Motion Raceworks Continues to Raise the Bar for Not Just the Drag-and-Drive Community, but All Automotive Enthusiasts
It started as an idea and a hobby in 2015 in Doug Cook’s garage, and nine years later, Motion Raceworks has grown by leaps and bounds.
Offering a product catalog that is nearly 100-percent ‘Made in the USA’ sourced, Motion Raceworks has shown to be one of the companies in it for the long haul for not only the drag-and-drive community, but automotive enthusiasts in all walks of life.
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A three-person operation considering of Doug Cook, Andy Cook and Brian Jack, Motion Raceworks has grown to acquire the TBM Brakes, RIFE Sensors and Fluidworks companies, as well as expand production capabilities and bring more products in house. They recently added three new machines to their Iowa warehouse with an eye on the future.
“We had to do something keep up with our explosive growth, and allow us to continue to release the new parts our six engineers are designing, prototyping, and testing,” said Doug Cook. “This is phase two of a multi-phase expansion!
Phase three we are currently remodeling another new facility to move assembly offices and shipping into, and building another warehouse as well for Motion Raceworks.”
“If you go through about 80 percent of the catalog of parts we offer, those parts are being tested and used by our own employees, and I think that’s pretty unique,” Doug said. “There are companies that have racers and enthusiasts, but not as many as there used to be. Our team is driven by everything we’ve seen and the people we race with, and that contributes to our success.”
For Doug, a hands-on approach and putting a product that’s tested again and again is why Motion continues to excel. “From a drag-and-drive standpoint, it can be the most brutal environment for parts,” he said. “Some may not see it that way, but from an all-around perspective, it has driven our needs and wants for products that incorporate durability and functionality.
One of their newest offerings is the Operator shifter, and with a couple of drag-and-drive cars proving the use of the shifter, it also gave Doug ideas on features and accessories. “We wanted a shifter that could perform in anything from a 6-second race car to a 13-second street car,” said Doug. “I feel like a lot of shifters on the market are designed and just sold to people, and then the customers have to adapt to them.
With the Operator shifter, we have a multitude of options, and trying to listen to customer needs to make them better.” Some of these features include push or pull to shift, front or rear cable exit, left and right button bracket locations, and even different color grip accents and a cupholder option.
Doug also thought outside the box when it came to on-site support, as the Motion Raceworks trailer doesn’t just house a few display items and merchandize. It also carries common parts needs during drag-and-drives, even if they are not Motion Raceworks sourced.
“Years of doing drag-and-drive events taught us what customers needed,” Doug said. “We listen, as we’re competitors right there alongside them. It has allowed our team to service a multitude of avenues at an event, from the customer to the fans that show up to support us.”
The Motion Raceworks crew will once again host a checkpoint along the 2024 edition of the Sick Summer drag-and-drive event, and as previously noted, there will be some Motion staff riding along as competitors in the event.
Leading the team will be Doug Cook, in his familiar 1972 Chevrolet Nova in its first drag-and-drive since 2021. Wielding a new combination from Pete Harrell at Harrell Engine and Dyno based on the sixth-generation LT platform, Doug has put the twin-turbo Nova through testing over the last couple months, and is on the verge of the 6-second zone, with a best pass of 7.004 at 202.39 MPH with a 1.189 60 foot time. “It’s getting better, and we’ll see what it can do during Sick Summer.”
Speaking of 6-second drag-and-drive competitors, Brett LaSala will compete in his first Sick Summer, but not in what you’d expect. Forgoing the low 6-second ‘Snot Rocket 2.0’ Ford Mustang Brett is usually wheeling, he’ll be trading twin-turbos and Coyotes for the Motion Raceworks Chevrolet OBS delivery truck.
Packing a 1000-horsepower 632 cubic inch big block and some nitrous to add to the party. Vice Grip Garage’s Derek Bieri wheeled the truck to a pair of 9.22 time slips during Sick Week; can Brett and co-pilot Jim Braun find the 8-second range on Sick Summer?
After his chances behind the wheel of El Toro were cut short at Sick Week, Blayne Stark gets another stint in the seat at Sick Summer. For those that may not recognize the name, Blayne and his father Tom have done several drag-and-drive events in Tom’s ’55 Chevrolet 210 station wagon.
The father-and-son team will exercise the single turbo Coyote swap Mustang in the Rowdy Radial class for the week, and based on last year’s winning average, they have a chance at the title.
The fourth and final ride out of Motion Raceworks is a new one to drag-and-drive, as engineer Brent Sands will run his third-gen Camaro in the Rowdy Radial class as well.
Riding co-pilot with Andy Cook during his Rowdy Radial class win one year ago, Brent is excited about his turn behind the wheel, and although his goals are to merely complete the week and find the 5-second range on the eighth-mile standard, his excitement is that wife Stephanie and son Wesley will also be able to witness the week.
The best way to start a fun-filled summer is Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks! 6 days, 4 tracks, over 600 miles, and one hell of a road trip! See the 6-second 200-mph rides of Alex Taylor, Bryant Goldstone, Cleetus McFarland, Clark Rosenstengel, Nick Taylor, and over 300 more street cars and trucks, as they travel the roads and battle on the drag strips, of the Midwest.
Want to join us? Spectator tickets and Sick Ward spots are available! Click here to find out more!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Motion Raceworks, Doug Cook and Brent Sands.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com