Advanced Clutch Technology, INC. (ACT)

Advanced Clutch Technology, INC. (ACT) is a premier performance clutch manufacturer with more than 300 differemt applications and 500 performance clutch kits. The company's product line features clutches and forged flywheels for the most popular vehicles in the sport compact, domestic and diesel truck market. ACT's performance clutches and flywheels are used for street or race, including, but not limited to drag, drift, road and rally racing...

Dirk Starksen is the President of Advanced Clutch Technology, Inc. (ACT) which he founded in 1994. He currently serves as ACT’s Chief Technical Officer and is responsible for all clutch and flywheel research and development.

Ever since childhood, Starksen has had a knack for getting his hands dirty creating and fabricating something. He first learned about manufacturing clutches while employed at Kennedy Engineered Products (KEP). KEP specializes in engine adapters, flywheels and clutches for Volkswagen, Porsche and other transaxles. Starksen learned all aspects of manufacturing from design to production and as the years progressed became responsible for most product development. In the early 90’s, KEP started getting inquiries for performance clutches to fit Japanese cars. With KEP’s assistance and blessing, Starksen left the position of General Manager to start Advanced Clutch Technology. With Starksen’s 25 years of engineering experience, ACT has become the premier clutch in the Sport Compact market. ACT is expanding its line by introducing performance clutches for the domestic and diesel truck markets.

Starksen was raised in Southern California and currently lives in Lancaster, California, with his wife and four children. He enjoys dirt bike riding, camping, and cooking for his family. He is actively involved in his local church, community and leadership councils.

Advanced Clutch Technology, Inc., (ACT) specializes in performance clutches and flywheels for the Sport Compact, Domestic and Diesel Truck markets. ACT’s focus on customer service, quality and performance has earned it an unparalleled reputation in the aftermarket performance clutch industry. All ACT product lines and applications are thoroughly researched and tested prior to release to insure they perform to the customers expectations. This commitment to excellence has resulted in ACT product providing racers with world record breaking times and several championship wins. These standards also ensure ACT’s street products provide the performance demanded. Since 1994, ACT has rapidly become a leader in performance clutches and flywheels.

Before Advanced Clutch Technology began, Dirk Starksen worked at Kennedy Engineered Products (KEP) for 14 years and learned clutch manufacturing, assembling and engineering principles. KEP specialized in engine adapters, flywheels and clutches for Volkswagen, Porsche and other transaxles. As the years progressed, Starksen became responsible for most product development. In the early 1990’s, KEP started getting inquiries for performance clutches to fit Japanese cars. With KEP’s assistance and blessing, Starksen left the position of General Manager to start Advanced Clutch Technology.

* In 1994
o Advanced Clutch Technology, Inc. is founded by Dirk Starksen. ACT initially provides stronger pressure plates for private label customers.
* In 1996
o ACT expands into providing pressure plates and discs from the facility in Palmdale, California.
o National advertising begins under the ACT brand name.
* In 1997
o ACT introduces the line of Xtreme Clutch pressure plates.
o ACT attends its first SEMA Las Vegas show.
* In 1998
o ACT relocates to a 1500 square foot facility in Palmdale, California.
o ACT markets product through drag racing sponsorships.
* In 1999
o ACT publishes its first full color catalog.
o ACT begins to support contingency programs for the ACT racer.
o ACT introduces Performance clutch kits that include pressure plate, disc, release bearing, pilot bearing and alignment tool.
o ACT increases its facility by 3000 square feet due to tremendous growth.
* In 2000
o ACT incorporates the business and names Dirk Starksen as President.
o ACT launches its www.advancedclutch.com website.
o ACT relocates to an 18000 square foot facility in Lancaster, California due to the unprecedented growth.
* In 2001
o ACT begins to ship all parts with a four color printed package.
o ACT features steel backed linings on all Performance Street Discs.
* In 2002
o ACT products pass SFI requirements and ACT provides SFI certification on most applications.
o ACT announces Tracie Nunez as new Chief Executive Officer and Dirk Starksen as the Chief Technical Officer.
o ACT develops tooling to manufacture the entire ACT Integra pressure plate.
o ACT introduces the XACT flywheel product line with Prolite and Streetlite versions, all are SFI certified.
* In 2003
o ACT begins trilingual packaging and instruction for increasing international distribution.
o ACT expands its office area to 3000 square feet and increases customer service staff.
* In 2004
o ACT launches the new company logo and new brand logos for the XACT flywheel and the Xtreme Clutch.
o ACT invests in adding Research and Development department staff to increase capacity by more than 200%.
o ACT announces new performance clutches for the Domestic and Diesel Truck Market.
* In 2005
o ACT increases its XACT flywheel line by 100%.
o ACT begins production on its Spring Centered Xtreme Race Disc line.
o ACT announces the Xtreme Torque Management (XTM) clutch, designed for Pro Sport Compact drag race applications. The XTM clutch is a style commonly referred to as a “slipper” clutch.

With Starksen’s 25 years of engineering experience, ACT has become the premier clutch in the Sport Compact market. For more information on ACT’s history or ACT’s future, please contact either Dirk Starksen, President/Chief Technical Officer or Tracie Nunez, Chief Executive Officer. ACT would be glad to offer facility tours.