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Auto Club Fair Draws 1,200 Seeking Teen Safety, Travel, Car and Discount Information

(COSTA MESA, May 9, 2009) The Automobile Club of Southern California hosted an Automotive Fair today that featured something for every motorist, especially during a tough economy: a teen driver safety fair, an Enterprise used car sale, new and antique vehicles displays, Show Your Card & Save vendors, a mini-travel show and a special appearance by top NHRA Funny Car drivers from the John Force Racing Team.

The free fair, attended by 1,200 people, was designed to help Auto Club members drive safely, save money and help them care for their vehicles. Guests also tried a NASCAR racing simulator, had their vehicle’s speedometer tested, visited a mini-travel show featuring economical drive vacations and learned from under-the-hood maintenance demonstrations. The AAA Battery Service van and an Auto Club Automotive Research Center-Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) display with fuel economy and carbon footprint information also was part of the event.

The fair was held at the Auto Club’s Administrative Offices on Fairview Road.

The teen driver safety event focused on helping families learn about community organizations that provide information for young drivers and parents. The teen driver fair also provided “custom car fits” with Auto Club Driving School instructors showing teens and parents safety-belt, foot pedals, mirrors and seat-height adjustments to ensure young drivers achieve a good safety fit before they drive. Most teens practice in the family vehicle and will need to make these adjustments each time they get behind the wheel, said Manager of the Auto Club’s Driving School Kathy Downing.

Teens who visited the fair also scaled a rock-climbing wall that demonstrated a drop similar to a 20 mph car crash. A teen driver crashed vehicle donated by a Southern California family also was shown.

“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths for teens,” said the Auto Club’s Community Programs and Traffic Safety Team Lead Anita Lorz. “To help reduce these tragedies, the Auto Club hosted this regional traffic safety fair in Orange County to share the most up-to-date information with families to prepare their teen driver for the road.”

The Auto Club Driving School and a dozen community groups offered teen-driver topical information, including California’s Graduated Driver Licensing law, which the Auto Club sponsored.

The office parking lot gleamed with 100 Enterprise late-model pre-owned cars and trucks that were offered for sale at discounted prices. High quality economy, luxury and popular sedans were sold at pre-arranged, haggle-free competitive prices. Rental car companies like Enterprise have a reliable stock of pre-owned cars since vehicles are driven 1-2 years before offered for sale.

“New car prices, now averaging more than $28,000, are making well-running pre-owned cars an attractive option for consumers,” said the Auto Club’s Car Buying Service Manager David Cavano. “Buyers can test drive a wide variety of vehicles to help them choose the best vehicle for their needs. Vehicles with readily available safety equipment recommended for teen-drivers also are expected to be at the Enterprise car sale.”

Top NHRA Funny Car racers John Force, Ashley Force Hood, and Robert Hight signed autographs for fans near the NASCAR racing simulator and Show Your Card & Save vendors.

Show Your Card & Save participating vendors provided AAA members with discounts on products and services. Appearing at the fair: All Star Glass, California Ravelco – Anti-Theft Device, Discount Tire Centers, Dunn-Edwards Paints, EagleRider, GIANT RV, LA SpeedZone, Napa Auto Parts, SeaWorld San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.SM

GIANT RV displayed two recreational vehicles: a 2009 Fourwinds 31ft Class C and a 2009 Fleetwood Terra LX 34NLX2 Bunkhouse Class A. El Monte RV had a rental displayed and EagleRider showed pre-owned and rental motorcycles.

At the mini-travel show, vendors Best Western Hotels, El Monte RV, Grand Canyon Railroad and Lake Powell Resorts promoted drive vacations to Las Vegas, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon and throughout the western United States. Pleasant Holidays promoted Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean with special rates and exclusive AAA Member Benefits. AAA Travel agents helped interested visitors book vacations.

The AAA Approved Auto Repair Program master-certified automotive technicians conducted 38-point under-the-hood vehicle maintenance demonstrations for fairgoers. Technicians demonstrated function and condition of lights, fluids, belts, hoses and tires.

“Well-running cars save on repairs, gas and vehicle emissions,” according to Dave Skaien, one of the Auto Club’s AAA Approved Auto Repair managers. “Information where members can take their vehicles to AAA Approved Repair facilities for care will be distributed at the fair.”
CST 1016202-80 Copyright © Automobile Club of Southern California. All Rights Reserved.
The Automobile Club of Southern California is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the following California counties: Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura.