Carson City corporation puts stop on race cars

When it comes to the products of Sierra Mold Corporation, Ron Burdg doesn't compromise.

Reliability, effectiveness and reputation mean a lot to a person who's been there and done that.

Burdg, president of Sierra Racing Products, a division of SMC, knows what works. As a former racer who spent many years in a stock car, he offers some of the best brake products on the market.

His business, on Forrest Way in Carson City, employs just a few people in a 15,000 square-foot building. Nine of the 35 machines are CNC (computer numerical control).

"We're pretty comfortable for a small business," Burdg said. The company will celebrate 30 years in business Thursday. They have been in Carson City since July 1994.

"About 35 percent of our product is for racing," he said. "We've put brakes on a New York fire truck - and stopped it. Also on a monster truck.

"We've done a whole lot of weird stuff, and it's worked."

Racing divisions which use Sierra Racing Products brakes include: late models, touring divisions, dirt late models, sprints, World of Outlaw sprints, midgets, 1/4-midgets and 1/2-midgets, dragsters, supermodifieds, vintage cars and road-race applications.

"Phil Perry in Lincoln (Calif.), all the cars he builds have SRP, and he was won races and championships with them. If a racer listens to the advice I give them, the product works,' Burdge said.

"People who understand suspension, horsepower and how brakes work - will do well."

Western State Supermodified Racing League two-time champion team owners, Steve Shaw and Tom Silsby of Carson City, have used Burdg's products more than 10 years.

"We run everything of Ron's and swear by it," Shaw said. "We also use Ron's expertise on an everyday basis. From his extensive background in the business and his own racing career."

Phil Perry, owner of Perry Racing has used SRP brakes about 10 years on his own race cars and those he builds. Perry began building late model racecars parttime in 1979, going fulltime in 1989.

"Pretty much anytime I have a question for Ron, he has the answer," Perry said. "He's been involved in the same type of racing (as me) for years and years. Anytime you do that you have a better understanding to build the part.

"I'm happy with the product. It's quality stuff."

Burdg said his brakes are one of the few domestic-made brake in racing. Most others are made in China. They also manufacture floor jacks, collets, retention knobs and a substantial amount of parts used in the linear transducer field.

"Not bad for a small business," Burdg said. "But I'm too old to change my ways. I want people to know how, when and where it's made and that I can depend on it.

"I'm very proud when any of our products perform on any type of car."

Burdg and his wife, Jeri, have been married 29 years and live in Carson City.

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.