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The annual educational California trip was held February 7 - 11, 2007. The purpose of the trip was to expose existing High School automotive students to various career opportunities in the automotive industry and recruit new students to come to Weber State University in the Fall. The main attraction for this trip was the 2007 NHRA Winternational drag races at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, CA.
February 7, 2007 72 High School students and teachers from 13 schools, and 3 WSU automotive program representatives began the trip with a flight to Los Angeles and a long drive to the hotel in Buena Park, CA. The participating high Schools were:
February 8, 2007 Activities included a tour of the Edelbrock Corporation in Torrance, CA. The students toured the manufacturing facility for cylinder heads, intake manifolds, engines, and accessories. A tour of the Edelbrock automobile collection was a popular event because of the rare and collector cars on display.
Edelbrock Corporation Headquarters in Torrance, CA.
The custom engine assembly room was interesting and informative.
An intake manifold production line was interesting and informative.
The Edelbrock car collection was an amazing collection of rare and collector cars. Vic Edelbrock, CEO of Edelbrock Corporation, spoke with the student group about the history of Edelbrock Corporation, posed for photos, and autographed student's hats. Thank you Vic for your support and hospitality!
Next, a tour of the Toyota USA Automobile Museum was taken. A collection of historically important Toyotas spanning 1936 through the present day were on display. The students were fed lunch and treated to a video of the History of Toyota on the museum floor. The museum entrance in Torrance, CA. Early model Toyotas as well as late model Toyotas were on display.
Several Toyota Motorsports vehicles were on display.
Next was a tour of Toyota Motor Sales USA National Headquarters.
The new Toyota Tundra Pickup trucks were on display.
Scion vehicle displays were a hit with the students.
The Lexus National Headquarters was also visited.
Several new Lexus vehicles were on display. Next was a tour of the American Honda Motor Sales, training, and development facilities.
American Honda Motor Sales Headquarters in Torrance, CA.
The students were able to visit the newly remodeled Honda Technical training facility for Honda dealership technicians.
Automotive technician career information was presented to the students. The students were also treated to a tour of a collection of historically important Hondas spanning 1966 through the present day.
February 9, 2007 Activities included a tour of the Chip Foose Design shop in Huntington Beach, CA. Chip Foose is the star of the TLC channel program "Overhaulin". The students were able to view several custom car projects in the works. Students waiting for the gates to open. The shop is only open to visitors during lunchtime.
There were two custom project cars on display and one custom HEMI Cuda being worked on.
A customized 69 Camaro show car was on display.
Students pose next to an awesome 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. Next the students visited the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
A 1913 Mack truck with chain-drive rear wheels was on display Students inspecting old car parts and receiving a history lesson from their teacher.
Tha original and the new Batmobile were on display.
A 1917 Woods dual power hybrid electric vehicle. It features a four-cylinder engine coupled to an electric-motor generator, which could be operated seperatly or together. The rest of the day was free time for each group to do as they pleased. Many visited Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and the beach. February 10, 2007 Activities included a tour of the Boyd Coddington Hot Rod Shop in La Habra, CA. The students spent the rest of the day at the NHRA Winternational drag races at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, CA. The Boyd Coddington's Hot Rod Shop Showroom had custom hot rods for sale. The Boyd Coddington's Shop had custom hot rods being built for a Discovery Television production.
Students from Box Elder High School enjoyed the custom cars. Students from Layton DATC pose next to a custom hot rod.
Students from Buhl High School enjoyed the amazing vehicles on display. Students from Cottonwood High School were ready for the drag races in Pomona. Next, the students attended the 2007 NHRA winternationals in Pomona, CA.
The main entrance to the Winternationals.
The drag strip was packed with thousands of fans.
The top fuel dragster and funny car races were the favorite events.
The top fuel dragsters were so loud that the sound waves physically pushed your body back towards the seats. Ear plugs were a must. The fastest quarter mile speed ever recorded in NHRA history was set while we were watching - 339 mph!. The fastest elapsed times this year were in the 4.5 second range.
A top fuel dragster being towed back to the pits after a successful race.
The students were able to see a top fuel dragster crew assembling an engine.
A functional 720 hp 572 cubic inch (9.4 Liters) big block Chevrolet crate engine was on display. Just run down to your local Chevrolet dealership parts department with $14,000.00 and order one right from the factory. |
