February 13, 2008... For the 14th consecutive year, the popular Ford Hot Shots will be contested when the curling skills competition is conducted at the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Regina and the Tim Hortons Brier in Winnipeg.
 
The shot-making event requires curlers to execute six shots: Hit and Stay, Draw the Button, Draw the Port, The Raise, Hit and Roll and Double Takeout. Each shot is awarded points on a scale from 0-5, rating the success of each.

Ford of Canada will provide the winner of the Ford Hot Shots at each event with a two-year lease, valued at approximately $15,240, of an all-new 2008 Ford Fusion SEL V6.  The vehicle’s features include a 3.0 L V6 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, power assisted 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, electronic automatic temperature control air conditioning, leather-trimmed heated seats, power window/door locks, premium AM/FM/6-disc in-dash CD/MP3-capable audio system with 6 speakers, Ford SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system, remote keyless entry, automatic headlamps, anti-theft perimeter alarm and 17" machined-aluminum wheels.
 
The Ford Hot Shots consists of a preliminary round, final eight, semi-finals and final.  Four curlers per team can compete, including alternates. Sweeping (qualifiers can select two sweepers) is permitted, beginning with the final eight.
 
For the Scotties Tournament of Hearts at the Brandt Centre at IPSCO Place in Regina, February 16-24, the Ford Hot Shots preliminary round is scheduled for 1:00 – 4:30 pm CT on Friday, February 15. The playoffs (Final Eight, Final Four, Final) begin at 12 Noon on Saturday, February 16, following the Opening Ceremonies.
 
For the Tim Hortons Brier, March 8-16 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, the Ford Hot Shots preliminary round will be held Friday, March 7 from 1:00 – 4:30 pm CT.  The playoffs (Final Eight, Final Four, Final) take place Saturday, March 8 starting at 12 Noon, following the Opening Ceremonies. 
 
In addition to the two-year lease of a 2008 Ford Fusion SEL V6 for each winner, the second place finishers will be presented with a cheque for $2,000, while the third place finishers receive $1,000.  
 
Since 1995, the Ford Hot Shots event has provided not only an exciting beginning to each championship but also has proven to be an extremely popular competition for curlers and fans.  Previous Ford Hot Shots winners at the Hearts are Saskatchewan's Kay Montgomery, Gerri Cooke of Manitoba, British Columbia's Sherry Fraser, New Brunswick's Allison Franey, Alberta's Marcy Balderston, British Columbia’s Kelley Law (twice) and Kristy Lewis, Prince Edward Island’s Suzanne Gaudet, Ontario’s Andrea Lawes and Jenn Hanna, Nova Scotia’s Colleen Jones and Yukon/NWT’s Kelli Turpin, last year’s winner.
 
Past winners at the Brier have been Ontario's Ed Werenich, Rick Perron of New Brunswick, Northern Ontario's Mike Coulter, Greg McAulay of British Columbia, Manitoba's Steve Gould (twice), Alberta’s Don Bartlett, New Brunswick’s Jeff Lacey, Pat Ryan of British Columbia, New Brunswick’s Marc LeCocq, Alberta’s Randy Ferbey, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Mark Nichols and last year’s winner, John Morris of Alberta.
 
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