All my life I’ve been fascinated with cars. In fact, during my early years as an entrepreneur, one of the first businesses I built was a 30-store Jiffy Lube franchise, which I later sold to Pennzoil. I was also among the first to invest in Lo-Jack Car Security Systems. Over time, I established a track record for creating market-leading businesses in automotive-related fields, such as New Jersey Motorsports Park/Exotic Car Garages, as well as developed one the largest indoor/outdoor karting facilities in the country.
A love for cars and pursuit of excellence has evolved into my latest venture—Valentine Performance Detailing. Born out of decades of automotive experience, VPD products offer exceptional value through a combination of premium quality and practical know-how. Built upon a deep respect for the cars that have been central to my journey, Valentine Performance Detailing is more than a business—it's a passion project designed to help people care for their investments with the same level of attention to detail as I do.
Racing Career Highlights
I started in SCCA club racing in 1975 then turned professional a few years later. It was an era of raw, unbridled horsepower, when safety standards were still being written, and every race felt like a gladiator battle. I worked my way up through local races, learning the ropes, making mistakes, and occasionally finding myself in the winner’s circle. By the 1980s, I had become a force to be reckoned with in the racing community.
Over the course of my career, I had the privilege of racing in some of the most iconic endurance races in the world, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Endurance racing is a different kind of animal. It’s not just about speed; it’s about strategy, teamwork, and pushing your body and mind to the absolute limit.
I had the honor of competing in the IMSA GT Championship and later in the penultimate Trans-Am Series with 127 starts. After that came the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series where I found some of my greatest successes driving Porsches, BMWs, and factory Pontiac GTOs. I also raced 26-times in the Daytona 24 Hours winning a second position, a fourth, an eighth, and 14 top ten positions. One of the proudest moments of my racing career came in 2009 when I took home the Rolex 24 at Daytona title in the GT class. That win was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifices made not just by me but by my entire team.
But racing wasn’t just about winning for me. It was about the camaraderie, the thrill of competition, and the opportunity to push both man and machine to the edge. I raced for decades, racking up numerous wins and podium finishes, and eventually, I became known as one of the more experienced and versatile drivers in the endurance racing world. By the time I decided to step back from racing full-time, I had competed in over 400 races. Not a bad run, if I do say so myself.
A Lifelong Car Collector
It wasn’t just racing that fueled my passion for automobiles. I’ve always been a car guy. Over the years, I’ve built up an enviable collection of vehicles, ranging from street cars to racing machines. Each car in my collection tells a story—some are reminders of races I’ve won, while others are simply beautiful machines that I couldn’t resist owning.
One of the crown jewels in my collection is my Porsche 996 Twin Turbo, a car that perfectly captures the essence of what makes Porsche such a legendary brand. I also have a 2008 Mercedez CLK Black Series, as well as several Corvettes, the latest being the ZR1. It’s not just about the speed or the rarity of these cars—it’s about the craftsmanship, the engineering, and the pure, unadulterated joy they bring every time you get behind the wheel.
A New Chapter: Valentine Performance Detailing
My passion for cars never faded, and I began thinking about how I could channel that passion into something new. That’s when the idea for Valentine Performance Detailing was born. Over the years, I’d developed a meticulous eye for detail when it came to caring for my own cars. I knew that to keep them in showroom condition, I needed the best products on the market. But as I looked around, I realized that there was a gap in the market for high-quality, professional-grade detailing kits that were accessible to the everyday car enthusiast. Most people don’t have the time or the resources to bring their car to a professional detailer, but they still want their vehicle to look like it just rolled off the lot. That’s where Valentine Performance Detailing comes in.
Bridging the Gap Between Racing and Detailing
In a way, I see Valentine Performance Detailing as an extension of my racing career. On the track, you’re constantly striving for the perfect lap, the perfect shift, the perfect corner. In detailing, it’s the same—you’re continuously pursuing perfection in every inch of the vehicle, whether it’s the shine of the paint, the clarity of the glass, or the cleanliness of the interior.
When I launched Valentine Performance Detailing, my goal was simple: to offer top-of-the-line car detailing products that anyone could use. Our detailing kits are designed with the same precision and care that I’ve applied to my own vehicles for years. Whether you’re driving a luxury car, a weekend racer, or just the family SUV, our products are designed to help you maintain your car’s appearance with professional-level results.
Valentine Performance Detailing offers a premium line of car care products designed with both car enthusiasts and professional racers in mind. As a seasoned race car driver and entrepreneur, I combined my experience on the track with a commitment to performance to deliver a range of products that cater to all types of vehicles. What sets us apart from other brands is our commitment to quality. We don’t cut corners, and we only use the best ingredients in our products. Whether you’re looking to remove scratches, protect your paint, or simply give your car that showroom shine, we’ve got you covered.
Our product lineup includes a suite of innovative solutions:
- Graphene + Ceramic Spray Shield – This flagship product offers long-lasting protection, improving both performance and durability by reducing friction and enhancing shine.
- Quick Detailer + Waterless Wash – A versatile product that cleans and protects your vehicle’s exterior without the need for water, perfect for touch-ups between full washes.
- Interior + Exterior Cleaner – A multi-surface cleaner designed to tackle grime on both the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
- Heavy-Duty Degreaser – A powerful solution for removing tough dirt, grease, and brake dust from tires, engines, and other surfaces.
- Wash + Wax Car Soap – Infused with carnauba wax, this product cleans while also providing a glossy finish.
Additionally, we sell a range of accessories such as microfiber towels, foam sprayers, tire and wax applicators, and double-faced mitts, all aimed at helping you achieve professional-grade detailing results at home.
It’s Always Been About the Ride
For me, cars will always be more than just a mode of transportation—they’re a way of life. And whether I’m behind the wheel of a race car or behind the scenes in business, that passion for performance and excellence is what drives me every day. At the same time, I’m still very much involved in the racing world. I’m always keeping an eye on the latest developments in motorsport, and I continue to stay connected with the racing community that has given me so much over the years.
My life has been a thrilling ride from the racetrack to the boardroom. With Valentine Performance Detailing, I hope to continue to influence the automotive world, bringing the same passion and pursuit of excellence that defined my racing career to the world of high-end car care. Whether on the track or in the garage, my commitment to perfection remains as strong as ever.
Whether you’re a fellow racer, a car enthusiast, or just someone who wants to keep their vehicle looking its best, I hope you’ll join me on this journey with Valentine Performance Detailing.
