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Chris Grissom(center) working with
2 students on ATV engine Repair at
the Tennessee Technology Center |
Paris, TN (12/24/2007) - The
Tennessee Technology Center (TTC), a vocational
school located in Paris, TN, has added an
innovative motorcycle/ATV repair course to
its curriculum this year that is instructed
by none other than renowned engine builder
Chris Grissom.
Chris Grissom has been involved in the
ATV racing industry since back when 3-wheelers
were the norm at the tracks. “I’ve
worked behind the scenes building motors
in the racing industry for many years,”
said Grissom. Chris’s achievements
don’t stop there; he also has a successful
dealership and played a role in starting
the Suzuki race team back in ’03-’04.
Chris also helped pave the way for the
new program at TTC. The director of the
Paris campus had wanted to expand the program
and since he is also a motorcycle enthusiast,
he liked the idea of a motorcycle/ATV repair
program,” Grissom stated. “In
November of ’06 we proposed the idea.
One thing led to another and we started
the ground work for the course. I mentioned
that I would like to stay involved with
the program after the initial set-up, so
in August of ’07 I was hired on,”
said Chris.
The 1 year program is a full time post
high school course and has all the benefits
of other vocational training programs including
scholarships, grants, financial aid, and
loan programs for potential students. Grissom
currently has a class size of 13 students
that range in age from 19-54 years old and
consists of all types of motorsports enthusiasts.
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| William
Yokley & National Guard |
Just recently, William Yokley and the National
Guard, who is William’s main sponsor
for the ’08 race season, paid a visit
to the school for an open house to speak
to the students about the importance of
a good education. “They have a really
nice set up and they couldn’t have
found a better guy to teach the course,”
said Yokley about Grissom. William and Chris
have been working together on and off in
the racing industry for years, and Grissom
will once again be joining Yokley’s
team as his engine builder for the ’08
season. “I’m really looking
forward to working with Chris again. We
have really good communication and we have
fun,” said Yokley.
There was also fun to be had at the open
house as the National Guard brought a rock
climbing wall along for students to try.
“The open house was very successful.
We had about 200 people come out to visit
the school that day,” Grissom said
happily. “We plan on having more of
these events and bringing out more race
teams to get them exposure.” He concluded.
“It was definitely great to go out
there with the Guard and be able to share
with the students the benefits of a good
education and also about the opportunities
involved with the National Guard,”
added William. “The recruiter had
a lot of people ask questions and a lot
of people seemed really interested in what
the Guard has to offer.”
Like any successful program, TTC’s
motorcycle/ATV repair course is already
making improvements and thinking about expanding.
“We’ve had a lot of requests
for night courses as well as specialty courses
and short term seminars and we are looking
into those options,” Said Grissom.
The Paris campus is 1 of 26 TTC campuses
throughout Tennessee, but it is the only
one that offers the motorcycle/ATV repair
course.
If you are interested in attending TTC’s
motorcycle/ATV repair course, you can contact
Chris Grissom at 731-644-7365 ex. 145 or
check out the web site at www.ttcparis.edu
for more information.
www.ttcparis.edu
