Paul Sergi
Summit Racing Equipment’s roots can be traced back to a family farm in New Jersey. A young Paul Sergi took a liking to motors and machines, specifically the sounds of the tractors. The farm also taught him many important business philosophies: relying on quality products, reinvesting in the company, and emphasizing the importance of customer service. “When busheling corn, you always throw in two extra ears in case you miscounted,” Paul’s father taught him.
As a young performance enthusiast, Paul fed his interest and curiosity in motors and machines by flipping through the various car magazines at the local drugstore. After college, the engineer and avid drag racer bought a new 1967 Corvette (he still owns it today). When he needed a special tool to adjust the valves on the Vette’s 427 big block, he went to his closest speed shop, which wasn’t close enough to be convenient. Paul wanted better access to the parts he needed, when he needed them, and he wanted them at a good price. He and the owner of the shop struck up a friendship that would eventually serve as the genesis of Summit Racing Equipment. Paul began buying parts for his Corvette at distributor prices. It didn’t take long before his racing buddies wanted to buy parts, too.
The Corvette became a delivery truck, and a spare bedroom became a warehouse. Advertising in the local newspaper followed and the part-time business grew. Soon, Paul had to make a choice-keep his full-time job and give up the business or go all in on his auto parts store.
With his focus fully on building Summit Racing Equipment, Paul placed small ads in national magazines and the business was rolling. The staff grew, and like a true enthusiast, Paul worked in every area of the company-from shipping and receiving to creating magazine ads, and even learning programming so he could build the company’s computer system. The company’s first mail order catalog was created. To help set the business up for growth, Paul hired a highly capable staff in key areas. Marketing was in full force, customer-focused policies like the Handshake Guarantee were introduced, and the company grew…and grew some more. The company’s 24/7 order line went live to serve customers nationally and then SummitRacing.com was launched.
Today, Summit Racing Equipment is the go-to parts source for enthusiasts around the world. With operations in six states and millions of parts in stock, the company has come a long way since 1968. With the guiding principles Paul learned on the family farm at Summit Racing Equipment’s foundation, the company makes it a priority to take care of customers, employees, business partners, and the industry.
You’ll see the Summit Racing Equipment logo at tracks, on race cars, and at a wide variety of events throughout the United States and beyond.