News and Events

Alexandria Technical & Community College is excited to recognize Jacob Stifter, an ATCC alumnus, for earning first place in the Two-Wheel Division at the 2026 Honda National Technician Contest. This national competition highlights the top Honda Powersports technicians from across the United States.

The second annual contest took place on January 30, 2026, at the Honda Training Center in Alpharetta, Georgia. Technicians earned their spot by completing a challenging online knowledge test and finishing Honda’s advanced Red Level technical training before advancing to the in-person finals.

Stifter currently works at Davis Motorsports in Delano, Minnesota, and stood out among a highly skilled group of finalists. The competition tested both technical knowledge and hands-on skills, with on-vehicle and off-vehicle tasks performed on Honda Gold Wing touring motorcycles. One of the toughest challenges was wheel lacing, a task that requires patience, precision, and experience.

“Day one was very difficult, and that evening, my wife had to talk me off a ledge,” Stifter said. “Day two was the on-bike competition, and I felt much more comfortable and ended up doing well. I’m happy I didn’t give up on myself.”

Stifter shared that success in the field takes ongoing dedication and self-motivation, especially for service technicians who are constantly learning and adapting. His win is a great example of how persistence and hands-on training can pay off at the highest level.

As the Two-Wheel Division champion, Stifter received a 40-inch Snap-on tool cart, a Snap-on torque wrench, a $2,600 gift card, and a custom RC trophy truck. He was one of just eight technicians nationwide invited to compete in the national finals.

ATCC faculty and staff are proud to celebrate Jacob Stifter’s achievement. His success reflects the value of technical education and hands-on learning, as well as the strong career opportunities available in the powersports industry.

The Honda National Technician Contest will return in early 2027, with top champions from the first three years earning the opportunity to compete at the Honda Global Technician Contest in Japan.