Bisi Ezerioha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bisi Ezerioha
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Ndubisi Ezerioha
January 6, 1972 |
| Alma mater | California State University, Long Beach |
| Occupation | Engineer and Entrepreneur |
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Ndubisi "Bisi" Ezerioha (born January 6, 1972) is a Nigerian-American engineer, professional race car driver, and business owner. He is the CEO and Chief Engineer at Bisimoto Engineering. Bisi is famous for his work in drag racing, where he drives a special 2006 Honda Insight. He is also a trained chemical engineer who started university at just 15 years old! His amazing car designs have been featured in movies, TV shows, toys, and video games.
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Bisi Ezerioha's Early Life
Bisi was born on January 7, 1972. His parents were both scientists. His father, Dr. Emesia Ezerioha, was an industrialist, and his mother, Chinyere Ezerioha, was a biochemist. Growing up in a science-loving family, Bisi became very interested in chemistry while in school in Nigeria. He was curious about how cars and machines worked. This led him to study petrochemical engineering at Anambra State University of Technology when he was only 15.
Bisi Ezerioha's Education Journey
After studying for a year in Nigeria, Bisi moved to the United States. He attended Cerritos College and earned an honors degree in applied and natural sciences. Later, he went to California State University, Long Beach. There, he earned degrees in Chemical Engineering and Engineering Management.
Bisi Ezerioha's Career Highlights
From Medicine to Motorsports
After finishing his studies, Bisi first worked in a pharmaceutical company. He started in research and quickly moved up to management and sales. After more than ten years, he decided he wanted to use his skills to design and build high-performance car parts for racing. During this time, he became known in the racing world for building and driving the fastest front-wheel-drive car that used a carburetor.
Building Amazing Race Cars
In 1994, Bisi started his own company, Bisimoto Engineering. He wanted to test and bring his engine designs to life. Early on, Bisi became famous for building the most powerful Honda engines that didn't use turbochargers. He showed that even less common engines could be made very powerful and reliable.
Bisimoto's innovations soon included turbocharged cars. They built a 700-horsepower Honda Civic wagon and a 1000-horsepower Honda Odyssey minivan! They also created powerful Hyundai Elantras and many super-fast Porsche 911s with twin turbochargers.
Bisi's company is now one of the most recognized places for engine design and tuning in the world. His achievements have been featured in many popular car magazines like DSport and SuperStreet.
In 2019, Bisi made history by building the world's first electric 935 Porsche, which had 636 horsepower. He later built another electric 935 Porsche called the Moby X, with 640 horsepower. Both cars were shown at the Petersen Automotive Museum in an exhibit celebrating Porsche's 75 years. They were the only electric cars in the display!
Starring in Motor MythBusters
Bisi was chosen to host Motor MythBusters, a TV show on Motortrend. It's a car-themed version of the popular show MythBusters. On the show, Bisi, along with Faye Hadley and MythBusters veteran Tory Belleci, tests different myths and stories about cars.
Bisi Ezerioha's Racing Achievements
Bisi has achieved many impressive feats in drag racing. Here are some of his top accomplishments:
- 2016: Won one event.
- 2015: Won three events. Set the world record for the quickest naturally aspirated front-wheel-drive car in an 1/8th mile race (5.87 seconds).
- 2014: Won one event. Set the world's fastest Hyundai record at 178 mph. Also, the world's fastest 1976 Porsche 930 at 156 mph.
- 2013: Won two events. Set a new world record for naturally aspirated front-wheel-drive cars with a 9.20-second quarter-mile run at 152 mph.
- 2011: Won two events.
- 2010: Won one event.
- 2009: Won five events. Became the first naturally aspirated front-wheel-drive car to reach 150 mph in a quarter mile. Broke the world record for quickest naturally aspirated front-wheel-drive with a 9.36-second quarter-mile time.
- 2008: Won six events.
- 2007: Won four events. Became the International Drag Racing Association (IDRA) Pro Stock champion.
- 2006: Won eight events. Made the world's first confirmed 9-second naturally aspirated run on gasoline (9.97 seconds at 135 mph). This was also the first non-VTEC Honda to run in the 9s in the quarter mile. He became the International Drag Racing Circuit (IDRC) Pro Stock Champion.
- 2005: Won one event.
- 2004: Won three events.
- 2003: Won six events. Became the International Drag Racing Circuit (IDRC) all-motor world champion. Fans voted him "World’s favorite pro stock racer" by the International Drag Racing Association (IDRA).
- 2002: First non-VTEC Honda all-motor car to run in the 10s in the quarter mile (10.93 seconds at 124.7 mph). World's quickest SOHC naturally aspirated Honda at 10.72 seconds (1.5L engine).
- 2001: Won one event.
- 2000: Won one event.
- 1999: First non-VTEC Honda all-motor car to run in the 11s in the quarter mile. World's fastest and quickest naturally aspirated 1.5L engine.
- 1998: World's Fastest Naturally Aspirated Street SOHC (12.64 seconds). Won one event.
- 1997: Won one event.
Bisi Ezerioha's Engine Design and Tuning Projects
Bisi and Bisimoto Engineering are known for creating incredibly powerful and efficient custom engines for various car brands. They often showcase these amazing vehicles at major car shows like SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association).
- 2017 SEMA Show:
- Built an 83 mpg Ioniq for Hyundai Motors America.
- Created a 700 hp Dodge Viper for NGK Spark Plugs.
- Designed a 58 mpg Ioniq for Toyo Tires.
- Made a 526 hp center-seat Porsche for Dynapack Dynamometers.
- 2016 SEMA Show:
- Developed a 400 hp RWB Porsche for SpeedHunters UK.
- Transformed a Santa Fe into a 1080 hp Turbo RWD car for Hyundai Motors America.
- Built a 901 hp Ford Mustang for NGK Spark Plugs.
- Created a 500 hp Porsche 911 twin turbo for Quaife Engineering UK.
- 2016 CES Show:
- Built a 701 hp Hyundai Tucson Turbo for Harman Karden/JBL.
- 2015 SEMA Show:
- Designed a 400 hp RWB Porsche for Need for Speed video game.
- Built a 250 hp HR-V for American Honda.
- Created a 700 hp Turbo Tucson for Hyundai Motors America.
- Made a 900 hp Mustang for Ford Motor Company.
- Built a 500 hp Turbo RWB Porsche 911 for Toyo Tires.
- 2014 SEMA Show:
- Built 400 hp and special racing FITs for American Honda.
- Created an 888 hp Turbo Sonata for Hyundai Motor America.
- Designed a 500 hp Porsche 911 Turbo for PurOl Lubricants.
- Built a 481 hp Twin Turbo Porsche Cayman for NGK Spark Plugs.
- Created a 609 hp Twin Turbo Porsche for Spec Clutch.
- 2013 SEMA Show:
- Built a 1029 hp Turbo Odyssey Minivan for American Honda.
- Created a 1022 hp twin turbo Genesis coupe for Hyundai Motor America.
- Designed a 400 hp single turbo Porsche 911 for NGK Spark Plugs.
- Built an 850 hp Porsche 911 for Spec Clutch.
- 2012 SEMA Show:
- Built a 530 hp Porsche 911 twin turbo for NGK Spark Plugs.
- Created a 401 hp Accord EX for American Honda.
- Designed a 602 wheel horsepower Elantra GT for Hyundai Motor America.
- 2011 SEMA Show:
- Built a 771 hp Porsche 911 turbo for NGK Spark Plugs.
- Created a 1004 hp Civic Si for American Honda.
- 2010 SEMA Show:
- Built a 2011 533 hp Hybrid CR-Z for American Honda.
- 2008 SEMA Show:
- Built a 1988 724 wheel horsepower Honda Civic Wagon for Classic Honda Midway.
- 2007 SEMA Show:
- Built a 2006 420 hp Honda Insight drag car.
- 2006 SEMA Show:
- Built a Superstreet Castrol Syntec 360 hp engine.
Other Cool Motorsport Projects
- In 2015, the Bisimoto Hyundai Sonata was recognized as the most powerful Sonata sedan ever. It had a record-breaking 888 horsepower, which was even more than the powerful Dodge Challenger Hellcat!
- In 2014, the Bisimoto Honda Odyssey was featured on the Top Gear USA TV show in an episode called 'Cool Cars for Grownups'.
- In 2013, the Bisimoto Honda Odyssey was highlighted in many car magazines and websites like Autoweek and Autoblog.
- In 2012, Bisimoto designed and built a 530 horsepower Porsche 911 Twin Turbo Convertible. It was known as the world's first air-cooled Porsche engine that used modern drive-by-wire technology. Honda also invited Bisimoto Engineering to join their 2013 Honda Accord Project Vehicle Program.
- In 2011, Honda started a new racing program and invited three independent car tuners, including Bisimoto, to build and show their Civic Si concepts. They wanted tuners to push the limits of performance and style.
Images for kids
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Bisi Ezerioha before a race.
