Yesterday we gave an overview of two schools that specialize in motorsports. If you missed the information on Forsyth Technical Community College and Greenville Technical College, you can find it here.
In today’s second and final installment we look at the Racing College of Virginia and the University of Northwestern Ohio
Patrick Henry Community College – The Racing College of Virginia, a division of PHCC, is located in Martinsville, Virginia, right down the road from Martinsville Speedway. The college began the motorsports program in 2001 and quickly acquired over a million dollars in state-of-the-art equipment to provide the students with the best possible learning environment. In the classroom and the shop students learn about chassis dynamics, engine machining, metal fabrication, as well as conventional and CNC machining using state of the art equipment.
Students come from all over the country and the world to take advantage of PHCC’s hands-on, real-time learning environment designed by the motorsports faculty who are long-time racing professionals. Building engines, managing race teams, and serving as crew chief, the Racing College faculty have years of real-world industry experience. The faculty has helped over 320 students graduate and land jobs at high end race shops and fabrication/machining facilities.
In 2012, PHCC’s President, Dr. Godwin realized the motorsports students needed an opportunity to race a NASCAR Late Model Stock Car. With Dr. Godwin’s vision and determined search for private funding, Late Model Stock Car racing was soon added to the motorsports program and students began gaining practical experience at the track. Now, PHCC students not only have hands-on experience with top-of-the-line equipment, they also get real-world race experience. By Late Model racing, PHCC students network with industry leaders, build their resumes, and learn team work in a way that class work and shop work alone could not offer.
The program expanded further when Bruce Anderson, an experienced circle track driver from South Boston, a neighboring racing town, was picked to drive the Racing College’s #73 car. From day one, Anderson has worked side by side with the students at the track giving the students a true race crew experience.
On the track, he trusts the Racing College team with his safety and his speed. Off the track, Anderson connects the students with racing industry professionals and potential jobs. Through his wholehearted support of the program and the students, Anderson takes the student’s experiential learning to another level.
Being a part of a working Late Model Stock car pit crew and participating in competitive racing events is only one aspect of the Motorsports program at PHCC. The machining and fabrication classes students receive in the shop provide them with the foundation they need for successful careers in the motorsports industry and mechanical fields. The motorsports technology industry is rapidly evolving.
Employers require graduates to have high standards, work ethics, working knowledge of current technology, and advanced manufacturing. In preparation for the motorsports industry, the Racing College of Virginia offers an Associate Degree in Motorsports Technology and a Motorsports Technician Career Studies Certificate. In these programs, students will learn MIG and TIG welding, conventional mill and lathe operations, CNC mill and lathe operations, metal fabrication skills on equipment such as rollers and shears, as well as how to use a pull-down rig and shock dyno’s.
PHCC has also created a seamless transfer pathway with Old Dominion University for students pursuing their Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Whether students are working toward a certificate, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree, PHCC strives to fulfill its motto in every student: “from here you can go anywhere.”
UNOH – In 1992, UNOH started the first high performance/motorsports program in the country and in 2006 the University took motorsports education to a new level. The seven acre, Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis high performance motorsports complex is the only one of its kind in the world. Inside you’ll find cutting-edge technology and equipment, the same equipment used in the best facilities in America.
Outside, they have a test facility unlike any other anywhere, which includes an on-campus skid-track, huge fleet of training vehicles, four-wheel drive course, and the largest motorsports classroom, Limaland Motorsports Park, a NASCAR hometown track, owned and operated by the University.
Students have many opportunities to get involved in racing at UNOH. Students don’t just build cars in the shops; they compete nationally at tracks like Limaland, Eldora, I-55 in Missouri, Waynesfield, Charlotte, Bristol, Daytona, and Volusia. The students build, drive, and crew the cars they race in.
The University even sends more than 60 students, who are part of the Race Club, to Florida to work as pit crew members at Daytona International Speedway during Speedweeks. Drivers such as David Reutimann, Kenny Wallace, Austin and Ty Dillon have all driven for UNOH, giving students unprecedented access and experience to real-world professionals in the industry.
UNOH’s College of Applied Technologies offers degree programs in Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, High Performance Motorsports Technology, Agricultural Equipment Technology, Robotics and Automation Technology, and HVAC/R Technology. The University’s College of Applied Technologies has a limited student to teacher ratio of 20-to-1.
Each student is guaranteed personal attention, hands-on learning, and tons of opportunities for training within the industry of their choice. Programs are 70% hands-on and 30% classroom work, plus all tools needed during their education are provided by the University. All of the students have the opportunity to take ASE tests to become ASE Certified, an industry-wide certification of excellence. As a benefit, the university will cover the cost of up to two ASE tests for each student.
If a student wants to pursue a career in the High Performance/Motorsports Industry, the University of Northwestern Ohio is where their future begins. The level of professionalism required by race teams, performance machine shops, and sanctioning bodies like NASCAR and ARCA, is at an all-time high. Our University’s reputation for producing highly-educated graduates means a degree from the University of Northwestern Ohio will give students a distinct advantage in a competitive workplace.
The University of Northwestern Ohio teaches students everything they need to know for a job in the world of motorsports. “The University’s High Performance program gives you extensive training in welding and fabrication, engine machining, custom engine building, steering and suspension, drive lines, accessories trends, fuels, electronics, and ignitions. This will give you the knowledge you need to be a leader in any High Performance Motorsports career,” states Paul Higgins, High Performance Division Head. Much of the student’s training in these courses will be hands-on utilizing the large fleet of race vehicles and may different training aids owned by the University.
Finally, students can join the ARCA Club at UNOH. Students in the ARCA club travel to Daytona International Speedway and can be either ARCA inspectors, or work on pit crews during the Lucas Oil 200 each February. Many of these opportunities lead to employment for students who take advantage of them.
Graduates from the High Performance Motorsports program have tremendous job opportunities. This specialized education gives the students an advantage when entering into the work force. Thousands of UNOH graduates are successfully employed in the field today living their dreams!
Conclusion – To find out more about these colleges of motorsports technology, go to their websites and contact the recruiters. There is a lot to offer someone who wishes to make motorsports his or her career.
Get a head start on your competition for employment by including a degree in your resume that is specific to motorsports. It will be sure to impress any perspective employer.
Sources:
Racing College of Virginia
Patrick Henry Community College
www.racingcollege.com
276-656-0356
University of Northwestern Ohio
www.unoh.edu
419-998-8854
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