Auto Glass Technicians Volley for Title of 'World's Best' Auto Glass Technician in National Competition

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 21, 2006 -- Twenty-nine of the best auto glass technicians gathered for the second annual Auto Glass Technician Contest (the "Olympics" of Auto Glass Replacement), held November 1-3, 2006 in Las Vegas and three emerged victorious. Robert (Rob) Grace of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass, Harrisburg, PA., has won the gold medal first place, Carl Sorrels of Northwest Windshield in Walla Walla, WA placed second and Jason Horne of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass took third.

Grace was awarded a $5,000 cash prize, gold medal, large trophy and the coveted title of "World's Best Auto Glass Technician." Sorrels and Horne received cash prizes as well as silver and bronze medals respectively. The event is co-sponsored by Auto Glass Repair and Replacement (AGRR) magazine, the largest auto glass magazine in the world and the Independent Glass Association.

The Auto Glass Technician Olympics is a highly competitive, three-day competition that requires contestants to compete against other regional champions from around the nation. During the event, each competitor installs a windshield on a car in accordance with the industry's Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council (AGRSS) Standard 002-2002. Competitors demonstrate their skills 'live' in front of an audience and the scrutiny of the four event judges. After completing a full windshield replacement in the preliminary round, four finalists went on to remove and reinstall a backlite.

Scoring was based on the AGRSS Standard and comprised of 10 sections. Those sections provided in-depth detail into each step a technician would take in a standard replacement installation. Each technician started with a perfect score of 110 points. Judges then deducted points when technicians missed steps, safety items or techniques.

"We were so pleased to see the professionalism of the winners," stated Holly Biller event director of the Auto Glass Technician Competition. "The entire competition is about education and having the technicians learn from one another as well as educate the common consumer. Rob was a prime example of how utilizing the AGRSS Standard will ensure a safe and top-quality installation," said Biller.