Infographic: Torque Converters By the Numbers

Some Prominent Racers Using BTE Torque Converters in Their Cars

While we could go on all day about what makes our torque converters the best in the industry, it’s really our customers that give us the feedback we need to continue improving.

Here are just a handful of the racers that trust BTE with their racing vehicle's torque converter that you may have heard of:

Luke Bogacki

Luke Bogacki, professional drag racer, NHRA World Champion and NHRA Division 7 Super Comp Champion.

Scotty Richardson, drag racing instructor, Schooled By Scotty.

Todd Ewing, owner of Huntsville Engine and drag racer.

Brad Plourd, successful drag racer, multiple NHRA national event champion.

Buddy Ferrell, prominent racer, owner of Ferrell Transmission Service.

Tom Williams, NHRA Division 5 heavy hitter in Top Dragster and Super Comp and respected transmission builder.

Lucas Walker, dominant Kentucky racer and race car builder.

Jamie Hancock, world record holder for drag radial pass, who credits BTE’s torque converter as one of his keys to that 4.093-second pass.

Daniel Rollison, Gulf Coast racer who's won more big money bracket races than most people have fingers and toes.

901 Bad Boyz / GYS Racing, National Grudge Racer of the year from 2013.

Stig Olsson, of Slingshot Racing in Europe, European record holder. 

Jared Pennington, hugely successful footbrake competitor.

Kenny Hubbard, record-setting racer in the popular radial classes, and transmission builder for the Houston area.

Frank Hawley, NHRA World Champion, owner of Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. 

What We're Known For: BTE Racing Torque Converters

During the course of the next several weeks, we are going to highlight some of our most popular products. We'll show you how they're made, why they stand out and feature some of our favorite racers using these products every weekend in their cars.

We recently gave away a torque converter to Derek Lewis, winner of our first social media Wheel Stand Tournament. There's a reason we chose this BTE product: It's one of our best and most popular items, and most importantly, it really does help people win races. Just ask Jamie Hancock, among others.

What is it and how does it work?
A torque converter multiplies torque and acts as a fluid coupler. It is a complex assembly of stamped, machined and welded steel. (A great beginners guide to the operation can be found here.) In racing and high performance, we rely on the foundations set by the automotive manufacturers. Every race torque converter today and since the beginning has been based on a torque converter originally developed by General Motors, Ford, Toyota, and others.

Car of the Week: Jake Heminover's '68 Chevy II Nova

Welcome to our new series, Car of the Week, where we feature BTE customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to drive and race. Today’s spotlight is on Jake Heminover of Salem, Illinois and his '68 Chevy II Nova, a car that seems to be a popular choice for BTE fans. 

How did you get into drag racing?

It started just by being around cars and wanting to go faster than the other guy.

When and where was your first race?

When I was 16, on a road called Beer Can Alley in my hometown.

What model/year do you race now?

A ’68 Chevy II Nova

Does your car have a nickname?

Mighty Mouse

Jamie Hancock Sets New World Record for Drag Radial Pass Using BTE Torque Converter

As you might have heard, Jamie Hancock of Hancock Racing set a world record last weekend with a 4.093-second pass in his Pro Nitrous Corvette at Shadyside Dragway in Shelby, NC. 

On top of all the raw power in that car, Jamie also mentions BTE Racing as part of the team that helped him reach his goal. From a Drag Illustrated article published yesterday, Jamie says:

“The car hadn’t been raced since 2010 and we’d pieced it together with parts from the shop. We got with the guys at BTE and that’s what picked us up big time — that new converter.” 

We are honored to be a part of this history-making run! Congratulations Jamie. For more information on our bolt-together torque converters, visit our website.