Virginia
Motorsports Technology Center
67 Motorsports Drive
Martinsville, VA
(276) 656-0292
          Shop tour is approximately 20 minutes long.  |
Some programs of study include:
*
Engine Technology
*Auto
Body Technology
*Fabrication
*Associate
degree
in Motorsports Technology *Management
Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) Instructors:
Ed started his quest with the automotive repair field at Patrick County High School. He then attained other degrees in automotive technology after high school. Ed also holds a Bachelor's degree in education from Virginia Tech.; a Master Automobile Technician and a Master Engine Machinist with ASE (Automotive Service Excellence). He's a member of NACAT (North American Council of Automotive Teachers) and is currently the Virginia State Executive Director of NACAT. Ed enjoys spending time with his family, attending car shows and swap meets, and dirt track racing. His motto: Everything is junk until we make it better.
Lou LaRosa has been involved with numerous top name NASCAR drivers such as Darrell Waltrip, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Ricky Rudd, Neil Bonnett, and Brett Bodine. Lou has worked with Richard Childress. Lou's engine building for Dale Earnhardt won him (Earnhardt) four NASCAR championships. He has built engines for over 30 years and is now a race engine instructor for PHCC Motorsports.
Lou lives in Stuart, VA and enjoys riding his Harley.
Talmage got race car engineering training from Freddie Query in Indianapolis; attended Bob Leonard Shock & Chassis School in Charlotte, NC; Dick Anderson Racecar College in Savannah, GA; Penske Shock School at Catawba College in Hickory NC. He also has training in metal trades, mig welding and sheet metal fabrication.
Talmage started out as a toddler working in his father's (Wayne "Speedy" Thomas) shop. Twenty years later he was first crew chief for Jon Wood (Wood's Brothers Racing) and later for B&H Motorsports. Talmage earned the Mechanic of the Year honors in 1998 for the Smart Modified Tour and assisted in more than 150 wins on the modified circuit.
After traveling over the years from race to race Talmage settled in his hometown and is now a top-notch instructor for PHCC. He likes the "excitement of the students when they're actually learning hands-on." Thomas comments that "at PHCC students have the opportunity of a life time."
Denver
Smith comes from Springfield Massachusetts, he began his racing career
at the age of 6 with RC cars gathering
hundreds of wins including 12 East Coast Championships, 4 West Coast
Championships, and 2 World Championships before moving on to race
go-carts. Since the age of 14 he has won over 100 features and 2 World Karting Association National Championships.He races regularly now at State Line Speedway, Liberty, and Coleridge, where he is a regular visitor to the winners circle.
Denver graduated from PHCC with an Associates Degree in Engineering with an emphasis in CAD and CNC design. After graduation he became and instructor in the PHCC Motorsports curriculum. He has a vast knowledge in chassis geometry and dynamics as well as sheet metal fabrication. Denver also designs, builds, and races his own winning kart chassis.
“Its great to give them (the students) the knowledge that will allow them to succeed in their chosen racing related careers”.
Robbie Wagner:
Automotive Technician
Assistant & Instructor
Robbie
started restoring cars at the age of 11 with his father; by the time he
was 15 his cars were winning at local shows. Through the years Robbie
has worked on all models of cars as well as built high performance
engines. In 2005 Robbie became a part-time instructor for PHCC in Auto
Body classes. Since then he has taught many students and restored many
cars.
Jeff Fields:
Dean of Applied Science & Engineering Technology; email or call Jeff at:
jfields@ph.vccs.edu
- (276) 656-0356.