Hot Rodders Of Tomorrow Tune Up Their Game Today

Darren Brown, News 9

CHOCTAW, Oklahoma -- It requires speed, skill, timing, and quick hands, but it's not necessarily a sport. Some Oklahoma students though, are committed to proving that they're at the top of this particular game.

Last year students from Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center's Automotive Technology program made their first visit to the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge. The Challenge is a seven-event competition that culminates in the "SEMA Showdown" in Las Vegas next week.

SEMA, the Specialty Engine Market Association has its annual trade show in Nevada. One of the featured events is the Engine Challenge where high school and trade school teams from across the nation compete to see who can tear down and rebuild a Chevy 350 high performance engine in the fastest time.

Tyler Lawson, Michael Evans, Albert Valouch, Hayden Hebblethwaite, and Garret Chase believe they have a pretty good shot at the title this year, since they've shaved almost ten minutes off their fourth place time from last year.

"All the practice we did, you know it all by heart," said Lawson. "It's pretty much second nature by now." Lawson and three others are veterans from last year's trip. " You have to trust your teammates and yourself," said Evans, also a veteran. "You just follow your training which you're used to doing and it just falls together."

The EOC students are hoping for a more than just a trophy this year. The competition also offers nearly a million dollars in scholarships.