Jim Smith

Jim Smith is a longtime FastLane instructor and a dedicated vintage and club racer in Southern California. A familiar presence in both SCCA and VARA (Vintage Auto Racing Association) competition, he has spent years on track as both a racer and a coach.

Jim campaigns a classic Datsun 240Z in vintage competition, and his pace speaks for itself: at a 2022 VARA hillclimb he won the vintage over-two-liter class outright, posting the fastest time of day in his category. That blend of hard-earned seat time and a real feel for a classic sports car is exactly what he brings to his students.

At FastLane, Jim coaches drivers one-on-one at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, drawing on decades around the sport to help each driver build genuine car control and confidence.