Shell Brings Back 'Ultimate Enthusiast' Contest
HOUSTON – Shell launched its second annual Shell V-Power Ultimate Enthusiast Contest, which seeks to find the individual who best represents their unyielding passion for automobiles. The contest officially kicked off today at Hot August Nights in Reno, Nev., the largest classic car and nostalgia event in the United States.
"The response to the 'Ultimate Enthusiast' contest last year was phenomenal. The stories these enthusiasts shared showcased what we always thought we knew: a passion for cars is about memories and an unwavering focus on performance," said Elizabeth Hudson, fuel category manager at Shell Oil Products US. "Like our enthusiasts last year and the ones we expect to hear from this year, we understand their dedication to performance. That is why we develop fuels like Shell V-Power, designed to deliver maximum protection for optimum performance for today's high-performance vehicles."
From Aug. 6 through Sept. 17, fans from across the automotive world — from classic car enthusiasts to race car aficionados — are invited to share stories and photos that show why they are the Ultimate Enthusiast at www.shell.us/ultimateenthusiast. Contestants are also invited to share the personal combination of time, place, destination and companion that would create their dream automotive experience.
One grand-prize winner and a guest will receive a once-in-a-lifetime Ultimate Enthusiast week in Italy, including an exclusive experience with Ferrari in its hometown of Maranello, Italy.
Returning contest judges include Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corp.; Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.; Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver; Larry Webster, editor-in-chief of Road & Track; Alan Taylor, host of "The Drive with Alan Taylor;" and Tony Marini, executive director of Hot August Nights. American drag car racer Don Prudhomme and 2012 Ultimate Enthusiast Grand-Prize Winner Harold Craige will also join this year's judging panel.
All photo submissions to this year's contest will be judged by the Joey Logano Foundation, a charitable foundation designed to help deserving individuals in race communities. One winner could have their photo featured in the foundation's 2014 calendar and receive a $100 Shell V-Power gift card.
The top three Ultimate Enthusiast Contest finalists will be flown to Scottsdale, Ariz., for a three-day VIP experience at the 43rd annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction on Jan. 12-19, 2014. They will receive access to the world-famous car auction and an invitation to Barrett-Jackson's opening night gala on Jan. 13 for the announcement of the grand-prize winner, who could also win $5,000 in Shell V-Power gift cards for his or her car club.
To pamper their vehicles, all finalists will receive a year's worth of Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline. If the grand-prize winner is unable to redeem the grand prize, they will be offered $10,000 in Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline.
"Last year's contest was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me," said Craige. "When I entered last year, I couldn't have ever imagined the wonderful journey it would take me on. From being able to finally attend the world-famous Barrett-Jackson car auction, being named the Ultimate Enthusiast and then embarking on an automotive extravaganza in Italy, Shell has created a lasting memory for an old car guy. I will be telling my stories forever.”