Author: John Carollo

Pro-Touring: More to Give

Many industry folks call the Pro-Touring market the gift that keeps on giving. (Photo courtesy Art Morrison Enterprises)

This article originally appeared in the November 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Many industry folks call the Pro-Touring market the gift that keeps on giving. That’s because this popular niche includes so many aspects and genres, not to mention fans from all walks of life. Pro-Touring covers cars and trucks from all eras—everything from… Continue reading Pro-Touring: More to Give

Performance Drivetrains: When Things Just Mesh

Meticulous drivetrain work will earn shops a reputation for quality. (Photo courtesy RANDYS Worldwide)

This article originally appeared in the October 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Behind every performance engine is a quality drivetrain system that effectively delivers all that power to the ground. While consumers often don’t think of them until something goes wrong, drivetrain components are nevertheless vital factors to the overall enjoyment of any vehicle… Continue reading Performance Drivetrains: When Things Just Mesh

Roads to Riches

The Maserati GT2 was designed and built as a racing car dedicated to private teams and gentleman drivers.

This article originally appeared in the September 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Are your performance customers looking to do more than just sit in a parking lot or slowly cruise the main drag? Tell them to hit the road. The road racing market is robust, viable and has a big secret just waiting to… Continue reading Roads to Riches

World Party: Sport Compacts

Sport compact customers are looking to strongly modify their vehicles. (Photo courtesy Yokohama Tire)

This article originally appeared in the August 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Monty Python gave us the phrase, “And now for something completely different.” Sport compacts started off being just that, while today—well over 20 years since their raucous entry into the automotive world—they are still around and thriving. Small but packing a big… Continue reading World Party: Sport Compacts

Shock Value

Performance shock designs are keeping pace with the latest OEM models and features. (Photo courtesy FOX)

Literally and figuratively, these days we could all use a smoother ride, right? When it comes to aftermarket suspension upgrades, performance shocks help soften some bumps in the road. Whether at the track or on the trail, the proper shock setup provides the stability, control and safety customers seek. Add in specialized tasks such as… Continue reading Shock Value

Dialed In with Tuners & Programmers

The tuner market is evolving as computer systems become more complex. (Photo courtesy Hypertech)

This article originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Tuners and programmers are an important part of the specialty aftermarket, providing vehicle customization options for everything from track days to towing. Far beyond simple power enhancers, many of today’s products deliver a full menu of individualized settings to control everything from… Continue reading Dialed In with Tuners & Programmers

Diesel Performance: Seven Days a Week

Provide recommendations based on prior experiences with different makes and models of performance diesel parts. (Photo courtesy Hot Shot’s Secret)

This article originally appeared in the May 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Editor’s note: This discussion references the EPA and some of its positions, programs and policies regarding diesel vehicle emissions. Learn more at: epa.gov/dera. Performance diesel enthusiasts are a dedicated, active part of the aftermarket that love their vehicles and are excited by… Continue reading Diesel Performance: Seven Days a Week

Hold Me Tight: Performance Clutch Systems

Establish a strong relationship with your clutch suppliers. (Photo courtesy mcleodracing.com)

This article originally appeared in the April 2023 issue of THE SHOP. The continued excitement around manual shifting from a loyal group of racers and street enthusiasts means the clutch market remains strong, even amid all the new developments happening with automatic transmissions. In fact, the clutch market is seeing plenty of advancements of its… Continue reading Hold Me Tight: Performance Clutch Systems

Three-for-One: The Benefits of Performance Exhausts

Axle-back and cat-back aftermarket exhaust systems are always safe options for a shop to recommend. (Photo courtesy SpeedFX)

This article originally appeared in the March 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. With a performance exhaust system, drivers get to check off three boxes on their personalization lists at the same time—performance, appearance and sound. For shops looking at product lines that can help sell themselves, performance exhausts are a smart place to start.… Continue reading Three-for-One: The Benefits of Performance Exhausts

Drag Racing Rides Momentum

The first MAHLE Motorsport-sponsored Nissan to break into the 6s at the Import vs. Domestic World Cup finals (2019) driven by Gidi Chamdi at a record-breaking 6.56 seconds at 225 mph. (Photo courtesy MAHLE Motorsport)

This article originally appeared in the February 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Drag racing, by all accounts, had a great year in 2022. With all that’s going on in the world today, that’s quite remarkable. Car counts were good, attendance was strong and even TV showed viewership increases for many events. Following our recent… Continue reading Drag Racing Rides Momentum

Filling the Funnel with Performance Oils & Fluids

Performance oils & fluids make a real difference.

This article originally appeared in the January 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Performance oils and fluids are protection for your customer’s power investments. Engineered for specific uses and backed by lab and real-world testing, these products are a fun and vital part of a speed shop’s offerings. From supply chain issues to common misconceptions,… Continue reading Filling the Funnel with Performance Oils & Fluids