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Courtney Force COPO Camaro

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Chevrolet unveils Courtney Force COPO Camaro concept at the SEMA

Courtney Force COPO Camaro 2After a major switch for John Force Racing to Chevrolet in 2015, decorated drag racing standout Courtney Force was thrilled to unveil the first ever sixth-gen COPO concept inspired by her NHRA Funny Car.

The ultra-modern styled machine infuses legendary COPO performance with the new, modern design of the 2016 Camaro.  The special SEMA edition concept was personalized by Courtney Force herself,  and will be auctioned off at Barrett Jackson to benefit the United Way.    Limited production of the COPO program returns in 2016, with only 69 available spots to purchase the COPO production units.

The fifth-generation COPO Camaro concept first debuted at SEMA in 2011, where an overwhelming demand spurned a limited, special-edition production run.  Its success continued in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.   2016 will see 69 additional sixth-gen COPO Camaros headed to the drag strip to carry on the COPO tradition.

To generate excitement for a 2016 COPO Program return, Chevrolet enlisted its newest partner in NHRA driver Courtney Force (a fifth-gen Camaro owner).

“We’re taking the equity that Courtney has in drag racing and bringing that into our COPO series. It’s a very fun and exciting project,” said Todd Parker, Director of Design.

The exterior of this COPO Camaro Concept highlights a Red Hot exterior color, with the familiar John Force Racing Next Gen styling on the rear quarter panel.   Red trim accents mirror her signature Traxxas Funny Car livery, a modified SS rear spoiler was redesigned with spill plates inspired by the Funny Car’s massive rear wing, and Goodyear tires were used likening to the slicks on Courtney’s racer.

“This car was a little bit challenging because we’re trying to show the first sixth-generation COPO, but at the same time flavor it with Courtney’s personal preferences,” said Parker. “There was a balance that we needed to achieve and we think that we found it.” It took Courtney several iterations and options before she finally landed on the exterior color. “Her Traxxas funny car has every color under the sun, so to get her flavor took some time,” said Parker. “Plus, the sixth-gen version of COPO looks so dramatic in just about every color.”

Sadly, the Courtney Force COPO Camaro concept is not available for any of the production COPO units.

COURTNEY FORCE COPO CAMARO SPECIFICATIONS

Courtney Force COPO Camaro1

Exterior:

  • Red Hot exterior with Switchblade Silver and Satin Black graphics

  • Courtney Force’s signature JFR Racing graphics

  • Red lower grille trim

  • High-rise carbon-fiber hood

  • Outside rear view mirror delete with painted closeout

  • Wheelie bars and drag parachute

  • Unique rear spoiler

  • Custom smoke-finished Weld drag wheels

  • GoodYear® Eagle drag tires

Interior:

  • NHRA-certified full chrome-moly roll cage

  • Lightweight bucket racing seats with custom embroidery

  • Floor-mounted shifter

  • Specific instrument panel-mounted analog racing gauges

  • Center stack mounted racing switch panel

  • Five-point safety harnesses (driver and front-passenger)

Performance:

  • LSX-based 350 cu. in. supercharged engine

  • Available engines: LS-based 427 cu. in. naturally aspirated; LT1-based 6.2L naturally aspirated

  • THM 400 3-speed automatic

  • Front suspension: lightweight adjustable front struts

  • Rear suspension: multilink

    • Adjustable coil-over shocks, panhard bar and anti-roll bar.

    • Rear axle with an aluminum center section, 35 spline spool and axles

  • Brakes: manual lightweight rotors and calipers

  • Integrated line lock

  • Manual rack-and-pinion steering

  • Fuel storage system with fuel cell and built-in high pressure fuel pump

  • Dedicated racing wire harness

Source:  ChevySema.com

SEMA Women’s Events 2015

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SEMA Women's EventsGoing to the SEMA show?  Don’t miss these SEMA Women’s Events geared especially for women in the industry!

Gear Up Girl Networking Event – Powered by SBN

For:  SEMA Attendees, WOMEN ONLY
Date:   November 2, 2015 – 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Location:  Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N264

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is hosting their annual Gear Up Girl Networking event for female automotive professionals.  The event began in 2011 as part of the SEMA education student program to connect female students to leading female industry mentors.  This is a great mixer and a relaxed social setting for women in the industry to connect and learn from several different generations of women in the automotive industry.

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

 

Women in Business: Shattering the Glass Ceiling – Powered by SBN & TIA

For:  SEMA Attendees, WOMEN ONLY
Date:  November 4, 2015 – 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Location:  Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N262

A special, female only networking & education event:   This event focuses on insight from a panel of successful women automotive industry leaders on helping to break down the glass ceiling for women in automotive by recognizing the value women bring to the workplace, the impact they make on organizational bottom line, and the contribution to the economy at large.  Industry policy makers and leaders are changing to support women’s engagement in the workforce, and ascension into positions of greater influence, but this on its own is not enough.    Presented by Tire Industry Association President, Freda Pratt-Boyer and Auto Trader Director of Automotive Relations, Michelle Krebs, participants can exchange open dialogue on the qualities it takes to excel in business.

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

 

Leveraging Differences to Drive Success: 5 Best Practices for Building a Diverse Workforce, Powered by SBN

For: All SEMA Attendees
Date: November 3, 2015 – 11:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N256

To be profitable in a diverse, globalized marketplace, savvy companies are making efforts to look more like the community around them. If you employ only those who identify with a small portion of the market, you just don’t have access to the insights, experiences and worldviews of the full marketplace.

When planning to expand your staff, make an effort to recruit a diverse set of employees to help your company. Learn five best practices for building a diverse workforce.

Presented by: Michelle Krebs, Director of Automotive Relations, Auto Trader

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

Communication Roadmap for Men and Women, Powered by SBN

For: All SEMA Attendees
Date: November 2, 2015 – 10:30am – 11:30am
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N254

Wall Street Journal author Joanne Lipman joins the SEMA Show to discuss the demystifying of women in the workplace and sharing advice for the men who work with them.

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

Keynote & Coffee: How Expectations Are Changing the Sales Experience for Millennial Women, Powered by SBN

For: All SEMA Attendees
Date: November 4, 2015 – 8:00am – 9:00am
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper North Hall, N258

Bridget Brennan, CEO, Female Factor will deliver a special keynote on the most powerful techniques for reaching Millennial women, the influential generation of consumers who were born between 1980 and 2000.  Brennan will be providing insights on this crucial target audience, who are already the newest generation of mothers. Millennial women are a prime target audience for everything from cars to furniture to financial services. As a generation that’s come of age with social media and technology, what’s the best way to reach them? Brennan explores how the Millennial generation’s unique perception of the world (and themselves) impact brand preferences, marketing responses and choice of sales channel. Attendees will learn the cultural forces that have shaped Millennial women, and how to apply this knowledge to marketing and sales efforts. Topics include:

  • How the mass documentation of Millennials’ lives impacts brand choice
  • What kind of parenting style is already being exhibited by the new generation of mothers, and what this means to consumer purchasing
  • Why inspiration is a crucial component for this age group
  • How expectations for the sales experience are changing

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees.

NHRA SEMA Breakfast – Highlighting Women in Drag Racing

For:  All SEMA Attendees
Date:  November 4, 2015 — 7:30 am – 9:30am
Location:  Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino (formerly the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino), Paradise Events Center South

The 2015 NHRA Breakfast at the SEMA Show will celebrate the success of women in drag racing. The event will bring together some of the most successful women in the sport to share their memories and legacies in the world’s most diverse motorsport.    Drivers Erica Enders, Courtney Force, Alexis DeJoria, Leah Pritchett, and legendary Shirley Muldowney will all participate in the panel, moderated by longtime NHRA announcer Bob Frey.

The event is FREE to registered SEMA Attendees, but an advance ticket is required.   To order your event ticket or register for the show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/register and click Add Event Tickets.