I went to the JMEngines website and got the number for Jon. It came back as disconnected with no forwarding number. Is JME still around? Or did he decide to retire from the business? Maybe he moved? Or is the telephone company playing a prank on me?

 

I heard he's retired.

 

He's in the process of moving to CA and he told me, to slow down. Either he or his wife are from CA. I'm not sure if he'll keep up his website or just do work for previous customers. I know he just helped Bob Howard get his JME engine going - remember the black 944 turbo, 600 hp Norwood engine that never ran right? Well now it runs just fine.

 

[QUOTE=Ski]He's in the process of moving to CA and he told me, to slow down. Either he or his wife are from CA. I'm not sure if he'll keep up his website or just do work for previous customers. QUOTE]

Morning Ski, Thats what he told me, I think he said that he was from Ca.

 

Yes he is from CA. He is in the process of moving as we speak. He is going to keep working for another 5 years or so after he gets out there and then call it good.

 

Jeez, I was just working on an engine with him at the Glen a month or so ago. I knew he wanted to 'retire' from the eat coast but I just never figured he would get around to it!

 

It wouldn't have been anything to do with the Dry Sump kit you beat me to on Ebay would it Solo???? Swine!!!!
If you decide to sell it on give me refusal please???

Good luck
Tom

 

damn, i wanted one of his cams

 

I think my mechanic is looking to buy his dyno and some of his equipment.

Maybe I can get some free dyno time now.

 

Well, for those looking for the facts, not just speculation, Jon has moved to CA and though he intends to retire/semi-retire, I am sure he will still find himself spending more time than he is planning wrenching on projects here and there.

Of course, if he decides to continue JME, then I am sure he will update his site with his new contact information once he gets settled in.

Here in the Northeast, Jon will be missed. Over the last few years we developed a solid rapport and I have enjoyed, and will miss our very friendly rivalry. We would set up at the track right next to each other, and hang out during the event both on and off the track. We both wanted our own guys to win, of course, yet at times we would work together to assure our guys were running stong and at the front of the pack.

For example, at Watkins Glen, Jon and I tag-teamed to troubleshoot the car Chris mentioned earlier. While Jon was making sure we were not overlooking the obvious, I offered my thoughts of what the problem sounded like to me. Once I sold him on my diagnosis we worked together to find the core of the problem. Pressed for time, I had to multi-task on my guy's car while doing what I could to help. A few minutes later, problem solved, and both our guy's were headed for the staging area to run against each other.

That's the good spirited rivalry I am going to miss.

Anyway, like I said, I am assuming Jon will not completely retire, but the impression I get from him is that he will be scaling back quite a bit.

California sunshine, reduced stress, pick and choose what you want to work on... Don't sound half bad to me! I say; ENJOY! - After all, is that not why we work all our lives?

In the meantime, if there is any way I can help anyone during Jon's transition period, please let me know. I am guessing Jon would endorse my offer to help during this transition period (could be wrong?), but he knows me well enough to know that I am not interested in taking anything off his plate, or scouting any of his customer's. He, and those that know me in the racing world know that my offer to help is sincere.

Thanks for reading.

 

That's some nice spirit Scott.

 

Nice post Scott. It's good to hear of camaraderie that still exists today. I was talking to a guy today who races old formula cars and he said that camaraderie was the one thing that really stands out in that sort of racing. Everyone pitches in from time to time to help out another racer.
That sure sounds like a nice way to operate in California.

 

It is 'us' vs the 911s after all!!!

 

Sure seems to be at times!

 

Who are you again???