Bill Howell
11-07-2011, 12:01 PM
WOW about covers it, just WOW!
For the first time in several years, I did not have to deal with hauling a car out, so for once, I did not go out until Tuesday. Honestly, somewhere between getting there on Saturday and Tuesday is the correct amount of time. This year I felt rushed to see and do it all, most years I am board by the end of the trip. Next year, I will go on Monday..haha
Melinda and I arrived on Tuesday evening and it was wide open the rest of the week. The crowd at SEMA has been lacking the last couple of years with the economy woes, but they really seemed to be back this year in force, people everywhere on the floor all week, which is a good sign for the hobby.
Wednesday was our first day on the floor and I have to say I may have covered 1/3 of Hot Rod Alley that day, just trying to see a few key folks. You run into so many people you know and do business with during the year that it is really tough to do any business at all on the floor.
Being a part of Optima Batteries now and knowing before hand they would introduce the new Optima Battery Chargers, I was excited to actually get to see one and learn all about it. I know of the months of work that have gone into getting that ready for SEMA so it was nice to see it all come together. Also, Optima's new display, which is actually a Truck and Trailer that will be at events next year was a real hit to those I talked to-way to go team OPTIMA.
Getting to see Bill Goldberg's new car in person was another thing on my list. I have worked all year helping him get the best of the best on that car and it was satisfying to see it sitting there, ready to race.
Wednesday Night, Albert had his party announcing the opening of Carbon Kustoms new website and all of us had worn the new shirts for TEAM COCHICE, his entry for OUSCI. It was there, sporting the all new all carbon fiber front end. It is painted blue, so certainly my favor color on a firebird. He had worried early in the day about no one showing up for the party, funny. What a crowd, thanks Albert for yet another great time.
Thursday was another busy day. Optima announced the final 10 golden pass winners for the OUSCI. I was so happy to see Chris Jacobs get an invite. Chris has been at several events the last couple years and is certainly what this sport is all about so it was good to see him get the chance to run at OUSCI.
Thursday evening was the 11th annual Pro-touring Dinner and our first time at the newly remodeled showroom at the Clarion, formally the Greek Isles. To say the crowd has grown is an understatement. We had almost 300 people there and turned away several. The dinner was about three hours long, but much had to be covered and I am not sure how we could have cut much out of the agenda. Larry has booked that room for next year, so plan early to get your tickets.
Friday was a whirlwind of events, not sure where the day went, but 4pm came way too quickly and we went from SEMA mode to OUSCI mode. Believe it or not, it was raining when all the cars pulled out of the lot heading to Pahrump. I felt good knowing that there is a reason Treadwear is 200, since they are actually streetcars that may be forced to drive in the rain. I bet several will get their heaters and wipers fixed now...haha
Saturday started very early, but soon the sun was up, temps got better cars started pouring in the track. I must say that this year's group of competitors were a huge step up. A mid-pack car last year would have done good to be in the field this year. There was a benchmark run done on the big track early in the day so people would have something to shoot at. By the end of the day, that benchmark had been beaten by 10 seconds, TEN seconds. WOW!
I had never done this but I twitted all day updates as things happened. Thanks to those that followed that. I am not sure that is my calling, but it was fun to keep everyone abreast about what was going on and to be the first to let people know the final results.
Congratulations to Danny Popp for the final win, even though there was a tie between he and Mark Stielow for the top spot. That is how close the competition has gotten. I find it pretty cool that the past two winners now have come from the Motorstate Qualifier. You just never know where the Ultimate Street Car is located, do you.
For the first time in my life, I took a redeye flight home Sunday morning. I promise, I will never do that again. It is Monday afternoon now and I am still not caught up on my sleep, I must be getting old.
For the first time in several years, I did not have to deal with hauling a car out, so for once, I did not go out until Tuesday. Honestly, somewhere between getting there on Saturday and Tuesday is the correct amount of time. This year I felt rushed to see and do it all, most years I am board by the end of the trip. Next year, I will go on Monday..haha
Melinda and I arrived on Tuesday evening and it was wide open the rest of the week. The crowd at SEMA has been lacking the last couple of years with the economy woes, but they really seemed to be back this year in force, people everywhere on the floor all week, which is a good sign for the hobby.
Wednesday was our first day on the floor and I have to say I may have covered 1/3 of Hot Rod Alley that day, just trying to see a few key folks. You run into so many people you know and do business with during the year that it is really tough to do any business at all on the floor.
Being a part of Optima Batteries now and knowing before hand they would introduce the new Optima Battery Chargers, I was excited to actually get to see one and learn all about it. I know of the months of work that have gone into getting that ready for SEMA so it was nice to see it all come together. Also, Optima's new display, which is actually a Truck and Trailer that will be at events next year was a real hit to those I talked to-way to go team OPTIMA.
Getting to see Bill Goldberg's new car in person was another thing on my list. I have worked all year helping him get the best of the best on that car and it was satisfying to see it sitting there, ready to race.
Wednesday Night, Albert had his party announcing the opening of Carbon Kustoms new website and all of us had worn the new shirts for TEAM COCHICE, his entry for OUSCI. It was there, sporting the all new all carbon fiber front end. It is painted blue, so certainly my favor color on a firebird. He had worried early in the day about no one showing up for the party, funny. What a crowd, thanks Albert for yet another great time.
Thursday was another busy day. Optima announced the final 10 golden pass winners for the OUSCI. I was so happy to see Chris Jacobs get an invite. Chris has been at several events the last couple years and is certainly what this sport is all about so it was good to see him get the chance to run at OUSCI.
Thursday evening was the 11th annual Pro-touring Dinner and our first time at the newly remodeled showroom at the Clarion, formally the Greek Isles. To say the crowd has grown is an understatement. We had almost 300 people there and turned away several. The dinner was about three hours long, but much had to be covered and I am not sure how we could have cut much out of the agenda. Larry has booked that room for next year, so plan early to get your tickets.
Friday was a whirlwind of events, not sure where the day went, but 4pm came way too quickly and we went from SEMA mode to OUSCI mode. Believe it or not, it was raining when all the cars pulled out of the lot heading to Pahrump. I felt good knowing that there is a reason Treadwear is 200, since they are actually streetcars that may be forced to drive in the rain. I bet several will get their heaters and wipers fixed now...haha
Saturday started very early, but soon the sun was up, temps got better cars started pouring in the track. I must say that this year's group of competitors were a huge step up. A mid-pack car last year would have done good to be in the field this year. There was a benchmark run done on the big track early in the day so people would have something to shoot at. By the end of the day, that benchmark had been beaten by 10 seconds, TEN seconds. WOW!
I had never done this but I twitted all day updates as things happened. Thanks to those that followed that. I am not sure that is my calling, but it was fun to keep everyone abreast about what was going on and to be the first to let people know the final results.
Congratulations to Danny Popp for the final win, even though there was a tie between he and Mark Stielow for the top spot. That is how close the competition has gotten. I find it pretty cool that the past two winners now have come from the Motorstate Qualifier. You just never know where the Ultimate Street Car is located, do you.
For the first time in my life, I took a redeye flight home Sunday morning. I promise, I will never do that again. It is Monday afternoon now and I am still not caught up on my sleep, I must be getting old.