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Daytona State College employee promotes new auto program on the IHRA circuit

When Myron Piatek straps himself into the cockpit of his race car Feb. 6 for the start of the International Hot Rod Association’s season kickoff in Immokolee, Fl, he will be looking to return to the glory of his 2006 IHRA world championship.

His new co-sponsor, Daytona State College, will be looking to draw attention to its newest program in Performance Engine Technology.

“This is a unique opportunity for myself and the college to introduce race fans to our high performance engine building program,” Piatek, a longtime maintenance specialist at the college, said as the finishing paint and decals were applied to his modified 1975 Dodge Dart stock drag car. “With Daytona Beach being so well known in the racing community, it seems only natural that Daytona State College launch a program of this nature.”

The three-semester Performance Engine Technology program, which currently is enrolling its first cohort, prepares students to become high-performance engine builders. “We are emphasizing various types of racing engines,” said Stan Sidor, associate vice president of Daytona State’s College of Engineering Technology and Occupational Programs. “This program covers a wide array of topics that students won’t find in a typical automotive program - blueprinting, engine block machining, cylinder heads, welding, performance engine theory and assembly, performance fuel and ignition systems, electronics, custom tuning, and high-performance chassis and brakes. It’s a great way for students to be introduced to the motor sports industry and its many levels.”

It’s a program Piatek wishes was available back when he first developed his passion for racing in 1978, cruising the streets with his older brother and looking to race anyone, anywhere. “That’s what got me interested in cars and going fast. Unfortunately, I also began (illegal) street racing like my brother, but I wised up before there were any negative consequences for me.” That wisdom came when he was introduced by friends to regional drag racing circuits and began entering sanctioned competitions. “I started doing fairly well, figured it was a good, safe environment for me to do it and, hopefully, it would allow me to win back some of the money I had invested in my cars.”

These days, Piatek races under the Locomotion Racing moniker on both divisional and national circuits. After more than 30 years, he’s still not in it for the money. For him, speed is a passion, racing is a way of life. “I’ve made enough money on the circuits to where this all at least partially pays for itself,” he said, “but more important, I’ve met a lot of great people and have had a lot of wonderful experiences doing what I love to do.”

For Sidor, his hope is that the college’s new program can eventually help attract more racing industry to the area. “The motor sports industry is highly diverse, and I believe this program offers students an excellent opportunity to get the skills they need to begin working in the field,” he said. For more program details or for information on how to enroll, please call or email Sidor at sidors@daytonastate.edu, (386) 506-3612.

Holeshot Wheels continues to design new styles for their wheels. Check their site for the newest offerings. (Click on wheel.)

Ishihara-Johnson Crank Scrapers has become the latest associate of Locomotion Racing. Their product was used in the engine built by Larry Whitley at Eastern Performance Engines which helped in setting two new ET records, personal best 1/4 and 1/8 mile performances, the 2008 IHRA Division 2 Stock Championship and a #10 finish in the national points standings

Starting in 2008, the Dodge Dart Sport will be powered by a 360 Commando powerplant built by Eastern Performance Engines of New Bern, NC. Based on past results with customers and their own shop car, Locomotion Racing has joined forces with them to provide continued, reliable record-setting performance.

After using Harland Sharp Rockers on my W-2 equipped Challenger bracket car for almost 2 decades, I had to discontinue their use in 1999 because IHRA rules did not allow roller rockers as a legal replacement in the Stock class. In 2007 the rules were changed allowing their use across the board in all classes (Except Pure Stock.). I now look forward to many more years of valve train reliability and efficiency with their products in my 360 Dodge Dart Sport.

Ronnie Robinson of Green Cove, Springs, FL has opened a shop devoted to a variety of vehicle services and accessories, from general maintenance and appearance to all-out performance modifications: Street, Truck, RV, Viper, SRT-8, SRT-10, Prowler, Vette, muscle cars, etc. You can even trailer in your vehicle and leave the trailer at the on-site storage facility until your vehicle is ready! As a lifetime automotive/performance enthusiast and many years in the vehicle business, Ronnie will be happy to discuss your needs and options.

Hoosier Race Tires are now part of the Locomotion Racing Team along with TTI (Tube Technologies, Inc.), who manufacture quality headers, exhaust systems, tips and more for A, B, C & E Chrysler muscle cars and Neons.

ROL Manufacturing has completed redesigning their website and offers a complete outline of the product lines, including hi-performance gaskets

More information on these companies and other fine products can be found through their logo/links on the "Products & Services I use and recommend" page.

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