Midas Announces Winner of ''America's Longest Commute'' Contest
ITASCA, Ill.--April 12, 2006--| Winner Drives Away with $10,000 in Gas Money and Free Car Maintenance |
How far are you willing to drive to work? For Dave Givens of Mariposa, Calif., the answer is 186 miles - one way - good enough to take first place in the search by Midas, Inc. for "America's Longest Commute." Givens out-drove thousands of other entrants to take home the grand prize of $10,000 in gas money as well as an array of Midas maintenance services and products.
"He's the ultimate road warrior. 2006 is Midas' 50th anniversary, so we know a thing or two about staying power," said Rick Dow, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Midas. "We commend his perseverance and commitment to his job and to his family. We also want to lighten his load a bit by providing some gas money relief as well as some maintenance services and products to improve his mileage. Let's face it, he needs all the help he can get!"
Givens, an electrical engineer with Cisco Systems, Inc., in San Jose, Calif., drives a 186-mile one-way commute five days a week, a round-trip journey of 372 miles that takes a total of seven hours. He has been making the lengthy commute since 1989.
"I have a great job and my family loves the ranch where we live," he said in explaining why he makes the commute. "So this is the only solution."
What does he do during his long trek? "I listen to the radio and keep my eyes on the road," he says. "I also drink a lot coffee."
In addition to the cash grand prize, Givens received four Midas Touch(TM) Maintenance Packages including oil change, tire rotation and multi-point Courtesy Check, including a visual brake check, and four Bridgestone(R) tires.
The "America's Longest Commute" Contest, held in honor of Midas' 50th anniversary, drew close to 3,000 entries nationwide. "We were impressed with the responses," said Dow. "Apparently, there are a lot of Americans putting a lot of miles on their cars to get to the office each day. Consequently, it's more important than ever that commuters properly maintain their vehicles."
The second place winner was Jeffrey Haussy of Georgetown, Ill., who drives a one-way daily commute of 175 miles to his job with American Airlines at O'Hare International Airport. The third place winner was Kay Phillips of Granite Falls, N.C., who drives 164.4 miles one-way to her job at the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition of North Carolina. Both received the Midas Touch "Care Package for a Long Commute" including one Midas Touch Maintenance Package, a gift certificate for free coffee, a Midas travel coffee mug, plush car seat cover and neck pillow.
Midas' "America's Longest Commute" Contest kicked off on Jan. 9, 2006 and ran through Feb. 6, 2006. Participants were asked to report the mileage of their current daily commute, defined as the most direct route, one way, in miles, from their principal place of residence to their principal place of lawful employment. To be considered, participants had to currently drive a minimum of four days a week, each week of the month, and have driven for a minimum of three months. Long distance cargo or other delivery and public transportation driving were not considered a daily commute. Motorcycles, buses, and all forms of public transportation were not eligible forms of transportation for daily commute.
For a free brochure containing fuel-saving tips, motorists can visit Midas shops nationwide. Additional fuel efficiency tips and maintenance information are also available at www.midas.com.
Midas is one of the world's largest providers of automotive service, offering brake, exhaust, maintenance, tires, steering and suspension services at 2,600 franchised, licensed and company-owned Midas shops in 19 countries, including 1,800 in the United States and Canada.
