Preseason preparation essential in racing Part 1

Remodeled JRT Customs shop in the foreground with his new home in the background. The race shop has energy efficient windows, doors, siding, exterior lighting, insulation, furnace, dyno cell, heat pump, and more. Jason spends so much time in his shop he decided to add a very clean, well- made bathroom. (JRT Customs photo)

Dyno cell exterior controls lit up in neon blue. This is where dyno operator stands to monitor goings on inside the test cell. Safety features include dyno brake, fire extinguisher, and carbon monoxide detection. When time permits, the walls will be painted a light grey with brilliant white ceiling and new LED lamps.(JRT Customs photo)

Brightly lit interior of the dyno cell with the bright orange colors that are associated with JRT Customs dating back to his 214-mph land speed Nissan truck. Intake air with air filter is the left black hose. Exhaust gas is collected by right hose which runs through another filter before exiting the building. Very little noise is noticed outside the building. Notice the cleanliness of the entire operation, just like the pros. (JRT Customs photo)

Typical of engine builders, JRT has a “project” engine which gets the latest in horsepower enhancing modifications. Unlike the strictly regulated L206 Briggs & Stratton Racing engines, this powerplant allows Theriault’s creative juices to flow. Horsepower of the experimental engine is undisclosed. (JRT Customs photo)

In addition to engine building and testing, JRT will customize the settings for clutches like this Bully brand. Knowing the exact peak torque and horsepower allows JRT to set the engagement rpm of the clutch to match engine output. None of the individual customer’s data is shared with other competitors. Confidentiality is strictly maintained. Theriault emphasized that all his engines will pass tech inspection and perform nearly identical. No customer gets an advantage. (HTF Motorsports photo)

Briggs & Stratton L206 blueprinted race engine ready to be shipped to the customer. The engine is broke-in on the dyno and comes with the dyno sheet. FHS Supply and Manufacturing, Clover, South Carolina, custom blends JRT oil and of course, adds the orange dye characteristic of JRT products. (JRT Customs photo)

Engines and clutches are not the only thing that JRT Customs does. The 2022 Slack “Pursuit” chassis on the right will be fully prepared for asphalt oval track racing before the owner picks it up. Custom carbon fiber body panels can be produced. Powder coating, alignment, scaling, and more is available. JRT Customs dyno testing service is one of few of its type in the northern United States. Over 100 engines were prepped in 2021. Customers from as far away as Texas utilize JRT Customs services. (JRT Customs photo)

JRT Customs owner, Jason Theriault, working on another customer engine for the 2022 kart racing season. I first met Theriault when he was in the 7th grade. He asked me about altering camshaft lobe centers to obtain more horsepower in a 5-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine he was using in his race kart. I thought he was reading a script out a race publication. Turns out he truly was and is a very smart engine builder dating back to when he was a young man. (HTF Motorsports photo)

CORE Autosports celebrating their first win in LMP3 class at the 2021 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Left to right, team owner/driver Jon Bennett, Colin Braun, and George Kurtz.  (CORE Autosports photo)

Pro All Stars Series (PASS) super late models and PASS Modifieds will be making their 2022 appearance at Spud Speedway on Sunday June 19, 2022. The Feed the County 150 hopes to raise money to benefit Catholic Charities efforts to supply food pantries across the County. The flyer explains how you can participate as a lap sponsor to raise money for the cause.