Clevite Engine Parts Salutes Women's Contributions to Engine Building

Arbor, Michigan -- Mar 07, 2005 -- Clevite Engine Parts is giving women in the engine building industry the opportunity to take center stage during the first ever Women’s Engine Builder Challenge at the AERA Show in Las Vegas.

The Clevite Engine Parts Women’s Engine Builder Challenge will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 1:00 p.m. in North Hall N1 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“Clevite Engine Parts is proud to host the first ever Women’s Engine Builder Challenge as part of the AERA Show. It’s an effort to recognize the many contributions that women make to the engine building and rebuilding industry and to also recognize that the skills they possess go beyond business administration,” said Ted Hughes, marketing brand manager for Clevite Engine Parts. “The show will no doubt be exciting, as we’ve tapped into some of the best female talent and dedication in the industry.”

  “I am honored to be participating in the first ever Women's Engine Builder Challenge and feel it is deserved recognition for women in the engine rebuilding industry,” said participant Susan Degan. Degan is president of Engine Lab of Tampa, Inc. and has 11 years of experience in the industry.

“It is wonderful that Clevite has recognized this, and my goal is for this event to become a showcase for women in the industry to show off their talents just as their male counterparts do. Thank you Clevite for taking this very important step.”

Degan’s engine build partner, Gail Ault said, “I am honored and excited to participate in the Clevite Women’s Engine Builder Challenge. I want to give a big thanks to Clevite for giving us this wonderful opportunity to show how women can complement the automotive industry, and how men and women can work together to make this industry strong.”

Ault is vice-president and general manager of Ault and James, an engine rebuilder in Dayton, Ohio. Ault and helped to start Ault and James in 1984.

“I am very excited and honored to be a part of the first ever Clevite Women's Engine Builder Challenge, and I want to commend and thank Clevite for putting together such great events that let everyone in the industry get involved,” said participant Sandi Holder.

Holder is co-owner of Holder Automotive Machine in Ruston, LA and brings eight years of engine building experience with her to the competition.

“Being an automotive machinist and engine builder for the past 20 years, I am excited that Clevite, known for their quality engine parts, is recognizing women in the industry by promoting the first Clevite Women’s Engine Builder Challenge,” said builder Becky Tardiff. Tardiff is the president of Accurate Cylinderhead Service, Inc. in Virginia Beach, VA, and has been a machinist for 20 years.

“While in the past most women have been behind the scenes in the industry, times are changing and more women are becoming hands on in the shop. By nature, women tend to be more detail oriented, organized, and have a great deal of patience; all attributes that are necessary for precision engine building. I am honored to participate in the all-women engine build and encourage more women to use their talents and abilities to further enhance the industry.”   

For the past several years, Clevite Engine Parts has presented the Clevite Engine Builder Challenge Series, in which NASCAR’s top engine builders compete to see who can assemble and run an engine the fastest.  The series has since been developed into a structured and tiered competition - the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown - with a total prize package worth over $50,000 and has become a huge hit with both engine builders and racing fans across the country. 

Clevite Engine Parts is part of Dana Corporation’s Automotive Systems Group. Clevite Engine Parts provides a wide scope of under-the-hood products for the global replacement parts market, including Clevite 77® engine bearings, Victor Reinz® gaskets, Perfect Circle® piston rings and Clevite engine parts. In addition, Clevite 77, Victor Reinz and Perfect Circle are exclusive NASCAR Performance Products. Clevite’s Internet address is www.engineparts.com.

Dana people design and manufacture products for every major vehicle producer in the world.  Dana is focused on being an essential partner to automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicle customers, which collectively produce more than 60 million vehicles every year.  A leading supplier of axle, driveshaft, engine, frame, chassis, and transmission technologies, Dana employs 46,000 people in 28 countries.  The company is based in Toledo, Ohio, and reported sales of $9.1 billion in 2004.  Dana’s Internet address is: www.dana.com.