Column By: MARTY KELLY III / RPW – HAGAMAN, NY – DKM Fabrication hosted an early kickoff to the 2022 season with an open house on Saturday, December 18th.
The event was followed by their annual Christmas party at their Market Street headquarters in Hagaman, NY, serving food and drinks to their guests while displaying a number of chassis and components being assembled for the upcoming season.
“The weather looked kinda bad today and we were wondering if people were gonna show up,” said founding member, Eric Mack. “People are here from Lernerville, Pennsylvania, down south in Pennsylvania and guys even drove from the Canadian border. It’s unbelievable.”
Guests staying for the party were treated to a Chicken Parmesan dinner, courtesy of a familiar face in the capital district racing world.
“Mark Slavin did the food,” he said. “He’s a racer and comes from a family of racers.”
Slavin’s family is synonymous with racing, particularly at Lebanon Valley Speedway. That’s where he and mult-time Sportsman champion, Keith “Whitey” Slavin, joined their senior, Win, in high-banked racing action.
Whitey still competes with the Sportsman at the Valley of Speed today.
Attendees to the DKM event included Derrick McGrew Sr. and Jr., Ryan Godown Jr., Brendan Gibbons, New Jersey driver Matt Ellery, John Lutes, Jr., and even former DKM drivers and standouts Jessica & Stewart Friesen, among others.
Also enjoying the networking opportunity were sign man and photographer Jeff Karabin of JK Concepts as well as Michael Jackson of Swagger Factory apparel. Karabin recently moved his operation into DKM’s headquarters while Jackson set up a table in the fabrication room where the food was served.
Like many other businesses, DKM has been affected by supply chain for parts and materials.
“Everything is up tremendously,” Mack said. “I don’t know if it’s a supply chain issue or if somebody sitting back holding this stuff. It’s a tough deal for all of us right now.”
Even with the issues, DKM is soldiering on.
“We haven’t got a sheet metal delivery in three months,” fellow founder Dave Constantino stated. “Steering boxes are impossible to get. Transmissions are out until the end of January, but we’re going to work hard to take care of our customers.”
Despite the challenges in acquiring materials, components, and price increases, the duo isn’t concerned about business being affected too much just yet.
“We’re all busy,” Mack said. “Every race car manufacturer is busy. Orders are out the roof.”
With that, Constantino feels the same way. He’s excited for the new season.
“I think we got some good stuff going,” Constantino said. “I can’t wait.”