This years annual CSi Mega Show was held on February 27th & 28th at the Competition Specialties headquarters in Auburn Washington.

This was my first time to this area of the country and to this particular show. Upon arriving at the show we were welcomed by a group of smiling faces and KenWoomer himself.

The layout of show was clean and organized and seemed to have a common thread – trucks and off-road goodies. Personally I’m a huge fan of big off-road trucks, tires and accessories! Yes things that rumble loud on the road and dirt and shout “Get outta my way I’m coming through!” LOL

The show was open to the public and offered some wonderful show specials to all in attendance. They also featured an on going raffle both Sat and Sun with tremendous gifts and prizes donated by the vendors and CSI. Including $1000 and $2000 of Super CSI Cash every hour on the hour. There were many YEEEPIES & WOOOHOOOs from winners echoing through the building every hour – which gave us all a good laugh!

Ken and his CSI team were top notch in regards to hospitality, making all of the vendors feel welcomed and comfortable.

For example, they picked an awesome, hip host hotel, the airport Marriott. They made things convenient in way of transportation by providing a complimentary shuttle service to and from the event each day and used the friendly CSI delivery guys as our chauffeurs. They hosted a welcome banquet and concert the  Friday night before the show, a happy hour / mixer on Saturday night after the show, and provided lunch each day by way of a lunch area and by cart for those of us who were tied to the booth.

My overall impression of CSI and the individuals who work there is – they care about the customers and the people they have dealings with. We like that a lot as that is our motto as well!

As usual we had a tremendous amount of good feedback and comments regarding EBC’s products. At this particular show we had many requests and purchases for the 3GD Rotors and the Ultimax (OEM replacement pads) AKA Black stuff. Which as most of you know, Dollar for Dollar and Pound for Pound there is not a better replacement pad than the Ultimax.

We were also visited by many anxious pro-drivers and race teams who wanted to know when they could get their hands on some Blue Stuff.

Regarding our products,  we just keep hearing “EBC brakes work and do what they are supposed to do! Our customers love them and are requesting them more and more!” And friends, lemme tell yha, that’s just music to our ears.

As a bonus Spike TV aired the PowerBlock episodes that I just shot with Courtney Hansen, on Sat and Sun. Most of the attendees (all  BIG TIME PowerBlock fans) viewed the episodes that morning before the event, and then…to their surprise…there I was in their home town! They gotta kick outta that and it made for some good conversations.

Thanks to the crew at CSI you made our trip a good one. I’ll look forward to attending the show next year.

Competition Specialties Inc.

EBC Brakes.com

Seattle Airport Marriott

Link to Pictures from the event

Watch a real live testimonial from Dave a mechanic at Pacific Import Auto in Tacoma, WA who loves EBC products and has happy customers!

On February 20th and 21st I was in Seacaucus, New Jersey at The Meadowlands Exposition Center for the BIG Show presented by Keystone.  The Keystone BIG Shows are arguably the best trade shows for specialty automotive equipment and accessories, outside of SEMA. These are organized by Keystone Automotive Operations, the leading distributor and marketer of specialty auto-parts in North America.

As with most shows of this type there was much business taking place, networking opportunities, parties, and educational seminars. Plus demos, giveaways and raffles with great prizes, including some of the hottest products for 2010.

One of my favorite things was getting a sneak peak at the hottest new products for the coming year. The Big Show coordinators made this convenient to do by putting the new products in one complete section on the show floor. And because this show wasn’t opened to the public, it wasn’t as crazy or loud which made it easier to speak with the listen to the company reps about the features and benefits of these new products. 

As with any good show, there are always automotive celebs and attractions. We just happened to be positioned across from the best ones!

The Edelbrock Build Live Show where attendees were able to get upclose and personal while Vic Edelbrockhimself directed the build installation of a new E-Force Supercharger system on a Ford Mustang, new for 2010  in real time. Along with Vic Edelbrock’s signing and interactingwith all of his fans. The line wrapped around the booth with eager fans young and old. If you know and/or have ever met Vic Edelbrock, you know he’s not only a talented, multi-skilled man, but also a happy man, who loves to joke around and sincerely engages his fans.

I  received an autographed gift from him, it was his book entitled Edelbrock Made In The USA. It’s a beautiful 324 page coffee table book filled with nostalgic photos, the history of this American icon, and inspiring stories from Vic’s life.  What a nice guy huh?!

Switching gears – we were on a high from the large amounts of terrific feedback we received from the attendees! Most of them were from the East-coast and Canada. They consisted of Speed Shops, garages, customizers, and pro-drivers. Every person who walked up kept saying that they had tried various brake pads and rotors, some were average, while some just sucked. Yet, EBC’s products worked and worked good! They are long lasting, and priced just right.  The only complaint we received, was that they wanted more products and they wanted them quicker! We reassured them by letting them know, Keystone is dialed in when it comes to everything EBC related. All they need to do is visit a store, call their rep, and/or order online.

We also noted that many of EBC Brakes current fans and customers were not yet fully aware of the Ultimax (Black pad) which is an OEM replacement pad with a price point that can’t be beat. Depending on the specific application, the Ultimax can be priced lower, the same, or a few dollars more than a generic label pad. Black coded in the EBC range EBC Ultimax is a fully ECE R 90 approvedbrake pad range (brake safety approval), Ultimax offers great value for your money with first class driving safety. Talk about more bang for your buck!

Next Keystone Show (the Midwest Big Show) will be held in Texas (yee haw) on  Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center from 9AM to 5PM.

Hope to see you there!

GC

AKA – Ms. EBC

Photos from The BIG Show.

Videos from The BIG Show

As you all know, SEMA is the “Super Bowl of Automotive” it’s the largest automotive display, party, business function and network’s paradise.

Normally, I’m there shooting an episode or two for a TV series, however, this year, I was there as the “official female spokesperson / TV personality” representing EBC Brakes.

When I arrived at the airport in Orange County, Ca I ran into my friend Bill O’Roake who is a long time employee of Mickey Thompson, to my surprise he was on my flight. The trip was off to a great start and I hadn’t even arrived in Las Vegas yet!

I landed and hitched a ride to my hotel with team Mickey Thompson. Before even reaching the hotel I started receiving text messages, tweets, IMs, emails, facebook notes, etc all regarding SEMA updates, unveiling’s, party invites and inquiries regarding whether or not I thought this years event was going to be a success or a ghost town (many individuals were extremely concerned about attendance, etc due to the economy.)

The EBC booth was exhibiting at the Las Vegas Convention Center and was located in the far right-hand corner of the south hall. Due to the location, none of us thought that we would see much foot traffic, till close to noon. However, that wasn’t the case at all! We were literally crazy busy from the time we reached the booth till closing every day! Personally, I feel that this is a nice sign for the automotive industry in 2010.

The other thing I really enjoyed about SEMA 09, was finally getting the chance to catch up with all of my long time friends. After all, SEMA is similar to a giant automotive family reunion – lol!

Special thanks to:

Team EB Brakes – I love working with you guys!

Dennis Gage (My Classic Car Host) and his crew for inviting me to join them at the SEMA banquet.

Steve Russo and Jon Van Buren (two of my newest team members) for all the SEMA still images.

Enjoy more images from SEMA here:

Gallery one

Gallery two

Behind the scenes videos on Qik shot with my N95.

You know him as Lugg Nutzz a multi talented TV Host, Emcee, Radio personality, etc, etc with a crazy knowledge of motorsports and automotive. I know him as a caring, wonderful, person and friend who helps in assisting kid’s battling cancer.

Gordon “Lug Nutzz” Stewart, Vice Chairman of America’s Baby Cancer Foundation, hosted a party and fund raiser at Celebrity Car designer Rich Evans shop in Huntington Beach, Ca on Sat Dec 19, 2009.

I felt honored to be among one of the celebrity guests to promote, attend and join Gordon “Lugg Nutzz” for this terrific event. 

Some of other featured guests that stopped by to sign autographs and spend time with the children were; former NFL player Kirk Dodge of the Denver Broncos, Newport Beach Patron’ Porsche and NASCAR Racer Brian Wong, NASCAR Team Cass Racing’s Auggie Vidovich, GoLiveStream.TV/Realfast.tv, sponsored Racer’s Brad Pounds, Hurricane Heidi Tresler, and Brandon Thompson.

The ABCF hosted patients from Miller Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, UCLA.

If you are interested in donating and/or assisitng the America’s Baby Cancer Foundation, please check out the website here http://www.babycancer.org Your help will go a long way in assisting these children and their families to get the proper medical treatments and support!

We would also like to invite you to join us at an upcoming event, click here to check the schedule http://www.horsepowerheros.com We look forward to seeing you soon.

To view the gallery of images from the event click here.

It just gets better each and every year!

John Force, his family and race team sure know how to throw a party and lemme tell you…this is no secret! People come from all over the country to support the annual John Force Holiday Car Show.

Every year I meet the nicest people, see the sweetest cars, and talk shop with some of motorsports most notable individuals.

Of course, every good party/event has a wonderful host and coordinator behind it. Who’s the man behind the curtain? None other than (drum-roll please) Craig Hoelzel!

As you know I attended many, many, many automotive events during the year. Yet, there is something about the John Force Holiday Show that takes the cake! Would you like a little taste? Check out the gallery of images below.

See gallery of images by clicking here.

I hope to see you all there next year!

In closing, I’d like to thank photographers Steve Russo and Jon Van Buren, two of my new team members.

GC

NASCAR, Off Road Motorsports Personalities, Genevieve Chappell,

Join Gordon “Lug Nutzz” Stewart

As we welcome all to join us for the 6th Annual

“America’s Baby Cancer Foundation” Holiday Party

SATURDAY December 19^th, noon to 4:00pm in Huntington Beach!  

FOR IMMEDIATE Re-RELEASE: December 11, 2009

SUNSET BEACH Ca.  For the sixth consecutive year Huntington Beach California based America’s Baby Cancer Foundation has loaded Santa’s sleigh with toy’s for our Holiday Party December 19th. The ABCF annual Christmas party for kid’s battling cancer and life threatening illnesses is one of the highlight’s of our year said Gordon “Lug Nutzz” Stewart, Vice Chairman of America’s Baby Cancer Foundation. We had almost 200 children attending the event the past few years, and the kid’s really look forward to a day away from treatments and hospital life. ABCF will be hosting patients from Miller Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, UCLA, UCI and Fountain Valley Hospital. Over the years with ESPN2 ,SPEED, Sirius and of Course Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. I have been impressed with the kindness and generosity of race fan’s, and people I have met all over the country. We have had SO many fan’s, friends and companies donate gifts, services, raffle items and most importantly there time to visit with our kid’s on this annual event! So Cal Bandolero Racing’s Triple A racing will be bringing car’s and a crew challenge area for kid’s to participate in! 

Former NFL player Kirk Dodge of the Denver Broncos, Newport Beach Patron’ Porsche and NASCAR Racer Brian Wong, NASCAR Team Cass Racing’s Auggie Vidovich, GoLiveStream.TV/Realfast.tv sponsored Racer’s Brad Pounds, Hurricane Heidi Tresler ,and Brandon Thompson, and Special guest Genevieve Chappell “The Queen Of Car’s” will ALL be stopping by to sign autographs and visit the kid’s!

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Jo Coddington, widow and partner of legendary Car and Hot Rod Designer “Boyd Coddington”, and architect of Boyd’s Marketing and Branding efforts has partnered with ABCF on behalf of the Coddington Foundation on both events this year and will be on hand to visit all our kid’s. Jo is an amazing lady that is only beginning to make her mark in motorsports marketing and licensing said “Lug Nutzz”. Jo is a brilliant marketing talent, and is so successful at branding, the America’s Baby Cancer Foundation is fortunate to have her assistance as we bring awareness of childhood cancer to the public. Also crashing the party is, legendary Trans Am Champion and SPEED TV Personality Tommy Kendall! You KNOW it’s a party when TK shows up in his world class yellow Chicken sled! Our kid’s are going to LOVE it!

Celebrity Car designer Rich Evans will have his “Hardcore Knight” Mustang on display that will be featured in the new Movie Kick Ass Comic with Nicholas Cage say’s: Having 3 healthy kids of my own, I really feel blessed to be a part of making kid’s smile for a day and hopefully inspiring some of the little one’s to become the next generation of custom builder’s when they are cured said Evans. There will be several other celebrity guests stopping by the event December 20^th from noon to 3:30pm at Rich Evans H.B. Bodyworks shop, 18108 Redondo Circle, Huntington Beach Ca. For more Information on how you can help or donate gifts, please log onto www.horsepowerheroes.com , www.babycancer.org , www.richevansdesigns.com , www.golivestream.tv , www.boydcoddington.com , www.thequeenofcars.com