Roland Riegel, a Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW specialist from Switzerland, opened Riegel Tuning in 1976. He ran the business successfully for twenty-two years on the back of beautiful workmanship and top-notch customer service.
In 1998, Roland sold the business to Hima Maher, a diesel mechanic and racing enthusiast who had lofty goals of making it a better shop than ever and letting it be a jumping-off point for many of his other aspirations within the automotive world.
In 1999, Riegel’s first off-shoots hit the ground running – or driving, as it were – with the launch of Maher Racing and the Maher Racing Driving School. Hima fulfilled his dreams and raced several times each year in numerous cups around North America, while also providing aspiring drivers and enthusiasts an opportunity to fulfill some of their own dreams.
On the Riegel Tuning side, Hima endeavoured to build a business based around people, where customers and employees alike would feel respected and appreciated. He started with the ever-so-talented Imre Pipo, who had worked at the shop with Roland for over a decade.
In 2003, Casey Connor joined the Riegel Tuning team as an apprentice automotive mechanic. Casey brought a youthful zest that was a great complement to Imre’s time-tested talent.
In 2006, with the business bustling and continuing to grow, Kenneth Jayasuriya joined Riegel Tuning while he was a second year apprentice, wanting to work at a great shop and with the best and the brightest.
Joel Fortowsky joined the team in 2008 to bolster the front-end of the business. Joel keeps things organized and keeps customers happy, while going to school during the fall and winter and working on his Automotive Marketing diploma.
On March 10, 2009, the Riegel family was deeply saddened by the passing of Hima Maher. After coming together to support each other, along with the extended Riegel family, the shop has moved forward under the new ownership of Ted Rosza. Kevin Jayasuriya has also joined the team to lead Riegel Tuning into the future.
With these more dramatic changes also came several personnel changes. Joel has been promoted to Parts & Service Manager, John Sao has joined the team as an apprentice, and Nicole Sobie has joined the team as the administrator. As well, Casey has been promoted to Shop Foreman.
Hima’s passion for fine automobiles, good friends, and great service lives on through Riegel Tuning and its employees. Upon Casey’s and Kenneth’s graduation in 2008, Riegel Tuning has a fantastic group of luxury German-focused journeyman mechanics. With a highly-skilled support team behind its technical talent, Riegel Tuning is, without a doubt, the best place to bring any car you care about.
