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Troy Ladd and his team of builders at Hollywood Hot Rods were pleasantly surprised recently when the shop was acknowledged for its work on the Raybestos 1932 Roadster Pickup, receiving a 1st Place award at the prestigious Kragen O’Reilly Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) in Pomona, CA.

An out-of-control Ford Ranger crashed into the lobby of Minnick’s Auto Repair and Towing in Winchester, VA, on Wednesday. No one was injured, but damage to the shop was significant. A sign on the window of the shop’s service bay instructed customers to “give a shout into the open wall” for service.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has declared June 6-12, 2011 as National Automotive Service Professionals Week. This year marks the sixth anniversary of National Automotive Service Professional’s Week, created to honor the commitment and dedication of automotive, truck and collision technicians, along with parts specialists and other support professionals who serve the motoring public.

In Part 1 of this article, we discussed how shop owners should follow a routine of daily monitoring and maintenance to ensure that performance is meeting business targets. Now, we turn to monthly, quarterly and annual checks to keep your business running smoothly and profitably all year long.

Despite a struggling economy, direct mail service provider Mudlick Mail tripled its sales and customer base in 2010. The company, which caters to the automotive repair industry, grew sales to more than $7 million in 2010. The company’s customer base also increased significantly, expanding from just under 100 in 2009 to more than 350 in 2010.

Federated Auto Parts will sponsor the Ken Schrader Racing ARCA team in 2011. The Federated Auto Parts car will be driven by one of the fastest rising stars in racing, Tom Hessert.

Affinia Global Brake and Chassis with its Raybestos brakes – a member of the Affinia family of brands – makes it easier for technicians to locate today’s most frequently used part numbers. The new Quick Reference Guide is a time saving identification tool for technicians servicing 2000-2011 vehicles.

In addition to the new front pads, Federal-Mogul also offers Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic rear pads (No. QC1451) with a hardware installation kit for 2011 Accord models.

Dean Trost of McVille, ND, was the lucky winner of the Hollywood Hot Rods “Signature Edition” Matco tool chest … the first prize in the technician-specific component of the Raybestos ’32 Roadster Pickup Sweepstakes promotion.

The industry-leading MOOG steering and suspension product line from Federal-Mogul Corporation now features 81 additional high-volume parts covering millions of late-model foreign-nameplate and domestic applications.

Mountain Mechanical repair shop in Durango, CO, recently held a workshop for women who were interested in learning more about their cars. The women learned everything from how to check and refill the oil, coolant and brake fluid to what a muffler does and how an alternator works. They were also given tips on how to find a good technician and told what rights they have as customers.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced a new bill that would establish national standards for state-level vehicle safety inspections. House Bill 229 – the Michael Jon Newkirk Transportation Safety Enhancement Act of 2011 – would require states to establish minimum annual vehicle safety inspection programs or lose specific federal funds.