A team of nearly 100 AutoNation associates biked, walked and ran while raising more than $260,000 in support of life-saving cancer research and care during the recent Dolphins Cancer Challenge DCC XVI event at Hard Rock Stadium, the national auto retailer said.

The event included the donation of bikes built by AutoNation employees for 20 pediatric cancer patients and siblings from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s alex’s place.

AutoNation’s participation in DCC, which began in 2012, is part of the company’s commitment to helping fund cancer research and essential patient programs through its DRV PNK initiative, which has supported thousands of cancer patients and raised millions of dollars for cancer-related causes.

“For more than a decade, our associates have supported the DCC, raising critical funds to advance research and improve access to care,” AutoNation executive vice president and chief financial officer Thomas Szlosek said. “We are proud to present these bikes and hope that this gift brings joy to families who are confronting some of their toughest moments. Their strength and determination are inspiring, and we are committed to standing by their side.”

DCC is a signature initiative of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins to support cancer research at Sylvester, the only cancer center in South Florida designated by the National Cancer Institute and ranked among the nation’s top 50 for cancer care by U.S. News and World Report.

Construction begins on new facility for Florida powersports store

Dimmitt Automotive Group has begun to build a new home for a dealership with a sizeable history.

The dealership group said construction is now underway on a new facility for Cycle Springs Powersports in Clearwater, Fla., a project the company said, “represents a significant investment in the future of powersports and marine recreation along Florida’s Gulf Coast.”

Dimmitt, a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company that has served the region since 1924, acquired Cycle Springs Powersports in 2023. Cycle Springs is a well-established brand with more than 40 years in the community and is among Florida’s largest sellers of motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides, as well as selling jet boats and personal watercraft sales.

The redevelopment will include the demolition of the store’s existing facilities and construction of a new showroom designed to showcase its vehicles in a “dynamic, customer-focused environment,” Dimmitt said in a news release.

The project will also feature an on-site powersports, motorcycle, and marine service center equipped with advanced tools, expanded service capacity and enhanced amenities, the company said. The new facility is designed to elevate the sales and service experience while supporting continued growth.

Cycle Springs Powersports will remain open during construction, operating from a temporary showroom. While the new facility is being built, the dealership is offer special pricing in a “Construction Reduction Sale.”

The official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for April 7 with the mayor of Clearwater and other local dignitaries in attendance.

“This project represents more than new construction — it reflects our long-term commitment to Clearwater and the broader Gulf Coast community,” Dimmitt Automotive president Peter Dimmitt said. “We are honored to build on our 102-year legacy and invest in a facility that will serve marine, on-road and off-road enthusiasts for generations to come.”