By Kate Benz

Published: Sunday, February 17, 2013, 9:00 p.m.
Updated: Sunday, May 12, 2013

Apropos for Valentine's Day, the Red CARpet Charity Preview Gala embraced an “All You Need Is Love” theme for guests filtering into the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where Mario and Nathalie Lemieux headlined the VIP celebrity cocktail reception.

Guests at the event — benefiting Austin's Playroom Project, an initiative of the Mario Lemieux Foundation, and the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Foundation — were intoxicated by that new car smell as car makers rolled out the latest models ahead of the Pittsburgh International Auto Show.

“Stay away from the Jaguars!” joked Greg Farrell, with his wife Christy.

GPADF CEO John Putzier did the honors, welcoming the likes of GPADA prez Gregg Semel, MLF prez Tom Grealish and director Nancy Angus, Rob and Christina Cochran, Bud Green, Randy and Heather Hillier, Bob and Lisa Pompeani, Tom and Frances Rohrich, David and Kelly Rohrich, Bud Smail, Dan DelBianco, and Dan and Robin Taylor.

Among the standout attractions was the Simzilla motion platform, which enticed would-be racers to “test drive” a Ford Focus ST on the inner loop of the Nuremberg Ring and vie for the best lap time.

“(It will get) very competitive,” shared operator Jim Dunn.

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