Forget about street racing; take it to the track they say. That’s the best way to improve safety when it comes to young drivers. Give them an opportunity to drive on a sanctioned track, and they’ll he hooked.
That’s what makes the story about Homewood-Flossmoor High School auto club so disappointing. A bureaucrat at their insurance company has shut down the racing program.
Homewood-Flossmoor has the only known high school race team in America, called the H-F Auto Club. Since 2016, club members have spent their time preparing a Ford Mustang for the drag strip by rebuilding the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and electrical system. The car even made it down the quarter mile at Byron Dragway in 2022.
But all that’s all over now that the insurance company has pulled the plug on their coverage. Not only can’t the students race the car, they’re not even allowed to work on it (due to liability concerns) .
Apparently other ‘school’ race teams are actually independent clubs, sometimes incorporated, who then adopt their local school This absolves the teachers and school board of any liability. Homewood-Flossmoor was unique, in that the car was owned by the school itself.
Sophomore high-school student Charley Dieringer, the director of communications for the H-F Auto Club, gave the following quote to a local paper:
“Our school takes immense pride in being the only high school in the state with a race car. This unique program is not just about drag racing; it’s a comprehensive learning and teaching experience that empowers our students with a diverse set of skills and knowledge.
Racing involves geometry, physics, welding, fabrication, automotive mechanics, auto body, regulations, rules, budgeting, marketing, public speaking, mental and physical stamina, people skills, team building skills, and, of course, driving skills.
Charley Dieringer, H-F Auto Club
You just have to feel bad for Charley and HF-Auto Club members Eric Ray, Angelina Lopez and Mike Pennick (pictured above). Racing is an expensive activity, and not always within reach of most students.
One can only wonder if these young speed demons will turn to street racing rather than continuing down the path of sanctioned drag racing, now that the man has slapped them in the face.
Quotes and photographs from the Homewood-Flossmoore Chronicle and Jalopnik.