When it comes to high-performance engineering and motorsport innovation, TKO Motorsports is in a league of its own. Nestled in Reno, Nevada, this cutting-edge operation is a powerhouse in fabrication, machining, and race car development. Known for its relentless pursuit of speed and precision, TKO Motorsports has built a reputation for delivering championship-winning race cars and high-performance automotive components.

From track-day builds to full-blown competition cars, TKO has earned a name for itself in everything from GT racing to high-end custom builds. Their cars and components are designed with one goal in mind: winning. Whether it’s aerodynamics, chassis development, or precision machining, every part of their process is approached with the kind of engineering excellence reserved for top-tier racing teams.

I recently had the opportunity to tour the TKO Motorsports facility, an experience that left me in awe of the sheer scale of engineering, craftsmanship, and technical expertise that goes into their work. From their sprawling production floor to the CNC machines humming away in the background, this tour was a firsthand look at what it takes to build race-winning machines.

The Legacy of TKO Motorsports

Founded in 2008, TKO Motorsports has carved out its place in the racing world through years of experience and innovation. What began as a passion project evolved into a full-fledged racing and engineering powerhouse, with a deep focus on building and developing high-performance race cars and aftermarket performance parts.

In their rookie season in the 2023 SRO GT America series, TKO was crowned champions claiming victory in 8 of the 18 races with famed driver Memo Gidley behind the wheel. In their lobby, alongside multiple shelves filled with trophies, proudly sits the #101 TKO Motorsports Mercedes AMG GT3, the very same that won the series. Next to that is one of the most beautiful race cars I have ever seen: A 2018 Bentley Continental GT3 in a variant of British Racing Green. The two cars almost exclusively hog all the attention of everyone that walks into the lobby, but rightfully so.

TKO Motorsports isn’t just about race cars. Their true expertise lies in the meticulous engineering that goes into every component they create. The same precision that allows them to dominate on the track translates directly to their parts manufacturing process. Each component is designed with performance optimization in mind – whether it’s reducing unsprung weight in suspension components, increasing aerodynamic efficiency, or enhancing thermal management for high-stress parts. This engineering-first approach means everything that leaves their facility isn’t just built to look good, but to perform under the most demanding conditions imaginable as well.

The Facility: Where Engineering Meets Art

The TKO Motorsports Headquarters is massive. The first thing that stands out about the 75,000 sq. ft. facility is the sheer size. It’s like a Costco full of race parts. This isn’t just your average workshop, though; it’s a state-of-the-art motorsports facility built around precision and efficiency. The space is divided into different sections, each dedicated to design, fabrication, machining, testing, and assembly as well as the front office.

The design process at TKO begins long before any metal is cut. In their dedicated engineering department, a team of specialists works with advanced CAD software to model components down to the micron. What impressed me most was watching their tool path programming in action – the meticulous process where engineers determine exactly how each CNC machine will move to create intricate parts. These tool paths aren’t just functional; they’re optimized for efficiency, reducing machine time while maintaining precise tolerances that often exceed aerospace standards. The engineers explained how they sometimes spend days perfecting a single tool path for complex components, ensuring the finished part maintains structural integrity while shaving off every unnecessary gram of weight – because in racing, every gram matters.

At the heart of the facility is an array of CNC machines, laser cutters, and fabrication tools that allow TKO to produce high-performance components in-house. This means they have complete control over the quality, tolerances, and materials used in their parts. Many race teams and manufacturers rely on outside vendors for precision machining, but TKO’s ability to manufacture custom billet components, suspension parts, and aero elements in their own shop sets them apart from others in the industry. In fact, some outside companies actually buy materials from TKO that have already been machined for perfect tolerances instead of doing it themselves. Even TKO’s raw materials are perfect.

In the back of the facility is their fabrication shop, where master welders and technicians transform raw materials into functional art. Walking through this area, you witness the birth of roll cages, custom exhaust systems, and chassis reinforcements – all created with surgical precision. During my visit, I spotted everything from vintage cars undergoing a complete restoration to modern supercars receiving custom bracing and engine work for track use. By far, my favorite project was a Porsche GT3 getting a cage and a very large turbo setup. As you can see in the below photos, the build quality is excellent and kind of ridiculous (in a good way). It speaks volumes to see this one as well as an additional completed project Porsche casually sitting in their workshop bays. Either of these Porsches would be a lifelong, monumental project for me and they are both side projects worked on in between building championship winning race cars.

Most people wouldn’t dream of taking a new car and cutting it to pieces, but that is what makes TKO a bit different than your average shop. A lack of fear and quiet confidence goes a long way when it comes to undertaking a project like this. The variety of projects demonstrates TKO’s versatility, but the consistent thread running through each is uncompromising quality. If you can dream it and write a check for it, they can build it – and build it to a standard that would satisfy the most demanding scrutineers at Le Mans.

Parts Testing & Mechanical Shop: No Room for Error

A major part of TKO’s success comes from their ability to test and validate every part they design and manufacture. In their testing and mechanical workshop, every component undergoes rigorous evaluation before it ever sees a racetrack.

The star of the show is their in-house designed TKO ARHC (Active Ride Height Control) suspension system. With rigorous testing on a shock dyno, nothing leaves the shop without extensive data collection and validation. Suspension components are fitted to the machine and fine-tuned to ensure optimal handling. The dyno can simulate various circuits for performance testing or stress testing under intense conditions to find failure points so they don’t happen on track. Because at the end of the day, performance isn’t just about power; it’s about reliability and consistency.

What’s Next for TKO Motorsports?

As TKO Motorsports continues to grow, so does their ambition. They’re not just a shop turning out performance parts—they’re actively developing new technology, new race cars, and new ways to push the limits of motorsports.

One of the biggest areas of expansion for TKO is furthering their involvement in top-tier racing series. With advancements in aerodynamics, powertrain development, and race engineering, their cars are becoming more competitive, proving that independent, engineering-driven teams can challenge factory-backed efforts. They are unfortunately taking the 2025 season off, but it is to focus on a top-secret upcoming project (I know what it is, and it’s sick). At this time, I can’t share any details, but as soon as they announce it, I hope to be able to provide some exclusive insights. All I can say is they will be back on track soon, dominating circuits across the US.

Beyond motorsports, TKO is expanding their high-performance component lineup, offering enthusiasts and private teams access to the same level of engineering that goes into their race cars. Whether it’s aero kits, custom suspension setups, or full motorsport-grade builds, TKO is setting the bar for what’s possible in the world of high-performance automotive engineering. General customers are now able to get their hands on a piece of their racing DNA for their own cars. With a push for more local clients, we may be seeing more relatable builds and projects in addition to their championship-winning GT3 cars as the majority of us enthusiasts don’t have GT3 cars chilling in our garages.

With each new project, TKO continues to elevate the racing industry, blending art, science, and sheer mechanical excellence into every build. Their facility, their expertise, and their passion make it clear—this is more than a race shop; it’s a hub for innovation in motorsport.

Where Passion Meets Precision

Getting a behind-the-scenes look at TKO Motorsports was a reminder of what true automotive passion and engineering excellence look like. This isn’t just a team turning wrenches—it’s a cutting-edge motorsports operation that designs, builds, and refines race cars from the ground up.

From precision CNC machining to exhaustive parts testing and full competition builds, everything that comes out of TKO’s facility is built with one goal in mind: to win. As they continue to evolve and expand, there’s no doubt that their influence in motorsports will only grow stronger. For any enthusiast, engineer, or driver, TKO Motorsports is a name worth following because they’re not just making fast cars; they’re shaping the future of performance.

In an industry increasingly dominated by corporate interests and mass production, TKO Motorsports stands as a testament to what can be achieved when skilled craftspeople are given the resources to pursue perfection. If the future of motorsport depends on innovation and engineering excellence, then that future is in good hands with companies like TKO Motorsports leading the charge.