After a very successful debut in the Kern County Youth Racing Series, Porterville High School Motorsports program is busy preparing for a new racing endeavor. A 25hr endurance race. National Auto Sports Association or NASA will host the longest and most demanding road race in the world (1 hr longer then Le Mans or 24hrs of Daytona) the 25hrs of Thunderhill takes place Dec 5th in Willows California. A field of approx 70 cars of both professional and amateur teams will make up the field in this annual event.
The car the students are preparing is owned by Leslie Lipscomb. Lipscomb was director of the High School Racing Series at the now closed Mesa Marin Raceway. “I have a strong belief in using racing as a tool to help kids stay in school and stay out of trouble”, said Lipscomb. The race will also be used as a way to raise scholarship money for the students involved. Each of the drivers and sponsors will be paying money per lap completed by the car. With a goal of raising $5,000, this money will be used to help further the student’s education.
PHS Motorsports is a team that blends the academics of school with the excitement of auto racing. Its goal is to emulate the real world of racing and give the students the desire to make use of what they learn in school. Started in 2000, the Porterville High Motorsports program is the only program in the US that allows students to receive a High School Varsity letter for being on an auto racing team. Brad Collins, Instructor/Advisor, looks forward to this challenge. “Normally with our stock car and drag racing events, our track time is short. In this race we hope to complete over 1,800 miles. This is a great opportunity for these kids and the fact that Leslie has stepped forward with this opportunity is just awesome. He believes in this program and the kids see it. Racing is a team sport, and we treat it as such. These kids work hard to get their cars to the track, their dedication to the sport is the same as in any other”, said Collins.
The Student involved in the Program are Trent Cater, Jacob Dunlap, Nateesha Esquivel, Noel Gomez, Cody Karns, Eric Rubio, Adrian Suarez, Arturo Villagomez, and Juan Villagomez. Leslie said, “Having met all the kids I’m really excited. I think we have a winning team. I know they will work hard.” A 25hr race will wear out a car fast. The students have already replaced all of the bearing, brakes, and suspension on the car. The engine will be coming back from a rebuild soon and then they will be prepping the car for the customary orange, green, and white paint job of the Porterville Panthers.
The PHS Motorsports team looks forward to a great day and one hour of racing. If you would like to help out in any way, please contact Brad Collins @ phsgearhead@hotmail.com. Check back in December for results!!!
