UKIAH, Calif. – The Early Iron Car Club of Ukiah recently donated $3,000 to the Mendocino College Automotive Program.

The donation was used to purchase a brand new Snap On wheel balancer machine, according to automotive professor Doug Boswell.

“Our current wheel balancer is about 20 years old and is a very tired piece of equipment,” said Boswell. “The car club stepped in and provided the necessary funding to purchase a new state-of-the-art machine. When the new machine arrived, the students circled around it and their excitement was contagious. We all appreciate the club’s response to a need. Their donation will help hundreds if not thousands of students over the next 20 years.”

The wheel balancer is an important piece of equipment in the automotive industry because it is required for both small and large automobiles. Most entry level jobs in the auto industry include the ability to use this type of equipment.

Countless students from the auto program are employed in local tire shops and auto dealerships, noted Boswell.

Wayne Briley, president of the Early Iron Car Club, visited the auto program to see the new piece of equipment and shared with Boswell that the funding to purchase the wheel balancer came from the club’s annual “car show” fundraiser.

This year’s car show will be held Sept. 20-22 and includes a variety of events and activities over the three days.  

The club is committed to providing scholarships and funding for auto programs to encourage the next generation of auto industry technicians and car club enthusiasts.

For more information about the Mendocino College Automotive Program, contact Doug Boswell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-468-3086.