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Amber's junior dragster was on display supporting an event to help raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand.
Next time someone says you drive like a girl, value the complement. As more females enter all venues of racing every year, podiums everywhere continue to embrace their rapid and steady rate of success. For the Bell Family Racing team, the drag racing folk from Hershey, Pennsylvania, girls racing and winning is a reality show they live, only without the annoying cameras and other distractions though. Rick and Stephanie Bell's three daughter's have raced pretty much all their lives, it's how they roll together as a family, and they spend nearly half of each year on the road committed to satisfying that passion. Bell Family Racing's home track is Maple Grove Raceway.
Amber Bell, the "World's Youngest Drag Racer", will move up to the next age group (8.90 class) at Maple Grove Raceway for 2012.
Heather, the oldest, was first to race. Next was Allison, and awed by her sibling, Allison subsequently wanted in on the action. Then along came Amber, and with two racing sisters to look up at, she was clearly inspired to the second-power. So too was ESPN's E60 show, as they have scheduled a visit to the K&N sponsored family's home track, Maple Grove Raceway, this spring time to shoot a segment on Amber. This is a follow-up to her international exposure last year as the "World's Youngest Drag Racer." In keeping with the female theme this time around we spoke with the family matriarch, Stephanie, in order to get her take things.
We last spoke half-way through the 2011 season, how did the rest of year treat you overall?
"The last half of the season went very well. After Allison and Heather went back to college, Rick actually got back in a race car. He hasn't raced since Heather was a baby and he hasn't lost his edge - taking runner-up first time back in a drag car. We had a lot of rain throughout the season so we did not get as many races in as we had hoped. One special event took place at our track, when the Junior Dragster team hosted a lemonade stand to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand. Amber's junior dragster was on display for the fun."
Amber's junior dragster and Allison's Bell Family Racing Camaro are both familiar with victory at Maple Grove Raceway.
How is Heather doing and how did Allison and Amber finish the year?
"Heather and her husband Corey had a beautiful little boy on July 15, 2011. Needless to say, Heather did not drive at all last year, and she is looking forward to getting back into the driver's seat this season. She is a senior in college this year at BYU and will be graduating in April. We are very proud of her."
"Allison had a fun first season in a big car driving our '68 Camaro. It was very different than her junior dragster and she says it was a lot of fun to drive. She did very well and actually went to the finals finishing as runner-up her second time in the car."
"Amber did well, qualifying to participate in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals and for the Division 1 race. Again, with all of the rain, a lot of our races, especially the fun ones at the end of the season were cancelled."
Anything new, different, or special on the calendar for 2012 you'd like to share?
"Heather and Allison plan to share the Camaro for next season. We were hoping to build a new car for Allison, but with the economy, that hasn't happened. Amber will move up to the next age group, and will be running in the 8.90 class. She is excited to be able to go faster and be more competitive. Her lights have been really good, but the slower kids have a hard time competing against the older, faster kids."
"We have a couple of car shows scheduled in January and February. We were invited by Motor Trend magazine to display the Camaro at the Pennsylvania Auto Show at the end of January and we will once again be displaying both the Camaro and the Junior Dragster at Motorama in February."
Are you enjoying your off-season and when does the racing kick back up for you?
"We have had a very nice off-season and have enjoyed our time over the holidays with Heather (and her family) and Allison home from college."
"We are now prepping for the new season starting with freshening all of our K&N oil and air filters to help protect our motors and help them to run the best they can."
"Maple Grove Raceway is our home track and our racing season there will begin in May. We plan to attend some test and tune events at our track, and a couple of others prior to that time, so Amber can get used to going a little faster."
Rispoli credits better training and more seat time on his K&N backed ANT Racing/STAR School/NationalGuard.com Suzuki GSX-R600 for his stellar season.
2011 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion, James Rispoli had the sort of race season he'll be talking about while playing checkers in the park 50 years from now. Not because it will be his high-water mark by any means, with his skill it's anyone's guess as to how high that gets set, but rather because 2011 was his first full season in professional road racing, and it was nuts for the 21-year-old Ormond Beach, Florida resident. Rispoli won two times on his K&N backed ANT Racing/STAR School/NationalGuard.com Suzuki GSX-R600, and he made it to the podium in all but one round of the SuperSport races he entered. His consistency earned him the 2011 for AMA Pro SuperSport East Championship, and the Young Gun Award.
2011 was James "The Rocket" Rispoli's first full season in professional road racing.
The headline on his press release and website reads "We are the Champions" leading us to assume he's a fan of the hit song by Queen. "Is that who did that song," remarked Rispoli laughing. "Being a champion is what I try to be both on and off the track. The AMA Pro SuperSport title was just one of those goals I was able to achieve early in my career. The real champions are all the sponsors and fans that support the sport I love."
When listing a few highlights from his 2011 season Rispoli told K&N, "Well, I picked up some great sponsors that helped pay the bills like Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation, Shakti Warriors and Techmounts. In addition the STAR School helped bring in my National Guard sponsor, without their support the season could not have happened at all. I also have to thank Ant Racing for stepping up and coordinating the team, managing the budget and the day-to-day efforts."
Asked what lessons he will take from 2011 and build on in the 2012 season Rispoli says, "First that training and seat time makes a huge difference. I got on a better training program with the help of Monster Energy and got the help of trainers from GG Events Management in Daytona. Living in Daytona for the off season allowed me to train everyday outside. Also, I trained every chance I got with Jason Pridmore and the STAR School which gave me lots of track time and riding tips."
The K&N sponsored 2011 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion only missed the podium in one race last season.
"We had a phenomenal 2011. Going into next season, I need to figure out qualifying more, how to better tell where I'm at on the track instead of looking down at a lap timer. Another goal is to ride at the front of the pack better by racing the track. This past season I had a mental block when riding my own race, and I know I can race against anybody, but I'd like to improve when racing against myself. I want to win as many races as I can. If I can win some doubleheaders, I'd be really pleased with that."
"Man I have been sponsored by K&N for a long time," continues Rispoli, "Throughout my amateur career and now into my pro racing career. We have done a lot together. We co-branded helmets and I have been using K&N go-fast products in everything we race and drive. They are a great company that has supported not just me but the sport for a long time."
Who is it you look up to as a race hero? Valentino Rossi would have to be the guy. He's always been the guy I would like to be like. I try to align myself with him, and I look up to him as a racer and a person. If he had no chance of winning, I'd pick him, just because he's so much fun to watch."
Team Cummings Motorsports recently saw their fair share of success at the NHRA Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing event, held at Houston Texas.
Slate Cummings and the Cummings motorsports Team recently rolled into Houston, Texas, geared up and ready to race in the NHRA Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing event at the Houston Raceway Park.
The second ranked stock eliminator driver of 2010, Slate was no stranger to success and had no intentions in letting up during the 2011 season. In fact, coming into the race he was only led in points by one driver- Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. From behind the wheel of his B/SA Moser Engineering Pontiac Firebird, the driver managed to earn a victory over Max McGlothan in a final round matchup, giving him a one point edge over Hidalgo.
Referring to the key to success during this particular event, Slate said, "We were focused as a team, and we also had good fortune. Everyone was going rounds, which always makes it a lot of fun." When asked if he anticipated moving ahead of Hidalgo prior to the beginning of the race, he continued, "I try to not get too caught up in points. Our goal is to win races. If we do that, the points will take care of themselves. I knew we had a chance. I didn't know the exact figures, but thought we were a long shot."
The second ranked stock eliminator driver of 2010, Slate was no stranger to success and had no intentions in letting up during the 2011 season.
Hidalgo eventually took the lead back over upon winning the third round of competition in the final NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event of the season at Las Vegas, Nevada. But Slate's victory also moved him up to the fourth position in the National Stock Eliminator points and practically cinched his second top-five finish for the 2011 season.
Referring to having an assured position in this elite group of drivers, Slate said, "It's a great accomplishment. Obviously, the goal is to win the championship, but if we can continue to put ourselves on the top five positions each season, championships will come."
While Slate made a showing in the Stock Eliminator class, his teammates were challenging their fellow competitors in various other classes as well. In fact, Slate's team member and "Family patriarch," Larry Cummings made it to the final round in the Super Stock with his Moser Engineering Cavalier, but lost to Jerry Emmons. Even though he lost in the semi-final round against Emmons, Slate Cummings had previously compiled ample points throughout the season to clinch the Division 4 Super Stock Championship with his 3rd place finish.
Slate Cimmings recently cinched his second top-five finish in the NHRA Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing series at the Houston Raceway Park.
Driving his B/SA Moser Engineering Pontiac Firebird since early 2009, Slate Cummings has likely grown to know the car inside and out. Although appearing as nothing more than a firebird straight from the factory, the Stock Eliminator Car has seen its share of modifications on the suspension, chassis and engine. As one might suspect, Slate and his crew consider keeping their engine in optimal running condition a crucial element of success. That said, they depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of the motor contaminant free and well lubed during the rigors of the sport. "We use K&N oil filters, fuel filters, and air filters and have been using them for as long as I can remember," recalled Cummings. "K&N is the industry leader. Knowing we have K&N filters under the hood gives us some peace of mind, and a sense of security, which allows us to concentrate on driving instead of worrying about mechanical issues."
Slate Cummings is also acutely aware of the importance of his team. "Our team is all about family. Racing wouldn't even interest me if I couldn't do it with my father, Larry; brother, Britt, and our teammates." Speaking of family, since finishing up his 2011 season, Slate Cummings and his wife have been blessed with a new addition to the family, Brody Ashton, a healthy baby boy.
When ask how they would prepare for the upcoming season, Cummings suggested they would pull typical maintenance on their fleet of competition vehicles. Anticipating the upcoming season, the driver and proud father said, "We're looking forward to a great 2012."
The BITD Henderson 250 gave Doc Macrae one last shot at clinching a 2011 title.
The Best In The Desert's (BITD) season wrapped up in grand fashion with 180 entries taking on the demanding 80-mile, three-loop course located south of Las Vegas near Jean, Nevada. For many, like Glass, this was the last shot at clinching one of several class championships still up for grabs.
Dr. Macrae Glass, the Kingman, Arizona chiropractor, ended his 2011 season on a positive chord by making it back into the win column at Henderson 250 for the Class 8000 victory, along with the Class Championship.
Macrae and co-pilot Brian Busby continued to pad their lead throughout the race finishing with a 47 minute lead over the second place Class 8 truck.
"This had been a more challenging year than in the past, mostly due to faster competition and a larger truck count at the races," said Doc Glass. "The team kept plugging away though, and we never lost sight of the goal - to have fun!"
The KC Hilites/Glass Chiropractic racing team was up for the challenge of the final showdown of the year with the championship on the line. "My team and I had our eyes on the prize, a season championship, and we needed a solid finish to achieve this," remarked Macrae. "We enjoyed mostly dust free, cold conditions. Brian Busby (F&L Fuel) rode the entire distance. We drew the number one starting spot, and got out to a nice early lead. We passed pit 1 and then 2. We picked our way through a nasty rock pile, and in the process of waiting for a trophy truck to pull over, another 8 truck got into our side as he attempted to pass. I knew this guy's fuse was lit, and he'd burn out long before the finish, so we let him go."
Winning the season-ending race Henderson gave Macrae the Championship he was focused on all year.
Macrae and Busby started in first row and led for a while, until another truck in class caught them and ran into the side of his truck on a nasty goat trail with one line. "I was on it waiting for that trophy truck I'd caught to pull over," Macrae told K&N. "We sped up and kept him in the dust, but I figured he'd overdrive. So at that point, we were second on the road, back about 30 seconds. He pulled into the pit and we kept going, putting us back to the front of the field again."
Macrae continued to pace himself as they cruised on to pit 1 and then to pit 2 where they stopped for fuel. After the pit they now held a 2.5 minute lead as they motored on. "We continued to steadily pad our lead, and by the second time 'round at pit 2 we now had 21 minutes," said Macrae. "We lit up the night sky with our super bright KC Pods and headed to the finish. We were able to maintain the same speed after dark and finished with a nice 47 minute lead. The team and I had done it! Win number three for the year, and our third Class 8 Championship."
With his new MSD performance ignition system keeping the fire lit and his K&N filter in charge of keeping the engine running clean, Macrae says his race strategy will remain the same this year. "Stay after it in the shop and have fun in the desert! Thanks K&N for the great air filters. We are working with Mike Rossi on an even better filter setup for this year."
Racing his Polaris XP900, RJ clinched the 2011 UTV Unlimited Championship in only his third season.
Everyone wants to end the race season large, if not with a championship, then at least with a win. It makes the off-season so much sweeter and the momentum for next year, burning like cash in your pocket, is totally comforting. For Walker Evans Racing and driver RJ Anderson the 2011 off-road season concluded on a ridiculously high-note.
For Walker Evans Racing's RJ Anderson 2011 ended in a spectacular fashion.
Having competed in all three seasons of LOORRS in a UTV, yet seeming to always fall just a few points short, RJ gave new meaning to over-achiever by clinching his very first UTV Unlimited Championship in the final rounds of racing at the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORRS) finale in Chandler, Arizona at Firebird International Raceway. Then in the big season ending Lucas Oil Challenge Cup race, RJ drove the K&N supported No. 37 Walker Evans Racing / Dethrone Racing / So-Cal SuperTrucks Super-Lite to victory, claiming the massive $10,000 pay day.
In addition, before racing even started in Arizona, RJ headed to Indianapolis, Indiana to attend the TORC Banquet and Awards Ceremony to receive his Rookie of the Year honors for the 2011 race season. "Clinching the 2011 Lucas Oil Unlimited Championship is something I have been focused on for the last three years," RJ told K&N, "so to finally put the Polaris on top was a huge accomplishment for the Walker Evans Racing team and me."
RJ won the season ending Lucas Oil Challenge Cup race, driving the K&N supported No. 37 Walker Evans Racing / Dethrone Racing / So-Cal SuperTrucks Super-Lite.
RJ explained that the first year he came into the season as a rookie he was a tad under-powered. Then in 2010 he started the season with back-to-back wins and led the season points championship for eight rounds. "The second half of the year unfortunately didn't work out as well," added RJ. "We ended up trying a new clutch setup that didn't agree with our engine and DNF'ed four straight rounds, leaving us disappointed with a fifth place in points."
RJ will focus all his attention on winning the Pro-lite during this season.
"For 2011 we did our homework and came to the track with Polaris's new XP900. We stayed consistent, keeping the championship in mind, and ended winning six races throughout the year. To turn 16 rounds of racing into a championship is hard to do, but when you put in the time off the track and show up ready to race, that's when the hard work pays off."
RJ says as soon as he got his ride in the SoCal SuperTrucks Super-Lite, he immediately said, "I want that big check at the end of the year!" He worked hard all season and was the one to beat every weekend. Unfortunately a bad weekend in Glen Helen took the team out of the points and that motivated him even more to win the cup race. "We are all ecstatic to end the season on a high note!"
2011 was a busy year for RJ to say the least, but at the end the Walker Evans team was obviously happy with the position it put him in for 2012. RJ raced three short course classes in 2011 and for 2012 he has his mind on only one, the Pro-Lite. "We hope to see ourselves in the top-five every round and hope that at the end of the year we find ourselves in the points contention to win the Pro-Lite Championship," remarks RJ. RJ says he has his mind set on getting into a Pro-2 one day, adding, "so I guess we'll just have to see where 2012 takes us."
