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Shea Holbrook Experiences A Stellar Season

Jun 28, 2012

Shea Holbrook and her team have experienced a stellar season thus far in 2012. (photo by John R Walker)

Shea Holbrook, and team TrueCar Racing recently traveled to Miller MOTORSPORTS Park, located near Toole, Utah, with anticipations of a successful weekend. Although the competition was stiff, at the event's end, Holbrook had managed to do exactly what she had set out to do, as she finished the event with two top five finishes. In fact, the twenty-two-year-old driver experienced what she considered "the best weekend of her racing career thus far."

Driving the #67 TrueCar Honda Civic Si, Holbrook spun her car during the first race. Quickly regaining control, she never let up and focused on making up the ground she had lost. When all was said and done, the driver had managed to work her way back to the sixth place spot at the checkered flag. Eager to improve her standings, Shea Holbrook prepared for the second race of the event. In spite of an errant stock car competing in a different area of the complex accidently driving onto the track where the SCCA Touring Cars were racing, she managed to remain focused and actually ran her best race of the event. In fact, Holbrook managed to finish in fourth place.

Starting the third and final race of the Privacystar Utah Grand Prix, Shea Holbrook was in a good position. Third on the grid due to a third fastest time in the previous race, she had full intentions of keeping herself positioned toward the front and in turn being in contention for the win. That said, her plans quickly went south at the waving of the green flag, when a clutch spin and improper up-shift lent to a very slow start. Once getting full power back, the driver began working her way forward from the back of the field, overtaking drivers one at a time. By the end of the race, Holbrook had managed to move into the fourth place position, less than four seconds behind Tristan Herbert, the driver of the lead car. With the event behind her, Shea Holbrook had not only earned two top-five finishes but had also held the touring car fast lap at least once in all sessions.

Twenty-two year old Shea Holbrook has experienced a stellar year thus far and is anticipating the remainder of the 2012 season.

"Going into Miller Motorsports Park was a bit tough," recalled Holbrook. "I had never been there and had no prior testing. Miller Motorsports Park has to be the only track without reference points! Not one tree is on the course, which makes detail to attention even more crucial. After my first session on track, my confidence was a tick low because of the difficulty of finding braking references, car placement apexes and so on. Once I got the flow, my confidence sky rocketed," she continued. "My weekend at Miller Motorsports Park was fantastic, and the track is a joy ride once you get the hang of it."

With a memorable and successful event behind her, Holbrook and her team later rolled into Mosport with a boost of confidence, and a determination to avoid the stroke of bad luck she had previously experienced at this particular venue. "My confidence going into Mosport was 110%, as I was able to test two weeks before the race," she explained. "Mosport is the fastest track in North America, and it demands respect. Mosport is known to be a huge success story for some drivers or a complete horror story for others. This track can be dangerous, as 99% of the corners are large radius, high speed corners. Being on point is crucial. I was at Mosport in 2010 and unfortunately, my weekend ended quickly," she recalled. "I dropped a wheel on exit coming onto the front straight, sending me right into the inside wall. Prior testing at this track in particular is very important if you want to win. I definitely have an affair with Mosport. This track really showcases driver's talents."

After earning two top-five finishes at Miller Motorsports Park, Shea Holbrook later traveled to Mosport where she took a position on the podium twice and won the "Hard Charger" award. (photo by John R Walker)

At the event's end, Shea Holbrook's hopes and expectations of a solid and successful weekend at Mosport were not let down. In fact, the driver earned a spot on the podium twice during the event and won the "Hard Charger" award for passing the highest number of cars. "Mosport launched me where I needed to be, and where I always knew I could be," she explained. "Mosport was a huge relief, because I was able to deliver the results the team deserved. With two podiums, the 'Hard Charger' award, and now fourth in the championship race, Mosport was my best weekend yet."

With hopes of taking the championship at the end of the 2012 season, Shea Holbrook knows that keeping her car in tip-top running condition is essential. That in mind, she and her crew are strong advocates of a stringent maintenance program. In turn, they depend upon K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free. "The car is completely set down after it gets off of the track to be looked over. Simply checking your equipment, which can be time consuming, can make or break a team. K&N air and oil filters add to the overall performance of the car maximizing horsepower to get the job done."

The fact that Shea Holbrook has managed to go to college full-time and still finds time to race is a testimony that she has a burning passion for the sport of racing. When asked what she enjoys most about the sport, she explained, "Self competition. You can always be a little faster, but finding that speed isn't easy. Racing constantly pushes you to do better." Referring to what her fans can expect from Shea Holbrook, the driver said, "Kindness, a good performance, thankfulness, a good time and top three in the championship!"

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.

Jake Lewis Captures His First AMA Pro Racing Victory at the Big Kahuna Atlanta

Jun 27, 2012

Jake Lewis recently experienced his first win in the AMA Pro Racing Series, while competing in the Big Kahuna in Atlanta.

Experiencing his first season in the AMA Pro Road Racing series, one would suspect that sixteen-year-old Jake Lewis has been anticipating his first win of 2012. Although the sixteen year-old rider recently arrived at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia with nothing more than hopes, at the event's end, he rolled out of there with the victory he had been looking for under his belt.

Racing in the SuperSport Class, Lewis ran with the front of the pack during their first practice session. In fact, the rider remained in the top six positions throughout the session, and finished in the top three. With an impressive practice behind him, Lewis once again manned a spot in the top three during the Provisional Qualifying run later that day, and managed to work his way into the second place spot in the final lap. With no riders beating his qualifying time on the following day, Jake Lewis was scheduled to start on the front row in P2 for the SuperSport races.

During the first Supersport race Lewis got a good start, and in turn, led a majority of the field for the sixteen lap event. Slightly held up by a lapped driver on the final lap, Lewis crossed the finish line in second place, earning a spot on the podium. At the race's end, the young rider had managed to finish twenty seconds faster than the third place rider.

Returning on the following day, Jake Lewis and his Riders Discount Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R 600 #85 were both ready for a fierce battle. Beginning the second race of the "Big Kahuna at Atlanta" double header, the young rider once again broke away from the bulk of the field early, and found himself in a heated battle with a fellow competitor for the first place position. Leading across the stripe a majority of the race, Jake Lewis was in front when a red flag deemed the race over in the thirteenth lap, awarding him the victory that he had been awaiting. The win and leading the most laps, the young rider earned thirty-one points on the day. Not only was the victory sweet, but Lewis had now congregated eighty-two points in the SuperSport East season championship points standings thus far, with a fifteen point lead over the second place rider.

Jake Lewis, 16, has already become a force to be reckoned with in the AMA Pro Racing series.

"This is my first year to ride Riders Discount Vesrah Suzuki's," explained Lewis. "It's going really good, and the team is so supportive. Each race we get better and I feel more comfortable around everyone on the whole team. My confidence was really high going into the weekend, because it was a track I knew very well, and I had a lot of friends and family going," he continued. "I had been there three times before the AMA race, so I knew all the fast lines going into the weekend, which was good. I felt really comfortable on the bike, so it was a great weekend for me and the team." When asked the key to success at this particular event, the rider shared, "Just being comfortable on the bike and giving it one-hundred percent all weekend."

Although Jake Lewis savored his first victory, the rider was also aware that he still has many races in front of him, and in turn must focus on the remainder of 2012. "I just need to stay focused and keep on progressing every weekend," he explained. "I learn something new every race, and get more comfortable on the bike. I just want to keep on learning as a rider and get faster." When asked his strong points as a rider, Lewis continued, "I am definitely good on the brakes and stay patient. Being smooth has always worked well for me, and it helps quite a lot over the duration of the race."

Referring to what he enjoys most about the sport, the high school student said, "Just the speed of everything. I enjoy going fast, and I love the competition of the sport. I wouldn't want to do anything else as a sixteen-year-old. I'm really looking forward to Barber, because I love the track and have a lot of people coming to support me, being a home race. I look forward to every race though, because it's so fun just doing what I love."

Granted, Jake Lewis has already proven his riding skills with his first victory behind him. That said, he is also quick to credit his team as an important element of his success. "The team is really important because it's all about trust," he explained. "I get along with everyone very well, and it's getting better every weekend. If you don't like the team, you usually don't perform well, so it's always good to love the team."

Lewis is also acutely aware of the importance of proper maintenance as well. "It's very important, because you always want the bike to perform well, and not have any difficulties. It's important to keep everything maintained well, so you can be up front every race." That in mind, Jake Lewis and the Riders Discount Vesrah Suzuki's team depend upon K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free. "We currently use the K&N air filters on both bikes," Lewis explained. "I've been running these filters for three years now. The products they make are definitely the best out there. They help the bike perform better, which helps me win races."

Jake Lewis has a great appreciation for the support he receives. Referring to his fans, the young rider said, "They can definitely expect me to give my best effort every single race weekend. I hope to continue winning races and be up front during every race, fighting for the championship at the end of the year."

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.

Chad Wienen Takes Top of Podium During Second Round of AMA ATV at Muddy Creek

Jun 27, 2012

Chad Wienen recently took two checkered flags while racing in round two of the AMA ATV Pro National circuit at Muddy Creek MX.

Chad Wienen and Team Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha recently rolled into the Muddy Creek MX geared up and eager to get the second round of the AMA ATV Pro National circuit underway. Trailing behind fellow rider, Joel Hetrick, in the qualifying round, Wienen missed first place by a narrow margin. After the dropping of the gate in the first moto, Wienen found himself in mid-pack amongst eighteen competitors coming out of the first turn. The rider had no intentions of anything but a victory though, and in turn, muscled his way to third place by the lap's end, following behind Josh Upperman and John Natalie. By the third lap, Natalie and Wienen had both managed to pass the early leader, Josh Upperman, and were battling for the first place position.

Wienen continued to pressure Natalie for the lead. Heavy rain came pouring down in the eleventh, with only three laps separating the riders from the checkered flag. The precipitation would not dampen Wienen's focus on the lead position, as he continued stalking Natalie in the less than favorable conditions. After a white flag, Wienen finally passed the only rider keeping him from tasting victory, and held on to the position until crossing the finish line. "I made the pass on John, actually on the last lap of the moto," he recalled. "I never felt pressure, but never looked back." When asked his take on the rain and if it had an affect on his racing, the rider explained, "I really feel in the past I used to struggle. Now with the set-up we have, I feel strong and in control. I have done well here (Muddy Creek MX) in the past. I feel it flowing and not too challenging for us, but we raced well on it."

When the start time for the second moto rolled around, the skies had cleared, the track had dried, and the recent rains were nothing more than a memory. When the gate dropped, Wienen wasted no time positioning himself in the front of the pack, immediately behind holeshot winner, Josh Upperman. Once again, he was focused on filling the top spot on the podium. That in mind, he maneuvered his Yamaha YFZ450R around his competitor, and held the lead position throughout the remainder of the race, earning his second victory of the event.

Chad Wienen and his team are anticipating a successful season in the AMA ATV Pro National circuit in 2012.

Referring to his confidence level going into the second round of the series, Wienen said, "It was on a definite high. I knew what I could do when I needed to. I never doubted myself and my program." Although the qualifying race was obviously of importance, the rider executed his game plan from early on. "I didn't want to put everything I had into qualifying. We are here to perform when it matters the most."

When asked the key to taking the victory in the second moto, Wienen said, "A great start. We came out in second and made a pass in lap one. I just rode my own race. With the remainder of the season in mind, Chad Wienen said, "The key to success will be great starts, one Moto at a time, stay healthy and never back down." Sharing how important a roll his team will play in his success, Wienen continued, "They are everything to me. I wouldn't be able to do it without all of the people involved."

Chad Wienen and his team are also acutely aware of the importance of maintenance, and use K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free while allowing an ample air and oil flow to keep their engines running at their optimal performance. "Maintenance has to be done," he explained, "No shortcuts. We use the K&N air filter for the YFZ450R, and the outer wear along with oil filters. We've been using them for four years. We also use the filters on my trucks as well," he continued. "We want the best for all of the products that we use. K&N filters are our choice."

Chad Wienen stressed that a successful weekend such as the one he and his team recently experienced has a huge affect on the remainder of the season. "Every point is huge, and when we can take all fifty in a weekend, that is what we try to accomplish." Wienen also considers his fan support. When asked what they could expect from Chad Wienen throughout the remainder of the season he said, "Everything I've got from gate drop to the finish; one moto at a time."

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 Driver Allen Johnson Secures 4th K&N Low Qualifier Award of 2012 on Home Turf

Jun 27, 2012

We had tested at Bristol the week before. So we knew the track, we knew the setup and just knew what it all had to be.

With just one event now remaining before the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge showdown next month, Greeneville, Tennessee native and former K&N Horsepower Challenge Champion, Allen Johnson piloted his Dodge Avenger to the number one Pro Stock spot in front of a hometown crowd, during the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The $3,000 K&N Engineering Low Qualifier award became the fourth for Johnson since the new season began in February.

During the very first Pro Stock qualifying session of the event, Johnson showed that all the dyno testing his father and engine guru, Roy Johnson, does at their shop in the very similar air conditions is worth its weight in gold. Johnson sailed way in front of the pack during the first hit at the historic Bristol, Tennessee facility with a 6.659. The pass put Johnson nearly four hundredths of a second in front of his closest competitor, Vincent Nobile, who also happens to be Johnson's teammate.

During the second session, K&N's Mike Edwards briefly snatched the top spot from Johnson by making a 6.641 lap in the pair just before Johnson. But Johnson had been far from showing his hand and just moments after he got bumped, he grabbed it back again when he and his 2012 Dodge Avenger blistered their way to a 6.623 before on track festivities ended for the evening.

"We had tested at Bristol the week before," he explained of his Friday numbers. "So we knew the track, we knew the setup and just knew what it all had to be. We went out there for the first and second passes on Friday and just did what needed to be done."

Johnson did go on to lay down another nice 6.636 during the final session, being the only team to dip below 6.64 mark all weekend.

Saturday's first pass would bring warmer track temps than the last hit for the Pro Stock teams the day before. While Johnson was still third quickest of the session with his 6.667, it was nowhere near the times he had put up on the board during the earlier sessions, but he was still able to hold on to the top spot going into the final session later in the day. "We just had a little bit of what you might call a 'blip' during that session," he admitted.

With the outstanding number that Johnson and his team had laid down on Friday, no other team was able to find quite as much horsepower as the Tennessee based Dodge team and Johnson's 6.623 would hold as the quickest of not only the class qualifying efforts, but of the entire event. Johnson did go on to lay down another nice 6.636 during the final session, being the only team to dip below 6.64 mark all weekend.

"We were the quickest three out of the four sessions," he remarked. "So, that was pretty awesome. Between dad dynoing at our shop nearby in very similar conditions, and having a second team car where we can feed off of one another, it is just an awesome thing."

The most recent NHRA Pro Stock number one qualifier for Allen Johnson at Bristol Dragway made it three years in a row for the Thunder Valley Nationals. Johnson is now looking forward to wrapping up the qualifying for the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge during the final event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.

"Usually we are very-very fast there," said Johnson of the upcoming event at Joliet and the 15th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals. "We've been number one [qualifier] there several times. We are in a race right now with Greg [Anderson] for that third spot in the Challenge and we are only separated by five points. So, hopefully we are going to go to Joliet, out qualify him and grab that third spot. We are so looking forward to it. It's one of the major highlights of the year for Pro Stock. The Challenge is certainly one of my personal highlights, that's for sure."

"We are already excited," he continued. "It doesn't matter if we are third, fourth or fifth, just so we are in that top eight. Luckily, we already are secured in the Challenge and we plan to head to Norwalk in a few weeks with all our guns blazin' and get the job done again."

While there could still be some shuffling of positions with one race remaining for the top seven spots in the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge and the race-within-a-race for the biggest single payday in all of NHRA Pro Stock with its whopping $50,000 check to the champion, the eighth and final fan voted spot has been selected. Jeg Coughlin Jr. nabbed the fan vote by a landslide, by receiving two-thirds of the total votes cast by tons of fans since voting began in April. Coughlin joins current point leader, Jason Line followed by K&N's Mike Edwards, Greg Anderson, Allen Johnson, Erica Enders along with Vincent Nobile, Ronnie Humphrey and Rodger Brogdon, who are all battling it out for the final two spots.

The 28th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge will be held as part of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on Saturday, July 7, at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

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.

The Maxxis British Drift Championship at Norfolk Continues to Raise the Bar

Jun 27, 2012

The up close and friendly on track meet-and-greet was once again a big hit at Norfolk Arena.

The rumblings started with Round 1 of the Maxxis British Drift Championship at Teesside. At the Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire, England, for the 10th birthday celebration of Japfest it amplified, with over 15,000 passionate fans dialing up the excitement meter. At Norfolk Arena, for Round 2 of the BDC, expectations were therefore justifiably high. The internet was abuzz with talk about the United Kingdom's premier drifting championship and recent television screenings had opened it up to a new demographic looking to see what all the hoopla is about. With the sound of engines echoing on, and blue smoke still lingering in the air, expectations were once more redefined and the bar has yet again been reset.

Thrilled fans were treated to an even higher level of truly world-class drifting, filled with gasps and amazements that kept them on the edge of their seats, and fidgeting to take in all the door-to-door drama. The huge attendance within the spectator stands further electrified the atmosphere throughout the arena as supporters sounded air horns, cheered, and waved flags to spur on their favorite teams and drivers. Autosports are pure adrenalin fueled entertainment, and the BDC continues to deliver all the action fans deserve for their entertainment-dollar, and then some.

Wheel-to-door action was once again the rule rather than the exception.

As with all athletes, sometimes everything zones in just right and you're square in the pocket, other times not so much. Such was the case during Friday's qualification session, which had its share of surprises with some drivers performing to new heights, while some of the more seasoned and consistent drivers struggled with lower point scores than normal. Which is yet another reason why the Maxxis British Drift Championship action is so compelling, the competition is always fierce, anyone can win, and anything can happen.

On Saturday before the battles got underway, the raring to go audience was invited down from the spectator stands to meet-and-greet the teams. This is one of the unique characteristics of the championship, the closeness the spectators can experience with the teams and cars. It's always the highlight for the weekend and a great chance to showcase any sponsored cars or parts to the audience.

As it should be, the championship celebration was a blur of champagne and drivers.

After the incredibly enthusiastic meet-and-greet session on the track, the remaining 16 drivers in each class had to refocus on their all important battles. Who would be going home early and who would be stepping onto the hallowed podium? The run to the final within each group had plenty of jaw dropping moments, with the judges having to flash the OMT (One More Time) card several times to separate some of the dueling twins.

"We had cars making wheel-to-door contact in some clashes, yet the drivers just kept the throttle pinned down in their steely determined quests to be number 1," reported K&N's UK Sales and Marketing executive, Samantha Wallace. "It was a thriller!"

One particular highlight was the Super Pro final battle between Steve Moore of SATS Motorsport and Team Japspeed's Paul "Smokey" Smith. The two combatants were so evenly matched in skill and determination, the judges had to call OMT twice, and then force it into "Sudden Death" before a decision could be made. It was a truly epic battle and a real crowd pleaser. Once again the media was in full attendance and television cameras rolled, capturing all the action and post event interviews, which will be aired in an upcoming special for Motors TV.

The preparations for Round 3 are already underway, the drivers are locked and loaded, and the legion of spectators hungry for more continues to grow.

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.

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