In 1982, Jerry Redetzke started Champ Pans by JR. Manufacturing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin out of a 10′ × 20′ workspace. For the first six months, sales reached a modest 30 oil pans. Within the next 12 months, Redetzke built and sold over 300 oil pans. Racers wanted high-quality oil pans at a reasonable price and Redetzke delivered. As demand increased, so did the selection of oil pans and other high-performance products.