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Tim Allison Experiences a Full and Productive Weekend in NRA 360 Sprint Car Class

19 Sept 2012

Tim Allison anticipates finishing in the top five in the points race during the 2012 season

Tim Allison and his crew recently embarked upon an action packed weekend of racing and fun. They showed up at Lima, Ohio the first night, eager to embark upon a battle in the NRA 360 Sprint Car class at the Lima Land Motorsports Park. Finishing fourth in his heat, the driver missed out on the redraw, and in turn, started sixteenth in the feature. Although a far cry from the front of the pack at the waving of the green flag, Allison, didn't let his starting position get in his way. In fact, by the time the dust had settled, the driver had managed to muscle his way to the sixth position at the race's end.

"In our level of racing, you normally have to finish in the top three to four to transfer. After starting last and moving forward, we had great confidence upon transferring to the feature," he recalled. "When asked if he was satisfied with a sixth place finish in the feature, Allison continued, "I would say I was happy to a certain point, but it's not like winning. In today's racing, it's very hard to come from way in the back and win. Coming from as far back, as we did, and passing a lot of good cars was like a victory for the team, and we were ready to move on to the next night."

Rolling into the Waynesfield Raceway, at Waynesfield, Ohio on the following day, Allison was eager to match skills against forty other drivers. The driver didn't waste any time getting the shoe on the right foot at this particular event. In fact, Allison walked away victorious from the first heat, cinching a spot in the feature. After the inversion, Tim Allison Racing started third on the 25 lap feature. As fans had hoped for the battle was heated. The top three drivers lapped their competitors like there was no tomorrow. Allison made a run for the lead and fell back to the second position twice and crossed the finish line in third place at the end of the race, earning a spot on the podium.

Tim Allison and his crew recently earned a podium spot at the Waynesfield Raceway, at Waynesfield, Ohio

Our confidence level was great going into Waynesfield Raceway," explained, the driver. "We always run very well, and have won the track championship there before. This is one of my favorite places to race, because it is a small, quarter-mile track and is a very racy place with a lot of passing and action." When asked the key to success at this particular venue, he continued, "Car, chassis set-up and being patient. You try to put yourself in good position for the end, and hope to come away with a win."

Referring to the importance of early success, Tim Allison explained, "Winning the heat is everything, as you get a bonus of six points which can mean the difference from winning or losing a championship at the season's end. It also ensures you are in the redraw for the feature starting spots, which means you will have a shot at starting up toward the front. It's all about getting those valuable six points. If you don't have a good finish in the feature, then those six points you earned in the heat race can really mean a lot."

With two races already under his belt, Tim Allison and his crew were geared up and ready to complete the weekend at the Eldora Speedway, at Rossburg, Ohio. "The energy level was still great, as we had two good runs behind us," stated Allison. "But going to Eldora was a little different, as we use to dominate the place. Ever since Earl Baltice sold the track to Tony Stewart, they have changed the surface and we, along with a lot of the top teams, have been off since then. But we still thought we could get the job done."

Although qualifying in the top ten, the transponder failed to record all of the driver's times. That said, he and a portion of his fellow competitors had to return to a track that was quickly drying out, and in turn lent to slower times. After running fourth in his heat, Allison started thirteenth in the feature and eventually ended the race in the same spot.

Tim Allison recently experienced an action-packed weekend in the NRA 360 Sprint Car class, beginning his outing at the Lima Land Motorsports Park

"That really hurts us," recalled the driver. We were in the first qualifying section and that means everything at Eldora, as they always invert six for the feature. That hurts your chances if you are not in the top six or eight cars to qualify, and we were there. But for some reason, they didn't get our time," he continued. "So they put us back in the last session to re-qualify and after the track has slowed down to at least a half-second slower. We ended up about thirteenth quick, and that was not what we were looking for."

Although the final race of the weekend turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment for Tim Allison and his team, the driver did manage to earn a spot on the podium and chocked up some points that could prove essential at the season's end. With more races to come, the driver and his crew are still anticipating more successful runs. That in mind, Allison is acutely aware of the importance of keeping his rig in tip-top running condition, and will depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of his engine contaminant free.

"Maintenance is the most important part of winning any race and being competitive," he explained. "Ninety-percent of a race is won before you even leave the garage. We've been using K&N products since 1982. I use the air filters, filter oil and filter cleaner," he explained. "I have won one-hundred feature wins and over twenty championships along the way, all while using K&N products. K&N makes the best air and oil filters on the market today! They keep the dirt and debris from going into the engine. If you want to be in the winner's circle, you best be using K&N products."

In closing the driver said, "Our fans can count on us never giving up and running as great as we can. As the season winds down, we're hoping to finish in the top five in points, and maybe take another win or two along the way."

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.

K&N Presents 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week™ in Vegas Sweepstakes

19 Sept 2012

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week^™

Good things are said to come in threes. The "rule of three" suggests that things that come in a trio are intrinsically more effective and satisfying. The basis of that adage is the Latin phrase "omne trium perfectum," which means that everything that comes in threes is perfect. A clear case in point is illustrated by K&N, NASCAR and Vegas. Can we hear you say party?

In 2009, three years ago, NASCAR^® moved its year-ending premier series awards show to Las Vegas, Nev. After holding the extravaganza in New York City from 1981 through 2008, since moving west, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week^™ event has grown not just in prestige, but has become the hottest ticket of the season for any true NASCAR aficionado.

The Grand Prize Winner and their guest will receive a coveted trip to Las Vegas during the week of November 28th through December 1st to be a part of the ultimate NASCAR bash of the year. As the guests of K&N, the #1 filter in NASCAR^®, the two lucky party-goers will be attending the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards^™ ceremony, the NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon^™, a special meet-and-greet with a NASCAR personality, and they'll have access to NASCAR Victory Lap^™ and NASCAR After the Lap^™ attractions.

Las Vegas immediately clicked as the perfect venue for NASCAR Champion's Week^™, which is why NASCAR and the city of Las Vegas have forged an agreement that will keep the premier series' season-closing celebration in Sin City for the next three years. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards will take place at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, November 30, concluding a week-long celebration for the 2012 series champion and NASCAR's legion of fans.

"Experience tells us that Las Vegas creates the perfect backdrop for our sport and our fans to join us in celebrating a NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship," commented Steve Phelps, Chief Marketing Officer for NASCAR. "Returning Champion's Week and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards to Vegas for the next three years will help our loyal fans crystallize their plans to join us in putting the finishing touches on the season that was with a series of intriguing events across the city."

As in the first three years, NASCAR devotees can once again expect another star-studded and entertainment-packed week. Last year, as 2011 Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart received his championship trophy, Sprint announced its renewed commitment to the sport through 2016. Multimedia superstar Reba McEntire hosted the festivities with award-winning musician Kid Rock performing for members of the NASCAR industry and its fans. Brooks and Dunn, David Gray, Rascal Flatts, Colbie Caillat, Martina McBride, the Jersey Boys, Cirque Elvis and Frank Caliendo, have also lent their talents to the affair in the past. A full lineup of activity and entertainers for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week will be announced at a later date.

You can enter "K&N's 2012 NASCAR Champion's Week^™ in Vegas Sweepstakes" today and find the Official Rules listed at https://www.knfilters.com/KN_NASCAR_CW_SRules.htm This Sweepstakes is Over.

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.

Team Retaks Racing's Ryan Tuerck Takes 2nd in Formula Drift Round 5 at Evergreen

14 Sept 2012

Ryan Tuerck won back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006 and he's clearly on the path to inking more.

Few places on earth appreciate the perfume of race gas and smoldering rubber, mixed with little chunks of flying tires, anymore than the Formula Drift fans at Monroe, Washington's Evergreen Speedway. The Pacific Northwest fans are some of the most zealous drift fans found anywhere, and the exhilarating round 5 action gave their heart that shot of adrenaline needed to see them through the rest of the season.

Two K&N sponsored drivers, Ryan Tuerck and points leader Vaughn Gitten Jr. went toe-to-toe in the final dual at Evergreen Speedway.

Team Retaks' Ryan Tuerck battled his way through Jeremy Lowe in top-16, then Ryan Kado into the Great-8, and after a OMT win against Ken Gushi in the top -4, Tuerck headed into the top-2 - the Final Battle against current points leader Vaughn Gitten.

After an uncharacteristic 2012 podium draught, the K&N sponsored driver was no doubt thrilled to be in the final battle of the night, fighting for the crown at this event. Both drivers left everything out on the track, producing some of the sickest entry speeds into the banking corner seen all day. No one in the house envied the judges for having to determine a winner in this one. By the slightest of margins though, Gitten got the nod, which left Tuerck covering the second tier of the podium.

"Well I knew going into the battle that Vaughn was E-braking on the entry and I was clutch kicking, so I had a shot at staying really close to him on the bank, as clutch kicking is a faster entry than E-braking," explained Tuerck. "I knew I had to stay close to him on the bank or I would get lost in his smoke around the rest of the track."

Team Retaks Racing's Ryan Tuerck currently holds fifth overall in the Formula Drift points championship after his second place finish in round 5.

More than 15,000 frenzied fans attended the Monroe event to watch Tuerck move into 5th overall in championship points for the season out of a total of 60 competitors. After Round 5 Tuerck was only 62.5 points away from the number 1 spot.

"As a team we don't need to do anything different. We have all been working extremely hard and it has started to pay off," commented team owner David Meikle when asked what he'd need to do differently to close the gap. "If we can keep it up and remain consistent then I think we could really do some serious damage in the next two rounds."

With a future as bright as Tuerck's a little shade is a welcome thing.

"The team is feeling great (heading into round 6 in Vegas). We are carrying the momentum from the last round into this round with high hopes. This is the team's hometown track, so I am looking to put on a great show for friends, family, fans, and sponsors."

Team Retaks Racing started back in 2005 simply as Retaks, which is skater spelled backwards. "With me and my two sons Troy and Dylan making backpacks that we could actually use," said Meikle. "The boys were always skating and bmx racing etc. Troy first introduced me to drifting with a video. As soon as I saw it I knew we had to somehow be involved. So here we are. From a couple bag drawings on a airplane barf bag to the official bags for the X Games. And from Troy looking for a parking lot to drift in, to owning and operating a Formula Drift car with one of the best drivers out there, Ryan Tuerck. Life is good!"

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.

Round Five of the Maxxis British Drift Championship Rocks Silverstone Circuit to the Core

13 Sept 2012

After happily engaging the fans, it was soon back to the serious business of getting ready for qualification for the drivers.

For more than 60 years, Silverstone Circuit nestled betwixt the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury, has imprinted its mark as one of the foremost motorsport venues in the world. Internationally renowned as the host of world class events and perhaps best known as the home of the British Grand Prix, on September 2nd Silverstone hosted Trax, the United Kingdom's largest multi-make automotive show. The opening act for Trax, which bills itself as "The Ultimate Performance Car Event," was Round 5 of the K&N sponsored Maxxis British Drift Championship, and together they flat-out rocked Silverstone to its core.

Round 5 of the K&N sponsored Maxxis British Drift Championship was hosted by the world renowned Silverstone Circuit.

Judgment Day is coming soon - that's when the final round of the British Drift Championship will crown their champions at the intense Knockhill Circuit in Scotland, so performing will at Silverstone was in the forefront of everyone's intentions. The celebrated F1 track gives unrivalled spectator view points as the drivers power around the circuit with the highest entry speeds on the event calendar. Much to the delight of all the fans, this event also saw the return of the Speedhunters Team that consists of Formula D stars Fredric Aasbo and Darren "D-Mac" McNamara.

Once the cars were lined up they were led around the circuit in a parade for the fans, right before they unleash their wrath on the track.

Ratcheting up the action even further was that Round 5 was condensed from its usual two days, to one single day of heady, volatile competition. Compared to the usual race weekends which span two days and have 32 drivers in each class, this time due to the incredibly tight time constraints of the Trax schedule, the British Drift Championship competitors had just one day where the Super Pro Class drivers had to qualify and compete. It clearly showcased the cream of the British Drifting crop to an audience who may not have had the chance to otherwise experience drifting in real-time.

Audible gasps were aplenty as drivers careened around the extremely high speed Silverstone track.

The morning practice sessions looked strong as drivers adjusted to the pace and found their preferential lines, then after the briefing it was onto the qualifying sessions in the afternoon. The fast paced and flowing lines around Silverstone seemed to ideally suit the Super Pros. Several of the drivers managed to score above 90 points in qualification. As in all previous rounds, the drama started early and continued to build all the way to the totally satisfying crescendo.

As in the earlier rounds the drivers once again found time in their busy day to line up by the Maxxis truck to take part in an autograph signing, and as always this was warmly appreciated, as the crowd turned out en-masse to greet the drivers and get memorabilia signed. Then towards the end of the day, the Championship round got underway. Right from the get-go, the action engaged the fans and held them there until the end. There were collective gasps as the drivers pulled close on each other, accelerating around the track at 90-degree angles, only inches apart, while tires were tortured and torn to the canvas.

Fredric Aasbo to retained his Silverstone crown, Paul Smith took second, and Darren McNamara rounded out the top three.

The top 16 finalists did themselves and the British Drift Championship proud, by displaying huge helpings of bona fide driving talent, while showcasing the high standards of cars and competition within the championship. The twin battles were the highlight of an already highly enjoyable day for frenzied fans. The influx of the two Speedhunters drivers only further served to stir up the competition and significance of the event.

After some exhilarating battles the judges announced the winners. Fredric Aasbo managed to retain his Silverstone crown despite the best efforts of Paul Smith, who came in second place, and Simon Perry held off the advances of Darren McNamara to grab the third tier on the podium.

Round 6 - Judgment Day - the last and final event of the 2012 British Drift Championship ignites on the 29th and 30th of September. The Knockhill Circuit in Scotland is an exceedingly popular driver's track and it rewards those willing to risk complete commitment - chest pounding, nail-biting action is therefore a given.

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Jeff Interlicchia and the 750 Horsepower 1966 Dodge Coronet Win at Auto Club Famoso Raceway

13 Sept 2012

Jeff Interlicchia at Auto Club Famoso Raceway

In the hotbed of drag racing, Southern California lives a driver who is closing in on a career season. 43-year-old Jeff Interlicchia is running away with the inaugural NMCA Quick Street championship with just two races remaining, while also looking to make a late-season charge into the top 10 in NHRA Stock points.

Since winning his first Summit Series race in 2004, Interlicchia and his 1966 Dodge Coronet have been tearing up drag strips in Southern California, winning races at a steady pace. Interlicchia has five career Wally's in his name, and has a great chance of landing a few more before this season is over.

Jeff Interlicchia's 1966 Dodge Coronet puts out around 750 horsepower.

Jeff Interlicchia's 1966 Dodge Coronet has a 512c.i. naturally aspirated engine that puts out around 750 horsepower.

"I won the first NMCA event at Fontana in the Street Muscle class, and won the second race at Bakersfield in the Quick Street class. I've also set a National Record and won two Wally's in my Stock Eliminator car, so I feel I am a versatile driver who competes well in different classes and at many different tracks.

"I can't wait to get back to the NMCA West Coast final in Bakersfield in October. Hopefully I can become their first Quick Street champion, if all goes well."

Interlicchia's Coronet is nothing to be taken lightly. Purchased in 2003 at a Mopar car show, the Coronet originally ran in the 14-second range, but with the addition of a 512c.i. naturally aspirated engine, the car now runs in the mid 10-second range while putting on a nice wheelie show for the fans. The car puts out around 750 horsepower.

Interlicchia has driven the car to wins at the All Mopar race in Fontana, SCEDA track championships and now to a commanding lead in NMCA competition.

Jeff Interlicchia and his 1966 Dodge Coronet

The Coronet handles so well, Interlicchia was able to jump back in it after running his Stock Eliminator entry for a few races, and hardly miss a beat, although the driver needed a tune-up.

"At the NMCA race in Bakersfield, I won my second event in a row. But when I showed up, I had been running my Stock Eliminator car so much, I completely forgot how to stage and launch the Dodge, so my first timed run botched.

"That didn't sit well with me, and it made me focus harder on winning that Wally. Everything played out perfectly for me, then in Pomona, I lost in the fourth round by one-thousandth of a second, which stopped the three-peat, but gave me a favorable points lead."

As the season comes to an end, Interlicchia is looking to jump back into the national spotlight in both NHRA and NMCA competition, and if he does, it will be with K&N Filters in the car.

"K&N air filters help both of my cars by allowing me to keep dirt out of my motor and still get maximum horsepower. K&N wrench-of oil filters do an amazing job of keeping contaminants out of the engine as well. When I have to change oil between rounds, the wrench-off design makes the job that much easier and cleaner. K&N has helped me greatly, and I really thank them for that."

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.