FFR Nationals 2003:  SEMA Car Show

2003 SEMA Show

SEMA is the auto industry’s largest trade show and the Factory Five team used the chance to show off a host of exciting project cars we’ve been working on.  Since this years’ show ended the day before the FFR Nationals the FFR team brought a huge variety of cars and concepts to gauge customer feedback as well as show the auto industry insiders our best.
0793.jpg (33403 bytes) 0742.jpg (26428 bytes)
The GTM was displayed at SEMA as well as at the FFR Nationals the following Saturday.
The biggest news was obviously the new GTM supercar concept.  The SEMA show was the first time the outside world got a glimpse of this newest FFR design.  In order to show folks the entire concept, we brought a painted and prepped concept car along with a sample of the rolling chassis to highlight the suspension and chassis underpinnings.  The C-5 Corvette engine and other donor parts were clearly identified. 
0799.jpg (36807 bytes) 0811.jpg (24890 bytes)
The GTM Chassis shows off what's under it's skin. FFR engineer Jim Schenck was on hand for questions.
Feedback was universally positive with the biggest question being the price.  At this time the price for the kit is not established, but we will have a much better idea as the concept goes thru functional testing and the final configuration of the car is determined.
0801.jpg (35262 bytes) 0771.jpg (25661 bytes)
The FFR-Roush Project Coupe was a show stopper. FFR President Dave Smith with Jack Roush.
Stealing some thunder from the GTM-200 was the stunningly beautiful FFR-Roush Coupe project (Click for more Roush-Coupe info).  The Roush guys, headed by Jack Roush himself,
checked out the Coupe on display.  Jack spent some time with customers at the booth and honored us by signing the project car.  We have really enjoyed working with the guys from Roush.  As a result we are jointly marketing a new line of WARRANTIED crate engines that make it easy for guys who are not using donor parts to finally get a reliable and verified crate engine (Roush engines are all dyno’d and warrantied).  0967.jpg (18575 bytes)

9009.jpg (24158 bytes) 9010.jpg (24905 bytes)
With the spotlight focused on the Roush Coupe and GTM, some folks almost missed the little roadster in the back of the booth that had a 4.6 engine stuffed into its engine bay.  The prototype Mk III roadster was displayed. 
0804.jpg (36865 bytes) 0805.jpg (30708 bytes)
The Mk III prototype was on display, built from our kit and a 1997 Ford Mustang donor car!
The cool news about the new design (scheduled for release in 2004) is that parts from a later model mustang can now be used (as opposed to 1987-93 only).  These parts include the great 4.6L DOHC engines from the newer Ford Mustangs.  Now if you have a 1987 to 2002 Mustang all you need is our kit and you’re ready to start building.

Jim's Spec Racer looked real nice in the booth... just days away from competing in the FFR-NASA Nationals.
FFR products were showcased at other booths and with other companies at SEMA.  Alion technologies brought along a yellow carbon-fiber bodied FFR built by Fara Snook at SoFast Inc.  Alion is developing a fully interactive digital assembly manual for Factory Five Racing and other auto industry notables.  We had a flat screen demo in our booth that showed the FFR Roadster manual as a full graphic file.  Customers got a chance to “disassemble” the roadster on the computer screen and see it put back together in sequence… Cool 0803.jpg (39123 bytes)
Check out www.alionscience.com for more information.  Also, Check out this link to a video interview about this new software ... http://www.dpstudios.tv/# (click on the Alion Science and Technology link in the center of the screen under SEMA 2003 Product showcase)
Since the SEMA show is the world’s largest automotive trade show and it is also NOT open to the public, we figured we’d give you a sneak peak into the other cars that were exhibited. 
0786.jpg (27117 bytes) 0995.jpg (25275 bytes)
Ford was displaying an original Coupe in their booth.  FFR Customer Phil Alexander brought his FFR Coupe to the Nationals...
0782.jpg (27880 bytes) 0785.jpg (27213 bytes)
Ford had a MASSIVE display of vintage cars as well as the cool new stuff.  Here's an aluminum Kirkham roadster replica and the new GT car.
0789.jpg (28781 bytes) 0779.jpg (26405 bytes)
The new Ford Mustang looked good, and with the upcoming FFR MkIII, you won't have to worry if you crash it.  Right: Panoz Racing had a GTS car on display.
0824.jpg (30507 bytes) 0815.jpg (37469 bytes)
At SEMA you'll find cars like this burnt-orange Mc Laren F1.  Great place for painting ideas...
0792.jpg (35272 bytes) 0816.jpg (32530 bytes)
The Tuner car market has done a lot to get the younger generation racing... They also do killer paint jobs.
0791.jpg (38887 bytes) 9007.jpg (24253 bytes)
This Esperantes beauty is more than skin deep. Roush Top guys and FFR's Mark and Dave Smith

The 2003 SEMA show was a great success.  It’s fun to stand toe-to-toe with the best automotive companies on the planet and to come out shining! 

Truth is at a show like this, with the best engineers, designers and manufacturers in the industry looking at you, there’s no place to hide.  You either have the goods or you don’t even try.  We are the only component car/kit car company that regularly attends this important show for a good reason.  Our work with Bondurant, Panoz, Roush and other leading companies is directly a result of the engineering and design of our products. 

From the humblest beginnings in a small garage in southern Massachusetts, Factory Five Racing has grown to become the world’s leading component car company, and after being at SEMA this year, it is more obvious than ever that there really is no second place! 

Check out the rest of the weekends events from the 2003 FFR Nationals:

 FFR-NASA Championship Race

FFR Nationals: Car Show, Autocross, & Awards Dinner

SEMA 2003 Car Show