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The winning Weld Racing team from Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center along with instructor Jim LaFevers.
A team of future engine builders sponsored by Weld Racing recently assembled a small-block Chevy engine in 22 minutes to set the fastest time at Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge program held at the Texas Motor Speedway.
The HROT Engine Challenge is popular at SEMA and PRI.
The team of five high school students from the Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center are now qualified for the 2015 HROT Dual Championship, which means they will compete again at either SEMA or PRI later in the year. The top two teams from each of those shows will compete against each other for the Engine Challenge Champion. Qualifying for these events requires a team to complete a total engine rebuild in less than 35 minutes.
“We congratulate the students from Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center and their instructor, Jim LaFevers, for the success they have achieved so far in the competition,” says Norm Young, president and CEO of Weld. “We are excited to support programs like this that encourage the youth of tomorrow to join the automotive industry.”
Hot Rodders of Tomorrow is a nationwide high school engine building competition that challenges youth to pursue an automotive career. Weld has been a sponsor of the organization since 2013, and will assist the Tech Center team with travel expenses to the event.
Action from the Engine Challenge competition held at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow competitions often draw some of the biggest crowds at SEMA and PRI. The challenge is somewhat similar to action in the pit between Top Fuel rounds at a drag race. There are three identically prepared small-block Chevys positioned in front of the work benches dedicated to each team. The students must disassemble the engines, using only hand tools and proper de-torquing procedures. When given the go-ahead by the judges, the teams then re-assemble the engines. Rules spell out correct procedures and torque numbers. Teams can also be penalized for dropping parts or any action deemed unsportsmanlike. The team with the fastest overall time wins.
Numerous aftermarket companies, such as Weld, support the teams with uniforms and other endorsements. Members of the winning teams can earn scholarships to automotive-learning institutions, such as the School for Automotive Machinists.
For more information, visit www.hotroddersoftomorrow.com or find them on Facebook.
