NASCAR Performance and Edelbrock have announced the inclusion of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge winners in NASCAR Acceleration Weekend as part of the prize package for the overall championship-winning team, which will be crowned at the third annual "Showdown at SEMA" in Las Vegas, NV on Nov. 4, 2011.
Six Divisional winners and four wildcard teams will compete at the "Showdown at SEMA", sponsored by Edelbrock, and held Nov. 1 - 4 in the grand lobby of the SEMA (Specialty Market Equipment Association) Show. The top-10 high school auto tech teams who advanced via regional competitions across the country will compete head-to-head for the best average time as they tear down and rebuild identically built Chevy 350 high performance engines. Teams, which are made up of five students plus an instructor/coach, must properly disassemble the engine using hand tools only with proper de-torque and disassembly procedure, all while being viewed by judges and spectators. Time added penalties for dropped components, improper disassembly, assembly, and sportsmanship will be added to ensure correct assembly. When reassembled, the engines should fire up and run if gas, water, and oil were added. The team with the fastest time, including penalty minutes wins.
The top-10 high school teams vying for the 2011 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge championship are: Loara High School, Anaheim, CA; Eastern OK County Tech Center Team #1, Choctaw, OK; Belvidere North High School, Belvidere, IL; East Ridge High School #2, East Ridge, TN; Elkhart Area Career Center Team #2, Elkhart, IN; North Orange County ROP Team #1, Anaheim, CA; East Ridge High School #1, East Ridge, TN; Elkhart Area Career Center Team #1, Elkhart, IN; Joliet Central High School Team #2; and Burton Center for Arts & Technology Team #1, Salem, VA.
"We are so proud to be a key leader and sponsor for The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow. Supporting the kids, providing opportunity and changing lives is what it is ALL about!" said Christi Edelbrock, VP Business Development, Edelbrock. "It is our mission and passion to continue to grow this program by supporting America's youth wherever and whenever possible. Being a part of these life changing opportunities is a very proud moment for Edelbrock!"
NASCAR Performance will host each member of the winning championship team along with their team instructor at the inaugural NASCAR Acceleration Weekend in Charlotte, N.C., on January 20-22, 2012. NASCAR Acceleration Weekend is set to provide fans, media, and the sports industry with an insiders' view at what to expect on and off the track in 2012.
During NASCAR Acceleration Weekend, the winning team will have the opportunity to attend the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, participate in a meet and greet with NASCAR personalities, visit race team shops, and more. In addition, the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge champions will tour the Mooresville, N.C. based NASCAR Technical Institute to gain insight into what it takes to become a NASCAR team member.
"NASCAR Performance is proud to partner with Edelbrock to support the development of today's youth for the future of the automotive industry," said Todd Armstrong, managing director, NASCAR Automotive Group. "We look forward to hosting the championship-winning team in Charlotte for NASCAR Acceleration Weekend and providing them with a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the past, present and future of NASCAR."
NASCAR Performance also plans to host the second and third place teams at a 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race within close proximity to their respective schools. The groups will experience behind the scenes garage and pit tours in addition to learning the inner-workings of a NSCS event weekend.
Edelbrock, an exclusive NASCAR Performance partner, as well as a NASCAR Contingency Program partner in all NASCAR-sanctioned series, has supported the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge since its inception in 2008. The program provides nearly $2 million annually in scholarships to competing students who wish to pursue careers in the automotive industry.