The Gears That Turn the Wheel that is Ray Guarino

Although having earned an A.A.S. degree in Electronic Instrumentation Technology and a B.S. degree in Organizational Management, Ray's life work has found him striving to become the best "automologist" he could possibly be.

Ray has held jobs as an auto parts counterman, machinist, plastic injection molder/mold-maker, and an auto electric rebuilder. His life-long love of all things mechanical, coupled with his job experience, has given him a "No Fear" attitude when it comes to taking things apart and (hopefully), fixing, modifying, and ultimately improving them design-wise and functionally.

As an electronic technician and later as a corporate metallurgist, Ray worked in the R&D area of the Engineering Department at Leviton Manufacturing. Currently a member of the Professional Faculty at a NY college, Ray finds great joy interacting with students who show a love for mechanics and cars like he does. 

Being an avid Hot Rodder, motorcyclist, competition dart player, marksman and car show judge has equipped Ray with the tools needed to survive in the automotive world but his greatest fulfillment is realized when he spends time with his wife, daughters and pets.

Since he was seven years old Ray was playing around with discarded cars in the driveway, which inevitably led to building go-carts, mini bikes and eventually his own cars from junk parts. Ray has always prided himself on being able to take a discarded part and make it useful, or create something needed using the spare parts he has acquired. Short lengths of tubing, end scraps of metal, oddball components, and even ceiling fans have been integrated into Ray's motorcycle and automotive projects as alternatives to store bought products.

The future is an open book for this car guy, but Ray hopes to pursue an involvement in the automotive media with his co-host and friend Chris Switzer, someday making a dollar as a result of their work as partners on MotorMouth Radio.

Joe didn't start out as a car guy; much of his teenage years were spent as a bass player, gigging local venues.  When the typical teenage need for a car finally reared its head, Joe's dad made him an offer he couldn't refuse:  The family's old Tempest sat in the driveway unusable.  Joe's dad said, "If you can get it running, you can have it".  That required Joe to absorb more automotive knowledge and that is what he did.

Joe then landed a job at the local auto parts store doing grunt work; shelf stocking, sweeping, deliveries, and more.  Between studying the books during slow times and asking questions at the shops, he made deliveries, and worked his way up to counterman.  He continued learning at the feet of older hot rodders, racers and shop mechanics to hone his own wrenching skills because a good parts guy understands the mechanic's lot and vice versa.  Switching jobs to a fledgling high performance/speed shop, Joe delved more into the hardcore mods, such as engine assembly, in addition to the usual manifold, carb, and header stuff.

The big change came for Joe when he stepped up to work at the local Chevy dealer.  Armed with experience in high performance and working on many muscle car era GM's, Joe became "that guy" people go to for GM high performance and resto parts in the area.  While other dealers blew "those performance guys" off, Joe would come up with the part number.  While there, giving parts out to shop mechanics, they noticed he had a knack for helping out with troubleshooting the newer computerized vehicles.  He was happier "hands on" than peddling parts.

Working as a junior guy at a local repair shop, the boss quickly found that Joe was not cut out for bull work.  The boss did find that Joe could read schematics and flow charts plus he fit under places like dashboards making his niche for drivability and electrical analysis obvious.  To develop those skills Joe attended aftermarket training classes, the NYS ATTP (where he eventually became an instructor) to reading anything he could get his hands on from various car manufacturers.

Once he certified as ASE A1, A5, A6, A7, A8 and L1 Joe found himself working at the Standard Motor Products Tech Help line as their GM specialist.  The next 12 years consisted of "fixing cars blindfolded".  Joe likes to say “I am a one-eyed man in the land of the blind”.

Today MotorMouth Radio's most recent addition is a full time "Car Guy".  His "day job" is with a major auto parts manufacturer answering tech questions from professional mechanics and do-it--yourselfers alike.  After putting in his hours at a desk, he jumps into his rolling toolbox and visits shops to lend his diagnostics slant on problem cars they've run across during the day.

"The problem is right under here!!"

As with most things in life, knowing when you reached a turning point can make or break a person's existence in society. Thus was the case with Chris. In 1985, he signed his resignation from EF Hutton on a demerit slip for being 5 minutes late. It was time to pursue his passion for cars and the wide-open reaches of the radio airwaves.

To say that this guy loves cars is an understatement. Chris spent most of his youth in used car lots and auto repair shops. Auto diagnosis was second nature to him but the thought of spinning wrenches for someone else left little to be desired. Not exactly the change he had in mind.

Leaving the finance business, Chris decided the first course of action was to go back to college. In college he soaked up everything he could about the art of radio broadcast.

Employment was found quickly, after college, and lasted seven years at various radio stations in the New York Metro area. Chris worked in all capacities of radio. In his early radio days he worked simultaneously as an overnight jockey for 95.5 "The Fox" in Norwalk Connecticut, featuring Rock "n" Roll and as Field Promotions Coordinator for "Hot 97" in New York City. He eventually settled into one position as Program Director for 106.7 WVIP FM Radio in Mount Kisco, New York before television came knocking on Chris' door.

As a graphics designer for Rainbow Network Communications, he is currently developing television graphics for AMC, (American Movie Classics), IFC (Independent Film Channel), Bravo, and Fox Sports Network. As graphic designer life for Chris began to stabilize, however there was still a yearning to mix his two greatest passions, cars and radio production.

In January 2002, Chris started "Motormouth Radio" a call in automotive talk show at 90.3 WHPC FM Radio in Garden City, New York. The show needed to grow, so he enlisted the help of the former host of Cablevision's Extra Help Automotive Show Steve "The Bronc" Broncatello. Slowly the show started to show signs of strength. Shortly after, he recruited the help of another former Cablevision Extra Help Show Host Mike Timmons to provide his expertise on motorcycles.

In 2004, Ray Guarino was added to the mix as "The Bronc" retired to his home in Sparks Nevada. The group became a twosome, with just Chris & Ray shortly after Mike Timmons left to persue his own business.

With Chris & Ray running Motormouth Radio, it is developing a local following and is becoming a driving force in free automotive and motorcycle repair and advice.