A Triple Winner: Slipstream Autocare’s Hybrid Shuttle Car wins Best Overall plus 2 other awards in Tour de Sol’s National Monte Carlo-Style Rally, “100 mpg Challenge”

(Boulder, CO) — June 6, 2005 — Slipstream Autocare beat out their closest competitor by nearly 700 points to win the top category, Highest Points/Best Overall, driving a 2000 Honda Insight. This hybrid is one of two vehicles that Slipstream uses as a shuttle to pick up and drive customers around Boulder.

For the “2005 Monte Carlo-Style Rally at the Tour de Sol”, this award was based upon average speed and highest miles per gallon achieved over a minimum rally distance of a 500 mile range and evaluated on a point system rating.

Slipstream also won in two other categories. They received the prize for first place overall “Fast Time of Day” of the Autocross, beating out at least 50 other contenders. The third prize won was for the “Longest Leg” and Slipstream beat their closest competitor by 462 miles.

“Driving almost 4,000 miles round trip did give us time for reflection. And I realized that something we see in our shop with our customers and which was proven by this event was that hybrids are no longer a curiosity but are viable vehicles which are here to stay. Although heads did turn on the highway, I think that was because we were zipping along and because of our signs on the car,” said Bill Pichardo, co-owner of Slipstream and driver for the winning Autocross competition.

For complete results, photos, and more — please see the links below.

Pichardo continued, “We were honored to participate in all the events, but driving across the country with my business partner, Matt Schwieterman, and attempting to win the top category in the rally was the most rewarding prize to win. We knew we had some strong competition especially from the newer cars, but our guys know how to take care of older cars and really prepared our 5-year old hybrid for the rally.”

EVENT SUCCESS — “We have had exceptional feedback from the press, attendees, and Tour de Sol participants, and have received some outstanding stories and comments in the media.” Nancy Hazard, Executive Director, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) and organizer of the event said about the success of the 17th annual Tour de Sol and all related events.

Self paced Monte Carlo-style Rally — Entrants drove to Saratoga Springs, NY at their own pace, starting at any of 15 pre-selected starting sites across the US and Canada including Slipstream Autocare, at 4770 Sterling Dr. in Boulder, Colorado. Many entrants registered from as far as the state of Washington, 2500 miles away.

“We had over 60 entrants with 40 entrants in the new Monte Carlo-style Rally; 13 in the 17th annual Tour de Sol Championship; and 10 in the E-bike competition with cash awards approaching $10,000 and Toyota Service certificates valued at $1000,” according to Hazard. “The Monte Carlo-style Rally is a perfect addition to the Tour de Sol. While the Tour de Sol pushes the envelope so that we can all have cost competitive, zero carbon, non-toxic, domestically-produced energy and transportation, the Rally demonstrates what everyone can do today to help reach that goal.”

TEST of NEW 30 mpg HYBRID SUV’s — A special challenge was thrown out to FORD, Toyota and Lexus to see which of the new Sport Utility Hybrids would get the best mileage with their new SUV’s. This is the first such event that will demonstrate the efficiency of the 3 NEW Sport Utility Hybrids, which the public also got to see in Saratoga, at the finish line, and Albany the following day.

WEB LINKS: Links to Official Results and Awards, Media coverage and more
www.BestRateOfClimb.com/releases-collateral-businessbeat.htm

Slipstream’s photos of the event
http://www.slipstreamautocare.com/news/

Boston Globe Photo Essay by Meg Herbert — over 30 photos!
http://www.boston.com/cars/news/2005/may/0518_tourdesol.html

Slipstream Autocare, Inc. was founded in Boulder in 1981. Slipstream has been a consultant to Swarthmore College’s Department of Engineering and their hybrid electrical vehicle program since 1996. They are leaders in the state of Colorado for Pre-Purchase Inspections. Slipstream was awarded a perfect score by Air Care Colorado, and is under application review with the City of Boulder Office of Environmental Affairs Partner to become a member in the PACE (Partners for a Clean Environment) Program, which recognizes environmental achievement. For more information, please call Terri Lee for more information at 303-926-5148. Photos are available and photo opportunities are welcomed.

The Tour de Sol is organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), the nation’s leading regional education and advocacy association that aims to accelerate the deployment and use of renewable energy, and energy efficiency. NESEA produces major sustainable energy events that inspire and motivate large numbers of people to get involved and make a difference. For more information on the Tour de Sol and Monte Carlo-style Rally go to www.TourdeSol.org or call 413-774-6051 or visit www.NESEA.org.

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