Little bit of a back story thinking it is important to get this message out. Especially considering Chips Motorsports website is still up.

When I was a teenager (many years ago now) I had a dream that one day I would build and own a 4rotor race car.

Around 7-8 years ago I started chatting to Chip online through Instagram and Facebook, as I really loved what he was doing with engines. He was very responsive and looked like a guy who knew his stuff.

Early 2022 I was finally in a position in my life where I could go ahead with a 4rotor PP turbo build, dry sump, ‘bling bling style’ with all the shiny stuff. So I reached out to Chip and of course he was keen. I had paid him a deposit to start work and he ordered 4 rotor housings and other parts. After a bit of discussion with Chip - initially he was going to supply all parts, but Chip had advised the Billet Pro plates were the best way to go - so I reached out to Steven and Luke at Billet Rotary Store in Australia. I had paid for the eccentric shaft, billet plates, through bolts and a whole stack of other stuff including a Direct Clutch flywheel and clutch combo.

NOTE: the billet parts are quite specific as I went for all plates without factory intake ports, and plate inserts all blanked as I was going PP turbo (see photos).

Those parts were sent from Australia directly to Chip in the US, Chip confirmed he had received everything in August 2023, and that there was more money required to finish off the engine (rotors, all the machining work etc etc). I knew that all good things take time so I wasn’t pushing Chip in the early days (a fail on my part).

He had sent me some photographs of the block dummy assembled together, which of course was pretty cool to see (see photos).

By this stage I had paid for everything. All parts that he supplied / all parts that I supplied from Australia / all machine work / all labour. Yes USD $80K+

Another few months went by without any correspondence, mainly him not replying to me. I started to read some negative stuff about Chip online which had me concerned (the more I looked the more I found). Each time I saw something online I would reach out to Chip and ask if all was ok. Sometimes I would get messages / emails back right away. Other times it took a little longer, but of course all was fine from his point of view. In pretty deep at this stage, so hoping that all was fine also.

April 2024 was my last phone call / contact with Chip where he had told me that the engine should be ready in May 2024.

Since then….dead silence from him, assuming he went well into hiding from that point in time.

So I did some research into what to do next. I also had help from others online (which is much appreciated, you know who you are). I called the police in Michigan and eventually got through to a detective that had been involved on something previously with Chip. He couldn’t really offer any advice for my case.

I then started calling lawyers around May 2024. Losing that much money is something very hard to swallow. And of course on top of that now I had to pay the Lawyer. My lawyer had started the whole process of trying to recover something from Chip - but as you all know the court process is a lengthy one. It was literally just last week (start of Dec 2024) when we finally had full sign off from the judge and we could get a Court Officer to attempt recovery.

Sadly of course, it has been too long. Chip had moved out of the business premises some time around mid 2024 is what I understand.

I don’t know if he still has my parts, obviously he doesn’t have any money (well I’m assuming that) as I was told his CNC machine was repossessed along with other equipment in his workshop.

Reason I’m putting this post out there is just to make people aware. Yes I’m kicking myself, this has had a big impact on me and my family. Of course if anyone sees the parts out there for sale etc. I would appreciate your help in getting them back.
Thanks for taking the time to read I know I’m not the only one impacted, my heart goes out to all who are affected by Chip doing what he has done.

Photos here for interest.
Plates from Billet Rotary Store in Australia…


No porting on inserts as full PP

Direct Clutch Australia- flywheel and clutch

No porting (as full PP)

Items shipped from Australia - e-shaft, stat gears, through bolts, billet plates etc






Photos chip sent of dummy assembly





Note again the full PP setup

 

**** chip my friend, as you know I'm out too but nowhere near your loss. He has it coming when it catches up with him; and it will.

If you're physically this way or anything I can do on this continent to help you only need ask...

 

There are a couple other threads on here about Chip and other customers stories about what he has taken from them. Recently, a Mr. Jeff Antonelli has asked for those who he has stolen from to send him an email about your experiences. See thread and post #87:

https://www.rx7club.com/midwest-rx-7.../#post12618802

 

It always blows my mind that guys like this don't get liquidated, I'm sure it would be faster claiming against an estate than someone trying to keep a nest egg squirreled away.

 

Thanks Banzai, yes have reached out to Jeffrey.