Dealership News

Friendly Ford sponsors Glittering Lights at Speedway

The Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway kicked off its 15th year Nov. 13 with a colorful Christmas lighting display that will run through Jan. 3. Presented thanks to various local partners, including Friendly Ford, Glittering Lights has become an annual favorite of many Southern Nevadans and benefits several Southern Nevada nonprofit entities.

The display is open Sunday through Thursday from 5:30-9 p.m.; and Friday, Saturday and holidays from 12:30-10 p.m. A fee of $20 is charged for each vehicle at the course entry near the track's ticket office. The 2.5-mile course features about 3 million lights.

Friendly Ford, which recently celebrated its 45th year at 660 N. Decatur Blvd., was a natural for the event.

"Without the help of companies like Friendly Ford, Glittering Lights would be too cost prohibitive," said Shannon Bentham, co-producer of Ivory Star Productions in Las Vegas. "In addition, with the help of our sponsors we can produce a community event that also serves local nonprofits while keeping their ticket price affordable for the community."

The 2014 Glittering Lights Show resulted in donations of $54,000 to Speedway Children's Charities and $40,000 to local Boy Scout troops. Bentham said the 2014 event attracted about 26,000 vehicles with more than 150,000 people.

Friendly Ford General Sales Manager Steve Crevling said the dealership is happy to be part of the event and added that those people who test-drive any of Friendly Ford's vehicles would receive two free tickets to Glittering Lights.

Further information is available by visiting www.glitteringlightslasvegas.com or by calling 702-222-9777. Further information regarding Friendly Ford can be found by calling 702-870-7221 or by visiting www.friendlyford.com.

Red Rock Concours d'Elegance presents $15,000 to Operation Homefront

On Sept. 18-20, the Red Rock Country Club and the Las Vegas Region of the Porsche Club of America held an inaugural Red Rock Concours d'Elegance on the grounds and 18th fairway of Red Rock Country Club. The charitable beneficiary of the Concours was Operation Homefront, which received a $15,000 check from the Porsche Club on Nov. 1 at its Red Rock Country Club monthly breakfast.

Operation Homefront is a charitable organization that provides emergency assistance for U.S. military troops, the families they leave behind and wounded servicemen when they return home. Many military members return from deployment with physical or emotional injuries. Many find themselves unemployed, underemployed and even homeless, and many of their families experience a high level of sacrifice.

Nevada Operation Homefront's focus is on military families of service personnel at the rank of E6 or below who need help with food, utilities and rent. The average grant costs about $400, but needs have increased by 30 percent this year alone.

The high point for Operation Homefront was when Concours Chair Mike Dugan presented Executive Director of Operation Homefront Annie Baca with a check for $15,000. Next year's Red Rock Concours d' Elegance, slated for Sept. 23-25, 2016, also will benefit Operation Homefront.

This year's charity show was a success with support from Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas, the Howard Hughes Corp., Barrett-Jackson and other sponsors. More than 800 visitors, hosted by almost 50 Porsche Club volunteers, viewed 106 exotic and collectible motorcars on the grass.

In the top 10 awards alone, Ferrari, Jaguar, Cord, Porsche, Packard, Aston Martin and Mercedes were represented. The event's Best in Show award went to Gary Ackerman's 1933 Packard Convertible.

Information on 2016 Concours d' Elegance benefit will be available on www.RedRockConcours.com.

Heart and Stroke Walk brings record numbers to downtown Las Vegas

Twenty-four years ago, the American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Walk/Run started an annual event on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The latest gathering, sponsored by Findlay Automotive Group on Nov. 7 in downtown Las Vegas, brought with it record crowds and impressive monies.

The event attracted nearly 6,000 participants. Melanie Baldwin, who has been with the event since 2002, said the crowd was the biggest she had ever seen.

"There were several signs that this year's event was bigger than ever," said Baldwin, a five-time survivor of heart surgery.

"In addition, we had more teams and more people on each team for the 2015 event," she added. "There is no telling how big this event will become over the years. It is a wonderful effort on behalf of many people to help others."

The run-walk that drew the mass of participants started at Third Street and Ogden Avenue before winding its way through Symphony Park and back to the downtown area. In addition to the 5K walk, a competitive 5K run drew a strong field of runners.

Course coordinator Terry Stockdale, a controller for Findlay Automotive Group, has been involved since 2010. "This was the biggest crowd ever and people were having so much fun," he said. "This was the smoothest event ever for me."

Gina Mann, executive director of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Las Vegas Division, praised Findlay Automotive Group for its continued support of the event.

"With more than $325,000 to date, the Heart and Stroke Walk in its 24-year history has raised over $5,000,000 towards the mission, and $.75 of every dollar stays right here in Southern Nevada," Mann said.

Mercedes-Benz of Henderson launches new 2016 Metris midsized van

Mercedes-Benz of Henderson recently previewed the new Metris midsized van with a launch party at its showroom at 925 Auto Show Drive. The innovative 2016 Metris is engineered with safety, performance and fuel efficiency features that make it an extraordinary fit for a wide variety of businesses, including delivery services, maintenance, mobile workshops, taxis, shuttles and many others. Several of the new Metris vans are now available in the showroom.

According to Gus Hoppel, the general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Henderson, the new Metris joins the full-size Sprinter van to offer the Mercedes customer a full range of commercial, utility and personal-use options.

"The Metris is a nimble, beautifully designed van that's available in both cargo and passenger configurations. It holds a great deal yet it retains the ease of handling and great ride that our owners associate with Mercedes-Benz," he said. "Of course, like all the vehicles we sell, Metris is backed with the best service and financial assistance in the industry. We are just delighted to offer this incredible vehicle, with a price tag that starts at $28,950."

Mercedes-Benz of Henderson carries a full inventory of new, preowned and certified preowned Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The dealership is part of the Fletcher Jones luxury automobile group. More information is available at www.mbofhenderson.com.