LOS ANGELES, CA and IRWINDALE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- May 7, 2007 --
WHAT: Racing against the clock and each other at Irwindale Speedway, 10
teams of the Southland's top high school auto technology students,
the car mechanics of the future, will repair uniformly bugged and
disabled Mercury Grand Marquis during the 2007 Ford/AAA Student
Auto Skills Competition state finals.
This auto skills competition originated in Southern California and
has taken place since 1949 to attract and train more young people
for automotive professions. Auto dealers often "scout" the
competition for future auto service specialists. The event tests
knowledge and mechanical abilities and requires repairs under the
hood made with the highest quality workmanship in the shortest
time. The winning pair from the So. Calif., or No. Calif. contest,
held concurrently in Danville, will represent California at the
national finals in June in Dearborn, MI.
WHY: Trained automotive technicians are highly sought after in today's
job market, but many California high schools have scaled back or
eliminated automotive programs. Annual demand for qualified auto
technicians exceeds supply and the auto repair industry is growing.
WHEN: 10 a.m. Friday, May 11. Scholarships, trophies and prizes awarded
at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Irwindale Speedway, 500 Speedway Drive.
Public Relations: 626-358-1100.
WHO: Twenty of the Southland's top future car mechanics representing:
High School City
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Agoura Agoura Hills
Arvin Arvin
Hesperia Hesperia
Morro Bay Morro Bay
Ontario Ontario
Ramona (2 Teams) Ramona
San Clemente San Clemente
San Luis Obispo (Father instructor; son student) San Luis Obispo
Sultana Hesperia
ON SITE OR TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH STUDENTS OR ORGANIZERS ARE AVAILABLE PRIOR TO 9:45 A.M. AND AS STUDENTS FINISH CONTEST.
Contact Information: Contact: Elaine Beno Jeff Spring 714-885-2324