Building Dreams: The DRIVE One Students' Journey to Racing Success
A group of young car enthusiasts in Ray Township have a deep passion for cars that goes beyond just using them for transportation. These students are part of DRIVE One, a vocational school that offers hands-on learning experiences for aspiring automotive technicians. Recently, they embarked on a three-year project to build their own race car, a 2003 Ford Focus SVT, which they then took to Owosso Speedway in Michigan for a stock car race. This project allowed the students to not only showcase their technical skills but also experience the thrill of racing firsthand.
The project began when a generous donation of the Ford Focus SVT was made to DRIVE One in the spring of 2021. Instead of selling the car or turning it into a showpiece, the students and their chairman, Joseph Tregembo, decided to transform it into a stock car. The students worked tirelessly to disassemble the car, upgrade its components, and make it race-ready. Despite the challenges they faced, the students were grateful for the opportunity to learn about racing and the intricacies of building a competitive car.
The culmination of their hard work was the race at Owosso Speedway, where the students not only competed but also served as part of the pit crew, fine-tuning the car and supporting their teammate, Desmond Charlet, who drove the Focus to a commendable 6th place finish in his debut race. The experience was a dream come true for Charlet and the other students, who gained a newfound appreciation for the dedication and effort required in stock car racing.
Looking ahead, the DRIVE One students plan to continue testing the Focus at Owosso Speedway and participate in the IX Piston-Power Autorama in Cleveland before tackling the sports compact schedule at Owosso next summer. Tregembo emphasized the importance of engaging the next generation of automotive technicians and enthusiasts through projects like the Focus, which offer valuable hands-on experience and insight into the high-performance industry.
The DRIVE One program not only equips students with technical skills but also fosters teamwork, time management, organization, and communication. Students from various backgrounds and experience levels come together to work on projects like the Ford Focus, forming bonds and friendships while honing their automotive skills. The sense of camaraderie and accomplishment within the DRIVE One community highlights the program's impact in building a supportive and inclusive environment for young car enthusiasts.
To learn more about DRIVE One and their initiatives, visit their website at driveone.net. Join us in supporting and empowering the next generation of automotive technicians and enthusiasts through hands-on learning experiences and exciting projects like the Ford Focus race car.