Automotive Specialists Racing Engines: Pushing Boundaries from NASCAR to Land Speed Racing
Automotive Specialists Racing Engines, a household name in stock car racing for decades, is now breaking records in land speed racing. The company, led by Keith Dorton and his son Jeff Dorton, has evolved from building NASCAR engines that have won the Daytona 500 to setting new land speed records at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats.
In a recent webinar, Keith and Jeff Dorton discussed the company's journey, highlighting their expertise in engine building and their love for innovation. Automotive Specialists Racing Engines is known for their top-level NASCAR engines, but as the racing landscape changed, so did their focus. "Our business model expanded from stock car racing to all types of motorsports," said Keith Dorton.
Automotive Specialists Racing Engines’ transition into land speed racing was driven by a passion for speed and innovation. "I was intrigued by land speed racing since childhood, and once I visited Bonneville in 2008, I knew it was a special place," Keith added. Jeff echoed the excitement, sharing his experiences of breaking records and the unique challenges of land speed racing, where the goal is purely about going fast.
Their expertise in engine building, particularly from their time in NASCAR, has been instrumental in this shift. "In NASCAR, you’re fighting for fractions of horsepower, while in land speed racing, you have more freedom to experiment and push the limits,” Keith explained. The Dortons have developed engines for a wide variety of applications, from vintage hot rods to twin-turbocharged diesel streamliners.
One of their major achievements this year includes breaking five land speed records. Jeff Dorton spoke about the challenges faced in land speed racing, from designing engines that endure harsh environments to maximizing performance over five miles of tough terrain. "Bonneville is no ordinary race; it’s like driving on a muddy road with four-inch wide tires. It’s a true test of endurance and power," Jeff remarked.
Automotive Specialists Racing Engines have also applied their knowledge of engine tuning and electronics to this new frontier. Jeff, who handles the electronics side, has embraced the use of EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) and turbochargers. "The evolution from naturally aspirated carburetors to modern EFI systems has opened up a world of possibilities," Jeff said, emphasizing the role technology plays in maximizing engine performance.
With a diverse portfolio of engine builds, including Ford Flatheads, twin-turbocharged diesels, and SB2 engines, Automotive Specialists Racing Engines continue to innovate. "We’ve done some weird and wonderful things, but that’s what makes our job fun," Keith Dorton concluded.
As they look ahead, the Dortons are excited about future projects, including ongoing developments in both their land speed and restoration engine programs. Their passion for speed and precision continues to drive them forward as they aim to break more records and push the boundaries of motorsports engineering.
For more information about Automotive Specialists Racing Engines and their work, watch the full webinar here.
