Bitner Automotive

Hamilton New Jersey’s Bitner Automotive boasts a full service, in-house, state of the art automotive repair facility that offers repairs on all types of vehicles from motorhomes to classic car engine restoration. However, what they are best known for in the racing community is their performance engine program. Racers have been coming to Bitner automotive for three generations.

Although Bitner Automotive started in 1958 with Fred Bitner Sr, they didn’t start servicing the racing community until 1969.  Fred Bitner Jr started working fulltime in the shop with his father after graduating high school in 1964 and in 1969, while helping Jimmy Foder maintain his trucks for his welding company, Fred Bitner Jr recalls “Jimmy had some problems with his racing engines.” “He asked me to take a look at them and that was the start of it (the performance engine part of Bitner Automotive)” Word soon got around that Bitner was good at fixing ailing racing engines and they business quickly grew from there.

Bitner began buying more and more machines and equipment to service the needs of his racing clients. Today, Bitner’s shop is filled wall to wall with every type of machine an engine mechanic might need, as well as a first-class engine dyno room. 

“We spend a lot of time doing dyno testing here for ourselves and other people.” Fred Bitner explains, “We also set up and tune the engines for the teams who race the Jasper Sprints that run at Bridgeport Speedway.” “We’re a full-service shop.” Bitner proudly states, “We do everything.” 

Some of Bitner’s innovations include the sideways carburetor adjuster throttle linkage which allows for allows for smoother throttle operation on the two-barrel carburetors used on Sportsman and Street Stock race cars. Another innovation by Bitner is the aluminum mud covers for dirt modifieds. The foam blocks used by many teams can get pushed in, allowing the mud to still gather in the wheels. The aluminum mud covers attach to the outside of the tire under the bead locks and are held on by Zeus buttons. The mud covers ensure that the wheels do not father mud in the wheel wells.  Bitner’s aluminum mud covers are not seen at NJ tracks due to the fact NJ does not allows items

to be fastened to the wheels with Zeus buttons. “We are constantly trying to improve what we do here every year.” States Bitner 

Currently, the performance engine part of the shop has approximately 1000 regular clients. Overall, Bitner Automotive has between 4000 to 5000 clients. “Some of our customers are third generation.” Bitner explains “The sons who used to come with their fathers to our shop, are now bringing their own sons here.” It is the same way with Bitner Automotive.” Fred Jr’s son, Mark Bitner now works at the family shop just like his father and grandfather. Mark’s racing career adds an extra dimension to the business by giving Bitner’s shop plenty of actual track time to test and develop their race engines.

For further information on Bitner Automotive can be found at www.bitnerautomotive.com or by calling 609 888-1199.