Woodlands Performance & Suspension

Performance Shop Customizes the Average Vehicle
By Aaron Shock, Villager staff

Whether it is a premier Italian sports car, off-road customization, souped-up sport bikes or just good old-fashioned American muscle cars, one local business is area residents' one stop shop.

Citing customer care and honesty as top priorities, Woodlands Performance and Suspension has not only operated as an automotive shop during the past nine months but has become a hangout for car enthusiasts.

"I was surprised to learn they had worked with the upper-level (Subaru Impreza) WRXs. I got to know them through The Woodlands Car Club and have had work done by them many times," said Andrew Tinana, owner of a WRX STi. "Every time I come here, it is like a mini car meet. There are kids who come in everyday just to see what cars are being worked on." Tinana's Impreza is a limited make and model. Like other area residents with high-performance or high-end vehicles, he has come to trust head mechanic Mike Davis and the WPS team. Davis, who was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for a motorcycle land speed record of 205 mph, enjoys working on all vehicle types and has become entrusted with a number of Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

Woodlands Performance and Suspension is one of only a few automotive shops in Texas with the capability and knowledge to properly maintain high-end foreign cars. When Davis is not maintaining "the Italians" he is keeping pace with car clubs along the back-roads of southeast Texas.

Woodlands Performance and Suspension opened its doors on Sawdust Road in early summer 2003. The co-owners, Dana Pritchard and Sean Rizk, are both founding members of The Woodlands Car Club. Pritchard grew up around automobiles, specifically Corvettes, owned by her family. She has always had a special place in her heart for autos and saw WPS as a business opportunity and chance to give back to the community were she grew up.

"The most important thing with our business is being able to give back to the people who have done so much for us," she said. "We are not big and fancy and (we're) not a big corporation. We started out small, using our savings and what we had to get where we are now -- working hard every day."

This philosophy appeals to a wide customer range, in particular teen-agers and young adult males with a love of cars. A few families have even been known to stop by from time to time to check out the vehicles.

"We get the feel that these kids really like to be around us, because we listen, pay attention and spend time with them," Pritchard said.

"Vehicle" is a key world around WPS, not simply "cars." The business' mechanics not only fine tune performance motorcycles and autos but off-road trucks as well.

One custom job was recently brought to Rizk; the customer wanted his truck to become an ultimate off-road machine. The 2004 Dodge, with only 1,600 miles on it, was damaged when the owner rolled it while chasing deer near Austin.

The roof was cut from the truck and a roll cage was installed. The seats were removed and the entire interior and bed of the truck were Rhino lined for protection. Racing seats will be installed as well as customized bumpers, a wench and a snorkel for deep water driving. Rizk said this is the first full-custom fabrication job the company has worked on, but Davis and fellow mechanic Curtis Sommers have extensive experience in custom off-road accessorizing and installations.

One semi-custom job, completed by WPS, was for Chris Darcy, owner of an upgraded 2001 Ford F-150 Super Crew. The black F-150 received numerous alterations and a lift-kit recently. Darcy said he found a relationship with WPS he had not previously experienced with other off-road shops.

"I got tired of dealing with other four-wheel-drive shops that are not customer friendly. I come in here and get a nice feeling. They will bend over backward to get (customers') stuff in and out," Darcy said. "My truck, for example, we built the entire thing inside a week. The lift kit was done in a day; the tires were shipped in and (WPS) just did some awesome stuff to it. Every time I needed something, they had it for me the next day."

Darcy mentioned "we" because, like many other customers, the shop included him in the customization process, giving him new ideas and showing him necessary changes.

"We don't sell them on something just because it is expensive or to get the most out of the sale," Rizk said. "It is really about listening to them and finding out what the customer wants."

Often WPS will design customers a performance or off-road package. The package is ideal for customers who may not have a lot money but want to customize personal vehicles one piece at a time.

As summer approaches and the sun comes out more, residents in need of a new look for their vehicle might want to stop by the shop and find out what the hype is all about.

Be sure and say "Hi" to Sydney, the very large, but friendly, shop dog. She is part of the family.

For more information about Woodlands Performance and Suspension, call (281) 363-2977, or visit the web site at www.woodlandsperformance.com