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WOMEN IN TRADES
from Bodyworx 7#1
A different perspective
BY BEN HART
The topic of women entering the world of trades is nothing new in 2020; the transition of women from “traditional roles” to tradespeople is now decades old. Unfortunately, most trades still see the percentage of women in the single digits.
With International Women’s Day approaching at the time I write this on March 8th, I’d like to take a few moments to reflect on what this means to me as not only a male tradesperson, but as an educator.
I have a weak spot for nostalgia and history, so I would like to start by noting that International Woman’s Day saw its origins at the turn of the 19th century largely due to the movements associated with women’s suffrage. March 8th became globally recognized as International (Working) Women’s Day in 1975 as decreed by the United Nations.
Since then, many groups and organizations have formed to support women such as Women in Trades and Technologies (WITT) and Women Building Futures.
So, where does this leave me, a humble male who wishes nothing but the best for women? What can I do differently? How should I treat female colleagues, apprentices and students? Should I go the extra mile to offer additional support for the cause?
I have learned that human beings are individualistic creatures. We all come from unique backgrounds which can be leveraged for our experiential skills and knowledge. The moment you depict a difference between someone else and yourself then proceed to change your attitude or behaviour based on this assessment, is described as discrimination. Often, discrimination can even be wrapped up beautifully in kind deeds and gestures such as helping a co-worker lift something heavy or unsolicited advice on how to complete a repair. So, STOP!
I cannot and should not speak on behalf of women. What I can do is stand on the sidelines, offer support when needed and celebrate the accolades as equals.
I can also ask for assistance and support while not needing to feel emasculated. Truly, the only one that can make a man feel emasculated is himself. When interviewing potential candidates for a job, hire the best person for the job: race, gender, religious beliefs should have no more bearing on the final selection than the individual’s preference of breakfast cereal.
When I do interact with fellow trades people, apprentices, or students, I will not provide additional support unless requested or deserved as an individual. I will not qualify success against an attribute: “you did well on that project, for a girl.” I will treat everyone as the unique and valued individuals they are. A final word to women: many of us (men) want you here, unfortunately, some of us are unsure how to proceed. Please do not let dated stereotypes stop you from pursuing your dreams and know that there is a lot of support. Communication is an important tool; let your employer and colleagues know what is and is not acceptable. Also know that the struggles are real and many of the struggles are shared.
The trades can be difficult and trying at times-for everyone. Stick with it and prove anyone who has ever displayed an ounce of negativity, wrong. My dream is that one day there will be no need to discuss this topic as equality becomes prevalent.
Ben Hart is a Red Seal autobody technician and refinisher with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. For the past two years, he has instructed apprenticeship programs at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). He can be reached at ben.hart@sait.ca.
THE ROAD AND THE RACETRACK
Antoine Bessette, CEO of FELINO, takes us inside the cB7r
BY ALLISON ROGERS
FELINO’s cB7 was in development for seven years before production commenced. It was unveiled at the 2014 Montreal Auto Show.
“When you’re a racecar driver you’re always looking for that tenth of a second. I love to push the man and the machine, and that was the challenge in the beginning—to create a car with the DNA of a racecar and the ability to go on the public road as well.” — Antoine Bessette, former Canadian racing champion and CEO of FELINO Cars
What’s a former racecar driver to do after retiring from the racetrack? Create an all-Canadian supercar brand, of course.
Antoine Bessette, who was named Canadian Champion Race Driver of the year by the Ontario regional racing sanctioning body back in 2005, has since departed the lanes of the speedway, moving on to start his own sports car brand, FELINO, an entirely Canadian brand that focuses on building luxury sportscars made to drive on public roads and racetracks alike. “When you’re a racecar driver you’re always looking for that tenth of a second,” Bessette told Bodyworx Professional. “I love to push the man and the machine, and that was the challenge in the beginning—to create a car with the DNA of a racecar and the ability to go on the public road as well.”
FELINO recently showcased its models at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. The brand only makes 10 of each sports car model—and purchasing a FELINO car is an extremely customizable and personal experience for hard-core auto enthusiasts. “It’s a pretty niche market—normally, builders will make cars for the road and modify them for the track,” said Bessette. “We did the opposite—built a car to be quick on the racetrack, but also capable of driving on roads.” From the very beginning, FELINO developed its cB7r model around the driver. The car is built on the company’s unique chassis, with the entire vehicle moulded around the driver’s
Former Canadian racecar champion Antoine Bessette is the face behind Felino.
racing position. According to Bessette, one of the first photographs of the cB7r’s development shows him sitting in the passenger, decked out in his racing gear while the car is built up around him.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR JOB INTERVIEW
In 2019, the brand unveiled its 700-horsepower cB7r, which is legal for both road and racetrack use.
Building the car around the driver allows for plenty of customization in terms of engine options, gearboxes, complementary technologies and bodywork without altering the performance that characterizes this unbridled beast.
Featuring a V8 engine pushing 700 horsepower, the cB7r can reach speeds of up to 345 km/h and go from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 2.9 seconds. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission and an optional sequential gearbox, available for both road and track use. Its aerodynamic design, technological engineering and fully customizable features are just a few examples of what sets the cB7r apart.
Bessette says his favourite part of the cB7r is its unique driving position.
“The driving position is really cool,” said Bessette. “It gives you the feeling of driving in a jet and a racecar in one, because of the curved roof. It reminds me of my racing days.”
With only 10 of each model, owning a FELINO car is highly luxurious—and highly personal. The automaker collaborates with its customers on all vehicles. So, if you want a cB7r that’s more catered to the racetrack than that road, or vice versa, FELINO has your back.
“We work with our customers from day one,” said Bessette. “We take them out on the track with us for test drives and design the car around their needs. Even after the deal is done, we tell them never to hesitate to reach out if they need something.”
Impressively, FELINO was able to build its first supercars without any investor support. The car is also comprised of completely Canadian parts and even utilizes a chassis designed and built by FELINO.
The brand has another model—the cB7+—currently in the works, to be unveiled later this year. When asked if he could share any exclusive information with Bodyworx, Bessette said his lips were sealed.
“I’m not going to reveal anything just yet,” he told the magazine. “But stay tuned.”
As skilled technicians become increasingly in de- mand, it is becoming a job seekers market. Owners keep looking for creative ways to attract top talent. The question is, are you taking full advantage of this opportunity? Job interviews are just as much of an opportunity for you to interview employers, as it is the other way around. Knowing if it is a right fit ahead of time, will ensure you start your career off on the right foot and position yourself as an industry leader.
Below, are some key questions to help find out if this employer is the right fit for you:
What does the training look like? Having regular performance reviews ensures you have a roadmap for success and schedule for appren- ticeship completion.
Is there cross-departmental training? Ensuring you try out lots of different roles increases the likelihood of you finding your speciality.
Is there opportunity for advancement? Even if it is a small facility, let your employer know you want to develop your skills so they can plan for your career development.
Is there a benefits package? Some facilities will have robust benefits packages that could include subsidies for your tools, paint guns and more.Prepare for your interview and draft a list of important questions that will help determine what facility is the right fit for you.
1-800-CARSTAR | CARSTAR.ca
Burlington, Ont. automotive artist Ron Gibbs had a booth at Motorama where he worked on his own pieces, displayed some of his past artworks and collaborated with some other artists on a Panel Jam.
More than a dozen car clubs were in attendance at the show.
MOTORAMA MAYHEM
Customs, classics and car-enthusiast culture on the show floor
BY ALLISON ROGERS
Hundreds gathered at Mississauga, Ont.’s International Centre on March 13 and 14 for the sixth annual Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo, which saw plenty of custom builds, classic masterpieces and celebrity guests mingle on the show floor.
Originally scheduled for three days, on the Saturday night of the show—under mounting pressure from several sources—the promoters made the decision not to open for Sunday due to the fast-spreading COVID-19 virus. Throughout the show, promoters and the venue had taken all recommended steps to minimize the risk, including adding extra hand-washing stations throughout the five halls that made up the 330,000 square-foot show. As well, signs encouraging proper hand-washing techniques and social distancing were placed in high-traffic areas.
And many of the on-stage discussions and awards presentations were cancelled so that showgoers weren’t packed into tight spaces. When the show opened, the public schools were still open, as were many public institutions such as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, movie theatres,
Grand Champion Presentation. Builder Marc McCrae of Fast Company Canada (in red) accepts the $5,000 cheque and awards.
the province’s casinos and many other public venues.
Aside from the issues related to the coronavirus outbreak, almost 400 vehicles filled the venue. Hall 1 was packed with 28 mostly first time shown vehicles and, on the Saturday morning of the show, judges identified the Canadian 10 finalists. These vehicles were eligible for the Motorama Grand Champion Award and the $5,000 winner’s cheque.
Nine of the Canadian 10 finalists were located in Hall 1, with the other located in Hall 2. In the end, a 1959 Corvette convertible, owned by Travis and Viv Agresti and built by Marc McCrae of Fast Company Canada, took the Grand Champion prize.
The centrepiece of the BASF Canada booth was a 1951 cab over engine (COE) truck.
Mike Harrison brought his vintage Monster Truck ‘Big, Bad & Bouncy’ to Motorama. It was one of the first Monster Trucks ever built entirely in Canada. Viv Agresti’s 1959 Corvette convertible was the Motorama Grand Champion Award winner.
Hall 1B was dubbed the Inside Track Racing Zone Presented by Stoneridge Specialty Insurance. With more than a dozen booths presented by the region’s racing tracks and series, the Racing Zone also featured a stock car build and dozens of racing vehicles of all kinds in the Racers’ Corral.
Hall 2 played host to the majority of the show’s corporate displays as well as the bulk of the car club exhibits, the Pinty’s Stage and the new Truck-O-Rama feature, which was a very popular new addition to Motorama. Watch for this to grow in the future.
In Hall 3, Kristine Hill put together the fifth annual Spring Fever: Modified Cars & Culture room. More than 80 tuners, modifieds and imports filled the room, which was sponsored by Oakville’s Burning Rubber Tire & Speed.
And in Hall 4, Brandon Roberts—known as the co-promoter of the Jalopy Jam-Up—hosted Mayhem…in the Backroom, for the second year in a row. In addition to more than 60 traditional cars and rat rods, Mayhem hosted barbers, tattoo artists, pinstripe artists, vendors and bands. Suzie Major presented the second annual Miss Motorama Pinup Pageant, on the Saturday of the show.
In the end, crowds were down considerably – due to the coronavirus situation and labour issues related to Ontario’s teachers’ unions. Featured guest Chip Foose, from TV’s Overhaulin’, was scheduled to appear at Motorama but informed the promoters, the day before the show, that he wouldn’t be attendance due to travel concerns related to coronavirus.
Chad Martin’s truck, dubbed ‘Brutally Sexy’ was one of the featured vehicles. The vehicle, which started life as a ‘36 Chevy Sedan, is a 750 HP dually pickup. Martin hails from North Carolina. Show organizers originally saw the truck at last summer’s Syracuse Nationals.
“We were extremely proud of the quality of vehicles and exhibits at the show. In the face of uncertainty and adversity, we did our best to put on an entertaining and safe show, for as long as we could,” show organizers told Bodyworx Professional. “We thank all the car owners, exhibitors, sponsors as well as our staff and volunteers for their efforts and understanding. We hope everyone’s families and friends get through this challenging time and we look forward to seeing everyone next March, at Motorama.”
Constance Nunes, co-star of the Netflix show Car Masters: Rust to Riches came from southern California to meet fans at Motorama.
