Just off Atlantic Avenue in Marblehead sits a garage that’s anything but ordinary. Precision Motor Werks, owned by Kent Jones since 1986, is a family legacy driven by race cars, technical expertise, and a deep-rooted love for community.
Jones, a lifelong mechanic and avid racer, bought the shop in his early 20s after working in the trade and chasing down race tracks.
“I’ve always been into mechanical things,” Jones said. “And I also started racing cars when I was in my 20s. I still race to this day.”
His racing background isn’t just a hobby; it feeds directly into the shop’s operations. Jones has competed in everything from Formula 2000 open-wheel cars to modern BMW sedans in grueling endurance races: two eight-hour contests packed into a single weekend.
“What we do now is endurance races,” he explained. “We’re running the most modern cars BMW produces, with the latest motorsports electronics. It gives us a jump on what’s happening in the industry.”
That cutting-edge awareness and commitment to staying current is what sets Precision Motor Werks apart. While many small shops have faded, Jones and his team, especially BMW specialist Dan Martin, continue investing in training, certification, and state-of-the-art tools.
Martin, a Marblehead native and one of the most respected BMW technicians in the region, plays a crucial role in keeping the shop competitive.
“Dan is probably one of the best BMW techs in the free world,” Jones said with a smile.
Beyond the cars and competition, Precision is a family business. Jones’ daughter Madison recently joined the shop after graduating from Roger Williams University with a degree in public relations. She now manages the front office, advertising, and marketing efforts, bringing a modern edge to her father’s old-school operation.
“I grew up surrounded by cars, but I’m more of the office type,” Madison said. “It’s nice to be able to take my skills and actually see them come to life. And if I ever have any questions, obviously I have my dad.”
Madison said working in the family business has its perks, flexibility, familiarity, and the comfort of walking into a workplace she’s known since childhood.
“My friends joke that I’m the NEPO baby,” she laughed. “But I’ve been technically working here since I was 12. It’s been nice to grow up here.”
She said the shop’s longevity and consistency are part of what makes it feel like home, for both staff and customers.
“A lot of people that have worked here have worked here forever,” she said. “Everyone really cares about what they do.”
That dedication extends to how Precision Motor Werks approaches service. Jones emphasizes that customers don’t need to rely on dealerships, especially when it comes to vehicle maintenance.
“What a lot of people don’t understand is the manufacturer’s viewpoint on maintaining cars isn’t the viewpoint that a customer should have if they’re going to keep the car,” he said. “If you follow the maintenance schedules that the dealer recommends, you’ll have a hard time handing that car down to your kids.”
Jones believes in over-maintaining—or rather, properly maintaining—vehicles to ensure longevity. That philosophy, along with a clear respect for customers and their cars, is why the business has lasted nearly four decades.
“We treat customers like they won the Masters,” Jones said.
Precision’s services don’t stop at the shop doors. Jones and his team also provide full race support across the country, bringing trucks and trailers to tracks in places like Road America and Sebring. They work with professional series like WRL (World Racing League), offering pit crews, fueling teams, tire changers, and mechanical support.
The shop’s second building on Pond Street is equipped for tire work, storage, and high-end race prep. Among their projects: a factory-built BMW GT4 race car, complete with a roll cage, chill-out cooling system for the driver, and center-lock wheels. They even participate in international rally events like the Mille Miglia, most recently driving a 1953 Lincoln and a Jaguar XK140.
Precision also makes an occasional appearance at local events, including the Misselwood Concours d’Elegance at Endicott College, where they’ve displayed a fleet of vintage Jags.
For the Jones family, this work is a lifestyle and for Madison, a full-circle moment.
“I knew that I had something to go to straight out of college,” she said. “It’s great to be here, and it’s even better knowing we’re part of something people really trust.”
Between the roaring engines and the quiet loyalty of long-time customers, Precision Motor Werks isn’t just keeping cars on the road. It’s keeping a family’s passion alive one lap, one repair, one ride at a time.
