WELD is continuing their support of young people pursuing automotive careers through its sponsorship of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Engine Challenge program. WELD has been a sponsor since 2013.
Hot Rodders of Tomorrow brings high school kids from across the country to an engine building competition that engages them to pursue careers in the performance aftermarket and racing industries. Regional competitions are held acros the country where teams compete against the clock in a total engine rebuild. The program began in 2008 with just five teams competing against each other. Last year, 153 teams competed in regional competitions for the opportunity to claim a share of the $4.5 million pool of scholarships being offered by supporting educational institutions. Each team is assigned a "sponsor" from the pool of supporters that include many major manufacturers in the performance aftermarket along with SEMA and PRI.
Last year, the WELD-sponsored team from Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center claimed the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow national championship against teams across the country. To qualify for the dual championships held at the SEMA Show and PRI Trade Show, teams must complete a total engine rebuild in les than 35 minutes. The two top teams from the SEMA Show in November take on the two top teams from the PRI Trade Show in December and compete against each other in the finale.
"Investing in a program like HROT gives us the chance to provide young people with a path toward joining our industry," said Norm Young, president and CEO of WELD. "HROT and its Engine Challenge program is a fast-paced and exciting competition that we proudly support."
For more on HROT, visit www.hotroddersoftomorrow.com.
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