Bendix Brakes is giving away eight $2,500 automotive education scholarships as part of their new "The Passion That Drives You" contest.

Here at AskPatty.com, we're always trying to encourage more women to turn their automotive interests into a career, and this could be a great opportunity for young women to get the money they need to pursue their dream. Bendix says they're proud to have employees who are extremely passionate about what they do - which is why they're celebrating their 85th anniversary by helping others who are passionate too!

If you're interested in pursuing an automotive career, all you have to do is visit www.bendixpassion.com, fill out the online entry form and respond to three questions about why you are passionate about cars. (The contest is actually open to everybody, but at this time, they've only received a few entries from women, so get your entries in and let them know how great we women can be!)

Bendix Brakes has been in business since 1924, leading the industry with cutting-edge braking technology. They make brake pads for virtually every automaker including BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda and Volkswagen - in fact, there's a high probability that the ride you're driving around in now has brakes from the Bendix team as original equipment.

The contest ends on December 1, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET and no purchase is necessary to enter. The entrants' responses will be judged by a panel of industry peers, including editors from leading trade publications, Motor Age, and Tomorrow's Technician as well as a specially selected national career tech school teacher. Entries will be judged based on the originality of their submission (50%); creativity (30%); and fit to contest theme (20%), and winners will be announced in January of 2010.

They've put together an informative video to announce the program ... you can click below to watch it here, though it's also posted at www.youtube.com/bendixbrakesvideos. Don't let the guys in the video intimidate you - if you're a young woman who loves cars, this might be a great chance to win a $2500 scholarship towards a career in the automotive industry!