“It was easily one of the coolest experiences I have experienced” said Ryan Bussan ‘18. Those students from GHS that are involved in the “Auto Tech” class at the Vo Tech Center, located in Elizabeth, Illinois took a trip three hours away to Chicago Il, to visit the Auto Show that was showing in the city. Students from Warren and River Ridge also came along. The Auto show itself was located in the McCormick Place, Towards the inner portion of the city of Chicago Il.

“There was over $20 million worth of vehicles and simulators in the building.” said Jack Johns ‘18.

The Chicago Auto show featured vehicles, concept cars, and driving simulators from makers involving: Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Buick, Audi, Mercedes Benz, VW, Acura, Jeep, Cadillac, Mazda, Maserati, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, etc. “To make a long story short, if you can name it, it was there” said AVC Auto Tech teacher David Albrecht.

The building itself was large enough to fit three full size test tracks for street and off-road vehicles. It also contained three separate driving simulators, that felt like they put you right in the driver’s seat of today’s newest super cars. One of these simulators had a road simulation tilt and spin motion using hydraulic lifts located all the way around the steering wheel and seats. One of the other simulators you actually got to get inside the car itself! The steering system had been swapped out for a video game simulation steering wheel, and the windshield was replaced with a screen.

All in all it was an experience that the lucky students who attended will never forget. “There were cars I saw there that I have never even seen in person, and possibly never will again,” said Liam Swiderski ‘17 West Carroll.