Take 5: Aeromotive Talks New Product, Gas Prices, & 2022 Racing

From the gas pump to the grocery store, inflation is taking its toll. And as prices rise for everyday items, many budgets grow thin for anything deemed non-essential. The competitive racing scene already weathered some tough times in the past few years, as it navigated pandemic shutdowns and COVID restrictions. To now face soaring fuel costs just as things began to resume some small semblance of normalcy certainly stings. It also likely has many racers – particularly those at grassroots levels – reevaluating their level of participation this season.

Fuel goes quickly at the track, not to mention during transport! Factor in tires, safety gear, replacement parts, upgrades, and a long list of other expenses, and frankly it’s incredible anybody manages to afford this passion in the first place, let alone during a financial crisis.

We here at The Engine Block began wondering how these factors might play out on this year’s race season. In order to make some educated assumptions (and scope out some fresh product), we reached out to our friends at Aeromotive for some insight. As an absolute juggernaut of fuel-delivery and fuel-system components, the brand certainly understands the importance of efficiency amid rising energy costs. As a longtime supporter and contingency sponsor of a variety of racing disciplines, from grassroots drag racing to professional drifting, Aeromotive also has a bird’s eye view of how economic factors affect participation. Keep reading for a short Q&A with Phillip VanBuskirk, Aeromotive National Sales Manager.

Q: How would you describe the general state of the current racing scene since the pandemic? Have interest and participation been on the rise, or declining?

A: Racers are competitive by nature. They are not going to let the pandemic hold them back. Racers will scratch, claw and fight their way through it all to keep doing what they love. Parts supply and rising costs to race will delay some people from getting back to the level they were at. But, in these times, everyone is looking for some form of normalcy.

For racers, that means getting back to racing and being around their track families and working late nights with friends to have everything ready for the next event. Racers are bringing their families to the track with them, and passing on the enthusiasm and passion for racing to the next generation.

[As for spectators], I believe that cable TV covering races and adding car enthusiast shows has increased interest and some participation. Social media groups dedicated to every category and topic for car enthusiasts have been on the rise too. Together, these two forms of media have exposed many people to something they may not have otherwise been exposed to.

Q: Do you feel current economic factors, such as inflation, higher gas prices, and difficulty getting parts will take a toll on participation levels this racing season?

A: I believe economics and supply chain issues have affected participation in racing already this year. Supply chain has probably been the biggest factor, because it has caused so many delays on racers’ projects. Some might be holding up and not rushing their builds with the higher gas prices. They may plan on racing when they can, instead of shortcutting their build to get back to racing quicker. I anticipate we will see better participation as the year goes on.

Q: How is Aeromotive contending with current supply chain issues and working to keep its products on shelves?

A: I believe customers are starting to turn to U.S. manufactures to help with current supply chain issues. Since Aeromotive products are built in the USA, even though we have seen a large increase in sales volume, we have been able to handle it due to our locally-sourced components. Higher sales volume and labor shortages have become the bottle neck, but this is still faster than waiting on foreign shipments. Keeping our distributors stocked has allowed Aeromotive to keep racers supplied with the parts they need to keep winning.

Q: What current trends are you observing among race enthusiasts?

A: Late model EFI swaps into older vehicles is the hot ticket right now. LS, Coyote, and Gen III Hemis are getting transplanted into anything and everything. As the aftermarket grows with products to make these swaps easier and more affordable, this trend continues to grow.

Aeromotive’s line of EFI-ready, OE-replacement Gen II Stealth tanks has helped support this trend. We also offer a growing number of drop-in factory style modules to replace or upgrade Foxbody, C10, and F-body fuel pumps. C10 and OBS GM trucks along with 3rd gen F-bodies have become more popular the last few years as enthusiasts look for affordable projects.

Q: How do you see fuel demands changing to accommodate higher-horsepower applications? And how is Aeromotive expanding/evolving its product line to suit these needs?

A: New engine technology – both on the OEM and aftermarket side – has made it so easy to have reliable high horsepower combinations. We see 1000+hp street combinations all the time now. The engine might support it, but factory fuel systems are not designed for those power levels in mind.

Upgrading not only the fuel pump but the whole system is key. Customers need to look at the pump, wiring, filters, regulator, and line sizes to make sure they feed the engine with the fuel it needs. With multiple options for factory tank drop-in pumps and the highest volume in-line pumps available, Aeromotive continues to be the leader in high volume fuel supply to keep up with the power demands. Aeromotive offers everything needed to complete your fuel system from front to back.

Q: What new product releases/product innovations has Aeromotive recently launched?

A: Aeromotive’s new drop-in fuel pump options are supporting the fuel needs of late model muscle car enthusiasts. Aeromotive has offered many drop-in products in the past and is always expanding. The late model drop-ins for S197/S550 Mustang, 3rd-6th Gen Camaro, 2016+ CTS-V/ATS-V, and GM trucks have been extremely popular.

Aeromotive has added dual and triple pump combos for Charger/Challenger Hellcat and non-Hellcat cars along with 2015+ F150 trucks and even a 525lph option for Hellcat-swapped JK and JT Jeeps. These OEM drop-in style modules utilize the factory gasket and lock ring. The module incorporates the OEM fuel level sender, jet siphon, and pickup. The billet cap adds large ORB outlets and return port while keeping the OEM vent hookup. Multi-pump systems can be controlled independently by triggering with TPS or Boost reference to support up to 2400hp forced induction with gas and over 1600hp on E85.

Q: What’s next for Aeromotive? Any exciting new products in development you can share with us?

A: Aeromotive has always been a leader in fuel systems. We are continuing to look at ways to solve the issues that customers battle. For the quest of higher horsepower “street” cars, we are working on even higher volume and efficient fuel pumps to support this quest. Along with supporting fuel systems, Aeromotive is also looking to solve customer concerns with other fluid transfer products.

Q: Is Aeromotive sponsoring any racing series/drivers this year?

A: Aeromotive is continuing to support the NMRA and NMCA racing series with racer contingency. Giving back to the racers was always important to our founders and will continue for generations. Aeromotive also supports drivers such as Ryan Martin, Scott Taylor and many other no prep racers along with Off-Road racers Loren Healy and Vaughn Gittin Jr and Formula Drift driver Matt Field.