Atlantic Car Care: The History – Mike Moore’s Journey from the Race Track to the Right Track

Matchbox Cars and Race Cars

Most little boys grow up playing with Matchbox cars, but Mike Moore, Owner of Atlantic Car Care, grew up playing with real sports cars.

As a young boy, Mike spent most of his time down the street from his family home in Raleigh, NC, watching his neighbor, a professional race car builder and repair technician, at work in his garage. While the other kids eventually outgrew their fascination with the neighbor‘s work, Mike’s interest never waned. In fact, by the time he was a teenager, Mike was spending every available hour of his free time working on race cars in his neighbor’s garage. He had discovered his true talent and was lucky enough to even have his own personal work bay, lift, and tool box

Life in the Fast Lane

It wasn’t long before Mike became fully involved in the race car circuit, traveling with teams as a technician, repairing and building race cars, and even racing his own cars.

But, fast cars can often lead to fast living, and fast living can lead to what the racing world calls a “false start” . In the early years, Mike’s career and lifestyle went pretty far off track. But someone once said: “A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn”. Mike was lucky enough to have one of those watershed moments that inspired him to make a u-turn.

Making a U-Turn

Mike turned back to doing the work he knows and loves best – car repair. Only this time, he was determined to use his talents in a way that would be of service to his community. Too many times, he had seen automotive repair services engage in unethical practices, billing the customer for services and parts that were not needed. Mike vowed that he would never perform an unjustified service and that he would take personal responsibility for how every customer is treated.

Mike credits his stepfather, Bob Raines, with setting a wonderful example for him. Mike says that his stepfather, a ceramic tile setter by trade, was the “hardest-working, most honest man you could ever meet. He only took on jobs that he knew he could stand behind”. Despite his earlier detour, Mike’s mother and stepfather always believed in him. They even sold their family home to help Mike buy out Atlantic Car Care from its previous owner

The Winner’s Circle

Today, Atlantic Car Care is fully owned and operated by Mike Moore. Mike operates his company based on the principles that matters to him. He has more than 75 automotive certifications and insists on weekly online training and re-certifications for all of his staff. He has created a system of checks and balances amongst his technicians to ensure that all recommended services and parts are both necessary and appropriate. Documentation on why parts have failed is required before a solution can be sold to a customer. And, of course, Atlantic Car Care has all proper licensing, certifications, permits, and insurances. These good practices put you, his valued customers, in “The Winner’s Circle”.

As for Mike, he’s enjoying his own spoils. He says: “I was able to learn from my early mistakes and use them as a solid foundation for a wonderful life. My work reflects the gratitude inside my heart.” Today, Mike’s wife, children, and family are his top priority. He enjoys spending time with his two boys and planning annual family vacations. He also shares his story with others in the hopes that it will inspire them. Mike supports a number of local non-profit organizations. His professional goal is to open multiple Atlantic Car Care locations so that more people will have options for the reliable, honest car service they deserve

To learn more about Mike’s story, visit him at his shop or contact him online.