Short-Course off-road racing has come a long way since it evolved from desert racing of the 1970s. As this motorsport grew from basic street trucks with a roll cage to all-out specialty built race trucks, Charlie McCormick saw a need for more robust transmissions for these all-out racers. For over thirty years, McCormick and his team at ATD have become a prominent fixture for those involved in short-course off-road racing.
Charlie and his son Michael don’t just build transmissions; they create relationships. They understand the needs of different truck classes and get to know the drivers and their teams. During race weekends, the ATD support trailer can be found in the Pit Area with its door open, helping anyone who needs transmission assistance, not just their customers. Often, the trailer lights stay on late into the night.
Charlie McCormick explains that his involvement with off-road racing began with a chance meeting with RJ Flanagan at the 1992 Jefferson Swap meet. According to McCormick, Flanagan bought a valve body from him, and a couple of weeks later, he brought everything to the shop for them to put it together. At that point, Charlie didn’t even know what off-road racing was. They talked about what the truck goes through and built the first ATD off-road transmission. The success with RJ quickly led Dan Vandenhuevel, Kevin Probst, and the Holtger Brothers to knock on the door. Eventually, ATD started working with Schlueter Racing with Rob MacCachern and Scott Douglas. Since then, the customer list has included some incredible off-road drivers, past and present.
Charlie and Michael share a deep passion for short-course racing that goes beyond their day job. It’s not unusual to see both McCormicks in the spotter’s tower, sporting headsets as they guide both Pro and Sportsman racers. Over the years, Charlie has been called upon by various racing series to provide input on potential driveline rules updates. Most recently, he was asked for advice on the transmission for the newly added PRO Spec class.
“There’s one story I have to tell,” noted McCormick. “I had Geoff Dorr as a customer; his good friend Scott Taylor was having some transmission issues but was reluctant to give us a try. In 1993 I committed to go to my first off-road race. It was the SODA Luxemburg race, and I brought the support trailer. Before the race, Geoff convinced me to build a transmission that would fit Taylor’s truck. So I did. I brought with me to the race. Sure enough, Taylor had a transmission problem that Saturday and needed a better solution for Sunday’s race. That afternoon, as I was on the top of the trailer watching my first off-road race, Taylor yelled up to me, “Dorr says you have a transmission for me.” I said yes and pointed to where it was in the trailer. Two of his guys quickly grabbed it and headed back to Taylor’s pit. I’m pretty sure Scott Taylor won on Sunday. That was the beginning of our relationship, including seven championships, a few Cup wins, and a lifelong friendship.”
Additionally, Charlie’s work has led to the desert. ATD transmissions and torque converters have won some of the biggest races and championships in Baja, Mexico, and the North American desert. The list includes when Jason Baldwin won both the 2004 SCORE Trophy Trucks and CORR PRO-4 Championships.
As off-season preparations continue, race teams can depend on the familiar white Automatic Transmission Design trailer setting up shop at the various stops on the 2024 AMSOIL Championship Off-Road presented by the U.S. Air Force tour.
