2014 Toyota "Hands On" Contest Starts

WASHINGTON--Jan. 28, 2014: Ten area residents are gearing up for their part in a homegrown reality show with the hopes of winning a brand-new car.

The legendary Hands-On Contest at The Washington Auto Show is back after a several-year hiatus, and contestants will "get in touch" with a 2014 Toyota Corolla starting at noon on Tuesday. With the exception of a 15-minute break every few hours, contestants must stay in physical contact with the prize vehicle until noon on Sunday, Feb. 2.

If more than one contestant remains on the vehicle by the contest's end, the winner will be determined by a random key drawing.

"The return of this wildly popular contest not only lets our participants get up close and personal with this award-winning automobile, but also adds to the excitement and anticipation that makes the Washington Auto Show a one-of-a-kind experience for thousands of attendees," said Kevin Reilly, chairman of the 2014 Washington Auto Show. "We are grateful for our valued and long-standing partnership with the Washington area Toyota dealers, which not only enables us to give show guests a chance to win a beautiful car that demonstrates the ingenuity and achievements of our industry, but to also generate enthusiasm about this trend-setting automaker."

Finalists were selected based on the brief essays they wrote stating why they wanted to win the car.

The contestants are as follows:

Candice Jackson of Beltsville, MD, who wrote that a car would help shorten her hour-long commute and enable her to help her mother with transportation. Darlene Thompson of Stafford, VA, who wrote that she drives "the worst-looking car in the whole metro DC area." Mary Campisi of Arlington, VA, who wrote that a car would relieve her difficult commute by bike for the last two and a half years. Amos Robinson of Southeast DC, who wants to reward his 18-year-old daughter for her outstanding grades in college with this car; Tony Le of Alexandria, VA, a U.S. Navy Submariner, who aims to represent those who were lost on the tragic shooting in the Navy Yard, the USS Santa Fe SSN-763 that is on deployment and the U.S. Navy. Tyree Crossland of Capitol Heights, MD, a disabled Air Force veteran on a fixed income, who has not been able to afford repairing the transmission in his current car. Christian Garcia of Bladensburg, MD, a college sophomore living at home and sharing a car with his mom, who wants to win the car for her. Andres Quintero of Odenton, MD, who made it to the bitter end of the 2003 and 2006 Hands-On Contest and wrote: "I think the third time will be the charm!" Gloria Townsend of Northwest DC, who is retired from the DC Fire Department and says she is "ready for a chance to treat myself to some fun." Chantale Cole of Springdale, MD, who is hoping for a new car to replace the current one in disrepair that she uses for herself and her twin boys.

Each contestant may bring no other personal property to contest except the following: one blanket, one change of clothes and one set of toiletries. Once the contest has begun, no additional personal property will be permitted. A regular break of exactly fifteen minutes is scheduled every three hours. (Participants returning late from these breaks will be disqualified.) No electronic devices, reading, writing or drawing materials are allowed, and smoking, alcoholic beverages, offensive language and physical contact between contestants are prohibited. Family, friends and on-lookers are encouraged and welcomed, but only contestants are allowed within the confines of the contest space.

The prize vehicle is being donated by the Washington area Toyota dealers.

Official Rules for Toyota's "Hands On" Contest

For more information about the contest, visit: Toyota Hands on Contest. The Washington Auto Show is produced by the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association and features more than 700 vehicles by over 40 domestic and foreign manufacturers.