Every year, street rod enthusiasts gather for the NSRA Street Rod Nationals, a premier event that spans four exciting days filled with various activities and events centered around vibrant hot rod culture. Among these activities is a particularly anticipated highlight: the educational seminars organized by the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), which educates and inspires attendees with informative sessions geared toward enhancing their knowledge and skills in street rodding.
The HRIA is a crucial part of the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA), consisting of nine council committees, each focused on specific sectors within the automotive performance aftermarket. The organization is composed of volunteers from across the industry, dedicated to promoting and preserving hot rod culture. Its select committee tackles challenges faced in the market, focusing on vital areas such as education, legislation, and communication. Through these initiatives, the HRIA aims to address industry-specific issues, providing effective strategies and programs that help its members improve their business practices and enhance customer satisfaction.
A cornerstone of the HRIA's mission is its commitment to education. This year, as part of its ongoing efforts, the HRIA is hosting its ninth consecutive Education Days at the NSRA Nationals. This two-day event offers free access to all attendees, allowing anyone interested in learning more about hot rod-related topics to benefit from expert seminars, regardless of their registration status for the nationals. The presentations will take place in rooms B101 and B102 in the South Wing B Conference Center, conveniently located near the NSRA Show Office, making it easy for participants to attend.
Holley Brands has significantly contributed to the NSRA Nationals by providing access to several leading experts in the industry. Their commitment to fostering knowledge and innovation is evident through these invaluable opportunities for attendees. By showcasing their expertise, Holley not only enhances the event's educational offerings but also reinforces its dedication to supporting the automotive community and promoting best practices among enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Thurday's afternoon sessions kick off with a seminar presented by Nathan Peterman from Detroit Speed titled “Modern Suspension Technology for Your Classic Car.” This hour-long session will cover a range of topics, including the various applications of modern suspension technology in classic cars. Nathan will guide participants through the component selection process to ensure choices align with performance goals. Moreover, he’ll delve into suspension tuning, addressing performance setup, ride quality, and common handling challenges that classic car enthusiasts might encounter.
Following Nathan, John McLeod from Classic Instruments will take the stage for “Classic Instruments, Handcrafted in the USA since 1977.” This session will explore the rich history of the company alongside an overview of their innovative new products. John will emphasize the importance of selecting the right instruments for any street rod project and discuss upcoming technologies that will enable participants to personalize their gauge offerings, ensuring they can put their unique Finishing Touch on their projects.
The educational lineup continues on Friday with Justin Vetter from Speartech, presenting “Making Your LS/LT Installation Simple with Speartech.” In this session, Justin will clarify how Speartech’s fuel injection systems support GM LS/LT swap platforms. He’ll compare various aftermarket harness options as well as the setups provided by GM and Speartech’s computer controllers. Participants will gain valuable insights into different controller options available for GM LT engines, including helpful programming tips for configurations with either return-style or returnless fuel systems.
The Education Days will conclude with a session presented by Holley’s Harrison Alford, titled “Learning the Basics of Fuel Injection.” In this informative session, Harrison will guide attendees through the process of converting their street rods to electronic fuel injection. He'll explain how getting a street rod up and running may be simpler than anticipated, requiring just four wires, connected to the battery, switched ignition, and RPM lead. Harrison will showcase how the Sniper system stands as a comprehensive electronic fuel injection solution, catering specifically to the needs of street rod enthusiasts looking to enhance their projects.
This comprehensive educational initiative not only helps attendees to better understand their vehicles and improve their builds, but also gives manufacturers invaluable feedback which can serve as a foundation for developing new and improved products that meet the evolving demands of the market. By bringing together experts and consumers, the HRIA fosters a rich environment for innovation and collaboration within the street rodding community.
The partnership between the HRIA and the NSRA to host the Education Days at the Street Rod Nationals is an exceptional opportunity for street rodders to enhance their knowledge while preserving the traditions of hot rodding. This is a space where passion meets practicality, empowering enthusiasts with the tools and information necessary to keep the spirit of street rodding alive and thriving. As the expo unfolds, participants can look forward to a wealth of knowledge shared by industry experts, with Holley-brand leaders playing a significant role in guiding and educating the passionate rodders who flock to this annual celebration.
