2005 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com

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STORY BY Molly Rose Teuke PHOTOGRAPHY BY Bob Mahoney FOR RACING FUN AND DEALS ON WHEELS, THIS EXHIBIT IS A CLEAR WINNER MAGNET In racing, a split-second decision can make all the difference. For John Vanek, a longtime race fan from Albertville, Ala., a decision to visit the UAW-DaimlerChrysler National Training Center NASCAR Exhibit at the Talladega Superspeedway made the difference in a winning deal on a brand-new, butane-blue Chrysler Town & Country minivan. “Being a NASCAR fan really paid off for me this time,” says Vanek. “I wanted a Town & Country, but I couldn’t fit it into my budget.” Until, that is, he visited the exhibit and walked away with a discount number good at his local dealership. FAST TRACK TO FUN The exhibit is all about helping fans, whether it’s getting a great deal on a new ride or making the most of their race experience at Talladega, the Daytona 500, UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and up to 10 other events during the 2005 Nextel Cup season. A sureto-be popular feature is the photo opportunity, where fans can have their picture snapped with one of the NTC co-sponsored vehicles — the No. 9 and No. 19 Dodge Chargers. Photos are taken against a specially designed racing backdrop, complete with a stack of tires and pit toolkit. Four big-screen monitors offer race-related programming, from video footage of the previous day’s qualifiers to highlights of memorable NASCAR moments. Fans also can view a retrospective on Dodge racing and video loops about the National Training Center and the close working relationship between the UAW and DaimlerChrysler. Updated versions of the exhibit’s popular video racing modules invite fans to figuratively climb behind the wheel of No. 9 or No. 19 and test their skills against top NASCAR drivers. Now in its fourth year of touring duty, this season’s simulation games are the best yet, ILLUSTRATION: KEN HANSEN 24 www.uawdcx.com
with improved visual clarity and greater interactivity. DESIGN IT — DRIVE IT Thanks to the program Vanek took advantage of, fans are invited to do more than get behind the wheel in a video game — they can literally put themselves behind the wheel of a new Chrysler Group vehicle at significant savings not available to the general public. In October 2004, Vanek worked with members of the P3 Team, a group of UAW-represented DaimlerChrysler workers who educate potential customers about the quality vehicles they produce, to “build” the car he wanted and price it accurately. This season, visitors also can price their dream car at a pair of Vehicle Information Center computer kiosks. PEOPLE, PRIDE, PRODUCT As the P3 Team sees it, there’s no one better qualified to spread the word about the innovation and value in every Chrysler Group vehicle. “Once they found out that we weren’t from a dealership, they opened up to us,” explains Vernita Monk, a UAW Local 7 member who works in the paint shop at Detroit’s Jefferson North Assembly plant. “This isn’t a stressful environment because we’re not ‘selling’ anything but knowledge and pride in the product we make,” adds Susan Ambers, a UAW Local 140 member who works on the trim line at the Warren Truck Assembly plant in suburban Detroit. “We’re just not intimidating, so fans always seem to walk away with a smile on their face.” For fan Vanek, it’s a smile with staying power. “I’m still amazed by the Stow ’n Go seats I got in my new Town & Country,” he says. “But what really sold me is the pricing. That Top: Connie Sanders (left) talks to P3 Team Specialist Lee Murry at Centennial Park in Atlanta. Bottom: DaimlerChrysler vehicles on display at Centennial Park in Atlanta. ON THE ROAD WITH THE P3 TEAM People, Pride and Product: Bringing them together are members of the P3 team, a group of 30 UAW members drawn from nine Detroit-area Chrysler Group facilities. Team members are on special assignment to bring a plant-floor perspective to their mission: spreading the message about the quality vehicles they build. “People are impressed by how far Chrysler has come, impressed with the new designs in all the vehicles,” says Lee Murry, a member of UAW Local 51 who works in the production control department at Mack Avenue Engine in Detroit. It’s a message the P3 Team takes on the road, traveling to worker events at DaimlerChrysler locations and to public events like auto, sports and fishing shows. During the 2005 Nextel Cup season, P3 Team members are promoting awareness of Chrysler Group products at all races where the UAW-DaimlerChrysler National Training Center has its NASCAR Exhibit. Each team member is well-versed in the Chrysler Group vehicle lineup, a breadth of knowledge that comes in handy, according to Susan Ambers, a UAW Local 140 member at Warren Truck Assembly. “People like being able to talk to people who actually make the cars and can talk about the highlights in safety, utility, performance, styling and value.” The P3 Team does more than talk about the features of the vehicles they build. They work with other programs to heighten the message of “buy what you build.” — M.T. really made a winner out of me.” ■ TOMORROW SPECIAL RACING 2005 25
Page 2 and 3: Side by Side On the Fast Track WHEN
Page 4 and 5: Start Engines YOUR BURN RUBBER,BABY
Page 6 and 7: UAW-DC 400 Pulling Off the Perfect
Page 8 and 9: Our Fans Toy Time It was love at fi
Page 10 and 11: Our Fans Look Out for Women Drivers
Page 14 and 15: COMEBACK KID: JEREMY MAYFIELD JEREM
Page 16 and 17: “I’M DOING THE SAME THING I’V
Page 18 and 19: A DRIVER’S RACE WEEKEND THURSDAY
Page 20 and 21: MIDGETS SPRINTS AND TRUCKS DODGE RA
Page 22 and 23: The challenge to win is one sentime
Page 26 and 27: THE SCIENCE AND SKILL OF DRAFTING G
Page 28: 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Highl

2005 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com

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