HIGH SCHOOL HORSEPOWER
Tue, 2008-04-15 06:31
At times, students can say the darndest things and for Charles Womack,
Automotive Instructor at Union County Career & Technology Center
[Union, SC] one suggestion made all the sense in the world.
Womack, an instructor for the last six years with the vocational school, was bringing a group of students back from the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga., when one posed a question; could the class build a car of their own?
“We’ve had the idea for a while and after a couple of years of rolling around with administration, the idea is a reality,” Womack said. “We finally got the blessing.”
The blessing for Womack and his students is nothing more than a beat up, rusted 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass they plan to drag race in foot brake competition against other school programs. The car will be powered by a big block Chevrolet also built by the students.
At times, students can say the darndest things and for Charles Womack, Automotive Instructor at Union County Career & Technology Center [Union, SC] one suggestion made all the sense in the world.
Womack, an instructor for the last six years with the vocational school, was bringing a group of students back from the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga., when one posed a question; could the class build a car of their own?
“We’ve had the idea for a while and after a couple of years of rolling around with administration, the idea is a reality,” Womack said. “We finally got the blessing.”
The blessing for Womack and his students is nothing more than a beat up, rusted 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass they plan to drag race in foot brake competition against other school programs. The car will be powered by a big block Chevrolet also built by the students.
“We brought the car in and they immediately went to work on it,” Womack bragged as he pointed to the gutted interior. “You see how they jumped in there and cleaned it out?”
The car was a donation from the community, a community already gearing up for championship drag racing. Less than sixty days ago, Union County officials announced the construction of a new drag strip expected to be completed under the guidance of new owner Curtis Teems.
“We’ve got the support of the Union County Motorsports Association,” Womack added. “When you combine that with the school administration and the people in the community, you see a program many people want to succeed.”
Womack said the kids haven’t full realized how big of a project and opportunity before them.
“Have no idea,” Womack said of his students. “They’re excited about something they don’t really realize how big it is. One kid told me the other day, it’s about time vocational students get some recognition alongside of athletics. Other areas have competitions and it’s about time they can have something they can call their own.”
Kodie Austin, a junior at Union High School [Union, SC] and student at the Union County Career & Technology Center is one of the pupils participating in the “High School Horsepower” program. He’ll keep the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com readers abreast of the weekly progress of this project.
High School Horsepower will join the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Blog Central community and Austin will bring highlights of the work completed and maybe a profile or two of his classmates. Every race team must have a public relations director and Austin will fill the role, but don’t be surprised if he’s getting his hands dirty throughout the project.
Womack, an instructor for the last six years with the vocational school, was bringing a group of students back from the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga., when one posed a question; could the class build a car of their own?
“We’ve had the idea for a while and after a couple of years of rolling around with administration, the idea is a reality,” Womack said. “We finally got the blessing.”
The blessing for Womack and his students is nothing more than a beat up, rusted 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass they plan to drag race in foot brake competition against other school programs. The car will be powered by a big block Chevrolet also built by the students.
How one vocational school instructor plans to use drag racing as a means to motivate students …
Bobby Bennett Photos
Charles Womack will oversee the project from start to finish. He will be taking the High School Horsepower students to the NHRA Southern Nationals next weekend.
Womack, an instructor for the last six years with the vocational school, was bringing a group of students back from the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga., when one posed a question; could the class build a car of their own?
“We’ve had the idea for a while and after a couple of years of rolling around with administration, the idea is a reality,” Womack said. “We finally got the blessing.”
The blessing for Womack and his students is nothing more than a beat up, rusted 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass they plan to drag race in foot brake competition against other school programs. The car will be powered by a big block Chevrolet also built by the students.
“We brought the car in and they immediately went to work on it,” Womack bragged as he pointed to the gutted interior. “You see how they jumped in there and cleaned it out?”
The car was a donation from the community, a community already gearing up for championship drag racing. Less than sixty days ago, Union County officials announced the construction of a new drag strip expected to be completed under the guidance of new owner Curtis Teems.
“We’ve got the support of the Union County Motorsports Association,” Womack added. “When you combine that with the school administration and the people in the community, you see a program many people want to succeed.”
Womack said the kids haven’t full realized how big of a project and opportunity before them.
“Have no idea,” Womack said of his students. “They’re excited about something they don’t really realize how big it is. One kid told me the other day, it’s about time vocational students get some recognition alongside of athletics. Other areas have competitions and it’s about time they can have something they can call their own.”
The first day the school took delivery of the 1981 Oldsmobile, the students didn't have to be told twice to begin gutting the interior of the car.
BLOG COMING
Kodie Austin will bring the weekly updates on High School Horsepower to the readers of Torco's CompetitionPlus.com.
High School Horsepower will join the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Blog Central community and Austin will bring highlights of the work completed and maybe a profile or two of his classmates. Every race team must have a public relations director and Austin will fill the role, but don’t be surprised if he’s getting his hands dirty throughout the project.
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