It has been awhile, nearly a year actually, since I last published a big list of new car contests. Yes, this list is legitimate with most of the prizes sponsored or co-sponsored by various automobile manufacturers themselves. As far as I can tell, you won’t have to visit someone’s isolated timeshare in order to be entered nor does it look like you’ll be pestered by telemarketing invaders who found a loophole in the federal Do Not Call list!

Read All of the Fine Print!

Regardless, read the fine print to see if you’re eligible as age restrictions, country/state of residence, and certain other factors might apply. In addition, there may be additional, runner-up or alternate prizes available; taxes on winnings are almost always your responsibility!

To that end, I give to you my latest list of new car prizes for your review:

Contest: Spot the Fetzer Car Sweeps
Sponsor: Fetzer Vineyard
Grand Prize: An unidentified hybrid car with an approximate retail value of $22,000
Ending Date: 30 April 2009
More Info: http://www.fetzer.com/sweeps_rules.aspx

Contest: Nissan Mobile Device Giveaway Sweepstakes
Sponsor: NBC/Heroes
Grand Prize: Nissan Cube 1.8 SL
Ending Date: 4 May 2009
More Info: http://www.nbc.com/Nissan/cube_sweepsRules.shtml

Contest: Noble Car Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Tanger Outlet Center (Greensboro, NC)
Grand Prize: 2009 Noble Lc Electric Car
Ending Date: 17 May 2009
More Info: http://www2.tangeroutlet.com/NOBLEELECTRIC/RULES.HTM

Contest: Ultimate Outdoor Challenge Instant Win and Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Chrysler LLC
Grand Prize: 2009 Dodge Ram Truck
Ending Date: 27 May 2009
More Info: http://www.ramoutdoorchallenge.com/terms.htm

Contest: Castrol® SYNTEC® Feel the Power Sweepstakes
Sponsor: BP Lubricants USA, Inc.
Grand Prize: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Ending Date: 31 May 2009
More Info: http://www.castrolsyntecff.com/display_page?page=rules

Contest: HGTV Green Home Giveaway
Sponsor: Home and Garden Television (GM for the truck)
Grand Prize: A new home and a 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid
Ending Date: 5 June 2009
More Info: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-green-home-2009-giveaway-rules/package/index.html

Contest: Drift Into A Mustang Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Bosch
Grand Prize: 2010 Ford Mustang GT
Ending Date: 30 June 2009
More Info: http://www.boschdriftintoamustang.com/rules.php

Contest: Paul Masson Uniquely Smooth Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Paul Masson Wineries
Grand Prize: 2009 Paul Masson Brandy Jeep Wrangler customized by Will Castro from Unique Autosports
Ending Date: 31 July 2009
More Info: http://www.uniquelysmooth.com/display_page?page=rules

Contest: Fandemonium Arrive In Style Sweepstakes
Sponsor: SITV
Grand Prize: 2009 Suzuki SX4
Ending Date: 30 September 2009
More Info: http://www.sitv.com/suzuki/index.html

Contest: Cleaning Smart Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Scotch-Brite Cleaning (3M)
Grand Prize: 2009 Smart Fortwo
Ending Date: 31 October 2009
More Info: http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/scotchbrite/NatlSmartSweeps/rules.html

Contest: Ford’s “We Race, You Win” Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Ford Motor Company
Grand Prize: 2010 Ford Fusion
Ending Date: 15 November 2009
More Info: https://www.fordracingevents.com/wryw/wryw_rules.aspx

Contest: Duzoxin Porsche Giveaway
Sponsor: Amazon.com and Sun Media
Grand Prize: Porsche Boxster
Ending Date: 15 December 2009
More Info: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000341661

Contest: AutoTrader.com Auto Show Contest
Sponsor: AutoTrader.com
Grand Prize: $50,000 toward the purchase of a new car
Ending Date: 31 December 2009
More Info: http://www.win.autotrader.com/index.php

Contest: The Skoal Great Brotherhood Giveback Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Skoal
Grand Prize: 2009 Shelby Super Snake, Prudhomme Edition
Ending Date: 31 January 2010
More Info: http://www.skoalbrotherhood.com/official_rules.aspx

Many More Contests Not Listed

These are only a handful of the many new car contests currently running. We found numerous local contests which are restricted to residents within a small geographic area and oftentimes require that the winner be present when the drawing is held. In addition, there are many contests (raffles) which are open to eligible participants who purchase a ticket.

None of the contests featured within this article require any sort of purchase. Again, read the fine print to make sure that something disagreeable wasn’t slipped in; use a disposable or seldom used email address if you want to avoid being spammed.

This coming Monday we’ll be ushering in the first day of fall and already the first cool tinges of the season are being felt. Soon, we’ll be putting away our shorts and actually enjoy spending hours outside without wilting under the summer sun.

Automotive enthusiasts know that the fall season is a great time to find car shows and the last full weekend of the summer season has quite a few on tap including the following:

Georgian College Auto Show — Billed as “the largest outdoor car show in North America” the Georgian College Auto Show begins today and runs through Sunday. Held in Barre, Ontario, the show expects over 200,000 visitors and this year’s focus is on the technological advances in the automotive industry, particularly from an environmental standpoint (renew, unite, evolve). Admission is $5 with children under 12 admitted for free.

Punxsutawney Region Antique Automobile Club of America — The area of the country that makes a big thing about a large rodent every February 2nd is hosting an antique car show on Sunday, September 21st, from 12 noon to 4 p.m at the Marion Center Community Park.  Antique cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be featured and the non-judged show will award half of the day’s admission fees via a drawing. Only entrants pay admission while visitors will be admitted for free.

Milford Car Show — In Milford, MI auto fans can enjoy the annual Milford Car Show which will be held on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 100 classic cars and trucks have already been registered for the show which allows visitors and participants to vote on their show favorite.

2008 Millville Wheels & Warbirds Airshow — If you like cars and airplanes, then this event in southern New Jersey is sure to appeal to you. Held at the New Jersey Motorsports Park, the Wheels & Warbids Airshow will be held on Saturday and Sunday, with gates opening at 8 a.m. each day. In addition to the auto show, an air show, car racing, and oldies concert (Saturday evening only) will be offered. Admission of $25 covers entry to the show on both days as well as to the concert, with sliding admission for attendance to special events and days only.

23rd Eastern Connecticut Auto Show — This Sunday at Dodd Stadium in Norwalk, CT, car enthusiasts will be able to partake in that region’s most anticipated auto show of the year, the Eastern Connecticut Auto Show. The show consists of two parts: classic cars and modern day modifieds with hundreds of owners expected to plunk down the $10 fee for admission. General admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and free for children 10 and under who are accompanied by a paying adult.

Super Run 2008 — The biggest car event in the Las Vegas, NV region begins on Thursday and runs through Sunday. In its ninth year, Super Run is open to all makes and models of vehicles including the latest models, classics, and antique cars. The show gets started at The District at Green Valley Ranch on Thursday then moves to Henderson’s Water Street District for the following three days. More than 1000 cars are expected to be participating in this year’s event. Gates open at 8 a.m., judging begins at 1 p.m. and trophies are awarded at 3:30 p.m.

Share Your Information With My Readers Too

If you have an upcoming auto show that you want to share with my readers, feel free to fill out the contact form above or hit the comment button and leave your information below. Please include as much information about your event including: event name; date, time, and location; specific details about your event; link to website; admission information; and whatever else you want to share about your event.

I receive too many emails to respond to everyone personally, but if I get your information well in advance and I think that it is something my readers would be interested in knowing about, then check back to see if your information was published.

Who doesn’t like to win prizes? I know that I do. Yet, I rarely bother to enter most sweepstakes, figuring that I don’t stand a chance to win. You know what? I don’t because I haven’t filled out the entry form.

As with any contest, you gotta be in it to win it. I know people who have a knack at winning sweepstakes because they take the time to see what is out there and carefully choose the contests that are right for them.

Automakers, part suppliers, and other companies who gear their products to today’s drivers often develop sweepstakes as part of their marketing programs. Sure, it may cost them a car, a year’s supply of free car washes, or some other expense, but the marketing attention they receive with these schemes pays off.

I’ve hunted down several contests currently in effect, some ending very shortly with others with months to go. I’m not endorsing any of the products or contests mentioned, nor is this article some sort of paid advertisement. Take care when entering any contest; read the contest rules and fine print — opt out of any mailings you do not want:

Contest: “See Us, You Could Be In A Prius”
Sponsor: PNC Bank
Grand Prize: A total of eight (8) new Toyota Prius’ will be given away.
Ending Date: May 31, 2008
More Info: PNC Bank

Contest: Crocs Next Step Campus Tour
Sponsor: Crocs and Ford
Grand Prize: 2008 Ford Focus SES with SYNC
Ending Date: May 31, 2008
More Info: Crocs

Contest: K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes
Sponsor: K&N and Pontiac
Grand Prize: Pontiac G6 GXP Coupe
Ending Date: May 25, 2008
More Info: K&N Sweepstakes

Contest: Custom Civic Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Panic at the Disco (PATD), Honda
Grand Prize: 2008 Civic Hybrid customized by PATD
Ending Date: August 15, 2008
More Info: PATD sweepstakes

Contest: RoadRunner High Speed – Online Race to Win Sweepstakes
Sponsor: RoadRunner
Grand Prize: Mazda3Speed Sport
Ending Date: May 31, 2008
More Info: Race To Win

Contest: Listerine Kids – Sound Byte Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
Grand Prize: 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Ending Date: June 1, 2008
More Info: Listerine Kids

Contest: Thrive and Drive Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Scotts
Grand Prize: Ford Racing Equipped Mustang GT
Ending Date: July 5, 2008
More Info: Thrive and Drive

Contest: Pontiac KVD Contest
Sponsor: Maxim, Pontiac
Grand Prize: Kat Von D’s Tattooed Vibe
Ending Date: July 15, 2008
More Info: Von D’s Vibe

Contest: Win A Truck Built Right
Sponsor: Old Milwaukee
Grand Prize: A Customized Boyd Coddington Ford F-150
Ending Date: July 31, 2008
More Info: You Build The Ride

Contest: Rigged Up Truck Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Advance Auto Parts
Grand Prize: A Tricked Out Toyota Tundra
Ending Date: September 30, 2008
More Info: Advance Auto Parts

Contest: The Car You Can’t Ignore Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Chevrolet
Grand Prize: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Ending Date: October 31, 2008
More Info: The Car You Can’t Ignore

Contest: The Rookie Sweepstakes
Sponsor: Degree Deodorant, Fox Broadcasting
Grand Prize: 2008 Hummer H3
Ending Date: May 25, 2008
More Info: The Rookie

Please note that most contests are open to U.S. households only, with some contests that include Canadian households as well. Restrictions apply; you may have to pay taxes on your winnings.

If you win, why not hit the reply button and let the world know? Happy trails!