SEMA Day One Round Up

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Show images courtesy Chadly Johnson

Day one of SEMA 2019 ended breathlessly as Mopar announced the track only Drag Pak with Leah Pritchett revving the beast up on stage, but that reveal was characteristic of SEMA so far -- an exciting build up, sure, but a product slightly left of what the audience wanted. While that swerve was best exemplified by Ford's epic tease of the new Bronco or Bronco R, only to unveil Jay Leno's beautifully restored Bronco instead, it's safe to say that many of the big moments so far have been about waves of excitement followed by, "Well, that's cool, but..."

On the other hand, off road continues to DOMINATE the landscape. From Recaro's foray into off-road safety seating to Wheel Vintiques' (also owned by Legendary Brands) steel off-road wheel offering to the epic number of campers and tents perched on top of vehicles, the overland market is hot. And the Bronco builds are ready to sail right in!

Still, what makes SEMA fun is the way industry trends run through the show floor, balanced by fantastic new products and exciting applications of classic toys.

Recaro made a big announcement courtesy of Vaughn Gittin. The race and performance safety seat company has developed two off-road seats as part of collaboration with Gittin, changing the safety game in off-road racing and performance long-term.

Off-road enthusiasts experienced the new Recaro Cross Sportster ORV and Pro Racer SPG XL ORV for the first time at the press conference, and got to hear first hand what goes into this experience along the X-axis.

From Recaro: "The new Recaro Cross Sportster ORV is tailored to meet off-road vehicle high-performance needs. Its snug, supportive seat structure and side bolsters are designed for excellent shoulder and torso support. They stabilize the body against lateral forces, cocooning it like a second skin. Its highly-effective vibration-damping foam and the particularly robust cover materials make it perfectly suited for a ride over hedges or ditches. The flat seat cushion with low side bolsters also allows for easy access. The integrated headrest, backrest adjustment and release, and the integrated side mount for length adjustment provide Recaro-level seating comfort and sporty performance.

The new Recaro Pro Racer SPG XL ORV addresses off-road race car requirements. It is ergonomically designed to provide outstanding support and protection for the back and neck against all the forces of a dirt track. The specially designed head surrounding for better visibility, the friction grip surface around the shoulders, and the highly-effective energy-absorbing cushion foam are essential when pushing off-road race cars to the limit. The seat is suitable for 4-, 5- or 6-point belts as well as for the use of HANS systems. Its particularly robust cover materials are weather and abrasion-resistant."

The Recaro Cross Sportster ORV and Pro Racer SPG XL ORV, as well as pricing information, will be available in 2020.

Shelby is on a roll as of late, first with the release of the 2020 Shelby Gt500 and now with two new concept vehicles sure to get people buzzing.

The first will be the 2020 Shelby Gt500 Dragon Snake. The Dragon Snake was a moniker used by Shelby during the 1960s, Shelby American offered a drag racing focused iteration of the GT500 called the "Dragonsnake." We can already hear those keyboards clacking away as the Demon Vs. Dragonsnake debates are looming. Power figures for the Dragonsnake are said to be in the 800s, plus a modified suspension and specialty equipment. Shelby is also considering a widebody option the Supersnake had.

The next concept vehicle will be the 2020 Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport truck. It's been a while since we've seen a proper sport truck from Ford. This truck is a little more Lightning and a little less Raptor. The Supersnake truck features a Shelby specific lowered suspension, 755 horsepower supercharged V8, throbbing exhaust note, stylish wheels, and new brake system. The exterior was revised for a meaner and more aero look, while the interior has the Shelby amenities expected of a super truck.

Kalitta Motorsports, the seven-time NHRA world championship winning team, and NGK Spark Plugs announced an exclusive multi-year partnership today at SEMA that pairs the world’s leading spark plug brand to one of the most legendary teams in motorsports. The marketing partnership, which will officially begin in 2020, will see every race car in the Kalitta Motorsports stable use NGK Spark Plugs in all NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events.

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with NGK Spark Plugs,” said Chad Head, Kalitta Motorsports General Manager. “The Kalitta team, led by Connie Kalitta, has been one of the most innovative and creative motorsports organizations for 60 years. We feel the partnership with NGK Spark Plugs will continue this tradition of performance excellence and championship results.”

With over 80 years of automotive expertise, NGK Spark Plugs has been driven by extreme dedication to performance and quality. From OEM to aftermarket, their team pushes the boundaries of innovation to bring the latest technologies to market under the NGK and NTK brands.

Over one year in the making; product, engineering and testing teams from NGK Spark Plugs and Kalitta Motorsports have worked together to develop designs to maximize the performance and durability of a spark plug that can withstand the conditions of a nitro-fueled engine.

“This partnership represents the teaming of two iconic brands in the world of high-performance drag racing,” stated Mark Boyle – NGK General Manager, Product. “Our expertise in design, material engineering and proprietary ceramic technology have all been integrated to deliver a racing plug to match the championship caliber of the Kalitta Motorsports team. We look forward to sharing mutual success.”

SEMA announced the Top 50 builders for the Battle of the Builders Competition. Our very own booth friend Brian Bergeron made it in the Sport Compact division with his 1987 Porsche 944.

HOT RODS
Dave Lane -- 1932 Ford Victoria
Eric Peratt -- 1936 Ford Roadster
Garret Kitchen -- 1968 Plymouth Barracuda
Gary Corkell -- 1932 Ford Phantom
Jeremy Gerber -- 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2
JF Launier -- 1964 Pontiac Acadian
Jim & Mike Ring -- 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Paul VanNus -- 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Talbert Goldman -- 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle
Troy Gudgel -- 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

SPORT COMPACT
Brian Bergeron -- 1987 Porsche 944
Edison Sarkisyan -- 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder
George Dalmakis -- 1973 BMW 2002
Jordan Henke -- 1973 Toyota Celica
Josh Croll -- 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Louie Shefchik -- 1968 Iso Rivolta
Richard Gutierrez -- 1985 Toyota Corolla
Tim Lajambe -- 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 EVO
TJ Russell -- 1991 Porsche 911
Todd Budde -- 1993 Mazda RX-7

TRUCKS/OFF-ROAD
Craig Piggott -- 1983 Chevrolet C/20 Camper
Daniel Smalley -- 1955 Chevrolet Crew Cab
Darin Smith -- 1972 Chevrolet C-10 Shortbed
Eddie Pettus -- 1956 Volvo TP21
Erik Barnlund -- 1972 Ford Bronco
Greg Salzillo -- 1933 Dodge Truck
Jeremy Cheatham -- 1979 Scout II
Mark Giambalvo -- 1965 Chevrolet C-10
Phil Gerber -- 1969 Ford Bronco
Randy Borcherding -- 1955 Chevrolet Truck

YOUNG GUNS
Austin Haynes -- 1970 Chevrolet C-10
Brad Swaney -- 1971 Chevrolet C-10
Chelsie Lesnoski -- 2013 Scion FR-S
Cody Nebeker -- 1930 Chrysler 2-Door
Curtis Larsen -- 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda
Jacob Griffin -- 1975 American Motors Gremlin
Kyle Ray -- 1988 BMW E30
Luke Merrill -- 1940 Chevrolet 2 Door Sedan
Tommy Williams -- 1954 Chevrolet 3100
Zach Zadoo -- 1931 Ford Model A

The Battle of the Builders Top 12 will be announced at the Blue Lot stage, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 1:00 p.m. These 12 finalists, chosen by industry judges, represent the best of the best in the industry.

And of course, the new product award winners were announced.