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Round Five of the Maxxis British Drift Championship Rocks Silverstone Circuit to the Core

13 Sept 2012

After happily engaging the fans, it was soon back to the serious business of getting ready for qualification for the drivers.

For more than 60 years, Silverstone Circuit nestled betwixt the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury, has imprinted its mark as one of the foremost motorsport venues in the world. Internationally renowned as the host of world class events and perhaps best known as the home of the British Grand Prix, on September 2nd Silverstone hosted Trax, the United Kingdom's largest multi-make automotive show. The opening act for Trax, which bills itself as "The Ultimate Performance Car Event," was Round 5 of the K&N sponsored Maxxis British Drift Championship, and together they flat-out rocked Silverstone to its core.

Round 5 of the K&N sponsored Maxxis British Drift Championship was hosted by the world renowned Silverstone Circuit.

Judgment Day is coming soon - that's when the final round of the British Drift Championship will crown their champions at the intense Knockhill Circuit in Scotland, so performing will at Silverstone was in the forefront of everyone's intentions. The celebrated F1 track gives unrivalled spectator view points as the drivers power around the circuit with the highest entry speeds on the event calendar. Much to the delight of all the fans, this event also saw the return of the Speedhunters Team that consists of Formula D stars Fredric Aasbo and Darren "D-Mac" McNamara.

Once the cars were lined up they were led around the circuit in a parade for the fans, right before they unleash their wrath on the track.

Ratcheting up the action even further was that Round 5 was condensed from its usual two days, to one single day of heady, volatile competition. Compared to the usual race weekends which span two days and have 32 drivers in each class, this time due to the incredibly tight time constraints of the Trax schedule, the British Drift Championship competitors had just one day where the Super Pro Class drivers had to qualify and compete. It clearly showcased the cream of the British Drifting crop to an audience who may not have had the chance to otherwise experience drifting in real-time.

Audible gasps were aplenty as drivers careened around the extremely high speed Silverstone track.

The morning practice sessions looked strong as drivers adjusted to the pace and found their preferential lines, then after the briefing it was onto the qualifying sessions in the afternoon. The fast paced and flowing lines around Silverstone seemed to ideally suit the Super Pros. Several of the drivers managed to score above 90 points in qualification. As in all previous rounds, the drama started early and continued to build all the way to the totally satisfying crescendo.

As in the earlier rounds the drivers once again found time in their busy day to line up by the Maxxis truck to take part in an autograph signing, and as always this was warmly appreciated, as the crowd turned out en-masse to greet the drivers and get memorabilia signed. Then towards the end of the day, the Championship round got underway. Right from the get-go, the action engaged the fans and held them there until the end. There were collective gasps as the drivers pulled close on each other, accelerating around the track at 90-degree angles, only inches apart, while tires were tortured and torn to the canvas.

Fredric Aasbo to retained his Silverstone crown, Paul Smith took second, and Darren McNamara rounded out the top three.

The top 16 finalists did themselves and the British Drift Championship proud, by displaying huge helpings of bona fide driving talent, while showcasing the high standards of cars and competition within the championship. The twin battles were the highlight of an already highly enjoyable day for frenzied fans. The influx of the two Speedhunters drivers only further served to stir up the competition and significance of the event.

After some exhilarating battles the judges announced the winners. Fredric Aasbo managed to retain his Silverstone crown despite the best efforts of Paul Smith, who came in second place, and Simon Perry held off the advances of Darren McNamara to grab the third tier on the podium.

Round 6 - Judgment Day - the last and final event of the 2012 British Drift Championship ignites on the 29th and 30th of September. The Knockhill Circuit in Scotland is an exceedingly popular driver's track and it rewards those willing to risk complete commitment - chest pounding, nail-biting action is therefore a given.

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Jeff Interlicchia and the 750 Horsepower 1966 Dodge Coronet Win at Auto Club Famoso Raceway

13 Sept 2012

Jeff Interlicchia at Auto Club Famoso Raceway

In the hotbed of drag racing, Southern California lives a driver who is closing in on a career season. 43-year-old Jeff Interlicchia is running away with the inaugural NMCA Quick Street championship with just two races remaining, while also looking to make a late-season charge into the top 10 in NHRA Stock points.

Since winning his first Summit Series race in 2004, Interlicchia and his 1966 Dodge Coronet have been tearing up drag strips in Southern California, winning races at a steady pace. Interlicchia has five career Wally's in his name, and has a great chance of landing a few more before this season is over.

Jeff Interlicchia's 1966 Dodge Coronet puts out around 750 horsepower.

Jeff Interlicchia's 1966 Dodge Coronet has a 512c.i. naturally aspirated engine that puts out around 750 horsepower.

"I won the first NMCA event at Fontana in the Street Muscle class, and won the second race at Bakersfield in the Quick Street class. I've also set a National Record and won two Wally's in my Stock Eliminator car, so I feel I am a versatile driver who competes well in different classes and at many different tracks.

"I can't wait to get back to the NMCA West Coast final in Bakersfield in October. Hopefully I can become their first Quick Street champion, if all goes well."

Interlicchia's Coronet is nothing to be taken lightly. Purchased in 2003 at a Mopar car show, the Coronet originally ran in the 14-second range, but with the addition of a 512c.i. naturally aspirated engine, the car now runs in the mid 10-second range while putting on a nice wheelie show for the fans. The car puts out around 750 horsepower.

Interlicchia has driven the car to wins at the All Mopar race in Fontana, SCEDA track championships and now to a commanding lead in NMCA competition.

Jeff Interlicchia and his 1966 Dodge Coronet

The Coronet handles so well, Interlicchia was able to jump back in it after running his Stock Eliminator entry for a few races, and hardly miss a beat, although the driver needed a tune-up.

"At the NMCA race in Bakersfield, I won my second event in a row. But when I showed up, I had been running my Stock Eliminator car so much, I completely forgot how to stage and launch the Dodge, so my first timed run botched.

"That didn't sit well with me, and it made me focus harder on winning that Wally. Everything played out perfectly for me, then in Pomona, I lost in the fourth round by one-thousandth of a second, which stopped the three-peat, but gave me a favorable points lead."

As the season comes to an end, Interlicchia is looking to jump back into the national spotlight in both NHRA and NMCA competition, and if he does, it will be with K&N Filters in the car.

"K&N air filters help both of my cars by allowing me to keep dirt out of my motor and still get maximum horsepower. K&N wrench-of oil filters do an amazing job of keeping contaminants out of the engine as well. When I have to change oil between rounds, the wrench-off design makes the job that much easier and cleaner. K&N has helped me greatly, and I really thank them for that."

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.

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series' Steve Bucaro and His 400cc Pilot Class Buggy at Lake Elsinore

13 Sept 2012

Steve Bucaro became a fully sponsored driver this year, joining Kenny Osborne's Black Rhino team, a move that is paying huge dividends.

It can be argued that no nickname fits a person better than Steve 'Wheels' Bucaro. A double meaning, Wheels earned the nickname for both the right and the wrong reasons. A paraplegic as a result of a motorcycle accident, Bucaro now relies on a pair of wheels to perform everyday activities, but when it's time to prove to people that his disability is just a minor inconvenience, Bucaro turns a set of wheels with a little bit of horsepower.

This season Steve Bucaro is running in the Pilot class for the regional Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

"For me, driving is the ultimate freedom from being in a wheelchair," Bucaro said. "And then you get in a racecar and have people chasing you as well as yourself trying to chase down someone else is great."

Bucaro has looked into all forms of racing, but he found a passion in off-road racing. This season Bucaro is running in the Pilot class for the regional Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Because the Pilot program is still growing, the division runs with the SR1 Rhino class, and Bucaro loves every minute of it.

"I am pretty darn quick for a twenty two year old, 400cc buggy. I have an absolute blast every time I strap in, and my results are proof of my passion for racing. With the exception of one (did not finish), all the other races have resulted in first place."

Bucaro became a fully sponsored driver this year, joining Kenny Osborne's Black Rhino team, a move that is paying huge dividends not only now, but also hopefully down the road as well.

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series' Steve Bucaro and his 400cc buggy

"To be able to pit under a tent and with such a great company and group of people is flat-out awesome. Being the only paralyzed driver in our series and having someone recognize your passion and drive is the best feeling in the world, so to that I owe a 'thank you' to Kenny and everyone at Black Rhino.

"My goal is to be in a SR 1 Rhino next season and just keep moving up from there, hopefully into Super Lite and Pro Lite trucks."

While Bucaro has enjoyed jumping back onto a specially modified motorcycle, he says nothing fills his need for speed like off-road racing.

"I think the rush and easy accessibility, plus getting a little dirty makes off-road racing the most fun and best choice. I have drifted, still ride street bikes and drive every chance I get, but nothing takes the cake like one of my races. Pushing yourself for a faster time and smoother line is something that can't be matched. Plus, you get out and roll away in the wheelchair and people like at you saying 'what?' I think that's funny."

Wheels is looking forward to the season finale coming up in Las Vegas, where the California series will run a combined event with vehicles from Utah and Arizona as well. Bucaro thinks the event is "going to be explosive."

Bucaro also wanted to thank K&N for their support of his racing career.

"K&N is the only oil and air filter I have or ever will use. Proven performance, more horsepower and a family-like company, what else could you want? Everyone at K&N is great and my loyalty will always lie with them. I'm looking to get that second championship this season thanks to them."

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.

Ray Cook Finishes Top 5 at Smokey Mountain Speedway in Ultimate Super Late Model Series

11 Sept 2012

After a rocky ride during mid-season, Ray Cook is back on track and looking forward to the remainder of the season

Ray Cook and team D&R Motorsports, recently rolled into Maryville, Tennessee, eager to race in the Late Model class at the Smokey Mountain Speedway. Four-thousand dollars awaited the winner of the Ultimate Super Late Model Series event. Cook and his team were confident they had a good chance to walk away with another victory under their belts. To this point, the season had been somewhat of a roller coaster ride for the team, but it appeared that everything was finally starting to pan out.

"We started the season out really well," recalled Cook. "In fact, we had the best start that I have probably ever had. And then about the middle of March, we had some engine troubles and pretty much struggled through April and May, because we didn't have a good engine package back. During those couple of months, we really weren't happy with our performance, because we were behind the eight-ball. We got our new engine back in July," he continued, "and it really turned our program back around to where it was at the beginning of the season. We had some setbacks, but now we have it back on track and hope to end the year like we started."

Entering the race with confidence on his side, Ray Cook qualified fourth quickest and in turn, earned an outside spot on the second row for the forty-lap main event. At the waving of the green flag, the Brasstown, North Carolina native embarked upon a hard-fought battle remaining in the top five of the field. At the waving of the checkered flag, Ray Cook crossed the finish line in the fourth position, just missing a spot on the podium behind Vic Hill, Tommy Kerr and Billy Ogle Jr.

"We race at Smokey Mountain Speedway about four or five times a year," recalled the driver. "It's a nice facility; a great family oriented race track. We had been there a couple of times this season. We had finished second and third and it seemed like the engine was our problem. We knew we had a good chance of winning, because we had all of the pieces that had been missing before." When asked the importance of setting an impressive qualifying time at this event, Cook continued, "Qualifying is very important. That determines where you start. The better you start, the less you have to pass."

Ray Cook, and team D&R Motorsports recently finished in the top five at the Smokey Mountain Speedway, in Maryville, Tennessee

Although success depends a great deal upon Ray Cooks driving skills, he is also aware that his team is of utmost importance. "They're very important. Believe it or not, when the night goes well, they don't have to do as much," he explained. "The nights when everything goes wrong are when they're really important. That's when we really need them. They do a lot or work at the shop before we get to the races. When you unload and are prepared, that's as good as it gets."

Referring to keeping his car on tip-top condition, the driver continued, "Maintenance is one of the most important things you do, because if you don't do it, you don't get to finish. I go back to the old saying, "In order to finish first, you must first finish", he replied.

With that in mind, Ray Cook and his crew are strong advocates of taking proper care of their engines. They have an acute understanding of the importance of keeping the internal components of their motor free of any foreign debris. To ensure their filtering needs are met, they depend upon K&N products. In fact, the driver uses K&N oil and air filters, along with pre-filters, valve cover breathers, and K&N cleaning oil and lubricants.

Referring to K&N products stability and quality Cook said, "They've been around a long time. When you take one of their products out of the box, you don't have to worry about it. You know for sure that you're getting first quality products, and that's very important. I've been using K&N products since 1996."

When asked what he enjoys most about racing, Ray Cook said, "It's the competitiveness of it. It started out as a hobby, and it eventually turned into my job. I feel fortunate that I don't dread getting up and going to work every day. I enjoy being around good people and loving what you do."

When asked, what fans can expect from him and his crew throughout the remainder of the season, Ray Cook said, "Hopefully to have more wins, and if we can't win, to stay on the top five. We've got a new engine, and our car is in good shape, so hopefully, we can end the season on a good note."

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.

Willie McCoy Wins Second Springfield Mile in AMA Pro-Harley Grand National Championship

11 Sept 2012

Willie McCoy recently walked away victorious from the Springfield Mile, which was held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

Willie McCoy and his crew recently showed up at the Illinois State Fairgrounds with anticipations of chocking up a victory at the Springfield Mile, in the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship.

"Springfield was my first race of the season," recalled the rider. "I'm a part time racer with a wonderful family and great job; I don't have the time to race full-time anymore." Referring to his mindset going into the event, he continued, "Confidence is always good going into Springfield, because Kenny Tolbery taught me how to build and make these Harleys run fast. I love the track, and usually do pretty good at Springfield. I have been close to winning there before, and just came up a half-second or less from the victory. That is, until last September, when I finally got my first GNC win."

As the temperatures soared into the 90's, McCoy lined up against his competitors with intentions of following the same game plan that earned him a victory at this venue the year before. At the waving of the green flag, the riders shot out of the gate, and the heated battle was underway.

The recent Springfield Mile turned out to be a toe-to-toe race that was finally cinched in the final seconds by Willie McCoy

McCoy started the race off in eighth place during the first lap, but the rider had no intentions of letting a slow start get in his way. In fact, he immediately began maneuvering his bike toward the front of the pack. With perseverance and unadulterated will power, the rider finally caught up with the leaders about halfway into the race.

"Once I caught up to the lead pack, I was not sure how I was going to move to the front. They were all going really fast," shared McCoy.

The fierce battle continued throughout the twenty-five lap event. With riders going toe-to-toe, not a single competitor took a commanding lead until Willie McCoy finally took the front position within a stone's throw of the finish line. "Things just worked my way into second with a few laps to go," recalled the rider. "I got a good draft off of Brian Smith coming out of turn four on the last lap, only to lead about the last ten feet of the race."

"I was riding so hard throughout the main event that I wasn't sure what to do, except keep charging forward," he continued. "Everything just worked out perfectly. My Harley-Davidson of Wausau/Independence Harley Davidson, with awesome K&N air filters just pulled me to the finish line first. The competition is always stiff at Springfield, or any of the other AMA, GNC races. There are a lot of great riders with a good chance at winning any time you line up next to them on the track."

Explaining his take on this particular venue, the rider said, "I think the Springfield Mile is the greatest flat track race in the world. It is our most prestigious race in the history of our sport. Back in the day, prior to the present point system, if you won the Springfield Mile, you were the champ that year." When asked what advantage he had over his competitors, McCoy's answer was short and to the point, "God was showing me the way to the front."

Willie McCoy was quick to credit his team for the role they play in his success. "I think having a good team is very important," he stated. "You have to have great support to help you do your job, which is, win races."

Along with his riding skills, Wille McCoy was quick to credit his team, proper maintenance and God for his recent win at the Springfield Mile, in the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship

The rider is also a strong advocate of maintenance and relies on K&N products to handle his filtering needs. "Maintenance is very important, especially on these Harley Davidson XR 750s. We are making probably thirty more horsepower than they were designed for," he explained. "And we are revving up the engines probably four-thousand rpm's higher than what they were designed to handle."

In reference to K&N products, he continued, "I use the RU-1240 oval air filters, because they give you the most protection from all the dust and dirt, while giving you awesome horsepower. I have been using K&N air filters my entire professional racing career, which is going on twenty-three years. K&N products are the best in the world. I use K&N products on all of my motorcycles, race bikes, dirt bikes, street bikes and my race transporter."

When asked what fans can expect throughout the remainder of the season, Willie McCoy said, "Other than winning races, I enjoy the big family and friends that most all of us in the flattrack racing world share. Fans can expect lots of smiling, having fun, trying my hardest, appreciating everything that I have, and enjoying this wonderful life that I've been blessed with. Thank you. Thanks to God, all my family, friends and all of the supporters who have made my racing career and success possible."

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.