SEMA Battle of the Builders will feature an expanded Young Guns program this year that will provide the Top 10 finalists in the class the opportunity to experience showcasing their builds on-stage.

Canadian builders have figures strongly in the SEMA competition over the years, particularly in the Young Guns category. Edmonton’s Matteo Medoro, then 19, was one of two Canadian Battle of the Builders Young Gun finalists in 2019, winning “the golden ticket” invitation at the Seattle Drift regional SEMA competition with his ’51 Ford rat rod. He qualified again in 2020 with another build.

Cole Marten and Chelsie Lesnoski, owners of Throttle Thrashers Garage in Penticton, B.C., both had projects selected in the Young Guns Category in 2021. Marten built a one-of-a-kind high horsepower, AWD Nissan Skyline. Lesnoski entered a 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD.

Prior to this year, industry experts serving as judges would determine the Top 10 and Top 3 finalists in each class, including Young Guns. Now, after the Top 10 Young Guns finalists are named, each will showcase their vehicle on-stage, and the finalists will vote to select the Top 3 builds that will advance to the final round of judging with finalists from the other Battle of the Builder categories.

“We’re continually looking for ways to support young talent and foster the future growth of the automotive aftermarket industry,” SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera.

“By expanding the Battle of the Builders competition format to provide Young Guns competitors their own on-stage judging round, we will shine a light on more of these young customizers.”

The Young Guns category, open to builders 29 years and younger at the time of the SEMA Show, was introduced in 2016 to bring national exposure to up-and-coming builders in the industry.

Additionally, beginning Sept. 7-8 and continuing throughout the month, Young Guns competitors can be selected by the judges to participate in one or more virtual Golden Ticket events for the chance to win a prize package that includes transportation of their build to the SEMA Show along with travel and hotel accommodations.

Now in its 11th year, SEMA Battle of the Builders provides an international platform for SEMA Show builders to showcase their ingenuity. The competition recognizes class champions in four categories — Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and Young Guns — and one of these four is crowned the overall Battle of the Builders champion.

Judges review all qualifying applications, including vehicle descriptions and photos, before walking the SEMA Show floor to review builds in-person and selecting the Top 10 finalists in each category. The finalists are then narrowed down to the Top 3 in each category, including the Top 3 Young Guns selected via the new competition format, and these 12 finalists become the judges and select the winner of each category and the overall champion.

“The automotive aftermarket will unite at the SEMA Show to showcase the hottest parts and latest technology, making it the perfect venue to highlight these amazing builds and emerging talent within the industry,” said SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. “The Battle of the Builders program is another example of how the SEMA Show enables attendees to stay at the forefront of recent trends shaping the aftermarket and create industry connections that will set them up for future success.”

The 2024 SEMA Show, taking place November 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the place to discover new products and trends, make new business connections, strengthen existing ones, and help professionals take their careers and their businesses to the next level. Attendees can maximize their ROI by registering now and taking advantage of housing and travel discounts. Registration is $60 for qualified attendees who register by September 27. To learn more or to register to attend the 2024 SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.

For more information about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the Young Guns program, visit www.semabattleofthebuilders.com.