Dave Peterman

Inside Sales

Dave’s passion for racing began at a young age, when he would stay awake late at night reading Hot Rod Magazines. He always knew he wanted to work in the automotive industry, and began his career as a Machinist in 1984. Dave continued to pursue automotive interests in his personal life, and began his first restoration project in the mid ‘80’s, a 1969 Pontiac GTO.

Not long after that, Dave’s relationship with racing took an all-too-common twist. After helping a friend build a new Street Stock drag car, Dave made the mistake of racing that car one night. Dave was instantly hooked of course, and soon began building and racing his own Street Stock car. Dave eventually progressed to the Late Model class, where he campaigned the car for two years at Norway Speedway and Thunder Valley Raceway in Michigan.

In the mid 90’s Dave took a technical customer service position at Coleman Racing Products, and later moved to Port City Racing. After a short break from the racing business as an Aerospace Machinist, Dave joined the Essex sales team in 2005. Dave continues to pursue his passion for racing in both his professional and personal life. He brings a depth of technical knowledge and expertise to the Essex team, and shares his time between sales and operating our brake dynamometer. Dave is a talented and knowledgeable machinist and craftsman, and is currently building a Ford GT40…without a blueprint!