PDA

View Full Version : Pro-Touring.com hits SEMA 2007



Larry Callahan
11-06-2007, 07:35 PM
https://www.pro-touring.com/events/SEMA/SEMA2006/logo-2006-sponsor.jpg

I survived another show and I already can't wait for 2008. I saw more cool rides then I can remember and I met a lot of great new people. For me the greatest part about SEMA is the people. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the cars but being able to shake the hand and share a beer with those you have only e-mailed or talked to on a message board does it for me. That's the reason I set up our first SEMA dinner 7 years ago. Despite my being a nervous wreck speaking in front of a crowd it's still one of the best days of the year for me.

Our dinner has really become something that I look forward to and there are a lot of people to thank. Once again Bill Howell stepped up and did most of the talking and for that I thank him. I don't know what I would do without him there. I also need to thank our dinner sponsors. Without all the support of all of them especially Paul Clark at Hydratech Braking Systems (http://www.hydratechbraking.com/), Kyle & Stacy Tucker of Detroit Speed & Engineering (http://www.detroitspeed.com/) and John Hotchkis of Hotchkis Suspension (http://www.hotchkis.net/) our dinners would have ended a few years ago.

I also want to thank everyone for all the great door prizes. I swear one of these years I'm just going run with all the parts and finish my own car. LOL! We gave away a set of wheels from bonspeed (http://www.bonspeed.com/), carbon fiber from Anvil Auto (http://www.anvilauto.com/), a Hydroboost system from Hydratech (http://www.hydratechbraking.com/), Marquez Design & Fbrication (http://www.marquezdesign.com/) billet parts, big gift certificates from Detroit Speed & Engineering (http://www.detroitspeed.com/), Hotchkis Suspension (http://www.hotchkis.net/), Air Ride Technologies (http://www.ridetech.com/), Vintage Air (http://www.vintageair.com/), American Autowire (http://www.vintageair.com/), Ron Davis Radiators (http://www.rondavisradiators.com/), Hermance Design (http://www.hermancedesign.com), Swartz Extreme Performance (http://www.schwartzperformance.com/), Musclerodz (http://www.musclerodz.com/), Optima Batteries (http://www.optimabatteries.com/) and more. We had shirts and hats and DVD's and Goodie bags from Goodies Speed Shop (http://www.goodies-speedshop.com/), Popular Hot Rodding Magazine (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/index.html) brought tons of stuff and we even gave away custom designed sponsor t-shirts this year.

The final prize of the night came from GPSuperStore (http://www.gpsuperstore.com/). They gave away a Prodigy Custom (http://www.prodigycustoms.com/) Total Car brake package including Wilwood (http://www.wilwood.com/) front and rear brakes, Prodigy Customs (http://www.prodigycustoms.com/) Master, E brake Cables, Braided hoses, Fluid, Safety wire and even the safety wire pliers. Heck, they even offered to install them if the winner wants to bring the car down. Now that's what you call a complete package.


I also need to thank Mary Pozzi, Chuck, Joey, Michael and the gang at Prodigy Customs (http://www.prodigycustoms.com/). Without their help setting up, working the door and pedaling shirts I don't know what I would have done. I thank you all once again.

As usual our dinner was a full house and with that there is a funny story. It's funny now but it was not funny a few weeks ago. If you have one of our SEMA shirts look at the logo in the center on the back. Notice the playing cards under the words "Full House"? Well, I don't play poker much and the first version had a picture of a royal flush under the text. It wasn't until after I had the screens made that Carl Casanova pointed it out to me. So, I had to have the screens re-made but luckily the shirts were not being printed until the next morning. Phew! I'm glad Carl was paying attention. I could not imagine the harassment I would have received by giving away shirts in of all places Las Vegas.

Watch for more pictures and stories soon from our dinner and some cool stuff I found at SEMA. For those of you that didn't make it in this year please join us next year. We have found a new location close by. It's the Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino (http://www.mardigrasinn.com/). From the south hall I was able to limp there in under six minutes. Watch for discounted hotel room rates and info soon.

For now please check out our pictures by clicking here (https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=11798). Also, if you have any pictures of our dinner I would love to have them and put them in our gallery. Please e-mail them to [email protected]

Bill Howell
11-07-2007, 04:18 PM
Only one small problem Larry. Looking at the sponsor give away shirts, I noticed it has 3 black aces making up the full house......you California guys play some strange poker......hehe

As I have said before, this dinner is always on top of my list of things to do at SEMA. From the Bonspeed wheels to the Wilwood brakes and all the ones in between, the prizes were just over the top.
I just wished I would have won a calender......hehe

Damn True
11-07-2007, 04:36 PM
I gotta go to SEMA one of these years. But alas....I'm not in "the industy" and I am not nearly media whore enough to gab my way in.

TonyL
11-07-2007, 04:45 PM
Man, I regret not going this year. (stupid work.) I won't miss it again. Those prizes are INSANE! I can't wait to see the pictures from the dinner!

What was the dessert?

protouring70
11-07-2007, 06:16 PM
O.K. I have a problem!!!!
How can I explain to my WIFE that we should spend our anniversary at SEMA. Can I have a special table at the dinner with candles!!!!!!!!!!!:hail: :hail: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

CarlC
11-07-2007, 07:04 PM
O.K. I have a problem!!!!
How can I explain to my WIFE that we should spend our anniversary at SEMA. Can I have a special table at the dinner with candles!!!!!!!!!!!:hail: :hail: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sure, buy eight tickets and we'll bring some choice candles!

I agree with Larry, it's the people. I drove up Thursday morning to spend 1/2-day Thursday and Friday at the show. The main reason I went was the dinner and the gatherings afterward. It makes it worthwhile.

Also, after the dinner some of us went to the Vodoo Lounge at the Rio. It was great until they closed the lower level and forced us to the upper. I bailed then. I did think how cool it would be tosit on one of the outside sofas and have a cocktail with my wife (she's cool with the lady dancers.)

Perhaps in the spring we ought to start a thread where SEMA passes can be swapped. Some cannot go but are eligible for passes. I'll bet those who cannot get passes would be willing to pay the fees, and it would help the original owners keep their legacy registration going. Once the passes are mailed nobody checks them for correct identification.