RTM Productions based in TN  knows automotive and motorsports and proves it with a strong crew of experts, one of the most beautiful female hosts on television, and a PowerBlock of automotive shows on Spike TV.

In January I was invited to join the PowerBlock crew to be a special guest, co-host with Courtney Hansen. 

As the EBC Brakes spokesperson, I featured the EBC Brakes sport rotors and pads, talked a little shop, discussed specs,  install techniques, and chatted with Courtney about my 2010 EBC Brakes campaign & Pep Boys tour schedule.

As you know, I’ve worked in and around the automotive industry for a long time. Yet, this was my first time working with RTM Productions, Courtney Hansen, and Spike TV and I’ll admit, I was a tiny bit nervous. However, weeks leading up to our shoot, the RTM producers and writers were sooo extremely professional, thorough, and friendly, my jitters were calmed, as  I felt as though I had known them forever (their great sense of humor and funny jokes helped as well – lol.)

When I pulled into the parking lot, I was impressed with the size of the property and building. Upon walking in I see a welcome sign that lists the names of all the featured special guests that will be shooting on the PowerBlock that day (thought that was a sweet gesture) the front office woman greets me with a warm smile “welcome to RTM, we are so happy to have you here today.”   Then out walks Justin Swanson one of the producers and I get a BIG welcome squeeze!

Justin walks me down the hall and introduces me to the man himself Joe St. Lawrence who couldn’t have been any more hospitable. We had a nice chat , a few a laughs, and Justin offers to give me a tour of the entire facilities including each studio, where I was able to get a sneak peak at the rebuilds and plans for each vehicle - pretty neato huh?!

In the waiting room, there is a large monitor where featured guests, waiting for their turn to shoot, can watch the PowerBlock being shot and familiarize themselves with the flow of production. I was the last guest to shoot and it had been a long day for the production crew. Yet, you would have never known it by the energy and attitude they all displayed. 

Now, I already know what you are going to ask me…because since this shoot, I’ve been asked this a bunch of times. Is Courtney really as nice as she is on TV? No, she is not! She is even nicer than she is on TV. Hahaha I got yha- lol! Courtney and I hit it off from the start and within minutes we were sharing fashion and health tips, talking about her wedding, family life, and of course about cars, engines and our favorite automotive products. The production crew (all males) were cracking up listening to us.

Working as a model for over 12 years, I’ve worked with many beautiful woman…but I’m going to tell you, Courtney Hansen is one of the most beautiful, friendly, funny, and down to eath women I’ve ever worked with. Oh yea…and to top it off, she also extremely intelligent. Sorry guys, you’ll have to keep dreaming, because she is engaged and head over heels with her fiance – lucky man right?!

My feature on PowerBlock will air in March, I’ll keep you posted on the dates. In the meantime, check out the line of EBC Brakes – the best sport rotors and brake pads in the world! Sign up for the EBC blog, and keep stoping by my site as well for new updates, photos, and videos.

Click here for a sneak peak of one of the billboards we shot

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.

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

For Immediate Release
CARS ARE THE STARS AT JOHN FORCE HOLIDAY CAR SHOW
Unwrapped Toy Provides Access to Drivers, Other Celebrity Guests
 
 YORBA LINDA, Calif. – The cars will be the stars this week when 14-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force opens the gates of his Southern California racing complex for the annual John Force Racing Holiday Car Show benefitting the California Highway Patrol’s “CHiP’s for Kids” Christmas toy drive.
 
 Hundreds of street rods, muscle cars, classics, exotics, motorcycles, trucks, boats, specialty vehicles and race cars including the Force brothers’ “Nightstalker” Funny Car will be on display from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.  Price of admission is a new, unwrapped $10 toy.
 
 In addition to the “Nightstalker,” which returned to competition this year in a one-off event at Norwalk, Ohio, the vehicle lineup includes Jay Leno’s 1955 Buick Roadmaster custom, a $2 million Bugatti Veyron, a collection of “monster rods” built from Peterbilt trucks and an historic Amphicar designed for road or water.
 
 The event also will celebrate the 50th anniversary of vehicles from the year 1959 – cars, trucks, classics and customs.
 
 Sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California, Fairway Ford, System One wax products and Los Angeles television stations KCBS and KCAL, the Holiday Car Show also features vendor booths, tours of the JFR shop and museum, special pricing on items in the John Force RaceStation retail store and music by the bands “The Answer,” “M-O-S Project” and “L’il Mo and the Dynaflos.”
 
 Celebrity guests, each committed to participation in a show-ending autograph session, include newly-crowned NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car Champion Robert “Top  Gun” Hight, Ashley Force Hood, Auto Club Finals winner Mike Neff, Force, racing legend Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen, ESPN’s “Queen of Cars,” Genevieve Chappell, Cory McClenathan and, of course, Santa Claus.
 
 JFR’s California complex is located just off the 91 Freeway.  Take the Weir Canyon exit north.  Turn right on Savi Ranch Road and follow the signs to 22722 Old Canal Road.
 
-www.johnforceracing.com-

Thank you to all who came out to be apart of and support the 2009 Crusin’ For A Cure at the OC Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa, CA. As you know, this is the largest one day charity car show, that benefits prostate cancer – in the world!

I was honored when I received the call from “The Woman Herself” Debbie Baker asking me to host this years special edition video. Why? Well, for many reasons, but especially, because this year’s event was extra special – as we celebrated the Crusin’ For A Cure 10 year anniversary, the success of saving hundreds of lives, and the woman who has made all of this happen – Debbie Baker!

Prostate Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death for men in this country andsadly to say after a 12 year battle – this deadly disease took the life of Debbie Baker’s beloved husband, Jim Poetker (Baker) earlier this year.

Yet, it’s because of this disease that Debbie Baker has been so determined to assist in saving as many men’s lives as possible! What has been the result of Debbie’s drive & sincere love for people? Well, some of your loved ones have been proactive by taking a PSA screening and they are still with us here today!

Personally – I think that is pretty remarkable!

This year alone, nearly 200,000 men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and it will end up taking the lives of more than 27,000 men. When Cruisin’ for a Cure first started, the goal was to raise the awareness of the deadly disease. From humble beginnings in 2000 with 650 cars at the first show, Cruisin’ for a Cure has grown to more than 3,500 cars, 200 volunteers and thousands (20K to be exact) of active supporters, including some very influential individuals in the automotive industry. Guys like Hollywood’s best – George Barris. The guy with the smile, who adds extra shine to Orange County – Barry Meguire. He’s Nutz about NASCAR and raising money for children’s cancer - Gordon Stewart, AKA, Lugg Nutz. Plus we also had an exclusive interview with City Of Hope’s Urologist, Dr. Josephson, who gave us an up-close and behind the scenes look at the amazing technology and robot they use during surgeries.

Oh yea…and I also was persuaded by Tom West to sit in the Firestone Dragster during the demonstration – boy was that an experience! Take a look for yourself (click here to view video)

I would also like to give a special thank you to Steve Russo and Jon Van Buren who joined our production crew and took some amazing shots (see link) along with Randy Dubb, Jason Dubb, and Mark Richards from Still Motion Productions. Janel Hahn my assistant and “host in training” and of course Debbie Baker and Ross Kroenert – the two who make the magic happen!

See still images and gallery here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/genevievechappell/sets/72157622378447105/

In memory of Debbie’s wonderful husband June 16, 1936 – March 27, 2009. Rest In Peace!

With many new happenings, such as a new office, bigger warehouse, new products and a TV celebrity on board - EBC Brakes has much to celebrate!

We are inviting all SEMA attendees and current customers, vendors, etc to come by and visit our new uprated booth at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas, November 3rd-6th.

Our Booth at SEMA is 24975

Below is a sample of what we will be featuring:

300 new part numbers of sport pads and rotors

The new 2010 printed and electronic catalogs

Handing out over 3000 new promotional posters and other promo goodies

Explaining our new B2B software and how you can order 24/7 online

Introducing our new 4000 plus parcels shipping warehouse facility

Staff from the UK factory and USA distribution centre will be on hand

TV host and personality Genevieve Chappell will be there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for photo opportunities as well as signing a 2009/2010 poster / calendar.

We all look forward to seeing you there!

EBC Brakes Team & Genevieve Chappell

The new EBC Office in LA is at the following address:

EBC Brakes USA Inc
12621 Encinitas Avenue
Sylmar CA 91342

http://www.ebcbrakes.com