MAHLE Clevite Inc. recently announced that Kenny Burns, machine shop manager for Harry’s Machine Works, Inc., has won the 2007 MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year Award. Harry’s Machine Works is located in Dodge City, KS.
Now in its 18th year, the MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year Award program is designed to recognize and honor an ASE-certified automotive engine machinist judged to be outstanding for his skills and contributions to the industry and his local community. The panel of expert judges included the chief editors of three of the industry’s most prominent publications, and Dennis Borem and Darrell Hoffman—winners of the 2007 MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown.
In winning the MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year Award, Burns will receive:
- All-expense-paid trip for two to the Performance Racing Industry Show in Orlando, Florida (Dec. 6 – 8), which includes $500 spending money.
- All-expense-paid trip for one to Charlotte, NC, which includes:
- VIP Tour of NASCAR Technical Institute;
- One-day on track Jeff Gordon Racing School Driving Experience at Lowe’s Motor Speedway; and
- Day on the Dyno with Pro Motor’s Dennis Borem and Darrell Hoffman – the winners of the 2007 MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown. Pro Motor is a recognized builder of automotive race engines for three national series of NASCAR. The 2007 MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year will spend a day with Borem and Hoffman, learning some of their engine building secrets.
Burns is an ASE (The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Master Engine Machinist. He is ASE certified as a cylinder head specialist, cylinder block specialist and engine assembly specialist. Burns is also a member of the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA).
An accomplished professional, Burns has 20 years of industry experience, all of them with Harry’s Machine Works. He started at the shop as a vat boy and moved on to become proficient in every aspect of the business, including cylinder head reconditioning, engine block boring and honing, connecting rod reconditioning, crankshaft grinding and polishing, engine balancing, crack repair and other engine rebuilding processes. He can operate every machine in the shop. His knowledge and expertise have helped to make Harry’s Machine Works one of the finest machine shops in Kansas.
Through his work Burns is a strong supporter of area race tracks. Additionally, he was a member of a Sprint car pit crew for 17 years. Burns resides with his wife, Kim, and their three children (Joshua, Haley and Skyler) in Jetmore, KS.
Harry’s Machine Works was formerly known as Harry’s Crankshaft, and produced the second Machinist of the Year, Russell Rogers, more than 15 years ago. Rogers, who also was shop manager when he won the award, later bought the shop and renamed it Harry’s Machine Works. He died suddenly in April 2004.
MAHLE Clevite’s Internet address is www.mahleclevite.com.