• Home
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Tech Center
  • Products
  • Management
  • Engine Builders of the Year
  • Video
  • Shop Solutions
  • Fantasy Engine Build
  • Engine of the Week
  • Ride of the Week
  • Buyers Guide
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
Engine Builder Magazine Babcox
Engine Builder Magazine Babcox
ACL Celebrates 70 Years

by Engine Builder

UEM Pistons Names Nick D’Agostino as Director of Product Development

by Engine Builder

Video: Engine of the Week – GSX-R1000 Nitrous Engine

by Greg Jones

Dayco Names New VP of Sales and Business Development

by Engine Builder

Permatex The Right Stuff 90 Minute Gasket Maker Named Best New Product

by Engine Builder

JE Pistons Partners with Parts Unlimited & Drag Specialties

by Engine Builder

Lubrication Specialties Names Nikki Stoughton Director of Marketing

by Greg Jones

Jon Shakill Named PRI Marketing Manager

by Engine Builder

Cloyes Earns Two Automotive Communications Awards

by Engine Builder

Erica Enders is the 2019 NHRA Pro Stock World Champion

by Engine Builder

PBM Performance Products to be Exclusive Distributor for Pro-Filer Cylinder Heads

by Engine Builder

Cloyes Earns Best New Product Award at AAPEX 2019

by Engine Builder

Dana Takes Focus on Last-Mile Delivery Market

by Engine Builder

Penske Acquires INDYCAR, IMS

by Engine Builder

NGK Becomes Official Spark Plug of Kalitta Motorsports

by Engine Builder

Melling Engine Parts Partners with National Advocacy Group Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice.

by Engine Builder

A&A Midwest Announces Corporate Reorganization

by Engine Builder

DSS ProDiesel Acquires Diesel Parts of America, Inc.

by Engine Builder

Mayhew Acquires BestWay Tools

by Engine Builder

Join PERA for a Sealing Technologies Webinar

by Engine Builder

Engine News/contest
Jan 14, 2015 11:33 am

MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. Names Fourth-Annual Champion Technician

Share Tweet
Print Print Email Email
Engine Builder

Engine Builder,Author

View bio

  • Bio
  • Recent Posts
  • Popular Posts

Motor State Adds Pro-Race Performance Products

ACL Celebrates 70 Years

OTC H-D Engine Service Tools for Detroit Diesel

UEM Pistons Names Nick D'Agostino as Director of Product Development

Dayco Names New VP of Sales and Business Development

Vote for Engine of the Year 2019

Sniper EFI Stealth 4150 Fuel Injection Systems

OTC Fuel Injection Tools for H-D Detroit Diesel Engines

OTC Crank & Cam Tools for Detroit Diesel Engines

ACL Celebrates 70 Years

MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. recently named Las Vegas native, Kevin Roche as the fourth annual MAHLE Aftermarket Champion Technician. Roche was awarded the title based on his entry in the MAHLE Aftermarket Champion Technician contest, established to spotlight talented and forward-thinking engine technicians and specialists nationwide.

Roche was selected based on a short essay, submitted on his behalf by Jennifer Herron, which detailed his passion, experience and career accomplishments as a talented engine specialist. According to the essay, Roche’s interest in engine technology began at an early age at his father Terry’s speed shop. By the time he was eight years old, he could “grind valves, valve seats and surface cylinder heads.” Roche also began drag racing and would allow his son – at just 10 years of age – to steer the dragster back to the pits on the return road. It was then that Roche acquired a true passion for engines.

Roche’s career as a custom engine rebuilder began by following in his father’s footsteps in the automotive trade. While working at his father’s speed shop, Roche applied his creativity and innovation to enhance and modify racing engines for increased power; from swapping valves and rocker arms to valve springs and porting heads.

Jewels Lucerne, a French Canadian master machinist, known for designing and setting up tooling and machines for the first two stroke engine assembly line for the Mac91A chainsaw engines, was Roche’s mentor, schooling him to be a machinist. He also was taught by Lou Sales, the designer of the first automatic racing transmissions for fuel dragsters in 1959, for whom Roche built driveshafts and rebuilt convertors for 6 years.

“Kevin Roche has proved to be a ‘champion’ in every sense of the word,” said Ted Hughes, manager – marketing for MAHLE Aftermarket. “From a very young age, the craft of engine modification has been in his blood thanks to his father’s leadership and the guidance of a master machinist and an engine specialist. A demand for quality and gift for creativity has enabled Kevin to advance his career in engine technology with admirable drive and passion. We are pleased to present Kevin with this award and wish him continued success.”

As MAHLE Aftermarket Champion Technician, Kevin Roche received a VIP trip to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas (Dec. 3-6, 2014), including a three-night hotel stay and a special meet-and-greet with a NASCAR personality. The award also included a VIP viewing area at NASCAR Victory Lap and tickets to NASCAR After The Lap, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards and the NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, as well as a MAHLE Aftermarket VIP dinner.

  • Tags:
  • contest
  • Mahle
Search for:
Buyers guide header

Elringklinger Automotive Manufacturing

Elringklinger Automotive Manufacturing
47912 Halyard Dr., Suite 111
Plymouth MI 48170
Phone: 734-738-1795Phone: +49 7123 724 799
47912 Halyard Dr., Suite 111, Plymouth MI 48170,
See More
Show Full Article
Copyright © 2019 Babcox Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Tech Center
  • Products
  • Management
  • Engine Builders of the Year
  • Video
  • Shop Solutions
  • Fantasy Engine Build
  • Engine of the Week
  • Ride of the Week
  • Buyers Guide
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
440 cid LSX Methanol Engine

by Greg Jones

466 cid LS7 Engine

by Greg Jones

Vote for Engine of the Year 2019

by Engine Builder

650 cid Compound Marine Engine

by Greg Jones

6.7L Cummins-Based Enforcer Engine

by Greg Jones

12-Valve Compound Turbo 5.9L Cummins

by Greg Jones

Stage 2 Duramax 6.6L LBZ

by Greg Jones

Sniper EFI Stealth 4150 Fuel Injection Systems

by Engine Builder

OTC Fuel Injection Tools for H-D Detroit Diesel Engines

by Engine Builder

Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel

by Greg Jones