Team Holley, made up of students from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, qualified for the 2014 Hot Rodders Of Tomorrow Playoffs. The team disassembled and re-assembled a Chevy 350 engine in a time of 33:14 to qualify them for the competition. “Many of the students do not play traditional sports like football, baseball, and soccer,” says Steve Eliza, team leader for the Fremd H.S. Holley team. “The Hot Rodders Of Tomorrow is our Friday night game. Students could showcase their talents and have fun doing it.” 

Team Holley consists of Sam Robar, Alex Bogosh, Paul Wereminski, Trevor Abel, Frank Kranz, Chase Keegan, and Tyler Raap. According to Eliza, participation in the program is voluntary for all students at Fremd High School, as long as they can reach and continue to meet a set academic requirement. “I’m very clear that from day one, this competition requires dedication and hard work.” says Steve Eliza, team leader for the Fremd H.S. Holley team.”The students that see the benefit put the work in.” The Fremd H.S. team also takes part in the Ford/ AAA Auto Skills competition, where students have 90 minutes to diagnose and repair a Ford vehicle and drive it across the finish line. Fremd H.S. placed second in state last year. “Students also take part in career treks where they’re immersed into the world of work at local businesses. There are guest speakers through the school year,” adds Eliza. 

Team Holley will compete in the playoffs Feb 22nd through the 24th 2014 at the Race & Performance Expo competition held at Pheasant Run Resort in St Charles. Illinois. “We do plan to continue in this competition,” says Eliza. “It will be a year of rebuilding following the National competition.” Although Holley's team is made up of all seniors this year, Eliza believes they've come a long way. “Most of the Holley team is still intact from February and as always, the students are working to shave seconds off at every turn. I believe that accuracy is key, and cutting corners of any kind is NOT acceptable,” says Eliza. “Our engine could be fired up when it’s completed and that’s the satisfaction. There is no sense in speed without accuracy.” 

The future is uncertain for the seniors at Fremd High School but Eliza displays hopefulness as the graduating students make their way in the world, "Hopefully these students have made connections and won scholarships that will propel them into their promising futures." For more information on Hot Rodders Of Tomorrow, visit www.hotoroddersoftomorrow.com. For additional information on Holley Performance products and Holley sponsored teams and events, visit www.holley.com.
By Candace Wittrock, DS Media Relations