Ray started his career with his speed shop, Ray Brown Automotive, where he developed and marketed the first-ever lap-style seat belt sold for passenger car use. He maintained a career at Superior Industries International, a supplier of aluminum alloy wheels to General Motors and other carmakers. But he was also a racer, gaining Southern California Timing Association timing tags at the dry lakes with his legendary 1932 roadster, and he made history at Bonneville by running a Chrysler Hemi, making it a household word.

Carl’s colorful career spans the full spectrum of experiences in the performance and racing industry. He has driven a fuel dragster, served on the staff of SEMA as Technical and Legislative Director and on the Board of Directors, has promoted the sport of drag racing internationally, working as a consultant to race facilities, and serving as a vice president at the NHRA. Carl’s many accomplishments include a Winternationals title, membership in Cragar’s Five-Second Club for Top Fuelers and a place in history as the winner of the last drag race held at Southern California’s Lions Drag Strip.

Carl’s Dodge 426 Hemi-Powered AA/Fuel Dragster is proudly displayed at SEMA’s Headquarters, in Diamond Bar, California. This dragster is a thing of beauty both on and off the strip. Under the skilled hands of driver Carl Olson, the machine has run consistently in the six second area and has hit a flying 230 mph through the traps.

A longtime member of the staff at Chevrolet, Vince Piggins recognized the value to a carmaker of a good working relationship with the specialty automotive aftermarket. He encouraged small companies to design and market accessories for all car makes, but in particular, for Chevrolet. He is reportedly responsible for helping with development of the Camaro Z/28 package.

A longtime member of the TRW staff, Alan’s expertise was in the field of international trade, in particular the export of U.S.-made automotive replacement parts.

Dan Borré worked as a marketing specialist and was employed at Keith Black Racing Engines. Additionally, he generously has been a SEMA Memorial Scholarship subfund sponsor.

Dick served for many years on the staff at Petersen Publishing Company, where he started as a cartoonist. He advanced to become publisher of Car Craft magazine, and later took the reigns of Motor Trend. His successes in publishing, based on his marketing abilities, are legend. He also helped to establish the National Champion Custom Car Show.

As general manager, George was responsible for the success of Argus Publishers and its flagship magazine, Popular Hot Rodding, and is credited with helping to grow the company to reach more than 20 markets in the U.S. and to launch various television series. George delved into motorsports television production before opening the Elliott Marketing Group. He was also a respected racer, with first-place finishes in the Baja 1000 and the first-ever Baja 500. He served on the SEMA Board of Directors and was saluted for his many successes during his term as Chairman of the Board from 1991 to 1994. He was named Man of the Year by the Racers for Christ, and the International Show Car Association awarded him its Founders Award in 1993. George also received the George Hurst Drag Racing Journalism Award. He served as president of the International Hot Rod Association.

President and CEO of Edelbrock Equipment Co., Vic Jr., born Otis Victor Edelbrock, said of his career, “I learned the business by starting out in the shop, sweeping floors.” Vic helped grow the company his dad, Vic Sr., created into a major name among hot-rodders, racers and all auto enthusiasts. Vic was also the first son to join his father in the SEMA Hall of Fame. With the death of his father in 1962, Vic Jr. assumed the position of company president at the young age of 26. He served on the SEMA Board of Directors from 1967 to 1989 and as the Board’s Chairman from 1971 to 1975. During his first SEMA presidency term, he formed the first group of committees dealing with environmental issues, including emissions regulations. Vic Jr. was named to the PWA Hall of Fame and was its Person of the Year in 1982 and 1987. His other accomplishments also include being recipient of the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

Don started with a small store in New Jersey called Don’s Speed Shop, an operation that grew to include a full-service warehouse and a chain of stores on the East Coast that marketed full lines of hot rod and performance equipment. Another notable achievement by Don stemmed from a meeting in his hotel room during the 1969 SEMA Show. There, the first meeting of the PWA took place, as there was a push to recognize warehouse distributors. Over time, the SEMA Board of Directors allowed WDs to sit in on meetings, then eventually to be on the board itself. Don was awarded PWA’s first Pioneer Award in 1981, and has been named SEMA WD of the Year.

The name Douglass on a muffler was a seal of highest quality.  Howard formed the Douglass Mufflers company during the 1950s, when straight-through mufflers on hot rods were all the rage and discriminating car builders demanded excellence. He was truly one of the first header/muffler companies to begin making production-type aftermarket exhaust systems.