Sechelt resident Laurie Edwards came home to a message on her answering machine left by the New Car Dealers Association asking her to call them back right away.
"The first thought that went through my mind was, 'yeah, right,'" explained Edwards.
She called back, ready to explain she had no interest in purchasing a new car. Instead of hearing the sales pitch she expected, however, the association informed her she had won a two-person VIP adventure to the Monaco Grand Prix in May.
"I wanted to know what's the catch," joked Edwards.
She then remembered she had purchased a ticket for the Dream Car Lottery, held in conjunction with the Vancouver International Auto Show and the New Car Dealers Association. That's when the excitement started to set in.
"We bought the tickets on-line, and basically that was about it," she said. "We just kind of forgot about them. They were an add-on birthday gift for my son, Al."
In addition to being a birthday present, Edwards entered the contest because ticket sale proceeds were benefiting Special Olympics of B.C. This held a special connection for her and her family, as in 1990, her son played wheelchair rugby with the Steel Wheels team in Edmonton. In addition to still being active in wheelchair sports, he is also an avid car enthusiast and attends the Sunshine Coast drag races annually.
As for the Monaco adventure, both family members are looking forward to it. The May trip, valued at $10,000, includes three nights' accommodation and round trip airfare. And not only do they get to watch the Grand Prix from VIP seating; they get the full VIP treatment, to boot.
"I'm wondering what I'm going to wear. Am I going to see Johnny Depp? You know, all these things that go through your mind," she said with a laugh.
The Monaco Grand Prix prize was an early bird draw held on March 7. The final draw for the Dream Car Lottery will be held on the last day of the Vancouver International Auto Show on April 3. The winning prize is a Mercedes-Benz 2011 SL550 Roadster.
"Who knows?" said Edwards. "Maybe we'll win that, too."
