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David Gotts won Super Quick finals in his first ever NMCA West event

The first major event to be held at Fontana Dragway since it reopened this February was the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) West 3rd Annual Street Car Nationals. Marking the occasion in grand form was K&N backed David Gotts. Gotts drove his Camaro to victory in the Super Quick finals and to the quarters in Pro Comp, winning 10 of 11 rounds of racing along the way. It was the Corona, California, resident’s first ever race with NMCA West, as he usually runs Super Street in NHRA Division 7 races, along with various other associations races.

The K&N backed racer says the start of the 2014 season has been his best yet

“At this NMCA race I raced two different categories, Super Quick and Pro Comp, both of these categories run on a different tree,” Gotts explains. “Super Quick is a .500 full tree and Pro Comp is a .400 pro. This was my first time running my car on a .400 pro tree and at 9.90. In NHRA I run on a .500 tree at 10.90, so to win six rounds and win the race in Super Quick was a truly amazing day. But then to go four rounds in Pro Comp in the same day, in the same car, that made it truly special. It was a busy day to say the least, but thanks to K&N Filters and Lucas Oil my ‘67 Camaro handled it with ease.”

“2014 has been an amazing start for me. In our first race out with a new motor combination we went to Arizona for the CarQuest Nationals, and we went all the way to the finals and with a great race in the final round, we came up just a little short. Then going to the NMCA West race in Fontana, which has been a topper – I don’t think I could ask for much more.”

Gotts won 10 of 11 rounds of racing in the first major event at Fontana Dragway since it’s reopening

Officially Gotts has been racing for about eight years. Back in 1995 he attended a couple of the street legal races when they were in Pomona. “And that’s where I got the bug for sure,” he says. “Then I decided to build a real drag car and that took almost 10 years to complete from scratch, with a lot of blood sweat and tears. And I’ve been learning more and more over the years. Before this year I had won a few small bracket races, and I’d go rounds here and there, but this is my best season so far, and the entire time K&N Filters has been there for me.”

“My relationship with K&N Started back in 1994 with I bought a brand new 1995 Camaro, and there weren’t many after-market parts made for it yet. I contacted K&N, and they in turn used my car as their test car to build one of the first Fuel Injection Performance Kits (FIPK). During that process I met and became friends with many of the people at K&N and some of them are still there today. K&N has truly treated me like family for the past 20 years.”

Gotts currently uses K&N's carbon fiber composites hood scoop (100-8517) with carbon fiber hood scoop plugs (100-8519), a high-flow drag racing scoop air filter (28-4210), a Stubstack Air Horn designed to straighten airflow and help even the flow to all four venturies (85-0600), a washable/reusable oil filter (SS-3002), and K&N’s inline fuel/oil filters (81-1002).

“We are super excited to get our home track Auto Club Dragway in Fontana back,” Gotts adds. “We expect it will not only help save all of us tons of driving time and fuel, but with them running almost every weekend, we can now get much more seat time and become better racers. With the reopening of Auto Club Dragway, and the street legal program, I have no doubt we will have less illegal street racing in southern California.”

“Along with K&N and Lucas Oil, I would like to thank all my sponsors for making it possible – Cagles Appliance, Lamb Components, Hoosier Tire West, Meziere Enterprises, PMR Race Cars and Performance Speed and Custom – I would not be here without all your support.”

Giovanni Scelzi celebrating a win on top of his Sprint Car at Jr. Sprints

Giovanni Scelzi is no stranger to the racetrack. His Dad Gary Scelzi was a four time World Champion in the NHRA Drag Racing series where he raced for 11 years. His older brother Dominic started racing go-karts at age 6, then moved up to a faster class when he was 8. Due to a crash, their mother forbid any form of racing unless it included a roll cage and seat belts. So at 6 when Giovanni was able to choose his sport, he chose Jr Sprints. During those NHRA days of his dad’s, the family was on the road and they would attend Outlaw Sprint Car events. “The atmosphere at a Drag Race is a lot like a Sprint Car race”, stated Giovanni. “While growing up watching Sprint Cars, we would go to tracks like Charlotte and Las Vegas, which are very big tracks and these Sprint Cars carry a lot of speed and the sound is unreal. From that moment on I knew I wanted to drive Sprint Cars.”

“By the time I was 8 years old, I had won the championship 2 years in a row and moved up to the Micro Sprints 600cc Yamaha’s” stated Giovanni. “After winning the championship in the restricted class in the first year, I stayed in that class till I was 10. At that time, I moved to the stock 600 class where I won my third race and then moved to the Super 600 class in which I became the youngest to win in that class at 11 years old.”

In fact at 8 years old in the Jr Sprint class, Giovanni won a record 24 races in one season. He was the youngest to win in the stock 600 class at age 10, and at age 11, the youngest to win in the Super 600 class.

Today he continues his racing in an Outlaw Micro Sprint Car. Just last month he captured a signature win at Plaza Park Raceway where he pulled off a last-corner, last-lap pass to secure the outlaw micro sprint victory, which marked his second of the season. "That was a pretty fun one to win," he said. "I stood on top of the wing and saluted the crowd."

“My dad, Gary Scelzi, is a 4 time NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car World Champion” continued Giovanni. He used K&N on his dirt bike in the 70’s when he was just a kid. In 2005, he owned a Ford Focus USAC midget that Michael Faccinto won the national championship with using K&N products. So we have used K&N from the beginning. There is no air filter or oil filter that keeps an engine as clean as K&N. We can use any product on the market but we use K&N and have from day one! Other people have tried to offer us special deals but my dad will not hear of it. He said, ‘we’ve always won with K&N and there’s no reason to change.”

Everyone likes Ninjas it would appear. Since the introduction of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R in 2006 and its later European siblings, the ER6f and ER6n, the format continues to be one of the most popular around the world. The press embraces them, they’re inexpensive to buy and maintain, they fit into a low insurance group and they’re a blast to ride. So what’s not to like?

K&N Replacement Air Filter for 2012-2015 Kawasaki 650R Ninja & 2012-2016 ERn and ERf Models

In Europe the Ninja 650R is sold as the ER6f, the "f" denoting a fairing, and the "n" represents the naked roadster version. The ER6n became so popular that Kawasaki introduced it to the USA in 2009. The ER6f differs slightly from the Ninja 650R as it features passenger handlebars as standard (as does the ER6n). In addition, the option of ABS brakes was made available for both models.

The Kawasaki’s continue to offer a sensible, comfortable riding position, which is designed for tight city traffic, yet also feels at home on twisty country lanes or the open road. Overall road worthiness and versatility is the keystone to their popularity.

All three versions are propelled by a 649 cc, liquid cooled, 4-stroke parallel twin, dual overhead cam engine which generates 71 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 47 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm. With all its bulletproof build qualities, modern technologies and great handling, a good thing can become even better, and it’s so stupendously simple. By merely swapping out the OE air filter with a K&N KA-6512 reusable air filter, you can bump up performance to the next level.

Upgrading to a high-flow, high-performance air filter is so easy you may find yourself wondering why you haven’t thought of it for all your vehicles. The K&N KA-6512 is specifically designed to fit into the Kawasaki’s existing air box. Remove the old and drop in the new, that’s it, no cutting or modifications of any kind are required.

The specially pleated material on the K&N KA-6512 air filter creates a large filtration area that continues to provide outstanding filtration for longer service intervals and more trouble-free riding. Depending on your riding environment, servicing intervals can go up to 50,000 miles before maintenance is necessary. When cleaning is called for, that’s simple to do as well. Just follow the four easy steps on a K&N Recharger Kit. This will be the last air filter you’ll ever need to buy for your Kawasaki 650R, ERn or ERf - K&N backs that promise with their renowned Million Mile Limited Warranty^®.

K&N KA-6512 fits the following Kawasaki models:
2016 KAWASAKI ER6N 650
2016 KAWASAKI ER6F 650
2015 KAWASAKI EX650 NINJA ABS 649
2015 KAWASAKI EX650 NINJA 649
2015 KAWASAKI ER6N 650
2015 KAWASAKI ER6F 650
2014 KAWASAKI EX650 NINJA ABS 649
2014 KAWASAKI EX650 NINJA 649
2014 KAWASAKI ER6N 650
2014 KAWASAKI ER6F 650
2013 KAWASAKI EX650 NINJA ABS 649
2013 KAWASAKI EX650 NINJA 649
2013 KAWASAKI ER6N 650
2013 KAWASAKI ER6F 650
2012 KAWASAKI EX650 NINJA 649
2012 KAWASAKI ER6N 650
2012 KAWASAKI ER6F 650

For all K&N 2012, 2013 and 2014 Kawasaki 650R Ninja, ERn and ERf air filters visit the Kawasaki Ninja Air Filters page on KNFilters.com.

Bradley Morris soared over the streets of Long Beach Prix in his first ever Stadium Super Trucks race

The first time we took serious notice of Perris, California, native, Bradley Morris was in September of 2009. Bradley was 12, he was holding down a top-three spot in the SxS Nationals and a top-four position in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series, driving a trophy kart. We learned that racing four wheels was actually his parents doing, Bradley’s first choice was motocross, but his folks nixed that on account of the risk level. So when he was 10, his dad wisely bought him a used trophy truck, in the event racing didn’t take hold. In his very first race Bradley finished 2nd – which is generally unheard of for a first timer, unless there were only two karts in the field. After that the kid was all in.

Bradley said he used the same tires on the street of Long Beach but the truck handled completely different

That initial result wasn’t an anomaly either, not by a long shot, with each season and every race since that first podium finish, Bradley has been devouring the race curve with such ferocity that it’s really anybody’s guess what he’s ultimately capable of.

Last year Bradley was a part of the Long Beach Grand Prix, displaying his Pro Lite in the K&N Filters display area and talking with fans, which included an autograph session and handing out hats and posters. This year he stepped it up and brought a Stadium Super Truck to go racing at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Soaring high above the streets, Bradley showed thousands of Long Beach Grand Prix fans something they’ve never seen before.

Bradley was battling in the lead for the first few laps at Long Beach before a mishap took him wide in a turn

This was Bradley’s first race in a Stadium Super Truck and he started on the front row after the qualifying sessions. Bradley was battling in the lead for the first few laps, but when he tried to pass the leader on the outside of a turn, the leader went up on three wheels and pushed wide taking Bradley with him. This allowed third place to slide underneath the two and take the lead. Then only a few laps later Bradley tried to avoid a spinning truck, but ended up hitting the tire wall and spun himself out. Utilizing his intrinsic driving skills, Bradley recovered to finish 6th place in his first Stadium Super Truck event.

Jumping straight from his buggy into the Pro Lite Bradley got the hole shot, led every lap and set the fastest time of the race

“It's pretty amazing to know that I was out there racing on the same track as the Indy car drivers. That is one thing that I would love to do while moving up through different disciplines of racing in my career,” Bradley made known. “I feel that it's neat that the Indy car guys looked at me and said wow that's cool that we're jumping and racing that track in off-road cars. I have never raced anything on asphalt before that race, and I know that I have a lot to learn, but I really enjoyed it and cannot wait to do it again.”

Bradley and the BME Motorsports crew will get their chance “to do it again” at the X Games in Austin, Texas June 5-8, at Circuit of The Americas.

“We don't use different tires but the truck handles completely different,” says Bradley comparing the dirt to the hard stuff. “The way that you turn the truck is totally opposite from when we are on dirt. You cannot slide the truck sideways much at all, and the straighter you can be, the faster you are. It is also very difficult to make passes on the asphalt in an off-road car.”

Before getting his focus too far ahead of with the next SST race however, Bradley had the next rounds of the Lucas Oil Offroad Series at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park to contend with. In round 3 the team had some issues with gearing in the Pro Buggy, yet Bradley still salvaged a 5th place finish.

“I jumped straight out of the buggy and into the Pro Lite and got some redemption by getting the hole shot and leading every lap and setting the fastest lap time of that race,” said Bradley.

“On Sunday I started 7th in the Pro buggy and drove a really tough race and got 3rd. I started 4th in the Pro Lite worked my way to 3rd, then I sat and waited for some opportunities to make passes, but they did not come, so I passed for 2nd and then got into 1st on the last lap, but I got taken out by (Brian) Deegan and finished in 2nd.” Bradley is currently second overall points in both classes.

“I'm only 11 points behind first in Pro Buggy, and one point out of first in Pro Lite and I am going to do everything I can to get both the points leads, and stretch them out giving me a cushion to win the championship later this season,” he adds.

Smart money would take that bet. BME Motorsports returns to LOORS action May 30 – 31 at Wild West Motorsports Park, in Sparks, Nevada.

Team Renezeder’s new Pro-2 landed on the podium in the opening rounds of LOORRS

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) lit the fuse on the exhilarating 2014 short course racing season on the dirt of Wild Horse Motorsports Park – formerly Firebird Raceway – in Chandler, Arizona. During the opening weekend of LOORRS, off-road racing legend Carl Renezeder and his championship crew debuted their new K&N supported, Lucas Oil, General Tire, KMC Wheels, Team Associated Pro-2, with the intention of carrying the positive momentum from last season. The winningest driver in short-course (114 career wins) holds the most national titles of any short-course driver in the history of the sport with nine championships, yet he’s continually searching for ways to add to that tally with every opportunity.

Renezeder managed to hold on to his ill handling Pro-4 to finish 4th in Arizona

“It's never back to work as usual,” remarked Renezeder referring to his approach to a new season. “We try to learn from every race, and use that knowledge to continue to make the trucks faster and better. I have the best team who, together with my sponsors, are constantly refining the trucks to give us the winning edge.”

Saturday, Renezeder began by qualifying 2nd in the new Pro-2. However qualifying was cut short for the Pro-4 due to front drive train issues. The team went to work though and had the Pro-4 ready by race time.

In the opening laps of the Pro-2 race, contact had Renezeder spinning into 12th place, but after several hard battles, the driver most often associated with the heart of a champion, fought his way back up into a 4th place finish. A very impressive debut indeed for a new truck with limited test time. In the Pro-4 race Renezeder held on to finish in sixth, still fighting off persistent issues with the front-end during the contest.

The team’s Pro-4 has proven it’s plenty fast although persistent front end problems have held it back so far

Sunday, the Pro -2 qualified fifth, and the Pro-4 demonstrated its power, qualifying 1st with the fastest time. In Sunday's race, Renezeder drove his new Pro-2 into 2nd place earning his first podium of the year.

Team Renezeder clinched two 3rd place Pro-2 finishes at Lake Elsinore

“I'm very satisfied with the performance of the new Pro-2,” said Renezeder. “And I'm really excited that we've been on the podium with the pro-2 at the first race.”

The Pro-4 continued to have front-end problems, and it’s a credit to Renezeder's driving and patience that he made it through most of the four-wheel drive race in two-wheel drive, finishing the race in 4th place and maintaining the lead lap throughout the race.

Regarding the relentless front-end difficulties Renezeder said, “Still struggling a little with the front end, but the team is pretty secure that we'll figure it out. We still have a little homework to do on this, but we'll get it dialed in.”

Rounds 3 and 4 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing were held at Lake Elsinore last weekend and Renezeder earned two hard fought 3rd place finishes in Pro-2.

However, in Pro 4 truck issues continued to plague the team. Renezeder ran a brilliant race battling it out with Kyle Leduc in 1st, at the last turn, as he looked like he might have a chance at a pass. The steering broke and Renezeder did a slow rollover ending his chance at the podium. He got out and let his fans know he was unhurt.

“It’s a bummer to finish out the weekend with problems with the Pro 4," commented Renezeder, “But I'm proud of my entire team and I know they will get everything ironed out before the next event in a few weeks in Sparks, Nevada."

Look for Renezeder and the team on CBS Sports Network, and MavTV, and check the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Website for dates and times.