The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Engine Challenge’s third event of the 2018 season was held at the Summit Piston Powered AutoRama from March 16-18 in Cleveland. There, eight teams from three states competed to qualify for the Dual National Championship held at the SEMA and PRI Show later this year.
Three teams qualified for the championship, including Team Mr. Gasket, C D Hylton High School from Woodbridge, Virginia, with the run time of 30:31. They came in fifth place.
In second place was Team Remflex, Franklin County Career & Technology Center from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, with the time of 21:02.
The first-place team over all was Team Vibrant Performance, Burton Center for Arts & Tech from Salem, Virginia, with a blistering time of 18:12.
To qualify for the Dual National Championship, a team must finish disassembling and reassembling a small-block Chevrolet engine in less than 33 minutes, including penalties.
Street legal drag racer Jeff Lutz, who was on-hand to meet fans and sign autographs was watching the competition, commented “this is a great program to get kids involved in the automotive aftermarket. A very cool hands-on experience.”
Things were rocking and rolling at the IX Center for the Junior Engines second year as part of this fantastic show. The experience allows individuals or teams comprised of two individuals with one team member being 5-18 years of age. Together, they must completely disassemble/reassemble a complete single cylinder OHV engine, utilizing only basic hand tools. Some of the goals of this contest are to help individuals develop great communication skills and self-esteem.
Over the course of the three-day Piston Power Show they proceeded to have the engines run through more than 90 times, many couldn’t wait to challenge themselves multiple times keeping the stations filled with excitement throughout the weekend.
There were several returning youngsters from last year. One young man, Adam from Edgerton, Ohio, returned to the show with his grandfather with the sole purpose of being able to build the Briggs and Stratton engine. His grandfather expressed what a great opportunity this is for the kids, saying, “You’re putting tools in the hands and getting rid of those dang games, I love it!”
For more information, visit HotRoddersofTomorrow.com or connect with them on social media.
For additional information in starting a team or sponsorship opportunities, contact Rodney Bingham at [email protected] or call at 815-722-5460.
