Local schools join in Quaker State Best in Class challenge

After a successful inaugural year, Quaker State is launching the next installment of the "Best in Class Challenge," a six-week automotive education competition featuring high school auto shop classes across the United States.

Each school's team is charged with the task of tuning, restoring and customizing a pre-owned car into a pristine, creative representation of their school. The competition will consist of online voting, six weeks of automotive challenges, hands-on education, distinguished judges, participation in a Barrett-Jackson vehicle auction for the grand prize winner and of course, great prizes!

"After we experienced such excitement and strong participation numbers during last year's Quaker State 'Best in Class Challenge,' we knew we had to bring it back! We're honored to be able to offer this top-notch educational program once again to high school auto shop students from across the United States," said Laura Jaime, Quaker State North American Marketing Manager. "The competition will offer these students the opportunity to hone their tuning and customization skills while being mentored by top automotive experts in the field."

From Sept. 12-25, approximately 55 semifinalist schools will be responsible for securing as many votes as possible to be nominated for the "Best in Class Challenge." The team with the most votes from each of the five markets will then become finalists and will move on to the next stage of the competition comprised of six weeks of automotive challenges beginning Oct. 11.

The following schools have entered the voting period of the challenge and need to secure as many votes as possible by Sept. 25 to move onto the competition:

• St. Charles East High School in St. Charles;

• Hoffman Estates High School in Hoffman Estates;

• Palatine High School in Palatine;

• William Fremd High School in Palatine;

• New Trier High School in Winnetka;

• Morton West High School in Berwyn;

• Simeon Career Academy in Chicago;

• Farragut Career Academy in Chicago;

• Curie Metropolitan High School in Chicago;

• Lyons Township High School in LaGrange;

• Proviso East High School in Maywood.

To start casting votes (1 per person, per day) and to read the complete program rules, visit www.QuakerState.com/BestInClass.

To kick off the competition, the top five schools will each receive a pre-owned vehicle valued at up to $3,000. For this year's competition, Quaker State has once again teamed up with AutoZone; teams will be given $2,000 to be used at their local AutoZone retailer to purchase the supplies and tools they'll need for success in the competition. Students will be scored on their progress at the end of each week of the competition based on the quality of their work and their overall final product. Additionally, the teams will have to secure online votes each week, which will be factored into their final scores as well.

This year's judges include Tommy Pike, owner of Tommy Pike Customs as lead judge, and Sung Kang, actor, producer and car enthusiast. Judging criteria ranges from general engine maintenance to creativity and quality of the vehicle's body work and customizations. Throughout the competition, these automotive industry leaders will have the opportunity to mentor and provide guidance to each team of high school students.

"I am honored to be back working with Quaker State for the second year of the 'Best in Class Challenge'," said Pike, who is known for his modern muscle performance and cutting edge customizations. "I was impressed with and inspired by last year's teams from their creativity, imagination, perseverance and stick-to-itiveness. Not only do I have the opportunity to mentor these future automotive professionals, but I also look forward to encouraging the passion, creativity and work ethic that the next generation of car enthusiasts will be developing."

The five teams that successfully complete the "Best in Class Challenge" will be awarded the following prize packages:

• 1st place grand prize - A feature digital article and video on automotive websites, a $2,500 credit account at AutoZone, a customized tool kit ($500 value) and the opportunity to sell their vehicle at auction with proceeds being awarded back to their school;

• 2nd place prize - A $2,000 credit account at AutoZone and ownership of their customized vehicle from the competition;

• 3rd place prize - A $1,500 credit account at AutoZone and ownership of their customized vehicle from the competition;

• 4th place prize - A $1,000 credit account at AutoZone and ownership of their customized vehicle from the competition;

• 5th place prize - A $750 credit account at AutoZone and ownership of their customized vehicle from the competition.

The 1st Place Grand Prize winner will be given the chance to attend the Barrett-Jackson auction in West Palm Beach, Florida on April 8, 2017. The attending students and their mentor will be with their customized vehicle when it is auctioned off to the highest bidder. The gross proceeds earned from the auction will be awarded back to the school as prize money.

Quaker State makes it its mission to provide motorists with products that offer the value that they desire and expect. To stay up-to-date on the latest Quaker State activities, be sure to 'Like' the official Quaker State Facebook page and follow Quaker State on Twitter.

About Quaker State

Quaker State motor oil has an 80-year history as a leader in consumer automotive products and vehicle care. Quaker State is among the industry's most innovative motor oil brands and offers a full line of products to meet vehicle engine needs. Quaker State is one of the first brands to develop high mileage engine motor oil.

For more information about the full line of Quaker State products, visit www.quakerstate.com.