Automotive technology students visit premier Toyota facility
Nearly a dozen Citrus College students and faculty members recently had the experience of a lifetime when they received an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Toyota Racing Development (TRD) facility in Costa Mesa.
In addition to designing and manufacturing engines for Toyota's racing teams, TRD helps with race vehicle engineering and support on the racetrack. Outside racing circles, TRD has its footprint on many Toyota vehicles - such as the Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner - that offer TRD Pro special editions.
In Costa Mesa, students and instructors were treated to a two-hour tour where they met and learned from a handful of TRD employees. They also asked about their career journeys and what steps they took to ultimately work for Toyota.
"Visiting the Toyota Racing Development headquarters was a genuine privilege, thanks to our kind friend and commercial director, Jon Flack," said Priscilla Englert, Citrus College automotive technology instructor. "We first met Jon at the SEMA [Specialty Equipment Market Association] show last year, where he shared the importance of the TRD brand and Toyota motorsports."
"Several of our High-Performance Institute students had the unique opportunity to join us on this trip," Englert added. "They were treated with warm hospitality and a better understanding of the research and development, engineering, and manufacturing processes that take place at TRD."
Students who attended said they had a blast.
"Visiting TRD was a great experience," said Noah Moya, an automotive technology student. "I got to see how they manufactured parts for not only NASCAR, but also consumer cars."
"My experience at TRD demonstrated to me how much effort is put into everything they do," automotive technology student Rainei Melgoza added. "It was really interesting being able to experience what a normal day looks like for them."
To learn about Citrus College's Automotive Technology program and Toyota Technician Training and Education Network (Toyota T-TEN), contact the career technical education programs office at (626) 852-6402.
This article originally appeared in the October 2023 edition of the Citrus View.