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Paul Arch's photo of Jason Meyers driving the number 21 race car to a 5th place finish at Knoxville
It's not often that athletes get to truly go out on top. They all say that's how they want to do it, but rarely does is happen. That's why everyone was stunned when two-time defending World of Outlaws champion Jason Meyers abruptly retired at the start of the 2012 season. Meyers cited a chance to spend time with his two daughters and his wife, Robyn, and an opportunity to move into a "new career" as a family man as the main reason for stepping aside following two dominant seasons at the top level of Sprint Car racing.
But Meyers wasn't done, not yet at least. As the Knoxville Nationals neared in early August, Meyers found himself with an opportunity to return to the biggest Sprint Car race in the world, a race that he has been so close to winning in the past, only to see it slip away. The opportunity at revenge came through friend and fellow California racer Tommy Tarlton, his father Tom, and their Tarlton and Sons racing team.
"Jason is a close friend of mine and a professional," Tommy Tarlton said. "Before the season, when he started talking about retiring, my father and I approached him about the possibility of running a car for us at the Knoxville Nationals. Jason was in favor of doing so because he had been so close to winning it before, and he really wanted to have another shot at winning it."
Meyers said he thought people misunderstood his decision to step away from racing on a full-time basis, not understanding that he was not leaving the sport he loved, but instead just taking a break from the day-to-day grind of a full-time driver at the top of his game.
"I think one misconception of some was that I was leaving the sport for good," Meyers said. "My intentions have always been to change what I do for a living so that I can be home and be a dad. But my entire family and all of my friends are in racing and to ever leave it completely would mean leaving them and that is something I never want to do."
After six months of not racing wheel-to-wheel at speeds over 100mph, one might think Meyers was a bit nervous or unsettled strapping back into a racecar, but instead Meyers immediately established himself as one of the fastest drivers at the race. "I know this sounds cliché, but it's like riding a bike," Meyers said. "I spend every day right now in an uncomfortable position trying to learn a new business and get up to speed as fast as possible, so climbing back in a racecar was the most comfortable thing in the world to me. It's what I know and I know it well."
Jason Meyers qualifying win on Thursday in the World of Outlaws
Meyers turned in a magical performance on his qualifying night, winning the Thursday qualifier and setting the team up for a top-10 start in the Saturday 50-lap feature. Meyers spent the first half of the race riding around in the back half of the top-10. When it was time to go, Meyers started picking cars off, driving up to fifth.
But Meyers simply ran out of laps, and had to settle with a top-5 finish in his return to competition. Still, for a one-race effort with a rusty driver, everyone involved with the team was satisfied.
"I couldn't be happier with how our return went," Meyers added. "It was very satisfying to go back to Knoxville with the Tarlton team and run as well as we did. For the entire team to go back to Knoxville for a one-off trip and win their qualifying night and run fifth at the biggest race in the world, we were all very excited. It took a lot of great people and their efforts to pull that off."
Tarlton said that while Meyers enjoyed himself, the team also benefitted greatly from the experience a champion and world-class driver like Meyers brings to the table.
"On and off the track Jason helped our team with his experience from travelling the country as well as running a team as a business," said Tarlton, himself a two-time champion of the Ocean Sprints series. "Doing it for a career over the last ten years, he has so much knowledge about the sport that continues to be really beneficial to our team, helping us get to the next level."
After a weekend back in the saddle, Meyers was candid about whether or not he is contemplating a return to the seat on a full-time basis in 2013. "It's always really comfortable going back to what you know and I would be lying if I said there wasn't that little part in me that still burns for the drivers seat," Meyers said. "Just recently, another opportunity came up and I had to turn it down. What I can tell you is that anyone who knows me well knows that while it takes me a while to make a decision, once I make that decision, it is final. My family is very important to me and the two greatest things I can hope to accomplish in life are to be a great husband and a great father.
"I have no regrets. We were able to spend ten years living my dream and now it is time to prepare for the dreams of our kids. I wouldn't give a single year back, but we are now on to another dream and look forward to remaining a part of the racing world in some way. Make no mistake, I still want to race, and plan on doing so, but it will only be on a level where I can be home with my family and my business."
Sounds easy, right?
Tarlton said his team is thankful of the support K&N has provided to their championship winning team.
"K&N provides us with their top of the line products to keep us in front of the competition. We currently run K&N Air Filters, Outwears, and use their filter spray and filter cleaner. Much of the success we have on the track comes from the components we use and our ability to prepare away from the track."
Carl Renezeder has carved out a short-course off-road legacy that will endure in the history books forever
"Well, I've got eight championships now, so I'd like to win two more to make it an even ten," remarked Carl Renezeder. "And, I just want to keep winning more races and enjoying the journey. People focus on 100, but every one of these wins has a story behind it."
For the record that would now be 102 back-stories. As soon as Renezeder hit the century victory mark at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it was as though he crossed both a personal finish and starting line at the same instant, because with that history making goal finally gone, he went on to win 101 and 102 without any real challenge.
Back in April of 2011 Renezeder told us, "At the moment our eye is on win number 93. We're just keeping our heads down and working hard at getting it all to fall into place." The closer the 100 win loomed, the more it appeared to weigh on Renezeder. Trying not to focus on something, when everyone around is obsessed with it, saps massive amounts of energy that should be applied elsewhere. Therefore thumping that triple-digit monkey off his back clearly energized and renewed Renezeder.
The long time K&N supported driver says he's hungrier than ever for more wins and championships
"Outstanding! He's back." Those three words emailed by Ron Stukenberg of Nissan North America to the Team Renezeder said it all. The Renezeder of old seemed to have slipped into the shadows in the first half of the 2012 season, where he experienced some of the worst results of his short-course career. However, in the true fashion of an eight-time champion, Renezeder found the magic to smash through the barrier and claim his rightful place in the Vegas spotlight.
"It was pretty special to win my 100th at the same track as I won my first race," said Renezeder. "I'm also really proud that all my wins have been with the same Lucas Oil Truck."
After slightly less than 14 complete seasons of racing, Renezeder brought his win record full circle by earning his 100th, 101 and 102nd win in the same place he earned his first one back in 1999.
"I did not want that race to end," commented Renezeder over the radio after career win number 101 in his Pro-2 truck. The truck was flawless and the track suited the set-up perfectly. Renezeder started the race from the third spot after qualifying second with a four-truck invert. By the time he hit the tabletop jump out of turn one, on lap one, he had the lead and never looked back.
Team Renezeder has 8 National Championships, 102 wins and counting
After the race he continued, "I was kind of hoping that someone would catch me and make it a battle, but it's so much fun driving a truck like that, it doesn't matter if you're battling ten trucks or out there on your own. There's no other feeling like it."
The history setting victory and the one right after that were relatively uneventful, as though providence had cleared a path for Renezeder to at last embrace his legacy. But, it was win 102 that left everyone there witnessing it shaking their heads in admiration, for a remarkable display of driving, put together by an extraordinary driver.
It was the last race on the docket for the weekend and Renezeder was lined up in seventh place with the eight-truck inversion. He clearly understood that several laws of physics would need to be broken, being that the track had proven to be ill-suited for passing. At the restart of a mandatory yellow, Renezeder had only Brian Deegan and Robert Naughton between him and another mark in the history books. And once more for good measure, Renezeder made it look like driving clinic for advanced track skills, as he passed both drivers and led the final two laps on route to victory.
Renezeder said that he’s really proud that all his wins have been with the same Lucas Oil Truck
"The truck was flawless. You guys are awesome," commented the K&N sponsored driver, with a distinct mark of respect in his voice, on his way to victory lane for the third time. The dates and win locations were written on the bottom of the trophy, which set off a stream of memories paving the long road taken to this exact point in his life. Then a new line was drawn in the dirt. Renezeder says he is hungrier than ever for more wins, more battles, more innovation and more championships, and the team went back to work perfecting their winning formula.
Keoni's Evo encorporates traditional Japanese styling and racing functionality
Standing on the sidewalks of the Las Vegas strip offers an overwhelming view of a world built of lights, excitement and some of the best super cars in the world cruising up and down the streets of Sin City. It’s not uncommon to see some of the more glitzy models like Lamborghinis, Ferraris or a Rolls Royce mixed in among the tourist busses and family vacation mini vans but, there is no missing Keoni Viernes'custom 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX when it roars past. Originally from Pearl City, a town right next to Pearl Harbor Hawaii, Viernes now resides in the fabulous Las Vegas with his more than fabulous Lancer Evo. K&N caught up with Keoni to go over some of the more unique specs of his race ready import.
K&N: What was the initial inspiration for building and customizing cars?
Keoni: "My love for cars started when I use to go to Volkswagen car shows and seeing all these different cars and each had their own touch to it, and that’s what I wanted to do to my evo."
K&N: Did you choose this car? Why go with the Evo?
Keoni: "I always wanted a 4 door sports car that just so happened to be all-wheel drive and turbo. Still maintaining sleek race car look[s] but be able to hold passengers at the same time. Lastly, the infamous Hybrid Philosophy of building a complete race-street-show vehicle.
K&N: What drove you to make some of the design choices and styles for the Evo?
Keoni: "I had inspiration from the JDM or Japanese culture in modifying cars as well as other members of my team building Hybrid Quality Cars."
Recently landing a cover spot on Performance Auto and Sound magazine with a full 3 page feature, Keoni’s 2005 Lancer Evo is getting an excellent display in the lime light. Keoni is also connected to custom auto group, Team Hybrid which has also celebrated multiple member cover spots this past year. Keoni credits much of his success to his involvement with Team Hybrid. "This car started off as [a] reliable daily driver work car, and then it became a race car… ”stated Keoni. …”Then I meet up with some guys from Team Hybrid especially with the help of Founder/President James Lin, LV Chapter Director Archie Concon, plus a few other Hybridz as well as our great team title sponsors, and it became a complete "Race-Street-Show” car.”
Keoni also went more in detail to the custom body style of his Evo by "…taking different styles from each car and putting my own touch to it. At the start it was just your basic engine bolt-ons and rims,” said Keoni. "The car started off with the stock tarmac black color which was nice, but being most shows where at night you really couldn’t see the car. The dramatic change is when I started doing the body work and adding the Voltex Wide Body with a full custom paint job and this couldn’t happen without the help of Team Hybrid and James Lin. They helped me finish the front and rear fenders from Evasive Motor Sports (The largest Distributor of Voltex). With such [an] aggressive body kit, it needed aggressive color and familiar with Japanese scene using bright colors and graphics, I took a page out of there book and went with this color. My main reason was to have a car I can take to shows and compete with the best and then step to the race track and beat it up on the track."
Keoni had much help from the guys at Team Hybrid when installing the Voltex wide body kit
Keoni’s custom mods and styles have been seen at the following shows this past year:
SEMA
Motor Trend Auto Show
Motion Auto Show
SpoCom Auto Show
Import Face Off
Formula Drift
Mitsubishi Owner Day
Import Showoff Nisei Week
Wekfest
Slammed Society
Remix
While a pretty sight to see, Keoni’s show and go Evolution IX racer is no slouch with enough mods and upgrades to pump out a serious 450HP on the dyno. Here is the full spec sheet for the Mitsubishi:
This black and yellow Evo catches eyes everywhere, from cars shows, to the race track
Exterior
Voltex Street Edition Front Bumper
Voiltex Street Edition Canards
Voltex Front & Rear Wide Fenders
Voltex Side Skirts
Voltex Rear Diffuser
Voltex 1500mm Wing
Voltex Carbon Fiber Heat Shield
Vortex Generator
Window Shields
JDM Rear Evo 9 Tail lights
Carbon Fiber J- Panels
Carbon Fiber Vinyl Roof
House Of Kolors 4 Stage Sunrise Pearl with Ice
Engine
FP Green Turbo
GT-Spec Tubular Manifold
Keoni went with one of K&N's high flow air filters to feed the turbo powered engine that puts out 450hp to the wheels
HKS Reloaded Racing Suction Intake System
K&N Performance Air Filter
HKS 272 Intake/Exhaust Cams
HKS Adjustable Cam Gears
HKS Front Mount Intercooler
HKS Upper & Lower Pipping
Hallman Manual Boost Control
Turbo XS Oil Catch Can
Ingalls Stiffy Engine Torque Dampener
ARP Head Studs
Ralliart Red Oil Cover
Titek Carbon Fiber Hood Damper
APR Radiator Cooling Plate
JM Fabrications Spark Plug Cover
Tanabe Concept G Blue Turbo Back Exhaust
ClutchMaster Twin Dics
Greddy Type RS Blow Off Valve
Perrin Hose Kit
Even with a racing roll cage, passengers can still sit in the back seat or Keoni's Evo, just maybe not comfortably...
Style and comfort have never been blended so well with high performance in the Infiniti G35 Coupe. With its sleek lines and luxurious interior, you would almost forget your taking a turn in 4th gear. Like most vehicles, this roadster looks great in any color. But nothing truly captures a car's soul like when it's in the best color of all, black, and that is just what California custom vehicle owner Alf Serrato has done with his black on black on black 6MT coupe. K&N had a chance to catch up with Serrato and go over the custom specs of the appropriately dubbed, Black Mamba.
K&N- What inspired you to have a passion for customizing cars?
Serrato- "I've always had a passion to have something different than your average car. I have owned several cars since first getting my license in 1988 and every one of them have been customized.. It's a lifestyle.. Shopped for a few months for a car like this and happen to be walking around the dealership when one rolled off the truck with the plastic still on it. MINE!"
K&N- What drew you to this specific model? Why the G35?
Serrato- "The G35 6MT Coupe is mix of sport and luxury. It's quick and handles well. To me the styling will never get old."
K&N- So why the unique look of near blackout on the vehicle, why did you choose it?
Serrato- "My car is black and I chose yellow to be a contrast color. I believe a black car with yellow accents catch the eyes of an enthusiast, a non-enthusiast, and just about anyone including judges."
K&N- Why did you choose a K&N filter ?
Serrato- "K&N [products] are not only easy to clean, but they are known to have free flowing filters, [and the] 1,000,000 mile warranty too!"
K&N-Any info of where the Black Mamba has been and where it may be going?
Serrato- "[For 2012] HIN Pomona, HIN in Long Beach, Motion Auto Show (3rd Place), AutoCon LA 2012, Auto Gallery 2012 (Best Infiniti) , Extreme AutoFest (Best Infiniti), Extreme Dimensions Open House, G35 Sedan GTG IV(Best Engine Bay)."
Serrato went on to mention that his car is still up for some changes in the years to come. As a proud member of R-Rydes Car Club, the Black Mamba is sure to turn heads wherever it travels. The complete list of specs on his G35 6MT are listed below:
The Black Mamba sports a K&N highflow air filter bolted to a customer intake tube
The Black Mamba
Engine/Drivetrain Modifications:
VQ35 v2 (1-5-2010)
Polished Cosworth Manifold w/ CF endcaps
Polished Cosworth Fuel Rails
Polished Lower Collector
Polished Timing Cover
Polished Throttle Body
Polished VTC Solenoids
Polished Furookie Intake
Polished Stainless Allen Bolts ( entire bay )
Polished ARP Nuts
Painted Valve Covers
Painted Pulleys
Polished and Chromed Brackets
Polished T-Bolt Clamps
Full Wire-Tuck
Stainless Steel Braided Radiator Hoses
Various Earls AN Fittings and Clamps
MotorDyne "ART" pipes V1 (woohoo)
Stillen TD SS Exhaust with Single Wall Tips
JWT clutch/flywheel combo
UpRev Osiris Tune @ Church Automotive 304.9rwhp 285tq
Alf Serrato's G35 has the proper stance that can be appreciated by any car enthusiast
Suspension Modifications: HKS Hypermax III Non-Sport Coilovers
SPL v3 Front Camber Arms
SPL Rear Camber Arms
SPL Upper Control Arm Bushings
SPL Lower Control Arm Bushings
SPL Compression Rod Bushings
SPC Toe Bolts
Custom Polished and RRYDE Burnt ARC Titanium Strut Tower Brace and Brackets
Powder Coated Stillen Sway Bars
West End Aligned and Cornerbalanced
PowerGrid Front and Rear Endlinks
Wheels/Tires Modifications:
3-Piece SSR SP3 Super Black Coat
20x9.5 +0 HP Disk w/225-35-20 Yokohama S-drives
20x11 +3 MD Disk w/255-35-20 Yokohama S-drives
AP Racing Custom Powdercoated 6 Piston Front BBK
2-Piece Rotors w/12 pt ARP Hardware
AP Racing Custom Powdercoated 4 Piston Rear BBK
2-Piece Powdercoated Rotors w/12 pt ARP Hardware
Volk Formula Racing Lugs
Black on black offers a classy look for almost any show vehicle
Interior/Exterior Modifications:
Authentic Kuruma Z Front Bumper
ARCH non-modified Poly Impul SS
Custom Modified Chargespeed Rear w/add Carbon
Rear Fenders Rolled and Pulled
Front Fenders Rolled and Pulled
Debadged Trunk
20% Tint
06-07 JDM Taillights
JDM DD Conversion w/Active Dual Climate Control
Eclipse 5435 double din AVN
MB Quart Q-series 6.5 components
MB Quart Ref series 6x9 components
JL 12W7
JL 1000/1
JL 450/4
Tommy Kaira Hebi Bebi Shift Knob
Nifty Shifty Shift Boot Oem Leather w/Orange Stitchin
Fiberglassed Trunk
JDM Clear Corner w/Bump
2006 Projectors
LED's
OEM Blacked Out Grill
Hours of hard work have been plugged into Alf Serrato's G35 and he calims there are more to come
JDM RHD Battery Cover
Polished NRG Hood Dampers
Optima Yellow Top Battery
ARC Oil Cap ( Custom )
Custom
Polished and RRYDE Burnt ARC Titanium Air Diversion Panel
SxExCx Polished Overflow Tank
SxExCx Polished Power Steering Tank
Koyo Slim 36mm Polished Radiator (Modified)
RRYDE M-Spec Custom Polished Aluminum Fan Shroud with Spal Fans
(Modified) Driver and Passenger Side Chrome Coolant Pipes
Crossover Bypass Mod by RRYDE
High Polished RAREJDM Aluminum Underpanel
Replacement Air Filter for 2003-2016 Yamaha YZ85 dirt bikes
Split-second decisions made by anything less than commonsense ultimately, and always, results with an abrupt introduction to the unflinching laws of physics. Discovering where commonsense ends and recklessness begins can often be painful though, which is why learning to ride off-road, sans traffic and asphalt, is the ideal means to initiate an understanding of two wheel boundaries.
For the serious mini racer and future Arenacross champion the Yamaha YZ85 is the last rung in their education before moving into full-grown motorcycles. The YZ85 is ready to race right out of the crate and features a high performance, 85cc 2-stroke engine that provides legendary Yamaha durability. It also features a liquid-cooled six speed close-ratio transmission that is light and compact with a rigid single-backbone, semi-double-cradle frame. The broad handlebar and flat fuel tank, radiator shrouds, side panels and rear fender provide the rider the control and the freedom to move around and weight transfer.
Another important lesson to take hold of early is that by simply swapping the factory installed air filter with a K&N YA-8502 washable and reusable motorcycle air filter, you'll be assuring your YZ85 motorcycle is getting outstanding levels of engine protection and performance, in the harsh off-road environment. The secret to their success lies in the exclusive characteristics of the filter medium, which was originally developed by K&N all those years ago in the off-road dust of desert and motocross racing.
K&N's YA-8502 reusable air filter is engineered to increase power and torque, and the unique oiled cotton gauze filter medium, layered between two sheets of aluminum wire mesh, is how that's accomplished. This thoroughly tested and proven replacement filter provides outstanding filtration and exceptional air flow to help optimize performance, and to keep your YZ85 engine running clean for a very long time.
The YA-8502 can hold a huge amount of dirt before cleaning is required. The length of riding time between servicing depends on your particular off-road riding circumstances. When it is time for servicing K&N recommends a Recharger Filter Service Kit, which contains industrial strength air filter cleaner and air filter oil. Using the K&N Recharger® Kit can restore the air flow and cleaning efficiency of your K&N air filter to perform like new with every cleaning, for many years of off-road riding.
K&N YA-8502 fits the following Yamaha Motorcycles:
