Litespeed Racing manufactures ultra-lightweight wheels for both street and race cars. The company specializes in using forged magnesium alloys and carbon fiber to create high-performance wheels that are lighter than traditional aluminum or even some carbon fiber wheels. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Litespeed Racing founder and CEO Patrick Warren to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Patrick Warren’s Background
What is Patrick Warren’s background? Warren said:
“From a young age, I was captivated by design, sketching everything from cars to sneakers in stacks of notebooks. By 7th grade, I was convinced I could design shoes as good as what I saw in stores. I even wrote to all the major shoe brands for career advice, and the only company that responded was LA Gear. They suggested I study industrial design, and that letter shaped the path of my life. Years later, I graduated with a degree in industrial design and started designing footwear for motorsport and fashion brands like Alpinestars and Skechers.”
“Interestingly, while working at Skechers, I discovered that the CEO, Robert Greenberg, had also founded LA Gear and was the very person who wrote me back in 8th grade. That connection was a powerful moment of realization and inspiration. I loved designing footwear, but my passion for cars remained strong, and eventually, that passion evolved into a new path: designing and engineering ultra-lightweight wheels for high-performance vehicles.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Warren shared:
“Litespeed Racing was born from a personal passion project in 2012. I discovered Lamborghini’s new “forged carbon fiber” technology and envisioned it as an ideal material for a lightweight, high-performance wheel. That initial concept led me to prototype a wheel, which I took to car shows like SEMA to gauge interest. At SEMA, a Toyota executive took notice and asked me to design custom wheels for their high-profile Supra launch project.”
“That moment changed everything. If Toyota believed in my vision, I knew I was on the right path. By 2014, I left footwear behind to go all-in on Litespeed Racing.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory of the company so far? Warren reflected:
“One memory that stands out is seeing one of my customers break the Pikes Peak record using Litespeed Racing wheels. Knowing that the lightweight nature of my wheels contributed to their performance by improving acceleration, braking, handling and top speed, it made me feel deeply fulfilled. Another unforgettable moment was designing wheels for Toyota’s special-edition Supra. Being chosen by a global brand to contribute to such a major launch gave me the confidence to fully pursue this dream.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Warren reflected:
“Litespeed Racing specializes in custom lightweight wheels for sports cars and professional race teams. Our core offerings include:
— Custom-forged magnesium wheels, known for their extreme strength-to-weight ratio.
— Aerospace-grade aluminum wheels, engineered for both style and function.
— Custom finishes and styles, tailored to complement specific car brands like Lamborghini, Porsche and others.
— Aerodynamic wheel designs, which we are currently developing to boost EV range and fuel efficiency.
Each wheel is designed with a balance of engineering precision and artistic expression, ensuring optimal performance without sacrificing aesthetics.”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently? Warren acknowledged:
“Yes, one of the most significant challenges has been the tariff wars. My wheels use advanced materials like forged magnesium, which I source globally. Unfortunately, there are no U.S.-based suppliers for some of these raw materials. I initially minimized tariff impact using the ‘De Minimis’ exemption, but that exemption was recently removed. Now, fluctuating international tariffs have made it difficult to give customers clear cost estimates, which has occasionally deterred international sales.”
“To overcome this, I’ve had to get creative with sourcing, shift strategies quickly and constantly adapt to evolving global trade policies.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Warren noted:
“In the beginning, I envisioned carbon fiber wheels, but the production cost and technical complexity made it unviable. Rather than abandon the goal of making the best and lightest wheels, I pivoted to forged magnesium, a material used in Formula 1. Through years of R&D, trial and error, and performance testing, I refined the production and finishing processes until we became an industry leader in this niche.”
“Now, we’re also exploring aerodynamic enhancements to push the boundaries of what wheels can contribute to both performance and energy efficiency, especially for electric vehicles.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Warren affirmed:
“Litespeed Racing stands apart through a relentless pursuit of lightweight performance. We were the first to successfully develop and commercialize custom forged magnesium wheels, and we still offer the widest range of customization, finishing options and engineering expertise in that space.”
“Our combination of design creativity, deep technical knowledge and obsessive attention to detail allows us to meet the unique needs of professional racers and automotive enthusiasts alike, while our passion keeps us agile and ahead of the curve.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Warren cited:
“Some of the milestones I’m most proud of include:
— Winning the SEMA Best New Wheel award, one of the highest honors in the industry.
— Being chosen by Toyota to supply wheels for their debut of the new Supra.
— Seeing our wheels on record-setting race cars, like at Pikes Peak.
— Becoming the global leader in custom-forged magnesium wheels, an area we pioneered before many others followed.
Each of these moments reaffirmed our commitment to innovation and quality.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Warren concluded:
“Looking ahead, I’m focused on:
— Advancing wheel aerodynamics to enhance EV range and fuel efficiency.
— Exploring new materials and manufacturing techniques to push performance boundaries.
— Growing our international presence despite the challenges of global tariffs.
— Continuing to be a pioneer in functional wheel design, balancing engineering with aesthetics.
I want Litespeed Racing to remain true to its roots: the best in terms of quality, function and customer satisfaction.”
