Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar and its dealers are working with David Powers Motorsports and the National Hot Rod Association to sponsor a dragster in the popular motor sport circuit during the 2008 racing season. The partnership represents an innovative approach to recruiting service technicians for Cat dealers in the United States and Canada.

The proposed agreement follows a successful technician recruiting pilot program already underway with Caterpillar, some of its dealers, DPM and the NHRA. A shortage of qualified service technicians prompted the pilot. Caterpillar and its dealers found the NHRA drag racing format offers a rich recruiting environment of highly skilled candidates with mechanical backgrounds.

“These races provide a venue for our dealers to meet one-on-one with these drag racing and engine enthusiasts who are also prospective employees,” said Bill Mayo, vice president of Caterpillar's North American Commercial Division. “Recruiting — especially in this arena — is vital to the future growth of both Caterpillar and our dealers. We are constantly looking for creative investments like this to secure talent for Team Caterpillar.”

As part of the pilot program, DPM has already worked with Mustang Cat, Fabick Cat, Wagner Cat, Peterson Cat and Ransome Cat. The dragster most recently featured the Cat and MacAllister Cat logos at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend.