2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the Top 40 builders who are front and center in the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, which honors and recognizes some of the industry’s most impressive talent.
Last year, Battle of the Builders bragging rights were awarded to Jim and Mike Ring for their 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. Presenting a complete redesign, the Ring Brothers’ Camaro featured a 100% carbon fiber body (widened by 4 inches) and a supercharged LS3-swapped engine pumping out 890 hp.
“SEMA is there to ensure we can all do what we love—build. If SEMA wasn’t there, we wouldn’t be able to do anything to a vehicle. They strive to keep the aftermarket alive,” said Brad DeBerti, motorsport competitor, 2018 SEMA Young Gun Award winner, multi-year participant in SEMA Battle of the Builders, and co-host on Discovery Channel’s Twin Turbos.
“It’s awesome that they’ve come up with a program that recognizes and encourages young kids and their talent, and it’s equally great to be part of something special like Battle of the Builders. When it first started, there were very few, and those select few were the biggest car builders across the industry,” added DeBerti.
Today, Battle of the Builders shines a light on top builders across various categories, from hot rod and sport compact to truck and off-road. The competition has expanded its pool of talent in recent years, encouraging confidence among younger generations to get involved, showcase their skills, and compete for the annual Young Guns honor.
The Top 40 builders in the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders
HOT ROD
Tony Arme – 1964 Chevrolet Corvette
Peter (PJ) Burchett – 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
Greg Friedrich – 1933 Ford Coupe
Tim Kilkeary – 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
Kyle Kuhnhausen – 1964 Chevrolet Corvette
Andy Leach – 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda
Ricardo Lopez – 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback
Joe Lutz – 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
Brady Ranweiler – 1963 Chevrolet two-door wagon
Chris Smith – 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
SPORT COMPACT
Bill Brinkworth – 1973 Nissan S30 240z
Todd Budde – 1993 Mazda RX-7 FDS3
Josh Croll – 2004 Subaru WRX STi
Chip Foose – 1974 Jaguar E-Type
Tim Lajambe – 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E
Olman Navarro – 2010 Mitsubishi Evolution GSR
Arvi Quizon – 2015 Subaru WRX
Eric Ritz – 1973 Nissan 240z
Jeff Spearn – 1956 Volkswagen sedan/ragtop
John D. Ubalde – 1993 Mazda RX-7
TRUCK/OFF-ROAD
Andy Allen – 1957 Studebaker Transtar
Randy Borcherding – 1971 Ford Ranchero
Brad DeBerti – 2020 Toyota Tacoma
Mark Giambalvo – 1965 Chevrolet C10
Ryan Korek – 1952 International L110
Rod Nielsen – 1964 International CO 1700
Troy Seyfer – 1962 Ford F100
Darin Smith – 1964 Chevrolet C10 shortbed
Randy Weaver – 1950 Ford F1
Chad Whitlock – 1970 Chevrolet C10
YOUNG GUNS
Eli DeWitt – 1967 Pontiac LeMans
Cody Medeisis – 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Matteo Medoro – 1947 Dodge 3/4-ton W250
Jonas Neels – 2008 GMC Sierra 4×4
Austin Phipps – 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS
Darren Sammartino – 1970 Chevrolet K20
James Thomas – 1941 Dodge Business coupe
James Thomas – 1949 Ford F1
Dominic Tucci – 1932 Ford Highboy
Joe Wilder – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
The Battle of the Builders Top 12 will be announced today at noon PST during SEMA360. Check back for updates! These 12 finalists, chosen by a panel of industry experts featuring RJ DeVera (Meguiar’s), Cam Miller (HS Customs), Jeremiah Proffitt (Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers), and Mike & Jim Ring (Ringbrothers), represent the best of the best in the industry.
Update 11/4/2020 7:30 pm est
The Top 12 builders in the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders
HOT ROD
Andy Leach – 1971 Plymouth Cuda
Brady Ranweiler – 1963 Chevrolet two-door wagon
Kyle Kuhnhausen – 1964 Chevrolet Corvette
SPORT COMPACT
Chip Foose – 1974 Jaguar E-Type
Josh Croll – 2004 Subaru WRX STI
Todd Budde – 1993 Mazda RX7 FDS3
TRUCK/OFF-ROAD
Brad DeBerti – 2020 Toyota Tacoma
Mark Giambalvo 1965 Chevrolet C10 pickup
Randy Borcherding – 1971 Ford Ranchero
YOUNG GUNS
Austin Phipps – 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS
Cody Medeisis – 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Eli DeWitt – 1967 Pontiac LeMans
The Top 12 finalists will judge one another with the winner named the Top Builder in the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition on Friday, Nov. 6.
