National Castrol(R) SYNTEC(TM) Outperformers Program Honors Most Passionate Automotive Student
John Force and Castrol SYNTEC(TM) Ignite Automotive Service Careers
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 31 -- 12-time NHRA POWERade drag racing champion John Force today recognized San Diego resident James Steel as the national winner of the Castrol SYNTEC(TM) Outperformers program. Steel was honored during a special ceremony at John Force Racing's new race shop in Brownsburg, Indiana.
The Castrol SYNTEC(TM) Outperformers program encourages and attracts America's most passionate young car lovers to careers as automotive technicians while recognizing students already pursuing or enrolled in automotive service education. The program is an extension of a 2003 initiative called the Castrol GTX(TM) Top Techs program that recognized the finest automotive service students in America.
"It's great to be part of a program that encourages kids with an interest in technology," Force said. "There's no way I could have won 12 championships and 113 races without a mechanical genius like Austin Coil as crew chief and without a great crew made up of kids just like James Steel. They're the next generation. Bottom line, they'll set the records, break new ground and take drag racing and everything else automotive to the next level."
Steel was selected from more than 400 students ages 16 to 22 that entered online at SYNTECoutperformers.com between January 1 and April 15, 2004. Each entrant completed an online educational curriculum about synthetic motor oil and answered questions about their automotive service experience and passion for working on vehicles. A panel of judges that included John Force, as well as automotive media and industry representatives from BP Lubricants Americas, Mac Tools and Primedia, the nation's largest automotive enthusiast publisher, selected Steel and three additional regional finalists. One winning automotive instructor was also selected and awarded for having the most students complete the synthetic motor oil curriculum and enter the contest.
As the national winner, James Steel "outperformed" the others and received a $7,500 scholarship from Castrol SYNTEC(TM) and Primedia to attend a racing or high-performance automotive class to expand his knowledge about automotive maintenance and technology and continue his pursuit of an automotive service career.
"I was so 'stoked' to hear I was named the national winner!" said Steel. "Ever since I could reach the top of the work bench, I've had a wrench in my hand because I love to work on cars. Modifying, fixing and repairing cars are so familiar and exciting for me, but this is the first time I've won anything like this. I plan to continue learning as much as possible so that I can be the most talented technician around."
Steel attends Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, California, and is working towards his associate degree in automotive technology. He is interested in focusing on high-performance auto repair.
Prior to being named the national winner, Steel's regional selection earned him a toolbox filled with $1,000 of new Mac Tools, two tickets to the 40th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona; a trip to southern California to visit the headquarters of John Force Racing and Primedia; a year's supply (four cases) of Castrol SYNTEC(TM) motor oil; a Castrol SYNTEC(TM) hat and T-shirt; and framed certificate recognizing successful completion of BP Lubricants Americas' Synthetic Motor Oil Education Program. Three other regional winners and one winning instructor earned similar prize packages.
"With more vehicles on the road today and more automotive technology than ever before, the need to encourage and prepare the next generation of automotive technicians has never been greater," said Mike DeBiasi, Castrol SYNTEC(TM) brand manager. "We hope as James becomes a professional technician that he helps fill the need to keep cars and drivers safe on the road. It's a great honor to be involved with the excitement of that possibility and the enthusiasm that these young people have for pursuing their careers."
About Castrol: Castrol, a BP Lubricants Americas brand, markets premium lubricants and business-building programs directly to independent lube operators, service providers, new car dealers and leading retailers. Our leadership brands include: Castrol(R) GTX(R) -- a premium conventional motor oil; Castrol(R) GTX High-Mileage(TM) -- designed for vehicles with over 75,000 miles; Castrol(R) GTX(R) Start Up(TM) -- formulated to provide superior wear protection during the critical start-up period; Castrol(R) SYNTEC BLEND(TM) -- with an added level of synthetic protection; Castrol(R) SYNTEC(TM) -- a full- synthetic, super-premium motor oil; as well as our range of commercial transport lubricants and our successful Super Clean(TM) line of specialty products. To find out more about Castrol products and programs, please call 1-888-CASTROL or log on to http://www.castrolusa.com/ .
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