The Steel Valley Regional XII Filled The Wesbanco Arena

WHEELING, WV (08.14.23) – The new Steel Valley Regional venue at the Wesbanco Arena drew rave reviews from participants at this year’s event that took place July 22nd and 23rd. The Steel Valley Regional (SRV) is the largest indoor Sound Quality competition next to the World Finals.

The Wesbanco Arena floor filled with vehicles for the Sound Quality Competition.

“We had over 500 Score Sheets with around 60 SQ Cars competing over the weekend including cars from Mexico, Florida and California competing at the weekend event. Competitions included SVR Money Round, EMMA, IASCA and MASQ” Larry Chijner related.

Larry Chijner welcomes competitors to the SVR XII event

This year’s show was moved from Mountaineer Casino to Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling WV because the Mountaineer is closing the HARV Arena. Hotel and restaurants accommodations were much improved at the new location as all were10 minutes from the Competition Arena.

Chijner continued “The competitors and judges loved the new Venue and the show was run professionally by Keith Turner from Soundstage Shows and Charles Knight. Keith and Soundstage SQ Shows is one of the major promoters of SQ Shows in the country. Prior to setting up Soundstage Keith has helped me run SVR for many, many years.”

Larry Chijner welcomes competitors to the SVR XII event
Larry Chijner welcomes competitors to the SVR XII event

“Linda Kobyashi and Richard Papasin travelled from the West Coast were on site as invited judges and Richard helped judge the money round and Linda helping with EMMA. The new venue was terrific and this year’s SQ competitors raised the bar with great systems and installations.”

First Place Money Round Winner Natan Budiono with his trophy.
Soundstage team Charles Knight and Keith Turner.

Dave Clews, 12volt Dave’s, once again made the trip from Pottsville PA to compete at the Steel Valley Regional. “Once again it was a terrific weekend. Meeting face-to-face with industry members and competitors is always super. The new venue is super and I look forward the the 2024 SVR.”

Top 10 Money Round winners with their awards.

Concluding “I would have to say this year’s show was the Best Ever as we SOLD OUT the 60 Cars in 8 Hours. SQ Competition is still very relevant and I’m seeing growth from the Retailers to the competitors participation. We had IASCA, EMMA and MASQ Formats supported at SVR this year and was a lead up to the World Finals October 15th weekend in Birmingham Alabama!!

Richard Papasin and Linda Kobayashi wait in the San Francisco terminal ready to catch a red-eye flight east after judging a BassWars Summer Beat Down event in Bloomington CA earlier that day. A big 12volt Central Studios THANK YOU to Linda for supplying great images and info in this article.

Next Year’s SVR XIII is tentatively scheduled for July 26, 27, 28 2024 at Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling WV.

For a compete list of winners see steelvalleyregional.com