COMP CAMS SEES VALUE WITH BUILT ENGINES IN SHORT TRACK RACING
By: Kevin Ramsell

BURLINGTON, WI (Monday, March 31, 2008) – When Scooter Brothers of COMP Cams was approached in participating in the ASAMT Engine Giveaway Program, his company jumped at the chance. With COMP Cams participation, three drivers will be at the season opening event on Saturday, April 19th at Elko Speedway in Elko, MN for the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment’s Kwik Trip 125 with a brand new engine under their hoods.

Brothers, the Director of Research and Development for COMP Cams, is also a partner in the business and has been involved in the racing world for over 40 years. He sees the value of built engines for the racing community.

“I believe that the best thing the racing world could understand is that the ‘crate’ phenomenon is not a fix for every bad thing that is a part of racing. If you believe some of the hype it will take care of everything and have a line of armored cars leaving each race track after every race and have every race team rolling in money,” Brothers stated. “In the big picture it won’t change much, and it certainly won’t make up for a lazy track promoter or bad decisions made by the racer. If the promoter works hard, and the racer makes good decisions and is a good businessman they will be able to flourish.”

He also feels that a built engine will help the competitor in the long run, “Sometimes they just have to see it to believe it,” Brothers explained. “A ‘crate’ engine is simply a production, assembly line engine with some different parts. Same people with little or no racing background who just have a job putting parts together. The same way with the guy who spec’d the parts to go into the engine. An engine builder has some skin in the game, and he’s closer to the racer, so he can make a better decision of how the engine should be configured, and the racer will get a better part. It might cost a little more on the front, but the racer will be more satisfied in the long run.”

COMP Cams has been in business since 1975 when it began and continues to operate out of Memphis, TN. The core items supplied by the company are all valve train parts including: cams, lifters, valve springs and rocker arms.

“The success of all of the COMP products comes from the engineering and technology that is the foundation of the parts. You certainly cannot make a good part from a bad design, so COMP prides itself in superior engineering and design,” Brothers stated. “One of the main things that COMP is proud of is the position it takes on service. Same day cam shipping has made life easier for the racers and engine builders, and we have a pledge to them to do whatever it takes to keep them in good quality parts.”

Brothers appreciates the support that the ASAMT has shown to the engine builders, “It’s important to be supportive of every aspect of racing. Engine builders and parts manufacturers compete just as much as the racers on the track. Look at the billboards at tracks and look at the ads in the magazines. Without that financial involvement the racing world would look a little different.”

And he also finds great value with the Engine Giveaway Program, “This program is an example of how the sanctioning body can cooperate with the racer and the promoter to help keep costs at a reasonable level and let everyone compete where they need to compete. Race tracks, sanctioning bodies, parts manufacturers, fans, media, and racers need for this to work. This is the type of program that works for everyone.”

“Scooter Brothers and the whole staff at Comp Cams are one of the biggest supporters in the country for built engine racing,” Steve Einhaus, ASAMT VP stated. “Their passion and willingness to educate racers and promoters across the country will make all of us better at providing our fans with a good quality racing event.”

Brandon Hill, recipient of a Pro Power 9:1 engine; Travis Sauter, recipient of a B & B Race Engine’s ACE engine ; and Kris Kelly, recipient of the Tesar Engineering ACE engine, are counting down the days to the April 19th opener at Elko. All three are grateful to COMP Cams and the other participants for the opportunity they are given from this program.
To learn more about the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment log on to www.asamidwesttour.com or call the ASA Midwest Tour office at (262) 514-3880 or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.

To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.asaracing.com.