By Ashley Reyes
Rxn Motorsports Ltd. is the latest SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Member Spotlight company. The company’s very name, Rxn, is an abbreviated form for reaction—a process involving change—so it comes as little surprise that Rxn was formed during the pandemic. Read more about the company from Chris Stacey, one of the company’s co-owners.
SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop. How did you start?
Chris Stacey: I have been building cars for my entire career. I wasn't even old enough to drive the very first car I ever built. It was a frame-off restoration of an Austin Mini, complete with a roll cage and everything. Rxn Motorsports is brand new. We just hit the end of year number one. It’s been a little bit of a crazy start during the pandemic, but Amber and I wanted to create a company that really focused on taking care of the mental health and well-being of the people we lead, and creating one-of-a-kind builds for clients that really honor who they are and their story.
SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?
CS: There was never really any “aha,” lightning-bolt moment. The pandemic has been so hard on so many people, and for those of us in the automotive restoration industry who are seeing exponential growth right now, we are so grateful.
SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2021 and what projects are you working on?
CS: We have been very fortunate to be looking forward to a busy year ahead with a number of really cool projects on the go. This year, we’ll be doing four LS swapped Chevelles, a ’66 Nova and a crazy ’70 LT Camaro.
SEMA: Tell us about a build you are proud of.
CS: I am really hard on myself. As an artist and a creator, it’s hard to look at any project as done. There’s always something that could be a little bit better, or a little bit different. Of all the builds I’ve ever done, the one that I am most proud of was a wide-bodied ’70 Camaro that I built for a friend.
SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?
CS: Never give up, keep on going, keep on learning and keep on growing. Take pride in what you do and pay attention to all details. Cutting a few corners here or there might seem insignificant, but when added together over the course of the whole build, it really shows.
Fill out an HRIA member spotlight form to highlight how your company is contributing to the hot-rod industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on HRIA’s and media, SEMA eNews and future ARMO-member updates.