UTI Teams Up with NASCAR to Develop Educational Partnership

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute
 (UTI) and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR)
 announced today an educational partnership to provide training for automotive
 technicians that will serve as an extension to the sanctioning body's
 Officially Licensed by NASCAR automotive aftermarket program.
     UTI and NASCAR will develop the NASCAR Technical Institute to address the
 growing need for technicians in the automotive industry.
     The first NASCAR Technical Institute will open spring 2001 in Charlotte,
 N.C.  The school will accommodate up to 1,800 automotive and collision repair
 students.  The long-term agreement calls for multiple schools around the
 country.
     Coursework at the NASCAR Technical Institute will focus on teaching the
 core skills necessary to excel as an automotive technician.  In addition,
 students will learn about engines, electrical systems, drive trains and
 chassis construction/modification in a NASCAR-oriented environment.
     "We did our homework and found UTI is the industry leader for high quality
 technician training," said George Pyne, vice president of marketing for
 NASCAR.  "Our partnership provides students with a solid technical education
 for a career in the automotive industry.  This will also create a pool from
 which teams can draw entry-level NASCAR technicians."
     In order to attract and retain top students, NASCAR will assist UTI in
 developing relationships with individual racing teams for co-op education and
 internship programs.
     "UTI is the educational partner of choice for students, employers and the
 automotive industry," says John C. White, chairman of UTI, Inc.  "Our
 partnership with NASCAR is a natural extension of working with leading
 companies in the automotive industry."
     A special six-week elective will also be offered at additional UTI
 campuses.  The first class will be offered in spring 2000 at the UTI campus in
 Houston, Tex.
     "In the aftermarket, the heroes of automotive technicians are the NASCAR
 team members," says Steve Boguski, director of automotive aftermarket for
 NASCAR.  "We look to help build the image and visibility of automotive
 technicians through this link with UTI."
     NASCAR launched its automotive aftermarket initiative in 1996 to provide
 opportunities for the sport's drivers, teams and tracks to work with an
 expanded base of corporate partners.
     A fully integrated media program, entitled "NASCAR Garage," supports the
 automotive aftermarket program.  The initiative includes a weekly television
 show, a national radio show, a quarterly magazine, Professional NASCAR Garage,
 and a dedicated NASCAR Garage section on NASCAR Online
 (http://www.NASCAR.com).
     Founded in 1965 in Phoenix, Ariz., UTI is recognized as one of the top
 technical education institutions in the United States.  UTI offers accelerated
 career-specific training in automotive, diesel, heating/ventilation/air
 conditioning/refrigeration, marine, motorcycle and personal watercraft.  The
 company has graduated more than 40,000 students and has campuses in Phoenix,
 Ariz.; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Glendale Heights, Ill. and
 Houston, Tex.
     Each UTI campus is individually licensed in its home state.  The schools
 are nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and
 Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of
 Education.
     UTI is an employment source for numerous corporate clients such as
 American Honda, BMW of North America, Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Jaguar Cars,
 Mercedes-Benz USA and Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
     Additional information about UTI can be found at http//www.uticorp.com.
 
 

SOURCE  Universal Technical Institute