Armadillo Racing Enterprises (ARE) was established in 1983 when owner Andy Collins plunked down $35 of his hard-earned bucks to become a dealer selling AMSOIL synthetic oil to his friends in the Pacific Northwest racing community.
It quickly became apparent that there was a real need for a trackside supplier of racing fuel and parts. So in 1986, “Armadillo Andy,” as he became known, searched out and located Engine Research Company (ERC) racing fuel. Arguably the finest racing fuel in the country, ERC trusted ARE to represent their product, and using an old 1966 Chevy pickup, Armadillo Andy started taking fuel and parts to local sports car races.
As the business grew, so did the need to change the business structure. In 2006, Armadillo Racing Enterprises, a sole proprietorship, gave way to Armadillo Racing Incorporated (ARI), with Armadillo Andy operating the corporation as President and chief cook and bottle washer. Throughout the 1980s into the 2000s, ARI served circle track racers, drag racers, as well as sports car racing.
The core business is much the same today as it was in the beginning, serving the Northwest racing community with the parts and fuels they need, when they need them, trackside on race weekends. Of course, there has been considerable growth in that service. Today road racers are serviced from a 28-foot trailer/showroom with a huge inventory of parts.
A picture of our store at Bremerton Raceway with our mural on the building done by Andy’s daughter Nicki.
After serving the drag racing community for 15 years at Bremerton Raceway, the operation was shut down due to low car counts and a general lack of business. Then in 2020, Armadillo Racing began serving the drag racing community at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA from the Pro Shop located behind the grandstands near the burnout area.
Capitalizing on the experience at Bremerton Raceway, this unique store provides the kinds of parts drag racers need—from safety equipment (helmets, suits, and HANS devices) to Holley jets, tire gauges, dial-in markers, NHRA rule books, and much more. Essentially everything a drag racer needs to pass tech, set up the car, and race safely. Plus, we offer great fanwear including NHRA T-shirts, caps, and more.
We are committed to you, your racing, and the racing community. Our staff has been involved in motorsports in many ways—from autocrossing, road rallying, and road racing to turn marshalling and club administration. This includes serving as Regional Executive of NW Region SCCA, President of the International Race Drivers Club, and Armadillo Andy serving for four years as President of the Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts (SOVREN).
We have sponsored events, series, and teams including the NW Region SCCA Track Trials program, SOVREN vintage racing, and numerous drag, motorcycle, go-kart, stock car, and sports car events and series. For years, Armadillo Racing has also been a teaming partner with the ProFormance Racing School at Pacific Raceways as their official supplier of safety equipment.
We understand racing because we are involved, and as a result, we are ideally suited to help you with all your racing needs.
