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Mitchell DeJong Wins LOORRS Rounds 1 & 2 in Pro-Buggy at Glen Helen Raceway

Apr 10, 2012

DeJong says his biggest challenge moving into the Pro Buggy was adjusting to the H-pattern shifter and the floor clutch - you wouldn't know it by watching him.

Mitchell DeJong is a typical 14-year-old Temecula, California eighth-grade kid. Okay, just kidding. He might be a regular-Joe in the land of wunderkinder, but in the real world the force is exceptionally strong in this one. DeJong is quickly developing into the real deal possessing mad-skills and brains; he's grounded, and he's not allergic to hard work.

Not yet street-legal to drive, in 2011 DeJong collected his 8th championship title in only five years. This season the Traxxas/Red Bull athlete continued were he left off by winning round 1 and 2 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Regional Series at Glen Helen Raceway, setting a new track record of 47.6 seconds during the round 2 main event, besting the previous record by 0.3 seconds.

Mitchell DeJong continues his winning ways with two 2012 Pro Buggy victories at Glen Helen Raceway.

Coming off his impressive 2011 modified kart season, DeJong's off-season was short, as his preparation to step up into the more competitive Pro Buggy Unlimited class started almost immediately. Having only enough time for two test sessions in his new Pro Buggy before the start of the 2012 LOORRS Regional Series, DeJong proved that was plenty good enough. During his very first practice runs around the infamous Devore, Southern California track, DeJong was already turning lap times comparable to the top-dogs in the class. To keep that in perspective, DeJong is the youngest driver ever to be given approval to compete this class.

There's really nothing at all typical about being able to carry his kart success over into Pro Buggy, where new elements like turning brakes, foot pedal clutch, H-pattern shifting and open wheels need to be dealt with in precise proportions. Yet, this young straight-A middle school kid seems not to adhere to the same laws of physics as the rest of us.

"Well, first let me start by saying that the Pro Buggy is a blast to drive!" remarked DeJong. "I'd say the biggest challenge so far would be going from the sequential shifter to the H-pattern shifter and the floor clutch."

The 14-year-old driver set a new track record of 47.6 seconds during the Round 2 main event, besting the previous record by 0.3 seconds.

When he's not racing and his schoolwork is done, you can find him working with his dad prepping his race vehicles, which explains his keen grasp on the overall workings of his car. "I spend a lot of time at my parents business, DeJong Off Road Mfg.," DeJong explains, "Where they design and manufacture some of the coolest off-road vehicles and develop components for the race, medical and aerospace industries in the machine shop."

DeJong says his long-term goal is to become a race champion like his heroes, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Travis Pastrana and of course his dad, Vince.

So what sort of goals have you set for 2012?

"It's funny you ask that question," says DeJong, "Because the first time I went out to the track for a test I had set a personal goal to run the same times as the top competitors in the class," he replied. It looks as though he may want to re-set the bar for the rest of the year.

What are you feeling about heading to the first round of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series in Arizona?

"I am really excited to get back on the track! We are still learning the car set-ups for the Pro Buggy, but just knowing I have some of the best products in the world on my Pro Buggy, like the K&N Air Filters, gives me a lot of confidence. Being the youngest driver to be approved to compete in this class is really awesome and I hope to earn the respect of the other competitors on the track."

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 Filters Announces 2012 Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes

Apr 9, 2012

Riverside, Calif., April 9, 2012 - The 28th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge will once again include the participation of the fans, as K&N officially announces the launch of the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes. In addition to potentially winning a tremendous prize package including a custom Toyota Tundra, fans will once again be able to vote for their favorite driver as the eighth and final participant in this year's event, which will be held on July 7 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge

"We're celebrating our fifth year as the title sponsor of the K&N Horsepower Challenge in 2012, and we are confident this is going to be the best one yet," said Steve Williams, Vice President for K&N. "With today's announcement of this year's sweepstakes, we reintroduce one of the greatest elements of the entire promotion, which is the fan involvement. Not only will they dictate the eighth and final driver participating in this year's Challenge, but one lucky fan will take home a one-of-a-kind Toyota Tundra designed and assembled by Toyota Racing Development with an assist from K&N, which promises to be our greatest grand prize yet."

The longest-running specialty event in the NHRA, the K&N Horsepower Challenge is a unique race-within-a-race pitting the seven Pro Stock racers who have accumulated the most qualifying points over the last year and one driver selected by the fans in a three-round, high-dollar shootout, with the winner pocketing $50,000. The fans can also take part in this annual celebration of the "factory hot rods" by entering the K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes. From the entries received, eight finalists will be chosen who will receive a trip for themselves and a companion to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk.

On the day of the event, each finalist will be randomly paired with one of the eight qualified drivers, with the finalist whose driver wins the race taking home the "K&N Horsepower Challenge Edition Toyota Tundra", a unique 2012 V-8 Double Cab specifically created by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and K&N Filters for this event with modifications to include a supercharger, custom wheels and exhaust, as well as other touches inside and out. As a four-time champion of this specialty race and the two-time defending winner, Greg Anderson appreciates the scope of K&N's involvement with the Pro Stock category, as well as the excitement the Sweepstakes brings to the fans.

"K&N has probably become the biggest supporter of the Pro Stock category, for which we are very grateful," said Anderson. "They put so much into it and do so much for the racers and the class itself. On top of that, they put out fantastic products, including several that we use on our race cars. Then, there's the K&N Horsepower Challenge, which is the coolest race of our year. You don't have to worry about points, so you can just go out there and race for a lot of money.

"I can honestly say from past experience that it's a fantastic feeling when you win the race, but it's no comparison to looking across the winner's circle and seeing the look on the face of the person who just won the sweepstakes. You end up feeling better for them than you do for yourself. It's just really cool to be able to do something for somebody else. It's really a neat deal, and I have to once again thank K&N for helping me put a smile on someone's face, something I hope to do again this 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.

K&N Engineering Expands Partnership with NHRA/IHRA Racer and TV Personality Kathy Fisher

Apr 5, 2012

K&N's Husband and Wife Drag Racing Duo, Kevin and Kathy Fisher who can be seen on their own online reality series, "Married With Dragsters".

In a joint announcement from K&N Engineering, Inc. and Performance by Fisher Racing, Kathy Fisher's new 2012 American Race Cars dragster will boldly carry the K&N colors starting with this season. Husband and fellow teammate, Kevin Fisher will continue to fly the K&N banner as well on his Top Dragster entry. With the news, K&N will commence in their fifth consecutive year as a major associate partner with the husband and wife duo from Lima, Ohio and their first as a major presence for Kathy and her 8.90 category ride.

Carefully tailored after Kathy Fisher's K&N 2012 Dragster scheme, the crew's new sublimated crew shirts are poised to be a hit.

"It would be an understatement to say that we are quite blessed to be able to work so closely with a company the caliber of K&N Engineering," said Kathy. "Our relationship may have only started five years ago, but Kevin and I have been loyal K&N product users and endorsers for decades. We couldn't be more excited to be extended the newly expanded opportunity that K&N has afforded us, to widen our marketing of their full line of air and oil filters, as well as other specialty lines such as their composite scoops and heavy duty filters."

Fisher's soon to be completed American dragster will proudly be emblazoned with a savage looking K&N in-house designed paint scheme, thanks to the handiwork of Adam Stadler, Creative Manager for K&N. The car will feature several standout colors from DuPont and DuPont's Hot Hues lines that will be carefully laid down by the highly coveted talents found at Todd's Extreme Paint in Milan, Michigan. All will highlight the bold K&N diamond plate logo and K&N Wrench-Off Filter that will be surrounded by a carbon fiber effect to tie in with Fisher's 2nd Generation K&N composite dragster scoop [100-8512] and the exceptional powder coating colors that will soon be expertly applied by Aesthetic Finishers in Piqua, Ohio [afipowder.com]

The Very Bold and Flashy Rendering of Kathy Fisher's All New 2012 K&N American Race Cars Patriot Swing Arm Dragster

"K&N is very proud to continue working with Kathy and Kevin Fisher and Performance by Fisher Racing for 2012," commented Steve Williams, Vice President of K&N Engineering. "We are looking forward to helping them compete with their updated Top Dragster and brand new Super Comp car. K&N's commitment to all types of sportsman racing across many different types of racing shows the importance of supporting this important racing community."

Performance by Fisher Racing will duplicate the new eye-catching K&N scheme for Kathy's American dragster by carrying it right into the team's sublimated crew wear again utilizing the expertise of Advertising Edge/CustomRaceShirts.com, as they have since 2008. They look forward to debuting the whole new look during their season opener and at the first NHRA Div. 3 event in late April in Indianapolis.

"With the newly expanded K&N program put into place for Kathy and her new dragster, it will allow us to continue to hone our marketing efforts in even more directions," remarked Bob Harris, K&N Series and Track Support Manager/Sports Marketing. "I'm just glad to know and work with such great people and with Kathy's understanding of business, racing and her growing fan base that will surely arise from her newly announced national television series, increasing our association with both Kathy and her husband, Kevin is a no-brainer on our part."

K&N's Kathy Fisher, shown here with one of her numerous 8.90 class victories over the years.

"Our continued, and now broadened affiliation, with K&N not only as a company, but maybe even more importantly with the people who continue to make K&N even better every day, is not something that we take lightly," Kathy confided. "To align with the best in the industry at this level, one must strive to reach absolute perfection in all aspects of their product, which in our case is our race team as a whole, and that means on and even more so, off the track."

"We are honored to have come to know, and the good fortune to work with, Steve Williams, Bob Harris, Tony Yorkman, Greg Boutte and Ryan Fellman, many of which are seasoned drag racing vets and that's just to name a few," she continued. "These guys are right there to help when you need it and more than understand what sportsman racers put their race cars and rigs through, too for that matter. They take much of the info that various racers supply them with and that's why their R&D department never rests, turning it into new and better products for racing and everyday applications."

Joining the long list of K&N products that can be found on both the Fisher's race and everyday vehicles, they are highly anticipating the addition of one of K&N's newest offerings and their inline fuel/oil filter for both the Kathy's new K&N dragster and Kevin's Ohio Crankshaft Top Dragster. Since they can be used with a variety of fuels, including Dragon Racing Fuels methanol that both team cars run on, they will be a great enhancer to their filtration needs. The filter material is made from stainless steel and the housing is a contemporary black anodized aluminum.

A full chronicalization of both the addition of the fuel filters along with all of the K&N products that the team uses and installs and the benefits of each, will be featured on a special webpage within the team's website, www.teamKNfilters.com.

Kathy Fisher can also be found again in 2012 competing in the team's K&N 2010 Corvette during select events.

In addition to a full race schedule planned for the 2012 season, The Fisher's also continue to own and operate their shop, now in its 20th year, Performance by Fisher, Inc., which offers complete auto repair, custom exhaust and numerous high performance upgrades including installation available for the full line of K&N Engineering products. Kathy also maintains her involvement with Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School, weekly contributions to knfilters.com, covering the plethora of winning racers that use K&N products as well as her on-camera work for Masters Entertainment, where she hosts several nationwide TV series for the award winning production company based in Bristol, Tennessee. She was recently tapped to co-host the new weekly series "Performance TV" with Tommy Johnson, Jr. that will begin airing later this year on Fox Sports Net nationwide.

Much of the new K&N car build, and the racing season to come, is currently being featured on the second season of the team's online reality series, "Married With Dragsters", a full in-house production in which Kathy handles everything from filming to editing the finished product. The reality series is offered in conjunction with Competitionplus.com and their special CP.TV video section.

The unique series can also be found by visiting www.marriedwithdragsters.com, where viewers can obtain complete details on the "Watch and Win" contest that is now underway. Viewers can enter for a chance at some of the over $1,500 in prizes up for grabs from companies including K&N Engineering, B&M Racing, Dragon Racing Fuels, Hawk Performance, Snap-On Tools and a bonus prize that is soon to be announced.

To learn more about the Riverside, California based K&N Engineering, their full line of industry-transcending products, including the World's Best Air Filter and the long line of championship competitors who use and win with them, visit www.knfilters.com.

Additional information on Performance by Fisher Racing, team bios, 2012 event schedule and details on how you can "Watch and Win" with "Married With Dragsters" can be found by clicking over to www.performancebyfisher.com.

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 Re-Signs Colton Haaker to Race the 2012 WORCS and GEICO Endurocross Series

Apr 5, 2012

Colton Haaker's Kawasaki powered machine.

Endurance and fitness are essential for professional athletes, and the intense world of motocross can often bring weaknesses in one's personal fitness to the forefront. That's why Southern California native Colton Haaker has taken to a new sport to keep him fit- mountain biking. And so far, the challenge is helping him in his professional world as well.

Haaker is fresh off a career-best 7th place finish in the Pro category at the WORCS event in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and has consistently run up near the front this season. "The mountain biking has been awesome," Haaker said. "They're good events, great competition and some awesome cross training for my motorcycle competitions."

Haaker is running in a local series in Fontana, California, where he has improved his finishes nearly every time out. He said the events give him a much-needed reprieve from the daily grind of motorcycle racing. "It has been great to ride and race the mountain bike and break up my pattern between my motocross and endurocross riding," Haaker said. "It keeps everything fresh and fun."

Haaker is coming off a career-best WORCS finish at Lake Havasu City.

Haaker is enjoying the 2012 season so far. The WORCS hasn't always been easy, but he's keeping it fun and is learning each time out. He said he hasn't had that 'wow' moment yet, but he also hasn't had a terrible moment either. "All of the moments have been pretty good, but the best moment will be when I win a race," Haaker said.

Haaker is especially looking forward to the start of the endurocross season on May 4th at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. He thinks the extra stamina he is getting from mountain biking will give him an added advantage that his opponents won't have. Most importantly though, Haaker said he is finally truly enjoying his sport. "I am expecting to race and learn and grow in every aspect that I can this year. I want to keep improving and growing. I haven't enjoyed riding and racing as much as I have this year, so I think that's one thing I have going for me."

Haaker said the support he gets from K&N's line of high quality filters is essential in allowing him to focus on racing and not worry about his bike's reliability. "K&N's products are great. They have been easy to maintain and the reliability has always been there in all of my motorcycles. I have to put a lot of trust in an air filter company to run them in my bikes and K&N has definitely earned my trust."

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.

Freestyle Motocross Rider Destin Cantrell Shows New Kawasaki KX450F and Fresh Tricks in 2012

Apr 5, 2012

Cantrell has made a name for himself with his gravity-defying whips.

When you're competing in a sport where disaster looms at the end of every jump, the equipment you use can be just as important as your own abilities. So Destin Cantrell, one of the rising stars of freestyle motocross, made the switch to a new bike in 2012, a Kawasaki KX450F.

Cantrell practicing a Cliffhanger at his Southern California training grounds.

"I switched ultimately to get on an all-around better bike," Cantrell said. "To me the Kawasaki is a lot better and just suits me perfectly. I was on a Yamaha for a while, so it was good to make a switch and get on a new bike for the New Year."

Cantrell is hoping the switch in bikes will help elevate him to an elite level of freestyle and ultimately lead to an invite to the X-Games and the Dew Tour; both events are considered the pinnacle of freestyle motocross. After a solid 2011, capped by a strong showing at the Dew Tour's Best Whip competition, Cantrell thinks he can take his signature trick and talents to the top of the sport, but he still needs to master one last move.

"Whips are by far my favorite trick," Cantrell said. "It's not something too many people can do really big, so it's cool to be able to. As most people know, I just need to get the flips down, and those will come when the time is right."

When the flips do come, look out. Cantrell has been mastering the whip and other freestyle tricks since he was 15, when he got his first taste of dirt bike competition without racing. "Racing was definitely my first passion," Cantrell said. "But when I got to try freestyle for the first time at fifteen, I loved it. Obviously I've stuck with it. I just enjoy freestyle more then going to the track everyday and putting motors in. A lot of my friends are racers and I have so much respect for them because it's so much hard work and the training is insane."

Cantrell is looking forward to the summer months and the opportunity to start showcasing his new ride, and K&N will be right there with him. "I love K&N products, they are amazing," Cantrell said. "The filters really give my bike more power, and on top of that they are just so easy to clean. I also use the cleaner on my tires and it just works wonders. I just have to thank K&N for sticking with me through my career, and also a big thanks to Johnny Jump and my family and other sponsors as well."

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.