12 Battle of the Builders finalists vie for top honors at SEMA Ignited tonight

Making the cut from a field of 300, 12 of the most accomplished car builders in North America with projects on display at the 2019 SEMA Show will vie for top honors tonight in the 2019 Battle of the Builders competition.

Judges appointed by SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, will choose the ultimate winner tonight at SEMA Ignited, the official after-party of the 2019 SEMA Show, which begins at 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. today in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Platinum Lot.

The final phase of the competition and the crowning of the 2019 Battle of the Builders Champion will run from 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. during SEMA Ignited.

SEMA Ignited is the one event during the annual SEMA Show that is open to the public. The rest of the trade show, which showcases products and services from the aftermarket automotive industry, is restricted to attendees with direct ties to the industry, as well as accredited media.

Admission to SEMA Ignited is free to badged attendees of the 2019 SEMA Show, with $20.00 tickets available to the general public.

Here’s a look at the projects of the 12 2019 Battle of the Builders finalists, who were selected from a field of 300 allocated across the competition’s four categories: Hot Rod, Sport Compact, Truck/Off Road, and Young Guns—a category created to enhance opportunities for up-and-coming car builders age 27 or younger.

The 300 2019 Battle of the Builders competitors had their builds on display at booths in the multiple crowded exhibit halls of the 2019 SEMA show.

And here are the SEMA 2019 Battle of the Builders Final 12

HOT ROD

Eric Peratt—1936 Ford roadster

Gary Corkell—1932 Ford Phantom

Jim & Mike Ring—1969 Chevrolet Camaro

SPORT COMPACT

Edison Sarkisyan—1955 Porsche 550 Spyder

Louie Shefchik —1968 Iso Rivolta

TJ Russell—1991 Porsche 911

TRUCK/OFF-ROAD

Darin Smith—1972 Chevrolet C-10 shortbed

Erik Barnlund—1972 Ford Bronco

Randy Borcherding—1955 Chevrolet truck

YOUNG GUNS

Brad Swaney—1971 Chevrolet C-10

Kyle Ray—1988 BMW E30

Luke Merrill—1940 Chevrolet two-door sedan