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Roland Sands Designs Morph Custom Sportbikes, Choppers and Performance at SEMA

Roland Sands in his booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The mural beside him represents the early days of his parents manufacturing business Performance Machine.
Roland Sands in his booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The mural beside him represents the early days of his parents manufacturing business Performance Machine.

Roland Sands Designs sleek custom bike which was featured in the K&N Booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Roland Sands Designs sleek custom bike which was featured in the K&N Booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

Roland Sands Designs morph sportbikes and chopper styles and at the same time, are made for performance
Roland Sands Designs morph sportbikes and chopper styles and at the same time, are made for performance
Roland Sands vintage design Bombs Away is equipped with a K&N air filter
Roland Sands vintage design Bombs Away is equipped with a K&N air filter

Bombs Away is a Harley Davidson Softail Standard modified by Roland Sands Design
Bombs Away is a Harley Davidson Softail Standard modified by Roland Sands Design

Custom motorcycle builder Roland Sands and models showcase his builds at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas
Custom motorcycle builder Roland Sands and models showcase his builds at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas
Organic flow is not the kind of expression you expect to hear at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. But national champion road racer and custom motorcycle builder Roland Sands is not your typical. He is an artist at heart.

“Organic flow and things in nature have a way of finding their own path,” said Sands. “And, like any good design on any vehicle there is a good path to get to the finished product. I am an artist, I was also lucky enough to be born into a family that is into motorcycles.” Sands grew up in his father and mother’s shop, PM or Performance Machine. It is an aftermarket automotive firm that manufacturers wheels, brakes and other components for custom motorcycles.

His core values, combined with racing and art have taken him in radical directions within the motorcycle industry. Sands morphs sport bikes with chopper styles that are performance driven. “I want to ride the bikes I make,” he said. “I also miss the adrenaline rush of racing, but I have learned to push myself in new ways mentally by designing custom motorcycles. My crew is awesome and our creative collaboration brings cool stuff to the surface.” Sands ended his motorcycle racing career in 2002 after a series of injuries.

Sands had several bikes on display at SEMA, including one that was in the spotlight at the K&N booth. “K&N has a long history of creating high performance products in the automotive and powersports industries,” said Sands. “I know if I put a K&N product on a vehicle it will increase horsepower. K&N was not a choice but it was the right route to take.”

Bombs Away is one of the Sands bikes featured at SEMA.

Specifications include:

Bike Specs:
Make: Harley Davidson
Model: Softail Standard
Year: 2007
Builder: Roland Sands Design

Fabrication:
Vintage Fuel Injected Gas tank with Gas-It Kit
Vintage Contrast Cut Gas Cap
Vintage Seat Kit with custom leather seat
Black Tracker Front Fork Brace Front Fender
Vintage 200 mm Rear Fender Kit

Engine:
Vintage Fuel Injected Gas Tank with Gas-It Kit
Venturi Speed 7 Contrast Cut Air Cleaner with a K&N air filter
Tracker 2-into1 Exhaust Pipe
Black Anodized Timing Cover
Black Anodized Rocker Box Covers

Transmission:
Stock HD
PM Hydraulic Clutch Slave Conversion (5 Speed Fluted Contour)
PM Contour Belt Drive Primary (Contrast Cut)

Wheels and Components:
Mission 21” x 3.5” Contrast Cut Front Wheel
Mission 13” Contrast Cut Front Brake Rotor
Mission 18”x 5.5 Contrast Cut Rear Wheel
PM 4 Piston Caliper Sprocket-Brake Contrast Cut

Brakes:
PM 6 Piston Differential Bore Caliper Contrast Cut
PM 4 Piston Caliper Sprocket Brake Contrast Cut
9/16” Bore Front Master Cylinder
PM Contour Rear Master Cylinder
Spiegler with Red Banjos

Controls:
PM Contour Hand Control Complete Package
PM Contour Mid controls with Round Pegs Foot Controls
PM Contrast Cut Reservoir covers

Font End
PM Softail and Wide Glide
Flat-Out Drag Handle Bars
PM Contour Renthal Wrapped
PM 3 Button Hand Controls

Sands’ is currently finishing a build for Mickey Rourke that will be completed early in 2010. He also has plans to work on some cool singles projects and is looking into doing some work with electric motorcycles.

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.

2005 GMC Sierra, Beautiful Models and Enhanced Performance at SEMA Show in Las Vegas

2005 GMC Sierra by Luck Luciano Custom on display at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
2005 GMC Sierra by Luck Luciano Custom on display at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab is equipped with K&N air intake system for additional horsepower and performance
2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab is equipped with K&N air intake system for additional horsepower and performance

Colorado Custom Steering Wheel and Rosen Universal Navigation System are part of Luciano Customs 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab
Colorado Custom Steering Wheel and Rosen Universal Navigation System are part of Luciano Customs 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab
Matt Andrews Airbrushing put on the final touches of the beautiful models on the Lucky Luciano GMC Sierra
Matt Andrews Airbrushing put on the final touches of the beautiful models on the Lucky Luciano GMC Sierra

SEM Bed liner a Missing Link Guitar and four leaf clovers are part of the look for Lucky Luciano body modifications on his GMC Sierra at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
SEM Bed liner a Missing Link Guitar and four leaf clovers are part of the look for Lucky Luciano body modifications on his GMC Sierra at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

Four leaf clover and wood show off door panel on the 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab modified by Lucky Luciano Customs
Four leaf clover and wood show off door panel on the 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab modified by Lucky Luciano Customs
Lucky Luciano Custom and Collision is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Owner Lacerda Luciano drove from Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada with his custom 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab for display at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show.

The candy colors on the truck pop along with the shiny wood and four-leaf clovers. There are beautiful models airbrushed along side of the GMC Sierra. “I’d tell you who the women are but then I’d have to kill you,” said Luciano with a smile. “Seriously, we designed the truck so people would want to come over and see it. Beautiful women and four-leaf clovers are good luck.”

The GMC Sierra was not just another pretty truck at the SEMA Show. It was also designed for additional performance. “I like the look of the chrome on the K&N air intake kit,” said Luciano. “I also notice a difference in horsepower. We get additional performance with K&N.”

Modifications on the Lucky Luciano Custom 2006 Silverado 1500 include:

Exterior:
Gitano Wheels 24 inch
Nitto tires 285/35 R24
Webasto Sunroof
2 inch lowering shackle
Leer 500R series tonneau cover
Chromes by Concours Metal Finishing
Missing Link Guitars
MBRP Exhaust System
Bully Dog Performance GT
SEM Bed liner

Engine K&N air intake system 77-3050KP


Interior:
PlayStation 2
Katzskin Leather Seats
Colorado Custom Steering wheel
Carpet by Bell Upholstery
Auto Style Interior Alteration and Fabrication
Rosen Universal Navigation
DVD
USB and IPOD ports
Optima Batteries
JL Audio 750 140 Mono AMP
JL Audio 600/4HD 4 ch AMP
JL Audio C5-650 6” components (Evolution)
Icon touch screen monitor
AMP rack and woofer enclosure
Custom door panel inserts

Paint:
Luck Luciano Paint
Planet Color Custom Color
Matt Andrews Airbrushing
Ron Hernandez Pin striping


Body Modifications:
Shaved Rear tailgate handle and tail lights
Molded roll pan with water jet logo
Smooth cowl panel
John Winton Custom billet grille
Smooth bed floor with airbrushing
Custom made bed rails


Luciano put in more than 500 hours of work on his custom truck. It will be on display at various car shows throughout 2010.

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 World Finals Crown Three K&N Sportsman Class Racers

Three K&N Sportsman Drivers out of seven Sportsman Classes were in the Winner’s Circle at the NHRA World Finals in Pomona, California.

Dan Fletcher, Mike Ferderer, Greg Boutte and Steve Williams at the NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California, courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography
Dan Fletcher, Mike Ferderer, Greg Boutte and Steve Williams at the NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California, courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography

Dan Fletcher and Jason Lamb had two almost identical lights but Fletcher took the win for the 2009 Competition Eliminator World Finals Championship at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California, courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography
Dan Fletcher and Jason Lamb had two almost identical lights but Fletcher took the win for the 2009 Competition Eliminator World Finals Championship at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California, courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography
Greg Boutte won Super Comp in his K&N sponsored Dragster. The Stockton, California racer uses K&N air and oil filters. The win at Auto Club Raceway was his 15th straight round win from Las Vegas to the World Finals. “Racing is about trusting your tune-up and carburetor’s consistency,” said Boutte. “With K&N on my car, I never have to worry. The dirt stays out of my engines and air flow is consistent going into my carburetor. K&N makes excellent products and gives me the edge I need to get to the Winner’s Circle.” Boutte is the 2009 World Finals Super Comp Champion.
Steve Williams and Mike Ferderer in round 7 eliminations in Super Gas at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series NHRA Finals, courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography
Steve Williams and Mike Ferderer in round 7 eliminations in Super Gas at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series NHRA Finals, courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography

Greg Boutte took the win by half a car length over Rick Beckstrom in Super Comp at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography
Greg Boutte took the win by half a car length over Rick Beckstrom in Super Comp at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, courtesy of Bob Johnson Photography

Dan Fletcher won in Comp by taking out Justin Lamb at the NHRA Finals. They had two almost identical lights but Lamb almost crossed the center line and ruined his run. Fletcher took the win and the 2009 Competition Eliminator World Finals Championship. “Thanks to K&N my engines have outlasted and outperformed in Rick Braun’s 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt,” said Fletcher. “K&N helps me win.”

Mike Ferderer is the 2009 World Finals Super Gas Champion. Federer had the better light which helped him earn a double breakout win over Steve Williams, K&N Vice President of Research and Development, a -0.007 to -0.117.

“It was a great race in the final round and the coin toss went to me,” said Ferderer. “This was the best season I’ve ever had. With five wins and two runner-ups it dosen’t get any better than that. I get some of my best speeds and consistency from K&N. It is one thing to get a check from winning but it’s another thing to have an entire company that believes in making horsepower and believes in sportsman class racers, and that’s K&N.”

K&N is proud of its relationship with the top racers in the world of drag racing and is looking forward to the 2010 season.

“A lot of people think it’s time to relax after the NHRA World Finals in Pomona,” said Ferderer. “Racing is not the movie star life but it is is a lot of miles away from home and it costs a lot of money. It’s also only nine weeks before we head to Las Vegas to test and tune.”

The NHRA 2010 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series begins February 11-14 for the 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals in Pomona, California.

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.

Hermitage, Pennsylvania Father and Son Make Kekich Racing a Competitive Force

Mike Kekich of Kekich Racing
Mike Kekich of Kekich Racing
This past year was a big one for Kekich Racing from Hermitage, Pennsylvania, a two-car father and son team consisting of Mike and Adam Kekich. For the 2009 season, 16-year-old Adam made the challenging transformation from box carts to the Limited Sprint division and Mike completed his thirteenth year of 410 Sprint racing.
Adam Kekich of Kekich Racing No. 5 Sprint Car
Adam Kekich of Kekich Racing No. 5 Sprint Car


The season was a success for Kekich Racing, with both Adam and Mike finishing in the top five at Sharon Speedway. They combined for 8 top five and 19 top ten feature races, along with 4 heat race wins.

This was the first season Kekich Racing has had more than one car on board, so they quickly learned to tackle the challenges that come with a two-car team. Mike says the biggest challenges were the "maintenance on two cars, keeping them on the track and competitive, and the learning curve with Adam as far as his first year being in a sprint." But the team pulled through and has the results to prove it.

Adam captured Rookie of the Year honors and finished the 2009 season 4th in points with 5 top five and 10 top ten feature races, as well as 2 heat race wins. Adam is keeping the family tradition of racing alive, as not only does his father race, but his grandfather, Paul "Putzy" Kekich, raced modifieds and sprints from 1962 until 1981.
Adam and Mike of Kekich Racing Keep Family Racing Tradition Alive
Adam and Mike of Kekich Racing Keep Family Racing Tradition Alive


"I was honored and it felt great to receive Rookie of the Year," says Adam. "I am really fortunate to have been able to make the transition to sprints this year. Luckily, the hard work has paid off. For next year, my personal goals are to run the car even harder and get my first feature win."

Team owner and driver Mike Kekich and the 410 Sprint finished the season 5th in points, with 3 top five and 9 top ten finishes, as well as 2 heat race wins. His 5th place finish marks the eleventh time in thirteen years of racing 410s that he has finished the season in the top five.

Both Mike and Adam's cars are equipped with K&N Filters. "You've got enough worries about car setup, but K&N air and oil filters take the motor situation out of the equation. It's one less thing to think about," says Mike. "The key to a successful season is definitely a good crew, keeping up on maintenance, and getting a hold of the best parts possible."

The Kekich Racing team has already begun preparation for the 2010 season. The team plans to compete with both cars full time next year. Adam also plans to test in a 410 Sprint on pavement in the spring.

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.

Ebony 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass is Dream Come True for Insurance Agent at SEMA

Ebony Black Paint by Emilio Oliveros on 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass at SEMA
Ebony Black Paint by Emilio Oliveros on 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass at SEMA

K&N air filter helps keep the engine clean on 1972 Oldsmobile Cutless in the DUB Booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
K&N air filter helps keep the engine clean on 1972 Oldsmobile Cutless in the DUB Booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

Fabian Rodriguez of Fresno, California waited a decade to see his modified car dreams come true
Fabian Rodriguez of Fresno, California waited a decade to see his modified car dreams come true
1972 Oldsmobile Cutless built by Dave Fishman Rivera for the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
1972 Oldsmobile Cutless built by Dave Fishman Rivera for the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

Custom steering wheel by Dave Fishman Rivera compliments the all black interior and trunk with eather and ostrich skin
Custom steering wheel by Dave Fishman Rivera compliments the all black interior and trunk with eather and ostrich skin

ARC Electronics were the sound system of choice on 1972 Oldsmobile Cutless owned by Fabian Rodriguez at SEMA Show
ARC Electronics were the sound system of choice on 1972 Oldsmobile Cutless owned by Fabian Rodriguez at SEMA Show
A 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass drew a lot of attention at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cutlass was in storage for ten years, rusted and busted, but its owner held onto it, along with his dream to restore it. Fabian Rodriguez of Fresno, California finally made his dream come true with a little help from builder Dave Fishman Rivera.

“I finally met the right people and now we have our own spot at the DUB Booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center,” said Rodriguez. “The Fishman is known for his work on Rapper DJ Scribbles ride and DUB asked him to bring my Olds to SEMA.”

Rodriguez only wanted the best parts on his Cutlass. That included a K&N air filter. “K&N flows air and keeps the nasty particles out of my carburetor,” he said. “I’ve always used K&N and my cars hit the road screaming.”

Other modifications include:

502 HP GM Crate Motor
Turbo 400 Transmission
150 shot of Nitrous
22 inch ID Luxury 3 Piece Wheels
5 inch front lip
7 inch rear lip

Ebony Black Paint provided by Emilio Oliveros
All black interior and trunk with leather and ostrich skin

Fishman Steering Wheel
ARC Audio Electronics in Boston, Massachusetts
Switch airbag system
Touch Screen Navigation
Mobile Glove Compartment with PlayStation

“My Oldsmobile should make close to 800 horsepower,” said Rodriguez. “I can’t wait to drive it for the first time. We started it, we pushed it but we did not roll it. My 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass did not have one mile on it on display at the SEMA Show.”

Rodriguez is an insurance agent, but said cars are his dream. “It’s important for everyone who wants to do this to be patient and find the right builder,” he said. “Dreams do come true.”

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.