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SEMA NEWS: The Show

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The SEMA Show is every automotive lovers dream. There is every type of wheeled awesome that you can think of spread across the vast Las Vegas Convention Center grounds. I’ve been itching to check out the show for many years, but it is an industry only event and I haven’t been a part of the automotive industry, until recently. For the past year I’ve been covering events in the overland industry for this website, which allowed me the opportunity to get press credentials to the show. It was truly an amazing experience catching up with overland industry friends, seeing all the hot new products, drooling on all sorts of automotive bling, meeting auto industry celebrities and enjoying the sights and sounds of Vegas. I hope the links and photos below allow you access behind the curtain of the annual automotive extravaganza that is SEMA.

For full coverage of the event check out these stories I wrote about the 2012 Show:

UJOR V4- The Adventure Van of Your Dreams

The Jeep Invasion!

2012 Hot Street Rides

2012 Off Road Vehicles

Off Road LED Lighting

Hot Off Road & Other Cool Products

 

The final Global Rally Cross event of the season was held in a large parking lot across the street from the LV Convention Center. I had a chance to check out the action trackside during qualifying. These guys have some serious fun on the track! Yes that is Ken Block flying through the air in the pic. I took a bunch of shots from the bleachers as well, which happened to be where Travis Pastrana was hanging out with his injured arm:)
Robby Gordon was showing off his new Stadium Super Truck with some quality three-wheeled hoonage. Power to weight ratio on this thing is insane!
I did drive a Spark, Camaro SS convertible, Corvette Grand Sport convertible & got a ride in a Corvette ZO6. Spark was stupid slow. Camaro was faster than expected, felt like a huge car and you sit way too low in the thing. The Corvette Grand Sport was fun and handled really well in the corners, but had way too much cheap plastic in the interior. The ride along in the ZO6 showed off the insane capabilities of probably the best sportscar value out there.
Chip Foose is a masterful automotive artist, and can be seen on the far left of the photo working on his rendering for the current SEMA Overhauln’ build. This was a live set right on the SEMA show floor.
GoPro had a press conference for the release of the Hero3. Absolutely SICK camera and a fun appearance by Ken Block, but honestly the most dry and boring press conference I attended. They basically showed the Hero3 highlight film that has everyone has seen a million times online already!
Flryrt showed off their very cool driving lights and had Austin Wheeler, from Ice Road Truckers, on hand to promote the product.
Nitto had DJ Steve Aoki on hand for his birthday bash and partnership announcement. They had some good fun with the cake.
Mopar had a HUGE press conference to announce a ton of new products and new organization within the company. They also had comedian and all around car enthusiast Jeff Dunham on hand to show off his UltraViolet build. Sadly I didn’t get to test drive this one:(
Lots of autograph sessions at booths all over the show. Here Robby Gordon represents for MagnaFlow.
I’m the “Adventurer” and Bill Caswell is the “Automotive Adventure Guy” according to our SEMA media passes:) If you ever get the chance have a beer with this guy do it! Good times.
The booth babes enjoyed dressing up for Halloween at the show this year:) These are the fine ladies from Xtreme Outfitters.
Lexani had a bevy of fine “classy” ladies to bring attention to their products.
The passing of the great Carroll Shelby was not overlooked at the show. This is a whole corner of the convention hall dedicated to his memory.
The SEMA show also had many panel discussions and info sessions about technology, regulations and other influences affecting the auto industry.
Anything and everything auto related can be found at SEMA! You can even get a hand-made replica of your custom ride made into an urn allowing you to burn rubber for eternity;) Last-Rides
SEMA ends with a HUGE parade of almost every vehicle at the show as they leave the convention center area. Very fun to enjoy and make sure you didn’t miss anything.
Something is always happening in Vegas and it is easy to find entertainment away from the show. This is a Hollywood movie being shot over the strip with a parachutist jumping out of a helicopter and flying just above an ampted up Bellagio fountain at night. The jumper then landed on the strip, which was closed down for a block for the shoot. I sat in traffic for a good while, but got to see all the action up close and personal:)

For full coverage of the event check out these stories I wrote about the 2012 Show:

UJOR V4- The Adventure Van of Your Dreams

The Jeep Invasion!

2012 Hot Street Rides

2012 Off Road Vehicles

Off Road LED Lighting

Hot Off Road & Other Cool Products

 

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