A few months back, some of the guys decided they wanted to go back to the final round of FormulaD in Irwindale, CA, but the scheduling was out of the way for some of us. So JohnP and I decided to go til about a month ago when the question of SEMA came up, “Why don’t we go to SEMA instead? We’ve never been and a bunch of people are going!” A few weeks later and some vacations days requested, I was lucky enough to change the FormulaD days I took off for to the SEMA show days of Nov. 1-4. By this time, JohnP had business to take care of at home so MaydayDavid stepped in to be Maydays’ spokesperson/photographer/editor/writer/partner/spouse.
Welcome to SEMA 2011!
The third person of our group attending SEMA was Mayday Danny. You should remember his name because we’ve recently released information that he is currently building a 993 RWB. Danny booked his flight to SEMA at the last minute just for the sole reason of meeting RWB’s Nakai-san whom later visited Houston to check out the roads, clubs, and steakhouse. Overall, Nakai-san likes the “openness” of Texas 
I wish we had a photo of Danny meeting Nakai-san for the first time, but we didn't make it til the 2nd day of the show.
Rotiforms were the choice of wheels for Mark's RWB Pandora One.
RWB 964 owned by Brian Scotto of Hoonigan.
Das boot.
While SEMA was going on, David made it a mission to find Nakai-san to introduce himself and present him with a limited Mayday Garage T-shirt. Nakai-san traveled with Toshi-san to the states and was being escorted around by Mark Arcenal of Fatlace. So if you spotted Mark around the show, Nakai-san and Toshi-san was nearby.
MaydayDavid didn't even know I ninja'd this photo as he was giving Nakai-san a Mayday shirt.
Now back to our trip to SEMA….
It was our first time at SEMA and at any type of showing this big we didn’t have a coverage game plan like Speedhunters or meetings with big companies like the guys from Stanceworks. We made it our goal to meet our fans/friends/stalkers and to get photos of cars that we liked or that was our type of style. It was definitely tough to go through crowds of cars and NOT take a photo of one.
Later this week, David will be doing special posts about the nightlife and companies at SEMA.
While waiting for our flight, we stopped by the magazine section. You could probably see most the cover cars at SEMA.
Our wait at Hobby Airport.
Fly Southwest!
We wanted to stop by to TapOut for some shirts but they were closed.
We've arrived! Most flights, if not booked in advanced, had 1 or 2 stops but we got lucky and had a non-stop 3 hour flight there.
Since we stayed at a condo on the opposite end of strip where the convention was, our main source of transportation was the monorail.
A view from the escalators going to the Convention center.
In order to get into the actual shows, you would need to pick up badges.
When you headed out to the DUB show area, this matte white Bugatti Veyron was the center of attention.
These girls were also the center of attention at the DUB area.
A ride fit for a King?
Not a bad looking body kit by Misha Designs on this CLS.
Each time you would pass by this lady, she would greet you or ask how you're doing. She was definitely enjoying her time out there.
Asanti's showcase...
for ballers only.
DUBs were everywhere at this show.
Spotted a krazy kolor S13.
You can see the pearls bling as the sun hits the paint.
I could be mistaken but this looks like the RENNtech C74 Konzept.
I overheard some guys talking about this beetle saying it makes 500hp?
I think it's transforming...
One of the few 599 GTO's seen at the show. I wish I had a better photo but the lighting sucked big time.
It seems Rotiform is the new breakout wheel manufacturer for 2011. We've been seeing them left and right at the show.
Show cars were a plenty to see like this Veilside FD3S
Since it is one of the biggest shows in North America, interviews were not an uncommon thing.
David gets a hard on for domestics like this one.
Poor, poor fender :(
The Porsche was a bit dusty, but the Work Meisters....
....They were on point.
Joy Abdalla's Crazy Suby
Dat ASS
Always grabbing attention
Such nice paint by the guys at IAG Performance!
Do Want Do Luck
Mayday approved.
Words cannot describe how awesome this car is.
One of the best looking E-class benz's we've seen.
BBS LM's are a plus.
This was just part of the outdoor showcase....
Here's Tim Duncan after a drift-a-long. Whether you're rich or poor, anyone can be an enthusiast.
As you can see, I'm a camera gear freak. What kinda rig is this??
Spectators were mainly buyers or exhibition attendees.
I think the wheels are a bit too small....
It doesn't matter how old you are, everyone should be able to play video games.
Avant S4 on VIP Modular's.
A closer look at the wheels.
Not a big fan of Varrstoens but this suby looked serious.
Ken's gymkhana/drift machine.
Looks like someone likes doujinshi...
the explicit kind.
I asked her to make a funny face and she just laughed at me =/
A car show wouldn't be complete without models...
One of the cleanest 5 series I've ever seen...
Another camera jib for video coverage... see? I'm a camera gear nerd.
I think this was everyone's favorite....
Yup even Linhbergh's.
Bullets in the grille!!
So beautiful.
Chris Rado's Metal Wide body Supra...
Did I mention it makes 2500 HP?
Minty fresh.
I guess he's a fan of female superheroes.
The Volk booth was always busy...
As you can see here the crowds behind this E92 M3
Flawless
One of the reasons I went to SEMA was to meet other photographers such as SteHo of Shutterlit Photography, Patrick Lauder of Quickworks Photo, Chris Tang of cTang Photo, William Stern, Rod Chong of Speedhunters, Mike Alvarado of State of Stance, Antonio Alvendia of Motormavens and many others. Just meeting them for the first time is a cool feeling because we know one another online, but have never really met in real life. Sounds like online dating…
SteHo, Chris Tang, and Patrick Lauder looking at Ste's portfolio on his fancy carbon fiber layered ipad.
Rod Chong of Speedhunters
We saw Antonio so David snuck in to surprise him, but he was in a serious meeting. Our bad Antonio!
Models like Ms. Corissa Furr here had a long line of supporters that wanted to meet her.
Other models just made funny faces at me =/
SEMA was also a show where you could see some of the new concept cars such as the FR-S.
Not a bad looking E30 M3 with a LS....
This S15 was kinda hidden to the side of the show but who could really miss it?
Mmmhmm
I guess we like big asses.
I want some Super RS's...
Project GS by Five Axis was looking pretty nice.
This Hot Wheels Chevrolet was chrome painted...
Amazing.
Airlifted on Rotiforms.
The Hennessey Venom GT.
Now this one was wrapped with chrome.
Here's Ken Block signing autographs for fans.
DAMN
Is this still a benz?
Why? Bc Rohana
Not too many Ruckus' around.
The HKS booth.
Known for their engineered performance parts.
I heard Tajima-san was going to be at SEMA so I caught him just before he left the DSport booth.
Tajima and friends watching his run on Pike's Peak 2011.
Sponsored by GoPro, he had all angles covered breaking Pike's Peak record this year.
Walking around you would notice Chelsea DeNofa's E36 Sedan in the BC booth with a new look to it.
He actually drove all the way from FL to the Convention Center... he also daily drives it sometimes to work.
Who thought the Insight could look so badass?
TE's = automatic approval
If the CR-Z comes in a package like this, sign me up please.
Rhys Millen's Hyundai Veloster. Doesn't look too bad... probably fun to drive too.
I heard this Hot Wheels Super Street Civic shows every year. Still looks amazing.
The model for KSport... I misfocused a little or did I?
One of Mayday David's favorite cars at the show.
Pretty much expected for a show this big.
Bisimoto's Drag 2012 Civic Si.
Almost missed this Bisimoto Porsche at the NGK booth.
The booty.
The infamous Tron Car.
One very badass 1M.
If only icecream vans were like this in real life...
Old school....
New school...
Left or right?
Left or right?
And one final shot to end my post.
I wish I can post up more photos, but you can view them all HERE and HERE. David will be posting up his final thoughts about the show and the night life sometime this week.
Photos taken by Danh Phan and David Do for Mayday Garage.
-Danh-
dphan@maydaygarage.com