Contact us

Owner ~ Benjamin Merwin

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm unless we are off racing! Call ahead!
608.313.1230 Fax 608-313-1232
1928 Whipple Street
Beloit, Wisconsin 53511

Give us a call, send a postcard or carrier pigeon, stop on by, send us an e-mail patti@advanced-autosports.com

About Us

Advanced Autosports was founded in 1997 by Dave Wheeler, a Master Mechanic with over a quarter century of real-world experience. After two years of working from his garage Dave opened his first race shop in Wauconda, Illinois. Dave quickly outgrew the 3,000sf facility he was renting. In 2005, Dave purchased his first shop in Beloit, Wisconsin; a 12,000sf facility to better suit his customers. This facility (that we currently reside in) has a fully stocked showroom, in-house custom vinyl graphics studio, custom fabrication capabilities, and plenty of room for a top-notch race shop.

Dave started his racing career in 1988 while working for a local Pro Formula Atlantic team. There he learned the importance of doing things right or not at all. Following a two year stint with a multi-car Formula Ford team Dave decided to try driving himself. In 1991 he purchased his first "racecar"; a Mercury Capri. Subsequently the Capri was replaced by a 1981 Ford Mustang Notchback, which was campaigned locally from 1993 to 2001. Multiple race wins and championships followed.

During the summer of 1993 Dave started working on Trans-Am series cars. He started working on Mitch Bender's Pace Trailer Camaro. A long time association with these fantastic machines then grew. In 1994 Dave started working with Orion Motorsports and its’ driver Bruce Nesbitt. After Bruce had purchased the ex-Tommy Kendall Roush Racing AllSport car, Dave became the Crew Chief.

The 2000 Rolex season saw Bruce and the Orion Motorsports team competing in the Grand American Sports car series. Competing in the AGT class the team earned two pole positions and numerous podium finishes. The team continued in Grand-Am during 2001, a partial schedule allowed for only two races with the DuPont Teflon sponsorship.

In the fall of 2000 a proposal was brought to Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs for a Spec Miata (SM) class. Dave was hooked on Spec Miata and became one of the early adopters and class champions. Dave's first Spec Miata racecar was built in April 2001. That was followed by two race wins, including a six (6) hour enduro. During the final race of the 2001 season at BFR Dave set the Spec Miata track record, which stood for over a year. Spec Miata has grown to the largest racing class in the country with over 3,000 racers. Advanced Autosports has been part of the success of this class for the last 15 years!

Over the years Dave has worked on everything from IT (Improved Touring), IRL, Formula Ford, Trans AM, and Ferrari challenge cars. He has supported race teams from the local short tracks to Road America, Mid-Ohio and the high banks of Daytona.

“Until you get to the very top drivers, reliability is the most important thing. Most of us race for the joy of it. Seat time will make the driver faster which makes the car faster. Safety must never be compromised. Remember, Racing is supposed to be fun!”
~ David J. Wheeler