After walking hundreds of miles at the SEMA show, most media outlets and journalists find themselves hamming it up at one or several after show parties scattered across the Vegas boulevard. Venders and manufactures throw big parties with loud music and (in most cases) open bars as an incentive or employee appreciation type shindig to some of the biggest names in the aftermarket auto industry.
Some people may wonder how we auto journalists stay out so late after running around and working our butts off to get our show coverage online for those who can't make it. To tell you the truth, I don't know how I did it but I would do it all over again. Although I kept my party shoes on at night, I didn't go crazy. After all, I had to be up at the crack of dawn the next morning to get my photos before the hordes of people got in the way. GM, Chrysler, Saleen, Kicker, and others know how to have a good time after the show.
I spent Tuesday night at the Bestop party held at "The Joint" at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The dance floor of the arena showcased four vehicles that debuted at the 2009 SEMA show. I hung out with guys and gals from FinishLineWest, the builder involved with the 2008 Jeep Wranglers Unlimited on display. The Wrangler featured an all new tube frame half doors and a pull out side step/side rockers. (Read more about this Jeep in our Jeep Wrangler Round up from the 2009 SEMA Show). Bestop also featured an all New EZ Fold Tonneau Cover on a 2010 Ford SVT Raptor, along with the AMP Research Power Step with Light Kit and AMP Research BedStep. Besides the great vehicles on display, our drinks for the night were served with little blinking lights that looked like ice cubes. Needless to say, we had way too much fun trying to out-collect each other by racking up the nonexistent bar tap. I ended the night with 8 cubes before heading back to our hotel for the night.
Wednesday night was much wilder as the MT & TT crew headed to Club Rain at the Palms Casino Resort for the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo Awards and party. Allyson Harwood and Nate Martinez were judges in The Gran Turismo Awards that featured the best of the best at SEMA. There were five categories that included Best Hot Rod, Best Japanese Import, Best European Import, Best Domestic Automobile, and Best Truck/SUV. One winner would get top honors by getting their ride immortalized in the upcoming release of Gran Turismo 5. We sat in the upper level VIP section as we watched a packed house rock out to the live music played by the Offspring.
I'm back in L.A. now and still trying to recuperate from the excitement we call SEMA. Yes, we saw a lot of trucks and SUVs, and yes, we partied like it was 1999. And yes, we have more coverage to post in the upcoming week. So stay tuned for more photos than we know what to do with.