New Trier’s automotive class became one of only five schools nationwide competing in a six week competition to receive the grand prize of a $2,000 gift card to AutoZone.

After passing the regional stage in the Quaker State Best in Class Challenge, New Trier moved on to the national round, which runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 23.

According to head of the automotive department Robert Spagnoli, New Trier’s automotive program has been around since 1931.

Since then, the program has been successful, with roughly 60 students enrolled this year. Junior Courtney Ketchum decided to take the class in order to increase her understanding of cars.

“I want to learn how a car works and I want to learn how to do things myself so that in the future, I can save money,” Ketchum said.

Although Ketchum isn’t necessarily pursuing a career in automotives, she’s still excited for the competition, citing it as a good learning experience.

Spagnoli is excited about this undertaking as well. However, he admitted he doesn’t know exactly how the contest will be run.

“It seems like every couple days, I get new information about it,” Spagnoli said. From the information he was given, he said he pictured it like the TV show ‘Pimp my Ride.’

The class will be using a $3,000 used car provided by the contest administrators. From what Spagnoli understands, all the competing schools will be given a similar vehicle.

A variety of tasks will be given, with the end goal of fixing up the vehicle as well as possible. They will have to work on changing fluids, replacing brakes, replacing the thermostat, as well as external work, like installing headlights and painting.

Despite Spagnoli’s enthusiasm about the contest, he foresees challenges as well. He noted that New Trier’s automotive program has a minimal budget, and doesn’t own a spray booth required for painting.

He has a list of concerns on top of this, “What if the vehicle doesn’t run? What if there are scheduling conflicts with everyone’s busy schedules?” Spagnoli said.

This concern is understandable, as New Trier seems to be the underdog. Spagnoli looked into the other schools, “two of these schools are career vocational centers who have competed in contests like these,” Spagnoli said.

Maxwell High School of Technology (Lawrenceville, GA), Iredell Statesville Schools Automotive Technolgy Center (Troutman, NC), Kearny High School (Kearny, NV), and Satellite High School (Satellite, FL) are also competing for the grand prize.

However, even if it doesn’t end in victory for New Trier, Spagnoli said, “the most important thing is the experience we’ll get.”

Of all the courses at New Trier, the automotive class flies under the radar. Still, that didn’t stop the student body from supporting them. Principal Dubravec drew attention to the voting website during the homecoming pep rally.

Sophomore Mia Sherin admitted to not knowing much about the class aside from the posters she saw. Still, she said, “I voted for them.” These supporters played a large part, as teams passed the most recent round based solely on votes.

Due to the demolition of the T-Wing earlier this year, they moved from their 2,500 square foot garage that could fit six cars to a 500 foot maintenance garage.

With the upcoming renovation, the class will be moving yet again to another transportation lab in the basement where they’ll be working on half car models.

Despite the chaos, the program is still appreciated by its students. Ketchum couldn’t think of anything that could be done to improve it.

“We have a shop that has really good equipment, and we’re going to be doing hands on activities,” Ketchum said.