The racing season has begun at Richmond Dragway, which now features a “PIRTEK lane” for its racers. PIRTEK West End in Richmond is one of the local dragway’s newest sponsors.

The racing season has begun at Richmond Dragway, which now features a “PIRTEK lane” for its racers. PIRTEK West End in Richmond is one of the local dragway's newest sponsors.

PIRTEK, the leader in fluid transfer solutions, according to the company, provides hydraulic and industrial hose replacement sales and services from its 57 service and supply centers across the country. PIRTEK West End is one of two service and supply centers in Virginia.

During the races, the announcer now refers to the right lane as the “PIRTEK lane” when competitors enter it. The dragway also positions the PIRTEK logo prominently on the scoreboard and on the screen of the online feed.

Sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association, Richmond Dragway features a quarter-mile track on its 130-acre facility. The racing season begins in March and runs through the end of December.

“Our relationship with Richmond Dragway is a good match,” said Suchit Gandhi, the owner of PIRTEK West End at 2115 Dabney Road. “The racing industry makes heavy use of hydraulics and hoses and the competitors are typically industry owners, so it's a logical place for us to familiarize more people with our brand.”

Greg Duff, PIRTEK West End's operations manager, has raced for several years in the International Motor Sports Association, winning two championships while managing a drag racing facility in Richmond. Greg recently introduced Gandhi to Richmond Dragway. “We thought it would be a good way to get involved in the community and connect with people who can benefit from our services,” Duff said. “It's an exciting opportunity for all of us.”

One of the dragway's recent champions is a PIRTEK customer, and there are other customers associated with the popular racing venue. “We have customers who come to the dragway, both as participants and as attendees — there's a loyal fan base here,” said Gandhi.

The Richmond Dragway sponsorship dovetails with PIRTEK's involvement in the upcoming 2016 Indianapolis 500, and the formation of PIRTEK Team Murray that includes Indy driver Matt Brabham. PIRTEK also was a corporate sponsor of high-performance snowmobile racing this year in the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series.

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