Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

Many of our students at PHS have challenges and face obstacles keeping them from being successful in school. Coursework is not relevant to them. They do not see a link between what they are learning in the classroom and how this can be used in the real world. The lack of relevance causes them to be unsuccessful keeping them from graduating. Also, many of them have skills and interests outside of our curriculum that they never get to explore or find guidance on how to pursue as career fields. Finally, many come to high school lacking fundamental math, science, and computer skills which would allow them to be successful in their classes if we could find a way to motivate them and make it relevant to their interests.
Throughout my life I have had a passion for racing. Racing incorporates math, science, and computer skills into real world applications. It can also be a motivation tool for any student, particularly young at-risk males, who have an interest in cars. Racing promotes the value of hard work, discipline, working together as a team, the need for a sound education, and competition and sportsmanship.
I am proposing that we begin an after-school racing program with the following benefits. I truly the believe the sky is the limit on how we can incorporate this into our school culture as we link academics and CTE programs. This would be a long term venture that would touch many students for years to come. It is by no means an all-inclusive list of the benefits as the program would be very open to reaching out in different directions as the grant coordinator, school administration, racing director, and other faculty members see opportunities.
Motivation tool:
Many of our students have no interest in coming to school, completing homework, and see no relevance in the curriculum that we offer them. I believe EVERY student would like to be successful and graduate but many lack the support and encouragement from home. Having an extra-curricular activity that they are involved in gives them “buy-in” into the school and a goal that they must work towards. Students would have to keep satisfactory passing grades in order to be a part of the program after school or attend races on the weekends. Also, to be around and encouraged and motivated by a faculty member who understands and realizes the importance of a high school education (and beyond) would be invaluable and something that many of them lack.
Tutoring assistance after school:
After school I would offer tutoring to students in any math class that they are currently taking. Prior to going to the garage to work on the car students would be required to have all of their homework done for the day. My room would be a place that they would work on all of their homework but if they needed tutoring in addition to mathematics they would go to their respective teachers prior to coming to the shop. Again, having an incentive of working on the race car after their homework was done would be motivation daily to complete all of their assignment. I would check grades regularly, as does a coach with athletes, and make parents aware of their student’s academic progress.
An understanding of how our curriculum has real world relevance:
My intent is to purchase a turn-key, race ready, late-model computer controlled car. Long gone are the days when an automobile is tuned by a screwdriver. Today’s race cars are very high tech and require extensive mathematical and computer knowledge. Students would receive hands-on training in how math, science, and computers are necessary to maintain a successful racing operation and compete on a high level. Setting up, dialing in, and adjusting suspensions, controlling engine and transmission functions, and competing in bracket-race style programs are just some of the major ways that math and especially computer knowledge is necessary to operate a race car.
Post-graduation opportunities:
Not having an automotive program limits many of our students in post-graduation options as we have MANY students (especially those at-risk) who have an interest in automobiles but don’t know where to begin or how to pursue their passion as a career. Allowing these students to be exposed to the racing community and giving them an opportunity to network with professionals in this field will open many doors that would have otherwise been unavailable. As a subsidiary part of our program I would like to have students investigate such post-graduation options such as UTI, the NASCAR Technical Institute, and other trade schools where they could continue their pursuit of an automotive related field. Also, the relationship with engineering in today’s racing world is extensive so students with a strong mathematical background who also have an interest in motorsports could now have an outlet for their passion and be provided with college/career direction.
Basic automotive knowledge:
Again, not having an automotive program, our students graduate with no knowledge of basic automobile maintenance/operation and are at the mercy of garages and overpriced dealerships for the rest of their life to perform simple money saving tasks that they can do on their own. Although our goal isn’t to build a complete race car from the ground-up (which would be an expensive and time-consuming endeavor and not meet the goals of our program) students will learn basic routine maintenance such as oil/filter changes, transmission fluid changes, differential fluid changes, spark plug and ignition maintenance, and tire rotation and inspection. We will also handle more in-depth topics such as engine and transmission removal, engine management system programming, valve spring removal and installation, suspension tuning, and diagnostic work. Many of these skills will provide life-long lessons that will save our students money and provide safe and reliable transportation for them and their families.
Interaction with the business world:
Another aspect of our racing program would require students to contact businesses across the country as we seek to get donations for maintenance items. Since we are purchasing a complete car we will not necessarily need to provide many hard parts initially but over time it will require such small items as oil, filters, spark plugs, valve springs, suspension bushings, and tires. To keep costs down we would solicit donations from companies. I would ask the students to draft letters, emails, and make phone calls to corporations with the racing industry for these items. This will be an excellent opportunity for our students to interact with professionals in situations that they would not have otherwise had the chance to do. This will provide excellent job and communication skills that will be required in the workforce following graduation.
Positive publicity for our school and district:
Our intent is to join the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) as both sanctioning bodies have races within an hour of the school. Both of these organizations are long-time established professional racing sanctioning entities with national publications, web sites, and world-wide media exposure. Having articles written about our program, mission, and goals would bring positive attention to our school, and most importantly students, that they may never have experienced before. Also, we would construct a web page chronicling our racing program, advancements, and accomplishments. The students would be responsible for photography, articles, and maintaining the web page.
Outcome/goals:
Many of our goals and outcomes are listed within the body of this proposal however to summarize and list them we would:
1. Provide at-risk students a motivational tool to interest them in school.
2. Offer academic assistance to students on a daily basis before they would be allowed to participate.
3. Show students real-life applications for math, science, computer skills.
4. Open the doors to post-graduation opportunities that are now unavailable to students with an interest in this field.
5. Provide students with basic automotive maintenance knowledge.
6. Allow students to interact with the business world and professional community.
7. Bring positive publicity to our school, district, and most importantly students who normally don’t receive recognition or praise.
Budget:

Thoughts?

I have a M/SA 1969 Impala in the Resto shop and no time to finish it.
Have all the parts to put it back into race condition.

If interested email me for details: danfahey@dansources.com

[Peter Ash]

(quote)Another aspect of our racing program would require students to contact businesses across the country as we seek to get donations for maintenance items. Since we are purchasing a complete car we will not necessarily need to provide many hard parts initially but over time it will require such small items as oil, filters, spark plugs, valve springs, suspension bushings, and tires. To keep costs down we would solicit donations from companies. I would ask the students to draft letters, emails, and make phone calls to corporations with the racing industry for these items. This will be an excellent opportunity for our students to interact with professionals in situations that they would not have otherwise had the chance to do. This will provide excellent job and communication skills that will be required in the workforce following graduation. (end quote)


While I agree with your basic plans.

Sponsorship is charity.

Teach them how to create a marketing program and the hard work and long hours at displays that goes with it ! This will teach them how to interact with the public and business which will add benefit to both parties. I am sure it would give them much more pride in their efforts as individuals and as a whole. It probably won't be easy, but sometimes a little rejection is a better incentive than handouts.

It took me two years to get my first Marketing client for my racing team and it was a great relationship.

Best of luck to you, your students, and your program.

Peter Ash

[Rob Petrie E395]

You might want to contact Southern Illinois Univ. Automotive Technology program. They have a program like you are trying to do only on the college level. They let the kids drive but I think they are all of legal age to sign the waver for themselves so no objections from parents.

I wish you good luck with this. Myself and some other parents tried to put together a deal to allow our kids to race at Gateway in the high school class a few years ago. The school district got a lawyer involved and made sure it did not happen. I hope you can make this happen it might just make a HUGE difference in a kids life. If it was not for my HS auto shop teacher I dont know where I would be today.

[THE LEGEND]

What school are you with?

There was a local racer that did this for several years with a bracket car. He would take the kids to the track too. He paid for everything. He would take them on field trips to the National events at Rockingham too. He ran a very Good program until some "Do-Gooder felt it was a liability to have the school name on the side of the car. End of Program. It was very sad too.
I wish you Luck.
Chip Johnson

[Ronnie Smith Jr]

You might look into the program that Clay Millican did a couple of years ago when he hosted Burnout. There may be something there that may benefit you. I thought he also did something with 2 high school vo-tech shops competing against each other too. Can't seem to locate that program.

FWIW

[THE LEGEND]

The high school show was good. I loved it. Problem was the 2nd season one of the teachers was'nt real smart and they never aired season 3. I was told season 3 was fimed and one scool was in NC but never aired.
Chip Johnson

[Bernie Cunningham]

Well I read your subject line and then the rest of the posts.

I don't want to sound like an, 'over the top optimist', but I have a car that would be well suited for ya, computer EFI, LT1 combination, late model Pontiac Firebird with data logging, is a '98 still a late model???

Anyhow, it's a great car and runs reasonably well, was in SS/JA at Pomona and went 10:66. It's actually a stocker that can run C, D, and E.

I would like to talk to you more about your vision, sounds like a great idea.
951 686 4230

[stocker4046]

In 2003, working with a local high school auto tech course and seeveral dealerships, we (racers, not educators) used a different approach and formed a 501(c)(3)organization "Baton Rouge SMART Program". Donation of equipment, parts and money were obtained as tax deductions. The H.S. students then starting building a race car from a recovery yard provided car. Racers/dealerships provided technical, as well as business, speakers/help. Race cars were used by other teachers in reading, science, math and physics classes, as well as serving as mentors in these subjects. The dealerships were able to hire graduates. After the first year the school board asked that the group work in two other schools. Only the original school construced a car and the teacher drove the car.

NHRA-U. S. Army youth services films/hand outs were used, coupled with trips to local and national races.

Fund were also made available for non automotive school activities/tips and scholarships.

If you are not aware, check with the library to see if they have purchased one of the web search program that not only identifies foundations but the names of board members. Federal key word search "cfda.gov".

Thanks for all of the comments and positive response guys. They're truly appreciated. I'm still waiting for the grant coordinator to sign-off on it but from talking to everyone involved initially they seem to be excited and see the benefit of the program. I plan to pull up this forum when I personally meet with the person that will approve it.

We are in East Texas about an hour from Ennis and Crandall. I was thinking we could run NHRA and IHRA but I see that Crandall isn't hosing a points meet this year. We'll see about that when the time comes.

Bernie ... your car is exactly what we are looking for. I raced a '95 Impala SS in Pure Stock when I lived in NC so I'm fairly comfortable with the LT1. I was wanting an EFI car so that the students could see how it was tuned from the laptop. I've been looking at Dean's '98 Firebird and there is a also a '94 Camaro stick car on racingjunk now. I'm sure it will be after Christmas until I get the go-ahead so I'll try to call you when we get back from break to discuss the program and your car if it's still available.

[Charlie A]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Smith Jr

You might look into the program that Clay Millican did a couple of years ago when he hosted Burnout. There may be something there that may benefit you. I thought he also did something with 2 high school vo-tech shops competing against each other too. Can't seem to locate that program.

FWIW

Drag Race High

http://www.speedtv.com/gallery/view/939721/218431

http://www.speedtv.com/programs/drag-race-high/