Movers & Shakers: Detroit Speed's Kyle Tucker; Charlie Vogelheim and Steven McAuley Join Mota; Larry Collet Joins Penray

Kyle Tucker and the Detroit Speed ’70 Camaro Test Car

Detroit Speed Inc.’s co-owner Kyle Tucker drove the Detroit Speed ’70 Camaro Test Car to a first-place finish during the Vendor Street Challenge Autocross at the Meguiar's Orange County Get Together in Costa Mesa, California. Tucker ran a 29.1 during his final run, which was good enough to grab first place.

Mota hired two automotive veterans to key positions within the company. Charlie Vogelheim, previously vice president of automotive development at JD Power & Associates, was named chief trust and transparency Officer, and Steven J. McAuley, former CEO of GE Capital Fleet Services in the United Kingdom and vice president at Penske Auto Group, as chief automotive officer.

Jim Wrobleski & Co. Inc. hired Tara Landry to handle data entry and general office duties, including managing office tasks, filing customer data sheets and working with the company’s manufacturers’ rep software.

Larry Collet

Infineon Raceway has established the Little Racers Club dedicated to the raceway’s youngest fans. For a one-time membership fee ($15), fans ages 12 and under will receive an official membership card, a backpack with Infineon Raceway and Little Racer’s Club logos, and other benefits, including free tickets to certain raceway events. For more information, check out www.infineonraceway.com/littleracers.

Penray announced that Larry Collet has joined the Automotive Division’s sales team as a regional sales manager. Collet is responsible for sales with current customers and helping to build and establish relationships with future customers. Collet is based in Houston, Texas and reports to Mark Fryar, Penray’s national field sales manager. Prior to Penray, Collet spent 23 years with the ITW Performance Polymers Division of the Permatex chemical company.

The early-bird registration deadline for the 2009 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) was extended until Monday, April 13. By taking advantage of the early-bird rate, attendees can save $200 off regular registration rates. GAAS 2009 is set for Wednesday and Thursday, May 6 and May 7, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois (near Chicago). To register, visit www.globalsymposium.org.

Ted Steven’s '40 Mercury Coupe

Ann Durham was promoted to president of Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc., the distributor of vehicles produced by India's Mahindra & Mahindra. Durham joined the company in January 2008 as vice president, finance and administration, and was promoted late last year to senior vice president, general manager. Durham replaces former president Bill Goetze, who is stepping down from day-to-day activities and will remain involved as senior advisor, past president.

Ted Steven’s '40 Mercury Coupe was awarded the 2009 Goodguys West Coast Custom of the Year at the 27th All American Get-Together in Pleasanton. Stevens’ Merc, a lifelong obsession, was recently restored and freshened by Roy Brizio Street Rods in South San Francisco. The car was originally built by John D’Agostino and Bill Reasoner as a tribute car to the Nick Matranga ’40 Merc. The Brizio Street Rods crew completely restored every aspect of the Merc including the H & H Flathead engine, transmission, rearend, front end, paint work (by Darryl Hollenbeck) and upholstery by Sid Chavers.

Bruce Kessler was presented with the 500cc Club of America – Harry Morrow Award during the Legends of Riverside I Film Festival and Gala at the Riverside International Automotive Museum in Riverside, California.

Continental Tire North America opens a new North American headquarters

Continental Tire North America (CTNA) opened a new North American headquarters in South Carolina. The company held a special ceremony attended by community leaders, customers and employees. CTNA’s CEO Matthias Schoenberg started off the festivities with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and news conference. The new state-of-the-art, $11 million dollar facility is a 75,000 sq.-ft. building which sits on 11.5 acres in northern Lancaster County. The facility currently employees 375 people with opportunity to expand.