CLEVELAND, Ohio – For anyone who has turned a wrench, Prestolite Performance is offering the chance to take a turn at stardom.

Prestolite Performance has announced the launch of the “Search for Mr. Gasket,” the company’s first-ever contest that will give one lucky fan a one-year contract to become Mr. Gasket’s official spokesperson.

“If you spend your weekends working under the hood, we’re looking for you,” said Rob Koller, brand manager for Mr. Gasket. “We’ve found that great ideas often come from weekend racers and everyday performance enthusiasts. We’re looking for that kind of person to become the face of the Mr. Gasket brand. For us, the glitz of Hollywood is no match for the grit that comes from working on an engine.”

And this isn’t simply a ceremonial title. The new Mr. Gasket will receive a one-year contract to star in television and print ads, and appear at select Prestolite Performance promotional visits, plus $2,500.

A recognized leader in performance auto parts, Mr. Gasket provides a variety of quality racing products including engine components, Ultra-Seal gaskets, fasteners, fuel accessories, suspension and drive train components, chrome-plated accessories and accessories for cooling systems and more. Now, this legendary name is gearing up for a bold new era, starting with the face of the brand.

Through Dec. 31, participants can enter the contest by going to TheSearchforMrGasket.com, uploading a photo that shows their obsession with performance cars and briefly explaining why they should be chosen as Mr. Gasket. Prestolite Performance will select 10 finalists, and the public will be able to vote on a winner from Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, 2013, either on TheSearchForMrGasket.com or The Search for Mr. Gasket Facebook tab. Site visitors can vote for as many finalists as they like, one time per day.

Based on the results of the popular vote, Prestolite Performance will declare a winner on Jan. 31. The new Mr. Gasket will be announced publicly on or around Feb. 6.