Engine Builder Profile - Ronnie Willkomm

Deep in the heart of the Old South there is a race engine shop that has been making a lot of noise for more than two decades – that noise is from the powerful engines they build. The company is Race Engine Design, and it’s located in Rossville, Georgia.

Ronnie Willkomm

Owned by Ronnie Willkomm, this engine building company is noteworthy for a number of reasons, but most importantly, it’s known for the consistent, high-horsepower engines built there. For the most part, engines from Race Engine Design are built for dirt racing, and they have produced race-winning power for many well-known and not-so-well-known racers for more than 25 years.

A Little History

Willkomm is originally from Wisconsin, not far from the Great Lakes drag strip in Union Grove, Wisconsin. In 1976, at the age of 16, he worked at the drag strip as a tech inspector, and also bracket raced in a 1970 Nova. He also had a brief career in Pro Stock racing.

In 1984, he went to Georgia to work with Jim Hedrick, the original owner of Race Engine Design. In the daytime Willkomm ran the business operations, and in the evening he helped assemble engines. As time went on, it became clear his value to the company was more tuned to the operations, so he took the reins of the business side.

In 1987, Willkomm became a partner, but in 2001 he became sole owner as a result of the untimely death of Hedrick. With his partner and father figure gone, Willkomm took the helm. Through his leadership, Race Engine Design continued on its path of excellence and has maintained its status as one of the most respected engine building companies in the industry.

Race Engine Design is located in Rossville, Georgia

Race Engine Design is a complete engine building facility that builds as many as one hundred specialized race engines a year. Their client list is broad, and their engines are shipped not only to domestic locations, but also to a number of offshore locations such as South Africa, Australia, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Domestically, the company has been a powerful engine resource to hundreds of racers throughout the U.S. Some of the more recognized names that have run their engines in past years are Dale McDowell, Ronnie Johnson, Skip Arp and Rex Ritchie.

Two current stars that run with engines from Race Engine Design are Ray Cook, who won five races in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2009, and Randy Weaver, the 2009 Southern All-Star Dirt Late Model Series Champion.


The Engines

Willkomm attributes the success of his engines to many factors, such as experience, a great team of technicians and the quality components he uses. He specifically points to COMP Cams® in Memphis, Tennessee as a large part of the reason his engines produce consistent and reliable horsepower.

“We use the best parts available for our applications,” said Willkomm, “And COMP® is our source for cams and other valve train components. We work very closely with them. I especially appreciate Gordon Holloway, who is my direct engine consultant at COMP®.

“The customer service at COMP® is as good as it gets. There are other companies that sell parts, but they just don’t match the constant R&D that COMP® does. COMP® is constantly testing and designing to stay on top, and they listen to feedback from us to help maintain the best-engineered parts.

“When we have questions, their know-how is second to none. They advise us and help keep us on track for high-horsepower output from our engines. Through the years we’ve had virtually no valve train failure.”

Going Racing

Willkomm not only provides powerful engines to racers, but he is vigorously involved in racing in another way too. He is part owner of the Cleveland Speedway in Cleveland, Tennessee. His involvement in this facility is testimony to the fact that he is serious about both racers and the spectators that come to see the races. His belief in the sport is strong, and even in the current uncertain economic times, he is strong in the belief that racing will continue to grow.

“Racing will continue to go and grow,” said Willkomm. “It’s a sort of self maintaining sport. Guys are going to race, and as long as companies like Race Engine Design keep providing engines that last, they will keep going to the track. The economy plays a role in how many races both the racers and fans can go to, but they will still go as often as they can.

“I just think that we will weather this current economic storm and come out the other side stronger and better than before.”

Source:
Race Engine Design
770 Chickamauga Ave
Rossville GA 30741
706-866-3000
raceenginedesign@aol.com