"Powerblock" Host Courtney Hansen Goes Under the Hood.

New Book Offers Advice to First-Time Car Owners and New Auto Enthusiasts

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Courtney Hansen is no stranger to the automotive world. The host of Spike TV's weekend automotive "Powerblock" and former co-host of TLC's popular car makeover show "Overhaulin'" offers the automotive owner's essentials with her first book, The Garage Girl's Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Your Car (ISBN-13: 978-1-58182-519-0).

Hansen grew up around the racing circuit and has been involved in racing since the day she was born. Her father, former SCCA champion Jerry Hansen, owned the Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. during her childhood. "While other girls were playing with Barbie dolls and having tea parties, Courtney was taking friends for rides in official pace-cars and touring the racetrack on mopeds," notes Hansen in the foreword to his daughter's book.

The Garage Girls Guide discusses everything from basic maintenance to installing the more intricate details on a custom hot rod. Topics covered include the practicalities of researching and buying a car, essential car care and maintenance, emergency gear, keeping the tires in top form, finding a good mechanic for more complicated repairs, and "souping up" and "tricking out" a vehicle to give it some attitude.

After a home purchase, the most expensive item that most Americans buy is the vehicle they drive, yet few consumers take the time to do their homework. The Garage Girl's Guide, written from a woman's perspective, is not your typical gear head's guide to automotive care, but a practical care manual written with a sense of humor.

Here's what some of the top racing experts and car enthusiasts are saying about The Garage Girl's Guide:

"Courtney Hansens' automotive pedigree runs deep . . . she has parlayed her knowledge, experience and passion into a career in automotive television and in the garage. Courtney's book is fun and personal, but based on fact and substance. It meets an important need!"

                                       -- Racing Legend Mario Andretti

"During the years that I was in auto races with Jerry Hansen, Courtney was always there - immersed in the track and garage action. She is a true car enthusiast."

                                                  -- Actor Paul Newman

"You go girl! . . . At last a car book written with women in mind by a woman who knows what she's talking about. Courtney will ramp you up on what you need to know about cars, and then some. The Garage Girls Guide . . . is a great read!"

     -- Patty Bledsoe St. Lawrence, Executive Producer of "MuscleCar,"
        "Xtreme 4x4"

This book is excellent and easy to read. I love what Courtney is doing for the car industry. People all over the world should know what makes their cars tick. This book spills the info, and Courtney's the right person to do it."

                 -- Lou Santiago, TV host and car builder, "MuscleCar"

Industry innovator 3M, a trusted professional automotive solutions provider, announced recently that Courtney will serve as their spokesperson for a new line of 3M Car Care consumer products. In addition, she recently signed a deal with Matco Tools and she's back for her second season as host of the highly rated Fox Sports Net's (FSN) series "Destination Wild," where she takes viewers on exciting vacation adventures across the United States. Hansen also writes a column for Makes & Models Magazine, as well as a syndicated newspaper column, "Courtney Hansen: Full Throttle" where she discusses any and all automotive topics under the sun. She writes an instructional car column for DIY Magazine and interviews celebrities about their cars for a bi-monthly column in Celebrity Car Magazine.