Meet Your Pit Crew For The Long Haul
Meet the dream team behind the gears and guts of your truck. These aren’t just mechanics — they’re the problem-solvers, the fixers, and the ones who’ll keep your rig running smooth. When you choose CRC, you’re not just choosing a shop, you’re choosing a team that treats your truck like it’s their own. So, come on down — we’ll keep your truck purring
Mike English, Owner
Mike English has always been driven by precision and a passion for performance. His journey began as a young mechanic at California Milk Producers, where a chance introduction to sprint car racing ignited a lifelong love for fast cars and tough competition. Building and racing his own sprint cars taught Mike the value of exactness and durability—skills that naturally carried over into his career as a diesel mechanic.
Mike’s path to becoming a diesel mechanic started in 1982 after trade school, when he worked as an auto mechanic at an Oldsmobile dealership. One day, his dad, who sold truck parts, introduced him to a supervisor at Cal Milk. The supervisor was having issues with a v-8 diesel in his GMC pickup, and Mike diagnosed the problem by ear and fixed it. Impressed by Mike’s skill and intuition, the supervisor immediately hired him, setting Mike on the road toward a career specializing in diesel engines and gear systems.
After years of honing his skills and building race car components from his garage, Mike took the leap in 2002 to open his own business. With encouragement from his sprint car owner, Jack Jory, and a determination that failure wasn’t an option, CRC Gear Guys was born. Over time, the business grew, including the acquisition of parts of trusted competitors like TGI and ATX, bringing on seasoned professionals and top-tier equipment to expand their services.
Mike’s philosophy is simple: keep truckers moving with precision, speed, and reliability—just like a top-notch pit crew. Married to his high school sweetheart, Mike knows a thing or two about commitment and long hauls, both on the road and in life. For him, it’s all about staying the course and doing it right the first time.
Randy Derting, Lead Mechanic and Shop Manager
Randy has been in the auto and diesel industry for as long as he can remember. Growing up in his family’s auto parts store, he was surrounded by engines and gearheads from an early age. In 1997, a summer job offer after high school set him on the path to diesel work, and he never looked back. By 2004, he joined CRC, where his role has evolved from rebuilder to what you’d probably call the shop manager.
His day kicks off at 7 AM, and depending on the workload, you’ll find him rebuilding transmissions, diagnosing newer automated systems, or just making sure everything runs smoothly. His philosophy? Do it right the first time—even if it takes a little longer—and always be upfront and honest. There’s no upselling, no cutting corners—just quality work done the right way, The First Time.
Outside the shop, Randy’s either working on his race car, hitting the dunes in Glamis, or squeezing in a round of golf. If he could restore anything, it’d be a ‘57 Ford Fairlane, a nod to the car his dad never got to rebuild. Long-haul snack essentials? Trail mix and beef jerky, hands down!
His unwritten shop rule is “If you’re not sure, ask. There’s always a way to figure it out.”
Javier Mora, Parts Counter & Outside Sales
With a career spanning over three decades in the heavy-duty truck industry, Javi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to CRC. His journey started in 1988 when, as a high school senior, he was referred to work at a heavy-duty truck parts company in Orange County, CA. Since then, he has dedicated his career to mastering the ins and outs of truck parts and customer service.
Javi plays a crucial role in ensuring customers get exactly what they need—accurately identifying parts, sourcing components, and providing detailed pricing and availability information. His day typically starts at the parts warehouse, picking up stock orders before connecting with customers in person or over the phone to fulfill their needs. Whether it's helping the shop in any capacity or ensuring timely deliveries, he’s committed to keeping trucks on the road with efficiency and honesty.
The most valuable lesson he’s learned in his career? That customers respect an honest parts specialist—something that sets CRC apart. Here, relationships are built on trust, and the team's dedication to doing the job right the first time is an unspoken rule.
Outside of work, Javi enjoys spending weekends with his family, barbecuing with friends, and heading out for some lake or deep-sea fishing. If he were to restore or build a vehicle, you can bet it’d be one that stands the test of time—just like his work ethic.
When it comes to road trips, you’ll find him stocked up on sunflower seeds, Cheetos, Wheat Thins, and Doritos, with an ‘80s playlist blasting in the background. Whether on the road or in the shop, Javi is all about reliability, precision, and getting the job done right.
Meet The Gear Guys
Meet The Gear Guys
Meet The Gear Guys Meet The Gear Guys
From left to right: Steve (35 years in the industry), Richie (7 years), Rudy (5 years), Jake (1 year), Rene (17 years), and Roger (40 years). Together, that’s a powerhouse of experience dedicated to keeping trucks rolling strong.
We’re especially proud to see more young people like Jake discovering the value of trades like ours. America was built on hardworking tradesmen, and we’re thankful to see a resurgence of interest in skilled work. Passing down that knowledge is what it’s all about at CRC.