Driving Miss Oscar

Laura Sturza

LOS ANGELES -- People attending the Academy Awards can be a keyed-up

bunch. Limo drivers are among the cadre of handlers who keep unforeseen

matters under control so attendees can lose control -- gracefully, of

course.

Burbank resident Carolyn Dierickx has owned and operated Beverly Hills

Valet Limousine for two years, overseeing as many as 12 vehicles for

events including sports, concerts, parties and award shows. Her company

also drives clients to the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards and

the Country Music Awards.

Dierickx keeps herself on the front lines by driving about 30 hours

each week. “Everyone is so nervous and excited at the same time,”

Dierickx said. “They forget their tickets, their jewelry. What they’ll

ask for is last-minute trips for things they forgot.” At one awards

show, a couple forgot to pick up the people who had their tickets and

realized the problem as they joined the line outside the theater.

Dierickx promptly dispatched a driver to head off the near-miss.

Most of her clients are corporate accounts including attorneys,

business managers and agents. Her company often provides concierge

services such as typing or shopping for a client.

Celebrities usually get cars from the studios, Dierickx said. But that

doesn’t keep her from seeing stars.

“It’s hard to keep your composure,” she said.

However, she and her drivers have to do so, especially since the

events of Sept. 11.

“You have to focus, you have to keep an eye out,” Dierickx said.

“Security is a feature now of the industry, which it wasn’t before.”

For a woman who appreciates the sense of adventure and excitement her

business offers, the Academy Awards -- set for Sunday -- are the peak of

the awards season.

“It’s the biggest gig of any limo person, and it is fun!” Dierickx

said.