MARK MICKE
THE EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF MICKE AND HIS TEAM AT M&M
TRANSMISSION, ALONG WITH THEIR COLLECTION OF TOOLS AND
MACHINES, ALLOWS MICKE TO DEVELOP IMPROVED PRODUCTS AND NEW
OFFERINGS, LIKE THE M&M SHIFTERS FIRST RELEASED IN LATE 2016.
Malibu sucks, I’m sure – but the center of gravity is
probably the biggest thing we’re going to get into.
If the class keeps progressing and getting faster,
it might have to be all purpose-built race cars.”
Micke won’t come right out and say this is the
last year of Radial vs. the World competition for
the Malibu, but he does feel like this season will
set the tone for the car’s future. “This year will
be a good year to tell because I think you’re going
to see some huge numbers out of a lot of other
cars this year,” Micke says. “I’ve always learned
in racing – and it’s not always me – but if one car
goes out and runs a number, that gives all the
other guys the blueprint on how to do it.”
Last year, Micke was indeed the one providing
the blueprint for his competitors to join him in
the low 3.6-second range. “There’s a lot of smart
guys in this game,” he says. “They saw the time slip.
That’s how you do it. The guys are figuring it out.
We were just fortunate to figure it out before them.”
86 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
Given the incredible rate of progress in the
class, Micke understands he’ll soon find himself
on the other side of the equation, chasing the next
guy who makes a leap forward. “I think that’s one
of my stronger suits,” he adds. “I can watch the
cars and see what they’re doing. I pay attention. If
somebody figures out how to do something better
than me, we’re going to try to do that.”
A
s Micke finishes tidying up the
shop with his German Shepherd, Max, by
his side, the subject of our conversation
moves from his achievements and goals to
the people and supporters who help make
those things possible. From his “self-sufficient”
employees at M&M Transmission to his family,
Micke is sure to heap on the praise for the people
who make up his support system.
“This racing is all-consuming,” Micke says. “My
family, my wife (Maria) and kids (daughters Lau-
ren and Brooke, put up with all this craziness. My
wife holds down the house and keeps the business
stuff going when we’re out racing.”
Micke and Carter have also developed strong
relationships with industry-leading manufactur-
ers to turn the Malibu into an absolute rocket
ship adorned with the latest and greatest parts
and pieces.
One of those manufacturers is Garrett Advanc-
ing Motion, whose 98mm turbochargers can be
found tucked neatly under the Malibu’s front
clip. “We’ve been with Garrett since me and Jason
started together,” Micke says. “That’s been a huge
part of what we’ve been able to do. Garrett has
gone above and beyond for us and supplied us
with the products to do what we can do.”
Micke also credits Bill Miller Engineering’s
own Bill Miller for not only providing the du-
rable rods and pistons to slide into the 584ci
Issue 142