If there's a happier place on Earth, we don't know about it. Of course, we're talking about the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show that happens every year in Las Vegas. We make the trek to see the latest and greatest (not to mention the most creative and exciiting) from just about every company that makes a part or product for a car or truck. The industry itself, we're told, generates some 34 billion dollars a year. That means there are still plenty of car and truck guys (and plenty of women too) in the world. But at SEMA's most recent show, what stood out to us were all the tricked-out and modified pickups and SUVs both inside and outside the massive displays. From compacts to full-blown big-rigs, these are the biggest canvases great artists have put their art on. And we thought you might want to see some of the most impressive pieces of the show. But don't think SEMA is just about walking around and staring at poster-signing models (although there is plenty of that). We sponsored the Truck Trend Proving Grounds in the parking lot and commissioned a few other experts to design the nastiest off-road course imaginable.
Then we invited some of the UROC (United Rockcrawling and Off Road Challenge) All-Stars to show us why they and their custom rigs are some of the most impressive extreme terrain-tamers in the world. In addition, we worked with Toyota to get attendees in the seats of several new FJ Cruisers, running an alternate route at the same time. The result was madness, mayhem, and tons of fun. The lines were long, the smiles wide, and by the end of the day, there were hundreds of exhausted drivers. All in a days work for us. Actually, it was all in four days of work for us. Look for a complete story in an upcoming issue of Truck Trend.