Winner Announced in the 1998 NTB Trans-Am Ski Centurion Sweepstakes
25 October 1998
TAKES HOME $30,000 WORLD CLASS TOURNAMENT SKI BOATENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Tom Martin, of Mahtomedi, Minn., was the winner of a $30,000 Ski Centurion Elite Bowrider ski boat in the 1998 NTB Trans-Am Series Ski Centurion Sweepstakes. NTB Trans-Am veteran driver Brian Simo drew the winning name in victory circle at the Texaco Grand Prix of Houston, Oct. 3.
Martin, who lives near the shores of White Bear Lake, Minn., registered for the sweepstakes accompanied by his five-year-old race-fan son, Drew, on June 28, when the NTB Trans-Am Series visited Minneapolis at the Sprint PCS Grand Prix of Minnesota.
"When Rick called me on the phone, I was absolutely shocked and surprised....I still am," said Martin. "I was in a meeting when he called, and when he explained that I had won the boat I nearly dropped the phone. I am a huge boat enthusiast, I love the water, and the boat is absolutely beautiful. This is quite a gift."
Ski Centurion, America's leading ski boat manufacturer, and the NTB Trans-Am Series, America's performance car road racing series, and teamed up to give away the 1998 Ski Centurion Elite Bowrider.
"To call up an unknowing person and surprise him with the boat was a fantastic experience," said Rick Lee, President of Fineline Industries, Inc., and driver of the No. 00 EZ-Up International Ford Mustang Cobra.
"Everyone at the factory is very excited for Tom, and it was an honor for us to be a part of the NTB Trans-Am Series this season."
"The Ski Centurion Sweepstakes was a tremendous success thaks to Rick Lee and Ski Centurion," said Scott Rittinger. "This sweepstakes was a unique opportunity that generated and created additional fan interest, both at each NTB Trans-Am race and on our Internet site."
An avid boatsman, Martin now looks forward to seeing his new boat on White Bear Lake next summer.
"Minnesota is called the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes,' and we have a beautiful one five blocks away that is a very popular place for boaters and skiers," added Martin. "Drew is a big fan of anything shiny and fast, which is why he loves racing and boats. I'm sure it won't be long before he is asking me to let him drive it."
In the course of the 1998 season, NTB Trans-Am fans from across the country registered for the Ski Centurion Sweepstakes at each of the 13 races, through the official NTB Trans-Am web site (www.Trans-AmSeries.com), and via mail.
