The MBIT Automotive team of Patrick Gallelli (Council Rock South) and Conor McGlinchey (Central Bucks South) won First Place in the Philadelphia Top Tech Challenge Competition, which was held on Friday, March 3rd. The students received more than $285,000 in scholarships and tools for their 1st place win.

When asked about the competition, Conor said, “This is a dream come true” and Patrick said, “I have been wanting to win this competition for my family, Mr. Schwarz, and myself”. They also thanked Keystone Volvo and the Auto Dealerships Association of Greater Philadelphia for the opportunity to compete in the 30th Tech Competition. They especially would like to thank Middle Bucks for giving them the skill set required to be successful in the automotive industry!

Auto technicians of the 21st Century must have highly-polished math and computer skills in addition to mechanical aptitude. This competition focuses on all those skill sets. The first part of the regional competition involved a 110-question written exam in December. The exam covered electric vehicle safety and the eight National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) areas of the automobile, which are Engine Repair, Engine Performance, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Brakes, Heating and Air Conditioning, Suspension and Steering, Manual Drive Train and Axles and Automatic Transmissions. There were approximately 80 students who took the written exam. The two highest-scoring students from the top 12 schools are those who qualified for the March 3rd hands-on competition.

About the ADAGP and Auto Dealers Caring for Kids Foundation: The Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP), established in 1904, is the oldest association of its kind in the nation. Comprised of 190 franchised new car and truck dealers throughout the five-county Philadelphia area, the Association owns and produces the Philadelphia Auto Show. The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the ADAGP. It is a 501(c)(3) public charity that aims to enhance and enrich the lives of children in the communities where its dealer members work and live. Since its incorporation in 2003, the Foundation has contributed more than $18 million to area children’s charities and organizations.