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Once again manufacturers, sales
reps and racers from all over the world merge on Las Vegas for
a November ritual known as the SEMA Show. Here are just a few
candid shots from the 2006 spectacular.
John Ewald photos
and commentary
SEMA started as the Speed Equipment
Manufactures Association...and although the name has changed
(now Specialty Equipment Manufactures Association) all the big
speed equipment companies are still a big part of the show. The
first SEMA Show was held in 1967 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
had 98 booths and the attendance was 3000 people. This years
show had over 10,000 booths and over 100,000 attendees. In 1967
there were 5 cars on display…in 2006 over 2000 were displayed.
Talk about growth!
Of course NHRA had a
large display.
B&M Racing Products has grown,
they now include McLeod Clutches in the family. Famous artist
Kenny Youngblood was part of their booth giving visitors original
Younblood cartoons.
Track operator - driver - publisher
Harry Hibler visits with another driver and publisher Jim Adolph
who now is part of the B&M family.
From on top one of the VIP lounges
no matter which direction you looked in the Racing & Performance
building there was the who's who in speed and hot rod products.
Dave Anton and his crew from
American Shine were on hand to demonstrate the best car care
products available.
American Racing wheels have been
a staple for street and strip for over 4 decades and are still
going strong.
A company promoting new
ways of casting speed parts.
Actor Ed Begley was on
hand with the Overhaulin show.
What would a car show be without
Chico and the Mooneyes line of products. Founder Dean Moon was
active in SEMA from the beginning.
Overhaulin's Chip Foose always
attracts lots of fans and media wherever he is.
In the Primedia booth Hot Rod
TV filmed many live shows having the cream of the industry on
hand all week.
All the great products of K&N
Filters which is always growing were highlighted.
No matter what kind of
car/hot rod/race car fancied you…they were there.
Celebrities everywhere, George
Barris had a huge display of his creations.
Other automotive personalities included Tommie Johnson Jr., Don
Purdhomme, Larry Dixon, Bob Bondurant, Mario, Marco & Michael
Andretti, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bryan Herta, Jimmie Johnson, Tony
Kanaan, Cory McClenathan, Hot Rod Fuller, Ivan Stewart, Clay
Millican, the entire John Force family, Jack Beckman, Tony Stewart,
Bobby Unser, Gary Scelzi, Parnelli Jones, Ron Capps, Carroll
Shelby, and …well you get the idea.
Gene Winfield always
attracts the pretty girls.
Paxton Automotive was featured
in the same issue that the Ewald Brothers "BankAmericar"
top fuel dragster was featured on the cover and inside…so
they made it part of their display.
 ]
Every new hot engine
made was displayed somewhere in the show.
The size of GM's display
was amazing.
Drift racing exhibitions
took place in the parking lot, very entertaining.
The new issue of Hemmings Muscle
Machines magazine featured the Nitro Night in Escondido event
with a half page size photo of my "Mastercar" Top Fueler
much to my surprise.
Firestone featured their air
bag lifts…we all know they make top of the line tires.
All polished Aluminum
body…lot of work for a show car!
Jess Tyree…one of
drag racings real super stars.
One thing the SEMA Show is famous
for is beautiful girls everywhere!
Bridgestone/Firestone national
account manager Joe Williams stops to enjoy a SEMA beauty.
GMP die cast models had a fabulous
display featuring the Greer-Black & Purdhomme dragster. At
the show they introduced their 1:6 scale model of this car…
all I can say is WOW.
Tom Long of GMP stands proudly
next to his new offer for collectors the Greer-Black & Purdhomme
dragster….a real detailed beauty.
Dave Anton of American Shine
Products stayed busy showin his ever increasing line of products.
Hot Wheel designer Larry Wood
was on hand to sign the limited edition SEMA Show GTO Hot Wheel…yep….a
very long line always.
The Hilton Hotel is attached
to the convention center…and Elvis was their star performer
for many years so in tribute a full sized bronze of the star
sits in front of the hotel.
Super master of ceremonies
Dave McCellan hosted the awards breakfast.
The ever changing landscape of
the Strip…another hotel rises… construction goes on
24/7.
All aluminum - all polished
- Milodon 426 Hemi.
Mopar showed a nice cut-away
of their new Hemi.
The new 392 Hemi crate
engine.
2006 and 14 time world
champion John Force's 8000 horsepower Hemi.
During the show the last day
of the Stardust Hotel hit… it closed forever about 12 hours
after I took these photos.
Some of the George Barris
display...
In a large tent outside the TV
show Overhaulin crew sets up for the rebuild they plan.
The new Champ Car design
made it's first appearance.
Two icons in our business…Kenny
Youngblood and Linda Vaughn.
The new 2007 Challenger
- brother Don wants one!
Mopar's booth featured every
engine they made, Garlits' SR III and a bunch of muscle cars.
American Racing had a
car in their display you had to see to believe...
The big names in racing
everywhere.
Dave Crower shows his
wares.
Many famous race cars
of the past were on display.
A turbo charged diesel
dragster???
Mike & Donna Bosso's perfect
'57 Nomad was just one of the over 2000 display cars at this
year's show.
Vegas at night…when
it looks it's best.
The Downtown Experience light
show shows how much Las Vegas is into racing with shows covering
drag racing and NASCAR...done very well.
OK, I had to pose with a couple
of the beauties, especially since they represented Bridgestone/Firestone.
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