New Products Award Breakfast Kicks Off 40th SEMA Show

(October 30) In traditional fashion, the SEMA New Products Award breakfast was the first "official" SEMA event scheduled for opening day of the 40th annual SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Calling this a "true power breakfast," master of ceremonies and official voice of SEMA, Dave McClelland began with festivities with an announcement of new Speed Parts Hall of Fame sponsored by Hot Rod Magazine. McClelland pointed out that when the New Products Award breakfast began, there were only 150 people present. He noted that at today's breakfast there were nearly 1,200 people in attendance and more than 1,500 new products were judged and narrowed down to the 12 category winners.

The first 10 inductees into the Speed Parts Hall of Fame were:
1. 1963 Torq-Thrust wheel from American Racing
2. Hurst 4-speed shifter with flat stick and white cue ball knob
3. Hilborn mechanical fuel injection
4. Auto Meter 5-inch tachometer
5. M&H Racemaster drag racing slicks
6. Bell 500 helmet
7. Crager SS wheels
8. Holley 3310 carburetor
9. Flowmaster chambered muffler
10. Roller cam lifters from Isky

Two new awards were established as the Hot Wheels award winners were announced for best truck and best car for innovation and style. Best custom car and truck were also presented as Mike Terzich won for his 1967 Ford Mustang and Envision Wheels won for their early 1960s Chevrolet truck.

McClelland then introduced special guest Dr. Dick Berggren, publisher of Speedway Illustrated and currently the pit reporter for FOX's NASCAR television race coverage.

Berggren brought back memories as he recalled the original SEMA Show which was held "under the grand stands at Dodger stadium" in 1967 and there were 98 booths. Today, there are more than 2,100 booths and 15 miles of aisles to walk.

There were two double winners in the awards categories: PLX Devices won in two categories for their PLX OBD organic LED gauge which can read up to 52 sensors in the vehicles. They won for "Best New Interior Accessory" and "Best New Mobile Electronics Entertainment Product."

Go Rhino! Was also a double winner, taking the trophies for "Best New Pickup/SUV/Van Product" and "Best New Exterior Accessory Product."

Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product was awarded to Rancho Myride, Best New Packaging Design award went to Auto Meter for their Street Rod Display Package, Best Engineered New Product went to JME Pro Series Mustang Suspension, and Best New Performance-Street Product (presented by our very own Styling & Performance magazine) went to Nitrous Express.

Best New Street Rod/Custom Car Product when to Barry Grant for the Demon 98 carburetor which is a direct replacement for the Stromberg 97 carburetor, Best New Performance-Racing Product went to COMP Performance Group for the new adjustable drag race torque converter, Best New Merchandising Display award went to the Truck Accessories Group for their Gear-It-Up counter display and Best New Tools & Equipment Product (awarded by our own Motor Age magazine and presented by Group Vice President Jim Savas) went to the Warn-Work Pullzall (pictured, right).

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.