|
|
 |
|
|
The Pasadena Convention Center in Old Town Pasadena Was The Site of SEMA’s First Public Car Show For Charity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The newly remodeled Pasadena Convention Center in Old Town Pasadena was the site for the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s inaugural SEMA Show N Shine, their first-ever public car show, sponsored by Giovanna Wheels, and the Second Pinewood Derby drag races.
Held the first weekend of August, the event benefited two worthwhile charities that SEMA supports: Child Help Village in Beaumont, California—a home for abused and high risk children, and Victory Junction Gang Camp—a camp for children with life threatening diseases. “We wanted to put on an event where everyone would have a great time and their time and money would help support two great SEMA charities,” said event Chairman Mike Spagnola.
Outside the Convention Center, Hurst Performance Vehicles had two custom Dodge Challengers on display and the Pinewood Derby was set up. The Derby drew more than 160 participants and featured hand built 6-inch wooden racecars running side by side down the gravity drag strip.
A silent auction, with a number of pinewood derby cars built by the children of Childhelp and Victory Junction to resemble many of their favorite NASCAR, NHRA and Indy Car racecars and autographed by the actual drivers and other celebrities was also held.
Inside the Convention Center, two rows of auto related vendors were set up along the hallway leading to the car show where more than 155 hot rods, muscle cars, tuners, exotics, sport trucks, classics, and everything in between filled two exhibit halls.
Show sponsor Giovanna Wheels had an awesome showcase of 20 “super cars,” ranging from Rolls Royce to Lamborghini and Al & Ed’s Autosound had a number of their custom calendar cars on display.
Chip Foose, award-winning automotive designer and fabricator and host of TLC's “Overhaulin’” was Grand Marshall of the show. Foose brought along several of his own vehicles and posed for photos with spectators, autographed posters, T-shirts.
All vehicle registrants received a free T-shirt designed and autographed by Foose and trophies were awarded for Best Engine, Best Interior, Best in Show and People's Choice. The winner of the People's Choice Award also received an opportunity to attend the trade-only SEMA Show in Las Vegas in November, with free hotel accommodations.
The tickets were only $5 for adults and children under 12 were free. There were also food vendors, live music, raffles, drawings, and activities for the kids, making it a great family fun day. Plans are already underway for another SEMA Show N Shine.
“We’re still tallying up the numbers but it appears that we raised about $75,000 from this weekend’s activities,” a SEMA spokesperson said. “And we’re expecting to generate an additional $100,000 from the two vehicles that are going to be auctioned off December, and January 2010.”
“Both vehicles were on display at the Show N Shine and will be featured vehicles at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November” Spagnola said. “The first is the fully customized 2009 Ford F-150 Super Crew that will be auctioned on eBay Motors in December and the other is the WD-40 2010 Camaro that will be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, in January,” he added.
“Our goal was to bring together some amazing vehicles and create a spectacular event to support these two worthwhile charities and we're thrilled to have had a sell-out show and see all the enthusiasts that entered their vehicles,” Spagnola stated. “We'd really like this enthusiast car show to become the showcase event of the summer and grow each year so we can continue to raise more money for these deserving children's charities.”
“The inaugural SEMA Show ‘N Shine car show was a lot of fun, and more importantly, a huge success in contributing to our efforts in raising money for two great charities,” Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president events & communications said. “It’s a perfect example of how the industry can come together and create a wonderful event while helping others.”
|
|
|
SEMA SHOW N SHINE WINNERS
SEMA CARES Picks
Steve Babbitt, 1955 Chevy, Diamond Bar, CA
Jerry Logan, 1968 Shelby Mustang, Portland, OR
Greg Wood, 1967 VW Bus, Lake Elsinore, CA
Dennis Kordyak, 1958 Chevy, San Bernardino, CA
Fred DeFalco, 1936 Ford, Anaheim, CA
Marty Fisher, 1950 Oldsmobile, Northridge, CA
Best Interior
Steve Strope, 1970 Charger, Simi Valley, CA
Best Engine
DeJuan Taylor, 1955 Chevy Nomad, Altadena, CA
People's Choice
Charlie Tachdjian, 1932 Ford, Pomona, Ca
Participant's Choice
DeJuan Taylor, 1955 Chevy Nomad, Altadena, CA
|
|
|
|
Click on Photos to Enlarge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
