Racing Head Service (RHS) was founded in 1967 exclusively as a manufacturer of racing cylinder heads.  In the years since then, RHS has integrated other race components, from turn key race engines to gaskets and spark plugs.  We were checking out the company’s website and happened across a neat interview with one of the people that makes the wheels of Racing Head Service turn.  The company’s interview with Kevin Feeney gives us a little insight into the inner workings and people at RHS.  We thought that it would be an interesting piece to publish for our readers to get a feel for the people behind the scenes at RHS.

As the product manager for RHS, Kevin Feeney is deeply involved with researching, selecting, developing and placing new RHS products. Kevin draws on his extensive personal racing experience to better understand what RHS customers need. He then helps bring new products onto the market to answer those needs.

Here’s RHS’ interview with their Product Manager, Kevin Feeney:

1. What is your background in the industry?

Feeney: I have been involved in the automotive performance industry since high school. I’ve basically grown up in the industry and have been involved with the evolution of the aftermarket cylinder head market.

2. What do you like best about the job?

Feeney: The best part about my job is that it is in the performance industry, which has always been my passion. It beats having to get a real job that would seem like work!

3. What is your all-time favorite or dream car?

Feeney: The one that can set a fast time and win on Saturday night! I’ve always been a circle track racer, so if you’re asking me about street vehicles, my favorite is just the one that is already paid for.

4. Do you have past racing experience? If so what kind, and do you still race?

Feeney: I have been racing since I was 11 years old. I started in quarter midgets and moved to dirt sprint cars when I was 18. Then I moved again into pavement sprint cars, and I still race a 410 CID winged sprint car on pavement.

5. What is your proudest moment in racing or in the industry?

Feeney: Over the years I’ve been involved in numerous product development projects. The sense of accomplishment when you see a part through from conception to production to the race track is a great feeling every time.

6. Who is your favorite racer and why?

Feeney: I can’t say that I have one favorite racer. I really admire all the guys who have made it to the professional level on their own, but have not forgotten where they came from and continue to support grass roots racing. I think Ken Schrader is a perfect example of this.

7. What is the best career advice you ever received?

Feeney: Not sure who it was from, but the advice was to find something that you enjoy doing.

8. What advice would you give a kid who wants to go grow up to be a racer or work in the industry?

Feeney: There is a tremendous amount of opportunity for a career in the performance industry in a number of roles. The best advice that I could offer someone is to concentrate on their education. As the industry has grown, so has the technology. A good education is going to become more and more important to keep up with the technology.

9. What are your hobbies outside of racing and the industry?

Feeney: Racing, racing and racing.

10. In the next five years, what do you think will be the most important advancement in performance automotive technology?

Feeney: As the later model engines and fuel injection continue to migrate into the performance market, the advancement in electronics will continue to play a large role.