John Smith Racing, LLC: Latest News

New T-Shirts

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 18:58:06 +0000

Check out the new T-Shirts in the Merchandise Section:

https://johnsmithracing.com/merchandise/shirts/

New JSR Products

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:12:11 +0000

94-04 Mustang Vent Gauge Pod

94-04 Mustang Coin Holder Delete with Toggle switch.

First 2017 NASA HPDE

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 20:40:35 +0000

We completed our first track day of the year last month and it was a good one. This time at Willow Springs we were on the big track and it’s fast! Our project GTS handled it well and never once completely left the track. The best lap time (1:47.15) of the weekend came on Sunday after about 40-50 laps. For comparison, the American Iron class Mustangs were running just under the 1:30 lap times. We swapped out our rims and tires with an extra set of Bullitt Style we had laying around that had Nitto NT 555’s 245mm front and 315mm rear. Here is what else we modified on the car before we hit the track: Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs (PN 4.1035 $247), K&N Intake (PN 57-2519 $254), Magnaflow Cat-Back w/Dumps (PN 17118 $400), Steeda Underdrive Pullies (PN 701-0001 $256), BBK Fuel Regulator and Gauge kit (PN 1707 & 1617 $189), Deatschwerks 320lph Fuel Pump (PN 9-301-1014 $138) Total = $1484

Attendance fee for two day HPDE track day at Willow Springs ($279), Admin Fee ($3.98) Total = $282.98

First Year Total = $3045.19

Second Year Total = $1766.98

Eibach Springs = Dropped 12 lbs

Magnaflow Cat-Back = Dropped 22 lbs

Misc Rear Items = Dropped 59 lbs

Bullitt Style Wheel/Tires = Added 46 lbs

New Estimated Vehicle Weight = 3142 lbs

Next up, we head to Auto Club Speedway for our next HPDE.

Getting ready to turn some laps on the big track!

Nitto NT 555's helped with traction.

And the MagnaFlow exhaust helped reduce weight and increase sound quality.

All this stuff removed nearly 60lbs from the rear of the car.

First NASA HPDE Track Day

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 19:29:27 +0000

Our first year getting ready to race our project GTS in NASA turned out pretty good. During our track day we were assigned to group 1 because it was our first time. Our group would get 20 min on the Streets of Willow racetrack, with an in-car instructor, followed by about an hour of class room time discussing driving techniques. That process repeated for five sessions! It was a great time on a great track and by the end of the day we were moved up to group 2. With the new year there are a lot of new track days already scheduled and we plan to make it to as many as we can in order to move up to group 4. Once in group 4 we can apply for our NASA competition license. Cost of getting started in NASA: Attendance fee for HPDE track day at Streets of Willow ($140), one year membership ($45), Admin Fee ($3.98) Total = $188.98

First Year Total = $3045.19

Next up, our bone stock 96 GT felt a little underpowered and lacked grip so we’ll see if we can improve that before our next HPDE.

Project GTS - Cooling System Upgrade

Sat, 26 Nov 2016 17:33:55 +0000

It’s always a good idea to upgrade the coolant system on a track car to ensure the engine stays within optimal operating temperature during hard driving conditions. So we decided one of the first modifications should be to upgrade our project GTS cooling system. While we had the radiator out we removed the A/C components to help drop some weight off the nose of the car and also some miscellaneous under hood plastic pieces to help drop some lbs! Here is what we installed: Mishimoto Performance Aluminum Radiator (PN: MMRAD-MUS-96B $303.75), Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator Stay Set Brackets (PN: MMRS-MUS-94 $25.19), MotoRad High Flow 180 Degree Thermostat (PN: 2028-180 $14.99), MotoCraft Radiator Cap (PN: 9C3Z-8101-B $10.45), Ford Performance Parts A/C Delete (PN: M-19216-D46 $67.99). Total = $422.37

Mishimoto Radiator = Added 4lbs

Mishimoto Radiator Stay = Dropped 6oz

Ford Racing A/C Delete = Dropped 28.5lbs

Misc Plastic = Dropped 6lbs

New Estimated Vehicle Weight = 3189lbs

New First Year Total = $2856.21

New Mishimoto radiator with stabilizers installed.

MotoRad high flow 180 degree thermostat kit.

Ford Performance Parts A/C delete for 96-10 Mustang GT and Cobra with 4.6 V8.

The only modification we had to make was for some clearance on the bottom of the radiator.

Top view comparison of the stock radiator and the new Mishimoto one.

30lbs of A/C removed!

6lbs of miscellaneous stuff from under the hood!

The new radiator is nice and visible with the A/C condenser removed.

Project GTS - No More Leaks!!

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 21:35:01 +0000

We fixed the leaks and annoying sounds coming from our project GTS. Once it gets a good washing and waxing it will be ready for the track next month at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. Here is what we replaced: Used Dorman Intake Manifold (PN: 615178 $39.04), Dorman Replacement Intake Gaskets (PN: 615175GA $35.19), Dorman Belt Tensioner (PN: 419204 $33.34), Ford Idler Pully (PN: XR3Z8678BA $27.54), Ford Oil Drain Plug with Gasket (PN: F75Z6730BA $10.08), MTC Odometer Repair Kit (PN: 30302 $7.99). Total = $153.18

New First Year Total = 2433.84

Project GTS - Tune up

Sat, 24 Sep 2016 11:25:30 +0000

First step on the “to do” list is give our future racer a tune up.Who knows how long it’s been since any of this stuff has been changed out. Here is what we are replacing and its all available here on our website: K&N Replacement Air Filter (PN: E-0945 $58.99), K&N Replacement Fuel Filter (PN: PF-2200 $10.99), K&N Oil Filter (PN: HP-2010 $13.99), Six Quarts of Red Line 5W20 Synthetic Motor Oil (PN: 15204 $71.70), and NGK TR-55 Spark Plugs (PN: 3951 $24.99). Total=$180.66

First Year Total=$2280.66

Project GTS - Future NASA Race Car for John Smith Racing

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:50:48 +0000

We got a new (well, 20 year old) project car, a 1996 Mustang GT with the 248A (GTS) option. The plan is to use this car to race competitively in the Camaro-Mustang Challenge Class in the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Southern California Region. This class is designed to be one of the more inexpensive and beginner classes. We are going to document everything we do with the car and how much it actually costs to go racing.

Follow along with Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

About the car:

The Bad:

Minor oil leak, Minor coolant leak, Accessory drive is making excessive noise, Broken Odometer, Paint is oxidized, Clear coat missing on front and rear bumper, Not registered since 2014

The Good:

GT with 248A Option (GTS Package), 1 Owner (Car Fax verified), No accidents (Car Fax verified), 100% Stock (I mean EVERYTHING: From the Intake Silencer to the “Dog Bone” on the Differential), Very clean inside, Only cost $2100

The 248A Option:

Manual Transmission, Manual Windows, Manual Locks, Manual Cloth Seats, No CD Player (anyone have any cassette tapes anymore?), No Illuminated Sun Visors, No Rear Window Defrost, No Cruise Control, Non-Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, No ABS, No Rear Spoiler, No Fog Lights, and 15 Inch Rims

Less Weight = Faster!!

New Plenum Spacer Kit now available with NPT

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 07:04:30 +0000

Our brand new 1996-2004 Mustang GT 4.6 SOHC Intake to Plenum Spacer Kit with CNC Machined 1/16 NPT ports for nitrous nozzles, is now available.

Finally got our own website!!

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 06:58:07 +0000

It finally happened, JSR has launched their very own website!!