Auto-Tek Company History & Motorsport
The company, then called Roman Automotive, was started in 1969 by Bob Roman. Using his skills in electrical, mechanical and hydraulic engineering Bob was a pioneer in car lifting aids for wheelchair bound people.
Design, testing and fabrication all took place in Roman's hand built test lab, an in-house facility that has now expanded to include a design studio, metal fabrication and trim shop.
With only a limited market in Australia for disabled devices Bob started looking for other automotive related opportunities in the early 70's Roman Automotive took over the distribution of Recaro seats then in the late 80's taking on distribution for MOMO and Speedline products.
The combination of distributing these high quality European products combined with Roman Automotives in-house facilities began a new era of providing sales and service to numerous markets including specialized seating concepts, Motorsport, Street Machine and vehicle concepts.
Some of Roman Autotek's award winning and peoples choice award projects include:
- Peter Wherrett Mitsubishi Sigma
- John Player Special BMW
- Giocottolo Super car
- Tickford Preditor
- Sequential... just to mention a few.
1973
Introduction of recaro – craven mild bmw and other sports sedans
1974
Introduction of bbs race wheels to craven mild and other sport sedans
1974
Introduction of recaro harnesses developed in australia by recaro aust pty ltd and so by recaro partners world-wide
1974
Development of the first baby capsule based on racing technology providing the ultimate child safety
1974 >
Introduction of recaro seats to majority of top level rallye teams – sponsorship of southern cross rally
1978
Brock first races in recaro seat together with jps bmw team.
1978
First introduction of momo steering wheels to group a including ultra grip suede
1978
Australian development of recaro sport steering wheels
1978
Introduction of sparco race apparel to group a and other formulas
1979
Introduction of compomotive wheels to rallying
1980
Majority of teams using recaro seats, producing bathurst wins over decades for recaro
1981
Introduction of sabelt race harnesses to group a and open wheel racing and rallying.
1983
Introduction of momo magnesium race wheels to group a via hdt
1984
Supply of pagid brake pads to group a
1988
Introduction of custom fit recaro race seats for drivers such dick johnson & peter brock leading to the first oe business for ford kb laser turbo
1991
Introduction of in-house crash and destruction testing of racing equipment including recaro seats momo race steering momo/speedline race rims contributed to the ultimate product safety of the a-tek brand race products
1991
Introduction of speedline magnesium race wheels to group a by 1995 100% of teams used speedline
1994
Autotek in car racing technology continued leading to having its own race team to evaluate the recaro seat and other products in comparison to other manufacturers products
2001
Initially due to the ban of use of magnesium rims in rallying autotek looked for way to use other compostion metals in pursuit of alternatives that to secure and to improve the driver and spectator safely
2002
Auotek developed the new generation range of a-tek race rims – providing the coolest rims in motor racing – it is certainly the champion choice and has been on the podium in every race from it first introduction.
