It’s almost time for the Southwest Lifestyle Media Drive.

From crossovers and trucks to performance and luxury vehicles, manufacturers will bring their latest vehicles for media members to photograph, drive and share with their audiences.

Manufacturer reps will be on hand to answer questions, network and demonstrate new vehicle features.

There will be no voting or specific evaluation criteria this year, according to Becky Antioco, Southwest Lifestyle Media founder. “We want you to drive the vehicles most relevant to your audiences, and spend time behind the wheel of vehicles that might not otherwise make it to the Phoenix media fleet,” she says.

Staging will be Oct. 18 at Crown Plaza Resort Phoenix-Chandler Golf Resort with a welcome dinner on Oct. 17. A more specific agenda will be available closer to the event date.

For questions, contact Becky at becky@southwestlifestylemedia.com.

Vantage Mobility assembly line.

PAPA has a couple programs in the works for this fall. Details have been finalized for a Sept. 18 visit to Vantage Mobility International in South Phoenix. Vantage, known for its wheelchair van conversions, will provide lunch, a tour of its assembly line, access to executives  and test-drive opportunities.
The program will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5202 S. 28th Place, Phoenix. Please RSVP to Cathy Luebke, clariz@cox.net by Sept. 11.
Also mark your calendars for Nov. 7. Arizona will host members of the Ferrari Club of America from 39 states in what will be the club’s second-largest gathering. PAPA members are invited to the Ferrari Concours that Thursday at Scottsdale Sports Complex. Look for details closer to the event date.
In addition, the new owners of Bondurant High Performance Driving School have reached out to PAPA to create an exclusive event. This may include meeting the new executive team, exposure to the facility’s high-performance Dodge vehicles and getting behind the wheel for some track time.
Stay tuned, our organizing group is working on a few other ideas as well.
If you are not receiving our email notices or have other questions contact Cathy Luebke, clariz@cox.net.

(Photo courtesy of Vantage Mobility)

I celebrated my 25th anniversary as an auto writer a couple years ago, but this column still seems relevant as I often get asked how I landed this prime gig.

How it started
Many people ask how the Phoenix Business Journal chose me for this plum assignment, a new car in the driveway every week.

My editor in 1992, car junkie Tom Jensen (now in charge of curatorial affairs for Nascar Hall of Fame), went on vacation and offered his Honda Prelude tester to me and another reporter. When he returned, Tom asked for feedback on the flashy red coupe so he could write the review. “No, I want to write it,” I said. “Great!” he said.

Click here to read the rest.