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Manny de Encio started building cars in his uncle's shop when he was only 13 years old. His passion for modified cars continued to grow until he began his own shop, CTL Motorsports, in 2002. CTL Motorsports gave Manny a way to unleash his imagination and years of practical experience as he continued to build custom cars and trucks.
Kia Motors USA 2010 Kia Forte Coupe
In 2008, de Encio changed gears and began focusing on building image vehicles for automotive manufacturers such as GM, Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan, Infiniti and Lexus. As part of this change his Huntington Beach, California company name went from CTL Motorsports to Automotive Design Concepts. In 2009, Kia Motors became an addition to de Encio's long list of automobile manufacturers.
Manny de Encio continues to impress his clients by delivering top-of-the-line service rich with skill and experience. "I have been modifying vehicles for over 25 years," de Encio said. "I have built everything from street rods, low riders, tuners, luxuries, limos, trucks, SUVs, and some of the largest H2 Hummers in the world."
K&N visited de Encio at the 2009 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. His custom 2010 Kia Forte coupe was on display outside SEMA where spectators gathered around the many high-end vehicles that covered the parking lot. "I have been coming to SEMA since 1999," he explained. "I brought the 2010 Forte coupe as a feature vehicle for Kinetik Audio. It is a show vehicle for Kia Motors USA."
This custom Kia Forte is equipped with K&N air filter 33-2380 and K&N oil filter HP-1004. "I have been using K&N products for over 25 years," said de Encio. "They are a manufacturer that has been in business for over 35 years and provides quality products that perform as promised. I have used everything from K&N Cold Air Intake Systems, factory replacement drop-in filters, Fuel Injection Performance Kits and their line of innovative Performance Gold® oil filters."
2010 Kia Forte Equipped with K&N Air Filter 33-2380 and Oil Filter HP-1004
Manny de Encio and his custom builds have been featured in over 100 magazines with a total of 19 magazine covers. "My endeavors have graced the covers and pages of magazines such as DUB, Dropstar, Mini Truckin, RPM, Truckins SUV, Truckin, Lowriders Edge, Hot Rod, Hot Boat, Lexani, Import Tuner, RIDES, SEMA NEWS, Tailgate, Street Trucks, Sport Truck, Rear View, DCX, Performance Auto Sound, FHM, STUFF, Playboy and Penthouse," he adds. "They have also been on the big screen for Britney Spears Video "Do Something", Johnsons Family Vacation w/ Little Bow Wow and Cedric the Entertainer, Collateral w/ Jamie Fox and Tom Cruz and The Fast and the Furious."
As de Encio's visions and his business, Automotive Design Concepts, continue to grow, one thing is certain for the future. Custom design and implementation will continue to be a major portion of his life. K&N is proud to share a piece of Manny de Encio's concept builds. "K&N is always a part of all our image vehicle builds," he concludes. "I use them at work as well as on all of my vehicles at home."
Modifications for Manny de Encio's 2010 Kia Forte coupe are as follows:
AIT Racing - Carbon Fiber Hood, Upper and Lower Front Bumper Grills, Side Mirror Caps, FRP Chin Spoiler and Rockers. Auto Expolosion - Wide Body, Side Vents, Custom Body Work and Paint. PPG - Lambo Green Paint Katzkin - Leather and Suede Seat Covers, Suede Headliner and Pillars Audiovox - Headunit, Speakers and Amplifiers Advent - Headrest TV's Hush Mat - Sound Deadening Material Kinetik Audio - HC 1800 Power Cell Metra Electronics - Radio Dash Kit and Wiring Eibach Suspension - 1 Inch Pro Kit Lexani Wheels - LSS 10 20 X 8.5 And 20 X 10 Black Finish With Lambo Green Face Dunlop Tires - SP Sport Max TT 245/35R20 and 255/35R20 K&N Filters – Air Filter 33-2380 and Oil Filter HP-1004 Magnaflow - Stainless Cat Back System with Square Rolled Tips Presto Tint - Window Tint and Vinyl Meguiars Car Care - Total Car Care Products
Farmington Dragway hosted the annual Footbrake Nationals near Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Michael Beard drove his Duck Tape Turismo in three separate races over two days.
Solid race at Farmington Dragway's annual Footbrake Nationals Weekend for Michael Beard in his Turismo, Photos courtesy of Robert Ellison
Farmington Dragway added its inaugural Champions Showdown, a special shootout race only open to racers with championship wins. “Fifty drivers qualified for the Showdown,” said Beard. “We raced for a paid weekend entry to Piedmont Dragway’s upcoming $20,000 Foot Nationals Race on Thanksgiving weekend. We were also honored with a special event t-shirt.”
Beard tried to win a paid entry to Piedmont Dragway's $20,000 to win Footbrake Nationals Thanksgiving weekend, Photos courtesy of Robert Ellison
Cold tires and a warm engine on the Duck Tape Turismo made it harder for Michael Beard in the third round of a Warm UP Race at Farmington Dragway, Photos courtesy of Robert Ellison
Beard’s Turismo made it to the third round of Saturday’s warm up race, but was shut off on the line while the track crew rebooted the scoreboards. “With the tires cold and the engine warm, I was a sitting duck,” said Beard. “The four-cylinder front wheel drive combination car can be finicky in the wrong situation.” Beard still managed a good reaction time.
Beard uses K&N products on all his race cars and K&N’s air intake system, part number
57-1516 on his 2000 Dodge Dakota with a 4.7 liter engine. “We go back and forth to many events all season long and that
is expensive,” said Beard. “We save gas with K&N and at the same time notice additional performance on our tow vehicle. K&N is reliable on and off the track.”
Beard will next race in Greensboro, North Carolina during Thanksgiving.
This year Mark Bitner's very adaptable Twister Motorsports team started running 360 Sprint Cars in the United Racing Company (URC) series, traveling to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware in the process. "We had some motor issues early on in the season that we finally worked out," comments Bitner. "We had a lot of good runs, but about half way through the season, we were approached with an opportunity we just couldn't refuse."
#202 SS Sprint Car
That opportunity came in the form of a 410 Sprint Car motor that they were able to run in their existing car. The 410 is a much more competitive series than the team was familiar with, yet they jointly felt up to the challenge and were in fact rather excited by the prospect.
"Our first race was a USAC race at Big Diamond Speedway in Pennsylvania. After that we ran primarily at Port Royal Speedway, which is also in Pennsylvania. Understandably we had a few kinks to work out in the motor, but overall we had multiple top 15 finishes and considering the competition our new team was up against – we were very happy with the outcomes," adds Bitner.
Given the occasion, Twister Motorsports will also select to run in a variety of other racing events each year. For example, this year that included building and running an Enduro car. The team agreed to build the car as a bonding and "letting loose" project. "We wanted to put the car together so the crew could have some fun and to combat the racing blues we were feeling from the multiple run-outs we experienced. We also sometimes run an SS Sprint, and we will even race Quads on Ice," says Bitner.
#2 1972 Buick Enduro Car
The team's Sprint cars are already being prepared for the 2010 season. Their primary car remains the 2009 Maxim that they started running last year, and it will continue to be their car to watch. The team's secondary ride is a 2007 Maxim, it will remain waiting in the wings, ready to spring into action should it be called upon.
"We would not be able to get through our season if it weren't for the generous support of K&N and their wonderful products. All of our racing equipment, from the Sprint cars, to the truck that pulls the trailer, are all equipped with K&N air and oil filters. And if you check under the hoods of all the crew when they pull into the shop at night, you will find K&N products under there as well. Not to mention that all of our vehicles sport the K&N logo, even my wife's VW," proclaims Bitner.
"We hope 2010 will be another exciting year for Twister Motorsports. As for me personally, I already know I am in for some big changes, my wife and I are expecting our first baby in December. Twister Motorsports will be undergoing some changes as well. We are looking forward to running 410 Sprint cars exclusively. If all goes as planned, we will run primarily at Port Royal and a few select Outlaw races. We will also continue to run the SS Sprint when the schedule allows."
Grassroots race teams are the heart and soul of the sport. Granted their challenges and day-to-day tribulations are on a smaller scale than the big leagues - but often the tests put on a racers individual spirit at that level carries far more impact, and they can at times be far more debilitating, or inspirational.
#1c at Belleville Midget Nationals
Midwest midget driver Garrett Hood from Concordia, Kansas was out of racing for a spell when he got involved in a racing incident which destroyed his car a couple of years back. "The team is just my Dad and I. He has done so much for me and in helping me pursue a career in racing. I only hope the right opportunity will come my way and I will be able to run a lot more in the coming season," reflects Hood. The Two Hoods Racing Team purchased new wide body Stealth car after that crash and Hood was back in business - until just a few months ago, when Hood had to face a far deeper, more soul searching tragedy.
"Overall things have been going good for Two Hoods Racing and me. I work at Chados Auto Body and Glass and run the team from our shop in Concordia. I want to move to more of a hot bed of racing but just can't afford to move and run the racecar right now," says Hood.
"I have been racing a midget for the last four years and before that I raced mini sprints for three years. In 2004 I worked for Jimmy Weller III, the owner of a sprint car team in Ohio. I had a great time with the team and learned a lot. I love open wheel racing, from the day-to-day maintenance on the cars, to being at the track racing for the fans. I do all the work on my car and I also worked on Chad McDaniel's cars."
Two Hoods Racing getting ready for the next race.
"Chad and I raced together from the beginning of my career. He was a very close friend and unfortunately we lost him in a race accident at Knoxville (Midget Nationals May 30, 2009). There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. It has been tough getting back into the swing of things with racing. When we ran together we pushed just a little harder to make sure we beat one another to the checkers. I traded more slide jobs with Chad than all the racers combined and it is just tough to think I will never trade another one with him until my number is called. I will keep running as long as I can - I know he is with me every lap I make."
Since the accident Hood has only been entered at McCool Junction and at the Belleville Midget Nationals. "We finished 11th at Belleville which was awesome," says Hood. "Chad and I loved that track so much, it's only 18 miles from home. I just don't have enough experience at that place for set ups though. We had the car way too loose and it was a handful, so I just ran the bottom and finished," adds Hood.
"I run all the K&N stuff I can on the car. I run the short four-injector air filter on our Fontana motor, along with a K&N oil filter. I use the cleaner, oil, and grease for the maintenance of the filter. I also run the carbon fiber base plate for the filter, which is great. It holds up to the vibration and movement better than the rubber bottom base. I also run a cold air intake on our Duramax diesel that pulls the race trailer. It has been great having K&N as a sponsor and I look forward to the years to come."
"I'm planning on running at Kemper Arena and then the Chili Bowl. As for the upcoming season, I have no definite plans yet. I can only hope I will get to do this forever, or to be involved with racing on some level, but if not, I wouldn't trade anything in the world for the experience. I do not regret a single moment. I love this sport - there are some truly amazing people in racing."
Once upon a time, back in the day, there were only a handful of Mini's on the road in the United States - only imported versions straight from Britain, with the steering wheel on the "wrong" side. There wasn't anything that could touch those four-passenger go-kart-like cars for canyon cruising, nothing street-legal anyway. They held to the road like slot-cars and you could practically carry one in the back of a pickup as a spare. Then, for a number of reasons, they all but disappeared completely for many years - except for those collectors stashed away. That is until April of 2001, when the BMW Group wisely began producing the "MINI" the successor to the original Mini.
Eddie Kim and his crew prep their JCW MINI for the Redline Time Attack Finals
Eddie Kim, Vice President of Dynamic Autosports/Gruppe-S in Lake Forest, California, and his crew recently prepped their Yellow JCW MINI to do battle at the Redline Time Attack Finals. The field was deep that weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, with many teams in attendance and championships in multiple classes at stake. This was their first event, and the goal was to simply go out and be competitive and to showcase the performance potential of the MINI to all their industry partners, racers, and enthusiasts.
"We are preparing a spec series for MINI and this particular car is our test bed," says Kim. "The car has some basic modifications, which we believe will not void the factory warranty. That way consumers can buy a new MINI, do the modifications, and still keep the car under warranty. This is our goal, and that is why we have chosen the K&N intake, because of their pursuit to be a smog legal product."
Dynamic Autosports/Gruppe-S Race Team
What the team ended up taking home with them was First Place in the Stock Front Wheel Drive class, along with an abundance of respect and admiration from the other teams and spectators. The MINI performed flawlessly and flat-out ran away from the field. In their first attack session they ran a best of 1:59.14, which would have been good enough for second overall in modified class, and third in the street class as well. In their final attack the team again ran a sub-2:00 on the 2.5-mile course, clinching a surprising, but much-deserved first place.
"The chassis itself is great right out of the factory box. We then modified the car with a K&N intake system," informs Kim. "We also added a Mega Mini prototype downpipe, Eibach suspension, Mega Mini intercooler, Mega mini spec brake pads, Enkei NT03 wheels and Yokohama AD08 Neov tires - and of course some bad-ass driving from Dez Ballard."
"We will continue to test and make some alignment settings and possibly re-flash the ECU. We are trying to keep all the parts legal and low cost so that MINI enthusiasts can have a lot of fun and be competitive."
The Yellow JCW will be one display and a part of the driving experience at their Los Angeles Road Tour, November 21-22, at the Home Depot Center.
