WESTFIELD – Westfield Technical Academy students are learning “real world situations” as part of a unique project involving a stock car, now docked in one of the bays in the automotive technology shop.
“It is a long-term project that encompasses the whole school and now it will be an ongoing project since there is so much to do,” said David Tefft, automotive instructor. “The car, based off a General Motors G body car, is project based which will allow us to utilize a lot of programs within the school along with academics.”
Tefft noted that students across the spectrum of academic programs can get involved – from manufacturing technology, auto collision and automotive technology to business technology and graphics.
“The project will add real world situations and relevance to what they are learning,” said Tefft. “There are a lot of geometry related tasks so we are working on integrating math and other academics in this program. In the future I want to design a lesson and take the car to the middle school level to add relevance to their learning also.”
During the past few months, students including Conner Fleury, Dante Bongiovanni, and Ethan Pighetti were involved in all aspects of preparing the car for racing in the Limited Late Model division at the Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn.
“We placed 12th and 13th in the last two weeks of August at Stafford,” said Tefft. “Week one was getting through tech, qualifying the car and then the feature. I was going to be pleased to get through tech, which we did. I was ecstatic to be able to run the feature event. Getting through tech was a huge success for us.”
Tefft said the experience at Stafford was also important to his race team – Westfield Technical Motorsports.
“While reviewing safety issues in the paddock/pit area with students, I had some great assistance from fellow teacher Bill Strozuk,” said Tefft. “Also, my fellow teammates from Industrial Handling Systems were on hand to make sure students were safe.”
For three manufacturing technology students, the experience to date of building a car from the frame up has been surreal.
Conner Fleury, a sophomore, has had the chance to work on the front brake calipers, the speedometer housing, tires, and the car’s front end calibration.
“This technological experience has been the most exciting for me,” said Fleury.
For Bongiovanni, also a sophomore, sharing a passion for racing with his dad has opened his eyes to ways he now can get involved at a competitive level.
“Whatever Mr. Tefft needs help with, I am willing to do after school,” he said. “This is a different experience I haven’t done before.”
While Bongiovanni has had several roles including putting a gauge holder in the cockpit and adjusting the ride height of the car, sophomore Pighetti has calibrated the car, worked on the front bumper and hood, and aligned and centered the tires.
“I like to build things,” said Pighetti, also a student in the manufacturing technology department. “Even though I’ve only worked for a half season on the car, I look forward to spending more time after school this fall.”
Tefft credits the enthusiasm of more than 20 students for his drive to ensure the project evolves during the next few years. Students who have worked on the car include: Auto Collision division: Kelsey Carroll, Sydnie Brock, Isaac Santos, Skylar Bishop and John Luppi; Manufacturing Techology: Alina Kiforishna, Konstine Belyakov, Roman Tiknonchuck and Tim Mosijchuk, and Automotive Technology: Josh McGorty, Nate McGorty, Dalton Wise, Cheyenne Slack, Daniel Thiebault, Josh Yvon, Philip Yurovskiyh, Jack Clark, Subash Tamang, Ajay Dari, Evan King and Kyle Hadley.
“Leadership, professionalism, work ethics, and sportsmanship are things that will not be taken lightly with this project,” said Tefft, adding, “So the basics of employment will also be covered.”
With the school season underway, Tefft is taking the stock car planning to the next level.
“I am interested in putting together presentations for potential sponsors,” he said, adding he wants to ensure there is value in partnering with Westfield Technical Motorsports. “We currently have two sponsors, Industrial Handling Systems and the Sign Shop, both in Westfield, and they have been very generous with their time and resources.”
Businesses and individuals interested in potential sponsorships can contact Tefft at [email protected].
“Students at school have sports like baseball, football, and soccer to play so I figured why not a race team?” said Tefft.
