Valvoline Seeks Ultimate Car Lover for $75,000 Challenge
LEXINGTON, Ky.--Feb. 13, 2001--Americans have always had a love affair with their automobiles - naming them, pampering them and holding on to them for years. In fact, the majority of the vehicles on the road are more than seven years old, and 64 percent of vehicles have been driven more than 75,000 miles.
As engines age, they lose compression, gaskets become brittle, rings wear and valves do not seal tightly. This contributes to increased oil consumption, reduced gas mileage, decreased engine performance and a more rapid oil breakdown.
To aid these automobiles, The Valvoline Co. developed MaxLife Motor Oil, the first motor oil with scientifically formulated additives designed to help slow the aging process and maximize the life of higher mileage engines. Now Valvoline is calling on drivers full of passion, trust and love for their 75,000 mile-plus automobile to make the ultimate commitment - living in their car for 75,000 minutes (52 days) as part of the MaxLife Car Lover's Challenge.
The prize for completing MaxLife's man-loves-machine marathon is $75,000. Valvoline will also donate $1 per mile to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
"Our research showed that high-mileage car owners have very special bonds with their cars and we've created MaxLife to help preserve these relationships," said James J. O'Brien, president of Valvoline. "The MaxLife Car Lover's Challenge lets us explore the limits of these bonds and see just how much Americans really love their cars."
This love-struck driver must live in his lean, mean, well-oiled machine for 52 days, traveling up to 10,000 miles in 75,000 minutes on a cross-country excursion that will lead to some of the country's most famous landmarks. The driver will get a 10-minute break every two hours to stay fresh over the long haul.
Valvoline will provide the driver and his car with the royal treatment including a complete tune-up using Valvoline's MaxLife motor oil, maintenance tips for keeping the car running smoothly over the long haul, and a support crew trailing behind the driver every step of the way.
Entrants must submit a 500-word essay by March 23, 2001, describing their unique relationship with their car. Guidelines follow:
| -- | Cars must have at least 75,000 miles |
| -- | Essay entries can be entered via Web site at www.valvoline.com/carlovers |
| -- | Essay entries and/or videos can be sent to: MaxLife Car Lover's Challenge, 645 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 |
| -- | Official rules are available at www.valvoline.com/carlovers or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the MaxLife Car Lover's Challenge, 645 N. Michigan Ave. Ste. 630, Chicago, IL 60611 |
| -- | 75,000 minute challenge runs May 7 - June 28, 2001 |
The Valvoline Company, a division of Ashland Inc., has been serving American motorists longer than any other motor oil company and is a leading innovator and supplier of quality, high-performing automotive and industrial products in more than 140 countries. Best known for its lubricants, Valvoline also markets Eagle One appearance products, Zerex antifreeze, SynPower Performance Products and Pyroil automotive chemicals. The company also has a stake in the growing quick-lube market with its Valvoline Instant Oil Change unit. Valvoline is a member of the Ashland Inc. family of companies. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.valvoline.com.