Mountain July People & Places

COLORADO      Murray Motor Imports, a Mercedes-Benz and BMW dealer in Denver, acquired Auto Image Collision on Feb. 26, renaming the business Body Works by Murray Motor Imports. The shop is at 3001 Walnut St. "The only way to be truly Mercedes-Benz- and BMW-certified is for the dealership to own its own body shop," said shop Manager Jeff Peil. He added that the shop will complete the Mercedes-Benz and BMW collision repair certifications by midsummer.      Choice Paint & Supply, a distributor of DuPont automotive finishes, hosted a DuPont Smart Cycle Time Seminar on June 14 at the Four Points near Interstate 25 and East Hampden Avenue. The course was conducted by Hank Nunn of H.W. Nunn & Associates, a Northern California-based collision industry trainer. For future course training dates, contact Choice Paint & Supply Sales Manager Craig Friedrichs at 303-842-3231.       Lakewood Fordland has settled into its new dealership near West Sixth Avenue and Simms Street. The dealership completed the move from West Colfax Avenue in January. In April, Steve Albertson was hired as parts managerfor the dealership. He said the parts department has a renewed emphasis on the wholesale parts business. As of May 1, Jeff Bronn, owner of Automotive Enterprises, has been selected to conduct outside mechanical and collision repair parts sales for the dealership, Albertson said.       Foree Tire Distributors, a warehouse distributor of tires, supplies, and equipment, hosted a Kumho Ride & Drive event May 22 and 23 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver. Attendees, mostly tire dealers, had the opportunity to test drive three Mazda Miatas outfitted with Kumho ASX, SPT, and MX tires, Sales Manager Terry Baker said.      American Tire Distributors (ATD), a nationwide distributor of tires, supplies, tools, and equipment, has extended its reach into Colorado by acquiring Jim Paris Tire City distribution centers in Grand Junction and Denver. Jim Paris Tire City still operates two retail tire outlets. ATD operates 74 distribution centers in 36 states.      Ron Weiner, a former Denver-area shop owner, has stepped downas director of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), said Stan Elmore, ASE board of directors chairman and owner of Stan's Automotive in Lafayette. Weiner's tenure with ASE included two terms on the founding ASE Board of Directors and ASE president in 1982, Elmore said.      The Automotive Service Association of Colorado (ASA-CO) held a kart-racing event for its members June 15, said Linda Crist, ASA-CO's executive director. The event took place at The Track at Centennial.      Colorado and Wyoming Big O Tires stores have entered a three-year sponsorship agreement with Bandimere Speedway, a quarter-mile dragstrip in Morrison. The track, which attracts about 450,000 fans a year, provides an opportunity for race fans to become more familiar with Big O Tires, said Wil Esh, Big O Tires regional business manager.      High Country Performance 4x4 held an open house on May 19. KTCL-FM broadcast from the shop in Englewood during the event, said Jason Huss of High Country Performance 4x4. Several parts manufacturers had parts on display. Stay The Trail, a division of the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), which promotes responsible off-road land use, was also present.        Jasper Engines & Transmissions celebrated the grand opening of its 24,000-square-foot warehouse on May 10 near Interstate 70 and Airport Boulevard in east Denver. The warehouse is a significant upgrade in size from the former location on Lima Street, said Operations Manager Terry McDonald. Attendees had the chance to check out Jasper's tour trailer marking the company's 65th anniversary.      The Auto Techs Club at Northeastern Junior College (NJC) in Sterling extended its 2007 auto show across the globe to Logan County military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the auto show that took place last spring, copies of a special poster that featured the cars, the show queen, and people saluting the soldiers were created and signed by the club's members and exhibitors at the show. NEW MEXICO      Felipe Pina, owner of an auto repair shop in Chama, won the $62.8 million Powerballjackpot with a ticket sold on May 23, the New Mexico Lottery announced. Pina said he used to buy Powerball tickets every Wednesday and Saturday at the Giant Sundial gas station in Chama. Before cashing in his winning ticket, he vowed to finish repairing the vehicles under his roof. He said he might open a classic car restoration business with his winnings.      Cincinnati-based U-Pull-&-Pay (UPAP) purchased the assets and business of Super U Pull ABQ Auto Recyclers. Super U Pull, a self-service used auto parts store, is located in Albuquerque. UPAP plans to establish a network of stores through the construction of new facilities and the acquisition of existing self-service stores across the country.   WYOMING      Big Horn Tire in Gillette plans to open a store in Buffalo this summer. The family-owned business has operated in Gillette for more than 43 years.