Lean Mean Auto Tech Teams from Local High Schools Compete for Glory to Win a Trip to New York

Portland, Ore. - On Saturday, January 18, 2003, more than 50 students representing 12 high schools throughout Oregon and Washington will compete in the fourth annual Automotive Technology Competition, sponsored by the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association with Carson Oil. These talented, young car buffs will sweat it out to show off their technical prowess by swiftly testing brake systems, executing engine diagnostic exams, pinpointing electrical circuitry faults and much more.

What: Teams of high school seniors will be pitted against each other in a competition to test automotive repair and maintenance proficiency. The top five schools will be awarded prize monies. First-place winners will also receive college scholarships and an all-expense-paid trip to New York to compete in the National Automotive Technology Competition in April. Last year's winners of the local contest, Reynolds High School, placed 2nd among 40 teams in the 2002 National Automotive Technology Competition.

Where: Portland Community College, Sylvania
(at the automotive technology site)
12000 SW 49th Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
Directions and campus map follow

When: Saturday, January 18 12 noon - 2:30 p.m.

Who: Competitors will represent the following Washington and Oregon schools: Battle Ground, Benson, the Capital Center, Clark County Skills Center, David Douglas, Franklin, Forest Grove, Gresham, McNary, Prairie, Reynolds and Sandy.

Why: As part of an ongoing effort to support local high school and community college auto technology programs, the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association sponsors the local Automotive Technology Competition and funds the winning team's trip to New York. Due to lack of school funding, the number of full-time high school auto programs in Oregon has declined. To combat the resulting shortage of qualified automotive technicians, the association provides over $150,000 per year to automotive education programs.

Visuals: Watch students sweat to beat the clock using state-of-the-art hand held diagnostic equipment, interview students about their involvement with the program and their plans for the future, interview teachers about the program's impact.