The Home of the RV Industry on the Internet
    May 2003 Volume 28 - Number 10    

RV News Exclusive (Continued)     


    

Many of the Featherlite coaches were also equipped with Blue Ox hitches and the companies enjoy a successful working relationship.

Vantare coaches are sold and serviced at the Featherlite facility at Sanford, FL, and other service facilities are located in Marksville, NC, Cresco, IA and Coburg, OR.

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When asked if the luxury motor coach business was recession-proof, Tracy replied, "Not 100%, but pretty close. Our clients like their coaches and want to stay current with new features and accessories that are added each year. Our customers will usually trade their units every 2-3 years, and that provides us with an inventory of outstanding quality coaches that have very low mileage on them.

Among some of the more famous owners from the Winston Cup circuit include; 2002 Winston Cup Champion Tony Stewart, driver of the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet; former Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett, driver of the #88 UPS Ford … not the big brown truck; Ken Schrader, driver of the #49 BAM racing team Dodge; Bobby Labonte, former Winston Cup champion and driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet; and his brother Terry Labonte, driver of the #5 Kellogg’s Chevrolet.

Vantare also enjoys loyalty from several team owners at the tracks, including Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, Ray Evernham and one of the most well known and popular figures on the Winston Cup circuit, The King…Richard Petty. Even Mike Helton, president of NASCAR, owns a Vantare.

When asked if they have ever considered building a standard production motorhome, Tracy said, "We have no desire to compete in that arena. We are one of the premier high end converters and our customers come to us for the quality and luxury they can build into their unit, and the level of service we provide to them after the sale. We are at most of the NASCAR races and many other rallies and events throughout the year to respond to our customer ’s requests. It ’s the service after the sale that creates our repeat customers.

Just outside the Featherlite office trailer we found Ken Enck and his crew cooking up a feast right in the middle of the driver’s garage area. Enck has developed a close relationship with many of the drivers and their teams after being discovered by the Petty family a bout six years ago. Enck and his crew are outfitted much like the drivers with uniforms adorned with company patches from their sponsors. People like Weber Grills and Hatfield Quality Meats actually help support this cooking army that shows up at every NASCAR race.

Just prior to the Texas race the teams could choose from a variety of meats, fish, vegetables and side dishes on several Weber Grills. This cooking team now cooks three meals a day for 14 teams and each of those teams has approximately 35 members. That’s a lot of people, and that’s a lot of food.

Enck said," We just love cooking for these guys .It ’s a great atmosphere and they really enjoy the quality meals we prepare for them. Headquarters for the catering team is Manheim, PA, but you can find them at every NASCAR race throughout the year and they are easy to locate. Just follow your nose, your senses, the smoke from the grills, and the long line of multi-colored uniforms who just can’t wait to see what Ken and his master chefs have cooked up for them.
 

ENCK Catering Crew: Ken Enck, Denny Millhouse, Dan Duane and Kenny Work.

Excuse me …I’m hungry … I think I ’ll try one of those famous Hatfield Hot Dogs that Hadden Smith was bragging about in the Media Camping story !!


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