Drag-racing champs open shop in Colonial Beach

Date published: 8/22/2005

By EDIE GROSS

Within the crowded confines of a two-car garage, the Braunings created a drag-racing champion.

Now, with the national 2004 pro-stock title in hand--and their eyes on another one--brothers Mark and Dave Brauning and father Gernot have decided 400 square feet in dad's Burke garage just isn't enough room to work anymore.

The family of automotive enthusiasts will open a 17,000-square-foot facility in Colonial Beach in the next few weeks.

Brauning Motorsports and XXXTreme Paint and Design will take over the building at 913 Longfield Road--former home to Jimmy Lee's Auto Body & Frame Shop--today, but must wait for phone service and equipment delivery before opening.

The Brauning name has long been associated with motor sports, and the new shop will serve those interests with a staff that specializes in the needs of race cars.

But, Dave Brauning said, the business will focus most on the needs of the average car owner: engine repair, body work, paint jobs.

"It's going to be geared toward general auto repair and body work, and as a sideline we're going to be able to do performance work," said Dave, 42. "We're trying to make it a one-stop shop."

Both Dave and Mark live in Colonial Beach and will run the shop's day-to-day operations. Gernot, who has his own shop in Burke, will stop in as well.

As a youngster, Gernot spent more than his fair share of time on the town's drag strip, which sits right across the street from the new shop.

Dave said the garage intends to sponsor a "cruise night" each weekend during the warm months, when drivers can bring their cars down to the property, chat with one another and run across to the drag strip if they get the urge to race.

"Don't race in the street," Dave said. "We've lost a lot of kids over the years. Let's do this thing right."

Nowadays, brother Mark, 27, is the driver in the family, competing in events sponsored by NOPI, Number One Parts Inc., a leading parts distributor. He captured last year's NOPI Drag Racing Association championship behind the wheel of a 2000 Honda Civic hatchback that he, Dave and Gernot put together.

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Date published: 8/22/2005