Le Mans, 18 June 2013 – Aston Martin Racing and Gulf have unveiled the winner of their livery design competition.
The design, inspired by the change in atmosphere as day gives way to night during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was created by Jonathan Wesley from Kettering in the UK and will adorn the #97 Vantage GTE throughout race week.
Darren Turner (GB), Stefan Mücke (D) and Peter Dumbreck (GB), drivers of the #97 Vantage GTE, selected Jonathan’s design from the hundreds of entries received. He will now attend the race weekend as a VIP guest of Gulf to see his winning design compete in the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“I have been excited ever since I got the news that my design had been chosen,” comments Jonathan. “I loved the chance of being able to design a Gulf Aston Martin, but it’s already such a classic livery that I was wondering what I could do.
“I was just sketching a few thoughts out and I liked the idea of the car being a different colour on both sides. I thought about the Gulf corporate colours – dark blue, light blue, orange and white – and I came up with the idea of ‘daylight to dusk’, which to me is the most exciting part of the race.
“So it moves from the white with the broad orange stripe dividing things to the dark blue of the night. The orange and blue lines represent the streaks that you often see in photos of the cars at night and the whole design sort of summed up the essence of Le Mans to me.”
Gulf, which has partnered Aston Martin Racing for five years and has signed a further three-year deal, ran the livery competition to allow fans to participate in the team’s most ambitious Le Mans campaign, marking the centenary year of Aston Martin.
Sam Cork, Global Brand Manager at Gulf explained: “Gulf has been responsible for some extremely iconic motorsport liveries and we wanted to give fans the opportunity to play their part. To design the livery for a Gulf Aston Martin, racing at Le Mans in the brand’s centenary year, is really something quite special.
“This livery will enter Gulf and Aston Martin Racing’s history books and Jonathan should be extremely proud to be the winner, as we had hundreds of entries from all over the world. The design is excellent. It is everything we hoped for. We can’t wait to see it take to the track for the most exciting endurance race of the year.”
The #97 car is one of five Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTEs competing in the 24-hour race, but the only one to carry the competition-winning design. The car will first be seen on the Circuit de la Sarthe at the first free practice session on Wednesday 19 June at 16:00 hrs.
Dimmitt Automotive Group is excited to announce that our very own associate, Tracey Ringstaff, attended and contributed to The 27th Annual STARPOWER Celebrity Fashion Show on Friday, May 10th, 2013. It was a benefit for The Pinellas Auxiliary of The Children’s Home. It was a New York style fashion extravaganza, showcasing local celebrities wearing designs by Georgette’s Boutique & Shoe Salon.
The Children’s Home is a child- and family-centered organization that is positioned to care for struggling families and children seeking the comfort of a loving family.
It was a pleasure to be involved in this event for Tracey and the Dimmitt Automotive Group.
We were proud to be a part of the 13th annual MONOPOLY® Night fund-raising event on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the Belleair Country Club. 
Last year over 300 guests and volunteers enjoyed the fun-filled event which included a dinner buffet, live and silent auctions, a real “jail” on the premises, and, of course, a fast paced championship Monopoly® match. The net proceeds of more than $60,400 were used for our GIVE HOPE USA® PROGRAM and to help serve local community charities through our other programs and services. Help support the Give Hope USA® wellness-medical aid packs program for economically disadvantaged individuals and families this holiday season.
Thank you to everyone that participated and thanks for this opportunity to give back to our community.
This is very hopeful news for our industry and for America. Read the article here: American auto industry about to go on hiring spree according to AP
On Saturday, June 1st, 2013, Dimmitt Automotive Group took part in the Second Annual Live the Brown Legacy Golf Tournament, hosted by former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Indianapolis Colt, Anthony McFarland, at Innisbrook Copperhead Golf Course.
Anthony McFarland is well-known around the area as a former fixture on the menacing defenses of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a heralded defensive tackle who won a Super Bowl with the Bucs in 2003 and earned a second one with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. Anthony hails from Winnsboro, La. and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1999 with a degree in business management. He was drafted that same year in the first round (15th pick overall) by the Bucs and played for legendary head coaches Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay, then was reunited with Dungy again in Indianapolis. After nine seasons in the NFL, he retired and transitioned into broadcasting. He co-hosted a player radio show with Steve Duemig from 2001-2003 on WDAE-620, and guest-hosted the Best Damn Sports Show, among other broadcasting stints.
For over 35 years, Abe Brown Ministries has been developing programs to enable people at risk, their spouses, and their children to achieve productive and spiritually fulfilling lives. They believe that people must be changed from the inside out becoming liberated from spiritual incarceration. When the individuals comprising the community and state are transformed, the community and state collectively will be transformed. Ultimately all residents, businesses, and others benefit from a safe, secure, and productive society.
We were very pleased to be a part of this wonderful event. Thank you to all that participated.
Shelton Quarles, scout for the Tampa Bay Bucs and former All-Pro linebacker, hosted a Celebrity Waiter Night at Dimmitt Automotive Group’s Bentley, Roll-Royce and McLaren building to benefit his IMPACT Foundation, on Friday, May 17th. The event guest list included a number of current and former Buccaneers as well as other local celebrities & Dimmitt Automotive Group guests & employees. Shelton said his position as a member of the Tampa Bay Bucs offers him a unique opportunity to help those in need. The foundation provides resources and opportunities to at-risk single parent families in the Tampa Bay area. It was an honor for us to host this lovely event. Thank you to everyone for coming and participating.
For 
photos of Former Buccaneer, Michael Clayton visiting with his former Buccaneer Coach, Jon Gruden and Tampa Buccaneers, Josh Freeman & Dimmitt Guest, Vincent Jackson, please visit: www.facebook.com/DimmittAutomotive. They were among the 18 celebrity/athletes participating in the Shelton Quarles Event. Everyone did a great job serving wine to over 220 guests at the Shelton Quarles Celebrity Waiter Night. Here is a list of the celebrity/athletes that took part in this great cause: Shelton Quarles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Scout and former All-Pro linebacker; Jon Gruden, NFL analyst for ESPN and former head coach of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl Champions XXXVII; Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Cody Grimm, Safety, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Josh Freeman, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Doug Martin, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Vincent Jackson, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Erik Lorig, Fullback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Dashon Goldson, Safety, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Michael Clayton, Former Wide Receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneer and the XLVI Super Bowl Champions the New York Giants; Anthony McFarland, Radio show host and former defensive tackle for Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl XXXVII champions and Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl XLI champions; Gayle Sierens, Co-Anchor, WFLA; Keith Cate, Co-Anchor, WFLA; Stacie Schaible, Co-Anchor, WFLA; Gayle Guyardo, Co-Anchor, WFLA.
We are thrilled that we were able to be a part of the 2013 Family Fun Night at Curtis Fundamental Elementary School. It was a fun night full of games, food, entertainment, great auction items and class baskets. In appreciation for our sponsorship, a very artistic and creative student drew this wonderful thank you picture. We are proud that we could assist and we are very thankful for Curtis Fundamental Elementary Schools heartfelt gratitude. Additionally, we would like to offer a big thank you to the student who took the time to make this amazing thank you picture!
The Dimmitt Automotive Group was proud to be a part of this very special event. Since 2004, Joto’s Pizza has chosen to concentrate their charitable efforts in sponsoring this golf tournament to benefit All Children’s Hospital in the name of the Rachel M. Thrower Memorial. Thank you for letting us be a part of the 10th Annual Dough for the Kids Golf Classic sponsored by Joto’s Pizza!
Welcoming Home the Honor Flight
“From babies to baby boomers, from bikers to business professionals, they were all there on Tuesday April 16th, 2013 to welcome home the Honor Flight carrying our World War II heroes from Washington, D.C. There were balloons, flags, color guards, bagpipes, plenty of applause and cheering when the honorees and their guides made their way through the terminal lined with admirers and well-wishers.
Many of these men and women who defended our freedom were in wheelchairs as family and friends reached out to shake their hands, thank them for their service to our country, and embrace them with a pride that brought both a smile to their face as well as a tear to their eye. You could see the impact that the homecoming had upon the greeters as well. Many, including me, couldn’t hold back the tears of joy for those who so deserved this wonderful reception.
You could almost feel the sense of patriotism in the air as each person passed by us on their way to receive a commemorative medal as a remembrance of their journey.Each veteran had a guide for the day that could have been a family member-or a complete stranger. To accompany one of these soldiers on a trip to Washington would be a privilege by anyone’s standards.
In an era when bombings, political unrest, and threats from our enemies seem to blanket the evening news coverage, being a part of the Honor Flight in some small way was an experience that I will never forget, and one that I will vigorously recommend to all of my colleagues and friends.”
-Tom McQueen, DAG Brand Development Executive
Honor Flight Veterans Welcome
Mr. and Mrs. Dimmitt will be at St. Petersburg International Airport on Tuesday April 16th to greet the veterans of the upcoming Honor Flight. The Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that sends our nation’s oldest living soldiers to Washington, D.C. for the day to visit the WW2 War Memorial and be received by some of our country’s highest ranking military officials who celebrate the accomplishments of these heroes. The presence of thankful inidividuals awaiting their return is very meaningful to the soldiers who particiapte in the Honor Flight. All Dimmitt associates are invited to join the Dimmitt family for this event, and we look forward creating a warm and welcoming crowd!
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