Who is Speed Merchants Ltd?
The principals of Speed Merchants Ltd bring over 100 years of racing and race organizing experience to your projects.
Speed Merchants Ltd was formed in 1997 to present on-track events on a professional basis for clubs and commercial operations. Since then we have presented training days, fun days and race events for exotic car dealerships, vintage clubs, for GingerMan Raceway and Autobahn Country Club. These are the people who comprise Speed Merchants Ltd:
Jay Busse
Starting in 1969 in a bugeye Sprite, Jay Busse has since raced Lotus 7s, C Sports Racer, and Formula Super Vee, while holding a Certified Instructor license. Active at the same time as a race staff worker in the Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs, he has served as Competition Director, Chief Tech Inspector and Vintage Historic Racing Director for the group. Named 1994 Member of the Year and 1996 recipient of the Bill Poole Memorial Award for long term service.
Currently, he holds certification as an Event Chief Steward for Racing, Autocross and Drivers School events. Jay is a resident of Elgin, Illinois, where he operates a commercial photography studio specializing in advertising and catalog illustration.
Ross Fosbender
Started working corners at Meadowdale and racing at Wilmot in 1965. Chaired first ever MC race at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, 1968. Co-chaired first ever sports car race at GingerMan Raceway, 1996. Has staffed Tech, Timing & Scoring, Pit & Grid, Safety & Rescue. National F&C license. Certified racing instructor. Developed GingerMan Raceway "Sports Car Boot Camp" drivers school. Speaker and writer on race driving. Advertising/Marketing/PR Professional.
Ron Petrucci
Ron is the technical wizard of the group and President of Speed Merchants Ltd. Owning auto parts and service operations for over 30 years, he combines management ability and keen knowledge of mechanical matters. He has been a member of the Technical Inspection Team for many years and President of the largest club in Midwestern Council for four years.
Gary Weis
Joined NEOhio region of SCCA in 1969 and worked corners and pit control at Nelson Ledges and Mid-Ohio. Chaired Nelson Ledges races. Attended Skip Barber and Midwestern Council driver schools. Active in vintage racing the past six seasons. Currently Chairman of Vintage.Historic Committee and V/H Chief Steward. Now building a new GT-2 Z-car. Currently holds Steward licenses for wheel-to-wheel and autocross events. Credentialed photographer for CART, IMSA, F-1, NASCAR and SCCA Pro Series events at all major tracks.
You can see that Speed Merchants Ltd. brings many years of organizational ability and the technical expertise to make your event operate smoothly. We have the contacts to bring in the needed race staff, driving instructors, emergency vehicles and other necessities for a smooth running, first class track day. There's another factor- At Speed Merchants Ltd, we're not just event organizers; we're drivers ourselves. We know what drivers want and know how to provide it for them. That will reflect well on you.
