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Franchitti and Scott Dixon battle for the early lead at Firestone Indy 300
If you've been locked in the garage for the past 16 years restoring that Silver Thunderbird - possibly there's a chance you haven't heard about the IRL. So, and for the sake of continuing higher race educations everywhere, let's recap shall we. Founded in 1994, the Indy Racing League serves as the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, and Firestone Indy Lights, which serves as an indispensable starting-grid for drivers striving to reach the IndyCar Series.
Dario Franchitti and wife Ashly Judd flank the 2009 IndyCar Series Championship Cup
The IRL competes on a demanding combination of super-speedways, short ovals, scenic road courses and temporary street circuits. As the leader in motorsports technology, the IndyCar Series is the first racing series to power its Honda engines on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol, a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel. In spirit, taking an initial major step towards greener racing practices.
Without exception the IndyCar Series continues to the be the fastest, most competitive and innovative racing series, attracting a diverse lineup of driver superstars including Helio Castroneves ,Scott Dixon, Danica Patrick, Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti, Dan Wheldon, Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Ryan Briscoe.
IndyCar Series drivers and Honda Performance Development officials pose for class photo
Tony George announced plans March 11,1994, for an oval-based, open-wheel racing series that would include the Indianapolis 500, the world's most famous race, as its centerpiece. The Indy Racing League, which took its name on July 8, 1994, was formed to preserve the traditions and excitement of America's open-wheel oval racing. George represents the third generation of Indianapolis Motor Speedway ownership for the Hulman family of Terre Haute, Indiana. Anton "Tony" Hulman, the grandfather for whom George is named, purchased the speedway in 1945. The first offical IRL event was the Indy 200, Jan. 27, 1996, at Walt Disney World Speedway in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Buzz Calkins took the checkered in that race.
Brian Barnhart, who has been with the league since its origin, serves as president of competition and racing operations. Terry Angstadt joined the league in 2007 and serves as president of the league's commercial division.
It is a well-documented fact that IndyCar Series manufacturer partners use information gained from the racetrack to directly improve the products they sell to consumers. That's interesting when you consider that an IndyCar Series vehicle and a regular passenger car have so little in common. Every IndyCar uses a K&N air filter as do many passenger cars for performance and protection, however, you'll find a lot more contrasts than similarities between the two.
"The modern day IndyCar Series car is the product of a decades-long pursuit of speed and performance," said IndyCar Series Senior Technical Director Les Mactaggart. "Since the dawn of auto racing, these cars have been continuously tested and improved, and the result is one of the fastest, most finely-tuned racing machines in the world. They're bred for speed, not for getting your family about town."
Here are a few amusing and revealing comparisons between the cars that fans will be driving to the race, and the IndyCar Series cars that they will be watching compete. IndyCar Series cars reach speeds of 220 mph. A fan traveling 30 miles on the highway at 65 mph to come to this weekend's race will require just under 28 minutes to make the trip. An IndyCar Series car making the same trip at 200 mph would require just nine minutes. Assuming there aren't any red lights.
When it comes to speed and performance, it's hard to overstate the differences. The IndyCar Series Honda V-8 engines produce between three and four times the horsepower of the average passenger car. In the same amount of time that it takes a 2008 V-6 Honda Accord Coupe to go from zero to 60 mph (around six seconds), an IndyCar Series car can go from zero to 100 mph and back to zero again.
The Firestone racing tires used by the IndyCar Series have roughly the same thickness as a credit card. During a race, their surface can reach temperatures in excess of 200 degrees Fahrenheit and will have to be changed every 65-70 miles. Passenger car tires, being thicker and running cooler, can last as long as 50,000 miles or more.
No one is more qualified to discuss the similarities and differences than a racer - IndyCar Series driver Vitor Meira, put it this way, "The biggest difference between the IndyCar Series car and my passenger car is speed limit signs. There aren't any at the racetrack. The greatest tool that I have in a streetcar that I don't have in my racecar is cruise control. That saves me a lot of money on speeding tickets."
The relationship between K&N and the IRL has been long-standing. Asked to comment about it, spokesperson Rebecca Simon had this to say, "With its commitment to quality, excellence and innovation, K&N's product enhances on-track performance as the only air filter used by the IndyCar Series. Additionally, K&N's relentless drive, and race-bred innovation, provides a unique marketing platform that aligns well with the IndyCar Series brand."
The IndyCar Series recently wrapped up its 2009 championship with Dario Franchitti taking the title in a winner-take-all battle at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The IndyCar Series announced its 2010 schedule in August, with 17 races planned for next year.
ArmsUp Motorsports is preparing 12 racecars out of their facility in Sheboygan Falls, WI.
ArmsUp Motorsports currently competes in SCCA Formula Continental division, SCCA Formula Atlantic division, and others.
ArmsUp Motorsports uses K&N air filters in its Formula Continental and Formula Atlantic cars.
Owner Gregg Borland continues to expand the ArmsUp Motorsports team by adding cars, drivers and crew members.
ArmsUp Motorsports started life as the marketing company for team owner Gregg Borland when he was competing in the Barber Dodge Pro Series. In 1998 Borland moved ArmsUp Motorsports in a new direction when the Ohio Native started preparing a 1988 Renard Formula Continental car for long time friend John Braun. From that small beginning, Borland continued to expand the team adding cars, drivers and crew members along the way. Today, ArmsUp Motorsports is one of the premier SCCA Formula Continental and Formula Atlantic racing teams, preparing 12 racecars out of their 10,000 square foot facility in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.
ArmsUp Motorsports currently competes in the SCCA Formula Continental division, SCCA Formula Atlantic division, and select vintage events. Through the years, their successes have been impressive.
Significant achievements over the past five years are as follows:
2005
Qualified 1,2,3, in the Formula Continental class at the SCCA June Sprints with drivers Jim Victor, Kirk Kindsfater and Steve Welk Respectively
Formula Atlantic pole sitter and race winner at SCCA June Sprints with driver Chris Menninga
Competed in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship event at Road America with drivers Daniel Dileo and Chris Menninga
2006
Scored two podium finishes in two starts in the Cooper Tires Formula Ford 2000 Championship with driver Steve Welk
3rd Place Finish - SCCA June Sprints in Formula Continental with driver Kirk Kindsfater
2007
Finished 4th in the Formula Continental class at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs with driver Kirk Kindsfater
2008
3rd place finish - SCCA June Sprints in Formula Continental with driver Revere Greist
2009
SCCA Central Division Formula Continental Champions with driver Revere Greist
2nd place finish - SCCA June Sprints with driver Revere Greist
Placed 4 cars in the top 7 at SCCA National Championship Runoffs in Formula Continental, Revere Greist - 3rd, Joe Tovo - 5th, Jim Victor - 6th, Pat McGinnis - 7th.
ArmsUp Motorsports had used K&N air filters in its Formula Continental and Formula Atlantic cars since it began prepping cars in the late 1990's. ArmsUp Motorsports had discussions with K&N regarding a potential partnership in 2006. From there, the relationship grew into K&N becoming the official air filtration supplier to ArmsUp Motorsports.
According to team owner Gregg Borland, "K&N Filters provides ArmsUp Motorsports the best protection available for our highly tuned race engines. K&N Air Filters are fitted to all of our race vehicles to help deliver the most amount of clean air to the engine possible."
Jon Henry is proving to be a rising star for Modifieds in the years to come
John Henry just won the 2009 UMP DIRTcar Fall Nationals at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. This is just the latest in a lengthy list of achievements for Henry. He has been racing since he was 12 years old, carrying on a lengthy family tradition. Both his dad and granddad competed together racing micro sprints at ADA Speedway in Ada, Ohio. Jon started out racing go-karts at Cridersville Speedway, and a year later moved up to micro sprints at Waynesfield Raceway Park. His dad by then had begun racing UMP Modifieds, and Jon never missed a single one of those races. "In 2004, my dad stepped aside and started to let me race the modified," stated Henry. "I got my first win after only my fourth time in the car at Waynesfield, and continued to race Modifieds for the next several years."
In 2008, Jon Henry completed 63 total races with 33 top 5 and 36 top 10 finishes.
Henry's racing success has continued to climb steadily ever since. In 2007 he participated in a total of 50 races, won four, had 32 top 5's and finished 2nd ten times. He was in fact selected that year out of 16,000 applicants to appear on Spike TV's new show "Reality Racing."
In 2008, he completed 63 total races with 33 top 5's and 36 top 10's. Highlights from the season include qualifying 44th fastest at the World 100 out of 175 drivers, winning his first Dirt Late Model event after only his 2nd race ever in the car, being named "Bell Racing Driver of the Month" for July, and making four out of five features at Volusia Speedway for the Dirt car Nationals.
So far this year, he has continued an amazingly successful track record. He has already been in 68 races with 10 wins, 32 top 5's and 43 top 10's. He took 1st place at the Sunoco American Late Model Series (ALMS), is 7th in United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) National Points, and was named Sunoco Rookie of the Year, UMP National Rookie of the Year, Eldora Speedway Rookie of the Year, and Oakshade Raceway Rookie of the Year. Henry indeed looks to be a truly rising star in his series'.
"I met with K&N at the PRI show in Orlando Florida, and have had the opportunity to partner with them ever since," says Henry. They have a proven record of success and I knew it was the best choice for our racing program. K&N provides the best air filters on the market and not only have we seen consistent results, but have complete trust in their products."
Sportcar Motions use K&N air and oil filters on Honda Integra and all of their projects.
Loi Song is the owner of Sportcar Motion located in San Marcos, California, he builds and prepares really fast aftermarket cars. Song's philosophy is to bring customers only the best that the aftermarket industry has to offer, to prove his point, he's put together one of the fastest FWD Acura Integras in the country. With Tim Kuo at the wheel, driving at Spring Mountain, they placed first in the Modified Class (Renzo Marsano is the co-driver and Loi's go-to guy).
Award winning Honda Integra owned by Sportcar Motion in San Marcos, California
"It feels great to win in the car's debut, we've worked hard over the years to perfect our balanced tuning methodology. It's a special time for us at Sportcar Motion; this proves that we're not just a one hit wonder. We look forward to the end of the '09 season and a tough '10 season. We will be moving our trusted EG hatchback into the unlimited class to battle against factory backed teams. Should be an interesting and fun year," explains Song.
The brainstorm for building the winning Integra came after GM broke the FF record back in '05. "I knew that we had to step up our game," claims Song. "We've learned a lot by running our trusted EG6 Civic chassis through the years. We've always taken plenty of notes on what we want to see in a perfect chassis/platform. Some of the things we had on our wish-list were a more rigid chassis and a longer wheelbase for high speed corner stability."
Sportcar Motion, located in San Marcos, California, builds and prepares really fast aftermarket cars.
All their copious notes added up and lead to one conclusion - a Type R chassis. "We believe that the '98 Integra chassis is the best FF chassis ever produced," says Song. "I didn't do this all by myself though, I'd like to thank some important people that have made this project happen in a very short period of time: Tim Kuo, Billy Edwards, Socrates, Romeo and of course, Renzo."
Songs' engine of choice is the Hondas' newest K24. "Many people think that we run forced induction. We probably will in the near future, but for now we are trying to keep it simple - besides you can't beat the sound of an NA engine."
The USDM K24 engine modifications include:
-USDM RSX transmission, CRV 4.78 Type R final drive, KAAZ Clutch Type Differential
-Exedy clutch/flywheel
-JE 13.7:1 pistons, 87.5mm
-Crower MaxLite rods
-Skunk2 cams, valvesprings, and retainers
-HaSport mounts
-DTR exhaust manifold
-RBC manifold
-BDL fuel rail
-SX fuel pressure regulator
-Earls lines used throughout engine bay
-Wire tuck, deleted excess hoses and wiring
-Hondata K-Pro management
-Tuning provided by Shaun Church of Church Automotive Testing
-SportCar Motion custom shift-box
-Custom painted OEM valve cover/Mugen oil cap/Spoon spark plug cover
The Integra and all of Sportcar Motions' creations use K&N air and oil filters. "We wouldn't even consider anything else," says Song. "Can you guys provide us with a big-rig though, so we can haul the car to all the East Coast Races next year," jokes Song.
The '10 season will be a challenging one for the Sportcar Motion crew, "we plan on competing in all classes of the Redline Time Attack, we also plan on breaking the GM FF record in SUPERLAP," concludes Song, not joking this time.
K&N supported racer Ray Cook, aka the Tarheel Tiger is on a roll. The Brasstown, North Carolina native scored his first career Dixie Shootout win at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia.
Ray Cook collected $10,000 for the win in the 20th Annual Dixie Shootout in Woodstock, Georgia, Courtesy of Rick Schwallie Photos
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned event was Cook’s fifth win this year. He also collected $10,000 for the win. Cook took the lead on lap 23 on the D-shaped track after starting in 7th place.
MasterSbilt Monte Carlo SS with a Race Engine Design Motor, K&N filters, Integra Racing Shocks, American Racer Tires and Real Racing Wheels driven by Ray Cook in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Woodstock, Georgia, Courtesy of Rick Schwallie Photos
Ray Cook and his family in victory lane after he took first place in the Dixie Shootout at Dixie Speedway, Courtesy of Rick Schwallie Photos
There was a caution on lap 37 which turned out to be a break for Cook as it cleared out the cars in front of him for the restart. The green flag restart only lasted two laps. Racer Don O’Neal slowed the track down with a flat tire and brought out the third and final caution of the night.
After the final restart, Cook held his lead over Dan Schliper and kept a three-car length lead with ten laps to go. With five laps remaining, Schlieper started to cut down Cook’s lead.
Schlieper was within two car lengths of Cook but he could not get by and Cook took the win in his Danny Dishman and Ronald Ivey owned MasterSbilt Monte Carlo SS with a Race Engine Design Motor and K&N filters. “Our K&N filters protect our engines at every race and give us extra horsepower and great filtration,” said Cook. “I’ve used K&N products for a decade and would not use anything else. I also use K&N on my personal vehicles and in my race shop.”
Cook currently stands sixth in Lucas Oil Series points after 39 events.
