Baltimore Dent-Remover 'Bent on' Dunlop 'Maxxed Out' Awards

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 14, 2006 -- One Baltimore man knows ding and bling. During the day, he fixes simple dents, dings and creases, but he is equally passionate about transforming Hondas into bling.

Obviously, there's more to paintless dent removal than minor car door damage from runaway shopping carts. Ryan Shutt, 29, a dent removal technician, was the first three-time winner in Dunlop's third annual prestigious Maxxed Out Awards in Las Vegas.

Shutt repeated in the "Best Sport Compact" category with a 2007 "Forever Orange" Fit and its exaggerated sound (Polk Audio) and interior gear, displayed in Honda Motor Co.'s SEMA Show booth. The bright-orange Fit rides on 18-inch Dunlop Direzza DZ101 ultra-performance tires.

Shutt, who won last year with a 2006 Honda Civic, said he was surprised by the Maxxed Out recognition with his four-door Fit. He said he only had six weeks to work on the sports compact. It was the second time that Honda has provided a car for Shutt's handiwork.

The Baltimore resident won the top prize -- the "Maxxed Out" Award -- in 2004 with a customized 2001 Honda Civic.

Luis Sanchez, of Sante Fe Springs, Calif., received this year's best-of- show "Maxxed Out" Award at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, the world's premier automotive specialty products trade event.

The 1932 Ford Deuce, sponsored by Center Line Wheel Corp., on Dunlop SP Sport 9000 ultra-performance tires, was judged the best Dunlop tire and tricked-out car combination at the show. An 8-year labor of love, the slick topless street rod was an easy pick based on its engineering and aggressive manner in which its Dunlops were displayed, judges said.

"We were looking for the ultimate in 'maxxed out' style and performance," said Silvana Valencic, segment marketing manager for Dunlop in North America. "Through these awards, Dunlop celebrates the artistry and all-out performance created by the people who personalize their vehicles to reflect their personalities and attitudes."

The "Maxxed Out" Award is named after the award-winning ultra high- performance Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tire. "We've won awards globally with the SP Sport Maxx, so it's only fitting that we name an award after it," Valencic said.

Other Dunlop category winners include: Michael Jonas, of Stainless Steel Brakes Corp. in Clarence, N.Y., with a blown six-cylinder 2006 Ford Mustang on 20-inch Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ultra-performance tires in "Best Performance;" and Ernie Manansala, car designer and marketing manager for NOS Energy Drinks of Mays Landing, N.J., with a drift-specified Lexus SC300 sporting 19-inch Direzza DZ101 ultra-performance tires in "Best Tire & Wheel."

"Dunlop Maxxed Out Awards reinforce our product focus on sport compact and European tuners," Valencic said. "Compact brands, such as Honda, Toyota and Scion, are the fastest growing, not surprising, given the market's appeal to customization."

SEMA said sport compact cars constitute about $5 billion in aftermarket accessories sales.

Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original- equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring "tuner" tire sizes and race series sponsorships.