Cavallo keeps exotic race cars running

By: SHANNON WINGARD - For the North County Times | Friday, July 6, 2007 7:29 PM PDT ∞

CARLSBAD ---- With its painted black-and-white checkered exterior, Cavallo Motorsports signals its dedication to race cars.

And not just any race cars ---- the company services, repairs and reconstructs vintage Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis.

"I like them because the old cars have personality; they have history," said Chris Dugan, who established the business in 2004.

Cavallo, named after the type of horse that symbolizes Ferraris, is a one-stop destination for race car enthusiasts.

Services at Cavallo Motorsports range from maintenance and repair to historical background searches and race car prep. In addition, it also offers prepurchase inspections and driver coaching sessions.

The company charges $125 per hour to work on newer models and $95 an hour to work on vintage cars, which usually require more time.

Dugan also said that he company frequently attends races to better serve its clients and to network.

This is especially important because "the Ferrari world is very small ---- everybody knows everybody," he said.

He said he started working on vintage sports cars when he was 17 years old and has spent the last 15 years fine-tuning his skills.

Throughout the years, Dugan said that he has learned the "common rule of thumb" to servicing vintage cars. By understanding how various countries manufactured cars in a certain period, he said figuring out how to service the cars becomes easier.

Dugan said the business was originally located in a one-garage building in Carlsbad before it moved in the past year to a larger facility on Avenida Encinas.

Another recent change to the business is its ownership. While Dugan is the original owner, Jeff Abramson is one of three new owners to invest in the business during the past year.

In fact, Abramson, who also is a real estate broker, said he located the new facility for Cavallo Motorsports.

He said the owners share a passion for vintage sports cars. They also recognize the potential of the business, given that Southern California has a large share of the vintage race cars market.

Because exotic cars are so popular in California, he said, Cavallo's owners are interested in making it a destination, where enthusiasts can come and talk with mechanical and racing experts.

Don Swanson, general manager of Cavallo Motorsports, said the company strives to "keep the driver as safe as possible while giving them the most potent car."

Swanson, who raced cars for 21 years, including for the Sports Car Club of America, said his expertise is beneficial to the business because of the specific clientele it services.

"The people who follow sports car racing are very educated fans," he said.

Swanson, who is also director of performance driving programs, said that the business can teach people how to better operate their cars.

The business has a transporter that can carry four exotic cars at a time. The transporter is used to pick up cars for clients as well as to take them to races.

"We service the cars and want to serve the people as well," he said.

Contact freelance writer Shannon Wingard at scwing711@gmail.com.

Cavallo Motorsports

Owners: Jeff Abramson, Scott Beyer, Chris Dugan and John Valenty

Phone: (760) 603-8321

Address: 6010 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad

Services: Specializes in restoring, reconstructing and maintaining vintage sports cars, including Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis

Web site: www.cavallomotorsports.com

Established: 2004

Employees: 12

Estimated gross sales for 2007: Approximately $800,000 to $1 million

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