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K&N Filters Announces 2012 Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes

9 Apr 2012

Riverside, Calif., April 9, 2012 - The 28th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge will once again include the participation of the fans, as K&N officially announces the launch of the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes. In addition to potentially winning a tremendous prize package including a custom Toyota Tundra, fans will once again be able to vote for their favorite driver as the eighth and final participant in this year's event, which will be held on July 7 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge

"We're celebrating our fifth year as the title sponsor of the K&N Horsepower Challenge in 2012, and we are confident this is going to be the best one yet," said Steve Williams, Vice President for K&N. "With today's announcement of this year's sweepstakes, we reintroduce one of the greatest elements of the entire promotion, which is the fan involvement. Not only will they dictate the eighth and final driver participating in this year's Challenge, but one lucky fan will take home a one-of-a-kind Toyota Tundra designed and assembled by Toyota Racing Development with an assist from K&N, which promises to be our greatest grand prize yet."

The longest-running specialty event in the NHRA, the K&N Horsepower Challenge is a unique race-within-a-race pitting the seven Pro Stock racers who have accumulated the most qualifying points over the last year and one driver selected by the fans in a three-round, high-dollar shootout, with the winner pocketing $50,000. The fans can also take part in this annual celebration of the "factory hot rods" by entering the K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes. From the entries received, eight finalists will be chosen who will receive a trip for themselves and a companion to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk.

On the day of the event, each finalist will be randomly paired with one of the eight qualified drivers, with the finalist whose driver wins the race taking home the "K&N Horsepower Challenge Edition Toyota Tundra", a unique 2012 V-8 Double Cab specifically created by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and K&N Filters for this event with modifications to include a supercharger, custom wheels and exhaust, as well as other touches inside and out. As a four-time champion of this specialty race and the two-time defending winner, Greg Anderson appreciates the scope of K&N's involvement with the Pro Stock category, as well as the excitement the Sweepstakes brings to the fans.

"K&N has probably become the biggest supporter of the Pro Stock category, for which we are very grateful," said Anderson. "They put so much into it and do so much for the racers and the class itself. On top of that, they put out fantastic products, including several that we use on our race cars. Then, there's the K&N Horsepower Challenge, which is the coolest race of our year. You don't have to worry about points, so you can just go out there and race for a lot of money.

"I can honestly say from past experience that it's a fantastic feeling when you win the race, but it's no comparison to looking across the winner's circle and seeing the look on the face of the person who just won the sweepstakes. You end up feeling better for them than you do for yourself. It's just really cool to be able to do something for somebody else. It's really a neat deal, and I have to once again thank K&N for helping me put a smile on someone's face, something I hope to do again this year."

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 Engineering Expands Partnership with NHRA/IHRA Racer and TV Personality Kathy Fisher

5 Apr 2012

K&N's Husband and Wife Drag Racing Duo, Kevin and Kathy Fisher who can be seen on their own online reality series, "Married With Dragsters".

In a joint announcement from K&N Engineering, Inc. and Performance by Fisher Racing, Kathy Fisher's new 2012 American Race Cars dragster will boldly carry the K&N colors starting with this season. Husband and fellow teammate, Kevin Fisher will continue to fly the K&N banner as well on his Top Dragster entry. With the news, K&N will commence in their fifth consecutive year as a major associate partner with the husband and wife duo from Lima, Ohio and their first as a major presence for Kathy and her 8.90 category ride.

Carefully tailored after Kathy Fisher's K&N 2012 Dragster scheme, the crew's new sublimated crew shirts are poised to be a hit.

"It would be an understatement to say that we are quite blessed to be able to work so closely with a company the caliber of K&N Engineering," said Kathy. "Our relationship may have only started five years ago, but Kevin and I have been loyal K&N product users and endorsers for decades. We couldn't be more excited to be extended the newly expanded opportunity that K&N has afforded us, to widen our marketing of their full line of air and oil filters, as well as other specialty lines such as their composite scoops and heavy duty filters."

Fisher's soon to be completed American dragster will proudly be emblazoned with a savage looking K&N in-house designed paint scheme, thanks to the handiwork of Adam Stadler, Creative Manager for K&N. The car will feature several standout colors from DuPont and DuPont's Hot Hues lines that will be carefully laid down by the highly coveted talents found at Todd's Extreme Paint in Milan, Michigan. All will highlight the bold K&N diamond plate logo and K&N Wrench-Off Filter that will be surrounded by a carbon fiber effect to tie in with Fisher's 2nd Generation K&N composite dragster scoop [100-8512] and the exceptional powder coating colors that will soon be expertly applied by Aesthetic Finishers in Piqua, Ohio [afipowder.com]

The Very Bold and Flashy Rendering of Kathy Fisher's All New 2012 K&N American Race Cars Patriot Swing Arm Dragster

"K&N is very proud to continue working with Kathy and Kevin Fisher and Performance by Fisher Racing for 2012," commented Steve Williams, Vice President of K&N Engineering. "We are looking forward to helping them compete with their updated Top Dragster and brand new Super Comp car. K&N's commitment to all types of sportsman racing across many different types of racing shows the importance of supporting this important racing community."

Performance by Fisher Racing will duplicate the new eye-catching K&N scheme for Kathy's American dragster by carrying it right into the team's sublimated crew wear again utilizing the expertise of Advertising Edge/CustomRaceShirts.com, as they have since 2008. They look forward to debuting the whole new look during their season opener and at the first NHRA Div. 3 event in late April in Indianapolis.

"With the newly expanded K&N program put into place for Kathy and her new dragster, it will allow us to continue to hone our marketing efforts in even more directions," remarked Bob Harris, K&N Series and Track Support Manager/Sports Marketing. "I'm just glad to know and work with such great people and with Kathy's understanding of business, racing and her growing fan base that will surely arise from her newly announced national television series, increasing our association with both Kathy and her husband, Kevin is a no-brainer on our part."

K&N's Kathy Fisher, shown here with one of her numerous 8.90 class victories over the years.

"Our continued, and now broadened affiliation, with K&N not only as a company, but maybe even more importantly with the people who continue to make K&N even better every day, is not something that we take lightly," Kathy confided. "To align with the best in the industry at this level, one must strive to reach absolute perfection in all aspects of their product, which in our case is our race team as a whole, and that means on and even more so, off the track."

"We are honored to have come to know, and the good fortune to work with, Steve Williams, Bob Harris, Tony Yorkman, Greg Boutte and Ryan Fellman, many of which are seasoned drag racing vets and that's just to name a few," she continued. "These guys are right there to help when you need it and more than understand what sportsman racers put their race cars and rigs through, too for that matter. They take much of the info that various racers supply them with and that's why their R&D department never rests, turning it into new and better products for racing and everyday applications."

Joining the long list of K&N products that can be found on both the Fisher's race and everyday vehicles, they are highly anticipating the addition of one of K&N's newest offerings and their inline fuel/oil filter for both the Kathy's new K&N dragster and Kevin's Ohio Crankshaft Top Dragster. Since they can be used with a variety of fuels, including Dragon Racing Fuels methanol that both team cars run on, they will be a great enhancer to their filtration needs. The filter material is made from stainless steel and the housing is a contemporary black anodized aluminum.

A full chronicalization of both the addition of the fuel filters along with all of the K&N products that the team uses and installs and the benefits of each, will be featured on a special webpage within the team's website, www.teamKNfilters.com.

Kathy Fisher can also be found again in 2012 competing in the team's K&N 2010 Corvette during select events.

In addition to a full race schedule planned for the 2012 season, The Fisher's also continue to own and operate their shop, now in its 20th year, Performance by Fisher, Inc., which offers complete auto repair, custom exhaust and numerous high performance upgrades including installation available for the full line of K&N Engineering products. Kathy also maintains her involvement with Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School, weekly contributions to knfilters.com, covering the plethora of winning racers that use K&N products as well as her on-camera work for Masters Entertainment, where she hosts several nationwide TV series for the award winning production company based in Bristol, Tennessee. She was recently tapped to co-host the new weekly series "Performance TV" with Tommy Johnson, Jr. that will begin airing later this year on Fox Sports Net nationwide.

Much of the new K&N car build, and the racing season to come, is currently being featured on the second season of the team's online reality series, "Married With Dragsters", a full in-house production in which Kathy handles everything from filming to editing the finished product. The reality series is offered in conjunction with Competitionplus.com and their special CP.TV video section.

The unique series can also be found by visiting www.marriedwithdragsters.com, where viewers can obtain complete details on the "Watch and Win" contest that is now underway. Viewers can enter for a chance at some of the over $1,500 in prizes up for grabs from companies including K&N Engineering, B&M Racing, Dragon Racing Fuels, Hawk Performance, Snap-On Tools and a bonus prize that is soon to be announced.

To learn more about the Riverside, California based K&N Engineering, their full line of industry-transcending products, including the World's Best Air Filter and the long line of championship competitors who use and win with them, visit www.knfilters.com.

Additional information on Performance by Fisher Racing, team bios, 2012 event schedule and details on how you can "Watch and Win" with "Married With Dragsters" can be found by clicking over to www.performancebyfisher.com.

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 Re-Signs Colton Haaker to Race the 2012 WORCS and GEICO Endurocross Series

5 Apr 2012

Colton Haaker's Kawasaki powered machine.

Endurance and fitness are essential for professional athletes, and the intense world of motocross can often bring weaknesses in one's personal fitness to the forefront. That's why Southern California native Colton Haaker has taken to a new sport to keep him fit- mountain biking. And so far, the challenge is helping him in his professional world as well.

Haaker is fresh off a career-best 7th place finish in the Pro category at the WORCS event in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and has consistently run up near the front this season. "The mountain biking has been awesome," Haaker said. "They're good events, great competition and some awesome cross training for my motorcycle competitions."

Haaker is running in a local series in Fontana, California, where he has improved his finishes nearly every time out. He said the events give him a much-needed reprieve from the daily grind of motorcycle racing. "It has been great to ride and race the mountain bike and break up my pattern between my motocross and endurocross riding," Haaker said. "It keeps everything fresh and fun."

Haaker is coming off a career-best WORCS finish at Lake Havasu City.

Haaker is enjoying the 2012 season so far. The WORCS hasn't always been easy, but he's keeping it fun and is learning each time out. He said he hasn't had that 'wow' moment yet, but he also hasn't had a terrible moment either. "All of the moments have been pretty good, but the best moment will be when I win a race," Haaker said.

Haaker is especially looking forward to the start of the endurocross season on May 4th at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. He thinks the extra stamina he is getting from mountain biking will give him an added advantage that his opponents won't have. Most importantly though, Haaker said he is finally truly enjoying his sport. "I am expecting to race and learn and grow in every aspect that I can this year. I want to keep improving and growing. I haven't enjoyed riding and racing as much as I have this year, so I think that's one thing I have going for me."

Haaker said the support he gets from K&N's line of high quality filters is essential in allowing him to focus on racing and not worry about his bike's reliability. "K&N's products are great. They have been easy to maintain and the reliability has always been there in all of my motorcycles. I have to put a lot of trust in an air filter company to run them in my bikes and K&N has definitely earned my trust."

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.

Freestyle Motocross Rider Destin Cantrell Shows New Kawasaki KX450F and Fresh Tricks in 2012

5 Apr 2012

Cantrell has made a name for himself with his gravity-defying whips.

When you're competing in a sport where disaster looms at the end of every jump, the equipment you use can be just as important as your own abilities. So Destin Cantrell, one of the rising stars of freestyle motocross, made the switch to a new bike in 2012, a Kawasaki KX450F.

Cantrell practicing a Cliffhanger at his Southern California training grounds.

"I switched ultimately to get on an all-around better bike," Cantrell said. "To me the Kawasaki is a lot better and just suits me perfectly. I was on a Yamaha for a while, so it was good to make a switch and get on a new bike for the New Year."

Cantrell is hoping the switch in bikes will help elevate him to an elite level of freestyle and ultimately lead to an invite to the X-Games and the Dew Tour; both events are considered the pinnacle of freestyle motocross. After a solid 2011, capped by a strong showing at the Dew Tour's Best Whip competition, Cantrell thinks he can take his signature trick and talents to the top of the sport, but he still needs to master one last move.

"Whips are by far my favorite trick," Cantrell said. "It's not something too many people can do really big, so it's cool to be able to. As most people know, I just need to get the flips down, and those will come when the time is right."

When the flips do come, look out. Cantrell has been mastering the whip and other freestyle tricks since he was 15, when he got his first taste of dirt bike competition without racing. "Racing was definitely my first passion," Cantrell said. "But when I got to try freestyle for the first time at fifteen, I loved it. Obviously I've stuck with it. I just enjoy freestyle more then going to the track everyday and putting motors in. A lot of my friends are racers and I have so much respect for them because it's so much hard work and the training is insane."

Cantrell is looking forward to the summer months and the opportunity to start showcasing his new ride, and K&N will be right there with him. "I love K&N products, they are amazing," Cantrell said. "The filters really give my bike more power, and on top of that they are just so easy to clean. I also use the cleaner on my tires and it just works wonders. I just have to thank K&N for sticking with me through my career, and also a big thanks to Johnny Jump and my family and other sponsors as well."

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.

Jon Henry Racing LTD and Their New Rocket Ready to Blastoff Into 2012

30 Mar 2012

The Jon Henry Racing LTD team entered the 2012 with a full head of steam after a highly successful 2011 season.

Sometimes just knowing you're ready to run with the big dogs is all you get, and often that's plenty good enough to spark a highly success year. Third-generation racer Jon Henry and his Ada, Ohio team opened the 2012 season in promising style, even though their car may not have seen it that way.

The Jon Henry Racing LTD crew traveled to Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky to be part of 33 Late Model field for the opening of their 2012 race schedule. Henry finished second in his heat race and started 4th in the feature. The racing surface was super fast, abusively demanding, and started rolling up quite a bit in the corners, which created a survival mode for racers. Henry moved up into 2nd in the feature before having to surrender on lap 17 after the vibration in his car got too severe.

Jon Henry made it into 2nd place at Florence Speedway before having to retire on lap 17.

"Well we were rolling really good until the vibration continued to get worse and worse forcing me to pull off before any major damage occurred," explained Henry. "Come to find out we had a bad u-joint from our driveshaft and it was almost to the point of slipping out. But take the good with the bad in these situations- we weren't able to finish, but we showed a lot of potential running in the top three with some heavy hitters."

Henry has every intention of keeping the momentum train rolling down his tracks after a stellar 2011 season. "Last season was an awesome year!" adds Henry. "I became a two-time Sunoco American Late Model Series Champion, I was co-Late Model Champion at the famed Eldora Speedway, I finished 3rd in the UMP national points, and won the East region for UMP. It was a very successful year!"

With their new Rocket and help from Scott Smith, plus taking some additional forward steps, Jon Henry Racing LTD feels they're ready for this season.

During the off season the team sold their 2001 Rocket that won a lot of races for them last year, including making it into the 2011 World 100. "After that I bought a brand new 2012 Rocket," said the K&N sponsored driver. "Thanks to everyone at Rocket we were able to spend three days down in Shinnston, West Virginia at Rocket Chassis to completely assembly the car from top to bottom. I also still have my 2003 Rocket that we just kicked off our 2012 season with, but I'm really looking forward to getting out that new Rocket soon."

The highly motivated and thoroughly promising team made some other key changes during the off season by hiring some very experienced part-time help. "Scott Smith, also known as ‘Schoolboy,' has been a big help to getting our program headed to the next level," said Henry. "Another big change was me personally spending some time at Accu-Force Shock Service in Millersburg, Ohio with owner Keith Berner. Keith is very sharp with shocks and with these racecars; he taught me a lot in a short amount of time and it's going to be a huge help to my performance in 2012."

"Our goal is to run in the Summer Nationals this year, which is also called the ‘Hell Tour.' It consists of 28 races in 31 days over seven different states. We will also be contending for another Eldora Speedway Championship, and hopefully we're in the mix again for another run at the UMP national championship."

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.