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Patrick Long Shares 3 Professional Tips for Handling Your Porsche

Poised for the Track, Ready For the Road

“Driving events are a great way for people to feel the capability of their Porsche, no matter what they drive, you’ll see your daily commute isn’t as rough as you’d think.”

The prestige of the Porsche marque is legendary. Power performance and iconic body styles make these sports cars standout- on Dallas’ Interstate 35 and on the race track.  Professional race car driver Patrick Long is no stranger to the Marque, he began making a name for himself in 2003 as a Porsche Factory Driver. Since then his list of wins and accomplishments lends him to being somewhat of an expert on Porsche handling.

So whether you’re a true ‘track rat’ or simply someone who takes to cruising local highways, we thought imparting some of Patrick Long’s professional wisdom on the Porsche 911 could enhance your drive and help you (safely and responsibly) get the most of your Porsche experience.

Q1: Many driving tips we hear repeated like, ‘adjust your seat and mirrors’ or ‘look ahead’ that as adults we often consider as just for new drivers. Why is it actually important for anyone interested in performance driving?

Positioning in motorsport and in a daily routine, you know driving to work, are in a complete parallel

On the Track

“Positioning in motorsport and in a daily routine, you know driving to work, are in a complete parallel. Naturally, safety is number one, your protection and visibility out of the car are crucial.”

“Posture and stability in a racing seat is so key for us in surviving long hot days in a very stiff and harsh racecar. Hitting speeds close to 200mph force racing drivers to constantly be looking far ahead, as things happen fast on the track.”

On the Road

“Change that out for driving down the freeway or through a neighborhood and you’re rewarded by the same technique of awareness and visual scanning and seat position. My own preferences include sitting low so that I’m near the chassis, making sure my steering wheel hits at my wrist at the top of the wheel and I’ll have a slight bend in my leg in relation to my proximity to the pedals.”

 

Q2:  Let’s assume most people don’t take their 911 to a track day. They’re kind of missing out on seeing just how far they can push their car. For those using the 911 as a daily driver, what would you tell them about trusting the capability of the vehicle?

On the Track

“When we are fortunate enough to give customers rides on a racetrack with their street cars, it blows my mind how agile and efficient these cars are, they perform really well.”

“One thing I tell people about any Porsche is not only are they high performing, but the performance is on tap over and over. When we are fortunate enough to give customers rides on a racetrack with their street cars, it blows my mind how agile and efficient these cars are, they perform really well. I am not only referring to the 911.  A Porsche Panamera or Macan are staggeringly good.”

On the Road

“Porsche prides itself on the DNA of its racing heritage – light, low and well-ventilated means we can hustle Porsche product on the tracks, lap after lap, with consistency. Driving events are a great way for people to feel the capability of their Porsche, no matter what they drive, you’ll see your daily commute isn’t as rough as you’d think.”

Q3: Tires are always important. Why do tires correlate so closely to your car’s performance?

You are only as good as the four contact pads connecting to the car

“Tires are so key. You are only as good as the four contact pads connecting to the car. Imagine you have all the right clothes on, but your feet are frozen, burning or hurting as you walk through extreme weather. Everything matters a lot less than your feet at that point. It’s the same with cars; don’t think that a tire is black and round and the inexpensive or old and worn is as good as the fresh and proper tire for your car and weather conditions. ”

On the Track

In motorsport, we focus on compound and construction of hundreds of models of tires. It’s shed a ton of light on the temperature of the road and how your tire’s rubber responds and either works or really struggles. I will take the proper compound of a tire over fancy tread design any day. 

On the Road

“The age of your tires has a massive effect on how they perform as well, don’t think of it only in tread depth. There is a lot of reading on this subject, but I suggest consulting your dealer for input on whether you are on an ideal type of design and compound for where you live and what type of driving you do.  Most important, seek info on the age of the tires; they will be able to tell you right away based on the markings of the sidewalls.  This is especially important for seasonal usage or collector cars where mileage might have little factor into the need to replace your tires.”

 

Learn more about how to handle your Porsche from track to road:

Follow @parkplaceracing and @parkplacetexas for more race updates and driving tips from the Park Place Motorsports Drivers. Have a question? Email us at social@10.2.54.33 and we’ll ask our professional race team for their input!

 

 

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2019 Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular Breaks Record with $770,000 Raised

Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Escapes to Margaritaville

With a playful theme of “Escape to Margaritaville,” fans filled the Hilton Anatole ballroom May 5th looking for rare treasures, unbridled laughter and fun encounters with their favorite players and coaches at the sold-out 2019 Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular. And the Rangers hit a grand slam!

“The Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play has always been our largest fundraising event and this year’s total made a record $770,000,” said Karin Morris, executive director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “The funds raised at this event directly impact our programming and partnerships. Since last year’s event, we have welcomed more than 25,000 kids to the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota.”

The annual event featured Texas Rangers players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni. Fans enjoyed unparalleled access to their favorite Rangers for autographs, photos and lively baseball conversations with a player, coach, former Rangers player or staff member seated at their table.

“This is the 15th year Park Place has been involved in this event and every year it surpasses our expectations,” said Jordan Case, Park Place Dealerships president. “Supporting the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation ensures children throughout North Texas will have opportunities to succeed through scholarships, new training facilities, and programs. Together, we are making our community stronger.”

(L to R) Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation executive director Karin Morris; and Park Place Dealerships president Jordan Case; with one of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club owners, Rangers COO and chairman of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Board Neil Leibman; Park Place Lexus Grapevine GM Gary Venner; Rangers manager Chris Woodward; and his wife, Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Advisory board member Erin Woodward. Photo Credit: Michael Ainsworth

The live and silent auctions raised more than $225,000, also a record. The highest amount in the live auction was a $31,000 bid for a trip on a private jet with Hall of Fame catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to see the Rangers play against the Angels in Anaheim. The amount was doubled when the Rangers agreed to allow both of the two top bidders to take the trip for a total of $62,000 for the dream trip. 

Other notable experiences included a roadtrip to Boston to see the Rangers play the Red Sox that included transportation on the team plane and dining with Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley; a trip to the Dominican Republic for a tour of the Rangers’ new Baseball Academy; private hitting and pitching lessons with current Rangers players, and many other exclusive experiences. Memorabilia from the worlds of sports and entertainment included a license plate signed by the stars of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off;” a framed photo autographed by legendary players Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio; an autographed seat back from the original Texas Stadium; a photo signed by the cast of “The Sandlot;” and countless signed jerseys and equipment from a wide range of sports.

Fans and players competed against each other in a spirited game of Heads or Tails. Tim Willett, auctioneer, would flip a coin and contestants placed their hands on either their head or derriere. If the coin landed on tails, all those with hands on their heads would sit down.

– Rangers players (L-toR) Rougned Odor, Elvis Andrus, Joey Gallo and Hunter Pence play Heads or Tails

Contestants were eliminated round by round until only two people were left on stage. Willett tossed the coin for one final flip, and Leta Farnsworth won tickets to the Paul McCartney and Billy Joel concerts later this year at Globe Life Park.

The highlight of the evening is always when the players compete in a pair of game shows. The entertainment began with a new game: Heads Up, where a player holds a card up to their forehead with a word or name written on it. Their teammates then give them clues to try to guess the answer. Rangers pitchers Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin were teamed up with catcher Jeff Mathis to battle Rangers’ bullpen coach Oscar Marin and pitchers Shelby Miller and Drew Smyly. The resulting antics were hilarious as players stammered and shouted answers under pressure as they tried to beat the clock. Jesse Chavez was holding a card with “Kanye West” on it and his teammates prompted him with, “Kim Kardashian’s husband!” To which Chavez replied, “Chloe?” The audience erupted in laughter.

The Rangers’ rookies never fail to entertain. Kyle Dowdy, Brett Martin, Adrian Sampson and Ariel Jurado performed a hysterical skit to “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Don’t worry. They won’t be taking this show on the road any time soon. But it certainly made for some memorable moments.

Rangers’ rookies Kyle Dowdy, Brett Martin, Adrian Sampson and Ariel Jurado perform a skit (Photo by Michael Ainsworth)

If you think the Rangers are competitive on the field, imagine what happens when the infielders match wits with the outfielders in Fielders Feud, a popular spinoff of the popular Family Feud TV game show. Players tried to guess the top answers given by 100 Rangers fans in a survey taken at Globe Life Park. Both teams were stumped when it came time to guess the fans’ responses to the question, “What are your favorite memories from Globe Life Park?”

Rangers Hall of Fame broadcaster Eric Nadel moderates Fielders Feud with Infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa , Logan Forsythe, Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus competing against Outfielders Hunter Pence, Delino DeShields Jr, Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara

Players were able to match answers such as “Beltre’s 3000th hit” and “Striking out A-Rod in the ALCS.” But the crowd let out a gasp when “Rougie’s Punch” was not one of the top answers.

“The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation was recognized last year with the Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence for our Richard Greene Scholars program,” concluded Karin Morris. “As part of this recognition, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation will receive a $10,000 grant from Major League Baseball Charities.”

Named after the former Mayor of Arlington who led the campaign to keep the Rangers in Arlington and construct Globe Life Park, the Richard Greene Scholars program provides a $10,000 scholarship every year to a student at each of the Arlington ISD high schools. During the recipient’s senior year, he/she rotates through an internship every six weeks at different community service and local government entities. 

Now in its 22nd year of operation, the Richard Greene Scholars program has provided more than $1.2 million in college scholarships to Arlington high school students. In addition to financial aid, the program has become a cornerstone leadership development program by engaging recipients with local civic and business communities, including Arlington ISD, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the City of Arlington, the Texas Rangers and the Rangers Baseball Foundation, and several other civic partners. 

Since its inception in 1991, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has invested more than $30 million in our community to help children through support of programs including the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota; youth fitness and wellness programs like the just keep livin programs; scholarships and summer programming for children in challenging circumstances.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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Volvo XC90 Named Best Used Car By CarGurus

From Volvo Pressroom

Two generations of Volvo XC90 SUVs have been recognized as solid pre-owned purchases by CarGurus.com, a leading online automotive marketplace.

The experts at CarGurus named the 2014-2018 XC90 a Best Used Car in the Luxury Midsize Crossover/SUV category. The 2014 model year was the last year the original, game-changing XC90 was made. The current generation XC90 launched in 2015 as part of a bold plan to remake the entire Volvo product line-up. Both models were named North American Truck/SUV of the Year.

Matt Smith, CarGurus Senior Editor, said, “A pre-owned Volvo XC90 will delight shoppers looking to combine luxury with safety in their next family car. Not only does the XC90 impress CarGurus’ expert reviewers, it also retains its value well above the segment average, meaning this 3-row luxury crossover won’t suffer from depreciation as dramatically as some of its competitors.”

“Customers can be confident in buying any pre-owned Volvo car,” said Anders Gustafsson, president and CEO of Volvo Car USA. “To have the experts at CarGurus give two generations of XC90 a top category award only reinforces that.”

CarGurus’ award scoring for nominees was based on evaluating a number of criteria: user reviews, professional test drives, popularity, availability, and CarGurus’ projected 12-year value retention. The model with the highest overall score was determined the winner for each category.

Volvo offers these award-winning pre-owned XC90 models through its Certified by Volvo program. Certified by Volvo vehicles meet the strictest criteria and are backed by the company’s unlimited mileage warranty. Each must pass a rigorous, 170-point inspection, have less than 80,000 miles, and receive a detailed CARFAX Vehicle History Report.

Before being certified, Volvo repairs or replaces any necessary components – carefully checking the exterior and powertrain – and even does a road test. A factory-backed warranty covers every part of each Certified by Volvo vehicle that is not specifically excluded, including the replacement or repair of thousands of components. Plus, it’s upgradeable up to ten years. Complimentary roadside assistance and a zero deductible for all warranty visits are also included.

Certified by Volvo vehicles also include emergency towing & lockout service and trip interruption benefits. Full details on the Certified by Volvo program are available at https://www.volvocars.com/us/shopping-tools/shop/certified-pre-owned.

To learn view Certified and New inventory on the award winning Volvo XC90, visit us online at ParkPlace.com.

 

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Why the Lexus RX350 is Everything Under the Sun- and Perfect for Summer

If you are visiting a Park Place Lexus dealership this summer, expect the 2019 Lexus RX SUV to be a bright spot. The best-selling Lexus model will be in hot demand for SUV enthusiasts and luxury vehicle fans.

1. Design

The 2019 RX features an immaculate interior to capture the draw of your attention around the cabin. Form-fitting seats and smooth finished wood trim surround the seating areas. There’s enough room for five individuals inside the RX models in addition to plenty of trunk space for several golf bags or four large suitcases. If you plan to hit the golf course or travel around the country this summer, the 2019 RX is a fantastic summer pick up.

For larger family trips, one should consider the RXL, which provides a third-row to seat two additional occupants. Seating seven people offers additional flexibility for families looking to cut back from using two vehicles during vacations. During the heat of the summer, back row passengers will also appreciate multi-zone climate control.

2. Performance

2019 RX drivers would enjoy two potential driving experiences with the 350 and 450h Hybrid. The RX350 continues to provide a powerful V6 engine with 295HP and 268 lb-ft of torque. If you prefer the gas/electric version, the RX450h offers 308 combined EPA-estimated fuel efficiency with 30 mpg combined EPA-estimated fuel economy.

Drivers also maintain exceptional control over the RX with several driving modes available from “Normal,” “Sport,” “Eco,” and “Sport S” as standard modes for the RX350. The RX450h Hybrid enables EV mode for electric power at lower speeds for short distances. For any F-Sport drivers, the F-Sport package adds the “Sport S+” and “Customize” mode for an enhanced athletic drive.

3. Safety

Thanks in part to the Lexus Safety System+, drivers can appreciate fewer collisions with advanced safety equipment. The pre-collision system with pedestrian detection anticipates individuals or a potential frontal collision with an audible or visible alert. These innovation along with several others contribute to the all-wheel drive Lexus RX350 and RX450 models both achieving 5 stars for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety ratings.

4. Multimedia

To stream all the hot summer soundtracks or search for popular vacation destinations, the Lexus RX models offer an efficient multimedia system. RX drivers can enjoy an 8-inch screen with HD radio, Bluetooth audio, voice recognition, two USB ports, and more. Drivers can upgrade from a 9-speaker audio system to a 12-speaker premium audio system with a 12.3 inch screen and full navigation.

 

If you are interested in the 2019 RX350 or 2019 RX450 Hybrid model, visit the Park Place website for inventory options.

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PARK PLACE DEALERSHIPS PARTNERS WITH BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE IRVING FOUNDATION

Non-Profit Chosen as Beneficiary of

3rd Annual Luxury & Supercar Showcase Car Raffle

Park Place Dealerships and Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation have partnered for the 3rd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, Dallas Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event, to be held at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas on Saturday, September 28. Proceeds will benefit the Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center – Irving.

“Partnering with Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation allows Park Place to give back directly to the local community that has embraced the event for the past two years,” said Liz Shafton, Experiential Marketing Director at Park Place Dealerships. “We are excited to introduce a raffle to the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase that will allow one lucky winner to take delivery of a new car! Proceeds from the raffle also will work in tandem with the Four Seasons Resort and Club’s efforts to fund a CT Scanner, the Discovery RT, at the hospital.”

Park Place and Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation will offer the opportunity to win a 2020 Lexus UX—the first-ever Lexus compact crossover—along with the award-winning ownership experience that makes Park Place feel like your place.

Tickets for the raffle may be purchased online  or by visiting the Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation at 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd.

Irving. Tickets are $100 each.

Showcase Update

In addition to a juried Collectors’ Concours, Park Place will offer fashion, food and retail offerings within the Porsche Pavilion. There will be music performances on the Lexus Live Stage and beverages at The Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden on the lush Four Seasons TPC Championship golf course.

Tickets

Ranging from $25 – $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, which includes the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages from dozens of the area’s finest restaurants, tickets are on sale at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com.VIP Tickets are limited and have sold out the previous two years.

Park Place Dealerships represents some of the most coveted brands in the world, including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar which will all be featured at the event.

Fabulous Fashions

Highland Park Village will present a runway show produced by Jan Strimple Productions for the second year. The fashion show will feature looks from prestigious brands presented exclusively in the climate-controlled pavilion on the resort grounds, with retail pop-ups for guests to shop the day of the event.

Dallas’ Mad Hatter Shane Walker will return to judge the 2019 Haute Hat Contest on The Million Air Stage with categories for stylish men and women. Guests are encouraged to pair a hat with their favorite resort-inspired ensemble.

Within the event will be a juried Collectors’ Concours, featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, sports, vintage and classic cars from private collectors. The event also will include a Car Club Expo powered by Park Up Front as well as a Kid’s Zone complete with drivable cars for the littlest enthusiast.

About Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation

Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation was established by civil leaders as a public charity in 1977 to raise funds for nonprofit healthcare in Irving. To date, more than $45 million has been raised for nonprofit beneficiaries in Irving.

About Park Place Dealerships

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com

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Park Place Advances Eleven Positions to Finish Fourth at Mid-Ohio

Park Place Motorsports finished fourth after starting last in the GT Daytona class in the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with the No. 73 Park Place Porsche 911 GT3 R.
 
Driver Marco Seefried and Porsche Works Driver Patrick Long reunited for the first time since 2015, and it was a performance that should not have been missed. Long garnered bumps and bruises along the way to the fourth-place finish sustaining damage to the left front and rear in the final minutes of the race. Overcoming cars laps down and traffic, Long was gaining ground on the third-place car when the checkered flag fell.
 
Seefried took the No. 73 Porsche from 15th to second in the GTD class during his stint. Seefried caused a red flag during qualifying after getting stuck in the thick mud that so many fell victim to this weekend. The No. 73 had its two fastest laps taken away and ultimately had to start from the rear of the field. Seefried gained six positions in the opening 10 minutes of the race, making the incident long forgotten after the green flag. He too received damage to the front left of the bumper during the final laps of his stint.

Driver Quotes

 
Patrick Long, No. 73 Porsche 911 GT3 R

 

“I’m very proud of our result,” Long said. “The racing today was hard fought and physical, but we made it through. We chose an alternative strategy which is always risky, but I think it ultimately helped us. I think we capitalized on the yellow flags really well. We definitely had the pace for the front today. The biggest challenge were the lap cars; they made things difficult. But overall fourth place is a great points day for us. I’m glad we brought it home.”

Marco Seefried, No. 73 Porsche 911 GT3 R

“I think considering where we started, we can be pleased with our result today,” Seefried said. “I think Porsche will be happy to see how we performed together; I hope Patrick (Lindsey) is happy as well. We took on some damage this race, but I think that is just what happens at Mid-Ohio with a scenario like we had today. Finding a setup was quite difficult due to the weather, but I think the team did a great job considering that challenge.”

NEXT UP

The next race for the No. 73 Park Place Porsche is currently undecided as the decision of whether or not to run at the Detroit Grand Prix Presented by Lear has not been made. Detroit is a commitment for the GTD Sprint Championship but not for the GTD full season championship. Teams can omit Detroit from their calendar and still win the full season championship or omit the endurance races for the sprint championship. The race following Detroit is the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International in New York.

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A Star in the Room: Consistency with Kirk Franklin

Grammy Award-winning artist Kirk Franklin
celebrates the consistency in music and family

Kirk Franklin was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and was adopted by his 64-year-old Aunt, Gertrude Franklin.

“I had a rough childhood,” says Franklin. “I didn’t know my mother or my father. I had a lot of abandonment issues. So, I got into a lot of trouble and didn’t do well in school. But Gertrude really believed in my musical gifts. So, from the time I was four I would take piano lessons once a week.”

Gertrude paid for his piano lessons by recycling aluminum cans and old newspapers.

“Unfortunately, Gertrude died before she heard any of the music that I recorded. So, she didn’t get a chance to see me get my life together. I kind of live with that ‘chasing the ghost’ type of energy in my life.”

Franklin organized “The Family” in 1992, forming a 17-voice choir with neighborhood friends and associates. Their debut album, “Kirk Franklin & The Family,” was released in 1993. Eventually earning platinum album sales, it spent nearly two years on the Gospel music charts, as well as moving up the R&B and Pop charts.

It was the first gospel music album to sell over a million units.

The group released “Whatcha Lookin’ 4” in 1996, sealing Franklin’s stardom. The album was certified 2X Platinum, and earned Franklin his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Since his debut in 1992, Franklin has received six platinum certifications on his albums, including the 3X Platinum “Gods Property,” which won him a second Grammy for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.

Franklin has worked with a variety of artists over the years, including Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Bono, and TobyMac. The winner of more than 40 Stellar Awards, 16 Dove Awards and 14 GRAMMY Awards, Franklin states, “I really believe it happened because I am a firm believer in the message I preach.”

“One thing about music is that you can’t have a bunch of musicians playing what they want to play,” explained Franklin. “They have to play what the song demands. So, what you don’t want to feel is that everyone is playing different notes, because it’s not a melody… it’s not a nice harmony. And it doesn’t sound good, nor does it feel good. The star in the room is always the song.”

“What I love about Park Place is that the star in the room every time you go is always the client. You can tell that they have been rehearsing, that everybody’s playing the same note.”

“Park Place team members are committed every day to create an ownership experience that can’t be found anywhere else,” explains Dave Evans, Park Place Dealerships Chief Marketing Officer. “Our clients tell us fabulous stories about Park Place members who have gone above and beyond to make their experience memorable. We want people to think of Park Place as My Place.”

“Coming from a past where a lot of things in my childhood were very inconsistent, consistency has been something I have always strived for,” Franklin concludes.

“Park Place is ‘My Place’ because they make me feel like a classic song.”

 

 

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Your Rights. Your Choice: Choosing Your Collision and Hail Repair Shop

When it comes to choosing your place for hail or collision repair,  some carefully worded phrasing and confusing verbiage from an insurance could imply that you do not have the right to choose your repair facility.  In an effort to empower our clients through what can sometimes be a frustrating situation (especially in the event of a collision),  Park Place BodyWerks will not only provide 100% guaranteed repairs with OEM certified parts and technicians, but our team of experts will guide you through the process and facilitate communication with the insurance company.

TRUE OR FALSE? The repair shop you want is not on the insurance network shop list, so an insurance company can’t guarantee the repairs?”

FALSE. By law, insurance companies cannot tell customers where to go for repairs. The Texas Department of Insurance Bill of Rights lists regulations for auto insurance claims.
 
Here are 7 things we recommend you consider before choosing your repair facility for your collision and hail repairs:
 

1. You choose where you want your vehicle towed and repaired. It’s the law.

2. You only need one estimate to determine the amount of damage.
3. Review your car insurance policy especially regarding car rentals.
4. Verify the insurance company pays for all covered repairs.
5. Take care in choosing the right repair shop because your safety depends on it.
6. Insurance companies have deadlines they must follow regarding the claims process
7. Ask questions until you get all of them answered. This is a step toward picking the right body shop.
 
Choosing a certified collision repair center is your choice. So learn more on how Park Place BodyWerks is here to not only provide top-quality repairs, but also assist you throughout the process with your insurance.
 
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Park Place Racing Update: Seefried Subs-In at Mid-Ohio

Dallas (April 30,2019) – Marco Seefried will take over driving duties for Park Place Motorsports Team Principal Patrick Lindsey in the No. 73 Park Place Porsche entry at this weekend’s Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Round 4 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Lindsey excuses himself to continue his championship hunt at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Saturday, May 4. 
 
Seefried joins Porsche Works Driver Patrick Long in Park Place Motorsports’ hunt for a first win with the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 R while aiming to capitalize on its points standings. After two rounds of endurance racing Park Place Motorsports is sixth in the GT Daytona class, team points championship. Sixth is the highest points position Park Place Motorsports has held this early in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
 
The IMSA series first appearance at Mid-Ohio was last year. Park Place Motorsports did not partake in the debut as the No. 73 Porsche was running endurance and select races only. This race is Park Place Motorsports first appearance in the GTD class at Mid-Ohio since running in the Grand-Am series. Park Place Motorsports will rely on Long’s previous experience with Wright Motorsports for greater understanding of car handling at the 2.4-mile track.
 
Park Place Motorsports makes the switch from endurance racing to sprint racing at Mid-Ohio. This is the first of eight sprint races on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar. The shortened race format brings a new feel to the series with a keen focus now on perfect pit stops and bringing the car up to pace as quickly as possible. With a GTD field featuring 15 entries, the Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio will be anyone’s race.
 
Patrick Lindsey, Team Principal
“I’m happy we can have someone with the pace and experience Marco brings as my replacement,” Lindsey said. “He’s someone I trust, and that’s half the battle when finding a replacement. You need someone who has experience in the car, who has the pace and who can bring it back into pit lane in one piece. I would have loved to have been there with my boys, but I have another battle across the pond. I’m hoping this weekend goes well and Project 1 can go to Le Mans with a greater points gap.” 
 
Patrick Long, Porsche Works Driver
‘We’re headed to Mid-Ohio for sprint racing with Marco Seefried in the car,” Long said “He’s someone I ran with back in 2015, and I consider him a great friend, so I’m looking forward to driving with him in Patrick’s absence. The Porsche 911 GT3 R is a car we’re still getting our hands around, but after our strong finish at Sebring we like our chances at a tighter more technical track.”
 
Calendar
Park Place Motorsports’ weekend begins Friday, May 3, a day packed with practice. Saturday, May 4 features a final morning practice session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series before qualifying. GTD kicks off qualifying with the 15-minute session beginning at 11:40 a.m. EDT, the session can be viewed live on IMSA.tv. Sunday, May 5 is race day. The Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio is set to see the green flag wave at 1:40 p.m. The race is aired on NBC Sports and IMSA.tv. For a detailed schedule of the weekend visit http://imsa.com.

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Park Place Partners with Arlington ISD

Park Place Motorcars Arlington General Manager, Terry Powell, recently presented Arlington ISD Assistant Superintendent, Michael Hill, with a check in support of the Arlington ISD Education Foundation.

Education is one of Park Place’s main pillars of giving back and since 2017, the dealership has donated $10,000 to the Arlington ISD Education Foundation. In addition, Park Place Motorcars Arlington’s Circle of Excellence held a coat drive and other initiatives in support of the district.

Located at I-20 and Collins in Arlington, the 91,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealership recently showcased the all-new 2019 A-Class, an entry-level luxury compact for today’s tech-savvy driver. Test drives are available for the A-Class and all other available models at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.