By SEMA Editors
 Team Custom Automotive Network’s (CAN) Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center from Choctaw, Oklahoma, came in first place at the SEMA Show and will advance to the Elite Eight competition at the PRI Trade Show. |
The first half of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge 2018 Dual Championship took place at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where 27 teams from across the United States battled to become one of the top four teams to move on and compete for the national championship at the PRI Trade Show, December 4–8.
With five students per team, they disassembled and reassembled a traditional small-block Chevy outfitted with the latest aftermarket parts. Teams must properly disassemble the engine, including removing all eight pistons, then reassemble it using correct torque and valve adjustment.
Team Custom Automotive Network’s (CAN) Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center from Choctaw, Oklahoma, came in first place with an average time of 18:35. They also had the best time of the week at 17:59.
Team Racequip’s Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning achieved the best written test score with 97%, marking the first time they will participate in the Dual National Championship.
Other teams moving on to the Elite Eight competition at the PRI Trade Show include:
- Team Canton Racing Products, Lakeshore High School, Stevensville, Michigan (second place, average time: 19:57)
- Team Mr. Gasket, C D Hylton High School, Woodbridge, Virginia (third place, average time: 22:42)
- Team Edelbrock, Hunter High School, West Valley City, Utah (fourth place, average time: 23:57)
The top four teams from the SEMA Show and the top four teams from the PRI Trade Show will compete head-to-head for the chance to win the 2018 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual Championship and earn scholarship vouchers ranging from $6,500 to $10,000, which are being provided by Universal Technical Institute (UTI), School of Automotive Machinists (SAM TECH) and Ohio Technical College (OTC).
The Elite Eight battle will start December 7 at 1:00 p.m. (EST) and continue through December 8.