For the first time in TUSD history, students had the opportunity to attend the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. Known as “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction”. This event is nine days long and attracts people from all over the world. This year, the highest-selling vehicle was a 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which was let go for $3.7 million.
The facility covered nearly a million square feet and was located at WestWorld of Arizona, in Scottsdale. “It was a great event,” shared Mr. Brooks, the automotive teacher. “I don’t know the exact numbers, but I’d imagine tens of thousands of people were there.” Along with the vast crowd, the event showcased about 3,000 cars, some even famous from television, such as the Batmobile from the 1960s.
Students left school at about 8:30 am Thursday and arrived for the event at approximately 11 am. For the car enthusiasts of Sahuaro, this event was absolutely breathtaking. “Oh my God, there were so many cool cars,” shared Noah Pittenger. “We kept walking and walking and we just found more and more cars – there were probably hundreds of millions of dollars worth.”
A highlight for many students was the opportunity to ride along in some of the latest high-performance vehicles, such as a Dodge Charger. “The track was probably my favorite part,” said senior Caleb Leinenbach. “They let us sit in the passenger seat of Hellcats and other sports cars. It was absolutely thrilling.” Theo Boyd agreed with his classmate, sharing, “The drift course in the Dodge was the best. It was free too, which made it even better.”
In addition to the high-energy track experiences, students had the opportunity to learn about the logistics auction. Since this was the first auction for most of them, they were able to observe how the bidding process works. Students over the age of 18 could enter a free raffle for a chance to win a new car. Unfortunately, luck was not on the side of Sahuaro’s participants this time, as none were selected as winners. Although nobody left with a new car, they did get free t-shirts of car designs, a memorable keepsake for their day.
The event showcased not only brand-new vehicles but also an impressive lineup of classics and custom cars. “I grew up loving cars because my dad is a mechanic, so seeing all of the classics was amazing. It was definitely my favorite part of the whole experience,” said Nathan Aumick, who says he had a fan girl moment when he spotted a Fox Body, Shelby.
While cars were the main focus, the day also included food, shopping, and entertainment. Vendors lined the venue, selling a variety of items ranging from expensive collectible automotive figurines to Pokémon air fresheners.
The Barrett-Jackson Auction was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a handful of students. For many, the event was inspiring. Being able to witness the high-energy auction environment and the passion of fellow car enthusiasts has significantly deepened their love for cars and the automobile field.
