Fastest Engine Builder Competition Attracts Auto Tech Students

The team from Crawford IDEA.

Madison High team.

Just how fast could you disassemble and assemble an automobile engine? Teams of automotive technology students from Madison and Crawford IDEA high schools recently found out for themselves, competing in the third annual Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge regional competition at the Rev’ved Up for Kids charity event in Torrance, Calif.

The competition matches high schools students against each other to completely disassemble and rebuild a GM 350 small block engine in the shortest time. Students from several automotive programs were competing for the top two spots to represent the Southern California region at the finals in Las Vegas, Nev., in November.

It was a tough day for both the Crawford and Madison teams, who both took 150 minutes for their assembly. Crawford, sponsored by Energy Suspension, came in 11th, while Madison, sponsored by Royal Purple, ranked 12th. The winner, Anaheim Loara High School, completed work in just under 25 minutes.

Winners of that competition will be honored with scholarships from Ohio Technical college, University of Northwestern Ohio and the School of Automotive Machinists. The charity event, hosted by high performance automotive legend Vic Edelbrock and his daughter, Christi, benefits The Center for Learning Unlimited, a private educational institution that provides a comprehensive education to students with complex learning differences.

Christi Edelbrock is a partner in education with the automotive technology programs in San Diego Unified's College Career and Technical Education Program.

For more information on the Rev’ved Up for Kids event, please go to their website at www.revvedup4kids.com .

For more information on San Diego Unified automotive programs, contact Greg Quirin, CCTE Program specialist, at (858) 503-1736 or gquirin@sandi.net.