DIAMOND BAR, CA (7.1.26) – SEMA has officially opened entries for the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers at www.semabotb.com. Now in its 13th year, the competition continues to stand as the automotive aftermarket’s premier platform for custom builders exhibiting at the SEMA Show, and for 2026 it will expand to include motorcycles, introducing an additional set of awards recognizing the Top 3 standout bike builders and an overall motorcycle champion.

“It’s always exciting to see builders push creative boundaries year after year, and the addition of powersports brings an entirely new level of energy and excitement to the program,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera. “Battle of the Builders continues to evolve alongside the industry, and we’re excited to see how builders push innovation at the 2026 SEMA Show.”

For 2026, the SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers will again feature its four core automotive competition classes: Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and BFGoodrich Young Guns. Class winners will advance through the competition, with one ultimately named overall Battle of the Builders champion.

“Mothers High Performance Car Care is proud to continue supporting the SEMA Battle of the Builders and the talented builders who make this competition one of the most anticipated events at the SEMA Show,” said Mothers Vice President of Marketing Shane Christman. “Every year, we’re inspired by the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion these builders bring to their projects. This program celebrates the dedication behind every build and gives the industry an opportunity to recognize the individuals pushing vehicle customization forward.”

The 2026 program will also debut a new side to the competition with SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout as a dedicated Motorcycle category, expanding the competition to include some of the finest custom two-wheel vehicles in America. Entries will be evaluated separately by motorcycle industry judges based on craftsmanship, design innovation, and overall execution, with the Top 10 finalists serving as judges to determine the Top 3 category winners and the overall Bike Builder champion.

In the automotive categories, a panel of aftermarket industry judges will again review all eligible submissions, evaluating build descriptions and photography before conducting in-person assessments on the SEMA Show floor. Judges will narrow entries to a Top 10 in each category, followed by a Top 3 selection. Those 12 finalists will then serve as judges to determine category winners and the overall champion.

“It’s been great to be back at the SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said Troy Trepanier of Rad Rides by Troy after winning the overall 2025 Battle of the Builders trophy last November. “It’s grown a lot since we first won the event eight years ago. We finally had a car worthy of being back in the competition. There were so many great cars this year. Everybody here is a winner, all 40, all 12, especially the Final Four.”

When asked what it’s like to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders for the second time, Trepanier said “It is always nice to be judged by your peers in the industry and get recognized.”

Supporting the Next Generation of Builders
The BFGoodrich Young Guns category highlights emerging talent, open to builders 29 years old and younger at the time of the SEMA Show. Entrants may be selected to participate in virtual Golden Ticket competitions held throughout the summer, with prize packages that include vehicle transportation to Las Vegas, plus travel and hotel accommodations. At the Show, the Top 10 BFGoodrich Young Guns finalists compete within their own field, narrowing to a Top 3. First introduced in 2024, the BFGoodrich Young Guns Top 10 competition format continues to expand opportunity and visibility for rising builders.

“BFGoodrich is proud to support the next generation of builders through the BFGoodrich Young Guns category at the SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said BFGoodrich Ultra High Performance Brand Manager T.J. Dennis. “Creating opportunities for young builders to showcase their talent, gain industry recognition, and compete alongside some of the best in the business is what makes this program so special. We’re excited to continue supporting the innovation, passion, and creativity that define the future of vehicle customization.”

For more information or to enter the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semabotb.com. For information on registration deadlines, rules, and additional details, click here.

The SEMA Show returns to Las Vegas, Nov. 3–6, 2026, bringing together the most influential brands, builders, and innovators in the automotive aftermarket industry. The Show remains the premier destination for discovering new products, technologies, and trends shaping the future of vehicle customization and performance. For more information or to register, visit www.semashow.com.

KANSAS CITY, MO (06.30.26) The Crossroads Of America presented the 7th annual go GOOSTERO Bike Show at the Wagon Wheel Mobile Park just north of Kansas City. The Event took place June 27th and attracted hundreds of bikers to the event.

Chris Pace was on site with the Arrowhead Sales and Marketing with the JBL trailer…. daring bikers to listen.

Pace related “I spoke with dozens and dozens of bikers showing them JB upgrades on the trailer. For the most part they had no idea that JBL offered upgrades like this for their bikes. In addition, we represent Epsilon and PPI that are very strong in the bike category. As a matter of fact, I’m in the process of adding some of their head units to show on the trailer for future events coming up this summer.”

The GOOSTERO included competitions for a number of classes, including vintage choppers, modern choppers, garage built choppers, lawless, choppers, vintage motorcycles, modern motorcycles, baggers, best of show, peoples choice and moose award.

Concluding Pace added “Having an in-person experience at a biker event like this really connects with their community. There’s just no way bikers can connect online to get a feel of what’s really available.”

Pace has a number of bike events on his calendar coming up this summer. One of the events will be at the Lake of the Ozarks and they’re anticipating more than 250,000 bikers to attend.

For more see jbl.com, harman.com and arrowheadsales@icloud.com

PALM BEACH, FL (06.29.26) – ZZ2 is excited to announce the release of the all-new ZW-RAM, the newest addition to the ZWAGZ family of OEM lighting solutions.

Designed specifically for select 2025–2026 Dodge RAM 1500 trucks, the ZW-RAM connects directly to the vehicle’s OE Security Gateway Module, allowing users to flash the factory lights using multiple selectable flash patterns.

The ZW-RAM is activated using the included push button or through a 12V upfitter input wire, making it an ideal solution for fleets, municipalities, contractors, utility vehicles, and safety applications requiring increased visibility.

Contact your ZZ2 sales representative to confirm compatibility for your specific vehicle trim and configuration.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The ZW-RAM is currently released as a preliminary hardwire version. While fully functional, some lighting outputs may have limitations when flashing. Please refer to the installation manual for complete functionality and application details.

Available now through ZZ2 and authorized dealers.

Contact your ZZ2 sales representative today for pricing and availability.

For more info, click here.

LIMA, OH (06.29.26) – AMA Pro Racing mourns the loss of American Flat Track competitor Dan Bromley, who passed following an on-track incident during Saturday’s Lima Half-Mile in Lima, Ohio. AMA Pro Racing and the American Flat Track community extend our deepest condolences to Dan’s family, friends, teammates, fellow competitors, and all who knew him.

A third-generation flat track racer from Warrington, Pennsylvania, Bromley built one of the most respected resumes in the paddock. He was the 2018 AFT Singles champion and the 2025 AFT AdventureTrackers champion, and his career reflected the consistency, versatility, and determination that define the best of flat track.

“Few families have contributed more to the spirit and strength of flat track than the Bromley’s,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “Dan carried that legacy with talent, humility, and a genuine love for the people around him. He was a true champion in every sense of the word. He earned respect as a racer, but his impact reached far beyond results on the track. His presence in the paddock made our sport better, and his loss will be felt across the entire flat track community. On behalf of AMA Pro Racing, we send our sincere condolences to the Bromley family during this difficult time.”

Information regarding memorial arrangements and any further updates will be communicated when appropriate.

ONTARIO, CA (06.26.26) – Gatorwraps is proud to announce the promotion of Brandi Flores to President. Brandi began her journey with the company more than 15 years ago as Office Manager and has been instrumental in helping grow the business through her leadership, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

Throughout her tenure, including her most recent position of Vice President of Operations, Brandi has successfully implemented key processes and procedures that have strengthened operations while fostering a positive and supportive environment for both customers and employees. Her passion for the company, focus on continuous improvement, and ability to inspire those around her have made her a driving force behind Gatorwraps’ success, and the company is excited to see her lead its next chapter of growth. Help us congratulate Brandi Flores in her new role.

Visit www.gatorwraps.com for more.

WASHINGTON, DC (06.26.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has added Megan Kowalis to its Washington, D.C.-based Government Affairs team, bringing extensive grassroots mobilization experience to the organization’s acclaimed program for mobilizing automotive enthusiasts and content creators for advocacy. As manager of digital communications and partnerships, Kowalis will lead outreach and relationship management with a variety of stakeholders and online content creators in the automotive space.

Before joining SEMA, Kowalis spearheaded national and statewide grassroots programs for the National Alliance for Care at Home and Twenty7Fifty Public Affairs. She has a familiarity with the organization and industry, having previously supported SEMA member advocates during Capitol Hill meetings for a 2025 fly-in.

“Megan brings fresh energy to this role and a proven track record of success engaging new advocates on issues that impact their businesses and lifestyles,” said SEMA Director of Communications-Government Affairs Matt Daigle. “We’re excited to tap into her creativity to connect with the content creator community as we continue to grow a program that has provided tremendous value to SEMA’s advocacy efforts.”

“America’s car culture is a vibrant and important part of who we are as a nation, and the people who make it great deserve to have their voices elevated in Washington, D.C.,” said Kowalis. “I’m thrilled to be working for SEMA in an official capacity and can’t wait to engage with our community’s content creators, who make up a critically important group of voices in our industry and for our advocacy work.”

Kowalis, a Colorado native, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and English literature from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

SEMA’s groundbreaking work to engage content creators on advocacy has established a network of more than 150 creators spanning car culture, from builders to racers to off-road enthusiasts, whose authenticity and passion for the automotive industry has translated well to grassroots mobilization. The program has yielded significant legislative wins at the federal and state levels and was among the reasons SEMA was awarded the 2025 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) President’s Award for Excellence in Communications.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.