12 Questions With Wayne Kirk

[CPG Marketing]

Name: Wayne Kirk
Job Title: Warehouse Manager

Wayne Kirk manages the many operations involved with shipping, packaging and receiving at the COMP Cams® warehouse in Memphis, TN. Wayne also oversees the ZEX™ and FAST™ facilities where components are assembled and soldered before being packed for shipment.

What is your background in the industry?

My background in the industry comes from my dad and my uncle. They used to drag race back in the early 60s and 70s. Really, I was born and raised into racing. I had been around the racetracks growing up, and I had always heard of Racing Head Service®. Then as I got older, I went to school. Anyway, I wanted to come to Memphis and this was the first place I applied. I got the job, and I’ve really been here ever since.

What do you like best about the job?

The challenge. I always try to exceed people’s expectations, as far as work goes. That’s a big challenge because the business, as long as I’ve been around, has always been booming. I just like trying to help everyone in the racing industry. I get excited about the people that we serve. It takes more than eight hours to do the job I do, and I always work more than eight hours. I put in probably more time here than I do at home.

What is your all-time favorite or dream car?

Anything that I call a heavy Chevy. You know, the older cars, like a Chevelle, a Nova or an Impala. The best way to say it is a heavy Chevy. Really, any of those would be my dream car.

Do you have past racing experience? If so what kind, and do you still race?

Not really, except just growing up with my dad and my uncle. In my teenage years I did some street racing, and after the races in places like Jackson, Tennessee, we used go down the track. They let us do that after the races, but it was just for fun. As far as actual racing, no. It was just playing really.

What is your proudest moment in racing or in the industry?

I really don’t have any proudest moments except for when my dad and my uncle used to race. I never really raced myself. But like I said, I grew up watching my dad and uncle. So just whenever they would win.

Who is your favorite racer and why?

I don’t really have one. I don’t watch a lot of TV so it’s hard for me to keep up with racing. I’m always busy doing other things. I know it’s strange, but I haven’t been into racing in a long time just because I don’t watch TV at all. Plus I have three boys that I’m raising and I don’t want them watching TV.

What is the best career advice you ever received? Who gave it to you?

My dad always told me, whatever you do, do it right the first time. So really, I would say the best career advice is just to do it right the first time.

What advice would you give a kid who wants to go grow up to be a racer or work in the industry?

Listen to the people that have been here for a long time. That’s the best thing you can do. Always listen to the racers in the company. Most of them have already been there, they have the experience.

What are your hobbies outside of racing and the industry?

Riding my motorcycle and going camping with the family. That’s about it really.

What is your favorite type of music to drive to?

I like Southern rock and country.

In the next five years, what do you think will be the most important advancement in performance automotive technology?

Electronics. I believe electronics will be really big. I would say, you know, anything like electronic fuel injection will be really big. The technology behind the electronics, I think, is what’s going to really carry this company and carry the industry into the future.

What is the one thing you couldn’t live without?

My family.