Where It All Started - UPR Products
More than three decades ago, founders Joe and Mark Mainiero established UPR Products, a successful Ford Mustang parts supply business rooted in their passion for performance.
Mark Mainiero's involvement with Ford Mustangs began in 1969 when, at 17, he purchased a '69 428 Cobra Jet Mustang. He and his brother, David, achieved considerable success racing in NHRA Super/Stock and Super Pro brackets across the Northeast for many years. Seeking new ventures, Mark relocated from Connecticut to Florida in 1985, having previously owned diverse businesses. Joe Mainiero's introduction to the Mustang scene featured a 1987 5.0 Mustang, which gained notoriety in South Florida and was reportedly the first street-licensed, Vortech-supercharged Fox body to achieve a 10-second quarter-mile time.
In 1989, Joe and Mark Mainiero co-founded their performance shop, initially named Super Stang, in Delray Beach. The shop quickly distinguished itself, accumulating more racing victories and records than any other local competitor. A significant milestone occurred in 1999 when, with Willie Figueroa driving the shop's innovative, Vortech-supercharged, 1,900-plus-horsepower 1995 Ford Mustang GT, the team became the first to break the 8-second barrier in True Street on standard BFGoodrich drag radial tires. This achievement was followed by numerous victories, championship titles, and winning the prestigious inaugural drag radial class at the Orlando World Street Finals.
Recognizing a market need for specialized suspension components, UPR President Joe Mainiero, alongside Mark, initiated the manufacturing of robust, lightweight, and high-performing suspension parts at competitive prices. Sharad Raldiris, UPR's Marketing Manager since 2011, explained, "They achieved this value proposition by purchasing substantial quantities of American-made chrome-moly—literally by the mile—and prioritizing mass production over small-batch manufacturing, enabling them to offer high-quality components at lower costs." The business was subsequently renamed Unlimited Performance Racing, eventually evolving into UPR Products.
In 2000, UPR Products relocated to its present Lake Worth facility, encompassing three buildings with approximately 20,000 square feet. This campus integrates in-house manufacturing, materials storage, warehousing, and office space, establishing it as a central hub for Mustang parts production.
Mark and Joe's drive, determination, and focus on efficiency propelled UPR's growth and market presence. Furthermore, UPR distinguished itself through exceptional customer service and extensive trackside support. Raldiris added, "UPR deploys its fully stocked 18-wheel tractor-trailer to approximately two dozen events annually, ensuring racers have immediate access to necessary parts and allowing customers to inspect products firsthand before purchase." This commitment highlights the company's dedication to exceeding customer expectations.
Currently, the majority of UPR's suspension components and billet pieces are manufactured in the USA. While maintaining its core mission of supplying race-ready suspension parts, UPR has adapted to market evolution by expanding its product lines to include popular items such as oil catch cans, customized emblems, and apparel.
UPR's K-members, A-arms, control arms, anti-roll bars, and other high-performance products have enabled numerous drivers to win races, set records, and secure championship titles. The performance of these components, validated by rigorous testing and extensive street use by customers, substantiates UPR's esteemed reputation in high-performance suspension manufacturing. The success of UPR-sponsored driver Bill Putnam, highlighted by his back-to-back NMRA Limited Street championship titles and an undefeated season, further demonstrates the winning capabilities of UPR's suspension products.