Five students from the Morro Bay High School Automotive Technology program competed in Round 1 of the 2026 K1 Speed Teen Challenge GP held on January 6 at K1 Speed Clovis in Clovis, California.
Representing MBHS were Ben Walker, Ava Schmidt, Alyse Noriega, Saige Morgan, and Elias Arnold, all of whom are sophomores enrolled in the school’s Automotive Technology pathway.
The K1 Speed Teen GP is a structured indoor kart racing series for teenage drivers consisting of 12 competitions held on the first Tuesday of each month. The January 6 event marked the first race of the season, setting the stage for a year-long championship.
Throughout the season, points are awarded at each race and totaled to determine overall standings. At the conclusion of the series, the top three finishers advance to a state-level championship, with opportunities to progress to a national championship and ultimately an international final event featuring the top teen drivers.
MBHS is believed to be the first high school to formally organize and field an official race team to compete in the K1 Speed Teen GP series, representing a unique integration of Career Technical Education with organized motorsports competition.
Participation in the Teen GP directly supports the Automotive Technology curriculum by providing students with hands-on experience in performance driving principles, mechanical awareness, data analysis, and teamwork. Students prepared for the event by studying racing fundamentals, safety procedures, and competition rules, applying classroom instruction in a real-world, competitive environment.
“This experience goes beyond racing,” said Ritchie Wimmer, Automotive Technology instructor at Morro Bay High School. “Students are learning discipline, accountability, and how preparation impacts performance. These are the same skills expected in professional automotive and motorsports careers. Most importantly, it’s good for the students and it’s a lot of fun!”
The five students competed on equal equipment, emphasizing driver skill and strategy rather than mechanical advantage. Their participation reflects the program’s commitment to experiential learning and career exploration within the automotive and motorsports industries.
The Morro Bay High School ASB Auto Club is currently accepting vehicle donations and business sponsorships to help support student programs, competition costs, and hands-on learning opportunities. Community members and businesses interested in contributing or getting involved are encouraged to email Mr. Wimmer at rwimmer@slcusd.org.
