By Juan Torres
 Dylan Coleman won the Young Guns category at AutoCon Los Angeles, March 26. |
 Coleman and his ’96 BMW M3 e36 will now travel to Las Vegas to participate in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition during the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3. |
Dylan Coleman of Bel Air, California, became the first beneficiary of SEMA’s efforts this year to promote younger car builders through its 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns initiative when he won the Young Guns category at AutoCon Los Angeles, March 26. Coleman and his ’96 BMW M3 e36 will now travel to Las Vegas to participate in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition during the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3.
“It’s super sick and super rewarding to win and get the opportunity to compete in Battle of the Builders,” said Coleman. “The car wasn’t running by the time of last year’s SEMA Show, but once I heard SEMA was offering this prize, I was driven to finish the car on time.”
SEMA’s Young Guns program was created to support young builders in their efforts and recognize them as the future of the industry, and this year the association has partnered with regional car shows to highlight builders 27 years old or younger and send six of them to the 2017 SEMA Show.
“We know that there are many amazing and talented young vehicle builders who may not have an exhibitor to sponsor their vehicle at the SEMA Show,” said Ira Gabriel, SEMA vice president of marketing, public relations and communications. “By partnering with AutoCon, Bonnier and Goodguys, we hope to recognize and encourage young builders to continue customizing vehicles.”
In addition to the opportunity to compete in the Battle of the Builders program, the SEMA Young Guns prize package includes an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, transportation of the winner’s vehicle and a designated feature spot at the Show.
Battle of the Builders participants also get a chance to be a part of the SEMA Cruise during SEMA Ignited and possibly be featured in the Battle of the Builders TV show. The TV special and SEMA Ignited make it possible for consumers to connect with manufacturers and see the great new products and trends that debut at the trade-only SEMA Show.
“We are excited to be involved with the SEMA Show and SEMA Battle of the Builders this year,” said Justing Fong, president and co-founder of AutoCon. “It will be interesting to see what these Young Guns come up with and their unique builds.”
Coleman, who initially had no real purpose for his car build except to get it done, is looking forward to the 2017 SEMA Show experience.
“Now that I’ve won, I’m focused on ensuring the car is 100% ready for Battle of the Builders at the SEMA Show and generating as much exposure as possible,” he said. “It will be great to help highlight young builders my age and see my car go up against other amazing builds.”
Another Young Guns prize package will be awarded at AutoCon New York on June 10. Event information and details are available at www.autoconevents.com.
For more information about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the SEMA Young Guns regional program, visit www.semashow.com/botb.