Big surprise for new car winner

BIG SURPRISE: Supporting his local petrol station has been a bonus for one lucky local. Pictured from left are Paul Thurgood, Sheila Hassall, new car winner Jim Cato, Gary Hassall, and Ray Mitchell.

Mangawhai local Jim Cato has won a car in a nationwide competition.

New Zealand-owned fuel company Gasoline Alley Services, in a promotional alliance with Suzuki NZ, ran a country-wide customer based competition throughout it’s 94 service stations from December 2012 until March this year. 

The competition was based on individual fuel purchases so attracted literally thousands of entries and carried the prize of a brand new Suzuki Alto. 

Never really expecting to win, Mangawhai’s Jim Cato had his name drawn out of the barrel and recently took delivery of his prize.

“We are a little fish in a big pool,” says Sheila Hassall of GAS in Mangawhai Village. “We have a lot of holiday visitors here over summer but Jim is a regular so the win was especially pleasing not just for Mangawhai but also for a local person.”

Partners Sheila and Gary Hassall, and Paul Thurgood, have owned the service centre for four years during which they have extended the forecourt, added more pumps and a whole lot of products to what is now a one-stop-shop which also includes the postal centre. 

It’s a seven-days-a-week business but the staff of four, plus owners, enjoys the variety of customers who swamp Mangawhai over the Christmas break and long weekends. 

Apart from friendly service, locals can take advantage of a VIP card for discount deals and the station also hosts a number of local fundraising groups who run car washes and sausage sizzles on the forecourt.

“It’s a win-win situation,” says Sheila. “It’s what makes small communities tick.”

As for Jim Cato, who works at the Vector branch in Warkworth: “Big surprise,” he says “and it’s a great little town car and very economical too.” 

No prizes for guessing where Jim will be filling up next time.

“Congratulations to Jim Cato and his family, thank you to all who support their local GAS petrol service station, and to all those who entered the competition,” said GAS Northland area manager Ray Mitchell.