One of the main features of the SEMA Show is the Hoonigan Burnyard.
The guys from Hoonigan host a burnout show outside the Central Hall of The Las Vegas Convention Center.
This year, as well as having the burnyard, they also had their own little display area along with a couple of merchandise stands which we’ll be having a look around today.
Ken Block, who was synonymous with the Hoonigan brand, sadly passed away in January ’23. There were a couple of his cars on display along with a selection of different personal effects from his career.
There were also a couple of Travis Pastrana’s cars. The Subaru GL station wagon from his 2022 gymkhana video which also made an incredible run up the hill at Goodwood.
Pastrana’s Group E rallycross car with a livery in tribute to the late Ken Block.
There were a selection of other cars from a wide variety of different motorsports.
This included the Formula Drift cars of Chris Forsberg and Ben Hobson.
The Oil Stain Lab’s ‘Half11’ is an interesting project. It’s a sort of ‘what if’ retro(er) version of the 911 GT1 from the mid 1990s. The nose and headlights are straight from a 911 road car then it goes back into a custom body which is very reminiscent of LeMans prototypes of the 1960s and early 1970s.
It’s powered by a Chevrolet LS V8 and has the 6 speed gearbox from a 911 996 GT2.
Oil Stain Labs will apparently be building 25 of these and they are listed for $600,000.
Another incredible project was the Street Aero Toyota 2JZ powered Lamborghini Gallardo. From the firewall back, a lot of this car is completely custom. Of particular interest to me was the pushrod/cantilever rear suspension.
I know it’s an illogical build, and to be honest it’s really not for me, but SEMA wouldn’t be SEMA without some properly ‘out-there’ cars. Also, it’s caught mine and a lot of other people’s eyes which has been great publicity for Street Aero. It’s doing its’ job well!
From one mad Lamborghini to another. The Huracan Sterrato. I’m a big fan of the Huracan platform, but when Lamborghini announced they were making an all-terrain variant, I didn’t really get it. However, having seen videos of them getting thrashed around in fields, snow and in the desert, accompanied by that wonderful V10 soundtrack, I now not only get it but I really want one haha!
The 911 Dakar is Porsche’s take on the off-road sports car.
There were a few more conventional off road vehicles on display.
Along with a fair few show trucks.
I’m not a particular fan of Range Rovers. Here in Essex, U.K, in stock form they are a staple of the fake tan, designer, low intellect stereotype that the residents of this county have (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, look up a show called ‘The Only Way Is Essex’). With the different wheels and a few subtle modifications this one looks really smart though. It’s a really nicely done example!
I’ll leave you all with my favourite car of the area – this beautiful mid 1950s Cadillac. American cars of the post war prosperity era, with all the chrome and the space age inspired details are so cool!
Thanks for reading!
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By Richard Francis
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