Interactive SEMA Hall of Fame Exhibit Opens July 2 at Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

History of performance aftermarket on display, including photos & bios of trade association's honorees and a John Force Mustang Funny Car fans can "drive"

Using a touch-screen system, visitors can single out any one of the 125-plus SEMA Hall of Famers and learn about his or her background, along with the contributions each one made to motorsports and/or the support industry. SEMA Hall of Famers are typically the producers of performance products of all types, as well as principals of other industry segments, from superstars of racing and publishing magnates to the leaders who made it all happen.

Bios from luminaries such as NHRA Founder Wally Parks to the likes of Ed Winfield (think cams); Zora Arkus-Duntov (think Chevy performance); Vic Edelbrock (manifolds); George Hurst (shifters); and Linda Vaughn (Hurst Golden Shifter model) are all available in the SEMA Hall of Fame exhibit.

The SEMA Hall of Fame exhibit pays tribute to the pioneers of the specialty and performance aftermarket.

John Force’s 2007 Ford Mustang Funny Car bodies that has seen its share of competition. Visitors to the Museum can sit in the interactive car and take it for simulated ride through the history of SEMA. “Fans get a chance to test their reaction time using the NHRA ‘Christmas tree’ starting system while actually seated in a Force-team Funny Car,” said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Park Museum. “It’s a lot of fun and a learning experience, and that’s the point of the overall SEMA Hall of Fame exhibit – to educate the public about the creative individuals who created and sustain the hot rod and performance industry. Thanks to SEMA, the public will see firsthand the people who were responsible for elevating motorsports and hot rodding to its current status.”

The bios of more than 125 SEMA Hall of Famers are available electronically via touch screen in the new exhibit.

Thacker also acknowledged the companies and individuals who contributed to the exhibit: Caliber Collision, Coast Media, Expectalot Visual Images, G&J Aircraft and Competition, Ikon Powder Coating, John Force Racing, NHRA, Pauly’s Custom Fabrication, Portatree Timing Systems, Pro Audio, Taylor Motorsports, Ultimate Design, Dana Bisbee, Wayne Phillips and Brad Uhl.

About SEMA

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $38.1 billion specialty automotive industry. The association consists of 7,094 member companies that manufacture, sell, distribute and market products that enhance a vehicle's safety, appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, Calif. 91765; 909/396-0289, or visit http://www.sema.org and http://www.enjoythedrive.com.

About the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

Celebrating its 10th anniversary and named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free and Auto Club members enjoy a $2 discount. Admission for non-members is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.

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