FEATURE/Ultimate Car Lover Passes Half Way Point in Quest To Live in His Car for 75,000 Minutes to Win $75,000

    LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--June 4, 2001--Sam Walters has been living in his car for more than 26 days (nearly 40,000 minutes) and he's just passing the half-way point as he pushes himself - and his car - to the limits to prove he's the country's most crazed car lover. Walters is living in his 1991 Acura Integra for 75,000 minutes (52 days, two hours) as he tries to complete the MaxLife Car Lover's Challenge for $75,000.
    "This has been both an amazing and an exhausting experience," said Walters. "I love driving so I haven't had a problem with the long days on the open roads, but being stuck in traffic has been a challenge. I'm holding up very well through the first half of the trip, but I've got to say that my car, my baby, is doing even better."
    Before Walters hit the road, his Integra received a complete tune-up using Valvoline's MaxLife motor oil. MaxLife is the first motor oil specially formulated for higher mileage engines. It is designed to help slow the aging process and help maximize the life of a vehicle's engine.
    "Sam's held up great during the long, hot drives through the Southern states and we're confident he'll breeze through the rest of the Challenge," said James J. O'Brien, president of Valvoline. "Of course, we're just as confident that MaxLife motor oil will keep his engine running smoothly as he continues to roll on the miles."

    Walters began his trek criss-crossing the country on May 7 in Lexington, Ky. and will visit more than 40 cities along the way. Here's a look at his itinerary:

-	Where He's Been...Lexington, Ky., Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Roanoke, Va., Charlotte, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Fla., Daytona Beach, Fla., Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, Fla., New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Denver
-	Where He's Going...Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and New York City

    Walters beat out more than 750 would-be Challengers who submitted essays about why they love their high-mileage cars to earn the right to travel around the country for 52 days. Originally from Washington, D.C., Walters, 27, now resides in Los Angeles. Walters graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Industrial Engineering and is an avid fan of football, auto racing and lacrosse.
    In addition to paying Sam $75,000 for completing the challenge, Valvoline will donate $1 per mile to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Walters' forfeits the prize if he breaks contact with his car at any time during the challenge except for a 10-minute break every two hours.
    Stay tuned to the MaxLife Car Lover's Challenge and read Walters' online diary while he is on the road, visit www.valvoline.com/carlovers.

    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.

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