Martinsville / Henry County

Imagine learning how to build an engine from a three-time NASCAR champion who built engines for one of the greatest racers ever. At Patrick Henry Community College, students learn that skill from Lou LaRosa, who built the engines that helped make Dale Earnhardt a legend.

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With one of the most innovative workforce training programs on the East Coast, the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp. is preparing its young work force to step out of the classroom and speed onto the track. The MHEDC has literally put its money down on this program: by acting as a sponsor, it has enabled the students to learn firsthand about motorsports performance through building, maintaining and racing their own car in the NASCAR Late Model series.

Just like building a winning race car, Martinsville and Henry County are building an industry from the ground up. In conjunction with Arrington Engines and HT Motorsports, PHCC has designed a program focused on all aspects of the motorsports industry — from research, development and maintenance to team and program management. With two professional motorsports operations serving as training grounds, PHCC's students stay on the cutting edge in both research and application.

In addition to the traditional learning experience, these students are learning in a unique real-time environment, by building engines and developing frames and components for actual NASCAR teams. With this quality of training, the MHEDC and its partners have created a skilled work force where it didn't exist before.

When Dodge decided to return to NASCAR in 1999, it chose Arrington Engines of Martinsville as one of its primary engine builders. Arrington builds and tests 90 percent of the Dodge engines for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where three Dodge trucks finished in the top 10 during the 2004 season.

Upon announcing its intention to move to Martinsville, HT Motorsports partnered with PHCC and Arrington to build the Virginia Motorsports Technology Center. As part of the curriculum, HT brings students not only into their workshop but into the pits as well: students work on their trucks during races to gain firsthand perspective on operating a racing team.

Most community colleges work simply to better their community from within, but Patrick Henry Community College decided to reach out to an entire industry. The MHEDC recognized the potential in PHCC's collaborations and threw its experienced marketing support behind the program, helping with strategy, recruitment and outreach.

With state and civic support, a proven work force development program, and low operating costs, Martinsville-Henry County is poised to become victory lane for motorsports innovation in the United States. For more information, please contact the MHEDC on the Web at www.yesmartinsville.com or at (276) 403-5940.