I know we’re more about domestic drag racing around here, but if something hauls ass then we dig it. And this little Civic of Ricky Silva’s hauls ass. It’s a lightweight bullet that makes a ton of power and getting it all down to the ground takes some serious tuning, power management, and clutch management. So it is a perfect matchup to have McLeod on board with Silva’s team for 2021. The announcement and more information is below.
April 2, 2021 (ANAHEIM, CA) McLeod Racing announces partnership with Import Drag Racer Ricky Silva. Silva will be piloting his 1997 Honda Civic with a commemorative 50th Anniversary McLeod Racing wrap for the 2021 season. Silva will be competing in the highly competitive Sport Front Wheel Drive (SFWD) class for import drag racing across the country.
Silva is no stranger to the import world of racing and street cars. Ricky has 20+ years of street and track experience and is currently the full-time mechanic for CLM Motorsports Inc in the tri-state area. On the track, Silva is the two-time OGS1320 SFWD champion with multiple accolades and wins throughout his racing career.
Silva’s ’97 Honda Civic EK will be equipped with McLeod Racing’s Mini Mag 7 ¼” twin disc clutch for the Honda B-series engines. These units have the only friction material designed to endure the required slippage of drag racing. It has a high clamp to wear ratio, low moment of inertia, and has an open clutch cover design to keep the unit running cooler under heavy use. These kits include a racer rebuildable disc and floater packages along with replacement part availability.
As McLeod Racing celebrates 50 years of innovation and customer service, owner Paul Lee knows the importance of expansion in different areas of racing and street performance. Lee and his marketing team have picked Ricky to join the McLeod family and to represent the dominating presence the brand has in the sport compact industry.
“We are pleased to welcome Ricky into the McLeod Racing family and support Import Drag Racing and the SFWD class,” says Paul Lee, NHRA Nitro Funny Car driver. “Ricky is a great driver and a perfect brand ambassador for McLeod Racing. Everyone in the import drag racing world knows who Ricky is and respects Ricky as a long-standing pillar of the industry. With his expertise and knowledge, Ricky has the passion for racing just like all of us at McLeod.”
Ricky is anxious to return to the seat of his Honda in next week’s HDay event at Maryland International Raceway.
“We are excited to have McLeod Racing on board for our 2021 season as we continue to chase more points and the elusive 7-second barrier,” says Silva. “With 50 years of experience, I am confident that McLeod’s products will achieve my goals for the season and beyond. I hope to educate other racers and street enthusiasts about the McLeod brand and to get their product in the hands of future customers and fans.”
Along with Silva, Joe Macasero, head of McLeod Racing Sport Compact marketing, will be present at next week’s HDay event showcasing product and available to answer any tech or applications questions.
Follow along the celebration of 50 years of McLeod on Facebook (@McLeodClutches) and Instagram (@McLeod_Racing) to win prizes and to watch the entire McLeod team race this 2021 season. And follow Ricky on his journey to the 7s on Instagram (@Ricky_CLM).
