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The stacked start of the motorcycle GP endurance race
Anyone who has ever watched the movie On Any Sunday or has an affiliation with motorcycles knows what rigors constitute a grand prix motorcycle race. A grand prix race brings to mind images of vintage two-stroke motorcycles smoking their way through tight city streets, blasting off into country roads and into fast dirt racing segments. For most people motorcycle grand prix races are a thing of the past; something that some will never experience. While the combination of dirt and street courses in this format are becoming rare there is still one race that has been growing for 16 years - The Oklahoma Gold Rush Mid-America Grand Prix Championship. This race was created by Norm McDonald and friends and family, and is one of the last Grand Prix races alive in America.
Norm McDonald, an avid motorcycle enthusiast, grew up in Riverside, California and was one of the founders of K&N Engineering. When he left K&N and California he moved to Oklahoma to continue running his motorcycle dealership. He took part of his old California life with him and that was Grand Prix racing. He had grown up racing famous races such as the Lake Elsinore and Catalina Grand Prix and wanted to see them continue. Norm said that people in the Midwest had never seen anything like what he was about to bring to them. The dual surface racing provides an entertaining venue where racers are tested on their all-around skills on a bike and not just on component of racing.
Justin taking Sam and Norm's advice and 'backing it in'
The OK Gold Rush is a two day race based at the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, just west of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The first day saw all the classes of racing motorcycles, quads, and side-by-sides on the course, and classes were split up by vehicle and skill level. With over 800 entries and 3,000 spectators it was quite a show. It started out with the team races, which were two-hour endurance races around a 10 mile loop.
Justin Rastegar, a K&N Product Specialist who attended and participated in the race said, "As a K&N employee I come to work these events and give product support to participants and spectators alike. At this race I was lucky enough to be able to participate in some of the most fun racing I have ever done. On the first day I teamed up with a rider Mark Olley who is part of MDS (Motorcycle Dealer Services) and Bell Helmets. He and I used his 2008 RMZ-450, freshly equipped with a K&N YA-2506XD air filter and KN-207 oil filter. Unfortunately for me, Mark entered in the pro class with the likes of repeat Daytona Sport Bike Champion Danny Eslick, AMA Motocross Champion Guy Copper, and many other riders that don't sit at a desk like I do all day.
A tight chicane on the short course
Like most GPs it was a dead start facing backwards so when the flag is dropped, the riders had to spin around and start their bike, then head straight at a single mound of dirt that shot you straight up in the air. Mark started us on the race and stalled it, letting the entire line get away from him. Once he got it going he made up for it by wheeling up the entire front straight and had people yelling, 'That must be that street bike champion kid!' After the first turn he had already made it to the mid of the pack.
After a lap he handed it over to me with no clutch lever which makes a bike pretty hard to ride. The pits were located on the street portion of the course so once you started you had about a mile of going flat out as fast as a 450 could take you on paved roads. With dirt tires you were in a controlled crash at every turn. Hitting speeds in excess of 70 mph on a dirt bike gets pretty squirrely, and to compound that issue this bike was covered in mud and very slippery. The street turned to grass and you didn't really slow down until you hit the motocross/endurocross section that was built with obstacles like jumps and mud pits. I thought the bike was too clean so I dropped it in the mud pit the first lap just to make things more realistic.
The obstacle course was followed by 8 miles of Oklahoma's finest single tracks. These were tight, but fast and technical sections through Norm's wooded property. The woods had event sponsors' banners placed all through them and when I saw the K&N banner, I crashed into a thick bush. Later in the race I didn't think things were hard enough with no clutch so I dropped it in the creek bed and broke off the front brake lever. Despite all my mishaps Mark was still able to keep us in 11th place.
Justin breaking away from the pack on Sam's YZF-250
This racing was extremely exciting because you could see drivers' and riders' skills in transitioning between racing mediums. I particularly enjoyed watching the side-by side races. A few of them ended up going end over end in brutal crashes but besides one broken leg, there were no serious injuries during the race and the promoters kept every one safe.
The next day solo races took place on the same long GP loop. Once they were finished with all the long course races, things transitioned to a short course race that was equal road and dirt sections. For the bikes this would be considered more like a supermoto course. Sam McDonald, Norm's son, sponsored me with his team K&N Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-250 with class C dirt track tires on it. After the side-by-sides and quads ran, motorcycles were up. In my qualifier I hit a fence post with my handle bars and almost went down but was able to qualify 3rd, putting me on the front grid.
Justin raises his trophy with a Miss Oklahoma contestant
I personally like shorter courses because I get a better gauge of my speed and time and on which sections I need to go faster. Sam McDonald, being a road racing champion, pulled me aside and gave me some pointers. He gave me a short lesson on controlled sliding on the road called 'backing it in in' (supermoto terms). Norm McDonald, 'The Big Boss,' also drove by on his golf cart and yelled, 'Get a better start!' With all the wisdom the McDonald family gave me I knew I had to do well. In the main event I started towards the middle of the pack but slowly picked people off until I was in 3rd again. I saw Sam around the last turn wave me on and that pumped me up to pull into 2nd. I thought I could reel in 1st place but before I knew it the race was over. After the race, getting to talk to Norm about making it to the podium was priceless.
Coming from California I never knew that the Mid-West could be as fun as it was. The OK Gold Rush was my first Grand Prix but hopefully not the last. For anyone that has the opportunity to go, I would highly recommend racing in one of the many classes they have to offer. Meeting the organizers and the participants alone was worth the trip and the icing on the cake was the big trophy I got to take home as a souvenir."
Roaring out of Ohio is Prince Racing with driver Jeriod Prince at the helm. This well-oiled machine of a team has had some very strong results in the 2011 season and looks to do the same in 2012. Recently K&N had the opportunity to ask driver Jeriod Prince about his team, his car, and what to expect in the future.
Jeriod leading during a daytime race.
What type of racing do you do?
We race IMCA type modifieds and we run in the USA modified and ARCA series.
What kind of racecar do you drive and what's your number?
My car is an Ellis chassis with a 358 cubic inch Chevy V8 and I'm number 9.
How long have you been racing?
I'm number 9 and I've been racing in modifieds for 6 years, but I've been racing since I was 9 years old. I've raced go-karts, sprint cars, and late models over my career.
How has your 2011 season been? What are some of the highs and lows?
We won the last race we ran at Sandusky Speedway! That was an awesome way to end the season, and we've been the fastest qualifier every week. 6th place was our worst finish all season and we finished 2nd 3-4 times. Our low of the season was when we got into a tangle with another car during one of the races. I had to bring the car in and get it fixed, but my team was awesome and got me back out on the track in no time. We ended up making it back up to the front of the pack and finished strong.
Jeriod taking the checkered flag at Sandusky Speedway.
What changes/hopes are you looking forward to in 2012?
We're planning to update the car with some more graphics as it's a pretty plain white right now. Our scheme is actually going to match the K&N colors pretty well. We're also in the process of building a new 400 cubic inch motor and hoping to run more ARCA races next season.
How long have you been sponsored by K&N?
This is our first full season with K&N as a sponsor and it's been a great relationship. Bob Harris is very helpful and supportive, even beyond our racecar to badging on our trailer and product for our other vehicles.
Jeriod, his team, family, and friends celebrating 1st place.
How have K&N products helped your racecar?
They're the best! It's super simple horsepower without sacrificing protection. The air filters help our car breathe better and make more power and the oil filters give us clean oil and lots of it. Having the 1” nut on the oil filter makes it really easy to remove too.
With a good portion of their finishes being in the top 5 and a new motor in the works, Jeriod Prince and Prince Racing are poised to be one of the top competitors in the 2012 season. Race fans should definitely keep an eye on this team as the New Year approaches.
I have been into cars all my life. My dad was into it. I just took this 1966 Cadillac DeVille to the next level for SEMA
The recent 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas brought some of the hottest and most unique builds, concepts and paint jobs to the strip. K&N met Carlos Campbell, the builder and designer of a completely custom 1966 Cadillac DeVille, and was able to get a quick interview. For 18 years Campbell has built and designed custom vehicles for various businesses and collectors. "I have been into cars all my life. My dad was into it. I just took it to the next level," reports Campbell. "I got started and never looked back."
I wanted to do something classy but just a little on the edge. 1966 Cadillac DeVille at SEMA.
This 1966 Cadillac DeVille is an artistic update and re-innovation of the classic design. "I wanted to do something classy but just a little on the edge," said Campbell. Carlos also reported using the paint and colors of the car to make it stand out amongst the hundreds of other cars in attendance at the show. The modifications to the Cadillac include: Air Ride, frame notch, shaved handles and molding, custom purple top and a new updates to older parts. "I pretty much had to redo the car for SEMA. Pretty much everything except the motor is new now." The custom '66 also sports 22" wheels which challenged Campbell in his design to lower the car's frame. Campbell went on to say that the finding of rare Cadillac parts also proved difficult.
The custom 1966 Cadillac DeVille for SEMA also sports 22" wheels which challenged Campbell in his design to lower the car's frame.
"This was my first year at SEMA so it's really, really a big deal for me, like a dream come true." Based on the east coast in Charlotte, North Carolina, Campbell worked with Show Cars Inc. to assist him with advertising and bringing the 1966 DeVille to Vegas.
I actually call the 1966 Cadillac DeVille God's Gift now because every time I didn't think I would be able to finish the car for SEMA, something would come along and help me again.
Campbell also reported to K&N that the Cadillac has very special meaning to him as the build process had its bumps along the road to completion. "I had to sell another project car I had, a 1963 Impala, that was full custom project, but I had to finish this Caddy for SEMA. I actually call the car "God's Gift" now because every time I didn't think I would be able to finish the car, something would come along and help me again; I thank God for that." Campbell told K&N that his next step of the project was to outfit the trunk with a larger and better sound system.
Campbell also mentioned his use and support of K&N products. "I love their products - good looks and great performance at the same time. Their universal air filter looks great on there. I have used K&N on pretty much all of my cars from old cars to up to date new cars I love the sound [K&N] makes also."
K&N SEMA Vehicle - Roland Sands flat track Desmosedici Ducati
Recently K&N was in attendance at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas. With hundreds of manufacturers, builders, racers and retailers, K&N brought in some of the best and exciting vehicles around.
K&N SEMA Vehicle - Roland Sands custom built bike "El Borracho"
K&N SEMA Vehicle - Mercedes dragster
K&N SEMA Vehicle - Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR Ford Mustang
For four days K&N showed off some of the hottest new intakes and filter products on the market while displaying a range of vehicles including a never before run Mercedes dragster and Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR Mustang. The K&N booth was also sporting a Roland Sands flat track Desmosedici Ducati and a Roland Sands custom built bike "El Borracho."
Along with the displayed booth vehicles, K&N also had the opportunity to show visitors the benefits of K&N air filters and oil filters. "It is a great ability for K&N to connect with its customers and potential new dealers both domestically and internationally," said James Johnston a K&N Product Specialist. "SEMA also provides us a great opportunity to show our dealers the level of support and promotion K&N is willing to provide for them." With SEMA being one of the largest automotive events of the year K&N received plenty of exposure, especially for its newest products including intake systems for the 2011-2012 5.0L Mustang, and the new 2010-2011 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Diesel Motor.
"The Sema show atmosphere was so great, and meeting all the K&N supporters was an awesome experience," said Katie Thomason a K&N Product Specialist. "I can't wait till next year." K&N is scheduled to attend next year's show with all the new products for the most exciting and hottest vehicles.
Danny "Showtime" Sheridan of Santa Maria, Calif. won the September 17th "Bud Stanfield Memorial" This race is part of the West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series that has grown to become a part of the United States Auto Club (USAC). "It's always nice to come home and win a race in front of my hometown. I have family, friends and sponsors who can't always take time off work or have other plans that limit the amount of travel they can do so whenever I have a chance to come home and race I Love it!" said Sheridan after coming off his first main event win of the season where he overtook Bud Keading on the 27th lap for the first position which he held onto for the win.
Danny Sheridan at Santa Maria's "Bud Stanfield Memorial"
As the 2011 season comes to a close and this article goes to press Dan has had 2 heat race wins, 1 main event win and 3 top five finishes. Every year Sheridan and his team Kittle Motorsports seem to be looking for a USAC championship. This year was no exception "Our season got off to a rough start," Sheridan told K&N news, "we changed chassis this year and it took a few races to figure out the new cars. Once we figured out what makes our new cars work we have been very tough every night. I really like the new Sherman Chassis and wish we made the change sooner cause these cars suit my driving style."
When we asked if there was one race this year that he didn't win that really bothered him he said "Any race I don't win bothers me! The biggest one this year was Calistoga. We had a strong car both nights, leading the Friday night feature with a big lead until a lap car had issues in front of me while leading. Then Saturday night we had a car to beat but had a failure... Every time we are at Calistoga we are FAST it just seems like we can't seal the deal...THAT BOTHERS ME."
Where does your motivation to win come from?
"My motivation to win is simple, be the best you can every time you hit the track and the rest will fall into place. I'm very hard on myself and I'm very competitive so at the end of the day if I give 110% I expect to get 110%."
If you had the opportunity to meet someone famous who would it be?
"I'm a huge St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, I would love to meet Albert Pujols he's an amazing athlete!!! 3 homeruns in one game, who does that?"
