Robinson, Finch elected to WTC Hall of Fame

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. — Longtime custom wheel veterans Carl Robinson — a former Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels executive — and George Finch are the newest members of the Specialty Equipment Market Association's Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) Hall of Fame.

Messrs. Robinson and Finch both have longtime volunteer service time with the WTC in addition to their respective commercial accomplishments. They will be inducted into the council's HOF during the WTC's industry reception Oct. 31, according to Gregory Parker, WTC chairman and national account sales and marketing director at Wegmann Automotive USA Inc.

"For many years, these men have willingly shared their professional and technical expertise in helping to address issues facing our industry, and we're excited to be able to honor them in this way," Mr. Parker said.

Mr. Robinson has more than three decades' experience in the performance aftermarket industry, working for Weld Racing for 13 years and Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels for 10 years in the motorsports and new product development divisions. He also served on the WTC Select Committee for 10 years.

He now is principal of Race Wheel Enterprises, where he handles marketing and sales for InduraPower lithium ion batteries and consults with a wheel manufacturer on a project for the performance aftermarket industry. He also is a race day announcer for the Professional Drag Racing Association.

Mr. Finch has 20-plus years' experience in product development, including the areas of product portfolio planning, voice-of-customer research, product design and performance analysis, product lab and field testing, and product sales and vitality index analysis, the WTC said, working for American Racing Equipment for 10 years in R&D. He currently is principal engineer for Carlstar Group L.L.C.'s wheel products in Los Angeles.

He was a Select Committee member for more than 16 years and was council chairman in 2006. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the implementation of J2530, an SAE Recommended Practice that provides performance and sampling requirements, test procedures and marking requirements for aftermarket wheels intended for normal highway use on passenger cars, light trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles.

The WTC Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the wheel and tire industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments enhanced the status of the industry, while significantly contributing to its growth, progress an d professionalism.