Quaker State® Introduces "Best in Class Challenge" For High School Auto Shop Students

HOUSTON, Sept. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker State^® is bringing a hands-on automotive education program to select high schools through the "Best in Class Challenge." This 6-week competition will feature high school auto shop classes across the United States restoring, tuning and customizing a pre-owned car into a showroom-ready, creative representation of their school. Each high school team will compete for not only bragging rights, but a custom spread in Popular Mechanics, the opportunity to attend and participate in the December 11, 2015 Mecum Auction in Austin, Texas and prize money and scholarships for their high school.

"The Best in Class Challenge is an exciting opportunity for high school students, offering them the opportunity to learn and apply new techniques for automobile maintenance and care," said Gita Gidwani, Quaker State Global Brand Manager. "The competition will be a true test of automotive knowledge and attention to detail for the students, and we hope it builds on their passion for the industry."

On September 14, 2015, approximately 27 schools from across the U.S. will compete to be nominated for the "Best in Class Challenge" and will have until September 27 to secure as many votes as possible. The five school auto shop teams, one from each market, with the most votes will then become finalists and will take part in the next stage of the competition, transpiring over six weeks with a different automotive challenge each week beginning October 12, 2015.

Quaker State has also teamed up with AutoZone to help set up each school with the tools for success.  The top five schools will receive their vehicle from local car lots (valued at $3,000), receive a $2,000 AutoZone gift card to purchase all necessary parts and supplies for the competition. Over the next few weeks, the students will be scored on their progress, quality of work and overall final product.  Online voting will also be taken into consideration.

Quaker State has chosen two distinguished judges: Tommy Pike, owner of Tommy Pike Customs, and Paul Menard, driver of the No. 27 Quaker State-Menards Chevrolet SS who races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The judges will evaluate each team based on strict automotive criteria including engine presentation, cabin detailing and exterior finish.

"Being able to judge the 'Best in Class Challenge' is a huge honor," said Tommy Pike. "My love for custom automobiles started at a young age, so I hope to inspire these students. I wish I had an opportunity like this when I was getting started."

Upon successful completion of the "Best in Class Challenge," all schools will be awarded a prize package from AutoZone that includes:

• Gold Prize – one - $2,000 AutoZone Gift Certificate to the 1^st place school
• Silver Prize – two - $1,500 AutoZone Gift Certificate each to the 2^nd and 3^rd place schools
• Bronze Prize – two - $1,000 AutoZone Gift Certificate each to the 4^th and 5^th place schools

In addition, all five schools will receive a professional mechanics tool kit from AutoZone for their shop class to further learn about auto maintenance.  All members of the winning auto shop team will be awarded the Grand Prize—a custom advertorial in Popular Mechanics to spread the word about their hard work and automotive skill.

The top three finalist teams will be given the chance to attend the Mecum Auction in Austin, Texas on December 11, 2015. Additionally, the attending students will be on stage while the vehicle crosses the block along with Tommy Pike and Paul Menard. The top three finalist teams will each have an opportunity to auction off their customized vehicles to the highest bidders with proceeds going to their high schools. The bottom two finalist teams will be able to keep their vehicles as a prize.

Quaker State makes it its mission to provide motorists with products that offer the value that they desire and expect. To stay up-to-date on the latest Quaker State activities, be sure to 'Like' the official Quaker State Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/quakerstate) and follow Quaker State on Twitter (https://twitter.com/quakerstate).

About Quaker State^®

Quaker State^® motor oil has an 80-year history as a leader in consumer automotive products and vehicle care.  Quaker State is among the industry's most innovative motor oil brands and offers a full line of products to meet every type of vehicle engine need.  Quaker State is one of the first brands to develop high mileage engine motor oil.

For more information about the full line of Quaker State products, visit www.quakerstate.com.

About Shell Lubricants

The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying more than 12% of global lubricants volume. ^a The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil^®, Quaker State^®, FormulaShell^®, Shell TELLUS^®, Shell RIMULA^®, Shell ROTELLA^® T, Shell SPIRAX^® and Jiffy Lube^®.

^aKline & Company, "Global Lubricants Industry 2012: Market Analysis and Assessment."

About AutoZone

As of May 9, 2015, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 5,069 AutoZone stores in 49 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S., and 418 stores in Mexico and seven stores in Brazil and 18 IMC branches for a total count of 5,512.

AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each AutoZone store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, and public sector accounts. IMC branches carry an extensive line of OE quality import replacement parts. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and accessories and performance parts through www.autoanything.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com and www.imcparts.net. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

About Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics empowers readers to navigate the increasingly complex, technological world around us. The magazine, published monthly by Hearst Magazines, inspires, instructs and influences nine million curious readers. Their mindset - the hunger to know, the desire to investigate and learn - drives them to explore, experiment and experience a wide range of interests. Issues engage readers with breakthroughs in the latest innovations in science and technology; educates with informative "how-to" stories on automotive, the home and digital technology; and motivates action with product reviews and comparison tests of the newest equipment and products. Popular Mechanics is also the #1-ranked men's monthly magazine when it comes to reaching an environmentally conscious audience. The brand is a 21st-century must-read, with a robust website (popularmechanics.com) and an award-winning tablet edition. Follow Popular Mechanics on Twitter @PopMech.

SOURCE Quaker State

Related Links

http://www.quakerstate.com