Early in 2016, a new automotive shop opened its doors in Pearl River County and now that shop is receiving national recognition for the work done to several cars featured on national television.
It’s not the type of shop to take the family mini van for an oil change. But for automotive enthusiasts that want to get more horsepower out of their muscle car or pickup truck, they will want to speak to Scott Travis at Travis Motorsports, LLC. Travis said his is the only shop in the area willing to tune carbureted vehicles. Travis said he will work on any vehicle, so long as the customer will abide by the motto, “Go fast or go home.”
Located in Carriere, Travis said he opened the shop in February after being laid off from the oil industry.
He’s been working on vehicles since he was 14, when he rebuilt a 1967 Mustang. As an adult, working on vehicles was a side project, until he was laid off from his oil industry job in December of 2015.
Now, his shop sponsors two vehicles featured on a television show called Street Outlaws New Orleans, driven by Shane Lester and Brandon Smith.
Both racers drive Mustangs, one tuned by Travis to get the most out of the vehicles, Lester’s. Smith tunes his own vehicle.
Travis has been working with Lester for the past five years shortly after they raced against each other, Travis in a Mustang, and Lester in a Nova. Travis has been working on Lester’s 2003 Mustang, called Da Hellion, ever since. And it was a decision that has helped Lester succeed on the track. Lester said prior to Travis working on his car, several other mechanics couldn’t seem to provide the results he needed.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” Lester said.
Travis is also working on a new vehicle for Lester, called Da Hellion Evil Twin. The vehicle was built from the ground up, including the frame and body by Travis and a team comprised of various corporate sponsors. While the engine hasn’t been cranked yet, Travis estimates the modified Lincoln Navigator engine will produce 1,500 to 2,000 brake horsepower.
Travis built the car to resemble a stock Mustang, adding a lot of performance enhancements. His aim was to build the round tube frame to match a stock wheelbase, but without the extra weight. Assistance with the tube chassis was provided by Woolf Aircraft Products, while Silwa Composites contributed to the carbon fiber parts. The turbo charger is a Gen3 Pro Mod 102, from Precision Turbo and Engine.
So far it’s taken four months to get the car where it is today. By February, Travis estimates the car will be ready to hit the track, with only oil and fuel lines and the brake system left to install.
Travis estimates what would have cost $200,000 to build, has totaled about $40,000 with the corporate sponsorships.
Travis said it was an honor to be able to show off the new creation at the Professional Racing Industry show.
The cars Travis works on for Smith and Lester are used in outlaw racing, which is where public roadways serve as temporary drag strips. In the show, Discovery staff take precautions to ensure the safety of the drivers and the public by closing off the street.
Travis Motorsports offers the same tuning services to Pearl River County residents. In addition to working on Mustangs, Travis said he has experience tuning Corvettes and pickup trucks. He has even been known to tune a Honda Civic. His shop also features a Mustang Dynometer, an expensive device that can simulate racing conditions in a controlled environment.
Travis Motorsports can be found at 6997 Highway 11 N., Carriere, or reached by calling 601-347-1374.
Travis said he would like to thank all of the local businesses that assisted with the build.