There's no doubt that we could use a new car. Our 1993 Honda Civic has served us well with over 130,000 miles but the radio and air conditioning have recently passed on. When we received the letter from WDHA 105.5 Jersey's Own Rock Radio Promotions Director Ed Roth informing us that we would be one of 105 people with a chance to receive a key that starts the car, we, like the other contestants figured that the 2003 Pontiac Vibe that they were giving away was ours. We imagined ourselves driving all over the tri-state area covering music events for Kweevak.com in our sporty new vehicle. The odds had to be in our favor.

On August 22, 2003, we drove out to Jim Salerno's Pontiac dealership in Randolph, New Jersey, where WDHA 105.5 Jersey's Own Rock Radio had set-up a special remote broadcast for the grand finale in their season-long "Wheels of Summer" Pontiac Vibe giveaway. On hand was radio personality Terrie Carr and Promotions Director Ed Roth and the 72 lucky contest qualifiers who showed up and their families.

The Pontiac Vibe that was being given away by WDHA.

Jim Salerno's Pontiac was in the final days of their annual tent sale and they had set up a nice party complete with a beverage truck, hot dog stand and they even provided a magician to keep the dozens of children present entertained.

As the evening progressed WDHA 105.5 Jersey's Own Rock Radio awarded Neil Young and The Doors concert tickets. In addition, they featured the band "Swim" on their Homegrown Spotlight, and played some 80's metal as part of the Hair Club for Men all before the climatic drawing.

WDHA's Terrie Carr on location from Jim Salerno's Pontiac dealership.

Around 8:00 p.m. Terrie Carr, with assistance from her WDHA co-worker Rob Moorhead, called up the contest qualifiers one-by-one to pull an envelope from the rear hatch of the Pontiac Vibe, the same car they had been driving around all summer to their station promotional events. Inside every envelope was a key and a letter informing the contestants if they won the car or not.

In the end a gentleman from Stanhope, New Jersey was the ultimate winner of the 2003 "Wheels of Summer" contest. When interviewed on-air by Terri Carr after the contest was over he was asked what he was going to do with the prize. When he replied that he was probably going to give the car to his mom it was obvious that this winner had the most positive vibes of all on this night — congratulations!!!

The lucky contest qualifiers gather around the prize - a 2003 Pontiac Vibe.

Related Links: For more information on WDHA 105.5 and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- WDHA | Jim Salerno Pontiac | The Smithereerns

(Originally Published on August 23, 2003)