BP Lubricants USA Inc. and John Force Racing named Chris Burd of San Luis Obispo, Calif. the 2005 Castrol Syntec OUTPerformer of the Year at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Media Conference in Indianapolis. They presented him with a check for $7,500 to attend an automotive school of his choice. (From left to right) Eric Medlen of John Force Racing, Chris
Burd, Roger Spee of Mac Tools and Lorianne Gola of BP Lubricants USA Inc.
(Photo: BP Lubricants USA Inc.)
The aim of the scholarship is the same as that of the Castrol SYNTEC Outperformers program - to expand young technicians' knowledge of automotive maintenance and technology through continuing their pursuit of automotive service careers. As part of his scholarship package, Burd also receives a week-long apprenticeship with Funkmaster Flex's Team Baurtwell in New York.
"We've enjoyed being involved in the SYNTEC Outperformers program these last four years," Force said, "because it encourages the young individuals who'll be the racing crew chiefs of the future. I want to personally salute Chris Burd as the national scholarship winner."
"This is a great program, one that encourages young people like Chris to follow their dreams," said Medlen, second year driver of the Castrol SYNTEC Funny Car and a former mechanic on Force's Castrol GTX car. "The driver gets all the credit, but it's the crew that makes everything happen. With the growth of drag racing and NASCAR, there are going to be more and more opportunities for guys like Chris. And girls, too."
Burd, 18, graduated from San Luis Obispo High School this year and now attends Cuesta College, also in San Luis Obispo. He became interested in cars two years ago and has since dedicated himself to learning as much as he can about them.
Burd's dedication allowed him to place first in the Cuesta Hi-Tac Competition at Cuesta College. He also took first place in the SkillsUSA regional competition for automotive technology while still in high school. Burd's goal is to earn an ASE Master Technician Certification, the highest honor bestowed by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
After a recent trip to Europe, Burd's dream is to one day open an automotive repair shop in Germany with his best friend.
"He reminds me a lot of myself when I was young," said Funkmaster Flex. "Chris has a passion for cars, and I think he'll fit right in with my guys at Team
Baurtwell."
"I hope I get to work on really cool cars when I meet Flex," said Burd. "At some point, I also want to learn about high performance components for cars such as turbos and super chargers. I would also like to improve my skills in diagnostics and transmissions."
"The need for quality automotive technicians has never been so high," said Mike DeBiasi, BP Lubricant's PCO Market Space Manager. "Chris' passion was evident in his application and we hope that, with this scholarship, he'll be able to accomplish some of the educational and professional goals he's set for himself. He's done so much already."
Burd was selected from more than 600 students ages 16 to 25 who entered online between March 1 and June 15. A panel of judges including Force, Funkmaster Flex and automotive media and industry representatives from BP Lubricants USA Inc., Mac Tools and Primedia selected four regional finalists before determining an overall winner.
The Northeast/Central regional winner was David Venis of Lebanon, IN. The West regional winner was Ryan Lander of Shawnee, OK, and the Southeast winner was Stanley Cain II of Nashville, TN.
Burd and the three other regional winners received two tickets to the NHRA Finals, $1,000 worth of new Mac Tools, a year's supply of Castrol SYNTEC motor oil, Primedia magazine subscriptions and membership into the Castrol SYNTEC Outperformers Club, among other prizes.
For encouraging the most students to enter the scholarship program, BP Lubricants USA Inc. and the Outperformers Scholarship Program also honored John Biscardi, an automotive instructor at the Ocean County Vocational Technical School in Jackson, NJ. He receives a similar prize package as the regional winners.
