Meineke News Release (Pre-event)
National Finalists Announced For Meineke Pipe Bending, Brake-Off World Championships Winners To Be Determined at 2003 AAPEX Show in Las Vegas LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Oct. 28, 2003)?National finalists have been announced for the Meineke Pipe Bending and Brake-Off World Championships that will be conducted at the 2003 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) here next week. Four finalists were selected for each competition from regional contests held at Meineke Car Care Centers across the United States. The Pipe Bending World Championship is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 in the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Booth Space #1616. The Brake-Off competition will take place in the same location at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. Pipe Bending finalists and their regions are: · Northeast ? Paul Rivard, a Meineke employee for 15 years, will represent Nashua, N.H. Barry and Christine Williams own the franchise. · Midwest ? Isak Berianidze, a Meineke employee for three years, will represent Downers Grove, Ill. Rick Lennon and Ed Moses are franchise owners. · West ? Chris Krenn, a Meineke employee for 20 years, will represent Katy, Texas. Larry and Brandy Burroughs own the franchise. · Southeast ? Edward Fernandez, a Meineke employee for two years, will represent Lawrenceville, Ga. Rob and Kathy Toren are franchise owners. Brake-Off finalists include: · Northeast ? Rivard from the Nashua, N.H. shop. · Midwest ? Scott Coleman, a Meineke employee for 13 years, will represent Brookfield, Wis. Tom and Jill Coleman own the franchise. · West ? Lawrence LeMieux, a Meineke employee for five years, will represent Reno, Nev. Steve and Nancy Loye are franchise owners. · Southeast ? Michael Hunt, a Meineke employee for five years, will represent Bridgeport, W.Va. Tom Toepfer and Chris Sellaro own the franchise. Former heavyweight boxing champion and Meineke spokesman George Foreman will provide the commentary at both events. Foreman will also be signing autographs in the Meineke Booth Space #1616 from 11 a.m. to noon both days. Gene Zhiss, Meineke Vice President of Marketing and Dealer Communications, said both contests test the speed and accuracy of each contestant. "Finishing in the shortest time is important," Zhiss said, "but accuracy is just as important. Mistakes deduct from the contestant's score. "Finalists will perform operations for identical vehicle applications using the same machines. We will announce the year, make and model of the vehicle just before the competitions begin." Zhiss said some people feel custom pipe bending is a dying art. "However, we're counting on the know-how and experience of top Meineke benders to show that this is not the case," Zhiss said. Since Meineke is no longer just a muffler shop, the company wanted to add the Brake-Off competition this year to showcase its expanded product line, he said. AAPEX is the automotive aftermarket industry's largest trade show and is scheduled for Nov. 4-7 at the Sands Expo Center. Last year, 86,000 visitors representing all segments of the service and retail industries attended along with more than 6,900 international buyers from 120 countries. The trade show represents the $250 billion North American retail and service automobile aftermarket industry and features more than 1,700 exhibitors. Meineke Car Care Center, a nationwide chain of independently owned and operated franchises, has been a "consumer friendly" name for more than 30 years. Founded in Houston, Texas and now headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., the company has grown to approximately 900 Centers in the United States, Canada, Central and South America. # # # Kara Lee Ford Senior Public Relations Account Executive Stone Ward (501) 604-6179 (501) 375-8314 fax