Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Auto Repair Services in Benton
R & R Motorsports has been a trusted name in automotive performance and racing services since 1992. Founded by Ray Bonthron, whose passion for motorsports began in his youth, the company builds on over 35 years of hands-on experience in engine building, race preparation, and vehicle restoration. Our expertise spans custom engine fabrication, dyno tuning, and trackside support for vintage and professional racers. In 1994, we expanded to an 8,000 sq. ft. facility in Benton, IL, and later added advanced equipment like chassis and engine dynos to enhance our capabilities. Rays son William joined the team at a young age, bringing fresh energy and modern fabrication skills to complement our legacy of excellence. Today, R & R Motorsports remains family-owned, combining generational knowledge with cutting-edge technology to deliver race-winning performance.We specialize in serving both amateur and professional racers, offering comprehensive services from engine builds to full vehicle restorations. Our commitment to quality is evident in every project, whether preparing a street rod, restoring a classic race car, or optimizing horsepower on the dyno. With a client list that includes renowned racing teams and vintage car enthusiasts, we pride ourselves on personalized service and technical precision. Our decades of experience, investment in advanced machinery, and dedication to continuous learning ensure that every client receives unmatched expertise and reliability.
Services
Block Services
Cylinder Head Services
Dyno Services
Engine Building
Restoration Services
Welding & Fabrication
Track Prep
Chassis Dyno
Engine Dyno
Custom Fabrication
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We offer over 35 years of specialized experience in racing engine performance.
- Our father-and-son team combines legacy expertise with modern fabrication skills.
- We provide in-house restoration services with strict quality control oversight.
- Our facility features both chassis and engine dyno tuning capabilities.
- We deliver custom fabrication services tailored to unique racing requirements.
Services
Engine Building Services
Our engine building services combine decades of racing expertise with precision machining to create high-performance engines tailored to specific applications. From rebuilding stock engines to crafting custom race-winning powerplants, we utilize advanced techniques like torque plate honing and multi-angle valve jobs. With over 45 years of combined experience and state-of-the-art equipment including SuperFlow engine dynos, we ensure optimal horsepower and reliability for street, track, and vintage racing vehicles.
Dyno Services
We offer comprehensive dyno services using both chassis and engine dynos to optimize vehicle performance. Our SuperFlow 902 engine dyno allows for precise break-in and tuning of new engines, while the DynoJet chassis dyno enables real-world performance testing for installed engines. These tools help us identify and resolve issues, maximize horsepower output, and ensure mechanical reliability before track or street use, providing data-driven tuning solutions for both modern and vintage vehicles.
Restoration Services
Our vehicle restoration services focus on quality craftsmanship for race cars, show cars, and custom builds. With in-house capabilities covering mechanical systems, bodywork, and fabrication, we maintain strict quality control throughout the restoration process. Our team has completed notable projects including 1967 Ford Mustangs and 1970 Boss 429 Mustangs, combining traditional techniques with modern performance upgrades to preserve historical accuracy while enhancing drivability and reliability for discerning collectors and racers.
Cylinder Head Services
Specialized cylinder head services include precision valve seat cutting using Serdi 100 machines with 11-angle radius cutters for optimal airflow. We offer both hand porting and connections to top CNC porting shops, along with comprehensive head flow analysis. Our expertise in optimizing combustion chamber geometry and valve angles (30-55 degrees) ensures maximum power output and efficiency for racing engines, leveraging advanced equipment and decades of experience in performance head modifications.
Block Services
Our block services utilize a Sunnen CK-10 honing machine with three-step process to achieve cylinder wall precision within .0001 tolerance. We employ torque plates during machining to simulate head gasket distortion, ensuring perfect bore geometry. Additional capabilities include deck surfacing, line honing, lifter bore machining, and block lightening, all performed to exacting standards for racing engines requiring maximum strength and performance from their foundation components.
People
Ray Bonthron
Founder
Ray Bonthron has over 45 years of motorsport experience, starting with drag racing in 1974. He co-founded Auto Marine Engines in 1980 before establishing R & R Motorsports in 1992. As both a racer and crew chief in various professional series, he brings unparalleled racing expertise to engine building and track support services.
William Bonthron
Fabrication Specialist
William Bonthron began learning automotive repair at age 10 and joined R & R Motorsports full-time after high school. At 23, he demonstrates exceptional fabrication skills and racing knowledge, continuing the family legacy while incorporating modern techniques into the shop's capabilities.
Questions
What racing services do you offer?
We provide full race engine building, at-track support, dyno tuning, and vintage racing preparation for both amateur and professional racers.
How long have you been in business?
R&R Motorsports was founded in 1992, though our team has over 45 years of combined racing and engine building experience.
Do you handle vehicle restorations?
Yes, we offer complete vehicle restorations with strict quality control, specializing in race cars and vintage performance vehicles.
What dyno services are available?
We have both chassis and engine dynos for performance tuning, including horsepower optimization and mechanical reliability testing.
Can you fabricate custom parts?
Our fabrication services include custom engine components and vehicle modifications tailored to specific racing requirements.
