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Bradley Morris Rules LOORRS Prolite Class in Rounds 9 & 10 at Glen Helen Raceway

16 août 2012

In round 9 Bradley Morris held off the hard charges coming from Casey Currie and Brian Deegan the entire race before claiming his first ever LOORRS victory.

In rounds 3 and 4 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series, 15-year-old Bradley Morris raised the collective eyebrows of his fellow competitors, by accumulating four trophies and a top-10 finish out of six starts. Not completely satisfied with his view from the podium though, the young K&N sponsored driver remarked that he was eager to see how the world looked from the top tier. After flat-out owning rounds 9 and 10 of the Lucas Oil Shortcourse Series held under the lights at Glen Helen in San Bernardino, California, Bradley Morris is going to need to come up with some new, even loftier goals.

With pyrotechnics befitting his accomplishments, K&N's Bradley Morris won LOORRS rounds 9 and 10 at Glen Helen.

Bradley Morris once again competed in Modified Kart, Limited Buggy and Prolite, and this time he was able to get that unobstructed view from the summit he was looking for. In fact, Bradley Morris stood atop the podium three times, once in Limited Buggy, and then with his back-to-back wins in Prolite, in which he lead every lap. The youngest driver competing in the field didn't just arbitrarily stumble into the victories either, he got it done with fan-pleasing flair and high drama, fighting off the charges put to him by some of the most talented shortcourse drivers on the planet.

"There were so many yellows in round nine I had to fight hard to stay ahead of Casey Currie and Brian Deegan the entire race," remarked Morris after the race, "I would pull out a slight lead and then someone would cause a yellow and they would be right back on my bumper. Having Danny (Ebberts) on the radio was a huge help. He let me know where everyone was and what they were doing behind me."

The young talent says his family and friends help him stay grounded between races.

Even though 22 other racers where again looking to chase down Bradley Morris in round 10 on Sunday, extraordinarily enough the pressure wasn't near as intense in that race. Bradley Morris started on the front row and once he claimed the lead, he quickly separated himself from the others, building a sizeable gap on the field. Maintaining a remarkably smooth and consistent tempo, Bradley Morris was actually able to back-off just a bit in order save the truck towards the end of the race. For the sake of perspective this would be a noteworthy time to recap that Bradley Morris isn't yet legally old enough for a driver's license issued from the DMV.

With three laps to go in round 10, it was Deegan that offered up one last assault at the teenage prodigy. Bradley Morris remained unfazed; his rhythm was unshakable, as he held onto the lead, undeterred and unchallenged to the finish.

Morris' lead in round 10 was so large that he actually backed-off the gas in order to save his truck.

After some time to let it all sink in Bradley Morris remarked, "It took a couple days to settle in and get back to real life, and from now on, I will be able to go into the races with more confidence and be less nervous. In the first race on Saturday I felt a little scared and I didn't want to do anything stupid to mess it up. But in Sunday's race I knew I had the capability to win. I didn't let my mind wander and made sure to look straight ahead at the next obstacle that was coming up. After the tight race on Saturday - I was completely sure I could win."

While the racers behind him scrambled to keep pace, Bradley Morris remained smooth and in rhythm.

With Bradley Morris ' accelerated learning curve, his inherent teenage fearlessness, and more aptitude than seems fair for one person to possess, the next goal waiting to be crossed off his to-do list is wide open. Put another way, if Bradley Morris was a public stock up for optioning, this would be a good time to get in on the action.

"My family and friends help me stay grounded in between races, and my dad and my spotter, Danny Ebberts, help me a great deal when I am in the truck and in the moment," adds Morris . "I am ready to go for the next rounds, and I just can't wait to get out on the track and go chase down some more victories."

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Speedway Hot-Gun Adam Ellis in 2nd at Mid-Point of 2012 French Speedway Championships

16 août 2012

Ellis is currently entertaining offers from teams in the United Kingdom to turn pro in 2013.

Speedway racing throughout European continues to grow in popularity with each passing season, particularly in central and northern Europe. There are countless regional grassroots leagues and teams, and several Premier Leagues which are administered by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

Adam Ellis, the 15-year-old, K&N sponsored Speedway racer sits in second place at the mid-point of the 2012 French Speedway Championship.

For the past couple of season few upcoming Speedway stars have stood out any brighter than Adam Ellis, the 15-year-old, K&N sponsored, French Speedway racing phenom. The last time we spoke was in 2011 at this same point in the French Speedway Championship and Ellis had the lead in the 250cc class at the time.

"I now have reached the halfway point of the season, and I am currently sitting in second place overall in the 250cc French Championship," said Ellis. I have started riding in the 500cc class in the UK, where I have won both of the Under 16 British Championships. I have also been riding the Isle of Wight in National League speedway."

The second half of the French Speedway begins this week at Miramont de Guyenne.

That Ellis could be successful in both the 250 and 500cc class comes as no surprise.

Ellis' aggressively stylish riding flair continues to draw fans to his championship winning cause.

Last season in the final round of the French Speedway Championship at Miramont de Guyenne, Ellis also competed on his 250cc motorcycle and in the 500cc Open class, and when he finished second overall, beating 17 other 500cc riders in the process, it wasn't only the fans that took notice.

"I have had a few offers from teams in the UK, to upgrade to professional in 2013, which are my plans at the moment," explains Ellis.

The extreme sports devotee rocks the sun-bleached blond hair while indulging his hobbies which include surfing and snowboarding. At first glance he looks like the poster-boy for the Southern California dreaming lifestyle. In actuality Ellis calls Taillecavat, in the South of France his home. In 2011 Ellis earned second place at Ledbury, United Kingdom, a third at Morizes, he won in Artigues de Lussac, and earned another runner-up finish in St. Macaire, the last three all being in France. Ellis' most enthusiastic fans and supporters continue to be his mum Julie, his dad John, and his sisters Leigh and Jasmine. He lists his racing ambitions simply as "To be the best!" His next race is back at Miramont de Guyenne located in south western France, and he will again be competing in both classes on the same day.

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Swedish Speedway Star Linus Sundström Secures his first Elite League Maximum

16 août 2012

Swedish hot-shoe Speedway racing rising star, Linus Sundström exploded onto the racing circuit in 2009, and the very next year he crowned his debut by qualifying for the elite FIM Speedway Grand Prix, which is the ultimate season ending goal for all Speedway competitors. This July, 2012, Sundström realized a new milestone in his young racing career when he secured his first full Elite League Maximum at the East of England Showground against Eastbourne. Sundström reeled off five straight wins to score a full maximum 15 points. The toughest challenge for him came in the fourth race when he had to beat a fiercely competitive Cameron Woodward, managing to squeeze by him on the 4th lap to lock up the victory.

Sundström reached another milestone this year when he reeled off five straight wins to score a full maximum 15 points - his first full Elite League Maximum.

"What a night it was for me," exclaimed Sundström. "I had been waiting for this for a long, long, time. I always knew I could manage this and over the past few weeks I've felt quicker and quicker. My team has been working really hard, and they have been cheering me on all the way. Hopefully this is many to come."

With the first half of the season now in his rearview mirror, Sundström has some time for reflection on how to approach the second half of the season. Many hours have already been invested in the workshop, and working with various engine tuners in order to find the best setups and more consistent speed out on track.

"We have had some ups and downs so far," admits Sundström. "We started off good, but had some troubles with speed and gating, but lately things have been working really well. We have made a few changes in the team and I think they are really positive for my career. They have been big steps and hopefully I'm moving in the right direction."

Sundström Racing's Speedway Grand Prix qualification hopes for this year came to an end on 29th June in Vojens, Denmark, after Sundström finished 11th in the field. With the experience of Niels Kristian Iversen and Davey Watt in the lineup Sundström knew it was going to be difficult undertaking at best. Although he did manage to collect six points from his five rides, it wouldn't be enough. The K&N sponsored racer remains realistically optimistic however, choosing to draw only the positives from the overall experience.

"We always knew it was going to be a tough day. With world class riders in the lineup, at this stage of the competition, you can't afford a bad race. When I look back at the series though, I'm the 5th youngest competitor to reach this stage, and I feel really happy about that. My aim is to make the Speedway Grand Prix Series next year, and I see no reason why I can't do that. It's been a tough couple of months for me and the team. It really tests the team's patience and determination, but we have come through the storm as the English say. We have made progress and I'm feeling back to my best. As you know confidence plays a massive role in speedway, so to feel good on the bike at this point is always a good start."

Linus Sundström Racing's second half of the Sky Sports Elite League season kicks off August 13th when Peterborough goes up against Swindon.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Cody Rahders takes Second Place at Race Town 395 In Spite of Slow Start

16 août 2012

Along with the WORCS, Cody Rahders also races in the Superlite class of the Lucas Oil Off Road Series.

Those who follow Cody Rahders can say with all confidence that he is not a slacker. In fact, the driver manages to juggle his time in a manner that allows him to race in two different series. Rahders competes in the Superlite Truck class in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORS), as well as manning a Polaris RZR570 in the production 700 class of the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS).

Rahders and team R3 motorsports recently loaded up the Polaris and headed for Adelanto, California, where they were scheduled to race in the 700/850 class at Race Town 395. Although eager to get the event underway, Cody didn't have the start he was hoping for.

Cody Rahders recently finished second in a WORCS event at Race Town 395.

In fact, the driver found himself in the second from last place in a field of thirty cars after the waving of the green flag. "Man, I just wasn't on it and had a bad start," recalled the driver.

Although not happy with his start, Rahders had no intentions of letting up, and in fact, he was focused on making up ground. Although the order held steady throughout the first half of lap one, he began muscling his way toward the front of the pack and had managed to take the third place position as he and his fellow drivers headed back from the desert section of the track.

Once reaching the motocross section of the course Cody Rahders and the two lead drivers were practically neck to neck. Cody eventually took over the second place spot and began his pursuit for the lead. Everything was looking good, until a slight miscalculation lent to Rahders coming up on two wheels. Although making corrections the driver then found himself too far behind to take the checkered flag.

His progression toward the front of the pack was a far cry from easy, as the conditions were less than optimal, as the dust was relentless. "I drove hard, stayed close, let them make mistakes and tried not to get lost in the dust," explained Rahders. When asked if the conditions were dustier than normal, he continued, "Definitely, the worst. Dusty conditions can have a huge impact on the outcome of a race. If you're not out front in clean air, all you do is play catch-up. It makes you have to push through it and take chances you normally wouldn't take. There's nothing else you can do. I would rather have it muddy."

Cody Rahders is a strong advocate of using K&N products to keep his engines contaminant free and running to their peak performance.

Referring to his second place finish, the driver said, "I was pretty happy. I actually caught the leader about a mile before the finish and had a shot to win. I went into some corner so hot, trying to make a pass, and bicycled the car so far I thought I was going to roll.It was one of the best saves I've ever had," he continued. And no one was there to see it."

With his race at Race Town 395 behind him, Cody Rahders and his team are geared up and ready for the remainder of the season. When asked the key to future success, the driver said, I have to get the hole shot and stay out front. Referring to the importance his team will play he explained, "they are everything. There is no way I could do this without them."

Rahders is also aware that if he plans on success, it is essential that his car remains in tip-top shape. In turn, he is a strong advocate of maintenance, and depends upon K&N products to keep the internal components of the engine contaminant free.

Maintenance is everything," he explained. "You can be the fastest guy, but it doesn't matter if you're broke down on the side of the track. To finish first; first you must finish," Referring to K&N products he continued, " Number one, they are the best filters, and number two, they support racing. It doesn't get any better than that. I started using K&N in 2009 when I was racing an SR1 at LOORS. I use K&N air and oil filters exclusively on both my Polaris RZR570 UTV, and my Superlite race truck."

When asked what his fans can expect from Cody Rahders and R3 motorsports throughout the remainder of the season, his answer was short and to the point- "Gas is on the right!"

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Kent Robinson Earns His First Late Model Victory of 2012 At Brownstown Speedway

16 août 2012

Kent Robinson recently earned his first victory of the season while racing at the Brownstown Speedway.

Kent Robinson recently rolled into Moler Raceway park, in Williamsburg, Ohio, with anticipation of a successful night on the track. Racing in the World of Outlaws Super Late Model class, the driver had been near the front of the pack several times this season, but had yet to take a checkered flag.

Anxious to get the American Dirt Racing Association sanctioned, $3,000.00-to-win Freedom Fighters 40 underway, Robinson locked into the Pole-Sitter's dash. Although the night had started off on a positive note, it didn't take long for his luck to change, as the driver experienced a flat, lending to an eighth place finish, putting him in the eighth starting spot for the 40-lap feature. At the night's end, he walked away from the feature in second place.

Kent Robinson is looking forward to a competitive season in the Late Model class in 2012.

On the following night, Kent Robinson showed up at the Brownstown Speedway, in Brownstwon, Indiana, still longing for his first victory of the season. Starting fifth in his heat race, the driver maneuvered his way into second place, earning a fifth starting position in a field of thirty-three drivers for the main event.

My confidence level going into the event was pretty average," recalled Robinson. "One reason being that I had been running with the World of Outlaw series and the level of competition on that circuit is extremely high. It kind of keeps you grounded. Especially since I am a rookie, and they all have much more experience."

Kent Robinson is experiencing his first season in the World of Outlaw series.

Referring to his heat race, the driver continued, "After the second place finish, I felt very good about the rest of the night. I knew if we made the correct changes to the car, we would be capable of winning."

One might suspect that Kent Robinson's confidence lost its vigor when he fell back as far as the seventh position in the thirty lap feature, but his drive to earn a checkered flag was more than enough to keep him focused and charging forward. In fact, he continued muscling his way around drivers until finally taking the lead in lap twenty-three and earning his first victory of the year.

"The track was in great shape," he stated. "It got wide with a decent cushion, while black and smooth through the center," recalled Robinson. "After we took the lead, there wasn't too much pressure, because our tires had gotten enough heat to fire off and the car really took off. We had about a five car lead upon crossing the finish line."

When asked the trick to taking the checkered flag, the driver said, "I think the key to getting back to the front was patience. I hope the victory can help as a confidence booster to not only me as the driver, but also to my team as a whole. I think it will."

"My team is very important," he explained. "In the World of Outlaw series, there is a very open tire rule. Therefore,there is about ten to fourteen different compounds of tires we can run. We have them all ready to go at every race, and that takes a huge amount of time and dedication. Also, these cars have many moving parts that require a lot of fine examinations and maintenance to ensure nothing breaks or malfunctions during competition. All of these things are something that I do not have enough time to complete myself. Therefore without a crew, we would be nothing."

That said, Kent Robinson has an acute understanding of the importance of maintenance, and depends upon K&N products to keep his engines free of foreign debris. "I've been using K&N products for about five years," he explained. "I use their oil, air and fuel filters, as well as their cleaner oil and prefilters. Also, we use a K&N air filter in our race hauler. I think they absolutely have the best products available today."

When asked the key to success throughout the future, Kent Robinson said, "Dedication and staying positive through the hard times. I have been involved in racing for about nine years now. I enjoy the competition and friendships you build along the way." When asked what fans can expect from Kent Robinson and his crew throughout the remainder of the season, he said, "Well, I hope they can expect a lot of Wins! But we all know those are hard to come by, so I would say you can expect us to be competitive, but also respectful on and off the track."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.