA Fest, 3-9pm, which brought in an all start music lineup of Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Crows and Neon Trees. Topping that off was drifting, automotive demonstrations to name few. See Ya There Next Year!
