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Corvette Racing Makes Podium at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California

13.10.2009

Corvette Racing scored its fifth podium finish in five races with GT2 Corvette C6.R. Teammates Jan Magnussen and Johnny O’Connell were runners-up in the season ending Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

After qualifying first and third, twin Corvettes ran one-two until the first round of pit stops during the ALMS season finale at Laguna Seca, photo by GM Corp.

Corvette Racing pit crew works on Corvette C6.R at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, photo by GM Corp.

The American Le Mans Series race ended as Magnussen spun across the track and hit a wall in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R. The Danish driver was examined and released from the trackside medical center after his encounter with the concrete barrier. The Corvette’s safety systems and energy-absorbing structure performed as designed during the impact.

Corvette Racing scored its fifth podium finish in five races with GT2 Corvette C6.R, photo by GM Corp.

Corvette Racing's next event is the season opening Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in Sebring, Florida in March of 2010, photo by GM Corp.

The finish capped off a battle between the No. 3 Corvette and the No. 45 Flying Lizard Porsche driven by Patrick Long and Joerg Bergmeister.

Magnussen had cut down the lead of the class leading Porsche in the final 50 minutes of the four hour race. With the checkered flag on display for the winner, the Corvette and Porsche had contact in the final corner and raced side-by-side to the finish line.

“It was really good, hard racing,” said Magnussen. “It was a drag race up the hill, and I managed to get a little ahead of Joerg. Then he turned me into the wall, and he kept turning in. Then I spun around the nose of his car.”

In the end, the No. 45 Porsche was credited with a 1.037 second victory over the No. 3 Corvette C6.R and Corvette Racing scored its fifth podium finish in five races since moving to the GT2 category.

The Corvette C6.Rs use K&N air filters. “The filters K&N makes for Corvette are critical to the design of our intake system,” said Mike Atkins, Pratt and Miller Program Manager. “K&N makes the best air filter for horsepower and filtration.”

The No. 5 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta finished 10th, 12 laps down to the leader after hard contact in a restart at the one-hour mark. After qualifying first and third, the twin Corvettes had been running one-two until the first round of pit stops during the second caution period.

“Jan and I were working the traffic really well and managed to open up a gap over the third place Ferrari,” said Gavin. “When we got to the first pit stop, the crew did a fantastic job and we got out in front of our sister car. On the restart, I came down the inside of the first turn and was trying to see if I could get ahead of the BMW. I went too far to the inside and got on the dirt. The BMW was squeezing me and I hit the brakes too late. I didn’t want to hit the prototype ahead of me, so I went even farther left onto the sand. I started to spin and started hitting people. It’s embarrassing for me. I’m sorry for the crew. I think we had a car that was fast enough to win. I don’t think I make many mistakes, but I made a big one.”

Corvette Racing’s program manager Doug Fehan commented on the finish of the race. “Those last six laps were as exciting as I’ve seen in motor racing in a long time, two great teams, two great cars and two great drivers,” Fehan said. “It’s unfortunate it ended the way it did. I’m sure we’ll be working with the sanctioning body to address it and put into place safeguards to make sure incidents like this won’t happen again. Now we go back to the shop, make repairs and get ready to race at Sebring.”

Corvette Racing’s next event is the season opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in Sebring, Florida on March 20, 2010.

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.

University of Kentucky Allows Josh McGuire to Follow Family Tradition of Racing

13.10.2009

Josh McGuire began racing Late Models full time in 2005

Josh McGuire says racing has always been part of his family, and that his uncle Wayne McGuire, who raced in the 1950's and 1960's was one of the best there ever was. "He greatly influenced my career; from the #41 I run (which was his number), to my mechanical knowledge. I have big shoes to fill to even be half the driver that he was."

Josh McGuire's childhood interest in racing pays off at the winners circle.

His whole life, Josh had told his parents all he wanted to do was to be a racecar driver. His grades weren't the best in the world, but it was because his interest was in racing...so they made him a deal...If he'd promise to finish college, they would help buy him his first car. And so during his sophomore year in college at the University of Kentucky, he began his racing career with a Bomber (1978 Firebird). After a successful first year in the Bomber class, they started venturing into Late Models (although not full time until 2005).

The beginning of this year (2009) Josh ran with the Lucas Oil Series, but dropped off half way in hopes to run for the Rookie of the Year title in 2010. They then began jumping between series anywhere from Lucas Oil, World of Outlaws, Battle of the Bluegrass, Mid Atlantic Championship Series and others. Josh has had wins with the following series: Lucas Oil, Battle of the Bluegrass, MACS, NASRA and IRS.

"To date, winning my first $10,000 Lucas Oil Series Event at one of my home tracks (Portsmouth Raceway Park) was one of the most memorable ever, " says Josh. "We were able to celebrate this victory with my friends, family, sponsors and fans who have supported me and cheered me on throughout my entire career--there is not much more rewarding than getting to celebrate your accomplishments with those who have helped you get there. It still seems like a surreal experience".

With continuing racing success, Josh realized that having sponsors to help mitigate costs of broadening his reach to more and more venues would be a great help. He approached K&N since he had always used their product and is convinced they are the premier filters in the dirt racing industry. "While at the Performance and Racing Industry show in Orlando, Florida., they accepted my offer. I now not only represent their company, but promote their products during all of our racing ventures."

"I would use their product whether they sponsored me or not," says Josh. "K&N filters flow more air into the engine while maintaining their ability to stop more dirt and dust than a paper air filter. This is very important in the dirt late model world because our motors are state of the art technology and must be able to run for long periods of time without failure. We must remove as many variables as possible and dirt in the engine/oil is a constant concern. K&N filters can remove that variable to a point that we know there will not be a problem."

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.

Wet and Rough Track Causes Trouble for Chevy Powered Big Block Dirt Modified Racer

13.10.2009

Rain made a big difference in Pennsylvania at Mercer Raceway Park where Del Rougeux Jr. raced his Chevy powered race car in the Big Block Dirt Modified Division’s Fall Brawl.

BRP Modified Tour Racer Del Rougeux took first place at Mercer Raceway Park, photo by Oyler Action Photo

Del Rougeux worked his way to the front of the pack in the Dirt Late Modified Series, photo by Oyler Action Photo

The track was heavy and rough because of the amount of water and crews were constantly working and packing it to make sure it was the best racing surface possible.

Heavy Rain turned Mercer Raceway Park into a rough track where Del Rougeux hit a rut and had to pit for repairs, photo by Oyler Action Photo

The final race in the 2009 BRP Modified Tour will be at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania on October 23-24, photo by Oyler Action Photo

“In our heat race we started outside of the front row,” said Rougeux. “But, as I went into turn one I hit a bad rut and pushed up the track. After that, the car was a handful to hold on to. We settled for 2nd place in the heat and went to the pit for some major adjustments to handle the rough surface.”

In the 25 lap feature Rougeux took the 5th place starting position. “I moved up into 4th place on the drop of the green and the car was running much better,” said Rougeux. “On lap nine, I made an inside pass and settled into 2nd place.”

The Frenchville, Pennsylvania racer set his sights on the lead car. “He was running on the outside,” said Rougeux. “I moved up the track to try his line. It was faster but rougher. I moved back to the bottom where the groove was easier on the race car.”

Rougeux said his plan was to race hard until the final five laps then throw caution to the curb and run the top groove. The decision paid off and he took the lead with only two laps remaining.

“I opened the throttle up and pushed it to our second win of the year at Mercer Raceway Park,” said Rougeux. “We race in muddy and dusty conditions. When I pull my K&N air filter off after a race there is absolutely no dirt in my carburetor. The seal on the air filter lid also does a great job of preventing debris from passing by the air filter element. My K&N oil filter is also great. With all the movement and ruts we deal with on the track, there is never any pressure fluctuation on the gauge.”

The next race for Rougeux Motorsports will be at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania on October 23 and 24. “It’s the final points night for the BRP Modified Tour,” said Rougeux. “We are second in points, only ten points away from winning the series.”

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.

ZKS Polonia Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland Final Round for World Speedway Grand Prix

13.10.2009

The World Speedway Grand Prix Championship will be decided this weekend at the ZKS Polonia Stadium in Bydogoszcz, Poland. Australian rider Jason Crump has a third World Championship within his sights.

Australian Jason Crump will make his last stand in the World Speedway Grand Prix Championship Finale at ZKS Polonia Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland

“Jason knows the task ahead of him will not be easy,” said Roy Stone, Crump’s Media Relations Manager. “He still has an uphill battle to regain full fitness to his upper left arm after a serious injury four weeks ago.”

Third World Championship crown possible for World Speedway Grand Prix points leader Jason Crump

Crump had a four hour operation and skin grafts to repair his arm after a motorcycle crash while riding with the British Elite Racing Team. He is also going to physical therapy daily and has seen a big improvement in his mobility.

“This injury has really thrown the cat amongst the pigeons,” said Crump, who holds a 17 point lead over the rest of the pack. “I had a good lead for most of the season and was hoping to wrap the championship up by the second to last round. My injury changed everything.”

Crump will practice Tuesday and Wednesday then said he will mentally focus on preparing for the race Saturday night. “I will do everything I possibly can to win the title,” he said. “My bikes are ready. We use K&N for extra filtration and additional horsepower. K&N makes the best filter on the market and keeps the dirt out of my motorcycle engines. The team is ready and this will be my last stand. Whatever the outcome, I know I will have given it my best shot.”

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.

Moon Buggy Named Roxanne Tackles Difficult Climbs in Rock Crawling

12.10.2009

Team Waggoner of Capistrano Beach, California is one of the best teams in the history of rock crawling. The team is currently 4th in the nation following the Grand National event in Farmington, New Mexico.

Team Waggoner of Capistrano Beach, California had the best score of the Shoot Out at the Grand National event

“The courses were tough and every team was on their game,” said Cody Waggoner. “There are always going to be would have, could have and should haves for every event and even though we had an off weekend, we still finished 4th. I am proud of our team and very happy that we finished every course.”

Team Waggoner's moon buggy climbed and twisted through incredible courses at the rock crawling Grand National event in Farmington, New Mexico

Moon buggy named Roxanne climbed to a 4th place national ranking in rock crawling series

The Waggoner’s BF Goodrich Krawler with K&N filters made some impossible climbs look easy. “There is nothing my buggy cannot climb with these tires,” said Waggoner. “And, our K&N filters are the best. They have seen dust and dirt from Reno, Nevada to Tucson, Arizona and don’t miss a beat.”

Team Waggoner completed every course in its moon buggy named Roxanne and stayed in the hunt for first place throughout the weekend. However, Tracy Jordan seemed to be unstoppable and took the lead on both days of competition.

When it came down to the Shoot-Out Team Waggoner was sitting in 4th place and hoping for a chance to move up in points.

“Cody and Jim definitely put the pressure on the other teams when they finished the Shoot-Out with the best score,” said Lindsay Waggoner. “But it still wasn’t enough to move our team up to a podium place finish.”

Team Waggoner Racing finished out the 2009 season with a 4th place national ranking and the Championship title for 1st place in the We Rock USA West Coast Series.

"In every competition I pick apart each misstep," said Waggoner. "Overall I think we did really well this 2009 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.