South Elgin auto tech team puts on a show at library

The first Automotive Technolgy Exposition Tuesday afternoon in the Gail Borden Library parking lot drew several local show cars, a local racing team, and a competitive Engine Tear Down Team that is ranked 29th in the nation.

South Elgin Automotive Tech instructor Steve Schertz brought his team of five high school students, who disassembled and reassembled an eight cylinder engine in about a half an hour, in front of car enthusiasts and bewildered passersby.

“I wanted to get some pressure on them,” he said of his team. “They get too comfy in the auto shop. I wanted to get them out in the heat.”

The team competed last November at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge in Las Vegas and placed 29th in the nation. Team members Tuesday included Dan Perritt, Dean Altieri, Ryan Rompel, Sammy Narsala and Leeanne Driscoll, all South Elgin High School Auto Tech students.

The event was an effort by U46 to promote part of their Technical Education program.