Auto-Rod Controls Electrical, Lighting and Body

Auto-Rod Controls: The Racing Electrician's Choice Since 1978

Auto-Rod Controls (ARC), now operating as AutoRod Corporation, is one of motorsport's most enduring names in race car electrical systems. Founded in 1978 by John Zizza, the brand was built on a straightforward mission: design a quality system that meets racers' real-world needs and stand behind it unconditionally. That philosophy resonated immediately, and it has powered ARC's reputation for nearly five decades.

The brand's earliest breakthrough came when Zizza pioneered the very first in-dash "Pro Stock" rocker switch panel — a revolutionary departure from the piecemeal wiring methods of the era. ARC's system replaced the old approach of running individual wires from a 12V source to a fuse, to a switch, and on to each accessory by using high-current printed circuitry in automotive power distribution — an innovation significant enough to earn the first U.S. patent of its kind. An upgraded version of that system went on to win the prestigious “Best New Performance Product Award” at SEMA in 1982, announcing ARC as a force in racing electronics.

In the decades that followed, ARC continued to pioneer products that are now considered staples of race car builds. Among those milestones: the first credit card ignition control, nitrous time delay systems, nitrous electrical control panels, digital display trans brake time delays, and modern flat-touch control panels. These weren't incremental updates — each was a genuine first-to-market development shaped by feedback from active competitors.

Following John Zizza's passing in December 2021, Rich Concato — a racer of nearly 30 years and the founder of Concato Racing Custom Wiring — took the helm in May 2022, renaming the business AutoRod Corporation while preserving the core values that built its reputation. Under Concato's leadership, the company continues developing new products, including Pro Mod style flat-touch systems and advanced oil pressure control modules, while maintaining the same commitment to lifetime support for every product it sells.

ARC's current product lineup spans multi-purpose switch panel kits — complete systems that bundle a switch panel, relay board, and wiring harness into a single, race-ready package — as well as individual switch panels available in overhead, dash-mount, and firewall configurations. For builders looking to install or relocate ARC panels in a custom chassis, the brand also offers dedicated switch mounting panels designed to integrate cleanly with their electrical systems. All products are designed and manufactured in-house in the United States, a distinction ARC has proudly maintained throughout its history.

Whether you're wiring a bracket car for your local track or building a full Pro Mod, Auto-Rod Controls offers the engineering depth and real-world racing experience to back up every component in their catalog.