SEMA News—March 2017
SEMA EVENTS
Built by Omix-ADA and Petty’s Garage, the Charity Vehicle Now Heads for Auction
 NASCAR legend Richard Petty stands beside the completed Jeep outside his Level Cross facility in North Carolina. The vehicle project holds special significance for Petty, who dedicated it to the memory of his grandson Adam. |
In what has become an annual tradition, Omix-ADA recently unveiled a project Jeep built in support of SEMA Cares, the association’s program benefitting children’s charities. The debut took place at the recent 50th anniversary SEMA Show in Las Vegas. After its unveiling at SEMA Central, the vehicle served as a dramatic conversation piece, raising vital awareness for SEMA Cares charitable efforts within the automotive aftermarket.
 The 2016 SEMA Cares Jeep—a joint creation of Omix-ADA and Petty’s Garage—heightened awareness for SEMA Cares charities at SEMA Central during the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The highly customized vehicle is now slated for auction to benefit Victory Junction, a camp dedicated to children affected by serious medical conditions. |
 From front to rear, the Jeep’s powerful looks and real-life ability promise its lucky winning bidder a true trail-blazing vehicle benefitting a worthy children’s cause. |
 The 2016 Hydro Blue JK Rubicon was transformed into the “ultimate off-road masterpiece” through the addition of a full array of Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge parts and accessories and emblazoned with logos, leaving no doubt as to its prestigious heritage and purpose. |
The custom Jeep represents the fourth time that the Jeep accessories manufacturer and wholesaler has partnered with SEMA Cares. The vehicle now will go on to auction at Mecum Houston this April, with the proceeds earmarked for Victory Junction, a camp dedicated to enriching the lives of children affected by serious illness or chronic medical conditions.
The 2016 project Jeep was crafted by the automotive experts at Petty’s Garage in Level Cross, North Carolina. A high-performance speed shop founded by famed stock-car racer Richard Petty in 2008, the garage is known for its high-end, precision vehicle builds. In fact, Petty’s involvement with the SEMA Cares Jeep is especially poignant because Victory Junction is a child-help facility inspired by and operating as a living tribute to Petty’s grandson Adam, who was lost in a racing accident in 2000. As a teenager, Adam, who had a passion for helping children, dreamed of developing such a camp in the hills of North Carolina. After his death, the Petty family took up his passion, supporting children’s causes in Adam’s memory.
“This is the fourth year we are partnering with SEMA Cares, with this year’s charity being Victory Junction,” said Henk Van Dongen, Omix-ADA director of marketing. “Al Azadi, owner of Omix-ADA, decided many years ago that he should give back to the communities that have provided him and his family with so much over the past decades. Each year, he makes donations related to health, the automotive aftermarket industry, local charities and many more. SEMA Cares is one of the charities that is near to us, as it relates to the aftermarket and our industry at large.”
The custom Petty’s Garage-built Jeep Wrangler JKU began life as a stock 2016 Hydro Blue JK Rubicon and was transformed into the “ultimate off-road masterpiece” through the addition of a full array of Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge parts and accessories—many never before seen in the market. Some of the more noteworthy products include the company’s Exo-Top soft top for four-door JK Wranglers, a performance vented hood kit, a Spartan Grille with LED lighting mesh insert, and smooth Hurricane fender flares. Vehicle body protection is further enhanced by a Spartacus front bumper and Elite Euro Guards, front and rear, while a Spartacus HD tire carrier adds utility.
The already-tough Jeep was made even more rough-and-ready courtesy of new skidplates for the steering, transfer case, engine and transmission. The vehicle rides on a new 4-in. lift kit, Fox shocks and 20x9 HD Wheels wrapped with General Grabber tires, while a fresh adjustable track bar, HD ball joints and steering stabilizer add durability and sure-footedness. A Magnuson supercharger and MagnaFlow exhaust boost performance, and the ability to ford standing water is enhanced through a Rugged Ridge snorkel with pre-filter. Tube doors and various interior upgrades round out the Jeep’s powerful looks and real-life ability to stand up to the elements.
The SEMA Cares Committee was established in 2007 by the SEMA Board of Directors, with an aim to bring the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in the lives of others through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts.
For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.sema.org/sema-cares. For more information on Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge, visit www.omix-ada.com, or call 770-614-6101.
