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Shannon McQueen had announced that she would drive a special Kara Hendrick Tribute car in 2016, and the team released pictures of the tribute car prior to the 2016 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

K&N filters sponsored midget racer Shannon McQueen is an accomplished racer known for being the first female driver (2007) and owner/driver (2012) to win a USAC midget feature, as well as championships with USAC Western States (2012) and the Bay Cities Racing Association (2011). But while Shannon has earned her stripes she is quick to credit the late Kara Hendrick with paving a path for women in USAC competition.

"Kara opened doors for female drivers like me," said McQueen. Though McQueen is credited as the first female driver to win a USAC midget feature, and championship, Kara was certainly moving in that direction before her unfortunate passing. While McQueen is proud of her own success she acknowledges Kara's accomplishments saying, "I never would have been the first female driver to win a USAC Western States Midget feature or championship because Kara would have already done it."

Following the Chili Bowl Nationals Shannon McQueen plans to pilot the K&N filters equipped Kara Hendrick Tribute car in over 30 USAC events for the 2016 racing season

In October 1991, after setting a new track record at El Cajon Speedway, Kara lost her life in a racing accident at just 22 years old. In 1989, Kara had finished second in the USAC three-quarter midget series point standings, the highest finish ever for a female driver. At the time of her death, Kara was just getting started in what looked to be a promising racing career. Who knows what Kara might have accomplished had she not been taken at such a young age.

McQueen had announced that she would drive a special Kara Hendrick tribute car in 2016, and the team released pictures of the tribute car prior to the 2016 Chili Bowl Midge Nationals. However, when Shannon McQueen arrived in Tulsa, Oklahoma it was evident that pictures just couldn't do the car justice. It's an identical copy of the car that Kara was driving when she tragically lost her life, right down to the blue mud covers and "Kara" on the arm guard.

While the results of the Chili Bowl may not have been what Shannon hoped for, the outpouring of support from the Hendrick family and friends has been more than overwhelming. With Renee Hendrick, Kara's mom, and Kenny Hendrick, Kara's twin brother, standing by, Shannon McQueen paid a most respectful tribute to her childhood hero at the Mecca of midget racing, the 30th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals. After the Chili Bowl McQueen plans to compete in over 30 events, including midget and 360 sprint car racing with the USAC Western States Midgets and the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars.

Find K&N performance upgrades for your daily driver using the Search By Vehicle tool or K&N Racing Air Filters, Custom Air Filter Assemblies, Off-Road Air Filters and more for your racing efforts. Then use the K&N Dealer Search tool to find a local authorized K&N dealer.

The Teryx Girls, more formally known as Sara Price and Erica Sacks, are on a mission to showcase their skills at the 2016 King of the Hammers UTV race in their K&N equipped Kawasaki Teryx

The Teryx Girls, more formally known as Sara Price and Erica Sacks, are on a mission to showcase their skills at the 2016 King of the Hammers (KOH) UTV race in their K&N Filters equipped factory supported Kawasaki Teryx side by side. The King of the Hammers is one of the toughest single day off-road races in the world. KOH is a rough, and rugged, approximately 120-mile long race held each year in Johnson Valley, California.

The King of the Hammers event is a unique race combining elements of desert racing with rock crawling and as such the Teryx build required the UTV to be to be nimble, capable, and durable

Sara Price is a Professional Motocross and Supercross racer who earned her place in history books with her racing endeavors and the Motocross Industry by being the first ever factory supported female racer under Monster Energy Kawasaki and a X-Games medalist. Sara still continues to race motocross but also plans to tackle Off-road racing as a driver

Sara's navigator and accomplice, Erica Sacks, is an accomplished gymnast and experienced off-road racer. Erica has over 15 years of off-road racing experience in the U.S. and all over Baja. Erica has raced in a variety of off-road cars from Trophy Karts to Class 1 cars, and has the experience and navigational skills required for off-road racing.

Solo experience aside, Sara and Erica have successfully worked together in the past. In fact, these two ladies make up the possibly the most well-known female duo in UTV off-road racing. In March 2015, the Teryx Girls competed in the toughest all-female sporting event on the planet known worldwide as The Rallye Ache des Gazelles and made history as the first U.S. team to compete in the Side-by-side class.

The 2016 King of the Hammers event will once again test the strength and durability of their Kawasaki Teryx. Kawasaki, as well as a host of other sponsors, has helped the Teryx Girls prepare for the event by outfitting a brand new 2016 Kawasaki Teryx side by side. Sara Price and Erica Sacks are one of the only factory sponsored UTV race teams in the world currently. The build of the 2016 KOH Teryx was a big undertaking, but they learned a lot from their previous Teryx build.

HCR Racing provided the Teryx Girl's 2016 Kawasaki Teryx with a long travel suspension system while tuned King Shocks will give the girls' confidence at full speed as well as over obstacles

According to Sara, the Teryx Girls enlisted the help of a few men, but for the most part tackle the job of build and prep themselves. The Hammers event is a unique race which will force the Teryx Girls to navigate through sandy dry lake-beds, rough open desert terrain and technical jagged rock canyons filled with rock climbing obstacles. As such the KOH Teryx build required the UTV to be to be nimble, capable, and durable; without comprising the ability to quickly get in & out.

For increased performance without risking reliability the 2016 Kawasaki Teryx ECU was re-flashed and a K&N air filter was installed to provide engine protection and increased airflow

Important modifications to the 2016 Kawasaki Teryx include a 4500LB Super ATV winch, a necessity in the field of rock crawling. A Factory UTV UHMW skid plate system was added to ensure the 2016 Kawasaki Teryx will survive the punishing California desert. Wheels & Tires are important on any race vehicle, but the KOH requires unique considerations when choosing the right set up. The Teryx Girls went with 14" Raceline Mamba beadlock wheels and 30-inch Arisun tires.

HCR Racing provided the Teryx Girls' 2016 Kawasaki Teryx with a long travel suspension system for more stability, travel, and ground clearance in order to tackle the course. This HCR suspension combined with King Racing Shocks will give the girls confidence to go full speed through the desert or tackle rocky canyons. For increased performance without risking reliability the 2016 Kawasaki Teryx ECU was re-flashed and K&N air filter KA-7512 was installed to provide engine protection and increased airflow.

Other accommodations include a Lowrance GPS, Bluetooth intercom communication system and radios courtesy of PCI Race Radios, Summers Brothers Racing custom axles, and a pair of PRP GT/S.E. suspension seats, with 5.3 harnesses, as well as hand restraints. With the hefty list of modifications and proper training, the Teryx Girls feel they are prepared for the 2016 King of the Hammers and look forward to pushing their 2016 Kawasaki Teryx.

Use the K&N Search By Vehicle tool to find K&N performance upgrades for Kawaski Teryx side-by-sides, or almost any another vehicle. Then use the K&N Dealer Search tool to find a local authorized K&N dealer.

Build Specifications of the Teryx Girls' 2016 KOH UTV are below:

With the hefty list of modifications and proper training the Teryx Girls feel they are prepared for the 2016 King of the Hammers UTV race on February 3, 2016 near Johnson Valley, California

Model: 2016 Kawasaki Teryx 800 EPS
Builder: IMG Motorsports
Cage: IMG Motorsports
Front Bumper: IMG Motorsports
Winch: Super ATV 4500 LB
Seats: PRP Seats GT/S.E.
Harnesses: PRP Seats 5.3
Lighting: KC Hilites
Exhaust: Muzzys
Shocks: King Shocks
Wheels: Raceline 14 inch Mamba
Tires: 30 inch Arisun
Suspension: HCR Racing Long Travel
Axels: Summers Brothers Racing
Performance: K&N Air Filter KA-7512
GPS: PCI Race Radios / Lowrance
Skid Plate: Factory UTV
Extras: Slime/ Coyote ENTS

The Teryx Girls Are Sponsored By: Kawasaki, Kawasaki Genuine Parts, IMG Motorsports, BitTorrent, Super ATV, PRP Seats, K&N Air Filters, HCR Racing, F&L Racing Fuel, Summers Brothers Racing, Raceline Wheels, Arisun Tires, Slime, Alpinestars, Bell Helmets, KC Hilites, PCI Race Radios, 100% Goggles, Factory UTV, Coyote ENTS, Attain Media, & UTVUnderground.com.

The Furr Racing team is a full family affair for K&N sponsored NHRA drag racer Michelle Furr, with her husband Rick as the crew chief, and their children Madilyn and Adiayn in Junior Dragsters

The Furr Racing team is a full family affair for K&N filters sponsored NHRA drag racer Michelle Furr, husband Rick, and their two children Madilyn and Adiayn. What makes the Furr Racing team unique is that everyone in the family pilots a race car, except the family patriarch Rick Furr. This is because Rick suffered an injury in early 2011 that left him with chronic pain.

While Rick's role on the Furr Racing team is probably the least visible, Michelle Furr is quick to point out that Rick is crucial to the team's success. "He does it for me," Michelle said of Rick's support. "I appreciate his sacrifice more than he'll ever know. It's amazing how he pushes through his pain each and every day. Not only could I not do this without him, I wouldn't even want to. My success on the track is a reflection of all his hard work behind the scenes. Those trophies belong to him as much as to me."

Rick has hammered through to continue pushing Michelle, Madilyn and Adiayn to pursue their dreams. Although the team has had to narrow down their typical 40-50 race schedule to ease the load on Rick. But despite a limited race schedule the past few seasons, the Furr family has managed to continue adding to their success at high profile events. "Seeing how much Rick has supported me when it's especially hard for him to do gives me even more motivation to make his sacrifice pay off on the track," said Michelle Furr.

Running up to four cars in as many classes makes proper maintenance all the more critical, which is why Furr Racing depends upon K&N products to fulfill its filtration needs

A new treatment for Rick, including surgery, promises some relief from his pain, and means Furr Racing could be back at full throttle for the 2016 NHRA season. "We're very excited for the 2016 season," said Michelle. "Drag racing is more than just a part of our lives. It's a part of us. The time we get to spend together as family means so much. We love everything about racing from the competition to the people to our sponsors. This is why we keep at it year after year."

Michelle pilots two cars in two classes and both kids are honing their skills in Junior Dragsters before moving into full bodied cars. Running up to four cars in as many classes makes proper maintenance all the more critical. Furr Racing depends upon K&N air filters & K&N oil filters to fulfill their filtration needs. "My husband, Rick, has caught so many small issues with normal maintenance, and in turn, has saved so much in cost and downtime," Michelle ensured. "It's a must for our team."

"We're proud to represent so many companies that have strong family values, just like us. We've truly been really blessed with companies and the families behind those companies investing in our family and our program," said Michelle. Furr Racing will begin its 2016 racing season with the NHRA LODRS Division 2 event at Auto-Plus Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, March 9-13, 2016.

Find K&N filters for your daily driver using the Search By Vehicle tool or K&N Racing Air Filters, Custom Air Filter Assemblies, Off-Road Air Filters and more for your racing efforts. Then use the K&N Dealer Search tool to find a local authorized K&N dealer.

After Nick O’Kane completed his 2002 Suzuki TL1000R Café racer he entered the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show at the 2014 Progressive International Motorcycle Show

Not everyone can be lucky enough to make it as professional artists, sports figures, or racers. Instead we work a real job to pay the bills and fulfill our other aspirations on the weekends or evenings after clocking out. In the case of K&N National Account Manager Nick O’Kane, working for K&N Filters allows him the opportunity to live in the realm of fast cars and hot bikes while still having his feet planted in the real world.

Nick O’Kane transformed a wrecked Triumph Speed Triple into a one of a kind street fighter as his personal ride, so his second Suzuki TL1000R build was intended for his wife Anja

Nick O’Kane joined K&N in 1997 as the UK Sales Manager based in the K&N office near Manchester, England and later relocated to the Netherlands as the International Sales Manager. In 2006, Nick relocated to K&N headquarters in Riverside, California and spent 8 years representing K&N in the powersports industry before transitioning into his current role as a National Accounts Manager for the automotive side of K&N’s business.

In 2014 Nick acquired the platform for a café racer build in the form of a salvaged motorcycle from the nearby shop of Motopia Cycles. Nick described that 2002 Suzuki TL1000R as a “smashed up dog” when he acquired the crashed bike for a mere $800. Removing the Superbike’s damaged fairings and bent sub-frame revealed a bike with just the right lines to serve as the starting point for a café racer build.

Following a complete teardown, custom paint, and many one-off fabricated components Nick’s 2002 Suzuki TL1000R was reincarnated as a beautiful café racer blending modern technology with styling cues from the past. Though a Suzuki V-Twin superbike is an unusual choice over a classic British parallel-twin for a café racer build, the TL’s excellent presentation was able to please custom bike lovers and even café racer purists.

After Nick completed his 2002 Suzuki TL1000R café racer he decided to enter it into the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show at the 2014 Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California. Nick’s bike garnered quite a bit of attention at the Bike Show, and even an offer to buy the bike. Taken by surprise, he was quick to accept the offer. However, almost as soon as the bike left his possession, Nick looked back and missed the TL.

The key difference for Nick’s second Suzuki TL1000 build is the inclusion of a half fairing inspired by the Ducati 900SS Super Sport Desmo 90-degree V-Twin vintage racer of the 1970’s

With as much as Nick enjoyed his first TL1000 Café Racer, and having the formula nearly down to a science, he immediately began searching for another blank canvas for his TL1000R build, version 2.0. Prior to building the TL Café Racer, Nick transformed a wrecked Triumph Speed Triple into a one of a kind street fighter as his personal ride. Nick’s goal for the second iteration of the Suzuki TL would be aimed at building his wife Anja a custom ride.

Nick mounted small LED driving lights to the TL’s lower radiator to avoid upsetting the sleek lines of the vintage racer half-fairing and maintain a minimalist look

The key difference for Nick’s second Suzuki TL1000 build is the inclusion of a half fairing inspired by the Ducati 900SS Super Sport Desmo of the 1970’s. The Suzuki TL1000R super bike has more in common with the 90-degree V-Twin powered Ducati than it does with a British parallel twin and makes for an excellent tribute to the Italian-made Ducati. Nick also retained a front fender for his second TL build as it kept with the vintage racer theme.

Nick mounted small LED driving lights to the TL’s lower radiator to avoid upsetting the sleek lines of the vintage racer half-fairing and maintain a minimalist look. Another change made for the second TL build was the use of Continental ContiRaceAttack Rain tires. Granted Nick is a native of Liverpool, England and is no stranger to rain, but Nick chose the rain tires simply for their interesting tread pattern.

Additionally, Nick’s first TL build used a stock replacement K&N air filter, number SU-0015 and K&N Wrench-Off oil filter KN-138. TL1000R build V2.0 takes K&N performance filters to the next level by completely eliminating the stock Suzuki airbox and replacing it with clamp on K&N air filters. Nick also took the time to replace the large factory battery cover, normally hidden by the factory lower fairings, with a custom machined and K&N engraved version.

Nick’s second TL1000 earned a 1st place plaque in the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show at the 2015 Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California

Outside of those changes, Nick’s second TL1000R build is identical to the first TL he built in 2014. Despite the fact that little was changed, the second bike earned higher praise when entered into the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show at the 2015 Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California. This time Nick not only returned with the fruits of his labor, but a plaque for winning the Modified Custom Class.

Nick is quick to admit that this project wouldn’t have been possible without the help of friends and key industry partners such as: K&N air filters, Roland Sands Design, Dynojet, MotoGP Werks, EBC Brakes, PSR USA, VooDoo Moto, Hyper-Pro, Goodridge and Continental tires. Currently Nick’s Suzuki TL vintage racer is sitting on display in the K&N international headquarters’ lobby. But Nick and his wife Anja are sure to be spotted riding their custom motorcycles through the local canyons when the riding season comes this spring.

Find K&N filters for your motorcycle, or daily driver, using the Search By Vehicle tool or browse the wide selection of K&N Universal Air Filters to fit that custom project. Then use the K&N Dealer Search tool to find a local authorized K&N dealer.

Back in 2008, at just 5 years old, Tyler Allen Clem was racing the Quarter Midgets of America (QMA) series at Tampa and New Smyrna, Florida race tracks

While the year 2008 may not seem like long ago to many of us, it is an eternity in the eyes of a child. Back in 2008, at just 5 years old, Tyler Allen Clem was racing the Quarter Midgets of America (QMA) series at Tampa and New Smyrna, Florida race tracks. Tyler began his racing career by watching his dad race 360 sprint cars. But that’s not really what Tyler’s dad is known for.

Tyler’s father is better known as Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, a radio personality who also functions as the owner of the Clem Racing Inc. team. Bubba the Love Sponge, a native of Warsaw, Indiana, was born Todd Clem. In 1999 he legally changed his name to the trademarked Bubba the Love Sponge. Some would describe Bubba the Love Sponge as the second "baddest" boy in radio behind Howard Stern.

Eight years since he began racing, Tyler Clem has moved from Quarter Midgets to NeSmith Crate Late Model cars and is still sponsored by K&N air filters

Radio fame aside, Tyler Clem has been diligently racing and working his way up the ladder. From Tyler’s early days of running a Stanley Quarter Midget chassis with an Xcellerator 120cc engine to now driving a NeSmith Crate Late Model for 2016, the team has relied on K&N air filters. “I’ve always been a huge believer in K&N, not only as a racer, but for my personal vehicles as well,” said Bubba the Love Sponge. He continued, “K&N was one of the first corporate sponsors to believe in us.”

Tyler Clem got his 2016 season started off on the right foot with a strong showing in the 25th Annual Ice Bowl at the Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama

Tyler Clem got his 2016 season started off on the right foot with a strong showing in the 25th Annual Ice Bowl at the Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama. The Talladega Short Track boasts a 1/3 mile long high-banked (18°) red clay oval with 400 foot straightaways and hosts Chevrolet Of Boaz Super Late Models, Sportsman, Crate Late Models, Oxford Love Stuff Thundercars, Riteway Auto Sales Hot Shots, Street Stocks and Pony Stocks.

The 25th Annual 2016 Ice Bowl attracted 65 entries in the Crate Late Model class for the NeSmith Winter sanctioned event. Tyler Clem logged the fifth fastest qualifying time in his group, but was one position shy of earning a transfer when he finished 4th place in his heat race. Clem moved onto the B-main event hoping to make it the A-main and get his shot at the $3,000-to-win prize. Clem made it the main and started from 20th before finishing 12th. Making up 8 positions on a tight 1/3 mile track is quite impressive.

“It was special to make the Ice Bowl finale, and it was an accomplishment to be able to advance eight spots in the feature,” said Tyler Clem. Tyler is now preparing for the annual Bubba Army Winternationals series at Bubba Raceway Park. Clem will try his hand at four of the 2016 Bubba Army Winternationals NeSmith Dirt Late Model class races taking place on the 3/8 mile, D shaped, Semi-banked, clay track near Ocala, Florida. Tyler’s first race of the Bubba Army Winternationals will take place January 27-30, 2016.

Find K&N filters for your daily driver using the Search By Vehicle tool or K&N Racing Air Filters, Custom Air Filter Assemblies, Off-Road Air Filters and more for your racing efforts. Then use the K&N Dealer Search tool to find a local authorized K&N dealer.