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The Pro Stock drivers in the NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series are jockeying for position in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. The NHRA season opener at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona gave the seven drivers in the K&N Horsepower Challenge a chance to show what their teams have in store for the races in Las Vegas in April. The drivers have three races to gain qualifying points for the K&N Horsepower Challenge in Las Vegas.
K&N Horsepower Challenge
"It's awesome to have a series that has a special race," said Mike Edwards, one of the seven drivers in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. "Pro stock is the only category now that has a special race. It's so good to be involved with K&N and all those fine folks over there. They've been a tremendous help to us and the whole Pro Stock class."
Allen Johnson, Jason Line, Erica Enders-Stevens, Greg Anderson, Vincent Nobile and V. Gaines are also competing in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. An eighth driver will be selected by the fans to compete in Las Vegas. Fans can vote for the final driver at KNFilters.com. Ron Krisher, Jeg Coughlin, Warren Johnson, Larry Morgan, Shane Gray, Kurt Johnson, Dave Connolly, Greg Stanfield, Steve Kent, Chris McGaha, Mark Martino, JR Carr, Ronnie Humphrey and Rickie Jones are among the drivers fans can vote on.
"It's a privilege. It's an honor. It's something every year we try to do," Edwards said. "We try to get in the K&N. It's kind of like our Super Bowl of Pro Stock racing. We get to race for the big money for one day. It's an honor and a privilege. Our two goals are to win the K&N Horsepower Challenge and to win the championship."
Pro Stock's Mike Edwards awarded K&N Horsepower Challenge # 1 Qualifier
The eight drivers will compete for a $50,000 prize at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on April 6.
"First things first, we have the Challenge coming up in Vegas," Edwards said. "I'm looking forward to having it in Vegas. We never run good at Norwalk. It's going to be better. I think it'll be a better show. I know it's going to be good. We're really excited about it."
In the first three NHRA Pro Stock events of the years, drivers earn points in qualifying. The driver started earning points in the season opener at Pomona. They will continue to earn points at Phoenix and Gainesville, Fla.
"We all have to work very hard to gain those qualifying points, to be a part of the challenge at all each year," said Allen Johnson. "Every team out here is really focused before qualifying on qualifying good just for those points and the chance to show off at the K&N Challenge. K&N does a great job with it all the way around."
Edwards said he doesn't change his approach to qualifying because of the K&N Horsepower Challenge, but it does create an incentive to perform well in qualifying.
"It's just like racing on Sunday," Edwards said. "You're just racing for a bigger prize. Fifty grand, that's a lot of money for us. You have to get motivated and you have to do your job. There's a little added pressure for me because I get some support from K&N. I want to do good for them and they've been so good to me. I've never won the thing. I've been runner-up a couple times. I'd like to win the thing this year."
Line said he wants to be in position to win the prize money.
"Every week I like to get that No. 1 qualifying money," Line said. "That's a big deal. I've never won the Horsepower Challenge. It's always eluded me. I want that trophy and I want that ring. One of these years I'm going to get it. It's a tough race. It's one of those deals where you just sort of go for it. It's a cool thing to be a part of."
Line added that his team puts a little more emphasis on qualifying, especially during the K&N Horsepower Challenge.
"We've been the No. 1 qualifier for the last two years in a row," Line said. "We're creeping back up toward the top. It's a big deal. It's always good to be No. 1. We put a lot of emphasis on it. It's important to us."
Allen Johnson said the K&N Horsepower Challenge brings out the best in his team and his competitors.
"During the Challenge, you got the best of the best there," Allen Johnson said. "We have to be very aggressive and on our game. We probably make sure we have our best stuff and we're very aggressive. It makes me try to make sure my shift points are exactly right and stage exactly right. It takes every ingredient this team, car, driver and engine to gain those valuable K&N points."
When building a car for the 2013 SEMA show was addressed, Joe Maynard, and Marketing in Motion knew the direction they wanted to travel. Maynard, owner of the company, chose a 2013 Ford Fiesta for the build and had a theme in mind - "We were going for the Street Tuned theme," he explained. "A realistic build that a Fiesta owner can aspire to build."
Ford Fiesta SE street tuner at SEMA 2012
Prior to embarking upon the endeavor, Maynard and his crew were perfectly aware that such a project would prove demanding, as countless man hours would be dedicated prior to the project's end. Fortunately, this wasn't his companie's first rodeo, and experience was on their side. In fact, his company had been building their own personal SEMA project cars since 2006, and had been assisting other companies in their builds since 1997.
"I've been going to SEMA since 1995," recalled the business owner. Referring to the challenges of a build of this magnitude, he continued, "It takes months of fabrication, test fitments, more fabrication, and patience."
Ford booth SEMA 2012 had this Fiesta SE on display
With the make and model of their project car determined, they then had to choose the modifications which would bring their ideas to fruition. Although very few mechanical modifications were called for, they did turn to H&R Sport Springs to improve the suspension and add a little pizazz to the overall look.
Acutely aware that tires and wheels are of utmost importance in both handling and appearance much thought and consideration went into this aspect of the build. With all of their options on the table, they chose Konig Wheels wrapped with Toyo tires.
With performance in mind, Joe Maynard and Marketing In Motion had no doubts that K&N products would provide exactly what they needed. Prior to latching the hood, they installed a K&N Typhoon intake.
SEMA featured street tuned 2013 Ford Fiesta SE
"We are impressed with the fitment and horsepower increase," stated Maynard. "I had a K&N cold-air intake that I put on my 1991 Mustang 5.0 back in 1992," he recalled. K&N always fits the first time, is made from quality materials and they stand behind their products.
With all mechanical issues behind them, it was time to focus on aesthetics. The crew turned to Ford Motor Company for a genuine Ford accessory spoiler. They depended upon 3D Carbon to provide even more "eye-candy" , installing their black housing headlamps and body kit.
It was finally time to make the final improvement to the car's exterior. With the assistance of PPG paint the Fiesta's exterior would definitely turn the heads of those attending the show.
Hatch Back Ford Fiesta SE at SEMA
Of course one can do a little cosmetic work to the exterior of a vehicle and passers-by are apt to consider a project complete. But Maynard had no intentions of impressing only those who saw the project car from a distance. In fact, he wanted those who took a closer looked to be awed as well. That in mind, he also embarked upon a modification to the interior. At the build's end the car sported a leather/suede interior provided by Katzkin.
The time and effort dedicated to the project obviously was laborious and time consuming, but each and every person involved was rewarded with the fruits of their labors upon seeing the finished project at the builds end. In fact, They rolled into the 2012 SEMA Show at Las Vegas, Nevada eager to show a 2013 Ford Fiesta that many would consider unsurpassed.
Although the show is presently in the rear view mirror, that is no indication that their build will not continue to be admired by the masses. In fact, photo shoots are in the works, so others can be aspired by Joe Maynard and Marketing in Motion's vision.
It is a fact of life that to get more efficient engine performance and to prevent oil leakage from blow-by, an engine's crankcase needs to be ventilated.
K&N Conical Blue Crankcase Vent Filter
Most modern vehicles utilize a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve or some other form of emissions control system. Whereas for many custom built cars, a PCV valve may not be a practical design. Since the crankcase still needs ventilation, K&N has developed universal clamp-on crankcase vent filters.
These filters are ideal for engines, transmissions, even oil or gas tanks on racing vehicles that require venting. K&N has released 4 specific part numbers in different colors to offer a perfect match to a specific under the hood theme or vehicle paint job. These part numbers include 62-1600BL (conical blue crankcase vent filter), 62-1600WT (conical white crankcase vent filter), 62-1600RD (conical red crankcase vent filter) and 62-1590WT (round white crankcase vent filter).
K&N White Steel Base Crankcase Vent Filter 62-1590WT
These three conical vent filters (62-1600BL, 62-1600WT, 62-1600RD) are composed of a rubber base flange with an inside diameter of 1/2 inch. Included is a reducer to accomidate a 3/8 inch inside diameter. These come with a hose clamp and a chrome top. The 62-1590WT has a metal 1 inch mounting stem. It can be used on valve covers that have a 1 inch hole. It comes with a grommet to help with mounting.
All of these vent filters are made with a non-oiled, non-woven synthetic filter media to assist with capturing excess oil blow-by and provide a breathable filtration surface for escaping crankcase vent gases.
K&N Conical Red Crankcase Vent Filter
These K&N crankcase vent filters are washable, reusable and backed with a 1 year limited warranty.
Note: Legal in California only for racing vehicles which may never be used, registered, or licensed for use upon a highway. See knfilters.com for CARB status on each part for a specific vehicle.
K&N Air Filter for 2012, 2013 and 2014 Honda CR-V 2.4L with Box
K&N Air Filter for 2012, 2013 and 2014 Honda CR-V 2.4L with Box
The Honda CR-V has been sold in America since 1995, but it has only been offered in a single engine size since 2002. Because of its reliable reputation and reasonable amount of space, it has outsold every other crossover on the market for several years. It is currently available with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine that was recently redesigned to achieve greater efficiency and better fuel mileage. However, if you wanted a little more power or acceleration in your vehicle, there were no engines to choose from.
K&N Air Filter for 2012, 2013 and 2014 Honda CR-V 2.4L
K&N 33-2477 performance air filter was designed to increase horsepower and acceleration in 2012, 2013 and 2014 Honda CR-V models with the 2.4 liter engine. This air filter allows greater airflow to the engine, than the OE filter that comes with the CR-V, while still protecting your engine from the dust and dirt of the highway. The 33-2477 replacement air filter is designed specifically for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Honda CR-V with the 2.4 liter engine and it will not void your factory warranty.
Installation of K&N air filter 33-2477 is as easy as opening the OE air box, removing the old filter and replacing it with the K&N high-flow air filter. K&N's Honda CR-V performance air filter is washable, reusable and designed to be a permanent replacement to your stock filter. Cleaning your K&N air filter is very easy and depending on the conditions you drive in, it can perform up to 50,000 miles before it needs service. K&N backs up its OE replacement air filters with a Million Mile Limited Warranty so you can install your performance filter knowing you will never need to buy another engine air filter for your Honda CR-V.
You have to be creative, intelligent, and a dedicated person to do wheelies fulltime according to Petersen.
After years of wandering alone, along the road less traveled, female motorcycle stunting artist, Leah Petersen had an epiphany as to how she fits into the world of extreme sports. Petersen transformed her sudden intuitive leap of understanding into refined life goals, and then she made a course adjustment in her methods and approach to getting there.
For 2013 Leah Petersen will bring her ridding talents and branding savvy to K&N.
Petersen is a statuesque, blond, all-American looking girl that makes her living stunt riding professionally aboard full-sized sport bikes. She lives a high adrenaline lifestyle traversing the globe performing at shows and competing at stunt riding events. She got her first street bike, a GSX-R600, at age 19. She rode and survived the mean streets of New York, Italy and Los Angeles. "Finally, in Los Angeles I learned about the sport of stunt riding when I went to an XDL Show, and I bought a stuntbike the next week," declared Petersen.
Petersen's talents are not limited purely to her abilities to express herself on a motorcycle; she also has a keen understanding about product branding. Her customized stunt bikes are violet or with pink accents which are quite possibly visible from space, she has a top-tier, professional looking personal website and she manages a stunt riding magazine. She also has posted a popular video explaining how anyone can build their own stunt bike. As a powerful brand ambassador for a number of products, including Icon motorcycle gear, this season Petersen will also shine her high intensity spotlight on K&N products.
It was at an XDL Show in Los Angeles that Petersen first learned about stunt riding.
It's clear from watching from your videos and pictures that you've spent a good deal of time working on your stunts. Give us some insights into what goes into being a "Stunter?"
"Stunting is a lot of DIY problem-solving. You really have to want it! First there is the issue of finding some stunt riders, learning where they ride and being accepted into their social group. Then you need to buy a bike and build it, and then there is a lot of trial and error (trial being stunts and error being crashing) involved in learning. Sometimes you feel like you spend more time in the garage than actually riding."
"If you want to take it to the next level and make a career of it, it's just as entrepreneurial and DYI. It takes a very creative, intelligent, dedicated person to do wheelies fulltime."
Street riding in New York, Italy and Los Angeles can be more challenging than stunt riding.
How many shows or appearances do attend in a season?
"I have split my career thus far between Europe and America, so I am still learning what a 'normal' season in America is. Stunt competitions and events come and go, so it's hard to predict. But you can bet if there is something within a two day drive, I will be attending!"
What all went into making the decision to quit your job and become a fulltime stunt rider?
"It was kind of a now or never situation. I had a great job in NYC and stunting was just a hobby, but being one of the few female stunters, I kept getting calls for stunt gigs. I figure a desk job will always be there, but the chance to stunt fulltime won't."
Explain a bit about your plans to "create new, never before things" and to basically go were no woman has gone before?
"I think stunting is a great metaphor for life. Even for people who may never pull a wheelie or ride a motorcycle. It's all about passion and finding new forms of expression, I always hope it inspires people to try harder to overcome their own fears. I would love to use stunt riding in non-conventional ways to get the sport out in front of a broader demographic."
Petersen says there's a lot of trial and error involved in learning to be a stunter.
You will be working on K&N Lifestyle and/or How to Videos, can you talk about that a bit?
"I have used K&N products before our partnership, so I can speak from the heart, which is important to me when creating content. In developing my website, I see how much people around the world appreciate the how-to videos. I know I was lucky to have experienced riders supporting me when I started and still today; hopefully our videos can help anyone enjoy stunt riding, no matter where they are. Learning how to keep your bike running correctly, means riding another day and that is what matters!"
What's up next on your calendar?
"I have a few video shoots this spring and of course I am building a new bike for the season. It's kind of the quiet before the storm, where I can enjoy riding with friends, because once summer comes, it will be all "work." I of course use the word 'work' loosely because in the end any riding is a good time!"
