Rev Up Your Engine for Pep Boys' 2002 Virtual Car Show; Pep Boys to Award Grand Prizes To First Place Winners In 12 Different Categories

    PHILADELPHIA--June 12, 2002--Pep Boys , the nation's leading full-service automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, has launched its second annual, nationwide Virtual Car Show.
    This virtual car competition will offer car devotees the chance to win $1,000 in Pep Boys gift certificates, as well as the chance to be featured in a custom 2003 Pep Boys calendar, which will be available at any Pep Boys location nationwide.
    The show, which is being held via the Internet until September 2, 2002, allows automobile enthusiasts anywhere to stroll "virtual rows" of cars, trucks and vans representing various makes and models from the past and present -- all without leaving their home or office. Spectators can be part of the action, by registering their own cars in the show to compete in any of 12 classes, as well as take part in the voting process to select the winners.
    "Car enthusiasts now have the chance to show off their wheels without ever leaving the comfort of their living rooms or having to worry about Mother Nature or transportation restrictions," said Bill Furtkevic, director of marketing communications for Pep Boys. "This program allows us to reach out to devotees and customers nationwide on a grass roots level by providing them the chance to join in an activity they enjoy, but in a much more innovative and convenient way."
    Applications can be found online at http://www.pepboyscarshow.com. To enter the car show, car enthusiasts can simply submit an original, unpublished photo of their car, truck, van or SUV either online or by mail. Entries are judged from the following 12 classes: Chevrolet; Buick; Oldsmobile; Pontiac; Ford/Mercury; Pre-1949 Cars and Trucks; Pre-1995 Sport Compact; 1996 - 2002 Sport Compact; SUVs; Trucks; Vans or Unique/Other.
    In addition, if participants choose only to fill out the entry form (and not to upload an image of their car), they'll have the chance to win a $100 Pep Boys gift certificate in a random weekly sweepstakes throughout the duration of the show. There will be one winner in each of 12 classes. Entrants who fill out the entry form and upload a photo of their car are eligible for the weekly sweepstakes and a shot at the grand prize. A grand prizewinner for each class will take home a $1,000 gift certificate from Pep Boys, as well as have their car featured in the 2003 Pep Boys calendar.
    Editors of Hot Rod, Car Craft, 4Wheel and Off-Road, Super Street, Chevy High Performance and Sport Truck will judge the contest and announce the winners on October 10, 2002. The results will also be posted on the Pep Boys Virtual Car Show site.
    Pep Boys operates 629 stores and nearly 6,500 service bays in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Along with its vehicle repair and maintenance capabilities, the company also serves the commercial auto parts delivery market and is one of the leading sellers of replacement tires in the United States. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 800/PEP-BOYS or by visiting pepboys.com.