 |
| 2003 Canadian King of the Drill Kevin Brunette (left) and DEWALT's Shannon Hammer |
RICHMOND HILL, ON, October 7, 2003 - Kevin Brunette could be a millionaire come November 2nd. The 33 year old tradesman from Calgary, Alberta was crowned Canadian King of the Drill this past weekend in Toronto during the half-time show at the Toronto Argonauts CFL game against Ottawa. With a time of just over 10 seconds, Brunette had to sink five drywall screws flush into a wooden board. Not only did he win the title and the opportunity to represent Canada in Phoenix this November at DEWALT's Million Dollar Challenge, but he also won a brand new Harley Davidson Motorcycle.
Kevin Brunette will be flown to the final tournament to be held on November 1st and 2nd at the Phoenix International Raceway where he will compete head-to-head with 13 U.S. regional champions to see who can become North America's fastest screw driver and be crowned 2003 King of the Drill.
The King of the Drill could win up to US$1,000,000 if he/she beats the clock in the grand finale. They are guaranteed to get at least $25,000 and a new top-of-the-line Chevy Silverado pick-up truck.
Shannon Hammer is the special events marketing manager for DEWALT Industrial Power Tools and was responsible for all Canadian logistics surrounding DEWALT's Million Dollar Challenge. The national competition brought together eight contestants from all over Canada - Calgary, Alberta; Barrie, Ontario; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Montreal, Quebec; Windsor, Ontario; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Kelowna, BC.
From the beginning of June through August the company staged more than 100 local qualifying contests across Canada. Specially outfitted DEWALT Million Dollar Challenge vehicles visited select power tool retailers, home centers, construction sites and CFL games where people tested their skill at driving screws with a cordless drill.
To complete the challenge, contestants had to start the timer, pick up the drill, drive the screws, and stop the timer as quickly as possible.
The fastest local winners earned prizes and moved on to one of eight regional events. From there, the top eight contestants advanced to the Canadian finals where Kevin Brunette proved worthy of the challenge.
This is the second year for the DEWALT Million Dollar Challenge and the first year of DEWALT Canada's participation. Last year more than 50,000 people entered the contest. Jon Smith, a contractor from Delaware, Ohio, became the first million-dollar grand prizewinner when he sank five screws in 6.77 seconds during the 2002 finals. He beat out several drywall installers, two cabinetmakers, one remodeler, one builder, four carpenters, a door installer, a production manager, and a painter.
Visit www.DEWALT.com under "EVENTS" to see the Million Dollar Challenge contest schedule, rules and regulations, prize list and winner updates.