Iowa-based metal fabrication tool specialists Trick-Tools will sponsor rookie NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Chase Van Sant in the upcoming season.
“We are super-excited to race the 2023 season with Trick-Tools wrapped around a WAR (White Alligator Racing) Suzuki body,” said Trick-Tools owner Bruce Van Sant— Chase’s father and a former racer himself.
“Chase is my son, but in reality, racing has always been at the heart of Trick-Tools,” Van Sant said. “We founded this company 25 years ago to help fund our own racing efforts, as well as provide solutions for fabricators and builders to make a better product, more efficiently.
“NHRA racers, crew, and fans are a perfect sampling of our core customers. And although we have steadily built a good name in the industry, we can’t wait to see what the extra exposure will do to get the word out about the equipment we offer.”
With team owner Jerry Savoie stepping away from racing full time, WAR is embarking on a whole new era. Having Chase as a rider and Trick-Tools as a primary sponsor will help ring in a new era for WAR.
“Our team has really started to take shape for the 2023 season,” said WAR tuner and team manager Tim Kulungian. “A year ago, Bruce and I had a conversation at PRI that started this, and we are all thankful for this relationship and excited to take the next step.
“Chase has done a remarkable job in testing. His involvement last year on and off the track has helped build a foundation moving into 2023. Crewman Keith Nichols and Chase worked well in 2022, and Keith will be the lead tech on the Trick-Tools bike.”
Van Sant is ready for his maiden debut in NHRA.
“Racing Pro-Stock Motorcycle has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, so to have the opportunity with a team that is as high of caliber as WAR is more than I could have ever hope for,” said Van Sant.
“I’m also thankful to get to do the whole thing with my dad, and Trick-Tools as my sponsor for the season. It’s one thing to get to race in the NHRA, but I think it’s a lot more special that my dad and I get to do it together.
“I can’t thank Tim Kulungian and Jerry Savoie enough for the opportunity to ride one of their bikes. The whole WAR team is such a great group of guys and I think it’s a really good fit for us. I had a great time working with them this past season and I think that time is going to be really valuable for next year. I definitely don’t feel like I’m jumping in blind as much.
“It’s still pretty surreal to me that I have this opportunity, but I’m looking forward to making the best of it and trying my hand against the best in the business!”