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Bryce Menzies Eagerly Accepts Invitation to Compete in 2012 X Games RallyCross

3 Jul 2012

Menzies and Red Bull teammate Travis Pastrana have been testing the new Dart all week, and Menzies gives it a thumbs-up for X Games 18 this coming Sunday.

Last year was a benchmark season for Bryce Menzies as he won both the 2011 SCORE Trophy Truck and TORC Pro-2 Championship. Then, in what was arguably Menzies Motorsports biggest race of their 2011 season, he capped off the year winning the 44th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. It was the team's first attempt at the Baja 1000.

In his first ever X Games RallyCross, Bryce Menzies will be introducing a new car to the event, a 600hp Dodge Dart.

Yet, as blazing hot as he was last year, Menzies has his sights set on slaying even larger dragons this year. Menzies has been invited by fellow Red Bull Athlete, Travis Pastrana to compete in the RallyCross portion of the 2012 X Games. Pastrana made a highly successful transition from motorcycles to cars and has amassed a total of 11 MotoX and Rally gold medals so far.

"Being asked to team up with Travis for this event is an amazing opportunity," remarked Menzies. "Travis is such a well-known athlete and the chance to learn from him about a different form of motorsports is an opportunity I can't be thankful enough for."

Menzies enjoys the challenge of being one of the younger competitors in this year's RallyCross event and he's focused on displaying his entire skill-set.

Menzies and Pastrana will both be competing in Dodge Darts, which is a new vehicle to the RallyCross competition lineup . The European production based all wheel drive car produces 600 horsepower, 60lbs of boost, and can go from 0-60 in just two seconds. To put that in perspective, that's similar to the performance of a Formula-1 car, which is why the Dart is one of favored cars in this year's event. The two drivers have been testing throughout the week and they have total confidence with taking both cars to the course this coming Sunday for X Games 18.

RallyCross has been described as "autocross-on-dirt", or a combination of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition. The thoroughly compelling, fan thrilling event focuses more on driver skill and car handling, rather than speed and horsepower. RallyCross was first introduced two years ago at ESPN's Summer X Games 16 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Menzies will need to contend with competing against some of the biggest names in the sport such as Ken Block and Rhys Millen, as well as Brian Deegan, a familiar foe from his off-road racing conquests. Menzies and Deegan have squared-off in the Pro-2 ring numerous times, with Menzies finding the top of the podium over Deegan more times than not.

"Racing against Deegan in a different atmosphere will be a great learning experience. He is great at what he does and it should make for some fun and friendly competition," said Bryce Menzies. Menzies will be one of the youngest RallyCross competitors in this year's event and he will be going head-to-head against some of the pioneers of Rally. It's a position Menzies welcomes, as it motivates him to showcase his talents on the stage.

This year's RallyCross event will take place in Downtown Los Angeles, right outside of the iconic Staples Center and will feature a ramp-to-ramp jump, the only jump of its kind in the RallyCross competition that sends the drivers flying 70-feet through the air.

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Vaughn Gittin Jr. Earns Formula Drift Victory in The Gauntlet at Wall Stadium

3 Jul 2012

"The Gauntlet" at Wall Stadium was accurately named as the racing was edge-of-the-seat thrilling all weekend.

"Winning this event feels awesome, We have been working very hard to claw our way back up to the top, and to do it so close to home, with so many friends and family in the audience is just awesome," remarked Vaughn Gittin Jr. "This win speaks volumes about our team's attitude and commitment to never give up, no matter what, and we plan to carry this momentum throughout the rest of the year. It is our goal that when the smoke clears this season - we will have had one of the best comebacks from a rough start to the season this sport has ever seen!"

Vaughn Gittin Jr. was sweeping the bank and scraping the wall, leaving his rear bumper in the blue tire smoke on route to victory.

Gittin's understandable confidence stems from his Round 4 Formula Drift win last weekend at Wall Stadium in New Jersey. The event was fittingly referred to as "The Gauntlet." In Medieval times throwing down the gauntlet was the knight's method of choice for challenging another knight to a duel. Picking the gauntlet up was the signal that the challenge had been accepted. Looking to restore order in his camp after a shaky start, and collect some crucial points in the chase for the FD Championship, Gittin got medieval on the competition. After numerous extremely tough battles against fierce competitors, the K&N sponsored driver drove his Mustang RTR all the way to first place.

To reach the top of the podium Gittin needed to get by teammate, Daijiro Yoshihara, the only competitor he's never defeated after numerous attempts.

Wall Stadium is only a few clicks from where Gittin and the rest of Drift Alliance in fact began to hone their drifting skills back in 2002. A decade later, Gittin has a Formula Drift Championship, with multiple wins and podiums trips inked in the record books. Accomplishments he once only dreamed about. Round 4 saw yet another sold-out crowd and the live Drift Stream saw over 200,000 total views in a 24-hour period. Even with Friday's semi-wet track conditions, Gittin was able to perform a near-perfect run that earned him a score of 96 and the second place qualifying spot.

During Saturday's main event, Gittin fought his way to the semi-finals after beating out Miro Ovcharik in his battle of the top 32, Robbie Nishida in the top 16, and then Matt Powers in the top-eight. He met with his Drift Alliance brother and good friend, Chris Forsberg in the semi-finals. This was a highly anticipated match-up as these two are known for holding nothing back when lined up against each other. As billed it was a thoroughly exciting battle that disappointed no one.

Pardon me, but do these K&N air filters make my Ford Mustang look phat?

Gittin took the lead position first, sweeping the bank and scraping the wall, leaving his rear bumper in the blue tire smoke pluming from behind. He continued to blast through the course undeterred with maximum angle and put his car exactly where it needed to be as defined by the Formula Drift judges. When it came time to give chase, Gittin followed Forsberg into the bank and remained glued to him throughout the entire run. With a better lead run and closer proximity on the chase run, Gittin earned a trip to the finals, where he faced his arch nemesis and Falken Tire teammate, Daijiro Yoshihara.

Yoshihara was the only competitor that Vaughn Gittin Jr. had faced numerous times and had never defeated. So, in addition to his desire for the top-tier of the podium, Gittin desperately wanted this win against his rival. Gittin once more took the lead first and threw down the gauntlet with an amazing run, while Yoshihara pushed just to stay close. Yoshihara, feeling the pressure pushed a tad too hard, causing him to straighten up which gave Gittin the advantage.

The Round 4 Formula Drift win and 2nd place qualifying moves Gittin into 4th place overall in the championship.

Then it was Gittin's turn to give chase and he never let up once, dialing up the pressure to eleven and sticking to his competitor's door like white on rice. When the engine echoes faded and the smoke lifted, Gittin was crowned the victor of the final battle and 1st place winner overall of Formula Drift Round 4.

"It took me a little longer than expected to harness this brand new 2013 Monster Energy Falken Tire Ford Mustang," said Gittin after the event. "But we overcame the challenges and got back on the podium and it feels amazing!"

With the points earned from his 1st place finish and 2nd place qualifying, Gittin moves up to 4th place overall in the Formula Drift Championship. Next up on the FD circuit is Round 5, July 21 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington.

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Shea Holbrook Experiences A Stellar Season

28 Jun 2012

Shea Holbrook and her team have experienced a stellar season thus far in 2012. (photo by John R Walker)

Shea Holbrook, and team TrueCar Racing recently traveled to Miller MOTORSPORTS Park, located near Toole, Utah, with anticipations of a successful weekend. Although the competition was stiff, at the event's end, Holbrook had managed to do exactly what she had set out to do, as she finished the event with two top five finishes. In fact, the twenty-two-year-old driver experienced what she considered "the best weekend of her racing career thus far."

Driving the #67 TrueCar Honda Civic Si, Holbrook spun her car during the first race. Quickly regaining control, she never let up and focused on making up the ground she had lost. When all was said and done, the driver had managed to work her way back to the sixth place spot at the checkered flag. Eager to improve her standings, Shea Holbrook prepared for the second race of the event. In spite of an errant stock car competing in a different area of the complex accidently driving onto the track where the SCCA Touring Cars were racing, she managed to remain focused and actually ran her best race of the event. In fact, Holbrook managed to finish in fourth place.

Starting the third and final race of the Privacystar Utah Grand Prix, Shea Holbrook was in a good position. Third on the grid due to a third fastest time in the previous race, she had full intentions of keeping herself positioned toward the front and in turn being in contention for the win. That said, her plans quickly went south at the waving of the green flag, when a clutch spin and improper up-shift lent to a very slow start. Once getting full power back, the driver began working her way forward from the back of the field, overtaking drivers one at a time. By the end of the race, Holbrook had managed to move into the fourth place position, less than four seconds behind Tristan Herbert, the driver of the lead car. With the event behind her, Shea Holbrook had not only earned two top-five finishes but had also held the touring car fast lap at least once in all sessions.

Twenty-two year old Shea Holbrook has experienced a stellar year thus far and is anticipating the remainder of the 2012 season.

"Going into Miller Motorsports Park was a bit tough," recalled Holbrook. "I had never been there and had no prior testing. Miller Motorsports Park has to be the only track without reference points! Not one tree is on the course, which makes detail to attention even more crucial. After my first session on track, my confidence was a tick low because of the difficulty of finding braking references, car placement apexes and so on. Once I got the flow, my confidence sky rocketed," she continued. "My weekend at Miller Motorsports Park was fantastic, and the track is a joy ride once you get the hang of it."

With a memorable and successful event behind her, Holbrook and her team later rolled into Mosport with a boost of confidence, and a determination to avoid the stroke of bad luck she had previously experienced at this particular venue. "My confidence going into Mosport was 110%, as I was able to test two weeks before the race," she explained. "Mosport is the fastest track in North America, and it demands respect. Mosport is known to be a huge success story for some drivers or a complete horror story for others. This track can be dangerous, as 99% of the corners are large radius, high speed corners. Being on point is crucial. I was at Mosport in 2010 and unfortunately, my weekend ended quickly," she recalled. "I dropped a wheel on exit coming onto the front straight, sending me right into the inside wall. Prior testing at this track in particular is very important if you want to win. I definitely have an affair with Mosport. This track really showcases driver's talents."

After earning two top-five finishes at Miller Motorsports Park, Shea Holbrook later traveled to Mosport where she took a position on the podium twice and won the "Hard Charger" award. (photo by John R Walker)

At the event's end, Shea Holbrook's hopes and expectations of a solid and successful weekend at Mosport were not let down. In fact, the driver earned a spot on the podium twice during the event and won the "Hard Charger" award for passing the highest number of cars. "Mosport launched me where I needed to be, and where I always knew I could be," she explained. "Mosport was a huge relief, because I was able to deliver the results the team deserved. With two podiums, the 'Hard Charger' award, and now fourth in the championship race, Mosport was my best weekend yet."

With hopes of taking the championship at the end of the 2012 season, Shea Holbrook knows that keeping her car in tip-top running condition is essential. That in mind, she and her crew are strong advocates of a stringent maintenance program. In turn, they depend upon K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free. "The car is completely set down after it gets off of the track to be looked over. Simply checking your equipment, which can be time consuming, can make or break a team. K&N air and oil filters add to the overall performance of the car maximizing horsepower to get the job done."

The fact that Shea Holbrook has managed to go to college full-time and still finds time to race is a testimony that she has a burning passion for the sport of racing. When asked what she enjoys most about the sport, she explained, "Self competition. You can always be a little faster, but finding that speed isn't easy. Racing constantly pushes you to do better." Referring to what her fans can expect from Shea Holbrook, the driver said, "Kindness, a good performance, thankfulness, a good time and top three in the championship!"

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Jake Lewis Captures His First AMA Pro Racing Victory at the Big Kahuna Atlanta

27 Jun 2012

Jake Lewis recently experienced his first win in the AMA Pro Racing Series, while competing in the Big Kahuna in Atlanta.

Experiencing his first season in the AMA Pro Road Racing series, one would suspect that sixteen-year-old Jake Lewis has been anticipating his first win of 2012. Although the sixteen year-old rider recently arrived at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia with nothing more than hopes, at the event's end, he rolled out of there with the victory he had been looking for under his belt.

Racing in the SuperSport Class, Lewis ran with the front of the pack during their first practice session. In fact, the rider remained in the top six positions throughout the session, and finished in the top three. With an impressive practice behind him, Lewis once again manned a spot in the top three during the Provisional Qualifying run later that day, and managed to work his way into the second place spot in the final lap. With no riders beating his qualifying time on the following day, Jake Lewis was scheduled to start on the front row in P2 for the SuperSport races.

During the first Supersport race Lewis got a good start, and in turn, led a majority of the field for the sixteen lap event. Slightly held up by a lapped driver on the final lap, Lewis crossed the finish line in second place, earning a spot on the podium. At the race's end, the young rider had managed to finish twenty seconds faster than the third place rider.

Returning on the following day, Jake Lewis and his Riders Discount Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R 600 #85 were both ready for a fierce battle. Beginning the second race of the "Big Kahuna at Atlanta" double header, the young rider once again broke away from the bulk of the field early, and found himself in a heated battle with a fellow competitor for the first place position. Leading across the stripe a majority of the race, Jake Lewis was in front when a red flag deemed the race over in the thirteenth lap, awarding him the victory that he had been awaiting. The win and leading the most laps, the young rider earned thirty-one points on the day. Not only was the victory sweet, but Lewis had now congregated eighty-two points in the SuperSport East season championship points standings thus far, with a fifteen point lead over the second place rider.

Jake Lewis, 16, has already become a force to be reckoned with in the AMA Pro Racing series.

"This is my first year to ride Riders Discount Vesrah Suzuki's," explained Lewis. "It's going really good, and the team is so supportive. Each race we get better and I feel more comfortable around everyone on the whole team. My confidence was really high going into the weekend, because it was a track I knew very well, and I had a lot of friends and family going," he continued. "I had been there three times before the AMA race, so I knew all the fast lines going into the weekend, which was good. I felt really comfortable on the bike, so it was a great weekend for me and the team." When asked the key to success at this particular event, the rider shared, "Just being comfortable on the bike and giving it one-hundred percent all weekend."

Although Jake Lewis savored his first victory, the rider was also aware that he still has many races in front of him, and in turn must focus on the remainder of 2012. "I just need to stay focused and keep on progressing every weekend," he explained. "I learn something new every race, and get more comfortable on the bike. I just want to keep on learning as a rider and get faster." When asked his strong points as a rider, Lewis continued, "I am definitely good on the brakes and stay patient. Being smooth has always worked well for me, and it helps quite a lot over the duration of the race."

Referring to what he enjoys most about the sport, the high school student said, "Just the speed of everything. I enjoy going fast, and I love the competition of the sport. I wouldn't want to do anything else as a sixteen-year-old. I'm really looking forward to Barber, because I love the track and have a lot of people coming to support me, being a home race. I look forward to every race though, because it's so fun just doing what I love."

Granted, Jake Lewis has already proven his riding skills with his first victory behind him. That said, he is also quick to credit his team as an important element of his success. "The team is really important because it's all about trust," he explained. "I get along with everyone very well, and it's getting better every weekend. If you don't like the team, you usually don't perform well, so it's always good to love the team."

Lewis is also acutely aware of the importance of proper maintenance as well. "It's very important, because you always want the bike to perform well, and not have any difficulties. It's important to keep everything maintained well, so you can be up front every race." That in mind, Jake Lewis and the Riders Discount Vesrah Suzuki's team depend upon K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free. "We currently use the K&N air filters on both bikes," Lewis explained. "I've been running these filters for three years now. The products they make are definitely the best out there. They help the bike perform better, which helps me win races."

Jake Lewis has a great appreciation for the support he receives. Referring to his fans, the young rider said, "They can definitely expect me to give my best effort every single race weekend. I hope to continue winning races and be up front during every race, fighting for the championship at the end of the year."

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Chad Wienen Takes Top of Podium During Second Round of AMA ATV at Muddy Creek

27 Jun 2012

Chad Wienen recently took two checkered flags while racing in round two of the AMA ATV Pro National circuit at Muddy Creek MX.

Chad Wienen and Team Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha recently rolled into the Muddy Creek MX geared up and eager to get the second round of the AMA ATV Pro National circuit underway. Trailing behind fellow rider, Joel Hetrick, in the qualifying round, Wienen missed first place by a narrow margin. After the dropping of the gate in the first moto, Wienen found himself in mid-pack amongst eighteen competitors coming out of the first turn. The rider had no intentions of anything but a victory though, and in turn, muscled his way to third place by the lap's end, following behind Josh Upperman and John Natalie. By the third lap, Natalie and Wienen had both managed to pass the early leader, Josh Upperman, and were battling for the first place position.

Wienen continued to pressure Natalie for the lead. Heavy rain came pouring down in the eleventh, with only three laps separating the riders from the checkered flag. The precipitation would not dampen Wienen's focus on the lead position, as he continued stalking Natalie in the less than favorable conditions. After a white flag, Wienen finally passed the only rider keeping him from tasting victory, and held on to the position until crossing the finish line. "I made the pass on John, actually on the last lap of the moto," he recalled. "I never felt pressure, but never looked back." When asked his take on the rain and if it had an affect on his racing, the rider explained, "I really feel in the past I used to struggle. Now with the set-up we have, I feel strong and in control. I have done well here (Muddy Creek MX) in the past. I feel it flowing and not too challenging for us, but we raced well on it."

When the start time for the second moto rolled around, the skies had cleared, the track had dried, and the recent rains were nothing more than a memory. When the gate dropped, Wienen wasted no time positioning himself in the front of the pack, immediately behind holeshot winner, Josh Upperman. Once again, he was focused on filling the top spot on the podium. That in mind, he maneuvered his Yamaha YFZ450R around his competitor, and held the lead position throughout the remainder of the race, earning his second victory of the event.

Chad Wienen and his team are anticipating a successful season in the AMA ATV Pro National circuit in 2012.

Referring to his confidence level going into the second round of the series, Wienen said, "It was on a definite high. I knew what I could do when I needed to. I never doubted myself and my program." Although the qualifying race was obviously of importance, the rider executed his game plan from early on. "I didn't want to put everything I had into qualifying. We are here to perform when it matters the most."

When asked the key to taking the victory in the second moto, Wienen said, "A great start. We came out in second and made a pass in lap one. I just rode my own race. With the remainder of the season in mind, Chad Wienen said, "The key to success will be great starts, one Moto at a time, stay healthy and never back down." Sharing how important a roll his team will play in his success, Wienen continued, "They are everything to me. I wouldn't be able to do it without all of the people involved."

Chad Wienen and his team are also acutely aware of the importance of maintenance, and use K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free while allowing an ample air and oil flow to keep their engines running at their optimal performance. "Maintenance has to be done," he explained, "No shortcuts. We use the K&N air filter for the YFZ450R, and the outer wear along with oil filters. We've been using them for four years. We also use the filters on my trucks as well," he continued. "We want the best for all of the products that we use. K&N filters are our choice."

Chad Wienen stressed that a successful weekend such as the one he and his team recently experienced has a huge affect on the remainder of the season. "Every point is huge, and when we can take all fifty in a weekend, that is what we try to accomplish." Wienen also considers his fan support. When asked what they could expect from Chad Wienen throughout the remainder of the season he said, "Everything I've got from gate drop to the finish; one moto at a time."

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