Quaker State® Brings Back The "Best in Class Challenge" For High School Auto Shop Students

HOUSTON, Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After a successful inaugural year, Quaker State® is launching the next installment of the "Best in Class Challenge," a 6-week automotive education competition featuring high school auto shop classes across the United States. Each school's team is charged with the task of tuning, restoring and customizing a pre-owned car into a pristine, creative representation of their school. The competition will consist of online voting, six weeks of automotive challenges, hands-on education, distinguished judges, participation in a Barrett-Jackson vehicle auction for the grand prize winner and of course, great prizes!

"After we experienced such excitement and strong participation numbers during last year's Quaker State 'Best in Class Challenge,' we knew we had to bring it back! We're honored to be able to offer this top-notch educational program once again to high school auto shop students from across the United States," said Laura Jaime, Quaker State North American Marketing Manager. "The competition will offer these students the opportunity to hone their tuning and customization skills while being mentored by top automotive experts in the field."

From September 12-25, 2016, approximately 55 semi-finalist schools will be responsible for securing as many votes as possible to be nominated for the "Best in Class Challenge." The team with the most votes from each of the five markets will then become finalists and will move on to the next stage of the competition comprised of six weeks of automotive challenges beginning October 11, 2016. To start casting votes (1 per person, per day) and to read the complete program rules, visit: www.QuakerState.com/BestInClass.

To kick off the competition, the top five schools will each receive a pre-owned vehicle valued at up to $3,000. For this year's competition, Quaker State has once again teamed up with AutoZone; teams will be given $2,000 to be used at their local AutoZone retailer to purchase the supplies and tools they'll need for success in the competition. Students will be scored on their progress at the end of each week of the competition based on the quality of their work and their overall final product. Additionally, the teams will have to secure online votes each week, which will be factored into their final scores as well.

This year's judges include Tommy Pike, owner of Tommy Pike Customs as lead judge, and Sung Kang, actor, producer and car enthusiast. Judging criteria ranges from general engine maintenance to creativity and quality of the vehicle's body work and customizations. Throughout the competition, these automotive industry leaders will have the opportunity to mentor and provide guidance to each team of high school students.

"I am honored to be back working with Quaker State for the second year of the 'Best in Class Challenge'," said Pike, who is known for his modern muscle performance and cutting edge customizations. "I was impressed with and inspired by last year's teams from their creativity, imagination, perseverance and stick–to–itiveness. Not only do I have the opportunity to mentor these future automotive professionals, but I also look forward to encouraging the passion, creativity and work ethic that the next generation of car enthusiasts will be developing."  

The five teams that successfully complete the "Best in Class Challenge" will be awarded the following prize packages:

• 1^st Place Grand Prize – A feature digital article and video on automotive websites, a $2,500 credit account at AutoZone, a customized tool kit ($500 value) and the opportunity to sell their vehicle at auction with proceeds being awarded back to their school.
• 2^nd Place Prize – A $2,000 credit account at AutoZone and ownership of their customized vehicle from the competition.
• 3^rd Place Prize – A $1,500 credit account at AutoZone and ownership of their customized vehicle from the competition.
• 4^th Place Prize – A $1,000 credit account at AutoZone and ownership of their customized vehicle from the competition.
• 5^th Place Prize – A $750 credit account at AutoZone and ownership of their customized vehicle from the competition.

The 1^st Place Grand Prize winner will be given the chance to attend the Barrett-Jackson auction in West Palm Beach, Florida on April 8, 2017. The attending students and their mentor will be with their customized vehicle when it is auctioned off to the highest bidder. The gross proceeds earned from the auction will be awarded back to the school as prize money.

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 vehicle engine needs.  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 percent of global lubricants volume. * 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®.

*Kline & Company, "Global Lubricants Industry July 2015: 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 Tommy Pike Customs
Tommy Pike Customs™ has been a leader in the automotive customization industry for more than fifteen years. Located in Greenville, South Carolina, Tommy Pike Customs is truly a one-stop shop for all things automotive. Specializing in modern muscle, performance and cutting edge customization, Tommy Pike and his team assist each customer with any level custom project.

To learn more about Tommy Pike Customs, visit www.tommypikecustoms.com, "Like" them on www.facebook.com/tommypikecustoms and "Follow" them on www.twitter.com/tommypikecustom.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Barrett-Jackson, The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions®, is the leader in collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events. The company produces auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Beach, Florida; at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and Las Vegas, Nevada. With broadcast partners, Velocity and Discovery Channel, Barrett-Jackson will feature live television coverage in 2016, including broadcasts in over 100 countries internationally. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit http://www.barrett-jackson.com, or call 480-421-6694.

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SOURCE Quaker State

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