The First Half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge 2018 Dual Championship took place at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It included 27 teams from coast to coast to battle to be one of the Top 4 teams to move on and compete in the Elite 8 playoffs for the 2018 National Championship at the PRI Show.

With five students per team, they disassemble and reassemble a traditional small block Chevy outfitted with the latest aftermarket parts. Teams must properly disassemble the engine including the removal of all eight pistons, then reassemble it using correct torque and valve adjustment.

Team Custom Automotive Network (CAN), Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center out of Choctaw, OK, came in first place with an average time of 18:35. They also had the best time of the week at 17:59.

Mikle Barba a senior at Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center (Team CAN) says competing in the HROT competition has helped him with team work and knows it’s about team and not himself. He wants to continue his education and become an Aviation Mechanic or CNC Machinist.

Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning – Team Racequip – had the best written test score – 97%. It was their first-year team at the Dual National Championship.

Other teams moving on to the Elite Eight competition at the PRI Show are:

• Team Canton Racing Products, Lakeshore High School from Stevensville, MI, came in second place with an average time of 19:57.
• Team Mr. Gasket, C D Hylton High School out of Woodbridge, VA took third place with an average time of 22:42.
• Team Edelbrock, Hunter High School from West Valley City, UT came in fourth place with an average time of 23:57. They will be making their first trip to the Elite Eight competition.

These Top 4 teams from the SEMA Show and the Top 4 teams from the PRI Show will then compete head-to-head to earn the first place Champion Title of the 2018 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual Championship and win scholarship vouchers ranging from $6,500 to $10,000 being provided by Universal Technical Institute (UTI), School of Automotive Machinists (SAM TECH), and Ohio Technical College (OTC).

The Elite 8 battle will start at 1 PM EST on December 7 and will continue on December 8.