Interactive SEMA Hall of Fame Exhibit Opens July 2 at Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

"The SEMA Hall of Fame is an elite group that we owe a great deal to," said Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA HOF/History Task Force. "These are innovators and leaders who are responsible for having developed a $38.1 billion industry. We are excited to honor and recognize the SEMA Hall of Fame through this new exhibit, where consumers and enthusiasts will be able to learn more about them and pay tribute to them as well."

Using a touch-screen system, visitors can single out any one of the 125-plus SEMA Hall of Famers and learn about his or her background and the contributions each one made to motorsports and/or the support industry. SEMA Hall of Famers are typically the producers of performance products of all types, along with principals of other industry segments, from superstars of racing to publishing magnates to the leaders who made it all happen.

Bios from luminaries such as NHRA Founder Wally Parks to the likes of Ed Winfield (think cams); Zora Arkus-Duntov (think Chevy performance); Vic Edelbrock (manifolds); George Hurst (shifters); and Linda Vaughn (Hurst Golden Shifter model) are all available in the SEMA Hall of Fame exhibit.

The center piece of the display features one of John Force's 2007 Ford Mustang Funny Car bodies that has seen its share of competition. Visitors to the Museum can sit in the interactive car and take it for simulated ride through the history of SEMA. "Fans get a chance to test their reaction time using the NHRA 'Christmas tree' starting system while actually seated in a Force-team Funny Car," said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Park Museum. "It's a lot of fun and learning experience. And that's the point of the overall SEMA Hall of Fame exhibit - to educate the public about the creative individuals who created and sustain the hot rod and performance industry. Thanks to SEMA, the public will see firsthand the type of people who were responsible for bringing motorsports and hot rodding to where they are today."

Thacker also acknowledged the companies and individuals who contributed to the exhibit: Caliber Collision, Coast Media, Expectalot Visual Images, G&J Aircraft and Competition, Ikon Powder Coating, John Force Racing, NHRA, Pauly's Custom Fabrication, Portatree Timing Systems, Pro Audio, Taylor Motorsports, Ultimate Design, Dana Bisbee, Wayne Phillips and Brad Uhl.

About SEMA

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $38.1 billion specialty automotive industry. The association consists of 7,094 member companies that manufacture, sell, distribute and market products that enhance a vehicle's safety, appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, Calif. 91765; 909/396-0289, or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com.

About the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

Celebrating its 10th anniversary and named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free and Auto Club members enjoy a $2 discount. Admission for non-members is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.