SEMA Members Contribute to SEMA Scholarship Fund Through eBay Motors Auctions

Dodge has donated a ’11 Charger and a ’11 Avenger to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The two cars will be modified by SEMA-member companies and will be auctioned by eBay Motors. A full 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit scholarship and loan-forgiveness recipients. In addition, legendary engine builder Ed Pink will donate a dyno-tested 400hp Ford 302 engine to the fund. The engine will also be auctioned on eBay, with all proceeds going to support SEMA scholarships.

Each year, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund distributes between $100,000–$150,000 in scholarships to deserving students who plan to pursue careers in the automotive industry. The distributions include awards for vocational schools and two-year, four-year and postgraduate work, with a percentage designated for the families of employees of SEMA-member companies. There is also a Loan Forgiveness Program to help repay student loans for employees of SEMA-member firms. This year, three eBay auctions will contribute significant awards to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

With the participation of SEMA-member performance parts manufacturers as well as Dodge and legendary engine builder Ed Pink, the fund will this year benefit from eBay auctions of a modified Dodge Charger, a Dodge Avenger and a complete, dyno-tested 302 Ford engine. The eBay auctions will take place prior to the SEMA Show.

The Avenger features best-in-class V6 fuel economy (19/29 mpg) and is one of the most affordable V6 midsize sedans available today. The Charger features all-new modern heritage-inspired design and a best-in-class combination of power and fuel efficiency from its 5.7L V8 Hemi, which boasts 370 hp while achieving 16/25 mpg fuel efficiency.

Both Dodge vehicles will be built in the Hurst/Aria facility, with Aria serving as the design engineers and artists for both cars. The Charger will be the only Charger that Hurst will customize this year. Plans include Hurst wheels and tires, a Katzkin Leather interior with red and black Hurst logos in the headrests, an Eibach suspension setup, Flowmaster exhaust, a Hurst shifter and badges for the interior and exterior, Hurst floor mats from Star West, and a Grant steering wheel.

The Avenger is being built by Mike Spagnola at Street Scene Equipment and will be designed with colors and looks that are complimentary to those of the Charger, including Hurst logos in the headrests and Star West mats with Hurst designs.

“Dodge, Hurst, Street Scene Equipment, eBay and the other sponsors are providing their products and services at no charge,” said Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Scholarship Committee. “That means 100% of the proceeds from the auction will go to the fund. Those contributions will go a long way toward helping deserving students to achieve their goal of working in the automotive and specialty-equipment industries. All of the participating companies deserve our thanks and the recognition that they are helping to build our future.”

The Ford 302 engine is targeted to produce in excess of 400 hp but will be designed for long-term street durability. It is applicable to many niche markets, including street rods, Cobra kit cars, custom classic trucks, Mustang restomods and other street-performance applications.

“Ed Pink Racing Engines is exceptionally well qualified to perform the build and will bring tremendous cache to the project,” said SEMA Scholarship Committee member and project coordinator Bill Holland. “While ‘The Old Master’ is probably best known for his exploits with fuel-burning SOHC Ford and Chrysler Hemi engines, the company has expanded beyond its drag-racing roots and has built many highly successful engines for IndyCar, Midget, Sprint Car and Endurance Road Racing applications. Ed Pink Racing Engines General Manager Frank Honsowetz and owner Tom Malloy have a cadre of highly qualified, experienced technicians who will assist in the building and testing of this engine at the Ed Pink Racing Engines facility in Van
Nuys, California.”

For more information about the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund or the eBay auctions, contact SEMA Education Director Jamie Eriksen via e-mail at jamiee@SEMA.org or 909/978-6737.