ATI Performance Products celebrated a landmark weekend at the PDRA Drag Racing Series World Finals at Virginia Motorsports Park, where J.C. Beattie Jr. and his son, James Beattie III, each secured a PDRA world championship. For the Beattie family, the achievement represents far more than two trophies. It is the latest chapter in a racing and manufacturing legacy that began with ATI founder Jim Beattie and now extends through three generations.
J.C. Beattie Jr. completed a dominant season by capturing his first PDRA Pro 632 World Championship—and he did not stop there. Driving the spec .036 jet nitrous-fed, Reher-Morrison-powered 2018 Bickel Camaro, tuned by Dave Hanlon, and boasting a full complement of ATI drive line components, Beattie qualified No.1 for the 4th time this season and raced his way to a 4th victory of the season. In the final round, Beattie ran a 4.10 at 176.01 mph to defeat Jeff Pittman’s 4.170 at 170.99 mph.
Before the weekend was over, the celebration became a family affair.
James Beattie III advanced to the Pro Jr. Dragster final on Sunday evening with his '25 Mike Bos chassis powered by Nic Woods engines, and with his runner-up result, secured the 2026 PDRA Pro Jr. Dragster World Championship in his rookie season competing in the highly competitive 7.90 category. More remarkable was a nearly 450 point deficit that Beattie III had to make up to achieve this victory! The championship is James’s second PDRA world title. He previously captured the 2024 PDRA Top Jr. Dragster World Championship, adding another accomplishment to a racing résumé that is already impressive for the third-generation, 13 year old driver.
“To win my first Pro 632 championship and the World Finals was already more than I could have asked for,” said J.C. Beattie Jr. “But watching James race his way to his second championship in the same weekend made it something our family will never forget. We work together, race together and experience every high and low together. To leave Virginia as father-and-son world champions is incredibly special.”
The weekend also provided a powerful demonstration of the ATI products engineered and manufactured by the same family that races them. JC’s championship-winning Camaro relies on an ATI Outlaw Transmission, Bolt-Together Outlaw Converter, Modular Timing Wheel Super Damper, Flexplate and ATI Super F automatic transmission fluid. James’s junior dragster is equipped with ATI’s “Jr. Flywheel” Super Damper.
“At ATI, racing has always been more than a marketing program,” Beattie said. “It is part of how we develop, test and prove our products. When our name is on a transmission, converter, damper or flexplate, we have complete confidence in it because we race the same parts ourselves.” ATI grew from a small transmission rebuilding operation into a leading American manufacturer of high-performance transmissions, torque converters, harmonic dampers and drivetrain components. Today, J.C. Beattie Jr. leads the family-owned Baltimore company while continuing to compete at the highest levels of drag racing.
“This weekend represents everything ATI stands for—family, American manufacturing, relentless development and a commitment to winning,” said J.C. Beattie Jr. “My dad built the foundation, our team at ATI continues to manufacture the products, and now James is helping carry that tradition into another generation.”
About ATI Performance Products
ATI Performance Products, Inc. is a family-owned American manufacturer of high-performance racing and automotive components. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, ATI designs and manufactures competition transmissions, torque converters, Super Dampers®, flexplates, valve bodies, transmission components and other performance products trusted by racers, engine builders and high-performance enthusiasts worldwide.
