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American Aboard, California's Kenny Ingalls, on Track for World Speedway Domination

30 Jul 2012

California's Kenny Ingalls is spending part of 2012 in England, racing for the Workington Comets.

Some motorcycle prodigies possess too much talent to be contained by a single continent or even one particular discipline. Before 25-year-old Kenny Ingalls left the states for a career racing speedway in England and Europe, he had already claimed two AMA Pro Hillclimb No.1 plates and was considered one of the top five Speedway riders in the country. He also inked a number of overall wins at local motocross Pro-Am events near his Foresthill, California home.

In May Ingalls got his extreme swerve-on, scoring two wins and a second place before being injured.

Kenny's two-wheeled aptitude surfaced early, "He started riding at age three and racing MX the following year,"said his dad Kevin. "I have been his engine builder, tuner, and manager for Ingalls Racing for the 22 years of racing Kenny has done." Not unexpectedly, Kenny says his dad is his biggest influence.

"When Kenny turned five we got him a TY80 Yamaha so we could start riding trials competition together. After a couple years he was racing MX on a KX65. By the age of eleven, Kenny was on a KX 80 competing in MX and Hillclimb. Before we bought Kenny a 125cc bike he was filmed for the Crusty Demons of Dirt video, jumping and doing some tricks. The 125 didn't last too long, but he continued to compete in MX and Hillcimbs. By the age of 17, Kenny was competing on a 250F and winning some of the local Pro AM MX races. He also started racing Speedway and won the Division II championship. By the age of 18, Kenny was one of the top pro multi-competitive motorcycle racers racing MX, Speedway, and Hillclimb.

Kenny says his favorite rider is Greg Hancock, which explains why his favorite race to date was finishing third overall at Costa Mesa Speedway at the 2009 National, right behind World Champion Greg Hancock and National Champion Billy Janniero. He also won his second 0-700cc Pro AMA Hillclimb Championship that same year, on the CR500 Honda he rebuilt and modified for hillcimbs for his high school senior project.

Kenny had a busy month of May, starting out by scoring at the top of the club he races for in England, the Workington Comets. At his fourth race of that month, Kenny was taken out in his fourth heat. He had already scored two wins and a second at that point. Kenny spent the last part of May doing lots of therapy on the shoulder he injured during the collision.

The K&N sponsored rider had the opportunity to display is skill with the Elite club the Wolverhampon Wolves in Poland.

In June, coming back from the injury and racing for his Premier team, the Workington Comets, Kenny was offered two guest rides for the Elite club the Wolverhampon Wolves. Kenny converted those rides into a contract for a spot on the team for the rest of the year. A couple days after he signed with the Wolves, he left for Poland to race with the USA World Cup Speedway team. After practicing with the team, it was determined that Kenny would not be replacing Greg Hancock on the team after all, as Hancock determined he was fit to race.

Kenny flew back to England on July 8th and was scheduled to race for the Comets against the Leicester Lions Premier League club. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled because of rain after the 7th heat. "Kenny's next races will be this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Comets Premier League, and Monday for the Wolves Elite League. Kenny has been back for only one race this month with his shoulder still not 100 percent,"reported Kevin. "Hopefully it will be better as this month goes on."

Kenny will be back in the US in October after the Speedway season ends in Europe. "Hopefully he will be back in time for the USA versus the World Speedway races at Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, California,"adds Kevin.

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Supermoto Rider Dustin Hoffman Makes a Splash in 2012

30 Jul 2012

20 year old Dustin Hoffman has won 5 of 7 SuperMoto races this season

The sport of Supermoto was started in the 1970's as a way to find the best motorcycle rider in the world, by combining road racing, motocross and flat track racing into one sport.

Dustin Hoffman get his ProMoto Team ECC Honda sideways

If Supermoto is the ultimate equalizer in motorcycle racing, Dustin Hoffman is the ultimate rider. The 20-year-old from Temecula, California has taken the Supermoto community by its reigns and not let go in 2012. Through 7 races, Hoffman has 5 wins, and the only thing keeping him from a perfect record is a mental mistake while leading and a flat tire.

"This year has gone very well for me so far," Hoffman said. "I've been training really hard at the motocross track and at Crossfit Temecula South to ensure that I'm physically fit beyond what's necessary. I've got to be happy with the way the year is going as a result."

Hoffman started the season with a bang, winning at the Stateline Supermoto Challenge.

"That had to be the best moment of the year thus far. A lot of people had written me off due to the trouble I had last year, so it was an awesome feeling to come out and win the first race of the season."

Hoffman comes from a racing family. His father, Rick, was a world-class Formula One Boat racer and builder before moving into road racing. Dustin's brother, Ryan, also started in road racing, winning a few AMA races before moving into the Supermoto ranks. It was an injury to Ryan that opened the door for Dustin to start racing in Supermoto.

"I was out doing local races on mini's when an ACL injury sidelined him. He had me come ride his bike, and that's where it all started."

Hoffman went on to win the national amateur championship in 2008 in both the 250 and 450 divisions. After finishing third in points in 2009 in the AMA series and getting an invite to compete at the X Games, Hoffman appeared headed for stardom.

But after a rough two-year stint, Hoffman knew he had to make a splash in 2012. The rest of the Supermoto Riders Coalition wishes he hadn't. Hoffman and his ProMoto, Team ECC Honda leads the points in the series by 6 points over Ryan Kearns, and the two of them have made it a two-horse race in the Premier division.

Hoffman is looking forward to the next three events stateside, in Wisconsin, Colorado and Oklahoma, but he already has his eye on the premier international event as well.

Dustin Hoffman get his ProMoto Team ECC Honda sideways

"I'm pretty sure I'll be heading back to Belgium to race in the Mettet Superbiker. The SHR team, based in England and leading the World Championship, really takes care of me so I hope to get back over there and do my best."

Supermoto, while popular in the states, is huge in Europe, and a strong showing by Hoffman at the Superbiker event would go a long way toward bringing Supermoto back to the AMA circuit in the United States.

But while victory is always the goal in racing, Hoffman said being at peace with his performance has become just as important as holding up a trophy at the end of a race.

"I just want to ride well. I'm not as concerned with winning (as in years past), I just want to be happy with the way I ride and handle myself at the end of the race. Whether I end up first or fifth, as long as I'm happy with how I ride, everything is good."

"I am very proud to be able to represent K&N Filters because they have backed me for many years. K&N is awesome and provides instant horsepower when you put their product on your bike, and I can't thank K&N enough. I really appreciate everything they do for me, and I always do my best to represent them well."

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Advanced Jr. Drag Racer Robbie Officer & Team OFFICER BOYZ at Bradenton Motorsports Park

26 Jul 2012

Robbie Officer and the 2007 OFFICER BOYZ half scale Advanced Jr. Dragster ready for track action

As a second generation driver, Robbie Officer was introduced to the sport of drag racing as a youngster. In fact, the Palmetto, Florida native actually began participating in the sport at the age of nine. Now fifteen years old, Officer already has a good deal of experience under his belt, and is no stranger to success. "My dad raced, and I fell in love quickly with the racing environment," recalled the driver. "I sharply enjoy the good time, cash when you win and the rush."

15 year old Advanced Jr. Dragster Driver Robbie Officer and father Mark Officer focus on the upcoming race

Although sporting a burning desire to be out on the track and matching skills with fellow drivers, Robbie Officer is very family oriented. That said, when his grandmother was stricken with health issues, he put racing on the back burner during the first part of this season. The ninth grade student and team OFFICER BOYZ are back now though; geared up, and ready to embark upon some fierce competition throughout the remainder of 2012. The driver ensured that he is eager to take up where he left off in 2011.

"My record last season was great," he explained. "Got a couple of wins and runner-ups." When asked his most memorable race thus far in his racing career, Officer said, "Probably when I beat the kid that won Bristol. I also beat him this weekend. This season, due to my gramma having health issues, I've been taking a break," he continued. "But I'm back at it now. I got one win this season so far, and runner up this weekend."

Racing in the Advanced Jr. Dragster class, Officer considers Bradenton Motorsports Park, at Bradenton, Florida as his home track, but the young driver has seen his share of action at other venues throughout the state as well. Robbie and his team have traveled to the Lakeland Dragstrip, at Lakeland; the Immakolee Regional Raceway, at Immakolee; the Sunshine Drag Racing Track in Tampa and has previously raced at the Palm Beach International Raceway as well.

Obviously, drag racing is a passion in Robbie Officer's house as he and his dad both participate in the sport, but the high school student's grades are of most importance. "Racing and keeping my grades up are my main priorities. My G.P.A. was 3.7 overall in the eighth grade, so racing and keeping my grades up are not so difficult at the same time."

As Officer maintains a high grade point level, he also has an acute understanding that if he plans to experience success on the track, he must maintain his dragster as well. "I consider my team, that is me and my dad, very important," he explained. "We polish my engine after every race, take the shell off and clean all inside of it. We go through everything and change the oil." When asked if maintenance has a bearing on his success rate, the driver was quick to answer, "Big Time, because you never want to be unprepared for a race, and need to have everything ready to go. More the maintenance, the more consistent you're gonna be."

That said, the young driver and his team depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of their engine contaminant free. Referring to the K&N products he depends upon, Officer said, "My carburetor filter and the filter on my bar on the back of my car. My dad also uses K&N filters on his Mullis dragster. K&N blows other filters away. It keeps my dad's motor way cleaner. We just think their the better product."

While sitting behind the wheel of his 2007 half scale, the young driver is confident that his effort is his strong point. Sharing the key to his success throughout future races, Robbie Officer explained, "Hard work, and skillful judgement on the top end. My potential also makes me successful. I will always race; it's a dream come true," he continued. Fans can expect a strong finish for the remainder of the season, due to the image of my car and how hard I try!

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Vickie Golden Wins Back-to-Back Motocross Gold at 2012 X Games 18

26 Jul 2012

At the 2012 X Games Vickie Golden won her second Women's Motocross gold.

It hasn't even been a full year since Vickie Golden turned 19. Last year she celebrated by winning gold at the 2011 X Games 17, at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, California. The Games returned to the Staples Center this year and Vickie once again made it clear that she is the Women's Motocross event gold standard. Still technically a teenager, Golden has now collected her second straight X Games gold medal.

In the main event the K&N sponsored rider refused to be denied as she willed her Poynt/RWR Racing Kawasaki into the hole-shot, then lead from starting-gate to checkered flag, the same as she did last year. Golden and her riding coach Sean Hamblin, her trainer Tyler Kalisiak, mechanic Andrew Bauer, and pressure training partner Ronnie Faiss, laid out a plan of attack and Golden executed it to perfection. Age may only be a number, yet wisdom and maturity can strike at any time, if only you pay attention and are willing to pay the dues as Golden sees it.

In a flash of speed and color Golden once more set the gold standard.

Winning gold is becoming a part of your birthday celebration, how's it feel backing last year's win by getting it done once again?

"Yes it has! They moved X Games up a month so it was an early birthday gift this time. It feels great to be able to go back-to-back. This year was even more rewarding with being able to help The Seth Foundation raise awareness at such a big event like X Games."

How does this one compare to the first one, did you feel more pressure as defending champion, and how did you deal with that pressure?

"The pressure was definitely on this year. Normally pressure hurts me, but this was a different kind. I think it was because I was so confident coming in that nothing else mattered."

Get us up to date on what's been happening with you in the WMX series and your other racing venues?

Golden credits her riding coach for helping her to deal with the expectations of being a defending champion.

"This year I made the decision to skip the outdoor series for many reasons. It costs a lot to go around the country and race and that's something I'm not swimming in. So I put what little money I do have into X-Games. It provides more coverage for my sponsors and me. I also have a torn Achilles that really gives me more trouble racing outdoors. Luckily when I'm riding Arenacross and Supercross it doesn't bother me near as much."

How's life overall at nearly the ripe age of 20?

"It's great! I definitely don't feel 20. When I was younger my dad had a pretty bad crash riding and he ended up paralyzed, and I had to grow up early. So now with every passing birthday I'm waiting for my age to catch up to how old I really feel! Plus, with all the crashes my body doesn't feel 20 either. Ha-ha."

Care to comment on your high-visibility color coordinated riding gear?

"That's one of those things that just worked out. The bike had a lot of blue in it so Alpinestars sent me a set of blue and white boots. O'Neal just sent me blue and orange gear; I didn't even pick it out. The We-are MX gloves brand makes a rad set of yellow goggles, and the Shoei helmet was painted by ‘Mandingopickles' with their colors being orange, green and yellow. Everything just went with everything else, so it was pretty crazy that it all worked out that way."

What are your thoughts about going for a possible golden trifecta next year?

"I have definitely given it thought, but then I try not to. A lot can happen in a year. If I come in as healthy and confident as this year, I predict the same result, but right now it's time to put my focus towards Arenacross."

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NHRA Pro Stock Champ Mike Edwards Sports K&N Colors at Last Two Western Swing Races

25 Jul 2012

2009 NHRA Pro Stock Champion Mike Edwards shines a positive light on his national Young Life Program

"Only a life lived for others is worth living" believed Albert Einstein. The Nobel Prize winner for physics, and NHRA Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards, it appears, have both been inspired by the exact same insight. After Edwards won the 2009 NHRA Pro Stock Championship he's quoted saying "When you win a championship like we did in 2009 that brings more TV attention and more public awareness. That just opened up the door for our other program, which is far more important than anything else we do, and that's the Young Life program."

The Young Life program provides a message of hope to middle school and high school students throughout the United States, and Edwards credits his association with the program for reinvigorating his career. Edwards defines his life by how successful he is with helping others, and being a 30-time race winner allows him to answer that calling.

For the final two stops on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Western Swing through Sonoma and Seattle, Edwards will bring together his skills for racing, with his innate talents for spreading positive messages.

1320 Wraps by Fineline provided the stunning graphics, K&N delivers the support, and Mike Edwards will bring the heat to the final two races on NHRA Western Swing.

"It's been great to represent K&N for the past three seasons as a partner with our race team," Edwards said. "Our marketing partnership has grown during that time and for the second year we have put together a program for Sonoma and Seattle to allow K&N to have a major representation on our Pontiac in its home state. As a team, we are proud to be associated with such a reputable company and be a major component in K&N's strategic plan of marketing its products in the drag racing arena."

Edwards will once again dawn a new look for the final two stops on the NHRA race calendar. His Pontiac GXP will be fully clad in an impossible to ignore K&N graphic design, provided by 1320 Wraps by Fineline. Since 1990, Fineline has be creating world-class designs and state-of-the-art graphics, and their work on Edwards's car is nothing short of spectacular. The K&N logo dominates both doors with the company's distinct color stripes running the length of the car.

"K&N continues to support the Pro Stock class in many ways. We feel this is the premier professional category that use our products in competition," commented Steve Williams, vice president at K&N Filters. "We just completed the K&N Horsepower Challenge and are looking forward to the last couple of races of the Western Swing with Mike and his team flying the K&N colors."

"The competition is so close between all the Pro Stock drivers and teams, and that has produced fantastic racing within the factory hot rods the last few years," Williams continued. "Once again, through our Engineering and Marketing programs, we have worked closely with Mike and his entire team on a special design for Sonoma and Seattle, and we are looking forward to being in the winner's circle."

Edwards and his team share the same constructive enthusiasm, and look forward to making good on Williams' encouraging confidence. "We will hit Sonoma and Seattle with the new design and plan to carry K&N to a couple of winner's circles," declared Edwards. "As a team we are excited to do this for K&N and we want to do them proud on the West Coast."

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.