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Formula Drift Driver Matt Field Challenges Vaughn Gittin Jr. at Evergreen Speedway

6 Sept 2012

During a recent Formula Drift event held at the Evergreen Speedway, Matt Field gave fellow driver Vaughn Gittin a run for his money.

Formula Drift driver, Matt Field, and his crew recently rolled into Monroe, Washington with anticipations making a showing at the Evergreen Speedway. With in the neighborhood of seventy drivers scheduled to compete in the event, Field was aware that his work cut out for him. "All of the top guys are at every event," he explained. "Formula Drift has the best drifters in the world. The competition is always tough."

Formula Drift driver, Matt Field recently finished in the top eight at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington.

Field and his crew spent several hours dialing in his car on practice day, and his confidence level was high. Misfortune had reared its ugly head at this venue during the previous season. Due to bad fuel and a faulty fuel pump the driver wasn't able to qualify. But things appeared to be different in 2012. A solid practice and qualifying in the thirty second-position lent to the feeling that a positive outing was on its way.

With the pressure of qualifying behind, him, the driver was then able to focus on his first race of the event. "The key to success at Washington is running the bank," he recalled; "Not just running the bank, but being high on the wall and fast. If you can't be up on the bank, you will not get a good score. Evergreen Speedway is an awesome facility," he continued. "They take care of the track."

Field and his crew managed to get the car fine-tuned and ready to roll, prior to the beginning of the race. Granted all was well mechanically, and the driver knew what he must do to experience a successful run. There was one other obstacle, on the other hand, that he could not control. Field was scheduled to go up against Vaughn Gittin Jr., who's driving had proven superb throughout the earlier stages of the event.

When his first tandem battle was deemed underway, Matt Field showered down on it. He challenged his fellow driver for a while, but the 800 horsepower of muscle under Gittin's hood was more than his car could handle. That said, before long, the opposing driver pulled away, and held a three-car lead throughout the remainder of the race.

Formula Drift driver, Matt Field, and his crew have changes in mind that will prove beneficial during the final round of the season, and will hopefully help them make it to the top.

Embarking upon his second run, Matt Field experienced one of his best performances of the weekend. The driver had done his best, and given Gittin a run for his money. Although shy of a victory, Field earned a top-eight spot at the end of the day.

"I was glad I made it to the top eight this season," explained Field, "but I will never be happy until I am on the podium." When asked if he was resected by his fellow competitors, he continued, "I would certainly hope so. I am one of the drivers who has the least amount of horsepower out there. I am currently doing better than a few big teams and a few guys with way more horsepower and car than I have. I make what I have work. I feel that some people look to my car to see what I am doing, and what I am making work, so that feels good."

Of course, Matt Field's driving skills are essential in his quest for success, but the driver will be the first to credit his team for the role they play. "My crew is everything," he explained. "Without them, I wouldn't even be able to run. I need them for mental reassurance, mechanics and to tell me what I am doing wrong, I can't jump out and change my tires every few runs," he continued. "I need them."

The driver is also acutely aware of the importance of keeping his car in tip-top running condition. "Maintenance is huge in drifting.The cars take such abuse that we need to know what is going to fail. We get things replaced, serviced, and fixed before each round. I have a long check list of "things-to-do" to make sure the car is as good as it can be."

As one might suspect, Matt Field is an advocate of keeping the internal components of his engine contaminant free. That in mind, he depends upon K&N products for his filtering needs. "I have used K&N products my entire life,from my quarter-midgets to my ATV," he explained. "Now I use K&N air filters and air filter socks, as well as the awesome K&N pro-series oil filters. These oil filters are a must if I want to protect my engines. I use them in everything from my daily driven car to my tow rig, and of course, my race car."

Looking forward to future races, Matt Field said, "I think the key to success will be getting more horsepower. If I even had 100 more, I would be in business. The crew and I have something planned for the last round of the season. This should help us make it to the top."

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 Quad75Dezert Takes Second Place in the Baja 500

6 Sept 2012

After a hard-fought battle at the Baja 500, Quad75Dezert is anticipating success throughout the remainder of 2012.

The Quad75dezert team recently rolled into Ensenada, Mexico, eager to get the Baja 500 underway. Although the temperatures were stifling and the dust relentless, the team had been preparing and considered themselves more than ready for the competition. In fact, in preparation for the event, the four-man team embarked upon a regiment of exercise. Not only did they adhere to a strength training program, but they also dedicated time to cardio fitness.

Team Quad75Dezert recently earned a second place spot on the podium at the Baja 500.

"One of my least favorite things to do is running stairs," recalled rider/team-manager, Brandon Brown. "Everybody hates them until race day! We use supplements as well, to help us in training and competing. We've been racing in Mexico for a while now," continued Brown. "we have a good idea of the lay of the land. It's going to get tough, and we come prepared."

With "a solid game plan, and proper preparation of man and machine", the team began with Jorie Williams eager to tackle the first forty miles of the long and demanding event. Beginning second off of the line, the rider passed Josh Fredrick prior to the first pit, putting Quad75Dezert in the lead.

Team mechanic/rider, Kenny Sanford was scheduled to embark upon the next leg of the race, and would ride for in the neighborhood of sixty miles. Although Fredrick eventually took the lead over again, Sanford managed to hold on to second position upon being challenged by the third placed team.

Eager to get back on the quad, Jorie Williams took the helm for the second time, and as the race continued, team members, Brandon and Richie Brown anxiously added their skill levels to the mix. Just under eleven hours from the waving of the green flag, team Quad75Dezert was crossing the finish line. The extreme and treacherous conditions had literally sickened a few of their competitors, but the hard work and preparation of the team had paid off. In fact, when the dust finally settled, Quad75Dezert had earned a spot on the podium with second place.

Referring to their confidence level at the one-hundred mile point, Brandon Brown said, "It was high. We felt like we were in pretty good position, and Jorie was getting back on the bike. This kid is arguably the fastest guy in mexico right now, and nobody knows the Summit (one of the most treacherous sections of the race) as well as he does. It's terribly rocky, and there is no access other than the course," he continued. "If someone has a problem or gets hurt, they are going to be camped out on the hill until the race is over, or have a ride in a helicopter."

The Quad75Dezert team is looking forward to the remaining of the season, and has high expectations of stellar performances in the weeks to come. That said, they are extremely aware of what it will take to experience success on a consistent basis. According to the team manager, they are capable of winning every time they show up at an event.

"I honestly believe every time we race, we have the best machine on the line," he shared. "That coupled with good planning, a great support crew and riders that have done the work to prepare keeps us in strong contention."

That said, the team also understand the rigors of this style of racing, and the adverse effect it can have on their quads. That in mind, they are strong advocates of proper maintenance."It is a number one priority, both leading up to and during the race," explained Brown. "You can't win when plagued with mechanical failures."

Referring to the importance of keeping foreign debris from their engines, while still allowing ample air and oil flow, Brown said, "K&N manufactures high quality products, and I cannot imagine competing in the desert without them. Our engines run clean all day long, and that's a must when you're going for the win. We use their air filters, air box lids and oil filters, as well as their chemicals. K&N has been contributing to our success for quite a while now."

Of course the Quad75Dezert team are aware that their driving skills, teamwork, a proper game plan and maintenance are all essential components to success. But they are also very appreciative of their fans. When asked what fans can expect throughout the remainder of 2012 their answer was short and to the point. "We are going to "bring it" to the 1000! We want this championship bad, and know what we have to do to get it."

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.

Nostalgia Funny Car Racer and AA/FC National Champion John Hale Wins at Rockabilly Rod Reunion

6 Sept 2012

AA/FC National Champion John Hale racing the Nostalgia Funny Car series dragster wrapped in a 1969 Camaro body.

What makes a man a "car guy?" For many, it's pretty clear: it's all you do. For John Hale, a self-professed "Chevy guy," the moniker of "car guy" runs far deeper than most. Hale is an accomplished AA/FC National Champion, racing a Nostalgia Funny Car series dragster wrapped in a 1969 Camaro body. Titled the "Mike Burkhart Tribute," Hale's Camaro - sponsored by Red line Oil, Mallory, Prestolite, Venolia Pistons and K&N Filters - has ran a top speed of 251.72mph in 5.673-seconds and keeps getting faster.

John Hale pulled around Jason Rupert with a 5.737-second pass at 251.81mph, only .100-second faster than Rupert

But again, what would you expect from a Dallas, Texas native who got bit by the drag racing bug by his first employer, local drag racer Mike Burkhart - for whom his current funny car was named. While working at Mike's truck accessory shop, Hale got a first-hand education in cars, trucks and engines. Cherishing his time at Mike's shop, Hale went on to work for the well-known drag racer, Larry LaDue, building custom trucks and other hot rods.

Crewing on Larry's dirt cars opened up new opportunities for Hale, leading to the world of NHRA superstock with a "wrench position with Division 4 racer Kim Barr," as Hale recounts. While working with Barr's team, Hale helped to reset the B/Altered Competition Eliminator E.T. record.

Of course, Hale wasn't satisfied "turning wrenches" as he put it, so he first climbed behind the wheel at age 22 driving an E.T. bracket roadster. That led to building his own blown rear-engine dragster. Meanwhile, Hale continued driving other owners' cars and crewing on teams. Eventually attending drag racing school, Hale earned his Top Alcohol Dragster license and tossed his hat into the Nostalgia Funny Car ring.

Recently, Hale dominated the AA/FC final round of June's Rockabilly Rod Reunion. Up against fellow AA/FC National Champion Jason Rupert. Despite Hale's slower-that- .200 reaction time, he still won for the second Eliminations with a .245 RT compared to lightning-quick Rupert's .148. Nonetheless, Hale pulled around Rupert with a 5.737-second pass at 251.81mph, .100-second faster than Rupert.

Hale, who has been using K&N Filters long before becoming sponsored by the company, accredited his win to his Camaro's superior performance and thanked K&N for building "the best product in the market today. None other delivers performance, horsepower and superior quality than K&N Filters." There's still plenty of racing left in Hale's season, so look out for more from this champion. Of course, when Hale isn't at the track, he's operating his own hot rod shop he started in 2002.

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.

Video - Bobby Likis Car Clinic's Video Series K&N Delivers...

5 Sept 2012

Bobby Likis Car Clinic's Video Series - K&N Delivers...
Car Clinic is a weekly radio show hosted by Bobby Likis on Saturday nights. Watch Bobby Likis as he reviews some of the major benefits of K&N performance air filters and air intake systems.

Bobby Likis Car Clinic's K&N Delivers...Power Feature
Bobby Likis, host of the Bobby Likis Car Clinic, explains how buying a K&N high-flow performance air filter can deliver more power than a paper filter. A clogged or restricted paper air filter will rob your vehicle of its precious power, but K&N's washable cotton technology allows your engine to easily get the air it needs to produce horsepower.

Bobby Likis Car Clinic's K&N Delivers... Performance Feature
Bobby Likis shares the simple benefits of K&N high-flow performance air filters and explains how performance is directly related to the air delivered to the heart of your vehicle.

Bobby Likis Car Clinic's K&N Delivers...Heavy Duty Air Filters Feature
Bobby Likis, host of the Car Clinic radio show, explains how K&N Heavy Duty air filters for big rigs and diesel RV's are designed to lower air restriction to your engine, so that it works less and produces more power to the wheels.

Bobby Likis Car Clinic's K&N Delivers...A Million-Mile Warranty Feature
Bobby Likis explains how K&N high-flow performance air filters and K&N air intake systems come with a million mile limited warranty and that one million miles would take you to the moon and back twice or around the world 40 times.

Bobby Likis Car Clinic's K&N Delivers...Economy Feature
Bobby Likis discusses how buying a K&N high-flow performance air filter is more economical than buying paper air filters. Because K&N air filters are washable and reusable, you no longer need to continuously spend money on paper air filters every time they get dirty.

Bobby Likis Car Clinic's K&N Delivers...The Green Factor Feature
Bobby Likis, host of the Bobby Likis Car Clinic, explains how K&N performance air filters reduce waste because they are reusable. They are not just thrown away after use. A K&N air filter will easily last longer than most cars.

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 Pro-Series West Victory for Points Leader Greg Pursely at Portland

31 Aug 2012

Greg Pursley celebrate K&N Pro-Series Race at Portland International Raceway

Greg Pursley won the pole, led every lap and breezed through the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Portland International Raceway.

He won his fourth race of the season and the 13th of his career. The reigning K&N Pro Series West champion held off late charges from Michael Self and Eric Holmes to not only win the NAPA Auto Parts Salute to the Troops 125, but add to his lead in the West Series standings.

Greg Pursley drives the no. 26 K&N Pro-Series car

"Everybody was running really good laps there at the end," said Pursley, a driver for Gene Price Motorsports. "I just wanted to get some breathing room and run as hard as I could. It worked out well and finally brought one home."

Pursley's history at Portland has been mixed. He has finished on the podium a number of times and blew an engine while leading the race last year.

"We've finished second a lot," Pursley said. "We've finished third here. We blew up leading, with a huge lead, last year. Just happy to come out of here with a win finally. We just love this place."

Michael Self finished second, his fifth top 10 performance in the past six races. He battled a stomach ailment throughout the weekend and the race.

Competition is fierce in the K&N Pro-Series West with Greg Pursley on top of the leader board

"Tough one. Tough week to overcome," Self said. "About the time that first yellow flag came around there, my stomach started rolling over. I remembered that food poisoning was kicking in. As soon as we got going back green, the adrenaline would kind of kick in. That's kind of what I kept looking forward to."

Self has won two K&N Pro Series West races and has seven top five finishes in 12 races this year. The first win of his career came at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota during May. He was the highest-finishing driver from the K&N Pro Series West in the race at Iowa Speedway on Aug. 3 and was credited with his second win of the season.

"It just shows how much power we have and how far I've come learning and adapting to these cars and this NASCAR style of racing," Self said. "Despite being sick and not feeling real well, I'm still having a lot of fun out there. I'm glad we could get a second out of it. Definitely wanted to get one more position, but a fun race for sure."

Eric Holmes, a three-time K&N Pro Series West champion, battled with Pursley for the lead on the last two restarts. But he fell behind Self in the closing laps to finish third and record his sixth top five of the season.

"I thought I had something for Greg, the second to last restart was really good," Holmes said. "I got a good jump on him and almost beat him in to turn one. I was hoping to do that on the last one, but he jumped the start a on me and did what he had to do to win that thing. Disappointed with third, but it was a fun race actually."

Greg Pursley crosses the finish line for his fourth win this season in K&N Pro-Series West

Pursley has a 15-point lead over teammate Dylan Kwasniewski in the K&N Pro Series West standings after 12 races. Kwasniewski finished fourth at Portland.

Derek Thorn was fifth, his eighth top-five finish of the season.

The NAPA Auto Parts Salute to the Troops 125 will be televised on Speed on September 6 at noon PDT.

The next K&N Pro Series West race is at NAPA Speedway in Sandia, New Mexico, on September 29.

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.