The Search For The Ultimate Automotive Enthusiast Begins

HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a first-of-its kind contest, Shell is teaming-up with top automotive enthusiast judges to find the person that best embodies what being the ultimate automotive enthusiast means. Whether it is a person who spends more time tuning and pampering their vehicle than driving it, touring the country in search of their dream ride or just cruising to show it off, or simply someone who spends much of their leisure time paying homage to all things automotive, the Shell V-Power "Ultimate Enthusiast" Contest aims to find the best of the best.

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From October 23 to December 3, enthusiasts are invited to share why they are the Ultimate Enthusiast at www.shell.us/ultimateenthusiast. One Grand Prize winner and a guest will receive an Ultimate Enthusiast week in Italy where they'll have the chance to explore the country's historic sites and rich automotive history, including an exclusive Ferrari experience in the Prancing Horse's home town of Maranello, Italy.

"Shell understands the endless pursuit and passion for vehicles.  That is why we develop performance fuels like Shell V-Power, the no. 1 selling branded premium gasoline in the U.S.," says Elizabeth Hudson, fuel category manager at Shell Oil Products US. "The 'Ultimate Enthusiast' Contest is a tribute to those enthusiasts who share that passion and commitment for their own rides."

In order to identify the nation's most die-hard automotive enthusiast, Shell has assembled a panel of recognized automotive insiders and experts to judge the entries and declare the Shell V-Power Ultimate Enthusiast. Judges include Roger Penske, founder and chairman of the Penske Corporation; Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company; Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver; Larry Webster, editor-in-chief of Road & Track; Alan Taylor, host of Motor Trend Radio; and Tony Marini, executive director of Hot August Nights.

"In my experience working in the automotive field, including my years at the race track as a driver and team owner, I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most knowledgeable, competitive and avid enthusiasts in the world." said Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corporation. "I look forward to helping find someone just as passionate in the Shell V-Power 'Ultimate Enthusiast' Contest."

The top three contest finalists will be flown to Scottsdale, Ariz. for a three-day, VIP experience at the 42^nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction to be held January 13-20, 2013, including access to the world famous car auction and an invitation to Barrett-Jackson's opening night gala on January 14, 2013 where the grand prize winner will be announced.

To pamper their beloved vehicles, all finalists will also receive a year's worth* of Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline. Should the Grand Prize winner be unable to redeem the Grand Prize they will be offered $10,000 in Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline. The Ultimate Enthusiast deserves the ultimate experience and the ultimate gasoline. Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline helps deliver maximum protection for optimal performance of their most prized possession.

"I'm thrilled to be teaming up with Shell and celebrate the passion of cars with three of the nation's top enthusiasts," said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "I am surrounded by car enthusiasts every day in my line of work and am excited for these winners to experience the excitement of Barrett-Jackson first hand."

For more information on the Shell "Ultimate Enthusiast" Contest and official rules, visit www.shell.us/ultimateenthusiast.  For more information on the benefits of Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline visit www.shell.us/vpower.

*For the purposes of this Prize, "a year's worth of Shell V-Power Premium Gasolines" is calculated as the average consumer's yearly gasoline consumption of 636 gallons (4.5 fuel purchases per month x 11.77 gallons of gasoline per purchase x 12 months) at an average August 2012 cost of $3.991 / gallon (consistent with the U.S. Department of Energy statistics for "Motor Gasoline Retail Prices, U.S. City Average" released on August 29, 2012 (636 x $3.991 = $2,538.276).

About Shell Oil Company
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with approximately 90,000 employees in more than 80 countries.  We deliver a diverse range of energy solutions and petrochemicals to customers worldwide.  These include transporting and trading oil and gas, marketing natural gas, producing and selling fuel for ships and planes, generating electricity and providing energy efficiency advice.  We also produce and sell petrochemical building blocks to industrial customers globally, and we are investing in making renewable and lower-carbon energy sources competitive for large-scale use.  In the U.S., we operate in 50 states and employ more than 20,000 people delivering energy in a responsible manner.

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SOURCE Shell Oil Company