Around ASA

By B.J. Johnson

ASA-Washington Races for Tech Education

ASA-Washington received more than $20,000 in pledges for the Industry Technicians Education Coalition (ITEC) during its first annual “ITEC Race for Tech Education” event. The race was held April 21 at the Grand Prix Raceways in Fife, Wash. More than 90 drivers on nine teams competed in 300 laps aboard European-built race carts. Speeds reached 25-30 miles per hour on the fifth-of-a-mile indoor track.

Nic Norbeck's “Kamikazes” took first place. Neal DeBoer's “S.W. Washington Sneakers” were awarded second place, and third place was taken by Tim Hodgson's “Genesis” team. Behind the leaders, not in this particular order, were Ed Dollar's “Craftsmen,” Jeff Lovell's “Big Dogs,” Merle Pfiefer's “The Sparks,” Joel Baxter's “Olympic-Peninsula,” Tom Smith's “Big Horns,” and Bob Ling's “Off Chamber.”

Smith's Big Horns raised the most money - more than $5,000. As the team with the most pledges, the Big Horns received a Mini-Indy Race party donated by Grand Prix Raceways.

A large crowd of fans cheered on the teams and all enjoyed a barbecue meal of Philly and sausage sandwiches. Many sponsors also donated door prizes. The event attracted more than 130 people.

“It was fantastic to see the involvement by so many people. They worked hard to get their teams, then to see that each team member collected the pledges. After everyone worked so hard, it was great to see them having so much fun. ASA-Washington and ITEC thank everyone involved for making this event so successful,” said Jeff Lovell, AAM, ASA-Washington vice president of membership.

AMI Accepting Scholarship Applications

The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) is accepting applications for the BodyShop Business magazine scholarship, the Emil Stanley Merit award, and the Tom B. Babcox Memorial scholarship.

AMI's resource development effort, EXCEL, in conjunction with Babcox Publications, established the $1,000 BodyShop Business magazine and the $1,000 Tom B. Babcox Memorial scholarships for ASA Collision Division and ASA Mechanical Division members, respectively, who strive to be, or are presently working, in a management capacity. The two scholarships will be applied toward the recipients' expenses to attend the 2002 International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) and the 2002 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS). Applications for the BodyShop Business magazine scholarship must be received by Aug. 12. Applications for the Tom B. Babcox Memorial scholarship must be received by Aug. 16.

In addition, the institute annually awards the Emil Stanley Merit Award. To be eligible, an applicant must work in the collision repair industry; demonstrate an interest in self-improvement through management education; own or work for a business that is an ASA member in good standing; and, if not the business owner, must be recommended by the owner. The recipient will attend AMI seminars offered during the 2002 NACE event. This award provides for travel, hotel, NACE registration and tuition. Applications for the Emil Stanley Merit Award must be received by Aug. 16.

CARS will be held Nov. 7-9 at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and NACE will be held Dec. 5-8 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas.

Former ASA Chairman Receives AAA Top Shop Award

Howard Lewis

Howard Lewis, AAM, owner of L&B Auto Repair in Snohomish, Wash., has been awarded AAA Washington's 2001 Top Shop Award for outstanding performance during the past year. Lewis served as the Automotive Service Association's chairman in 2000.

AAA's Top Shop Award is presented to dealerships and independent automotive repair shops that earned top high scores on AAA's customer service index. To qualify, each shop must be a part of the AAA's Approved Auto Repair program.

Shops are graded on customer satisfaction, shop cleanliness, customer response, professionalism and business practices. L&B Auto Repair and nine other independent recipients were chosen from AAA's 240 Approved Auto Repair facilities.

ASA-Florida Announces Convention

The ASA-Florida affiliate, in conjunction with the Florida Automotive Trades Association, will hold its annual convention July 12-13 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

The two-day event will offer a golf tournament, welcome reception, trade show and an Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminar. Seminar participants will earn three credits toward the institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.

In addition, the keynote speaker will be Steve Ford, The Car Guy,® who will provide attendees information on “Servicing the Machine of 2015.” Bob Redding, ASA Washington, D.C., representative, and Becky MacDicken, director of government relations for the Tire Association of North America, will give legislative updates. The convention will close with a calypso dinner by the pool. For convention and registration information, contact Jill Mondo, executive director, at (800) 434-8372.

ASA Launches CARS News-Network

ASA's Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS), the premier event of mechanical and transmission repair, is unmatched in regard to seminars, workshops and presentations. To better inform attendees and potential attendees about the event, ASA has created the CARS News-Network.

Subscribers to the CARS News-Network will receive periodic e-mail updates providing the latest news and announcements about CARS.

To become a participating member, visit the CARS Web site (www.CARSonline.org) and click on “CARS News-Network” from the left menu. Enter your e-mail address in the field provided and click on “Subscribe.” An e-mail confirming your membership will be sent.

CARS will take place Nov. 7-9 at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

ASA Publishes 2001 Annual Report

The national Automotive Service Association (ASA) has published its 2001 Annual Report on the ASA Web site (www.asashop.org). The report contains a summary of the year's activities from each ASA department. It also includes the association's complete financial statements and independent auditor's report.

“As a member-based organization, ASA's board of directors believes we have an obligation to provide members full access to the Annual Report information. Members are, in our opinion, the stakeholders of this association,” said Chairman Dan Frohlich.

To access the report, ASA national members should click the “Members Only” button on the Web site's home page. When prompted for a User ID and Password, enter your six-digit ASA member number in both fields. (Your member number is published above your name on the AutoInc. mail label.)

Once in the “Members Only” section, a new table of contents will appear. Select “Annual Report” and access will be granted. In addition to the 2001 report, previous years' reports are also online. National members who do not have Internet access may request a free copy of the 2001 report by calling the Membership Department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 295.

Senator Introduces Service Information Availability Bill

U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., introduced the Senate version of “The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act” on June 13. It is the companion bill to H.R. 2735, introduced in the House of Representatives last year by U.S. Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas, and Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y.

“This legislation is proof positive that what is good for small business is good for the consumer,” Wellstone said. “The big manufacturing companies are acting like a cartel, and it is hurting independent auto mechanics and car owners alike.

“In April, I met with a group of [Automotive Service Association] auto repair shop owners from Minnesota who told me that some auto manufacturers are effectively preventing them from working on newer cars. The last thing America needs is another industry where all the little guys - the small, independent businesses - are driven out. It is terrible for our communities that lose businesses and jobs, and reduced competition means higher prices for the consumer,” Wellstone said.

“ASA is pleased Sen. Wellstone has agreed to take the lead in the Senate on this important piece of legislation,” said Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative.

The legislation requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide access to service information, both emissions and non-emissions, to the independent repairer. ASA supports this legislation and encourages its members to contact their U.S. senators and ask them to support this bill.

Reminder of the Month

Any national regular member interested in being considered for the Automotive Service Association national board of directors should contact the national office and request a Consideration Form. Contact Jo Ann Abramuk toll free at (800) 272-7467, ext. 211. Consideration Forms must be completed and postmarked no later than July 26, 2002.

Members of the 2003 nominating committee are Chairperson Jim Keller, AAM, Motorcar Collision, Milwaukee; Dale Feste, AAM, Dale Feste Automotive, Hopkins, Minn.; John Mock, AAM, Johnny Mock's Auto Body Shop Inc., Turtle Creek, Pa.; Don Stone, AAM, AAA Quality Transmissions, Stuart, Fla.; March Taylor, Auto Body Hawaii Inc., Kailua Kona, Hawaii; and Michael West, Southtowne Auto Rebuild Inc., Tukwila, Wash.

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