Mechanic Hits the Jackpot in "Golden Mechanic" Competition

Greg Damon accepts the $25,000 check as Christine Jagher, far right, names him the 2007 Amoco Ultimate Golden Mechanic at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Damon also won a year's supply of Amoco Ultimate fuel from BP and a Klein toolkit.
(AP Photo/Jane Kalinowsky)KUDOSMechanic Hits
the Jackpot in
"Golden Mechanic" Competition
LAS VEGAS, NV (Nov. 2, 2006) - Greg Damon of St. Charles, MO, hit the jackpot in Las Vegas when he competed against top mechanics from across the country to take top prize in the 2007 Amoco Ultimate "Golden Mechanic" competition. Damon, lead tech and shop manager at Sant Automotive, won based on his outstanding auto repair skills, community involvement, environmental consciousness and of course, winning personality, says sponsor BP. He takes home the grand prize of $25,000 and a year's worth of Amoco Ultimate fuel at BP, as well as serving as an Amoco Ultimate national spokesperson in 2007. About the Contest* Independent professional mechanics and auto technicians over the age of 21 with more than five years of hands-on experience are eligible to enter the contest.
* Nominees are evaluated for their premium auto repair abilities, trustworthiness, charismatic personality, community activities and environmental awareness.
* Three finalists are selected to receive an all-expense-paid, three-day/two-night trip to Las Vegas for the final competition.
* The competition demonstrates the mechanics' automotive expertise and abilities in front of both a live audience and a panel of qualified judges, including automotive industry experts.For more information on the competition, please visit www.bpgoldenmechanic.com. The national competition took place on Nov. 2 at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas and was hosted by Car and Driver's radio host, Alan Taylor. Finalists were rated by an expert panel of judges, including The Car Coach, Lauren Fix; Denny Kahler, past chairman of the board for the Automotive Service Association (ASA); Evan Ngan, Road Test assistant for Road & Track; and Steve Saleen, founder and president of Saleen Inc. The final competition featured multiple challenges, testing each of the three finalists in various areas. Competitors had the opportunity to showcase their auto repair knowledge and auto diagnostic skills in a series of fast-paced physical challenges. The finalists then flexed their brainpower by answering tough questions from a panel of industry experts. Damon tallied the most points, collecting the Golden Mechanic giant wrench award. Damon, 43, is the shop manager and lead technician of Sant Automotive in Crestwood, MO. He is an ASE certified Master Automobile Technician, with an Advanced Level Specialist Certification (L1) in engine performance, Certified Under Car Specialist (X1) and a Gateway Clean Air Program Recognized Repair Technician.

Damon quickly torques the lug nuts on a new Mustang as part of the Amoco Ultimate Golden Mechanic competition in Las Vegas.
(AP Photo/Jane Kalinowsky)

In addition, Damon hosts a weekly automotive radio talk program and co-hosts a weekly NASCAR radio program, "The Kenny Wallace Show," on KMOX-AM. He serves his community as a volunteer, coach and referee for local youth hockey teams and has contributed to charitable functions such as the American Red Cross and Hurricane Katrina families. He was also a finalist and runner-up in the 2005 Amoco Ultimate Golden Mechanic contest.

Launched in 2005, the Amoco Ultimate Golden Mechanic competition seeks to find a trustworthy mechanic with premium auto repair abilities who is active in the community and environmentally conscious. This year's contest drew hundreds of qualified applications from all over the country, says BP, from which 25 semifinalists were selected.

Of the semi-finalists, three finalists were chosen to compete in the final competition in Las Vegas. The two runners-up in the contest were John Vallely from Elgin, IL, and Scott Davidson from Huber Heights, OH.

(Source: BP)