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SEMA Show 2016 State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Dinner
Current members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus gathered again earlier this month to meet with SEMA Action Network (SAN) staff and enjoy the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The Caucus, comprised of almost 800 legislators in all 50 states, is serving to further raise the automotive hobby’s profile in the state capitols. In attendance were (standing left to right) Representative Tom McDonald (MO); Delegate Scott Cadle (WV); Senator Jim Patrick (ID); Senator Mark Maynard (WV); Delegate Gary Howell (WV); Representative Stan Blake (WY); Representative Tom Reeder (WY); Representative Joe Pitre (NH); Representative Bob Herron (AK); Assemblyman James Frazier (CA); Representative Howard Mosby (GA); (seated left to right) Senator Tony Mendoza (CA); Representative Nikki Randall (GA); Representative Patty Bentley (GA); Representative Polly Lawrence (CO); Senator Mark Manendo (NV); Senator David R. Parks (NV); Representative Josh Byrnes (IA).
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Kevin May’s grandfather purchased this "Bucket T" back in the early ‘90s. The blown 355 c.i. Chevy-powered hot rod has been in the family ever since. It was rewired a few years ago by Kevin, his father and brother.
As with many families that include multiple generations of “gearheads,” Kevin May believes he was born into the automotive culture. He says that the legacy began when his grandfather left home in the Oklahoma panhandle at the age of fifteen. “Upon landing in Bakersfield, California, my grandpa immediately fell in with the local hot rodders,” Kevin relays. “Those guys were putting souped-up flathead engines into whatever they could get their hands on at the time.” A move to the state’s coast switched his focus to drag racing in the sand. He began with 4-cylinder Volkswagen engines and progressed to Porsche flat-6 engines with greater power. Kevin, his father and brother have all followed suit and performance American and German vehicles top their lists.
Aside from family projects like the "Bucket T" shown above, Kevin recalls his favorite wrenching experiences came on a Merkur XR4Ti. It was the first vehicle he had purchased himself. “The Merkur was lowered and I added an intercooler as well as a cheap blowoff valve. I had to take off one day of work per week just to keep it running,” he jokes. May and his wife are hoping to do a light restoration on a '71 Chevy Chevelle in the future. “This is based on an idea we talked about while we were still just dating. She once told me she had always wanted to have a classic muscle car. I was impressed to say the least,” Kevin exclaims. The young family now includes a daughter that will surely receive a healthy dose of exposure to our hobby.
Once serving a summer internship with SEMA’s Washington, D.C. office, May continues to actively follow the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) legislative initiatives. As a motorsports fan, the RPM Act effort is currently a key concern. “If this important bill were to be enacted into law, it would enable me to live out my dream of building a dedicated race car out of a street car someday.” He has also attended several Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) events near his current Arizona home.
It’s been a pleasure to witness your devotion to the cause, Kevin! There’s no doubt that you’ll have a constructive influence on the “car folks” of tomorrow.
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