The Firestone Automotive Competition: An interview with Gavin Rhodes

OHS seniors Gavin Rhodes and Josh Weber will be competing at the Firestone Automotive Competition at MATC on Friday, May 5th. The competition hosts students from many schools who will participate in various automotive studies. 

The competition takes place at MATC which hosts a gallery of cars and automotive competitions that talented automotive students take part in starting at 7:30.

“We leave school at 7:30 and get back around 2:00,” Gavin said.

The competition hosts about seven of the top schools in the state. The Firestone Automotive Competition also hosts an annual car show that the competitors can access before and after competing in the automotive competitions.

“There are many rooms where the competitions are held, one room has a tire changing station where you are timed. Other competitions involve electrical work and identification,” Gavin said. 

Josh and Gavin won the pair competition last spring and were picked by OHS automotive teacher Ned Lease to compete in the automotive competition again. 

“Lease picks from his auto students, he prioritizes his picks from his auto 1 and 2 classes. Josh and I have both graduated from autos 2, so he expects that we will do the best,” Gavin said. 

Both Josh and Gavin have winning experience in the Firestone competition. Josh won his sophomore and junior year while Gavin won his junior year along with Josh. Despite their prior history, the duo is feeling some pressure leading up to the competition. 

“It’s kind of unsettling, we know our ability and we know that we can win, but if we don’t it could be a little unsettling. I'd be even happier if I helped the school get the top place because we weren’t able to win the school competition last year,” Gavin said.

There are high expectations for Josh and Gavin as they head to MATC for the competition. With many schools competing and many prizes on the line, Josh and Gavin look to repeat as champs.