Last Friday marked a sad day in the tuning industry. XS Engineering's Project Manager Greg Profeta is no longer working for one of the best, most reputable tuning shops in America. After five years of building buff time attack cars and reliable customer cars with real power, Greg was offered a position with Toyota as an Engine Calibration Technician, and no doubt he will kill it at his new position.
Before his impressive career at XS, Greg worked as a mechanic for Gameworks' indoor go-karts. I can remember showing up after hours to run on an open track with no electronic limiters set on the go-karts and Coca-Cola poured on the track. Greg was responsible for keeping all of the karts working and pretty much ran the whole show. When he wasn't toying with new ideas to improve lap times (cutting tread into the tires, etc) he was wrenching on his '89 Toyota Supra Turbo. Knowing there was much more out there than Gameworks, which was shutting down at the time, Greg decided to give XS a shot.
The next 5 years were history, as they say. Greg took a lot away from his experience at XS, but he certainly gave a lot too. He took part in building THE time attack car to beat here in America, the XS BNR32 Skyline GT-R. The Speed channel followed the build for the first season of their Street Tuner Challenge series. Not only does their GT-R currently hold the record at California Speedway and dominate all other US tuning shops' cars, but it has also taken down some of the best time attack cars from Japan such as the famed Mine's GT-R and ZeroSport's STI. It was also named Touge Monster at Best Motoring's American Touge 3. Greg also took part in building the first 2 American Touge winners, XS Engineering's WRX and Kim Johnson's BNR34 Skyline GT-R (which also went on to win Sport Compact Car's Ultimate Street Car Challenge).
All work and no play is never fun, so Greg also applied his expertise to his current car, a 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder. With basically stock power, Greg went on to win his class at the first ever US Gymkhana track event with just suspension tuning alone (not to mention badass driving).
So after 5 years of developing some of the best parts in the industry for XS, building some of the fastest race cars, and making sure the rest of us drive reliable street cars that make actual, usable power, it's time for Greg to say goodbye. Although he will definitely be missed in the tuning industry, he has definitely made his mark. XS Engineering has established itself as a premier US tuner, and they will have no problem continuing their success. I would like to wish Greg the best of luck with Toyota and also thank XS for slapping the US tuning scene straight. Results speak louder than words.
Friday, we had a nice little going away party at the shop. Check out the pictures to see some of the bomb Asian food this white guy got to grub on, including some homemade egg rolls that were just killer. Its funny, Greg and I joked about writing a "memorial" for him, but after re-reading this, it kind of sounds like one. You'll be missed buddy. Enjoy.