Golden Tickets have been awarded to three aspiring young vehicle builders to compete in SEMA Battle of the Builders, a coveted competition open only to builders with vehicles at the SEMA Show, taking place Nov. 2-5, 2021, in Las Vegas.

The 2021 Young Guns regional winners are:

• Thomas Dickerson, of Athens, Ga. (Eastern Region)–1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350
• Dayton Jacobsen, of Burnsville, Minn. (Midwest Region)–2000 Chevrolet S10
• Cole Marten, of Penticton, B.C. (Pacific Region)–1991 Skyline R32 GTR

As part of an initiative to support and encourage young builders to engage with the automotive industry, three virtual regional qualifier events were held for builders under the age of 27.

This year’s contest included representation from a variety of market segments and fierce competition.

Builders from across North America were vying for a Golden Ticket that includes a trip for two to the November trade-only show, along with transportation for the vehicle and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

First introduced into the Battle of the Builders competition in 2017, the Young Guns category provides exposure to rising young builders who were otherwise unable to qualify for the competition due to certain requirements.

As the stars of the competition, participants gain valuable publicity and exposure throughout the week of the SEMA Show, as well as in a television special that follows the builders’ journeys.