Emcee Dave McClelland hosts proceedings at the 2007 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.
The annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on Friday, July 25, serves to not only thank the association's outgoing Board members and welcome those newly elected, but also to announce the newest inductees into the SEMA Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are Raymond Bleiweis, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Corky Coker and Robert Cook—an elite group of industry innovators and pioneers who have played a key role in the automotive specialty-equipment market.
This year's event is further underscored by a program of charitable fundraising activities that includes a golf tournament, the Pinewood Drag Race and a silent auction.
Proceeds from all fundraising benefits SEMA's two chosen charities, Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Childhelp aids victims of child abuse and originally began receiving support from wheel manufacturers in 1994 and now garners significant contributions from a wide range of industry businesses.
Victory Junction Gang Camp, founded in 2004 by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, has received support from the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance and others in the industry. Victory Junction uses camping experiences in its racing-themed facilities to enrich the lives of children who suffer from chronic medical conditions or illnesses.
Golf Tournament
The golf tournament begins at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, at the Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine, California. SEMA council members are among those refining their game to challenge for the Council Cup Perpetual Trophy, a friendly competition among councils to prove who has the better hackers.
A special "Council Package" price of $2,000 (a $300 discount) is available for Council Cup competitors. The package includes four rounds of golf at the tournament and dinner for four at the annual gala banquet and charity auction, to be held that evening at the Irvine Hyatt Hotel. At least one active council member must participate in the golf tournament foursome to be eligible for this special pricing offer.
Any foursome consisting of two or more active council members will automatically be entered in the Council Cup Challenge representing their council (be sure to indicate on your registration form which council you are representing).
To register for the golf tournament, click here for the registration form.
Pinewood Drag Race
The Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser will also feature the inaugural SEMA Pinewood Drag Race Sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing. The checkered flag will drop prior to the SEMA Hall of Fame recognition and fundraising activities. According to Race Director Mike Spagnola, the inaugural event will feature three race classes: Stock, Modified and Unlimited.
Those interested in building a Pinewood Drag Race car with the children from Childhelp can join SEMA for a special trip to The Village of Childhelp West in Beaumont, California, where participants can help the kids sand, paint and assemble cars that will run in the Pinewood Drag Race. Contact Mike Spagnola at mike@streetsceneeq.com for details.
For further information about the race and its rules, click here.
Tickets
Tickets and details for the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, including schedule of activities, golf tournament entries and auction donation forms, are available at www.sema.org/gala or by contacting Lisa Moreno at lisam@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 105.
Charity Auction
Finally, SEMA will host a live and silent auction prior to the Banquet, with auction items ranging from sports memorabilia to a 2006 Victory motorcycle owned and donated by Kyle Petty. To donate an item, contact Tricia Ward at triciaw@sema.org. Some of the items include:
Kyle Petty's 2006 Victory Jackpot motorcycle. Donated by Kyle Petty Charity Ride.
Brett Favre-autographed Wilson football. Donated by Rick Rollins.
Gift certificate for a set (four) of Mickey Thompson truck tires up to 35 inches tall. Donated by Mickey Thompson Performance Tire.
Greer Black Dragster replica, 1:6 scale and over 28 inches long. Donated by GMP Die Cast.
Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas—3-day/2-night package. Donated by Planet Hollywood.
2x8 advertising space for one year on the guardwall of Virginia Motorsports Park's dragstrip, home of the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals. Donated by Virginia Motorsports Park.
Other items include:
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A reserved spot on the 2009 Kyle Petty Ride Across America motorcycle ride (includes [9] nights hotel accommodations, fuel for [1] motorcycle at all pit stops—motorcycle not included—all scheduled meals, and a commemorative designer leather jacket). Donated by Kyle Petty Charity Ride.
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Voiceover services for 5- to 7-minute video production for use as point-of-purchase display, product explanation and demonstration, booth exhibit at trade show, product installation, etc. (winning bidder provides copy). Donated by Dave McClelland.
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Voiceover services for a telephone answering device, with opening greeting and any other necessary announcements regarding hours of operation, forwarding to extensions, etc. (winning bidder provides copy). Donated by Dave McClelland.
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Private viewing of the Smith Collection, the world’s largest collection of vintage to exotic racing engines, cars, speed equipment, pedal cars and more, at the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, Nebraska. Tour guided by Bill “Speedy” Smith for (2) groups of four guests (same-day tour required). Includes lunch. Donated by Bill and Joyce Smith.
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Two (2) front stretch tower grandstand tickets to the 2009 Shootout Under the Lights at Daytona International Speedway (February 14, 2009). Includes (2) admissions into the Sprint Fanzone located in the infield. Donated by Daytona International Speedway.
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Gift basket including (2) shirts, $500 gift certificate, Mother’s bucket of detailing items and custom-painted bowling pin. Donated by L&G Enterprises.
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“Trick My Truck” package from Bushwacker, including four painted Bushwacker fender flares.
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Horizon 4 Mammoth Lakes condominium rental. One-bedroom condo for 7 nights sleeps four and includes spa, pool and tennis court. Located near shops, restaurants and across the street from bus stop for Mammoth Mountain. Donated by the Marx Group.
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Two large paintings from the 2007 SEMA Show Banquet. Donated by SEMA.
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Gift certificate for any Superlift, Black Diamond or Level-It lift systems. Donated by Superlift Suspension Systems.
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12-band Maximum Performance digital radar/laser detector with full-color Extreme Bright DataGraphix display. Donated by Cobra Electronics.
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(4) Saturday Top Eliminator Club tickets (TEC) and (1) TEC parking pass for either the 2008 Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals or the 2009 Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, VIP tour and a ride in the Full Throttle Express. Donated by NHRA.