AUTO BODY REVS IT UP
By Eddy Companion

First let me introduce myself. My name is Eddy Companion and I completed the Aviation Technology Program at BTC in 1998. My father, Ed Companion is the Auto Body Repair teacher. Since 1999 the students in the Auto Body program have assembled and prepared race cars for my team that races in the Street Stock division at Thunder Road Speed Bowl in Barre, Vermont.

Preparing a race car is very time consuming. It is necessary to find a car that is suitable for racing. The car must then be converted from a street car to a race car by fitting it with a roll bar and other safety items. An engine then needs to be built, the body is prepared for painting, and finally the car is painted and assembled.

My team recently displayed a finished race car in the University Mall in the American-Canadian Tour Car Show. The show was very successful with many fans, students, former students, parents and teachers visiting the display booth. Many race fans are very impressed with the race cars built and painted by the BTC Auto Body Program.

Since our rookie season in 1999, we have two wins, including a first place in the prestigious Milk Bowl, three third place finishes, 2002 twelfth place overall points, six top five places and over ten qualifier wins. We could not have gotten this far without the help and support of BTC. We are looking forward to another successful year. Visit www.ThunderRoadSpeedbowl.com for additional racing information.