We recently caught up with Speed Partz owner Larry Fasse to ask a few questions about the business and racing in general.

How Long have you been in business?
We are going on our third full season.  We put our first catalog out in 2000.  I think we had about 6 products at the time.

What made you decide to start Speed Partz?
I've been around racing my whole life.  I started racing motorcycles when I was 16.  I raced flat track until the time I was about 31.  During that time I had a Pro License for about 16 years.  I had always wanted to race the cars, but just never had the money.  When my son got involved in mini-sprints about 8 years ago, I knew that this was something I could really get behind.  Not only did it allow a guy to get involved in auto racing without dropping a ton of money, but it offered some of the most competitive racing I've seen in a long-time.  However we started to find that it was often hard to find parts.  As a way of helping guys out more than anything, we started to carry a few parts.  Things have just snow-balled from there.

From your point-of-view, do you see the open wheel side of welter-weight racing growing?
I would have to say most definitely.  It seems like everyday the number of inquiries regarding mini-sprints, modified midgets and even TQs is growing.  I think new deals like the NAMARS series are helping out.  Additionally you have strong organizations that have emerged that are helping the sport grow.  I know the track that we run at has nearly 30 upright 600cc mini-sprint in attendance each week.  Our area recently saw a new track open, Waynesfield Motorsports Park.  It has allowed a whole new group of people to be exposed to the cars.  It's amazing the number of calls we have received in the last few weeks from guys wanting to build cars.  It seems like when people see these cars they really like them.

What do you enjoy most about the business?
It has to be working with the customers.  After nearly 30 years of working in Corporate America, this business is a nice change of pace.  Believe me, there are times when it gets a bit stressful trying to get all of the orders out quickly, but it is also a lot more fun dealing with customers who are doing what they love.  It really makes me feel good when a racer calls back just to thank us for helping them out.  That's our goal to provide the best customer service possible.

Where do you see the business going in the future?
Our focus is on the welter-weight racing market.  We try to keep a close eye on the changes and needs of competitors in that market.  One recent area of growth has been the addition of our own product line, FOZ Products.  We began to find certain products that were hard to source.  The best answer was to begin manufacturing them ourselves so that we can be assured of the quality and availability.  Additionally we are find new doors being opened thanks to the rapid growth of the sport.  Companies like AFCO have become very interested in the sport of welter-weight racing.  Our direct connection with this side of the sport has and continues to open new doors for our business.

You recently moved into a new location, can you tell us a little more about your move?
The growth of the business dictated the need to move into a larger facility.  As we've continued to grow the amount of inventory we carry, space was quickly becoming a concern.  Additionally we run two house cars, which had to be kept in a shop half-way around town.  It was becoming way to inconvenient.  Our new facility which is located just North of Cincinnati, Ohio allows us to get all of the inventory and our race shop under one roof.