DIAMOND BAR, Calif. – Chip Foose, award-winning automotive designer and fabricator, and host of TLC’s Overhaulin’, has been named Grand Marshall of the Aug. 1 SEMA Show N’ Shine public car show presented by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The inaugural event will take place inside the newly remodeled Pasadena Convention Center, where more than 200 vehicles will come together to help two worthy children’s charities.

“As Chairman of the SEMA Cares committee, I was thrilled when Chip Foose graciously agreed to be the Grand Marshall of our inaugural car show and be on hand to share his passion and expertise with his fellow automotive enthusiasts. His generosity and celebrity status will help us launch a successful event that can make the lives of these kids a little better,” said Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee. “People like Chip and eBay Motors who have stepped up along with all the other sponsors and volunteers demonstrates the extent to which this industry will go to support a good cause.”

Foose’s design talent will be displayed at the show through three of his personal vehicles: a 1956 Ford F100 pickup from Overhaulin’, a 2002 Ford T-Bird “Speedbird” that starred in “Rides,” and his Foose Coupe. Also, as Grand Marshall of the event, Foose will design and autograph the official car show T-shirt that will be given to all vehicle registrants free of charge. 

"It’s an honor being named Grand Marshall for SEMA’s first public car show," said Foose. "This industry has been an important part of my life and it’s one that I’m very proud to be a part of. I can’t think of a better way to support these two great children’s charities.”

Foose, a 45-year-old native of Santa Barbara, Calif., began working on automobiles at age 7 for his father’s company. His career skyrocketed to the point where he started his own company, Foose Design, in 1998. Foose was the youngest member ever inducted into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame at age 31 in 1997, one of his many awards and accolades.

Taking place along with the car show will be the 2nd Annual SEMA CARES Pinewood Drag Races. Presented by eBay Motors, the pinewood race will feature more than 250 cars in three classes (stock, modified and unlimited).

Both the car show and the pinewood races are part of the 2009 SEMA Leadership Days. Other activities include the Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, held later that evening at 6 p.m. This annual celebration is when the industry has the opportunity to come together and honor its leaders and innovators.

“Our industry is once again showing we can help those less fortunate while celebrating our incoming and outgoing Board of Directors and our SEMA Hall of Fame inductees,” added Ayres.

Proceeds from the car show and the Pinewood Drag Race will benefit SEMA’s two chosen charities, Childhelp www.childhelp.org and Victory Junction Gang Camp www.victoryjunction.org. Childhelp aids victims of child abuse and originally began receiving support from wheel manufacturers in 1994.

For more information, visit www.sema.org/leadershipdays.