Hawkeye tailgating ambulance finalist for BCS trip

Here's the news release:

A group of University of Iowa Hawkeye football fans and their unique tailgate vehicle has been selected as one of five finalists in a nationwide contest sponsored by Peak Anitfreeze & Motor Oil.

Click here to vote for this tailgate 

Melissa and Nate Jones of West Burlington renovated a standard ambulance into Hawk 911 in 2009. Since then, the Jones' and a group of about 50 friends caravan to Iowa City from Southeast Iowa each weekend of Hawkeye home games in the ambulance, a bus and other vehicles. The ambulance is outfitted with cabinets to stock tailgate necessities, a microwave, refrigerator and a flatscreen TV with a Winegard RoadTrip Satellite Antenna. Their tailgate setup, in the backyard of 1007 Melrose Avenue, is an elaborate one with the Iowa Hawkeye emblem displayed on everything from their yard games to tablecloths to a flag that flies high over the revelry.

The Hawk 911 ambulance is now competing with one tailgate vehicle each from Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan and Oregon for a chance to win a trip for 10 to the National Championship Game in New Orleans in January 2012. Many of the other vehicles in the competition are traditional tailgate buses.

“We wanted a unique vehicle. Everyone has a bus, but you don't see too many ambulances,” said Hawk 911 owner, Melissa Jones.

“With the University of Iowa being a renowned medical school, and with many of us who tailgate here being in the healthcare profession, the ambulance is a perfect fit,” said Amy Crowner, one of the Hawk 911's faithful tailgaters.

To support the one and only Iowa entry in the contest, you must be a member of Facebook. Facebook members can vote one time each day through November 18 by logging on, searching for Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil, then clicking on the “Peak Performance Winning Drive” link underneath the profile picture of Danica Patrick.