Our Founder: Douglas Hahn

Virginia Speed

Shorter, Marketing-Ready Version 

Virginia Speed was founded in 2002 by Douglas Hahn, a U.S. Air Force veteran and mechanical engineer with more than 40 years of automotive, offshore powerboat racing, and engineering experience. Douglas not only built Virginia Speed’s reputation for precision and innovation but also mentored many of the talented technicians who continue his legacy today. His vision and standards remain the foundation of everything we do.

At Virginia Speed, Douglas established a reputation for precision, craftsmanship, and high-performance innovation. He personally mentored several of the technicians who continue working at the company today, instilling the standards and values that still define the shop. 



Beyond Virginia Speed, Douglas’s career included leadership as President of EngineTec, Inc., extending his expertise into advanced propulsion and specialty engineering projects. He also served as President of Seatek USA, where he worked alongside legendary Italian designer Fabio Buzzi and his company FB Design, innovators behind some of the world’s most advanced high-speed offshore racing craft. 

Douglas was also the Crew Chief for the “Tommy Bahama” MTI offshore racing team, owned by Mark Nemschoff, a role that connected him directly to the world of professional powerboat racing. His technical insight and leadership supported programs that remain recognized in the marine performance community today. 

Douglas’s legacy lives on through Virginia Speed, Inc., where the team he trained continues to honor his vision: delivering uncompromising performance, technical excellence, and innovative solutions to automotive and marine enthusiasts across Hampton Roads and beyond. 

Douglas Hahn’s Vision for Virginia Speed

“We deliver customized automotive building services in an unparalleled, professional, and personalized manner. Our team's goal is to deliver a unique custom high-performance build for each unique customer.” 

- Douglas Hahn