As a former editor of Car Craft Magazine and Executive Editor of Hot Rod Magazine for more than 10 years, John Baechtel has seen and done it all. He is a long-time member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and a proud member of the exclusive Bonneville 200 MPH Club. His 1991 Pontiac Firebird used small-block Chevy power to establish an international FIA speed record of 221.511 mph and a national C/Gas Coupe record that remains unbroken. During his years at Hot Rod and Car Craft, John build an endless number of project cars and test engines, and he authored numerous special editions on engine building and race car construction. An accomplished photographer, journalist and performance consultant, John has established his own specialized performance business dedicated to high-performance research and development for OEM manufacturers and the performance aftermarket.