The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the Top 12 finalists in the eighth annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, the event that determines the builder the aftermarket community considers the best. These builders represent an elite group of individuals who have demonstrated extreme talent, creativity, and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks, and SUVs.
The 2021 Battle of the Builders Top 12 finalists are:
HOT ROD
• Mike Fillion — 1956 Oldsmobile 98
• Mark Giambalvo — 1930 Ford Model A 2-Door Sedan
• Robert Matranga –1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
SPORT COMPACT/IMPORT
• Samantha Frazier– 1973 Nissan Datsun 240Z
• Eddie Pettus — 1961 Austin Healey Sprite
• Simo Veharanta — 1982 Porsche 911 RSR
TRUCK & OFF ROAD
• Jeremy Miranda — 1959 Chevrolet Apache
• Kamaka Pocock — 1967 Chevrolet C10
• Bryan Thompson — 1934 Ford Pickup
YOUNG GUNS
• Dayton Jacobson — 2000 Chevrolet S10
• Chelsie Lesnoski — 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD
• Cole Marten — 1991 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR
Industry experts narrowed the field to select the Top 12 finalists, who will now judge one another at the SEMA Show and vote to determine who will be named the Ultimate Builder of the 2021 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.
The SEMA Battle of the Builders winner will be announced before the start of SEMA Ignited, taking place after the trade-only SEMA Show closes, on Friday, November 5, from 3-10 pm, in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) West Hall Parking Lot, (300 Convention Center Drive Las Vegas, NV 89109). Hundreds of vehicles will exit the Las Vegas Convention Center after the SEMA Show for the SEMA Cruise and make their way to SEMA Ignited. Formula Drift demonstrations, exhibitors, products and celebrities from the SEMA Show will be on-hand along with food trucks, music and entertainment.
SEMA Ignited is open to the public and allows enthusiasts a chance to see many of the industry’s latest in automotive accessories on many of the 2021 SEMA Show vehicles that were on display during the 2021 SEMA Show.
To secure a ticket or more information about SEMA Ignited, visit www.semaignited.com. For more information on the competition, visit www.semabotb.com.
The SEMA Show is a tradeshow produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963. Since the first SEMA Show debuted in 1967, the annual event has served as the leading venue bringing together manufacturers and buyers within the automotive specialty equipment industry. Products featured at the SEMA Show include those that enhance the styling, functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of cars and trucks. For more info, visit www.SEMAShow.com or www.sema.org.
