The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals, a competition intended for auto tech students, came to a conclusion on Monday, as the Minnesota Team, comprised of Justin Dwyer and Matthew Ludwig, from Faribault High School, was designated the best team at this year's event.
The Minnesota team recorded a “perfect car” as they correctly diagnosed and repaired all of the bugs. The repairs included repairing the air conditioning blower, power windows and mirrors and interior and exterior lights as well as properly diagnosing and repairing problems to the starter motor and air flow sensor.
As a reward for their efforts, in addition to several scholarships, the two students will have the opportunity to work with Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 DEWALT Ford Fusion team at its Concord shop, prior to them attending, from Roush's pit, the August 2 Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.
But they are not the only winners. The high schools from which the top 15 teams have originate will receive a Ford Edge, Taurus or Fusion, to be used by the school for training purposes in their automotive technology departments.
“The students competing in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills are the future of the automotive industry. Part of AAA’s commitment to provide motorists with solutions for all their automotive needs includes ensuring they have reliable, quality auto repair options both now and in the future,” Marshall L. Doney, AAA vice president said.
This year's competition saw 9,700 high school juniors and seniors competing for the $10.7 million in scholarships offered. The final, held over the weekend, consisted of 50 teams trying to correctly identify and fix intentionally-installed "bugs" on identical Ford Focus vehicles.
The Minnesota team recorded a “perfect car” as they correctly diagnosed and repaired all of the bugs. The repairs included repairing the air conditioning blower, power windows and mirrors and interior and exterior lights as well as properly diagnosing and repairing problems to the starter motor and air flow sensor.
As a reward for their efforts, in addition to several scholarships, the two students will have the opportunity to work with Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 DEWALT Ford Fusion team at its Concord shop, prior to them attending, from Roush's pit, the August 2 Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.
But they are not the only winners. The high schools from which the top 15 teams have originate will receive a Ford Edge, Taurus or Fusion, to be used by the school for training purposes in their automotive technology departments.
“The students competing in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills are the future of the automotive industry. Part of AAA’s commitment to provide motorists with solutions for all their automotive needs includes ensuring they have reliable, quality auto repair options both now and in the future,” Marshall L. Doney, AAA vice president said.
This year's competition saw 9,700 high school juniors and seniors competing for the $10.7 million in scholarships offered. The final, held over the weekend, consisted of 50 teams trying to correctly identify and fix intentionally-installed "bugs" on identical Ford Focus vehicles.