Trion Supercars, spearheaded by the forward-thinking designer and CEO Richard Patterson, has teamed up with CTEC High School in Fresno to create a supercar that’s going to redefine what we think of when we hear the words “American craftsmanship.”

The Nemesis, a 2,000-horsepower marvel, is the brainchild of Patterson and his crew at Trion. But what really sets this project apart is the fact that students from the Career Technical Education Charter (CTEC) High School, Duncan Polytechnical High School, and the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) — with a little help from students at Fresno State — are rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in bringing this engineering masterpiece to life.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Quentin Hugh Dodson, the facilities manager and operations manager at Trion Supercars, and I’ve got to say, his passion for this project is contagious. “Richard Patterson, as you know, is the CEO, engineer, and designer of this car. He did it all on his own,” Dodson shared with a smile. “The first sketch was on a napkin, and from that, he started building the buck, which is what you see behind us.”

Now, I’ve seen my share of impressive vehicles over the years, but the Nemesis is shaping up to be something extraordinary. With a twin-turbo V8 engine that can unleash up to 2,000 horsepower on E85 fuel, an advanced all-wheel-drive system, and programmable driving modes for every scenario, this car is going to be a game-changer on the streets and the track.

A New Real-World Project for Students

But what truly makes this project special is the collaboration between Trion and the Fresno schools. Brian Emerson, an instructor of advanced manufacturing and engineering at CTEC High School, told me, “Mr. Richard Patterson and I have been talking for about a month, since his visit earlier this year, about the project that we would be embarking on and considering working with all the schools here in the Valley. We’ve been talking about lots of different projects that I can’t go into detail about, but we’re very excited to start working with some other schools here in town.”

And let me tell you, these students are top-notch. “My confidence in our students and their ability to engage in real-world industry projects has been proven over the last six years that we built this school,” Emerson said. “They do real work at internships all across the county, and they use real-world instruments, technology, and tools to make projects for production for their internships.”

Jonathan Delano, the director of CTEC High School, shared Emerson’s enthusiasm. “It’s humbling to have a project like this come to CTEC, and for us to have the opportunity to partner with Duncan and CART and Fresno State because, you know, these aren’t projects that we see every day on our campus. But it’s an opportunity that we can’t pass up either. So we’re just excited to be a part of it and know that the partnership will be a great opportunity for our kids to really engage with other students and other schools with skills and really develop something pretty neat.”

Students Eager for Project

I had the chance to chat with some of the students working on the project, and their excitement is palpable. Levon Melkonyan, a junior at CTEC High School, will be tackling the computer-aided design (CAD) aspects of the Nemesis. “I’m excited to get the experience of working on a project at this scale,” Melkonyan said. “So far, we’ve only made things that we’ve designed ourselves, made on basic 3D printers and laser cutters. Working with higher-end components, larger machinery, and more complicated assemblies is going to be quite an experience.”

Shealyn Dostalik, a sophomore at CTEC and the lead engineer on the school’s robotics team, will also be involved in the CAD and engineering aspects of the project. “I wasn’t particularly into cars when I started this project, but I think as I grow more with the cars, I’m going to advance through it and find a new obsession through cars, how their mechanics work,” Dostalik said. “You know, we see it in everyday life, but actually breaking it down and seeing how it works is really exciting.”

The collaboration between Trion Supercars and the Fresno schools is a shining example of what can happen when industry and education join forces to foster innovation and provide students with real-world experience. By working on the Nemesis project, these students will gain invaluable skills in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and design, setting them up for successful careers in the automotive industry and beyond.

As the project progresses, the students’ contributions will be showcased on a global stage, with the completed Nemesis prototype set to be unveiled at a major auto show in Las Vegas later this year. This opportunity will not only highlight the incredible talent and dedication of the Fresno students but also demonstrate the potential for American innovation and craftsmanship in the supercar industry.

The partnership between Trion Supercars and the Fresno schools serves as an inspiring example of how industry and education can work hand in hand to create groundbreaking products while simultaneously investing in the future workforce. As Richard Patterson and his team at Trion Supercars continue to push the boundaries of automotive technology and design, they are also paving the way for a new generation of skilled and passionate professionals who will shape the industry for years to come.