Both events are sponsored by the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America southern region. Winners go to the state finals in Las Vegas next month, then hopefully advance to the nationals. Welders will also contend for medals, plaques and equipment donated from the industry and the Sierra Section of the American Welding Society. Thirty auto service technicians from eight new car dealerships will judge the auto techs at 20 work stations ranging from air conditioning to transmission. At each station, students have only 12 minutes to solve vehicle problems.
Dealerships also provide the competition vehicles.
Judges represent Cadillac of Las Vegas West, Car-Quest Auto Parts, Courtesy Pontiac, Desert Buick GMC, Fairway Chevrolet, Fletcher Jones Chevrolet, Friendly Ford, Fultz Machine Shop, Saturn West Sahara and Signature Lincoln Mercury. Welders will be challenged by a written exam and three rigorous hands-on tests. Judges represent Timet, Bechtel, Over The Top, Gil's Welding and the Clark County School District. Participating high schools include the Area Technical Training Center, Beatty, Chaparral, Cimarron-Memorial, Durango, Las Vegas Vocational Technical, Laughlin, Lincoln County, Mohave, Rancho, Round Mountain and Western.