About Pro-Tune Motorsports [PTM]

The Company

Pro-Tune Motorsports (PTM) designs and builds Kart chassis. PTM is a wholly owned Canadian company located on the west coast of Canada in Victoria, British Columbia.

The Principles

Owner - Philip Sommerard - phil@ptmcanada.com
Vice-President - Jo-Ann Gallagher - jo-ann@ptmcanada.com

Phil Sommerard, owner and operator of Pro-Tune Motorsports, grew up with motorcycles. His vast array of trophies encompass the National Road Racing championship, Motocross, flat track and ice racing. Phil raced in both Canada and the US. While living in Ontario Phil was Vice President of the Eastern Ontario Motocross Association and promoted safety for bike riders. Motorcycles were not only a hobby for Phil, he also worked in the industry retailing, building engines, overhauling suspension etc., etc.

Phil is also a ticketed welder and fabricator with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for racing.

After spending 20 years in the Motorcycle industry, Phil has turned to Karting! Let’s build Karts!

Jo-Ann Gallagher, Phil’s life partner, compliments Phil’s many skills by bringing to Pro-Tune Motorsports, many years of organizational, financial, and administrative skills in the Information Technology Industry.

The Story

Phil’s lifelong friend, John Spindler, has been racing Shifterkarts for many years, achieving #1 plate holder rank in the SKUSA series, Super G class. Now living on opposite sides of the country, they decided to meet in Las Vegas for a reunion. Las Vegas was the meeting choice because John would be racing there in the SuperNats and Phil was interested in watching his friend race. These guys will go anywhere if it has to do with racing! Being familiar with Phil’s skills, John was also interested in having Phil build him some kart stands and racks for his race trailer. The friendship was rekindled, the racing was great and at the end of the weekend John said, “So what do you think?”. “About what?”, said Phil. “About building me some kart stands!” “Forget kart stands” says Phil, “I want to build Karts!”

So, the idea was born.

Over the next few months Phil designed and built a prototype 125 ShifterKart. This prototype kart ran in the next SKUSA series with John as the driver. This allowed them to test, modify and fine-tune the chassis. Even in its design infancy and with these constant changes the prototype boasted top 10 finishes in the races.

Time to go into production!

The Business

PTM is now in the business of building karts. But, not just any kart! Check out the Karts section of our web site to learn about the special features of PTM Karts.

PTM has developed relationships with top Italian, US and Canadian companies in order to provide all the parts necessary to deliver a top quality kart to the racer.

PTM is the Exclusive Canadian Distributor for LGK Racing in Italy. PTM is also Canadian distributor for Wildkart and Motorquality, both located in Italy.

The Goal

The goal of PTM is to provide a fast, top quality chassis, support for that chassis and one stop shopping for all the racer’s needs.

The Result

One lap around the track in a PTM kart and you will be hooked, not only on the Kart, but on racing! We promise! It is the best high you will ever get 1 inch off the ground!