Car-builder Melnick steers racers his way

The father-son team from Hubbard attracts customers nationwide.

By JOHN KOVACH

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

HUBBARD — Do you want a custom-built, drag-racing car to enter in competition or a motorcycle to race with or tour the countryside?

If so, then Jeff Melnick Jr. and his father, Jeff Melnick Sr., of Hubbard can build one for you from scratch that is ready to hit the tracks or roads at their shop — Exotic Fusion Motorsports, 875 Elmwood Drive in Hubbard — for a cost of about $75,000.

Melnick Jr., 24, a Hubbard High graduate, recently built his first dragster with the help of his father in their shop, and now he would like to build more for anyone who wants one.

His drag racer, a 2002 Dodge Avenger that he built from a kit, is on display at Summit Racing Equipment in Tallmadge, which also is the sponsor for Melnick’s car.

But in a few days, Summit Racing will move the vehicle to Canton where it will be displayed at Summit Racing’s display at the Akron Hot Rod Show from Friday through Sunday at the Canton Civic Center.

“I fabricate everything myself. Now that I have the tools and knowledge to build a car, I would like to build more cars,” said Melnick, who buys the motors.

Melnick, who grew up building, fixing and racing cars and motorcycles, was greatly influenced by his father.

“Dad has been racing for 30 years. I pretty much grew up at the racetrack. I raced ATVs when I was a teenager and I outgrew that and wanted to drive a race car. So I figured it was the right time to do something, and instead of building some one else’s car, I built my own.”

Melnick said his father has been in the business of fixing and building cars for about 40 years, and that the son learned from the father and was motivated by him to do the same.

“He built two cars of his own. He’s always been the reason why [I got involved],” Melnick said. “He pretty much watched me racing growing up.”

Melnick complemented and enhanced to his on-the-job experience by attending the Motorcycle Mechanic Institute in Orlando, Fla., where he became certified in building various motorcycle designs; and Lincoln Electric in Cleveland where learned how to weld with all types of metals.

Melnick’s car is powered by a 482-cubic inch Chrysler engine and can cover a quarter-mile in 8-9 seconds.

“This year we will run the car in the 8.9 [seconds dial-in] index class,” said Melnick, explaining that the racer closest to a dial-in time of 8.9 seconds over a quarter-mile track wins the race.

“In the next couple years, the car should be going in the high 7s, meaning seven-seconds range for a quarter mile.”

Melnick said they already tested their car last fall and hope to resume testing again in April.

“We had it out at the end of last year at Quaker City Raceway twice at the end of October to test it out. It actually did really well. I won my first round of competition with it,” Melnick said. “We probably will start out the year testing the car at Quaker City Dragway. They start racing in the first of April.”

Melnick said his car cost $30,000 to build without an engine, which could cost as much as $20,000 more depending on the kind selected. And of course, they were supplying their own labor. Their labor charge to customers would be about $20,000.

Melnick, who plans to have a web site soon, hopes the quality of the workmanship will attract customers and keep them coming.

“The demand is more nationwide. There is a good group of racers in the area, but you have to build for a nationwide clientele,” said Melnick.

kovach@vindy.com

XJeff Melnick Jr. can be reached at his shop at (330) 534-4348 or on his cell phone at (330) 647-2642.