I wish I had that much knowledge about wrenching when I was in high school. I'm still learning half of these things now!
Photography by J.A. Ackley
Teenagers. They think they know everything. Well, these teens actually do know something.
They’re high school students in this year’s Top Wrench competition in Knoxville, Tennessee. The annual event pits these young mechanics in skills contests covering welding, diagnostics and painting. Between challenges, the students offered their advice, proving they were wise beyond their years.
“Outwork them,” Madison Warren advises. “That’s how we win every competition. Practice it day and night. Eat, sleep, live your competition.” Her school’s performance backs up her claims. Unaka High School won the valve cover race and pit crew challenges while placing second in the custom paint and OEM body panel paint contests.
–Madison Warren, Unaka High School, Elizabethton, Tenn.
Sam Brengle admits that his instructor, Mr. Kelso, lets him struggle, but that’s all part of the process. It’s a good reminder that learning isn’t always easy. “Embrace failure and don’t give up,” Sam says. “If you need to take a step back, take a step back. You eventually learn from your mistakes.”
–Sam Brengle, Karns High School, Byington Solway Vocational Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
Trevor Gibson concedes that he used to throw wrenches frequently as a freshman, but his tools experience less airtime today. “I walk away when I get too frustrated so I don’t mess something up or hurt myself,” Trevor says. “Usually when you come back after you cooled off, it’s a lot simpler than you thought it was.”
–Trevor Gibson, Grainger High School, Rutledge, Tenn.
“Time is money,” Tyler Copp reminds us. Tyler isn’t the best with transmissions and electrical, for example, so he’ll call on another mechanic with expertise in those areas so he can work on other projects. When it comes to anything else, though, especially welding and body work, Tyler will do it himself.
–Tyler Copp, Jefferson County High School, Dandridge, Tenn.
Before simply throwing parts at something, Alex Bergman recommends first diagnosing the issue. This not only saves trips to the auto parts store, Alex notes, but leaves parts on the shelf for fellow mechanics.
–Alex Bergman, Halls High School, Knoxville, Tenn.
Do you think you got it right or do you know you got it right? That could be the difference between spending an extra 5 minutes to verify your work or an extra 5 hours chasing what went wrong. “Always double-check your work,” Bowen Baines advises. “Even if you bought a new part, you could have a bad part. Double-check everything.”
–Bowen Baines, Science Hill High School, Johnson City, Tenn.
Likewise, there are no shortcuts to success, Cooper Shanks insists. “Trust in each and every step to create the best outcomes,” he says. “Don’t worry about the quickest and easiest way to get there. Be thorough. People are in such a rush to do everything. Slow down and do things the correct way.”
–Cooper Shanks, Unaka High School, Elizabethton, Tenn.
Books and the internet teach you only so much. Nick Gannaway has leaned heavily on his instructor, Mr. Grace, who has years of experience in the shop.
–Nick Gannaway, William Blount High School, Maryville, Tenn.
Cars are complex, so it’s certainly helpful to have an experienced mechanic by your side. Peyton Robinson’s thankful for the mentorship provided by his instructor, Mr. Sexton. “Have someone in your corner who’s reliable,” Peyton recommends. “Having an actual person with actual experience who gives their time and care is very helpful.”
–Peyton Robinson, Anderson County Career and Technical Center, Clinton, Tenn.
News flash: You don’t know everything. No one does. While spending your time searching the internet for answers may yield some solutions, the best advice often comes from a living, breathing person. “Talk with people,” Tristun Roberts insists. “You can gain a lot more by listening than talking. It’s always helpful to talk with people because you never know when you’re sitting next to somebody who’s doing the job you want to do.”
–Tristun Roberts, C.D. Hylton High School, Woodbridge, Va.
I wish I had that much knowledge about wrenching when I was in high school. I'm still learning half of these things now!
In reply to Austin Cannon :
I wish I had that kind of wisdom, too, back then. Patience is something I still struggle with.
Great article. I hope there are follow-ups from this to continue the story and to introduce the kids more. I'd be interested in their influences growing up, how many just jumped in without a parent figure doing a lot of wrenching, and their take on computers vs more analog, older cars. Interest in motorsports vs traditional repair.
If not this year then maybe next year.
No. 2 is a big one for me. I like to think I've gotten much better about it, but I think it'll be something I'll be working at for most of my life.
One more to add.
If it don't look right it probably ain't right.
Don't try to justify something that doesn't look or feel right. In your head, you may make up excuses that it either doesn't matter, seems that it may be ok or, some other justification.
I keep learning this the hard way...
My latest Faux Pass has to do with a slightly sticky lifter bore in a new FF engine block. It installed a bit tight compared to others but seemed to move ok once installed.
Guess what? On the dyno, under load with RPM and temperature, the lifter ended up seizing in the bore.
Darn it... When will I ever learn...
Who is going to design the first automotive repair Video game ,
Build an engine online , start with something simple like a Lawn mower engine and work up to a 4cam Supercar motor ,
Throw in a Rotary and a 2 Stroke for extra credit,
Then do Transmissions , Suspension , electrical etc
In reply to californiamilleghia :
Already a thing, unsurprisingly. From what I saw, it was a passable introduction to the process. It’s called Car Mechanic Simulator.
Part of me wonders how many of these games are the most clever form of job training haha…
Displaying 1-7 of 7 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
