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K&N is the Official Air & Oil Filters of Supercross, Arenacross & FIM World Championship

21 janv. 2011

K&N Banners placed in key locations around the track, show support from K&N throughout the 2011 AMA Supercross Series and FIM World Championship Series.

Back in the 1960's, in the defining seventh decade of the 20th century, two motorcycle fanatics, Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald journeyed together racing every desert and off-road venue within range. To support their growing habit they sold motorcycles and handlebars. On the road they had plenty of time to talk about the notoriously brutal off-road racing environment that devastated equipment and was cutting deep into their expenses. If the extreme lunar-like silt didn't choke you and your bike, the blasting 40-grade sand would.

K&N Tuffblocks will line the stadium floor at all events.

By 1969, Ken the "K" in K&N and Norm the "N" were building their own style of air filters at a small building on North Main Street in Riverside. They focused on one thing until it was perfect, and as technology evolved they evolved with it, continually striving for ways to make their filters even more perfect. Their singular obsession, along with their first name initials, has blown-up the family-owned and operated business into one of the most respected and recognizable automotive and motorsports corporations on the planet. Do one thing, and do it better than anyone else can even imagine, and the world becomes your oyster. Or, to paraphrase another analogy - if you build it perfect, they will come.

K&N will be set up at all AMA Supercross races with a display booth and technical support to educate consumers on K&N Products. Select events will have the newly built K&N Truck & Trailer displaying different types of filtration testing equipment and displays.

From Ken and Norm's humblest of beginnings, and following many years in the making, the motorcycle universe and its stars are at last in perfect alignment, following K&N, the inventor of High-Flow Cotton Air Filters latest proclamation.

AMA Supercross Events pack in the spectators to a nearly sell-out crowd at every round of 17 Events across the country!

"Finally, we've stepped up to become the 'Official Air and Oil Filter' of Monster Energy Supercross, the AMA Arenacross series and the FIM World Championship. We're extremely excited," said Nick O'Kane, K&N Powersports Manager. "Supercross, Arenacross and the FIM World Championship provide a great platform and an immense audience for K&N filters in all facets of the marketplace. This will help us build K&N's brand awareness at the highest level. K&N plans to be on site at every round with a display in the pit party area showing the latest High-Flow Air and Oil Filters for Motorcycles, cars, trucks and now big-rigs, semi-trucks and motorhomes!"

Commenting on the declaration from another perspective, Johnny Jump, K&N's Powersports Division Brand Manager said, "Every year we work with a collection of topflight privateer teams to demonstrate our X Stream Series Motocross Filters' performance and indisputable effectiveness. Getting to this level with Supercross, Arenacross and the FIM Championship, being able to talk face-to-face with consumers in the pits, and to be able to show them our diverse collection of performance filtration products, gives us the opportunity to take this to the next level. Our consumers ride and that means they have trucks. The K&N performance intake systems guarantee horsepower gains on your vehicle, and when you're hauling bikes, or a trailer, that's exactly what you need."

In their own press releases Feld Motor Sports, Inc., the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment, confirmed the news that K&N Engineering has indeed inked a one-year deal to be the official and exclusive air and oil filter of the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, FIM World Championship, and Arenacross season. "The 2011 season marks the first year of this exciting partnership," wrote a spokesperson for the Aurora, Illinois based company.

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz, and IHRA Nitro Jam. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world's largest producer of live family entertainment, and they clearly understand how to rock their fans world.

"We are excited to add K&N to the lineup of top-level sponsors supporting the championship," said Dave Prater, Director of Supercross. "K&N provides a commanding product line and a solid reputation that compliments their presence in the motor sports industry."

As mentioned earlier, throughout the Monster Energy Supercross races, K&N will have a strong presence on the track and in the wildly popular pit party area. K&N will be showcasing their widely admired product line in a variety of power sports vehicles where fans can get an up-close inspection of the product's real-world abilities in action.

"We are excited for K&N to join the AMA Arenacross Series for the 2011 season," added Jayme Dalsing, Director of Arenacross. "K&N products will be showcased to thousands of dedicated fans throughout the most intimate form of indoor racing around. We look forward to showcasing their highly touted product line throughout the season."

The foray into the AMA Arenacross series community adds further to the list of racing organizations that K&N is already a deeply embedded and integral part of, from stock cars to drag racing. As a staple supporter of the privateer lifestyle in the sport, K&N's new initiative is taking their involvement and cranking it up several notches.

Back in the day when Ken and Norm were blissful being off-road racing gypsies, could they ever have imagined what would become of their pursuit to produce the perfect air filter? Probably not. But you have to believe that somewhere they're grinning like well fed, ginormous Cheshire cats.

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.

Overview of NHRA Drag Racing Driver Brett Brown

21 janv. 2011

Brett Brown's Vegas Heat AA/FA 1932 Bantam

Auto Racing seems to be one of the great American institutions that is enjoyed by multiple generations with-in families. Many of today's top professional drivers are carrying on the tradition started by their fathers and grandfathers. The same is true in the sportsman ranks of NHRA drag racing. Brett Brown has been involved with drag racing his whole life with his father, Gene Brown, who began racing in the early 60's running a '58 Pontiac in Junior Stock. In 1980 when it was Brett's turn to get behind the wheel, he initially competed with a Karman Ghia on the Volkswagen racing circuit and at NHRA events in Modified Eliminator, then Super Stock. With just one season under young Brett's belt he won the SS/BX class at the 1981 Winternationals in Pomona. His next win in the VW didn't come until in 1987 in the Pro Bug category at the 4th Annual VW World Championships.

NHRA Super Stock Drag Racing's Brett Brown

After taking some time off, fast-forward seven years and Brett is returning to drag racing earning his NHRA competition license behind the wheel of a 4 cylinder dragster, running in the F/ED class of Comp Eliminator. Through the late 90's, until 2001, Brett and his brother Tom shared the driver's seat; only confirming that racing truly is a family affair for the Browns. The passion of driving Brett inherited from his family led him to expand the team by purchasing a Jeep powered 1932 Bantam Altered. From 2001-2005, he competed in "The Jeep" in the E/EA class of Comp Eliminator. During this time he was fortunate enough to be Comp Eliminator champ at the 2002 SummitRacing.com Nationals in Las Vegas and was runner-up at the 2002 & 2004 Winternationals in Pomona.

After the 2005 season, Brett decided to sell "The Jeep" and purchase an '85 Camaro that he campaigned in Stock Eliminator from 2005 to 2008. In 2007, Lady Luck was again on his side at the SummitRacing.com Nationals in Las Vegas, winning the K/SA class, as well as winning the J/SA class at the K&N SPORTSnationals in Fontana, CA. As many drivers experience, the itch for a new set of wheels struck again and in August 2008, when he sold the Camaro and purchased a 1964 Chevelle Malibu that he still runs in the NHRA Super Stock category. Brett's racing accomplishments in his current ride, the 1964 Chevelle, include three SS/MA class wins at the 2009SummitRacing.com Nationals in Las Vegas, 2010 Jeg's Pacific SPORTSnationals in Fontana, CA and at the 2010 Las Vegas Nationals. He also was crowned Super Stock champion at the 2010 Auto Club Finals in Pomona. Through all these victories, Brett has had his family by his side. In addition to his father and engine builder Gene, plus his brother Tom, Brett owes a big thanks to his wife, Terry, who is his biggest supporter and fan!

Brett also gets support from great products like Arringdale's Engines, Tri-City Competition, Kilgore Racing Transmissions, Deano's Carburetors, Comp Cams and K&N Air and Oil Filters. His support from K&N also involves his family because Brett's brother Tom Brown works for K&N. He was able to introduce Brett to Steve Williams and Tony Yorkman of K&N eventually allowing Brett onto their racer program. "K&N is well known for their high performance and reliable products. K&N offers products that add horsepower, are reusable & never need replacing. We use their air & oil filters on all of our personal & race vehicles." says Brett.

Brett and his Family will compete at NHRA national and division 7 events, SCEDA and Summit Series events held at the Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA. So if you see Brett, Gene, Tom, Terry or any of the Brown family, ask them why they won't race without K&N filters.

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.

K&N Co-Hosting David Vizard's How to Build Horsepower Three Day Seminar

20 janv. 2011

How to Build Horsepower Seminar

K&N Filters is proud to co-host the 2011 “How to build Horsepower” seminar presented by David Vizard. K&N in conjunction with Engine Builder Magazine and the University of Northwestern Ohio is excited to facilitate the transfer of knowledge that will cover three days of intense engine building theory. David is one of the most published writers on the subject of High Performance and Racing engine building. Considering David’s 50 plus years of experience, and his ability to explain very complex topics to both the novice and pro engine builders alike, he is uniquely qualified as the presenter. He has been conducting engine technology seminars for over 20 years all around the world. This year’s Seminar is being held at the prestigious University of Northwestern Ohio campus. Please join us March 11th though the 13th for this valuable learning opportunity. For more information go to davidvizardseminars.com.

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

Wicked Racing Owned the 2010 Jet Sprint Boat Series and Readies to Get Jiggy with 2011

17 janv. 2011

Teammates Doug Hendrickson and his navigator Hannah Macke were undefeated in 2010 - they are currently three-time National Champions.

Something wicked this way comes - and it comes at you like a bullet with a guidance system zigging through an obstacle course. Commenting on the United States Jet Sprint Boat Series, driver and co-owner of Wicked Racing, Dan Morrison once said "It's like a roller coaster with a throttle on steroids - only way more intense." During a typical event, racers and their navigators can expect to zigzag upwards of 32 times through a designated course, all in less than a minute.

Dan Morrison and navigator Cara McGuire finished 2010 in second place - this was only their first year running in the Super Boat Class.

The power-to-weight ratio of these "rocket-boats" is crazy, and by crazy we mean explosive.

"We are running an all aluminum 480 cubic-inch Chevy small block running on injected alcohol. This motor dyno'd at 900 horsepower and it pushes our 12-foot, two-inch boat, from 0-to-100mph in three seconds," detailed Morrison.

"We are able to pull up to 8G's in the corners and push 700 gallons of water a second out the 8 1/2inch Scott jet pump. We had a couple of ignition problems towards the end of the year that kept us from finishing on top. We are working on those issues in the off season and expect to be ready to compete at the same championship pace that we started out with last year. We are about to display our boat at the Seattle Boat Show at the end of this month. This will be our third year of doing so and expect to draw huge crowds, as our boat is always a magnet to any kind of race fan."

The Wicked Racing team got its start in 2008 with the understanding of the sport's need to gain national recognition. Morrison and his teammate Doug Hendrickson combined their boats and teams in order to more successfully attract sponsorship. Their abilities to market the team, and the sport, continues to be unrivaled in the United States.

"This last year our Wicked Racing Sprint Boat Team had a great year," said Morrison. "My navigator, Cara McGuire and I finished second for the season in the Super Boat class (Unlimiteds) after leading the points for most of the year. This was our first year in the Super Boat Class."

"My Wicked Racing teammates, Doug Hendrickson and his navigator, Hannah Macke, had a dream year. They went undefeated all year. Doug and Hannah are three-time National Champions, and they are always a force to be reckoned with on any racetrack."

Hendrickson and Macke's boat competes in the A-400 class with an exceptionally strong 406 cubic-inch Chevy small block. Their motor pushes over 700 horsepower and runs on 113 octane race fuel."

"Our first race this year will on the 18th of June in St. John, Washington, which is close to Spokane. We will finish our season in Port Angeles, Washington on the 17th of September, with races in Albany, Oregon and East Wenatchee, Washington in between."

The track in Port Angeles is currently being developed by Morrison, along with a huge amount of local support. "It is looking to be a state-of-the-art jet-sprint track," says Morrison. The inaugural race on the new course is slated to be the 2011 National Finals.

The Lucas Oil and K&N sponsored Wicked Racing Team was filmed in August of 2010 for several segments of Speed TV's - Lucas Oils "On the Edge" which just started airing on the 8th of January.

"This sport is very EXTREME and it's growing very rapidly, thanks to sponsors like K&N," adds Morrison.

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.

K&N Sponsored Modified Racer Elliott Despain Earns Rookie of the Year Honors

13 janv. 2011

The number 75 had its best finish of the series by posting an eighth place at Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Kentucky.

2010 was the inaugural year for the new American Modified Series. The series, which is sanctioned by the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) Modified dirt track racing division, ran all its races in four states, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio. After the first complete running of the AMS season it was K&N sponsored Elliot Despain that drove away with Rookie of the Year Honors and a very respectable fourth overall in the season ending series points chase.

Elliot Despain finished the inaugural year of the new American Modified Series with Rookie of the Year honors and fourth overall in the point standings.

"We had a really good first season with the AMS," said Despain. "Just getting out traveling and racing at new places was great. We raced against some of the toughest modified drivers in the country and proved we can run with those guys."

In total four of the events took the Despain Motorsports team to racing venues for the very first time.

"When we made the decision to chase the American Modified Series presented by Force Fuels and Engine Conditioners, we looked at it as a chance for us to gain additional racing experience by competing against the best Modified drivers in the Midwest", said the 21-year-old Campbellsville, Kentucky racer. "And, not only did we gain that experience, but we were also able to give our sponsors and product sponsors more recognition and exposure in areas of the country that we had never raced before".

Despain scored two top-ten finishes in the inaugural series and a tenth place finish at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Illinois. He followed that up with his best finish of the series by posting an eighth place finish at Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Kentucky.

"We had some bad luck this year and we know that we could have had a higher finish in the series", remarked Despain. "But, we will take these results and work hard over the winter to be better prepared for an even higher finish next year."

Over the winter Despain says he will be getting a new 2011 Bandit racecar and he will focus on making certain his engines are finely tuned for the upcoming season.

"We also plan on going down to Florida for the winter national at Eastbay, so I'm looking forward to getting back out on the road. Last season being out on the road should carry over to this year, seeing a lot of different tracks and different surfaces can only make me better. Anything I can do to continue improving as racer. I'm really looking forward to getting the 2011 season started right and started early."

"Winning the ROY was great for us and finishing in the top-five in overall series points was another goal for us. A low point of the season however was losing my grandpa to cancer. He was very special to me and hardly ever missed a race. He was always there for us and helped out in so many ways. He will be greatly missed!"

The American Modified Series officials are currently in the process of putting together the 2011 racing schedule that they hope will include 18 to 20 racing events.

"It is sponsors like K&N Filters that help give us the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious racing series and without their support and dedication, none of this would be possible", commented Despain. "And for that, on behalf of Despain Motorsports, we would like to say thank you, and we look forward to representing K&N Filters in 2011."

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.