The SEMA show has got to be the petrol head paradise – just so many stunning cars on display you get overload after the first day and a half, and then there is what the show is really about, all the accessories, tools and go fast bits that the aftermarket can produce.

This year was the second time I have had the privilege to be the guest of the SEMA show organisers. This year, this was extended as I was invited to be one of the judges for their inaugural International New Product Awards program (see side box "The winners are" ).

The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show started in 1967 and has grown to today’s mammoth event which covers over 1 million square feet, over 10,000 exhibitors and over 100,000 visitors during its four days.

There were over 2,000 vehicles on display and over 1,000 new products.

I spent three full days looking around the show and averaged around 20,000 steps a day using my trusty pedometer.

The show is held at the Las Vegas Convention Centre and this year, required the erection of some large marquees for overflow exhibitors.

If you get bored with all that - apart from the tourist attractions of Las Vegas (coined the worlds largest amusement park by one of the other judges) - there is also the AAPEX parts and accessories show which runs concurrently at another venue and the NACE body repair conference and show which overlaps with SEMA as part of industry week.

The main part of the show is spread over four huge halls (each of which is larger than the total area of the Auckland Showgrounds).

One is for trucks, SUVs and off-road, one for wheels and tyres, one for racing and performance (including hot rods and restoration) and one for electronics, styling and tools.

There are also extensive outdoor areas for display, plus the proving ground for tyre and vehicle testing and the Off-Road proving ground (a man made rock crawling area).

There is a huge number of meetings of various SEMA sub-groups and by various car and accessory companies to fill any spare time.

To showcase the event we will split coverage over this and our February issue with a technology and product focus in this issue and a look at some of the amazing vehicles and styling in February.