Cerritos College Makes an Appearance at the NHRA Automobile Club World Finals
Nov 20, 2008
Author: Bobby Martin

Schools Chrysler's College Automotive Program (CAP) Represented at Career Fair and Races by Top Alcohol Funny Car

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2008

Media Contact:
Lesley Wheeler, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451 ext.2287

NORWALK, Calif. - November 19, 2008 - The Cerritos College CAP Program, along with the school's other corporate programs, attended the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Career Opportunities Fair Wednesday, November 12, at the Pomona Fairplex.

The career fair is an annual event that brings high school students to Pomona, the day before the NHRA Automobile Club World Finals, to be informed about the different occupations associated with the sport, including technician, driver, journalist or marketing and management.

Cerritos College was represented at the fair by several booths manned by instructors and support staff.

The CAP Program went a step further at their booth with two Chrysler cars and NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver, Bobby Martin. Martin and his race car owner, Frank Parker, were both on hand to answer any questions the students had.

"I have always enjoyed teaching," said Martin. "It draws students who might otherwise not attend and, quite often, it inspires them to enter the program. We have program graduates crewing for us right now.they credit CAP for providing the knowledge to work on a complex race car."

Cerritos College CAP has been a long-time supporter of Martin and Parker and helped their team make the trip to the Finals. In recognition of the support, there is a large Cerritos College CAP Program decal on the hood of the car Martin races.

"As the CAP coordinator, I utilized grant money to help finance Bobby Martin's visit to the NHRA Auto Club World Finals competition for the purpose of marketing Cerritos College CAP," said Cerritos College's Richard Aragon. "In addition to the career fair, our CAP was also represented by a booth in the race car's pit area and was manned by myself and Frank Vega during the four-day event."

Cerritos College is the top college out of 35 school's nationwide participating in the CAP Program.

Martin, racing in his Cerritos College decaled car, came in 4th place in his category at the Finals. The car, along with Martin, will be televised on the NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Series on ESPN2 at 9 a.m. PSTon Sunday, November 23, along with the others that placed within the top eight.

Chrysler's College Automotive Program (CAP) is a two-year automotive program which allows students at Cerritos College to gain experience servicing Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. During the two-year program, students take part in classroom learning and gain hands-on internship experience at local dealerships - something that has become increasingly necessary as automobiles become more complex each year. Upon completion, students receive an associate degree and become certified technicians for Chrysler vehicles. For more information on Cerritos College's automotive training programs, visit us online at www.cerritos.edu/advtranstechctr or call 562.860.2451, ext. 2974.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 24,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.