One Stop Performance Owner Jim McKeown Dies

drag racing snowmobile
Jim McKeown, owner of One Stop Performance and the man behind building big power for mods like this OSP race sled used by Brett Huff, has died. Photo by Wayne Davis, from 2010 Haydays, printed in Jan. 2011 issue of Snow Goer.

The owner of One Stop Performance and modern day legend of creating power for many racers and speed runners died in Howell, Michigan at 58.

                Known to friends as “Big Jim,” he emerged out of the Michigan lake racer crowd  –posts on social media speak of McKeown putting other would-be fast riders to shame running his Arctic Cat Thundercat with NOS. With that background, he started One Stop Performance (OSP) in 1995 and appealed mostly to the “outlaw” lake racers who were seeking ultimate power and speed outside of normal race sanctioning rules.

                Most recently, his One Stop Performance business has become renowned for its big power laydown mods powered by boosted Yamaha and Arctic Cat/Suzuki engines inside and outside of formal competition. They set countless records and took home the big cheese with various racers aboard on ice, grass and asphalt. Twice sleds with OSP power have been featured in recent years in Snow Goer magazine – in 2010, when OSP racer Brett Huff shocked the crowd at the Haydays Grass Drags event with a pass of 3.76 seconds at 142 mph in 500 feet, and again in 2015, after an exotic, 720 horsepower OSP-powered mod from the Dynamite Race Team topped 150 mph in 4.5 seconds on ice at the 2014 ISR World Series of Ice Drags.  

                Tonight on a special episode of Super Sled Online’s Talk Tuesday webcast, host Chris Riley will host a celebration of McKeown’s life and accomplishments. The live show begins at 7 p.m. central time; if you can’t listen live, a podcast is available after the program. Click here to listen.    

3 thoughts on “One Stop Performance Owner Jim McKeown Dies

  • Avatar for Ms. Linda Masse

    He will be missed.
    Remember the Guy.
    Remember love N laughter.
    When you look in the sky.
    Think of Jim. As you see the stars at night.
    Think of Jim with the candle you light.
    Hugs to all with love from everyone Jim.
    Hugs. From. Nasdra. Taylor Masse. Linda Masse. N staff

    Reply
  • Avatar for Marty

    Jim took drag racing snowmobiles to a new level!!!
    Big Jim rest in peace!!
    I know he will be in spirit at every snowmobile drag race from now on.

    Reply
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