As the grand-prize winners of the Network Repair America Sweepstakes, five service dealers recently traveled to Los Angeles to drive an array of exotic vehicles during the Ultimate Dream Car Weekend hosted by Parts Plus Top Fuel driver Clay Millican.
The five winners and their spouses alternated driving such cars as a Lamborghini Huràcan, a Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, a Bentley Continental GT Convertible and an Audi R8 V10 on the Pacific Coast Highway and in the canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains. During their LA weekend, the winners enjoyed a stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel, talked racing with Millican, toured the Petersen Car Museum and saw the sights of Santa Monica on a sunny weekend in Southern California.
“Driving those cars was one of the neatest experiences of my life,” said shop owner William Foster, owner of Foster’s Automotive Inc., in High Point, North Carolina. “I’d have to say my favorite was the Bentley – the perfect blend of luxury and power. Everything about the trip was first-class all the way, from the chauffeured limo service to the hotel to the sightseeing tours.”
“Sharing this incredible driving experience with fellow shops from across the country made it all the more special,” added Josh Van Deventer, owner of Big John’s Performance in Valenica, California. “By the end of the trip, I believe we all bonded and became good friends. I’m a big guy, so I was relieved I was able to fit into the Lamborghini, which was really violent and impressive in short bursts off the line. My favorite, though, was the 458 Spider Ferrari, which I really got to open up on the highway and take it up to, well, I’d rather not say. I can’t stop talking about the entire weekend – it’s one I’ll never forget.”
Earlier this year, repair shops qualified for Repair America by purchasing parts from participating Network distributors and auto stores, earning points for weekly and monthly prizes as well as the grand-prize drawing.
“From start to finish, this year’s Ultimate Dream Car Weekend as part of Repair America had to be one of our most successful promotions yet,” said Bob Barstow, the Network’s vice president of marketing. “The Network is proud to team with the group’s manufacturer partners to reward deserving customers – all passionate car guys – and their spouses with the ultimate driving experience.”