Page 4 - Issue 33

Editor’s Notes

SEMA
(Specialty Equipment Market Association). Synonymous
with the giants of the automotive world, bazillions of
dollars in cars, trucks, and new products, and the who’s
who and what’s what of everything in the industry. To us, this can be a little
intimidating. The SEMA Show is indeed a monster – but not one to cower
from. While the event (and the industry itself) is bursting at the seams with
high-end vehicles and products, there is a place for the blue-collar builder and
enthusiast here.
Last year marked our fi rst year in attendance as our own builder Bryan
Dagel spent the duration of the event rubbing elbows with his peers and
Follow me on Twitter heroes alike – engaged in conversation, observing, and really listening
@EditorStevo to what folks were saying. Last year also marked the fi rst year RRM was
available at the SEMA Show via their bin program, meaning copies of the
magazine were available for free throughout the sprawling event.
It was very cool to be a part of such a respected event and to share a
piece of the rat rod world with a market that many would say doesn’t care
about the blue-collar rodding community. This perception is totally wrong.
People from all walks of life in every segment of the industry are in fact
interested, and many – whether they are building million dollar one-offs or
restoring museum quality show cars – do appreciate the creativity, ingenuity,
and the passion that rat rodders seem to have in abundance. After all, we are
and the passion that rat rodders seem to have in abundance. After all, we are
all just people. Behind every perfect
all just people. Behind every perfect
paint job is a man or woman who
paint job is a man or woman who
put in all that work – who has a
put in all that work – who has a
similar passion for what they are
similar passion for what they are
doing, and most likely can relate to
doing, and most likely can relate to
what we’re doing. And of course
what we’re doing. And of course
there are those who don’t get it,
there are those who don’t get it,
don’t want to get it, and don’t
don’t want to get it, and don’t
care… but really, if we look past
care… but really, if we look past
those exceptions we will fi nd that
those exceptions we will fi nd that
the automotive universe ultimately
the automotive universe ultimately
functions as one big ecosystem,
functions as one big ecosystem,
and yes folks – the rat rod
and yes folks – the rat rod
Copies of RRM were available at the 2014 SEMA community is a part of it.
community is a part of it.
Show through the event’s “bin program.” This year we are returning to
SEMA with a purpose: to build something that connects the dots and that
will satisfy the appetite of both the mainstream and counterculture. Fresh
new parts under an old, weather-worn body. A mix of low-buck and high-
end. A heavy dose of function, but with plenty of form. And in the end,
driven every single mile – because that’s what it’s all about.
We thank our friends, partners, sponsors, and amazing family of rat rodders
for all the support as we continue to push rat rod culture into the forefront.
— Steve

4 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE THIRTY-THREE

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