Battle of the Builders has quickly become the marquee competition among professional tuners. Builders from around the globe come to Las Vegas to showcase their talents in various categories in the quest to become 2018 SEMA winners. Featuring some of the wildest and best built machines on Earth, BOTB has been a welcome addition to the SEMA Show.
One of the hottest categories is the Young Guns slot. This particular contest pits the premier builders that are 28 years or younger at the time of the show. This gives fans and automotive aftermarket enthusiasts a peek behind the curtain.
One of the builds that caught our eye is the one belonging to Kyle Kuhnhausen. His unique Z is the epitome of sport compact excellence, and the build is executed at the highest level. His build, like all the entries to BOTB has definitely not disappointed this year. Some of the most talented builders have been named 2018 SEMA winners, so let’s take a look at them below.
2018 SEMA winners – Battle of the Builders
The category of Young Guns for the BOTB competition had to be tough to judge. For any SEMA Show attendee, the youngest and most talented were on display to enjoy. The future of our industry is in good hands with some of these 2018 SEMA winners.
Young Guns
Brad DeBerti – Arroyo, CA 2018 Ford F150 Ford Motor Company
Jacob Griffin – Escondido, CA 1927 Ford Roadster Meziere
Dylan Goacher – Wathena, KS 1968 Chevy Nova Gear Vendors
Tanner Timblin – Cave Creek, AZ 1964 Chevy C10 Dakota Digital
Jesus Lopez – York, PA 1985 Mazda RX7 SEMA Young Guns
Luke Merrill – Isanti, MN 1931 Chevy Rat Rod Hauler SEMA Young Guns
Kyle Kuhnhausen – Creswell, OR 1972 Datsun 240Z SEMA Young Guns
Corey Williams – Maryville, TN 1967 Pontiac GTO SEMA Young Guns
Zach Lagarenne – Louisville, CO 1988 BMW M3 CSF
Ryan Martin – Alamosa, CO 1957 Chevy 150 Hardtop PPG
One of the hardest fought categories among all 2018 SEMA winners, the truck category has a wild mix of modern and classic. The build that stood out most to us is Eddie Pettus, returning with his 1932 Willys truck. The level of build quality is simply off the charts with this classic.
Truck/Off-Road
Eddie Pettus – Cedar Rapids, IA 1932 Willys Aircraft Refueling Truck BASF
Jeremiah Proffitt – Austin, CO 1993 Toyota 79 Series Maxxis
Jason Graham – Portland, TN 1934 Ford Pickup HRIA
Blake Stoner – Hundson, IA 1956 Chevy Carryall Mobil 1
Erik Barnlund – Bloomington, IL 1974 Ford Bronco United Pacific Industries
Juan Diego Calle – Miami, FL 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ43 Weld CCW
Ross Logsdon – Lake Havasu City, AZ 1956 Chevy C10 E-Stopp
Carter Reed – Coldwater, MI 2018 Ford Ranger Ford
Randy Weaver – Sandy, UT 1941 Dodge Power Wagon Prestone
Billy Bibb – Caslte Rock, CO 1973 Scout II Lund International
Sport Compact
Rod Nielsen – Abbotsford, BC 1972 Mazda R100 Tire Stickers
Muzzy Yousefi – Middletown, DE 2004 Nissan 350Z Prosport Gauges Inc.
Igor Polishchuk – Sacramento, CA 1987 BMW 325 Toyo Tires
Gary Brown – Port Leyden, NY 1956 VW Bug Absorber
Takahiko Izawa – Japan 2008 Nissan R35 GT-R Kuhl Racing
Jorge Martinez – Sanger, CA 2017 Nissan GT-R KW Suspension
Mike Pateras – Niagra Falls, ON 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti WRC Hoonigan
Shawn Bassett – Apopka, FL 1972 Nissan Datsun 240Z Treadpass
Ernie Manansala – Newport Beach, CA 2018 Nissan GT-R Seibon
Ryan Jones – Burlington, WI 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R Tire Stickers
Hot Rod
Dale Boesch – Humphrey, NE 1936 Ford Roadster Axalta Coating
Phil & Jeremy Gerber – Mundelein, IL 1970 Chevy Camaro BASF
Kyle Tucker – Mooresville, NC 1969 Chevy Camaro ARP
Steve Legens – Martin, TN 1936 Pontiac Silver Streak Mothers
Tom Nelson – Chatsworth, CA 1955 Chevy Bel Air Magnaflow
Steve Keefer – Brentwood, CA 1970 Chevy Chevelle Odyssey Battery
Tim Kilkeary – Eighty Four, PA 1956 Pontiac Star Chief BASF
Cam Miller – Logan, UT 1970 Chevy El Camino Mothers
Dave Salvaggio – Grafton, WI 1970 Dodge Charger Meguiar’s
Jonathan Goolsby – Hueytown, AL 1974 Plymouth Duster BASF
