Meet the Dedicated Team Behind Import Specialties

I’m Wesley (Wes) Stump, a 35-year-old ASE Certified Master Mechanic from Mission Viejo, CA, and the proud new owner of Import Specialties. I’ve spent my entire life in Orange County, growing up in Anaheim Hills and Huntington Beach. Much of my childhood was spent in my late father’s machine shop, which specialized in the aerospace industry from the 1970s until it closed in 2008 due to personal health concerns and the recession.

My passion for cars has shaped my life, motivating me to keep learning and growing every day. That passion was sparked at a young age and solidified after attending a drifting event at Irwindale Speedway—a moment that made me realize I wanted to dedicate my career to the automotive world. In high school, I excelled in auto shop, earning multiple awards, building my own drift car, and honing essential repair skills. Since 2007, I’ve been immersed in the drifting scene and began competing professionally in 2021.

After high school, I pursued my passion through various automotive jobs while earning my AA in film and TV, along with ASE certifications. I’ve always been known as a workaholic, often juggling multiple jobs—many outside the automotive industry, including barista, general manager, and even sandwich artist! Working in the automotive field exposed me to a wide range of makes and models, allowing me to refine my skills. I also had the incredible opportunity to travel with race teams, gaining hands-on experience at events like the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and Formula Drift. Eventually, I shifted my focus to completing my ASE certifications, achieving Master Mechanic status.

Now, as the owner of Import Specialties, I combine my technical expertise, industry experience, and passion for competitive drifting to grow our shop into something bigger. We service all makes and models, and my goal is to be your go-to resource for anything car-related—even if it's just for advice.

Outside of the automotive world, you can usually find me distance running (never less than four miles!) around Mission Viejo Lake or unwinding with a cocktail at a local restaurant with my wife, Nicole.