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By KEN LEVINE

There is no “I” in team.

Posted 11:58 a.m., April 4, 2008

Here we go. Focus. Speed. I am speed. One winner, forty-two losers. I eat losers for breakfast. Speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am # 95, Lightning McQueen. Rookie sensation!

I almost lost the Piston Cup series because I did not realize how important having a great team to support me was. I have learned no matter how good I am individually, racing, like life, is a team sport and you need the best help you can get.

In the time you read this paragraph (13 to 15 seconds), the average Nascar or Piston Cup pit crew will have changed four tires, filled up the fuel tank, washed the windshield and have their car headed back out on the race track.



How do they do that?



The same way the Lakers win championships, football teams win Super Bowls, The United States Marines win battles and great technicians repair vehicles.

Read on. The answer is at the end of article.



I look for those same traits when choosing an auto repair shop or pit crew. I eliminate a lot of problems by only working with professionals. No offense to my best buddy, Mater, but I would not hire him for my pit crew and you should not hire him to repair your vehicle. Why? Because he is not trained or certified to repair cars, and I hate to say it, but he does not inspire confidence. The first thing I look for in a repair shop is how the office and work area looks. If it’s greasy and dirty with old engines and parts lying around, I am out of there. After all, “I’m a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics.” I don’t need any parts left out!

I want a service advisor who gives me personal treatment and his undivided attention. The service advisor acts like a Crew Chief, quarter back or four star general. It’s his or her responsibility to make sure what is promised to you is fulfilled. We don’t want anybody dropping the ball and fumbling on the 5 yard line. The MVP of the team should be the technician working on your car. He should be certified (master certified is best) and a specialist working only on the brand of car that you own. You would not go to a family practitioner for brain surgery. Why would you go to a general repair shop to work on your highly technical automobile?

The support players are the office staff that politely answer the phone and thanks you for your business and the shop helper that washes your vehicle and pulls it to the front door for you.



How are champions made?

It is through repetitive training drills. The person is conditioned to respond or perform a certain way automatically and to work with other team mates. Nine hours per day, two hundred and sixty eight days of the year. (That’s more time than some championship teams train) The technician of a specialty shop will perform the same service and repairs on one brand of vehicle. Because of the repetitive nature of their work, they are able to be faster and more precise then somebody that does it occasionally or attempting to do it for the first time.

Thanks to my new Crew Chief and pit crew, you know who will be having a Piston Cup on his shelf next season. Ka-chow!

Coming next week, how to enjoy your family vacation without having to take separate cars.



I hope this article helps you. I am Ken Levine, the owner of Ken’s Quality Auto Repair in Thousand Oaks, where we specialize in Lexus and Toyota vehicles. If you have any car questions please e-mail me at kq@verizon.net, visit www.kensqualityauto.com or call 805-494-4344