Three valets discuss the pleasure and the pressure of parking million-dollar cars.

Every year, thousands of auto enthusiasts visit Monterey County to attend events like The Quail and the Concours d’Elegance. And the valets of Monterey-based National Parking & Valet are as much a fixture at those Car Week events as Mercedes and McLarens. The Weekly met with valets from NP&V to talk the trade.

Eric Mora, 22, valet and supervisor

What led you to become a valet?

I was fresh out of high school and driving cool cars for money seemed promising.

Coolest car you’ve parked?

A Lamborghini Huracan, my favorite exotic car. It had a button to lower it, and the owner gave me a really serious face when he told me not to mess with it.

Closest call?

A client stopped and parked his Corvette close to a fire hydrant, careless. As the valet opened the passenger door he nearly hit the hydrant right there, making the client cringe.

What drives you to do your job?

The flexibility. You sign up for the shifts you want whenever. I work full-time, so a few valet shifts at night is a nice way to make some extra income.

Lawrence Quillopo, 20, valet

What led you to become a valet?

My friend told me the valet company needed employees for Car Week and I thought it was a perfect opportunity since I’ve always enjoyed driving.

Coolest car you’ve parked?

A Rolls Royce Wraith, the kind the rappers talk about with stars on the interior’s roof. The definition of luxury, woodgrain and cream leather seats. It made me feel fancy.

Closest call?

I was trying to park a classic Porsche and mistakenly had it in neutral instead of reverse, so it started rolling and almost hit a parked car. I put the clutch down to stop it just in time and finally found the reverse. Really old cars can be tricky.

What drives you to do your job?

Getting to drive a dream car, even if it’s just for a minute, is motivating. It’s like a sample of what I could earn in the future.

Dennis Hopkins, 57, valet and supervisor

What led you to become a valet?

After 11 years of being a pastor, I didn’t want to be in professional spirituality anymore. It felt freeing, but I needed work. A friend working at the Poppy Hills Golf Course told me about the valet gig and I figured it was worth a try.

Coolest car you’ve parked?

At a party during Car Week, 50 Cent tossed me the keys to his Lamborghini that looked like it had a cockpit inside. I turned the engine on and it roared. 50 Cent smiled and said, “Like it?” He was showing off and having fun.

Closest call?

On the day I applied to be a valet I backed into the owner’s truck in the parking lot. When I entered the office, I confessed. He told me to practice my parking and hired me.

What drives you to do your job?

Without valets people would be parking on top of each other in Pebble Beach. It takes a lot of trust to give someone the keys to your car, but people see our red jackets and feel comforted.