NMCA Champ Chris Rini Will Not Return To Defend Title In 2013

This week, two-time and defending NMCA Kooks Custom Headers Pro Street champion Chris Rini confirmed that he will not be returning to defend his title in 2013. Instead, he and his ATI Performance Products-backed team will focus on the Extreme Outlaw Pro Mod Series, with Piedmont Dragway’s Big Dog events (a series he was also crowned champion in last season), Mike Hill’s Carolina Dragway Shootout, and match races sprinkled into the schedule.

Rini cited a number of reasons for not returning to the series that has been the home of his world-class racing operation for many years, including a desire to remain closer to his New York home base and tend to his business, Chris’ Automotive Center in the city of Carmel.

“First is the traveling and the time it takes for my crew and I away from work. This year I have a new building going up at my shop and a face lift on an older building, so time away makes that harder. The cost of traveling has also helped make this decision. It seems every year fuel goes up, along with the price of maintenance and upkeep on the truck and trailer. Lastly is the parity between the turbo cars and the nitrous cars in the quarter mile. The turbo technology has come around to the point we can’t run with them in the back half of the quarter mile. Not complaining, just stating the facts.

“The NMCA has been good to me but I am going to take this year and focus on the EOPM and running some other eighth mile races. All the races are within a couple of hours of where I keep all my stuff so traveling is easier and less expensive. I will be out there racing just as much to support my sponsors like ATI Performance Product, Baskin Truck Sales, Buck Racing Engines, Car Quest Auto Parts, Chris’ Automotive Center, Kooks Custom Headers, Ross Pistons, VP Race Fuels, Hosier Tire, and Aeromotive, but just in different venues.”

Rini became involved in the sport in 2000 with his 12-second street car and steadily progressed up the ladder to Top Sportsman and then Pro Street, capturing the 2010 NMCA championship in convincing fashion over Joe Dunne. Rini returned to the champions stage in 2012 after edging out Clint Hairston for the series title.

Rini will be running ATI’s trick new Turbo 400 SuperCase and lockup converter combo in his Camaro in 2013.

For more information on ATI Performance Products and their team of esteemed racers and customers, log on to atiracing.com.