Drag Illustrated Issue 175, March / April 2022 | Page 83

Even at 16 , I knew that drag racing was so much more than a hobby . It ’ s a passion that once you get the taste , it ’ s tough to let it go .
Those who know drag racing know the name Mike DePalma . What are some of the highlights of your driving career that led you to where you are today ?
I love Competition Eliminator . Most of my driving success is in that class . I ’ ve driven for so many great people and have learned so much about not only driving , but how the industry functions and the right people to have in your corner . I ’ ve racked up quite a few NHRA national event Wallys , a few division championships and my favorite , a JEGS Allstars double-up in 2013 . We joined a very small list of double-up champs and I am so very proud of that accomplishment .
There are so many places racers can go to for the tools , parts , cars , trailers , etc . for their racing program . Why take your experience and name to the Elite umbrella and why should racers come to you ?
Anybody can sell a car , trailer , or parts . The market is very strong right now . To me , the thing that sets all of Elite ’ s companies ahead of the competition is the group of people involved . Everybody that works with us is either a champion in their own right or closely affiliated with champions . We have made every mistake any racer could make or is about to make in building their program and executing their goals on the track . We ’ ve learned so much along the way in our own careers that it ’ s like a cheat sheet for our customers . We will not only place our customers in the right cars , with the right parts , hauled in the right trailer , with the best power we can , but we will help them put it all together to slap a few win lights on their resume .
You ’ ve got Top Fuel champion Michael Brotherton selling motorhomes and trailers , Mick Snyder selling parts , Todd Patterson and family at Patterson-Elite , and now me putting butts in cars . The experience and knowledge of the folks involved here is absolutely second to none .
From top to the bottom , this is truly an all-encompassing , onestop shop for someone trying to put together or build on their race program . I ’ m thankful for the opportunity and am proud to be able to help my fellow gearheads chase their dreams .
For more information about Elite HP , visit EliteHP . com . DI
March / April 2022 DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 83