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Jonathon Allard Takes Second at Silver Dollar Speedway

Jun 22, 2012

Jonathon Allard recently took second place while racing in the World of Outlaws series at the Silver Dollar Speedway in his hometown of Chico, California.

In the world of racing, drivers and their teams grow accustomed to traveling to venues all over the country. Every now and then though, an event is scheduled close enough to their homes that they aren't faced with several hours of windshield time to get to their destination. Not only do they likely appreciate not having to travel, but odds suggest that they savor the opportunity to race at a venue where the stands will be filled with friends and family.

Jonathon Allard recently experienced such a scenario, when the World of Outlaws series rolled into Chico, California, his home town. The driver had grown up racing at the Silver Dollar Speedway and had previously run there on Friday nights. The Allard Motorsports team still races at the venue on occasion, so it was safe to say that Jonathon Allard was right at home.

"Any time you race at your home track, your confidence level is high, and you especially want to defend your turf against the Outlaws," explained Allard. "These guys are the best at what they do, and you don't want to get pushed around by them. We finished ninth quick with thirty six cars on hand," he continued. "With the World of Outlaws format, it was perfect, because it put us in the front row of the heat race."

Taking advantage of his placement in his heat race, the driver took the checkered flag, and in turn qualified for the dash. Starting in the front row, Jonathon Allard was more than ready for a battle. The driver crossed the finish line in second place which was enough to ensure a spot on the front row of the thirty-five lap feature.

The rigors of racing had affected the track by the time the feature rolled around. That said, the drivers and fans were in for a "follow the leader" race where tire-wear would prove a huge factor.

Jonathon Allard and Team Allard Motorsports are anticipating a competitive and successful season in 2012.

"The track was slicked off very early in the night," recalled Allard. "When that happens, it usually ends up taking rubber, and in this case the rubber was right around the bottom. You had to stay on the bottom, because if you got out of line, you weren't going to gain any spots," he continued. "You were more than likely going to go backwards. It makes it tough when tracks are like this, because you feel bad for your fans and crew. In a perfect world, everyone is treated to three-groove racing every night. But in dirt track racing it happens from time to time, and you don't anticipate it happening so early in the season."

As were all of the other drivers', Jonathon Allard's hands were pretty well tied. Maintaining his second place spot, the driver hoped to capitalize on any mistake made by Donny Schatz, the lead driver, but as luck would have it, Schatz made a flawless run, and Allard was force to settle the second place position at the race's end.

Although Allard could have grown discouraged while running in a single file, he opted to make the best out of a bad situation. "I truly learned a few things following Donny Schatz that night," recalled Allard. "He is one of the best in the business, and I took notes all night behind him. Throughout my entire career, I have never been a tire manager, and I got a front row seat how one of the best in the business saves his tires. I feel like I learned a few things that will hopefully help us pick up a couple of extra wins throughout the year."

According to Allard, his car ran awesome throughout the entire night. That said, he and his crew are strong advocates of maintaining their vehicle. According to the driver, they depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of their engines contaminant free while an ample volume of oil flows through the block and an adequate amount of air flow enters the intake.

"Weekly maintenance is huge, because that is what separates you from standing in the Winner's Circle or watching the end of the race with a part failure," he explained. "It's important to make sure everything is fresh, and to make sure we are putting the best possible car on the track at all times."

Referring to K&N products, he continued, "We use the low-profile Air Box, K&N oil filters and outwears [Pre-Chargers]. We have been partnered with K&N over the last ten years. They give us the best products, and I would recommend them to anyone. It's important to have the most dependable products in your race car, and K&N products are just that."

With the bulk of the 2012 season ahead of them, Jonathon Allard and the Allard Motorsports team are anticipating a string of success, and have no intentions of looking back. When asked what fans can expect from Allard Motorsports during the 2012 season, he said, "They can expect a very competitive team in 2012. We are really gunning for the 2012 King of The West championship, but to get there, we need to win as many races as possible."

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.

Jeff Gibson and Team Tuff/FMF Power Poynt Racing Have a Long but Productive Year

Jun 22, 2012

This was the turning point for Jeff, and from this race on, it was really only a battle for the championship between Jeff and Bowers.

After filling in for an injured Team TUF/FMF Power Poynt Racing rider in 2001, Jeff Gibson was given the option to return as a team member the following year. With intentions of continuing to ride in the Supercross division, the rider graciously declined the offer. That said, eight years later, Gibson did become a part of the TUF team, and immediately began making his mark in the AMA Arenacross Series. In fact, at the season's end, the rider had managed to secure the points championship.

Gibson has continued to fill a spot on the team, and as one might suspect has also continued to make a name in Arenacross racing. In fact, although finishing the most recent season second in the points race, Gibson actually led more laps this year than Tyler Bowers, who took the championship by only thirty points. That said, the battle for the title literally came down to the final race of the season.

When asked Jeff Gibson's strong point as a rider, TUF founder, Dave Antolak, said, "Jeff can adjust very quickly to changes on the track. In arenacross everything happens very quickly because of the tight tracks, so lappers and downed riders are as much of an obstacle as the track itself. Jeff handles those situations better than anybody."

Beginning the season at the wells Fargo Arena, at Des Moines, Iowa, Jeff took a third place finish. Although the third spot is nothing to shake a stick at, according to Antolak, the race at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, was the event when the competition between Gibson and Bowers seemed to have appeared to heat up. "Jeff got the holeshot in the main event and led wire to wire," recalled Antolak. "This was the turning point for Jeff, and from this race on, it was really only a battle for the championship between Jeff and Bowers."

Jeff got the holeshot in the main event and led wire to wire.

As the season continued, the battle between the two riders did as well. In fact, going into the season finale, at the Target Center, at Minneapolis, Minnesota, the title was still up for grabs. After winning his heat race over Bowers, Gibson anticipated a good run in the main and hopefully the championship title, but as luck would have it, things simply didn't go as planned. In fact, Bowers hit the gate in the main, and in turn finished the race in fourth, relinquishing any hopes of walking away from the venue as the points champion.

Although Jeff Gibson ended the season in second place, he and his team can still hold their heads high, as their accomplishments were plenty. In fact the rider didn't log a DNF throughout the entire year. "Not only this season, but we haven't had a DNF for so long that I can't remember one," shared Antolak. "The TUF Racing team as a group is quite a good racing team. Everyone puts in a one hundred percent effort, and that is really why we have not had a DNF."

Referring to the importance of the team, Antolak continued, "I give the team a lot of credit, not only for Jeff's success, but really for the success of all the riders we had. Tracin Seng and Andy Brannon are the two mechanics. Both have been with us for over eight years, and I don't believe we have had a DNF ever during their time with us. Ron Hamp and Scott Venning build all of our motors in house. During that time, we have won three times, finished second four times, with fourth our worst overall finish. The three championships were won by three different riders, so I think that backs up the team aspect."

The Founder of TUF was also quick to agree that K&N products have played a role in Jeff Gibson and the team's success. "We use both the K&N air and oil filters," explained Antolak. "Using the air filters, we definitely see a horsepower gain, which is always a good thing in racing. But having the right filters is always a big plus in us not having any DNF's, so if you can get both, it really works out well."

When asked what fans can expect from Jeff Gibson and TUF racing during the upcoming season, Dave Antolak said, "Although you can never guarantee to win a championship, one thing I can guarantee is that Jeff Gibson and TUF racing will be there next year giving it one-hundred percent towards winning another one. Championships are just something that you can never have too many of."

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.

TK Motorsports' Tanner Swanson WINS in Must See Racing Super Modified (MSRXSS) Debut

Jun 22, 2012

Kody Swanson at Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Pavement Silver Crown

The Swanson brothers are in the midst of the busy part of their racing season, and while both K&N sponsored drivers have had some bad luck of late, one of them made a little history, and they both have a chance to swing their season's in the right direction this weekend at Iowa Speedway.

Both Tanner and Kody enter the USAC Silver Crown event in Newton, Iowa looking to build on the success that this stretch of races brought the brothers in 2011. After Iowa, the Silver Crown series travels to Toledo, Ohio, the second-to-last pavement race for the series this year, and a race Kody won last year.

"June is definitely a swing month for us," Tanner said. "In the past, Kody and I have found a lot of success in pavement Silver Crown cars and with these two races coming up at the end of June, I hope we will be able to continue our success."

Kody agreed with Tanner, adding that the next two weeks could put the brothers in control of a pair of championship races. "Both races are Silver Crown and National Midget double-headers, and the day after Toledo we go to another National Midget race in Grundy (Illinois). For our Silver Crown season, these two races represent over 20 percent of our season, so it'll be very important to finish well at both events.

Kody Swanson at Lucas Oil Raceway - Pavement Silver Crown

"If we can just keep our momentum going and keep improving each time out, I think we'll stand a really good chance at winning in those two events. In the National Midgets, I'm only running on the pavement for the Wilke-Pak team, so it will be important to pick up some wins and maximum points for them as well."

The brothers combined to compete in over 15 events from the beginning of May through the middle of June, and while the results weren't kind (both suffered multiple mechanical issues, taking away at least three wins), both brothers found victory lane and both had a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream.

For Tanner, the moment of the year came at the family's hometown track, Madera Speedway, in Northern California. Driving the Tom Joyce owned #56 Super Modified, Tanner found victory lane in the Vukovich Classic. The moment was special for the entire family.

"The Super Modified win was unbelievable," Tanner said. "Even though Kody was not there, my dad was, and it was cool to be able to do something that he had once done in his career. Kody and I have not driven many cars that our dad did, so it was cool to see the look in his eyes after I won that race. My dad won championships in four different classes at Madera, and I've now won in five different types of cars, so it's cool to see how successful my family has been over the last couple decades at that track."

Tanner Swanson at Madera Speedway - Super Modified pass for the lead

That same night, Tanner also finished second in the Midget race and was running fourth in the Sprint race when a tire malfunction ended the race early. But it was the Super Modified, with its unique combination of downforce and horsepower that got Tanner's attention. "Those cars are so awesome to drive; the left-side weight and downforce are amazing and surely unparalleled by any other short track car in the world."

While Tanner was finishing his college semester in California, Kody was busy touring the Midwest, and after some heartbreaking technical issues and losses, Swanson found victory lane two weekends ago at Grundy County in the USAC Regional Midget race. "Things went really well that weekend," Kody said. "I met the Wilke-Pak team to do some race testing before the National race in a few weeks. We set fast time, out of twenty-five cars, and after a ten-car invert, won the race. I think we made some big gains in our pavement program, and I can't wait to get back there in a few weeks."

Kody also got to live a dream of open-wheel racers everywhere, when he helped pace the field for the Firestone Indy Lights Freedom 100 in his Silver Crown car on Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The neatest part was just making a lap at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in my Team 6R Racing Silver Crown car. That place just has so much history, and such strong ties to the Silver Crown series, that it was a great opportunity. It really was a great experience and something that I am very thankful to have gotten an opportunity to do."

Tanner Swanson at Madera Speedway - Super Modified Victory lane

Still, even with the win, a favorable schedule, and a pace lap around the most famous racetrack in the world, Kody said he knows the season can get better.

"Things have gone okay, but the truth is I'm not really satisfied. I think that we've (Kody and Tanner) done well with the hands that we've been dealt, but I always want to win, regardless of what the circumstances might be. I'm second in the Silver Crown points with a second and fifth. We finished second at Lucas Oil Raceway (Indianapolis, Indiana) after loosing over an inch of stagger in the feature, which took us out of contention for the win.

"At the Hoosier Hundred, we had some ignition issues that really plagued us all day, keeping us from a podium finish in the feature. Both were things that were really out of my control, but I feel like if I were truly satisfied with a second and a fifth, I'd be giving up some of that drive to win; and our goal is to win races and a championship, no matter what."

Both brothers have been with K&N for several years, and have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in a racecar with K&N on the side. Tanner said the partnership has helped get both brothers to where they are today.

"K&N has definitely been a huge support of Kody and me in our careers. Not only has their high-performance air filters lead us to many wins from day one in our careers, but we have also seen a huge difference ever since we changed to their oil filters back in 2007. We have never had a failure because of a K&N Filter and there is no doubt they have always helped us build more power and protect our investment with their state-of-the-art 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.

Marco Belli Wins Opening Round of the Newly Formed Italian Flat Track Championship

Jun 21, 2012

Marco Belli ignited his season by winning the first round of the 2012 Italian Flat Track Championship.

Depending on the time of year and what side of the world he's on, Marco Belli is either a renowned Italian Flat Track specialist, or that guy that assaults the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in summer on a bike he built himself. Last year was Belli's third run up the peak and so far his Zaeta DT 530 has earned him one 2nd place finish and two 3rds. In a few weeks Belli will be back in Colorado Springs for the 2012 challenge and the 90th running of the legendary Pikes Peak event.

However, first things first, Belli has a flat track championship to win, and towards that goal he started in grand fashion, by winning the inaugural round of the newly formed Italian Flat Track Championship.

Belli says he loves the battle of flat track racing, including the elbowing in the turns and the fighting.

"For sure it's the best way to start!" remarked Belli about his season opening win. "It means a full collection of points and the lead in the championship, which is going to be really tough this year. So I'm really satisfied about the result. A win it's always a big push, mostly for the right mental attitude to face the season."

Belli knows a few things about championships and winning them. So far he's collected three English National Championships (2005, 2007, 2008), three Italian national titles (2001, 2002, 2010), and two European Mefo Cup (2008, 2010). Belli has also raced flat-track in the US. Belli enjoys racing in the United States a lot, for him it's like a triple-A ballplayer making it to the show.

Belli's Zaeta project continues to catch worldwide attention, being that in his hands the motorcycle is nearly unbeatable.

The open round of Italian Flat Track Championship was contested in the Ippodromo (a hippodrome or stadium used for horse racing) at San Giovanni Teatino, Chieti, in the south of Italy.

"The hippodrome is superfast," said Belli. "It is 1000 meters around and 20 meters wide. I tell you the truth when I say that there is nothing like entering the turns wide open, a bit scared and wondering what you're doing at speeds over a 150 kph (94mph). We all want to catch the best line - wow - that's really the essence of flat track! The elbowing contact and fights are all a normal part of the battle. Competition means earning respect from your rivals, so there are some good fights. I enjoy them."

The Zaeta that Belli uses for flat track racing and at Pikes Peak is basically the same machine, it's a 530cc four-stroke specially designed and built in Italy. The creation and continuing evolution of the Zaeta is Belli's project exclusively. He tests and races them and what he learns on the track or on the peak, he applies to his motorcycle's development.

"I'm looking forward to Pikes Peak (July 8th) but first I'm racing in Prague for the first round of the International FIM Flat Track Championship," adds Belli. "We'll have also two rounds in the USA by the beginning of September, in Auburn and Lodi. For us Europeans, racing in America means a lot, it's the growing of the sport. Italy will be present with a seven rider team, including myself, and we are really focused on these races. Let's see how it goes, but there will be a lot of fun for sure!"

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.

Michael Lewis Talks about the F3 Euro Series Championship and Skateboarding

Jun 21, 2012

At the Red Bull Ring Spielberg Lewis and the Prema Powerteam finished second despite a series of pre-race challenges.

One of the coolest things about being a racer has to be getting to say I drive race cars for a living when someone asks. Well, that and living in one of the more bucolic parts of Italy half the year and racing a tailored-fit racecar throughout Europe. Southern California's Michael Lewis is living that dream, but make no mistake about it; it's a dream that wasn't simply granted by a wand-wielding, sparkly winged, helmet donning, race fairy. Lewis pays his dues daily, working harder than the majority of 21-year-olds, and by making personal sacrifices that most wouldn't be prepared to put together. Of course anything less wouldn't be honoring his huge gift for racing, and that's clearly not how he rolls.

In our last update with Lewis (Michael Lewis stays with Prema Powerteam to compete in F3 Euro Series Championship), we looked into some of the major changes after his highly successful 2011 ACI Sport Formula 3 Italia Championship season. This time Lewis talks to us from his part-time home in Italy, about his sweet new ride, making adjustments in order to dial it up a few notches, and on remaining focused by staying centered.

Tell us about the new ride, what's it like having Dallara and Mercedes-Benz custom build a racecar for you?

"The new car is quite nice to drive. Initially, the F3-12 Dallara chassis had more front end grip (both mechanically and aero) so we had to adjust the balance a bit. After the first few pre-season tests, Prema and Mercedes-Benz developed a solid balance, so that by the first race in Hockenheim the cars were really fast."

Lewis charges through the field at the Red Bull Ring during Round 9 of the F3 Euro Series.

"Basically, the car chassis is built in the Dallara factory in Parma, Italy. Then, Mercedes-Benz supplies the engines, and it all is pieced together at the Prema Powerteam headquarters in Vicenza, Italy. At the moment, in the F3 Euro Series/FIA F3 European Championship/F3 British Championship the biggest competition to the Mercedes-Benz cars is Volkswagen. So, right now, and throughout the season, Mercedes-Benz is working on perfecting the car (whether that is aero balance stuff, or engine related things) they are pushing really hard. Even for F3, Mercedes puts the car into the wind-tunnel, so there is quite a big development going on. As an official Mercedes-Benz race car driver, it's really nice to know that you have so much support in both the engine department and the chassis department."

I suspect there was another sizable period of adjustment to the Euro Series Championship, but you seem to be getting the hang of it. What are some of the more notable differences from Italia Championship?

"Yes, unfortunately that's true. I started out really well by qualifying on the second row of the first race weekend. Then, in the races of that first weekend, I didn't drive how I normally drive. I was trying to rush things and I was thinking I had to be first, to the point that if any little mistake happened, it threw my rhythm off massively. Since then, I've reacquainted myself with all that I know, and I'm back to the calm and aggressive style that I know so well. Enjoying driving is really important as well, because too much pressure sometimes kills your performance."

After his second place finish at the Red Bull Ring Lewis is either signaling his results or requesting a second bottle.

"The biggest difference from Italian F3 championship to the Euro Series is that the Euro Series is at a higher level. There are many more drivers and they are all fast. You also get far less testing time, so the Euro Series really demands a lot from its drivers. Spec wise, the cars are the same. Italian F3 is using the F3-08 chassis (the one I drove last year) and the Euro Series is using the new car. Just the engines are different."

After your two podiums at Brands Hatch in England, and coming off your second place finish at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, how are you feeling now and what all is staring to go right for you?

"The second step on the podium was definitely nice. The weekend before, we scored two P3s and a P4 in that three race weekend. So it's been going quite well. Interestingly enough, the Red Bull Ring weekend started off terrible in qualifying, as I never set a proper lap. So basically, my time recorded was just warming tires (the reason is quite complicated, but I had to start from the back of the grid in the three races). So the weekend from the start was looking pretty intense. Then, I kept my cool and drove really hard to finish P6 from P12 in Race 1."

"I was really happy about that and so was my team (we were really fast in the race which confirmed our overall speed). Then in Race 2 I made it inside the Top-8 invert from Race 1, so I started P3. I got a really good start and I nearly passed for P1 on the outside of Turn 1, then I fell back in line and in the end finished P2 after a pretty complicated race. For Race 3 I drove all the way from P13 to P6 again, and this time I was right in tow with P2, from where I was in P6. So basically I managed something pretty crazy."

After a period of adjustment Michael Lewis has his mojo back and the results prove it.

Where do you currently live and when do you get to go home to Laguna Beach to visit? Also, what do you do with any spare time you have?

"Right now I am living in a small lakeside community and the town is called Baveno, Italy. The town is on Lago Maggiore (Lake Maggiore is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps and separates Italy from Switzerland) and it is a very outdoors and nature related community. I stayed here since last year and I travel back to the California for the winter time."

"Basically, since I am enrolled in the University at California State University Fullerton in online classes (Lewis recently finished a calculus class earning an 'A', with an official proctor, and no open textbook tests) I am always quite busy. I train physically every day, twice a day, and rest on Sundays. Once I have my work done, and if I'm not too tired, I'll go out skateboarding for a bit. The life of a race car driver is by no means stagnant. You've got to manage all aspects, all the time."

How are you feeling heading into your next race in Nuremberg, Germany in a couple of weeks?

"At the moment I am stoked to get back in the car, because driving is what I love doing the most. But, it's going to be a weekend of unknowns, because it's on a street circuit (Norisring), so there are a lot more variables than at a normal permanent circuit. For example, the track is extremely dirty in FP1 and FP2 and there are no margins for mistakes because it's a street circuit; yet you still must push as though you know the track like the back of your hand. So the biggest thing is to try and get over the feeling of being at a new circuit as fast as possible. That's when you can really drive fast."

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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