SEMA 2012
“The Greatest Show on Earth”
Early
in the last century P.T. Barnum dubbed his circus “the greatest show on
earth”. Move over P.T. because the new king of the hill is the annual
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) that is held in
the greatest show town in the world, Vegas. We have covered the
annual SEMA show for the past decade and every year we are thrilled and
amazed. The endless array of custom cars and latest technological
marvels that spring from the minds of our nations top gear heads always
leave us asking ourselves” what can they possible do to top this” ?
This
year’s event was, as we have previously stated, the mother of all car
shows. The annual event takes place in the three million square foot
Las Vegas convention center. To get a grasp on just what three
million square feet of space is try to imagine the space available in
about ten football stadiums. Imagine packing that space with all
the good stuff that we gear heads dream about, (besides beautiful show
girls).
The
show is divided into various sections that cater to every automotive
interest. Those sections include tires and wheels, automotive
manufacturer’s exhibits, performance manufacturing exhibits, off road
and truck equipment and general after market equipment for the
automotive industry. The show also incorporates a huge out door
area that is filled with hundreds of the sweet rods in existence.
The
outdoor area also sports several full sized race tracks that are
constantly ablaze with speed and endurance exhibitions. One of our
favorite areas id General Motors test track that gives anyone so
inclined a chance to take a full “Banzi” run in a ZR1. Sorry the
General will not let you drive the Z on your own, professional driver’s
are there to scare the crap out of you.
Unfortunately
the show is not open to the general public. To gain entry you must be
associated with the automotive industry. The coveted entry badge will
open the gates to the most spectacular automotive event in the
world. If you ever decide to quit your day job and open up a hot
rod company the SEMA show will be a priceless fringe benefit.
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