Candystore for Automotive Junkies

By Krista Voda

How does a person spend a week in Las Vegas and NOT see a single show, NOT sample a single buffet, NOT visit a single nightclub, and ONLY gamble away $5!

The answer? SEMA.

This past week, I was in Vegas for the annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association)automotive trade show.  Thousands of products and hundreds of thousands of people, including some famous racers.

Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and Robby Gordon were there. Patrick Long, who won the GT2 championship in the American Le Mans Series was checking out some of the goods. Travis Pastrana, X-games gold medalist and American Rally driver, was signing autographs. Freddie Spencer, the motorcycle legend, unveiled a new bike.

For the NASCAR guys especially, with the season winding down, free time is limited. So why make the special trip?

For Stewart and the Gordons, it was to get some press. Tony got to see his new Hummer for the first time, since being tricked-out by DUB Magazine. Jeff unveiled a new Chip Foose-designed paint scheme for next February's Fontana race. Robby announced a new sponsorship deal for this year's Dakar Rally in December.

For others (including Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch), the show represented the chance to be a consumer. And even though I work in the field, it was unbelieveable to see the number of products available for car-crazies. And once a product is invented, you can bet that the next year, the same product will get even bigger or more advanced.

It got me thinking...how in the world do people even come up with some of the ideas? I, mean, who is sitting at home wondering how to get Swarovski crystals embedded on their car? Ok, sure, actors and rap artists who have money to blow. But what about the "normal" crowd? What products or inventions would we like to see?

Of course, the cars themselves, were unreal! Concept cars that would rival NASA and production cars for the years ahead...it was a great chance to see what the car manufacturers have in store for 2007!

It was a really cool experience...and one that I get to share with you.  You can see everything from this year's show on the Speed Channel special, "SEMA Las Vegas", airing Sunday December 4th at 9 pm, eastern. (shameless plug, i know!).

But seriously, it's a great chance to see all of the cool toys...including Stewart's customized ride, which will certainly stand out on the streets of Indiana!