The prep shops

Prep Shops spread around the country offer a variety of ways to concentrate on driving without worrying about the logistics

There are a ton of shops out there with ready-to-go fleets of rentals. All you have to do is show up and drive.

Still, there are those who prefer to own their own race car. They want it to fit like a glove and look the way they want it. However, like those who seek to rent, they may not have the time or other necessary resources (shop space, trailer, etc.) to do everything themselves. For them, the prep shop comes into play providing everything but the car.

“I think that with today’s mentality, the way people are, nobody has time to play with their own race car,” said the late-Dave Wheeler of Advanced Autosports in Beloit, Wis. “So for the people that have the money, it’s well worth it. They have all of the advantages of a big-time shop without the commitment.” Wheeler and his late wife Ann O’Malley built a prep shop for the ages – often supporting circa 40 customer cars and a small rental fleet, all of which they would bring to the track for which they would provide trackside support.

And now in 2019, Advanced Autosport is just as strong, illustrating that Advanced Autosports was built to last, largely due to the people and culture they created.