The Aztec Manufacturing Corporation sponsored drag car owned by Vinnie Porcelli has made appearances this season at many of the local Michigan Dragways and is currently in the number 3 spot in the money bracket at Lapeer Dragway and in the number 1 spot in the Top ET class at Lapeer Dragway.
The car has been in the winners circle 6 times and in the runner up position 6 times with numerous semi final finishes. This year the average ¼ mile pass has been 9.06 seconds at 149 mph and an average 1/8 mile pass of 5.83 seconds at 123 mph.
Vince has qualified for the Michigan Bracket Finals to be held in Stanton, Michigan in September to compete against all the champions from all of the Michigan tracks to determine who is the best. Vince will be racing as a member of the Lapeer Dragway team and competing in the electronics class known as the Box Class.
Special appearances have been made at Ford World Headquarters, Brown Elementary School, the Kick Off Party for the Downriver Cruise, Eaton Corporation’s annual company picnic, Dana Corporation’s annual company picnic, the Votech School of Westland and the Michigan Automotive Academy. At these appearances Vince is talking to kids of all ages about the importance of staying in school, getting their education and setting goals in life.
In keeping with Aztec Manufacturing Corporations strong beliefs in the advocacy of mentorship, the Michigan Automotive Academy has benefited in many ways. This relationship was started in the fall of 2003 when Fran Lopez introduced Vince Porcelli to the faculty and students at the school during a presentation Fran was making about manufacturing in Michigan.
After that presentation, Fran asked Vince to stay involved with the school and continue to give presentations and make visits with the students and faculty. Vince was invited to visit during the graduating class picnic and was also asked to speak at the graduation ceremonies. Prior commitments kept Vince from speaking but didn’t stop or hinder the relationship or mentorship in any way.
At one point, one of the students was invited to attend a black tie dinner at the Ritz in Dearborn as a guest of Aztec Manufacturing Corporation. He accepted the invite and was very impressed with the caliber of people he was introduced to. Aztec’s position was to let this young man see what the business world is like and to meet some of the most influential business executives in the Detroit area, and hopefully he would go back to the school and communicate to the other students about his experience. Aztec has been asked to visit the school on a regular basis because of the respect the faculty and students have for what Aztec is trying accomplish.
Recently, because of Fran’s request for Vince to stay involved and take on the mentorship of the school, Vince was responsible for obtaining miscellaneous training equipment from Ford Motor Company to help the Michigan Automotive Academy with their needs.
Some of the equipment was very expensive test equipment and other equipment such as transmission/engine stands, floor jacks, wheel balancing equipment, tools, tool boxes, benders and other miscellaneous items were donated and delivered by Ford Motor Company to the school on August 9, 2004.
As soon as the inventory of all the equipment is completed and the equipment is set up and ready for use, Fran Lopez, Greg Lopez and Vince Porcelli will be invited to the school for photos and interviews with the local newspaper and the for the school newsletter.
This is just another way Aztec Manufacturing Corporation stays involved in the community. Without the support of management things like this would never happen, and Fran and Greg Lopez should be applauded for it!!