Performance Engine Program
Bobby Isaac Motorsports

by Mary K. Miller

Students enrolled in CVCC's Bobby Isaac Motorsports Program now have the opportunity to round out their fabrication and body hanging skills, making them even more marketable in a fiercely competitive motorsports job market.

A new Performance Engine Program reveals the intricacies of machining and reconditioning engines specific to NASCAR. Students learn how to tear down and rebuild the type of engines that endure speeds of more than 200 mph on world-famous stock car ovals. They also learn inspection and testing criteria using the decimal and metric system with calipers, micrometers, bore gauges and tool setting fixtures.

An investment of more than half a million dollars in state-of-the-art performance engine equipment and materials made the new program possible.This equipment includes three current specification engines, the same type used by NASCAR Nextel Cup teams, and new 5-axis CNC machinery. In addition, sponsors such as Matco Tools, Air Systems & Equipment Co. and Hartley Equipment Sales have

provided related equipment and in-kind support, bringing the investment to nearly three quarters of a million dollars.

“It is critical that our equipment and instruction be as relevant as possible,” said Steve Johnson, director of the Bobby Isaac Motorsports Program, which is offered through CVCC 's Corporate & Continuing Education Division. “With the addition of this cutting edge equipment, our graduates are prepared for entry-level jobs in any performance engine shop.”

The program includes training in the following areas:

• Introduction to Engine Machine Shop Equipment
• Engine Machining Components
• Cylinder Head Machining
• Line Boring and Honing
• Engine Balancing
• CNC Engine Block Machining
• Lower End Reconditioning
• Cylinder Head Flow Bench Development
• Cylinder Head Porting

For more information, contact Steve Johnson, 828-324-6966, ext 2028, or click on bobbyisaacmotorsports.com.

The Performance Engine Program was funded through a cooperative effort with the CVCC Foundation, Inc. The Bobby Isaac Motorsports Program was founded as a memorial to the late NASCAR champion Bobby Isaac by his sister, Peggy Hall, in 1997. CF