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Mike Ryan and FireForce Racing Finish the NORRA Mexican 1000 in a 45-year-old F-100

29 Jun 2013

The 45-year-old F-100 first raced back in the 80's.

Firefighters don't simply stumble into their profession, they join the fire service because they followed a dream, and chose to serve their community. After surviving batteries of high stress testing and a rigorous training program, they are there because they have proven to be the cream of the crop. And each time they're frantically called to duty the unrelenting reality of danger looms in the air like, well, smoke.

So how do firefighters unwind during their off time? If you're in the group of active and retired firefighters calling themselves, Fireforce Racing, you go compete in a four day, 1,242 mile off-road race in Baja, Mexico.

K&N's Mike Ryan along with teammates Bruce Galien and Bob Motheral finished 6th in the Vintage Open Truck class in the 2013 NORRA Mexican 1000.

This year's team consisted of Bruce Galien (driver of record), Bob Motheral (Baja veteran, big Ol' bad ass Bob) and K&N sponsored racer, Mike Ryan (stunt driver and Pikes Peak record holder). "Mike Reitmayer, Doak Smith and my wife Debbie made up our capable chase crew," adds retired firefighter Galien. "This year our team name was "Perros Locos" borrowed from FS 98, and representing the Los Angeles Fire Dept. in our Truck No.98."

The trio entered their jointly owned 1968 Ford F-100 pickup truck in the 2013 NORRA Mexican 1000. The National Off Road Racing Association was the original sanctioning body for the legendary Baja 1000 beginning in 1967 through 1970 led by Ed Perlman. His son, Mike Perlman, brought NORRA back in 2010 as a four day, rally style event designated primarily for vintage race vehicles. The intent of the Mexican 1000 Rally is to return the off-road legend to its motorsports roots – meaning loads of camaraderie and rip-roaring fun, in a context of serious competition. The event continues to attract many of the legends of the sport including, Walker Evans, Malcom Smith, and Parnelli Jones, along with many of the original race vehicles restored to their former glory. Although the race is centered around the vintage vehicles, it has been opened up to any year of motorcycle or vehicle, divided into a Vintage Division and Evolution Division for the newer vehicles.

The vintage Ford and represented the Los Angeles Fire Dept. truck No.98.

The vintage Ford driven by the team of Galien, Motheral and Ryan was originally raced in the 80's as a Class 8, which required it to retain the stock frame and cab. "It has a full roll cage made of 2" DOM mild steel, front to rear which adds rigidity to the frame, safety for the occupants, and attachment points for the suspension," Galien explains. "The rear suspension is a three link set up for approximately 24" of wheel travel and a 9" Ford rear end with a spool and 4:11 gears. Using 33"x12.50 x 15" BFG All Terrain tires we had a top speed close to 100 mph. The front suspension is the classic Ford twin I-beam, although strengthened and adjusted for maximum wheel travel. All four wheels were controlled by a remote reservoir coil over shocks and 2" bump stops. Power to the wheels is supplied by a Ford 351 Cleveland, developing approximately 425 hp."

This year the 2013 General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 hosted 148 entries, an impressive increase from the 95 contestants last year. After four days of competition through some of the most demanding terrain on earth, the 4th annual running of the vintage-flavored off-road rally traversing the legendary Baja peninsula, came to an end in San Jose del Cabo. There, more than 850 guests enjoyed cocktails, food, racer awards and a massive fireworks display courtesy of NORRA and the South Point Casino Hotel, during a colossal seaside "Post" party.

"In the Vintage Division there were 60 entries this year," Galien remarked. "In our class of Vintage Open Truck we competed against 12 other trucks, including Walker Evans the eventual overall Vintage winner. We came out 25th in our division and 6th in our class, with an average speed of 49.5 mph. It was one hell of an adventure and we hope to do it again next year."

Related K&N News Articles about Firefighter's and Fire Trucks: K&N Fire Truck Air Filters Help Extinguish Campbellsville Fire Department's Budget; Hot Rod 1944 Mac Fire Truck Featured at the 2011 SEMA Show; Firefighter and Racer Dominates Pro Gas Nationals at Fontana, California

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Rob Carpenter's One Wheel Revolution Unveils New Stunts at 2013 Pensacola Harley-Davidson Show

29 Jun 2013

Learning new tricks takes anywhere from 20 to 100 hours before they're put into the show.

Rob Carpenter and his riding and business partner, Chris Rayburn, refer to 1WheelRevolution as "North America's leading V-twin Entertainment Company." These two talented riders and entrepreneurs have successfully combined their years of motorcycle riding, into a ridiculously enjoyable motorcycle entertainment experience. Every thunderous, V-twin performance on either a Harley-Davidson XR-1200 or Harley-Davidson Sportster, is fully choreographed and narrated by the riders via their in-helmet microphones. Side-by-side wheelies, no hands riding, feet on the seat or the handlebars, burnouts with colored smoke, anything you were schooled never to do on motorcycles, these guys do for a living.

K&N stunt rider Rob Carpenter calls the wheelie the foundation of all trick riding.

"The name One Wheel Revolution/1WheelRevolution/1WR was a name I originally created long ago when some friends and I were trying to figure out how to turn our passion into a career," Carpenter explains. "We kept trying to book local shows and people kept asking who we were. I began to realize the significance of branding and thus 1WR was created."

For Carpenter, "One Wheel" signified the wheelie, which is the foundation of all stunt riding, and "Revolution" represented the challenge to bring about positive change. "In this case that change meant trying to take a negative perception of stunt riding and turning it into something positive that people, venues, and sponsors would enjoy," Carpenter says.

Squeezed between their full schedule of shows and events, Carpenter and Rayburn perform for the camera during sponsor organized photo and video shoots.

The 1WR genesis came about after Carpenter was spotted performing at local sport bike events and he got a phone call one day to fill-in at the 2009 National HOG (Harley Owners Group) Rally. Clearly this was a great opportunity, the problem was he had never ridden a Buell or a Harley before. It didn't matter though, because he nailed it, and he was immediately scouted from that event to join a traveling Buell stunt team. At the same time Chris Rayburn rejoined the Buell team after his departure the year prior. "Our teamwork was second to none and it showed at every performance. Then in October 2009 we got some terrible news, Buell would be closing its doors and focusing on racing only."

"This was devastating news, but ultimately the push we needed to make the switch to H-D Sportsters. We continued to perform for the same team on Sportsters for the 2010 year. It was a lot of fun but we wanted more, more action, more opportunities and the possibility of further sponsorship. At the end of 2010 we decided to go in our own direction and take 1WR into the V-twin realm. I took loans from several family members, cashed out my savings account and purchased three H-D motorcycles, sound equipment and our show trailer. Since we stepped into V-twin entertainment, we have performed roughly 175 shows at 43 different events, in 18 different states. Generally we perform an average of 20 events each summer with sponsor photo/video shoots mixed between."

1WheelRevolution performs fully choreographed shows complete with colored smoke burnouts.

Carpenter and Rayburn's Pensacola Harley-Davidson performance was a mixture of new stunts and finely tuned equipment, "like our new K&N Charger Intakes, complimented with subtle variations of new tricks," remarks Carpenter. "Crowd safety and enjoyment is always our top priority for any event. This requires diligent practice ranging from 20 to 100 hours before a maneuver can be used in a show. Each time we ride we take basic maneuvers and add a variation, like one hand on the bars, no hands on the bars, one foot wrapped over the front, etc. And then we push the equipment related limits of that particular maneuver, for example the speed of bike, lean angle, extension of arms/legs, g-forces, tire traction and so on. After much practice, you end up with a finely polished new trick for the next event."

One such new trick that the duo performed at the Pensacola event is actually a combination of two tricks called a merk-step to tank-splitter. "The merk-step is basically doing a wheelie and briefly stepping one foot on the ground. The second trick is a tank-splitter which is riding on the gas tank with your legs protruding from each side while in a wheelie," Carpenter diagrams. "To perform this trick smoothly requires a strong rear handbrake setup, paired with a fine tuned motor. While in a wheelie, you perform the merk-step, pulling the clutch and rear handbrake at the same time. Giving the handbrake a quick pump at the end of this movement throws the bike forward, thus throwing you into the air. Once in the air, you simply time your brake and clutch release with a little bit of gas and at about that same moment, your rear lands on the gas tank. Proper setup, timing and practice are the key to pulling it off successfully."

One Wheel Revolution's next opportunity to pull it off successfully is June 29 and 30 at J&P Cycle Open House Rally in Anamosa, Iowa.

Related K&N News Articles about Motorcycle Stunt Riding: K&N Signs World Renowned Motorcycle Stunt Riding Artist Leah Petersen; Motorcycle Stunt Rider Tyler "Wheelie Wizzard" Shepard Wows the Crowds; K&N Continues Their Sponsorship of the Premier Motorcycle Stunt Riding XDL Championship Series for 2012; Motorcycle Stunt Riders Gear up for XDL Championship Series

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Jay Gignac and K&N’s Hydroplane Racing Team Gi Wizz Racing Ready to Race

29 Jun 2013

Using the principle of ground force hydroplanes in effect fly over water.

The first time we contacted Jay Gignac at home in Greenfield, New Hampshire to see if he was interested in doing a story about hydroplane racing he said, "Absolutely! As soon as all the snow goes away, 33 inches fell between Friday and Saturday and more is coming." Although he was a good sport, it was regrettably bad timing on our part. Living in southern California we're not tuned in with the need to dig your home out from snow.

After a long a snowy winter Jay Gignac and his Gi Wizz Hydroplane Racing Team is ready to hit the water.

The snow is long gone now and this time around Gignac began the conversation with, "Welcome to the team of K&N Inboard Hydroplane competition and Gi Wizz Racing." Gignac is the driver of the GNH-55 which competes within the Grand National Hydro class of hydroplane racing. Gignac is also the owner of the Gi Wizz Racing Team, which is a member of the American Power Boat Association (APBA). The APBA is the US National Authority for the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique), which is the international governing body of power boating.

"Gi Wizz Racing started back in the 60's as the G Team, an outboard hydroplane team that over the last 53 years has evolved into a prestigious Grand National Inboard Hydroplane Team," Gignac continued. "A Grand National Hydroplane, aka GNH or 7 Liter, is the largest non-supercharged inboard hydroplane class. They are usually powered by big block Chevrolet based engines (up to 511 cubic inches) with a hot rod racing engine that produces over 750 horsepower. The highly competitive GNH's are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 150 mph, and they throw 70-foot rooster-tails, thrilling drivers and fans alike. Our team is made up of many talented and win driven individuals and we are ready to go racing."

Using the principle of ground force hydroplanes in effect fly over water.

If you are a motorsport fan and you've never been to a hydroplane race, you owe yourself the experience. A hydroplane, aptly nicknamed thunderboat, is actually more plane than boat. By definition a hydroplane has two or more planning surfaces, so that at speed, the weight of the hull is supported by the planning forces. A key aspect of hydroplanes is that they use the water they are on for lift, rather than buoyancy, as well as for propulsion and steering. Hydroplanes use the principle of "ground force," so when travelling at high speed, water is forced downwards by the bottom of the boat's hull. The water therefore exerts an equal and opposite force upwards, lifting the vast majority of the hull out of the water during racing. Some hydroplanes even have the center section designed like an aircraft wing to help them glide through the air and only barely in touch with the water during a race. It's an incredibly visceral experience because you don't only see and hear the race, but you feel the thundering power in your gut as they wreck havoc with the laws of physics.

"Along with our Crew Chief/Engine Builder, Leo Croisetier of R&L Engines, boat builder Bruce Mason, who keeps our big girl afloat, and the entire crew, we are looking forward to a very competitive season," Gignac said. "2013 will bring on a newly rebuilt big block power plant too, that we've named 'The Beast!' Leo assures us that she will be extremely reliable and with plenty of horsepower. We can't wait to get her fired up!"

Related K&N News Articles about Hydroplane Racing: K&N Sponsored UL-11 Hydroplane - Miss Executif Racing Wins Polson Regatta; Hydroplane UL-11 Power Punch Race Team/94Five ROXY/K&N Wins at Firebird; Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association Racing Team Defies Odds

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K&N's Dr. Macrae Glass Grabs Class 8 Win at Best in the Desert's Silver State 300

29 Jun 2013

Racers were greeted by near perfect race day temps and wicked speeds through the trees.

After a disappointing Mint 400, Doc Glass kept the past where it belongs, and he moved forward, taking the Class 8 victory at the Silver State 300. "We broke a rear spindle at the Mint," Glass said. "Just inside of the wheel seal/outside of the caliper mount, oil went all over brakes, etc. I repaired the housing with a new spindle for the SS300."

Kingman, Arizona's Doc Glass survived the choking dust to win Class 8 at Silver State 300.

Dr. Macrae Glass, the Kingman, Arizona chiropractor, and the KC Hilites/Glass Chiropractic racing team recently competed in The Best in the Desert's (BITD) Silver State 300, held near Alamo, Nevada. "We were greeted by near perfect temperatures, wicked speeds in the trees, and stout competition," he remarked.

"We drew the number 1 starting spot, with the winners from the last two events lined up behind us. Ken Kelly rode as navigator. The last round hurt more than our feelings with that broken rear spindle and a DNF. A solid finish was the goal of the day."

Glass and Kelly took the green flag and with their focus firmly set on that singular goal, as they headed on to pit 1 and then 2, navigating through the engine choking dust.

"We pulled in to pit 3 for fuel and an air cleaner wrap and we moved on," Doc said. "We picked up the pace to pit 4, and it became clear, all the winter testing with springs and shocks had paid off. This was the best the front had ever worked. We headed onto pit 6 for fuel and one more air cleaner wrap, and we pulled out with a 7.5 minute lead. Second and third place were breathing down our necks, but we had something for them. We picked up the pace and charged to the finish, first in class 8 and 32nd overall. This was our first win of the year, and it feels really good to get back on top of the podium. We sit atop the points for the mid-season break and then it's off to the Vegas to Reno race in mid August, which is the next event on the six race BITD thrash."

"The SS300 went off as planned," Glass adds. "We spent the better part of the winter into spring working on a faster suspension setup as we chisel away on more speed. The truck was pretty darn good at the SS. Of course, were still always using the HP5001 oil filter and the E-3760 air to help make big power!"

Related K&N News Articles about Macrae Glass: K&N's Dr. Macrae Glass Wins BITD Henderson 250 Class 8 and Class Championship; Macrae Glass Gets Class 8 Win at the 2011 Mint 400; Macrae Glass Best in the Desert Again - With 2010 Class 8000 Championship; Macrae Glass Wins Brutally Hot BITD Vegas to Reno Race;

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Cam Reimers Posted Seasons First Top-Five Finish in Traxxas TORC Series at Eldora Speedway

28 Jun 2013

TORC Series PRO Lite racer Cam Reimers at Eldora Speedway

Cam Reimers took advantage of sloppy, stormy conditions at Eldora Speedway and posted his first top-five finish of the season in the Traxxas TORC Series in May.

Reimers, running his first full season in the TORC Series, was fifth in the PRO Lite race at Eldora Speedway in Ohio. Eldora Speedway was supposed to host Rounds 3 and 4 of the TORC Series, but rain washed out the fourth round.

The stormy conditions evened the playing field for Reimers and his team. Rain washed out the practice sessions and qualifying; leaving some of the better-funded teams without the data to make adjustments before the race.

PRO Lite racer Cam Reimers is running his first full season in the TORC Series

"I wasn't that upset. There are quite a few high-dollar, budget teams there that make a lot of changes and have a lot of different gearing choices," Reimers said. "We're kind of limited on some of that. The less test and tune time they have, sometimes it's not all bad for a team like us. I enjoyed it. I actually didn't mind only being on the track once."

His first top-five finish came after a disappointing opening to the season at Dodge City Raceway in Kansas. Reimers opened with an 11th-place finish in the opening race and followed with a seventh-place finish in Round 2.

The team gradually improved through the first three races of the season, an encouraging trend, Reimers said. He anticipated better results at Eldora Speedway after the races in Kansas.

"The team is getting better race to race," Reimers said. "To be completely honest, I feel better every time I get in the truck. It was muddy and the track conditions were terrible, but I still just kind of focused on racing, not necessarily the truck. There wasn't a lot of thought behind it. I was just driving and stuff kind of clicked."

Cam Reimers is in ninth place in the TORC Series PRO Lite standings after six rounds

Conditions at Eldora Speedway were terrible. The first two practice sessions were cancelled because of rain. Reimers said the track officials had about 10 drivers meetings to inform the teams about the changes in the schedule. Qualifying was cancelled and the start of the race was delayed because of the weather.

"To be quite honest, they didn't do much to prep the track," Reimers said. "They weren't doing much to make it better. They put us right out on the track after it rained. It was raining so hard, we did one little pace lap and they sent us right back into the pits. It poured for 15 minutes. It came down hard."

Rounds 3 and 4 were supposed to be run at Eldora Speedway. Round 4 was postponed because of the weather.

Reimers posted a pair of top-10 finishes at Bark River International Raceway in Minnesota. Bark River hosted Round 4, 5 and 6 of the TORC Series. He was sixth in the Round 4 race and eighth in the Round 5 race. He finished in 11th place in the Round 6 race.

But Reimers, an accomplished motocross rider, said he expects to win some races even in his first season in the TORC Series. He is in ninth place in the TORC Series PRO Lite standings after six rounds.

"Our goal is to come out and to win," Reimers said. "We come from a type of racing where we're accustomed to winning. I like to go for the top five. Some team's goals are a top five. But that's not our goal. I think we might need to have some luck to pull off a win. I don't think that's a stretch of the imagination to say that. Our goals are to win races."

The next two races in the TORC Series are at Crandon International Off Road Raceway in Wisconsin at the end of June.

"We're limited on budgets compared to some teams, but we've got good people behind us that are helping us," Reimers said. "Out of the smaller teams, I would definitely put ours as the strongest one out of all of them."

Using K&N filters is one of the reason Reimers team is running as well as it is. During the races in Dodge City, Reimers flipped his truck in practice and the filters prevented a dangerous situation from escalating.

"I rolled the truck over in practice and could see the fuel coming out the filter lid," Reimers said. "They're thinking about mandating a rule for that, you have to run a filter lid like how K&N makes so the fuel runs out. They had an incident the next night where a guy rolled. They rolled him back over and there was a huge flash fire. I think about stuff like that even from a safety aspect with the K&N deal. That could have been me."

Related K&N News Articles about Cam Reimers: Cam Reimers Comeback in 2012 Should Translate to a Successful 2013 Season; Cam Reimers Walks Away From Loretta Lynn's With Two Overall Wins