180 rtg rapson

This episode's brought to you by 6XD Gearbox. More on them later. Hello ladies and gentlemen. Welcome back to the Minoxide podcast. I'm your host Harris aka Minoxide, man of many automotive aspirations. And we are here for day two of PRI continued. >> Uh here with Dan, Mr. Gunnar,

>> Ford enthusiasts. We're back talking to some GM people again. >> I know we we let Howard set everything up for us. That's we got >> that'll do it. Uh, and we are here with Mark and Lynn of um, Raps and Performance Group. It's been a long night last night, so I'm regretting all

my life choices right now, but nonetheless, uh, go ahead, give us an introduction of yourselves, uh, a little bit about your past, where you're at today, and we'll just kind of go from there. >> Yeah. No, I appreciate it. Appreciate you having us on and being able to talk a little bit. We got a lot of exciting stuff going on. So, again, name is Mark

Rapson, right? Been in the industry well over 30 years, probably longer than I want to admit. Um, you know, I have a I have an extensive background in automotive, but not always in high performance automotive, right? Um, I have a degree in polymer chemistry. So,

my early years of of automotive was developing uh automotive paint products and protection products for the OE and the aftermarket, right? I worked for PPG Industries, Jackson Bell Coatings, did a lot of stuff like that. um grew up in a racing family. So the performance side

of it was a natural fit because ever since I can remember doing anything, my father was taking me to the racetrack, right? So you know that the the performance side was a natural evolution of life growing up and the you know career side of it was more on the you know the chemistry side of it and

developing things. But all those things kind of rolled together over time, right? And um after well I guess it was about 15 odd years ago I took a retirement package from accidental bell coding and went deep dive into the automotive side of things right and Lynn and I formed a

company in 2022 called Raps and Performance Group and we have a lot of different technologies that we bring in. Some of it's the polymer stuff, some of it's specialized plings that we use in Indie Car and other forms of racing to reduce parasitic drag, gain performance, all the secret squirrel stuff that all

the race teams use. And then uh uh I ran another performance company for about 10 years, right? And then in uh 20 or September of last year, we uh left that and went full-time into Raps and

Performance Group, started bringing up all of our technologies together. And then just recently, we closed on K-Keek Engineering. That's been our biggest acquisition of all of our our businesses within our portfolio. And we brought all of our technologies, all of our activities into K-tech to um start

further developing those things. Right. So, and and I'll let Lynn talk about herself, but you know, we fit together perfectly because we met at a racetrack. So, right. >> You know, she comes from the the performance world and you know, that's how we met. So, you know, us being partners and all this is kind of a

perfect fit for everything. So, >> Sure. Cool. >> And how do you fit into this mix? Well, I too have been in the automotive industry in different segments for about 28 years and I started uh with Maguiars out in California.

>> I was the rep for Oregon and Washington for some of their lines to start and then moved to Southern California and worked directly with the headquarters for events and things like that. Um later on I moved on and and have done all sorts of things in the industry um mostly marketing and events and that

type of thing. Okay. So I have a strong base as far as that. Um Mark and I, like I said, we came together at a racetrack years ago. Um we're now married. We became really great friends and and that migrated into a a great partnership uh

marriage and and here we are um with Rapson Performance Group and Kchek Engineering as our like you said, our newest gear >> heads. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, it's I'm a true car girl. I have a 1967 Chevy Tun Nova. Yes, I do work on on it

myself. Um, I just enjoy the industry. I I enjoy the technology, the advancements, and one of my favorite things about Keech is the legacy, and I cannot wait to share more of that with with everyone um as we move forward.

>> So, when you say you guys met at a racetrack, I'm hearing a lot of business. You guys have been in this industry forever on a business aspect. Are you guys racing then too at these things or just hanging out there as a on business? >> A little both. So we were both there on business. Okay. >> Um she worked for uh you know the

company in the automotive car care stuff. I was on the performance side and there was an event in Norwalk, Ohio. >> Okay. >> Right. At Summit Motorsports Park. And she was hosting for the company that she worked for. And I actually uh the company I was working for hosted the overall event at that track. And we

don't remember all the exact details, but that's kind of how it all how it all came together. And like I say, it all started off as just becoming good friends. And >> you know, we we crossed paths a lot at the races cuz we were both in the same, you know, same space, same events and all that. And it just evolved from there. >> Uh, what was your time with Magguiire's

like? Cuz that I mean, they're not a small name by any means. I've been using their spray wax for >> since I could hold a handle and spray it on a car. So, >> you know, my favorite thing about um working with them was events and I loved going to the shows, talking to the guys

about different things um about cars, teaching detail classes, you know, and I stayed in that segment of the industry. After I left Magguiires, I ended up at Adams Polishes. Um okay. Taught detail classes all all across the United States. Uh he even sent me to Hawaii for

a show. Um, so I I just really enjoy the people aspect of it and teaching people how to better their cars, their finishes, and same thing with the, you know, the performance side of it. You know, I've had people say, "Hey, will you prep my car for SEMA?" No, but I'll

show you how. >> You know, that's a lot of work to prep somebody's car, and I'm very meticulous when it comes to things like that. So, you know, it's just it kind of all fits together. Um, I don't race. That does not mean that I have not had my Nova on the racetrack. Yeah.

>> Or done a little autocross, but uh but I I have a strong passion for it. And uh we might see if we can, you know, do a few things to the Nova K and see what happens from there. >> We'll make some improvements to the next. >> Let's ask what's all done to the Nova.

>> Um it's actually an older rest. It uh has a 400 board over to a 406. Um does not have power steering. Remember, I did say I did autocross, so that was fun. >> Yeah, I bet. Oh my god. >> I took it down the drag strip. Nobody was watching me that day, so it was okay.

>> Yeah. >> And it's a really badass car. >> It's It's a lot of fun. It's black. Uh my license plate is car. And uh Yeah. Yeah. I've had it. I actually had it before uh Mark and I got together. So >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> I love seeing uh women in this industry

is I have So my wife has a Procharged Mustang. Uh I have three daughters. They're all very much into this whole thing. So, it's uh it's exciting. >> Well, your oldest daughter's here with us. >> Yeah, my oldest is 15. She races snowmobiles and she's out wandering the floor right now. So,

>> yeah. Well, on that point and and I feel the same way about it's really cool to see the women coming up through it. Right. >> So, uh through KC, we built a motor specific to the USA series racing. Right. M and we're working uh with Mark Daly as a race team to put the

motor into the car, but one of our drivers is Abby Holbean and I hope I didn't screw up her last name. A very young, very talented girl coming up through the ranks. >> Uh just a fantastic talent and you know, she she's she'll be running a big series

someday. You could just see that. So she's one of our drivers to support our program with USA. So it's just very cool. >> Absolutely. I think this uh all the social media stuff we're seeing more and more of it too and there's a lot more women getting into it and I >> I think it's great. >> Yeah, for sure. >> Uh so what does what's KEK?

>> What do you guys do? >> Crate Tech's been around since 1977. They were originally formed by a couple of engineers that um in conjunction with General Motors. So when General Motors started getting into serious racing for Lemon and IMSA and

things like that, they did not have an internal performance group. So Keech was their performance engineering deal. So all from 77 to probably 87, all of the motors that were in all of the uh General Motors race cars all over the

world were all built and supplied and engineered and validated all through KEK. So just a huge racing heritage, racing history, specifically more tied to to GM. Uh GM then in sort of probably the early 90s start bringing some of

that stuff inhouse. So KC pivoted a little bit. Uh still continuing the racing heritage, but then broadening the horizons a little bit into, you know, what series they're into, what motors they were doing. Got heavily into the Trans Am series and a little bit more into some of the International series. And to this day, fast forwarding a

little bit, uh that's still the biggest portion of our business. So, motorsports, true hardcore racing motorsports for IMSA and Trans Am and a lot of different series like that. Uh we build all the motors for all those cars all over the world. >> Oh wow. >> It's not just nowadays it's not just uh you know pigeoned into GM. We do stuff

for Nissan and other companies as well. So >> that was be my next question because you guys seem very heavy in the GM stuff, but >> well GM's GM's you know where where we started, right? That that's our heritage, right? But, you know, over time we've evolved. So, the chassis builders like Lisier that we work with,

they use other engines in some of their cars for different different series, but Keech does the service work on them and stuff like that. So, we're involved with some of the other manufacturers. Obviously, GM's still our biggest portion of business, but um yeah, we're we're really hardcore racing. We we do

some street performance stuff, but it's a small portion of our business by comparison, right? We're we're more about the hardcore racing stuff. We engineer everything in house. We manufacture everything inhouse and you know we assemble, we put the cars together. We've got two LMP3 cars in our

shop right now getting assembled for next year. So we're we're more on the hardcore side of it, not as much on the consumer side of it. Although a lot of what we do on the racing side of it carries over to the consumer side of it, right? Because what we validate it's a, you know, win on Sunday, sell on Monday kind of kind of deal. And that really is

true. When you get to a certain level in a build, whether it be drag racing or drifting, road course, or just a badass street car, you'll have to upgrade your transmission. And when we're talking sequential transmissions, there's no one on the planet with a stronger gearbox than 6XD. And the proof is in the pudding here, folks. Half the FD field

is rocking a 6XD. And even 3000 horsepower Vipers have not been able to tame the best the 6XD has to offer. So, if you're ready to take it up a notch, go to 6XDgeearbox.com. And when contacting them to place an order, use code minoxide 5 or reach out via socials to figure out how one of the baddest transmissions on the planet

could fit in your build. Let's get back to the show. >> It really is true. People don't think that really works, but it does work, right? When you're when one of your vehicles is out and it wins at some particular event that somebody follows, your phone rings on Monday morning because they're looking at upgrading their car and stuff like that. So,

>> how big is your facility? How many employees do you guys have? >> So, we have 30 employees. The facility is a little over 40,000 square ft, 41 something in that in that range like that. And again, we have so we have the manufacturing section of our facility. We have 12 CNC machines and it's pretty

much nothing that we can't make. We have three in-house full-time engineers uh that do all of the uh design work, right? And we do a lot of private label outside work as well, but do all the design work. And then um we've got our our um uh engine facility that does all

the assembly, builds all the engines for the race teams. And then we have our car shop, which is where we do some of the street performance stuff and assemble some of the race cars. So if we don't ship the motors someplace in the world, uh the cars will come to us and then we'll upfit the the cars and get them track ready for the different series.

>> Okay. >> Um what are some of these other um so obviously group we discussed that before here. What are some of is any other brands we might be familiar with that you guys are um a part of? >> Um well we do a lot of work with a lot of companies. So you know we're we're not solely Kep. We partner up with a lot

of stuff aside from the motor manufacturers and we do a lot of work with the the other supply companies whether it be you know Magnusan or Callie's you know we have strategic alliances with a lot of these companies. So when we're doing development work we're doing development work in conjunction with these companies. So

we're not just buying parts from them. In many cases, we're helping engineer new parts for other people through the different processes that we do. So, we have a very strategic alliance with a lot of the suppliers that, you know, are here at the show. Um, whether it's connecting rod people, crankshaft, blocks, all that type of stuff. Um, so

it's not just, you know, OEM type stuff. We do a lot of aftermarket engineering or outside engineering as well. >> Okay. So, but it's but it's fun because, you know, we use the street stuff is some halo type stuff for the for the racing applications. Everybody wants

something that's actually used in race cars. >> You know, it's a real that's a real important thing, right? They just want something that everybody else can buy. They love working with stuff that actually came out of a racing series. So, that's fun for us to, you know, translate or transfer, you know, what we're doing there from the other

companies into, you know, what what people can buy, you know, for their own cars. >> Yeah. So, >> well, it's kind of like, you know, what the OES do when there's like an indie pace car or whatever. Everybody's, you know, you have to make so much for the consumer as well cuz people want a piece of that, you know. >> Exactly. Yeah. We support a lot of, you

know, consumer type series like Optimal Street Cars, right? That's a big series. We support a lot of vehicles that are in those. So, those are more street performance cars. They have a lot of our racing technology in them. you know, we won the champion championship through Austin Barnes last year with, you know, a C5 Corvette with

our our products in it. Um, so we, you know, we support a lot of the what I'll call consumer performance series or things that the consumers go to in the different tracks and we'll be doing more of that next year along with just the hardcore stuff, right? So, >> okay.

>> Yeah. >> Are you done with your >> Yeah, I'm good. >> That was a long string of questions. Uh, what's it called? Um, so obviously you guys are acquiring companies and you're what are you preparing for in the next two or three years? Like where is this obviously you're kind of gearing up to fasttrack something here? Uh, what does

the next two or three years look like for you? >> So there's there's a period going on right now where there's some a lot of changes in technology, right? There's a lot of things out there that come from different industries that are migrating their way into what I'll call the automotive space or the industrial space. And with my background, I've

always kept in contact with all that. Right? So when I see some of these things where they have uh you know uh where they're applicable to what we do, then I always start to explore that. So that's how some of these other technologies come into play. So um I was

talking about some of this plating company. I have a interest in a plating company that does a lot of um they're not coatings. are actually plings for different types of metals that are used in a lot of different racing industries uh to improve the durability, reduce drag, they can run less fluids in the

parts to gain horsepower. And when you get into the big time racing world, whether it's Indie Car, NASCAR, what they will go through for one or two horsepower is amazing. >> Oh, I bet. >> Right. And so, you know, the technologies that we have focus in that area, right? So, we're not looking for a 100 horsepower. We could be looking for

three horsepower, but that three horsepower could be of huge value to one of these big race teams. Absolutely. >> So, the technologies are are are, you know, very involved in the racing world and very high techch. Uh they're not mainstream, but you know, again, people want to have access to that technology.

So, through KEK over this next couple of years, you'll see a lot of those technologies coming out now that the consumers will have access to through our KEKCH or through our brands that we work with. Right? So again, it's all developed, you know, on the racing side of things and then it all comes full

circle back into the, you know, into the consumer side of it. But many of these technologies will now carry over and they're really they're very interesting. So some of them help mitigate heat, some reduce friction, some are strictly at gaining horsepower, some are just creating durability with things, right?

Um I do a lot of stuff on the lubrication side of things. So we we've got our hands into a lot of different technologies, you know, and the K techch is perfect because it just can brings all those things together to help us validate it. >> Gotcha. Do you is there anything you kind of >> discuss uh how um

I guess with those various companies how what kind of impacts you could have on performance or longevity or whatever or like lubricants for example you just mentioned. Um >> is there anything is that I guess the better question is is that more gear do you have any OEM customers in that regard or like or is it more so just

towards the race side of things? >> So that's both. Okay. Right. A lot of these technologies they they split as you go downstream into different channels. All right. So the the development and the validation of these technologies are typically only used in the high performance world or very

hardcore racing because it's the only place you can get the data to really understand what it could do. Once you actually have the data, then you can take that data and you can start looking at the other uh channels that it might go into or you start talking to the OES and say okay here's what we've got here's what it can do and here's can be

the benefit to you from a production standpoint right and then the other side of that fork in the road will be the performance side so where can we go with that beyond what we've done in the validation side to create other you know performance benefits to the consumer or something in the aftermarket so it could

be the same technology uh it it split a little bit as you go downstream into what channels you take it into. But the OEMs are always very interested in what's going on and and nowadays uh unlike years and years ago, they use the aftermarket to actually bring these

things forward and validate them. >> Okay? >> It saves them a lot of time and energy. They don't have the resources that they used to have. So working with a company like KE and working on these programs uh you know helps them understand what's out there, what be the next generation,

right? I've got a I've got a product I can't tell you a lot about it, but I can tell you that it's an internal engine component that I'm working on. Uh we're in the we're about stage six or seven of development process. It's a replacement for a component inside the motor that

can improve the efficiencies of the motor almost 40% without making any other changes inside the motor. >> Wow. >> Right. So, as you can expect, that component is of much interest to the OEMs, not to make the car go fast, but to reduce emissions, create more

horsepower off a smaller displacement motor, >> right? Better gas mileage, all of these kind of things. So, it's a different it's a different outlook in what the technology will do, but that's where your OEM implication is. Then on the aftermarket, these guys are saying, "Okay, well, if you can, you know, increase that 40%, how does that relate

in horsepower?" Right? So you got two completely different splits in the road once you get down that channel a little bit. >> Um but yeah, a lot of this stuff is very interesting to the OES because it can really >> going back to the codings for a minute, right? Forget the horsepower. Think of the miles per gallon,

>> right? Yep. >> You can get a car two more miles per gallon by, you know, putting this process on internal parts in a transmission or a differential or an engine or something along those lines, right? So that's where the OEM looks at it. They're not necessarily looking at the performance side. Um, on my side, I'm looking at, you know, how fast it

can make an Indie car go, or how much longer I can, you know, make a transmission last in some sort of a car. And the OEMs are looking, okay, well, if you can do that, it reduces parasitic drag, then I must be able to get better gas mileage. >> Mhm. >> So, but so to to your point, yes, it has a huge implication on OEMs. It's just a

different thought process and the technology once you get it downstream a little bit further. >> Can you explain to me in exact detail what this part is and draw me pictures with measurements of it? >> I'd love to do that for you, but you know, >> I might have to kill you. have to go out back after that and that won't be pretty. So, >> smash your cameras and

>> I can do that just fine myself. >> Yeah, there will be information coming out about it pretty soon. Like I say, we're we're far down the development stages of it. Um, it is patented. You know, we have all that all that sorted out. Um, >> we know it works. It's just validating

>> the theoretical performance to a data point. We can quantify when we go and talk to an OEM, for example, right? Uh, we know what it does. We have it in motors. I've got two motors up and running. I know that it works. It's not a matter of does it work or doesn't it work. It's not it's no longer just an

invention, right? It's now going down the the the final streams of validation and and bringing this product. And now, like I say, we're coming to that split in the road. So, once I get these data points, now I know who and how I will talk to the OEMs and I will know what we

want to do on the performance side of that. I'm right at that right at that crossroads right now, right? But we know it works. It's a really really cool piece. It's I won't call it simple, but it's one of those things when you see it, you think, "Huh, why wasn't that thought of before?"

>> You don't use a computer from 2006, so why should your build? Why put thousands of dollars into your project only to be limited by a stock ECU that's over a decade old? Even some OEM calibrators are impressed with modern-day functionality of standalones featuring advanced launch control, traction control, and of course, for those who

aren't fans of unscheduled rapid disassembly, engine protection features, go to shaww.com. Look at some of the plug-and-play kits available and various hall techch good goodies you can save 5% on using code monoxide. Not a bad idea to shoot him a message either. Link in description. Let's get back to the show.

>> Right. >> Yeah. >> You know, sometimes the simplest things can be the ones that make the biggest difference. You know, you don't have to re-engineer the whole program. Sometimes just some simple change from a wellthoughtout design can make a huge difference in

something, right? That's pretty much what this is. And people are gonna love it when they see it. It's it looks cool as well. You don't see it. It's inside the motor. But when you see it >> Oh, like that stops people. They don't care. You know, so my my goal would be to have it in new product here next year and and win another award if you will,

>> right? Um but it it will I believe it will be a gamecher in the performance market because if you think about things, >> not much has changed. You can't change internal components much anymore, right? >> Things have been kind of done to the max. This is a game changer. And this

will lead to some other changes. It can lead to some different things with cylinder heads or you know this one part can actually lead to other developments in other areas for other companies. >> Sure. >> So this could start a whole new trend in performance development which the industry needs right now.

>> I won't say it's stagnated but how much more can you do with an LS or an LT motor? >> Oh yeah. Right. >> We're kind of like >> bit done to death. Right. So, you know, how do you actually change that and how do you get to that that that next cycle of things where people get excited,

okay, that's cool, but I got to have that, >> right? >> Well, it's crazy what's going on right now. Like, for example, in the last like year or two, everybody's talking about compressed air or now you have these like electric turbochargers and all that stuff. Like, the industry is always constantly changing, it seems.

>> Y um but I was going to ask you, Damn, I freaking keep losing it. Um >> what what are some of the Oh, that's what I was asking you for development. Uh was this already in development before you acquired KEKCH then this particular thing? >> Yep. So um through Raps and Performance

Group, which has been in place for a while, some of these technologies I've already been working on. Okay. Uh one of the problems I was having is because I didn't have a K-tech at that time. >> Um finding uh groups to help with validation depending on what it was I was trying to do. you're working with

thirdparty companies and I'm flying all over the place trying to, you know, work with different groups to help. A lot of good companies out there, don't get me wrong, but it's very hard to manage those programs. It's very hard to keep things on a timeline. You're always up against whatever other things are going on within those companies. Um, so the

the cycle just takes way longer, you know, and I I L and I talked about I said, "Man, if we're really going to get this stuff, you know, in my lifetime on the market, we really need to start looking at, you know, having our own uh facility to do that type of work." And

RA ke wasn't on a radar screen at that time. But when I found out that KEKC was potentially up for sale from the uh the private equity group that owned them, okay, >> I probed a little bit, found out that that was really true. This was over a

year ago now. >> And I started the process >> and uh it was a long process, worth it 100%. Yeah. >> But they were the perfect organization. They had all the tools, all the resources, all the people, they had the facility, everything I could ever dreamed of to bring all these things in house. And then of course there was the

stuff that ke was already doing, right? So this was like the perfect world for us to have ke what they were already known for and already doing and bringing all of our new technology in then just creating a whole new dynamic within what's going on there to not only bring

these new products to fruition but enhance the stuff that they already did. Right. >> It took us >> eight months to get the acquisition done. Right. Because we didn't >> I think I think we talked to you about it. We we we did this all on our own. >> Right. We didn't go out and start looking for all of these, you know,

investment groups to do it because that just at the end of the day that just ties your hands. I don't care what anybody tells you. When you get involved and I did talk to these people, when you start going down that path, you get your hands tied. So, if you really want to be able to take your vision forward and you want to have the autonomy and the control over doing these kind and I'm

I'm one of those those idea guys. I'm a visionary, right? I'm not saying everything I come up with is is right. All I'm getting at is that I'm constantly coming up. So, in order to do that, I have to have the autonomy to do it, right? And Lyn and I sat down and said, "Okay, this is going to be a big deal for us, much bigger than the other stuff that we've done." Um, but we could

do it. It's possible. It's feasible, but it's going to take a lot. It's going to take a while. And, you know, it's kind of walking out on a thin branch, if you will. And, uh, we just decided we were going to go for it, and we did. Well, and we had decided that if we were going to go down this path, we were not going

to put ourselves in a position that we had partners. We did not want to do any private equity group stuff. We wanted to do this on our own so that we had control over the destiny of ourselves as well as KEK. And you know, our our goal is to lift K-H up and make it even

better than it is today. and um you know use that legacy in where they started and you know give them the support to move forward um and bring in the technologies like Mark is talking about. >> Yeah. Not not not throwing everything that's going on in the industry under

the bus. But, you know, companies can sort of lose their identity >> when they start getting caught up in in big groups, right? And again, I'm not throwing anybody under the bus, but I've been around this a long time and I know all of the principles and the owners of most of these companies that are now,

you know, formed into other groups >> and it's really tough. They start to you start to, you know, get diluted within things. Some of the creativity goes away because keep in mind, you know, these companies that you all everybody knows the name of. It was someone with a vision in the beginning that got that

name where it was. Yeah. Right. And wanted that part and said, "I've got to have this in my car." Right. But it was someone's vision that started it. Wasn't some big garage or something usually. Yep. Yep. >> Exactly. So, you know, for us, and again, just, you know, from our perspective, you know, doing this on our

own with KEK allows us to It's a bit of an old school mentality, right? Go back to we've got visions. If we want to bring those visions forward, we have to be able to do it on our own our own time and our own space and stuff like that. So, I'm not saying it's easy, but it's fun and we're excited and there's a lot

of energy and there's a lot of energy in the company. So, we're Yeah, it's been a cool deal. >> The culture within KEC is amazing. I've never seen anything like it. The employees are excited. You know, they're they're thanking us for taking over and buying the company so that they can do what they want to do with the company as

well. And and we listen to them. I mean, we've got some great engineers. We've got some great salespeople. >> Great group of people. >> Um, you know, we if you go by the booth, you'll Wheeler is one of our engineers. He's in the booth today. Um, we've got one of the guys, the lead machinist. He's in the booth. He's talking to

people. Our general manager is here. But they are just such a great group of people. >> It's a family. >> It is. It's a big family. >> Really is. So, >> did you have a group of engineers you were working with beforehand, too? Did you uh have some collab? >> I have over time I've worked with them.

not not a group like I have here. Yeah. Right. >> Um but yeah, I mean I I've always had to have engineers involved in some of these programs. >> Um but it's it's >> these guys understand the space that I'm trying to work in better than some of

the other engineers I've worked with. I mean engineers are engineers. A lot of brilliant people out there, but they understand the automotive engineering side of it a little bit better because that's where they lived. And and our engineers are young as well. Some of them started off as interns um and got hired on just based on the

fact that they were very very good people and had a really good mind around it. So they came out of places like Ketering and things like that and they were hired on but they were engineers at Ktech before they were ever employees. So we're still carrying that on. I've got some uh uh we're working on the some

new interns now you know for the next generation of of engineers as well. >> Okay. >> Because I need to grow that. >> Where are you guys based out of? Clinton Township, Michigan. >> Michigan. Okay. >> Yep. >> Yeah. We weren't too far from them. >> Oh, really? Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We went to uh Michigan or I guess

Detroit land uh four times in the last year. So, we we got we started to explore quite a bit out there. So, >> nice. Nice. >> Next time you're in town, you're going to have to come over and race and do a little something there. >> Sounds like a pretty badass facility you guys got going on there. I mean, you said 12 CNC machines. I mean,

>> uh I imagine those are probably working 24/7 >> pretty much. The whole shop is the cool part about it is it's um we've got six dino cells, we've got the 12 CNC machines, we've got the car build shop, we've got the engineering area, we've got the engine assembly area, and it's

just going constantly. When you walk in the building, you hear the engines going in the background. You know what I mean? You got I can't even begin to tell you how many motors are in the assembly area, whether they're stuff for LMP or Trans Am or whatever, all the series stuff that we're doing. And then you go back into the machine shop and all the machines are just running back there.

Whether they're doing cylinder heads or making motors or making oil pump, it doesn't matter. You know, they're just going constantly. We do a lot of private label stuff for companies as well. We do a lot of outside engineering things. >> You forgot about the race boat engines. What? >> The race boats. >> Yeah, we do we do stuff on the marine

side as well. The things like that. So, yeah, there's it's just a really cool place. Very busy place. lot going on in there and it covers all aspects of. So when you come in there, it's not just to building engines, you know, we're manufacturing parts. So you're basically going into a manufacturing facility,

you're going into an install facility, you're going into a an engine assembly area building true race engines, and then you've got the the dinos running out back doing all kinds. We've got Spintron machines. So everything's there's just tons of stuff going on. So whether we're developing new cams on the

Spinron or, you know, breaking in a IMS motor to get shipped off to to Europe someplace or, you know, running the motor at 10,000 RPM out there trying to develop something for RA. It's just all kinds of stuff. It's just >> sounds like a pretty cheap business to acquire. >> Yeah, we won't even go down there.

>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh, no, we know we talked to a lot of these shops that we know what it takes to put together a facility like that and that's it's not a small feat by any means. >> Yeah. Well, we heard what SEMA garage costs to build. So, >> yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All this stuff. It is what it is, right?

But again, if you're if you're if you got the passion for it and you got the vision for it, then >> drive it forward. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Well, we know what it takes to be a tier one supplier, too, when you want to talk, you know, dealing with the OES and stuff. That's a whole You're talking about all of the testing and validation you have to do, and then they go through their own crazy, you know, validations

and stuff themselves. So, I we we know it takes a lot of work. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, it is. You know, there's there's I will say this and it's exciting for us as well. Even though we've been in industry for a long time, you know, this industry goes through its roller coaster rides and stuff, right? Whether it's economic or whatever the

case may be, >> but this is a good time right now. >> The the industry is strong. There's a huge desire for new stuff right now. >> Um I I think our timing for what we're trying to do is perfect right now. There's just a lot of this this

everything's really good. I think the industry is as strong as I've ever seen it in a long time. >> So, I'm, you know, I'm excited about all these things that we're doing because I can see all the >> That's reassuring to hear. >> All the Oh, yeah. No, I'm I'm I'm, you know, super excited. Really, really, really good timing for everybody. >> You're probably going to need to ship

your car soon or know somebody that will. And as someone who used to work in freight logistics, I understand the difficulties of finding reliable transport, especially when trying to make it to rallies, racetracks, or to warehouse to hide your Corvette because you're going through a messy divorce. And when she says everything, she means everything. Anywh who, Nick Shear is the

proud owner of Sure Thing Logistics. Having traveled much of the country with every type of vehicle you can imagine, he's got the experience and reliability that you want to ensure a safe journey for your pride and joy. If you want to find out what it takes to ship your vehicle, go to surethistics.net, fill out the intake form, and be sure to

let them know I sent you. Let's get back to the show. >> Some people you get kind of mixed reviews. It seems like it's dying, but also growing at the same time. is I I people say that you know we got tracks closing we got things like that happening but at the same time >> tracks opening up >> right so I don't know I think you could see it both ways and maybe people are

there was a big bubble during co right I mean everything grew up and now maybe it's kind of back down to where it would have been naturally progressed if it that had not happened so we're still growing we're just not growing at that pace anymore so I think people get freaked out when they >> Well I think the other thing too is people people get stuck in in a certain

um certain space with stuff right Yeah. >> And they're not looking, okay, what could the next thing be? They're just always looking in that same space. And when that space changes, they don't like it. >> Yeah. >> Right. So now they think, oh, you know, things are going downhill because, >> you know, that's that's they're changing something. The tracks, but they're not

looking at the new track that's opening up. >> This track's closing. Okay, it's unfortunate, but it doesn't mean there isn't interest in other things going on. For example, these lifestyle tracks that are are up coming up now. You know, like thermal and places, there's more and more of those going up everywhere.

That's exciting for people and that changes that's a whole different dynamic of going to the races, you know what I mean? And and uh you know the reason we did the the motor for USA, right? I mean USA like Indie Car and these others, you see those series have the roller coaster rides strong as ever right now, right? So it's a really good

time to get involved. I mean you don't build a whole new engine for for a car series unless you see that series having a future. Right. Right. But uh you know whether it's USAC and or any of the other car series everything is really really strong right now and as far as the consumer side of it I see nothing

but upside. I'm I'm an optimist as you can tell but I'm always looking at the future of things and I know there's a lot of cool stuff coming. So I know that people are going to get excited and that's what generates the interest. Right? If it's the same old stuff people get kind of you know complacent in their

ways but when they see new stuff they get excited. that excitement drives more revenue through things and you know that's the side of the cup that I'm I'm on the you know the half full side. So, >> well, you feel like you wouldn't see big companies doing what they're doing. 1000 horsepower ZR1s and Mustang GTDs. Like,

you know, they're still >> aren't quite a 1000 horsepower. Hold on now. The GTD >> ZR1. I said >> you said GTDs after >> I said 1000 horsepower ZR1s and Mustang GTDs. I didn't mean that. >> Sure. Sure. Sure. Yeah. Yeah. We round up around here. >> It's a pulley and a tune away anyway.

>> Yeah. There you go. There you go. No, and you can tell from the OEMs, too. They're putting a lot of effort on the performance side of it. you know, GM Racing is going Formula One. >> Yeah. >> They're not going to invest into the race world if they didn't believe there was a future in that because obviously that is a marketing tool for them,

right? You just don't invest in it because you want to go Formula 1 racing unless you're going to use that as a tool. And obviously Cadillac being their premium brand and they're trying to focus on that. Formula 1 being the premium race series. >> Put two and two together, right? It's just a marketing tool and that helps us.

>> Yeah. They don't like to waste money. So, they're doing this is for a reason. They see they see a payback at some point in time. >> Exactly. Exactly. I'm I'm excited to see what they're doing. I really am. You know, I've got a lot of friends over at GM that are now on that Formula 1 side of it. It's just for me, it's just this is the coolest thing. It really is. So,

>> yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um, have you visited any other crazy facilities or was KE the number one uh acquisition on the top of your list or was there anything else that kind of caught your eye in the last few years? So, acquisition or sorry, K-tech was not

on my acquisition list because I didn't know they were for sale. Okay. Sure. Right. That kind of came into play somewhat by accident. Um, I had been to a lot of different facilities because I work with a lot of different companies. Right. And a lot of what business that I do is down in North Carolina only because it's race mecca, engineering

mecca of the world, right? >> So, a lot of the technology stuff that I do or the race team stuff that I do, it's all based in Charlotte area. So, I go down there a lot and I work with a lot of people down there. There's facilities that, you know, I spend time with and I love the area. >> So, you know, that was that was an

avenue that I was going to pursue a little bit more in the early stages of it. But then once Kek kind of came to light that that was an option or that was available and there was a possibility that Lynn and I could could acquire that since we already live in Michigan, it's a much easier

>> Oh, yeah. Absolutely. >> transition. Plus, KEK had all the right resources. So, you know, I'm still doing things with the teams and the and the companies down in Carolina and some stuff out in Utah. So, that hasn't gone away, but our core business now is all brought back to Michigan and through KEK, right? So, now I'm using those

facilities as kind of, you know, the a sort of extension of what we do for KEK. If it makes sense, you know, not to bring all that stuff back, you know, we work back and forth between them. >> Um, but I haven't made any acquisitions down there. they're just partners or just companies that I have a great

long-term relationship with that we're doing. So, but KEK was KEK was the perfect perfect company for us when it came to light that it was available and that's why we pursued it, right? So, um yeah. So, you know, that's kind of our

home base. That's the that's the core of everything we do, if you will. >> What would be your next biggest one? I mean, is it is it all automotive based or you guys don't own like a you know, you make some kind of widget for vacuum cleaners or anything or is it uh >> No, no, no widgets for vacuum cleaners.

I mean, because of Lynn's background on the car care side of it, we have uh a company called Rhynotive, >> okay, >> that we work with. And Rhino is a they make car care products. It's an international company. Um it's big everywhere in the world except North

America. And it's part of a Middle East company. So, not going into other details, but we have some things that we have going on in the Middle East as well that we we do. >> Um, and while we were over there, uh, this past year, uh, one of the brands

that they have, Rhino Motor with all these car care products, they were interested in bringing those products here. So, we agreed that we would help them launch their products here. So, on a completely separate business model, >> we uh, and Lynn leads most of that because of her background. We we brought

all the Rhino motors in. Uh we work with commercial car washes which is a huge growing industry in the US right now. Huge. Uh so all the consumables that go through these car washes is just a huge market. >> Uh Rhino makes all of those consumables

for those. So not just the customer, you know, detail sprays, but the consumables for car washes and industrial type stuff like that. So that's just another portion of our business portfolio that that we have as well. So >> Okay. >> Yeah. So it's not um actually

acquisitions when it comes to things like that. It's more relationships and them needing someone that has our experience >> or interest partnerships in and we don't hold the shark situation probably. Right. >> Right. Right. So >> that's a big portion of what some of

these other technologies are because the IP is sometimes owned by other people. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I uh we did launch um Rhino uh North America at SEMA and I headed up the booth for that and um things are going well with that. But um

as far as purchasing the company, like you said, an interest in the company, but um Kchek is our is our core. That's where our heart is. >> Okay. >> So for us, honestly, um continuing new technologies to bring back into our core is is really where I'm at. There's so

much out there right now. I consumers don't even have any idea of of what's actually out there that's potential for what we what we do, right? The plating, for example, that I that I'm working with on the automotive side of things was originally invented for the

military. It had been used in the military for 50 60 odd years. Nobody knew about it, but it was a controlled technology that was used for military. And then as things evolved and and different technologies came into play for the military, this technology became

available to use for other means, right? So we got the okay to use it, you know, all that kind of stuff. But there's a lot of things like that. All these nanotechnologies you hear about for different things. Those all were typically some sort of industrial and military inventions that people are just

now starting to hear about. >> Yeah. >> You know, the SR71 plane flew 50 years ago, nobody even knew about it. >> Yeah. >> You know, now titanium is second nature. That's plane was built on it. Nobody even knew what titanium was. Right. So, all I'm getting at is there's a lot of

technologies that are out there. >> Yeah. >> Right. And since I'm, you know, I'm one of those guys that is always looking for all that stuff, you know, as I find these things and if they're applicable, then I start looking at how I could reuse those or repurpose those for, you know, the industry we're in. So, that's that's the cool stuff. That's what's

going to get people excited. just start digging through the uh military's trash bin and seeing what they're ready to throw out next. Yeah. >> Yeah, I guess in a roundabout way maybe. >> They're trying to keep him out of jail. He is a technology tech technology geek though. >> Yeah, I kind of have that. But yeah,

>> GPS is a big one that I always think about, right? Like that was a system they used for a long time and then next thing you know, every minivan's got a TomTom or a Garmin in it and uh >> it's it's same thing. So there's a lot of that out there, more that people could ever imagine, right? It's just, you know, finding it and then if you do find it, do you have access, you know,

what all the details are. But most of what, you know, you see now new technology wise is all things that, you know, have been out there for a long time. You know, it wasn't invented yesterday kind of deal. It's just making it applicable to whatever it is you're doing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, how about on a day-to-day level,

right? Uh what with your backgrounds, are you still doing a lot of work on a ground level? Are you just kind of overseeing everything? What does that look like for both of you? >> Yeah. I mean, so Lynn looks after all of the marketing, uh, all of the e-commerce, all of that. That's her

specialty. Um, from my perspective, kech didn't need fixing. We have a great group of people. The company is a very solid organization. For me, it was just, you know, helping get things in place to build it, right? Adding new things into

it. You know, I say bringing these technologies in, working with the engineers on the new stuff that I've got going on, getting them up to speed, figuring out how we're going to get into our very busy schedule, all these new things that Mark wants to work on, right? Yeah. Um, and then just, you know, getting all that stuff in place and and and I'm also one of those people

that that plans. So, I have a business plan for everything, right? You know, you've got to have the economic structure in place, right? So, you can you can be an idea guy, but not all those ideas are going to, you know, bring money to the table. So, you know, we've got plans in place for all that. And then we're trying to get that organized with things that were already

in place with K-tech and then, you know, start the growth path, right? I mean, I see us, you know, easily doubling, you know, what K-tech is in a very short period of time with everything we've got going on, right? The infrastructure is there and, uh, like I say, we'll start adding on and building, you know, as

these things start coming about. But next year is going to be a really big year. So, next year, you'll have to come to visit us sometime for sure. Oh, yeah. because a lot of these things that I'm being kind of elusive about will start to you can shed more light on you'll start to see some of this stuff, right? And you'll start to be able to see the

physical things actually happen if they're not ready for market yet. They'll be to a point where you can actually see what's what's next and what's coming and that's the kind of stuff you guys would have fun with as well. So, >> we've had a few of those conversations these last two days where it's like I'd tell you, but I'd have to, you know, take you out the backyard and put you

down, you know. So yeah, it seems to be uh again the excitement in this industry right now. I'm feeling it especially here like compared to last year especially like >> Yeah. Well, they said attendance is up quite a bit. >> That's Yeah. Who was saying that last guest, right? >> Yeah. Jamie. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We had uh Jamie Meyer

on for >> Yeah, I know Jamie very well. Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh but no, it's it's definitely exciting to see that. Uh one thing I was going to ask, so what what's the ideal customer, especially for K-H, right? Is there like a particular uh customer or any clients that you guys are trying to get or that you already

have? What does that look like? >> Um well, we're we're expanding um into the race series even more. So, like I said, we're involved with IMSA. Well, in IMSA, there's a lot of different series within >> the IMSA, right? So, we're growing our presence there. Sure. >> Uh we're trying to grow our presence in

some of the other series. Like I said, I'm I'm doing things in Indie Car and there'll be some stuff coming up in a couple other series. So, you know, we'll get KE techch more involved with that. >> But from a, you know, more of a consumerf facing side of it, we're looking for for >> the more serious high-end build

customer. The guy that really is going to go tracking with his car, the guy that is really looking for something that is um comes from the real racing technology stuff, not just looking for some casual power adders to the car. Nothing wrong with those guys, but you

know that we're we're not the cars and coffee kind of people, right? We're a bit more of the guy on the weekend that's going to go cars and coffee. He's going to the racetrack, whether it's a drag track or a road racetrack, and he's going out there to compete in something. That's what he's doing, right? And we

support that. So, aside from just building stuff for these series, our engineers go to the tracks, the different series, and we have support, right? So, we have an engineer that does just IMSA, we have one that just does Trans Am. We have other guys that will go to because sometimes there's overlap

between the the um uh like the Optima cars and the Trans Am. So, our engineer will be there to support the Trans Am series, but he's over there supporting the uh the consumer side of things as well. So, you know, we're present at the tracks as a support mechanism, whether it's engine or suspension or whatever.

You know, we're there >> supporting the the series in the industry. So, our customers are at the track, I guess, is where I'm trying to go with it, right? Um, we're we're not the, you know, the the weekend warrior stuff as much as we are the true true enthusiasts, the the true track people.

Um, and those are the people that we're looking for. Those are the people we want to help. Those are the people we want to build cars for. Um, the car that's in our booth over is a perfect example. It's a really nice C6 Corvette. It is plated and is a street car, but it is as hardcore as you can get. And this guy goes tracking with the car, right?

That's the customer that we really want to. >> Sure. Okay. So >> yeah, we uh I run the Optima series, just the Road America one mostly because it's closest to me. But yeah, Trans Am runs the same time. Exactly. So it's kind of it's exciting. I get off the track and then I got entertainment to

watch while I'm >> in between stuff. So yeah, >> I loved watching those guys. That was that was intense. >> Yeah. >> Yep. So if you've ran Optima, Lyn has probably judged your car. >> Oh, really? >> I've judged a lot of cars. I have things to say. >> If you've ever gone through D& with your car. >> Absolutely. gone through DNA. I have

judged you. >> Yeah, that's my easy judge. >> I I just want to drive and I get there and I got to talk about my car. Normally, it's not hard for a car guy to talk about his car, right? But it's it's weird. >> You don't do well under pressure, though. >> I will I will say all of those Optima

guys that are listening, I'm going to hold up five fingers and that means if you've done nothing to your trunk, you get a five. >> So, okay, >> the easiest way to get some extra DNA points is do something to your trunk. It's about the easiest thing you can do. I've told all the guys that it's so

easy. >> To your trunk, you said >> to your trunk. Okay. >> A stock trunk is a five. >> If you pull the carpet out points equation, if you do something flashy in the trunk, you could get a 10. I mean, it could it could be a win or lose for you just because your trunk is stock.

>> DN is kind of interesting. >> DNA is kind of interesting because, you know, you get all the performance side of stuff, but this isn't performance related, right? Right. So it it kind of helps when you're looking at this is what I'll call more of an amateur type thing. It balances things out a little bit. So people that are really good at

doing things to make their car look good or you know that kind of stuff, >> they can get a 100 points out of that, right? Even though they're not the fastest guy in the road course or the fastest guy in the you know the speed stop or something like that. So it's a bit more of a balancing based on the type of competitors that are at the series. But I understand where you're

coming from. You know we give a lot of that. I hate D and E, but it really is an interesting component that isn't in any other kind of race. >> Right. And I I do I like the aspect and it's one of the reasons I like that event cuz I'm not great in I mean I drive a Mustang so it's like the uh um

autocross all that stuff is a big my car's 4,300 lb. It's not great. >> You hitting that cone is one of my favorite videos. >> The road course is what I'm there for, but it's for what I pay for the event. And I go and I get to stay at Road America for the weekend. I bring my kids like we hang out. We ride the golf cart around. I mean, it's just a great time.

>> It's one of my favorite tracks. I love that America. >> Yep. >> It's like a park. >> Yes. Absolutely. That's what I told my kids like, "We're going to drive under that bridge and we're going to be there all weekend. We never have to leave." And they're like, "Really?" I was like, "Absolutely, >> 100%." >> Yeah. It's so funny though. I mean, everybody's all nervous about DN because that's the unknown. You can go out there

and kill it and you know your numbers. You don't know your numbers until it's just about to the end on DNA. And you know, I when I'm judging, I have a baseline for forgine wheels and brakes and tires and things like that. I know if it's a if it's a really nice forge

line wheel because most of them are forge lines, >> then you'll get a little more. Sure. If if it's, you know, not so nice and it's been on the car a long time and looks a little beat up and things like that, you're going to get a little less. But um >> but simple things like the trunk or if

you take the the radio out, put a nice delete in it. If you don't put a delete in it, you're going to subtract points. >> Yeah. Right. >> So there's just little things to the judges. Uh yeah. So they just released the dates or whatever. So yeah, I'm in a group chat. So we're all talking about

uh we're actually considering doing indie too. >> I was just going to say you're going to meet. Did you know that? >> Yes, I did. >> Running the big track, not the little track. They're running big. >> Yeah. No, I heard that they they are going to be at Indie. Which track is going to run? So they're running at the big Indianapolis Motor Speedway. >> Motor Speedway on the road course there.

>> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. Not not, you know, not the small track. They're running on the big track. >> Okay. That's uh that's super exciting cuz what's it's like a 5 hour drive for me to Road America. What's another few more hours I can come down here? Exactly. >> So, uh yeah, I I think I'm strongly considering it. >> Yep. No, we're we're excited about that.

Actually, we've got a meeting with those guys today to talk a little bit more about it, but yeah, they're they're uh they got some cool tracks in there. Road America still in there. So, >> yeah. >> So, will you will you be at then or you guys be around at either of those events or >> We try and be we try and be at most of them. It just depends on the schedule,

but we love them so we go there when we can. Um, so I would guess that most of the events I probably won't be um at the one in Louisiana and I lost the track slips by Mine. Um, but we'll be at most of the other ones. Yeah.

>> Okay. >> I definitely want to try to make the Indie one though. >> Oh, no. We'll do the Indie one. That's that's close to us, right? >> You have. So, my um backstory before when I was a little girl and everything, I actually played with cars instead of dolls. And my great uncle raced in the

Indy500. So, really the Indie track is a kind of special for me. Um his car is in the museum and uh so any chance I get to be a part of that history and be a part of that, it's it's a lot of fun. >> Absolutely. I So, my dad and my uncle, I

had brought them to PRI first time this year and I think they're going to go over there and check it I was like, "You got to go check it out." Um, I don't know. I think that my kids are into this stuff, but I I we all of our vacations are car related. I'll either be getting a car, so we'll be like, "Hey, you guys want to go to Alabama?" And we'll go and do a trip out of it. And actually, I

picked up a Bronco down there. And we stopped at the Motor Speedway on the way home. And we did the whole kiss the bricks, did the tour, all that stuff. And uh yeah, it's super exciting. >> Yeah. No, it's good. >> Yeah. They actually brought me in to see his car for the first time. and they had tucked it away uh in a location that

does not exist. >> And so they brought me in as a VIP early in the morning and took me in the elevator. >> Um and then afterwards I got to go kiss the bricks and they toured me throughout the whole place while it was still closed. >> Yeah, I've heard about the basement and

uh I did ask about it and uh they said I could tour it. it was going to cost me some extra to go down there and I was going to consider it, but I had again I had the whole family with me. So, I was like I didn't want to make them I didn't want to pay for all of them to go down there and or I didn't want to uh make

them wait for 2 hours while I went down there and drooled over some cars. >> Yeah, it it was um probably worth it. You probably should have done it. Yes. >> All right. I planned on being back. I will definitely go check it out. I got to ride on my my great uncle's legacy and and go down there because of that

and they just uh invited me in and it was definitely a cool cool experience. >> It's a fun industry. >> Yes, >> it really is. And it can be a family deal as well. I mean, you know, you can do it. My my boys are into it. They've got Corvettes, you know, I mean, so

they're all, you know, they're all into the whole thing. I don't know if we again I don't know if they naturally get into it or if they don't really have a choice just because I'm so tied into it that I just kind of drag them along everywhere. I mean I I like to include my family and everything, right? So we go to these things and they seem to be enjoying it and uh I guess time will

tell as they get older and they want stuff, but right now they've all got cars picked out that they want. So we'll we'll see how that goes. >> Yeah, I think that kind of they figure that out. I mean, I never pushed my boys into it, even though they went to the races >> and they were huge into sports and played basketball and soccer. When they went off to university,

>> you know, I one of them went for for business law and all that. Well, that's the end of the car thing. You know what I mean? That was it. Next thing I know, they both in the automotive world. They both have Corvettes. They're both Super Gearheads. >> Yeah. >> Not not from my pushing. It just kind of evolved that way, right? I figured it was going to go in a different direction

>> and all came back full circle. >> It must be in the blood a little bit somehow. I think so. I think so. the same for me. I mean, my son uh his car seat uh went into the backseat of a 59 Cadillac, >> so that's how he rode around when he was an infant. And uh he now works for

Stellantis. >> Okay, cool. >> Is he fixing everything up over there? >> He is actually No, he is uh he works in the media department. So, he has a degree in media from ZU Boulder and he does the directing. >> Does the what? >> He does directing for for their media. I

will say that there the I grew up Mopar, right? My dad's a partial owner of a Dodge dealership, right? So, uh I all the media indie ads over the last decade. >> For example, the 2018 Demon release, coolest release I've seen in my life. The 170 was cool, but you couldn't top

that first one, but uh yeah, it's not my favorite ad. So, I'm not sure how involved uh he is with that, but uh >> hats off to at least >> he's actually just gotten involved in the last year or so. So, >> okay. Sure. Okay. His predecessors, hats off to that. He's a little younger than than being he was still gosh 2018. No,

he wasn't old enough yet to do all that. >> Sure. Sure. >> Yep. >> I wonder if he's worked with Garrett though. American Muscle HD. >> Well, we still haven't hit him up. >> No, I know. >> No, there there's so many people at PRI. Okay, so why PRI? Why do you guys come to PRI? >> It's the grassroots hardcore racing. I mean, this is where everybody that's in

the racing world is, right? And even even the international people. So many of the people that we interface with all year long, they're here, >> right? So being able to talk to people, you know, all the USAC people are here, all the Trans Am people are here, all of the manufacturers that we work with are

here. So this is like a giant networking for us. And if we want to have meetings, we have meetings here, right? So um this is by far and a way in my opinion in the automotive industry, the best show that there is. >> Yeah. >> Second to none. >> I think it's all in the name. I mean

that's it's all in the name. It's who we are. No, I'm talking I'm talking about the show itself though. >> Yeah, that's what I mean. It's all in the name performance racing industry and that's what we do. >> No, we we a lot of people like to and not that there's anything wrong with SEMA, but people get this whole idea like that's the one to go to. And I'm

like, if you're really into the performance stuff, this this is more compact. It's a lot Yeah. This is This is my favorite. >> SMA is a different model. They're not really on the performance side. This is the performance show for sure. >> SEMA is aftermarket and this is racing. >> Yeah, that's Yeah, good point. Yeah.

Okay. >> Yeah. Yep. for sure. >> Yep. >> It's very showy over there. >> Yes, it is this year. Yeah. >> It's also very expensive. >> Very expensive. Yeah. >> 2,000 square foot booth that I just finished up. >> Yeah. See got its place. It just depends on what you're trying to do. It's a bit

more of a, >> you know, if you're trying to launch a new platform of some sort on an international basis. There's some, you know, merit to doing things with SEMA, right? It's a different business model, but from racing performance side of it, PRI is the PRI is the place for sure.

>> For sure. >> Yeah. >> What's the most complex thing uh whether it's KEK or any of the other companies, what's the most complex thing that you guys do for uh your customers or clients? >> Any particular things come to mind? >> Um I think the most important part if you

if I'm answering your question correctly is service for the customers. you know, I mean, that's why we have support people to go to the track, >> right? Um, you can buy parts from anybody. You can get your car worked on by a lot of different people. >> Um, there's a lot of good companies out

there, but what we've always tried to, you know, do better than others is is servicing. So, like I told you, we have people that go to the racetrack and take care of all of our customers and all the race series, right? That goes a long way because when you're a driver, you want to be able to run your car and not have

a problem. So servicing the customer whether it's someone doing a you know a build on their street car or somebody at the racetrack um you know really doing that and to be honest with you the the reason it's a it's a big challenge is

social media and and u you know digital media has changed the world so much that it's very difficult to communicate correctly sometimes in that realm right there's a lot of miscommunication And you know there's a lot of people that

can be vocal on those platforms that you know maybe shouldn't be. So it's it's that's a challenge. But servicing the customer, making sure that there's good communication, making sure that they're well taken care of in the world for us is is probably one of the most important things. Um and I also think it's one of

the biggest challenges. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I agree. I mean, there's so many people that can type behind a keyboard and say something that's in their head, but maybe they should do a little research first and find out what the true answers are or, >> you know, just um think about things

before they say it. You know, we're all human and >> um >> yeah, so I mean, we're we're we like interfacing with people. So, you know, that it's fun for us to help people. They might have an idea, but you know, not only just service after the fact,

but helping them create the right whatever it is they're looking for together, right? So, that's it's just a lot of fun. Working with people is the fun part, but it could also be the biggest challenge as well. So, yeah. >> Well, and you just have to listen. Sometimes people don't take the time to sit down and listen if they want to

build something for their car, build a new motor, or just do something to their existing car. If you take the time to listen, not only look at dollar signs, but what are you going to do with the car? You know, what is your budget? That is important, but what are you going to do with the car? What's your skill

level? You know, what what are are you able to drive a a 1200 horsepower car? Well, maybe we shouldn't build that for you cuz I don't want you to end up in a wall, you know? I mean, it just depends on what it is. But I do believe that um

like Mark said, you know, customer service and and listening to what people are really looking for. And and that goes for technology, too. I mean, if you hear the same thing over and over again that somebody wants a thing and they can't find it, well, let's build it. You

know, if you hear the same thing over and over again, there's a demand. >> Yeah. I'd say that uh to your point about, you know, putting them into a 1200 horsepower car, you're going to get you you could you could almost ruin it for them by going too much right away, right? Cuz they're going to get in be

like, "Ah, this sucks. I don't want to do this." But whether they they hone their skills with something with 600 horsepower, you're going to be, "Oh, I'm having a blast." >> Then you work your way up. >> I've actually heard of people say, "I'm afraid of my own car." >> Oh, yeah. >> And you hear it. And so, why build it?

It It's one thing to go a little above their skill set. It's another thing to put him in a death trap. >> You know what breaks my heart? No, it's not the 2% female demographic. It's the fact that 80% of you guys are not subscribed and following the show. So, go ahead, hit subscribe or follow. And

of course, if you're on YouTube, hit that bell so you are notified when we drop a new episode. Let's get back to the show. >> So, overall, you guys mostly just attend events now. You guys aren't competing or doing anything crazy like that. I think that's what you said earlier. >> Not much anymore. I mean, again, I I raced for years, but right now we're more on the business side of it, right?

So working with the business, supporting the customers, that type of thing. So, you know, that, you know, you know, Lynn plays around with her car from time to time. Uh, I'm a big motorcycle guy. So, you know, but you know, we just don't have the time to do that kind of stuff anymore, right? You know, you got to >> you got to focus your energy and, you

know, where it's important to this course. Well, I love going to the racetrack and I love working with them and, you know, we were talking about the USA stuff. I mean, I I raced sprint cars back in the day, so I love the whole sprint car thing, right? So working with the going to the going to a USAC event or working with the teams on that. I just love that kind of stuff because I

got a huge passion for it. But sure, you know, we're there. We're still enthusiasts, but as far as actually, you know, being behind the wheel, not really the time anymore, right, to get all that stuff in place. So, >> do you guys sponsor some teams or anything? >> We do. Yep. Yeah, we do some stuff in Optimum. You know, we do some things in

some of the other series as well, um where we have different levels of sponsorship. We're going to be doing a few more things in the coming year as well. Yep. >> Okay. >> Y >> um so uh when it comes to like the IMSA and Trans Am stuff, are you guys working

with crazy tolerances or rules or restrictions? Does that apply much to you or not? >> Lots of rules. >> Lots of rules. >> Depending on which, you know, which series you are, you know, if you're in a prototype series where there's less regulations, then things are you know, more open. Uh, a lot of the the stuff

that we do has guidelines, right? So, there are rules and regular. Same thing in the Trans Am series. We do most of our stuff for TA2 and they're somewhat of a spec motor, if you will. Um, when we send them out, they're seals, >> okay?

>> So, they can't be changed after the fact, but we build them to the spec required. Um, you know, there's always some gray areas here and there, but for the most part, you know, there's some pretty strict rules and guidelines that we build the stuff to. But it's the same thing with uh with uh the IMSA cars as

well. >> They have some guidelines that you have to work within. And you know, >> do they pretty much have to um in a series like that, do they have to buy from a supplier of some sort or is there anybody building these in their garage and still going out and running? >> When you get into that level of stuff, there really isn't anybody building

stuff in their garage. >> Yeah. >> You know, it's a little beyond most of that. You had to keep in mind just you know for example in the IMSA stuff the motors are structural to the car >> right? >> Right. So you know you take the motor out of the car the car is now in two pieces. >> Right. So these are these aren't you

know get your cherry picker out take the motor out change it around. Right. So you know all this stuff is uh these are all very professional series and these are professional teams and professional drivers. They're not really uh you know >> they might do some service on the car

but they're not building the cars themselves. >> Okay. Yeah, I've seen that. Um, we've seen that in some of the bigger stuff that uh, you know, there's you order your stuff from here. Basically, everybody gets their stuff from the same place and then it gets to your race team and then their engineers may tweak some things, whatever you can do to kind of

>> think you're getting your advantage over one or another. But >> Yep. >> Yeah. It all comes down then to, like you say, the, you know, the the team engineers and making their own little tweaks in it. >> Um, you know, car set up for the driver, >> right? And when everything comes together, that's what your car is going

to win the race, basically. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I >> think it's good. Then it gets it right down to driver skill at that point, right? >> Exactly. Yeah. Exactly. And it also it also showcases, you know, the guys that are really good with chassis setups and, you know, the ability to understand what's going on with the car, driver

input and stuff like that. You know, there's a real skill set involved with that. >> It's not just a guy with the most horsepower, you know, there's a lot more goes into it than that kind of thing. So, >> yeah. What are the odds in the next few years we see you being like a subsuplier for an F1 team or something with all this American stuff going on?

>> I don't know about that. You >> don't think we want to work your way up to that? >> I I don't know. That's a that's a big step from where we are to, you know, getting in the Formula One side of stuff. I It's a very uh >> I love the whole Formula 1 world. I have a lot of people that uh that I work with

that that do dabble in that that world, so I know kind of what goes on there. But that's just that's that's a big step from the type of stuff that we do. Yeah. You're >> Oh, yeah. >> Hey, never say never.

>> I would love to do something in that world of things, but I you know, realistically, that's that would be a that'd be a pretty big step. So, we'll see what happens. >> You never know, man. Like, it's like sometimes you just need a a supplier for something and it's like, "Oh, these guys have the capabilities. All right, let's give them a shot." >> It would be fun. I would welcome it, but

I don't know. We'll >> sure. Put it out in a quite in that position at this point. So, we'll see what happens. >> Sure. >> Um, I have a question that kind of came into mind in the very beginning here when you started talking about your specializing coatings and stuff, right? >> How much we talked you said something about reducing drag. How big of a

difference can just a coating on something make a difference like on an exterior of some to reduce drag? Is that >> talking about internally like in the motors or >> No, I was thinking externally. Are we are we talking like something that can make the uh surface more slick to do less drag? are technologies out there

that can do that. But that's, you know, our focus is more on >> drag with with um interface of parts, friction, >> you know, parts wearing bearing interactions. Yep. >> Um transmissions where you've got gear interfaces and things of that nature or

gears touching, you know, interplanetary gears touching gears and things of that nature. The coatings on the outside of the car, there are some of those technologies, but you know, that's that's >> juices. Yeah. We don't focus on on that part of it. That's >> some of that is a bit

>> urban myth if you want. >> Right. Right. >> You know what I mean? You can in in the marine world, there's more of that than there is in the the car world because of the the friction from the water on the hulls of the boats, but you know, on the on the outside of the car, air passing

over them, >> um not so much. >> Okay. >> Sure. >> Well, then how about internally? I mean, how just by having something that's more slick on the inside, can we gain quite a bit from that? >> Oh, yeah, for sure. That's that's the area that we focus and that's why all these race teams are in. So, there's a

couple of things, right? So, if you create a more durable part that that doesn't require extensive lubricants >> to keep it healthy over whatever period of time it has to be, then you can run much thinner fluids, right, which then

frees up horsepower. you can run less fluid because you don't need so much in there and the more fluid you take out the less drag there is because fluid creates a lot of drag of an engine whether it's a transmission or differential or or an engine sump right you've heard stories about people

lowering in a wet sump motor especially people lowering the quantity of oil in there to gain horsepower >> right that's a real thing right so oil whipping around and stuff creates that so you know putting these putting these coatings on um creates a slicker finish for the oil just in general so there's less less friction there, but you also

can run different types of lubricants that also enhance what's going on with the coatings. >> Okay, >> it's a it's a it's something that's been going on for a long time. It's just the technology is changing now, right? So, products like DLC, diamondlike coatings that have been out there, it's a high

carbon material, very slick, low coefficient of drag type thing that's been out there for a long time. It's been there, you know, it's used in in aeronautics, it's in aviation world, it's used in in race car stuff for a long time. But there's products now that are superseding that that have other

properties that are even better and that's kind of what you know where I'm working in that area now. >> So on that note then so is that sort of when you say coatings are we talking like for example uh Mercedes they uh their engine blocks and there they

basically if you blow an engine you can't really go and recele it because it's just so thin and they just did coatings instead of you know leaving room for something >> spray in coating. I think 350 has a similar deal. That's a that's a you know a process of coating the aluminum so they don't have to sleeve it. Right. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Nicil and tying things like that,

right? That's that's that's a different all that stuff's been around for a while. Some of that is applicable only in the racing world. Some of that is applicable in the street world as well. Yeah. But it's all those technology and they all started off you know either in the aviation side of things or in the

racing side of it for cars. >> Okay. >> Because a lot of this stuff comes from the you know the aviation side of stuff as well. Okay. So, >> yep. >> So, and that was pretty much at what point were you doing that in your career? That was what about 15 years ago? I I my timeline might be off from

my research, but >> more well more than 15 years ago. Let's put it that way. >> Swinging a miss. It's all right. You know, I worked in Europe for a while for for a couple of uh couple of coding companies and uh you know, we did a lot of lot of development work and

most of those polymers were used for automotive refinish coatings or protective coatings for the OEM. They weren't necessarily performance coatings for um you know the high performance world of stuff, right? And I did a lot of work at the OEM level as far as you know creating uh different stuff. And

when the regulations changed, you know, big big portion of development I did is when um you know, regulations changed, EPA changed regulations for coatings that are used on cars. Everything had to be reformulated to lower VOCC coating. So that was a peak point when I worked

in the industry, reformulating the the base colors and toners and clear coats and primers all to meet new regulations and things like that. So, >> and you said that was for PPG. >> So, I did so three companies I worked for doing that. Uh, ICI Paints, which

was a a European company, Imperial Chemical Industries, which was acquired by PPG. >> Okay. >> So, that connection stayed the same. Yep. >> And that was more of my European connection and then some of the US and then I worked for Axel Coatings for about 10 years after that, working

on different brands and different technologies for them. A lot on the waterborne paints and stuff like that. So, >> Okay. Yeah. So, but it all ties together because all all of these these polymers and these things, they all overlap with other things. You know what I mean? So, when you start looking at all this stuff, the technology is is similar and

all the stuff that goes on. So, >> yeah, we we live in the land of 3M. So, they're they dabble in that kind of they got their hands in about everything. So, >> yeah. Done a lot of work with 3M over the years. >> Okay. >> Good company. >> Yeah. >> Good company. They own Meguiers, you know that, right? >> Oh, do they? Really?

>> They do. >> Oh, okay. >> I don't know. It was a long time ago. 10 years a after I left uh Barry sold but uh yeah it's been >> 10 15 years it's been quite a while. >> Okay, cool. >> And they make post-it notes. Don't forget about that. >> Oh yeah. No, that's our big that claim to flame there in uh in Minnesota area.

>> Yeah. >> Uh well, as we wind down here, was anything else that you guys wanted to touch on? >> No, I mean I appreciate the time. I mean, it was fun talking to you guys. It was fun just kind of, you know, >> having a little conversation back and forth with everything that's going on and, you know, share things with your listeners and

>> yeah, >> love to have you come to KEK and, you know, see what we've got going on there. >> Actually do something cool. Maybe watching a cool motor being run or doing something really unique that maybe, you know, you haven't done on the podcast before. I don't know. But we can create all kinds of cool stuff. >> See all the uh Americanmade stuff we do

in house. >> Yeah. Well, actually, uh, before we, uh, touch on that real quick, the whole Americanmade thing is a big subject right now, especially with, you know, tariffs and whatever else. >> How difficult is it to make stuff in America? >> Well, I'm keeping saying we make it all of oursel, right? So, for us, the only

difficulty is whatever the raw material uh, sourcing is, right? And some of that stuff comes from from different places. >> Um, that's changed a lot. I I would say there's not that much difficulty anymore. It's become much more feasible um making stuff in the US than it than

it has been previously. That's why you see a lot of companies starting to pull stuff back now. >> There will always be certain stuff that just isn't going to be economically feasible for a long long time, >> right? But the basic stuff, the things that we do and the raw materials that that you know we use, um there's really

no reason you can't do it very affordably, very economically, and create a better product in my mind than you know, sending it offshore someplace, right? So, >> um and it's it's just really nice to do it here, you know, it's it's very

>> it's a proud moment when you can produce all this stuff right here, right in your own shop. And >> sure in it, for sure. Absolutely. our new um kech track flow LS7 pump uh as you know the GM pump has been discontinued for the oil pump um that's

all engineered assembled um actually engineered and and uh machined and assembled in house and we proudly fly the American flag on uh right next to our logo on that. >> That's awesome. >> Yeah, you get to support the people in your community too, right? So it's

you're not it's it's not just you guys. you're you're supporting >> hundreds of families or what absolutely you know the and and the whole idea that you can do it cheaper offshore. Yeah, maybe you can, maybe you can't, but it's been it's been my experience that people are willing to pay that slight extra bit

>> for the fact that the whole infrastructure is here, >> right? And it's it's our people that are being put to work and you know, >> so >> and we try to make it better. I mean, >> yeah. Well, that pump is an is an example. I mean, it has 62% more

scavenge than the OEM pump. >> So, that's going to >> benefit our racers out there. >> No, I talked to a guy who did some like uh small time injection molding in a in a small shop in Wisconsin somewhere. I was doing a satellite for him at a shop so he could get internet and one of his

biggest uh customers was McDonald's. It's like the the little change thing goes on the side of the cash register that spits the change out, you know, so that they don't have to do any of that stuff. Well, he ended up losing that one to China and he said they'll get and they have to throw away like every 10

that they get in. But it was still cheaper for them to do that than it was to just buy from him. >> Yeah, I know. I've heard >> that's kind of sad that we just have to go through that waste. I know. >> That's a shame. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I' I've had some conversations with companies about making some parts because that's exactly what happens. They got it done very very cheap

offshore someplace. >> Yeah. >> And you know, the failure rate is so high that they've just finally got sick of it. And so they're, you know, revisiting now. Maybe we do have to pay a little bit more, but you know, what are the economics? We have to going through all this nonsense with the the

failures type of thing. So, yeah, >> that's great. >> Want to rip the usual three? >> Yeah. All right. So, at the end of every episode, we like to ask our guest or guests to pick three cars. I need a track car, >> a daily driver, and a show car. You have

an unlimited budget. You can build, swap, weld two cars together or whatever you want to do. What are you gonna pick? >> Go ahead. >> Gosh. Um I think so. A track car. >> A track car could be any kind of track. Whatever you >> Okay. So, I'm going to do that one last

because I I'm not sure yet. Um I don't So, my dream car doesn't exist. >> Sure. Okay. >> It It would have to be a oneoff. Okay. >> Something really radical, something really crazy. Um, if it's more of a show car, I really like boat tails. For some

reason, I'd need a boat tail in that. I'm a huge fan of of uh muscle cars, but as you know, earlier I said I uh my son's car seat was in the back of a 59 Cadillac um which had a 45430 over in it. So, you know, I I think

>> can I mix all those cars into one and just drive it every day and have it just be a one-off? >> Oh, I don't know. >> I got to check my rule book on that. You got it got to be got to be three. >> It's got to be three. Yeah. >> Okay. So, the show car would be a one-off. Sure. Doesn't have a name.

>> Okay. >> Doesn't have a a builder, obviously. It'd be completely 100% customuilt with a K-tech motor. >> And uh the Daily Driver um might be my Nova redone. >> Okay. >> With a K-Ke motor. >> True. Fair enough.

>> And then the race car. What would I pick for a race car? That's what I don't know. Actually, it might have it might have to be a different Nova, like another 67. I I really like that um that car, that body style and everything. >> Sure. >> Um with a bigger batter K- Tech motor in

it. >> Yeah. All right. Hey, that ticks enough boxes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, if I was going to go for the race car, if I could do anything I want, it would be a Formula 1 car for sure. >> All right. >> No question about it. >> All right. one opportunity to get have or do something with a Formula 1 car

would have to be the ultimate on that on that side of things. As far as, you know, a street car type thing, I'm a muscle car guy. I love the old Corvettes. So, it would definitely be a Corvette muscle car. Probably a 67

Corvette tri power car. I love those. I had one one time. >> Um, love them. Would love to have another one. Right. So, that kind of was sort of a, >> you know, deal like that. And if I could have sort of a build have any car I wanted, I love the Kona SGS. >> Konis. Okay.

>> Love that. >> Yeah. >> So that'd be I guess that tick the boxes. That's kind of what my choices would be. >> Sure. Yeah. No, absolutely. That the track car can be We've had people pick something like a Kono sec too because you could technically track it and drive it on the street, whatever you want to do. So >> yeah. No, that all >> I love I love the real high-tech stuff.

So for me, track car would be a Formula 1 car, even though it's, you know, way out there a bit. >> Okay. I'm switching my race car to a quarterback. Okay. All right. >> Yeah. I But but not a new one. I want a 67 as well because that's my favorite year of pretty much all cars. I mean, there there weren't a lot of cars that

year that were built that weren't cool. So, yeah, I'm switching cuz since I'm driving a a Nova for my daily driver, I might as well have something else out on the track. >> Yeah. >> So, what's your guys' car? I want the other side of it. >> Oh, no. You have to go back and listen

to those. Yeah. That's everybody's get me. I'm not sure where mine's at nowadays. Uh I've been looking at Oh, okay. I'll answer it once. It's been about 30 episodes. I've answered it. I really like split bumper Camaros. >> Gotcha. >> That has been my I I have one saved in

my phone. It's black with white stripes. It hits the all the right spots on that one. >> Um that' probably be a show car. Muscle cars are show cars. Um race car, track car. I don't know. I'm still kind that twin turbo Viper, you

know, Mth Moto is still home to me. So that and then daily driver. >> I think I still stick with a cute little GTI, man. I like being inconspicuous. I I don't care. Unlimited money. I'll just throw some ridiculous motor in it. But >> yeah, >> I just like something reli

Okay, I'm going to change it. I was going to say reliable. >> I don't know. We'll throw get something with a Cumins in it. I don't know. >> Yeah, >> that's today's answer. Check back next week. >> There you go. We're going to answer the question 10 different ways as well. So, >> oh yeah, mine's always mine doesn't usually change. So, for uh daily, I need

a truck. So, I want a 67 Shelby Baja Raptor. So, their uh their uh new 67 Powerstroke truck that Shelby does. Um, I'd want a 71 um, Torino Cobra Jet and

as a show car and then uh, 2006 Ford GT as a track car. >> There you go. >> Yeah. >> Oh, that'd be a nice one with a stripe delete. >> Yeah. >> Okay. To be fair, he knew the questions ahead of time. >> Yeah, that's true. To be fair, I think that's been my answer almost the same

every single time. >> For the most part. >> Yeah. >> Uh, on that note, where can everybody find you guys? >> Sorry. Where can everybody find you guys? >> Uh websites or anything like that? >> Engines.com. >> Perfect. >> I'll leave that to I'll leave that to the marketing side. >> I gota be asking the right person over

here. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Uh on that note, thank you very much for coming on the show, guys. This is awesome. Glad we got to meet in person finally. Uh Dan, thanks for existing and we'll see you all next time. >> Appreciate it. Thank you so much.