March is a month full of interesting things some which include, St. Patrick’s Day, NCAA March Madness, Women’s History month, and let’s not forget the start of a lovely spring session. Well, this year UTI Orlando graduates had something special to add to the month of March. Our graduates got to experience the thrill of what most of them came to school here for… Racing!

On March 4^th- 7^th Homestead Raceway in south Florida hosted the Grand-Am Rolex and four of our graduates received the opportunity to volunteer in the race alongside a fifth graduate who is now employed by Sahlen Race Team. The graduates who attended were Christian Taborda, Alex Albel, Jerry Serna, Christian Santos, and Mike Goldberg. The team was managed by Jay Chapman who contacted me, Vanessa Beltran - SDA; after I attended the Rolex 24 at Daytona per an invitation from Christian Taborda who wanted me to witness the amount of excitement that was involved in his career after attending UTI, and what it has done for his life. It all started when Chapman asked me to get a hold of four graduates to assist to work the Miami race. After making my selections I got an overwhelming response from the graduates. Christian Santos stated, “When I was selected to be a part of team Sahlen Mazda RX8, I couldn’t believe it. I was very happy, because I was going to be working for my favorite type of car, Mazda.”

March 3^rd, the four selected volunteers met with Sahlen Racing to get acquainted, unload equipment and prep for the weekend’s race.

On March 4^th the graduates received their positions based upon each of their individual skills and strengths. Christian worked the Dead Valve position, Mike was Pit Board and Tire Handler, and Jerry and Alex were the Fuel Men. Though none of these young men ever met, they instantly operated like a team that had been together for a long time. Alex said as a result, “Team Sahlen made this experience and passion so much more alive and big, they’re so professional yet they haven’t lost the essence of having fun. It was my first time with them but with great teamwork, I felt like I’ve been with them for years.”

The excitement was just as intense as the day before, but on March 5^th the pressure was on due to qualifying which would determine their start for each race the very next day.  Fortunately, our graduates did great coming in 10^th in the Continental Tire Race with the Mazda 3 and 16^th and 13^th respectively, for the Grand Prix in both RX-8’s.

March 6^th the day the boys had been waiting for had finally come. The sun was smiling down on them and the breeze was blowing softly in each of their faces. Bright and early at around 7am the team got started in order to prepare for the day’s race. The boys changed into their fire suites and found their positions as soon as the race began. These four grads were anxious and a little nervous, but it was what they all lived for.  The excitement they had been having all weekend had finally fully came to play as they put their expertise to work.    

Sahlen’s Mazdaspeed3 had the best finish ever for the Mazdaspeed3 in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

In reflection upon the event, Jerry Serna, September’ 09 grad, said “I never thought it would happen to me. If I did not chose to go to UTI this never would have happened.”

The greatest compliment came from Jay Chapman, Team Manager, when he stated, “As for words about the crew you sent me… Great, Hard Working, Determined, Mature, Trustworthy, and Intelligent.  All of the crew was fun to have with us and represented UTI in exceptional fashion. They all worked hard and were able to learn a lot. Guys were able to experience and participate in pit stops and were able to be a part of the race. They all contributed in much different and unique fashion, while still showcasing their individual talents. We will definitely have the guys return in the future and will be happy to have them use our name as a reference of experience. Congratulations to UTI for producing such talent!”

Not only did the graduates have a once in a lifetime experience, but to me it was a dream come true and made me feel that all of my hard work and dedication to UTI and our student body makes a difference living by our purpose of “Changing the world one life at a time by helping people achieve their dreams”.

TEAM SAHLEN INTERESTING FACTS

Sahlen Packing Company, Inc formed it’s first season of partnership with the team (formerly known as Phoenix Promotions) in 2005.  Sahlen’s was founded in 1869 in Buffalo, NY as a family business.  Company founder Joseph Sahlen dedicated himself to one guiding principle:  Only the freshest and highest quality meat products would bear the proud Sahlen name.  Today – in addition to being the name behind the Buffalo area’s favorite hot dogs and holiday hams, Sahlen’s has grown from their Western New York roots to offer our “Old Fashioned” Smokehouse Ham and Turkey Breast in over 15 states.

Team Sahlen has won the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (The Grand Am Cup) Team, Driver and Manufacturer Championship in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.  In addition to those 4 titles, they also won championships in prior versions of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge in 1984, 1997 and 1999.

For 2010, the team has switched from racing Corvettes to a pair of Mazda RX-8s purchased from Speed Source Inc., including the car that won the 2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

For more information on Sahlen Racing check out www.teamsahlen.com