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H&M Motorsport's Beau Baron and David Haagsma Rule 2012 WORCS ATV Opener

10.02.2012

Beau Baron took the first WORCS Pro win of the season aboard his K&N backed Spark Racing powered Honda TRX450R ATV. Photos by ATVRiders.com

Solid beginnings and endings are key, they're the foundation for a decent story, and for firing-up the sort of confidence needed for a winning season.

David Haagsma pulled the hole-shot in the WORCS Pro ATV Class. Photos by ATVRiders.com

"We feel great following round one. Our goal was to go out and show these guys we are serious about our program and getting both guys on the podium proved that." Those are the words of Jason Reed, H&M Motorsports' Marketing/PR Rep., and the two guys he mentions are Beau Baron and David Haagsma. The two H&M Motorsport ATV combatants kicked-off their season in grand style, with Baron taking the top of the podium and teammate Haagsma joining him on the third tier. Making it sweeter still was that this was Haagsma's first ever pro podium finish. A prodigious beginning indeed.

The World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) started their 2012 season at Glen Helen Raceway last weekend. Foul rainy weather throughout Friday and Saturday threatened to put the kibosh on the big show. Fortunately, the weather cleared and the track began to dry out just in time for Sunday's pro main event. Yet, not before the weather sacred the track, which then required some tweaking. The course was changed up a bit, and now included a very malicious section tagged WORCS-X. This amusing sounding addition featured huge tractor tires that proved to be anything but amusing for many riders the first few laps. The errant section was corrected by the fourth lap, which was three laps too late for some riders.

Haagsma aboard his K&N backed Maxxis/H&M Motorsports Honda TRX450R ATV battled hard to earn his first ever pro podium finish. Photos by ATVRiders.com

Off the line, Haagsma grabbed the hole-shot, with Baron close behind in second. In the second lap, Baron was able to take the lead after Haagsma got hung up in the WORCS-X section. "I made it through that section pretty easily when a lot of other people had problems. I was kind of lucky that way because it allowed me to get ahead and relax a little and stay focused," said Baron. Despite intense pressure, Baron held his lead for the final laps to secure the first win of the 2012 WORCS series for his team.

Out of the gate Haagsma was nothing short of impressive as he shot off the line and grabbed the lap-one lead. After his WORCS-X section run-in he remounted a charge and battled his way to the number three spot before crossing the finish line.

H&M Motorsport's Beau Baron took first place, joining him in third place was teammate David Haagsma. Photos by ATVRiders.com

"I got a great start! I really have to thank Curtis Sparks and Maxxis Tires for that. I pulled everyone and got a clean lap in. After I got hung up, I just tried to make up time and kept passing people. It felt awesome to finish on the podium. I wish I could have been up there battling for the win, but I am pretty happy with third right now," remarked Haagsma.

"This is our first year off on our own," Reed told K&N. "Teaming up with MCR Racing last year taught us the infrastructure that we needed to achieve, and the goals we needed to set going into our first full year as a Pro team in a tough series. If we had to change anything from last year, it would be what we have already worked on, and continue to work on, and that's pre-testing with our equipment and trying to keep David and Beau focused. That way they can go out and do their job and win some races."

"We are ready and we are approaching 2012 just liked we approached the first race - we're going out to win. We have a tremendous amount of great sponsors behind us, including K&N Filters who provides the best filters in the business. We've never suffered a DNF with any air related issues, and we can't be happier to have them behind our program."

Round two of the 2012 WORCS series is scheduled for February 11th - 12th at Buffalo Bill's Casino and Resort where H&M Motorsport's Beau Baron and David Haagsma will once again be looking to own the podium.

"We're ready. We got off to a great start and we are going to keep the ball rolling and try and stay up front for points and keep the Championship chase alive. Were going for the 2012 WORCS Pro Championship, plain and simple."

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Shane Stewart Two-Time ASCS National Championship Opens 2012 Australian Tour on Fire

10.02.2012

The two-time Knoxville 360 Nationals Champion kicked off his 2012 Australia tour with two wins and a third place.

Australia's love for Sprint Car racing continues to intensify at an accelerated pace. The country's boasts a very well organized Sprint Car scene that is run to the rulebook by a single organizing group - the Sprintcar Control Council. The fans are savvy and their talent pool is beginning to rival ours here in the states. The peak racing season is between Christmas through the end of January, and each year more American racers bent on winning championships, are kick-starting their season with a walkabout downunder.

#77 Sprint car driver Shane Stewart in action down in Australia.

"I think racing in Australia helps keep you in physical and mental shape for the upcoming season in the states," Shane Stewart told K&N. "The racing in Australia has really become more like American racing. The equipment and the drivers have really stepped it up over the last five years. I really do believe that racing over here helps you stay focused."

The K&N sponsored driver opened his 2012 tour downunder with two consecutive wins and a third place podium finish. Stewart has even more hardware to add to his 90 feature wins he has accumulated already over the past 13 years of racing. On his resume Stewart proudly lists wins in all major series in both the U.S. and Australia.

Does one race starting the 2012 season in Australia stand out? "The Classic is a race that always sticks out in my mind," says Stewart. "It would be equivalent to the Knoxville Nationals. I won this race in 2010 and it is always a race that I put on my calendar to win."

Stewart from Bixby, Oklahoma was voted the 2011 "Driver of the Year" by the North American 360 Sprint Car Poll voting panel of media members, promoters, sanctioning officials and manufacturers for the second time. Stewart, the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) national tour champion and 2009 "Driver of the Year", earned thirteen of the twenty first-place ballots cast in the year-end poll. Stewart's car owner, Paul Silva, earned his second "Team of the Year" award as well.

"I am looking forward to getting back in the Paul Silva owned 57 again," added the two-time Knoxville 360 Nationals Champion. "We are looking forward to getting the season started and hopefully we can keep building on what we have been able to accomplish the last three years."

Stewart will begin his 2012 race calendar in the U.S. racing in the 3G owned car of Joe Gearte and Tim Norman in Florida at the Ronald Laney Memorial race. "After that I will head down to Arizona to start off the ASCS National Tour in the 57 car."

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 Matt Driskell Enterprises Racing and Engine Building Advantage

09.02.2012

Racing since 1983 Driskell lists being crowned the Division 5 Top Dragster Champion in 2007 near the top of his accomplishments.

It's been said that life is what happens while we're busy making other plans. For multi-time NHRA Division 5 Champion, Matt Driskell, the distraction from his racing plans continues to be building his successful Driskell Enterprises. The line between profession and obsession is a blurry one in Driskell's case though, as his countless runs down the racetrack have helped him to develop into one of the premier engine builders in all motorsports, and he now shares his nearly 30 years of racing experience with all Driskell Enterprises customers.

Matt's Driskell Enterprises has a sterling reputation as a custom engine builder and they take great pride in the fact that they donâ€™t produce "cookie-cutter engines."

"Due to my growing business I am not able to travel to all the NHRA division/national events, but we race every weekend throughout the Midwest supporting our customers," said the Wellsville, Kansas driver.

Still in the allotted time Driskell does manage to set aside for racing, or "company research," he continues to leave his bold mark on the sport. Last year he finished second in the Super Pro points at Kansas City International Raceway (KCIR). He also finished second in the Central Drag Race Association (CDRA) Super Pro points, and was awarded the best appearing car of 2011 in a Topeka National Event.

Driskell began drag racing back in 1983 and he currently owns a 2011 Mullis 4-link dragster that he races in Top Dragster, Super Comp and bracket racing event. "I also have a 1967 Firebird that runs in Super Street and bracket races," he adds. As a multi-time NHRA Division 5 Champion, Driskell reached the pinnacle of NHRA racing when he won the Super Comp World Championship in 1996, and he was crowned the Division 5 Top Dragster Champion in 2007.

Driskell was using K&N filters in his own cars and at Driskell Racing Engines long before he got sponsored.

In summarizing his 2011 season Driskell says, "I won the first two Central Drag Racing Association (CDRA) Super Pro events, which put me in a sizeable lead, but a late season charge by another competitor left me in second place. In 2011 I got a new dragster from Mullis Race Cars which worked out great. One of our first races at the Great Bend NHRA Division 5 race we made it to the semi finals in Top Dragster."

For his most important racing accomplishments to date Driskell list his 1996 Super Comp World Champion, becoming the 1997 TRW All-Star Super Comp winner, and his victory in the1998 Mid-Michigan $100,000 bracket race. Also on that list is his Multi-Division 5 Super Comp Championship in Top Comp and Top Dragster. Then he adds "I'm still racing though."

In explaining how he became associated with K&N Driskell says, "I had been using K&N filters on my own race cars and at Driskell Racing Engines for some time, and I knew Mike Ferder and Steve Williams from the races. So, at the Topeka National Event in 2010, I stopped to talk with him and he was trailering with Steve Williams and Greg Boutte. In talking with Greg I mentioned how I used the K&N oil filters at Driskell Racing Engines and how impressed I was with their product, and that's how our relationship started."

When asked about his plans for the 2012 season Driskell says he's looking forward to his new trailer, which will allow him to haul both his cars to races. "I plan on attending a select number of division races and national events, plus continue to support our customers at various bracket races throughout the Midwest," he continues. "We will also race at Heartland Park in Topeka's weekly events which include Super Pro, Super Street, Super Comp, and the Super Quick series which Driskell Racing Engines helps to sponsor."

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.

IMCA Modified Driver, Billy Wormsbecker, Earns Victorville Raceway Park Class Champion Title

09.02.2012

Billy wormsbecker exoereinced a successful season in 2011, earning the Victorville Raceway Park class Champion.

Billy Wormsbecker, of Big Bear Lake, California, is preparing for 2012 with a stellar season behind him. In fact, during 2011, the IMCA class driver of nine years managed to earn the title of Victorville Raceway Park Class Champion.

Billy Wormsbecker and the Rebel's Racing team began preparing fo the upcoming season immediately after the 2011 season finale.

Each and every race team enters a season with a game plan, and Billy Wormsbecker and the Rebel's Racing team was no different. Of course, they're first objective was to capitalize on Billy's driving skills. When asked his strong point on the track, the driver said, "I try to drive smart and finish races. Trust me, I want to win, but not by crashing someone." Referring to the key to Rebel's Racing's success during the 2011 season, Wormsbecker continued, "Without a doubt, the key to our success was teamwork and perseverance. 2012 will be no different; when times were down no one gave up. Our team is very important, and I could not do it without them. It takes all of us to make it work."

As do all race teams, Billy Wormsberger and Rebel's Racing experience their share of ups and downs throughout a season, and 2011 was no exception.

In fact, morale likely reached a season low when they blew two motors in two consecutive weeks. On the other hand, earning the championship, Billy and his team obviously experienced a great deal of good fortune as well. When asked to share their high point of the season, Wormsbecker explained, "We had a ninth place finish at the Ventura Fair race, after getting a flat and starting dead last. I really enjoy driving in special races like the Fair Race," he continued. "It gives us a chance to race with some of the some of the best teams that I normally would not run with,"

When asked if he was happy with his performance during the 2011 season, the driver said, "Overall, yes, but I still have some weak points I need to work on." That in mind, once the season finale was behind them and Wormsbecker had been deemed the champion, it was time to start gearing up for 2012. "Our team started preparing the minute the 2011 season ended," shared the driver. "We are working on some suspension and shock changes. As of now, we are talking about traveling a little more during the upcoming season, and trying different tracks instead of running one track throughout the entire year. I'm hoping to gain some more knowledge of the car on different tracks."

With anticipation of another successful season, Billy Wormsbecker and the Rebel's Racing team are acutely aware that proper maintenance will play a major role in the outcome of their labors. "Without proper maintenance and tools, racing would not be a reality for us. I think maintenance is the number one reason for our success."

That in mind, the team is an advocate of using the best products on the market, and depends upon K&N products to keep their engines well-lubed and clean. In fact, Wormsbecker has been running K&N air and oil filters, as well as breathers for the past three years, and is anxious to use their fuel filters during the upcoming season.

"I have always been a user and fan of K&N products," explained the driver. "You can just see that the pride that goes into manufacturing K&N products is the same pride that our team has in properly maintaining our vehicles." Crediting the products to a portion of Rebel's Racing's success, he continued, "The engine builder was happy with how clean the inside of the motor was this season. If the quality of the pistons I was running was equal to the quality that K&N put into their products, we would have had a real good season. We all appreciate what K&N has to offer, and utilize them throughout the entire year."

In closing, Billy Wormsbecker said, "Racing provides me with an opportunity to work closely with my father, other family members, great friends, and amazing professionals. I am confident that I am setting a fine example for the kids in my community, and the fans that pay to watch from the stands. I never want to let them down, and will continue to race in a clean and professional manner. Without the support of the sponsors and fans, there would be no more racing. My heart is forever in debt to each company, person, family member, and friend that has supported Rebel's Racing since its inception in 1993."

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.

Overview of Pro Stock and Super Stock Driver David Cook

09.02.2012

In 2010, he traded the 1957 Thunderbird Roadster for Jerry Haas 2002 Pro Stock Car

As is often the case with racecar drivers, David Cook has been around hot rods all his life because his Dad worked in high performance and automotive shops where he hung out as a kid & got hooked on everything automotive. Add to that the fact that Dad has a 1957 Thunderbird with a Hemi Ford motor, and a 1969 Cobra Jet Mustang, it's easy to see how deep that hook embedded. Before he owned a driver's license, David competed racing bicycles, then when he turned 16 his Dad gave him his old 1964 Ford pickup truck and he began drag racing at the Infineon Racetrack known by the West Coast locals as Sears Point. During that first year he was racking up some wins, and progressed to a 12 second 1965 Mustang with which he experienced even greater success. In 1995, they knew it was time for a more serious investment, & purchased a tube chassis 1955 Thunderbird with a 427 Ford that was running in the mid 9's.

David Cook's 2002 Pro Stock Car

It was that car that began helping him claim some victories in Super Gas while his Dad was doing the same in his Corvette in Super Street events at NHRA, Summit Series and Goodguys events. They began traveling together to divisional events along the West Coast where David eventually stepped up to Super Gas & Super Comp. For a while, they both raced their respective Thunderbirds in Super Gas.

David's Dad was diagnosed with Lymphoma in the early 2000's so they had to scale back their racing for a few years, but after good news of remission, they jumped right back into the thick of things. David won the 2008 National Open in Sacramento in Super Gas, which was one of his most memorable career highlights. In 2010 he traded the 1957 Thunderbird Roadster for Jerry Haas 2002 Pro Stock Car, and with it was runner up day one of the 2011 West Coast Top Sportsman Association finals, and won the finals the following day. We hope you guys have the greatest of luck in the 2012 season!

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.