Roush Performance: The Statute Of Limitations (You Don’t Know Jack Podcast)
Full Video Transcript
What is going on, guys? Welcome back to *You Don’t Know Jack* podcast, the official podcast of Roush Performance. We’re sitting here on episode three with the Roush Performance Engine Group guys. Man, I am super pumped for this one because, I mean, we’re talking horsepower, [we’re talking engines](https://www.roushperformance.com/collections/engines) — this is the heart of Roush Performance. So, it’s going to be pretty cool to sit down with Jim Kemp and Ron Sharp from the Roush Performance Engine Group team. Let’s get to know these guys a little bit.
Jim Kemp’s Journey at Roush Performance
Jim, tell us a little bit about yourself. How long have you been at Roush?
"Well, I started in '95. I was a graduate of a university in Northwestern Ohio, which is basically a trade school. I was always a gear head—grew up wrenching wherever I could. Dad would pull out of the driveway, and I’d take apart the lawn mower, see if I could upgrade it or make it run better. But the feat was to get it back together before he got home.
I started here in '95 when I was 19, going on 20, and I’m getting ready to hit 30 years here soon. I’ve been through a lot—seen some very cool things. From the start to the end of car platforms. I always had a passion for racing and performance, and I did some drag racing myself. I became the supervisor of garage services, running a group of prototype mechanics.
Eventually, the guy who sold [crate engines](https://www.roushperformance.com/collections/engines) retired, and I was asked to take over. Others didn’t want me to leave, but I knew this was where I belonged. It’s been awesome ever since."
Ron Sharp’s Introduction and Racing Success
Ron, tell us a little bit about yourself.
"I started at Roush in 2007. At the time, we were doing a lot of drag racing, mostly for NMRA and NMCA. We won a couple of championships with Robbie Blankenship and his Mustang and Don Bowls. It was a great time—traveling to Florida for races, and we won four out of five years. We changed a lot of rules because of our success.
After that, we moved into vintage road racing, and then we hit off-road truck racing hard. That’s where I know you from—the off-road world."
Carrying the Roush Legacy
You’re carrying the torch of Jack Roush, Sr., continuing that tradition of pushing the envelope. You see it all over the company.
"Yeah, it’s been pretty cool to see how far we’ve come. The entire company started with engines, and to this day, the core of our DNA is a passion for engines."
Memorable Stories
You guys must have so many stories. What’s one that sticks with you?
Jim: "Back in my earlier prototype days, I worked on the Ford Transit platform. We were chosen to go to Europe to do an engine swap in front of media from 30 countries. Me and another guy from Roush went over. They timed us, and we had to swap from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. The first time we did it in 45 minutes. By the last session, we had it down to 17 minutes and 42 seconds. It was all set to *Mission Impossible* music, and we had a huge adrenaline rush."
Ron’s Racing Adventures
Ron, what about you? Any stories that stand out?
"I would have to say chasing Gaysmith’s buggy in Mexico was insane. We were going down dirt roads at 120 miles an hour, navigating off-road while racing through the desert for days. It was wild."
The Roush Engine Group Overview
Let’s talk about what the Roush Engine Group does.
Jim: "We do everything—power sports, road race, drag race, circle track, aviation, you name it. The crate engines are Ford-based, mostly Windsor 9.5 tall deck and Short Deck 302 platforms. We offer supercharged coyote engines for hot rods and custom cars. People are combining old cars with modern powertrains and chassis."
Ron: "We’ve got a 1964 turbocharged Ford Indy car that we’re building right now. It’s pretty neat seeing how things were done back then and adding new technology to it."
Off-Road Racing and Series Involvement
What series are you currently involved in?
Ron: "We’re in the Champ Off-Road series, Best in the Desert, SCORE (Baja 1000), and more. Last year, we won the championship four out of five years in Champ Off-Road, and we’ve been consistently strong in the series."
Jim: "It’s wild. Crandon, in particular, is something else. Watching trucks go airborne over 200 feet is mind-blowing."
Working with Mazda Motorsports
Ron: "We just picked up Mazda Motorsports to build engines for their entire series. It’s grassroots racing, affordable, and fun. The engines are four-cylinder, around 180 horsepower, and perfect for people transitioning from karting to cars."
The Importance of Doing Things Right
Why is Roush Performance so successful?
Jim: "It’s simple. We have the right equipment and the right people. We always do things the right way."
Ron: "It’s about passion. We’re all gear heads, and we live this every day."
Engine Care Tips
What’s the best thing people can do to extend the life of their engine?
Ron: "Change your oil regularly and keep your air filter clean. Stick to a 5,000-mile oil change schedule, and your engine will last a long time."
Jim: "Letting your engine warm up is important too. The oil flow doubles once the engine reaches the right temperature."
Thoughts on Electric Vehicles (EVs)
What’s your take on EVs?
Ron: "I think EVs have their place, especially in cities. But I don’t think they should be forced on us. There’s still a place for gasoline engines, especially in performance and hot rods."
Jim: "It’s starting to creep into the aftermarket, but I’m a gasoline and oil guy at heart. It’ll take some time for me to fully embrace it."
Looking Ahead
What’s next for Roush and the Engine Group?
"We’re always pushing forward, improving. Whether it’s custom builds, racing engines, or new projects like Mazda Motorsports, we’re constantly evolving. We’ve been in this game for decades, and we’re not slowing down."