Krapohl Ford & Lincoln loans the Baja Society of Automotive Engineers Team at Central Michigan University vehicles to travel to in-state races and this year will paint the Baja and formula car frames in the Krapohl Body Shop.
The owners and leaders at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln have a soft spot for students.
You’ll often find a high school grad or college student — or two, or three — on the staff. Ray Garver, who retired this spring as a top-tier automotive technician, has spent more than 32 years supporting and mentoring students through his involvement with advisory boards at the Gratiot Isabella Tech Center, Ferris State University, Mount Pleasant High School and Mid Michigan College. Service manager Jeff Slocum also is involved with some of those boards.
“It’s our responsibility to help prepare the next generation for careers in the automotive world,” Krapohl general manager and co-owner Mark Smith said. “Students can find great careers at local dealerships, at major automotive companies and at suppliers. It’s gratifying to help students develop their skills.”
As part of its efforts to promote local organizations, Krapohl in September will highlight educational partners — working to inspire others to get involved in supporting students as well.
One such group is the Baja Society of Automotive Engineers Team at Central Michigan University, which challenges students to engineer, fabricate and race developmental, single-passenger, off-road vehicles. It’s a real-world manufacturing project that teaches students skills such as engineering, technology, logistics and marketing.
This year, Krapohl again will loan the team vehicles to travel to in-state races and will paint both the Baja and formula car frames in the Krapohl Body Shop.
“The Krapohl Body Shop works on any make and model of vehicle — from the largest RVs to these exciting, single-person, student-designed racing cars from the Baja team,” Smith said. “This kind of project is fun, especially since it helps students.”
Ben Ritter, a CMU faculty member who works with the Baja team, said Krapohl is a longtime team supporter.
“We once had a team stranded at Michigan Tech during a winter race, and Krapohl just sent a driver up to rescue them,” Ritter said. “That kind of local commitment makes a difference.”
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