The automotive aftermarket’s next generation of technicians took center stage at AAPEX 2026, where the second annual Student Engine Assembly Competition brought together nine technical school teams from across the country for a high-speed test of skill, knowledge and teamwork.

With nine teams, a captivated show-floor crowd and a winning time nearly an hour faster than last year’s champions, this year’s comp once again showcased the talent and determination of tomorrow’s automotive technicians.

Building on the success of its inaugural year, the 2026 competition saw exponentially more submissions and increased participation, with nine teams from seven schools selected to compete. The event drew a large, highly engaged crowd to the show floor, where spectators watched students put their technical training to the test in a race against the clock.

AAPEX’s Student Competition premise is straightforward, but the competition’s challenge is anything but easy: teams are tasked with fully dismantling and reassembling small-block V8 engines, with the first team to complete the full circle rebuild taking home the top prize.

The competition featured two semifinal rounds followed by a final round, with the four fastest teams advancing to compete for the championship.

Among the participating schools were Ferris State University and North Kansas City High School, both of which returned with two competing teams. North Kansas City High School (NKCS) brought back last year’s champions Adrian Madinger and Taem Aljallad and their instructor Jack Stow, looking to defend their title. The remaining teams represented technical and postsecondary programs from across the country.

The finals brought together both Ferris State University teams, College of Southern Nevada and Arapahoe Community College. From the first minutes, the crowd was fully invested, cheering as all four teams managed to remove their engine head gaskets within the first 14 minutes.

Ferris State initially established a commanding lead during the disassembly portion, running well ahead of the other two teams through the first 20 minutes. But as the competition transitioned into the rebuild, the standings began to shift.

Arapahoe Community College quietly gained ground, demonstrating that the competition was about more than simply taking an engine apart quickly. Each team brought its own approach, strengths and technical strategies to the process, keeping spectators guessing as the clock continued to run.

While the other three teams remained deep into their rebuilds, Arapahoe reached the finish line with a fully reassembled engine in an impressive 39 minutes and 11 seconds, securing the 2026 championship for students Schafer Eirich, 18, and John Parmley, 16.

The winning team’s instructor, Bob Parmley, shared an especially meaningful detail following the victory: both students had recently faced health challenges but remained determined to participate, putting in the preparation and showing up on competition day ready to compete.

One of the Ferris State University teams followed in second place, completing its rebuild in just under 45 minutes- making second place for Riley Shearer and Nathan Corey (instructor Fred Bliss). The remaining two finalists were also making impressive progress, with both on pace to finish around or under the one-hour mark — a remarkable showing across the board.

Perhaps the most striking takeaway from this year’s competition was just how much the students’ performance had improved.

For perspective, last year’s winning team completed the challenge in approximately one hour and 44 minutes. Arapahoe’s winning time of 39 minutes and 11 seconds represents a reduction of nearly 65 minutes — an extraordinary improvement in just one year.

Behind the competition’s success were dedicated industry professionals who put countless hours of work and energy into bringing the event to life: Bernard Tansey, COO of Euro Clinic, and Charles Sanville, better known as The Humble Mechanic. As shop owners, master technicians and passionate mentors, Tansey and Sanville share a commitment to developing the next generation of automotive talent through an incredibly engaging opportunity for young techs.

The faster times, larger field of competitors and enthusiastic audience reflected the competition’s growing momentum. What began as a new addition to AAPEX has quickly become an engaging showcase of technical education and the talent emerging from schools across the country.

Once again, Milwaukee Tool supported the competition by donating full tool kits, giving students equipment they can use as they continue developing their careers in the automotive aftermarket. The generous prize kits, approximately $10,000 in value each, are professional-level tools that most new auto techs must purchase when they land their first gig.

The Student Engine Assembly Competition is more than a show-floor attraction. It gives students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills they’re developing in the classroom while putting their knowledge, precision and teamwork to the test in front of the very industry they hope to join.

The growth from the first competition to the second makes one thing clear: AAPEX has found a winning formula. With more schools interested in participating, faster competition times and crowds enthusiastically following every turn of the wrench, the Student Engine Assembly Competition is establishing itself as a meaningful part of the AAPEX experience.

Most importantly, it gives future technicians a reason to show up, have fun, sharpen their skills and demonstrate what they’ve learned — while taking home tools and experience that can help move their careers forward once they make it into the bay.

AAPEX proudly accepts applications for the rapidly-growing Student Competition for 2027. For information and application, visit AAPEX’s competition page here.