More than $17,000 will be up for grabs at the 2003 Auctioneer Championships, hosted by Manheim Auctions’ Nashville Auto Auction on April 25-26.

According to the company, this year’s events include individual auctioneer, ringman and team competitions for trophies and cash prizes. A Memorial Sportsman Award will be given to honor auctioneers past, and a video presentation will recognize the late Ray Holt, 2001 Champion Auctioneer.

Entry fees will be as follows: $500 for auctioneers, $250 for ringmen and $750 per team. The first place auctioneer will receive $10,000. The winning ringman will receive $2,500, and the winning team will be awarded $5,000. Each will also get a trophy.

According to Manheim, the Auctioneer Championships are held each year at various auctions around the country. A reception will be held for attendees April 25 at the Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel, and auctioneer events will take place April 25 and 26.

For more information, call Kelley Basner at the Nashville Auto Auction at (615) 773-3804.

About Manheim Auctions

Manheim Auctions offers services that impact every stage of a used vehicle’s life cycle. These include transaction, reconditioning and certification services, managed remarketing, end-of-lease-term management services, vehicle transportation, dealer floor planning, retail inspection and government auction services. The company also assists auto manufacturers, fleet and lease companies, banks and other financial institutions in selling their used vehicle inventories.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., Manheim Auctions has more than 32,000 employees at its 124 auctions and related businesses. Manheim is a global remarketing organization with 85 auctions in North America and additional operations in France, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. In the year 2001, the company auctioned more than 9.5 million vehicles at its North American auctions.