Mississippi: From left are Hancock Vo Tech Center student Michael George, instructor Tony Adams, Dan Hammond of Ford and student Clay Shaw.

Published: Jul/Aug 2000

Unlike most races, the top speed as these cars crossed the finish line was about 5 mph. But the goal wasn’t speed–it was getting the car to run at all.

At the recent Ford/AAA STUDENT AUTO SKILLS National Quality Care Challenge contests in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, high school students in automotive technical programs competed in two-man teams against each other to repair “bugged” 2000 Ford Tauruses. The 10 faults included ignition problems, inoperable lights and other problems affecting engine performance.

The winning team in Arkansas was from Jonesboro Area Vocational Center. In Louisiana, the top team was from Jena High School. And the top technicians from Mississippi were from Hancock Vo Tech Center.

The winners were awarded prizes and their choice of scholarships from technical institutes across the country, including a two-year scholarship in Ford’s ASSET program, which features continued education in automotive services and an apprenticeship.

To qualify for the hands-on contest, the students had to take a written exam. By winning the state contests, the students qualified for the U.S. championship in Washington, D.C., in June . At the June 19 championship, the Louisiana team finished in 26th place, the Arkansas team placed 40th and the MIssissippi team was in 46th place.