The first half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Engine Challenge 2016 Dual Championship is over. The event took place this past week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It included 20 teams which came from coast to coast to battle to become one of the Top 4 teams to move on and compete in the Elite 8 playoffs for the 2016 National Championship at the PRI Show on Dec. 9 and 10.
Team Vibrant, from C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, came in first place with an average time of 19:18. Team Vibrant was the only team to have all three runs below the 20 mark. Joel Arispe from Team Vibrant said, “When I first learned about HROT, I didn’t understand what it was about. Once I saw the engine my school team showed me I immediately became interested. I grew up in an independent automotive body shop. All I ever knew at that time was to rebuild cars. I never knew much about the heart of the car (engine) until I joined CD Hylton’s automotive program and the engine build team. Seeing the engine taken apart brought a whole new world to me. I always had a passion for cars and this made me realize that this is what I want to pursue for the rest of my life.”
Team Howards Cams, from Belvidere North High School in Belvidere, Illinois, came in second place with an average time of 22:04. Team Howards Cams is the first all-girls team in the Elite 8. In fact, Team Howards Cams is the fastest all-girls team in the history of Hot Rodders. Team member BreAnna Lucas from Team Howards Cams mentioned, “Hot Rodders of Tomorrow has impacted my life in many ways including teaching me lifelong lessons on teamwork, leadership, self-performance and dedication.”
Team Aeromotive, from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, came in third place with an average time of 22:52. Team Aeromotive is the only team to have perfect motors (no penalties) during the First Half of the 2016 Hot Rodders Dual Championship located at the SEMA Show. Team Taylor, also from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, came in fourth place with an average time of 23:10. Teams Aeromotive and Taylor are both coached by Steven Elza from Palatine, Illinois.
The top four teams from the SEMA Show will then move on to the “Elite 8” held later this year. The top four teams from the PRI Show will then compete in the Elite 8. The teams, who make the Elite 8, will then compete head-to-head to earn the first place champion title of the 2016 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual Championship located at the PRI Show. The Elite 8 battle will start at 1 p.m. EST on Dec. 9 and will then continue to December 10.
Stay tuned for more information on the second phase of 2016 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual Championship held at the PRI Show in Indianapolis. Visit HotRoddersofTomorrow.com or connect on social media for more information.
