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

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.

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

As most of you know, a couple of months ago, I signed on as the official spokesperson of EBC Brakes.
I’ve been a big fan of their prooducts for a looong time – so I’m super pumped!

Recently on “Trucks” which is a part of Spike TVs, Power Block, the EBC Brakes, Sports Rotor was featured (click link to see video below)

http://video.powerblocktv.com/services/player/bcpid6270746001?bctid=17073958001

EBC Yellowstuff is an aramid fibre based brake compound with high brake effect form cold and is possibly one of the first ever compounds that can be used for street and track driving., EBC Redstuff High Performance brake pads have the lowest dust rating pads for Prestige imports and faster street driving. Designed for premium street driving offering better brake effect up to 600°C (1100°F). EBC Greenstuff has a high initial brake effect and gives drivers confidence from first application of the brake pedal. Manufactured using premium disc blanks mentioned above, the unique wide aperture slots in the EBC sport rotor actually draw cool air under the pad during heavy braking and reduce brake temperatures whilst also helping remove dirt, dust and debris and gasses created by heavy braking from the pad contact area.

There were big names, large companies and lots of media at the grand opening of the Pep Boys Speed Shop on May 30-31 at their Washington Blvd. store in Los Angeles.

Thanks to my sponsor, EBC Brakes, which is distributed at Pep Boys stores, I got to be on site both days to meet people, take pictures, sign autographs, and check out exactly what the Pep Boys Speed Shop is all about. Like the same sound it makes, at the Pep Boys Speed Shop you can get aftermarket go-fast parts for classic and muscle cars, and can get the parts installed on site. It’s a pretty cool place and definitely has a big old-school Los Angeles flavor to it.

There was a lot of excitement in the air, as Pep Boys employees from around the country were in attendance to see take part in the event and celebrate the grand opening of the new shop. Mike Odell and Scott Webb awarded me with a certificate of appreciation for attending the event – that was definitely a highlight!

Thanks to EBC Brakes, Pep Boys, and everyone who made this a successful event – be sure to take a look at my pictures from the event on my Flickr!

For a fun video clip, click here