In this guest episode of Get on Track, Jim Adams sits down with James Clay, founder and president of BimmerWorld, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, endurance racing, and building a purpose-driven business. From humble beginnings in a no-frills garage to running one of the most respected BMW performance brands in the country, James shares his unfiltered journey of grit, innovation, and leadership in both motorsports and business.

Whether you’re a racing enthusiast, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone fascinated by the process of building something from scratch, this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom and stories from the track and beyond.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• From Engineering to Entrepreneurship – How James turned an electrical engineering degree and a racing passion into a nationally recognized business.
• The Origins of BimmerWorld – Why starting with no money, no insulation, and a 60-hour work sprint was foundational to his journey.
• Racing as a Business School – The lessons racing taught him about precision, performance, and business strategy.
• The Spec E30 & Spec E46 Movement – Behind the scenes of building one of the most competitive and fair racing classes in grassroots motorsports.
• Culture Over Competition – How James helped foster a transparent and collaborative community among racers.
• The Realities of Car Support and Parts Sales – Why car support wasn’t scalable, and how he pivoted to a more sustainable and profitable business model.
• Scaling Up with Intention – Moving operations into a 60,000 sq ft facility and serving not just racers, but BMW owners across the spectrum.
• Customer-First Thinking – How prioritizing long-term trust and service led to business growth and a lasting brand legacy.

 

Resources from this episode:

Jim Adams Website: jimadams.com

James Clay Instagram: @thejamesclay

James Clay LinkedIn: James Clay

Bimmerworld Link Instagram: @bimmerworld

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