Students Get a Firsthand Look at Vintage Racing Careers

A Paddock Tour to Remember

The day began at Lime Rock Park’s Historic Festival with a tour of the race paddock, where students came face-to-face with vintage race cars and the crews that keep them track-ready. Led by VSCCA’s Todd Daniels and coordinated by community outreach leader Kobus Reyneke, the tour gave students a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, teamwork, and dedication required in motorsports.

John Goldbeck, lead instructor of the automotive technology program at J.M. Wright, joined fellow teacher Robert Tworkowski in guiding the students.

Goldbeck noted:

“The paddock tour was great as it helped the students realize the significance of the cars they were seeing, the amount of work that goes into their preparation, and the people in the teams to make it all happen.”

Shadowing Race Technicians in Action

The experience didn’t stop at observation. Four juniors—Justin Gentle, Dante Massucco, Jefferson Veliz, and Andres Zapata—took part in a job shadow program, working alongside professional crews from two leading Connecticut race shops: Vintage Racing Services (VRS) in Stratford and GMT Racing in Newtown.

For these students, it was a chance to step into the shoes of a race technician, see the pace of the paddock up close, and learn about the hands-on skills that keep vintage cars on the track.

At VRS, the students shadowed shop manager Tim Ritchie. At GMT, shop owner Josh Mitchell worked with Justin, Dante, Jefferson, and Andres and shared the diverse mix of vintage cars they support. At both shops the students had a chance to talk with drivers and car owners about the importance of technicians and the essential role they play in vintage racing.

Goldbeck reflected on the impact:

“Both the paddock tour and especially the job shadowing of race teams were invaluable because they allowed the students to envision themselves in the vintage racing industry and many aspects of a career choice in vehicle restoration.”

Fueling the Next Generation of Technicians

By connecting students with real-world experiences, the Piston Foundation and VSCCA are showing how passion can become a profession. Opportunities like these not only inspire students but also highlight the importance of building a pipeline of skilled technicians who will sustain vintage motorsports and automotive restoration for years to come.