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TUF Racing Kicks Off 2011 AMA Arenacross Season With a Victory in Tulsa

13 janv. 2011

Gibson exploded with the holeshot on his Cernic's Honda in Tulsa and never looked back.

Winning the first AMA Arenacross race on the 2011 schedule has got to be sweet, the season still has that fresh, New Year smell to it, it's totally wide open, a blank page looking to be written on anyway you see fit. TUF Racing's Jeff Gibson knows what that's all about, in front of a starved for racing chomping multitude in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gibson grabbed the holeshot on his Cernic's Honda and never looked back. It was the Blacklick, Ohio racer's first win since the 2009 season.

Due to a severe injury before the start of 2010, the season opening win in Tulsa was Gibson's first since 2009.

"I was a little disappointed with how last season went," remarked Gibson. "As the defending champion I wanted to have a better year. I have worked very hard to be back in the front and this helps justify all that effort."

TUF Racing's team manager Dave Antolak said this about Gibson's performance - "Most people didn't know that Jeff came in last year injured and that he was a little off his game. I think some people wrote TUF Racing and Jeff off as serious contenders this year. Maybe after tonight we will even get some props in the opening ceremonies video."

The TUF Racing champion said he was happy to have his off season hard work rewarded with the first win 2011.

Last year Gibson ruptured his colon in a crash a little over a month before the season started, and he required surgery to repair it. "We kept his injury a secret from the other teams because Jeff didn't want to use that as an excuse," explained Antolak.

"The first race of the season is always one of the most unpredictable races in the year," adds Antolak. "I say this every year and the team is probably tired of me saying it, but you can't win the championship in the first race, although you can lose it. That being said, coming away with the win just shows what a great group I have. My mechanics, Tracin Seng and Andy Brannon, have been with me for at least six or seven years and I know, as well as the riders, that TUF has the best equipment on the track."

TUF Racing got its start racing Supercross and outdoor venues back in 1985. They made the switch to Arenacross in 1996, and like Gibson's holeshot in Tulsa, they never looked back. TUF Racing has amassed five Arenacross Championships, with three of those coming in the last four seasons.

Asked where the name TUF comes from Antolak says, "We were sitting around trying to think of a clever name for the company, after a while when we couldn't come up with anything someone said, this is TUF to come up with a name, so that's what we went with."

And how did the K&N connection come about? "Actually, we were doing some engine testing on the dyno for another team that was using K&N filters. We couldn't believe the performance gain we had just from installing the air filter. The next day we were on the phone with K&N."

Along with an improved year that more adequately returns the team to its true potential, Antolak has few other plans and irons in the fire for 2011.

"We will be introducing a new line of CNC heads this year," says Antolak. "By doing the heads on the CNC (computer numerical controlled) machine, we can offer the same exact heads we are using for the race teams. The CNC procedure is so precise that each head is within .0001 of each other. Right now we are building the engines for the Rock River Team, Jeff Alessi and a few others that we can't reveal yet, but we will be able to soon."

Up next on the Arenacross schedule for TUF Racing is Kansas City this weekend and Dayton, Ohio the week after.

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's TK Motorsport's Brothers on Winning, Setting Records and Pleasing Fans

13 janv. 2011

Kody and Tanner are each other's greatest rivals and supporters, it's clearly a winning combination.

"Man that sure started out to be a great night," remarked Kody Swanson. At 22 Kody is the older half of the K&N sponsored TK Motorsports brothers by nearly three years. Tanner is the other half, and together they make a whole significantly larger than the sum of their parts. They are brothers and allies first, and each other's most competitive adversaries a distant second.

The event Kody refers to was the 70th running of the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Irwindale's Toyota Speedway. The occasion featured both Kody and Tanner pulling double-duty in the USAC Western Sprint and National Midget divisions, driving their own TK Motorsports Sprint Cars and the Midget teams of Wilke-Pak Motorsports and Don Fike's RFMS Racing.

Kody and Tanner with their entire 6R racing team celebrating in Victory Lane.

And as they had all year long, in the 2010 season ending race the Swanson Brothers once more stole the show and left fans craving for more in 2011.

"I tested our Sprint Cars earlier that month, and knew that we had a great chance to be fast on race night. I really felt bad after my qualifying effort, I got really loose into turn three, and I thought that we qualified badly. So, when I saw that I was on top of the board, I was excited. But, I knew that Tanner still had to go out, and that I left the door wide open for him. He executed a great lap, and knocked me off the top - but I expected that."

In 2010 Tanner also won the historic "Night Before the 500" Midget race at ORP in his very first attempt.

The "loose" lap that Kody ran broke the 16.37 second track record set in 2003 with a lap 16.17 seconds, and Tanner's "great lap" broke that record with a 16.13.

"We did have a little smack talk going on after that, but it was definitely friendly. We both know that we can be each other's biggest competition and greatest supporters. It really is an interesting combination, but it seems to work well for us."

Kody will be driving the Wilke-PAK Motorsports number 11 at the season opening 25th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

Next up for the Swanson brothers was the National Midget qualifying lap, Tanner was out first in his Don Fike owned number 3 car.

"Tanner went out in the midgets and tied the track record that had just been set before his run, but lost on a tie-breaker," said Kody. "So when I went out, I knew that if I was going to keep the Toyota Speedway records in the family, I had to get the job done, and did just that. The Wilke-PAK number 11 was great in qualifying, just like our TK Motorsports Sprint Cars were, and I was really excited to end qualifying with two track records in the family. The crowd seemed pretty into it, but honestly, I was so happy for us and our teams that I really wasn't too worried what the crowd thought about it at that moment."

In the USAC Western Sprint feature, Kody won and Tanner ran a close second, pressuring his brother for the lead, until mechanical failure ended his night prematurely. It was TK Motorsports first ever "Turkey Night" feature win.

"Turkey Night is really big event for us, especially since my first Sprint Car race was there," added Kody. "Being the final race of the year, we both know it's our last chance to put one, or even two more in the win column for the year. Tanner and I have always been fast there, and we always give our best effort to focus, and get the job done, no matter what event it is. For whatever reason, it just seemed to work out that night, until both of us were struck with bad luck in the midget feature. I mean, we had great cars in both divisions, and we just tried to capitalize on that opportunity."

The USAC National Midget feature had the Swanson brothers lined up first and third. Kody shot to the lead, with Tanner again running towards the front as well, until his streak of bad luck continued and another engine failure ended his night. Kody continued to battle up front for the first 40 of the 98 lap event until his right rear tire blew, ending his night too.

"Overall, I thought that last season went well. As a driver though you always wish that you had won more races, or did better on off nights, but realistically we had a great year."

"A major highlight was the ‘Great Lakes 150' Silver Crown race in Marne, Michigan. Tanner scored his first career Silver Crown win, and I finished second, making us the first brothers in History to sweep a USAC Silver Crown feature event. In the very next event, the ‘Ted Horn 100' I scored my first career Silver Crown win, and to do it in back-to-back fashion was really special for both Tanner and I."

In 2010 Tanner also won the historic "Night Before the 500" Midget race at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis - it was his first try at the event.

"I won my first race at ORP just two months later, and gave the Wilke-PAK Motorsports team their 134th feature win, making them the winningest team in USAC History, and making it a Swanson Brothers sweep of the USAC National Midget events at ORP. All of those were major highlights for us, and I really think that this season has put Tanner and me on the map, even before our strong runs at Turkey Night."

At the time of this interview Kody and Tanner are already at the first event of their 2011 season. They are running at the 25th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, a weeklong indoor dirt midget event that features over 260 competitors, racing from Tuesday through Saturday to crown the event champion. Tanner will be competing for the TK Motorsports 6R Racing team, and Kody will be driving the Wilke-PAK Motorsports number 11.

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.

USAC National Midget Race Team Wilke-Pak Motorsports

11 janv. 2011

Eldora Speedway4 Crown Midget Nationals Winner Wilke-Pak Motorsports

Wilke-PAK Motorsports had a great racing season this last year and captured second place in the USAC National Midget Car Series. The USAC series ran 29 events at 21 tracks in nine states. Kady Swanson became the 30th different driver to win a USAC National event for the Wilke team and won two events in four starts for the Wilke-PAK team including victories at O 'Reilly Raceway Park, and The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jerry Coons Jr. captured events at Eldora Raceway, Angell Park Speedway, and Wilmot Speedway.

Driver Kody Swanson with his #11 Wilke Pak Motorsports, Speedway Motors, Toyota, Spike pavement car.

While the name Wilke in racing goes back to the 30s, the Wilke-PAK Motorsports team has had a star studded history of victories on the race track; including, six BMARA Midget championships. Team has won ten Pepsi Nationals victories, with seven different drivers.

The car that the team used to win this latest event at the USAC National Midget Car Series at motor speedway in CA, featured a high output Toyoda Racing Development V-8 small block, balanced on a tubular Spike chassis.

Wilke Pak Motorsports at OReilly Raceway Park Indianapolis, IN

"You're basically just straddling a motor that happens to have wheels." The team has scored USAC victories at 61 different tracks in sixteen states. Needless to say, it's been their focus, ingenuity, and teamwork that keeps them adding to this impressive streak. Next up for the team will be a four-car effort for the Silver anniversary running of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. No doubt they will excel here as well, thanks to their highly educated choices in products and honed skills behind the wheel and in the shop.

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.

LOORS Pro4 Unlimited Racer Kyle LeDuc Places 2nd in Seasons Final Race

11 janv. 2011

Kyle LeDuc at Pro4 Unlimited race

Kyle LeDuc fought through the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing (LOORS) competition in his No. 99 Rockstar Energy Drink / Makita Tools Ford F-150, to win second place in the final pro 4 unlimited race of the season. The victory came from days and weeks of testing their Profiler class all aluminum motors. As well as ever changing customized tread patterns for their Toyo tire sets.

Rockstar Makita Team LeDuc gets Ford ready for CORR series racing

Kyle and his family take the sport very seriously; it has been their career for generations. "Part of the reason why we're so good is we have fun racing." Anything from RC cars to go-karts the LeDuc family breaths racing. No surprise that they excel in this and their any other competitions.

The Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series features a large dirt track with several high speed sections with spectacular jumps, as well as a table top rhythm section and a dual split line. Each race features about 14 other light pickup trucks sporting about 800 horse power each. Needless to say filtration for these conditions is essential for multiple victories like Leduc's.

Kyle started at the back of the pack in the SoCal Super Trucks / Bully Dog Super Lite truck and methodically picked off the competition as the race progressed, utilizing lines that a less skilled driver would never see on the track. He had the know-how and momentum to take home first in the next race with his No. 8 Rockstar Energy Drink / Makita Tools Ford F-150. Unfortunately catastrophic engine failure took Todd out of the race on the first lap, but it was here that the team really came together. "I am grateful that we have such great sponsors," Todd commented. "Our team was up until one in the morning with our Matika tools in hand changing not only the engine but the transmission, overdrive, and rear ring and pinion as well. Basically I had a whole new drive train for the cup race, and Rockstar Energy Drink kept us going throughout the weekend." Kyle not only won three of his four races, with the help of his Dart Machinery engine he also set the fastest lap time of the entire weekend at a blistering 99 miles per hour!

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.

NHRA Top Sportsman/Super Comp Racer Gary Forkner

11 janv. 2011

Gary Forkner and his Top Sportsman/Super Comp race team

Gary Forkner is a popular name in NHRA sportsman drag racing. On any given weekend you will find Gary and his team out campaigning and winning with his current Top Sportsman/Super Comp ride. But that wasn't always the case, a rocky start in 1991 with a nitrous powered 1967 Nova built for the World's Fastest Street Car Shootout ended in a wreck that completely destroyed the car during a test session. The crash happened at a non-sanctioned track where the conditions were poor. So Gary decided that if he was to race again, it would be at an NHRA track with a certified tech team, plus safety and EMS personnel.

NHRA Division 7 Super Comp and Southern California Super Comp Driver Gary Forkner

Starting over, Gary purchased a used Pro Stock car, installed his own motor, transmission and electronics and entered the Super Comp category in his first race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 1994. Eventually, that car was also totaled in 2001 at the Sacramento event. However, that didn't stop Gary, because in 2003 he bought a brand-new Jerry Bickel Pontiac and was back out on the trail. The Bickel car and Gary must have had good chemistry, since when it was time to purchase a new car, Gary chose another Bickel Pontiac in 2006.

For the next thirteen years, from 1994 to 2007, Gary and his team ran Super Comp in the Southern California Super Comp Association, NHRA Division 7 events, NHRA National Events and big money bracket races in Las Vegas. His numerous top-ten finishes in NHRA Division 7 Super Comp and Southern California Super Comp Association along with his many wins, including the 2009 NHRA Top Sportsman, 2010 Jegs Allstars and the 2010 K&N Shootout in Las Vegas proves that Gary has found his winning combination in Drag Racing. This winning combination includes K&N products and when we asked Gary to tell us why, he stated; "Being a Firefighter for 33 years, I use nothing but the best products. That is why I am happy to use K&N oil filters and air cleaners for my racing program".

You see, Gary has a long relationship with K&N having raced with Steve Williams, VP of K&N, for a number of years. Hanging around with Steve, Gary noticed that the K&N products were excellent and hosted an awesome racing program that really supported its racers through sponsorships and contingency programs.

In 2004 Gary received a product sponsorship and has been a part of the K&N family ever since. Gary also gets help in the pits from his wife, Marilyn and crew, Ted Carlis, Chip Rumis and Joe Roubicek. We also asked Gary about his plans for the future, "My goal is to someday run Pro Stock, and meanwhile I am looking forward to the 2011 season". If you're out at the racetracks in Division Seven, make sure you look for Gary and his Top Sportsman/Super Comp race team; he'll tell you himself why he can't race without K&N products.

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.